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Books/book club

SF/Fantasy/Magical realism anyone?

(100 Posts)
JessM Sat 31-Aug-13 15:16:05

Currently reading The Long War, by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter.
Very enjoyable read, as was its predecessor, The Long Earth. Flashes of vintage TP humour.
www.amazon.co.uk/The-Long-War-Earth/dp/0857520113
Anyone else like reading about imaginary worlds? What's your favourite?

AlieOxon Sat 23-Nov-13 18:28:51

Just spoke to my sister and it's in the bunch of books she's bringing on Monday!

AlieOxon Sat 23-Nov-13 11:57:38

Must see if my library has it!

broomsticks Sat 23-Nov-13 11:53:14

The new Lindsay Davis features the girl they adopted in Britain as the main character. It's great, as good as the earlier ones, I think.
Still reading Vor books, ordered from the library and enjoying them.

AlieOxon Fri 22-Nov-13 18:14:38

Oh Jess that's just how I felt!

JessM Fri 22-Nov-13 17:55:32

I have nearly read my way through the whole Vorkoskigan saga sad I will miss them. Will there be more?

annodomini Fri 22-Nov-13 17:26:41

Oh, I really enjoy Lyndsey Davies books.

AlieOxon Fri 22-Nov-13 17:23:34

There's a new Lyndsey Davis ?

broomsticks Fri 22-Nov-13 17:10:01

But, but ... they're too scary! shock

COOKIErules57 Sun 17-Nov-13 14:47:01

I know these are a slightly different genre, but for me, you cant beat Stephen King & Dean Koontz

broomsticks Sat 26-Oct-13 09:57:32

Haven't read Barryar yet, I got side tracked onto the latest Lyndsey Davis and a rather good travel one about India. I shall return to magic fantasy forthwith!

JessM Thu 24-Oct-13 12:30:38

Hello diddleymaz, yes I read all the Sam Vimes ones (I think) in order while i was on holiday last year smile
Currently plowing my way through the Barrayar saga. I found the first one about Miles a struggle - too many characters introduced and too intricate a plot for reading at bedtime. But things have improved a lot . Really impressed by the fact that the plots are not "same old formula" - and the way she develops the characters . Currently got as far as Mirror Dance smile

diddleymaz Thu 24-Oct-13 11:33:27

I love the Discworld series especially the Watch stories

AlieOxon Wed 02-Oct-13 08:49:29

Glad you like them!

broomsticks Tue 01-Oct-13 17:29:34

Going on holiday so I'll take Barryar with me. Norfolk then son's book launch in Waterstones Oxford. I might need plenty of reading matter if it's raining in Norfolk or freezing cold.

JessM Mon 30-Sept-13 18:44:08

That's the one. Barrayar starts the day after Shards finishes and sets up the back story for Miles, the hero of many other books. (as in why he is so short when all the other Barrayarans are towering viking warrior types)

AlieOxon Mon 30-Sept-13 18:05:35

This is the order according to the site:

The Warrior's Apprentice (1986)
Borders of Infinity (1989)
Brothers in Arms (1989)
The Vor Game (1990)
Barrayar (1991)

BUT each can be read alone.

broomsticks Sun 29-Sept-13 22:18:34

I'll look for Barrayar or something like that then smile

AlieOxon Sun 29-Sept-13 21:52:21

Barrayar?

JessM Sun 29-Sept-13 20:48:51

The immediate sequel to Shards called Bar.... something - the name of the planet/colony.

broomsticks Sun 29-Sept-13 17:39:35

Has anyone got any suggestions about where to start with Bujold books? I've read Shards of Honour. Where do I go next? There are so many.
I'll look at Alys Clare too, though you sound unenthusiastic AlieOxon

AlieOxon Sun 29-Sept-13 12:25:18

My sister just lent me some books by Alys Clare....I thought i would like them but I am not very keen....interesting coexistence of paganism and christianity but too much magic.

Iam64 Sun 29-Sept-13 08:15:24

I'm not a scifi fan, and don't usually enjoy magical realism, but Isobelle Allende - House of Spirits, wonderful. She writes like a dream. I read the Harry Potter books at the same time as the teenagers in our family and enjoyed them. Also loved watching the films with the younger generation. Philip Pullman's trilogy was brilliant though the film was a disaster.

Ian42 Sat 28-Sept-13 20:15:31

I'm a Douglas Adams fan, love all his books, The Hitchhikers series as well as his Dirk Gently series.

broomsticks Sun 22-Sept-13 17:13:32

Yep, I love Gaiman, particularly Anansi Boys, Neverwhere and Graveyard Book.

JessM Sat 21-Sept-13 18:15:36

Have you read Gaiman broomsticks ?