UK Book Club discussion

Hello all. The random selector has done its work and chosen Sci-Fi and/or dystopian fiction for August.

I quite fancy some John Wyndham, but I have some Arthur C Clarke freebies on my Kindle that I have been avoiding (I don't normally 'do' sci-fi). I still haven't read The Martian, which I like the sound of...
...Decisions, decisions.

Let me know what books you're going to be reading (or recommend something you've loved in the past).

Last time I read Dominion.

I have an abridged version of The Midwich Cuckoos and I suppose I can read Frankenstein.

I'm nearing the end of my US tour and my final stop in the contiguous states will be Maine reading Hugh Howey's The Shell Collector.

I might go for The Handmaid's Tale or The Hunger Games trilogy. Both of which have been sitting on my TBR shelf for ages.

The Midwich Cuckoos is excellent, Liz, although I do prefer either The Day of the Triffids or The Chrysalids. I'm currently reading Iain Banks' Excession as part of the future challenge, so I'll continue with that, maybe grab something else as well.

I've read Margaret Atwood's 'MaddAddam' trilogy recently and it was brilliant.


I'd also recommend 'Blindness' by Jose Saramago - quite disturbing but worth reading.

I'm thinking about reading something by Ursula K. Le Guin, perhaps 'The Lathe of Heaven' .

Actually, I'd like to find a book in this genre, which would scare me (for another challenge I'm doing) - please do let me know if you have any recommendations.

Aneta wrote: "I've read Margaret Atwood's 'MaddAddam' trilogy recently and it was brilliant.


I'd also r..."

Scare as in horror or scare as in the scenario?

O goody I love Si-Fi and have quite a few I am thinking of the Crystal Singer or the Freedom trilogy by Anne McCaffrey or a Stephen Donaldson book xx

Liz, The Martian is one of my favourite books of the year. I'm planning on reading Insurgent which will also give me I.

Aneta wrote: "I've read Margaret Atwood's 'MaddAddam' trilogy recently and it was brilliant.


I'd also r..."

How about The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It should fit this category, dystopian fiction, and I do recall some scary scenes in it.

I already finished by futuristic sci-fi - I sort-of struggled through Neuromancer by William Gibson- I'm not sure if it was me or the book, I did get busy at work so that may have diminished by concentration but I felt a bit disconnected from the story. Anyhow, I've started Divergent by Veronica Roth as my dystopian choice. A couple of chapters in and I'm enjoying the story...

Does anyone mind if I jump into the genre challenge here? Got a few dystopian/sci-fi books stagnating on my to-read list and it sounds like fun (:

I think I'll go for "Ready Player One" by Ernst Cline and "The Peripheral" by William Gibson.

Everyone's welcome to join the challenge! I'm always looking for suggestions so feel free....

I've just read More Than This by Patrick Ness. Although classed as Y.A., I really enjoyed this dystopian novel. I might go for another Patrick Ness, .

I've put in a reservation request for The Martian at the library. Let's hope the queue isn't too long....

Probably going to read Atlas Shrugged. It's not normally the kind of book I would read but it has influenced a lot of people so I'll give it a go.

The Knife of Never Letting Go is excellent, you'll have to read the whole trilogy.

Em, have you seen the film?

Helen wrote: "The Knife of Never Letting Go is excellent, you'll have to read the whole trilogy.

Em, have you seen the film?"

I bought the trilogy from The Book People; very impressed with his writing.

I've started reading 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C Clarke (I've seen the film several times so thought I should read the original). I'm enjoying it more than expected. It's not the heavy dose of unnecessary-technical-detail that I was fearing!

Laura, Wow Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged) really divides people!

I have The Fountainhead on my kindle and it's been sitting there unread for about 4 years... The book is so long, I've always held back and, being slightly left of centre myself, I also fear I may not be a fan (another reason I have yet to pick it up). But still, I'm curious....

...You'll have to let us know how you get on.

I just finished The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August which I picked up in the library to get an N author for my A-Z. I wasn't planning on using it for this challenge but it's sort of sci-fi so it fits.
I mostly enjoyed it, although some of the science-y bits went over my head, but it was a really interesting concept and a good story.
I might still try to fit one of my dystopian choices in this month as well.

Angela, have you read 'a monster calls'? That is brilliant but sad, it's currently being made into a film.

Helen wrote: "The Knife of Never Letting Go is excellent, you'll have to read the whole trilogy.

Em, have you seen the film?"

No, haven't seen the film yet - I like the book though, is the film any good?

I enjoyed The Knife of Never Letting Go - I'm trying to persuade my daughters to read it.

Liz wrote: "Laura, Wow Ayn Rand ('Atlas Shrugged') really divides people!

I have 'The Fountainhead' on my kindle and it's been sitting there unread for about 4 years... The book is so long, I've always held ..."

I read it during my first year at uni, thought it was fantastic at the time. I even subscribed to the Ayn Rand newsletter for awhile. I tried the Fountainhead, couldn't get into it.

I've just started Doctor Who: Shada for my Sci-Fi book. Enjoyed Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and this one certainly has humour too. The opening page has a Gallifreyan quote "If this book should care to roam, box its ears and send it home" and I'm tempted to write that in all my books!!! lol

Em, think I preferred the Divergent film to the book, film two was fun as well.

I've really been getting into the swing of the genre this month - with distopian viewing too! I just watched 'I am Legend' (having never seen it before). It was pretty good - brilliant set design.

As a dystopia The Shell Collector by Hugh Howey disappointed. Its premise is of fossil fuel use overheating the sea and killing off sea life, while the oceans encroach on the US Atlantic Coast. The narrative revolves around an investigative New York Times reporter interviewing a billionaire oil-man blamed for the ecological disaster, but in the author's first foray into the romance genre is didn't shone as a romance either. It did give me my final state in the Contiguous US for my 51 Books tour, but for this challenge it is not much of a story.

I have decided that my book for this month will be Daughter of the empire by Raymond E Feist I feel this fits in the Dystopia category love the books am now onto the servant of the Empire.

Anne wrote: "I have decided that my book for this month will be Daughter of the empire by Raymond E Feist I feel this fits in the Dystopia category love the books am now onto the servant of the Empire."

I would class this as a straight fantasy. I can't think of any dystopian element.

I hate auto correct. Three times I typed element and it turned into the rightmove web address!

Helen wrote: "Anne wrote: "I have decided that my book for this month will be Daughter of the empire by Raymond E Feist I feel this fits in the Dystopia category love the books am now onto the servant of the Emp..."

I hoped I had got it right never mind back to freedoms Landing by Anne McCaffrey hope that one is ok- its not something I have ever thought about the Genres before I just bought books I like xx

Anne wrote: "Helen wrote: "Anne wrote: "I have decided that my book for this month will be Daughter of the empire by Raymond E Feist I feel this fits in the Dystopia category love the books am now onto the serv..."

Here on Goodreads there are people who shelve it as science fiction fantasy. So according to some, it has both elements of fantasy and science fiction. Of course, a book has to be read in order to know in which genre it might fall.

Just go with what you like Anne. Don't bother too much about not getting it right. There is no such thing as good or wrong when it comes to picking up books and reading them. And there is always a next time.

Part of the fun for me doing this challenge again is that I have a better knowledge of what some genres are about. Allow yourself to learn and give yourself time. And most of all: relax and enjoy.

It is an excellent fantasy which everyone should read. Don't let me put you off.

Danielle wrote: "Anne wrote: "Helen wrote: "Anne wrote: "I have decided that my book for this month will be Daughter of the empire by Raymond E Feist I feel this fits in the Dystopia category love the books am now ..."

Hi Thanks for the message I have picked up the trilogy to read again anyway - the last time I read it must be 10 years ago - I love the book about a vey powerful woman who lets nothing get in her way and wish I had just a little of her powers of observation - happy reading

Helen wrote: "It is an excellent fantasy which everyone should read. Don't let me put you off."

Reading last book now will try and find out more about the genres as I go xx

I love fantasy but I quite enjoy dystopian too. Prefer my sci-fi as a movie.

Filed my book with the conclusion, Allegiant which annoyed me.

Dystopia is one of my favourite types of book but I'm a bit more hit and miss when it comes to straight-up sci-fi. Like Helen, I think I'd have to say I prefer Sci-fi in film but hey, I'm open to persuasion, I'm going to keep reading sci-fi until I find something awesome!

I got back into Science Fiction when visiting Seattle's Science Fiction exhibition that lives next door to the Space Needle. It has a range of movie props from famous movies, mostly on loan from local tech billionaires. Having said that I got into science fiction reading Andre Norton before seeing Star Wars, although pre-Norton I was a Dr Who fan who hid behind the sofa when the daleks appeared.

I watched Doctor Who from behind a cushion (and still would) also Day of the Triffids and numerous other programmes... I was a right wimp as a child and lets be honest, I believe I still am.

Btw The Book of Strange New Things was very good and I'd recommend it, especially if sci-fi is not your usual genre. It artfully combines the everyday with the science in a way that I found fresh and original.

Back from hols and first few days back in work which have seen me nodding off whilst rest of family catch up on bake off and a lack of reading,but now started which I've wanted to try for some time. The positive reviews here have encouraged me ,also that Margaret Atwood is coming to Manchester literature festival in September and this trilogy and science fiction seems such an important part of her writing i feel i should dip my toe in before i see her, although 'The blind assassin' had such an interesting sci fi side story.
If i have time i may also try as i took daughter no 2 to see blade runner at the cinema in spring, i loved it and was on edge of my seat but when came out she said it was hilarious, blame the parents comes to mind.

I've just finished Doctor Who: Shada which was written by Gareth Roberts but the original story was by Douglas Adams. Pretty standard Dr Who stuff.

Hi I have just finished the 3 freedom books by Anne McCaffrey - I loved the books

I have just read Divergent, Insurgent and The Giver

I read The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey. I liked it well enough for a middle book in a trilogy, but it's not as good as the 5th Wave.

Helen wrote: "I love fantasy but I write enjoy dystopian too. Prefer my sci-fi as a movie.

Filed my book with the conclusion, Allegiant which annoyed me."

I agree, what a let down.

Penny wrote: "Helen wrote: "I love fantasy but I write enjoy dystopian too. Prefer my sci-fi as a movie.

Filed my book with the conclusion, Allegiant which annoyed me."

I agree, what a let down."

Oh no ... I hate it when that happens ... about to read it but wont set my expectations too high. It took me a while to get through Insurgent because I was getting fed up, but I have to finish the trilogy.

Let us know what you think.

I read The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. I bought the set last year after watching the first film but kept putting off reading them. Glad I finally got around to it, I really enjoyed them.

Being August this is when WorldCon meets (World Science Fiction [and Fantasy] Convention. I attended last year in London and currently it is going on in Spokane. It awards the Hugos and Campbell awards. I've just read one of the Campbell favourites (tipped by GRR Martin) Wesley Chu's The Deaths of Tao. It is part two of a trilogy (part one was a finalist at LonCon3) and I'm already reading the final part The Rebirths of Tao.
UPDATE: Deaths of Tao won the Campbell, my review is here mmmporiumreview.com/deathsoftao