Israel SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Have you read a great fantasy or scifi book that you were blown by? Great! that's the place where you can recommend it to others.

I'll go first and recommend on Legend by David Gemmell. It's a heroic fantasy done superbly right. The characterisation, dialogues, plot, pace and everything is so great. It's definitely a WOWZER

When I finished reading Legend I though that it's a book to remember. A few years have past since I finished Legend I can still feel the same intense feeling I had while reading it. Do yourself a favour and read it.

Unfortunately, Legend isn't available in Hebrew. I wish every fantasy enthusiast in Israel could have read this masterpiece, but I don't think any publication house is going to translate Legend.

the best book I read last year was Wool Omnibus. Brilient disotopia, endless twists and suprises. Every thing I'll say will be a spoiler, so just goand read it.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell - itis long but worth it. One of the best books involving magic that I have read.

I just started the Wool Omnibus. Still waiting to see what happens.

Lorelei wrote: "I just started the Wool Omnibus. Still waiting to see what happens."

I really enjoyed it. There are some strong characters and a good sense of mystery.

My second recommendation goes for Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher. It's a start of a compelling series that I really enjoyed reading. There're so many great characters, excellent writing, great pace and amazing plot. I've already said that I fell like Codex Alera was written especially for me.

The first book (so as most of the books in the series) has a satisfying ending so no reason to be intimidated by a six-books series.

I am weak. I have just strayed from my book diet to buy Lock In by John Scalzi.
I started with Redshirts which is a lot of fun and then read the first four books in the Old Man's War series. He is one of my favourite new-to-me authors from the last couple of years.

Esther wrote: "I am weak. I have just strayed from my book diet to buy Lock In by John Scalzi.
I started with Redshirts which is a lot of fun and then read the first ..."

Me too! Scalzi is one of my new favorite authors. Sadly. I lent Redshirts out to my manager at my last job and she never gave it back :( . Lock In was a pretty good book. I'd loved to chat about it when you finish.

I haven't read a lot of great books lately but I did really enjoy A Face Like Glass.

Right now I'm reading the third book in Lev Grossman's Magicians series, which is pretty good so far. Like most people that I know, I didn't love the first book in the series but I'm so glad that I kept reading because book 2 was FANTASTIC. And nobody will believe me.

I've read just Old Man's War and it was bad enough to deter me from reading his other books. His characters are so boring. Yeah, I know in minority...

Simcha wrote: "I haven't read a lot of great books lately but I did really enjoy A Face Like Glass.

Right now I'm reading the third book in Lev Grossman's Magicians series, which is pretty good ..."

Have you seen the TV series? I didn't really get on with the first book but I would like to try the TV series.

Will this group have a "book of the month"? So we could have discations and do somthing with all those recommendations...

Efrat wrote: "Will this group have a "book of the month"? So we could have discations and do somthing with all those recommendations..."

We previously tried BOM where everyone read the same book but it was difficult to chose and not a lot of people participated.

However I want to start a theme of the month read where everyone reads books with some connection to a chosen theme.
For February we will start with 'Movies' where people read books that have been made in to movies. I will be reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? because Blade Runner is one of my favourite films.
(The thread will be set up at the weekend)

We could also try a buddy read thread if people are interested.

Esther wrote: "Simcha wrote: "I haven't read a lot of great books lately but I did really enjoy A Face Like Glass.

Right now I'm reading the third book in Lev Grossman's Magicians series, which ..."

I did watch the first couple of episodes and enjoyed them but haven't watched the rest. But I highly recommend that you trudge through book 1 to get to 2 & 3 because it's worth it.

Esther wrote: "Efrat wrote: "Will this group have a "book of the month"? So we could have discations and do somthing with all those recommendations..."

We previously tried BOM where everyone read the same book b..."

What's a buddy read thread?

Simcha wrote: "What's a buddy read thread? .."

Not everyone one wants to read the group's BOM but often it is nice to have some company and conversation while reading.
Every month there is a buddy-read thread set up around 20th of the month. You list up to about 6 books you want to read the next month and if someone else sees a book they like they offer to be your buddy.
At the beginning of the month the mod in charge sets up separate discussion topics for each buddy read and the buddies start reading/chatting.
Each buddy pair/group can make their own decisions about when to read, pace of reading and spoilers.
As a courtesy if you want join in a discussion halfway through you PM one of the buddies or ask in the month's buddy thread.

Esther wrote: "Efrat wrote: "Will this group have a "book of the month"? So we could have discations and do somthing with all those recommendations..."

We previously tried BOM where everyone read the same book b..."
A theme is a great idea!

I have just set up the themed read thread.
Please come and tell us which book you intend to read.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Esther wrote: "Simcha wrote: "What's a buddy read thread? .."

Not everyone one wants to read the group's BOM but often it is nice to have some company and conversation while reading.
Every month there is a buddy..."

Ooh, I like that. Let's give that a try sometime soon.

Simcha wrote: "Esther wrote: "I am weak. I have just strayed from my book diet to buy Lock In by John Scalzi.
I started with Redshirts which is a lot of fun and then ..."

I read Old Man's War which was pretty good and also Lock In which has an interesting worldbuilding

I finished reading My Real Children not long time ago, which I enjoyed very much. I read some other books by Jo Walton and I think it is her best so far.

Vadim wrote: "I finished reading My Real Children not long time ago, which I enjoyed very much. I read some other books by Jo Walton and I think it is her best so far."

The only book I read by Jo Walton was Among Others, and I didn't love it. My Real Children does sound pretty compelling, though. I'm tempted to give it a try based on the synopsis.

Simcha wrote: "Vadim wrote: "I finished reading My Real Children not long time ago, which I enjoyed very much. I read some other books by Jo Walton and I think it is her best so fa..."
My real children is much better in my opinion. Among Others is Ready Player One, with pre-80s reference and zero interest or fun.

If you didn't suffer during Among other, you should give My Real Children a try. I doubt you'll regret it

Ross wrote: "Simcha wrote: "Vadim wrote: "I finished reading My Real Children not long time ago, which I enjoyed very much. I read some other books by Jo Walton and I think it is..."

Among Others doesn't offer much plotwise, but it's fun, in my opinion, because it firstly about reading books, even sci-fi books.

I just finished Red Rising and it was amazing! I highly recommend it. It's the first part of a trilogy that I can't wait to dive into.

Uri wrote: "

I just finished Red Rising and it was amazing! I highly recommend it. It's the first part of a trilogy that I can't wait to dive into."
That is a series on my to read list. It is getting a lot of attention and great reviews. All three in the series have one GR choice awards.

Just finished Martian War from Gabriel Mesta (Kevin J. Anderson). Interesting remake of H.G. Wells. Now that Mars is in trend thanks to Elon Musk (also a good example of a ScF lover), it makes an interesting read.

Finished reading The furies of calderon. Left me breathless. A must read. Would like to have recommendations like these series!

Anat wrote: "Finished reading The furies of calderon. Left me breathless. A must read. Would like to have recommendations like these series!"

I'm really glad you liked it :)

Looking forward to your recommendations

I bought the Furies of Calderon because the beginning looked interesting, but at the end didn't like it.
However I just finished the Storm Front also by Jim Butcher and it was rather good.

Thank you for the reply. Storm Front is the Dresden Files isn't it?

Yes, it's the first book of Dresden Files