Hugo & Nebula Awards: Best Novels discussion

I am starting this thread because I am reading this, and Allan said he was reading it, but he has gotten tied up with relatives, apparently. So here is a thread.

I have gotten really aggravated with this book a few times. But it's getting better because, despite all the

back and forth in time and
foreshadowing and
hinting without full explanation and
too many characters that I'm expected to recall without a reference to where I met them before

(all of which I hate), the facts are starting to fill in. So I am less tempted to throw the Kindle against the wall at this point.

I am at (I think) 42%, but am having to stop for a few days to read two buddy reads on the 16th and the 20th with another group. Both of which, I am sure, will be much more fun than this book. Books touted as great literature are often tiring for me. And definitely slow me down. I can see why people say this is a great one, though. It's sure got lots of highfalutin philosophy in it.

Chime in here if you are participating in this buddy read. If you want

PS This book is not on our list, but the second (only other) book in the series, Children of God, is.

I've read it and liked, if you plan to continue I may join for it is on my TBR

I am sure I will continue. And then I will probably want to read the next one.

Even though I am aggravated with the way it is written, I am invested in the situation and the characters (the ones I can remember :-) and want to know what happens

I like the story & the characters, and so far the back-and-forth across time isn't bothering me. Must be very used to it by now. I'm temporarily stalled at 15% but should be able to get going again by Monday. Got a few other books I'm trying to pick at, but this is the main read for now.

Ok, guests have gone and I'm headed back to normalcy. I have reading withdrawals that a bit of insomnia last night helped, so I'm up to 25% and it is moving along. I like the author's style, the story flows very smoothly, despite the timeline changes.

Allan wrote: "Ok, guests have gone and I'm headed back to normalcy. I have reading withdrawals that a bit of insomnia last night helped, so I'm up to 25% and it is moving along. I like the author's style, the story flows very smoothly, despite the timeline changes."

and despite the foreshadowing and hints? Little snippets that the characters let drop but then don't fill in us readers? That was more aggravating to me than the time line changes.

No, foreshadowing doesn’t bother me much. I’m not particularly sensitive to spoilers.

Just a quick update - I haven’t had much opportunity to read The Sparrow in the last few days. Trying to clear a couple others off my plate and then I’ll go whole hog into it.

Anyone else still reading this? I stalled for 10 days or so but now I’m back to it. About halfway through.

It’s fairly slow-paced, but it’s holding my interest. The time-skipping slowly fills in the puzzle pieces of the story. I want to find out what happened. It reminds me a bit of Embassytown. Very well written.

Allan wrote: "Very well written."

Agreed

So shall we read the next?

Kateblue wrote: "So shall we read the next?"

I will join if you plan to

I’ll see if I can find it and fit it in, but I’m way behind on my H/N goals.

I want to! How about in a couple of weeks?

And isn't the second book a nominee? So that should help with your H/N goals

The first book can stand alone, but I also enjoyed the second. The structure is a bit annoying, though. It spends a looooong time back on Earth before finally using flashbacks to let you know what happened back on the other planet. Warning: it has some very graphic scenes of painful things.

Ed wrote: "It spends a looooong time back on Earth before finally using flashbacks to let you know what happened back on the other planet."

So, same as the first book, then?

Yeah, similar.

Kateblue wrote: "And isn't the second book a nominee? So that should help with your H/N goals"

Yes, Hugo 1999 nominee. I also plan to join the 2nd one in mid-Oct

Good, me too

I didn't realize that was the sequel, but I'll join in.

Finished The Sparrow today. It took me awhile to read, but only because I fell into TMB/TLT syndrome, too many books going at once (finished 4 in the last 24 hours). All I can say is that this turned out a big wow for me. Well worth the time. Yes, it could have been streamlined some but at the end, it all pulls together and the pacing feels ok. I had no trouble with the time-skipping, I just made sure to read the date at each chapter beginning.

I’ve got Children of God lined up on audio, but it’s not going to be just a casual listen. I can filter it in whenever other readers want to start.

I am burnt out, so I will not be ready for a while. I think I need to read on an 8th grade level or something for a while. I did really appreciate The Sparrow, though, even with all the existential(?) questions

But not right now--I read the first few pages and it picks up right where the other leaves off. Maybe in a couple of months

Started reading Children of God as my next audio read. Got about 10% in. It picks up right where The Sparrow left off, and so far is very much the same style, very much like the second part of the book. And just as well-written and engrossing. Anyone joining in?

I have one book to finish, one that I am at 20%, and maybe one other. I did start Children of God and read the first part about the wedding and a bit more, but then stopped.

I will joint for the 2nd volume, but maybe next month after I go over monthly reads

35% through Children of God. Things are a little too calm and happy, so I'm guessing that the sh7t is about to hit the fan. It reads very much like am immediate continuation of The Sparrow.

Finished Children of God this morning. Well, the sh7t indeed hit the fan, but not as expected. It's a very involved story, even more complex than The Sparrow in its explanation of the aftermath. But original and engrossing. 4.5 stars.

I plan to get to it in the mid-month

I read a little more of it the other night. I want to read it, but I must at least look over the monthly reads first.

Plus, I have read the first two Eve Ronin books in a rush and am now on the third. Great police mystery type books
Lost Hills
Bone Canyon
Gated Prey

I started the book on audio yesterday. It has been over a year since I've read the first one and a brief overview "this is what has happened so far" was very welcome, for I recalled the main idea but not all details

I finished the second one. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read a little more of it, but I am still reading the Amber books. https://www.goodreads.com/series/4085...

I swear I will read it soon.