The Sword and Laser discussion

Our November pick will be The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Ann Older

Let us know what you think of the pick

I picked up a copy at my library this morning. Looking forward to reading it.

Back to books I’ve already read - I wonder if I’m approaching 50/50 this year? Ima golook.

…

Huh, I read more before than I thought.

Read with group - 5
Brightness Falls from the Air
Nettle & Bone
The Fourth Wing
China Mountain Zhang
The Library at Mount Char

Read before group - 6
Under Fortunate Stars
Legends & Lattes
Children of Time
Planetfall
Ninth House
Mimicking of Known Successes

Hmm interesting. It looks short. I'm intrigued, even if it were long. I've downloaded it but going to try to finish the October pick first (well, you know, start and finish...).

Woah, Libby has it without a wait. Rare for me. I need to finish October read first!

I’ve recently read it and likes it a lot. It feels very Sherlock Holmes-y. Also it discusses interesting concepts and feels a little like Becky Chambers’ To Be Taught If Fortunate.

I think...that with two Lost Fleet books in front of it, I will likely read this one somewhat closer to the actual reading month than my usual well-in-advance. Got a copy courtesy of LAPL and have three weeks to read it. Plenty of time.

I kinda wonder how many S&Lers went to LAPL...There were two copies available (of 10) when I picked it up. Now there's 15 people waiting. (County of LA Library has three copies and two people waiting.)

John (Taloni) wrote: ...I kinda wonder how many S&Lers went to LAPL...There were two copies available (of 10) when I picked it up. Now there's 15 people waiting. (County of LA Library has three copies and two people waiting.)
I went to LA County Library & am one of the two in line. I didn't quite beat the rush. But I'm hopeful of getting my hands on the book in 2 weeks.

If I use the link to the book, and pay for it with my Audible subscription, does S&L get an affiliate fee?

I got It from LAPL too, don't tell them I am in Bangkok. One of my banes in life is novellas priced as if they are novels. $6.99 should be the high price point of a novella.

^ Oh wow! $12. Yeah, that's high.

I try to play the library game for tradpub and it worked here. Some of my fave indies are going to the well soon and my wallet is primed...

I like a good sapphic Sherlock Holmes in space story, and the cover is similar to The Calculating Stars, so this looks like it would be be in my wheelhouse.
Unfortunately it’s expensive to buy and the libraries near me don’t have any copies :(

Ruth wrote: "I like a good sapphic Sherlock Holmes in space story, and the cover is similar to The Calculating Stars, so this looks like it would be be in my wheelhouse.
Unfortunately it’s expensive to buy and..."

Put those boys to work. About time the little freeloaders earned their keep!

I finally found my library's copy in the new Mystery books section. Glad I found it - the list price is $20 for the hard copy!

Right, since this looks like my kind of thing, I decided to get over my whinging at the price and I have ordered the hardback from my local bookshop. It should be ready to collect on Wednesday so I can start the read along on the first day of the month.

Ruth wrote: "Right, since this looks like my kind of thing, I decided to get over my whinging at the price and I have ordered the hardback from my local bookshop. It should be ready to collect on Wednesday so I..."

I really liked it. It does seem to be in your wheelhouse. Be warned the second book is coming out in the new year so it may become an addiction.

I finished it and returned my copy to LAPL...hope another S&Ler gets it soon!

I get the feeling that most of us are going to have this book finished within the first week of November. Maybe there should be an "unofficial" second pick to go along with TMoKS?

JasonReads wrote: "I get the feeling that most of us are going to have this book finished within the first week of November. Maybe there should be an "unofficial" second pick to go along with TMoKS?"

We could read a couple of actual Sherlock Holmes stories and compare...

https://standardebooks.org/collection...

Even watch a couple of modern adaptions

I actually liked her other book, Infomocracy, better than this one. It has a future that feels scarily possible. I definitely recommend that one.

One of the benefits of reading the actual Sherlock Holmes stories is that they're all free on Gutenberg Press. I recall downloading them one by one in publication order. Ah, Gutenberg Press, you are a treasure...

Anyhoo, I'm in for a read of selected Sherlock Holmes stories if others are. Offhand I'm good for:
"A Scandal in Bohemia" - the Lady in Red
"The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter" - introduction of Mycroft

Iffy: "The Final Problem" because it doesn't have impact unless you've read a bunch of other Holmes stories. It's the Reichenbach Falls.

Others?

I've got a box set of the Holmes stories, so I'm in.

The month has begun. Go forth and discuss!