The Sword and Laser discussion

http://www.swordandlaser.com/home/201...

New book! Enjoy!

Hmmmmmm. Never heard of this book. But I did make a resolution to read all the S&L picks (well, at least give them a hundred-page shakeout)...

terpkristin wrote: "Hmmmmmm. Never heard of this book. But I did make a resolution to read all the S&L picks (well, at least give them a hundred-page shakeout)..."

We give you come love in the show, don't worry ;)
In a way, you're responsible for this pick!

Veronica wrote: "We give you come love in the show, don't worry ;) "



Worst typo, ever.

Nice pick, was already on my Kindle anyway, so now I got a reason to finally start reading it.

Veronica wrote: "In a way, you're responsible for this pick! "

Well that's a bit frightening! Usually I wait until weekdays to listen to podcasts but it sounds like I need to make an exception. ;D

Edit, I also grabbed the book on my Kindle. Was tempted to go paperback (publisher pricing) but wanted the instant gratification.

Rule 34 was in the bargain bin at my local indie bookshop so I'm hoping it's still there when I swing by tomorrow.

So, I distinctly remember Cory Doctorow recommending How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe, but it turns out that it wasn't directly him that caused us to read it. TAMAHOME WAS THE CULPRIT! As can be heard in Episode 47, right around the 30:20 mark, T&V selected it based on Tamahome's "What are you reading" post.

I also though it was funny that at around that time was the first time we read two books simultaneously. Right around the 29-minute mark in the show, Veronica said, "I don't think we're going to do that again for awhile, two books at once." Pretty funny looking at where we are now.

Anyway, I need a ruling from the S&L crowd. I resolved to give every S&L book this year a go. I have to read at least 100 pages before I can quit if I want to. During this year, if a second book pick is made, does that count? Or do I just have to read the main book?

Anyway...still not a fan of Cory Doctorow's recommendations in general, nor the books he's written for adults. Oddly, I think Little Brother is my favorite book of his.

Does Rule 34 apply to this podcast? Btw Terp we're doing a Little Brother readalong.

Haven't listened to the podcast yet, but does one have to read Halting State first before reading Rule 34?

Ala wrote: "Haven't listened to the podcast yet, but does one have to read Halting State first before reading Rule 34?"

Doesn't seem to be required. From what I can tell (and what they said on the podcast), it's a book in the same world, not a direct sequel per se. Kind of like Joe Abercrombie's The Heroes and Best Served Cold.

Good, thanks :)

Ok, now I went back and listened to episode 28, the episode with Cory Doctorow. Doctorow also recommended Bitter Seeds (which I hated). He did not mention How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe in that episode, though I believe I read in other places that he recommended/endorsed it. In the interest of full disclosure, I did not read The Windup Girl. It didn't sound interesting to me, and nothing I read from reviews by friends on GR or critics online made me want to read it.

Exciting! This will be the first S&L pick that I read on my Kindle

terpkristin wrote: "Ok, now I went back and listened to episode 28, the episode with Cory Doctorow. Doctorow also recommended Bitter Seeds (which I hated). He did not mention [book:How to..."

You're a bit of a picky reader aren't you (not that there's anything wrong with that).

I also loved Bitter Seeds.

I want to read empire state. please, please, please.

The Big Idea entry for Empire State: http://whatever.scalzi.com/2011/12/29...

Victoria (vikz) wrote: "I want to read empire state. please, please, please."

Go for it!

Kate wrote: "You're a bit of a picky reader aren't you (not that there's anything wrong with that)."

If my GR average (3.16) is any indication, yes I am. I think generally speaking I'd say I'm significantly more picky about my science fiction than fantasy. I largely get annoyed with it when the science isn't believable, and I'm not all that interested in the end of the world or war. So right there I've eliminated about 90% of science fiction. :D

I'm also not that into superheroes. I probably need to turn in my nerd card.

Yeah, I'm gonna skip this one. I read the first chapter on Amazon, and the whole second-person thing just isn't working for me, especially when they change viewpoints halfway through the first chapter from one character to another. Not my cuppa.

I did also read the first couple of chapters of Empire State, however, and I think I will continue on with that one instead.

This isn't meant to diss the main choice, and I genuinely hope that everyone who opts for that one really enjoys it, I just don't think it's for me.

hm. Empire State looks good too...

I bought Empire State mostly to check out how the Angry Robot ebook store works* as part of my ongoing mission to to live as a bibliophile outside the reach of amazon.
Since I have it now I'll probably go ahead and read it.

*seamless, reasonably priced and generally pleasant if you're wondering.

I read Rule 34 last month. The second person perspective is easy to get used to, and while I don't think it is necessary to have read Halting State to enjoy Rule 34, there are aspects of this world that make more sense if you did.

I really enjoyed the book.

Also, I loved Bitter Seeds AND Wind-up Girl so I'm all for disregarding Terp's book choosing input from now on. ;)

Thanks for the podcast before CES!!...love the pick and I am probably going to read the alternate pick too...it's authentic so I love it....Terpkristin the alternate read doesn't count is my vote...

Rule 34 is the second book in a series. Why is the pick the second book in a series?
Book One: Halting State

This is the second book I've bought for my new Kindle. Excited to read along with the group for the first time!

Will wrote: "Rule 34 is the second book in a series. Why is the pick the second book in a series?
Book One: Halting State"

It's not so much a series as it is a shared universe. No POV characters in Halting State reappear in Rule 34.

I really have to side with Terp. I didn't know there was an evil, malevolent presence behind some of these book picks, but the only S&L picks I have actively hated, daily as a hobby, were Doctorow picks - Windup Girl and Ready Player One.

Doctorow reviews new sff releases regularly at Boing Boing, so if you're just going to reject anything he likes out of hand you're seriously limiting yourself.

Will wrote: "Rule 34 is the second book in a series. Why is the pick the second book in a series?
Book One: Halting State"

Did you listen to the podcast?

Kate wrote: "Doctorow reviews new sff releases regularly at Boing Boing, so if you're just going to reject anything he likes out of hand you're seriously limiting yourself."

I'm not saying I will reject any book pick that came from a Doctorow recommendation. I enjoy following the book club, so I'll read any book pick from S&L. It hasn't hurt me too badly yet.

But you know, everyone has different tastes. Someone who absolutely loves The Windup Girl and Ready Player One is clearly looking for, or open to, different things in their reading than I am. I'd have to survey more of Doctorow's reviews to get a better sense of his tastes, but if I find myself regularly disliking stuff that he recommends, why in the world would I keep reading them? Life is too short.

On a side note, I am quite glad there is no second pick this time. I still haven't started 1Q84!

What is CES?

You haven't looked at 34 yet, the second person POV is a real turnoff for you.

Heya, just wanted to pop in here and say thanks for mentioning my novel Empire State!

Just following the comment on the podcast that it sounds similar to The City & The City, I'd say it is quite a different book! Funnily enough, TC&TC came out as I was halfway through writing Empire State, and I had to quickly read that to make sure we hadn't coincidentally stumbled into the same kind of territory! But I think it is safe to say we didn't!

Anyway, if people would like to make it their alternate read, that would be great! It was reviewed in the Financial Times - I just present this as an alternative (or additional) recommendation to Cory Doctorow's.

Of course, I'd be happy to answer any questions too! Must crack open Rule 34 myself actually.

Happy reading!

Btw, a question for kindle users. Does anyone look at those passages marked "commonly highlighted and wonder "why would anyone want to highlight that"?

Veronica wrote: "Will wrote: "Rule 34 is the second book in a series. Why is the pick the second book in a series?
Book One: Halting State"

Did you listen to the podcast?"

Not yet. Just saw the new book. Will listen before posting from now on :)

Adam wrote: "Heya, just wanted to pop in here and say thanks for mentioning my novel Empire State!
"

Welcome Adam, thanks for stopping by the forums.
(how classy is S&L that writers Tom & Veronica mention just drop into the forums!)
I'm about 1/3 of the way through Empire State and quite enjoying it.

Kate wrote: "Doctorow reviews new sff releases regularly at Boing Boing, so if you're just going to reject anything he likes out of hand you're seriously limiting yourself."

I never said I was rejecting them out of hand, I said I wait for other people to review it before I decide to jump in.

Also I don't read boingboing so I don't see those reviews. Edit to add: I have plenty to read in my backlog so it probably all works out, waiting for other reviews.

As a side note, did GR email notifications stop working for anyone else? I haven't gotten one for most of the S&L threads lately.

terpkristin wrote: "
I never said I was rejecting them out of hand, I said I wait for other people to review it before I decide to jump in."

I was speaking more in response to Mike's characterization of him as an "evil, malevolent presence" in the book club.

My inner pedant desperately wants to take apart the fact that you don't read his reviews regularly and for all we know your tastes are quite similar aside from a few outliers which coincidentally are the only ones that have come to your attention... but that would be annoying for everyone.
Lets all agree that books are nice and not to force anyone to read books that they don't like the sound of for any reason whatsoever.

I see what you did there, say what you want by saying you shouldn't. ;)

Ack I'm two podcasts behind, but I have always meant to read Stross.

Kate wrote: "..."

Ah.

Well, in the grand scheme, as I said, I don't think it ends up changing much of what I read. In every genre/medium, I have found that there are reviewers I tend to see more eye to eye with and those I don't (video games, movies, books, knitting patterns...). Lately I don't read any book reviews except ones here by friends and listen to SFF audio and SFBRP. Just not enough time. :)

Yes, let's all agree that books are great. And that none of us has enough time to read all the books we want..not even Jenny. ;) But I will say, since S&L started, I've read a LOT of books I would have normally bypassed...and that's what I like and why I'm here.

terpkristin wrote: "Kate wrote: "Doctorow reviews new sff releases regularly at Boing Boing, so if you're just going to reject anything he likes out of hand you're seriously limiting yourself."

I never said I was rej..."

I am still getting notifications but usually just one per thread until I click in and read.

kvon wrote: "What is CES?

You haven't looked at 34 yet, the second person POV is a real turnoff for you."

Consumer Electronics Show: clicky

Good choice. I happen to have Rule 34 in my wish list at my public library's DL site. They only offer it in audio and I think I'll go that route. I agree with the comment above -- that its humor will translate better in audio. At least I think it might. I read Halting State as an e-book and I think audio will help better bring out the voice of the characters and make "reading" a book written in the second person a bit less of a novelty. We'll see.

Kate wrote: "terpkristin wrote: "
I never said I was rejecting them out of hand, I said I wait for other people to review it before I decide to jump in."

I was speaking more in response to Mike's characterizat..."

Ooh... Suddenly your response makes more sense.

No, Doctorow is fine, I really would have to know more about him to reject his suggestions out of hand. Since I don't, I won't! My comment was really just riffing on the idea that all the "bad books" were recommended by the same person. It was meant to be sarcastic, since obviously they weren't bad for everyone, and I dont seriously think anyone would recommend something out of malice.

I listened to the podcast this morning. I've had Rule 34 on my ebook wishlist for a while now, but it's still at $12.99. I won't be reading it until the price comes down unless I run across it at the library.

I checked out Empire State on my Nook and it turned out to be less than five bucks, so I bought it. I'll be reading that instead of Rule 34.

"but it's still at $12.99. I won't be reading it until the price comes down"

Agreed.

Tamahome wrote: "The Big Idea entry for Empire State: http://whatever.scalzi.com/2011/12/29..."

That's for the link Tamahome, exactly the info I came in here looking for!

Sounds interesting. I'm looking forward to cracking that virtual e-spine on my Kindle.

Reading it on my Kindle Fire, BTW,there is a good reads app in the amazon app store which makes posting here easy.

I'm in the middle of The Name of the Wind. I am not very good at reading two books at one time. I am hoping to quickly finish so I can start Rule 34 . I hope no one gets killed if it doesn't happen...