Book Talk

[colls]

So we had two options for books this past month, The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin and Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold.

Which book did you read/re-read? What made you choose that one?
What were your general thoughts?
Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?


The Dispossessed
How significant is it that Odo was a woman?
What does this novel say about human relationships with self, family, community, society?
What was the purpose of portraying an ambiguous utopia?

Links of interest:
- an interesting study guide


Cordelia's Honor
What do you feel is the author's message about things like honor, loyalty, duty and patriotism?
How do you feel about the transition from 'distrust' to 'romance'? Was it believable? (Cordelia/Aral)
Do you consider this more scifi with a dash of romance, or romance with a scifi setting?

Links of interest:
- Joseph Mallozzi’s Weblog & Part 2 where the author shows up

Poll #10343 May Book suggestions

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 2

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Comments

[colls]

I've not read the Dark Tower series either -- although I like Stephen King in general, so maybe I should look into that.

Also, that book I listed in the polll --- OMG don't bother. It was horrid.
*facepalm*


I'm in a non-scifi mood this month I suppose. I just started A Free Life by Ha Jin.

Have you read the Stardoc series by S.L. Viehl?

[lar_laughs]

I really, really liked The Gunslinger (first book in The Dark Tower series)! I've actually never read any of his books because I grew up being TERRIFIED of being scared by books or movies. Sad and funny, I know. Reading his On Writing book made me really want to read some of his books but I've been hesitant because people either love them or hate them and I was afraid of being in the second category. Decided to get the DT series because it was just recently released with new covers so they were all pretty and modern and just calling to me!

I haven't read either of those suggestions! I will give Viehl a look because they all sound interesting!

My suggestion is one that I think everyone will have read soon (All Woman and Springtime by Brandon Jones) but I have a special interest in it because it's written by a boy I grew up with. Or near, actually. We weren't any sort of real friends other than to say hi across the street. But I digress... I think this book's going to be the new big thing! It's already made the Oprah Reading Club list which actually makes me sort of sad because then there will be a whole group of people who won't read it. Anyway, I haven't read it yet but it's on my list!

I'm always very hesitant to give reading suggestions because I read a very wide selection of books (both old and new since I'm years behind reading Sci Fi and Fantasy) so I'm not always up on what people like to read or what is currently popular. I have a tendency toward lighter fare because too much heaviness leaves me depressed. I don't mind telling people what I've read so I like this new format you mentioned in the new post.

[lar_laughs]

I see in the "Readers Also Enjoyed" section of the Viehl page that Ann Aguirre's Sirantha Jax series is listed. Have you read those? I just got #4 and can't wait to read it but I'm probably going to do a reread of the first three before I get to it. I haven't read any of her other books but I did buy a couple more this last go round at Amazon (I really should get stock options, as much as I buy from them).

[colls]

I've heard of the Sirantha Jax series, but haven't read it. Good, huh? Might have to stick it on the list (LOL!)

'All Woman and Springtime' sounds intriguing in a dark way. People have a thing against the Oprah Reading Club? Granted, I don't often pay attention to her, but.... why?

[lar_laughs]

I know people that won't read a book if it's on her selection list. Granted, there aren't many of them out there as most people will pick up anything she says to read.