Michelle

If you read it, it's for our regular members to buy and sell books between themselves - we are not here for new members who are only interested in promoting their ebay sales.

I didn't think about adding the title - I think it has to be something very unusual to catch my eye. The other option I missed was the author - there are a few authors I'd always check out.

I was discussing a book cover with my daughter yesterday, and I have to admit that I'm often swayed by a good cover. So I was wondering what is most likely to draw you to a book? I've allowed multiple options, as I know it's often a combination, but I'd like to know which are most important if you can.

I found that Throne of Glass was a bit slow for the 1st half, because there's a lot of world building, but it all paid off in the 2nd half.

I meant next year!

Catching up, some recent reads: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas - this is the 2nd book in a YA fantasy series, and both books have been relly enjoyable. There's some good world building, and the emphasis is on strong relationships (including friendship) and the romance isn't cheesy like a lot of YA books. This is a series I'll carry on with. The Space Machine by Christopher Priest - another good read from this author, it starts off with the feel of The Time Machine, and then becomes another approach to War of the Worlds. It has the same 'classic' feel as those books, and I felt quite clever. I've started 2 more books by Priest, but have stopped for a while as they have a very different feel. Linked by Imogen Howson - I've read some of Imogen's short stories in the past and loved her style, so I was pleased to hear she'd had a YA book published. What I didn't expect was the science fiction setting - it starts on a distant planet which has been terraformed, but it could easily be our world but with lots of gadgets etc. I'd still like to see her short stories expanded into a book, but this was also really good. Divergent by Veronica Roth (audio - re-read listen) - I'm looking forward to the 3rd book coming out very soon, and the film next week, so I thought I'd give it a re-listen. I enjoyed it just as much the 2nd time around, and have moved on to Insurgent. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick - This is quite a powerful book, about a young man who wakes up on his 18th birthday planning to shoot someone who's wronged him, and then kill himself. Before he does this, he wants to say goodbye to the people important to him, including a teacher. I wasn't too keen on the ending, but it's certainly one which is staying in my mind.

I loved both of these.

My first response to anyone who likes The Hunger Games is Divergent. I read quite a bit of YA, is there anything in particular you like.. dystopia, romance, science fiction etc?

This one seems to have very mixed reviews - I struggled to decide how I felt, I'm glad I finished it, but there was a lot which annoyed me. And I was rather let down by the ending, but kinda felt they deserved each other. By the way, The Silent Wife is being promoted as the new Gone Girl.. Ben reviewed it here.. http://bcfreviews.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/early-review-the-silent-wife-by-a-s-a-harrison/

We've just got the film of The Prestige from lovefilm - decided I had so many of his books to try, that I'd watch the film of this one.

You're not keen on the choice then?

This author seems to have many different books published, and I wondered who else had read anything by him? I started with The Inverted World, which has the feel of classic SF, of a city which needs to be moved along a track or risk being destroyed. I guessed the general idea of what was happening quite early, but not all aspects, and I found it a generally good book to read. I then listened to The Space Machine, which starts off in 1893, and is an alternative view of War of the Worlds. It also has a time machine, and HG Wells is actually part of the story. I found it a pleasure to listen, and it actually made me laugh in a few places. Next I've just started A Dream of Wessex, which has a more modern feel. Every one of his books looks interesting, and I'd love to know what others think.

It's much more tongue-in-cheek than World War Z.

Unfortunately there's no way they could keep it under wraps until we saw the regeneration. I was watching Gallifey Base during the last few days, and they go to great lengths to work it out! Capaldi was the most mentioned by the end, so I pretty much expected it. I didn't think I'd seen him in anything (apart from the DW episode) but he was also in Torchwood. I really wasn't sure, but I had been saying that I wanted a more mature Doctor this time, and most people on GF were very happy, so I'm now looking forward to it. However, I don't think the writing has been that great recently, so I hope they don't let him down.

Agreed Janet, I wouldn't be able to own that cover!

I've just finished the 2nd book, Crown of Midnight. I haven't written a proper review yet, but it's a very good follow up. It takes you straight back in where Throne of Glass finished, and the characters are as strong as ever. The world building continues to be fantastic, it tells a complete story, but is nicely set up for the next book. One thing I love is that the focus is on relationships and friendships, rather than romance, it's very refreshing. This is a highly recommended series, which I believe is due to run to about 6 books.

Thanks There are also other lists, such as some hardbacks, an anniversary list etc, but I thought we could start here! If anyone wants to add and/or talk about the other lists, please feel free. After dinner I shall look at the recommended ones, and make a wish list, thank you for mentioning ebooks, I didn't think about that.

I have read so far: CHILDHOOD’S END Arthur C. Clarke (I think) FRANKENSTEIN Mary Shelley I AM LEGEND Richard Matheson INVERTED WORLD Christopher Priest RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA Arthur C. Clarke THE CITY AND THE STARS Arthur C. Clarke (I think) THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU H.G. Wells THE SHRINKING MAN Richard Matheson THE TIME MACHINE H. G. Wells THE WAR OF THE WORLDS H.G. Wells So there's lots more for me to try, but which ones....?

http://www.gollancz.co.uk/2013/02/the-sf-masterworks/ As someone who seems to enjoy the older SF, I've decided to look into this list. I'd appreciate any views on any of the books, and any you feel shouldn't be missed. A CASE OF CONSCIENCE James Blish A FALL OF MOONDUST Arthur C. Clarke A MAZE OF DEATH Philip K. Dick AMMONITE Nicola Griffith ARSLAN M.J. Engh A SCANNER DARKLY Philip K. Dick BABEL – 17 Samuel R. Delany BEHOLD THE MAN Michael Moorcock BLOOD MUSIC Greg Bear BRING THE JUBILEE Ward Moore CAT’S CRADLE Kurt Vonnegut CHILDHOOD’S END Arthur C. Clarke CITIES IN FLIGHT James Blish CITY Clifford D. Simak DANCERS AT THE END OF TIME Michael Moorcock DANGEROUS VISIONS Ed. by Harlan Ellison DARK BENEDICTION Walter M. Miller DHALGREN Samuel R. Delany DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP Philip K. Dick DOOMSDAY BOOK Connie Willis DOWNWARD TO EARTH Robert Silverberg DR. BLOODMONEY Philip K. Dick DUNE Frank Herbert DYING INSIDE Robert Silverberg EARTH ABIDES George R. Stewart EMPHYRIO Jack Vance ENGINE SUMMER John Crowley EON Greg Bear FLOATING WORLDS Cecelia Holland FLOW MY TEARS, THE POLICEMAN SAID Philip K. Dick FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON Daniel Keyes FRANKENSTEIN Mary Shelley GATEWAY Frederik Pohl GRASS Sheri S. Tepper GREYBEARD Brian Aldiss HELLICONIA Brian Aldiss HELLSTROM’S HIVE Frank Herbert HYPERION Dan Simmons I AM LEGEND Richard Matheson INVERTED WORLD Christopher Priest JEM Frederik Pohl LAST AND FIRST MEN Olaf Stapledon LIFE DURING WARTIME Lucius Shepard LORD OF LIGHT Roger Zelazny MAN PLUS Frederik Pohl MARTIAN TIME-SLIP Philip K. Dick MISSION OF GRAVITY Hal Clement MOCKINGBIRD Walter Tevis MORE THAN HUMAN Theodore Sturgeon NON-STOP Brian Aldiss NOVA Samuel R. Delany NOW WAIT FOR LAST YEAR** Philip K. Dick ODD JOHN Olaf Stapledon OF MEN AND MONSTERS William Tenn PAVANE Keith Roberts RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA Arthur C. Clarke RIDDLEY WALKER Russell Hoban RINGWORLD Larry Niven ROADSIDE PICNIC Boris Strugatsky, Arkady Strugatsky ROGUE MOON Algis Budrys R.U.R. AND WAR WITH THE NEWTS Karel Čapek SARAH CANARY Karen Joy Fowler SIRIUS Olaf Stapledon SLOW RIVER Nicola Griffith STAND ON ZANZIBAR John Brunner STAR MAKER Olaf Stapledon SYNNERS Pat Cadigan TAKE BACK PLENTY Colin Greenland TAU ZERO Poul Anderson THE AFFIRMATION Christopher Priest THE BODY SNATCHERS Jack Finney THE BOOK OF SKULLS Robert Silverberg THE CALTRAPS OF TIME David I. Masson THE CENTAURI DEVICE M. John Harrison THE CHILD GARDEN Geoff Ryman THE CITY AND THE STARS Arthur C. Clarke THE CONTINUOUS KATHERINE MORTENHOE D.G. Compton THE COMPLETE RODERICK John Sladek THE DEMOLISHED MAN Alfred Bester THE DIFFERENCE ENGINE William Gibson and Bruce Sterling THE DISPOSSESSED Ursula Le Guin THE DROWNED WORLD** J. G. Ballard THE FALL OF HYPERION Dan Simmons THE FEMALE MAN Joanna Russ THE FIFTH HEAD OF CERBERUS Gene Wolfe THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON H.G. Wells THE FOOD OF THE GODS H.G. Wells THE FOREVER WAR Joe Haldeman THE FOUNTAINS OF PARADISE Arthur C. Clarke THE GATE TO WOMEN’S COUNTRY Sheri S. Tepper THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY Douglas Adams THE INVISIBLE MAN H.G. Wells THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU H.G. Wells THE LATHE OF HEAVEN Ursula le Guin THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE Philip K. Dick THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS Robert A. Heinlein THE PENULTIMATE TRUTH Philip K. Dick THE PRESTIGE Christopher Priest THE REDISCOVERY OF MAN Cordwainer Smith THE SEA AND SUMMER George Turner THE SHRINKING MAN Richard Matheson THE SIMULACRA Philip K. Dick THE SIRENS OF TITAN Kurt Vonnegut THE SPACE MERCHANTS Frederik Pohl and C.M.Kornbluth THE STARS MY DESTINATION Alfred Bester THE THREE STIGMATA OF PALMER ELDRITCH Philip K. Dick THE TIME MACHINE H. G. Wells THE TIME MACHINE/THE WAR OF THE WORLDS H. G. Wells THE WAR OF THE WORLDS H.G. Wells TIME OUT OF JOINT Philip K. Dick TIMESCAPE Greg Benford UBIK Philip K. Dick UNQUENCHABLE FIRE Rachel Pollack VALIS Philip K. Dick WHERE LATE THE SWEET BIRDS SANG Kate Wilhelm

As I read your review, I'm pretty sure I remember reading it some years ago, it certainly sounds familiar.

Sorry 86WM, but as so many people have a fear of spiders, I don't think it's fair to have big photos of them suddenly appear in the thread! I've deleted your posts

I'm a big fan of Sam Hayes, and I think I've interviewed her on here, as well as done give aways.

As has been said before in response to these types of thread, we're not a valuations site, just a community of book lovers. I would imagine you'll need to take it somewhere to be looked at.

It's started off well enough, with the same feel as The Time Machine. Lots of his sound interesting, and have good reviews.

I'm making good progress with Inverted World, and I now have The Space Machine as my next audio read, as I'm enjoying his style. Have you read any others of his? I hope you like Undone. It's not a book I'd recommend or not recommend, as I truely think it's one that some will like, and some won't! I guess it does actually make for a interesting book, when it brings out so many different views.