How Should I start off the New Year? - Page 2

red_phoenix · 12-31-2014, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

I am ashamed to admit that I've only read two of your choices, and of those two, only enjoyed one. (I have tried many, many times to like Hitchhiker, but I just don't "get it". )
But I LOVED Andy Weir's "The Martian". It was one of those books that really caught me by surprise and latched on. That's my vote for you!

I will not be much help Nyssa. I have not read any of the books on your list except Hitchhicker's. I tried it because friends of mine absolutely raved about it. I didn't get it either and did not find it enjoyable.

I guess AlbertaCowboy and myself are the exceptions to the rule...or at least the only ones willing to admit it.

pdurrant · 12-31-2014, 07:08 AM

I really enjoyed The Martian. And I'm planning on getting Ancillary Justice sometime. So those are the two I voted for.

I like HHGTTG, but I think an omnibus for the first read of 2015 is too much. And, of course, the radio series is really the best.

cpegg · 12-31-2014, 09:57 AM

I recently read The Martian and Ancillary Justice and loved them both. The Martian is hard SF with suspense, humor and charm, while Ancillary Justice is social SF that unfolds more slowly and packs an emotional whomp. (You might start reading each on a Saturday morning, though, rather than in the evening when you need to get up early for work the next morning. That really didn't work out well for me.)

Nyssa · 12-31-2014, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrNefario

I liked The Martian, but didn't love it. It's not my favourite book on that list (of the five I've read, anyway.)

Thank you for voting for your favorite of the group!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

On the plus side, Hitchhikers Guide is a series. We all know how much you like those. And you got an omnibus edition, so you won't have to wait to get the next book ...

My vote goes for it, don't forget your towel, and

DON'T
PANIC

Yes, I do love a good series...Have towel will travel (been meaning to understand 42).

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I really enjoyed The Martian. And I'm planning on getting Ancillary Justice sometime. So those are the two I voted for.

I like HHGTTG, but I think an omnibus for the first read of 2015 is too much. And, of course, the radio series is really the best.

I actually wouldn't mind starting with a series, especially when I have all of the books. It actually helps to take some of the pressure off with the whole "What do I read next/now" situation!

I'll probably use this poll to do that as well. I might choose the Top 3 to 5 vote getters as my first 3 - 5 books of the new year. Or, anything with 5 votes or more... goes on the list. I haven't decided.

Quote:

Originally Posted by red_phoenix

I will not be much help Nyssa. I have not read any of the books on your list except Hitchhicker's. I tried it because friends of mine absolutely raved about it. I didn't get it either and did not find it enjoyable.

I guess AlbertaCowboy and myself are the exceptions to the rule...or at least the only ones willing to admit it.

(emphasis mine)

I think you may have hit the nail on the head there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpegg

I recently read The Martian and Ancillary Justice and loved them both. The Martian is hard SF with suspense, humor and charm, while Ancillary Justice is social SF that unfolds more slowly and packs an emotional whomp. (You might start reading each on a Saturday morning, though, rather than in the evening when you need to get up early for work the next morning. That really didn't work out well for me.)

I will keep that in mind! Thank you. I'm a bit lucky right now, as I am on Christmas/Winter break with my children (one of the perks of being a substitute teacher - I'm off when they're off), so I will have a few extra days of reading time.

Catlady · 12-31-2014, 11:03 AM

I've never read any of the books on the list, and I've only heard of the first one. I guess I reside on a different planet than the rest of you.

Synamon · 12-31-2014, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

I haven't heard many say that they didn't like Hitchhiker's Guide .
I feel so behind the curve simply for not having read it before; especially seeing as I've had the omnibus for at least 3 years now.

A lot of other works reference it and those quotes and parodies will magically make sense once you've read Hitchhiker's. Don't stay behind the curve a minute longer.

Nyssa · 12-31-2014, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synamon

A lot of other works reference it and those quotes and parodies will magically make sense once you've read Hitchhiker's. Don't stay behind the curve a minute longer.

But, it won't count unless you actually vote in the poll!

alansplace · 12-31-2014, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alansplace

I was allowed to check more than one box, but I unchecked all but one before I actually voted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

Did you change your mind!?! I hope my choices did not influence you to do so.

Thank you, though, for participating.

Nope, no influence from you. In fact I first checked Dust, then I checked The Martian. Actually they were the only two books from the list that I'd read (I thought). This is when I noticed that I'd been allowed to check more than one. I went back and looked at the Dust entry and at that point realized that it was not Hugh Howey's Dust and I unchecked it. Then I pressed the vote button.

Nyssa · 12-31-2014, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alansplace

Nope, no influence from you. In fact I first checked Dust, then I checked The Martian. Actually they were the only two books from the list that I'd read (I thought). This is when I noticed that I'd been allowed to check more than one. I went back and looked at the Dust entry and at that point realized that it was not Hugh Howey's Dust and I unchecked it. Then I pressed the vote button.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alansplace

No. A multiple choice test means that there are multiple possible answers to a question and the test-taker must choose one answer (the best of the choices), so that's what I did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

Ah! LOL Okay. Thank you!!

Its all good! I was just curious. Thank you!!

Dazrin · 12-31-2014, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

I think you may have hit the nail on the head there.

I love the first part of the HHGTTG series; I tend to quit after book 3 though when re-reading because I am not as fond of the last two.

As for voting, I voted for the three I most want to read (or have read and REALLY liked), which apparently means I am voting with the crowd. I didn't check the results until after voting though, so no influence by others.

Nyssa · 12-31-2014, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dazrin

I love the first part of the HHGTTG series; I tend to quit after book 3 though when re-reading because I am not as fond of the last two.

As for voting, I voted for the three I most want to read (or have read and REALLY liked), which apparently means I am voting with the crowd. I didn't check the results until after voting though, so no influence by others.

(emphasis mine)

Awesome! Thank you!!

You may have helped to solidify my first 3 reads of the new year.

Nyssa · 12-31-2014, 10:17 PM

While the leading book is still clearly in the lead, there is a tie for 2nd place, followed by a very distant contender in 3rd.

I am very excited to see if:

1. The leader stays in the lead (which I think it will, to be honest).
2. Which of the books in 2nd overtakes the other.
3. If the 3rd place book will continue to gain, or be overthrown by one right behind it.

It seems that my first 3 (possibly 4) reads of 2015 have been determined - I'm just waiting to see in which order they will be read.

SteveEisenberg · 12-31-2014, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

I've never read any of the books on the list, and I've only heard of the first one.

Me too. And I couldn't get past the first couple chapters.

That's not a criticism. I don't believe you can judge a book by the first few chapters.

Hampshire Nanny · 01-01-2015, 12:08 AM

Elizabeth Bear's Dust is Amazing. A really good SF read.

BelleZora · 01-01-2015, 12:33 AM

I've only heard of the first one, which I didn't much like, and the last four which I own. I just bought The Martian and The Iron King and plan to read them soon. I read Bird Box recently. It was entertaining enough, but not among the 2014 favorites. I gave it three stars at Goodreads.

View Poll Results: How Should I start off the New Year?
The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy #1-5) by Douglas Adams	15	39.47%
Dust (Jacob's Ladder #1) by Elizabeth Bear	3	7.89%
Red Rising (Red Rising Trilogy #1) by Pierce Brown	0	0%
Gardens of the Moon (The Malazan Book of the Fallen #1) by Steven Erikson	3	7.89%
Seraphina (Seraphina #1) by Rachel Hartman	1	2.63%
Lord of the Silver Bow (Troy #1) by David Gemmell	1	2.63%
Ancillary Justice (Imperial Radch #1) by Ann Leckie	9	23.68%
Blood Song (Raven's Shadow #1) by Anthony Ryan	1	2.63%
The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter #1) by Megan Shepheard	1	2.63%
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (Fairyland #1) by Catherynne M. Valente	2	5.26%
Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #1) by Patricia C. Wrede	5	13.16%
Mr. Shivers by Robert Jackson Bennett	0	0%
The Book by M. Clifford	1	2.63%
Bird Box by Josh Malerman	0	0%
Swan Song by Robert McCammon	1	2.63%
The Martian by Andy Weir	21	55.26%
The Iron King (Les Rois Maudits #1) aka (The Accursed Kings #1) by Maurice Druon	5	13.16%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll

12-31-2014, 10:17 PM	#27
Nyssa Series Addict Posts: 6,180 Karma: 167189477 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite (2nd Gen)	So Far... While the leading book is still clearly in the lead, there is a tie for 2nd place, followed by a very distant contender in 3rd. I am very excited to see if: 1. The leader stays in the lead (which I think it will, to be honest). 2. Which of the books in 2nd overtakes the other. 3. If the 3rd place book will continue to gain, or be overthrown by one right behind it. It seems that my first 3 (possibly 4) reads of 2015 have been determined - I'm just waiting to see in which order they will be read.

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12-31-2014, 07:08 AM	#17
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 73,590 Karma: 315126578 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	I really enjoyed The Martian. And I'm planning on getting Ancillary Justice sometime. So those are the two I voted for. I like HHGTTG, but I think an omnibus for the first read of 2015 is too much. And, of course, the radio series is really the best.

12-31-2014, 09:57 AM	#18
cpegg Enthusiast Posts: 42 Karma: 4432500 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: the Windy City Device: Nook Simple Touch, Kobo Aura H2O (first edition), Kobo Forma	I recently read The Martian and Ancillary Justice and loved them both. The Martian is hard SF with suspense, humor and charm, while Ancillary Justice is social SF that unfolds more slowly and packs an emotional whomp. (You might start reading each on a Saturday morning, though, rather than in the evening when you need to get up early for work the next morning. That really didn't work out well for me.)

12-31-2014, 11:03 AM	#20
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,406 Karma: 52613881 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	I've never read any of the books on the list, and I've only heard of the first one. I guess I reside on a different planet than the rest of you.

01-01-2015, 12:08 AM	#29
Hampshire Nanny Guru Posts: 615 Karma: 8064562 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3 KB, iPad2	Elizabeth Bear's *Dust* is Amazing. A really good SF read.

01-01-2015, 12:33 AM	#30
BelleZora Wizard Posts: 1,442 Karma: 25151986 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Seattle, US Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Libra 2, Pocketbook Verse Pro Color	I've only heard of the first one, which I didn't much like, and the last four which I own. I just bought The Martian and The Iron King and plan to read them soon. I read Bird Box recently. It was entertaining enough, but not among the 2014 favorites. I gave it three stars at Goodreads.