ClassicLSFBC

#WeekendReads @rachelsbrittain

The above books are what I am focusing on this week. Snow Crash I am reading for #ClassicLSFBC @RamsFan1963

RamsFan1963 I'm starting Snow Crash this weekend too 5h

DestinyMorna Oh. That Giana darling book has been in my TBR forever. This might be a sign… 3h

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RamsFan1963

Burning Chrome | William Gibson

This will be an ultra-rare double reread for me. According to Litsy, I read and panned Snow Crash 6 years ago, but I'm reading it again for #ClassicLSFBC. I don't remember much about it except it was chaotic. I originally read Burning Chrome around '88-'89, so it's been long enough for it to feel new again.

Ruthiella I read a review that positioned Snow Crash between Neuromancer (which I found difficult to follow at times) and Ready Player One (which I loved). 3d

RamsFan1963 @Ruthiella I loved Ready Player One also, but I was only so-so for Neuromancer. I'm finding his short stories in Burning Chrome more entertaining than the novel. 3d

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BookmarkTavern

BookSpinBingo | Untitled

It‘s gonna by May! #BingoBoard time!

#BookSpin NetGalley read, #DoubleSpin The Grace of Kings

#Roll10 The Kitchen God‘s Wife, Beasts made of Night, The Grace of Kings

#PratchettPosse Eric

#AuldLangSpine Pandora‘s Jar, Hester

#ClassicLSFBC Snow Crash

#LitsySciFiBookClub The Three Body Problem

#SeasonalCozies Fudge & Jury

#QueerBC Darius the Great Is Not Okay

Trixie Belden Read The Red Trailer Mystery

TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks fabulous!! 1w

Suet624 Amazing! 6d

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Ruthiella

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

A few questions about the book for those who have thoughts!

Q3: While clearly a product of the Cold War, the book ends on a hopeful note for humankind. This differs in its positive outlook from some other books from the same era. Did you find this a realistic outcome?

#ClassicLSFBC

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CatLass007 It‘s good to have at least a few optimistic writers from that time period. 2w

RamsFan1963 Considering that Enoch had already been alive for the American Civil War, WWI and WWII, his optimism about mankind's future tempered by his realistic belief that man was headed for the war that would end civilization. It gave him an edge of desperation, for only by joining the galactic fraternity did he see mankind's salvation. 2w

Ruthiella @CatLass007 It is, isn‘t it! So many seem so pessimistic about the future. 2w

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Ruthiella @RamsFan1963 True! The book doesn‘t mention the two world wars (that I recall) but of course Enoch would have been aware of them. This book reminded me a lot of Gene Roddenberry‘s positive view of the future and humankind‘s place in it. 2w

CatLass007 @Ruthiella @RamsFan1963 I was thinking the same thing about Gene Roddenberry. It‘s sad that networks, syndication companies, producers of later seasons of TNG and every other spinoff series and movie have not had that same sense of optimism. Of course, I don‘t think I do either. I enjoyed Way Station tremendously and loved the optimism. But I‘m not sure I could find the same sense of optimism in myself. 2w

RamsFan1963 @Ruthiella @CatLass007 In a lot of ways, I saw the Galactic Council as a precursor to ST Federation. Less military in nature than Starfleet & the Federation, the Council was still a diverse group of planets and civilizations that banded together for the common good of all. Enoch wanted that for humans, to become something better, transcending our uglier nature to join a brotherhood in the stars. 2w

CatLass007 @RamsFan1963 @Ruthiella I actually prefer the Galactic Council idea because it isn‘t military in nature. 2w

KathyWheeler I want to believe that the optimistic outlook is rooted in reality, but I‘m afraid it probably isn‘t. We can‘t seem to stop fighting each other or oppressing those we view as less than. 2w

rwmg I remember reading a lot of SF dating back to that period during the 1970s and yes, the overall feel was optimistic, that problems would be overcome. It's something I miss nowadays when SF mainly seems to consist of dystopias. 2w

Ruthiella @KathyWheeler I feel like the CIA guy was far more acquiescing than an actual government official would be when confronted with aliens. 👽 But it was nice to read something with a hopeful note. 2w

Ruthiella @rwmg I‘ve certainly read less SF than you but a some of what I have encountered written in the first half of the 20th century has been quite pessimistic and dark, like

A Canticle for Leibowitz

KathyWheeler @Ruthiella Yes! I completely agree about the CIA guy. 2w

rwmg @Ruthiella I didn't find Canticle pessimistic - in the book's own terms, the Church is a positive civilisation-preserving influence which will continue. One may or may not agree with that view of the Church, but I think that is what the book is saying. 2w

Ruthiella It wasn‘t the continued influence of the Church that I found pessimistic in Canticle, it was the fact that humans kept blowing themselves up. 2w

TheSpineView While I liked the optimism of the book; unfortunately, I don't have much faith in humans. In my opinion, I thought it was a bit unrealistic. 2w

Ruthiella @TheSpineView This is why, at least in part, why I read! To give me hope, even if it‘s fictional. 2w

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I‘m a naively optimistic person, so even when things in books or real life seem absolutely dire, I have hope. I‘m actually currently reading Canticle and yes, it‘s much darker and seems very hopeless, but there are still people living their lives, following their passions, despite the past destruction and the new looming one. To me, SF always has that glimmer of hope. Maybe we won‘t continue as is, but something/someone will always find a way. 2w

Ruthiella @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm That‘s a much nicer reading of Canticle than I had. And you are right actually about the long view, I think. What seems dire to me in my short lifetime looks very different on a scale of centuries or even millennia. 2w

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Ruthiella Well, I haven‘t finished it yet, so maybe my thoughts won‘t be so sunshiney once it‘s all said and done. 😅 2w

kwmg40 I did like the more optimistic tone. It's not just that humankind has a chance of survival, despite its doing the utmost to sabotage that, but there are also wiser, more intelligent beings out there. TBH, it's kind of scary and depressing to think that we humans might be the smartest people in the universe! 😂 2w

Ruthiella @kwmg40 True that! We need some Vulcans to set us straight! 🖖 2w

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Ruthiella

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

A few questions about the book for those who have thoughts!

Q2: What did you think about Enoch‘s “relationship” with David and/or Mary? I was hoping Mary might somehow manifest and become his companion - alleviate his loneliness. 🤞

#ClassicLSFBC

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wanderinglynn I think Simak was telling a subtle story about the tension between growth and belonging through the theme of loneliness. One the one hand, his interactions with the aliens are diverse, challenging, and often baffling. On the other, his interactions with humanity and his home environment are supportive but largely unchanging, 2w

Ruthiella @wanderinglynn Yes, I really felt his isolation and need to have companionship of some kind. That was one of the more bittersweet aspects of the story. 2w

CatLass007 @wanderinglynn @Ruthiella I guess I didn‘t see the isolation. That‘s interesting. It felt more like solitude to me. I enjoy my solitude. I guess I don‘t necessarily equate being alone with being lonely. But he wouldn‘t have created Mary and David if he weren‘t lonely, would he? Or was it because he wanted companions from his own time? 2w

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Ruthiella @CatLass007 I think he did want the companionship of someone from his youth , who knew and understood the world he grew up in and that‘s why he created Mary and David. 2w

wanderinglynn @CatLass007 I agree with @Ruthiella – I think it was a combination of being out of time and being stuck in between two worlds. My grandfather who was born in 1912, before he died in 2005, used to say that it wasn‘t his world. (edited) 2w

TheSpineView I did get the sense he was lonely. I did wish he had found a partner to share his life with. 2w

Ruthiella @wanderinglynn Good point. Technology and culture change so fast just in reality, never mind adding in an alien way station. 2w

Ruthiella @TheSpineView I was kind of hoping either Mary would come to life somehow or that Lucy would become his companion. He only had his journals to express himself. 2w

TheSpineView @Ruthiella My vote was for Lucy. 2w

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I think it was very much akin to when we make up imaginary friends as children. They can be there for us only for so long. Then we have to face reality. I thought it was very sad that he had developed such strong feelings for Mary, but I never hoped anything would come of it. There‘s something icky about having a relationship with someone you brought to life. I was also happy that Lucy didn‘t become anything more than a friend. 🤷‍♀️ 2w

Ruthiella @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm You‘re right about the ick factor. But I wanted him to have someone he could share his experiences with. I‘ve been once or twice to museums on my own and often just wanted someone to look at what I was looking at and get their perspective. A whole lifetime of remarkable experiences and no one to share them with struck me as sad. (edited) 2w

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Ruthiella I definitely get that. The ending for me seemed to imply that he wouldn‘t have to be as isolated from humanity in the future. What with the planet entering into the bigger arena of the galaxy. Maybe he will find someone to be a steady companion. ❤️ 2w

kwmg40 I was saddened by Enoch's loneliness and his inability to have a companion, even an “artificial“ one like Mary. However, the ending is consistent with his character's belief that his own desires are secondary to the greater goals and the work that needs to be done to achieve it. 2w

Ruthiella @kwmg40 That‘s a good point. Enoch does think more about the greater good over his own wants or needs. 2w

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Ruthiella

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

A few questions about the book for those who have thoughts!

Q1: How do you think Enoch‘s experience as a soldier and veteran influenced his actions and attitudes as station master, if at all?

#ClassicLSFBC

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RamsFan1963 I think being a soldier and veteran instilled in him a strong sense of duty, to honor his commitment to run the way station, no matter the isolation and loneliness it caused him. 2w

RamsFan1963 Also, being a soldier, he knew how to keep a secret. Despite his optimistic view of humanity, he knew in a lot of ways, mankind wasn't ready yet to be part of the bigger universe. 2w

wanderinglynn I think from being a soldier, he understood the importance that all sentient beings must & can get along, or perish. That war never really changes and understanding others is the key to survival. 2w

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Ruthiella @RamsFan1963 Great insight! Enoch really did have a strong sense of duty and discipline that was likely reinforced by his war experiences. 2w

Ruthiella @wanderinglynn I agree. The bloodshed he experienced first hand would have helped him understand that need for cooperation with and understanding about those who are different and who may hold different views. 2w

rwmg I think his experience of war realise the importance of striving for peace and the need to find something in common even with people who seem to be diametrically opposed to you. 2w

Ruthiella @rwmg I wonder too if the author specifically picked the Civil War (compared to many other US wars to choose from) for that reason. 2w

rwmg @Ruthiella I suspect the US Civil War was chosen as a protracted war which took place at a time which made Enoch's immortality demonstrable and still loomed large in the US's consciousness 2w

TheSpineView I agree with @RamsFan1963 I think that experience did influence him greatly. I think he understood the value of life and Peace. If you haven't faced death do we truly value life??? 🤷‍♀️ 2w

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I agree with everyone that it definitely influenced his actions. The self discipline especially would be inherent. 2w

kwmg40 I too was impressed by his discipline, his sense of devotion to a greater good, and the willingness to sacrifice his own desires and comforts for that good, all of which are consistent with our ideas of a soldier's best qualities. 2w

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Ruthiella

Readathon: Occasional List : Geleentheidslys | Gauteng (South Africa). Education Media Service

Kicking off the #AwesomeApril readathon today by hopefully finishing these two books this weekend. After that, who knows? I‘ve got plenty of group reads starting in May - #HashtagBrigade #ClassicLSFBC #LitsySciFiBC #NancyDrewBR & #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub - as well as my #Roll100 and #TBRTarot picks. So much great stuff to choose from! 😃

Andrew65

Andrew65 Good choices. Best of luck and great to have you with us. 2w

Lesliereadsalot I read the Ancillary series and loved it. Happy reading! 2w

Ruthiella @Andrew65 Thanks! 2w

Ruthiella @Lesliereadsalot This is a re-read because I never got to the third book and it‘s been a few years since I read the first two. I‘m looking forward to finally finishing it! 2w

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KathyWheeler

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

pick

I really liked Way Station. It‘s such a hopeful book. Simak‘s vision of humanity‘s future is an optimistic one of a united galaxy. When so many people — including me — view humanity through a negative lens, it‘s nice to read something with a more positive outlook. Read The Wishing Game sitting on the beach and listened to Lightning Strike on my #audiowalk #ClassicLSFBC

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TheSpineView

Untitled | Untitled

Voting is now open for the May selection of #LitsySciFiBookClub Please cast your vote for your favorite. I will leave the voting open until the end of the week. May the best book win.😅

@Larkken @Deblovestoread @bnp @Johanna414 @BookmarkTavern @julesG @sebrittainclark @BookBelle84 @Readergrrl @CSeydel @Roary47 @Lizpixie @Ruthiella @PaperbackPirate

TheSpineView @PageShifter @kwmg40 @majkia @AuthorCjwhitcomb @Bookwomble @wanderinglynn @MerlinTheSlightlyAwkward @Klou @RamsFan1963 @BookwormAHN @LeticiaToraci @CatLass007 @AmandaBlaze 3w

TheSpineView @psalva @Karisimo @BethM @rretzler @Lauredhel @CaroPi 3w

kwmg40

Three-Body Problem

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CatLass007

The Three-Body Problem

Bookwomble 🗳️

The Three-Body Problem

julesG The Spare Man 3w

Lesliereadsalot The Three-Body Problem 3w

wanderinglynn

The Spare Man

Roary47 The Three Body Problem 3w

DuckOfDoom 👀👀👀 I didn't know there was a sci-fi book club. Can I join? 3w

CSeydel The Three Body Problem 3w

AmandaBlaze

Ghost Station

RamsFan1963 I'll go with the book I nominated

Ghost Station

CaroPi

The Spare Man

TheSpineView @DuckOfDoom Sure. I will add you to the tag list. I will include you going forward. Go ahead and vote for one of the May options. We are reading The Calculating Stars for April and open discussion will begin a couple of days before the end of the month. 3w

Karisimo Just watched the first season so I‘d like to read it!

The Three-Body Problem

Ruthiella I think we‘re going to read The Three Body Problem! 😂 But I‘ll still vote for my suggestion

The Rift

Lizpixie I‘ll vote Alien Clay but it looks like it‘s a 3 Body Problem month! 3w

BookmarkTavern I‘ll vote for Redshirts! But just want to say that The Spare Man is a lot of fun! 💕 3w

DuckOfDoom This looks like the perfect book for my right now

Ghost Station

Larkken Having already read 3-body-problem (and given that I‘ll be excited to see how everyone does with it) I‘ll vote for

Ghost Station

RamsFan1963 @DuckOfDoom If you're interested in joining, there's also #ClassicLSFBC, where we go back and read older science fiction. 2w

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RamsFan1963

Way Station | Clifford D. Simak

pick

43/150 I finished this last night, but I wanted to think about it before posting. Can you describe a book as gentle? If so, then this book is gentle, and so optimistic about humanity and our future in a Galactic community (I see the Star Trek similarities). Enoch is an amazing character, giving up so much, to be the lonely, maybe outcast, keeper of his station. He gives up so much, because he wants so much for mankind. 5 🌟 read #ClassicLSFBC

Deblovestoread Lovely review. I‘m going to start today. 3w

Ruthiella I would describe this book as gentle, for sure! 👍 3w

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