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Re: I second that suggestion. DomA Send a noteboard - 16/11/2013 02:10:10 AM

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I always tend to have this impression that the reason I hardly ever hear about modern French books worth reading is that there aren't really too much of those, but that seems hardly likely, I'm just not hearing about them.

That reminds me of the project I once started here at RAFO of reading and reviewing non-English language fantasy and sci-fi... as I recall, I got about two books far (one by Markus Heitz and one by Elisabeth Vonarburg, if anyone's curious).


It's rarely books that would be of very wide appeal, I fear. The recent books in French that I've read were monographs on (often local) historical subjects most people find boring (the few novels I've read recently were the books in English, and it's been mostly re reading John Irving). I don't read much contemporary French literature, especially not what falls into the "grand roman français" category that usually irritate me. Vonarburg I like, but I haven't read much spec fic in the last months (not at all, unless I forget something).

I might briefly review the book of Venetian history I'm currently reading as I find it pretty good (it's a very good read but I'll wait to reach the end to form a more informed opinion on it as an history book) and I suspect it might appeal to Tom who liked the Norwich.

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To whom do you turn when you want to learn more about new books? Larry - 10/11/2013 06:17:07 AM 1430 Views
This is the only place. Tom - 10/11/2013 04:26:22 PM 1143 Views
Maybe, but I'm a bit skeptical Larry - 11/11/2013 12:14:36 AM 1080 Views
If you want to attract NEW readers, the site needs to be reworked from scratch Werthead - 13/11/2013 01:06:41 PM 1014 Views
Preaching to the choir here Larry - 14/11/2013 07:55:56 AM 1160 Views
Re: If you want to attract NEW readers, the site needs to be reworked from scratch DomA - 21/11/2013 09:24:22 PM 1093 Views
That might be swimming upstream against a strong current Larry - 22/11/2013 08:41:15 AM 1055 Views
Quite DomA - 22/11/2013 03:34:50 PM 943 Views
io9 The Shrike - 10/11/2013 07:32:41 PM 1373 Views
Locus Online also has good lists of upcoming/new SF/F releases Larry - 11/11/2013 12:16:18 AM 1058 Views
The Economist, NYT, and WSJ The Shrike - 11/11/2013 01:05:36 PM 1019 Views
Very true Larry - 14/11/2013 07:57:14 AM 1062 Views
I'm skeptical of the Economist. Tom - 16/11/2013 05:02:47 PM 1018 Views
Which books were those? The Shrike - 19/11/2013 03:19:59 PM 1023 Views
There were at least four or five bad reviews. Tom - 30/11/2013 05:41:45 PM 1031 Views
I remember reading that book. I don't recall being impressed by it. *NM* The Shrike - 05/12/2013 03:37:59 PM 556 Views
I've essentially stopped reading A Deathwatch Guard - 11/11/2013 12:36:51 AM 1186 Views
I don't think very highly of the discussions on r/fantasy Larry - 11/11/2013 08:25:54 AM 1213 Views
I've never even been to r/fantasy A Deathwatch Guard - 11/11/2013 08:31:11 AM 1040 Views
It's akin to a stagnant pool where the malaria-infested mosquitos breed Larry - 11/11/2013 08:48:04 AM 1168 Views
I'd say this place is still the most influential for me. Legolas - 11/11/2013 10:29:19 AM 1033 Views
For some odd reason, I distrust Goodreads Larry - 14/11/2013 07:58:29 AM 1161 Views
"Distrust"? Interesting word choice. Legolas - 14/11/2013 09:32:35 PM 1141 Views
Perhaps, but I think "rating-based" reviews distort views to fit into a template Larry - 22/11/2013 08:47:18 AM 939 Views
Call me old fashioned... DomA - 11/11/2013 02:47:37 PM 993 Views
Old fashioned! Larry - 14/11/2013 07:59:43 AM 1031 Views
I second that suggestion. Legolas - 14/11/2013 09:35:51 PM 953 Views
Re: I second that suggestion. DomA - 16/11/2013 02:10:10 AM 861 Views
Here mostly, Goodreads, io9 Isaac - 11/11/2013 09:40:41 PM 1183 Views
Interesting Larry - 14/11/2013 08:01:05 AM 983 Views
Typically new is "New to me" Isaac - 14/11/2013 08:36:09 AM 1317 Views
Ah, I understand a bit more now. Thanks. Larry - 22/11/2013 08:50:26 AM 982 Views
Here mostly too. And bookshops over here. Rebekah - 12/11/2013 06:54:05 PM 986 Views
Bookstores here generally don't do recs very well (outside of independents, that is) Larry - 14/11/2013 08:02:16 AM 1029 Views
I have list of things to read longer than I have time to read random thoughts - 13/11/2013 05:39:59 PM 966 Views
So true Larry - 14/11/2013 08:03:16 AM 992 Views
I believe that in the past 5 years I have bought more books than I can read if I live to 100. Tom - 16/11/2013 05:10:21 PM 911 Views
here, mostly, but i also have less time to read (sort of) and a lot to read... temeraire - 19/11/2013 03:49:15 PM 926 Views
Quick, cozy comfort zone reads, more or less? Larry - 22/11/2013 08:52:37 AM 854 Views
It depends on what is happening at the time temeraire - 30/11/2013 12:15:55 AM 824 Views
I don't really care to learn about new books. ranagrande - 21/11/2013 08:58:44 PM 980 Views
I'm guessing you must live in a larger city than my suburban (exurb?) town of 15K Larry - 22/11/2013 08:54:58 AM 953 Views
Slightly larger ranagrande - 22/11/2013 08:30:34 PM 992 Views
Re: I'm guessing you must live in a larger city than my suburban (exurb?) town of 15K DomA - 23/11/2013 06:17:03 PM 1177 Views
Re: I'm guessing you must live in a larger city than my suburban (exurb?) town of 15K Stephen - 23/11/2013 09:55:34 PM 1072 Views
Forgive me my sins but most of my reading for the last year has been comics. Stephen - 23/11/2013 02:54:44 AM 837 Views
I'm all BELE Jasha - 29/11/2013 07:12:03 PM 932 Views
Book recommendations can come from the oddest places... Istavaun - 07/12/2013 04:36:26 AM 945 Views
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