Just finished Resolute by Jack Campbell and The Nameless Land by Kate Elliott.

Resolute is one of many in a space military series. In this one, they're on a mission to go make friends with the aliens. Mostly to get the war hero main character out of Space Congress's hair, heh. I really enjoyed it. Jack is great at writing space combat action, and his aliens break the mold in some ways, too.

The Nameless Land is the sequel to The Witch Roads. It's a pretty cozy tale with a sort of tragic romance involving the main character while she's traveling with a VERY ambitious prince with his eye on the crown (nevermind the heir in the way). There's a fair bit of political maneuvering behind the action.

It's also fascinating from a world building perspective. It's a magical setting with a deadly fog that covered swaths of the land. Different cultures have different ways to cope with the danger. There are wizards of a sort and restless guardian spirits keeping watch after a legendary war against sorcerer-kings.

And the main character is not all she seems...

Excellent read, Kate Elliott is one of my favorite authors.

I just finished Anathem by Neal Stephenson! Man, what a banger of philosophy with a great narrative story to drive it. Wanted more space sci-fi so I'm currently reading Hyperion by Dan Simmons. Thoroughly enjoying it--intense read, though.

Great books! I have much respect for Ursula k. Le guin!

I'm still on my first read through, I've been going roughly by sub-series. Started with the Rincewind stuff, then Death, then the Watch, now I'm in the Industrial Revolution. Had a little Witches and other miscellaneous tossed in the middle there.

I just started The Odyssey translation by Emily Wilson. I’m just on the introduction but I’m interested in it so far.

Thank you, I'll put it on my TBR.

Currently going through Reaper by Will Wight. It's the tenth book in the Cradle series and it's starting to open the world (or should I say worlds?) up a little more. So far the entire series has been engaging and easy to keep the momentum going until the final 12th book.

All in all I thought it was fantastic. One of my 5 star reads.

The romance aspect gets to be a bit much for me at times. Every three pages we hear about how sexy and hot the bad boy MC is.

And then there’s also a couple chapters that are just explicit sex scenes.

That being said I really enjoyed the plot, setting, and the characters.

Are the titles in this series stand-alone/take place in the same world or should you read in order?

Haha cool, yeah perhaps I'll do the same if one of the stories don't vibe with me. Thanks!

Glad to hear the praise for The Witch Roads and sequel! I came across it on the "trending" books list on kobo and bought it on a whim based off the description (it was on sale too which helped), happy to know it's worth the attention.

Read the Smiley stories first.

1 Call for the Dead (1961)

2 A Murder of Quality (1962)

3 The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1963)

4 The Looking Glass War (1965)

5 Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1974)

6 The Honourable Schoolboy (1977)

7 Smiley's People (1979)

8 The Secret Pilgrim (1990)

9 A Legacy of Spies (2017)

1 and 2 are more detective stories with the detective being a retired spy. But 3 is where it gets really juicy. 5 is the most well known. 8 and 9 I would say are optional.

And then read "Karla's Choice" by Nick Harkaway. It's actually a midquel in the Smiley saga, written by John le Carré's son, who is also an author. I think he did a very serviceable job and I hope he writes more.

Sweetness, thank you kindly! Coincidentally, i was made aware of Nick Harkaway first, which is what brought le Carré to my attention.

Finished reading a novel called The Gift of Rain, by Tan Twan Eng.

The story is focused in Malaysia, right before the start of World War II. The protagonist befriends a Japanese diplomat, who becomes his teacher in aikido. The breakout of war forces the protagonist to harmonize the conflicting elements of his life, as he is torn between the safety of his friends/family and his adoration for his teacher. It was a nice read overall.

Interesting. Thanks for the info!

I guess I’ll keep reading because maybe one of them will!

I have a strong feeling that you are going to be disappointed. Fingers crossed though!

Fair treatment of communism and capatilism themes in the 70s. Gay sex (OK it was a really small part, but I didn't expect it), Gender and identity, and genders influence on culture. 50+ years ago! I'm ignoring all the other series she's wrote as well!

She's a gem.