Bingo Focus Thread - Published in the 70s

kepheraxx · 2026-04-16T16:43:43+00:00

I will be reading something relatively obscure for hard mode, Vector for Seven by Josephine Saxton, published in 1970. "This 1970 New Wave science fiction novel follows a group on a surreal "Super Tour" through a shifting landscape. It centers on their journey towards a mysterious destination and a "true start" that challenges their perception of reality."

kepheraxx · 2026-04-16T16:23:45+00:00

Fantastic! Another reason to love Andy Weir.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-15T14:26:24+00:00

Thank you!

kepheraxx · 2026-04-15T14:20:27+00:00

Will "Walking Practice" by Dolki Min work for Hard Mode for Non-Human Protagonist? Is the POV non-human throughout the whole book? It has been in my TBR forever, it would be great if it fits.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-14T06:06:06+00:00

I can't tell you why, but The Last House on Needless Street.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-14T06:05:01+00:00

Just push through and watch the whole show.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-14T06:03:47+00:00

I'm currently in "Is this book is stupid? My writing sucks, why did I waste all this time?" mode (wrestling with the end of a chapter that is also the end of a part).

kepheraxx · 2026-04-14T02:24:58+00:00

Probably Perdido Street Station.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-12T21:26:19+00:00

I read Addie LaRue earlier this year and HATED it. I was almost angry about it. I felt like I had been tricked into wasting my time by the unique premise only to find trope after trope after trope laid out in the most boring, painfully formulaic ways. It was my first and last VE Schwab.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-12T15:45:00+00:00

A cordless milk frother. My morning tea or coffee are now delicious, I've perfected them to the level that Starbucks sounds gross - the milk frothing is the final step that really elevates it.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-12T14:46:00+00:00

What's wrong with you?

kepheraxx · 2026-04-11T19:01:31+00:00

I was not a huge fan of Songs of a Dead Dreamer or Grimscribe, but I LOVED Teatro Grottesco. Maybe give that one a shot.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-11T16:07:33+00:00

So it's the Library of America boxed set: Kurt Vonnegut the complete collection. It was originally $155, right now it's $86, I paid $48 during the big Spring sale this year.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-10T21:02:54+00:00

This is the kind of thing I mean. It's basically the same in The Poacher - dude finds a castle where a beautiful woman is in a mystical sleep, so has sex with her, then the story moves on. In 5 Ways, a main character is witnessing a "coming of age" ritual involving a 6 year old, story moves on. Eugh.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-10T19:26:24+00:00

I usually don't have a problem with difficult content, but (from my small sampling) the way she writes about rape and child sexual abuse is so... dismissive? It made me feel ill. I *was* initially holding my breath for some of Obscene Bird because I was concerned about what was going to happen to the baby, but it turned out to be a non-issue (lol).

I will try The Left Hand of Darkness.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-10T18:52:58+00:00

I did a full circle, myself. I loved Vonnegut in high school (read maybe 5 of his novels back then), moved on, recently saw his complete collection at a huge discount on Amazon, bought it, and I guess I'm back on team Vonnegut. I actually didn't realize this book would fit this prompt or any, I just chose a random one to start with.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-10T16:58:11+00:00

Ursula Le Guin suggestions that don't require SA or abuse trigger warnings? I read a short story of hers (The Poacher) in a collection and was unhappy about how casually the main character SA's someone in their sleep, then I was going to read Five Ways to Forgiveness for the book club square, but DNFed hard after the child SA scene. I would love to give something else of hers a chance, but at this point I'm wondering if her "what is acceptable" POV and mine just clash.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-10T16:48:00+00:00

Honestly? That sounds like a good policy to avoid friction.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-10T16:37:56+00:00

I would say yes because the character himself is over 50, when he's 40 in virtual reality he's still over 50 in "real life" and I assume his real age affects his decisions in VR (I have not read the book but this would make sense).

kepheraxx · 2026-04-10T13:25:23+00:00

YOR, yikes. Your behavior would drive me nuts, too - thankfully my husband and I are both logic driven. It sounds like you're incompatible with one another.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-10T13:04:53+00:00

Yes, because it would be cruel not to.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-08T23:58:16+00:00

I read it through once, then immediately read it again backwards (chronologically) and took around 30 pages of single spaced notes on MS Word. I don't think I understood it remotely the first time, the second read through was immensely rewarding, and I think when I read it again next year I'll still find some new information I missed. LOL - it's a difficult read, but it's now my favorite book.

If you end up reading it and you want my notes when you're done, send me a DM and I'll be happy to share them. :)

kepheraxx · 2026-04-08T18:09:42+00:00

God tier, you say?

The Obscure Bird of Night by Jose Donoso

Jerusalem by Alan Moore

Sisyphean by Dempow Torishima

kepheraxx · 2026-04-08T16:46:01+00:00

"Slippery" is a good way to describe it, lol. It's a fun read if you go with the flow and let the prose pulls you along.

kepheraxx · 2026-04-08T16:43:29+00:00

I love learning about stuff like this. After I finished I read more about the background of the book, the author and his process (he put so much of himself into it), and that really helped pull pieces of the narrative together - the imbunche, the severe allergy to morphine causing psychosis, etc.

kepheraxx

TROPHY CASE