Reading Project Hail Mary. I’m not really a reader and I bought this when I was drunk with friends. Had a flight coming and figured I might as well read it. I’m enjoying it.
At the moment I am reading the Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. It’s really fascinating so far, quite unorthodox in many ways. The story is Bulgakovs critique of soviet society, especially the literary and theatrical scene and the censorship thereof. A faustian devil comes to Moscow and starts punishing people for their corrupt choices. This is contrasted by a secondary plot that happens during the execution of Jesus in old Jerusalem. It’s narrated in the style of Skaz, pretty funny at times, at other times there are horror elements and there is always a lot of biting sarcasm. But the wildest choice to me has to be the arrangement of the characters. There are a lot of side characters and the titular main characters don’t show up until the story has been told for ~100/300 pages and even after that they don’t even show up on most pages.
Dungeon Crawler Carl book 8, A Parade of Horribles just came out last night and I started in on it. Even with a recap at the start it's hard to remember all the characters and what was going on with them.
Yeah, all the faction wars stuff got confusing at times, lots of characters and moving pieces. I just started book 8 today. Donut is badass right out of the gate. Looks like I'm not going to get much done this week!
I can’t wait to start this. I opted to reread the rest of the series again. I’m so excited.
Just started today. Its so gooooood! Im excited.
I usually re-read the previous books right before the new ones are about to release. I did this time, but the last time I've read them was 4 months ago, so, I kind of remember most of the details as the recap happens. I am on chapter 20 right now and the scenario hasn't clicked for me yet.
I started relistening to the entire series of audiobooks for that reason. I'm a little bit into book 6, The Eye of the Bedlam Bride, right now. The one with the pokemon/yugioh-like, T'ghee cards system. Book 7 is on deck and Book 8 is already waiting in my library.
So much happens in this story, so many parts moving both on and off the page, particularly in the later books. I really needed the refresher for a lot of stuff I only vaguely remembered or just straight up forgot about (or maybe slept through the first time?).
It's also definitely easier to parse some of the hints/foreshadowing and string together some pieces of lore the second time around. For example, it only registered on this second pass that every third floor takes place on or inside the same volcano. I knew the 3rd, 6th and 9th were related, though I didn't realize they were geographically related. And I didn't realize that relation included the home of the gods (the Halls of Ascendency) on the 12th floor, the home of demons (Sheol) on the 15th floor, or the final 18th floor. The 18th floor will be the lair of Scolopendra, the giant celestial monster centipede, at the heart of this volcano. The same monster whose poison breath killed or transformed 90% of the populations on the other connected floors like Grimaldi and his circus in the Signet side plot in the Over City, and Tina, Kiwi and the other dinos in the Hunting Grounds. And Scolopendra is the final boss of the entire dungeon, which they must defeat to take back Earth. Apparently I just glazed over most of that lore the first time thinking it was set dressing, not plot relevant... cuz it kind of is set dressing but also is relevant.
Currently reading Slow Gods by Claire North and I'm really enjoying it so far (I'm about 25% in) - its a sci-fi which tackles many currently relevant questions like end-stage capitalism, gender identity and activism. Your uncle who calls everything woke would hate it.
Restarted dungeon crawler carl since book 8 just came out.
Just started book 4
Nice! First time through, or reread?
First go. Very fun read (listen)
I just started Persepolis Rising, book 7 of The Expanse by James SA Corey after a several years long break after book 6 because I was worried about a big time jump that happens and wasn't sure how the story would go because that's when the TV series ended also. I also just finished the final 12 Dresden Files books since early April so it's fun to get into Space Sci-fi after a long fantasy kick.
For me, The Expanse was another of those situations where I was drawn in by a good TV/Film adaptation only to be blown away by even better source material.
That being said, I'll always picture Miller as Thomas Jane.
Blindsight by Peter Watts
Really interesting take on a first contact story. Highly recommend.
Blindsight is the first book in a long time that really got into my head and scared me.
This is the one book I keep thinking about when I'm having a bout of existentialism, one of the best first contact type novels I've read
Just started the second bobiverse book by Denis Taylor. They're a lot of fun.
I’m just finishing up listening to the first one and I’m really glad there are more
Started reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown, so far it reads like a YA novel which I don't like, hopefully that changes as I read further
I don’t think the style changes much as the book goes on, but I really like this series.
If the style bothers you, you might have a hard time finishing it.
The first book is about teenagers but they do age as the story goes. By book 4, the main character is around 30. However, the style of storytelling didn’t feel much different to me.
Currently reading Children of Strife by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Book 4 in the series. Really good, but jumps around a lot. Certainly not one to read an hour a night. Really needed longer sessions to keep all the characters in my head 😁
I just finished children of memory and struggled with that book a lot because of the time jumps and confusing plot as well, seems like the next book is more of the same, the first 2 books in this series was really interesting, is the 4th book worth it
I finished Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey. I found it to be an easy and pleasant read. It left me wanting to experience more of the world. Good thing there's still a lot of Pern books for me to explore.
I'm almost done reading The Magicians by Lev Grossman. The pacing is odd and the main characters are insufferable, but I'm enjoying it immensely. I hope it's able to stick the landing and that the rest of the trilogy will be equally good.
I'm currently listening to Of Blood and Fire by Ryan Cahill. It's ok. It's basically Eragon but a little bit darker. I've not finished it yet but currently it's hovering at a solid 6/10 ok but nothing special. It's a very generic fantasy, I'm interested enough to finish it and probably read some more depending on how good the ending is. I've heard the other books in the series get better.
I’m finishing my reread (as a listen) of The Locked Tomb series with Nina The Ninth.
Balancing in there is a silly romance Apprentice to the Villan.
I’m reading (very slowly) the second Redwall book “Mossflower”
I, Jedi by Micheal A Stockpole. Depending on which legends list you go by, it’s either before or after the Jedi Academy trilogy. I’m assuming it takes place in that time frame and a little further.
So I may be reading it out of order, but hey. Luke’s gone and petitioned for his academy, which chronologically already happened.
Almost done The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold. After flying through the first 15 "Penric & Desdemona" books over the last few weeks, this was a fitting follow-up.
It's quite good, though a bit darker in the middle than it started out. Only got 40 pages left, definitely finishing it today!
Yesterday I finished A Farewell to Arms. It's not my favorite Hemingway but it still has the harsh beauty of his I enjoy. The final chapter is especially real and hard to read.
I just found out about the bingo game yesterday and this one checks off the dead author plus hard mode so maybe I'll keep the game going!
It's been a couple decades so I don't remember much, but I remember really enjoying this one.
Started Red Rising by Pierce Brown, I know it's a popular series but so far it reads like a YA novel, I'm hoping that changes as I keep reading, cause the YA stuff is boring and predictable
I finished Esrahaddon and Drumindor to be up to date with Michael J Sullivan's books. Esrahaddon was one of my favourites to date and returning to Riyria in Drumindor was pretty good.
The "Scottish" speech of the dwarves drove me up the wall though. It was this weird mixture of Scottish, Irish and "nobody speaks like that anywhere" and reminded me of that one time I was in a gas station in Texas when the guy behind the counter asked me if I'm from Ireland (I'm from Scotland) and when I told him that he said knew someone from Glasgow and asked me if I knew them.
Anyhoo, next up was James Herbert's The Rats which after recommending to someone here I figured I should reread after 25 years or so. It's done and I'm on the 2nd book, Lair. The titular rats make for a wonderful horror antagonist and Herbert expertly stokes the tension before people get eaten.
Atrocity engine by Tim waggoner. I just picked it at random from the library and starting It i thought this is going to be such a shit book the author is so over the top. But now im near the end and it was a really fun read and I love the over the top writing. Im looking for the next book in the series
Book of Night by Holly Black. I'm not sure how I feel about it, despite being nearly halfway through it.
I'm reading The Devil's Elixirs by E. T. A. Hoffmann. Published in 1815, it's a weird gothic horror story about a fallen monk. It's surprisingly psychologically astute, but I have no idea where it's going to go from here. I like it. It's available on Project Gutenberg if you're interested.
Today I’m finishing up Chaos Vector by Megan E. O’Keefe. 2 books in and I really like it. Lots of space opera fun. I’m excited to see where it’s going to go in the third book. There was a pretty big reveal in the middle of this book and it’s keeping me hooked.
After I finish, I’m going to read Diary of a Wimpy Kid. 17, Diper Överlöde since my hold became available from the library. I don’t want to keep some kid waiting, so I’ll get that one done quick. I’ve been reading these since they seem popular with kids and I was curious what kids read these days. When I was a kid it was all about Goosebumps, Animorphs, and His Dark Materials for me.
I will definitely take recommendations on recent scifi stuff kids read if anyone has any.
Who let him cultivate immortallity? : https://www.novelupdates.com/series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/
It's a parody/satire of all of the tropes common in Cultivation/Xianxia, and it's making me laugh a lot. Though, I think it will be more amusing if you are already familiar with lots of the tropes.
It took me 4 months of heavy (like every day reading t least 2 hours a day) to get 10% of the way done with the Wandering inn. God damn is this a huge series.
Im about to get the new Dungeon Crawler Carl book today woo!! Ill be switching for a while there.
All tomorrow's parties by William Gibson.
Currently reading two: Neuromancer (mentioned last week, still enjoying it) and Infinite Jest. The latter I had on hold at the library and it finally came to me, and wow have I got my work cut out for a bit.
Currently listening to: Minor Feelings by Kathy Park Hong. Mentioned the author as I don’t think it’s as well known as the other two. Very good so far, as I love me a good memoir with a sociology/psychology perspective and critique.
Still reading The Pastel City by M. John Harrison. The writing style doesn't quite jive with me, but it's packing a lot of story in a short page count, manages to be evocative, and is well-paced. Liking it so far.
Last two weeks I finished Ken Macleods' "Newton's wake". An okay book but not a page turner for me. Decided to re-read the bobiverse books after that, I figured it was time since there's an upcoming new book. I realised later that the new book will be released as an audiobook first... Currently halfway through number four "Heaven's river". The book are still great reading them for a second time.
The little book of the Icelanders by Alda Sigmundsdóttir. Very entertaining.
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebeca Skloot.
Been trying to get through super Communicators by Charles Duhigg for ages. Don't get the time to read much. And the book is also padded out with a lot of chaff. It is interesting though.
https://bookshop.org/p/books/harlem-shuffle-a-novel-colson-whitehead/d5174b9b66fe68f0
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead.
It's funny, informative, exciting, and not like any other book you've read.
A Harlem businessman has to do a little fencing to keep his furniture store open. He's a good family man who just wants to serve the community by selling good products at a reasonable price. Too bad he has to manage crooks, corrupt cops, and other problems.
Currently reading Jade War by Fonda Lee!
Just started The Lost Queen by Signe Pike. After reading The Bright Sword a few months ago I'm jonesing for more Arthurian-legend-inspired fiction, to use as my own inspiration for a ttrpg setting.
I just finished listening to A Sparrow Falls by Wilbur Smith.
Wilbur Smith was the first adult author I read as a teen, mostly because Dad was a fan so I had easy access, and coming back 30 years later I'm glad those books are still awesome.
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