Finished The Passage by Justin Cronin. First book in The Passage trilogy. Overall, liked the book. The start was slow, giving me Stephen King vibes, but it picked up the pace as it went along. It was too long though, and can’t get myself to start next one right away.
Read couple of son’s books to change pace. The Ghoul in the School by Marcus Rashford and Alex Falase-Koya, the second book in The Breakfast Club Adventures. And Unexpected Super Spy by Zanib Mian, second book in Planet Omar series.
Also read, and just finished 5 mins before this post, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson, book 3 of his secret projects, and part of Cosmere, but a standalone book, which can be read without any knowledge of his other work. I loved this book. Like most of his “secret projects” books, couldn’t put it down once I picked it up.
Currently Reading… nothing. Just finished the previous book and haven’t decided what to start next… leaning towards next Dresden Files novel though… let’s see.
What about all of you? What have you been reading or listening to lately?
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Listening to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy audiobook. I read it once ages ago, and am enjoying getting to all the good parts I only vaguely remember. It holds up pretty well, there’s a reason people are still quoting it. I use the term “excitingly chunky” to describe the “developer chic” style of buildings that are getting slung up around me.
The biggest issue so far is that Trillian is the most fleshed-out woman in the series, and she’s basically a cardboard cutout that has “girlfriend” hastily written on it. It might get better later on (I’m almost done with the 3rd book), but I don’t recall it happening. I know it’s not really the point of the series, but as someone that doesn’t tend to notice this sort of thing, it was very noticeable.
Because ADHD I usually have at least 4 books underway at the same time.
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I’m just about to finish Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson.
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I just started Piranesi by Susanna Clarke.
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I’m also reading A City on Mars, a nonfiction book by Kelly and Zach Weinersmith.
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I started re-reading the Area X trilogy by Jeff Vandermeer, I think I’m still in Annihilation.
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I also started re-reading Dune by Frank Herbert, but honestly it’s such a slog that I think I got halfway through before getting frustrated. The worldbuilding may be interesting but holy shit is Herbert’s writing turgid.
Upvote for the use of the word turgid.
But yes it is. I found that to be the case with the Foundation series as well. I read them when I was younger - perhaps I skimmed them, or I’m just getting picky as I get older.
I’m definitely getting pickier as I get older. Back in my 20’s I went through all the Dune books, including the ones written by Frank’s son which are… well, even worse. Doubt I could do it now. Probably the same with Foundation too if I tried reading them again.
Found all the Animorphs books online and I’m reading them for the nostalgia. I forgot how weird they are lol.
I am also reading a DnD campaign book because I’m DMing on Sunday
How is the Animorphs series? My kid is still at level of “Diary of Wimpy Kid” books, but these look like interesting next step. Maybe, not right now, but in an year or two. Also, any other recommendations for a kid around 10?
Animorphs is really weird. I’ve heard they get really dark at some point.
As for other kids books, it depends on the reading level. I’ve always been super good at it, so I’m not a good judge. I enjoyed the Boxcar Children books, Captain Underpants, the Percy Jackson books, Eggs, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, some book about sapient squirrels where one had a sword, The View from Saturday, Love that Dog, and a bunch of other books I’m forgetting.
I read a TON as a kid. Like an obscene amount of reading.
Thanks! I think it’s a bit early for Percy Jackson books, will lookup the others.
Tried to get my kid into Harry Potter, but he only read 3-4 pages and didn’t like it. Maybe it was a bit early, or maybe just not his taste.
I am constantly looking for more books for him, so if you think of, or find anything else, let me know.
‘The dark half’ by Stephen King, almost finished the book. The last books I read also were Stephen King’s, I like how the stories go, it’s unexpected every time. Loved ‘Cujo’ and ‘The Institute’ particularly (Running man was good too) !
I love most of Kings books but Kujo is one I just didn’t really get into / enjoy that much for what ever reason. The Dark Half and The Institute are great though!
I just finished Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks. It was very good
I read Consider Phlebas long time ago, and didn’t like it enough to continue the series. It has been long enough that maybe I should give the series another try.
IMO it’s the weakest of the series. The next two books, The Player of Games or Use of Weapons are much better, at least to me. Use of Weapons is great, but has a somewhat challenging narrative structure of two intermixed timelines, so if that’s not your thing The Player of Games would probably be a good one to try.
Have you read the other Culture books, or is this your first one? I just found out now that there’s !theculture@lemm.ee that could use some posts if you have anything you want to share about it. If you haven’t read it yet (or if anybody else is curious for a quick taste of the series), here’s the author writing a few notes on it:
http://www.vavatch.co.uk/books/banks/cultnote.htm
I thought this was also a good read, though it does have a few spoilers across the first few books:
Nope, this was my first one. I read a lot of SF/hard SF but it took me a while to get on to this series even though it is pretty famous. It was really well written in my opinion which is not always common in the genre. I have now started the second book.
As an aside, I will always take an opportunity to recommend my favorite SF author, Alastair Reynolds. His stuff is 🤌
Nice! It’s been a while since I’ve read any of his stuff. I should be done with my current book soon, what are a few of your favorites from him?
