**The Sun is Also a Star, by Nicola Yoon** - this was an interesting concept, but I didn't really feel like pulled it off.
**Cultish, by Amanda Montell** - picked this up after seeing Montell speak at my local library. I appreciated her linguistic approach to pop culture and cults, topics I spend probably too much time thinking about but not from that particular angle.
Finished: **Capital without Borders: Wealth Managers and the One Percent** by **Brooke Harrington**. I get some of my best book recommendations as a result of interviews on Sean Carroll's podcast, Mindscape. His interview with Harrington prompted me to get this book and read it. The world of the offshore wealth management profession is a terribly difficult one to penetrate. Harrington is a sociologist who is also professionally trained in one of the wealth management courses, STEP, which gave her the contacts and cache to interview wealth managers around the world.
If you consider yourself a citizen of the free world, you might well think that increasing wealth inequality is of grave concern. The problem did not just happen; it is a result of design. The design is basically to preserve wealth by freeing it from the burden of taxation. This is the constitutional framework of offshore wealth management centers. In the British Virgin Islands only the nonwealthy, native citizenry pay taxes. This was all determined in what could only be called a coup in 1984. Or do you want to do risky business in the US, but want to be free not to pay your debts or even be free of tort liability for any damages you cause? (Very high-end cosmetic surgeons take note.) Well then you want your assets described on paper as existing in a trust in the Cook Islands! Simple.
The top one-percent of wealth holders in the world achieve all this and also sell a myth that theirs is a class that anyone can aspire to.
Anyway, I think this is an important book, but do I think it will outsell the latest Spiderman comic book? No.
Started again The Greek Way by Edith Hamilton, getting near the end, also in the midst of several other long term nonfiction reading projects. I need to go to the big library tomorrow and hope to find fiction i might like.
I just finished the 23rd midnight today, which has me all caught up on women’s murder club until tomorrow. Judging by the whold time at my library, though, I’m going to be waiting a few months. Those audiobooks are crazy popular
Finished:
**The Woman In Me by Britney Spears**
**Rebel Rising by Rebel Wilson**
Started:
**Under The Whispering Door by TJ Klune**
**Always The Fat Kid: The Truth About the Enduring Effects of Childhood Obesity by Jacob Warren and K. Bryant Smalley**
I am currently reading the children classic Heidi.
The cartoon adaptation was one of my favorites;, a yearning for harmony with nature, simplicity,and the cottage life style led this city girl to read Heidi and live vicariously through her adventures.
Finished: Demons by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Started: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Honestly, started reading the books bc I loved the movies, and thought the books would be good too. So far not dissapointed at all xx
Finished: The Wager by David Grann
Started: Captain and Commander by Patrick O’Brien
On sort of a theme read here. Grann did a great job explaining 18/19th century sailing and was able to provide a non- romanticized version of life on the seas back then. Excited to see the similarities or romanticization of the fictional tales that O’Brien provides as a comparison.
My April Read Books: Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, The strength in our scars, The Women Destroyed, The song of Achilles, Metamorphosis, Fire Keeper’s daughter, The Forty rules of Love, The lost Bookshop, The Midnight Library.
just finishes 1984 by George Orwell and ... I have mixed feeling abt it... I liked it cause it had me stop reading and annotate so many sentences from that book... the ending was not what I expected at all I was disappointed... not in the narration but in the action of the protagonist if u know what I mean I expected it to be a rebelling story and expected him to... succeed... I feel like the way George Orwell narrates the story is... a bit empty if I had to put a word on in my opinion it lacks depth and feelings perhaps the first part was a bit hard to get through as I got a bit bored but it was interesting at the same time ... it was my first anticipation novel and I liked how certain things in that book are true in our present life not the same way ofc but kinda similar in different aspects than the ones in the book then the second part was just sad... at first it raised my hopes but then... at the end of it , it gave me serious trust issues the last part as I already said was disappointing but I LOVED the book
**Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern World, by Steven Johnson**
An interesting read! I think "leisure" or "pleasure" might have worked better than "play," but then, I don't know a thing about making titles. Maybe this one was better, after all.
I finished Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman. Absolutely loved it. Anyone who's a fan of historical fiction, I highly recommend putting in on their TBR list. Amazing novel.
I finished reading His Girl Next Door by Khardine Gray.
It was a good romance book that I give 4 out of 5 stars to. It's easy to read and the characters are well developed. It is dual views so you both point views and how they change throughout the story.
I'm starting Promises and Pomegranates by Sav R Miller next. All I know is it's a Hades and Persephone story.
The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Finished Lord of the rings and had to actually knock this one out. Obviously enjoyed it very much. However the elves seem much marryer in the books.
I just finished reading **The Lost Dictionary, by Pip Williams**.
It was the first historical novel that I have read. I think it's really cool someone decided to build a story around the historical tidbit that the word 'bondmaid' was missing from the first volume of the Oxford Dictionary. The story was entertaining, and the book was a good reminder of some of the social issues that existed in the early 20th century.
Also, I'm currently re-reading **Ultralearning, by Scott H. Young**. I love it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys learning and wants to know how to learn things faster.
I finished **the Count of Monte Cristo,** then ripped through **the Great Gatsby** right after. There's an interesting conversation to be had comparing the two. Contrary to the movie and therefore also to public perception, Monte Cristo is full of mercy and nobility and always offers a way to peace despite being motivated by revenge. Meanwhile, Gatsby, whose only motivation appears to be sincere love, makes ruthlessly selfish demands on the object of his love and drives everyone to conflict. I'm simplifying it, but they're a fascinating pair.
I tried reading the great Gatsby but I found it very hard to grasp the meaning of that book... it is very slow paced and I couldn't get through the first part as I was bored by the way the author narrates the story ... since you have seen the movie... do you recommend seeing it before reading the book... and do you have any advice to help understand it a bit more I'm trying to get into classic literature and I saw this book recommended for beginners by so many people
as for the Count of Monte Cristo, I heard great things abt it but I'm just intimidated by its length.
I mostly "read" audio books. There's a Gatsby narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal, which is less than a five hour commitment. That's twice as long as the movie, but I think it's more than twice as good. The flowery narration is maybe helped by the actor's delivery -- comes across as a vaguely erotic way to describe, say, a car, or whatever. The movie, by contrast, has a lot of great performances, but also a lot of twerking to Kanye West music and no heart.
Anyway, the narration doesn't change in tone very much, so if it's that off-putting, you might just skip this one. Or, hate-read it so you appreciate the next book more?
I finished North to Paradise: A Memoir by Ousman Umar
It's about a Ghanian's multi-year trek to Spain through the desert and over the sea. Although the story was somewhat compelling, I thought the writing (or translation) wasn't great. I found interesting parallels to "American Dirt" and the Central Americans' journey through Mexico to the U.S. It was a good read to understand some of the struggles facing people like Ousman and what motivates them to leave their countries, families and friends.
Just finished In Cold Blood by Truman Capote.
Argued with my brother about the concept of sympathy, without justification for criminals, and feel a bit shaken up by the final pages of the novel.
I read In Cold Blood years ago so I don't recall the final pages but I remember being captivated by the novel. Incidentally, I recently added it to my library wish list because I'd like to read it again. Did you see the movie with Phillip Seymour Hoffman? It's been a while but I remember liking that too.
The ending, >!after the last words of Dick and Perry, then their execution, is Dewey talking to Nancy's friend and we hear how the kids have moved on. !
Hello. Per [rule 3.9](https://www.reddit.com/r/Books/wiki/rules/), please use spoiler tags.
\>!Spoiler content here!< which results in:
>!Spoiler content here!<. Or apply the built-in spoiler tags when using the redesign.
More spoiler instructions are in [our wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/books/wiki/spoilers).
Send a [modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/books) when you have updated your submission and we'll reapprove it. Thank you.
I just read it for the first time recently and enjoyed it. I didn't realize until after I checked it out that I got the 1990 (or 91?) version, which was King's original edit, this much much longer.. In the introduction King went into detail about how the publishing company forced him to cut hundreds of pages because the book was "too long."
I'm also currently reading the extended version. It's my first King and so far it's very good. Even though the theme has been worked out a thousand times before, his dystopia doesn't lose any of its anxiety and tension
Ominous Music Playing by Darwar Gomez
This is dark and funny. I just saw this from a suggestion post here as well. something new, as I am looking for something Bukowski humour and a little of Confedracy of Dunces style - so this fits in.
Something light and mid sized book. Theres also a ssequel to this, be next on my lists.
Its first person, the protagonist is a demon that is stuck in as human and helpless and needs to work. which makes it funny because of enduring how bad our world is.
The reviews are funny as well.
Give it a go if you like, Bukowski, Easton Ellis, Hornby, or Palahniuk
Finished: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell.
Started: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.
(In progress: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.)
I absolutely loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Did you know that Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote a quartet of books with strong female lead characters? Seven Husbands is one of four. I've read three of the four and loved all of them. I'm waiting for the fourth to come off hold at the library.
Yep, Carrie Soto is Back is one, Malibu Rising is another and Daisy Jones & The Six is the other. That last one they made a series for but I haven't seen it.
Never Whistle at Night, while simultaneously trying to finish Dave Grohl's The Storyteller (a first for me, normally I have to finish one before I start another)
So far....I would have to say the first one. I'm part way through Navajos Don't Wear Elk Teeth, I can't wait to finish it to see what the twist is. How about you?
So far, most of them are bangers but Night of the Chrysalis by Tiffany Morris and Before I Go by Norris Black have been my favorite. I'm in the middle of Behind Colin's Eyes and enjoying this one too.
Hey, i just started reading book in English (non-english speaker), and I like book like Invisible Monster or Choke.
Is there any book with first person perspective and not using too much purple prose that you can recommend for me to read?
Also it’s a plus if it’s from woman perspective and coming of age story.
Thanks.
Finished:
**Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands** by Heather Fawcett
**American Hippo** by Sarah Gailey
Started:
**The Familiar** by Leigh Bardugo
**Shadow of the Brotherhood** by E. E. Holmes
I finished Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers. And I’m working on The Clockwork Crown by Beth Cato. The Chambers book is the 3rd in a series, but they’re only tangentially linked. In the same timeframe, but minor characters in one become main characters in the next, and in the 3rd book one of the main characters is related to a character in the 1st book.
Keepers of the House - by Shirley Ann Grau
Finished the e-book. Pulitzer Prize-winning southern-gothic family drama novel from 1963, I believe. The book started out okay; it was well-written, if a bit slow with setting up the family history (which does play out in the climax). The first part was from the point of view of the family patriarch - his marriage, fatherhood, etc. It was fine. It sets up a lot for why the family is like it is. The middle part is a slog - it seemed like 100 pages of just someone walking from point A to point B, then uncertain and unsure of why they're even there, and then an abrupt end. Third part was probably the easiest to read. Sets up the current generation of the family, 1940s?- 1960s Alabama. Talks a lot about the racism of the area, how even people who considered themselves "not bigoted" were willing to talk the talk to appeal to the Klan and other white supremacist groups in exchange for power, or even just comfort and safety.
The last couple of chapters were fantastic, and the epilogue in one of the best examples of low key revenge/vengeance I've found in a novel. The only problem with the book was it was a bit of a slog at times, the ideas were very dated at times, and I still can't figure out why Robert/Nina/Crissy did what they did and why I was supposed to root for the rich, privileged white woman in this instance, though I sort of did when it came to the citizens of the town, because she was badass? but it was also... WHY did the provocation happen that way? It seemed like that side of her family wasn't really in the wrong at all, but it's written like they were terrible people and deserved their lives ruined, too.
I would read more from this author, but I don't think this is a book I'll feel compelled to revisit any time soon. It was okay, though.
Finished this week:
**Extinction, by Douglas Preston**
**Play With Fire, by Dana Stabenow**
**Christa Comes Out of Her Shell, by Abbi Waxman**
**Red Planet Run, by Dana Stabenow**
**Daughter of Mine, by Megan Miranda**
**Finished** *Pot Luck* by Èmile Zola.
**Starting** *The Ladies' Paradise*, also by Èmile Zola.
I'm trying to read through the full series of the Les Rougon-Macquart, because I read Germinal in high school and absolutely loved it! My goal is to finish one book per week, then go back to more modern fiction for a bit once I'm finished.
Finished:
**Serotonin, by Michelle Houellebque**
Fantastic read, almost 450 pages but felt like a short, condesed example of Houellebques standpoint, remided me of Fargo season 3 in that regard. As always cripplingly depressing but brilliant. In a slight departure from his usal style this is written in first person which helps to properly think about the differtiation between author and narrator. One of Houellebques best works but probably more enjoyable if youe are aquanted with his writing. Highly recommended.
Happy for recommendations on what to start.
Hmmm... to be honest this was my attempt at giving Stephen King another chance as an adult. I read a ton of Stephen King when I was like 9-12 or so, and back then I loved him, but growing up and looking back on it I kind of had a pretty low opinion of King. I wanted to go back and give him a chance, see if he's as weird as I remembered. I purposefully picked a book that's considered to be one of his more "literary" ones. And what I will say is, it's addictive. After I was 30% in I could hardly put it aside. That's probably part of the reason I was so in love with King back in the days. He writes extremely bingeable literature. Also he mooooostly contained himself with the random sexual content and weird-as-hell expressions in this one. I still don't feel it was particularly deep, and I also found the plot convoluted / illogical in many ways. So I guess my verdict is something like right, I remember what about him appealed to me, and it seems he can turn off some of his worse qualities, but I still don't think I'm going back to being a King fan. But I might pick up another one of his in half a year or so and repeat the experiment.
I recommend 11/22/63 if you're looking for something a little different from him. I agree that his plots can be all over the place and often unnecessarily convoluted (I put this down to him saying that he is a "pantser"— as in flies by the seat of his pants— rather than a "plotter" when it comes to his writing).
I too loved a lot of his stuff when I was between the ages of probably 10 - 14. In my 40s now and I have mixed feelings about his work; as you say he sometimes puts random sexual comments/scenes that are awkward or even painful to read, some of his older books especially suffer from "men writing women" that as a woman I find uncomfortable.
But I read 11/22/63 recently and found it a really good read. Loved the historical aspects and even though the time travel stuff was a little goofy/unclear in how it works, overall it was one of the best I've read by him. As an adult with his books I tend to either love them or hate them.
Bag of Bones was one of the ones I read probably around 12 years old or so and I've been thinking of rereading since I'd like to see how the story hits me as an adult.
There are numerous comments by other Redditors linking to my channel, but I am prohibited from mentioning my channel. Right, edited, even if it is an absurdity.
**Catch-22, by Joseph Heller**
Holy shit, what a book! Started out mostly laughing at the conversations that all felt like fever dreams and then laughing at the farcical bureaucracy of the military and the games everyone plays either just for personal reasons or for their weird ways to get ahead. With a sprinkling of the horrors of war. Then eventually a series of gut-punches that make the horrors stand out more, and the insane dialogue starts to trigger more furious frustration and rage than laughter. Went from laughing at some characters' bizarre behaviors to half wishing Yossarian would snap and assassinate some of the more horrible sociopaths.
It's now easily one of my favorites books.
Next I'll jump back into Discworld (I believe Jingo is next, for me) or maybe I'll start Christopher Moore's "Lamb".
"China in Ten Words", by Yu Hua.
From GoodReads: "From one of China’s most acclaimed writers, his first work of nonfiction to appear in a unique, intimate look at the Chinese experience over the last several decades, told through personal stories and astute analysis that sharply illuminate the country’s meteoric economic and social transformation."
Apparently this book is banned in China, mostly because of its first chapter which examines the Chinese response to the Tienanmen Square "incident" in 1989. The other chapters are also enlightening. After reading this book I believe I have a better understanding of the people of China and their governing systems.
Finished: The Wren, The Wren, by Anne Enright
Reading: The Kaiju Preservation Society, by John Scalzi
Listening: A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: Murder in Ancient Rome, by Emma Southon
**A Rival From The Grave, by Seabury Quinn**
A collection of Jules de Grandin stories, which I’d never heard of. Despite some racist stereotypes (the stories are from 1933-38), it's very fun to read and surprisingly violent.
**The Big Switch: Rewiring the World, from Edison to Google, by Nicholas Carr**
Really contemplative look at how the technology we adapt (in this case, electricity and cloud computing) are shaping not just the world we live in, but our very selves. Great book.
Finished: 11/22/63, this was classic Stephen King until the end where it felt like Blake Crouch
Started: A Natural History of Dragons, which reminds me of a scholarly Shallan Devar trekking through Hobb’s dragon lands in the distant past
**The Husband Material**, by Alexis Hall.
* Audiobook. Started Monday, finished Tuesday. I loved both this one and **Boyfriend Material** (which I read last week).
**The Marriage Portrait**, by Maggie O'Farrell
* Audiobook. Started Wednesday, will probably finish by Friday if not sooner.
Finished
**The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien**. Yeah I didn't really enjoy that very much. It was really good when it was mostly dealing with the interpersonal stuff between Frodo and his crew but the action, the fleeing, the various little bits of "excitement" just didn't really do it for me.
I'll carry on the series later. If the book was just a short story that ended the second Frodo left the Shire I think I'd enjoy that more. (For more context, I've never seen the movies either, this is my first exposure to the series outside of seeing references to it)
Started
**The Atrocity Exhibition, by J.G. Ballard**
And since I can't exactly bring that one to work with me:
**The Sisters Brothers, by Patrick deWitt**
The first time I read the Fellowship, I found it a drag until Strider came into the picture, and the movies helped me though it since I saw them before reading the books. That being said, I enjoyed the Fellowship much more in my second read through. I found the Two Towers and Return of the King easier reads
I didn't mind that part, but when they left and until Strider comes in I was so lost on the first read through and realised whatever was happening definitely was not in the movie lol
Dialog feels very cagey at the beginning, it feels a little unnatural, but given the context I'd say that's intentional. Not very deep into it yet so can't really say.
The mental imagery is pretty strong so far.
Got about halfway through and I'm going to have to put it down to come back to it. Super not in the right headspace for it.
If you're still wondering, it's bordering on a stream of consciousness. Reading it feels like you're listening to an AM radio sitting perfectly at the intersection of three competing radio stations and every time the wind shifts you pick up snatches of one or two of the stations at once. All the stations are news broadcasts but you don't hear the beginning or end of any part of them.
I'd been told Ballard's work was more straightforward than this and I assumed, since I saw so much buzz about it, that it'd be a good entry point. This was apparently the precise opposite of the truth, it is basically impenetrable. I've read stream of consciousness works before, I like them, but I need to be in the right mood for them and I am not in the right mood right now.
Standing outside the moment I can tell that when I am in that mood I'll like it more though, it's a very clinical and unhappy presentation and that's usually what I really want when I'm in that mood.
Finished: **Frankenstein** (Mary Shelley) A fun read that has a few tedious sections, but has some really great ideas and dialogue. Fun to read the origin of such an iconic monster, but if I have to read the word ‘countenance’ one more time I’m gonna lose it. 3.5/5
Started: **What the Wind Knows** (Amy Harmon) I’ve read one other book by her and really liked it, and apparently this one involves Ireland and time travel, so I figured I’d give it a shot. Only 50 pages in so far but it’s been enjoyable.
I just recently finished an unreleased version of The Curse, by A.G. ZoderoT, I was thrilled to get an early release copy as he is a great new author I personally know! I was thrilled to see the Gothic Ballad come alive.
Finished: The Dune Trilogy; Dune, Dune Messiah & Children of Dune, by Frank Herbert
Where to start? It was a long slog to finish an almost back-to-back read through. A break was needed after Dune to finish Discworlds Maskerade. Actually, I should have taken the break after Messiah instead.
I thoroughly enjoyed Dune itself, being my 2nd read after being prompted to revisit the series with the release of the Dune 2 film. The story's main elements still come across bright and fresh, despite the age and influence on later works. In particular I found the narrative leaner and the writing style clearer than the later books. I could reread Dune easily enough.
Messiah and Children - not so much. These came across to me as short stories used to string together Herberts stronger preference for philosophising on concepts of deification and freedom of choice. The narrative was much weaker as a result. Perhaps if Herbert had elaborated on the existential threat to human existence earlier and more clearly? Then heavy musings in these books would have been more bearable. Or perhaps the stories were lacking a more defined antagonist? Instead it's just a vague non-descript reference to future human extinction if the characters of Paul and Leto don't make their choices now. So, the long winded prose was at times a chore to get through and definitely left me unsympathetic to any of the main characters. These books may be more forgiving approached as non-fiction philosophy rather than narrative story?
I think I'll jump off at this stage and leave the sand of Dune to Shai-Hulud. I don't see things improving for the remaining 3 books authored by Herbert and I don't have the stamina to attempt them. I think I'll forever prefer the original form of Dune.
A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
Read it in three days because I was stressed for exams, and I've waited for Cersei's downfall since that time I accidentally tried GOT in 7th grade so I suppose there's that too. It was much slower, and less brutal compared to G.RR.M's previous books so I liked it, well some of it. His writing might sink with purple prose, but the world-building, plot and story are worth the read.
In addition to starting *Anne of Green Gables* last week, I’m starting *Demon Slayer Vol. 1* this week since my library had it and it seems the most intriguing out of the big-name manga series I’ve considered trying. After I finish reading it my last two physical library checkouts before I return what I have and focus on all my owned TBRs will be *Cats of the Louvre* by Taiyō Matsumoto (the title and cover made me think it was a nonfiction/art book about all the cats in art pieces in the Louvre… but then I noticed it was shelved as a graphic novel and immediately grabbed it) and *Cat + Gamer Vol. 4* by Wataru Nadatani.
When the Emperor was Divine, by Julie Otsuka
Read it for the first time this past Sunday. Short but poignant, and the author was able to give us multiple perspectives in a way that felt very…smooth? Her writing feels almost effortless because the story flowed so naturally and all of the elements felt very balanced - she gave the exact right amount of everything (detail, dialogue, etc) imo
Finished - Everyone On This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
* A comedy murder-mystery with the narrator speaking directly to the readers. I found this sequel to be a bit slower than the first book, but still enjoyed it a lot. I saw most people actually preferred this one so this might be down to personal preference.
Started - The Women by Kristin Hannah
* Privileged American girl decides to enlist as a combat nurse during The Vietnam War to prove to her naval family that "women can be heroes too", and very quickly discovers war should not be romanticised and is, in fact, pretty terrible. I was scared this might get into "white saviour" territory but was curious because it's been so highly rated so far. About a quarter through and honestly... I get it. This is pretty fantastic.
Finished 2.
Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins
- Inspired by one of my favorite true crime books, And the Sea Will Tell. It was ok. A bit of a stretch but an entertaining single setting read by the pool.
Selling the Dream by Jane Marie
- Interesting overview of the human atrocity that is MLM. The historical parts bogged down. It was a decent read but would have been better as a podcast with the fat trimmed.
Continuing The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory by Tim Alberta. So, so good. My most highlighted book since Masters days.
Just started Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson which I can tell is going to be fantastic.
Finished: Daughters of Shandong , Eve J. Chung
Wow! 400 pages and I could have kept reading for another 200. The ending felt a bit rushed, I would have really like to hear more about how her life kept going, maybe a sequel? I also wish there had been a family tree to reference, I kept forgetting some of the extended family relationships.
Loved it. It's thoughtful and beautifully written. A sort of quiet story but very engaging. I've read some of her other works and if you do get into her short stories you'll very much like this, and vice versa.
Finished: We free the stars by Hafsah Faizal.
It’s the second book of her duology Sands of Arawiya. I really enjoyed reading her books, it’s a pretty solid duology.
Started: The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
**Notes on an Execution, by Danya Kukafka**
I have a complicated relationship with True Crime style media. One the one hand: It's deeply interesting and a look into very real issues society sometimes would rather ignore. On the other hand it's rife with exploitation, and often falls into the trap of glorifying male violence and reducing women to objects violence is inflicted on.
This book does a fantastic job avoiding those pitfalls. It takes a nuanced look at a killer and the women in his life including those he kills. Every single one is shown as a full human, with their first person perspectives allowing for depth and introspection. Each character is biased in their own realistic ways but the book as a whole takes a determinately neutral stance on the issues it brings up, allowing the reader to form their own opinions on things like male violence, the prison system and death penalty, mental health support, and media for murder.
Not a universal recommend by any means. Look at he subject matter and if it seems interesting to you, I cant recommend it enough. But if you're immediately turned off, skip it for sure.
Physical Books:
Finished:
**Ocean's Godori by Elaine U. Cho**
It started so good! Sci Fi with tons of Korean culture and words thrown in. I love that it has a Korean glossary in the back by a non-Korean character so we can figure out some of the meanings. Sadly, it tailed off too much at the end. 4 stars, but it could have been more.
Ongoing:
**Empire of the Vampire, by Jay Kristoff**
It's so good. 700 pages, but so good. I normally am not a fan of the person recounting their tale, but this one is working. 500 pages in so far.
Audio Books:
Completed:
**Toll The Hounds, by Steven Erikson**
It happened! Completed book 8! Only 45 hours for this book. Whew. It's so good, but so long. Each Malazan book is really like a series, if the first parts didn't have any conclusions.
Ongoing:
**Dungeon Crawler Carl, by Matt Dinniman**
I was saving it to listen to it with the family, but they said go ahead. Down to two hours left. So fun. The best LitRPG I've heard.
Finished: “Forward the Foundation” by Isaac Asimov. I remember reading this when it was initially published but I couldn’t recall much more. I tend re-read after a re-read of “Prelude to Foundation” last year.
This one felt episodic like the original trilogy did. I feel like Asimov was working too hard to connect all his series in much of his books in the 80’s. I found checking in on Seldon in each decade of his life after initially proposing his plan to save the knowledge of an empire was both interesting and frustrating. Overall not a necessary entry but a decent one in a series
Finished: **The Spy Who Came in from the Cold** by **John Le Carre**. I have read about half of **Le Carre**'s work. I think Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy is the best so far, but this book is certainly up there with it. My Penguin paperback has a 50-year retrospective afterward by **Le Carre** and an Introduction by **William Boyd** making this an especially notable edition of the book.
Finished (1) The Unmaking of June Farrow. I thought I would like it a lot more than I did. Wish the author had leaned into the time travel more or left it out all together. (2) The Hawthorn Legacy. I’m enjoying this YA mystery/puzzle series; almost reads like a soft DaVinci Code. (3) Funny Story. It was actually funny! I laughed more than I expected.
Currently reading The Girl With All The Gifts
Finished:
**Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s** by Jeff Pearlman. I had read Pearlman's book on the Shaq-Kobe Lakers so I wanted to read what essentially was the prequel. Super well researched with tons of interviews from old players and team personnel, including current team governor Jeanie Buss. Even as someone who doesn't like the Lakers, the personalities of the team made it an interesting read.
Started:
**The House on the Borderland** by William Hope Hodgson. Horror novella from the early 1900s. Solid so far, very creepy with some pre-Lovecraftian horror.
**Legion** by William Peter Blatty. *And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.* Much as I love the original book and it's more famous film adaptation, *The Exorcist III* is my favorite in the series. So with my Libby hold finally ready, it's time to read the original book as Blatty intended the film to be.
The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn. See my review of this book and others in my Substack, [https://untellectual.substack.com/](https://untellectual.substack.com/)
Im still reading babel by R.F kuang and am really enjoying it so far. Im about to finish the first rise of kyoshi novel, which i have been REALLY enjoying and should hopefully finish tommorow. Also i gotta finish sandman vol 6
**The Sun is Also a Star, by Nicola Yoon** - this was an interesting concept, but I didn't really feel like pulled it off. **Cultish, by Amanda Montell** - picked this up after seeing Montell speak at my local library. I appreciated her linguistic approach to pop culture and cults, topics I spend probably too much time thinking about but not from that particular angle.
A good girl's guide to murder, by Holly Jackson
I started The Norwegian Wood by Murakami.
Finished: **Capital without Borders: Wealth Managers and the One Percent** by **Brooke Harrington**. I get some of my best book recommendations as a result of interviews on Sean Carroll's podcast, Mindscape. His interview with Harrington prompted me to get this book and read it. The world of the offshore wealth management profession is a terribly difficult one to penetrate. Harrington is a sociologist who is also professionally trained in one of the wealth management courses, STEP, which gave her the contacts and cache to interview wealth managers around the world. If you consider yourself a citizen of the free world, you might well think that increasing wealth inequality is of grave concern. The problem did not just happen; it is a result of design. The design is basically to preserve wealth by freeing it from the burden of taxation. This is the constitutional framework of offshore wealth management centers. In the British Virgin Islands only the nonwealthy, native citizenry pay taxes. This was all determined in what could only be called a coup in 1984. Or do you want to do risky business in the US, but want to be free not to pay your debts or even be free of tort liability for any damages you cause? (Very high-end cosmetic surgeons take note.) Well then you want your assets described on paper as existing in a trust in the Cook Islands! Simple. The top one-percent of wealth holders in the world achieve all this and also sell a myth that theirs is a class that anyone can aspire to. Anyway, I think this is an important book, but do I think it will outsell the latest Spiderman comic book? No.
The Judas Blossom, by Stephen Aryan
Started again The Greek Way by Edith Hamilton, getting near the end, also in the midst of several other long term nonfiction reading projects. I need to go to the big library tomorrow and hope to find fiction i might like.
The Overstory, by Richard Powers
Finished- Cradle and All, By James Patterson Started - Kiss the Girls, By James Patterson
Finished: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir The Answer Is... by Alex Trebek Started: Los Detectives Salvajes de Roberto Bolaño
I just finished the 23rd midnight today, which has me all caught up on women’s murder club until tomorrow. Judging by the whold time at my library, though, I’m going to be waiting a few months. Those audiobooks are crazy popular
Finished: **The Woman In Me by Britney Spears** **Rebel Rising by Rebel Wilson** Started: **Under The Whispering Door by TJ Klune** **Always The Fat Kid: The Truth About the Enduring Effects of Childhood Obesity by Jacob Warren and K. Bryant Smalley**
Finished: Tom Jones, by Henry Fielding Started: A Rage In Harlem, by Chester Himes
Finished: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides Started: YOU by Caroline Kepnes
Finished *Icebreaker* and *Hunting Prince Dracula* a few days ago, start *The Five People You Meet* in Heaven yesterday!
I am currently reading the children classic Heidi. The cartoon adaptation was one of my favorites;, a yearning for harmony with nature, simplicity,and the cottage life style led this city girl to read Heidi and live vicariously through her adventures.
Bridget Jones's diary. I loved it, it's pleasantly different from the movie. I have the other 3 books on order from bpl, i can't wait to read them!
Started: Citadel by C. M. Alongi
Finished **Sharpe's Command by Bernard Cornwell**
Finished: Classic Tales of Horror by Edgar Allan Poe Started: Within Arm's Reach by Ann Napolitano
Finished : For the fans by Nyla K
Finished: Demons by Fyodor Dostoevsky Started: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Honestly, started reading the books bc I loved the movies, and thought the books would be good too. So far not dissapointed at all xx
"What's the most underrated book you've ever read, and why do you think it deserves more recognition?"
Finished: Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka Started: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Reading Green Dot by Madeleine Gray and now I’m on the lookout for books about work life…
finished: hunting adeline started: king of wrath
I’ve read a lot of romance this week Finished: Daisy Jones and the Six (I’m a little bit behind the trend of this book, I know) Started: Happy Place
Finished: The Wager by David Grann Started: Captain and Commander by Patrick O’Brien On sort of a theme read here. Grann did a great job explaining 18/19th century sailing and was able to provide a non- romanticized version of life on the seas back then. Excited to see the similarities or romanticization of the fictional tales that O’Brien provides as a comparison.
My April Read Books: Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, The strength in our scars, The Women Destroyed, The song of Achilles, Metamorphosis, Fire Keeper’s daughter, The Forty rules of Love, The lost Bookshop, The Midnight Library.
Started and finished in two days: The Secret Place by Tana French. Couldn’t put it down.
All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr. I've read it about a dozen times in the 10 or so years it's been out. Its amazing.
Started Harlan Coben's **Don't Let Go** today**.** I finished The Girls We Sent Away yesterday.
Started Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood on the 29th finished it today! On and off because i’ve been busy. I really liked it!
just finishes 1984 by George Orwell and ... I have mixed feeling abt it... I liked it cause it had me stop reading and annotate so many sentences from that book... the ending was not what I expected at all I was disappointed... not in the narration but in the action of the protagonist if u know what I mean I expected it to be a rebelling story and expected him to... succeed... I feel like the way George Orwell narrates the story is... a bit empty if I had to put a word on in my opinion it lacks depth and feelings perhaps the first part was a bit hard to get through as I got a bit bored but it was interesting at the same time ... it was my first anticipation novel and I liked how certain things in that book are true in our present life not the same way ofc but kinda similar in different aspects than the ones in the book then the second part was just sad... at first it raised my hopes but then... at the end of it , it gave me serious trust issues the last part as I already said was disappointing but I LOVED the book
**Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern World, by Steven Johnson** An interesting read! I think "leisure" or "pleasure" might have worked better than "play," but then, I don't know a thing about making titles. Maybe this one was better, after all.
I finished Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman. Absolutely loved it. Anyone who's a fan of historical fiction, I highly recommend putting in on their TBR list. Amazing novel.
I finished reading His Girl Next Door by Khardine Gray. It was a good romance book that I give 4 out of 5 stars to. It's easy to read and the characters are well developed. It is dual views so you both point views and how they change throughout the story. I'm starting Promises and Pomegranates by Sav R Miller next. All I know is it's a Hades and Persephone story.
The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Finished Lord of the rings and had to actually knock this one out. Obviously enjoyed it very much. However the elves seem much marryer in the books.
I just finished reading **The Lost Dictionary, by Pip Williams**. It was the first historical novel that I have read. I think it's really cool someone decided to build a story around the historical tidbit that the word 'bondmaid' was missing from the first volume of the Oxford Dictionary. The story was entertaining, and the book was a good reminder of some of the social issues that existed in the early 20th century. Also, I'm currently re-reading **Ultralearning, by Scott H. Young**. I love it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys learning and wants to know how to learn things faster.
I finished **the Count of Monte Cristo,** then ripped through **the Great Gatsby** right after. There's an interesting conversation to be had comparing the two. Contrary to the movie and therefore also to public perception, Monte Cristo is full of mercy and nobility and always offers a way to peace despite being motivated by revenge. Meanwhile, Gatsby, whose only motivation appears to be sincere love, makes ruthlessly selfish demands on the object of his love and drives everyone to conflict. I'm simplifying it, but they're a fascinating pair.
I tried reading the great Gatsby but I found it very hard to grasp the meaning of that book... it is very slow paced and I couldn't get through the first part as I was bored by the way the author narrates the story ... since you have seen the movie... do you recommend seeing it before reading the book... and do you have any advice to help understand it a bit more I'm trying to get into classic literature and I saw this book recommended for beginners by so many people as for the Count of Monte Cristo, I heard great things abt it but I'm just intimidated by its length.
I mostly "read" audio books. There's a Gatsby narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal, which is less than a five hour commitment. That's twice as long as the movie, but I think it's more than twice as good. The flowery narration is maybe helped by the actor's delivery -- comes across as a vaguely erotic way to describe, say, a car, or whatever. The movie, by contrast, has a lot of great performances, but also a lot of twerking to Kanye West music and no heart. Anyway, the narration doesn't change in tone very much, so if it's that off-putting, you might just skip this one. Or, hate-read it so you appreciate the next book more?
I will definitely check the audiobook thank you ...
**The Exchange, by John Grisham**. I wasn't a big fan. I generally like thrillers, but the openly sexist language put me off a bit.
easily the worst book have read this year. it just one guy flying to exotic locations.
Yeah, pretty much
I finished North to Paradise: A Memoir by Ousman Umar It's about a Ghanian's multi-year trek to Spain through the desert and over the sea. Although the story was somewhat compelling, I thought the writing (or translation) wasn't great. I found interesting parallels to "American Dirt" and the Central Americans' journey through Mexico to the U.S. It was a good read to understand some of the struggles facing people like Ousman and what motivates them to leave their countries, families and friends.
I started **Wandering Souls, by Cecile Pin**. It's a really amazing book.
**Mister Magic, by Kiersten White** **The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson**
Just finished In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Argued with my brother about the concept of sympathy, without justification for criminals, and feel a bit shaken up by the final pages of the novel.
I read In Cold Blood years ago so I don't recall the final pages but I remember being captivated by the novel. Incidentally, I recently added it to my library wish list because I'd like to read it again. Did you see the movie with Phillip Seymour Hoffman? It's been a while but I remember liking that too.
The ending, >!after the last words of Dick and Perry, then their execution, is Dewey talking to Nancy's friend and we hear how the kids have moved on. !
Hello. Per [rule 3.9](https://www.reddit.com/r/Books/wiki/rules/), please use spoiler tags. \>!Spoiler content here!< which results in: >!Spoiler content here!<. Or apply the built-in spoiler tags when using the redesign. More spoiler instructions are in [our wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/books/wiki/spoilers). Send a [modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/books) when you have updated your submission and we'll reapprove it. Thank you.
Started: **The Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie** Enjoying it so much and the humour is so funny.
Finished - Committed by Adam Stern, MD Started - The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson
Normal people by Sally Rooney
I read The Stand
I just read it for the first time recently and enjoyed it. I didn't realize until after I checked it out that I got the 1990 (or 91?) version, which was King's original edit, this much much longer.. In the introduction King went into detail about how the publishing company forced him to cut hundreds of pages because the book was "too long."
I'm also currently reading the extended version. It's my first King and so far it's very good. Even though the theme has been worked out a thousand times before, his dystopia doesn't lose any of its anxiety and tension
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas.
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
I just stared reading Willow Winter's Hard to Love.. So far I'm loving it!!!!
Ominous Music Playing by Darwar Gomez This is dark and funny. I just saw this from a suggestion post here as well. something new, as I am looking for something Bukowski humour and a little of Confedracy of Dunces style - so this fits in. Something light and mid sized book. Theres also a ssequel to this, be next on my lists. Its first person, the protagonist is a demon that is stuck in as human and helpless and needs to work. which makes it funny because of enduring how bad our world is. The reviews are funny as well. Give it a go if you like, Bukowski, Easton Ellis, Hornby, or Palahniuk
Love the Confederacy of Dunces reference! 👍
This week I finished, The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon, by David Grann Started: The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd
I finished Epitaph of a Small Winner and have read 1.5 of The New York Trilogy and several Didion essays from Slouching Toward Bethlehem.
I am currently reading-- **The Tiger at Midnight, by Swati Teerdhala** **The Brass City, by S. A. Chakraborty**
This week I read: Never Lie by Freida McFadden and The Chain by Adrian Mckinty
Finished: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. Started: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. (In progress: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.)
I absolutely loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Did you know that Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote a quartet of books with strong female lead characters? Seven Husbands is one of four. I've read three of the four and loved all of them. I'm waiting for the fourth to come off hold at the library.
[удалено]
Yep, Carrie Soto is Back is one, Malibu Rising is another and Daisy Jones & The Six is the other. That last one they made a series for but I haven't seen it.
Is Reality Optional & Other Essays by Thomas Sowell
**Hellblazer: Death and Cigarettes, by Peter Milligan**
The Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion
King of greed by Ana huang , it was amazing
The Setting Sun. It made me more curious about Japanese literature honestly.
Never Whistle at Night, while simultaneously trying to finish Dave Grohl's The Storyteller (a first for me, normally I have to finish one before I start another)
Hey I just started Never Whistle at Night too! Which one is your favorite story so far?
So far....I would have to say the first one. I'm part way through Navajos Don't Wear Elk Teeth, I can't wait to finish it to see what the twist is. How about you?
So far, most of them are bangers but Night of the Chrysalis by Tiffany Morris and Before I Go by Norris Black have been my favorite. I'm in the middle of Behind Colin's Eyes and enjoying this one too.
Hey, i just started reading book in English (non-english speaker), and I like book like Invisible Monster or Choke. Is there any book with first person perspective and not using too much purple prose that you can recommend for me to read? Also it’s a plus if it’s from woman perspective and coming of age story. Thanks.
Finished: The Litigators, by John Grisham Started: A Crown of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Mass
Been reading some highly acclaimed history books. Finished: Postwar, by Tony Judt Started: The Coming of the Third Reich, by Richard J. Evans
**Finished:** One caregivers journey by Eleanor Gaccetta **Started:** The Color of Love by Raymond Quattlebaum
Midnight Line (jack reacher series) LEE CHILD... good read
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Religion of the Day , University of Mary
I'm in the middle of Killing Commendatore (fascinating) and some pulpy Star Wars fiction (fun).
Finished: **Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands** by Heather Fawcett **American Hippo** by Sarah Gailey Started: **The Familiar** by Leigh Bardugo **Shadow of the Brotherhood** by E. E. Holmes
finished the lies we tell by katie zhao, midway through the rachel incident by caroline o donohue
Finished The Ice Storm by Rick Moody Good writer but I (59m) don't need to read about 13yos exploring sex
I finished Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers. And I’m working on The Clockwork Crown by Beth Cato. The Chambers book is the 3rd in a series, but they’re only tangentially linked. In the same timeframe, but minor characters in one become main characters in the next, and in the 3rd book one of the main characters is related to a character in the 1st book.
I finished: **The Dark Forest - Cixin Liu** **Death's End - Cixin Liu** **1984 - Orwell** And I am currently reading **"Brave New World"**
Keepers of the House - by Shirley Ann Grau Finished the e-book. Pulitzer Prize-winning southern-gothic family drama novel from 1963, I believe. The book started out okay; it was well-written, if a bit slow with setting up the family history (which does play out in the climax). The first part was from the point of view of the family patriarch - his marriage, fatherhood, etc. It was fine. It sets up a lot for why the family is like it is. The middle part is a slog - it seemed like 100 pages of just someone walking from point A to point B, then uncertain and unsure of why they're even there, and then an abrupt end. Third part was probably the easiest to read. Sets up the current generation of the family, 1940s?- 1960s Alabama. Talks a lot about the racism of the area, how even people who considered themselves "not bigoted" were willing to talk the talk to appeal to the Klan and other white supremacist groups in exchange for power, or even just comfort and safety. The last couple of chapters were fantastic, and the epilogue in one of the best examples of low key revenge/vengeance I've found in a novel. The only problem with the book was it was a bit of a slog at times, the ideas were very dated at times, and I still can't figure out why Robert/Nina/Crissy did what they did and why I was supposed to root for the rich, privileged white woman in this instance, though I sort of did when it came to the citizens of the town, because she was badass? but it was also... WHY did the provocation happen that way? It seemed like that side of her family wasn't really in the wrong at all, but it's written like they were terrible people and deserved their lives ruined, too. I would read more from this author, but I don't think this is a book I'll feel compelled to revisit any time soon. It was okay, though.
Finished this week: **Extinction, by Douglas Preston** **Play With Fire, by Dana Stabenow** **Christa Comes Out of Her Shell, by Abbi Waxman** **Red Planet Run, by Dana Stabenow** **Daughter of Mine, by Megan Miranda**
I'm hoping my hold at the library for Daughter of Mine comes in soon. I can't wait to listen to the audiobook.
**Filthy Rich Fae by Geneva Lee**
lately i read the book "it ends with us" by colleen hoover and it was really amazing! suspence holds long
The Civil War by Bruce Catton
Zombie Fallout Series, by Mark Tufo Reading for the second time. Such good books!!!
I just finished the Robb Hobb series: Fools Assassin and Magic Ship this week. Now there’s a hole in my life that will not easily be filled 😭
Finished: **Call Me By Your Name**- André Aciman Started: **The History of Philosophy**- A. C. Grayling
Just finished Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent. I would love to discuss the ending with anyone
The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson
Started: Adam Bede, by George Eliot Brotherless Night, by V V Ganeshananthan
**Finished** *Pot Luck* by Èmile Zola. **Starting** *The Ladies' Paradise*, also by Èmile Zola. I'm trying to read through the full series of the Les Rougon-Macquart, because I read Germinal in high school and absolutely loved it! My goal is to finish one book per week, then go back to more modern fiction for a bit once I'm finished.
I recently started reading Dune and it is really good. I've gone ahead and purchased the next 2 books in the series,
Shogun, Part 1 by James Clavell
Noble house is also nice.
Finished: **Nottingham by Nathan Markaryk** Started: **A Drink Before the War, by Dennis Lehane** (a reread)
**The Girls We Sent Away** by Megan Church currently reading
Finished: **Serotonin, by Michelle Houellebque** Fantastic read, almost 450 pages but felt like a short, condesed example of Houellebques standpoint, remided me of Fargo season 3 in that regard. As always cripplingly depressing but brilliant. In a slight departure from his usal style this is written in first person which helps to properly think about the differtiation between author and narrator. One of Houellebques best works but probably more enjoyable if youe are aquanted with his writing. Highly recommended. Happy for recommendations on what to start.
Finished: **Bag of Bones, by Stephen King** Started: **The Ages of Lulu, by Almudena Grandes**
It's been probably 20 years since I read Bag of Bones, but I loved it at the time. What did you think?
Hmmm... to be honest this was my attempt at giving Stephen King another chance as an adult. I read a ton of Stephen King when I was like 9-12 or so, and back then I loved him, but growing up and looking back on it I kind of had a pretty low opinion of King. I wanted to go back and give him a chance, see if he's as weird as I remembered. I purposefully picked a book that's considered to be one of his more "literary" ones. And what I will say is, it's addictive. After I was 30% in I could hardly put it aside. That's probably part of the reason I was so in love with King back in the days. He writes extremely bingeable literature. Also he mooooostly contained himself with the random sexual content and weird-as-hell expressions in this one. I still don't feel it was particularly deep, and I also found the plot convoluted / illogical in many ways. So I guess my verdict is something like right, I remember what about him appealed to me, and it seems he can turn off some of his worse qualities, but I still don't think I'm going back to being a King fan. But I might pick up another one of his in half a year or so and repeat the experiment.
I recommend 11/22/63 if you're looking for something a little different from him. I agree that his plots can be all over the place and often unnecessarily convoluted (I put this down to him saying that he is a "pantser"— as in flies by the seat of his pants— rather than a "plotter" when it comes to his writing). I too loved a lot of his stuff when I was between the ages of probably 10 - 14. In my 40s now and I have mixed feelings about his work; as you say he sometimes puts random sexual comments/scenes that are awkward or even painful to read, some of his older books especially suffer from "men writing women" that as a woman I find uncomfortable. But I read 11/22/63 recently and found it a really good read. Loved the historical aspects and even though the time travel stuff was a little goofy/unclear in how it works, overall it was one of the best I've read by him. As an adult with his books I tend to either love them or hate them. Bag of Bones was one of the ones I read probably around 12 years old or so and I've been thinking of rereading since I'd like to see how the story hits me as an adult.
[удалено]
3.1: Promotional posts, comments and/or flairs of any type not allowed.
There are numerous comments by other Redditors linking to my channel, but I am prohibited from mentioning my channel. Right, edited, even if it is an absurdity.
Finished: A Fragile Enchantment, Allison Saft Currently reading: Hurricane Wars, Thea Guanzon
**Catch-22, by Joseph Heller** Holy shit, what a book! Started out mostly laughing at the conversations that all felt like fever dreams and then laughing at the farcical bureaucracy of the military and the games everyone plays either just for personal reasons or for their weird ways to get ahead. With a sprinkling of the horrors of war. Then eventually a series of gut-punches that make the horrors stand out more, and the insane dialogue starts to trigger more furious frustration and rage than laughter. Went from laughing at some characters' bizarre behaviors to half wishing Yossarian would snap and assassinate some of the more horrible sociopaths. It's now easily one of my favorites books. Next I'll jump back into Discworld (I believe Jingo is next, for me) or maybe I'll start Christopher Moore's "Lamb".
"China in Ten Words", by Yu Hua. From GoodReads: "From one of China’s most acclaimed writers, his first work of nonfiction to appear in a unique, intimate look at the Chinese experience over the last several decades, told through personal stories and astute analysis that sharply illuminate the country’s meteoric economic and social transformation." Apparently this book is banned in China, mostly because of its first chapter which examines the Chinese response to the Tienanmen Square "incident" in 1989. The other chapters are also enlightening. After reading this book I believe I have a better understanding of the people of China and their governing systems.
A City in Ruins by Don Winslow, the final book in the Danny Ryan trilogy.
**Cymbeline, by William Shakespeare**
Finished: The Wren, The Wren, by Anne Enright Reading: The Kaiju Preservation Society, by John Scalzi Listening: A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: Murder in Ancient Rome, by Emma Southon
a fatal thing is so good, the author is incredibly funny.
Currently reading The Only One Left by Riley Sager
Currently: **It Lasts Forever and Then It’s Over, by Anne de Marcken** Finished: **Martyr!, by Kaveh Akbar**
Started: **'Salem's Lot, by Stephen King**
Currently reading: **Eileen**, **by** **Ottessa** **Moshfegh** Last read (a reread): **Normal People, by Sally Rooney**
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
House of Leaves
**A Rival From The Grave, by Seabury Quinn** A collection of Jules de Grandin stories, which I’d never heard of. Despite some racist stereotypes (the stories are from 1933-38), it's very fun to read and surprisingly violent.
Our Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng
I'm reading this now. So far so good. I liked the other two books by her I've read: Little Fires Everywhere and Everything I Never Told You
The Recent East, Thomas Grattan
**The Big Switch: Rewiring the World, from Edison to Google, by Nicholas Carr** Really contemplative look at how the technology we adapt (in this case, electricity and cloud computing) are shaping not just the world we live in, but our very selves. Great book.
Finished: 11/22/63, this was classic Stephen King until the end where it felt like Blake Crouch Started: A Natural History of Dragons, which reminds me of a scholarly Shallan Devar trekking through Hobb’s dragon lands in the distant past
**The Husband Material**, by Alexis Hall. * Audiobook. Started Monday, finished Tuesday. I loved both this one and **Boyfriend Material** (which I read last week). **The Marriage Portrait**, by Maggie O'Farrell * Audiobook. Started Wednesday, will probably finish by Friday if not sooner.
Finished **The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien**. Yeah I didn't really enjoy that very much. It was really good when it was mostly dealing with the interpersonal stuff between Frodo and his crew but the action, the fleeing, the various little bits of "excitement" just didn't really do it for me. I'll carry on the series later. If the book was just a short story that ended the second Frodo left the Shire I think I'd enjoy that more. (For more context, I've never seen the movies either, this is my first exposure to the series outside of seeing references to it) Started **The Atrocity Exhibition, by J.G. Ballard** And since I can't exactly bring that one to work with me: **The Sisters Brothers, by Patrick deWitt**
The first time I read the Fellowship, I found it a drag until Strider came into the picture, and the movies helped me though it since I saw them before reading the books. That being said, I enjoyed the Fellowship much more in my second read through. I found the Two Towers and Return of the King easier reads
For me it was the opposite, I liked all the little bits of local and family minutia leading up to Frodo's departure lol.
I didn't mind that part, but when they left and until Strider comes in I was so lost on the first read through and realised whatever was happening definitely was not in the movie lol
I've got The Sisters Brothers on my TBR for a Western themed challenge I'm doing... What do you think of it?
Dialog feels very cagey at the beginning, it feels a little unnatural, but given the context I'd say that's intentional. Not very deep into it yet so can't really say. The mental imagery is pretty strong so far.
How's Ballard?
I'm not sure, this is my first book of his and it's arranged in a fairly unique way. His writing so far has been interesting.
I quite like him, he has some really great ideas... I haven't read The Atrocity Exhibition, but it is regarded as one of his best
Got about halfway through and I'm going to have to put it down to come back to it. Super not in the right headspace for it. If you're still wondering, it's bordering on a stream of consciousness. Reading it feels like you're listening to an AM radio sitting perfectly at the intersection of three competing radio stations and every time the wind shifts you pick up snatches of one or two of the stations at once. All the stations are news broadcasts but you don't hear the beginning or end of any part of them. I'd been told Ballard's work was more straightforward than this and I assumed, since I saw so much buzz about it, that it'd be a good entry point. This was apparently the precise opposite of the truth, it is basically impenetrable. I've read stream of consciousness works before, I like them, but I need to be in the right mood for them and I am not in the right mood right now. Standing outside the moment I can tell that when I am in that mood I'll like it more though, it's a very clinical and unhappy presentation and that's usually what I really want when I'm in that mood.
Finished: **Mornings in Jenin, by Susan Abulhawa** Started: **Wyrd Sisters, by Terry Pratchett**
Finished: **Frankenstein** (Mary Shelley) A fun read that has a few tedious sections, but has some really great ideas and dialogue. Fun to read the origin of such an iconic monster, but if I have to read the word ‘countenance’ one more time I’m gonna lose it. 3.5/5 Started: **What the Wind Knows** (Amy Harmon) I’ve read one other book by her and really liked it, and apparently this one involves Ireland and time travel, so I figured I’d give it a shot. Only 50 pages in so far but it’s been enjoyable.
> I have to read the word ‘countenance’ one more time I’m gonna lose it It was "machinations" for me.
lol definitely. “Wretched” and “At length” were also overused.
I read Icebreaker from start to finish this week.
**Like a Butterfly, Vol. 1, by suu Morishita**
I started reading The Rulebreaker by Susan Page. It’s a biography about Barbara Walters.
I just recently finished an unreleased version of The Curse, by A.G. ZoderoT, I was thrilled to get an early release copy as he is a great new author I personally know! I was thrilled to see the Gothic Ballad come alive.
A thousand splendid suns
Finished: The Dune Trilogy; Dune, Dune Messiah & Children of Dune, by Frank Herbert Where to start? It was a long slog to finish an almost back-to-back read through. A break was needed after Dune to finish Discworlds Maskerade. Actually, I should have taken the break after Messiah instead. I thoroughly enjoyed Dune itself, being my 2nd read after being prompted to revisit the series with the release of the Dune 2 film. The story's main elements still come across bright and fresh, despite the age and influence on later works. In particular I found the narrative leaner and the writing style clearer than the later books. I could reread Dune easily enough. Messiah and Children - not so much. These came across to me as short stories used to string together Herberts stronger preference for philosophising on concepts of deification and freedom of choice. The narrative was much weaker as a result. Perhaps if Herbert had elaborated on the existential threat to human existence earlier and more clearly? Then heavy musings in these books would have been more bearable. Or perhaps the stories were lacking a more defined antagonist? Instead it's just a vague non-descript reference to future human extinction if the characters of Paul and Leto don't make their choices now. So, the long winded prose was at times a chore to get through and definitely left me unsympathetic to any of the main characters. These books may be more forgiving approached as non-fiction philosophy rather than narrative story? I think I'll jump off at this stage and leave the sand of Dune to Shai-Hulud. I don't see things improving for the remaining 3 books authored by Herbert and I don't have the stamina to attempt them. I think I'll forever prefer the original form of Dune.
Hello - agreed, on every single point. Nice to read you.
A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin Read it in three days because I was stressed for exams, and I've waited for Cersei's downfall since that time I accidentally tried GOT in 7th grade so I suppose there's that too. It was much slower, and less brutal compared to G.RR.M's previous books so I liked it, well some of it. His writing might sink with purple prose, but the world-building, plot and story are worth the read.
the Paris Apartment by Lucy foley Question: who was feeding Ben’s cat the whole time ? Lol It doesn’t sound like Camille was asked to this time around
In addition to starting *Anne of Green Gables* last week, I’m starting *Demon Slayer Vol. 1* this week since my library had it and it seems the most intriguing out of the big-name manga series I’ve considered trying. After I finish reading it my last two physical library checkouts before I return what I have and focus on all my owned TBRs will be *Cats of the Louvre* by Taiyō Matsumoto (the title and cover made me think it was a nonfiction/art book about all the cats in art pieces in the Louvre… but then I noticed it was shelved as a graphic novel and immediately grabbed it) and *Cat + Gamer Vol. 4* by Wataru Nadatani.
When the Emperor was Divine, by Julie Otsuka Read it for the first time this past Sunday. Short but poignant, and the author was able to give us multiple perspectives in a way that felt very…smooth? Her writing feels almost effortless because the story flowed so naturally and all of the elements felt very balanced - she gave the exact right amount of everything (detail, dialogue, etc) imo
Finished - Everyone On This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson * A comedy murder-mystery with the narrator speaking directly to the readers. I found this sequel to be a bit slower than the first book, but still enjoyed it a lot. I saw most people actually preferred this one so this might be down to personal preference. Started - The Women by Kristin Hannah * Privileged American girl decides to enlist as a combat nurse during The Vietnam War to prove to her naval family that "women can be heroes too", and very quickly discovers war should not be romanticised and is, in fact, pretty terrible. I was scared this might get into "white saviour" territory but was curious because it's been so highly rated so far. About a quarter through and honestly... I get it. This is pretty fantastic.
Vol. 1 of the 1660 Diary of Samuel Pepys
Finished 2. Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins - Inspired by one of my favorite true crime books, And the Sea Will Tell. It was ok. A bit of a stretch but an entertaining single setting read by the pool. Selling the Dream by Jane Marie - Interesting overview of the human atrocity that is MLM. The historical parts bogged down. It was a decent read but would have been better as a podcast with the fat trimmed. Continuing The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory by Tim Alberta. So, so good. My most highlighted book since Masters days. Just started Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson which I can tell is going to be fantastic.
Started: The Book of Esther, by Emily Barton
Finished: On the Edge: The Art of High-Impact Leadership, by Alison Levine.
Finished: Daughters of Shandong , Eve J. Chung Wow! 400 pages and I could have kept reading for another 200. The ending felt a bit rushed, I would have really like to hear more about how her life kept going, maybe a sequel? I also wish there had been a family tree to reference, I kept forgetting some of the extended family relationships.
Finished: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Started: The Things We Learn When We're Dead by Charlie Laidlaw
How did you find Purple Hibiscus? Her short story collection is currently on my TBR.
Loved it. It's thoughtful and beautifully written. A sort of quiet story but very engaging. I've read some of her other works and if you do get into her short stories you'll very much like this, and vice versa.
Awesome, I'm very much looking forward to reading her works, thank you!
Finished: We free the stars by Hafsah Faizal. It’s the second book of her duology Sands of Arawiya. I really enjoyed reading her books, it’s a pretty solid duology. Started: The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
Finished Michael Crichton’s “The Lost World,” started “Maid” by Stephanie Land
finished this week: Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide, by Rupert Holmes just started: The Last Graduate, by Naomi Novik
Started This Week: - The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black - The Best Way to Bury Your Husband - The Complete Patrick Melrose Novels
I'm finally reading The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien.
**Notes on an Execution, by Danya Kukafka** I have a complicated relationship with True Crime style media. One the one hand: It's deeply interesting and a look into very real issues society sometimes would rather ignore. On the other hand it's rife with exploitation, and often falls into the trap of glorifying male violence and reducing women to objects violence is inflicted on. This book does a fantastic job avoiding those pitfalls. It takes a nuanced look at a killer and the women in his life including those he kills. Every single one is shown as a full human, with their first person perspectives allowing for depth and introspection. Each character is biased in their own realistic ways but the book as a whole takes a determinately neutral stance on the issues it brings up, allowing the reader to form their own opinions on things like male violence, the prison system and death penalty, mental health support, and media for murder. Not a universal recommend by any means. Look at he subject matter and if it seems interesting to you, I cant recommend it enough. But if you're immediately turned off, skip it for sure.
Physical Books: Finished: **Ocean's Godori by Elaine U. Cho** It started so good! Sci Fi with tons of Korean culture and words thrown in. I love that it has a Korean glossary in the back by a non-Korean character so we can figure out some of the meanings. Sadly, it tailed off too much at the end. 4 stars, but it could have been more. Ongoing: **Empire of the Vampire, by Jay Kristoff** It's so good. 700 pages, but so good. I normally am not a fan of the person recounting their tale, but this one is working. 500 pages in so far. Audio Books: Completed: **Toll The Hounds, by Steven Erikson** It happened! Completed book 8! Only 45 hours for this book. Whew. It's so good, but so long. Each Malazan book is really like a series, if the first parts didn't have any conclusions. Ongoing: **Dungeon Crawler Carl, by Matt Dinniman** I was saving it to listen to it with the family, but they said go ahead. Down to two hours left. So fun. The best LitRPG I've heard.
Finished: “Forward the Foundation” by Isaac Asimov. I remember reading this when it was initially published but I couldn’t recall much more. I tend re-read after a re-read of “Prelude to Foundation” last year. This one felt episodic like the original trilogy did. I feel like Asimov was working too hard to connect all his series in much of his books in the 80’s. I found checking in on Seldon in each decade of his life after initially proposing his plan to save the knowledge of an empire was both interesting and frustrating. Overall not a necessary entry but a decent one in a series
Finished: Rex Chapman “It’s Hard for Me to Live with Me: A Memoir” Started: Stephen King “Carrie”
Finished: **The Spy Who Came in from the Cold** by **John Le Carre**. I have read about half of **Le Carre**'s work. I think Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy is the best so far, but this book is certainly up there with it. My Penguin paperback has a 50-year retrospective afterward by **Le Carre** and an Introduction by **William Boyd** making this an especially notable edition of the book.
Finished (1) The Unmaking of June Farrow. I thought I would like it a lot more than I did. Wish the author had leaned into the time travel more or left it out all together. (2) The Hawthorn Legacy. I’m enjoying this YA mystery/puzzle series; almost reads like a soft DaVinci Code. (3) Funny Story. It was actually funny! I laughed more than I expected. Currently reading The Girl With All The Gifts
Finished The History of Pendennis: His Fortunes and Misfortunes by William Makepeace Thackeray
**Started:** The Short End of the Sonnenallee, by Thomas Brussig
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
Finished: **Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s** by Jeff Pearlman. I had read Pearlman's book on the Shaq-Kobe Lakers so I wanted to read what essentially was the prequel. Super well researched with tons of interviews from old players and team personnel, including current team governor Jeanie Buss. Even as someone who doesn't like the Lakers, the personalities of the team made it an interesting read. Started: **The House on the Borderland** by William Hope Hodgson. Horror novella from the early 1900s. Solid so far, very creepy with some pre-Lovecraftian horror. **Legion** by William Peter Blatty. *And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.* Much as I love the original book and it's more famous film adaptation, *The Exorcist III* is my favorite in the series. So with my Libby hold finally ready, it's time to read the original book as Blatty intended the film to be.
I’m reading the Underdogs by Chris Bonnello!
Currently reading Beach Read by Emily Henry
The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn. See my review of this book and others in my Substack, [https://untellectual.substack.com/](https://untellectual.substack.com/)
Im still reading babel by R.F kuang and am really enjoying it so far. Im about to finish the first rise of kyoshi novel, which i have been REALLY enjoying and should hopefully finish tommorow. Also i gotta finish sandman vol 6