What book(s) are you currently reading or listening? 06 January

Holidays are over! Happy New Year!

I didn’t get much to read over the holidays, but I finished The Black Company by Glen Cook. The story was interesting but the way it is written made it hard for me to read. Still, going to continue with the trilogy and see if second book is any better in that regard.

Currently reading Dead Beat by Jim Butcher. Loving the book. The series just keeps getting better and better.

What about you? What have you been reading or listening?

TwinTusks,
@TwinTusks@bitforged.space avatar

Currently Reading:

Rogue - Anthology, ed George R.R. Martin/Gardner Dozois Best from Tor: 15th Anniversary - various The Dark Half - Stephen King The Final Girl Support Group - Grady Hendrix

Going to DNF on The Final Girl Support Group, I’m not verse in horror movies and can not connect with all those reference in the book.

fievel,

Well, I just finished Infinite Powers: The Story of Calculus - The Language of the Universe, by Steven Strogatz. Really enjoyed it, interesting for an overview of calculus history and how it affects everyday life.

I think I’ll start 2024 reading by a reread of Tolkien’s lotr + silmarillion. I, of course, already read it but one it was +20 years ago and two I read a French translation at the time and I want to read the original thing.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Why are you going to skip the poor Hobbit? What did the poor Hobbitses do to you?

I used to be terrible at Calculus, but found it exciting. Not going to specifically look for it, but will check it out if it ever crossed my paths. 😀

pancake,

I just finished The Other Wind by Ursula K Le Guin, completing my Earthsea readthrough. I loved the series and watching how her growth as a person influenced what she did with that world.

I just started New Spring by Robert Jordan, the Wheel of Time prequel. I’ve only read the first book of the main series so far and am a bit apprehensive of my decision to dive into such a massive series.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

I just started New Spring by Robert Jordan, the Wheel of Time prequel. I’ve only read the first book of the main series so far and am a bit apprehensive of my decision to dive into such a massive series.

If you have only read one book of the main series, I would recommend to wait and read the prequel after 5-6 books. I think that’s around the time when it was published too.

pancake,

Yeah I was originally going to leave it for later but the next book wasn’t available at the library and someone told me I should have started at the prequel so I went for it. I’m almost done with it and I have to say it’s been a really enjoyable read! Hopefully I don’t regret it later on

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Ah, no, nothing to regret, I just think you may have enjoyed it more, but I don’t really recall it much to be sure of that either. 😀

colifloro,

Currently reading The Phoenix Project after postponing it for months, I finally found time during Christmas. So far i’m liking it, though you need to be connected to IT to enjoy it.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Finally a novel about my people! 😀 How is it if you are connected to IT? Seems like something I should read.

colifloro,

If you work in IT you will love it. If you work for a company and understand IT jargon you will enjoy it. If you have no connection whatsoever with IT you won’t make the first two chapters 😅

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Yeah, I am deeeep in the IT world. Going to give it a try. Thanks for the info.

LoganNineFingers,

Just finished The Heir of Novron by Michael J Sullivan and am currently enjoying The Expanse.

Both were/are new to me and have both been gems!

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Say one thing about Logan Ninefingers, say they have a great taste in books.

Nice to you in one of these threads again! Where have you been missing?

LoganNineFingers,

Hilarious! Good to see you again! I should have taken note of the poster as It Seems I like to comment on your stuff.

I have been reading a ton but took a bit of a break ( as much as I could) from social media around the holidays. The problem is I have also gone down quite a rabbit hole on Lego now ( and Alternate bricks) which roped me back into Lemmy a bit.

My kids have started playing with my old stuff from when I was a kid and it has reintroduced me into the world and all the sets.

Have you read The Expanse? I’ve been enjoying it, although not quite as much as Red Rising. But either way, I do like a good Space Opera

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Well, I am a mod here, and unless something comes up, do these threads pretty much every week, you should take a peek and share you reading adventures.

Break from Social media is good, I wasn’t around here most of the December, just got back to lemmy in January. Other than that, I don’t really use any other social media app, so not a big issue for me.

Lego sounds fun, but unfortunately my kids aren’t much into it, I would buy them some set and they will sit with me excitedly, but start getting bored in 10 mins and leave to do something else.

No, I haven’t read The Expanse yet, but it’s on my wish list. Last year I bought over 100 books, but read only around 30 something, so trying to go through some of the backlog and reduce the amount of books I buy each month. Though, I don’t have much sci-fi series atm, so will probably end up getting it sometime soon.

LoganNineFingers,

Being a mod… Well that makes sense!

I said social media but I probably should’ve just said “phone” haha.

Right now, not including the expanse 4-9, I’m sitting at 29 books I need to get through (they were all from the holidays pretty much + about a half dozen I just bought anyway).

The Expanse has been good so far. I’m only part way through book two but in both cases, first 150-200 pages are building but you get a good payout after that. I’ve been told that while the story spans the whole 9 books, there’s a nice wrap up-ish after book 3. I’d say it’s worth checking out if you need some sci-fi to break it up.

Lego, Lego retired sets and alternative bricks have been a lot of my reading time as my kids all like doing it now. Although, my youngest sounds like your kids.

I’ll a point of checking in more - I’m not great for posting on lemmy but I am trying to comment more to help the traffic / community :)

viking,
@viking@infosec.pub avatar

Just finished “Dead Silence” by S.A. Barnes, and loved it. Very different take on a deep-space opera.

Now finally venturing into The Expanse, loved the series and want to see what happens after it stopped, but apparently the storylines between books and series don’t fully align, so I start at rock bottom, including some of the short story prequels setting the stage. Currently reading “Drive”, nicknamed as The Expanse 0.1 (only got 28 pages or so).

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

As a fan of the game Dead Space, Dead Silence sounds great. Going to check it out.

The Expanse stopped? I was hoping to watch it after reading all the books (which I haven’t even started yet). Well, I guess one less thing in my to-watch list.

viking, (edited )
@viking@infosec.pub avatar

They brought the series to an end (and a good one!), so you can just go ahead and watch it - I enjoyed it a lot. The books simply extend beyond that, plus they have three prequels and some fillers building the backstories of some characters. Bit of an “extended universe” vibe.

And now I’ll check out Dead Space, haven’t come across it yet. Thanks!

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Ooooh, if you play video games, and love space horror, Dead Space is a must play! The original trilogy is old, for PS3 era, but they just did a remake of first Dead Space, that got very good reviews. Do check it out.

Thanks for the info about the show. I try to read the books first before watching anything based on the books, so will watch it later.

ModernRisk,
@ModernRisk@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Still trying to read;

  • Eleanor is completely fine
  • Theranos

But at the moment my university just doesn’t want me to read and to take a bit of steam-off, I either game or watch shows.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Evil university, not letting you read!

Can’t find “Theranos”, is it this one: en.wikipedia.org/…/Bad_Blood%3A_Secrets_and_Lies_… ?

ModernRisk,
@ModernRisk@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Yeah, that’s the one! Apologies. I’m used to calling it “Theranos” because that was her ‘companies’ name.

I really recommend it. It is insane what she did, how she did it and the entire thing with the people involved.

Just remember though, it is a bit of a tough read. The author is very detailed about it all (the company, people, medical devices and such).

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Ah, no worries, thanks for the info.

xxmelomaniacxx,

Recently finished

  • The Left Hand of Darkness
  • The Fifth Elephant

Currently reading

  • The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

When I worked in a startup, there was a guy who wanted “The Left Hand of Darkness” as his designation. The company didn’t do it, but I do recall watching someone online with the same designation, don’t remember who or which company.

Both great books btw! How are you liking The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue? I have seen V. E. Schwab mentioned many times in these threads but haven’t had a chance to read her work yet.

GreyShuck, (edited )
@GreyShuck@feddit.uk avatar

I have started my year-long read for this year: The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Two chapters a week will get me through it by December.

Otherwise, I am two thirds through The Rings of Saturn which is a melancholic reflection on death, remnants and legacy over the course of a walking tour of the Suffolk coast, where I live and work. I have been aware of it for ages, and it has finally hit the top of my pile. A thoughtful and easy read, though it does seem a little over-romanticised.

And I am continuing with Peter Frankopan’s The Earth Transformed. This is a history of the world taking account of changes in climate and environment: both their effects on history, and human effects on them. Informative, although the detail obscures the main points at times.

Finally, I am continuing with the Doctor Who novel The Death of Art. Some well researched worldbuilding and atmosphere and an enjoyable writing style, but an overcrowded plot that gets bogged down as a result.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

That’s an interesting idea to have an year-long series. Specially for a book that you may find difficult to read or get into. I should do that.

I think you mentioned The Earth Transformed before too. How is it going, still enjoying it?

GreyShuck,
@GreyShuck@feddit.uk avatar

The Earth Transformed - this is a much longer read than I was expecting. It is certainly still interesting, but also continues to include a LOT of detail and examples that make it difficult to keep in mind the overall points that the author is making. I have read a good few ‘popular histories’ - which is what this ultimate is - that are clearer. I’m going to continue though.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Any recommendations? 😀

GreyShuck,
@GreyShuck@feddit.uk avatar

One I recently enjoyed is 1177 BC: The Year Civilisation Collapsed by Eric H Cline. Totally different subject, but all his examples clarify rather that obscure the point.

Another on a similar topic is John Perlin’s A Forest Journey: The Role of Wood in the Development of Civilization which I found to be very dismissive in a couple of areas such as coppice woodland, but still very clear.

And another - a classic - is Oliver Rackham’s The History of the Countryside which looks at the UK countryside and is both clear and thoroughly enjoyable.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Thanks for the list, I’ll add them to my list and look them up next time at the bookstore!

No_Ones_Slick_Like_Gaston,

Chaos Monkeys revised edition.
It’s a lot of the Silicone Valley series with a personal touch and the experiences of the author. I’m halfway trough it and I’m already thinking that will be a bit lost once I finish.

If Anyone knows of a similar topic about the same timeline story please comment and help a reader.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Since you didn’t get any recommendation here, maybe just start a thread. Hopefully that will get you some recommendations.

DeGandalf,
DeGandalf avatar

Mother of Learning

It's a pretty cool Fantasy/Time-Loop webnovel, but it's a bit long..
I am at page 1500 of 2500 and I'm not a particularly fast reader.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Web novels are like that. One of the reason I have strayed away from them. It’s a cultivation novel? Or something else?

DeGandalf,
DeGandalf avatar

No, it's more of a classical magic thing (but luckily not Isekai either, although I love that genre if made well). I got it recommended by a friend, who reads lots of web novels.
And even though there is definitly a big focus on him learning and getting stronger, it's actually both pretty well paced and has unique characters and a bit of politics (but not much).

And it's actually the only WN, besides Chrysalis, which I've read a decent amount.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Ah, that sounds different. Will check it out.

How did you like Chysalis?

DeGandalf,
DeGandalf avatar

It was quite good, but it lost somewhere around the 2/3rd mark. I'm not normally a person who can read that much, so I'm not finishing any of those long WNs. And I'm not even sure, whether the story is actually even finished, yet. But I'm pretty sure it wasn't when I read it.

Michal,

Last night I finished Fair Warning. Today I will start reading The Dark Hours - both by Michael Connelly.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

These are pretty recent books, have you read rest of the series? How are you liking it?

Michal,

Yes, I’ve been reading them all, but Not all in order. i started with Lincoln lawyer books, and Two Kinds of Truth, and then decided to read the rest of his books in order. Currently reading Desert star.

I love Connelly books. They’re not perfect but they’re captivating and i just enjoy reading them.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Ah, cool. I just got the first Harry Bosch book, but haven’t started it yet. Will probably read it between one of the Confederation books.

Mycatiskai,

Last weekend I read the first four Murderbot diaries novellas. I read another one during the week, and now I’m reading the full length novel.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells is the first one and you won’t want to stop there.

Naja_Kaouthia,
@Naja_Kaouthia@lemmy.world avatar

Just finished up American Gods by Neil Gaiman and started the Jack Reacher novels by Lee Child. I’m most of the way through Killing Floor.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

How are you liking the Killing Floor? I have been meaning to start the series but couldn’t find the starting book at my local bookstore.

Naja_Kaouthia,
@Naja_Kaouthia@lemmy.world avatar

So far so good. I have the bad habit of picking up a book or series to compare/contrast with the show or movie and IMO if you enjoy Reacher, you’ll enjoy the books and vice versa.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Reacher the show? Or the Tom Cruise movie? Cause I have only seen the Tom Cruise movie, and I don’t recall too much of that.

Naja_Kaouthia,
@Naja_Kaouthia@lemmy.world avatar

The show. I’ve honestly never seen the movie. Ol’ Centertooth is too small to be Jack Reacher.

dresden,
@dresden@discuss.online avatar

Heh, yeah, I read about that.

NJSpradlin,

deleted_by_author

    •
    dresden,
    @dresden@discuss.online avatar

    I have read first 4 I think, they are a fun read. Enjoy!

  • All
  • Subscribed
  • Moderated
  • Favorites
  • •
  • books@lemmy.world
  • ngwrru68w68
  • rosin
  • GTA5RPClips
  • osvaldo12
  • love
  • Youngstown
  • slotface
  • khanakhh
  • everett
  • kavyap
  • mdbf
  • DreamBathrooms
  • thenastyranch
  • magazineikmin
  • megavids
  • InstantRegret
  • normalnudes
  • tacticalgear
  • cubers
  • ethstaker
  • modclub
  • cisconetworking
  • Durango
  • anitta
  • Leos
  • tester
  • provamag3
  • JUstTest
  • All magazines
    •