Spyke

What are you currently reading and how do you like it?

I'm about 70% through the second Jurassic Park book and it's ok. People on /r/books seemed to think it was even better than the first, but it feels like a slog compared to the first. I'm looking forward to moving on to Stephen King's The Stand.

View original on lemmy.ml
lemmy.ml

I'm 3/4ths of the way through The Name of the Wind.

Man has this book ever sucked me into it's world. I'd recommend checking it out if your into fantasy.

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I loved this book so much when I was a teenager that I immediately re-read it after finishing it. The prose and pacing was sublime. Although I know some wouldn't agree. But the story just seems to meander in a delightful way. Another thing I enjoyed is the "stories with stories" aspect. I won't say more about that in order to spare you from spoilers, but I'd recommend a re-read asap if you're up for it.

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I'm currently reading Moby Dick for the first time and I'm loving it. I didn't expect it to be so funny! This is the first book I've read by Herman Melville and his writing style is just beautiful.

I'm excited for you to start Stephen King's The Stand, it's one of my favorite of his!

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lemmy.world

I just started The Three Body Problem. I'm hoping the plot is engaging once it takes off, because so far the writing and characters aren't doing a whole lot for me.

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I don't regret starting that book, but I certainly regret finishing it just because everyone else seemed to love it :/

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lemmy.ml

I have books scattered throughout the house, and so what I’m reading changes depending on where I am.

  • If I’m going to sit outside, I’ll grab the book I keep on the table next to the back door. Currently that’s Stephen King’s Bag of Bones

  • If I’m going to read in bed, then I pick up Tuesdays with Morris by Mitch Albom

  • If I’m going to read in the bath, I’ll grab my Kindle and work through Alma Katsu’s The Deep

  • If I’m in my office chair, I’ll work on The Gentle Art of Verbal Self Defence, by Suzette Haden Elgin

Kind of a funny way of going about things, but there it is, heh

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I usually have several books going at once, but just based on that moment’s whim. This sounds like a more efficient and less cluttered way of going about it!

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Perhaps, but the downside is that it takes me forever to finish any single one lol

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I usually have two books going, one is a travel book (on my Kindle) and one is a home book. For whatever reason, I never pick up my Kindle to read at home.

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lemmy.pt

I'm listening to Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. I've been in a reading slump for a few months now. I'm struggling to find something engaging. This one is interesting but I'm not that invested yet.

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lemmy.world

Piranesi is a weird one. I found it an incredibly engaging book, but that's probably because I'm a sucker for the aesthetic it presents.

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I actually like the aesthetic as well, and I'm really enjoying the narrator but I'm feeling the anxiety emanating from Piranesi as he discovers the diaries ans it's triggering me a bit :) But I'm enjoying it, I'm just wary for the explanation

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lemmy.ml

I want to get back into audiobooks. I typically read before bed but listening to a book would be nice during the day.

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Oh I do it while doing housework, dishes, sweeping, laundry, etc and sometimes to help me fall asleep but I'll just re-listen to it the next day

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lemmy.ml

I'm on my first re-read of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Last time I read it was about 15-20 years ago and it's every bit as delightful as I remembered.

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That is on my to do list. It's been a decade since o first read it and was worried that it wouldn't be as good as I remembered. Glad to hear that it still holds up

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I just started reading Fairy Tale by Stephen King. I normally mostly read sci-fi but I figured I'd take a break and read this one since I've heard good things.

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The Guns Above By Robyn Bennis.
If blimps were ever used in early 19th century warfare
Quite entertaining

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A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. It’s great so far. Reminds me of A Brief History of Time.

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I'm 20% or so through Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. It's cool, but not really my speed. Thinking of DNFing it and moving on to And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, which I also have checked out from the library.

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I didn't love either of those tbh. Pachinko seemed too long/slow for me but not a terrible book overall.

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Just finished Devolution by Max Brooks and it was REALLY good. I would definitely recommend it if you're in the mood for a thriller about Sasquatch!

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I listened to this on audiobook and it was great. It had a huge cast.

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lemmy.ml

I'm currently reading Stephen King's The Shining for the second time. It was the first the book that I read for the sake of actually reading, not because school made me do it.

I can't really remember the first time reading it but for now it's an amazing read.

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Leighreply
lemmy.ml

This is one of my favorite books. I’ve read it probably 4 or 5 times, and every time I come back to it, depending on where I am in my life, I get something different from it—as a son, as a father, as a man struggling personally, it just speaks to me on so many different levels.

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I've also read The shining multiple times. Stephen King is one of the few authors where I enjoy rereading his stuff again and again. I've read a lot of really great books that I'm not going to pick up again and I wonder what it is that makes me want to reread the same book sometimes and not other times even if I really loved the book.

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lemmy.ca

I'm finally reading The Martian by Andy Weir, picked it up on a whim when I brought the kids to the library on Saturday and I'm almost finished it now. I've actually had it on my Kindle for a while but never got around to starting it. I'm enjoying it, looking forward to reading his other books soon.

I read mostly on my Kindle, but I prefer (and miss) reading actual books. But most of my reading is done when its dark and not always able to turn on a light.

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lemmy.ml

That's a fun book! I enjoy his stuff. Have you read Project Hail Mary? I recommend that next if you are looking for more of his work.

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kethalireply
lemmy.ca

I haven't read it yet, but was planning on picking that one up at the library when I return this one. I've heard it was good from my friends that have read it.

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I've heard the audiobook is excellent, so that's also an option if you're into those.

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I’m currently chapter 4 in Crime and Punishment, Chapter 2 in The Count of Monte Cristo, and chapter 15 in Leviathan Wakes. I just started reading again since I feel like my depression is coming back. I wanna take my mind off right now with what’s happening to me mentally. Hopefully it gets better soon.

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I am currently starting my first Joe Abercrombie book, The Blade Itself. I have heard it compared to A Song of Fire and Ice, in terms of grim dark fantasy, but it did not grip me as quickly. I feel more that it is totally its own thing and that comparison hurts it a bit.

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The first one is probably the weakest but the series as a whole is very solid. Very genre defying as well, it's not really what you expect at first

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I've been reading Anansi Boys for a while. I enjoy it while I'm reading it, but I have definitely struggled with the motivation to pick it up and start reading it again after I put it down.

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Wee free men by Terry Pratchett. Brilliant so far, I'm about half way through. I'm currently reading the whole of the discworld series in order and would recommend it to anyone!

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lemmy.ml

Reading Overlord LN currently. It's amazing.

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lemmy.world

Ohh what volume are you at? I caught up at volume 4, I think, a few years ago and it was so much fun. I think I'll pick it back up once I'm done with my current read.

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PeWureply

I'm around middle of volume 11, 6 more to go, and for now the whole read was well worth it

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My 'big read' this year is Finnegans Wake which I am reading weekly along with the reddit TrueLit sub. It would be a very different experience without the comments and interpretation from there, so that's something that I will be thinking about...

Otherwise, The Twisted Ones by T Kingfisher, which is engaging and well paced, a Doctor Who novel from the '90s and am listening to Ron Hutton's Queens of the Wild. This books are always authoritative and entertaining but I have only just started this one so can't say a lot so far.

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Too many books... Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson, Elle et son chat by Makoto Shinkai, El dador de recuerdos (The Giver) by Lois Lowry, L'Age des low-tech by Pierre Bilhouix and The Ecology of Wisdom by Arne Naess. I'm not reading chapters super regularly from all of these but I'm slowly chipping my way through them (especially The Giver since Spanish is my weakest language.)

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lemmy.ml

The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky : I really love it!

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Ooh this is one of my long-term to-reads. I'm intimidated by the size though.

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Started The Watchmaker's Daughter by Dianne Haley, about a young Swiss woman in the Resistance during WWII. She lives near the border with France and helps someone who's rescuing Jewish children and passes messages. Probably not the right time for a subject with that much weight for me though, plus my fiction brain is distracted by a 40 episode Chinese historical drama.

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I love The Stand. It is one of my favorite books of all time.

I am currently reading three books. I am reading a physical copy of The Maid by Nita Prose and the MC is really exasperating. I am reading an e-copy of Sapiens by Yuval Noah Hurari and it is interesting and easy to read. And finally I am listening to The It Girl by Ruth Ware whom I usually love but so far the story is dragging.

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I'm on book 4 (Taltos) of a re-read of the Vlad Taltos books by Steven Brust. Book 16 (Tsalmoth) came out not too long ago, and 17 is due out next year. I've loved these books since I found them in high school when book 5 (Phoenix) first came out. So far they're every bit as enjoyable as I remember them being the first time through. They're "fun" reads with interesting twists and and character banter, I recommend anyone wanting to tackle a new series to pick up the first book, Jhereg.

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I just finished chapter 1 of Cory Doctorow's Attack Surface. I want to read more, which is always a good sign!

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I’m shamelessly entering my romantasy / book tok era… I’m working my way through the throne of glass series now.

For the record my taste is not always such trash. My phase before this one was all the Hugo / Nebula award winners.

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Ichebireply
lemmy.pt

I've been in a m/m romance era last year and I still enjoy many young adult books at 35+. just enjoy yourself! There is no shame! I've re read The Hunger Games last week and I still enjoyed the first one.

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Knoll0114reply
lemmy.world

Oh god Throne of Glass... even at 13 I thought that series sucked but each to their own! I'm currently in the Hugo phase a bit, or at least I wanna be when I'm done with the 5 books I'm in the middle of.

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lemmy.world

I haven’t read ToG yet… just finished ACOTAR… and I agree, it’s terrible, but imho it’s terrible the same way that “love is blind” is, and I can’t get enough of either. It’s a whole dang pendulum swing away from Hugo award winners though that’s for sure.

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Currently reading The Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow. This feels like a good one, so I'm taking it slow to maximise the enjoyment.

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In the Distance by Hernan Diaz. Swedish kid ends up in California during the gold rush and is trying to find his brother who is in New York City. He travels east through the country against the current of settlers heading west. Very fun take on the western genre.

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I'm reading Death's End which is the third part in Liu Cixins Remembrance of Earth's Past series. I'm really loving the way Liu explains all the physics and science behind all the technology in the series. Can't wait for the Netflix adaptation.

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I'm reading The Fifth Civilization by Peter Bingham Pankratz. It's very good, sort of a blend of Mass Effect and the first book of The Expanse.

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Currently reading "Between Two Fires" and absolutely loving it. It's creepy, funny, and heartbreaking all at the same time. I can't remember the last time I got sucked into a book like this.

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The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass by Stephen King, halfway through series and loving it. Finished The Stand before reading these books and loved it. Really recommend Dark Tower after you finish The Stand.

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Just finished reading Iron Gold by Pierce Brown, book four in the Red Rising series. Now I'm starting on the fifth book Dark Age. It's overall been entertaining and has some interesting sci-fi concepts.

However my personal gripe has been that throughout the series you can most of the time guess far off what's going to essentially happen. Some people may like that kind of thing but I personally like it better when I can't predict everything. Overall I'd still recommend the series of you like dystopian sci-fi.

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Currently reading Chomsky's Manufacturing Consent. It's a tough read because it's a lot of data and examples to prove his point. I'll definitely move onto something lighter for my next book

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I’m about halfway through This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub. It started a bit slow, maybe, but I’m enjoying it now. Some nice hits of nostalgia.

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lemmy.world

Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher.

Wonderfully captivating book. I only just started it (on chapter 4) but it brightens my day whenever I pick it up.

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feddit.nl

I loved "the hollow places", is this in a similar vein or something completely different?

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The Jersey: The All Blacks: The Secrets Behind the World's Most Successful Team Peter Bills and The Way of Kings Brandon Sanderson.

Like both books pretty much

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Manly P Hall, The Secret Teachings of all Ages Ted Kaczynski, Industrial Society and its Future

I tend to read 2-3 books in parallel and randomly continue reading based on mood. I love Hall's writing style and the amount of knowledge he put into the work and considering that he wasn't even 30 when it was first published, it's an incredible read for someone who recently had a spiritual awakening.

Rereading Ted's Manifesto after reading of his death yesterday. Its impressive how he foresaw what technology would do to our society and how disruptive the industrial-capitalist-technocratic trifecta would be for humans.

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I'm currently reading The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect, by Roger Williams... It's scifi about "the singularity", albeit a bit graphic and disturbing.

I recently finished reading "Arrête avec tes mensognes" by Phillipe Besson (english title: Lie with me), a gay novel, and that was a great read.

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Reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera. I think I am about 70% as well. Got it as a present , so far actually i am enjoying it and I am amused by the romance and the philodophical moments.

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@minorsecond Started Terry Goodkind's Wizard's First Rule few days ago and already loosing sleep over it. It has hooks deep in my flesh, last night was bad i just coudn't stop until fell asleep... I have 4 next books of the series ready to go, i might be in trouble.

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I am currently reading the Red Rising series of books by Pierce Brown and am currently on the fifth book, "Dark Age". The series is a science fiction saga set in a future society where humanity is divided into a color-coded caste system. The narrative follows Darrow, a Red, the lowest caste, who leads a revolution against the ruling Golds after discovering the society's inherent injustices. It's blending elements of political intrigue, brutal warfare, social commentary, personal growth and a thrilling exploration of power, class struggle, and the human spirit. I'm really excited about it and it totally captivated me.

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I am reading Once there were wolves. I am about 15% in. So far it is interesting. I am coming in blind so I am not sure what to expect.

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Just finished up mistborn era 2. Probably going to go for some shorter stand alone next. Maybe I am legend.

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lemmy.ml

I'm a new father, so unfortunately I haven't had any time to read over the last few months. But as soon as I have the time and energy I'm planning on picking up Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

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chknoreply
lemmy.ml

Parents of young children read children's books to children, and this all well and good, but before this there is a special, magical time where parents of especially young children get to read whatever books they fancy to the child. Especially young children still love being read to, still get all the same benefits of learning phonemes and word splitting, and were never going to follow the story no matter how simple, so you just get to read whatever you wanted to read anyway & it doubles as child storytime.

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Just finished Piranesi and wow, what a beautiful, mysterious book. Very ethereal with some amazing prose and characters.

As long as you're okay with being confused for the first 1/3, the book is really satisfying.

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Sorrow, Memory and Thorn by Tad Williams. I read it was an inspiration for George RR's a Song of Ice and Fire. Whilst I'm finding it an engaging read and can see similarities in world building so far that world seems a lot less brutal.

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lemmy.gtfo.social

I'm reading Fairy Tale by Stephen King. It has been a fun read so far.

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lemmy.ml

Does that book jump between points of view quickly, the way The Stand does?

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I'm currently reading Thomas C. Schelling's The Strategy of Conflict. So far, it seems to be presenting a wide range of mechanisms as actual possible strategies, when I would have expected these mechanisms to be cataloged solely for establishing common knowledge of possible counterfactuals best avoided. I'm beginning to be concerned that I'll get more positive examples of how one ought to actually comport themselves in this domain from BDSM Decision Theory D&D Fanfic than from this historical, venerable, seminal work on the subject.

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Not reading anything right now, but the last book I read was "The Four Winds" by Kristin Hannah. I found it amazing, was bawling my eyes out at the end, and for a few days after I finished it, I would cry whenever I thought of it

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I've been working through Brian Evensons The Glassy, Burning Floor of Hell and I gotta say, I'm a bit disappointed. Not at all the weird fiction I was hoping for based on recommendations.

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I'm 40 pages away from finishing "Annals of the Former World," an entertaining and eye-opening, if at times technical, read about geology and the forces that shaped and continue to shape the planet. It's a great read. Also explains my username.

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I just started reading the Horatio Hornblower series by CS Forester. I decided to read chronologically.

So far I'm really enjoying it, I seem to love most classic ship style media. It's entertaining following the fictional career of a British sailor during the Nepoleonic wars, seeing them learn the ropes, make mistakes, class differences and formalities presented on ships etc.

I have to say, I'm glad I'm using an e-reader because I need to use the dictionary/wiki search for a lot of nautical terms. On the plus side I'm learning a lot of cool new words!

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I finished Barack Obama’s autobiography recently. It was on the heavier side, so it took me a while to get through it. But worth it and very insightful into his presidency.

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I read both Jurassic Park books and I preferred the first over the second. Right now I am reading The Wise Man's Fear (King Killer Chronicles) and it is going alright. I'm sad that the third book will probably never exist, but it's been a fun ride so far.

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I'm reading 2 and have stalled out on both: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid A path with Heart by Jack Kornfield

Maybe I just need a break from reading?

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