1Q84. Magical realism. Bizarre, but can’t stop reading. I need to know mooore.
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie. It’s set in a fantasy medieval Europe. Unfortunately, its not long out and is the first of a series, so I’ll have to wait for the rest.
I read the First Law series. And after that devastating ending, I can never go back to reading his books. Do all of his books end like that?
I haven’t finished this one yet, do we’ll see.
I’m guessing you mean the first trilogy (apologies if I’m mistaken), as the First Law universe continues for 6 more books after that (plus a collection of short stories). After the Last Argument of Kings, there are 3 “stand alone” novels, which are the strongest, in my opinion, and then a second trilogy, which is excellent.
I believe there are more books planned for that universe, but The Devils is separate. The others I haven’t read as they’re Young Adult, so they probably have cheerier endings.
Were you to read on, you’d probably find some joy for characters you like, but I think unhappy endings outweigh the happy ones. Of course, I could be mistaken and you’ve read all 9, because the ending of the last can definitely be described as devastating too!
Nope, I didn’t know there were more books in the first law universe. I only read the first trilogy.
Driving directions to your mom’s house. 🥁
I’m on book 3 of the Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson. It’s fantasy, it’s weird in a lot of ways, but it’s well written for the most part and enjoyable to read. It feels like reading an unfolding story of people in a parallel universe where things are half the same and half completely alien and different, but to them, it’s commonplace, and I like that.
Just finished them instead of reading them right now, but “The Left Hand of Darkness” and “The Dispossessed” by Ursula K. Le Guin. I liked the world building of the first far better, but it didn’t hit at the politics I wanted to read about as much as I wanted, the second being the opposite.
I don’t know why, but I just need content wrapped in sci-fi for me to find it enjoyable, and “The Dispossessed” in particular was what I was looking for, an exploration of anarchism grounded in examples and thought experiment.
Both of them are fantastic books, and definitely worth a read for anybody interested in science fiction, sexuality & gender, and anarchism.
Those are two of the best books I read last year.
I started the Left Hand of Darkness just a few days ago. It’s been interesting so far
Project Hail Mary Andy wier returns to the roots of The Martian. Also, movie is coming next spring about it.
Dark Matter Some deep physics stuff occurs, but the story can be followed with no knowledge of super position. Also released as a mini series on some streaming channel
I reread 1984, Animal Farm and Farenheight 451 recently, for no particular reason, but they are more accurate and depressing than ever about current events.
Highly recommended. But be prepared to be angry or depressed.
I’m partway through The Have and Have-Yachts: Dispatches on the Ultra Rich by Evan Osnos. It is a collection of essays originally published in the New Yorker dissecting the culture and fads of the modern Gilded Age.
I also STRONGLY recommend the Culture series by Iain Banks. It is perhaps the most realistic and well though out sci-fi utopia.
Finishing the Imperial Radch sci-fi trilogy (Ancillary Justice/Sword/Mercy) by Ann Leckie. Despite the agender language feature (everyone is addressed as she) the books deal more with colonialism, imperialism, and personal identity, rather than gender. Writing style is very information-dense, lots of thoughts and actions happening simultaneously. Compared to other science fiction that I read, it gets much more into the cultural and interpersonal situations, especially the second book.
The Stand by Stephen King.
It’s over 1200 pages long and I have always been scared of anything above six hundred pages.
It’s so good. It’s taking me a long time, but it’s worth it. As always, Stephen King never let’s you down. I just love his writing.
It’s so epic though. Such a great book.
I’ve already finished it, but House of Leaves is amazing
I’m reading “don’t let him in” by Lisa Jewel, it’s great so far, very intriguing (I also recommend “none of this is true” by the same author)
Last week I read “the road to tender hearts” by Annie Harnett and it was very moving. It touches very hard topics with a splash of humor to make it easier to digest
I also recommend anything by TJ Klune. His books are very wholesome, sometimes I just want an easy reading where everything is solved with hugs and love
Slowly making my way through They Though They Were Free by Milton Mayer. Haunting comparisons to today.
The expanse
Such a great series. During covid lockdown for six weeks I was watching the TV series in the day and reading the novels in bed at night. I’ve never experienced media in quite the same way. They were both amazing. Amos is one of my all-time favourite characters in fiction.
I’m on book 7 and I kinda wanna finish the book series before I start the show. But yeah I agree it’s been awesome so far.
I was worried that the show could be bad I had read silo before this and when I checked out the show I didn’t like it nearly as much as the book.
Just started Exordia. It’s great for a particular kind of sci-fi fan. Reminds me of Ian McDonald a little.
The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks
The Golem & The Jinni by Helene Wecker
I just started Excession!
