this post was submitted on 17 Dec 2024
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Finished The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson. Book 2 in the Mistborn series. What I remembered of the ending, was actually 100 pages before the actual end, so was fun reading that.

Currently Reading Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore. Didn't like the start, but I am about halfway through and enjoying it now. It says it's "comedy horror", but I am just not getting the comedy part, which is probably why I didn't like the start, I think. The story itself is interesting enough though.

What about all of you? What have you been reading or listening to lately?

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[–] clockwork_octopus 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I’m currently reading the third in the Nightvale series, The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives In Your Home. It’s pretty good so far, pretty interesting! If you’re not familiar with the Welcome to Nightvale series (or podcast) it’s pretty bizarre, nothing makes any amount of sense, but it’s fun. This book is a bit removed from that (kind of), but it still fits right in.

I’m also listening to The Chemist, which is different from my normal, but it’s been interesting enough to enjoy. I knew nothing about it going in, and I appreciate the strong and interesting female lead, with her highly unusual job.

Just finished was The Clockwork Dynasty, which took a lot of liberties with all the hand-waving in order to bring the plot to life, as it were, but it was enjoyable enough to consider reading the next one

Next in the queue: Slaughterhouse Five. I’ve had this one on my list for ages, and am finally getting around to it. No idea what it’s about (and I refuse to look it up) but I’ve heard it’s really good, so am looking forward to it.

Guardians Angels & Other Monsters is the next in the Clockwork Dynasty series, fingers crossed it’s worth the read.

And lastly, Dreams Of Shreds And Tatters seems like a Monster Of The Week, but those can be fun, too.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

Interesting list of books. I need to read Slaughterhouse Five one of these days too. Haven't looked up what's it about either, but I have heard a few things about it over the years, but fortunately I have forgotten all about those.

[–] yesman 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Someone told me that I should choose a hopeful and optimistic title to help me cope with the election. I'm reading "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy instead.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

lol. Not much of a yesman.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Up to book 45 of the Deathlands books. Now news here.

I started The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz but wasn't really getting into it after 3 hours then I saw the next BuyMort audio book was out and quickly jumped to that.

So currently listening to BuyMort: Closing Time: How I Crashed the Multiversal Market: Shopocalypse Saga, Book 6. It is a good time as always so far.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Now the question is, will you reach 50 books by the end of the year! 12 days, and 5 books to go, you can do it!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Haha I appreciate your enthusiasm but no it won't. My main listening time is when I'm working but I have next week off, so whilst I'll still listen to some I won't have 6-8 hours a day of listening to achieve that 50 :D

[–] [email protected] 2 points 22 hours ago

hehe, no issue. It's still much more than what I have read this year.

[–] Mighty 5 points 1 day ago (2 children)

i've been reading Brandon Sanderson books lately. And I enjoy them so much. it started with "tress of the emerald sea" and I was instantly hooked and i'm not trying to read the cosmere novels

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

Nice! Sanderson is pretty great. He is my favourite author, and many people here love his work, so don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (2 children)

They're all wildly different, but "one of the best authors on the planet doing random experimentation in styles for his wife with unexpected free time" is a hell of a sales pitch, and I'd call 3/4 excellent.

Frugal Wizard would still be pretty damn good if it wasn't held up to the standard of his insane catalogue. If it was your personal masterpiece, you'd be a quality author. But everything in the Cosmere is just so good that it's noticeable that it's not quite as good.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

Yeah, it's pretty cool that to take a break from writing, he wrote 4 novels! 😀

[–] Mighty 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

i loved frugal wizard. i had a blast reading it, no notes. i don't even know what you mean. i found it very entertaining. better than 6th of the dusk (but i'm not a big fan of the "short stories") and Steelheart seems a bit over the top for me, but i'm not through yet.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Like I said, it's good. But all 3 other secret projects are a lot better. And Stormlight, Mistborn, Elantris, Warbreaker. He just has so many masterpiece level works to compare it to.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

I'm about 1/3 though Dark Matter by Blake Crouch after having it recommended to me a lot since it was released. I'm not a frequent reader, so just getting to it now. I'm really enjoying it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm halfway through Snømannen (the snowman) by Jo Nesbø. It's been interesting so far but kinda slow. I'm doing a personal challenge and this is the last book so I'm really hoping to finish it by the end of December.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

What is it about?

Good luck with finishing it this year!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Thank you!

(Very short description) it's a detective novel about a serial killer who builds snowmen in the yards of their victims. I don't usually read detective novels but Jo Nesbø is nice and this seemed interesting.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 22 hours ago

Ah, interesting. Would love to hear your opinion once you have finished it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Without any real intention, I rediscovered the Conan saga, of Robert E. Howard.

There are several, of very good quality, audio renditions of the works in Youtube and I intend to get the texts next.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm reading his "Kull", king of "Valusia" short-stories, finished today the third story he published alive, going to continue to the ones published after his death. I haven't read his Conan stuff, I believe these I've read so far are a sort of precursor, with Kull also being a barbarian. But will definitely read Conan and am looking forward to it... Enjoying his writing a lot!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

Not very familiar with Kull but I'll have to check those as well.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh man, those books are so much better than the movies. Such an impressive character.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

True. The rawness of the writting is, for me, unique.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I also love how he embodies a certain attitude toward life, which is not really captured in the movies. He's defined by abundant strength and ability and ambition, rather than revenge. Conan in the books loves life (in his own barbaric way).

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

In his own unique way, Conan makes no distinction between people. No one is judged as good or bad without action deserving of such and even then, in a dire moment, a known enemy is preferable over an unknown danger.

He also often criticizes civilization over traditions and laws that bar people from being truly free, when the so called civilized call him barbarian.

There is more depth in those works than many care to consider.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

I totally agree. The books are a philosophical statement.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I have been meaning to read them for quite a while, haven't been able to find a proper collection.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Most of the original texts are already on public domain, if memory serves me well.

Edit: just found the complete works in epub format, on Z-Lib.

Here is the link

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh nice, thanks for the link. I previously tried couple of public domain archives but couldn't find most of the Conan stories.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

No problem. If I can help again, just give me a word.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm currently reading Age of Assassins by RJ Barker. I'm only about a quarter of the way through and I'm really enjoying it so far! Interesting world building, an enjoyable protagonist, and a gripping plot. I'm excited to see where this story goes!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

Would love a review when you have finished the book (and series).

[–] frigidaphelion 3 points 1 day ago

I am on "Matter" by Iain M. Banks, getting towards the end of the "Culture" series. It is a phenomenal series that I heavily recommend. Next up is either the "Imperial Radch" series by Ann Leckie or I'm finally going to dive in to the Hain series by Ursula K. Le Guin, haven't decided.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Currently 2/3 through The Spite House by Johnny Compton. Nothing revolutionary (so far) as far as haunted house stories go, but it's fine. Nice to see a protagonist that's determined to get to the bottom of things, rather than just try to survive.

Also reading Chalice by Robin McKinley. I was a big fan of her early stuff growing up, but her later books weren't really my thing. This is technically in that latter category, but we'll see. It's nice and cozy so far, albeit a bit all over the place in the timeline.

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Finished The Bell in the Fog by Lev AC Rosen. Second in a series, but works just fine as a standalone. Historical LGBTQIA+-based mystery set during the Lavender Scare. Quick read, enjoyable if you don't mind bittersweet complexities.

Bingo squares: Water, Water Everywhere (hard); There Is Another...; LGBTQIA+ Lead (hard); It's About Time; Mashup; Minority Author

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

Interesting, may check out the Evander Mills series.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

So I finished Wind and Truth last Thursday. As high as my expectations were, it went way above and beyond. It had me so jazzed up I started back into Way of Kings (physical this time) right after, to see it again from the perspective of knowing the story and characters. The extra perspective on all the players highlights how well he had it planned out from the start.

Audiobook-wise; I'm up to M is for Malice in Kinsey Milhone. I'm thinking Miss Fortune is next from my list.

Secret Projects finally showed up. They're not as nice as the full leatherbounds, but they're pretty. I'll probably reply to this with pictures if I get a chance with decent lighting.

edit: goodreads sent my stats for the year lol.

They have a graphic with all the covers but the "full web page" screenshot in Safari isn't big enough. Link instead

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

I thought you weren't going to start it right away!

Just looked up and LibraryThing has released their warpup today too. My count is 38 books with 9,928 pages total.