Reading Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. It, and couple of others, were recommended here recently, and is somewhat of a new genre for me, memoir / biography in graphic novel format, graphic memoir?
Got the omnibus edition, “The Complete Persepolis”, it’s a pretty interesting read. It’s about young girl in Iran during the Islamic Revolution of 1979, at least the first volume, after that it’s about her life after that.
What about all of you? What have you been reading or listening to lately?
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I finished Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wistwell and really enjoyed it. It was very cozy and won a Hugo go so I’ve got some options for where to put it for Bingo, now I’m moving to a House of Frank by Kay Synclaire I think (alternatively The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill, both have orange aspects of the cover).
Finished “this inevitable ruin” by Matt Dinniman. Didn’t have a lot of time to read recently, but finished the last third of it on Monday. I liked it a lot, I was kind of bummed out on this series earlier this year after finishing “The Butcher’s Masquerade”, which felt to long and dragging.
Just started reading “Salvager: A Military Science Fiction Adventure” by Scott Moon. I’m three chapters in, and it’s okay so far, but a bit early to have a feel for it yet.
I just received Rising Up and Rising Down: Some Thoughts on Violence, Freedom and Urgent Means by William T. Vollmann in the mail this morning. It’s the abridged version of his seven volume series. I’ve been wanting to read Vollmann for a few months. With the world in the state that it’s in it seemed like a good choice to start with. I’m looking forward to reading it.
It’s Banned Books Week, so I downloaded a pdf of The Turner Diaries. I’m told this book is considered inspirational by those who think having a race war would be fun and glorious. It might also be of interest to non-racists with morbid curiosity about White Nationalist ideology. Otherwise, I do not recommend it for its literary value. I read this so you don’t have to.
Thanks for the sacrifice!
Just gave up on the latest Dan Brown novel. Really bad. Starting to wonder if it was written by a ghostwriter or AI. Life is too short and there are too many other good books to waste time finishing a bad one.
that sounds right, Dan Brown is a bit of a hack, or at least that’s what I’ve heard - he’s commercially successful, though!
EDIT: I’ve seen Umberto Eco recommended as a Dan Brown alternative, I reallt enjoyed Name of the Rose but I think Foucault’s Pendulum is usually recommended for Dan Brown fans who want something better.
I’ve been reading Circe by Madeline Miller. I had it on a to-read list for a long time and finally started it. I’ve really been enjoying it so far.
I listened to the audiobook of this a few months ago. I really enjoyed the story
I’m about a quarter of the way through To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus seems like such a decent person in comparison to some of the other characters. The way in which the book is told through the eyes of a kid is expertly done - you really get a sense of their childhood innocence as they come to understand the ways of the world. I’m looking forward to reading on.
We named our youngest Atticus after that character. Then the other book came out.
I’m currently reading ‘The wind in the willows’ which I should finish later today.
Next on my list is ‘The road’ by Jack London, an autobiography of the author’s life as a homeless person in the early part of the 20th century.
Currently almost done with the Skyward series by Brandon Sanderson. Totally sci-fi fantasy fluff books, but they’re fun. Reminds me a bit of Andy Weir.
Yeah, it’s a pretty fun series. I have got his The Reckoners series, another YA, non-Cosmere series, will start it soon-ish.
I finished up Martha Wells - Star Wars “Razors Edge” and have moved on to Isaac Asimovs “The End of Eternity” it’s my last scifi book of his that’s related to his broader Foundations universe.
Although the three stand alone scifi novels were eventually alluded to in the Foundation universe. It’s not really related though. Just a passing reference to a bygone time.
I’m reading The Worm and His Kings by Hailey Piper, and then (hopefully) starting All of Us Murderers by K.J. Charles, which came out today.
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Finished Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher (fantasy with mild horror elements) | bingo: folklore, new, steppin’ up HM
This was billed as a retelling of Snow White, but while it certainly uses elements from that story, it’s mostly its own thing. If you like T. Kingfisher’s other fantasy/fairy tale stuff, you’ll probably like this, too.
And if someone hasn’t read any T. Kingfisher book, which one would you recommend they start with?
I’ve only read a few of her books, so that’s probably a better question for @JaymesRS@literature.cafe, honestly. I started with Nettle & Bone, though, which is probably as good a place as any. One note: her MCs seem to generally all have a very similar “plucky heroine” kind of voice, which may affect how well her horror novels work for you, if you’re thinking of starting there (I’m not a fan, but I do still have What Moves the Dead on my TBR pile).
I did specifically like the MC for Nettle and Bone because while she was plucky heroine, she was also like … pragmatic middle aged woman which I like and don’t feel is quite so common.
True! Agreed. Hemlock & Silver’s MC is also pragmatic and middle-aged, btw, which is nice.
I’d start with the World of the White Rat. There are a couple connected books that all exist in the larger world but while they are internally referential occasionally, they aren’t all sequels. My first was Paladin’s Grace, and I find that to be a great start. I don’t know if I’d call it romantasy, but it is definitely a fantasy with a romance sub plot that is important to the whole story. The big picture for that particular series is: “What do you do if you’re Paladin for a god that dies and how do you cope?”
If you want to try something that’s a one off, Nettle & Bone is good.
If you want a short story, A Wizards Guide to Defensive Baking
I can recommend “Matrix” by Lauren Groff.
It’s the year 1158 and an 18 year old bastard daughter has been named abbess of a small convent. Elizabeth needed to get the girl out of the court, and the convent seems like a good place to hide her.
Just a well written glimpse into life in those days.
I’m listening to A Night in the Lonesome October. And I just added a Star Trek book to my DNF list. Not a terribly bad story, just not the one I thought it was.
Which Star Trek book was that?
The one I started was Star Trek Movie Tie In by Alan Dean Foster. The one I wanted was the Motion Picture novel by Roddenberry.
Just finished System Collapse by Martha Wells (book seven in the Murderbot series). I liked all the books in this series, and they are an easy recommend!
Currently reading How to be Perfect by Michael Schur and Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann.
How to be Perfect is a good intro to ethics written by the creator of The Good Place. If you’re interested in learning about ethics and don’t know where to start I’d recommend it.
I’m only a couple chapters into Three Bags Full, so I don’t have much to say yet. The premise is a flock of sheep solving the murder of their herder. It’s enjoyable so far.
Heh, nice name.
Three Bags Full sounds interesting, would love to hear your opinion after you have finished it.
I’ll second How to be Perfect. A really good introduction to ethical philosophy, and if you get the Audiobook there are a lot of fun cameos.
How to be Perfect is great.
I just finished reading “Final Lap” by Jessica Alter. Really fun upbeat hope punk sort of book. I liked it quite a lot.
