Books you are reading

[Cloaca du jour 2,149]

2 minutes ago, Mike Honcho said:

After catching The Martian on tv so many times, I decided to read the book, loved it and then last month, I tore through Project Hail Mary. There was a part in the middlish that got me really worked up, I was legitimately bummed out.  Both books are just page turners too, the science(sometimes beyond me) is pretty accurate too.  Really enjoy him as a writer and agree with Posty 100%, as a recommend. 

After that I read "The Fold" by Peter Clines. Went to a recommend a book website and put in the The Martian and Project Hail Mary and that's what I got. Not bad, Part techno-mystery, part thriller. Beginning drags and it has a few extra characters that provide nothing but extra names to remember, but around the halfway point it really picks up.

Now I"m reading Storm Front, Book 1 of the Dresden Files.  

It's the first book in a series, a little exposition heavy so far, but Kindle says I'm only 30% in and I'm really starting to like it.

After this I'm thinking of checking out some Jack Reacher.[

Good plan...dresden and reachers are excellent!!

[posty 2,696]

4 minutes ago, Mike Honcho said:

After that I read "The Fold" by Peter Clines. Went to a recommend a book website and put in the The Martian and Project Hail Mary and that's what I got. Not bad, Part techno-mystery, part thriller. Beginning drags and it has a few extra characters that provide nothing but extra names to remember, but around the halfway point it really picks up.

I agree with this as well, The Fold was a page turner...  His novel "14" is pretty good as well...

I have a tendency to do this a lot as I get e-books on loan from the public library but I can't remember what the heck I have read...  Of course they say that they can't tell what I have checked out in the past...  Um, can't you do a query on my library card number?  Oh well...

[Horseman 2,452]

Finishing the Awakened trilogy by James Murray and Darren Wearmouth: Awakened, Brink and Obliteration.

I snagged the first one a an airport a few months ago.  Easy enough reads, but, probably wouldn't recommend unless you're really into the genre,.  

Still grinding on Steve Berry books with only 3 or 4 left.

[frank 2,304]

I have read a lot of science fiction books that were free on the iPhone books app. Some are the first of a series and only the first book is free, but the were fine as stand alone books. 
 

Right now I am reading Walden.

 

It. Is. Boring. 

[Cdub100 3,903]

4 hours ago, Mike Honcho said:

After catching The Martian on tv so many times, I decided to read the book, loved it and then last month, I tore through Project Hail Mary. There was a part in the middlish that got me really worked up, I was legitimately bummed out.  Both books are just page turners too, the science(sometimes beyond me) is pretty accurate too.  Really enjoy him as a writer and agree with Posty 100%, as a recommend. 

After that I read "The Fold" by Peter Clines. Went to a recommend a book website and put in the The Martian and Project Hail Mary and that's what I got. Not bad, Part techno-mystery, part thriller. Beginning drags and it has a few extra characters that provide nothing but extra names to remember, but around the halfway point it really picks up.

Now I"m reading Storm Front, Book 1 of the Dresden Files.  

It's the first book in a series, a little exposition heavy so far, but Kindle says I'm only 30% in and I'm really starting to like it.

After this I'm thinking of checking out some Jack Reacher.[

Haven't read the martian but enjoyed the movie.

Project hail Mary was fun too. I like the small couple of twists. The lady project manager was absolutely right as well. When you're given that much power the only thing to come out of it will be bad for you in the end unless you leave early enough.

I enjoy Peter Clein's books but I think they need a bit more fleshing out and an Editor to help him with that. The perfect protagonist always bother me. Always something like a middle school teacher who has a perfect memory never forgets anything and has all the right answers just bugs me a little bit

Currently slugging through shadow of the torturer. Not really enjoying it

[cyclone24 1,913]

4 hours ago, Horseman said:

Finishing the Awakened trilogy by James Murray and Darren Wearmouth: Awakened, Brink and Obliteration.

I snagged the first one a an airport a few months ago.  Easy enough reads, but, probably wouldn't recommend unless you're really into the genre,.  

Still grinding on Steve Berry books with only 3 or 4 left.

Murr!! How are those books?

 

i’ve been doing a lot of the Anthony Doerr books. All the light we cannot see, cloud cuckooland. Just a brilliant writer. 

[posty 2,696]

3 minutes ago, Cdub100 said:

Project hail Mary was fun too. I like the small couple of twists. The lady project manager was absolutely right as well. When you're given that much power the only thing to come out of it will be bad for you in the end unless you leave early enough.

Yeah Stratt was a great character...

[Mike Honcho 5,269]

2 minutes ago, Cdub100 said:

 

I enjoy Peter Clein's books but I think they need a bit more fleshing out and an Editor to help him with that. The perfect protagonist always bother me. Always something like a middle school teacher who has a perfect memory never forgets anything and has all the right answers just bugs me a little bit

That sort of bothered me too in The Fold, but I could't put my finger on it until you mentioned it, he sort of was like a walking talking deus ex machina.

[Hawkeye21 2,399]

I'm not reading but listening to the Audible book, Winds of Skilak.

[Cloaca du jour 2,149]

@mmmm...BEER

Found an excellent litrpg series...

he who fights monsters

authors name is "shirtaloon" haha.  Great developed world..great humor.  Great action!!

[TommyGavin 790]

Andy Weir’s (The Martian) latest. 
Project Hail Mary

 

fixed. Thanks Posty 

[cyclone24 1,913]

2 minutes ago, TommyGavin said:

Andy Weir’s (The Martian) latest. 
Hail Mary

Yeah that ones pretty solid. 

finishing About Grace (Anthony Doerr)

then doing 

Robert H. Edwards

D. B. Cooper and Flight 305: Reexamining the Hijacking and Disappearance

[posty 2,696]

Been reading the Nora Roberts "Chronicles of the One" trilogy...

[posty 2,696]

6 minutes ago, TommyGavin said:

Hail Mary

Project Hail Mary was a very good book...  All of his novels have been solid...

[edjr 6,580]

9 minutes ago, cyclone24 said:

Yeah that ones pretty solid. 

finishing About Grace (Anthony Doerr)

then doing 

Robert H. Edwards

D. B. Cooper and Flight 305: Reexamining the Hijacking and Disappearance

Dude has been hanging from the top of a tree for 40 years

[IGotWorms 4,058]

I just finished Endurance, the one about Shackleton’s Antarctic survival epic. It was really good, highly recommend it.

 

FWIW, I detested Project Hail Mary. Found it pithy and sophomoric. But I really don’t like sci-fi, I really shouldn’t read it at all.

[IGotWorms 4,058]

BTW what happened to @titans&bucs&bearsohmy! ? Come back buddy. Is this about the bet? It wasn’t your fault and the time off was good

[posty 2,696]

1 hour ago, IGotWorms said:

BTW what happened to @titans&bucs&bearsohmy! ? 

I wish he would come back as well...

Maybe we can make a 2-for-1 deal...  HT and U99 goes away for good and TBBOM comes back...

BLOCKBUSTER!!!

[Cloaca du jour 2,149]

1 hour ago, IGotWorms said:

BTW what happened to @titans&bucs&bearsohmy! ? Come back buddy. Is this about the bet? It wasn’t your fault and the time off was good

Asian wife kidnapped him and sold his kidneys...gaijin kidneys are a big seller.

[TommyGavin 790]

1 hour ago, IGotWorms said:

I just finished Endurance, the one about Shackleton’s Antarctic survival epic. It was really good, highly recommend it.

 

My local bar was called Shackletons based on the epic story. Irish owner had the book behind the bar and would periodically play the documentary on the big screen. Never read the book though. 

[IGotWorms 4,058]

4 minutes ago, Cloaca du jour said:

Asian wife kidnapped him and sold his kidneys...gaijin kidneys are a big seller.

I had not considered this likelihood  

[cyclone24 1,913]

1 hour ago, IGotWorms said:

I just finished Endurance, the one about Shackleton’s Antarctic survival epic. It was really good, highly recommend it.

 

FWIW, I detested Project Hail Mary. Found it pithy and sophomoric. But I really don’t like sci-fi, I really shouldn’t read it at all.

That’s a good book. It got a little stale for me as the story didn’t progress a whole lot. Like I felt like there was tons of just filler information that wasn’t that interesting. But did you see they just found that boat a few weeks ago?

[IGotWorms 4,058]

Just now, cyclone24 said:

That’s a good book. It got a little stale for me as the story didn’t progress a whole lot. Like I felt like there was tons of just filler information that wasn’t that interesting. But did you see they just found that boat a few weeks ago?

Yes that was what inspired me to read it. Awesome photos from where they found it — can’t believe it’s so preserved!

I didn’t find it stale, some parts went on a long time but that’s because they spent months and Months just waiting and hoping. I thought the book captured that well

[Cdub100 3,903]

3 hours ago, posty said:

Project Hail Mary was a very good book...  All of his novels have been solid...

I really enjoyed PHM. It had some great twists and the ending was satisfying. 

[jerryskids 6,790]

I'm currently reading The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay, one of my favorite authors.  He is the master of a spinoff of historical fiction where he uses actual places to create fictional worlds.  This is one of his earliest endeavors which I've been meaning to read for years -- based on the geography of Spain and with three religions which correlate to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.  Like all of his books it isn't a shoot-em-up adventure, more based on people and relationships, although there is plenty of action.  I personally enjoyed a few of his later books better but I highly endorse him as an author. 

[cyclone24 1,913]

1 hour ago, IGotWorms said:

Yes that was what inspired me to read it. Awesome photos from where they found it — can’t believe it’s so preserved!

I didn’t find it stale, some parts went on a long time but that’s because they spent months and Months just waiting and hoping. I thought the book captured that well

Oh yeah I didn’t dislike the book by any means but there were just parts where are they went to a lot of detail about hunting a seal or some thing that was kind of like OK I got it let’s keep going

[Cloaca du jour 2,149]

15 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

I'm currently reading The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay, one of my favorite authors.  He is the master of a spinoff of historical fiction where he uses actual places to create fictional worlds.  This is one of his earliest endeavors which I've been meaning to read for years -- based on the geography of Spain and with three religions which correlate to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.  Like all of his books it isn't a shoot-em-up adventure, more based on people and relationships, although there is plenty of action.  I personally enjoyed a few of his later books better but I highly endorse him as an author. 

Tigana was an amazing story...so much anguish...

[jerryskids 6,790]

7 minutes ago, Cloaca du jour said:

Tigana was an amazing story...so much anguish...

Tigana is often considered his best; I won't disagree, although it is one of his highest character/relationship vs. action books IIRC.   

[TommyGavin 790]

On 4/26/2022 at 2:08 PM, Cdub100 said:

I really enjoyed PHM. It had some great twists and the ending was satisfying. 

Can someone PM how it ends. I got board 1/2 way thru and too late to go back. 

[MDC 7,407]

I’m about halfway through The Hike by Drew Magaru. Very weird and sometimes funny.  

[TommyGavin 790]

Currently ready book 2 of the James Reece series (book 1 was Terminal List which was a show on Amazon Prime video). 

There was a funny line recently where he screwed up something then said to himself - this would not of happened to Mitch Rapp. (Another fictional special ops character by Vince Flynn) 

[jerryskids 6,790]

I'm about 1/3 of the way thru The Body Scout by Lincoln Michel; a darkish futuristic story which combines baseball and Sci Fi.  Pretty easy reading; I'm enjoying it.

[Cdub100 3,903]

2 hours ago, TommyGavin said:

Can someone PM how it ends. I got board 1/2 way thru and too late to go back. 

sent as best as I can remember.

[TommyGavin 790]

18 minutes ago, Cdub100 said:

sent as best as I can remember.

Thanks. I replied. 

[RLLD 4,230]

The Psychology of Totalitarianism by Mattias Desmont

Quote

The world is in the grips of mass formation—a dangerous, collective type of hypnosis—as we bear witness to loneliness, free-floating anxiety, and fear giving way to censorship, loss of privacy, and surrendered freedoms. It is all spurred by a singular, focused crisis narrative that forbids dissident views and relies on destructive groupthink.

 

Please do consider reading this one, it delves somewhat into how easy it was to manipulate people during COVID and is a pretty fascinating read into people and how they operate.

 

 

[MDC 7,407]

Recently finished 52 Pickup by Elmore Leonard. I’ve probably read 15 or more of his crime novels. Dude is just awesome: Great characters and dialogue, no wasted scenes. This was one of his earlier books and it was surprisingly sleazy.

Nearly done with The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. I can see why it’s a classic but it’s awfully dated.

Going to move on to Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer next. 

The best book I read all year was a short horror book called Come Closer by Sara Gran. Wasn’t really scary but very suspenseful - only 200 pages and I read it in a day. I also enjoyed In Cold Blood and The Postman Always Rings Twice.

The worst was Creepers by David Morelli, guy who wrote First Blood (Rambo). I’d probably give it a 4/5 on entertainment value but a 0/5 on quality. Highly entertaining crapola.

Any recommendations? I like crime novels, horror and sci fi. Love short stories too.  

[Cloaca du jour 2,149]

Im still doing the gamelit genre.  "He who fights monsters" is awesome, funny and a cool power system.  7 books so far.

Awaken Online is also excellent...5 books so far...well done characters and motivations.

[MLCKAA 573]

Utopia Avenue.  Set in the 70’s rock scene.  Well written.

[Frozenbeernuts 2,258]

1 hour ago, Cloaca du jour said:

Im still doing the gamelit genre.  "He who fights monsters" is awesome, funny and a cool power system.  7 books so far.

Awaken Online is also excellent...5 books so far...well done characters and motivations.

You should check out Defiance of the Fall by The First Defier. Character development isn't the best, but the leveling system is excellent. These are longer books with a lot of content. Also the author is a machine and releases a new book like every 3 months. I really enjoy them.

Dungeon Crawler Carl is great so far. Somewhat similar in ways to Defiance of the Fall, but the author is better at character development and humor.

[Cloaca du jour 2,149]

2 hours ago, Frozenbeernuts said:

You should check out Defiance of the Fall by The First Defier. Character development isn't the best, but the leveling system is excellent. These are longer books with a lot of content. Also the author is a machine and releases a new book like every 3 months. I really enjoy them.

Dungeon Crawler Carl is great so far. Somewhat similar in ways to Defiance of the Fall, but the author is better at character development and humor.

I have read both...Agreed about defiance...but carl didnt seem to grab me...maybe its the whole princess donut thing lol.  Im on the 3rd book in my kindle