What Else Are You Reading in 2018? Showing 1,201-1,250 of 3,893

[Robert]

Today I finished Throne of Jade, the second Temeraire novel. I enjoyed it, though it wasn't quite as fast-paced as the first book. Still, I do want to continue with the series. It's interesting to read a fantasy series set in alternate-history Napoleonic Wars. My next read will be a novella that's given me the idea for an upcoming story I'll be writing soon.

[Pam]

Phrynne wrote: "Pam wrote: "Read A Scanner Darkly by Philip K Dick and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...."

This links to the book page and not your review Pam:)"

Thanks Phrynne ... corrected here and will have to correct it in the other groups where I've posted it!

[Pam]

Read Louise Cooper's The King's Demon and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

[Eric]

I finished Timeline and started some fictional short stories in "First To Fight," for which I could not find a GR's link. Michener's is still waiting in the wings, but I didn't feel like starting a tome on my return flight from a visit to my brother's in Georgia.

[Trike]

I’ve been working my way through Robert Sapolsky’s Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, which is really good but dense. It occupies that middle ground between a pop sci book and a textbook. The entire first section is essentially Neurobiology 101. I think every white person, especially police officers, needs to read the chapter on how our amygdala-based snap judgements are inherently dangerous to POC.

The second Murderbot book, Artificial Condition, showed up at the library, but at this rate I feel like I won’t get to it before the loan expires.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

CBRetriever wrote: "Finished

two Georgette Heyer books: The Nonesuch and The Toll-Gate both of which were excellent

and

Black Light by Elizabeth hand - didn't really care f..."

Robin McKinley has not yet disappointed me. Shockingly solid books.

(Sorry, just catching up!)

I am always so impressed with authors who can write a second book better than an already good first book. It can be so hard to pass the bar you yourself set...that's really cool that Towles can do that.

I am having the SLOWEST. READING MONTH. EVER.

[Trike]

Allison wrote: "I am having the SLOWEST. READING MONTH. EVER. ”

Nuh-uh, I am.

[Rob]

LOL. I bet her idea of slow and mine are VASTLY different..

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Yeah huh. I usually read at a pace of about 500 pages a week. So far in May I've finished Nimona, which took maybe two hours? And given up on a book that spent 150 pages telling me about the culture of prostitution and pharmaceutical representatives on an alien planet. Thaz it.

In hand, I still have another ~400 pages of Eye of the World, 6 hours of a very problematic audiobook and 60% of the Dispossessed which takes me a long time because I have to read each page twice.

Thinking of benching them all to read your weird sex book, Rob.

No wait. Let me rephrase.

To read Night's Master, which Rob says is full of weird sex.

[Rob]

Allison wrote: To read Night's Master, which Rob says is full of weird sex. "

Yeah. That book is short and I'm barely halfway done. My plan to at least read 1 chapter/day has gone to shit. I have until next week to finish it before I start a buddy read for another book.

I haven't read anything else this month. I probably won't. I started out the year pretty strong (for me) but I've dropped way off. I'm so glad for audio books or I'd have like maybe 25 books/year.

[Tomas]

I am having really slow reading month atm, partially because I had assignments to hand in and partially because of hockey championship I am watching. Hopefully I'll get back to it soon.

[Julia]

Lately I've finished:

The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels by Jon Meacham. This one I'm currently reading.

For Every One by Jason Reynolds Really good.

Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston. Though it was written from 1927- 1931, it was published last week. Amazing, if you like this sort of thing.

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon a sf novel I really loved.

[Trike]

It doesn’t help that the weather is gorgeous here in New Hampshire. I mean, look at this: https://www.instagram.com/p/Biu7jnWFB... That’s right by my house, yesterday, and today is the same. I took this 30 minutes ago: https://www.instagram.com/p/BixBgBMg8...

My dogs are like, “Stop walking us already!” On the plus side, I’m tearing through my podcast backlog.

[Rachel]

Wow! Trike I’m jealous 😊
Hot and humid already here in VA/DC

[Trike]

65 degrees here. I’m milkin’ it, kickin’ It on the back porch. (Which you can see on my other pics.)

[Anna]

I'm too lazy to convert to F to C, or vice versa, but it's hot here, too. I'm using it as an excuse to stay up all night* with all the windows/doors open, to cool the apartment down, and then sleep all day* tomorrow. I'm getting too tired to concentrate (it's 2 AM), but I'm going to try to squeeze in at least some more reading (and cooling).

* as late as I possibly can

[Bobby]

Trike, that sounds awesome. I'm in Texas, and it's already in the 90s every day. It's supposed to get up to 99 on Friday, so we might have our first 100 degree day a little late this year.

To stay on topic, I just got back from vacation and read a whole bunch of group reads and re-reads that I didn't get around to originally. I need to try to read them on time in the future so I can join the discussions. I'll list what I read, along with a very brief review.

The Handmaid's Tale (re-read) - Still didn't like it, but I wanted to read it again to see if my opinion changed with age. Good writing, but I hated the story.

Ninefox Gambit - It wasn't bad, but not my favorite. It was too confusing, and I just couldn't visualize all of the crazy space magic and weird weapons. I will probably get to the sequels eventually, but they aren't a priority.

Zeroboxer (not a group read) - I liked this one a lot. It was a cool concept. It took something that could have been a minor part of a story and made it the focus. It also explored some ethics questions in a sci fi world. I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day.

Among Others - Not a big fan of this one. Too much talk of old books, and not enough story. I might have to use it as a reading list though.

The Power - Didn't like it, even though I wanted to. It had a great concept, but the execution made it fall flat for me. I could rant all day, but I'll leave it at that.

Artemis - Loved it. Yes, it had some childish humor and wasn't the most well written protagonist, but apparently I'm immature, because I had a lot of fun reading it.

Dune - This was really good. I can see why it's a classic. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I was invested in the characters pretty early on, and the plot had me hooked. It was a long book, but I couldn't wait to return to reading whenever I had to stop.

The Invisible Library - I liked this one more than I expected. After reading Dune, it was a nice change of pace, and while I wasn't too sure about the concept, I ended up liking the execution. I'll definitely read the next in the series.

[Trike]

Anna wrote: "I'm too lazy to convert to F to C, or vice versa, but it's hot here, too.”

65F = 18.5C

99F = 37.5C

Bobby wrote: "Trike, that sounds awesome. I'm in Texas, and it's already in the 90s every day. It's supposed to get up to 99 on Friday, so we might have our first 100 degree day a little late this year."

It snowed not too far north of here Saturday. It was ~40F/4C here. Typical ups and downs for Spring.

I just got home, convertible top down. 68/20 in town where I work, 64/18 here at my house with the microclimate. Loverly. :)

The microclimate here, which is often less than a mile (2.2 km) from the temps everywhere else just underscores why sci-fi planets with monoclimates are generally pretty silly. I think that Hoth or Arrakis are certainly possible, because after all it seems that “Snowball Earth” happened at some point, but they are statistically over-represented in SF.

[Jacqueline]

Currently 17C here in Warren. It’s not 11am yet and it’s supposed to get to 21C. It’s Autumn here st the moment. We’re a lot warmer than most places to the east of us. When we came out here in Winter for Hubbys interview it was mid 20s. But it does get up to 45C constantly in Summer so 25 is rather chilly for the locals. We do get frosts in the morning here though.

I reckon I should probably start on my book...Leviathan Wakes :)

[Jamesboggie]

Pam wrote: "Read A Scanner Darkly by Philip K Dick and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...."

What a small world. I just read A Scanner Darkly too. I really enjoyed it.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Esther]

Tomas wrote: "I am having really slow reading month atm, partially because I had assignments to hand in and partially because of hockey championship I am watching. Hopefully I'll get back to it soon."

I feel like the last few months have been slow reading-wise but then I am 6 books ahead in my GR challenge even though I upped my target from last year.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Esther wrote: "Tomas wrote: "I am having really slow reading month atm, partially because I had assignments to hand in and partially because of hockey championship I am watching. Hopefully I'll get back to it soo..."

That's a nice little bump! I think with the return of more temperate weather in spring/fall, and for some the end of the fiscal year, it makes sense that more of us are having a hard time sticking with our reading goals.

...That said I just started a short book of lush, gruesome mythical-like stories that seem to be complementing my mood lately (what does that say about me? Don't let's think about it too hard).

(ETA: Rob, yeah, I can definitely see this book not being for you. Also, YouKneeK & MrsJ, I don't think you'd like Night's Master )

[Rob]

Allison wrote: "...That said I just started a short book of lush, gruesome mythical-like stories that seem to be complementing my mood lately (what does that say about me? Don't let's think about it too hard).."

That you have a things for Spiders? Or Dwarves?

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Rob wrote: "Allison wrote: "...That said I just started a short book of lush, gruesome mythical-like stories that seem to be complementing my mood lately (what does that say about me? Don't let's think about i..."

hahaha! I did skip that scene. I was like "okay, got the gist!" and moved on.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Currently reading Night Watch as part of my Discworld-a-thon. I'm behind, though, 'cause it was meant to be my April book, so I have to try to finish it and get to The Wee Free Men by the end of the month.

[Karen]

I've slowed down on my reading as well now that the weather has warmed up and I'm taking advantage of the dry days inbetween the rains. GWA! Coming from the desert to a temperate rainforest has required A LOT of adjusting!

Trying to finish up Snow Crash audiobook so I hope for sunny days! lol

Started Forrest Gump...the jury is still out. I've got the movie so ingrained in my head that I can't adapt to the actual story as written.

Still continuing on with The Last Colony. It's on my Kindle so I only read it when I'm traveling or stuck waiting somewhere. But I really like it. Actually, I haven't come across a bad Scalzi book.

And for a light read I'm FINALLY starting The Series of Unfortunate Events. My oldest daughter ate them up but my youngest was MEH about them. So far I'm enjoying The Bad Beginning. It's a pretty quick read so I'm hoping to get through the entire series this summer.

[Trike]

Rob wrote: "That you have a things for Spiders? Or Dwarves?"

If it were not for the thicket
A thicket's no trick, is it thick
It's the thickest
The quickest is pick it apart with a stick
Yes but even one prick, it's my thing about blood
Well it's sick
It's no sicker than your thing about dwarfs
Dwarves
Dwarfs
Dwarves are very upsetting
Not forgetting
The task's unachievable, mountains unscalable
If it's conceivable but unavailable
Ah
Agonyyy!

https://youtu.be/UAPJTik5mSo

[Don]

!! Medic !!

[Jordan]

I'm so terribly stalled in my reading right now. I'm loving everything I'm in the middle of, but it's been so nice out that I've been spending all my time on other things. Currently stuck on:

Raven Stratagem I'm really trying to finish this one so I can start on my arc of the next book. And it's so good. And yet I fell like I've been reading this forever.

Dread Nation I'm mostly just waiting to get a library copy again. I failed to finish this when I had it out the first time and now I'm waiting forever for another copy.

Artificial Condition This should have been a one sitting book for me and yet I've only made it a third of the way through. Also have the arc of the next book for this.

Before Mars This is my audiobook right now. Problem is that I've been driving around with the windows down on my commute because of the nice weather, so it's way harder to listen to this.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I feel you, Jordan! Sometimes you need a break.

Just finished Trickster's Choice which was one for my TBR challenge. I am now full up on problematic slave narratives for the...ever. I'm good not reading another word about how sometimes slaves like being enslaved. This was a chore to read.

Also, if you haven't voted in the polls, they close today! Please vote! (Also, if you're in Idaho, Nebraska, Oregon, or PA) vote the primaries!)

[Jamesboggie]

Jordan wrote: "I'm so terribly stalled in my reading right now. I'm loving everything I'm in the middle of, but it's been so nice out that I've been spending all my time on other things. Currently stuck on:

[boo..."

[book:Artificial Condition|35064104] is good, but it definitely feels like a middle book.

I plan to finish the series. I hope Rogue Protocol has more action and humor.

[HeyT]

I had finals week so my reading came to a full and complete stop but I hope to pick back up with the WoT buddy read and finish The Dragon Reborn. I was going to read Night's Master but after reading the first couple pages paired with a handful of first impressions decided to just not.

[Michele]

The Dark Half (a Stephen King I somehow don't ask me how missed years ago and never read, wtf??) and Reading Joss Whedon.

[Faith]

I finished Circe by Madeline Miller. My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Phrynne]

At last I have managed to get back to this series!
My review of The Long Utopia by Terry Pratchett

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jim]

I am just getting back to reading after almost a week off while I helped put together a major grant submission for work. Back to alternating between The Circle and 77 Shadow Street, picking up whichever I am in the mood for when I have a chance to read.

[Karen]

Phrynne wrote: "At last I have managed to get back to this series!
My review of The Long Utopia by Terry Pratchett

https://www.goodreads.com/revi..."

I liked The Long Utopia much more than the previous book. I'm definitely not going to wait too long to go onto the next book. Like you, I had to work at remembering what had happened previously.

[Michele]

Faith wrote: "I finished Circe by Madeline Miller. My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

My mom just read that and is raving about it. Soon to arrive in a box from her (we do a lot of book swapping...)

[Jacqueline]

I bought Circe when it was released. One day....one day

[Jordan]

Jamesboggie wrote: "Jordan wrote: "I'm so terribly stalled in my reading right now. I'm loving everything I'm in the middle of, but it's been so nice out that I've been spending all my time on other things. Currently ..."

So I finally finished Artificial Condition, and I really liked it. I thought it was pretty strong for a second book and I found myself laughing at it a lot. I loved the way ART and Murderbot interacted.

[Pam]

Jamesboggie wrote: "Pam wrote: "Read A Scanner Darkly by Philip K Dick and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...."

What a small world. I just read A Scanner Darkly too. I really ..."

And we both gave it 4 stars!

[Pam]

Read Joan Aiken's The Wolves of Willoughby Chase and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1389233539.

[Beth]

Finished a series with Kate Elliott's Cold Steel. Although I gave this series three stars across the board, Elliott's writing grew on me, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her stuff. (review)

This one counts for the "Buried Alive!" challenge (extra points for completing a series, yay!), but unfortunately none of the others I'm following.

[Faith]

Michele wrote: "Faith wrote: "I finished Circe by Madeline Miller. My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

My mom just read that and is raving about it. Soon ..."

I hope you like Circe. I used to swap books with my mother too.

[Pam]

Read Our Lady of the Snow by Louise Cooper and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2394394064.

[Pam]

Read Waking Nightmares by Ramsey Campbell and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2394463640.

[Michele]

Pam wrote: "Read Joan Aiken's The Wolves of Willoughby Chase and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...."

I love that one :) Have you read her The Whispering Mountain? Also excellent.

[Phrynne]

My review of The Last Necromancer by C.J. Archer

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Robert]

Yesterday evening I finished Michael Kohlhaas by Heinrich von Kliest. It's an influential German novella published around 1810. Among the works inspired by it are the novel Ragtime and the film based on it. I came across the story at TV Tropes. The plot has inspired a fantasy story I'm planning on writing, so I decided to real the novella.

It's quite the read. It's very much a story of how corruption among the nobility causes rebellion among common folk. There are also instances of mistakes made that end up complicating the story further. Yet there's also this mysterious fortune teller, who may actually be able to see the future, and how that complicates the plot towards the end, which gives a fantasy twist to an otherwise realistic work. I found the ebook in a collection of German classics at Project Gutenberg.

I've read through all the books I acquired last year. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to take another run at a classic I paused in my reading, or if I'm going to buy some new ebooks. I have writing to do, so I'll take some time to think about it...

[Julia]

I am reading The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels by Jon Meacham, because he was on many shows I listen to and watch last week and then the book store I went to last weekend was selling the book for 60% off. It's really good, even though it doesn't tick off any boxes on my SF/F challenge. I guess I could count it towards my Read Harder social science Challenge, it's history, political science and a bit of contemporary journalism saying basically we (Americans) have been in very bad places before and made it through.

Optimism is nice.