What are you reading at the moment?

[Andrew_C]

I’ve also read this book multiple times. It’s just such a good re-read!

 

Good good good

(IYKYK)

[Syman_a]

the Head gave me James O'Brien's "how they broke Britain" as an end of year gift.

 

Not normally into politics, but it is proving to be an interesting read.

[MartinT]

the Head gave me James O'Brien's "how they broke Britain" as an end of year gift.

 

His How to be Right is a really good read, more about the art of debating with facts than politics per se.

[Syman_a]

His How to be Right is a really good read, more about the art of debating with facts than politics per se.

may look it up. depends how i get on with the current one.

[simpsonj]

Andy Weir’s novels so far have ranged from ‘Very Good’ (Artemis) to ‘Excellent’ (The Martian and Project Hail Mary’). The film adaptation of The Martian was good as well, I’m looking forward to the PHM one.

 

At the moment, I’m reading Nation by Sir Terry Pratchett. I need to get hold more of some of his non-Discworld stuff. I liked Dark Side of the Sun and Strata. Didn’t like Dodger so much but I’m enjoying Nation. I don’t know if it’s his best book ever, like he claimed, but it’s good.

 

Highly recommend Good Omens (co-written with Neil Gaiman), though the TV series does a pretty good job of adapting it!

[Norphy]

Yeah, I've read Good Omens and the Long Earth series. I think the only stuff left is The Carpet People, the Johnny Maxwell series and the Bromeliad series, as well as his short stories and the non-fiction compilation.

[Dos_Box]

Yeah, I've read Good Omens and the Long Earth series. I think the only stuff left is The Carpet People, the Johnny Maxwell series and the Bromeliad series, as well as his short stories and the non-fiction compilation.

 

The Johnny Maxwell books are great and Pratchett really did have a good view of youth in the same way that John Huges did.

I'm currently almost at the end of David Mitchell's Unruly, a book on the kings and queens of England. It helps if you read it in his voice too!

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/oct/12/unruly-by-david-mitchell-review-monarchs-behaving-badly

[GrumbleDook]

I've recently finished Emma by Jane Austen, as it was the last one I hadn't read. I suggested it for our book club at work ... and some of it has been heavy going, but other bits have been really good.

I also recently re-read the Spike Milligan memoirs.

I've also been rattling through a fair chunk of YA on Kindle Unlimited. It is comfort reading more than anything spectacular ... but still good fun.

[Andrew_C]

Yeah, I've read Good Omens and the Long Earth series. I think the only stuff left is The Carpet People, the Johnny Maxwell series and the Bromeliad series, as well as his short stories and the non-fiction compilation.

I quite liked Long Earth, but the rest went on and on... A better idea than book imho.

[pete]

Currently on Book 03 (Memories of Ice) of Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series.

 

If you liked Glen Cook's the Black Company series, you'll probably like these.

[azc]

I've done a lot of reading these last few months after taking out a Kindle Unlimited subscription, so here's a quick rundown of what I've read and enjoyed recently:

 

* Bobiverse (4 book series)

* Dungeon Crawler Carl (7 book series)

* He Who Fights with Monsters (11 book series)

* Unorthodox Farming (2 book series)

 

Most of these are LitRPG books. Here's a quick GPT description of what that means:

 

LitRPG, or “Literary Role-Playing Game,” is a genre that blends traditional storytelling with RPG mechanics. Characters often find themselves in game-like worlds where they level up, gain skills, and complete quests. The narrative includes detailed game mechanics, such as experience points and skill trees, and often explores advanced VR and AI environments. This genre appeals to those who enjoy both literature and gaming, offering a structured, immersive experience.

Edited October 15, 2024 by azc

[Andrew_C]

Re-reading (again) Spike Miligner's* war memoirs. Done "Hitler, My Part in His Downfall", and "Rommel? Gunner Who?" Which takes you from spotty oik playing a trumpet, up to the capturer of Tunis.

 

 

*The well known typing error. If you know; you know.

[the_quick]

Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future Of Blizzard Entertainment

 

Really interesting read !

[simpsonj]

Right now, I'm deep into Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. Honestly, it's mind-blowing! It’s not the kind of book I usually pick up, but it’s been one of those reads that shifts how you see the world.

 

Very slowly making my way through Sapiens myself. Trouble is, after every chapter I found I had to put the book down to think about what I've just read!

 

My much easier read is dipping back into Dragonlance, a childhood favourite, and reading Dragons of Deceit. You can really see the evolution of Weis and Hickman's writing style since Dragons of Autumn Twilight, as this is a much slower, more detailed look at the world of Krynn. Unfortunately, I'm really struggling to have empathy for the main character, which in turn is causing the book to drag. However, I'm reliable informed it picks up in the final part, setting up for a better sequel!

[southhamster]

I'm currently reading Material World by Ed Conway. He takes 6 common materials, sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and lithium and writes very eloquently about their origin, history and uses, some of which may surprise you! Would be a nice christmas present for someone who is just curious about "stuff"

[tom_newton]

@Andrew_C @GrumbleDook - how do Spike Milligan's war diaries stand up to the social mores of 2025 - I havent read them in probably 20 years, but was just saying at Smoothwall Book Club (yeah) that they're some of the funniest books I have ever read

[Andrew_C]

Not all that well... "Discriminatory language" and "depictions of actual trauma" might cover it. And lots of sax*.

 

 

* Pun fully intended.

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Picked up book four of the Wheel of Time again as season 3 of the TV show comes out in march and I need to be all over the books so I can play spot the easter eggs and make YT vids about them!

[Millgate_Jimbo]

finally got around to reading ready player one after loving the film for years, must admit im tearing through it, so much more enjoyable than the film.

 

Anyone know if it's worth reading the second one?

[Norphy]

I’ve been reading the Tiffany Aching books again, for no other reason than because I want to. I was again of ill last week and I tend to get fever dreams when I’m ill, for the first day or two.

 

Yeah, I had Feegles in my dreams for a night or two.

[MartinT]

I'm on Shift now, the 2nd book in the Silo series. Hugh Howey has a way with description that puts shivers up your spine. Great storytelling.

[Andrew_C]

Yeah, I had Feegles in my dreams for a night or two.

 

Ach Crivens!!

[HarryMonkey]

I started re-reading Terry Brooks' Shannara series. As there are over 40 in the list, it might just take me a while!

[pooley]

I started re-reading Terry Brooks' Shannara series. As there are over 40 in the list, it might just take me a while!

 

That's a good shout, I haven't read them in years.

[stevewill6]

The hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy

 

One of my favorite films so thought i better read the book. Every time i read a passage of Ramius talking i imagine Sean Connery dodgy Russian accent