I can keep a tally of users and total books they've read, just drop in here and say what you read and what you thought about it, should be a fun discussion I think. Oh, and I guess let me know how many systems you own or something. Maybe you'll win a prize! Probably not. Read books because it's the Chad thing to do on a website about trading videogames.
finished up Dark Deeps by by Arthur Slade. two books in and they're already bringing in some fantastical elements. still expecting it to be way over the top by the end, and looking forward to it lol
I realized I finished up Youth In Revolt by CD Payne a couple weeks ago and failed to post. Fun, enjoyable if not a little frustrating in how short-sighted the main character. It gets a little played-out but I can't help but feel like they captured the combination of capability and helplessness of early high school teenagers. Probably going to read the next 2 books to finish up the original run.
I remember seeing the movie 10 years ago when it came out. Michael Cera is a pretty spot-on cast for the weaselly, angsty teenager. I might have to give this a re-watch down the line.
also, i finished off a couple...lot of car time this weekend again: -Island of Doom by Arthur Slade - last in that series -The Forsaken Throne by Jeff Wheeler - also the last in my wife and I's driving books
Finished A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
My employee got obsessed with this series and it sounded interesting so I gave it a try and I am hooked. It's a fantasy/love story of course but has some very brutal themes, doesn't pull any punches. The dude who produced/directed the TV adaption of Outlander is supposed to make this a series and I cannot wait. Huge fan of both.
Onto book 2... (there's 5 in the series I think, but more being written.)
Youth in Bondage (Youth in Revolt #2) The main character Nick Twisp is more of a weasel piece of crap than I thought possible. Always doing what's best for himself, ignoring all common sense and inevitably digging himself into a deeper and deeper hole. Definition of a teenage dirtbag. The book is obnoxious and charming in the way any pubescent teenage angst filled drama is.
I didn't realize but apparently the author kept the series going through 11 books including moving on to his illegitimate child from a one night stand and eventual grandchild. I don't plan to ever read past the original 3-book run. I can imagine the whole thing will have run its course for me by the end of book 3.
My wife and I have been reading (mostly listening to audio books) the "Murderbot Diaries" series. We got the first one ("All Systems Red") for kindle. Then found the next 4 as audio books on Libby (an app that lets you borrow books digitally through your local library). We're about halfway through "Network Effect" (#5 which is a longer novel--the first 4 are novellas). There are 2 more novella after too, though not yet available through our library app.
It's hard sci-fi with space ships, AIs, bots, wormholes, planets, colonies, hacking, augmented humans, and lots of tactical combat. It's also funny in clever ways that make it really enjoyable. The main character (Murderbot) is a sec-unit trained for deadly combat, but also loves to watch TV shows in its head and is struggling with humans in amusing ways (hard to explain but it's well written). They've won multiple Hugo/Nebula awards. They remind me a little of Iain Banks Culture novels.
Sounds interesting. Last non-Warhammer Sci-Fi I read was Live Free or Die, interesting book that sets up a series that's loosely based on the universe of a webcomic where aliens who were to invade Earth instead become enamored with maple syrup or something benign like that, turns out it's basically Space Ambrosia... someone sets up essentially a monopoly, and we use it to buy our way into the intergalactic big leagues, the struggle of course being that we've got a lot of catching up to do, but you know us humans! Been so long since I read it I don't really remember much of it other than the general beats. They cooked up a huge curved mirror to mine asteroids to make even more money, basically a space Paperclip to Ferrari story
I think I tried reading the second book but it's a big ole time jump if I'm remembering, not the same crew or anything, so I didn't feel super attached to anything, got distracted and put it down. I'll have to try again at some point
I finished Bossypants by Tina Fey. I found her autobiography/memoir really empty and uninteresting. I have nothing against her as an actor/writer, she has just never been my cup of tea. I applaud her success in improv and through SNL. I recognize 30 Rock as a successful show, but the few episodes I've caught just don't do anything for me. Not sure why that's the case as I feel like I'm part of the target demographic. Either way, the book was pretty short and easy to get through. I came out on the other end shrugging my shoulders why I bothered with it.
Youth in Exile (Youth in Revolt #3) - C.D. Payne This wraps up the original book that was later split into 3 novels. More of the same in a good way. The main character digs himself deeper and deeper into more ridiculous situations. It's fun and endearing but has definitely played itself out. I can understand how the author and readers would continue to travel with the main character but I don't think I'll continue the series. Nick Twisp is an idiot in the best way. He makes for a great main character that you simultaneously root for and can't wait for his inevitable comeuppance. Solid read, ready to move on to the next thing.
Barabbas by Par Lagerkvist - A random short novel I found at a cheap used book event near me. It's the story of what happened to him after he was pardoned instead of Jesus. It's Swedish and popular there when it came out in the 50s. Movies were made of it in the past as well. The author won a Noble Prize for his writing and this was his most famous work. It's hard for me to say what it's about, but good and evil in a sense; also faith and lack of faith. It's not a Christian book per se (also not anti-religious), more philosophical. I can't say I liked it, but it was interesting.
My last read of 2023. Finished book 2 from Sarah J. Mass, A Court of Mist and Fury. This series is quickly becoming a fast favorite of mine. Onto book 3!
Was on my phone but I need to fully explain my love for that Sarah J Mass series.
Yeah it starts out a bit like Faeries meets Twilight and it's just alright but quickly, by the end of book 1 turns pretty savage. Very explicit but not constant sex, actual character development, clever story line that has hints WAY back. The 2nd book is just brutal and the leading lady of the story just turns dark and savage when it comes to revenge. Anyway, I'm obsessed and will probably read everything else she has as fast as I can and hope the TV series gets up soon.
I don't do bodice rippers often, but that was pretty nice. Recommended to me by my wow guild leader, I think she saw herself in the titular character, minus the vampire sex
but being a dude it's more of a distinction without a difference if you will. LK Hamilton doesn't really hold back on descriptions of graphic sex. I liked it at first, around the fourth book I got lost at some point and never picked it up again
yea those covers are so cringe/gross. Can't hold my interest without some other good plot, character development, etc. The violence is just icing on the cake with fantasy.
I remember in the early 90s finding some of those books at rummage sales and without the internet it was pretty much sex education. And none of it accurate at all obviously, lol.
Toyman: The Dumarest Saga Book 3 (of 33) by E.C. Tubb - Space-wanderer Earl Dumarest is on the planet Toy to consult the giant computer which may contain information on the whereabouts of Earth, his lost home-world. He gets caught up in some intrigue and must use his wits and skill to fight his way out. I've been reading books in this series between other stuff as a "quick read".
I finished up Make Love* * The Bruce Campbell Way. The whole thing is a fictionalized story of transitioning from a B-movie actor to landing a supporting role in a Richard Gere/ Renee Zelwegger rom-com directed by Mike Nichols. Everything goes topsy turvy in increasingly ridiculous ways. Silly and enjoyable.
A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor by Truman Capote - a short book of 3 short stories. All seemingly true stories from his childhood growing up in Alabama in the 1930s. Not bad. Capote's In Cold Blood was great.
