What are you Reading Now?

Insolent Lad · Jul 8, 2019

skip.knox said: ↑

A disheartening number of books-I-loved-in-my-youth haven't stood up to a re-read. One I remember along the lines of Alas, Babylon is Earth Abides. Have you read that one? No, I haven't gone back to that one; I'm just remembering. The very best nuclear apocalypse book for me remains On the Beach by Neville Shute. One of the bleakest books I've ever read that somehow managed to make me proud to be a human.
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I did read 'Earth Abides,' almost as far back as 'Alas Babylon.' I have some memory of the plot, such as it was, in my head. And 'On the Beach,' yes. I've read a fair bit of Shute since but might revisit that one some day. There was another post-apocalyptic novel I remember from that general period too, 'A Canticle for Leibowitz.' I suspect it would also be a disappointment though I ate it up at the time.

Mythopoet · Jul 8, 2019

After Neverwhere I read Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver. It's very rare for me to read a non-fantasy book, but I do have a soft spot for "gothic" thrillers. It was certainly gripping.

I also started reading The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang because I've seen it recommended so often and it was on sale. Predictably though, I began losing interest as soon as the actual war started around 40%. At 55% I'm stalled. I just don't find war very interesting. It doesn't help that I can't really relate to or sympathize with the MC.

Now I'm rereading Dune Messiah because I was just in the mood for it. The Dune books are ones that I tend to reread every few years.

Mythopoet · Jul 12, 2019

Finished Dune Messiah. Oh man. I cried so much. I forgot how heart-wrenching that book is. Though from what I've seen it seems like I'm the only person who really, strongly sympathizes with Paul and his anxieties. Most people I've talked to about the books don't have much patience for him. Moved directly on to Children of Dune because how can I not. As much as I love Paul and I really love Paul, I might possibly love Leto II more.

EarlTheRed · Jul 16, 2019 at 2:02 PM

I'm not reading anything at the very moment, but I did just finish Gilded Cage by Vic James, which I must say, was awesome.

Avadyyrm · Jul 16, 2019 at 11:39 PM

Just finished eye of the world. Starting the Wheel of time series

Maker of Things Not Kings · Jul 17, 2019 at 11:50 AM

Mythopoet said: ↑

I also started reading The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang because I've seen it recommended so often and it was on sale. Predictably though, I began losing interest as soon as the actual war started around 40%. At 55% I'm stalled. I just don't find war very interesting. It doesn't help that I can't really relate to or sympathize with the MC.
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I had the same experience though I finished the book halfheartedly. It IS a wonderful bit of world building from the beginning, but the war? It didn't work for me either at that point.

Currently reading: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield and The Witch's Boy by Kelly Barnhill

Mythopoet · Jul 18, 2019 at 7:35 AM

Maker of Things Not Kings said: ↑

Currently reading: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
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Ok that one sounds so interesting I had to start it right away.

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What are you Reading Now?

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Maker of Things Not Kings Scribe

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