Nothing at my end. Life has been kinda busy lately.
What about all of you? What have you been reading or listening to lately?
For details on the c/Books Bingo, check the Midpoint check-in post.
I just picked up Sara Ahmed’s Living a Feminist Life. It’s been on my tbr quite some time now, and while I’m not big on non-fiction I appreciate the philosophical tone.
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annihilation_(VanderMeer_novel)
I’m almost done with it and then I understand it’s part of a trilogy so I’ll go hunt down the next book. Its spooky in an X Files way and I’m digging it.
This book made me feel so much dread that I couldn’t even finish it.
Absolutely loved Annihilation. I expected Roadside Picnic, but got Lovecraftian incomprehensible horrors, government conspiracies, and main character coming to terms with themselves and events in their life.
Authority is a bit different, but the feeling of dread and being lost is still present throughout the book.
I found Authority jarringly different. It’s good in its own way, but… yeah.
An overall solid series. I read Absolution last year and am about to start his Ambergris series as soon as my library hold comes in.
Just finished listening to A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin, as read by Harlen Ellison (the author). He did a god job with it.
Also nearly finished the Autumn Republic, the final book of the Powder Magic trilogy.
Finished A Wizard of Earthsea 2 weeks ago, finished Tombs of Atuan last week, now reading The Farthest Shore.
Slow Gods, by Claire North. Quite decent so far, shades of the Culture novels but more political. Borrowed a bit from Adrian Tchaikovsky’s “Final Architecture” series in terms of how hyperspace works, but I guess he put his seal of approval on it since he’s endorsing it on the cover
A book which resembles my favorite series ever, and which is endorsed by one of my other favorite authors? That’s a hell of an endorsement. Final Architecture was a DNF for me, but I’ve enjoyed basically all of Adrian Tchaikovsky’s other books.
I love me some Tchaikovsky.
Saaaame. Can’t wait to read both his 2026 releases so far, book 4 of the Tyrant Philosophers series, and book 4 of the Children of Time series. I have so many other authors that I wish published as voluminously as he
I couldn’t get through the third Children of Time book, but would really like to see what happens to the freed demoness in Tyrant Philosophers .
Here’s a suggestion.
‘Over The Wine Dark Sea’ by Harry Turtledove. Greek traders circa 300 BC.
Ooooof, that 3rd Children of Time book actually was a bit flimsy. Added to the lore & mythos of the universe; and that’s about it.
I loved those first three Tyrant Philosophers books. Felt like he was channelling China Meiville’s Bas Lag novels; but doing a superior job of it.
I’ll check that out, I haven’t had much exposure to Turtledove
A short story anthology edited by Asimov called “Ghosts”. It’s the tenth rendition iirc and each of the Fantasy and Science Fiction anthos has its own theme. Just a random antho in my collection, I don’t have any others of this theme style though
Next is Star Wars XWing book 9, and I need to bug my brother to swap more books for the next batch of Star Wars. Jedi Academy Trilogy is next.
We Few by Nick Brokhausen, which is a first person account of his time in MACV-SOG.
Re-reading the Sandman comic series for the first time in about twenty years.
I did that when the library got the new editions.
Really holds up well, imho.
If you like Gaiman, look up Tanith Lee. He stole a lot of his tropes and style from her.
I’d start with ‘Night’s Master’
Thanks for the recommendation, will add it to the list!
Listening to Speedrunning the Multiverse by adastra339. amoral overpowered MC who only cares about getting stronger.
I am enjoying it.
I’ve got three going.
Canadian Pie, a mix of Canadiana, satire, and travelogue by Will Ferguson.
Dust of Dreams by Steven Erikson, because I don’t find the world dark and depressing enough. It’s my first reread of the Malazan books and I remember very little as I read it when it was first published.
Brothers in Arms by Lois Bujold-Mcmaster. I just love the Vorkosigan Saga.
I’m on the second Ian Cormac novel, “Line of Polity,” about which I learned from this community!
Currently in 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. The story is reasonably interesting, but what keeps me coming back is the beautiful use of metaphor.
“Once you pass a certain age, life becomes nothing more than a process of continual loss. Things that are important to your life begin to slip out of your grasp, one after another, like a comb losing teeth.”
Almost done with The Rise of Endymion by Dan Simmons. My first time through the full Cantos. I’ve heard the series is peak in book 1 and 4 with a lull in 2/3. I found 2 and 3 much worse than Hyperion, so here’s hoping he can land the ship in the final book
I think next I’ll pick up The Antidote by Karen Russell - a magic realism book set in the 1930s Dust Bowl era
Working my way through the Lost Fleet series. It’s mediocre, but in an entertaining way.
I read The Two Hotel Francforts by David Leavitt, which was so-so. I wouldn’t recommend it since I wouldn’t know why.
Now I’m reading Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. I’ve only just started, but I really like it so far. It’s my first read of Baldwin and I’m really impressed by his writing.
Still on Summer by Edith Wharton and All Quiet on the Western Front.
I am nearly finished with Summer and I am a bit stressed for Charity.
Trying for something lighter next, Love Among the Chickens by P.G. Wodehouse.
