I finished Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman last week. It’s the first book of Dungeon Crawler Carl series.
I mentioned the week before that the litRPG doesn’t have high stakes, since you know nothing is going to happen to your character and it’s just going to get stronger and stronger, but I failed to realise that this happens when you don’t care about any side characters. Which is not to say that something happens (or doesn’t happen) to side characters, but that the side characters are well written that you care about them.
Started The Novice by Trudi Canavan. The second book in The Black Magician trilogy.
The first book was completely focused on one place and one task, this book expands the world, and different characters are doing completely different things so it’s interesting to see how things will develop. I am still in the start though, and while the book feels as quick to read as the first one, it has quite a bit of bullying in it (at least in the start, where I am), and I am not a fan of reading that, so the progress is going pretty slow. Going to stick with it though, cause it feels like the kind of book where our protagonist is going to become super powerful, with somewhat “good” ending.
What about all of you? What have you all been reading or listening to lately?
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I’m 27 chapters ahead to finish don quijote, it is the largest book that I’ve ever read.
I think that I would read a large book like that, a large classic at least once a year
Nice, and good luck! That’s a pretty neat goal.
I’ve finally read ‘The Strong State and the Free Economy’ by Werner Bonefeld. I think the information inside this book is so interesting, but I find it a bit repetitive. This essay probably could be shorter than its actual length; however, I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about ordoliberalism and neoliberalism.
I stepped away from my regular queer literary fiction and romance since a couple sci-fi books came through my holds. I think I’m back on the saddle after a summer of being unable to get deep into books.
I quickly listened to All Systems Red for book club and I’m in the middle of Project Hail Mary. I’m enjoying them both. Next on the list is Martyr!
I just started Red Rising by Pierce Brown.
I just finished Clover Blue by Eldonna Edwards.
A boy grows up in a hippie commune and along the way learns the truth about… everything.
I’m the same age as the protagonist, and I grew up in Northern California. I’m familiar with the towns, and the trees and the sky mentioned, and the time. This story could be about me in an alternate timeline.
I’d love to see it as a movie, it’s a rich and beautiful world--maybe my own memories filled in the blanks--but as we all know they’d probably ruin it. So, I’ll happily keep the movie in my head.
Having enjoyed this book, I’m reading her first book, This I Know. I’m about 1/4 of the way through and it’s good too.
I recommend both.
I usually read sci-fi or sci-fi adjacent, but I thought to try something different, I’m glad I did.
Currently reading The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman. No book has ever elicited so many "omg"s and "that’s so cool"s from me.
Also on my fourth read-through of The Two Towers since 1993. Tolkien’s world just never gets old.
Just started the first book of Greg Bear’s short stories. Have loved Greg’s books since I read Eon as a teenager.
Humble Bundle currently have a stack of Greg’s books on sale
https://www.humblebundle.com/books/greg-bear-birthday-bundle-open-road-media-books
Thanks for reminding me to complete my purchase for this bundle!
Book 4 of Dungeon Crawler Carl and loving it. Really not looking forward to being in your shoes.
Currently listening through basically everything by “Robin Hobb”. Started with the Farseer Trilogy, currently closing the Liveship Traders. It’s playing in a light fantasy realm.
The Farseer Trilogy was rather depressing, but had something dark and alluring about it. Liveship Traders is okay. Helps to pass the time, but doesn’t really capture me.
I loved the Farseer trilogy, but yeah, it was depressing. I actually liked that, though. It is hard to find stories that don’t have happy endings.
I’m about to finish Becoming by Michelle Obama.
I started When the Moon Hits Your Eye as a little breather between the Singing Hills Cycle.
Kind of hilarious to reach the part about the eclipse parties on the night of an eclipse (though I know that one was solar and this one was lunar.
The Institute by Stephen King, been a while since i read a King novel
I really enjoyed that book. It wasn’t as horror-y as his other stuff and had good character interactions.
Last Argument of Kings, last in the First Law trilogy. The first two are great, good character building and nice plot. Can’t wait to see how it ends.
Going through the hanish cycle still, on the left hand of darkness (two more left). this and the dispossessed really do stand out so far.
Oo boy, I may have bitten off more than I can chew this week. Let’s see here:
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Anthropause by Stan Cox — rationale for gearing economies for degrowth.
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The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin — needs no introduction in this place.
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Into the Blue by Emma Brodie — my partner’s request and my current audiobook
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The Art of War by Sun Tzu — a re-read of this 2500 year old field guide.
How far through Left Hand of Darkness are you? I read it a year or two back. I want to ask you about something midway (maybe 2/3?) through the book, but I don’t want to spoil anything.
I’m only 100 pp. in, about 30%. Ill try to remember to reach back out as I cross that threshold.
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I finished The Ascendents by Jazza Brooks on my commute this morning. I’ll probably make a separate post to go over my thoughts and feelings on it, but overall I’d say it’s a good 8/10, would recommend to any scifi/grim dark fans.












