It’s been a while since we’ve done a quick check in. What are you guys and girls reading right now?
I’ve always been obsessed with sports autobiographies. Recently I’ve been reading Mike Tyson’s one, which is basically a gruelling series of terrible choices. Pretty difficult reading. I’ve also just finished Ronda Rousey’s autobiography, which made for slightly lighter reading.
Tyson’s book felt a little more complete. Seems a little silly for Ronda to be writing her autobiography so early in her career and it shows in the book. It doesn’t really have a natural end. It’s still a compelling read however — it’s co-written by her sister, who is a journalist, and it does feel a little more personal than most books of this ilk.
What are you all currently reading? I’m thinking about maybe switching to fiction for once. Any suggestions?
Comments
113 responses to “Off Topic: What Are You Reading?”
Principles of Australian Contract Law & Modern Criminal Law of Australia.
They’re more interesting than they sound.
Also, re-reading Nation by Terry Pratchett & trying to get through The Book Thief.
wish I had more time for reading.
A time of omens – Katherine Kerr
Metro 2034
Daredevil
What are the Metro novels like?
I’ve always been curious having enjoyed the games based on them.
I quite enjoyed the book mainly because I enjoyed the game. Not the say the book is bad, its pretty good in my opinion, although there are segments that drag on such as the author describing a place or a character talking on and on and on. If you thought there was some weird stuff in the game, there is even more weirder stuff in the book and I love the stuff. 🙂
Give it a shot, just don’t expect to blow through it.
Great book, as above the book has so much more cool stuff in it. It is hugely atmospheric and a great read. Not really like the games as there isn’t all that much action. A lot of mythology involved… I don’t know if you would call it mythology but I couldn’t think of a better word
Trying to finish Metro 2033 atm, while the book is good, there’s a wierd disconnect where i think the translation has lost some of the context/subtext in conversations between characters.
Did you notice that at all and is it the same in 2034?
Also re-reading Thor comics from first appearance till current, at about Mighty Thor 321 atm i think.
Also just finished ALL of Judge Dredd up until Dec 2014.
In Metro 2034 I haven’t ran into any very long dialogue of one character or the author taking his time describing an area. The whole “translation has lost some of the context/subtext in conversations between characters” didn’t bother me at all to be honest so you’ll have to ask some one else.
Taiko by Eiji Yoshikawa……again
A Feast For Crows – George R R Martin
I just finished “The Wilful Princess and the Piebald Prince” by Robin Hobb. If you’re a fan of Hobb’s works and the world she began in the Farseer trilogy then you’ll like this light novel about how the Wit was introduced to the Farseer lineage in the lead up to the original trilogy. For those that have no idea what I just said but are after a brilliant mix of medieval life and light fantasy then this is a good place to start.
I am just about to start reading The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.
I’m currently doing a re-read of the entire Lincoln Rhyme series by Jeffrey Deaver, starting with The Bone Collector and working my way through. I just finished The Kill Room and started the most current novel, The Skin Collector.
Once I’ve finished that I have the new Kathryn Dance novel, Solitude Creek.
I started The Wheel Of time again. A fair way into the first book. It’s still as easy to read as I remember. Hoping to have the series done by Christmas
There’s a WoT convention in Sydney in… September(?) I’m hoping to get the series done by then but to be honest I haven’t a chance. I’m about 300 pages into The Shadow Rising. I’d go to the convention anyway because I’m reading the series for about the 14th time in a 20-year period (I re-read the series each time a new book came out) but I haven’t read the final book yet and am scared of spoilers!
I started reading it just before Jordan died. Went solidly through it and got each Sanderson book as they came out, got half way through the last book but never finished it so I’m going through them all again. I definitely wouldn’t go to a convention without finishing it though 😀
I so have to finish this. Absolutely love this series, read up to book 11 the year Jordan died then bought each of the new books as they came out but had such a big disconnect between 11 and 12 due to the time away from the series that I started again but only got to book 7… Will have to go back and finish it now.
According to howlongtoreadthis.com I would take 170-180 hours to read the series… So that’s about 6-12 months based on my current reading rate. It’s interesting that I could have read the entire series in the time I’ve put into The Witcher 3 in the last couple of months. Priorities eh?
Magician by Raymond E Feist for about the 50th time.
It’s in my top five of all time – my cat’s name is Pug.
You can never read Magician too many times.
Yes! I was sad when Feist finished with Midkemia though. 🙁
He’s pretty active on Facebook if you’re interested in engaging with him too.
I was stoked when Divinity:OS had you play as 2 antagonists – you better believe it was Pug and Thomas that were first created 😀
Going through Hellblazer and Evangellion at the moment, and the book for an RPG I am running also
I am reading DCs (brilliant) Death of the Family comic series. It is some seriously dark business.
Joker is NEXT LEVEL crazy in this story.
Parasite by Mira Grant. Light horror. Well written. Creepy. About half-way through.
I recently finished Anathem by Neal Stephenson. I didn’t enjoy it anything like as much as his best – The Diamond Age and Snow Crash.
The Bible
The Andromeda Strain
I’ve been working my way back through Terry Brooks’ Shannara series, and I’m finally up to The Dark Legacy of Shannara trilogy which I’ve never read before. Interspersed with that, I go back to the Complete Works of H.P. Lovecraft.
I’ve been meaning to go back and read all of those. I think the last set I read was The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, so there’s been heaps more development in the meantime.
Batman: The night of the owls (The new 52) I can’t put it down! I want to go back and read the court of the owls! It’s soo good!
I’m bouncing between a few series one after the other.. Kylie Chan’s getting the majority of my reads atm, Robert Jordan (and co) wheel of time and david eddings and some e.e. Doc Smith as well
Always tempted to start reading Kylie Chan but never took the plunge.
I took the plunge when I found her first book White Tiger for $1 in a used bookstore. I tried my hardest but couldn’t get into the way it was written. The characterisation for me just didn’t feel authentic. It’s a shame because the premise of the story really appealed to me.
i highly recommend it.. the series has gotten better and better through each book and keeps me amused even though i’ve probably read all but her latest book 20+ times
Smashing my way through Wilbur Smith at the moment – just started Monsoon, the 10th in the Courtney series. They’ve been “getting samey” for a while now but goddamn are they easy to read.
I absolutely love The Courtney series. It’s one of my go-to-don’t-need-to-think reads. Sure, they’re samey, but they’re full of sex and violence and comforting like a warm blanket.
Holy hell though, the Egypt series went off the rails with The Quest. It was so pathetic I haven’t even had an inclination to pick up the new one.
I’ve read the first two – but my Dad’s always warned me off the third so I’m thinking I might just skip it.
Had the idea I’d re-read everything he’s written by I suspect I’ll need a breather before committing to the Ballantyne saga.
River God, 7th Scroll, and Warlock are fine, just don’t bother with The Quest (or Desert God, I assume, since I won’t read it).
Edit: Also just found out there’ll be a new Hal Courtney novel taking place between Birds of Prey and Monsoon. Coming out in September, “Golden Lion”
What? Really? Awesome! I’ll keep an eye out. I’m about 100 pages into Monsoon and the big gap in Hal’s life between them really needs fleshing out. Cheers!
I know! I actually remember reading Monsoon and having to go back and check Birds of Prey to see who Judith was. The whole “4 kids, 3 mothers, no exposition” thing always bothered me. Now we just need something to bridge between Blue Horizon and the rest of the Courtney novels. There’s over 100 years of gap for him to work with!
I just finished reading American Gods and it was amazing. Just started reading Wuthering Heights, not really sure what to make of it so far.
Adored ‘Nation’ beautiful story
Ugh ‘Wuthering Heights’ up there with ‘Catcher in the rye’ on my most disliked books of all time list.
This superhero book that came in LootCrate this month…
Bulk code.
Do Warmachine/Hordes modules count?
Absolutely. I remember I used to read RPG campaign and other source books back in the day. I’d basically memorised a whole lot of MERP stuff… man… that was about 25 years ago 🙁 I feel old now.
How old?
Like, at least 120 years old… (I’m 36).
Pfft, that’s not old. Get back to me when Abbotts delayed retirement plan starts affecting your health.
Wow… do people that old read Kotaku 😛
I will. I will game until I die.
*Bro fist*
Andrzej Sapkowski Sword of Destiny
+1 for The Witcher books. Finished the game, went on holidays, read all five English translated kindle books in eight days.
Now I’m reading the Azure infrastructure exam study guide.
Yeah, they’re not too bad a read. They give you a good insight into Geralt and Yens relationship, and will probably influence my next play through of The Witcher 3
Glad others are reading this too, these books are quite good.
Just started Baptism of Fire myself. I am so happy the Witcher books jive with me. Makes the brilliant games just more interesting.
Just finished The Martian, was fun but, too much science focus for my liking, felt like a missed opportunity to look into that severe kind of loneliness, but it was clearly angling in on something else entirely.
Getting into Galveston, written by True Detective writer Nic Pazzlazza something or rather. Pazzeleto? I dunno. Interesting tension in there so far, but kinda creepy the way he keeps reminding me every page how the protagonist would like to sleep with his young female companion (who is someone he just met as a fellow survivor of a rather horrific scene). If he’s trying to make me not like the guy, he’s succeeding.
I bloody loved The Martian.
Smashed through it in about 3 days last month.
My bro recommended ‘The Martian’ to me, but his recommendations are usually dubious at best…
give it a go its great. I gave it to my brother and he loved it 🙂
Armada by Ernest Cline
Is this easily available now? I tried last week and couldn’t find it anywhere!!
Just read Ready Player One, amazing book. Will try and pick up Armada this weekend.
The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan. I’m reading it for the 10th time but it never gets old. Hopefully Harriet can secure the rights before that scum over at Red Eagle Entertainment destroy RJ’s legacy. Seriously, fuck those guys.
Shit, I’ve only just found out that they made an extremely shitty pilot just to keep the rights. I don’t think anyone would be on Red Eagle’s side if they kept the rights
Just finished Surface Detail by Ian M Banks.
The series has been hit and miss imo but Surface Detail is a good one.
Really enjoyed it. Nice bit of fan service too.
The Player Of Games is still my fave Culture novel, although CP, UoW and E are all great.
I didn’t read The Hydrogen Sonata for ages – the hardback arrived soon after publication, but then it sat in the pile of shame for a few months, then Banksie’s cancer diagnosis and demise so knowing it was the last ever Culture book meant I needed to keep it for a rainy day. And it was wonderful, one of my favourites.
I’m actually just about to embark on a reread of the lot.
Disclaimer – was involved with an Iain Banks mailing list called the Culturelist for many years – still run it although it’s a few emails a month down from several hundred a day in its heyday. This newfangled social media wrecked mailing lists… 🙂
Wasn’t a huge fan of Player of Games. It was good, but not super good to me.
Excession is probably my favorite, followed by SD and CP.
Never made it to the end of Matter, just couldn’t get into it.
I read the internet and little else these days.
Just finished Catch 22. It was so good that I haven’t been able to pick up anything else for a fair while, and I still think about it almost every day. Somewhat difficult read (it’s pretty dense, with a very unusual structure and a brutality about it that is quite affecting) but absolutely worth it.
Brilliant book. I think everyone should read this at least once – I can’t imagine a time (future or otherwise) where the underlying themes aren’t relevant.
Aloha from hell by Richard Kadrey. Kindof like if Harry Dresden was more angsty and angrier.
Beast house collection by Richard Laymon. I read The Cellar years ago and though it was pretty decent pulpy horror.
I just finished the Diamond age and needed something to clear the palate so to speak.
I finally got around to starting Stephen King’s “It” (after years of telling myself I should read it). I’m almost half way, and I have to say I’m really enjoying it. His style is infectiously engaging. I have trouble putting the damn thing down!
First King book? If yes, read The Shining, The Stand, and the Dark Tower series.
They’re the “musts” on the list in my opinion.
I’ve read The Running Man, but no others.
The Shining is my favorite book of all time – they all have their moments, but Shining has like fifteen.
I’d add The Dead Zone to that list if you’re digging the Steven King. Also Different Seasons is a book of four novellas, which is also excellent. Also three of the novellas have been made into quite good films you may have heard of…
The Shining, The Stand, Carrie, Salem’s Lot, Christine, Cujo. All the early stuff’s great.
About to finish WAR by Sebastian Junger (which if you enjoyed Generation Kill is really worth a read), then gonna plow through Ernest Cline’s ARMADA because READY PLAYER ONE was so damn good.
Just finished a fire upon the deep, now reading a deepness in the sky both by Vernor Vinge. Loving the hell out them
So so good.
Necronomicon by H.P Lovecraft. Been meaning to read this for a while.
The Martian
Have to force myself to stop reading at night before it gets absurdly late. Absolutely gripping story. Also, fantastically well written with well realised characters. Loving it.
Bloodborne Item descriptions.
I like your style!
It’s the only way to get the best from the lore.
Oh, I just started the first book this week. I’m just under 300 pages in. I have read a lot of fantasy these last two years but put off starting this series until I felt I was ready. I have no idea what to expect, but I’m enjoying it all so far! It seems like it’s going to become very epic. The start kind of feels like LoTR as well I think.
The first book of what? The first book of WHAT?! For the love of God won’t you PLEASE TELL ME!?!
😛
Blood of the Cosmos / Kevin J Anderson
Storm of Steel by Ernst Junger & Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The last continent – Terry Pratchett, just can’t get into it for some reason and The Heroes – Joe Abercrombie, so good.
I used to cack myself laughing when I read Terry Pratchett novels back in the day, but over time I became less and less affected by the humour. I still think they are great, and funny, but for some reason they don’t provoke the belly laughs any more 🙁
I found that once I read the books focused around the Watch, which have really engaging characters and a strong story with a mystery to solve, I appreciated his humour as more of a garnish than a main course. So unfortunately the books featuring Rincewind and the wizards have aged far less well than some of the others. It’s a shame because Interesting Times was my introduction to Discworld but I’ll set it aside happily in favour of Night Watch or The Fifth Elephant.
I should read the Witch-oriented books at some point. I remember I tried Maskerade as a teen and was bored by it.
I liked the Witch books but I much prefer the Watch books. Grimes is just the best character ever. I also like Lord Vetinari and how he just seems to be omniscient and can predict everything that happens.
The Skull Throne, Peter V Brett. A good mix of mysticism, magic, demonic invasion and political intrigue, though after a couple of years away from the series, I find myself in need of a Krasian glossary.
I’m currently reading “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” by Richard Flanagan. It’s slow moving, but beautifully written. And I’m kinda mad at my high school history teachers for focusing so much on Gallipoli and not teaching us about the Australian POWs in WWII and their involvement in the Burma Railway.
I’m reading this at the moment also. It’s beautiful but I know it’s gonna devastate me soon.
I agree about the focus on Gallipoli. This might sound a bit glib – but I think WWII history is much more interesting.
Been reading the Odd Thomas novels. Took a break and went though all the Game of Thrones ones, then The Great Zoo of China, not back on Odd Thomas again. Right at the end of the second last book. I haven’t read the graphic novels but I might dive in after I’ve finished the series and see if I like them.
I’m currently reading Lee Kuan Yew’s autobiography since he passed away earlier this year. I thoroughly recommend it.
Before that I was reading the Conn Iggulden’s historical fiction about Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan. Really good series!
Divergent trilogy. About half way through Insurgent. Not too bad so far. Might even watch the movies when I’m done.
Dust by Hugh Howey, final in the “Wool” trilogy, been a great ride and an amazing world to be engaged with. Highly recommend if you’re into post apocalyptic tales (or the Fallout games)
Re-reading all the magician series as I’ve not read the last book as yet. So going through all the rest so I can have the complete experience, start to finish 🙂
The Arcade Experience: A Look At Modern Arcades and Why They Still Matter by Adam Pratt of arcadeheroes.com. It’s badly laid out and riddled with poor grammar, but contains some good info on the arcade scene.
Just finished The Red Knight, last night, and am about to start on The Fell Sword this afternoon (both by Miles Cameron).
Excellent book (Fell Sword is the second book… I think the 3rd comes out in October).
Knights, chivalry, monsters, magic… good stuff.
https://www.qbd.com.au/product/9780575113305/traitor-son-cycle-01-the-red-knight/miles-cameron/
I recently started catching the train to work again, so resumed reading the Horus Heresey W40k novels, I’m just at the end of “Age of Darkness” and I’ve picked up “The Outcast Dead”, “Deliverance Lost” and “Know No Fear” from BookDepository recently.
Just finished ‘The Jungle is Neutral’ (F. Spencer Chapman) which was very good if not a bit dry, so I’ve moved on to lighter affair: currently reading ‘Woken Furies” by Richard Morgan. I don’t know how so long went by before I’d heard of his stuff. He does some very good action sci-fi if you want something not too deep and meaningful.
Re-reading Cryptonomicon., keep meaning to pick up new books but I go to Dymock’s and just don’t see anything than bog-standard cut and paste generic sci-fi and fantasy with characters I’ll never be able to engage with.
Did you read the Baroque Cycle?
I loved Cryptonomicon.
I’ve read Quicksilver, but I really struggled to get into it until half way through. Been steeling myself to do a second read because I feel like it will finally click with me now, then I can move onto The Confusion and System of the World.
Hard work, but amazing. Kind of like a really rich cake. Every bite is good but you can’t eat too much in a sitting… 🙂
i don’t really read but i do listen to audio books which is kinda the same, anyhow, reflex by stephen gould
I just started ‘Deathlands’ with ‘Pilgrimage to hell’. Its basically Fallout, and there are over 100 books in the series. I started reading it because I can’t wait for November. So far its delivering on all its promises: mutants, intrigue, explosions, weapons described in reverent detail. There is a fold out Illustration in the centre of the ever so manly protagonist with his 70’s hair, eyepatch and cleft chin next to the capable beauty with waist length magenta locks. What else do you need?
Just finished “Isolator”, a light novel by the author of Sword Art Online. Mostly finished reading “Dataclysm” which is basically about what Big Data is teaching us about people’s real attitudes (the author does the data analysis for okCupid). Otherwise, a wide set of manga and SF/fantasy novels – for example recently finished re-reading Barbara Hambly’s Sunwolf and Starhawk books.
Currently half way through the second Star Wars: Hand of Thrawn book. Seriously this guy gets SW better the Lucas ever did.
Holding the man by Timothy Conigrave. Best book I have ever ever read.. True storey based in Melbourne. So so sad yet so uplifting too.
Currently re-reading the Shannara series in Brooks recommended reading order so about 12 books in but have jumped all over the timeline so far.
Also just got Deathstroke #1 (New 52!)
And I’m having a little break from Star Wars but have been working my way through them in chronological order and I will be up to the Darth Maul books when I go back to it.
Bane arc has been my favourite there so far.