this post was submitted on 24 Mar 2024
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Anybody know some good books? Have been pretty disappointed for the longest time
I know hundreds but I don't know your tastes.
Honestly, I'm into anything if it's good. I just like really good art, but more towards fiction than non-fiction.
If you like sci-fi, I recommend The Expanse books and novellas.
The audiobooks narrated by Jefferson Mays are also good, as is the TV series, though they tried to cram too much into the last season, IMO, without actually finishing the story. The ending in the books is tons better.
If you're into fantasy, look into The Wheel of Time series. It's dense, absolutely packed with characters, and the world has a ton of detail. It's also 14 (rather large) books long, 15 if you count the prequel, so if you like it it'll keep you busy for a good long while.
If you've seen the Amazon series based on the books and were turned off by it, maybe give the books a try instead. The Amazon series doesn't do it justice, in my opinion.
If you like sci-fi, I recommend Project Hail Mary. It was written by the author of the book that became the movie “The Martian” (also supposedly a real great book, and on my list). Same guy wrote the short story “The Egg” that’s a pretty good and quick philo-fi.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers. It's quite uplifting.
Everything by Becky Chambers is pretty uplifting. She's probably my favorite author right now.
@TheKingBee @toaster Completely agree. Am working my way through all her stuff and I’m loving it .
A friend literally just gifted me a copy of this because I've been feeling so burnt out by capitalism, and let me tell you, I devoured that book. It spoke to my weary soul. And made me want to quit my job (I already was wanting to quit my job)
The Both Die in the End
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt! Really, all her books but this one especially.
And anything by David Mitchell, though my favorite is 1000 Autumns of Jacob de Zoet.
If you read these I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Got any preferred genres?
Mainly Fiction
Charles Stross has many great books. With different styles. I really like 'The Laundry Files', but the first has too much technobuble and 'The Merchant Princes' which is one of the best book series I've found in the last few years.
That's half of "Science Fiction" so I'll start with that.
You looking for a series or something standalone?
Either or! A series might give me a lot more material.
Read the Vorkosigan Saga. Lois McMaster Bujold. The audiobooks are also outstanding. Long series with fantastic characters, each one distinct. It's a big space opera. Totally worth it.
Ooh, I'm piggybacking on this. Been looking for a good sci-fi audiobook. Thanks.
Her Five Gods fantasy series is also exquisite.
Added to my list. Thanks again.
I'd love to hear what you thank. FYI, they're all free on either Hoopla or Libby.
First thing I did was look for it on Libby. Found the ebook but not the audiobook. I'll look again tomorrow though.
“What the Hell Did I Just Read” is as advertised
A double feature of Moby Dick - Herman Melville and In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex - Nathaniel Philbrick.
That should keep you busy for awhile.
Definitely has the vibe of the original Princess Bride. I might have to look around for an abridged version.
Busy maybe, but will the be entertained.
I read Moby Dick once and it was not enjoyable in the least. It is boring as fuck. Maybe it's imitating through prose the long monotonous stretches between whale sightings, but that's not an engaging read.