Wolfpac 08 said:

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Finished Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Read her other two books (Sharp Objects and Dark Places) earlier this year. This one was fantastic. Unfortunately, I've seen the movie…so I was an aware of the big twist midway through. I can't imagine how much I would have enjoyed reading this one cold.

Books read in 2025:

January
Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut (re-read)
A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle (re-read)
The Silent Patient - Alex Michaelides
Project Hail Mary - Andy Wier
Pines - Blake Crouch
Wayward - Blake Crouch

February
The Last Town - Blake Crouch

March
Dark Places - Gillian Flynn
Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn

April
Red Rising - Pierce Brown
Golden Son - Pierce Brown

May
Morning Star - Pierce Brown
Echos of Reckoning - Ron Shaw

June
Dune - Frank Herbert
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon
Still Alice - Lisa Genova
Dark Matter - Blake Crouch
Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton

July
The Lost World - Michael Crichton
Sphere - Michael Crichton
The Andromeda Strain - Michael Crichton
Pet Sematary - Stephen King
The Martian - Andy Wier

August
Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn

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You might try The Tenant by Freida McFadden

Just added it to my list. Thx.

Kaiser von Wilhelm said:

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Eliminatus said:

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Finally did it. Finally read The Stand.

It's definitely the best of King I have read so far. Just reaffirms that Cocaine King was Best King IMO.

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Sorry, spoilers ahead. Don't read if you don't want to have the story ruined for you! You've been warned!






Im about 1/3 of the way through, and good god that man can't help but be longwinded. Seriously, 3+ pages to discuss looking for a bike, finding the bike, fixing up the bike, walking the bike out of the garage, down the street, going to a store, getting a basket and horn, and finally...installing the basket and horn. I suppose that adds to the story somehow. Maybe the significance will come up later in the book...

I assume that the regular original version didnt include all the garbage that doesnt add anything to the story, but the extended version is filled with irrelevant crap that doesnt move the story along, but instead regularly slows it down to a sudden stop. I like to read before bed, and many nights ill literally read for 30-45 minutes and nothing of significance at all happened.

It's funny, I read Salem's lot right before this, and it didnt suffer from this at all. It flowed well and I blew through it in no time at all. I never felt like any of it didnt move the story forward, or frustrated and bored because entire nights of reading added nothing to the story. Almost feels like a completely different person wrote each of them.

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Well I finally finished this monstrosity last night. Only took like 3 months. Ive never had so much difficulty getting through a book, and it has nothing to do with the length. Just felt like every time something interesting started happening, King had to start going down tangents for 10-20 pages to introduce something and flesh it out that never actually went anywhere, making the entire plot grind to a standstill. It felt like reading the Dorne plot in game of thrones. Literally hundreds of pages that didnt change the story one bit.

I guess I enjoyed it overall. Or I'm telling myself that since I invested months on it, and didnt read anything else during that stretch. But at least it's done.

Interesting. I read the unabridged version when I was a young teenager, and had no problem flying through it.

I think I've re-read it twice since then.

Maybe it is better when you're younger.

FancyKetchup14 said:

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Stayed awake until 1:30 to finish DCC #5. Incredible stuff.

I'll be dragging ass today.

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You aren't the first this has happened to. Nor will you be the last.

I'm listening to #3 right now. So far has a few of my favorite moments of the series (to this point) but man the floor itself (the aptly named Iron Tangle) is so freaking complicated and it's making my head spin.

Completed:
Memory's Legion by James S A Corey
The Mercy of Gods (Book 1 of The Captive's War) by James S A Corey
A Woman Underground by Andrew Klavan
Dune
Dune: Messiah
Children of Dune
God Emperor of Dune
Heretics of Dune
Chapterhouse: Dune
Livesuit (Novella from The Captive's War) by James S A Corey
The Martian by Andy Weir

Currently Reading:
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Finished the Frank Herbert Dune books. I really bogged down at the beginning of Heretics with a whole change in characters and setting. Once I picked it back up, I finished it and Chapterhouse quickly. After asking here and looking around online, I decided to pass on finishing out Frank's 5 - 7 trilogy written by his son. The stories were all tied up enough for me, and there was never going to be a real completely closed end to the Dune saga.

After wrapping that up, I moved to a novella from The Captive's War and then to Andy Weir for The Martian and Project Hail Mary. Holy cow, all of these are quick reads after the dense philosophical sci-fi of Dune. The Martian was great, and way better than the movie. I don't even blame the movie makers. It would be very challenging to convey all that Mark Watney is experiencing in any way other than how it was conveyed through journal entries in the novel. About 100 pages into Project Hail Mary, it's becoming clear that Andy Weir has a very specific writing style that's enjoyable, but I don't think I could read a bunch of his books in a row. I'm sure the story itself isn't rinse and repeat, but the storytelling seems to be. That said, both books have been highly enjoyable so far.

bagger05 said:

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I'm listening to #3 right now. So far has a few of my favorite moments of the series (to this point) but man the floor itself (the aptly named Iron Tangle) is so freaking complicated and it's making my head spin.

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did you read the forward? Don't try to understand it ; it will be explained at the very end and it's not important to try and map it in your mind.

I am also currently reading Project Hail Mary. It is my first book of his. His style is not particularly to my liking, but I am enjoying the story thus far.

Just finished Double Whammy by Carl Hiassen. I did not enjoy it as much as Stormy Weather, but it was still a fun read.

I picked up Native Tongue to continue his Skink series. He is a really fun character.

bagger05 said:

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I'm listening to #3 right now. So far has a few of my favorite moments of the series (to this point) but man the floor itself (the aptly named Iron Tangle) is so freaking complicated and it's making my head spin.

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Don't waste your brain cells trying to figure it out. Don't need to.

SpreadsheetAg said:

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bagger05 said:

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I'm listening to #3 right now. So far has a few of my favorite moments of the series (to this point) but man the floor itself (the aptly named Iron Tangle) is so freaking complicated and it's making my head spin.

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did you read the forward? Don't try to understand it ; it will be explained at the very end and it's not important to try and map it in your mind.

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Haha well personally, I didnt. The kindle opened up to the start of the book and it didnt occur to me to go back to previous pages to see if there was anything else. Still didnt take away the enjoyment of the book, and it helped once I just gave up on the setting and got into the plot.

Kaiser von Wilhelm said:

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SpreadsheetAg said:

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bagger05 said:

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I'm listening to #3 right now. So far has a few of my favorite moments of the series (to this point) but man the floor itself (the aptly named Iron Tangle) is so freaking complicated and it's making my head spin.

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did you read the forward? Don't try to understand it ; it will be explained at the very end and it's not important to try and map it in your mind.

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Haha well personally, I didnt. The kindle opened up to the start of the book and it didnt occur to me to go back to previous pages to see if there was anything else. Still didnt take away the enjoyment of the book, and it helped once I just gave up on the setting and got into the plot.

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This is where I am.

Quote:

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I don't think I could read a bunch of his books in a row. I'm sure the story itself isn't rinse and repeat, but the storytelling seems to be. That said, both books have been highly enjoyable so far.

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That's good. He only has 3.

Cinco Ranch Aggie said:

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I am also currently reading Project Hail Mary. It is my first book of his. His style is not particularly to my liking, but I am enjoying the story thus far.

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What is it about his style? I personally find it very interesting and engaging. I read all three of his books in a matter of hours.

I think it's the first person voice. I don't come across that style very often.

Cinco Ranch Aggie said:

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I think it's the first person voice. I don't come across that style very often.

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Ok...i prefer first person voice and always have.

Interesting perspective.

Reading 'The Wager' right now.

It's a story of a shipwreck in the last 1700s (a British ship, sent out to steal Gold/Silver from Spain's merchant transport). Very well written and insane to think what these sailors when through back in the day.

If you like historical accounts, this is a good one.

Doesn't look very historical.

Completely agree. Enjoyed PHM and the Martian but it was in spite of the style.

BR 12 said:

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Completely agree. Enjoyed PHM and the Martian but it was in spite of the style.

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Someone used the word "goofy" earlier in this thread to describe the style, and I thought that for perfectly.

It's the parenthetical asides from the main character that makes him a bit obnoxious and distracting. It wasn't as bad in The Martian, but it took away from my enjoyment of PHM.

I know. I found it. Just a joke.

I gotcha.

I had a winky face on my reply...but for some reason it wouldnt post.

Wrath(The Faithful and the Fallen book 4) by John Gwynne. Excellent conclusion to what is now one of my favorite fantasy series. Gwynne does a great job of crafting an epic plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat while also creating a great cast of characters. I highly recommend.

Finished Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Great book and a really fun read. Though I'm not a huge video game geek, I do have a soft spot in my heart for the 80's, so it was fun reading all the references. I also had an Atari 2600 that I played all the time. Just a real shot of nostalgia throughout, which added to my enjoyment.

Books read in 2025:

January
Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut (re-read)
A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle (re-read)
The Silent Patient - Alex Michaelides
Project Hail Mary - Andy Wier
Pines - Blake Crouch
Wayward - Blake Crouch

February
The Last Town - Blake Crouch

March
Dark Places - Gillian Flynn
Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn

April
Red Rising - Pierce Brown
Golden Son - Pierce Brown

May
Morning Star - Pierce Brown
Echos of Reckoning - Ron Shaw

June
Dune - Frank Herbert
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon
Still Alice - Lisa Genova
Dark Matter - Blake Crouch
Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton

July
The Lost World - Michael Crichton
Sphere - Michael Crichton
The Andromeda Strain - Michael Crichton
Pet Sematary - Stephen King
The Martian - Andy Wier

August
Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn
Ready Player One - Ernest Cline

Just finished Slaughterhouse Five. First time reading it (or anything by Vonnegut). Very Interesting writing style. Kept me captivated throughout. Barely put it down after I picked it up.

Just finished Path of Daggers, entering the slog. Glad Mat will be back, I may skip over Faile et al with the Shaido

Wolfpac 08 said:

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Finished Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Great book and a really fun read. Though I'm not a huge video game geek, I do have a soft spot in my heart for the 80's, so it was fun reading all the references. I also had an Atari 2600 that I played all the time. Just a real shot of nostalgia throughout, which added to my enjoyment.

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I read RPO a few years ago ... a big fan of everything 80s that is in the book.

When I saw the movie there was a very quick scene, an Easter egg I guess... a shot of the glaive/spinning knife from the movie Krull.

I could not believe it ... when I saw that spinning glaive, I shouted "the Krull" in the theater.

AgGrad99 said:

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The cover only shows the romance that blossomed on the island after they wrecked...but I promise there is more to it.


Just kidding...This is the one you want:

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I've heard great things as well

StinkyPinky said:

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AgGrad99 said:

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The cover only shows the romance that blossomed on the island after they wrecked...but I promise there is more to it.


Just kidding...This is the one you want:

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I've heard great things as well

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I listened to the audiobook version a few months ago and really enjoyed it.

BQRyno said:

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Completed:
Memory's Legion by James S A Corey
The Mercy of Gods (Book 1 of The Captive's War) by James S A Corey
A Woman Underground by Andrew Klavan
Dune
Dune: Messiah
Children of Dune
God Emperor of Dune
Heretics of Dune
Chapterhouse: Dune
Livesuit (Novella from The Captive's War) by James S A Corey
The Martian by Andy Weir

Currently Reading:
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Finished the Frank Herbert Dune books. I really bogged down at the beginning of Heretics with a whole change in characters and setting. Once I picked it back up, I finished it and Chapterhouse quickly. After asking here and looking around online, I decided to pass on finishing out Frank's 5 - 7 trilogy written by his son. The stories were all tied up enough for me, and there was never going to be a real completely closed end to the Dune saga.

After wrapping that up, I moved to a novella from The Captive's War and then to Andy Weir for The Martian and Project Hail Mary. Holy cow, all of these are quick reads after the dense philosophical sci-fi of Dune. The Martian was great, and way better than the movie. I don't even blame the movie makers. It would be very challenging to convey all that Mark Watney is experiencing in any way other than how it was conveyed through journal entries in the novel. About 100 pages into Project Hail Mary, it's becoming clear that Andy Weir has a very specific writing style that's enjoyable, but I don't think I could read a bunch of his books in a row. I'm sure the story itself isn't rinse and repeat, but the storytelling seems to be. That said, both books have been highly enjoyable so far.

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I don't know if you have read any of John Scalzi's work, but he has some very entertaining books that are easy to read. There are two series I've read along with a two-book series and a couple of stand-alone works that I really enjoyed.
Old Man's War - 7 books
The Collapsing Empire - 3 books
Lock In/Head On - 2 books
Starter Villain - stand-alone
Little Fuzzy - stand-alone by Scalzi, but several other authors to create a 9 book set

He also has several other series' that I haven't read yet, but plan to when I get caught up on what I already have.