Stormlight #5: Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas in-progress

Knocked out the reread of Patient Zero (enjoyed it again). Looks like the other books in the series get even better reviews, so I'd like to read those eventually as well.

Went ahead and read the first Throne of Glass book as well. Wasn't planning to start another series so soon, but my wife had it on Kindle and I couldn't decide what to read next. As far as romantasy goes, this one was the most fantasy and least romance of hers that I've read. Starting on the prequel novellas in that series now (this was the order suggested by a friend).

Absolute said:

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Cinco Ranch Aggie said:

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Is The Stand something that I should read?

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Yes.

It is not horror. It's more of a science fiction story, although Covid and this nation's idiotic response made The Stand less sci-fi than it was when it was published. Think The Andromeda Strain or movies like Outbreak, except with a far more dire outcome for humanity.

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Might have to give it a try, I like the King books I have read, but not a horror fan, so have stayed away from them.

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I recently listened to the Stand (Unabridged). Not really horror as others have said, more Sci fi/dystopian adventure with some fantasy / horror elements.

Re covid - gotta say Cinco is spot on. The beginning of the book when the virus hits and the governments response etc, sounded eerily similar. So much so that I had to pause the book a few times and orient myself.

Finished Dungeon Crawler Carl book 5; wild ride.

I'm listening to Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1 right now.
It's pretty good, but sort of repetitive. Not sure if I want to listen to more.
Does it get more complicated than they kill low level stuff, level up, get loot, learn spells, kill a boss, repeat?

Absolutely, every book keeps getting better and better. The first book is very light and more just getting you familiar with the characters and a little bit of the plot. I would definitely recommend reading through the series. The only one that I had trouble getting into was the third book I believe (with all the subway lines), it was a little confusing. But it was still a really fun book to listen to.

Just finished another Jack Ryan novel, "Red Winter," written by Marc Cameron. I think this is the first one I've read not authored by Clancy, I thought it held up pretty well. Recommend it for the fans.

Apache said:

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I'm listening to Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1 right now.
It's pretty good, but sort of repetitive. Not sure if I want to listen to more.
Does it get more complicated than they kill low level stuff, level up, get loot, learn spells, kill a boss, repeat?

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Yes. I had the same fear when reading book 1. Was worried it would be repetive, rinse and repeat, etc. Not the case. Every book is unique and adds new interesting elements. The books get stronger as you go and introducing new characters. There are legendary characters you have yet to meet, and trust me when I say you want to meet them…,,

Apache said:

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I'm listening to Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1 right now.
It's pretty good, but sort of repetitive. Not sure if I want to listen to more.
Does it get more complicated than they kill low level stuff, level up, get loot, learn spells, kill a boss, repeat?

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yes

SpreadsheetAg said:

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Apache said:

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I'm listening to Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1 right now.
It's pretty good, but sort of repetitive. Not sure if I want to listen to more.
Does it get more complicated than they kill low level stuff, level up, get loot, learn spells, kill a boss, repeat?

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yes

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And it never jumps the shark.


Book 7 spoilers

Besides Jamal

StinkyPinky said:

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Apache said:

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I'm listening to Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1 right now.
It's pretty good, but sort of repetitive. Not sure if I want to listen to more.
Does it get more complicated than they kill low level stuff, level up, get loot, learn spells, kill a boss, repeat?

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Yes. I had the same fear when reading book 1. Was worried it would be repetive, rinse and repeat, etc. Not the case. Every book is unique and adds new interesting elements. The books get stronger as you go and introducing new characters. There are legendary characters you have yet to meet, and trust me when I say you want to meet them…,,

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Maybe have to revisit. Lost interest at the one with the trains.

Finished Morning Star by Pierce Brown to wrap up the initial Red Rising trilogy. What a fun series and a great ending. I thought this one was the best of the three and it kept me interested start to finish. There were still so many loose ends in the last 100 pages, I was worried he was going to rush the wrap up. I thought he did a great job of landing the ship and tying everything up.

Would recommend this to anyone!

Going to take a reset before diving in to the next set of books in the Red Rising series. A coworker wrote a couple of books and I'm looking forward to diving into those before returning to Darrow's world.

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

On deck:
Echos of Reckoning - Ron Shaw
Broken Reflections - Ron Shaw

The Dog Lord said:

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Read it maybe 15 years ago and remember liking it. I hope they are able to adapt it to the screen well.

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I'm tempering my expectations.

As I recall from the book, it was set in a dystopian future. The trailer looks like it is set in the past, but maybe the future resembles the past more than we know?

Also, I don't understand why they changed the pace? In the book, they're required to walk 4 mph, in the movie it is 3. Big difference between a 15 minute mile and a 20 minute mile. I don't expect them to copy the book exactly, but that seems like a pretty simple detail to keep accurate.

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In the book, they're required to walk 4 mph, in the movie it is 3. Big difference between a 15 minute mile and a 20 minute mile. I don't expect them to copy the book exactly, but that seems like a pretty simple detail to keep accurate.

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In my opinion:

Walking at a 4mph pace makes it difficult to talk normally, so 3 mph was required to have the actors lines delivered without gasping or sounding strained. In the book this isn't a problem.

It was either change to 3mph or say that they are walking at a 4 mph pace & everyone watching would go "Hey! No way they are walking at 4mph! What a load of crap that is!"

Apache said:

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Quote:

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In the book, they're required to walk 4 mph, in the movie it is 3. Big difference between a 15 minute mile and a 20 minute mile. I don't expect them to copy the book exactly, but that seems like a pretty simple detail to keep accurate.

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In my opinion:

Walking at a 4mph pace makes it difficult to talk normally, so 3 mph was required to have the actors lines delivered without gasping or sounding strained. In the book this isn't a problem.

It was either change to 3mph or say that they are walking at a 4 mph pace & everyone watching would go "Hey! No way they are walking at 4mph! What a load of crap that is!"

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logical answer

Absolute said:

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StinkyPinky said:

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Apache said:

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I'm listening to Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1 right now.
It's pretty good, but sort of repetitive. Not sure if I want to listen to more.
Does it get more complicated than they kill low level stuff, level up, get loot, learn spells, kill a boss, repeat?

---

Yes. I had the same fear when reading book 1. Was worried it would be repetive, rinse and repeat, etc. Not the case. Every book is unique and adds new interesting elements. The books get stronger as you go and introducing new characters. There are legendary characters you have yet to meet, and trust me when I say you want to meet them…,,

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Maybe have to revisit. Lost interest at the one with the trains.

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That is the toughest for most. Often considered the worst book, but the inflection point and really takes off from there. But as you know opinions will always differ so risk in it.

I really liked the Prince Rupert's Drop at the end of Book 5

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. Sanderson's debut stand-alone novel. This my first introduction to Sanderson's fantasy works. I really enjoyed this book, and I'd definitely like to get into some of Sanderson's big fantasy series later on.

Finished The Darkness That Comes Before (R Scott Bakker). Its book one of Prince of Nothing trilogy. As mentioned before, it is a very complex read bit wow, worth it. The prose are some of the most smart, graceful, and creative that I may have ever come across. Truly professionally and uniquely written. While it proves to be complex, it all does come together and eventually makes sense. And the good thing is there is an exceptional summary at the beginning of book 2 (Warrior Prophet) that reenforces everything. Now this isn't a book for everyone, but for those that adore prose and excellent writing, an experience that I suggest you take.

Completed The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica and The Eye of the Bedlam Bride yesterday.

Bazterrica's debut novel--Tender is the Flesh-- I found to be more interesting and compelling, but The Unworthy is good. I'd give it a B.

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride is accelerated Dungeon Crawler Carl bad@$$ery. Really good in advancing numerous plot lines, as well as creating lingering conflicts that will have to be resolved, no doubt with some difficulty. I dived right in to This Inevitable Ruin immediately after. I will be sad to reach the end and have to wait for the next in the series.

My pace this year continues to suck. Since my last post I have finished:

Dungeon Crawler #6
Dungeon Crawler #7

So this catches me up to DCC. Fantastic series.

Looking back to the beginning of 2024....70% of the books I've read are Dresden Files or Dungeon Crawler Carl. lol.

I'm mixing it up with my next book.

The Blade Itself(First Law trilogy Book 1) by Joe Abercrombie. Really enjoyed this gritty, dark fantasy novel. Looking forward to reading books 2 and 3.

The Marksman said:

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The Blade Itself(First Law trilogy Book 1) by Joe Abercrombie. Really enjoyed this gritty, dark fantasy novel. Looking forward to reading books 2 and 3.

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You can read him for a while. Most everything he's written is in this universe and it's all excellent IMO.

YouBet said:

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The Marksman said:

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The Blade Itself(First Law trilogy Book 1) by Joe Abercrombie. Really enjoyed this gritty, dark fantasy novel. Looking forward to reading books 2 and 3.

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You can read him for a while. Most everything he's written is in this universe and it's all excellent IMO.

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I'm excited to read The Devils

YouBet said:

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My pace this year continues to suck. Since my last post I have finished:

Dungeon Crawler #6
Dungeon Crawler #7

So this catches me up to DCC. Fantastic series.

Looking back to the beginning of 2024....70% of the books I've read are Dresden Files or Dungeon Crawler Carl. lol.

I'm mixing it up with my next book.

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My pace has faltered as well, mainly due to picking up the pencil and drawing again

StinkyPinky said:

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YouBet said:

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My pace this year continues to suck. Since my last post I have finished:

Dungeon Crawler #6
Dungeon Crawler #7

So this catches me up to DCC. Fantastic series.

Looking back to the beginning of 2024....70% of the books I've read are Dresden Files or Dungeon Crawler Carl. lol.

I'm mixing it up with my next book.

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My pace has faltered as well, mainly due to picking up the pencil and drawing again

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That's a hobby tradeoff though. I have no such cool excuse.

YouBet said:

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StinkyPinky said:

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YouBet said:

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My pace this year continues to suck. Since my last post I have finished:

Dungeon Crawler #6
Dungeon Crawler #7

So this catches me up to DCC. Fantastic series.

Looking back to the beginning of 2024....70% of the books I've read are Dresden Files or Dungeon Crawler Carl. lol.

I'm mixing it up with my next book.

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My pace has faltered as well, mainly due to picking up the pencil and drawing again

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That's a hobby tradeoff though. I have no such cool excuse.

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Means you need something different to suck you back in. Usually when I'd do a genre change

Edit: May I suggest 'Boys Life' by Robert McCammon.

StinkyPinky said:

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YouBet said:

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StinkyPinky said:

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YouBet said:

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My pace this year continues to suck. Since my last post I have finished:

Dungeon Crawler #6
Dungeon Crawler #7

So this catches me up to DCC. Fantastic series.

Looking back to the beginning of 2024....70% of the books I've read are Dresden Files or Dungeon Crawler Carl. lol.

I'm mixing it up with my next book.

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My pace has faltered as well, mainly due to picking up the pencil and drawing again

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That's a hobby tradeoff though. I have no such cool excuse.

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Means you need something different to suck you back in. Usually when I'd do a genre change

Edit: May I suggest 'Boys Life' by Robert McCammon.

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I'm actually reading one of my wife's favorite books. The Night Circus.

StinkyPinky said:

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YouBet said:

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My pace this year continues to suck. Since my last post I have finished:

Dungeon Crawler #6
Dungeon Crawler #7

So this catches me up to DCC. Fantastic series.

Looking back to the beginning of 2024....70% of the books I've read are Dresden Files or Dungeon Crawler Carl. lol.

I'm mixing it up with my next book.

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My pace has faltered as well, mainly due to picking up the pencil and drawing again

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Me too.

Definitely Not A Cop said:

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StinkyPinky said:

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YouBet said:

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My pace this year continues to suck. Since my last post I have finished:

Dungeon Crawler #6
Dungeon Crawler #7

So this catches me up to DCC. Fantastic series.

Looking back to the beginning of 2024....70% of the books I've read are Dresden Files or Dungeon Crawler Carl. lol.

I'm mixing it up with my next book.

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My pace has faltered as well, mainly due to picking up the pencil and drawing again

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Me too.

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LMAO

StinkyPinky said:

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YouBet said:

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The Marksman said:

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The Blade Itself(First Law trilogy Book 1) by Joe Abercrombie. Really enjoyed this gritty, dark fantasy novel. Looking forward to reading books 2 and 3.

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You can read him for a while. Most everything he's written is in this universe and it's all excellent IMO.

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I'm excited to read The Devils

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As am I. Just realized it came out last week!

htownag08 said:

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Since January I've done all the Dungeon Crawler Carl books, The Hail Mary Project, Starship Troopers.

About to start the Dresden Files series based on recommendations on here.

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Added 'Prey' and 'Eruption' by Michael Crichton.

Just finished the first Dresden File Book Storm Front - going to be hooked on this series. Just waiting for the next ones to come up on my Libby holds.

About to dip my toe into the Brandon Sanderson world with The Way of Kings.

"This Kind Of War" by T.R. Fehrenbach

Amazon.com: This Kind of War: The Classic Korean War History (Audible Audio Edition): T. R. Fehrenbach, Kevin Foley, Tantor Audio: Audible Books & Originals



"Without its tough spearmen, Hellenic culture would have had nothing to give the world. It would not have lasted long enough. When Greek culture became so sophisticated that its common men would no longer fight to the death, as at Thermopylae, but became devious and clever, a horde of Roman farm boys overran them."

Fehrenbach, T. R.. This Kind of War: The Classic Military History of the Korean War (p. 490). Open Road Media. Kindle Edition.

I finished up with The Heart of the Matter (Odyssey One, book 2) by Evan Currie a couple of days ago, and got a suggestion to read How It Unfolds by James S. A. Corey (author of The Expanse), which is part of The Far Reaches collection.

There are 6 total books in the collection, which are all short stories involving space travel or alien life. In very short order, I finished How It Unfolds, Slow Time Between the Stars by John Scalzi, Void by Veronica Roth, and Falling Bodies by Rebecca Roanhorse. I'm currently reading Just Out of Jupiter's Reach by Nnedi Okorafor. I had actually read the sixth book, The Long Game by Ann Leckie in August of 2023. I didn't pay attention to the rest of the series until it was recommended this week. They are worth the time it takes, which is probably less than an hour each. Each one is completely different, and there is some of the modern-day pronoun BS in a couple of them, but it isn't overly obnoxious.

I'm not sure where I'm headed next. Book 2 of the Odyssey series ended on a small cliff-hanger, but I don't know if I want to jump into book 3 yet. Not sure I'm ready for King yet, either.

Quote:

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"This Kind Of War" by T.R. Fehrenbach

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I really enjoyed this book, simultaneously learning about what led to the modern Korean states, why they hate the Japanese, Chinese involvement, the lapse of the American military Post WW2. Very good stuff.

Fehrenbach used to write for the SA Express News back in the day. Loved his style.