What are you reading in 2024?

[overgeeked]

I'm running low on books to read - my library was in the process of moving to a new building, so there were no book sales to be had for a long time while they got everything sorted out, so I'm down to books that don't particularly thrill me. But faced with flying on a plane all day today, I tried a Doctor Who novel, Sometime Never..., by Justin Richards (uh, no relation). It featured the Eighth Doctor and two companions I've never heard of, and while the bits with the Doctor were interesting, the plot itself wasn't all that thrilling, dealing with assembling a crystalized skeleton that I was disappointed didn't have anything to to do with the Fendahl. And there was a villain, Sabbath, who's apparently some sort of repeat enemy to the Eighth Doctor, but as this is the first book with the Eighth Doctor I've read it meant nothing to me.

Now I have a choice to make: read a novel that's #3 in a five-book series (as it turns out), or borrow a novel I bought for my son written by the lead singer of a band he likes. I might give that one a try - at least it'll be something different.

Johnathan

Doctor Who novels are really hit or miss. I’ve read a handful and I think they mostly do a good job capturing the spirit of the show.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Doctor Who novels are really hit or miss. I’ve read a handful and I think they mostly do a good job capturing the spirit of the show.

The posthumous Douglas Adams Doctor Who novels are all pretty good, for Fourth Doctor and Adams fans.

 

[Zaukrie]

I'm running low on books to read - my library was in the process of moving to a new building, so there were no book sales to be had for a long time while they got everything sorted out, so I'm down to books that don't particularly thrill me. But faced with flying on a plane all day today, I tried a Doctor Who novel, Sometime Never..., by Justin Richards (uh, no relation). It featured the Eighth Doctor and two companions I've never heard of, and while the bits with the Doctor were interesting, the plot itself wasn't all that thrilling, dealing with assembling a crystalized skeleton that I was disappointed didn't have anything to to do with the Fendahl. And there was a villain, Sabbath, who's apparently some sort of repeat enemy to the Eighth Doctor, but as this is the first book with the Eighth Doctor I've read it meant nothing to me.

Now I have a choice to make: read a novel that's #3 in a five-book series (as it turns out), or borrow a novel I bought for my son written by the lead singer of a band he likes. I might give that one a try - at least it'll be something different.

Johnathan

You don't do ebooks I assume?

 

[Richards]

You assume correctly. But I did scrounge up a book to read for now: Deadly Heat by "Richard Castle" (a pseudonym to tie into the notion that the character Nathan Fillion played in the TV show "Castle" was actually writing these novels). I picked it up for 50 cents at a library book sale some months ago, not sure if I'd read it or not (I've read a handful), but it looks like I haven't read this one yet). So this will tide me over for a bit.

Johnathan

 

[Retros_x]

I haven’t read anything beyond excerpts by Sanderson. I didn’t like them. Nobody is suggesting that the books would give me any more pleasure. In accord with board rules, I won’t get into my real-life concerns, since they’re political.

When I see reports that make me excited and curious about something by Sanderson, then I’ll read it. I’m open to surprises.

I can completely understand that. There is too much to read anyway, so no need to feel bad about it. Like others here I also DNF books I don't enjoy. Sanderson book up until now borderlined the threshold for me, but in the end I enjoyed the plots and action too much. But at least now I would never agree that he is one of the best fantasy authors. His books feel not really fantastic at all tbh.

But I have now finished "The Emperors Souls" and its by far his best work from what I've read so far. It asks some interesting questions about the nature of art and artists and the human condition. By far the most depth (but don't expect deep philosophy) and by the short length (170 pages) he was forced to limit himselve to a small roster of characters and a focused narration which suited his style much better IMO. Maybe a small 2-hour read is something for you to try and taste a full story by him.

 

[Zaukrie]

You assume correctly. But I did scrounge up a book to read for now: Deadly Heat by "Richard Castle" (a pseudonym to tie into the notion that the character Nathan Fillion played in the TV show "Castle" was actually writing these novels). I picked it up for 50 cents at a library book sale some months ago, not sure if I'd read it or not (I've read a handful), but it looks like I haven't read this one yet). So this will tide me over for a bit.

Johnathan

I read the first novel, and was mildly entertained, much like the show did.

 

[overgeeked]

You assume correctly. But I did scrounge up a book to read for now: Deadly Heat by "Richard Castle" (a pseudonym to tie into the notion that the character Nathan Fillion played in the TV show "Castle" was actually writing these novels). I picked it up for 50 cents at a library book sale some months ago, not sure if I'd read it or not (I've read a handful), but it looks like I haven't read this one yet). So this will tide me over for a bit.

Johnathan

They must be decent enough or you wouldn’t keep reading them.

I read the first novel, and was mildly entertained, much like the show did.

We enjoyed the first few seasons but quickly lost interest after noticing the pattern if the show.

 

[Parmandur]

I haven’t read anything beyond excerpts by Sanderson. I didn’t like them. Nobody is suggesting that the books would give me any more pleasure. In accord with board rules, I won’t get into my real-life concerns, since they’re political.

When I see reports that make me excited and curious about something by Sanderson, then I’ll read it. I’m open to susurprises.

As to your real-life concerns, feeling I can accurately guess what they are...you would be surprised, I reckon, particularly regarding Sanderson's personal and public evolution in the past decade.

As to the books...The EmperorSoul is quite short and easy to get hold of, and is a very good and enjoyable example of all his strength as a writer.

 

[Parmandur]

I can completely understand that. There is too much to read anyway, so no need to feel bad about it. Like others here I also DNF books I don't enjoy. Sanderson book up until now borderlined the threshold for me, but in the end I enjoyed the plots and action too much. But at least now I would never agree that he is one of the best fantasy authors. His books feel not really fantastic at all tbh.

Keep in mind that so far you have only read early Sanderson...he leveled up with Way of Kings, Emperor's Soul, and Alloy of Law.

Tress of the Emwrald Sea and Yumi and the Nightmare Painter are also phenomenal cozy fantasy.

 

[Richards]

They must be decent enough or you wouldn’t keep reading them.

Oh yeah, they're a decent read, but I didn't want to risk bringing a book on a plane only to find out I'd already read it. Now that the plane trip is over, I was able to take the chance on starting a book I may have already read - and it turned out I would have been fine.

Johnathan