What are you reading in 2025?

[Parmandur]

I’m sure folks once said the same thing about printed books.

eReaders have saved me a fortune, a ton of space, dramatically lowered my carbon footprint, and adjusted with my aging eyes and wrists. When I travel, I have my whole library, and if I need a new book while laying on my patio, I buy it right then and there.

I’m never going back!

Yeah, I tried the wvook thing, just not the same without the physical element.

 

[Wolfram stout]

My reading is so haphazard these days, I've almost quit noticing if I've finished something. (Which I haven't, at least not since John Crowley's The Deep). But my To Be Read pile is filling up so I've got to get moving.

I just started A Libertarian Walks Into A Bear (The Utopian Plot to Liberate An American Town (And Some Bears)) by Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling. This has been on my list for years, and I have to read it because I finally decided to just get it out at the library. It's of interest because a) current politics; b) current politics in New Hampshire; c) current trends in people moving into New Hampshire; and d) because Grafton (the aforementioned American Town) is about 15 miles away. So, pretty farkin' local. (Two chapters in, it seems pretty accurate in a "aw shucks ain't local rural culture cute" kinda of way. If you want to pick an area away from the epicenter of almost everything in NH, Grafton is a good choice.)

Alas, I was living in NY when the events in the book went down, but the overall "Free State" movement has definitely had an effect locally (both for and against).

I also just picked up Lies Weeping, the new Black Company book by Glen Cook. Powerful incentive to finish A Libertarian....

I had no idea there was a new Black Company book. It has kind of thrown me. I read the first 3 and silver spike multiple times in the 90s. And the books of the south once each as they came out. I’m not much into grimdark anymore, do I jump back in? Do I reread the Books of the South? Do I pretend that the saga closed with the last one?

Glen Cook was a regular guest at Chattacon in the 90s. He was always a hoot to listen too.

On topic. I have been rereading some Dresden in prepp for new book in 2026. No way I’m rereading all of them but the first two were good rereads.

 

[SkidAce]

I had no idea there was a new Black Company book. It has kind of thrown me. I read the first 3 and silver spike multiple times in the 90s. And the books of the south once each as they came out. I’m not much into grimdark anymore, do I jump back in? Do I reread the Books of the South? Do I pretend that the saga closed with the last one?

Glen Cook was a regular guest at Chattacon in the 90s. He was always a hoot to listen too.

On topic. I have been rereading some Dresden in prepp for new book in 2026. No way I’m rereading all of them but the first two were good rereads.

I found the tone and hmmm, thickness of the books after the 1st three and Silver Spike to change. These are the best.

Read all the books, and did enjoy them, just not the same glorious impact as the original trilogy. Did lie that we finally figured out Khatovar and such. Somewhat melancholy about Croaker's plot finale.

The new book is back in time before they joined up with the lady, and the first couple of chapters feels fresh with gritty humor like the first book. We will see.

Did you like the Dark Empire books?

 

[SkidAce]

Currently reading Dog of War by Tchaikovsky. Starting off really well,

Rex is such a Good Boy.