What books are you reading for pleasure these days?

I am reading Archie Roach's autobiography. I have found it very insightful, moving, inspiring and sad all at the same time.

"Roach was only two years old when he was forcibly removed from his family. Brought up by a series of foster parents until his early teens, his world imploded when he received a letter that spoke of a life he had no memory of. "
 
I've really enjoyed reading Ursula LeGuin in my teens and the Earthsea series was one of my favourites from her.

I've just finished books one and two of the Earthsea trilogy, by Ursula LeGuin. Never read her work before, but it's very good. Lots of cultural/ideological clashing in a really authentic way that fits the world she created. I find myself wishing the strong emotional connection with certain characters would pay off, but (much as with life) the world keeps moving and it appears that main character Ged is one of the only through lines in the series.
 
The Bobiverse Series by Dennis E. Taylor

Book 1: We Are Legion (We Are Bob)
Book 2: For We Are Many
Book 3: All These Worlds
 
Jo Nesbø’s newest Harry Hole: Kniv (Knife)

Virpi Hämeen-Anttila’s Karl Axel Björk detective stories from the early days of independent Finland, historical details and connections to actual events are fascinating
 
Tara June Winch, the Yield. Winner of the 2020 Miles Franklin Award.

The yield in English is the reaping, the things that man can take from the land. In the language of the Wiradjuri yield is the things you give to, the movement, the space between things: baayanha.

Knowing that he will soon die, Albert ‘Poppy’ Gondiwindi takes pen to paper. His life has been spent on the banks of the Murrumby River at Prosperous House, on Massacre Plains. Albert is determined to pass on the language of his people and everything that was ever remembered. He finds the words on the wind.

August Gondiwindi has been living on the other side of the world for ten years when she learns of her grandfather’s death. She returns home for his burial, wracked with grief and burdened with all she tried to leave behind. Her homecoming is bittersweet as she confronts the love of her kin and news that Prosperous is to be repossessed by a mining company. Determined to make amends she endeavours to save their land – a quest that leads her to the voice of her grandfather and into the past, the stories of her people, the secrets of the river.

Profoundly moving and exquisitely written, Tara June Winch’s The Yield is the story of a people and a culture dispossessed. But it is as much a celebration of what was and what endures, and a powerful reclaiming of Indigenous language, storytelling and identity.
 
Just arrived at my door a few minutes ago. Guess my afternoon plans have changed a bit. :D

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I have fond memories of the early Shannara books!
Yeah, the Sword of Shannara, Elfstones of Shannara, and Wishsong of Shannara have long been favorites of mine. I have been contemplating reading the entire Shannara line-up again in order of time chronology, but there are 29 novels now, 32 if you include the precursor Word and Void trilogy. I have kept all of those books over the past 43 years. I also have all of the Asimov series of Spacer, Robots and Foundation novels, all the way back to the pre-Spacer novel Nemesis. I'm a book hoarder.
 
I just finished my third reading (heh) of this:

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For those of you that don't know it, this is the 17th and most recent book in The Dresden Files, the story of the Wizard of Chicago, Harry Dresden and his fight to keep his town and people safe from the things that go "bump" in the night.

“My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. I'm a wizard. I work out of an office in midtown Chicago. As far as I know, I'm the only openly practicing professional wizard in the country. You can find me in the yellow pages, under "Wizards." Believe it or not, I'm the only one there. My ad looks like this:

HARRY DRESDEN — WIZARD
Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties, or Other Entertainment

You'd be surprised how many people call just to ask me if I'm serious.”
 
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