What books are you reading for pleasure these days?

[Aviator]

Due my work I have to read A LOT, but that kind of technical reading doesn’t really count as reading for me.

During my youth I was an avid reader, but that all changed when the smartphone made its appearance into our lives. During mid 2024 I had to change that. I said to myself: the fact that you haven’t read a book in years is ridiculous and very shameful, time to change that.

During 2024 I read:
-The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. (Probably as a teenager I would have enjoyed more this one)

Being a HUGE FAN of fantasy books I started to read about the adventures of Fahfrd and the Grey Mouser, but I don’t know why I made the mistake of reading books #1 and #3 instead of #1 and #2. I enjoyed them a lot and I plan to keep reading the entire collection.
-Swords and Deviltry by Fritz Leiber
-Swords and Mist by Fritz Leiber

-The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick. (Besides the ending I like it, it left me wanting or expecting more pages if that makes sense)

Currently I’m finishing and enjoying:
-I, robot by Issac Asimov. (I’m planning to dive deeper into the Asimov world)

 

[bastibe]

Today, the next book of Dennis E. Taylor's Bobiverse is scheduled to release. However, it looks like it's a Kindle-only release, which stinks since I don't have or want a Kindle for exactly this reason.

And then, on the 9th, the next book in Charles Stross's Laundry Files will come out. They're always a fun read as well (even though the government being overrun by extradimensional demons strikes a bit too close to home these days).

 

[Glevum Owl]

A rare case of me not finishing a book. I had to give up on the 14th Sci Fi Megapack: just too many bad short stories.

I’m now exploring the Spring Into SciFi series, starting with the 2018 collection.

 

[rayvonn]

I'm not reading them at the moment, but thought this a good moment to recommend books by the author David Lodge (particularly Nice Work, Changing Places & Small World) as I noticed that he passed away this week. I may well have read these books in my younger days, but could easily do so again as they they are just as enjoyable to anyone from age 14 to 100.

 

[phigmov]

Never read 'The Luminaries' but was recommended 'Birnam Wood' by a friend and the size is a little more manageable so figured I'd give it a crack. I don't usually read literary fiction (or whatever its called) but its very readable and pretty enjoyable so far...

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

_1120040 by Walter Kernow, on Flickr

 

[Holoholo33]

Just borrowed Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles from the library as an ebook. I may have read it decades ago, or maybe I'm confusing it with the TV miniseries. At any rate, I hope to read it through. Much better to interpret it myself rather than watch someone else's interpretation. Also bought On Photography by Susan Sontag. I read it years ago, but when I tried to find the ebook at the library, they didn't have it. So, I bought a used copy. On my waiting list.

 

[John King]

Walter, my wife bought me Susan Sontag's book years ago.

I found it very heavy going, and never finished it ... .

 

[doobs]

Walter, my wife bought me Susan Sontag's book years ago.

I found it very heavy going, and never finished it ... .

Same here

 

[Briar]

Started reading Bill Perkin's Die with Zero. I've never been a workaholic and I'm a frequent world traveler so, so far, I'm not sure that this book will have anything new to teach me about making the most of our short time on this earth but it was recommended on a YouTube video I was watching on early retirement and it was free on Kindle Unlimited so I thought I'd give it a go. It will be a quick read. If you know of any good books to read on early retirement please let me know. I've already read JL Collins, The Simple Path To Wealth.

 

[bastibe]

Walter, my wife bought me Susan Sontag's book years ago.

I found it very heavy going, and never finished it ... .

I did finish the book a few years ago.

There was the occasional interesting observation on the nature of images or photography, and it's not a long book. But it read too much like a steam of consciousness, with little justification for its more outlandish claims. It felt like the book lacked editing. (But who knows, this might just be the prevailing academic style at the time.)

At any rate, I did not enjoy this book and can not recommend it.

 

[Holoholo33]

I did finish the book a few years ago.

There was the occasional interesting observation on the nature of images or photography, and it's not a long book. But it read too much like a steam of consciousness, with little justification for its more outlandish claims. It felt like the book lacked editing. (But who knows, this might just be the prevailing academic style at the time.)

At any rate, I did not enjoy this book and can not recommend it.

Hmm... I guess I'll find out for myself. As it seems to be something like required reading for photographers, I'll do my duty and try to read it.

 

[BryanL]

I am re-reading "The man who listens to horses" - Monty Roberts, for the umpteenth time. I think we can (or have already) learn(t) a lot if we slow down enough to recognize the communication of other species.
Stardust by John and Mary Gribbin - was a fascinating and formative read on the evolution of matter and solar systems.

 

[tonyturley]

On my road trip with my wife today, we stopped in the visitor's center of New River Gorge National Park, and I picked up a copy of "A Guide to Rail Trails of West Virginia". Now that my wife is retired, we plan to visit a few new places.

 

[doobs]

On my road trip with my wife today, we stopped in the visitor's center of New River Gorge National Park, and I picked up a copy of "A Guide to Rail Trails of West Virginia". Now that my wife is retired, we plan to visit a few new places.

Congratulations to you and her!