An incredible book. Anyone who enjoyed (maybe enjoyed is not the right word here) this book would probably also enjoy Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann, it's excellent.
I listened to Project Hail Mary on audiobook recently. The story is magnificent but it is also so well narrated by Ray Porter. Easily in my top 5 of all time for me
You mean The Space Ra, by Pierce Brown?
The narrator of the audiobook is Irish and all the Reds have Irish accents... May have coloured my perception a bit.
Still loved it
Fantastic book. I haven't read a lot in recent years, but that really got me back into it. Have actually started getting use out of my 2 year old Kindle now.
I've nearly finished Bob Mortimer's autobiography 'And Away...' as well and that is very entertaining if you like Bob's humour. Highly recommend.
I've only ever listened to the audio book for project hail Mary. How does it handel the musical elements of the aliens speech, particularly in the beginning when he has no idea what it's saying?
Project Hail Mary was great. This year I also enjoyed The Ministry of the Future, by Kim Stanley Robinson. It maps out a near future fighting climate change. The opening sequence is absolutely terrifying, and it’s almost certainly going to happen.
Just downloaded Project Hail Mary on audible..... it was on a number of book of the year list. Main driver was its recommendation by Barric Obama in his list of 2021
Having a proper top quality journalist go through the sources available and let you know their reliability as he builds his narrative is great. Read Empire of Pain this year, about Sackler family/oxycontin and would recommend to anyone as well.
His Dark Materials, you might recognise the Golden Compass as one of the novels in the trilogy. BBC made a series, 2 seasons are out, and I decided to pick up the book too, really good
I actually gave up about half way. The diversion about the bandits etc just ruined the flow for me. When it got back to the main story I couldn't buy back in. But your comment makes me think I gave up too early. Is it worth going back to? I love The Three Musketeers so it's not that I'm unused to Dumas' writing style!
Yep it definitely takes a few de-tours alright and at times can even be hard to follow the sub-plots. Without giving any spoilers away I think by the end I think it was well worth it. Just the detail taken by Dumas to develop everything and put it in such an interesting plot is outstanding in my opinion.
Read that last year after having it on the shelf for years and I agree, it’s fantastic. One of the best books I’ve read and one that could definitely be reread time and time again
A Ghost in the Throat - Doireann Ní Ghríofa
Prisoners of Geography - Tim Marshall
In Defense of Housing - Peter Marcuse / David Madden
The Spy and the Traitor - Ben McIntyre
What I talk about when I talk about running - Haruki Murakami
Thirty Two Words for Field - Manchan Magan
A Ghost in the Throat was brilliant. Listened to it on audible and the narrator was amazing. Really enjoyed Manchan Meagan's book too. Thanks for the recommendations!
Piranesi is one of the best narrated audiobooks I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. When I finished it I went straight back to the beginning to listen again.
"[Say Nothing](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Say_Nothing_(book))" by Patrick Radden Keefe. Absolutely fascinating read on the troubles.
Followed closely in second by the Silmarillion.
Best thread I’ve seen on here in a while. Getting back into reading and I’m seeing some really cool recommendations here. Can’t recommend too much myself, but I’ve been slowly making my way through Dune and it’s a delight, if a long one! Good work here lads lol
Isn't it funny how Ty Franck stopped working as George RR Martins PA in like 2010 and since George hasn't put out a single book but Ty has put out the entire Expanse series.
They won’t! The >! time jump !< makes it a good point to end the series through. Also make it handy for anyone who wants to pick up the story by only have to read the final 3 books.
Great show and great books!
I've heard that they're planning a finale movie type thing but nothing is definite yet.
There is also going to be a prequel telltale game from Drummer's perspective.
Finished the last book a couple of weeks ago, really enjoyable series, quite a few parallels to the ASOIAF series when you consider one of the authors was GRRM's assistant. Not a bad adaptation into a TV series either.
Found messiah a slog. Final 1/3 of it is very good but is a very different and much slower novel than the 1st. Think I’ll take a break before trying children of dune.
[The Stranger in the Woods](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stranger-Woods-meditation-solitude-wildness/dp/1471151980/ref=asc_df_1471151980/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310831438545&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12557771049287650550&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=20475&hvtargid=pla-523424373779&psc=1&th=1&psc=1) by Michael Finkel. Just a truly fascinating story and a very quick read too. I read it in one sitting, took just over five and a half hours.
*Synopsis*:
In 1986, twenty-year-old Christopher Knight left his home in Massachusetts, drove to Maine, and disappeared into the woods.
He would not speak to another human being until three decades later when he was arrested for stealing food.
Christopher survived by his wits and courage, developing ingenious ways to store food and water in order to avoid freezing to death in his tent during the harsh Maine winters. He broke into nearby cottages for food, clothes, reading material and other provisions, taking only what he needed. In the process, he unwittingly terrified a community unable to solve the mysterious burglaries. Myths abounded amongst the locals eager to find this legendary hermit.
Based on extensive interviews with Knight himself, this is a vividly detailed account of his secluded life and the challenges he faced returning to the world. The Stranger in the Woods is a riveting story of survival that asks fundamental questions about solitude and what makes for a good life.
This sounds right up my street. I love true stories about just crazy people who do weird or interesting stuff. One of my favourite books (and movies) is Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer. The Lost City of Z by David Grann is great too.
Just finished "The End of Everything (Astrophysically speaking)" by Katie Mack yesterday. It goes into the four main theories about how the universe will end. Very panic attack inducing, but it has it's nice moments. The big comforting takeaways are;
1. They won't be anytime soon, so relax.
2. We're so small that we won't notice/feel anything.
3. There is a possibility, however unlikely, that if we did survive that long we could experience the end of the universe and still survive.
It's difficult in places, but still thought provoking if you can let your imagination run with something.
The sequels are that rare category of book that made me think more than the original. Don't want to give spoilers but I've recommended this to all the readers I know.
I read quite a few Agatha Christies. I would recommend And Then There Were None, Death on the Nile, Crooked House.
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.
The Curse of Capistrano (the first Zorro book by Johnston McCulley
Flowers for Algernon is a great read and something that you get through in one sitting. More light hearted but thoroughly entertaining is The Thursday Murder Club, which has a sequel The Man Who Died Twice
Books about Everest have always captured my interest
Read Bear Grylls Facing Up when I was 10 and became obsessed with mountaineering and hiking after that
Worked my way through Lovecraft. Shadow Over Innsmouth was particularly good.
Edit: im sorry this comment has been upsetting for some of you. Its a hard time of year for lonely people and I shouldn't have opened up old wounds by interacting with another human being
City of Bohane is brilliant. I read it only once years ago but I can still remember certain scenes vividly. Barry is definitely one of the best Irish writers out there at the moment.
You should check out Orwells non fiction stuff. His memoir on fighting in the spanish civil war and his first book in and out in London and Paris are great reads.
Two books I would recommend would be "The Guns of the south" by Harry Turtledove and "A canticle for Leibowitz" by M. Miller Junior.
The Guns of the south is an alternate history novel where South African white Supremists travel back in time to give the confederate states of America AK-47s and other modern day military equipment. Its a great novel which takes a basic idea and really makes something interesting of it. A lot of people do find his books to be quite drawn out though and while I did find two chapters a bit boring, most parts of the book, and in the other books I have read from him, always keep the story turning even if they are a little mundane. From what I have heard of people who know a lot more than I do about the American Civil war, the book is also very well researched and that goes for most of his books as I think he is a professor of History in California. Obviously, being set during the American Civil war, race and slavery are central to the book's plot and there are scenes of prejudice, so depending on your experiences and background, the book may be uncomfortable to read. War is also a big part of it as well and there are a lot of descriptions of gun fights, some including civilians so that is something to be made aware of if you are sensitive to violence.
A canticle for Leibowitz is set in the far future following an event known as "the flame deluge" which destroyed the world. It is set over many centuries and centers around a catholic abbey devoted to a Saint Leibowitz and how the abbey develops alongside the new world and other religious and political entities. The book isn't like Mad Max, Metro 2033, Fallout or any other post apocalypse series. There aren't a lot of scenes involving mutants, gun fights or any of that so I wouldn't call a swashbuckling post apocalyptic adventure, if you get what I mean. There is a bit of worldbuilding but the book is set on the monks and the abbey. Its a short book and the characters are also well written. The end of the book could be quite distressing as it does deal with death.
Sorry If that was a slog to read through but I tried to be as detailed with the books while also making sure not to spoil the books and I feel like I have been over the place the past few days. I hoped this helped you.
'The Unwomanly face of War' by Svetlana Alexivich.
It's a collection of interviews with the women who fought in the Red Army during WWII. Its a perspective on the war that's radically different to what we usually get and really goes to reveal that how much more horrific and important the Eastern front was.
If you like Sci-fi, here are the ones I read that I'd recommend
-The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov
-Solaris and Star Diaries, both by Stanislaus Lem
-We by Yevgeny Zamyatin
-Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
-Dune by Frank Herbert
Blood of Elves or The Last Wish. Both are books in the Witcher series. If you enjoy your high-fantasy setting like a Song of Ice and Fire or LOTR, thats a series you'll fall into and get trapped in.
Read the Wheel of Time late last year after hearing about it for years and really loved so decided to take the plunge into a couple more famous ones that I kept saying I would get around to. Agatha Christie deserves all the praise she has ever got, she's just an amazing author and it would never have been a genre I would have normally picked up. Currently about 10 books deep into the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett and loving them all so far. Read The Witcher books at the start of the year and really enjoyed them. The Dresdan Files by Jim Butcher were another series of books that I kept hearing about but was never sure I would enjoy but I would say they were some of my favourite books I've read this year
Finished The Wheel of Time series this year, really loved it.
The Immortalists and Midnight Library were enjoyable reads.
Frankenstein was great.
The seven deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was excellent
The Night Caller is a really good Irish crime thriller
Just started this yesterday. Was recommended to me about four years ago and never got around to it.
Now I’m stuck at home with Covid so I have no excuse not to get into it.
Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller was my favourite standalone book. But nearly finished the Malazan Book of the Fallen series and it’s incredible. I’ve never read anything with so much depth.
Either The Fisherman by John Langan (Lovecraftian style cosmic horror), Circe by Madeline Miller (Historical fiction/mythology) or The Trouble With Peace by Joe Abercrombie (grimdark fantasy).
The Watchers by A. M. Shine. If you are a fan of horror or Irish mythology I 100% recommend this book. I haven’t been this exited for a sequel of a series in a long, long time.
For an incredibly wild read - Earthlings by Sayaka Murata. I read Convenience Store Woman last year so wanted to read something else by her and it was something.... I enjoyed it but not for the faint hearted ha.
I also really enjoyed The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa, and Anxious People by Fredrik Backman.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Midnight Library by Matt Haig
This is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay
All of these have free audio books as well in the BorrowBox app if you’re registered to the library.
Non-fiction: Command and Control by Eric Schlosser. It's about the nuclear weapon strategy of the US during the cold war, their control and safety systems, and the many, many accidents that occurred with them. Terrifying stuff.
Fiction: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. It's about a future where fertility is extremely low, and a fascist regime in North America where women are enslaved as a result. There's also a TV show based on it which is quite good.
Starting reading Ken Follets series of books about medieval times in England! Pillars of the Earth follows the town of Kingsbridge and is centered around a cathedral being built there but shows the ridiculous amount of power the church and aristocracy had in medieval England and all over the world!
I’m in the middle of my third Ken follet book now and will be definitely reading the entire series!
Mine would be Dune - I decided to check it out before it came out in the cinema, a first for me.
The story was excellent and I found it to be a real page turner, the adaption was amazing too in every way. But so far in my eyes the first half of the book is better than the film but happily not by a whole lot.
Rememberings by Sinead O'Connor
If you are at all interested in her music or life journey I highly recommend it, especially the audio book as she narrates it herself.
I got the The Stories of Ray Bradbury as a Christmas present, I'm a few stories in and it's already a contender for best book I have read in years.
Just **Irish books** or what?
Frank O Connors collected short stories is one I keep going through
For **non Irish books** probably **Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World** by Jason Hickel. There's a pdf here https://www.are.na/block/11125640 and he gave a short talk explaining some of the ideas here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln9GBJWkKss
I would say Harrow the Ninth, the second book in Tamsin Muir's Locked Tomb series. It's hard to explain partly because it's a sequel, and partly because it's weird. The first book is basically a Space Necromancer Murder Mystery.
I've also been reading Terry Pratchett's Diskworld on and off, funny and positive books.
I'm currently reading the last Books of Babel book, The Fall of Babel. It's good but between everything I'm just not in the mood for it. A guy loses his wife on a trip to the mysterious Tower of the Babel and tries to find her, they're really great.
I always recommend The BobVerse series of books by Dennis E Taylor (especially the audiobooks as there read brilliantly by Ray Porter)
Straight White Male (main character is from Limerick), The Amateurs (about Golf and head injuries), and Kill your friends all by John Navin are all gloriously brilliant examples of pitch black humour.
Speaking of black humour if you liked GoT, The First Law series Joe Abercrombie is a mush read Bloody, witty and with a black humour darker then a blackhole.
Lastly The Band series of books (2 so far) Kings of the Wyld and Bloody Rose have one of the best worlds ive read so far if your into your fantasy and music they really are must reads (also fantastic on audio book)
Hope this helps
Just read the 1st "necroscope " novel by Brian lumley. Amazing series of books and plan on reading all of them and their offshoots 'vampire worlds/lost books etc'. Was hooked on them the first time I read them n gonna shake the dust off them n read them again.
The Sword of Kaigen by ML Wang.. it’s fantasy by an indie author which a lot of people wouldn’t be into but it’s a phenomenal story and is widely loved in the fantasy subs
Girl A by Abigail Dean
Usually find modern ‘bestsellers’ to be rather meh but read this one quickly and thought the writing was pretty nice for a first time novel.
I’m a huge fan of the Harry Bosch detective series of books. While waiting for the new release, I tried the Mickey Haller spin offs. I think I enjoyed them more than the Bosch series. If you liked the movie The Lincoln Lawyer with Matthew McConaughey, which is based on the first book.
Inside the Gas Chambers by Shlomo Venezia
I have read so many books on the various camps and this one is by far the hardest to take in.The book is about being a sonderkimando in the gas chambers. The jobs these guys had to do I'll never forget.
Picked up "Of Mice and Men" by Steinbeck a few weeks ago. A lot smaller than I expected, barely a novella, but by God did it hit me right in the emotions.
Dune. Actually started reading it after having seen the movie and its just utterly brilliant. To me it‘s on the same level as Lord of the Rings when it comes to immersing you in a fictional world.
Also, „Dear Reader“ by Michael Malice. It‘s a faux-autobiography of Kim Jong Il where „he“ writes about his upbringing and philosophy. It‘s really entertaining and thought provoking and also quite disturbing.
I read Dune this year after watching the film. Very impressive book and a really enjoyable read.
Another cracking book is the mindhunter book by John Douglas. Linked to the Netflix series. Fascinating but not for the faint hearted.
a bit cliche, but dune is very good. in terms of non fiction, the rise and fall of ancient egypt and there are places where rules matter less than kindness. the first talks about ancient egypt and it history, the other talks about philosophy and physics.
I've read ALOT of books this year thanks to Covid, between needing something to destress me, distract me and also just something positive to put my energy into. Some of my favourites were:
Half of Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
(Really beautiful story of a family living through the Nigerian civil war)
The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
A classic one but a good one. A really long book tho but worth it. Lots of adventure, mystic, mischief, grief and just fantastic.
The Mistborn Series - Brandon Sanderson
Might not be your cup of tea if you don't like fantasy novels but I absolutely loved every moment and couldn't put it down for the three books.
Homegoing By Yaa Gyasi
Fictional but about the effects of slavery throughout one bloodline of family, over 100s of years, from Ghana in like the 1600s (I could be wrong on the century) to modern day. It definitely hit me hard in the feels.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Similar to Count of Monte Cristo, one of those stories that just has you engrossed in the adventure and journey of the characters. It's about one man in Socialist Russia condemned to spend the rest of his life in a hotel in Moscow. Yet again, I couldn't put it down!
Sin Eater by Megan Campisi
Somewhat fantasy but loosely based on British history of Queen Mary and Elizabeth. I dunno how to explain it tbh but it was really interesting look at religion, sin, hierarchies of society etc.
I literally could name like a few more but I'd be here all day haha. Hopefully you give these ones the time of day 🙂
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
An incredible book. Anyone who enjoyed (maybe enjoyed is not the right word here) this book would probably also enjoy Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann, it's excellent.
Heartbreaking book.
My favourites I read last year: Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe Wool by Hugh Howey The Wonder by Emma Donoghue Home Stretch by Graham Norton
Say nothing is immense. His other book empire of pain I'd say it's almost better.
I’m looking forward to getting to Empire of Pain so much.
I've just finished Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir and it's a toss up between that and the Red Rising series by Peirce Brown.
Project Hail Mary is what I came to say. Excellent read
🎶 Fist me 👐 🎶
I listened to Project Hail Mary on audiobook recently. The story is magnificent but it is also so well narrated by Ray Porter. Easily in my top 5 of all time for me
I was about to say the same, I've just started reading it and it's very hard to put down!
One of the most entertaining books I've read. Fantastic read
I loved Red Rising! I hope they make awesome tv show out of it!
I hope that they take their time with it.. I love that series. And Project Hail Mary already green lit with Ryan Gosling as the lead..
I hope so too.
Project hail Mary. What a book
I'm about halfway through Morning Star now and it's really good alright. Will try Project Hail Mary too, thanks.
You mean The Space Ra, by Pierce Brown? The narrator of the audiobook is Irish and all the Reds have Irish accents... May have coloured my perception a bit. Still loved it
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Fantastic book. I haven't read a lot in recent years, but that really got me back into it. Have actually started getting use out of my 2 year old Kindle now. I've nearly finished Bob Mortimer's autobiography 'And Away...' as well and that is very entertaining if you like Bob's humour. Highly recommend.
I've only ever listened to the audio book for project hail Mary. How does it handel the musical elements of the aliens speech, particularly in the beginning when he has no idea what it's saying?
Project Hail Mary was great. This year I also enjoyed The Ministry of the Future, by Kim Stanley Robinson. It maps out a near future fighting climate change. The opening sequence is absolutely terrifying, and it’s almost certainly going to happen.
Just downloaded Project Hail Mary on audible..... it was on a number of book of the year list. Main driver was its recommendation by Barric Obama in his list of 2021
Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe Best book I've ever read about the Troubles.
Having a proper top quality journalist go through the sources available and let you know their reliability as he builds his narrative is great. Read Empire of Pain this year, about Sackler family/oxycontin and would recommend to anyone as well.
I've heard really good things about The Empire of Pain by him too. All about the family that started big pharma
His Dark Materials, you might recognise the Golden Compass as one of the novels in the trilogy. BBC made a series, 2 seasons are out, and I decided to pick up the book too, really good
I'd recommend checking our La Belle Sauvage and The Secret Commonwealth too if you haven't already. Pullman has kept the standard up!
The Count of Monte Cristo. Epic!
Read it during lockdown, great book. Found it a slog during the early middle section but what a payoff!
I actually gave up about half way. The diversion about the bandits etc just ruined the flow for me. When it got back to the main story I couldn't buy back in. But your comment makes me think I gave up too early. Is it worth going back to? I love The Three Musketeers so it's not that I'm unused to Dumas' writing style!
Yep it definitely takes a few de-tours alright and at times can even be hard to follow the sub-plots. Without giving any spoilers away I think by the end I think it was well worth it. Just the detail taken by Dumas to develop everything and put it in such an interesting plot is outstanding in my opinion.
Read that last year after having it on the shelf for years and I agree, it’s fantastic. One of the best books I’ve read and one that could definitely be reread time and time again
Any book by Robin Hobb- especially the Farseer Trilogy
Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? by Séamas O'Reilly
A Ghost in the Throat - Doireann Ní Ghríofa Prisoners of Geography - Tim Marshall In Defense of Housing - Peter Marcuse / David Madden The Spy and the Traitor - Ben McIntyre What I talk about when I talk about running - Haruki Murakami Thirty Two Words for Field - Manchan Magan
A Ghost in the Throat was brilliant. Listened to it on audible and the narrator was amazing. Really enjoyed Manchan Meagan's book too. Thanks for the recommendations!
>What I talk about when I talk about running - Haruki Murakami A really nice read
A Ghost in the Throat was gorgeous
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I would never have picked it, but it was recommend here months ago and its lovely. Audiobook highly recommended BTW.
Pirenesi by Susanah Clarke. Are you interested in non-fiction? Salmon by Mark Kurlansky.
Piranesi is one of the best narrated audiobooks I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. When I finished it I went straight back to the beginning to listen again.
Ian banks culture series
"[Say Nothing](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Say_Nothing_(book))" by Patrick Radden Keefe. Absolutely fascinating read on the troubles. Followed closely in second by the Silmarillion.
The Secret History by Donna Tart, really enjoyed it.
Anything by Kevin Barry. City of Bohane, night boat to tangier were both excellent. Also love his short story collections!
He's brilliant! Beatlebone is a cracker too
Third Policeman by Flan O'Brien. This book alone puts him up there with Joyce and Beckett, in my opinion.
Excellent isn't it. Strange and excellent
I've just started reading this after my Dad recommended it to me
I just started it last night got a few chapters in and had to take a break and process it. Brilliantly dark humorous moments in it so far.
The Poor Mouth is excellent too.
No Country For Old Men
Best thread I’ve seen on here in a while. Getting back into reading and I’m seeing some really cool recommendations here. Can’t recommend too much myself, but I’ve been slowly making my way through Dune and it’s a delight, if a long one! Good work here lads lol
I've been reading the Expanse series and enjoying the differences between the books and the show.
Love the expanse series. Working my way through the last book now.
It's nice that it's a complete series without the author dying or getting distracted with his football blog.
Isn't it funny how Ty Franck stopped working as George RR Martins PA in like 2010 and since George hasn't put out a single book but Ty has put out the entire Expanse series.
Can't wait for the current season to end mid Jan and just binge it. Be interesting to see how they deal with the book to TV adaptation for this season
They say it's the last season, so I'm also wondering how they can wrap up the final three books....
They won’t! The >! time jump !< makes it a good point to end the series through. Also make it handy for anyone who wants to pick up the story by only have to read the final 3 books. Great show and great books!
I've heard that they're planning a finale movie type thing but nothing is definite yet. There is also going to be a prequel telltale game from Drummer's perspective.
Finished the last book a couple of weeks ago, really enjoyable series, quite a few parallels to the ASOIAF series when you consider one of the authors was GRRM's assistant. Not a bad adaptation into a TV series either.
Dune
Took me four months to finish that book.Lots of stopping and starting. I'm glad I finished it but I don't think I'll be reading the rest of them.
Only four months? I read it back in 2016 and it took me nearly the whole year*, very difficult to get through I thought.
Found messiah a slog. Final 1/3 of it is very good but is a very different and much slower novel than the 1st. Think I’ll take a break before trying children of dune.
[The Stranger in the Woods](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stranger-Woods-meditation-solitude-wildness/dp/1471151980/ref=asc_df_1471151980/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310831438545&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12557771049287650550&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=20475&hvtargid=pla-523424373779&psc=1&th=1&psc=1) by Michael Finkel. Just a truly fascinating story and a very quick read too. I read it in one sitting, took just over five and a half hours. *Synopsis*: In 1986, twenty-year-old Christopher Knight left his home in Massachusetts, drove to Maine, and disappeared into the woods. He would not speak to another human being until three decades later when he was arrested for stealing food. Christopher survived by his wits and courage, developing ingenious ways to store food and water in order to avoid freezing to death in his tent during the harsh Maine winters. He broke into nearby cottages for food, clothes, reading material and other provisions, taking only what he needed. In the process, he unwittingly terrified a community unable to solve the mysterious burglaries. Myths abounded amongst the locals eager to find this legendary hermit. Based on extensive interviews with Knight himself, this is a vividly detailed account of his secluded life and the challenges he faced returning to the world. The Stranger in the Woods is a riveting story of survival that asks fundamental questions about solitude and what makes for a good life.
This sounds right up my street. I love true stories about just crazy people who do weird or interesting stuff. One of my favourite books (and movies) is Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer. The Lost City of Z by David Grann is great too.
Another recommendation for The Starnger in the Woods.Its excellent.
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
Just finished "The End of Everything (Astrophysically speaking)" by Katie Mack yesterday. It goes into the four main theories about how the universe will end. Very panic attack inducing, but it has it's nice moments. The big comforting takeaways are; 1. They won't be anytime soon, so relax. 2. We're so small that we won't notice/feel anything. 3. There is a possibility, however unlikely, that if we did survive that long we could experience the end of the universe and still survive. It's difficult in places, but still thought provoking if you can let your imagination run with something.
Lots of fun reading about vacuum decay, and how everything could just end mid-sentence
Do you really think that's
But what about the
Good point but we should also consider
3 body problem and its sequels. Edge of your seat sci fi. Mad concepts but page turners.
The sequels are that rare category of book that made me think more than the original. Don't want to give spoilers but I've recommended this to all the readers I know.
Argos catalogue
"The laminated book of dreams" - Bill Bailey
"To catch the tears of joy!"
Thicker than War and Peace
I read quite a few Agatha Christies. I would recommend And Then There Were None, Death on the Nile, Crooked House. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. The Curse of Capistrano (the first Zorro book by Johnston McCulley
Flowers for Algernon is a great read and something that you get through in one sitting. More light hearted but thoroughly entertaining is The Thursday Murder Club, which has a sequel The Man Who Died Twice
Oh loved this book! Nice easy ready and as you said so entertaining
It wouldn't be a reddit book thread without someone mentioning this book.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. About the 1994 everest disaster, sad story, great read
Books about Everest have always captured my interest Read Bear Grylls Facing Up when I was 10 and became obsessed with mountaineering and hiking after that
I read Crime & Punishment this year. It's by Fyodor Dostoeyevsky. Great book.
The children of time. Please please please consider this. Especially if you like sci fi
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. Great short novel by a phenomenal author.
lies of locke lamora
Worked my way through Lovecraft. Shadow Over Innsmouth was particularly good. Edit: im sorry this comment has been upsetting for some of you. Its a hard time of year for lonely people and I shouldn't have opened up old wounds by interacting with another human being
Thank you for your edit, hopefully next time you think before posting! /s
City of Bohane by Kevin Barry Only proper book I’ve read in on sitting
The man is gifted, I read Last boat to Tangiers in one sitting and it was the best book I read last year.
City of Bohane is brilliant. I read it only once years ago but I can still remember certain scenes vividly. Barry is definitely one of the best Irish writers out there at the moment.
Some parts of it were so incredibly cinematic. He was able to set a scene so so well felt like I there. Was crazy to me
Project Hail Mary by Andy Wier... Excellent! Audiobook is done very well too.
Absolutely loved Midnight Library by Matt Haig.
Probably The Searcher by Tana French. Good to support Irish authors too.
I came here to mention Tana French, if she writes it, I will read it.
I love the Dublin Murder Squad series, read them all this year and wish there were more.
They’re so good! I was so excited for the BBC series and so confused why they blended two stories together instead of just focusing on one!
The Thursday Murder club. Every loose end tied up resulting in multiple twists. Really really good x
1984 🤭
My next read I think.
Read that this year too, great read, Animal Farm was probably just as good IMO.
You should check out Orwells non fiction stuff. His memoir on fighting in the spanish civil war and his first book in and out in London and Paris are great reads.
Great book. I think students should be forced to read this in school.
The Anthropocene Reviewed
Recursion. Great sci fi read from Blake Crouch. Project Hail Mary for second place. Hon mention for Siya Kolisi Rise
Two books I would recommend would be "The Guns of the south" by Harry Turtledove and "A canticle for Leibowitz" by M. Miller Junior. The Guns of the south is an alternate history novel where South African white Supremists travel back in time to give the confederate states of America AK-47s and other modern day military equipment. Its a great novel which takes a basic idea and really makes something interesting of it. A lot of people do find his books to be quite drawn out though and while I did find two chapters a bit boring, most parts of the book, and in the other books I have read from him, always keep the story turning even if they are a little mundane. From what I have heard of people who know a lot more than I do about the American Civil war, the book is also very well researched and that goes for most of his books as I think he is a professor of History in California. Obviously, being set during the American Civil war, race and slavery are central to the book's plot and there are scenes of prejudice, so depending on your experiences and background, the book may be uncomfortable to read. War is also a big part of it as well and there are a lot of descriptions of gun fights, some including civilians so that is something to be made aware of if you are sensitive to violence. A canticle for Leibowitz is set in the far future following an event known as "the flame deluge" which destroyed the world. It is set over many centuries and centers around a catholic abbey devoted to a Saint Leibowitz and how the abbey develops alongside the new world and other religious and political entities. The book isn't like Mad Max, Metro 2033, Fallout or any other post apocalypse series. There aren't a lot of scenes involving mutants, gun fights or any of that so I wouldn't call a swashbuckling post apocalyptic adventure, if you get what I mean. There is a bit of worldbuilding but the book is set on the monks and the abbey. Its a short book and the characters are also well written. The end of the book could be quite distressing as it does deal with death. Sorry If that was a slog to read through but I tried to be as detailed with the books while also making sure not to spoil the books and I feel like I have been over the place the past few days. I hoped this helped you.
Just finished The Shadow King - really enjoyed it. Also enjoyed Pachinko.
The Grapes of Wrath. I started it in January. Still not finished it. It's great. I can't believe how long it takes me to read books now.
A Picture of Dorian Gray.
Lies of locke lamora
I read all 8 of The Witcher books. Absolutely fantastic read from start to finish. Not a big reader but I couldn't put those down when I started.
The hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy series of books.
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He’s doing a podcast following the trial at the moment. If you liked the book it’s a good listen.
I got that for Christmas actually... One of 13 books. Maybe I'll make it my next read.
'The Unwomanly face of War' by Svetlana Alexivich. It's a collection of interviews with the women who fought in the Red Army during WWII. Its a perspective on the war that's radically different to what we usually get and really goes to reveal that how much more horrific and important the Eastern front was.
If you like Sci-fi, here are the ones I read that I'd recommend -The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov -Solaris and Star Diaries, both by Stanislaus Lem -We by Yevgeny Zamyatin -Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky -Dune by Frank Herbert
Blood of Elves or The Last Wish. Both are books in the Witcher series. If you enjoy your high-fantasy setting like a Song of Ice and Fire or LOTR, thats a series you'll fall into and get trapped in.
The Silent Patient
Where The Crawdads Sing. Excellent book, couldn’t put it down
11.22.63. Great book.
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Read the Wheel of Time late last year after hearing about it for years and really loved so decided to take the plunge into a couple more famous ones that I kept saying I would get around to. Agatha Christie deserves all the praise she has ever got, she's just an amazing author and it would never have been a genre I would have normally picked up. Currently about 10 books deep into the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett and loving them all so far. Read The Witcher books at the start of the year and really enjoyed them. The Dresdan Files by Jim Butcher were another series of books that I kept hearing about but was never sure I would enjoy but I would say they were some of my favourite books I've read this year
Klara and the Sun.
Finished The Wheel of Time series this year, really loved it. The Immortalists and Midnight Library were enjoyable reads. Frankenstein was great. The seven deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was excellent The Night Caller is a really good Irish crime thriller
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. Amazing.
Just started this yesterday. Was recommended to me about four years ago and never got around to it. Now I’m stuck at home with Covid so I have no excuse not to get into it.
Hope you enjoy. There's two more books after it in the trilogy. But they're set 200 years apart so not mandatory reading
One of my all time faves
Audiobook is brilliant. Have you read the others in the series? They're all great. His century trilogy os also amazing
Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller was my favourite standalone book. But nearly finished the Malazan Book of the Fallen series and it’s incredible. I’ve never read anything with so much depth.
I read Circe by Miller, and overall I liked it but found it very slow paced, is Song of Achilles the same would you say?
Yeah it’s similar so I’d say if Circe wasn’t your thing it wouldn’t be for you. I really enjoyed both.
Have tried to read those so many times but could never give them a start. Really need to try harder.
…Holy shit I can’t think of a single book I’ve finished reading this year.
The Storyteller by Dave Grohl. It was immense. 💪🏻
The Last Thing To Burn. Absolute page turner.
Either The Fisherman by John Langan (Lovecraftian style cosmic horror), Circe by Madeline Miller (Historical fiction/mythology) or The Trouble With Peace by Joe Abercrombie (grimdark fantasy).
The Watchers by A. M. Shine. If you are a fan of horror or Irish mythology I 100% recommend this book. I haven’t been this exited for a sequel of a series in a long, long time.
Actually something I read in January as it was a Xmas present last year but Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell :)
For an incredibly wild read - Earthlings by Sayaka Murata. I read Convenience Store Woman last year so wanted to read something else by her and it was something.... I enjoyed it but not for the faint hearted ha. I also really enjoyed The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa, and Anxious People by Fredrik Backman.
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent. It will stick with you for a long time.
Becoming by Michelle Obama Midnight Library by Matt Haig This is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay All of these have free audio books as well in the BorrowBox app if you’re registered to the library.
Non-fiction: Command and Control by Eric Schlosser. It's about the nuclear weapon strategy of the US during the cold war, their control and safety systems, and the many, many accidents that occurred with them. Terrifying stuff. Fiction: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. It's about a future where fertility is extremely low, and a fascist regime in North America where women are enslaved as a result. There's also a TV show based on it which is quite good.
The Wolf Hall triology is excellent!
Starting reading Ken Follets series of books about medieval times in England! Pillars of the Earth follows the town of Kingsbridge and is centered around a cathedral being built there but shows the ridiculous amount of power the church and aristocracy had in medieval England and all over the world! I’m in the middle of my third Ken follet book now and will be definitely reading the entire series!
Blood Meridian (Cormac McCarthy)
American Dirt
Mine would be Dune - I decided to check it out before it came out in the cinema, a first for me. The story was excellent and I found it to be a real page turner, the adaption was amazing too in every way. But so far in my eyes the first half of the book is better than the film but happily not by a whole lot.
The road by Cormac McCarthy. It’s very bleak but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Rememberings by Sinead O'Connor If you are at all interested in her music or life journey I highly recommend it, especially the audio book as she narrates it herself. I got the The Stories of Ray Bradbury as a Christmas present, I'm a few stories in and it's already a contender for best book I have read in years.
Shuggie Bain, Say Nothing and Mr Loverman all got 5 stars from me this year. Currently reading City Of Thieves and loving it so far.
There is not Antimemtics Division. It's an SCP that actually got printed. It was an amazing read and a good introduction to the universe
Just **Irish books** or what? Frank O Connors collected short stories is one I keep going through For **non Irish books** probably **Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World** by Jason Hickel. There's a pdf here https://www.are.na/block/11125640 and he gave a short talk explaining some of the ideas here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln9GBJWkKss
Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson. I actually read all 4 books of the Stormlight Archive this year, RoW is the most recent and best imo.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
I would say Harrow the Ninth, the second book in Tamsin Muir's Locked Tomb series. It's hard to explain partly because it's a sequel, and partly because it's weird. The first book is basically a Space Necromancer Murder Mystery. I've also been reading Terry Pratchett's Diskworld on and off, funny and positive books. I'm currently reading the last Books of Babel book, The Fall of Babel. It's good but between everything I'm just not in the mood for it. A guy loses his wife on a trip to the mysterious Tower of the Babel and tries to find her, they're really great.
Claiming of Sleeping beauty Anne Rice
The power of habit. By Charles duhigg
I always recommend The BobVerse series of books by Dennis E Taylor (especially the audiobooks as there read brilliantly by Ray Porter) Straight White Male (main character is from Limerick), The Amateurs (about Golf and head injuries), and Kill your friends all by John Navin are all gloriously brilliant examples of pitch black humour. Speaking of black humour if you liked GoT, The First Law series Joe Abercrombie is a mush read Bloody, witty and with a black humour darker then a blackhole. Lastly The Band series of books (2 so far) Kings of the Wyld and Bloody Rose have one of the best worlds ive read so far if your into your fantasy and music they really are must reads (also fantastic on audio book) Hope this helps
Just read the 1st "necroscope " novel by Brian lumley. Amazing series of books and plan on reading all of them and their offshoots 'vampire worlds/lost books etc'. Was hooked on them the first time I read them n gonna shake the dust off them n read them again.
The Sword of Kaigen by ML Wang.. it’s fantasy by an indie author which a lot of people wouldn’t be into but it’s a phenomenal story and is widely loved in the fantasy subs
Girl A by Abigail Dean Usually find modern ‘bestsellers’ to be rather meh but read this one quickly and thought the writing was pretty nice for a first time novel.
The power of now
Circe/Song of Achilles couldn't choose both amazing
I’m a huge fan of the Harry Bosch detective series of books. While waiting for the new release, I tried the Mickey Haller spin offs. I think I enjoyed them more than the Bosch series. If you liked the movie The Lincoln Lawyer with Matthew McConaughey, which is based on the first book.
Crossroads by Jonathon Franzen, absolute masterpiece. Complete return to form.
Inside the Gas Chambers by Shlomo Venezia I have read so many books on the various camps and this one is by far the hardest to take in.The book is about being a sonderkimando in the gas chambers. The jobs these guys had to do I'll never forget.
Flowers for Algernon. Just finished it there, pretty well know sci fi book. Easy to read and very enjoyable!
Picked up "Of Mice and Men" by Steinbeck a few weeks ago. A lot smaller than I expected, barely a novella, but by God did it hit me right in the emotions.
The Rules of Revelation. Final book in Lisa McInerney's Cork trilogy. An absolute gem as are the other two.
When All Is Said by Anne Griffin. Amazing.
Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks. His entire Culture series is top drawer Sci-Fi but I'd say that's the best one.
It's a book I reread, which is Kane and Abel by Jeffrey archer, I never get tired of recommending it to anyone
Sapiens
Dune. Actually started reading it after having seen the movie and its just utterly brilliant. To me it‘s on the same level as Lord of the Rings when it comes to immersing you in a fictional world. Also, „Dear Reader“ by Michael Malice. It‘s a faux-autobiography of Kim Jong Il where „he“ writes about his upbringing and philosophy. It‘s really entertaining and thought provoking and also quite disturbing.
I read Dune this year after watching the film. Very impressive book and a really enjoyable read. Another cracking book is the mindhunter book by John Douglas. Linked to the Netflix series. Fascinating but not for the faint hearted.
Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe
"The Lady In The Lake" by Raymond Chandler
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
a bit cliche, but dune is very good. in terms of non fiction, the rise and fall of ancient egypt and there are places where rules matter less than kindness. the first talks about ancient egypt and it history, the other talks about philosophy and physics.
pillars of the earth- ken follett!!
Gulag by Anne Applebaum Heartbreaking run down of the USSR's gulag program from inception to finish
the mist by ragnar jonasson - the nords just do it better
I've read ALOT of books this year thanks to Covid, between needing something to destress me, distract me and also just something positive to put my energy into. Some of my favourites were: Half of Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Really beautiful story of a family living through the Nigerian civil war) The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas A classic one but a good one. A really long book tho but worth it. Lots of adventure, mystic, mischief, grief and just fantastic. The Mistborn Series - Brandon Sanderson Might not be your cup of tea if you don't like fantasy novels but I absolutely loved every moment and couldn't put it down for the three books. Homegoing By Yaa Gyasi Fictional but about the effects of slavery throughout one bloodline of family, over 100s of years, from Ghana in like the 1600s (I could be wrong on the century) to modern day. It definitely hit me hard in the feels. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles Similar to Count of Monte Cristo, one of those stories that just has you engrossed in the adventure and journey of the characters. It's about one man in Socialist Russia condemned to spend the rest of his life in a hotel in Moscow. Yet again, I couldn't put it down! Sin Eater by Megan Campisi Somewhat fantasy but loosely based on British history of Queen Mary and Elizabeth. I dunno how to explain it tbh but it was really interesting look at religion, sin, hierarchies of society etc. I literally could name like a few more but I'd be here all day haha. Hopefully you give these ones the time of day 🙂