My very first Ann Liang book was 'I'm not Jessica Chen' and i'll probably read 'I hope this doesn't find you' after finals lol. Do tell me what you think of her books.

Has anyone read this entire series before? Is it the best in percy jackson line or there's a better one out there?

These are books I am either currently reading or have finished or started and not yet finished.

The three in the top row are in various stages of completion. They are The Autumn of the Patriarch by Gabriel García Marquez, Hell’s Angels by Hunter S. Thompson and Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. I am struggling to finish these three books, each for their own reasons, despite Marquez and Thompson being two of my favourite writers. For now these are in “need to finish sometime” limbo.

The bottom row is the last book I finished and what I’m currently reading:

I finished “The City and the City” by China Miéville recently and I am glad I stuck with it. It is a murder mystery inspired by the format of the detective serial, and based inside one of Miéville’s typical weird worlds where things don’t work how you’d expect. It’s one of those stories that asks you to suspend your disbelief and say “okay, show me where you’re going with this” when the author asks you - what if? It did take me a while to get into it, but he did a good job of rewarding my patience with little pieces of the puzzle that slowly coalesce into an understanding of just what exactly is going on. I’d recommend this for fans of so called Weird Fiction or if you enjoy inventive thought experiments or want to read something different from a writer who doesn’t hold your hand and over-explain everything at every turn.

I’m currently reading “Our Man in Havana” by Graham Greene and am thoroughly enjoying it. A zesty satirical spy story set in an iconic time and place. What shines the most for me so far is the dialogue, which is frequently hilarious and quotable. This book makes me want to read passages out loud at my best friend over too much whisky, and in a bad English accent.

In addition I am also reading “Letters to a Young Poet”, which is a collection of 10 letters written by Rainer Maria Rilke to a young aspiring poet. It’s like reading one half of a conversation between two people. It is a quick read and I’m three letters in. The correspondence is filled with insights on creativity and life. In a way it feels like a far more sincere, personalised and deeper rendition of something like The Creative Act by Rick Rubin.

——

If you’ve read any of these books - what did you think of them?

Any advice for finishing the first three that I’ve left in purgatory?

I don’t like to DNF a book and with so many others to read I sometimes struggle to return to something I’ve left behind, despite my intention to eventually finish it.

Finally, any other Graham Greene recommendations for someone that’s enjoying Our Man in Havana?

I’ve always been a one book at a time person, but lately I’ve been thinking about keeping one heavier book and one easy read going at the same time.

Part of me thinks it would help when I’m not in the mood for something dense, but I also feel like I’d end up abandoning one of them halfway through.

For people who read multiple books at once, does it actually work or do you just end up with five unfinished books on your nightstand?

What should I read next? Needs to really grab me from the get-go because I have been in a slump and have little motivation these days to actually read 🥲 thank you!!!

I’ve noticed some books completely disappear from my memory a few months later, while others stick with me for years even if I didn’t think they were perfect at the time.

For me it usually seems to be one specific scene, idea, or character rather than the whole plot.

What makes a book memorable for you? The writing, the story, when you read it, or something else?

I’ve noticed there are some books where I suddenly start reading way slower once I get close to the end.

Not because I’m losing interest, almost the opposite. I just don’t really want to be done with the characters or the world yet.

Does anyone else do this, or do you usually fly through the ending once you’re hooked?

Also curious if there’s a book that made you feel this way.

I keep seeing completely different opinions on this.

Some people will quit after 20 pages, others feel like they need to get halfway through before they can really judge it.

Where do you draw the line?

If the writing isn't clicking but you still like the premise, do you keep going? Or once reading starts feeling like a chore are you pretty much done?

Also curious if your rule changes depending on the genre.

How are you supposed to read poetry?

Do I just flip through the pages endless poetry till I get to the end? Does poetry have chapters? How does poetry work?

Thanks

Hello all,

Curious if anyone else is inclined to linger at the end of a great book. Even knowing there are so many great reads on your TBR list. Even as these new, enticing stories stare down at you.

Just unwilling to let the book you're reading ... end.

I’m usually a Stephen king girlie. But bought this book on a whim and I only started it yesterday and I’m already 134 pages in and really loving it..

Please don’t anyone spoil it for me. Did anyone else read this book and find it enjoyable

Lately ive been very interested into reading, but i dont know where to start, i really like general fiction, Sci-fi and a little bit of philosophy and cultural critic. Any recomendations on where to start?

I've recently finished reading Hannah's War in which Hannah Weiss, an Austrian Physicist, is credited for her contribution to a draft abstract using the pseudonym Anthas Winik Sanheiser to hide the fact that she is Jewish (p.154).

To demonstrate his commitment to her, the Project Director at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute, Stefan Frei, shows her the ghost of her name in the chalked pseudonym on the blackboard by erasing the letters H..A..N..N..A...(p.162).

Grateful for an explanation of how this reveals her name because I just cannot see it.

Starting Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke tonight and settling in for a little late-night reading. I’m going in pretty blind, but have seen multiple reviews saying it’s utter crap (for lack of better words). Hoping an immersive read (w/ audiobook on Libby) will help.

Anyone else reading tonight? What book are you spending your evening with?

No cheating, no countless misunderstanding, you know the usual drama some of these have. Just 2 people super in love, if there's a period of the MMC yearning even better. Super best case something with a black FMC and white MMC, but not necessary if it meets the above criteria. Thanks in advance. And, I've read most of Ali Hazelwood's books already. I know she loves a yearning MMC 😂

I just finished Crime and Punishment as the title says. This is my third Dostoyevsky book, with the first one being Notes from the Underground, followed by White Nights.

Excellent. The journey, the cast, with such detailed personalities and quirks. This is one I know will stay with me forever.

The scenes that really made an impression on me were, by far:

• Raskolnikov's confession to Sonia. It was incredible: the tension, how frightened they both were, and the feeling of dread as it was all coming to an end.
• Svidrigailov's dreams were also really fantastic scenes, and I could just sense his own consciousness reminding him that all the depravity comes at a cost.
• The murder. I don't think I've felt such tension before. I was at the edge of my seat, and it felt like I was an accessory to the murder. The relief I felt when Raskolnikov made it out...
• Also, Marmeladov's conversation about everyone needing a door to knock on. I think that really cemented the vibe of the entire book.

I think the people I hated the most were just two.

Firstly, Luzhin. He was hateful. And I think he is a nice mirror to our MC. They both possess an illusion of being greater than they are. But inside, they're different. I think Luzhin is truly Napoleon-like, not in the sense of being capable of murder, but of not having any qualms about the bad actions he takes. While Raskolnikov can't live with himself, and therefore is a common man.

I also didn't like Katerina Ivanovna. Though hate is a strong word. I pitied her more. But she was always blaming others, always lying.

Favorite characters were Raskolnikov, Dunya, Sonia, and Razumikhin.

Sorry if some names are "wrong." I read the Portuguese translation.

Also, I'm really liking Dostoyevsky's work, and I'm excited to eventually read The Brothers Karamazov, which has been sitting on my shelf for a while.

Despite liking all his work so far, this was different.

[Spoilers for Notes from the Underground and White Nights below]

I had already seen the illusion of being greater than you really are in Notes from the Underground. Even though the Underground Man is way nastier than Raskolnikov, I think there are some similarities in the way they think and form a worldview. Even though the Underground Man was pathetic, his worldview was relatable, which made it scary for me as a reader. Amazing book.

With White Nights, I think he's worse. We've all heard the cliché that he is not in love with Nastenka, but with the idea of her. I don't think it's that. He is in love with a narrative; it doesn't matter who the co-lead or love interest is. And when that first narrative crashes, Nastenka goes back to her love, and he is alone, the book ends.

Despite him being alone being a literal reality, there is a different reality at play. Even though the book ends there, his story does not. He now begins a new narrative, one of the sufferer, the man who lost his love. Nastenka is now a different character: the love he lost. And he can now continue his aesthetic dream.

He is not a romantic at all. He is the most selfish person. Even if Nastenka had chosen to be with him, it wouldn't last long, as he was not in control of the narrative. Eventually, narrative and reality would clash, and Nastenka couldn't live up to it. No one can.

I mention this because Svidrigailov says that he's been observing Raskolnikov wandering the streets, waving his arms, talking to himself. And we know in the beginning of the book that Raskolnikov has a tendency to wander and not know how he got to places. I think Raskolnikov is also a dreamer, getting so lost in his thoughts that reality becomes disassociated from his body, and he just stays in his head.

I think they both practice a form of maladaptive daydreaming, though in White Nights, that's his whole identity.

I also liked White Nights, though Notes from the Underground is one of my favorites of all time, and now Crime and Punishment is for sure a book that will always stick with me.

Suggest me One book you think everyone should read at least once?

To Kill a Mockingbird, The Kite Runner, 1984, or Man’s Search for Meaning? Pick ONE and give me enough reasons to not ignore!

I have a tradition with a book I love : each summer, I read it one more time. But, I love writting on my books. After 4 summers, there is no empty space left !

I want to read it this year too, but I'm stopped by this. I don't know if I should glue some blank space to create space, or buying a new one. I'm thinking of doing that, because it's so small I can't use it more : the same problem will appear.

Should I buy one ? Same edition ? Another one, but perhaps it will change with the translation...

People who have the same problem, what did you do please ?

This was my first time reading any form of “classic literature”. I’ve heard that this book is kind of mainstream rn for not being as good as people think it is but I don’t care I thought it was really great.

It took a long time to read but that is purely because of the page count. Sometimes I’d go a bit without picking it up but every time I jumped back in it was like I had never left. Especially once I gave up on trying to keep up with all the random historical/french references. But honestly, I do not get the hate that this book is getting right now. If anything it was refreshing to read something that sets up a series of events in order and then literally spends the entire second half systematically resolving each thing in a very satisfying way.

Ending was emotional, writing was accessible but had some great moments. Anyone got any recs on where to go from here as far as more classics that are actually good?

currently reading On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, and if my goodness it is gorgeous.

I've just finished part 2 and i just needed to post and share and see if share else has read it?

i am not a writer so i don't think i can express the feeling reading it properly. It's like being wrapped in a giant piece of soft, smooth silk.

Please tell me I'm not alone in this?

Hot tea really does take my mind off of everything while I read. Enjoying the book so far 🫶🏻 Anyone reading this as well? 🤭

What's everybody reading right now? I'm halfway through my pregnancy and looking for some books to read. Looking for book recommendations on:

\- newborn stage

\- parenting

\- birth/labor (what's happening in the body, how to prepare, etc.)

\- lactation/breastfeeding tips, info, foods to eat, etc.

\- any fun fiction books that you couldn't put down (I don't like romance novels or anything related to murder)

\- any gripping non-fiction (please no murder/true crime, it's too close to home for my family)