The MLP Arena

Pony Talk => Off Topic => Topic started by: Griffin on January 19, 2021, 04:07:00 AM

Title: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Griffin on January 19, 2021, 04:07:00 AM
It's been a while since we had one of these, right?  :read: So, what are you reading rn? :)

I just finished a book last night, a memoir by the Chinese author Hong Ying. (The original title is 好儿女花, apparently it hasn't been published in English yet? Mine was a Finnish translation, of course.) I think I've read something from the same author before, Daughter of the River rings some bells... not sure about that, though.

It was actually refreshing to read in Finnish for a change, I don't do that a lot anymore... I guess I should branch out a little and also read Finnish authors. :P And books translated from languages other than English.

Next up is The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie, recommended by a friend.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Ponybookworm on January 19, 2021, 09:08:35 AM
When not reading (or writing) my own stuff I'm beta-reading a story by a fellow Arena member.

Because of all the writing it's been a while since I dove into a book...
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: BlackCurtains on January 19, 2021, 09:51:42 AM
I'm reading a non-fictional book about cats. It covers the history of cats in culture around the world, past and present wild cat breeds and all
domestic cat breeds. I have an encyclopedia with all the domestic cat breeds but this new book offers more information and of course, has its own pictures of all the pretty kitties :)
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Pokeyonekenobie on January 19, 2021, 09:57:45 AM
I'm going to stalk this thread for recommendations.  :D  I work in a library so I'm surrounded by books but I never really know what to pick up next.  I tend to listen to books on CD because I can do that in my office while I work on other things. 

If anyone is looking for something to read, I really enjoyed "Stalking Jack the Ripper" and "Bloody Jack."  Both are series and the audiobooks are excellent as well.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Taffeta on January 19, 2021, 10:31:18 AM
If audible counts, I just finished the first volume of Tenshi no Kiba by Oosawa Arimasa and have just begun the second. My audiobook is in Japanese. Audible has Japanese books. I am so happy about this discovery :D

I don't know if it has an English translation, but just in case, I'll give a summary and such in spoilers below. I think it has a movie or drama adaptation since something comes up for it on IMDB but I'm sticking with the book.

I thought to begin with it was just a regular detective story set around major organised crime but...I was a bit wrong.

The Japanese are interesting sometimes.

Summary
Spoiler
Detective Kouno Asuka is assigned by her boss to go protect the former girlfriend of mob boss Kimikuni, Hatsumi. Someone leaks their meeting place and Kimikuni sends people to kill Hatsumi, with Asuka getting caught in the crossfire.

Six months later Asuka wakes up in Hatsumi's body, having had her brain transplanted into Hatsumi after the injuries both suffered. Convinced by her former boss to go under cover to try and trap Kimikuni once and for all, she is the bait in a trap.

At the end of book one, Asuka has just about realised that her former partner and would be fiance is probably not the one trying to kill her, and has just about managed to escape from one man who definitely was.

To be honest, there have been a few moments where I've just thought that the main character would make a terrible detective, because she jumps to all the wrong conclusions so much of the time. But the concept is so weird that I am sticking with it.

In terms of physically reading, I haven't since Christmas when I was rereading St Clares by Enid Blyton. Which is a bit of a contrast to the above ;)
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: LadyAmalthea on January 19, 2021, 10:34:41 AM
If anyone is looking for something to read, I really enjoyed "Stalking Jack the Ripper" and "Bloody Jack."  Both are series and the audiobooks are excellent as well.

I read a book recently about the victims of Jack the Ripper...it was really interesting! I never knew he only had 5 victims; he is always portrayed as this serial killer who ran a massive reign of terror over the streets of London over a long period of time, but the crimes really were all carried out in a matter of weeks. The book, I wish I could remember the name and author (I'll have to check my archived library downloads), paints an intriguing and appalling picture of Victorian London as it tells about each woman's life and the twists of fate that eventually brought them to such a grisly end.

Right now I'm reading my third book by Anne Patchett...I tend to get stuck on one author for a while, mostly out of laziness. I listen to a lot of audiobooks, since I'm driving at least 3-4 hours a day during the week.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Miniature Sheep on January 19, 2021, 10:41:02 AM
I'm going to stalk this thread for recommendations.  :D

Same here!

At the moment, I'm reading 'Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain'; it starts out with chapters on particular themes, then covers folklore from specific regions around Britain and finishes with a section about significant historical figures. There are some absolutely amazing woodcut illustrations in there, and a lot of information about the origins of traditions, songs and sayings. It's keeping me suitably occupied! :D
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Griffin on January 19, 2021, 02:25:27 PM
If audible counts, I just finished the first volume of Tenshi no Kiba by Oosawa Arimasa and have just begun the second. My audiobook is in Japanese. Audible has Japanese books. I am so happy about this discovery :D

Sure they count! I don't do audiobooks myself so I tend to forget. I guess I should give them a chance but I fear I'd be too restless to just sit and listen, and trying to multitask would probably break my focus. :P (I can't draw and listen at the same time, for example - I would always start doodling during lessons and lectures and only later realise that I was so concentrated on my drawing I'd stopped listening completely XD )
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Pokeyonekenobie on January 19, 2021, 03:27:18 PM
If audible counts, I just finished the first volume of Tenshi no Kiba by Oosawa Arimasa and have just begun the second. My audiobook is in Japanese. Audible has Japanese books. I am so happy about this discovery :D

Sure they count! I don't do audiobooks myself so I tend to forget. I guess I should give them a chance but I fear I'd be too restless to just sit and listen, and trying to multitask would probably break my focus. :P (I can't draw and listen at the same time, for example - I would always start doodling during lessons and lectures and only later realise that I was so concentrated on my drawing I'd stopped listening completely XD )

That's funny because I feel like I spent so many years taking notes during lectures that if my hands aren't busy I can't pay attention.  I almost never sit down and watch TV or listen to anything without a craft or video game of some sort in my hands.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: SunPony on January 19, 2021, 03:46:00 PM
Right now I'm working on a diary of John James Audubon from the early 1800s.  It is really interesting and surprisingly hilarious and relatable.  He likes to use as many exclamation points in a row as possible at times  :lol:  If he lived today he would definitely be doing this:  "My wife is my best friend and I love her so much!!!!!!!!!1"

Next I think I'll get a mystery novel by Tess Gerritsen, a friend let me borrow a book by her and I really liked it so I think I'll try another.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Taffeta on January 19, 2021, 03:55:32 PM
I can watch football or TV documentaries and have the PC on at the same time, but with audiobooks I want to listen to the story, so generally was listening to them while travelling. No travelling for a while though...so I've taken to listening to them before bed.

I really have to be in the right mood though.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: LordBlumiere on January 19, 2021, 06:02:29 PM
Oooh, good thread!

I'm reading the Kingdom Hearts light novels--I just picked up the one for the first game. Sometimes I just want a light read, and it's nice to have a familiar story written down like this :lovey:
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Griffin on January 26, 2021, 11:20:43 AM
Next up is The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie, recommended by a friend.

Finished this and now reading N. K. Jemisin's Dreamblood books :)
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Beldarna on January 26, 2021, 11:50:47 PM
I'm currently reading The Sisters Grimm by Menna Van Praag (fantasy) and The Crossing Places by Elly Grifftihs (crime).
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Koudoawaia on January 28, 2021, 10:57:06 AM
I'm reading Flight of Dragons in the Dragonfire Rain trilogy by Daniel Arenson. It's the latest trilogy in his Requiem series which are about a race called the Vir Requis who are people that can shift into dragons and are usually hunted to near extinction by one enemy or another in these trilogies but I still can't put them down. Warning about the fact they do get pretty graphic at times though.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Baby Crumpet on January 28, 2021, 11:13:25 AM
Ministry of Fear by Graham Greene - well, I just finished it. Graham Greene is my favourite author and the Ministry of Fear was just MASSIVE fun. I'd really recommend it! It does get a little graphic/dark at times, but overall is a lot of fun.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: nessa16 on January 28, 2021, 11:36:45 AM
Hannibal Rising, the prequel Hannibal Lector book. 
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: PrincessRoyalBlue on January 30, 2021, 06:16:58 PM
I'm re-reading the entire Wings of Fire series before the next book comes out in March! (I love to read. If I'm not sleeping, eating, or talking ponies, that's guaranteed to be what I'm doing.)
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Satin Slipper on February 06, 2021, 10:15:59 PM
Last thing I read was a magazine out of boredom  :P
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: nessa16 on February 07, 2021, 05:48:27 PM
Hannibal Rising, the prequel Hannibal Lector book. 
Read Red Dragon and now on Silence of the Lambs.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Pokeyonekenobie on February 07, 2021, 10:51:24 PM
I'm listening to the "Adventurers Wanted" series.  I'm really enjoying it. 
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: neptune on February 08, 2021, 03:45:56 AM
I've been reading "Cujo" from Stephen King for a while to scare myself to sleep  :biggrin: Though it's kind of hard to sleep after reading this book as I'm living all alone at my parents' property in Turkey (https://tranio.com/turkey/) all alone..
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: BlackCurtains on February 23, 2021, 09:14:28 AM
I'm reading a book about crystals my mom got me. I don't believe that crystals have healing powers or anything like that, I just think they're neat :) The book has hundreds of different crystals with pictures and some scientific info, but most of the information is new age stuff. Still, the pictures are nice and I've looked up some of the crystals online and they're fairly cheap. I have some crystals in my gemstone collection already and I can't afford most gems anymore, but some of the crystals I can :)
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Griffin on May 01, 2021, 04:19:45 AM
Bumping the thread.

Have read a couple of books after the Dreamblood series (which was amazing, btw!): two books by Finnish authors and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - loved that one too!

Now re-reading The Three Musketeers but in German, haha. Trying to brush up my skills. There's lots of unfamiliar vocabulary but it helps I've already read the book a couple of times. The last time was probably 15-20 years ago, though, and the film adaptations tend to take certain liberties.  :lol:

Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Koudoawaia on May 01, 2021, 11:34:33 AM
I'm reading The Dragon's Paladin by Justin Lee. It is really really good. It's about a paladin from a renowned dragon slaying family that ironically becomes best friends with a dragon. It's supposed to be part of a series and it's so good I'm honestly upset there aren't more in the series yet >>
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: tikibirds on May 25, 2021, 11:34:40 AM
I was reading the 2nd book in The Hunger Games trilogy. I'm kinda surprised its not banned here.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Beth3346 on July 02, 2021, 07:17:54 AM
what is everyone using to listen to audiobooks? i'm looking at audible. but i don't really want another subscription and i'm trying to stop giving amazon money.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Pokeyonekenobie on July 02, 2021, 09:12:13 AM
what is everyone using to listen to audiobooks? i'm looking at audible. but i don't really want another subscription and i'm trying to stop giving amazon money.

My library card gives me access to Overdrive and RBDigital. Or I check out audiobooks from the library.  You could see if Overdrive or RBDigital have free books you can listen to.  I think they usually have the classics available for free.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Koudoawaia on July 02, 2021, 09:23:54 AM
I'm reading The Chronicles of Kale. Dragons have about been hunted to extinction by an insane general and the last dragon Kale Firehart gets turned into a human by his wizard friend to save his life.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Beth3346 on July 02, 2021, 09:27:35 AM
what is everyone using to listen to audiobooks? i'm looking at audible. but i don't really want another subscription and i'm trying to stop giving amazon money.

My library card gives me access to Overdrive and RBDigital. Or I check out audiobooks from the library.  You could see if Overdrive or RBDigital have free books you can listen to.  I think they usually have the classics available for free.

Thanks :) It looks like my local library has Overdrive. I just need to get a library card. We moved during the pandemic so we haven't been to the library yet.

I love buying books just because i don't really like to read on my iPad and i like having actual copies that can't get deleted. but i'm horrible about actually reading them. it's embarrassing really. i like to listen to podcasts so i think i'll have more success with audiobooks.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Bekuno on July 02, 2021, 09:59:15 AM
I'm currently reading Silverwing, which is a story about bats! It got adapted into a Canadian cartoon as well, so I watch episodes of the show as I read along, and they're quite different!
I plan to read all four books, but I already have my next big read picked out next.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: LadyAmalthea on July 02, 2021, 10:35:46 AM
what is everyone using to listen to audiobooks? i'm looking at audible. but i don't really want another subscription and i'm trying to stop giving amazon money.

My library card gives me access to Overdrive and RBDigital. Or I check out audiobooks from the library.  You could see if Overdrive or RBDigital have free books you can listen to.  I think they usually have the classics available for free.

I second checking out what your library has to offer. My library card gives me access to Hoopla, and one other (maybe Overdrive?) that I haven't even looked into yet. It's free as long as you have a library card, and you get 6 borrows a month with Hoopla, plus sometimes they run specials where select titles don't count toward your 6...often classics.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Griffin on July 03, 2021, 05:02:30 AM
Now re-reading The Three Musketeers but in German, haha. Trying to brush up my skills. There's lots of unfamiliar vocabulary but it helps I've already read the book a couple of times. The last time was probably 15-20 years ago, though, and the film adaptations tend to take certain liberties.  :lol:

This is a lengthy project but I'm almost half way through! I gave myself permission to read other books in the meanwhile, though, so I went to the library to get a couple (now that they're open again, yay! :heart: )

I already read Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (the author of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell). A quick read and very enjoyable! I recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy and detective stories / murder mysteries. Or someone who likes journalling, lol!
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: BlackCurtains on July 06, 2021, 11:25:47 AM
I started The Long Walk by Richard Bachman (Stephen King) again. It's my favorite book of his and I've read it I think 4 times. I was talking to a friend about his books and movies and remembered that the dude who did the Shawshank and Green Mile movies has the rights to The Long Walk. I think he could do it justice. So anyway, I'm reading it again.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Bekuno on July 06, 2021, 11:36:22 AM
I officially started reading Dune two days ago! I'm trying to read a minimum of two chapters a day, and just hoping I finish by the time the movie is out in October! I've never read a book quite this long and it's my first real venture into sci-fi, I've been enjoying it!
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: bright rabbit 1 on July 06, 2021, 01:34:28 PM
Vintage Barbie books they have big writing in them and I can read them unlike some of the books I’ve got.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Marshie on August 30, 2021, 05:15:02 AM
Totally not a “reading this for fun” book, but I’m reading ‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team’ for my job. I work as a production associate as well as graphic designer and the creative team is reading this one together!

A “I’m reading this for fun” book would be one called ‘Skogluft: Forest Air’. It’s all about bringing natural air and light into your spaces to improve happiness and health (aka going plant crazy in your office!)
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: tikibirds on September 01, 2021, 10:09:00 AM
Tianbao Fuyao Lu Also known as Legend of Exorcism. Its 221 chapters but only about 60 are translated  :cry:
 It also has a CGI donghua (animation).
So here's a premise: A human man with the power of Heart leads a team made up of a half-demon, wolf gege, one campy Foreigner, an encyclopedic nerd and a fish with hairy legs in the effort to keep Chang'an from the clutches of demons that want to take it over. Stolen from a review on novelupdates
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Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Beth3346 on November 27, 2021, 03:30:17 PM
I'm listening to Bulls*t Jobs by David Graeber and thinking about most of the jobs i've had in my life.

It's a really interesting book though. I haven't gotten to the part where any solutions are discussed but i would like to imagine a world where i can build web things for fun and read philosophy books like i did when i was first learning web development.

Before that i ready How Fascism Works by Jason Stanley which provides a really good explanation of how a government can have Fascist elements but not be completely Fascist. so yeah i enjoy the light reading :)
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Taffeta on November 27, 2021, 04:09:00 PM
The Japanese war tale. Eternally. Its long.

Also Yona manga.

And Tenshi no Kiba (book 2) on the audible audiobooks. Now I've got it to work again.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Koudoawaia on November 27, 2021, 04:20:29 PM
Currently reading The Horses Know by Lynn Mann. In this book's universe, horses choose humans to bond with which of course is what happened with the main character. It's really good so far.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Iceglider on March 16, 2022, 06:11:08 PM
The Wingfeather series, I am on book 3. I jumped in funding the animated series without reading the books. It looked super cool. So far the story and characters are amazing.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Koudoawaia on March 17, 2022, 07:03:05 AM
Reading Lord Brocktree from the Redwall series by Brian Jacques again. Love that series and my copy is falling apart a bit. >>
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Taffeta on March 17, 2022, 07:30:49 AM
Mostly with audible, but at the moment, Middlemarch.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: BlackCurtains on March 17, 2022, 08:34:57 AM
I've been reading a bunch of scientific papers on the human brain.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Pokeyonekenobie on March 17, 2022, 12:21:15 PM
Reading Lord Brocktree from the Redwall series by Brian Jacques again. Love that series and my copy is falling apart a bit. >>

I love that series.

The Wingfeather series, I am on book 3. I jumped in funding the animated series without reading the books. It looked super cool. So far the story and characters are amazing.

Sounds interesting.  I'll have to get my hands on it.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Koudoawaia on April 16, 2022, 11:55:55 PM
Now I'm reading Book 7 in the Wings of Fire series, Winter Turning. Bought a hardback copy of it at Half Price Books cuz I forgot I already had the ebook and then overlooked it apparently when I was checking my Kindle library before I bought it =p
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: BlackCurtains on April 17, 2022, 02:57:25 PM
I just read a study about reading on a screen vs reading from an actual book. People who read the books could visualize better and retained more information and details than those who read from a screen. The researchers don't know why but think it has something to do with the way humans interact with the physical world vs virtual world. I thought it was interesting. If I can find it again I'll link to it.

Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Gator on April 17, 2022, 04:17:08 PM
Warrior, A starless clan
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Lady Frostbite on May 24, 2022, 11:01:40 AM
Finished (Name of Book) by (Author) about a famous/infamous organisation I shant name here because they can be quite quick with lawsuits and such. I wasn't a fan of the book's format but I wanted to finish it right to the end.

I got a preview of a couple of books on Kindle, two of them about Jimmy Savile, the infamous monster. One I thought I would like less as it has first-person narrative, something I normally don't like. But I was more drawn into that than the other sample, mostly because it has the telling of Savile's own words about his own life, which makes his crimes more horrific as you KNOW what he was later found to have been doing. I've yet to read my other sample book about the aforementioned organisation.

I'm just happy I'm getting back into reading again  :cheer: I was being super hard on myself for ages as I thought I had lost my ability, or rather, my compulsion to read but looks like it's coming back!
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Koudoawaia on May 24, 2022, 12:14:20 PM
Reading Mossflower which is my favorite Redwall book so my copy  of that is pretty beat up too XP
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Taffeta on May 26, 2022, 02:42:03 PM
I have a bunch of audiobooks on the go. I'm also reading a lot of academic stuff, on and off. And the Yuukoku no Moriarty light novel 1, where Louis is conflicted by his aquarium fish.

I always end up with multiple books on the go. I bought my kindle for reading on journeys, though, and then COVID stopped journeys. And then I got into audible so my poor kindle is kind of...unloved right now.

I'm not surprised about screen vs real reading. When doing any kind of academic work I can never do reading on a device, I have to have it on paper. Whatever language it is in. And same if I'm proofing my work. I miss things on screen.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Koudoawaia on June 16, 2022, 08:01:26 PM
Still on my Redwall kick. Reading Mariel of Redwall now as well as the graphic novel version of The Dark Secret from the Wings of Fire series. I have the regular novel versions of the first 8 books and I love the artwork in the graphic novel versions of the first five books.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Twizel on June 16, 2022, 08:02:40 PM
I am reading three books right now:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter series)
Kushiel's Avatar (Kushiel's Legacy series)
Sword of Destiny (Witcher series)
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Eskara1862 on June 18, 2022, 10:29:34 AM
I just signed up for my library's Summer Reading Program! First book is Dinotopia: A Land Apart From Time by James Gurney. I figure I'll start out with an old favorite to help get back into the habit of reading.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Griffin on June 18, 2022, 01:50:51 PM
I just signed up for my library's Summer Reading Program! First book is Dinotopia: A Land Apart From Time by James Gurney. I figure I'll start out with an old favorite to help get back into the habit of reading.

Ooh I loved Dinotopia as a kid! Although my sister probably loved it even better, she was very much into dinosaurs at some point. :D

The summer reading programme sounds fun!

I'm not currently reading anything, unless you count the Musketeers which I haven't touched since last year, haha. I may have mentioned this before but for several years now I've had a low-key goal of reading more (for fun, academic literature doesn't count...) and my 2022 started strong! 14½ books read so far, one I didn't finish. That's a lot for me, considering I've only managed about 20 books per year for the last couple of years. Now it's been some time since I completed the previous book, I have one lined up but haven't felt like starting it. It's The Bone Ships by RJ Barker, no idea what it's going to be like, I just randomly picked it off the library shelf.

Here's some highlights, though! I have a friend who's an avid reader (and a writer, too) and I know she has an excellent taste so I've been going through her list of recommendations from a few years back. Most of these I picked from her list.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January and The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
The Wayfarer series by Becky Chambers (I'm generally more into fantasy than scifi but these books are sooo good! Comforting, too :heart: )
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern (I've previously read The Night Circus from the same author and can warmly recommend both of these)
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin (looking forward to the second part of the trilogy! I think I've already made a reservation, should check the status)

...and the most recently completed, Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor, some very good YA fantasy here!
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Koudoawaia on June 18, 2022, 09:39:00 PM
The one Dinotopia book I have I chose as a prize in my library's Summer Reading Program years back if I remember right^^

Reading the graphic novel version of The Brightest Night in the Wings of Fire series now.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: tikibirds on July 09, 2022, 02:06:08 AM
Little Mushroom
Quote
Until the day humanity falls.”

In the year 2020, Earth’s magnetic poles disappeared and humankind was nearly wiped out by cosmic radiation. Within the span of a hundred years, living creatures began to mutate and devour each other while the remaining humans, numbering in the tens of thousands, struggled bitterly in their man-made bases.

In the Abyss, home to the mutated xenogenics, there lived a sentient little mushroom. Because it had been nourished by the blood and flesh of the deceased human An Ze, not only did it take on a similar-looking human form, but a similar name as well: An Zhe.

An Zhe is determined to go to the human base to search for his spore, which had been harvested by humans. Once there, however, he faces the omnipresent risk of discovery and certain death as he tries to keep his non-human nature hidden from the Judges, whose responsibility is to inspect for and eliminate xenogenics like himself. And of all the Judges, Colonel Lu Feng is the most perceptive and merciless—as soon as he determines that someone is a xenogenic, he will execute that person on the spot.

But An Zhe’s mutation goes undetected by Lu Feng’s eyes, and so a tale of humans and xenogenics unfolds…
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: katrine2309 on July 09, 2022, 06:31:35 AM
Oh! I love to read- all kinds of things really :)

Right now I have several reading projects. I am re-reading Fables (complete series) by Bill Willingham. I love these! They are graphic novels about fairytale characters that has to flee their homeworlds into our world. Love the concept!

I am also reading some childrens book as I am a teacher and I like to read the books before recommending to my students or using them in the classroom. Right now I am reading Northern Lights by Malin Falch. It is a series of books (comic book style) about a young girl that get transported into a world where she meets lots of characters from Norwegian superstition, such as trolls and Huldra. We also meet people based on the viking culture as well as the Sami people. Recommend it! And it is translated to English ;) Perfect for 10-14 year olds!

I really recommend books by Shaun Tan. They are easy to read as they are picture books (but for older children, grown ups and teenagers). I love studying the pictures and the hidden meanings about society and history. My favs are The Rabbits, The Cicada and The Arrival (no words in the last one!!). I use them in my English class with my students. So beautiful books!

I just signed up for my library's Summer Reading Program! First book is Dinotopia: A Land Apart From Time by James Gurney. I figure I'll start out with an old favorite to help get back into the habit of reading.

I love Dinotopia :heart: I have the two first stories. It was some of my most favorite  books as a kid.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Koudoawaia on July 09, 2022, 07:54:55 AM
In my apparent goal to re read the entire Redwall series in chronological order, I am now reading The Bellmaker from that series.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Lady Frostbite on July 09, 2022, 02:59:41 PM
Koudoawaia - Have you seen the three Redwall animated series runs? Redwall, Mattimeo and Martin the Warrior. I've seen the first two but not the third as it was hugely expensive to get the DVDs back in the day but I think it's on Amazon now. I read most of the first Redwall due to the series, I remember wanting Marlfox because of the cover but couldn't afford it as a kid  :cry: I'm really impressed they got the voice actor of Matthias from the first series to voice his adult self in Mattimeo!

I'm reading a book I literally can't name here  :biggrin: It's about particular types of spies for the Third Reich, and I'm seeing names I've never heard before, which is very interesting. Makes everyone do a double-take in the break room!

I finished Breaking Free by Rachel Jeffs, and I've ordered Lost Boy by Brent Jeffs as I enjoyed the preview on Kindle and it will be very interesting to hear the experience of the opposite gender within the FLDS, even if part of the content will be very upsetting as it involves crimes against children.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Artemesia's Garden on July 10, 2022, 06:11:36 AM
I just finished Derek Jarman's diary, which has stuff in it about gardening and making films and also about being HIV positive. Next, I'm tempted to try and find an Ian McEwan I haven't read. I like a bit of horror in a heatwave, and he describes them best. Radio 4 reminded me about the passage in Atonement, but there's a lot of good heatwave grimness in The Cement Garden too.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: mlp4me on July 14, 2022, 06:05:22 AM
Going back through the Unicorn Chronicles by Bruce Coville. He's been editing the last two books, adding additional content and releasing revised additions (so essentially there are three more books in the series). Easy reads, great characters, realms of fun!
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Lady Frostbite on July 14, 2022, 06:35:54 AM
Just got Lost Boy by Brent Jeffs through the post, can't wait to dive in!
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: freezestime on July 14, 2022, 08:02:44 AM
I'm near the end of Frankenstein and I have to say, I thought it'd be more gruesome as it's just... alarmingly relatable
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Artemesia's Garden on July 14, 2022, 10:09:46 PM
Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell. However, I know it's going to be a tough one and I'm not sure I'll get through it. There are apparently a lot of people from Europe and the UK going independently to fight for Ukraine, someone on the radio pointed out that this book covers a similar historic situation.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: StarryEmerald24 on July 15, 2022, 09:25:36 AM
In my apparent goal to re read the entire Redwall series in chronological order, I am now reading The Bellmaker from that series.

Koudoawaia - Have you seen the three Redwall animated series runs? Redwall, Mattimeo and Martin the Warrior. I've seen the first two but not the third as it was hugely expensive to get the DVDs back in the day but I think it's on Amazon now.

Redwall was one of my favorite book series in middle school. I remember hearing when the author passed away. I haven't checked recently but I remember the shows were all uploaded on YouTube years ago. I don't remember if I watched Mattimeo, but I watched at least the other two that way. I think it was even the first thing I ever watched on YouTube. I do dream of getting the DVDs but I do remember them being very expensive even just a few years ago.

Post Merge: July 15, 2022, 09:27:24 AM

I've currently been reading Manga Classic adaptations of books. I went through Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and Pride and Prejudice this past week.

I don't remember if I read Tom Sawyer as the regular book before but I read the others and it was nice to refresh them in my mind. Plus they all look so good in manga form.  :lol:
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Koudoawaia on July 15, 2022, 09:50:06 AM
Koudoawaia - Have you seen the three Redwall animated series runs? Redwall, Mattimeo and Martin the Warrior. I've seen the first two but not the third as it was hugely expensive to get the DVDs back in the day but I think it's on Amazon now. I read most of the first Redwall due to the series, I remember wanting Marlfox because of the cover but couldn't afford it as a kid  :cry: I'm really impressed they got the voice actor of Matthias from the first series to voice his adult self in Mattimeo!

I'm reading a book I literally can't name here  :biggrin: It's about particular types of spies for the Third Reich, and I'm seeing names I've never heard before, which is very interesting. Makes everyone do a double-take in the break room!

I finished Breaking Free by Rachel Jeffs, and I've ordered Lost Boy by Brent Jeffs as I enjoyed the preview on Kindle and it will be very interesting to hear the experience of the opposite gender within the FLDS, even if part of the content will be very upsetting as it involves crimes against children.

I have and they were pretty good but I honestly thought the art style in that series could've been better^^; At times animals did not look like the animals they were supposed to be.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Beth3346 on July 15, 2022, 09:53:48 AM
Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell. However, I know it's going to be a tough one and I'm not sure I'll get through it. There are apparently a lot of people from Europe and the UK going independently to fight for Ukraine, someone on the radio pointed out that this book covers a similar historic situation.

i've been wanting to read that one for a while.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Artemesia's Garden on July 16, 2022, 10:50:13 PM
Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell. However, I know it's going to be a tough one and I'm not sure I'll get through it. There are apparently a lot of people from Europe and the UK going independently to fight for Ukraine, someone on the radio pointed out that this book covers a similar historic situation.

i've been wanting to read that one for a while.

I'll let you know how it goes!

I'm near the end of Frankenstein and I have to say, I thought it'd be more gruesome as it's just... alarmingly relatable

Ha ha, yes! Such a great book. I read Dracula again last year and it's such a great analogy for any controlling, narcissistic relationship.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: BlackCurtains on July 17, 2022, 04:51:57 AM
I found my old James Harriot books. I loved them so much as a kid. I read a few pages of All Creatures Great and Small and the memories came flooding back :lol: I wonder if the TV show is available anywhere?
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Griffin on July 17, 2022, 09:22:23 AM
I found my old James Harriot books. I loved them so much as a kid. I read a few pages of All Creatures Great and Small and the memories came flooding back :lol: I wonder if the TV show is available anywhere?

Did you know there's a new tv adaptation? It's very good! 2 seasons have come out so far. Although I must admit I don't remember the original adaptation all that well to compare. I, too, used to love these books as a kid!

Currently reading book 2 of the Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin. Love this author's writing and worldbuilding!

Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: BlackCurtains on July 17, 2022, 12:56:32 PM
No I didn't know there was a new one! I bet it's not available here and I'm not subscribed to Brit Box or anything like that.
Title: Re: What are you currently reading?
Post by: Pokeyonekenobie on July 17, 2022, 08:23:37 PM
No I didn't know there was a new one! I bet it's not available here and I'm not subscribed to Brit Box or anything like that.

I know the first season at least is on DVD because the library I work at owns it.  Apparently it has aired on PBS so you could see if it's available on demand through your cable service.
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