What Are You Reading Now?

[SteelBlue]

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa. Won the Booker Prize for translated work in 2019. Billed as Orwell meets Murakami. 2/3 in and I'd much prefer to be reading Orwell or Murakami.

[BigPiney]

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa. Won the Booker Prize for translated work in 2019. Billed as Orwell meets Murakami. 2/3 in and I'd much prefer to be reading Orwell or Murakami.

Ha, I liked it. Thought it was unique.

[SteelBlue]

Ha, I liked it. Thought it was unique.

Problem could definitely be with me. Just haven't felt drawn to it at all.

[BigPiney]

Problem could definitely be with me. Just haven't felt drawn to it at all.

I listened to it when I went on a cool solo day hike earlier this summer, so I was totally enjoying the day. Fit with the vibe of loneliness and loss.

[SteelBlue]

New George Saunders novel coming in January. Hoping to score a galley.

[falafel]

New George Saunders novel coming in January. Hoping to score a galley.

How do you propose to do that?

[BigPiney]

How do you propose to do that?

He gets lots of free books to review.

[Applejack]

Am late to the party, but am just finishing Boom Town, by Sam Anderson. Really, really fun read, and an unexpected one given that it's a book about a nondescript midwest city (almost BigXII).

[Clark Addison]

I just got the new S.A. Crosby book, King of Ashes last night and I am excited to read it. If you haven't read any of his books, they are great. His style is described as Southern Noir. They can be gritty, but I have enjoyed them all.

Just wanted to appreciate this post. I've read Cosby's (hey, hey, hey!) first two since this post and enjoyed them both.

[SteelBlue]

Got the new Saunders. Will return and report.

[Pelado]

Got the new Saunders. Will return and report.

The new Saunders? I'll stick with Richie, thanks.

[SteelBlue]

Finished Saunders’ new “novel” Vigil. You guys know that I’m a Saunders fanboy so you will likely be surprised that I disliked it. Might’ve worked better as a short story but even then I think it was just too heavy handed. He takes on global warming via a dying CEO and scientist who knowingly manipulated and withheld the science and data on climate change for profit. A spirit sent to comfort him at death and others who come to accuse him make up the plot. Occasional funny dialog, but mostly it was just bad. I’m almost embarrassed for him. Was there nobody to tell him how pedantic this was?

[Clark Addison]

Finished Saunders’ new “novel” Vigil. You guys know that I’m a Saunders fanboy so you will likely be surprised that I disliked it. Might’ve worked better as a short story but even then I think it was just too heavy handed. He takes on global warming via a dying CEO and scientist who knowingly manipulated and withheld the science and data on climate change for profit. A spirit sent to comfort him at death and others who come to accuse him make up the plot. Occasional funny dialog, but mostly it was just bad. I’m almost embarrassed for him. Was there nobody to tell him how pedantic this was?

Yeah, that sounds awful

[Northwestcoug]

A few books I've read recently:

Babel, by RF Kwang. A good urban fantasy take on Victorian-era colonial England. It has a unique magical world in that there is power in learning the root meanings of words and how they are translated into other languages. It includes a very critical view of colonialism. I recommend it just for its uniqueness in the fantasy genre. I liked it enough to branch into her....

Poppy War trilogy. This is essentially an allegory to the Sino-Japanese War. This had an even more interesting magical world where people can access gods and their power from an astral plane by, well, getting high. It was well-written enough for me to finish it, but it did start losing steam in the end. Very brutal, which was likely by design. After finishing this, I needed a little levity, which let me to...

Somewhere Beyond the Sea. The sequel to The House on the Cerulean Sea. Loved it, not as much as the first but it still had wholesomeness and good vibes dripping from each page. It is out loud and proud with queer representation, which is Klune's mission. This is a quick read. I highly recommend both books.

[BigPiney]

A few books I've read recently:

Babel, by RF Kwang. A good urban fantasy take on Victorian-era colonial England. It has a unique magical world in that there is power in learning the root meanings of words and how they are translated into other languages. It includes a very critical view of colonialism. I recommend it just for its uniqueness in the fantasy genre. I liked it enough to branch into her....

I hated this book. Kwang is so freaking pretentious. I also read Yellowface by her and it bugged me to no end. No more for me.