I am trying to track my reading to just see how much I am doing, and then keep a note of what I liked and didn’t. Ideally so I can read more of authors I might not gravitate towards — I tend to read the same writers a lot and make sure I see their new stuff!
Priest of Bones (War for the Rose Throne, #1) – Peter McLean
This series was recommend to me on twitter if I remember correctly. Enjoyed it throughout; essentially medieval Peaky Blinders with a dash of magic and regicide.
Metro 2035 (Metro, #3) – Dmitry Glukhovsky
The last of the Metro series, I’d had on my radar to read for ages. Scratched my post-apocalypse itch and a general weary, bleak, grimness. Would recommend.
The End and the Death: Volume III – Dan Abnett
The end, after some 20 years(?) of Heresy. I loved it, plenty of baroque weirdness and loved the whole mashing together of place and time. Abnett at his flowery, over wrought best.
The Rosewater Redemption (The Wormwood Trilogy, #3) – Tade Thompson
Afro-futurism with a good level of weird. I enjoyed the series less as it went on, but loved it over all.
The Left Hand of Darkness – Ursula K. Le Guin
I hadn’t until more recently read any Ursula K. Le Guin and have everything I’ve read from her so far. Great world building, and something a little ‘different’ from my usual fare. A good palette cleanser.
Fabius Bile: Manflayer – Joshua Reynolds
Been enjoying these Fabius books as I love the character, it’s a good pulpy 40k novel.
Predator, Prey (The Beast Arises #2) – Rob Sanders
The Emperor Expects (The Beast Arises #3) – Gav Thorpe
Been curious about this series, it’s fine – nothing special.
Priest of Lies (War for the Rose Throne, #2) – Peter McLean
More of this series which I smashed through.
City of Last Chances – Adrian Tchaikovsky
I’m not sure what the term for this genre of fantasy is, but Miéville does it too, basically you’re just dropped into a completely fleshed out fantasy world where despite the fantasy elements it focusses on the ‘normal’ occupants and uses the fantasy as a backdrop. Loved this, as with most of Tchaikovsky’s stuff.
Buried: An Alternative History of the First Millennium in Britain – Alice Roberts
Making a bit of an effort to read different things and I found this really interesting. Evolution of customs, challenging of assumptions. Would read again.
Stories of Your Life and Others – Ted Chiang
Had this recommended to me as part of a ‘Reading Spa’ at Mr B’s in Bath. Enjoyed all the stories, but especially the one that the film Arrival was based on. Better than the film.
Priest of Gallows (War for the Rose Throne, #3) – Peter McLean
Carried on smashing through this series. Still good.
Utopia for Realists: How We Can Build the Ideal World – Rutger Bregman
I really like the idea of UBI and enjoyed this book. Been especially interested in alternative ideas for government/society as what we’ve got doesn’t feel like it is working.
Cunning Folk – Adam Nevill
Good folk-horror with a bit that really made me cringe featuring a floor board and a rusty nail…
Bloodlines (Warhammer Crime) – Chris Wraight
Was curious how a ‘crime’ story would work in 40k and liked Wraight’s writing. It worked.
This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor – Adam Kay
Quick, funny pallet cleanser.
Childhood’s End – Arthur C. Clarke
Been trying to read some ‘classic’ sci fi, this was a decent book, but I didn’t love it. Nice ideas.
Priest of Crowns (War for the Rose Throne, #4) – Peter McLean
Finished the series, really enjoyed all of these books.
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes – Eric LaRocca
Mixed bag here. One of the stories was really good, and unsettling. The rest were a bit meh.
Artificial Condition (The Murderbot Diaries, #2) – Martha Wells
Good fun, doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Blanche: The Rise of Grimdark – John Wombat
Really love all of Blanche’s work, and loved this insight into it. Just a shame it’s not a lavish coffee table book.
The MANIAC – Benjamín Labatut
Fictionalised biography that touched on Oppenheimer style atomic research, AI and lots of subjects I’m interested in. Enjoyed it.
House of Open Wounds – Adrian Tchaikovsky
More of the fantasy world building I loved, looking forward to the next in the series.
Last and First Men – Olaf Stapledon
Another example of trying to read older sci fi. Enjoyed the high level view this offered, following humanity far into the future.
Anathemas (Warhammer Horror) – David Annandale
I bought this because the book has beautiful painted edges, and Jake Ozga had his debut story in there and I enjoyed his shit-posting on Twitter. Found it interesting to dive into AoS, as I hadn’t had much exposure there.
Berserker! – Adrian Edmondson
Bottom was a bit of a pillar of my childhood, and much like Bob Mortimer, Ade Edmonson is just one of those figures that seems genuinely ‘nice’. Wasn’t disappointed, some sad bits about getting old, losing friends etc. Really enjoyed it.
Lords of Uncreation – Adrian Tchaikovsky
Finished the series here, and overall enjoyed it as ever with Tchaikovsky. It feels like a rare period when I’m not reading at least one of his books, as he is just so prolific. Great world building, and loved the architects.
Scared Sacred: Idolatry, Religion and Worship in the Horror Film – Rebecca Booth
Somewhat academic look at horror films, with some focus on the Hellraiser series which is a personal favourite. I did enjoy going back to reading a more academic piece, which I hadn’t touch too much since university.
The Mote in God’s Eye (Moties, #1) – Larry Niven
Trying some older sci fi again here, some good ideas, but felt dated and very tame for me.
On Connection – Kae Tempest
Love all of Tempest’s writing and wasn’t disappointed here. A very powerful piece on creativity, and connection, framed around the Pandemic.
The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower, #2) – Stephen King
I love this series, and I’m currently on my I think fourth re-read. This is my Lord of the Rings.
The Tombs of Atuan (Earthsea Cycle, #2) – Ursula K. Le Guin
Still enjoying exploring Le Guin’s writing and think I might read this with my son when he’s a little older.
The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God’s Holy Warriors – Dan Jones
Dan Jones kept cropping up on my Youtube algorithm, I watched a few interviews about this book. I’ve always had an interest in the Templars, and secret societies in general. Lots of stuff covered here I’d never been aware of, and a bit of an insight into the start of ‘Banking’.
The Mercy of Gods (The Captive’s War, #1) – James S. A. Corey
Absolutely loved The Expanse series, even got my Dad to read it, so I jumped on this. Bit of a slow start, but same quality in my opinion.
First and Only (Gaunt’s Ghosts, #1) – Dan Abnett
Second read through of the series. I cannot recommend this enough to 40k fans.
The Book of Elsewhere – China Miéville & Keanu Reeves
Honestly a bit disappointed with this. I love everything from Miéville I’ve read, I have a man-crush on Reeves and the Berserker comics sound like they’re right up my street. This was fine-to-good, I think I’d just gone in with too high expectations.
Ghostmaker (Gaunt’s Ghosts, #2) – Dan Abnett
Love Abnett, love the Ghosts.
The Breathing Method – Stephen King
The normal looking, but creepy backdrop are what makes this. Love the hints at Lovecraftian elements here with the host and the club. I have a real soft spot for this kind of thing and the King-verse (+ adjacent Hill-verse) as a whole.
The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, #3) – Stephen King
Continuing the re-read. Bits stood out here I’d forgotten about and loved Lud more this time tound.
Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower, #4) – by Stephen King
One of the weaker books in the series, but still good and really needed for the rest of the series.
Absolution (Southern Reach, #4) – Jeff VanderMeer
Cosmic weirdness of the best kind, and really enjoyed this end to the series. Amusing bit about butts touching.
Elric of Melniboné (The Elric Saga, #1) – Michael Moorcock
Love the idea of the Eternal Champion and enjoyed this seemingly formative piece for Warhammer Fantasy.
The Wind Through the Keyholes – Stephen King
This is the first time I’ve read this ‘in sequence’ and I’d forgotten so much of it. Not especially valuable in terms of what is brings to the series as a whole, but it is good. Really liked the Blood Meridian Judge styles tax collector especially.
The Doors of Eden – Adrian Tchaikovsky
I have for sometime kicking around ideas for a novel, started reading this and well Tchaikovsky got there first. As I read through it is different, but speaks to how much I liked the ideas here. Collapsing timelines, walking between worlds. Yes please.
Foundation (Foundation, #1) – Isaac Asimov
Another delve into older sci fi classics. Especially enjoyed this one and you can see why it is so foundational (ho-ho!) in the sci fi canon.
The Great When – Alan Moore
It is Alan Moore as you expect, delightfully weird and complicated. Possibly not for everyone, but I really liked it.
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