I gravitate toward history books and I'm reading a great one right now: Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by J Weatherford.
Interesting book that really shows you the huge influence the Mongols had. The parts about his early life, as well as Mongol military tactics are the best.
Interesting book that really shows you the huge influence the Mongols had. The parts about his early life, as well as Mongol military tactics are the best.
Just finished Stephen King's Pet Sematary, and am now reading The Talisman by him and Peter Straub.
King is one of my favourite authors, even though horror in general is not a favourite genre of mine.
King is one of my favourite authors, even though horror in general is not a favourite genre of mine.
I finally managed to finish my one little book in progress, which took way too long to read: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. What a great little book for everyone interested in human behavior.
I should really find more time to read books again. I wrote to Santa, that I would like to have two new books for Christmas, so now I _really_ have to find more time to finish these previous ones. One done. Another one to go.
My second long time project has been The Fool's Errand, Tawny Man 1. I really enjoyed the first trilogy (The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb) previous to this one, so now I want to finish this other one too. First book is half way through, so only 2,5 books to go. Yay!
I should really find more time to read books again. I wrote to Santa, that I would like to have two new books for Christmas, so now I _really_ have to find more time to finish these previous ones. One done. Another one to go.
My second long time project has been The Fool's Errand, Tawny Man 1. I really enjoyed the first trilogy (The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb) previous to this one, so now I want to finish this other one too. First book is half way through, so only 2,5 books to go. Yay!
Finished reading Neuromancer by William Gibson. I see where a lot of inspiration is coming from for other cyberpunk settings. On to Count Zero!
Re-reading the Saga of Recluce (L. E. Modesitt, Jr.) Sci-fi and fantasy blend. 26 novels in the series and counting. Story spans 2,255 years as of now, told in non-chronological order. So figures of legend and history in one novel often become main characters in the next, when the story jumps back 1,000 years into the past. Very intriguing system of magic based on Order/Chaos balance, with each character "visualizing" magic in their own, unique way.
Deceptively dry in presentation, however. There's actually a lot to unpack, but I've had a lot of people tell me they just can't get into it because it seems like very little actually happens. It's really all in the subtext. He's a very nuanced and subtle writer.
Deceptively dry in presentation, however. There's actually a lot to unpack, but I've had a lot of people tell me they just can't get into it because it seems like very little actually happens. It's really all in the subtext. He's a very nuanced and subtle writer.
Alternating between a few reads at the moment.
Warriors of God by Andrzej Sapkowski
The second book in Sapkowski's Hussite Trilogy. I found the first book to be a bit too self-indulgent and I left it aside for some time but did eventually finish it. Things do pick up towards the end of it and the start of the second book is promising. Reynevan (the main character) has not impressed me so far, but his companions and the events are enough to keep me going. The backdrop is that of the Hussite Wars and it is explored in great detail - too great at times, I feel. A firmer editor might have been of use. Anyway, despite the very real setting, things like magic and alchemy very much exist as well, so it's a curious mix of the historically accurate and the fantastical. Also, it's neat to see what CDPR pulled from this series and used as inspiration in The Witcher games.
Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography by Alex Ferguson and Paul Hayward
In these trying times for a United fan it feels good to read about the glory days from the man himself. The book provides fascinating insights into Sir Alex Ferguson's (legendary manager of Manchester Untied football club) life and career. How and why he did things the way he did, his style of management (both club and man management). The connection to his players. And how it all ultimately lead to his sustained success. I'd say it's essential reading if you're at all interested in association football, but most of it will fly way over your head if you're not. Very enjoyable for the anecdotes that Ferguson shares alone.
Забравеното Средновековие/The Forgotten Middle Ages by Plamen Pavlov
A deep dive into lesser-known facts from across the history of the First and Second Bulgarian Empire, also necessarily touching upon that of neighbours from the region. An exceedingly well-researched book that goes into the intricacies of various events, figures etc. of that location and period. What I like the most about it is that the author does not shy away from presenting different theories - even when they do not agree with his interpretations, while using that as an opportunity to detail his objections to them and to educate in general. A really informative book but it does assume that the reader is already familiar with the topic at hand.
Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities by Bettany Hughes
Having been to Istanbul a few times - just towards the very end of last year most recently - simply looking over the Bosphorus from the narrow street stairs of Beyoğlu as the the muezzins begin their melodic recitations is enough to spark interest in the city's storied past. And so when I saw this book on the shelf of my local Waterstones, I had to get it. Only just starting it, but already I can see that it'll work well as a companion to The Forgotten Middle Ages, given the closely interlinked histories of the Eastern Roman, Bulgarian, and Ottoman Empires.
Warriors of God by Andrzej Sapkowski
The second book in Sapkowski's Hussite Trilogy. I found the first book to be a bit too self-indulgent and I left it aside for some time but did eventually finish it. Things do pick up towards the end of it and the start of the second book is promising. Reynevan (the main character) has not impressed me so far, but his companions and the events are enough to keep me going. The backdrop is that of the Hussite Wars and it is explored in great detail - too great at times, I feel. A firmer editor might have been of use. Anyway, despite the very real setting, things like magic and alchemy very much exist as well, so it's a curious mix of the historically accurate and the fantastical. Also, it's neat to see what CDPR pulled from this series and used as inspiration in The Witcher games.
Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography by Alex Ferguson and Paul Hayward
In these trying times for a United fan it feels good to read about the glory days from the man himself. The book provides fascinating insights into Sir Alex Ferguson's (legendary manager of Manchester Untied football club) life and career. How and why he did things the way he did, his style of management (both club and man management). The connection to his players. And how it all ultimately lead to his sustained success. I'd say it's essential reading if you're at all interested in association football, but most of it will fly way over your head if you're not. Very enjoyable for the anecdotes that Ferguson shares alone.
Забравеното Средновековие/The Forgotten Middle Ages by Plamen Pavlov
A deep dive into lesser-known facts from across the history of the First and Second Bulgarian Empire, also necessarily touching upon that of neighbours from the region. An exceedingly well-researched book that goes into the intricacies of various events, figures etc. of that location and period. What I like the most about it is that the author does not shy away from presenting different theories - even when they do not agree with his interpretations, while using that as an opportunity to detail his objections to them and to educate in general. A really informative book but it does assume that the reader is already familiar with the topic at hand.
Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities by Bettany Hughes
Having been to Istanbul a few times - just towards the very end of last year most recently - simply looking over the Bosphorus from the narrow street stairs of Beyoğlu as the the muezzins begin their melodic recitations is enough to spark interest in the city's storied past. And so when I saw this book on the shelf of my local Waterstones, I had to get it. Only just starting it, but already I can see that it'll work well as a companion to The Forgotten Middle Ages, given the closely interlinked histories of the Eastern Roman, Bulgarian, and Ottoman Empires.
I'm reading what another author called a "courtroom chess match", The Last Trial by Scott Turow.
Very gripping a thriller.
Most of what little I know about courtroom trials I've learned from books. They're always researched, and/or the author has lawyer experience themselves.
Very gripping a thriller.
Most of what little I know about courtroom trials I've learned from books. They're always researched, and/or the author has lawyer experience themselves.
I surprised myself by reading a biography. It's the story of Wilma Schlizewski, who's life seems to be as colorful as the lady herself.
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Classic time!
Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace will take me a while to read, with its 1455 pages and small print.
Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace will take me a while to read, with its 1455 pages and small print.
Finished William Gibson's Burning Chrome short stories. Probably will read Virtual Light next.
How was it? Was it too technical?
I am reading through the witcher books, currently the 6th one. My impressions so far are the books are pretty good, especially the relations between characters and their motivations.
Also, I am finding Witcher 3 to be quite different from them in a bad way - too naive, too fairy-tale-ish, too simple. However, such a complicated plot would probably be too boring and incomprehensible for a video game.
It's good. I wouldn't say it's too technical, but it is elaborate and complex.
I have now finished Sapkowski's Hussite Trilogy.
Next on my list is Joe Abercrombie's Age of Madness trilogy (sequel to his First Law trilogy, which I enjoyed immensely). I've been meaning to read this ever since the last book in the new trilogy released, so I'm looking forward to finally getting to it.
A surprisingly rough read, given how much I liked Sapkowski's Witcher series. I remember absolutely blasting through the Witcher books, but Reynevan's story was a bit of a slog to get through. It all lacked cohesion for me, the main character and his story felt like an afterthought until the very end, when it almost felt like events unfolded at a blistering pace because Sapkowski realised it's time to wrap up, exposition dumping along the way. For those familiar with the Witcher books, imagine 3 books of not-Geralt in Toussaint (with Geralt replaced by a youth in the middle of his coming-of-age story), with The Lady of the Lake covered in 4-5 chapters, and I think you'll get a good idea of the pacing.
Next on my list is Joe Abercrombie's Age of Madness trilogy (sequel to his First Law trilogy, which I enjoyed immensely). I've been meaning to read this ever since the last book in the new trilogy released, so I'm looking forward to finally getting to it.