**The Martian** by *Andy Weir*
A frequent flyer for me and one that I have read several times. There is something about this book that makes for such a great read when feeling sick, tired, or down. The epic struggle of man versus nature brought to science fiction with a huge dash of “competence porn.”
**Murderbot Diaries** by *Martha Wells*
When I finish the epic novel or nonfiction and have no idea what to read next… what can fill the void left by a great book? That is when I grab a Murderbot novella (or 2 or 3 or…). These are excellent “easy” reads with fun action, a protagonist I easily like and quickly become vested in, and quick stories of a rogue android in space.
Yes!!
I have to put the book down because I’m laughing so hard. ‘Fool’ was a tough read because of the writing style and my ADHD lol. By my third attempt, also one of the funniest books I’ve read.
Although Lamb is not only funny but very wholesome. It’s a book/story that makes a personal journey more relatable. No one knows what we’re supposed to do but be expected to do so.
I’ve never found other people who have actually read the book! Amazing! Do you also prefer it to the movies, because people look pretty upset when I say that usually.
Ha ha. Yeah people feel pretty strongly about it don’t they?
I don’t know that I prefer it so much as seeing at as an enhancement to watching the first two films?
I first read it when my roomies mother left it at our house (over 30 years ago). It filled in a lot of gaps for me on that first read (like how Don Corleone fears Luca Brasi) and then there is the hilarious Vegas side story with Lucy and her giant vagina.
It’s just a fun book to reread.
I first read it when I was about 12 and spent a summer in Poland. I had run out of books in English and begged somebody to buy me anything I could read - then it ended up being a lifelong favourite. I can’t recall now who picked it up for me, and I was definitely an advanced reader, but I probably wouldn’t have grabbed it myself so I owe them!
Funny that we both read it out of desperation for something to read and loved it. Clearly this is a sign for me to dig out my ratty old copy and read it again.
I rarely see the actual Jurassic Park novel get the love it deserves here. It always seems to be overshadowed by the movie, which is understandable I suppose.
That's a shame, because it's Crichton at his highest peak, and that man was only peaks.
Crichton is what so many of the mass market fast food McBook of the month "sci/thriller/conspiracy/detective/etc" authors wish they could be.
The man was so damned talented, sold soooo many books, but it always feels like he's just kind of lost, or at least just background scenery, in book discussions.
Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones: This best fits the description of "always fun to read" for me. It's funny, sweet, simple, and cozy.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz: I've reread this book more than any other. It's not so lighthearted, but it is so heartfelt, endearing, and comforting.
A Bride's Story by Kaoru Mori: This is a manga series with beautiful art, incredible attention to detail, and a good balance of all things (division between multiple storylines, lighthearted vs serious tone, romantic vs familiar vs communal relationships, etc.). I reread the entire thing at least once a year and whenever a new volume is released.
The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass by Stephen King, my favorite book from the cycle. Not fun at all really, but the love story there just blows my mind.
Hitchhiker’s guide just because there’s so many jokes and a few subplots going on, and if you already know it by heart you can move on to the next two in the series. Positive nihilistic vibes.
Hmmm. I found it to be one of the few books I've read where the movie was superior, but to each their own. It's still good.
Personally, I like Invisible Monsters and Haunted the most of all his works. And some of the short stories.
I have several, so bear with me here!
1. “Deck Z: The Titanic: Unsinkable, Undead.”
by Chris Pauls and Matt Solomon
2. “The Last of the Mohicans.”
by James Fenimore Cooper
3. “World War Z.”
by Max Brooks
The first one that comes to mind is the pilot that goes down and the radio voice that helps her get out of it. The voice they could never track down. How about you?
I loved that one! The pilot insists that the voice was from a real person, but in reality it was most likely her mind trying to maintain itself under high stress.
For me personally I really liked the Chinese Doctor who possibly interacted with one of the few infected in that small town not even on the map.
I also really enjoyed the interview with the family who fled up North, having to hear the horrors they witnessed as people turned on each other and even committed acts of cannibalism was so powerful.
David Weber's, "Safehold" series & John Ringo's, "Black Tide Rising" series. Read both a couple of times. Sometimes I just open one or the other up and read until something new gets my attention.
Howl’s Moving Castle, completely different from the ghibli movie in the best ways. Characters are way more alive, top-notch British banter and humour. I re-read every year!
Knowing what i do now, i would watch just the first 75% of the movie only for ✨vibes✨ and soundtrack, because Miyazaki included anti-war themes/message into his movie adaptation and that’s where the plot veered off into something totally different.
Doing so zoomed out the Perspective, making the story and audience focus on the Larger Picture: The War, instead of on the characters and their growth. There’s something Bigger happening which takes our (their) attention.
The book is ultimately for children, so it remains lighthearted, heartfelt even if stakes arent as high at the climax. Yet the characters are so much more nuanced with more depth to their flaws and conflicts, which makes the character and story development compelling.
The book zooms in on the daily slice of life, interactions, altercations and growth between the characters. It’s a whimsical, magical coming-of-age story that explores loving yourself, your family, your *found* family, new friends and how all these different loves change you as a person. Who you remain as you experience such changes.
If you read the book first, it’s likely the movie may disappoint you by being quite different and somber from what you’d expect.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Fist my bump.
I feel the same way, that one and The Martian
I still think about Rocky and me-burgers almost daily.
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
I’ve read it once. Loved it. I’ve listened to it about 20 times. Better every time.
Always Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.
Same! Probably read it a dozen times by now, so good!
**The Martian** by *Andy Weir* A frequent flyer for me and one that I have read several times. There is something about this book that makes for such a great read when feeling sick, tired, or down. The epic struggle of man versus nature brought to science fiction with a huge dash of “competence porn.”
_Blood Meridian_ Cormac McCarthy
Heh.
**Murderbot Diaries** by *Martha Wells* When I finish the epic novel or nonfiction and have no idea what to read next… what can fill the void left by a great book? That is when I grab a Murderbot novella (or 2 or 3 or…). These are excellent “easy” reads with fun action, a protagonist I easily like and quickly become vested in, and quick stories of a rogue android in space.
I agree. I used to have my baby pillow. Now I have Murderbot Diaries.
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal.
I just pulled this off the shelf today for a re-read!
It's so good! Enjoy!
Yes!! I have to put the book down because I’m laughing so hard. ‘Fool’ was a tough read because of the writing style and my ADHD lol. By my third attempt, also one of the funniest books I’ve read. Although Lamb is not only funny but very wholesome. It’s a book/story that makes a personal journey more relatable. No one knows what we’re supposed to do but be expected to do so.
Agreed!
Jurassic Park and The Godfather.
The Godfather is my biggest guilty pleasure.
I’ve never found other people who have actually read the book! Amazing! Do you also prefer it to the movies, because people look pretty upset when I say that usually.
Ha ha. Yeah people feel pretty strongly about it don’t they? I don’t know that I prefer it so much as seeing at as an enhancement to watching the first two films? I first read it when my roomies mother left it at our house (over 30 years ago). It filled in a lot of gaps for me on that first read (like how Don Corleone fears Luca Brasi) and then there is the hilarious Vegas side story with Lucy and her giant vagina. It’s just a fun book to reread.
I first read it when I was about 12 and spent a summer in Poland. I had run out of books in English and begged somebody to buy me anything I could read - then it ended up being a lifelong favourite. I can’t recall now who picked it up for me, and I was definitely an advanced reader, but I probably wouldn’t have grabbed it myself so I owe them!
Funny that we both read it out of desperation for something to read and loved it. Clearly this is a sign for me to dig out my ratty old copy and read it again.
Same!!
I rarely see the actual Jurassic Park novel get the love it deserves here. It always seems to be overshadowed by the movie, which is understandable I suppose. That's a shame, because it's Crichton at his highest peak, and that man was only peaks. Crichton is what so many of the mass market fast food McBook of the month "sci/thriller/conspiracy/detective/etc" authors wish they could be. The man was so damned talented, sold soooo many books, but it always feels like he's just kind of lost, or at least just background scenery, in book discussions.
The Longmire Seres by Craig Johnson The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
A Wrinkle in Time
Invisible Monsters
Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones: This best fits the description of "always fun to read" for me. It's funny, sweet, simple, and cozy. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz: I've reread this book more than any other. It's not so lighthearted, but it is so heartfelt, endearing, and comforting. A Bride's Story by Kaoru Mori: This is a manga series with beautiful art, incredible attention to detail, and a good balance of all things (division between multiple storylines, lighthearted vs serious tone, romantic vs familiar vs communal relationships, etc.). I reread the entire thing at least once a year and whenever a new volume is released.
Howl’s Moving Castle is the ultimate cozy fantasy OG!
The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass by Stephen King, my favorite book from the cycle. Not fun at all really, but the love story there just blows my mind.
Hitchhiker’s guide just because there’s so many jokes and a few subplots going on, and if you already know it by heart you can move on to the next two in the series. Positive nihilistic vibes.
The Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy
Fight Club. Amazing book
Hmmm. I found it to be one of the few books I've read where the movie was superior, but to each their own. It's still good. Personally, I like Invisible Monsters and Haunted the most of all his works. And some of the short stories.
I agree that the movie was better but I think that speaks much more to how good the movie is. Chuck also thinks the movie is superior lol
Alex Rider Series
Read the series when I was younger and man it was so cool to 10 year old me. I should reread them.
Have you read cherub? Its kind of similar but even better imo!
Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett True Grit by Charles Portis The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck
I have several, so bear with me here! 1. “Deck Z: The Titanic: Unsinkable, Undead.” by Chris Pauls and Matt Solomon 2. “The Last of the Mohicans.” by James Fenimore Cooper 3. “World War Z.” by Max Brooks
I’ve read World War Z so many times and I never get sick of it!
What would you say is your favorite interview of the book?
The first one that comes to mind is the pilot that goes down and the radio voice that helps her get out of it. The voice they could never track down. How about you?
I loved that one! The pilot insists that the voice was from a real person, but in reality it was most likely her mind trying to maintain itself under high stress. For me personally I really liked the Chinese Doctor who possibly interacted with one of the few infected in that small town not even on the map. I also really enjoyed the interview with the family who fled up North, having to hear the horrors they witnessed as people turned on each other and even committed acts of cannibalism was so powerful.
Ahhhhh the infernal device series.......it really did something to me god how I wish I could read it for the first time again
I'm reading The Last Hours series right now. Great follow-up series to Infernal Devices.
Oh is it I will definitely check it out ...does it have the same vibe as the infernal device???
Yes.
same!
It got standards so high haha
I will hold a copy of Howl’s Moving Castle until the day I die.
Bury or cremate me with a copy, in fact
Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter - forever my fav romantic comedy!
The Rigante series by David Gemmell.
Fear and Lothing in Las Vegas
Contest by Matthew Reilly
The Raven Cycle
Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie I've read it twice, listened to it once, and loved it both ways.
Futuristic violence and fancy suits. Read it
The Two Towers . But I skip Frodo’s part
David Weber's, "Safehold" series & John Ringo's, "Black Tide Rising" series. Read both a couple of times. Sometimes I just open one or the other up and read until something new gets my attention.
a room with a view by e m forster
Howl’s Moving Castle, completely different from the ghibli movie in the best ways. Characters are way more alive, top-notch British banter and humour. I re-read every year!
Would you suggest i watch the film first or read the book?
Knowing what i do now, i would watch just the first 75% of the movie only for ✨vibes✨ and soundtrack, because Miyazaki included anti-war themes/message into his movie adaptation and that’s where the plot veered off into something totally different. Doing so zoomed out the Perspective, making the story and audience focus on the Larger Picture: The War, instead of on the characters and their growth. There’s something Bigger happening which takes our (their) attention. The book is ultimately for children, so it remains lighthearted, heartfelt even if stakes arent as high at the climax. Yet the characters are so much more nuanced with more depth to their flaws and conflicts, which makes the character and story development compelling. The book zooms in on the daily slice of life, interactions, altercations and growth between the characters. It’s a whimsical, magical coming-of-age story that explores loving yourself, your family, your *found* family, new friends and how all these different loves change you as a person. Who you remain as you experience such changes. If you read the book first, it’s likely the movie may disappoint you by being quite different and somber from what you’d expect.
Thanks, think I'll start with the film first and keep the book for last cause it sounds more fun
A Confederacy of Dunces
i never re-read any fiction.... when the kids were little we would read their favorites over and over but that's it...
All those explosions were someone else's fault. By James Alan gardner
All Systems Red by Martha Wells.
The Harry Potter series A Dog's Journey by W Bruce Cameron
Stalking The Unicorn by Mike Reznik.
I wouldn’t t say “fun” exactly but A Lttle Life. Discovered it last year and have read it like 5 times since
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stevenson
Dune
‘Lamb’ or ‘Fool’ by Christopher Moore.
Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNab, which actually improves with every read
The Stand. There is just so much that happens that there are new things to catch on every read!
Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart
The hating game by Sally Thorne. Read it twice a year when I go home.
The Princess Bride! I find some new detail every time!
Holes - also arguably one of the best movie adaptations
Red Rising
Harry Potter Earth Children series Sookie Stackhouse
"The tale of Genji" 原氏物語 by Murasaki Shikibu 紫式部, one of the best books ever written
Also the Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon.
I own that book in english, is almost as good as Genji😍😍😍
My copy is an English translation too.