ATAR Notes: Forum

General Discussion => Lifestyle and Entertainment => General Discussion Boards => Books and Reading => Topic started by: Joseph41 on May 02, 2018, 10:25:54 am

Title: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Joseph41 on May 02, 2018, 10:25:54 am
I just finished a book called To the Bitter End by Peter Hartcher, and I really, really enjoyed it.

It's a book on the fall of the Howard Government and the rise of the Rudd Government. This was interesting to me for a few reasons:
* I wrote my Honours thesis on media representations of the Rudd/Gillard Governments.
* Peter Hartcher penned some of the articles that I analysed.
* The book started out with development of the Howard/Costello/Downer/Turnbull/Andrews/Abbott etc. relationships, which I knew less about.

I found the whole thing fascinating from cover to cover, and am hoping Hartcher has written other books more recently (I think this one went up to 2008 only).

How about you? What are you reading at the moment?
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: K888 on May 02, 2018, 10:28:33 am
Currently halfway through OoTP. Been reading it for approximately 56 months lol. Started reading it not long before uni started this year and since then, been too busy or unmotivated to read - I've probably only read like, 50 pages in the past 2 months. I see the book on my bedside table, think "I should read a few pages before I go to sleep!", then decide to skip the reading and go straight to sleep haha.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on May 02, 2018, 10:36:54 am
Currently reading Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children, which has been on my to-read ever since I won a copy of the book in a school library competition in like 2014/2015 😅

I'm also going to start Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven and The Secret History by Donna Tartt- which I'm excited to start! :D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: literally lauren on May 02, 2018, 10:49:53 am
Rereading Rebecca for the first time in 5 years. I've forgotten how well-written this is. Probably one of my favourite books, and certainly the best Gothic novel ever:

(https://i.imgur.com/Efp3Yn3.jpg)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: hums_student on May 02, 2018, 10:22:45 pm
Currently reading The Bat by Jo Nesbø (literally went onto wikipedia to copy paste that last letter). I'm only about a chapter in at the moment but it's definitely a really interesting book, also love the fact that it's a Norwegian novel set in Australia. I first read one of the most well known books in the series, the Snowman about two years ago, but only found out it's a series recently, so I'm starting from the first book, and will hopefully get through the entire series by December.

I'm also about to start reading History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides. I bought the book yesterday but has so far been too intimidated by the length of the book to read it properly, but I was flipping through it this morning and was surprised to find that it's actually quite easy to read. Hopefully I'll get it done by next week.

Recently finished a modern version written on the Peloponnesian War by Donald Kagan, both books are about the same length, but it took me the entire school holidays to finish reading it.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: S200 on May 03, 2018, 07:33:21 am
Well... Kinda multi-modal at the minute.
I am listening to the librivox recording of Herman Melville's Moby Dick (gotta love public domain!), and also just searching for a readily attainable copy of 'Turtles all the way down", after reading TFIOS, Paper Towns and Looking for Alaska (fav).
But while searching, I have started reading older stuff, so currently... The Brothers Karamazov.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on May 03, 2018, 07:43:15 am
also just searching for a readily attainable copy of 'Turtles all the way down", after reading TFIOS, Paper Towns and Looking for Alaska (fav).
Have you tried seeing if a copy of Turtles is available in your local library? That might be a great way to start! ;D
I'm also really glad you find that Looking for Alaska is your fave! (I really liked that one, it was the first John Green book I bought as well haha)
I also recommend An Abundance of Katherines as well, whilst we're talking about John Green :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: S200 on May 03, 2018, 07:46:47 am
Have you tried seeing if a copy of Turtles is available in your local library? That might be a great way to start! ;D
I'm also really glad you find that Looking for Alaska is your fave! (I really liked that one, it was the first John Green book I bought as well haha)
I also recommend An Abundance of Katherines as well, whilst we're talking about John Green :)
I ran through the the plot Summaries of "An abundance of Katherines, and didn't like it as much as I liked "Turtles all the way down. But I am open to suggestions, and that is next in line after Turtles... :D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on May 03, 2018, 01:52:54 pm
I've just started reading Testing Treatments by a whole variety of authors. It basically talks about why it's so important that anything we do in medicine is tested rigorously before we do it, and discusses some of the reasons why this doesn't happen properly. Unfortunately, it's fairly sad how many treatments in medicine persist without an evidence based.

Was reading A Silent Invasion before that (which you might remember was a book that almost didn't get published for fear of defamation suits). Basically, it's a book about the Chinese government's influence on Australian politics. The author, Clive Hamilton, originally had a publisher but their legal team decided to can it because they were worried that Chinese government proxies in Australia would sue the publisher and the author out of existence. A few publishers subsequently rejected it for the same reason. Our government was poised to intervene, when finally a publisher agreed.

I think the book discusses a really important issue. There's little doubt that the Chinese government is pursuing a policy of soft power, whereby they're actively trying to infiltrate, for want of a better word, democracies the world over to change decisions made by those governments. We see that play out in the timidity with which our government often approaches questions about China. I expected the book would be quite good because it's written by an academic of some renown and, critically, who was once a Greens candidate (so you'd expect that he'd be pandering to that audience, and would be really sensitive about making a strong case). It was absolutely dreadful though. Some of the most boring, one-track and thoughtless writing I've read in a long time. 

I just finished a book called To the Bitter End by Peter Hartcher, and I really, really enjoyed it.

It's a book on the fall of the Howard Government and the rise of the Rudd Government. This was interesting to me for a few reasons:
* I wrote my Honours thesis on media representations of the Rudd/Gillard Governments.
* Peter Hartcher penned some of the articles that I analysed.
* The book started out with development of the Howard/Costello/Downer/Turnbull/Andrews/Abbott etc. relationships, which I knew less about.

I found the whole thing fascinating from cover to cover, and am hoping Hartcher has written other books more recently (I think this one went up to 2008 only).

How about you? What are you reading at the moment?

He has written some books since! I read one of his books (I think it was called the Sweet Spot) some time ago. Basically about how Australia managed to survive the GFC and the policies that have made this country successful, with the classic warning for the future attached. 
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Joseph41 on May 03, 2018, 01:56:23 pm
He has written some books since! I read one of his books (I think it was called the Sweet Spot) some time ago. Basically about how Australia managed to survive the GFC and the policies that have made this country successful, with the classic warning for the future attached. 

Does this focus mostly on the policies, or the politicians behind them?
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on May 03, 2018, 09:04:03 pm
Does this focus mostly on the policies, or the politicians behind them?

To be honest with you, I can't really remember. I've had a quick read of a synopsis and basically it talks about how Australia became a successful country, by tracking those "big moments" in our history. It sort of looks at the cultural foundation of our politics and why that has generated such a high standard of living for this country.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: EEEEEEP on May 03, 2018, 09:10:19 pm
The author is a Director of the NYU Human Microbiome Program and Professor of Microbiology at the New York University School of Medicine.

This is a really eye opening book about how we are somewhat *mistreating* people via giving people antibiotics and breeding a generation of super bugs. The real life case scenario  that he talks about where (no antibiotics may no longer stop previously stoppable bacteria).

With the overuse of antibiotics through prescription and in animal production, it may breed a generation of "fragile" humans with weak immune systems!

He argues that for something like a simple cold or cut, we may not need antibiotics. He also argues that it isn't beneficial for us in the long term!
(https://i.imgur.com/JAfkKos.png)

I'm not sure if I'm educated enough to believe his premise, but it is a sort of eye opening book from someone who obviously has lots of experience in the area!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on May 03, 2018, 09:57:16 pm
The author is a Director of the NYU Human Microbiome Program and Professor of Microbiology at the New York University School of Medicine.

This is a really eye opening book about how we are somewhat *mistreating* people via giving people antibiotics and breeding a generation of super bugs. The real life case scenario  that he talks about where (no antibiotics may no longer stop previously stoppable bacteria).

With the overuse of antibiotics through prescription and in animal production, it may breed a generation of "fragile" humans with weak immune systems!

He argues that for something like a simple cold or cut, we may not need antibiotics. He also argues that it isn't beneficial for us in the long term!
(https://i.imgur.com/JAfkKos.png)

I'm not sure if I'm educated enough to believe his premise, but it is a sort of eye opening book from someone who obviously has lots of experience in the area!

Annoyingly popping up in this thread again.

Wasn't aware of this book, but the central premise is really strongly evidence based. We're already seeing the devastating consequences of antibiotic misuse on wards in Australia.

Anyway unhelpful comment but happy for you to start one of your threads if you want to discuss it :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: S200 on May 04, 2018, 12:23:43 am
To be honest with you, I can't really remember. I've had a quick read of a synopsis and basically it talks about how Australia became a successful country, by tracking those "big moments" in our history. It sort of looks at the cultural foundation of our politics and why that has generated such a high standard of living for this country.

Basically,  We are a mni britain?
#Republican... :d
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Poet on May 04, 2018, 01:03:54 am
To throw a small spanner into the political workings of this thread, here I am with the fiction recommendation!  ::)

Just finished the book “Wonder” by R J Palacio. Please excuse any writing errors, it is currently 1 in the morning and I haven’t slept in about 36 hours.

Beautifully and simplistically written, the author gives insight into the life of a young boy born with severe deformities in and around his face. I’ve been really struggling with my own self image and esteem for a long time now, and reading this book really put into perspective the way seemingly innocent, unconscious actions can hurt people. It shows the cruelty of man through a child struggling to find his way in a world that hates and pities him through no fault of his own, but also the fact that the simplest kindness can change a persons whole world for the better.
It’s a book written to make people think, and even though the writing style is childish and simple, like that of the ten year old protagonist, the thought and philosophy behind it is wonderfully complex and moving. Rating that one 5/5. Do recommend.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: zofromuxo on May 06, 2018, 05:46:47 pm
Demons by Fyodor Dostoevsky
How to Win at College by Cal Newport
Moral letters to Lucilius by Seneca

I usually only read two books. A non-fiction for the day (My brain is the most active so I want to give it stuff to think about and analyses) and fiction for night (This is for winding down and not making my brain think when I sleep).
I read Moral Letters to Lucilus on my phone since the whole book is on the internet for free so I use Instapaper to download a one letter for me to read and I ponder it for the rest of the day.

In saying that I currently have 9 unread books on my desk and 2 books that require me to transfer the notes I took in them onto a document.
Suffice to say, I'm never worrying about what to read. The benefits of your parents being big readers (read: having a mass of books on shelves) and your university library (it has unlimited online book borrowing, which is interesting, I don't use it much since the readers are terrible).
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: appleandbee on May 06, 2018, 09:08:02 pm
Well Call me by your name recently became available on my library reserves. While reading fiction is a drag, I think that reading this book will be doable considering I enjoyed the film (I don't necessarily have high expectations but I know I'll be engaged with the story) .
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Orb on May 06, 2018, 10:51:46 pm
Thought I might chime in with one my own:

Given the current political landscape, I found Hillbilly Elegy (suggested by a friend) a really fascinating read. I've been trying to understand the different perspectives of other people, and this book sheds light on the social problems of America's white working class, and after stepping into their shoes, you can see why these people may have voted for Trump in the last election. It explains the context behind how many workers no longer saw anything of value from the Democratic party and were desperate to find an alternative. Would highly recommend.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: heids on May 07, 2018, 12:14:00 pm
I've been on a Dickens marathon recently.  Just finished David Copperfield and Little Dorrit, on to Hard Times and then Barnaby Rudge.  I don't much like Great Expectations or Bleak House or The Old Curiosity Shop, but Our Mutual Friend and Little Dorrit and Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities and more are fantastic.

His writing is obviously a bit heavy and discursive given his era, but once you get used to that, his writing is pure incredibleness.  I've tried to find the value in Shakespeare and many other classical authors and still find them shallow and unpleasant reads, but Dickens' writing wows me endlessly.  His turn of phrase, his varied and bluntly drawn characters, his intricately woven plots, his unique and masterful usage of language, he has it all.  Pure genius.

@Lauren, how good is Rebecca?!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: elysepopplewell on May 07, 2018, 05:06:11 pm
Holy Cow! by Sarah McDonald :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Phoenix11 on May 07, 2018, 05:50:50 pm
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Ersatz Elevator.
Magnus Chase: The Ship of the Dead.
 :) :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on May 09, 2018, 10:28:23 pm
Just finished reading Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven, and to stop myself crying because it was so adorable, I'm diving into Donna Tartt's A Secret History- which I'm hoping to have enough time to finish by the end of the teaching period! ;D
(At least I can hope, right? 😅)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: angewina_naguen on May 09, 2018, 10:49:16 pm
Other than my two Module A texts, I'm reading Kathy Acker's 'Don Quixote' which is such a great feminist read  ;D I love how there isn't a sense of cohesion in it and everything just jumps from one idea to the next. Not to mention, she's very sarcastic and witty and that makes it all the more enjoyable ;D I hope that once HSC ends, I can reread the two 'Dark Artifices' novels before the final instalment for the trilogy releases and start Riordan's 'Trials of Apollo' too  :) :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Joseph41 on May 15, 2018, 09:36:04 am
Last night I finished The Party Thieves by Barrie Cassidy. I found it interesting; it focused on the build-up to and duration of the 2010 federal election. Pretty nifty election to cover given its context and eventual closeness.

Would recommend!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: S200 on May 15, 2018, 10:05:12 am
Last night I finished The Party Thieves by Barrie Cassidy. I found it interesting; it focused on the build-up to and duration of the 2010 federal election. Pretty nifty election to cover given its context and eventual closeness.

Would recommend!

Last night I finished Stop the Train, by Geraldine McCaughrean
It was pretty light.

But a 100% recommendation for motivation - The Boy who Harnessed the Wind, By William Kamkwanba and Brian Mealer.
It is absolutely great.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Calebark on May 15, 2018, 10:21:37 am
I recently reread Perfume by Patrick Süskind. The story is about an unloved man in France with a superb sense of smell. More than superb -- it's overpowering. Anyway, he becomes a perfumer. He meets a young girl with a smell unlike he's never seen before, which consumes him.

It's a dark story, and smell is obviously a large part of the descriptons. It leaves you feeling a bit unwell at the end.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on June 01, 2018, 08:55:15 pm
Decided to go out on a limb (even when I said I wouldn't touch a book during swotvac) and pick up Allen Ginsberg's Television was a baby crawling towards that deathchamber. It's in a collection of 50 little Penguin Modern Pockets, and took me 5 Dymocks stores* (across two states!) to find it haha!

(More about the little series here, in case anyone's curious: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/lists/penguin-modern)

*It wasn't worth buying online, so I persevered heh :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Coffee on June 01, 2018, 09:31:14 pm
I finished "A Little Life" by Hanya Yanagihara and I have a book hangover. What a read.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: elysepopplewell on June 05, 2018, 07:25:02 pm
Just finished reading Holy Cow by Sarah McDonald. Admittedly, it did lose me for a moment towards the end, which might also be to do with the fact that I'm reading so intermittently at the moment. But, the ending was fantastic.

India is profound and profane, the book says. And I agree. But the extra element of appeal aside from the best look at the sacred and the vulgar of Indian society, is the dabbling in the major religious traditions plus some extra Indian spiritual expressions. It was truly interesting and I recommend it!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: cdiamond on June 05, 2018, 07:40:16 pm
I'm an avid reader and the genres that I read range from romance to murder mysteries. I have to say I really enjoy reading because it transports me to another world and I love imagining what is happening in the book as I read it.

As to what I am currently reading, I'm rereading my all time favourite mystery murder - Agatha Christie's 'And then there were none'. It's an exciting book that keeps the reader on his or her toes at all times. I never fail to admire this author's way of writing novels such that it keeps the reader wanting more.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: zofromuxo on June 06, 2018, 08:24:08 pm
So I totally forgot about this thread. So I might update what i've finished reading and reading now from my last post.

I'm still reading those 3 books still.
I've added even more books to read because my brain likes variety and also just can't stick to one book, even though it delays me from finishing them.... sigh

Designing Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users 2nd Edition by Cynthia Brewer. I got this because my lecturer used a lot of examples from this textbook, so I thought why not have a look at it. So far its been useful, if you ever use GIS like ArcGIS, QGIS, MapInfo, etc. It is a must read to up your map-making skills and understand the mindset/concepts of Cartography (the technical term for map-making).

I'm also reading a bunch of various research papers/articles as I will have to do a major research project in my 'honors' year, so I want to see if some of my ideas have been researched on or what ideas/topics I could do. It isn't a book per-say, but its is extremely interesting reading some of the older papers like a 1998 paper laying out conventions for online maps and seeing the perceptions have about them. Spoiler: Many people detested online maps and many still do to this day 8).
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Coffee on June 06, 2018, 08:31:23 pm
"Stoner" by John Williams and "Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy. :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: PhoenixxFire on June 24, 2018, 09:04:49 am
I've just started reading Win, which is book three of a series called The Atlantis Grail by Vera Nazarian. It's not very well known but it's very, very good. I've read the first 2 books three times each haha. They're mainly available as ebooks, and they're like $7 so definitely worth buying.

Quote from: Blurb - book 1
You have two options. You die, or you Qualify.

The year is 2047. An extinction-level asteroid is hurtling toward Earth, and the descendants of ancient Atlantis have returned from the stars in their silver ships to offer humanity help.

But there’s a catch.

They can only take a tiny percent of the Earth’s population back to the colony planet Atlantis. And in order to be chosen, you must be a teen, you must be bright, talented, and athletic, and you must Qualify.

Sixteen-year-old Gwenevere Lark is determined not only to Qualify but to rescue her entire family.

Because there’s a loophole.

If you are good enough to Qualify, you are eligible to compete in the brutal games of the Atlantis Grail, which grants all winners the laurels, high tech luxuries, and full privileges of Atlantis Citizenship. And if you are in the Top Ten, then all your wildest wishes are granted… Such as curing your mother’s cancer.

There is only one problem.

Gwen Lark is known as a klutz and a nerd. While she’s a hotshot in classics, history, science, and languages, the closest she’s come to sports is a backyard pool and a skateboard.

This time she is in over her head, and in for a fight of her life, against impossible odds and world-class competition—including Logan Sangre, the most amazing guy in her school, the one she’s been crushing on, and who doesn’t seem to know she exists.

Because every other teen on Earth has the same idea.

You Qualify or you die.

I think you can get the first book free on kindle btw.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: S200 on June 24, 2018, 06:09:17 pm
Long walk to freedom by Nelson Mandela.

800 page's. I'll report in a month.. ;)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Vaike on June 24, 2018, 08:07:12 pm
Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths.

Only a couple of chapters in, but it has been pretty interesting thus far; a bit of a mix of computer science, psychology and philosophy. The authors explore the intersections of these three fields, revealing how ubiquitous common computer science concepts are in our everyday lives, and how they can be used to explain and effect our everyday behavious. From what I've read so far, I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning a little bit about computer science, no prior knowledge required :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on June 29, 2018, 11:18:11 pm
Just finished Donna Tartt's The Secret History. It was amazing, to say the least! ;D

The next few books I'm picking up:
Conversations with Friends- Sally Rooney
The Breakthrough- Daphne du Maurier
I have Lost my Way- Gayle Forman
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Pary_N on June 30, 2018, 10:36:02 am
Currently reading Anna Karenina, and honestly I'm a sucker for classics but this isn't quite doing it for me. Maybe I'll change my mind a bit later on...
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: K888 on June 30, 2018, 01:17:28 pm
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - got the boxed set of HP books for Christmas and now uni holidays are here I've been able to recommence reading through the series. Been years since I read any Harry Potter book, and I'm rediscovering the magic of the series, which is really special.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: abbeyrose on July 05, 2018, 12:41:21 pm
I've been reading Jude the Obscure by my favourite author of all time, Thomas Hardy. It was his final novel before he turned to poetry, and it's speculated that he stopped writing novels because of the negative reception that it received (however, I'm not so sure). It is, however, very easy to see how Jude sparked controversy in Victorian society, with people calling it "Jude the Obscene". It challenges the, then, notion of marriage and the tyranny it causes for women oppressed by the patriarchal society, as well as truthfully depicting the struggle that the poor and disadvantaged face to make their way into the bourgeois world. I like it, but then again I like anything that Hardy has written. Hardy is a genius. However, I probably wouldn't recommend you start here with Thomas Hardy. It's probably the bleakest novel of his that I've read thus far and if I had dived into this without any previous readings/knowledge of his work, I definitely wouldn't appreciate it as much as I do.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: beatroot on July 30, 2018, 06:47:22 pm
Currently reading To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han. After watching the trailer and teaser trailer x100 times, I thought I would give the book a go and I don't regret my decision. This book makes me so fuzzy and so warm inside~ And I just love how the protagonist is an Asian female like me! Representation is so important!!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on July 30, 2018, 06:52:08 pm
Long walk to freedom by Nelson Mandela.

800 page's. I'll report in a month.. ;)
Well?

At the moment I'm reading some G.K. Chesterton, Father Brown which is just awesome, though it is quite dark at times. Finished the Silmarilion a while ago and it was great, seriously recommend to everyone, it is an incredible book. Tolkien's world-building skill is brilliant to a unique level in my opinion, his entire Middle Earth universe is incredibly detailed in its creation.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on July 30, 2018, 06:56:49 pm
Currently reading Burial Rites! ;D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: S200 on July 31, 2018, 08:05:42 am
Well?

Well... It was shorter than I thought it would be...

Being his auto-biography, it is incredibly detailed, and certainly highlights errors in other biographies of him!
His early life, as well as the foundation of his links with the ANC are detailed strongly, but his time in prison  is somewhat compressed, and appears all the more graphic because of it.
But over-all I was a little disappointed that it stopped short without describing his presidency. The book stops at the final forming of CODESA before the nation goes to vote. But then again, it is the Long walk to Freedom, so I guess there is no reason to continue after the country receives mass suffrage...

Probably the best thing I got out of it is that I have a very strong foundation for my analysis of Invictus v. Ransom now! :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: fun_jirachi on July 31, 2018, 05:20:49 pm
dunno why but i started reading the brothers grimm and fahrenheit 451
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Joseph41 on July 31, 2018, 05:22:18 pm
Really enjoying Kevin Rudd's autobiography atm. It's well-written. Engaging.

Definitely looking forward to getting through this one, and then avidly waiting for the next part of the autobiography to come out haha (I think I'll be even more interested in part two!).
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Owlbird83 on August 03, 2018, 08:43:38 pm
'Champion' by Marie Lu. Its the last book in a trilogy set in the future, sort of like The Hunger Games. It's a good series, I reccomend it!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on August 07, 2018, 11:36:31 pm
Took the night off studying to read. Was v therapeutic.

I finished off Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I've just started reading Tess d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy! Hopefully this book lives up to my expectations! ;D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on August 09, 2018, 05:46:25 pm
Enjoying "The Caves of Steel" by Isaac Asimov, a must-read for any Sci-Fi people out there, the first book in a trilogy about a future detective, who has to work with a humanoid robot. It's pretty cool, I really love books by Asimov and Robert Heinlein, also.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: SChMurpel on August 09, 2018, 05:49:38 pm
Enjoying "The Caves of Steel" by Isaac Asimov, a must-read for any Sci-Fi people out there, the first book in a trilogy about a future detective, who has to work with a humanoid robot. It's pretty cool, I really love books by Asimov and Robert Heinlein, also.
Have you read 'I, Robot'?
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Fergus6748 on August 09, 2018, 07:40:22 pm
I'm more of a fantasy kinda guy, I would read most fantasy, and a bit of Sci-fi, gladly. I'm currently rereading the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and later Brandon Sanderson, but my favourite books are the KingKiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on August 09, 2018, 07:44:43 pm
Have you read 'I, Robot'?
Yeah, I thought it was really good. I basically like all of Asimov's robot books, they're pretty cool. If you like a lot of philosophy in sci-fi, you start with Heinlein's "Tunnel in the Sky", which is an awesome book also, though many of his books are just as good.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Poet on August 09, 2018, 10:20:21 pm
I'm more of a fantasy kinda guy, I would read most fantasy, and a bit of Sci-fi, gladly. I'm currently rereading the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and later Brandon Sanderson, but my favourite books are the KingKiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss.
hey, a fellow epic fantasy lover! Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time is awesome. I still need to get around to finishing it though. And Patrick Rothfuss is a great author, too. Ever read Brandon Sanderson?
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Fergus6748 on August 10, 2018, 09:18:13 am
hey, a fellow epic fantasy lover! Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time is awesome. I still need to get around to finishing it though. And Patrick Rothfuss is a great author, too. Ever read Brandon Sanderson?
Of course, although in saying that I've only read the stormlight archive from him apart from his Wheel of Time books. Have you ever read the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks?
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Poet on August 10, 2018, 09:25:38 am
Of course, although in saying that I've only read the stormlight archive from him apart from his Wheel of Time books. Have you ever read the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks?
No, but it's been on my list for a while, will definitely update if I ever get around to it.
I recommend the Mistborn series by Sanderson.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Fergus6748 on August 10, 2018, 09:26:26 am
No, but it's been on my list for a while, will definitely update if I ever get around to it.
I recommend the Mistborn series by Sanderson.
I've heard good things about mistborn but I've just been caught up with my english texts to read it
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on August 24, 2018, 05:40:34 pm
I've just started reading a book called Footballistics which is all about the intersection between statistics and Aussie rules. The misuse of stats in footy has been a bugbear of mine for a long time, so much so that I almost made a bigfooty account just to start a thread and rant about it, so this was a super cool find!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: heids on September 09, 2018, 06:20:25 pm
I just finished the sad, wise novel Stoner by John Williams, which I picked up on impulse at work.  It reminds me of Perks of Being a Wallflower and John Green's writing.

In summary, it's about an innocuous man who lives an innocuous life until he dies.  There's little action.  He simply lives, solidly, doggedly, unexcitingly.  But he lives well.  A life worth living. 

It moved me beyond words.

Quote
An occasional student who comes upon the name may wonder idly who William Stoner was, but he seldom pursues his curiosity beyond a casual question. Stoner’s colleagues, who held him in no particular esteem when he was alive, speak of him rarely now; to the older ones, his name is a reminder of the end that awaits them all, and to the younger ones it is merely a sound which evokes no sense of the past and no identity with which they can associate themselves or their careers.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Joseph41 on September 09, 2018, 08:54:01 pm
I've just started reading a book called Footballistics which is all about the intersection between statistics and Aussie rules. The misuse of stats in footy has been a bugbear of mine for a long time, so much so that I almost made a bigfooty account just to start a thread and rant about it, so this was a super cool find!

So, you'd recommend?

P.S. I have like 13,000 posts on BF lol.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: studyingg on September 09, 2018, 09:00:27 pm
Mrs Dalloway - Virginia Woolf
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: elysepopplewell on September 10, 2018, 12:18:43 pm
I've just started reading Anna Funder's Stasiland. For the first time in a looooong time, I was immediately hooked in the first ten pages. I have a rule that I have to get to 50 pages to be "committed" to the book. But a few pages in and I love this book! At about page 60 now, and adoring it.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Poet on September 27, 2018, 04:16:11 pm
hmm, about 3600 pages of reading here! :) should I be starting this with exams so close? Yes.
(http://imgur.com/4z0s107.jpg)
Time for some nice, light reading, my dudes. I’ll be back in an hour. ;D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Bri MT on September 27, 2018, 07:09:25 pm
Just finished reading the Riftwar Cycle - again. The quality declines after the first 6 books imo (with my least favourite being Rise of a Merchant Prince), but it's nice to have the completeness of reading the full set.
Not sure whether I'll read a new series next or reread books, but that question can probably wait a few weeks anyway
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: S200 on October 01, 2018, 07:55:22 pm
Just starting the CHERUB series...

From what I've heard, it's kind of a mix of HIVE and Alex Rider, so hopefully it's good.

It's also pretty long, so RIP exam prep... :P
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on October 01, 2018, 07:58:57 pm
Just starting the CHERUB series...

From what I've heard, it's kind of a mix of HIVE and Alex Rider, so hopefully it's good.

It's also pretty long, so RIP exam prep... :P
CHERUB was my all-time fave series in HS! (The original 12 books were the best aha)
I still read the author's works- he just released a new book (Killer T) that I'm about 200 pages into rn. Hopefully you enjoy CHERUB though!!! Let me know how you go! :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: 5mixer on October 01, 2018, 08:03:59 pm
Last night I finished reading The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan, first in the Wheel of Time series.

Pretty excited about reading more, I enjoyed the first. I'm obsessed with high fantasy books, particularly long epic's like this series.  :D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: S200 on October 01, 2018, 10:14:29 pm
CHERUB was my all-time fave series in HS! (The original 12 books were the best aha)
I still read the author's works- he just released a new book (Killer T) that I'm about 200 pages into rn. Hopefully you enjoy CHERUB though!!! Let me know how you go! :)
LOL.
Two out of thirteen down... :P

#Binge

EDIT: Make that three out of thirteen...  :-\
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Joseph41 on October 02, 2018, 10:31:05 am
CHERUB was my all-time fave series in HS! (The original 12 books were the best aha)
I still read the author's works- he just released a new book (Killer T) that I'm about 200 pages into rn. Hopefully you enjoy CHERUB though!!! Let me know how you go! :)

Yeah, I was a big fan, too. I think I only read up to Mad Dogs, though.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: PhoenixxFire on October 02, 2018, 11:31:18 am
LOL.
Two out of thirteen down... :P

#Binge

EDIT: Make that three out of thirteen...  :-\
Once you’ve finished that, there’s another series called Henderson Boys which is set during ww2 and when they started using kids. It’s aimed at a bit of an older audience and isn’t as light hearted as Cherub. Personally I didn’t like it as much as Cherub (although I still read every one I could find) but you might :P
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: S200 on October 02, 2018, 02:42:26 pm
I Recon CHERUB is a mash-up.

You have the spy/MI5 out of Alex Rider.

The Covert Campus and the uniforms out of HIVE
Rantish?
The romance is definitely out of Cherry Ames :P
Like seriously, he meets up with a different girl on every mission, and never goes steady. Plus, it seems a little thick for 11-13 year olds, but maybe I lived a sheltered life... :))

Also, I really don't like the author's reveal strategy. In 'Maximum security', James covers for his sister, and she turns round and says "Thanks for taking the blame". Like seriously bro, we (the reader) know what happened there, you don't need dialogue to add to it. A nod of thanks would have sufficed...
So far (just finished book 4); I certainly prefer the HIVE series to this, but I still recon there's enough fun in the missions to make me finish the series...

Once you’ve finished that, there’s another series called Henderson Boys which is set during ww2 and when they started using kids. It’s aimed at a bit of an older audience and isn’t as light hearted as Cherub. Personally I didn’t like it as much as Cherub (although I still read every one I could find) but you might :P
Thanks. I'll check them out after exams. :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: appleandbee on October 04, 2018, 08:18:19 pm
I've just got Normal People by Sally Rooney from the library reserves today. I have high expectations of it, since I've read Sally's first book Conversation with Friends and really enjoyed it (not to mention Normal People was a frontrunner for the Man Booker Prize, although prizes are fucked apparently). Apart from that I haven't really read anything else recently, I have so many books from university literature (didn't really enjoy any of them apart from Dubliners by James Joyce, but am looking forward to Murakami). I also read Zlatan Ibrahimovic's autobiography which I personally found relatable (I'm a fan of him in the first place).
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Fergus6748 on October 06, 2018, 03:10:40 pm
Sorry, Im still a fantasy novel pleb. Just finished the Wheel of Time series last week and I've taken to rereading The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss. They are without a doubt a my favourite books I've ever read. They are beautifully written but the series is a trilogy and currently only has two of the books out which came out 2007 and its been seven years since the 2nd book came out. Well worth the read/wait!! Would recommend
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Poet on October 06, 2018, 04:45:01 pm
Finished reading Harry Potter for the first time in my life last night.

Am proud to declare that I only started crying close to the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and have been extremely unstable since.

(https://data.whicdn.com/images/252724031/original.gif)

Also, have to say I've gotten into the memes now and it's not healthy :D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: tomatosauce on October 07, 2018, 05:48:59 pm
Just finished 'The mountain between us'... WOW!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on October 11, 2018, 07:34:43 pm
I recently finished Phantom of the Opera, so now I'm onto Wuthering Heights! :))
(After that, I plan to read some of the poetry I recently bought!!! ^-^ )
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Poet on October 11, 2018, 07:37:41 pm
I recently finished Phantom of the Opera, so now I'm onto Wuthering Heights! :))
(After that, I plan to read some of the poetry I recently bought!!! ^-^ )
o_0 WHERE?

I just finished the whole Zac Power series (anyone else read these as kiddies?)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on October 11, 2018, 07:39:44 pm
o_0 WHERE?
From a bookstore. Maybe I'm secretly the poet ;)

(I haven't actually ever touched a Zac Power book. :-[ )
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: technodisney on October 11, 2018, 07:41:11 pm
I just finished the whole Zac Power series (anyone else read these as kiddies?)

ZAC POWER, I LOVED THOSE BOOKS, UP UNTIL I WAS LIKE 14

I feel like I never had the full set though
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: fun_jirachi on October 11, 2018, 07:42:55 pm
I just finished the whole Zac Power series (anyone else read these as kiddies?)

OMG WOWWOWOWOWOW
I literally laughed and cried at the same time when I saw this, that was the good stuff
In primary, everyone was super naive, and when we realised that B.I.G was G.I.B backwards we all thought we had 300IQ

But yeah just read Dumas' The Man in the Iron Mask, that was damned solid

From a bookstore. Maybe I'm secretly the poet ;)

(I haven't actually ever touched a Zac Power book. :-[ )

W   H   A   T  >:( >:( >:( G O   T O   T H E   L I B R A R Y   A N D   R E A D   O N E   A S A P
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on October 11, 2018, 07:44:32 pm
W   H   A   T  >:( >:( >:( G O   T O   T H E   L I B R A R Y   A N D   R E A D   O N E   A S A P
I'm sorry <3
Also telling me to go to a bookstore/library is a very dangerous thing. Just ask @RuiAce ;)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on October 11, 2018, 11:32:00 pm
I recently finished Phantom of the Opera, so now I'm onto Wuthering Heights! :))
(After that, I plan to read some of the poetry I recently bought!!! ^-^ )
Update: I also just finished Robert Muchamore's Killer T. I will begin to read previously mentioned poetry- starting with Neon Soul by Alexandra Elle! :))
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: abbeyrose on October 19, 2018, 09:36:51 pm
I've just started reading Tess d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy! Hopefully this book lives up to my expectations! ;D

I'd love to know what your thoughts were on Tess of the D'Urbervilles!

For anyone interested, I'm currently a bit over 400 pages into Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. I'll admit that the prospect of reading this was slightly daunting, considering the edition I own (Penguin Classics) is just over 1200 pages. I will say that, thus far, I am enjoying it and am glad I went with the Norman Denny translation.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: S200 on October 25, 2018, 04:07:50 pm
Just finished The Messenger by Markus Zusak.
Very good read, and I can't wait to get my hands on Bridge of Clay!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Calebark on October 25, 2018, 04:13:45 pm
I just borrowed Hegel's The Phenomenology of Spirit . Tbh I've always found understanding Hegel a bit difficult, but still keen nonetheless.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: S200 on October 25, 2018, 04:15:01 pm
I just borrowed Hegel's The Phenomenology of Spirit . Tbh I've always found understanding Hegel a bit difficult, but still keen nonetheless.
Have you tried "Essays" By Montaigne?
Seems a similar vein... :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Calebark on October 25, 2018, 04:24:54 pm
Have you tried "Essays" By Montaigne?
Seems a similar vein... :)

I have not, but I'll add it to the list! Got any other recommendations?

I identify strongly with Absurdism. I think haha. So I'd recommend The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on October 25, 2018, 05:47:23 pm
Have started reading KRudd's second volume of his autobiography. Very policy focused atm which can at times be a bit of a drag, but interesting nonetheless.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Phoenix11 on October 25, 2018, 07:25:32 pm
I just finished 'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett.
It was amazing!
I definitely recommend this for everyone!
 :) :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on October 25, 2018, 07:46:42 pm
I'd love to know what your thoughts were on Tess of the D'Urbervilles!
Personally, I found it very slow to start with, but I love how the story developed. It was also really heartbreaking and sad. I have many emotions about the book, but I can't seem to put any words to it aha! :)

Also currently reading Wuthering Heights and Isobel on the Way to the Corner Shop when I find a spare moment!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: fun_jirachi on October 25, 2018, 07:49:20 pm
Finally had the guts to borrow Homer's the Iliad from the school library (translated obviously) we'll see how this goes
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Erutepa on October 31, 2018, 09:53:49 pm
Just started "Time, Love, Memory" By Jonathan Weiner
Just finished Asimov's "Foundation"
Really Enjoyed/Enjoying Both books
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: beatroot on November 11, 2018, 02:00:54 pm
Just finished 'P.S. I Still Love You' (second book in the 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' trilogy) by Jenny Han.
Loved 80% of the book but the ending was rushed and disappointed me big time!

Anyways, I have the final book in the series 'Always and Forever, Lara Jean'. Hopefully Han has something exciting prepared in her final instalment !
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on November 11, 2018, 02:04:15 pm
Just started reading Sea of Strangers by Lang Leav!
Also just picked up The Lieutenant and Northanger Abbey from the local library! :))
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on November 29, 2018, 08:00:14 pm
Jumping between books at the moment, rotating between The Lieutenant, Leah on the Offbeat, Dancing Girls and Other Stories (Margaret Atwood), and Wuthering Heights! ^-^
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on November 29, 2018, 08:31:07 pm
I'm reading George RR Martin's latest contribution to procrastination, Fire and Blood. I've never been a particularly big fan of GRRM as a writer. He has an incredible ability to paint a scene; however, his plots are too dense and rambling at times. It may just be that this book invites that kind of writing, but it seems a lot more coherent than The Song of Ice and Fire.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: PhoenixxFire on November 29, 2018, 08:41:00 pm
I finally started reading She has her mothers laugh: the powers, perversions and potential of hereditary by Carl Zimmer. It’s absolutely fascinating but also incredibly long. 
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Coffee on November 29, 2018, 09:03:18 pm
Jumping between books at the moment, rotating between The Lieutenant, Leah on the Offbeat, Dancing Girls and Other Stories (Margaret Atwood), and Wuthering Heights! ^-^
Me too! Jumping between Sweetbitter, The Idiot, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I kind of feel like picking up Howards End too. ???
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Mieow on November 29, 2018, 11:11:07 pm
Finished my second reading of 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe' by Benjamin Alire Saenz and wow I cannot praise it highly enough
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: S200 on November 29, 2018, 11:27:21 pm
Finished my second reading of 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe' by Benjamin Alire Saenz and wow I cannot praise it highly enough
I just read a tiny extract of this, and  it jumped straight to the top 5 of my “to read” list! Love it! :D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vans on November 29, 2018, 11:29:51 pm
Just finished reading 'Secrets for the mad' by Dodie Clark for the second time! Not really into fictional novels atm (was a long time ago), but more into biographies and memoirs (like this one) in this moment!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Joseph41 on November 30, 2018, 01:38:11 pm
Have started reading KRudd's second volume of his autobiography. Very policy focused atm which can at times be a bit of a drag, but interesting nonetheless.

I'm like two-thirds of the way through Volume 1. Would be really interested to hear how you've found Volume 2 if you stuck with it.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on November 30, 2018, 01:40:35 pm
I'm like two-thirds of the way through Volume 1. Would be really interested to hear how you've found Volume 2 if you stuck with it.

Have had a little bit of a hiatus but will get back to it once I'm done with my current book. Almost up to the juicy bits! How are you finding volume 1?
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Joseph41 on November 30, 2018, 01:47:51 pm
Have had a little bit of a hiatus but will get back to it once I'm done with my current book. Almost up to the juicy bits! How are you finding volume 1?

Having a similar hiatus but have enjoyed it so far. Think the second half will be more interesting than the first. Did you read it?
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: angewina_naguen on November 30, 2018, 02:08:34 pm
Finished my second reading of 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe' by Benjamin Alire Saenz and wow I cannot praise it highly enough

One of my favourite YA novels of all time  ;D I absolutely loved reading it. Now that you've mentioned it, I might give it a second reading too  :o

Not reading anything at the moment because I'm waiting for the last Dark Artifices instalment to arrive at my mailbox in a few days  ;D Super excited to see how Cassandra Clare will wrap up this trilogy.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on January 06, 2019, 12:27:17 pm
Currently reading 'Flame in the Mist' by Renée Ahdieh!
I'm also waiting for a book to wing its way here (Mansfield Park), and I'm slowly working through Wuthering Heights! ^-^

(I'm also building my Orange-covered popular penguins series collection. It took me 3 Dymocks stores to find a copy of the Northanger Abbey in the series on NYE :'))
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Quinapalus on January 06, 2019, 01:21:52 pm
Russian fatalism:

War and Peace
Crime and Punishment
Life and Fate

Also revisiting my childhood favorite and 1st classic: The Count of Monte Cristo!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: S200 on January 06, 2019, 10:43:58 pm
Also revisiting my childhood favorite and 1st classic: The Count of Monte Cristo!

Ooohhhh. I ❤ the Count!!!

Is second reading as good as the first though? 🤔
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: angewina_naguen on January 07, 2019, 10:20:55 am
Ooohhhh. I ❤ the Count!!!

Is second reading as good as the first though? 🤔

Depends for me  :D Usually I find second readings just as good but in a different way. Knowing how everything unfolds has its own upsides  :) I prefer to have distance between readings so I can almost look at it with fresh eyes but still know what is going on.

Currently in the middle of reading the last installment of The Dark Artifices. I’m not much of a YA fantasy person (I like to keep the genres separate) but I’ve loved the Shadowhunter Chronicles  to date  :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on January 08, 2019, 05:24:32 pm
Just finished the Inheritance Cycle for the second time and I still find it quite impressive, being a fairly original work in a genre that is difficult to be properly original in.

Ooohhhh. I ❤ the Count!!!

Is second reading as good as the first though? 🤔
The Count is an amazing story, absolutely love it. One of the all-time greatest classics.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: addition on January 09, 2019, 09:18:39 am
After taking a break from reading throughout the majority of yr 12, I have now finally finished Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Cycle. It was one of those series that leaves you slightly confused throughout, which adds to the suspenseful and mysterious magical aspect.

I've also been re-reading my all time favourite series (Harry Potter) which I normally do every summer, but didn't get to in the previous holidays because of homework :( . This has rekindled my interest in the HP world, so you can bet I'll be joining the Harry Potter club if I get into Monash ;)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Coffee on January 09, 2019, 09:49:45 am
Reading Educated by Tara Westover at the moment. Interesting stuff.

Re-reading Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Slowly making my way through The Ancient Guide to Modern Life by Natalie Haynes.

Trying to decide what my next read will be! :P
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on January 09, 2019, 11:18:58 am
Starting on The Bell Jar today and I'm actually super stoked to finally start reading it ^-^
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Pearlmilktea on January 12, 2019, 12:42:15 pm
I’m currently re-reading and analysing ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd for my HSC English related text. Even though it’s for study, I read this book last year for enjoyment and loved it so much I chose it for my related.

I’ll try not to spoil too much but I love it due to:
*Its characters and light hearted nature despite the fact it’s a crime novel
*Its engagement with the reader- clues are sprinkled throughout as to who the murderer is and only on the second reading I picked most of them up!
*The simplistic and easy to follow plot balanced with the large amount of clues throughout- allows the reader to choose whether to just sit back and watch everything play out or fully engage and see if they can figure out who the murderer is.

Sorry that’s super vague but I personally hate spoilers so I didn’t want to give anything away!  :D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: kauac on January 12, 2019, 01:28:17 pm
Just finished Reboots by Amy Tintera.

It was an intriguing but slightly disturbing dystopian read. I loved the non-human POV.  :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Poet on January 12, 2019, 01:50:08 pm
Just finished Reboots by Amy Tintera.

It was an intriguing but slightly disturbing dystopian read. I loved the non-human POV.  :)
that was a decent read, if I recall a sleepless night in year 10 correctly :D

Reading James Lovegrove's Sherlock Holmes and the Miskatonic Monstrosities right now - absolutely brilliant, do recommend.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Caitlynk_22 on January 16, 2019, 10:17:40 pm
Finished last night: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Starting tonight: The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

The first book of the series (trilogy?) was amazing!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on January 16, 2019, 10:22:50 pm
Starting tonight: The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

The first book of the series (trilogy?) was amazing!
Tell me how this one goes- I finished her one of her other books, 'Flame in the Mist' last week, and I loved it!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: owidjaja on January 16, 2019, 10:24:34 pm
Finished a few days ago: Phantom of the Opera and Northanger Abbey (clearly, I had a lot of spare time during work lmao)

Next book: Great Expectations (been reading it on and off so I'm hoping I could finish it off soon)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Calebark on January 16, 2019, 10:30:33 pm
Fire and Blood by George R.R. Martin because I'm a sucker for world-building
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Coffee on January 16, 2019, 10:36:34 pm
‘Fight Like A Girl’ by Clementine Ford at the moment.

Finished a few days ago: Phantom of the Opera and Northanger Abbey (clearly, I had a lot of spare time during work lmao)

Next book: Great Expectations (been reading it on and off so I'm hoping I could finish it off soon)

What do you think of Great Expectations so far? :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: owidjaja on January 16, 2019, 10:43:02 pm
What do you think of Great Expectations so far? :)
The plot is a bit slow, but I'm really not liking Estella's character at the moment. I'm hoping she gets redeemed further in the novel. Apart from that, I just feel bad for Pip (the fact that he's an orphan, the way he's treated by his sister and Estella).

But yeah, I'm hoping to finish it soon (from what I know about Dickens, he really likes to comment on social class).
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Tatlidil on January 16, 2019, 10:55:48 pm
Everyone says read books, lots of books, and i just want to know.
What is the difference between if i read (lets say) 1000 Fictional books and if i read 1000 non-fictional books?
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Calebark on January 16, 2019, 11:05:11 pm
Everyone says read books, lots of books, and i just want to know.
What is the difference between if i read (lets say) 1000 Fictional books and if i read 1000 non-fictional books?

Ideally you'd probably learn more from the world with non-fiction books. Fiction books might allow you to develop a better writing style or even further develop a sense of empathy

Read whatever you enjoy best, however, not for ideal benefits. I read both non-fiction and fiction -- just whatever catches my eye at the time
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Tatlidil on January 16, 2019, 11:13:24 pm
Ideally you'd probably learn more from the world with non-fiction books. Fiction books might allow you to develop a better writing style or even further develop a sense of empathy

Read whatever you enjoy best, however, not for ideal benefits. I read both non-fiction and fiction -- just whatever catches my eye at the time
So i if i read non-fictional books, would that make me smarter? In the sense of being more logical/political?
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Aaron on January 16, 2019, 11:19:42 pm
So i if i read non-fictional books, would that make me smarter? In the sense of being more logical/political?

Reading should really be about interest and/or enjoyment. Forcing yourself to read a particular type of book purely based on the idea that it would make you "smarter" will kill any genuine interest you have. I reiterate Caleb's post:
Quote
Read whatever you enjoy best, however, not for ideal benefits. I read both non-fiction and fiction -- just whatever catches my eye at the time

Personally speaking - I lost a love of reading mid way through high school... I believe being forced to read novels that I had no interest in contributed to this as it was considered a chore rather than something worth doing. I don't think i've picked up a book and read since I had to in high school... which is a shame but my sad reality.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Calebark on January 16, 2019, 11:29:55 pm
So i if i read non-fictional books, would that make me smarter? In the sense of being more logical/political?

Definitely agree with Aaron's response to this.

If you want to be more learned on a topic (note: learned, not smarter), reading is a good way to go about it. But it'll only get you so far. Talk to others on the topic -- books usually only hold a single viewpoint, being that of the author. If you want to become more political/logical, as you put it, talk to others on the topic. Exchanging ideas and viewpoints can allow you to further enchance your view by finding the weakpoints of your own view or the strong points of another.

Again though, unless your reading is for study or work, reading should be pleasurable. Read what you enjoy and you'll benefit :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sw3glord on January 16, 2019, 11:58:27 pm
I just finished reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and it’s definitely one of the best books I’ve read so far. I actually had the idea to read this through a recommendation on the Good Books Thread on here, and it’s the first book I’ve ever finished in just one day. I loved Coelho’s style of writing, the book was easy to understand and the pacing was good, and even though this book is fairly short (around 180 pages) it’s filled with life lessons that the main character learns and important themes to pick up on.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Coffee on January 17, 2019, 06:50:40 am
The plot is a bit slow, but I'm really not liking Estella's character at the moment. I'm hoping she gets redeemed further in the novel. Apart from that, I just feel bad for Pip (the fact that he's an orphan, the way he's treated by his sister and Estella).

But yeah, I'm hoping to finish it soon (from what I know about Dickens, he really likes to comment on social class).
I found it slow too.

If you're at all interested, I'd recommend watching 'Dickens vs Tolstoy: The Battle of the Great Nineteenth-century Novelists'. It's on YouTube (by iqsquared). They act out some passages from Great Expectations and it really brought the characters to life for me! ;D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Tatlidil on January 17, 2019, 09:46:25 am
Reading should really be about interest and/or enjoyment. Forcing yourself to read a particular type of book purely based on the idea that it would make you "smarter" will kill any genuine interest you have. I reiterate Caleb's post:
Personally speaking - I lost a love of reading mid way through high school... I believe being forced to read novels that I had no interest in contributed to this as it was considered a chore rather than something worth doing. I don't think i've picked up a book and read since I had to in high school... which is a shame but my sad reality.
Definitely agree with Aaron's response to this.

If you want to be more learned on a topic (note: learned, not smarter), reading is a good way to go about it. But it'll only get you so far. Talk to others on the topic -- books usually only hold a single viewpoint, being that of the author. If you want to become more political/logical, as you put it, talk to others on the topic. Exchanging ideas and viewpoints can allow you to further enchance your view by finding the weakpoints of your own view or the strong points of another.

Again though, unless your reading is for study or work, reading should be pleasurable. Read what you enjoy and you'll benefit :)
understood, thanks guys!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on January 18, 2019, 09:45:04 am
Currently half-way through 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' by Truman Capote!
Next on my to-read is 'Circe' (by Madeline Miller), 'The Upside of Unrequited' by Becky Albertalli, followed by "The Girl Who Fell" by Violet Grace! ^-^
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Poet on February 04, 2019, 04:07:58 pm
Currently reading Oathbringer Part 1 by Brandon Sanderson as part of the 'Way of Kings' epic fantasy series! I bought the book as part of my Sanderson collection and I am loving the wild imagination that goes into all of Sanderson's works and worlds ❤️
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on February 04, 2019, 04:13:20 pm
Currently reading: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Next two reads: Warcross and The Thirty-Nine Steps (the latter adding to my collection of orange-covered Penguins!)

(https://i.imgur.com/shU2Sbs.jpg)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Coffee on February 04, 2019, 04:23:07 pm
Currently reading: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Next two reads: Warcross and The Thirty-Nine Steps (the latter adding to my collection of orange-covered Penguins!)

(https://i.imgur.com/shU2Sbs.jpg)
I loved Eleanor! Hope you enjoy it :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: lanbell54488 on March 02, 2019, 03:05:57 pm
I am reading brawling go manga at this moment and This is my favourite manga.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on March 02, 2019, 03:11:28 pm
I'm reading The Tragedy of Liberation by Frank Dikötter. It discusses Mao's rise in China and talks about the early years of his regime. It's the first of a three part series that analyse the key events in Mao's China.

I am reading brawling go manga at this moment and This is my favourite manga.

Welcome to AN!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: angewina_naguen on March 02, 2019, 04:36:56 pm
Life as an English tutor means reading prescribed texts all over again. Almost finished with Hag Seed and then moving on to Mrs Dalloway. Atwood really is a fantastic writer though so I'm loving it :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Evolio on March 02, 2019, 04:39:51 pm
I am currently reading the 'Revenge of Seven' by Pittacus Lore. It is part of the 'I am Number Four' series. I definitely recommend for anyone. It's a real page turner.
 :D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on March 02, 2019, 04:45:02 pm
I loved Eleanor! Hope you enjoy it :)
I did!

Currently reading: Medea/Hecabe/Electra/Heracles (Euripides) and Not If I Save You First (Ally Carter)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on March 15, 2019, 10:47:03 pm
I can't resist a good YA spy fiction, so I'm about to start Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger!

Next on on my reading pile (on my radio) is Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff! ^-^
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Joseph41 on March 25, 2019, 10:35:53 am
I finished Adnan's Story the other week. Was very good. Highly recommend to anybody who has listened to and enjoyed Serial.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: J_Rho on March 25, 2019, 01:40:39 pm
I finished Adnan's Story the other week. Was very good. Highly recommend to anybody who has listened to and enjoyed Serial.

OOoooOOOoo, looks i'll be adding that to my list of books to read!! Loved the first two seasons of Serial and can't wait to finish season 3!! 
Currently reading; Bloom by Beau Taplin and The Up Side Of Down by Megan McArdle
Bloom is a collection of poems on on growth, the heart, their stories, their scars and the challenging times; if you liked Milk and Honey you'll like Bloom.
The Up Side Of Down is a book on why failing well is the key to success.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Joseph41 on March 25, 2019, 01:57:15 pm
OOoooOOOoo, looks i'll be adding that to my list of books to read!! Loved the first two seasons of Serial and can't wait to finish season 3!! 
Currently reading; Bloom by Beau Taplin and The Up Side Of Down by Megan McArdle
Bloom is a collection of poems on on growth, the heart, their stories, their scars and the challenging times; if you liked Milk and Honey you'll like Bloom.
The Up Side Of Down is a book on why failing well is the key to success.

Have you listened to Undisclosed?
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on March 25, 2019, 02:07:58 pm
Just picked up What if it's us? by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera. Am keen to dive into it when I have the time! ;D
I finished Adnan's Story the other week. Was very good. Highly recommend to anybody who has listened to and enjoyed Serial.
*adds to the to listen list*
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: J_Rho on March 25, 2019, 02:30:36 pm
Have you listened to Undisclosed?

No I haven't and i just looked it up and looks like I might be putting off some homework to listen to this   8)
I listened to this podcast maybe a year ago and it was similar kind of thing and the name of it is on the tip of my tongue  :o
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on April 01, 2019, 05:50:49 pm
I've finished Iluminae (A gripping read, highly recommend it btw).
Next on the to-read pile:
* Ascension (Victor Dixen),
* This Cruel Design (Emily Suvada),
* and Toxic (Lydia Kang) ^-^
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: J_Rho on April 01, 2019, 06:11:07 pm
Finished 'The Up Side Of Down' and 'Bloom'...

To Read Next:
The Sun and Her Flowers - Rupi Kaur
Yesterday I Was The Moon - Noor Unnahar
Note To Self - Connor Franta
F*ck Feelings - Michael Bennett

Any good book recommendations??
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on April 01, 2019, 10:00:42 pm
The Sun and Her Flowers - Rupi Kaur
I really enjoyed that one, I hope you do too! ^-^

Have you read Milk and Honey? :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: LifeisaConstantStruggle on April 02, 2019, 12:07:20 am
Haruki Murakami's pretty famous for his contemporary fictional work. I'm almost done with "Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche", one of his (lesser known) non-fictions and I must say,

damn. This book is fucking riveting. My commutes to uni haven't been more moving than the past few days and the book just sends me to class feeling strange.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: J_Rho on April 02, 2019, 08:02:17 am
I really enjoyed that one, I hope you do too! ^-^

Have you read Milk and Honey? :)

Yes 😍
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Evolio on April 08, 2019, 05:43:20 pm
I am currently reading 'The Girl with all the Gifts'!
It's a dystopian book centring around contagious disease.
It's all in third person so I'm getting used to the third person again as I always usually read books that have first person.
 :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Isla77 on April 19, 2019, 11:42:25 am
Haruki Murakami's pretty famous for his contemporary fictional work. I'm almost done with "Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche", one of his (lesser known) non-fictions and I must say,

damn. This book is fucking riveting. My commutes to uni haven't been more moving than the past few days and the book just sends me to class feeling strange.

Another Japanese author I'd recommend is Keigo Higashino. All his best selling books are real page turners, and his stories are so well-crafted that he'll never cease to impress you. Some I've read are The Devotion of Suspect X (so so so amazing), Naoko, Malice, The Name of the Game is Kidnapping, and others I can't remember off the top of my head.

Currently reading Daniel Defoe by Robinson Crusoe. It's a classic and a bit wordy, might read a bit more about it online to make sure I understand haha.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on April 19, 2019, 11:55:12 am
Been in a slump with Ascension (Victor Dixen) and Mansfield Park (Jane Austen), so I've decided to start reading The Travelling Cat Chronicles (Hiro Arikawa) to pull myself out of said slump!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Eucalypt on May 06, 2019, 05:39:03 pm
I just finished the audiobook of Tell the Truth Shame the Devil by Melina Marchetta (one of my favourite authors). I'd read the book previously and loved it, but Zaqi Ismail (who reads it) made me fall in love with it even more. I highly recommend this one.

I've also been reading Bridge of Clay (the newest Markus Zusak) for a while, and I'm finally getting into it. I went into it expecting something similar to The Book Thief and was sort of disappointed when it wasn't. Anyway, I'm really liking it now, it's beautifully written, but beautiful in a very different way to The Book Thief.

Would love a recommendation on what to read next, they've been so good, I need something that can live up to them both.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: lilac_23 on May 07, 2019, 05:39:38 pm
I'm currently reading a book called "Homo Deus" by Yuval Noah Harari. Most people have heard of Harari through his book, "Sapiens", which covers how human civilisation has evolved over time to become what we are today. Homo Deus is the second of that series and focusses more on what narratives humans rely on to navigate today's world, as well as what obstacles humans will face in the future. He starts off discussing how in future humans will thrive for infinite happiness, immortality and, through the assistance of medical evolution and technology, divinity. Pretty thought provoking stuff!!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: r1ckworthy on May 07, 2019, 06:06:36 pm
I'm currently reading a book called "Homo Deus" by Yuval Noah Harari. Most people have heard of Harari through his book, "Sapiens", which covers how human civilisation has evolved over time to become what we are today. Homo Deus is the second of that series and focusses more on what narratives humans rely on to navigate today's world, as well as what obstacles humans will face in the future. He starts off discussing how in future humans will thrive for infinite happiness, immortality and, through the assistance of medical evolution and technology, divinity. Pretty thought provoking stuff!!

Nice!!! I have homo Deus and 21 lessons on the top of my reading list. Really enjoyed Sapiens a lot, the last chapter was pretty scary stuff to be honest : :-\. Great book!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: anna.comet on May 07, 2019, 06:31:37 pm
I just finished reading Clementine Ford's Fight Like a Girl, which is a KICKASS book and everyone should read it (especially men)!!

It's so important to understand the inequalities between men and women in contemporary society, and Ford does a great job of mixing in her own anecdotes, and research she has done regarding mental health issues, body positivity, eating disorders, intersectional feminism, rape culture and more. Further, she's a Melburnian, so I always love supporting local writers!

I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to be up-to-date on how to live and treat others in modern society (so... suitable for everyone)!  ;D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Owlbird83 on May 24, 2019, 06:52:31 pm
I just finished Unwind by Neal Shusterman. Wow it got really creepy and unsettling towards the end, but really good!
It's set in a futuristic dystopia where kids aged 13-18 can legally be 'unwound' where they aren't killed, but their bodies are completely taken apart and used for like transplants and stuff, so they don't die but 'live in a divided state'. Good book!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Rom_Dog on May 25, 2019, 10:02:20 am
I just finished Inferno by Dante! It was definitely a tough read but I read notes alongside it to help understand the allusions in the text. I also started reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, absurdist fiction can be very interesting and artistic, plus the book has a few illustrations which helps combat my 2 second attention span hahaha
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on May 25, 2019, 10:43:41 am
I've nearly finished with my reviewer's copy of 'Eyes of Tamburah' by Maria V. Snyder, but it's so good! 100% recommending it when it is released mid-June! :D
It has enough adventure and suspense to keep me going through its ~500 pages, and it feels a little like tomb raider, which is cool haha. ^-^
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Ionic Doc on June 04, 2019, 07:12:25 pm
Like a House on Fire by Cate Kennedy

includes multiple short stories and all are  set Australia 
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on June 04, 2019, 08:02:12 pm
Currently reading: Toxic (Lydia Kang)
I also just finished Aurora Rising (Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff) recently, so good!

Just bought two books that I'm uber keen to start soon:
* Four Dead Queens (Astrid Scholte)
* Kindred: 12 Queer #LoveOZYA stories (edited by Michael Earp)
Both are Australian, and I was lucky enough to meet Astrid at a book party last Saturday!!!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Tatlidil on June 15, 2019, 09:02:54 pm
started The Farseer Trilogy (By Robin Hobb)
Only read a few pages so far...I love my Fiction!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Eucalypt on June 17, 2019, 05:30:20 pm
Currently reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I have been reading this book for over a year now, (sorry to the friend who lent it to me) and recently I decided that I would give it another go. It is heartbreakingly beautiful, but one of the saddest books I have ever read (I made the mistake of reading some whilst tired and cranky, it did not end well). I'm stuck again a bit over halfway through because it was too sad to read, and am taking a little time to read something lighthearted for a bit.

Has anyone else read this one? I need some motivation to finish it and would love some perspective.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: interessant on June 17, 2019, 10:31:15 pm
I’m nearly finished reading Eucalyptus by Murray Bail - the beginning wasn’t very attention grabbing, but after the halfway mark and I’m hooked. It’s set in outback Australia - one of those typical Aussie books.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: caffinatedloz on June 20, 2019, 09:19:32 pm
Just finished "Unspeakable" by Abbie Rushton. (Thanks two-hour communte ::) ). Such an attention-grabbing book with a main character you can fall in love with and understand deeply but also a fantastic plot, heaps of mystery and a twist ending. Would definitely recommend. It feels like a more mature version of "Silence is Goldfish". Also reminds me of a book I read a while back called "A Quiet Kind of Thunder".
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on June 20, 2019, 11:33:44 pm
Currently in the middle of 'The Paper & Hearts Society' by booktuber Lucy Powrie!
It's such a good little light read, and I see a lot of myself in the characters! :D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: caffinatedloz on June 22, 2019, 07:28:59 pm
Read a whole book today, once again thanks to a long work commute. It's a collection of stories written by young adults about their life/school experiences and is called My First Lesson. It was put together by Alice Pung and was super insightful. There was one gorgeous story that I realised I was literally holding my breath through about the "princess" and the "dragon".
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Ionic Doc on June 30, 2019, 08:45:35 pm
Currently reading the 'longest memory' by Fred D'Aguiar
The way the text is structured is like nothing I have ever seen before! (hard to explain the way it's structured)
Also gotta give credit to my school for choosing this text, cauze i am hooked  8)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on June 30, 2019, 08:52:10 pm
Me being the YA buff I am, currently reading Maria V. Snyder's Navigating the Stars :)

After I finish, I'm going to read Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte, prior to going to YA fest in August and meeting her for the second time! (The first time, I attended a book party that she was at, and she did a reading. I was HOOKED)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: caffinatedloz on July 10, 2019, 06:15:01 pm
Just read A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein. It's a poetry book (targetted at kids) but very funny. A quick read but highly entertaining and the kind of book that makes you want to share it with others.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on July 10, 2019, 08:10:49 pm
Just picked up reading The Book Ninja- it's been on my TBR for a while, I've heard nothing but positive things, so high hopes for this book!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Ionic Doc on July 10, 2019, 08:48:15 pm
Just picked up reading The Book Ninja- it's been on my TBR for a while, I've heard nothing but positive things, so high hopes for this book!

what's it about?


Currently reading (just finished) Black Diggers

- About Indigenous Australians who fought in world war 1 among side their white brothers, but were disregarded when they came back from war, unlike their white companions.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on July 10, 2019, 09:00:07 pm
what's it about?
It's basically a cheesy romance-type book, but with plenty of Jane Austen book references haha.

A little more detail
It's about a lady who works at a bookstore and tries to find her true love (who's a classics guy) by releasing some of her fave classics on trains with her details inscribed somewhere.

The wonderful ladies who wrote it are Melbourne-based and co-created the Books on the Rail initiative, which is what inspired them to write in the first place!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: caffinatedloz on July 10, 2019, 09:11:51 pm
The wonderful ladies who wrote it are Melbourne-based and co-created the Books on the Rail initiative, which is what inspired them to write in the first place!

Just Googled it- very cool!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on July 16, 2019, 01:16:13 pm
Decided to do a vlog for my book blog this morning, but it contains what I'm going to attempt to read in the next week (or so) (plus some other bookish things), so I'll leave this here for me to be known as a dork for ^-^

Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: caffinatedloz on July 17, 2019, 06:25:47 am
Currently reading Heir of Fire. So good!! I found the start a bit hard to get into but I'm well and truly hooked now!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on July 17, 2019, 11:18:50 am
I'm reading Boy Swallows Universe. Just over halfway and would recommend.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Geoo on July 17, 2019, 12:00:21 pm
Currently reading Archenemies by Marisa Meyer. Second book in the series, and is pretty good so far.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: SlowandSteady on July 28, 2019, 08:08:53 pm
Just finished Tomorrow, When The War Began and really enjoyed it. I'm hoping the hard-copy of the second book hasn't been borrowed out already (moving the mouse-pad whenever the screen dims is becoming tiring ::)).
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: SS1314 on July 28, 2019, 08:29:31 pm
Currently reading Stephan King's IT. Holy shit this book is huge, but I am currently loving the suspense and horror
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on July 28, 2019, 08:35:49 pm
Currently in the middle of Begin End Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology, which is a short story collection written by 10 Australian Young Adult authors (Amie Kaufman, Ellie Marney, and Alice Pung are three of the authors) :)

In August, I'm participating in a Classicsathon (run by booktuber Lucy Powrie), and I'm going to try and finish a total of three books- To Kill a Mockingbird, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and A Doll's House and Other Plays. ^-^
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: ^^^111^^^ on July 29, 2019, 11:58:44 am
I am thinking of starting to read Maze Runner, as one of my friends recommended it for me.Given that Maze runner is one of the most popular books out there, there must be some who have read it. What do you guys think? Should I read it? What's it about?
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: EllingtonFeint on July 29, 2019, 02:32:25 pm
I am thinking of starting to read Maze Runner, as one of my friends recommended it for me.Given that Maze runner is one of the most popular books out there, there must be some who have read it. What do you guys think? Should I read it? What's it about?

Okay, so read the series and I didn't like it.
It's well written and it's a good series and everything, but I just thought it was really ~grim and awful.
If you're into depressos though, go for it!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: SlowandSteady on August 03, 2019, 09:26:41 pm
Getting stuck into the second book of the Tomorrow series, The Dead of Night and man, the way they describe deaths in this book is... vivid...
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: caffinatedloz on August 04, 2019, 05:28:11 pm
Getting stuck into the second book of the Tomorrow series, The Dead of Night and man, the way they describe deaths in this book is... vivid...

I know right! Really, really enjoyed reading that series!

At the moment I'm reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" (for school) but the language use has been really, really fun!

I'm also reading "The Bogan Mondrain". I've read about 50 pages, and the story has been a little slow so far. I've heard it gets better and so I'm holding on.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on August 04, 2019, 06:07:23 pm
I know right! Really, really enjoyed reading that series!

At the moment I'm reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" (for school) but the language use has been really, really fun!

I'm also reading "The Bogan Mondrain". I've read about 50 pages, and the story has been a little slow so far. I've heard it gets better and so I'm holding on.
Funnily enough, I'm reading to Kill a Mockingbird at the moment, too! (For fun aha)

Also starting on the Nevernight Chronicles, in time for the release of book 3!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: caffinatedloz on August 04, 2019, 06:36:09 pm
Funnily enough, I'm reading to Kill a Mockingbird at the moment, too! (For fun aha)

Also starting on the Nevernight Chronicles, in time for the release of book 3!

Ah cool! Are you enjoying TKMB?
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on August 04, 2019, 09:49:33 pm
Ah cool! Are you enjoying TKMB?
I am! Are you enjoying it so far? :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: caffinatedloz on August 04, 2019, 09:51:45 pm
I am! Are you enjoying it so far? :)

It is a little dry to begin with, but I really am!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: J_Rho on August 06, 2019, 12:23:40 pm
Just started reading Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh I started reading it because of the tag line "The Serial Killer Isn't on Trial. He's on the Jury" and so far it hasnt dissapointed.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Joseph41 on August 06, 2019, 12:26:23 pm
I'm about four-fifths of the way through Plots and Prayers: Malcolm Turnbull's Demise and Scott Morrison's Ascension by Niki Savva. Absolutely loving it.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: caffinatedloz on August 06, 2019, 07:25:25 pm
The Bogan Mondrian. Would definitely recommend.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: SlowandSteady on August 06, 2019, 09:04:42 pm
Currently reading The Third Day, The Frost and the best thing happened. In my roll class, there is this tub of books that I never paid attention to. I ruffled through it and found 4 hard-copy books from the Tomorrow series! There were about 6 holds on the first copy returned of one book in the libraries, so I'm stoked ;D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on August 17, 2019, 08:33:52 pm
Currently reading:
- Wilder Girls (bookclub book of the month)
- The Picture of Dorian Gray (Classicsathon Book #2 for me)
- Scars Like Wings (advanced review copy)
- Godsgrave (my current binge read because the next book has a launch on Friday next week!!!)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: caffinatedloz on November 15, 2019, 06:22:21 am
I finished Catcher Telling Crow fairly recently. It was a really wonderful book, harrowing but incredible. And an interesting premise.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on November 15, 2019, 08:40:01 am
Current reads:
*Hadamar: The House of Shudders - Jason K Foster (book based on real events in WW2)
*The Starless Sea - Erin Morgenstern
*Impostors - Scott Westerfeld (who I get to meet on Saturday!)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: angrybiscuit on November 15, 2019, 08:45:26 am
I cannot wait for exams to be over so I can read allll day
Here are my current reads:
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
- Mythos by Stephen Fry
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Calebark on November 15, 2019, 05:26:37 pm
I have an illustrated version of The Hobbit I am reading to my nephew. He's (almost) two, and he can speak basic words, but he doesn't quite understand the book. However he enjoys the pictures, likes the voices I put on, and will try to say new words as I read them.

this one as there's a few versions
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Nv0Bbn-JL._SX373_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Erutepa on November 20, 2019, 06:25:38 pm
I have an illustrated version of The Hobbit I am reading to my nephew. He's (almost) two, and he can speak basic words, but he doesn't quite understand the book. However he enjoys the pictures, likes the voices I put on, and will try to say new words as I read them.

this one as there's a few versions
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Nv0Bbn-JL._SX373_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
Although of a different version, I remeber being read an illustrated version of the hobbit when I was a wee lad. I don't really recall the story as such (I do know the story as I have read it since), but I do remember looking at the pictures.
This is the copy - I remember the big scary smaug
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51lmHeVzDVL._SX402_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)

At the moment I have just recently picked up all the wrong questions by lemony snicket book 1 (again). I have read it a few times, but I was just looking for something easy to read haha. I did try to read some stephen king (the green mile) but was sold by his writing. Perhaps I will try again for another of his novels.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: caffinatedloz on November 20, 2019, 06:34:04 pm
I'm reading The Girl Who Fell atm. Regrets. Had it recommended to me, but the writing is awful. I like the idea of the plot though.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on November 20, 2019, 08:47:33 pm
If you're looking for a cute contemporary that is primarily set in Sydney (and revolves around music and the Con)- I recommend The Astrid Notes by Taryn Bashford! I'm 220 pages in (so nearly done with it) and it's v cute and the cover have those purple jacaranda trees which I find beautiful :D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: interessant on November 20, 2019, 10:00:19 pm
Just finished Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. A friend recommended it to me and I finished it in a day, it’s that good. Quite confronting on the loneliness topic.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on November 20, 2019, 10:15:35 pm
Just finished Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. A friend recommended it to me and I finished it in a day, it’s that good. Quite confronting on the loneliness topic.
I too liked Eleanor Oliphant, I read it earlier this year. It is definitely confronting on the topic of loneliness! :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Tau on December 11, 2019, 02:36:14 pm
Finishing off Dictator by Robert Harris (last book in a trilogy about Cicero's life). Moving on to Whirlwind by James Clavell (last book in his Asian Saga). 
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: interessant on December 11, 2019, 09:08:07 pm
Recently read We Were Liars, and the sudden plot twist was quite shocking! I feel it was a tad overrated but otherwise, left me reeling.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: K.Smithy on December 11, 2019, 09:20:21 pm
I've almost finished Stephen Hawking's The Grand Design - which I have enjoyed every minute of reading.

But I have a dilemma... I don't know what book I should read once I've finished it.
I have some options...
1. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
2. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson
3. Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
4. The Little Book of Psychology
5. Cosmos by Carl Sagan
6. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
7. A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss
8. Death by Black Hole by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Send help... ;D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Tau on December 11, 2019, 09:28:40 pm
Quote
I've almost finished Stephen Hawking's The Grand Design - which I have enjoyed every minute of reading.
I really enjoyed The Grand Design too.

Quote
But I have a dilemma... I don't know what book I should read once I've finished it.
I have some options...
Quote
3. Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
I've heard some pretty good things about this. Supposed to drastically change the way people look at the importance of sleep.

Quote
5. Cosmos by Carl Sagan
Been on my reading list for a while, Sagan's supposed to be a master expositor.

Quote
6. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
8. Death by Black Hole by Neil deGrasse Tyson
I actually found these fairly boring. If you've done some physics and science (which it looks like you have:), then you might find them a bit superficial and plodding.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: hums_student on December 11, 2019, 09:49:16 pm
I've almost finished Stephen Hawking's The Grand Design - which I have enjoyed every minute of reading.

But I have a dilemma... I don't know what book I should read once I've finished it.
I have some options...
1. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
2. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson
3. Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
4. The Little Book of Psychology
5. Cosmos by Carl Sagan
6. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
7. A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss
8. Death by Black Hole by Neil deGrasse Tyson

I don't know much about the physics books, but JBP's 12 Rules for Life is a pretty solid read. ;)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on December 30, 2019, 05:27:51 pm
I took advantage of today's hot weather and camped out downstairs near the aircon and smashed out nearly the whole of Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. 😂

Big fan of this book rn!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Tau on December 30, 2019, 05:52:39 pm
Just finished The Cuckoo’s Egg by Cliff Stoll and just picked up Skunk Works by Ben Rich.

Hoping to finish it by New Years so I can make it to 26 books! :D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on December 30, 2019, 06:01:48 pm
Just finished the Surprise Party by Arron Patrick.

Was interesting and insightful, but mildly depressing.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Snow Leopard on December 30, 2019, 11:30:50 pm
Currently reading "The 5 Second Rule" by Mel Robbins.
If you feel that you need a kick to get things done, I'd recommend this book.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Evolio on January 01, 2020, 06:24:47 pm
Currently reading the 'Children of Virtue and Vengeance'. It came out quite quickly so me being me, I scrambled to the Dymocks bookstore, bought it with my gift card and literally hugged it.

It's the second book in the Children of Blood and Bone series and it's pretty good. Highly recommend to anyone who likes young adult books and fantasy.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: J_Rho on January 01, 2020, 07:38:33 pm
I wish I felt I had time for 'free' reading - but alas I know the only books ill pick up this year are my english texts.
Currently reading the Lieutenant - so far its not too bad
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: K.Smithy on January 01, 2020, 07:44:04 pm
New Century Physics for Queensland Units 3 & 4  :'( :'( :'(
How exciting...
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on January 01, 2020, 09:06:47 pm
Currently reading the 'Children of Virtue and Vengeance'. It came out quite quickly so me being me, I scrambled to the Dymocks bookstore, bought it with my gift card and literally hugged it.

It's the second book in the Children of Blood and Bone series and it's pretty good. Highly recommend to anyone who likes young adult books and fantasy.

Pls tell me if you like this one! I've heard a lot of good things and I'm keen to actually read that series... when I get around to it :D


Current reads:
- A People's History of Heaven (Mathangi Subramanian) (I've been reading this one incrementally as a reviewer on this one for a blog tour!)
- Again, but Better (Christine Riccio) (A library book I've been incrementally reading and nearly finished with!)

My January TBR currently includes:
- Angel Mage (Garth Nix- Australian Young Adult author)
- A Room of One's Own (Virginia Woolf)
- Wayward Son (Rainbow Rowell) (I've had this sitting here on my desk since release week- and on my goodreads tbr for some time lmao- I'm so keen to get SnowBaz back into my life this month!)

Assuming that I finish the three books in the TBR (as I'm away from my bookstash for a period of time in the second part of the month):
- A Darker Shade of Magic (V. E. Schwab) (the local library recommend it to me as part of their summer reading program)
- A Heart so Fierce and Broken (Brigid Kemmerer) (my book club's book of the month)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Coolmate on January 01, 2020, 09:41:36 pm
I'm currently reading "The Tempest" then "Hag-Seed" afterwards for Mod A for school  8) 8)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on January 03, 2020, 04:15:48 pm
Have since moved on to Everybody Lies by Seth Stevens-Davidowitz. Really interesting concept, using Google searches as a form of data. There are some really convincing anecdotes about how these data can be used to reveal things that don't come up much on surveys.
At times it's a little problematic--he makes some conclusions that I don't think are enormously reasonable given the evidence, but I suspect many with a vague interest in human psychology or data science would enjoy it.


Other current reads (i.e. those that I'm struggling to get to the end of) are The Tragedy of Liberation by Frank Dikotter (first in a series about the rise of Mao), Are We Asian Yet by various authors (about Australia's status as an Asian country, a collection of essays) and Breaking Point by Peter Seamer (about urban planning, mainly in Melbourne and Sydney).
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Jimmmy on January 03, 2020, 04:23:47 pm
Got Neale Daniher's autobiography for Christmas, so I'm getting stuck into that now! Also having a reread of Bjorn Borg's autobiography back from 1980, really in the spirit of the summer (of tennis).

School's out, getting into reading is back.  :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Pearlmilktea on January 03, 2020, 05:17:56 pm
Currently reading: Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus.
I absolutely loved her first book, One of Us is Lying, and 100% recommend it to anyone who likes murder mystery.

Here's part of the Goodreads synopsis:
The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, One of Us Is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something to hide.
Pay close attention and you might solve this.
Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder.


It may sound cliché but it's a nice, chill read which keeps you on your toes :) A great book to get you back into reading.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Evolio on January 03, 2020, 05:59:01 pm
Pls tell me if you like this one! I've heard a lot of good things and I'm keen to actually read that series... when I get around to it :D
YES, I love it! It's probably one of my favourite books of all time! You should definitely read this series! You won't regret it!  ;D ;D

Currently reading: Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus.
I absolutely loved her first book, One of Us is Lying, and 100% recommend it to anyone who likes murder mystery.

It may sound cliché but it's a nice, chill read which keeps you on your toes :) A great book to get you back into reading.
I loved 'One of Us is Lying'! It was also pretty easy to read which was a major plus! I've been recommending it to everyone! How do you like the second book so far?  ;D
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Joseph41 on January 09, 2020, 03:48:00 pm
Last night, I finished This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay. I found it extremely enjoyable and humorous but also very thought-provoking and sad. It follows the experiences of a junior doctor (in the NHS) through their career. It's split into journal entries, so if you can equally read it for three minutes or three hours at a time.

Really recommend it to everybody. All of the actual medical stuff is extremely well explained for the layperson (like me) in footnotes. 10/10!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on January 19, 2020, 12:06:15 pm
Now on Australia—what happened? By Ben Pobjie. It’s an Aus history book, but like Girt by David Hunt (a personal favourite) it’s very funny.

Last night, I finished This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay. I found it extremely enjoyable and humorous but also very thought-provoking and sad. It follows the experiences of a junior doctor (in the NHS) through their career. It's split into journal entries, so if you can equally read it for three minutes or three hours at a time.

Really recommend it to everybody. All of the actual medical stuff is extremely well explained for the layperson (like me) in footnotes. 10/10!

Love this book! There’s a sequel to it that came out at Christmas, which unfortunately isn’t as good. Found his original really meaningful and surprisingly made me want to do medicine more.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: r1ckworthy on January 19, 2020, 03:18:55 pm
Last night, I finished This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay. I found it extremely enjoyable and humorous but also very thought-provoking and sad. It follows the experiences of a junior doctor (in the NHS) through their career. It's split into journal entries, so if you can equally read it for three minutes or three hours at a time.

Really recommend it to everybody. All of the actual medical stuff is extremely well explained for the layperson (like me) in footnotes. 10/10!

I just finished reading it this month! If you are more interested in medical stuff, read When Breath Becomes Air. It’s about a neurosurgeon resident (basically still training to be a neurosurgeon) who becomes diagnosed with a certain disease. It does not have the humour found in Adam McKay’s book, but I found it to be much more profound. Read it 2 times or more, to my memory. Give it a go!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on January 19, 2020, 04:13:08 pm
I just finished reading it this month! If you are more interested in medical stuff, read When Breath Becomes Air. It’s about a neurosurgeon resident (basically still training to be a neurosurgeon) who becomes diagnosed with a certain disease. It does not have the humour found in Adam McKay’s book, but I found it to be much more profound. Read it 2 times or more, to my memory. Give it a go!

Also recommend this book. Very, very different to Adam Kay’s book, but similarly very profound.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetcheeks on January 19, 2020, 05:27:00 pm
Finished reading 'Last One Home' by John Ehle. I quite enjoyed the book, very well written and was different from my usual reads. It didn't have some big plot twist, rather it just followed a characters' life from adolescence to death. It had amazing descriptions that gave a really good picture in my head of the landscape and the towns.

It is the last book in a series by Ehle that loosely follows a fictional family in the Appalachians through the 1800's and early 1900's. I didn't realise it until I finished the book that this was the case (doesn't affect the book in any way) and unfortunately the library doesn't have any of the others.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: elmobluey on January 19, 2020, 06:46:24 pm
I read "Tony Takitani" by Murakami in about 30 minutes.

Although it's such a short story, there was something so captivating about the writing.. If you want a quick read, I recommend this! I'm reading Mythos by Stephen Fry too. Greek Mythology is so interesting!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on January 30, 2020, 10:26:04 pm
Going to attempt to actually finish A Game of Thrones next month, alongside Rumi's poems (the selected ones in the black Penguin classics at least).

Wish me luck for the former, I tried reading it once before and then never finished it haha, so I'm giving it another whirl, some years later!

Also currently reading Small Spaces by Sarah Epstein- who I'm going to meet at a Wheeler Centre event in March and I'm v keen for it!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: interessant on April 04, 2020, 11:51:05 am
Just finished reading 'Heidi' by Johanna Spyri, and it is such a cute book - written in the late 1800's and you can see what people thought important back then as compared to now. Highly recommend it
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on April 05, 2020, 12:45:40 pm
About to start reading House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J Maas! I'm excited but terrified to read this big one because I've heard that it can be slow for a lot of the book! 🙈
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: whys on April 05, 2020, 03:37:01 pm
About to start reading House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J Maas! I'm excited but terrified to read this big one because I've heard that it can be slow for a lot of the book! 🙈

I LOVE Sarah J Maas! Have you read her other series'? My all-time favourite is TOG and I've probably read all the books a billion times over. ACOTAR is good too, but TOG holds a special place in my heart. I want to read Crescent City but I hate books that end on cliffhangers/just end in general because I want to know MORE (the pain is real) so I'll probably start reading when a few more books come out.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: J_Rho on April 05, 2020, 04:37:43 pm
my bio textbook

(https://imgur.com/QaC1lmy.gif)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on April 05, 2020, 05:30:51 pm
I LOVE Sarah J Maas! Have you read her other series'? My all-time favourite is TOG and I've probably read all the books a billion times over. ACOTAR is good too, but TOG holds a special place in my heart. I want to read Crescent City but I hate books that end on cliffhangers/just end in general because I want to know MORE (the pain is real) so I'll probably start reading when a few more books come out.
I've read both the others! I prefer ACOTAR (but not the new covers (they're gross imo)- Bloomsbury just are trying to milk the $$$ on those ngl) as that's the first one I read (thanks to my school library gifting me ACOTAR for some competition I entered once and forgot about haha). :D

I don't mind cliffhangers, I'm just scared about the slowness tbh! 😂🙈
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetcheeks on April 05, 2020, 05:58:03 pm
Re-reading one of my all time favourites; 'Misery' by Stephen King. It is somehow scarier to read the second time around, maybe because I know what is going to happen and I can see things that I missed/didn't think about during the first read through
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: K.Smithy on April 06, 2020, 08:20:48 pm
About to start Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species. I'm keen  8) Think I will enjoy it :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: kauac on April 06, 2020, 08:42:27 pm
Have just begun The Sky So Heavy by Claire Zorn.

I described the plot to my brother and he reckons it sounds like Tomorrow when the War Began (which I haven't read). This one's written by an Australian author as well. Maybe I should try that next, if this is any good.  :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: J_Rho on April 06, 2020, 08:45:27 pm
Have just begun The Sky So Heavy by Claire Zorn.

I described the plot to my brother and he reckons it sounds like Tomorrow when the War Began (which I haven't read). This one's written by an Australian author as well. Maybe I should try that next, if this is any good.  :)
YES! I remember reading them when i was 13 or 14 and the books 100% outdid the movie! I also recall a book called "Ashes" by Illsa J Bick I think... which is similar and very good

Bout to start a book called "Editing Emma" I got a few years ago for my birthday from one of my distant relatives that I put in my cupboard as it defs doesn't seem my cup of tea (my cup of tea is Agatha Christie or Stephen King or when I was younger Derek Landy) but desperate times call for desperate measures...think I might start on an Allsop's Fables next

I think i should get a sugar daddy and he can send me books in return for feet pics hahahahah  8) guyyyys imma die without many boooooookkkkkkkkkks
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: K888 on April 06, 2020, 08:50:25 pm
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Such a pleasant trip down memory lane in these stressful times!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on April 06, 2020, 10:04:34 pm
I think i should get a sugar daddy and he can send me books in return for feet pics hahahahah  8) guyyyys imma die without many boooooookkkkkkkkkks
Libraries have a great range of ebooks and eaudiobooks you can download and listen/read online/offline if you have a library card- if you're going to run short on books! ^-^

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Such a pleasant trip down memory lane in these stressful times!
Still need to finish that series tbh :-X
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Geoo on April 06, 2020, 10:30:08 pm
Still need to finish that series tbh :-X
That's a crime against humanity!!!!!

you're not alone though...
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: K888 on April 06, 2020, 10:50:37 pm
Still need to finish that series tbh :-X
Ahem...
....
WHAT??
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: J_Rho on April 07, 2020, 10:04:32 am
Libraries have a great range of ebooks and eaudiobooks you can download and listen/read online/offline if you have a library card- if you're going to run short on books! ^-^
Still need to finish that series tbh :-X
Firstly, I just hate ebooks so much, but it's looking like I will have to work with what I've got
Secondly,  W H A T
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: interessant on April 07, 2020, 04:58:49 pm
Started reading The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield. It's a collection of short stories and from the cover it looked interesting, now that I'm reading it there's a lot of description of the setting and not too much action going on
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: J_Rho on April 07, 2020, 05:00:56 pm
I FOUND A BATMAN BOOK IN THE TOP OF THE CUPBOARD BEST BELIEVE I'LL READ IT TONIGHT
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on May 01, 2020, 04:21:17 pm
Just started The Priory of the Orange Tree. So far I'm finding to a fun fantasy read, despite it being 800 pages ^-^
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: SmartWorker on May 01, 2020, 06:52:51 pm
Started the 39 clues series again, an old time favourite. :P
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Geoo on May 01, 2020, 07:03:10 pm
Just started The Priory of the Orange Tree. So far I'm finding to a fun fantasy read, despite it being 800 pages ^-^
How are you finding it? I've been meaning to read it as the dragon element look's interesting, but I haven't had time.

I may have got it in hardback because it was on sale and it's soooo pretty!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: alice343 on May 02, 2020, 01:09:33 pm
I've been slogging through Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (I borrowed it from the library months ago but luckily they're not counting the due dates because of the current situation) - although there is plenty of time in the day to read, I just never end up sitting down to read! I am also reading Dickens' Great Expectations for the second time for English (though I do enjoy it as a book on its own) and The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang for my Extension History Project. Other books that are piling up on my shelves that I hope to read soon: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything, and Sphinx by Anne Garreta (borrowed this one from my friend and it's been over a year oops).

ALSO, Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami - I read half of it a while ago, but I keep starting over again because I forget what happens.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on May 02, 2020, 02:07:13 pm
How are you finding it? I've been meaning to read it as the dragon element look's interesting, but I haven't had time.

I may have got it in hardback because it was on sale and it's soooo pretty!
I love it so far! I'm only just getting into the dragon element parts, and the world is super rich! ❤

It is a super pretty book! 😍
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: J_Rho on May 03, 2020, 05:51:42 pm
Found a book that does not seem like my cup of tea but I'm going to read it, I'll let you guys know how it is
It's 'The Last Days of Us' by Beck Nicholas
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on June 15, 2020, 11:33:05 am
Currently listening to Ballad of Songbird & Snakes, and it's actually not that bad. It's just ... long haha 😅
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Chocolatepistachio on June 15, 2020, 01:11:16 pm
I just finished reading the ballad of songbirds and snakes . So many unanswered questions
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Evolio on June 19, 2020, 09:57:31 am
I just bought 'It' by Stephen King yesterday and I am so excited to read it!!  ;D
It's going to take me a while to read as well, especially since I haven't read that much plus the fact that it's over 1000 pages long. 😆
I've watched the movies already (and they were excellent!) but I'm more excited to read 'It' because I have so many unanswered questions from the movies.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: krischuffer on June 19, 2020, 10:11:36 am
I finished reading "The Divine Wind" by Gary Disher for English class, but I actually really enjoyed it. It was about what its like to live as a teenager during World War 2 in a small town in Australia called Broome. It was very interesting and really well written, definitely recommend if you enjoy short, but sweet books on coming of age.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: J_Rho on June 23, 2020, 08:01:13 pm
Tried putting a book on hold from my local library. Says i cant as i am a "barred" user...No idea what it means and i dont have any overdue books or fines?? is this a covid thing?
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on June 23, 2020, 08:22:19 pm
Tried putting a book on hold from my local library. Says i cant as i am a "barred" user...No idea what it means and i dont have any overdue books or fines?? is this a covid thing?
This could also be because your library account has expired- same thing happened to me recently! I suggest ringing/emailing your library/council about it :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: The Cat In The Hat on June 25, 2020, 10:35:55 am
Currently reading The Silver Chair (again), Brisingr (Inheritance Cycle) and A Dancer from the Abbey (E. J. Oxenham 'Abbey Girls' series)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on July 02, 2020, 09:07:44 pm
Going to start reading Terra Nullius by Claire G. Coleman this weekend! Been meaning to read this one for agesssssss, and I finally got my mitts onto a copy the other day and squeeeed about it to one of my bookstagram friends haha!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: owidjaja on July 03, 2020, 06:10:47 pm
It's been awhile since I've given any sort of update on what I'm reading but I have been investing in reading a lot these days. Over the past 2 weeks, I've read:

- Fire and Blood (GRR Martin)
- Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoevsky)
- Half of The Witcher Novel series (Time of Contempt, Baptism of Fire, The Tower and The Swallow, The Lady of the Lake, Sword of Destiny, Season of Storms) - I read the first two last year

At the moment I've ran out of things to read but I'm currently scrolling through QBD to buy. Currently looking at the Assassin's Creed books (yes they have books, not just video games) just for lols.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: jessicah_atarnotes on July 03, 2020, 11:08:12 pm
Currently reading 'This is going to hurt' by Adam Kay! Highly recommend for any science/healthcare students especially, it's a great light read. Here's the blurb for anyone interested:

"Adam Kay was a junior doctor from 2004 until 2010, before a devastating experience on a ward caused him to reconsider his future. He kept a diary throughout his training, and This Is Going to Hurt intersperses tales from the front line of the NHS with reflections on the current crisis. The result is a first-hand account of life as a junior doctor in all its joy, pain, sacrifice and maddening bureaucracy, and a love letter to those who might at any moment be holding our lives in their hands."

He has an incredibly funny yet touching way with storytelling :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: interessant on October 23, 2020, 08:57:50 pm
Nearly finished with 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck' by Mark Manson. It's really put into perspective a lot of things, definitely not overhyped! Would recommend
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: The Cat In The Hat on October 23, 2020, 09:21:00 pm
Currently reading:
That Hideous Strength by C. S. Lewis (the last of his space trilogy, preceded by Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra/Voyage to Venus; I highly recommend these books, especially the first. That Hideous Strength is proving curiously unlike the other two books; I have never read it and it is peculiarly opaque as a story; I don't know where it is going, although I can guess at some of it, though far less than many.)
2010: Odyssey Two by Arthur C. Clarke (also recommend this, part of a four-book series, preceded by 2001: A Space Odyssey; highly recommend to anyone faintly sci-fi-ish.)
Just finished Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (again... so good to be able to class it as 'study' since it's one of my English texts. :)))
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on October 23, 2020, 10:28:20 pm
Currently reading:
Highway Bodies by Alison Evans (Australian zombie apocalypse book, genderqueer author)

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust (sapphic fantasy read, with BIPOC representation)

Defending the Galaxy by Maria V Snyder. (Scifi book, one of my most anticipated reads for the year. Advanced copy!)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vox nihili on November 02, 2020, 02:44:04 pm
Currently reading:

Kafka on the Shore by Murakami. Has started off all right. Recently read Norwegian Wood which was super weird but weirdly good.

Recently finished:

The Handmaid's Tale and The Testaments. I found the former a bit slow at times and anticlimactic and half-reluctantly bought the Testaments because I liked the world Atwood had constructed. Very glad I made that choice, The Testaments is brilliant
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on November 02, 2020, 02:52:28 pm
Currently reading:

Kafka on the Shore by Murakami. Has started off all right. Recently read Norwegian Wood which was super weird but weirdly good.

Recently finished:

The Handmaid's Tale and The Testaments. I found the former a bit slow at times and anticlimactic and half-reluctantly bought the Testaments because I liked the world Atwood had constructed. Very glad I made that choice, The Testaments is brilliant

I have The Testaments out on loan from my library. Glad it's worth the read!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: The Cat In The Hat on February 18, 2021, 09:48:18 am
I just finished Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins - highly recommend. Same with St Tom and the Dragon by Ethel Turner. I'm now reading The Princess Spy (Melanie Dickerson) and South Riding (some old author, Winifred someone?).
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Always_Tired on March 27, 2021, 07:40:34 pm
At the moment I'm reading V.E Schwab's new realise, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue which was very difficult to get my hands on (both local libraries had it either checked out or on order) and to my surprise, it was sitting on the "Featured Reads" shelf in my school library. I'm only about 150 pages in but it already gives off such a lonely feeling and it makes it easy to feel the pain Addie experiences. I'm hoping to continue enjoying it as much as I am now till I finish it :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: vehura on April 22, 2021, 04:44:22 pm
I just finished reading Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes last night, and it actually broke me. I will be thinking about it for a long time - I really recommend it. It's a potent commentary on the terrible way that we treat disabled people in society - and also how intelligence is not always a measurement of happiness.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on April 22, 2021, 05:30:42 pm
Currently reading Being Black and Chicken and Chips by Matt Okine (the adapted teen version) and definitely can see this as a book a school could pick 😅
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: The Cat In The Hat on April 22, 2021, 07:18:48 pm
Currently reading... not much....
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (I do not apologise for rereading these books many times)
University textbooks
and that's pretty much it.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: s110820 on April 23, 2021, 09:06:10 am

As my mental health has taken a toll (yet again), I'm currently spending a majority of my time with my head in book and this week's contender is Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen! I'll update you guys as soon as I finish :)
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on April 23, 2021, 09:53:01 am
As my mental health has taken a toll (yet again), I'm currently spending a majority of my time with my head in book and this week's contender is Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen! I'll update you guys as soon as I finish :)
I love Pride & Pride Prejudice! Hope you're enjoying it!
---
My transport read atm is A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth, and it's a pretty good faerie book - and I'm loving the whole cast of characters so far <3
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetcheeks on July 17, 2021, 08:31:54 pm
Just finished reading 'Gone With the Wind'. I really enjoyed it, but it certainly was a long read (1000 pages). I really liked the in-depth descriptions, particularly of nature, it painted really nice imagery in my mind.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: The Cat In The Hat on July 17, 2021, 08:44:25 pm
Currently on the second 'Loveda Brown' book. It's a fun, lighthearted read by an author who knows how to combine humour and serious subject matters. The first book - well, I recommend it, despite it catching me entirely flat-footed by the presence of occasional swearing - although a twist threw me for a loop and the character involved (no spoilers!) seemed to go out of character and suffer from inadequate foreshadowing. The second I'm not far enough into to know if I would recommend it. So far, yes, but not to the standard of the first book, the opening of which made me laugh aloud, which few books do.
The books are on Amazon, author Jolie Tunnell, first book 'The Great Loveda Brown'. I have the first three although not the fourth one, released recently. I wouldn't be surprised if I purchased it (I collared the ebooks of the first three in a giveaway which was nice! :))).
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: wingdings2791 on July 17, 2021, 09:13:47 pm
Currently on the second 'Loveda Brown' book. It's a fun, lighthearted read by an author who knows how to combine humour and serious subject matters. The first book - well, I recommend it, despite it catching me entirely flat-footed by the presence of occasional swearing - although a twist threw me for a loop and the character involved (no spoilers!) seemed to go out of character and suffer from inadequate foreshadowing. The second I'm not far enough into to know if I would recommend it. So far, yes, but not to the standard of the first book, the opening of which made me laugh aloud, which few books do.
The books are on Amazon, author Jolie Tunnell, first book 'The Great Loveda Brown'. I have the first three although not the fourth one, released recently. I wouldn't be surprised if I purchased it (I collared the ebooks of the first three in a giveaway which was nice! :))).

Just from your description and looking at its cover, it really reminds me of A Series of Unfortunate Events! I feel like you've certainly already read it :) Sounds intriguing though, mystery is such a great genre and so satisfying when it's written well.

I've just started Anna Karenina, which I purchased over a year ago and finally had the chance to pick up. After hearing that it goes through a dry patch in the middle, I don't think I've reached it yet. So far, I really like the super frank but still measured style; it's kind of like reading Jane Austen sometimes. It does seem more comedic than dramatic and depressing up until now though, so I'm excited to see what will unfold.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: The Cat In The Hat on July 17, 2021, 10:39:56 pm
Just from your description and looking at its cover, it really reminds me of A Series of Unfortunate Events! I feel like you've certainly already read it :) Sounds intriguing though, mystery is such a great genre and so satisfying when it's written well.
If you enjoy mystery - I've never really got into it as a genre - I'd really recommend the series!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on July 17, 2021, 11:44:56 pm
I went from a pretty brutal crime book (Body of Evidence) straight to a ya horror/fantasy mashup (the Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker). Guess I won't be sleeping tonight either 😂🙈

(I also plan to read the final book in an author's friend's fantasy trilogy (The Order of the Rose) - The Innocent before the end of lockdown maybe - that'll lead me to Frankenstein and I have a gorgeous copy of that :D )
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: The Cat In The Hat on July 19, 2021, 05:03:32 pm
Because I never seem to only read one book at a time, I'm currently rererererereading Thunderhead. It's my favourite of that trilogy, and weirdly enough I suspect that's because of the Nell/Rob arc, an unusual thing for me to enjoy - after all, they almost separate! However, the happy ending and the sheer brilliance with which it is written I do love.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: Garrett Green on November 14, 2021, 12:54:31 am
I'm reading Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality (HPMOR) now. Is a Harry Potter fan fiction by Eliezer Yudkowsky.
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: sweetiepi on November 28, 2021, 04:03:53 pm
I'm halfway through C.S. Pacat's new book Dark Rise. It is an excellent LGBTQIA+ YA fantasy, and Pacat is also an Australian author!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: little_creative_journals on November 28, 2021, 07:57:18 pm
I'm currently reading Ruin and Rising (the third book in the Shadow and Bone Trilogy) and I'm absolutely loving it so far! I can't wait to read The Six of Crows Duology!
Title: Re: What are you reading at the moment?
Post by: caffinatedloz on November 29, 2021, 06:45:40 am
I'm currently reading Ruin and Rising (the third book in the Shadow and Bone Trilogy) and I'm absolutely loving it so far! I can't wait to read The Six of Crows Duology!

I've been meaning to read the Shadow and Bone Trilogy for ages! What were your thouhgts?

I just finished Picoult's The Book of Two Ways. It was really good, but definitely not my favourite of her books. It makes use of the multiverse theory (the idea that in another world there is a version of you with a different life because you made a different decision and that the universe splits every time you make a decision) and shows the protagonist's life if she gets on a plane to Egypt to see her old boyfriend or on a plane to England to go back to her husband.

The plot was very interesting but the characters were a bit lack-lustre.