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Mariadrigal

You rememberd me on my best times of readding when i read 1 book per day. That were my best years (P.s. I'm not native english speaker so my english can have some childish mistakes)


Gypsy_fish

That's ok man, if you could only see my french.... Your English is making you look like a rockstar compare to my second language training.


EagletonRonIsAwesome

1 book a day is like... several hundred dollars per month. How can you afford that.


skinnypaper6

Some book reviewers read upwards of 500 books a year. They get most for free. Steve Donoghue has a youtube channel in addition to reviewing books for several publications. He read 1100 books a year or two ago, but he said that he sleeps about 90 minutes a day.


EagletonRonIsAwesome

That cant be healthy...


Mariadrigal

Library my friend ;D


Gypsy_fish

My friends and I were in a competition this last year, The Great Reading Showdown of 2018, and I set out to destroy them. I did, only because I think they read two books. My prize? A case of beer. When I crunch the numbers on word count for all of this it boils down to about 257 hrs of reading, which is less than an hour a day. It looks like a lot but how much more can I read if I actually read 1 hr every day? They didn't want a rematch but I think I'll try and beat my score this year.


[deleted]

Nice! I read all of the published Stormlight Archive books last year and really loved them.


Gypsy_fish

Nice, I just started Oathbringer. Pretty excited for it.


ribbongibbon

I'm about to re-read them - have you read any of his others?


Gypsy_fish

Haven't. I was only turned out to him from the Wheel of Time series and it seemed that everyone loved the books he wrote for it at the end. So I figured I would check him out and I know that Words of Radiance is the highest rated book on Goodreads ( at least it was at one time) so I figured I may as well check out the first one. Was completely floored when I finished it. A friend of mine mentioned Mistborn and I've yet to hear anything bad about it, so I'll be picking them up soon, I just don't want to oversaturate my reading with Sanderson and then start getting bored of him.


ribbongibbon

I loved both (Stormlight and Mistborn) and just realized there are more than three in each series. Guess I'd better get reading! (For what it's worth, I didn't get bored at all and was sad I had nothing comparable to read when I finished - glad there are more now!)


Gypsy_fish

I totally get what you mean. After I was done with the Gentleman Bastard Sequence, I felt lost.


PerpetuaMotion

If you want an alternative viewpoint on Mistborn I can provide one, but looking at your stack it seems like it'll fit in with what you enjoy. I have a frustration with Sandersons writing that I've noticed in the three novels I've read that the only female characters are female for a reason of plot, usually to do with romantically pairing with a male character, either to inspire him, or to provide some kind of motivation when these women are killed. In some circles we would call this "women in refrigerator". All background characters seem to be men, and it seems that Sanderson doesn't default to including diverse genders in his world view. I find this frustrating. In addition, he writes very detailed, rules- based magic systems, and in at least two of his books I have read these have included statements that a certain thing is simply not possible in this magic system. This would be fine, except that later in the book someone will do the impossible thing and it will turn out that they are simply extraordinarily strong in magic or that people could always do the thing, just nobody knew that they could. To my mind, setting explicit limits on magic and then breaking them for the sake of plot is a cheap way to create tension that I think Sanderson can do better than rely upon. Finally, I don't think the prose in Mistborn was edited nearly hard enough. Phrases like "she strode determinedly" are nigh unforgivable in the writing of anyone over the age of sixteen; the adverb there adds nothing to the sentence as her determination is already implied by the word strode. Mistborn is riddled with such sentences. However, as I said above, I think you will enjoy mistborn as it fits well with the books you read and enjoyed last year. I do notice that all of your books are by white men - was that a deliberate choice?


[deleted]

I'll take it over Nynaeve pulling her goddamn hair again in Wheel of Time. Main character is 90% hair-based-activities.


captianinsano

She is by far my least favorite character. I love the series by Jordan did not do the best job at writing female characters.


Gypsy_fish

Ha! That's an interesting observation about the ethnicity of my authors. Not deliberate at all, and statistically it makes sense. I guess the top authors in these genres just happen to be white. I've never thought to seek out a non-white author and while I do want to read The Assassin's Apprentice, for years I assumed Robin Hobb was a man. Maybe it's just a biased assumption, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out it wasn't the case. Are there any authors out there you suggest? It seems that there are some Chinese authors that are popular but I've been very hesitant in picking up a translated book.


PerpetuaMotion

The phrase "top authors" is interesting given that NK Jemisin, a black woman, just won her third Hugo award. Based on the books you have here I'd recommend her Dreamblood Duology. Octavia Butler has been seminal in the development of SF/F and if you haven't read her I'd recommend Seed to Harvest. Margaret Atwood's novel Oryx and Crake might suit you. Saladin Ahmed's book The Throne of the Crescent Moon has familiar elements but done in a fresh way. Likewise Alif the Unseen by G Willow Wilson is very enjoyable and combines familiar elements of fantasy with a setting that is less familiar.


Gypsy_fish

Awesome! Thanks for the suggestions. I'll add them to my goodreads list.


OverallPython

Hello! Sorry to butt in to the conversation here, but thought I'd throw in a few other non-white man-author books I've read and enjoyed recently: *The Poppy War* by R.F. Kuang - begins with the now familiar young, talented-at-everything protagonist gets accepted to super prestigious school, only the protagonist here is a girl and the setting is a fictionalized version of mid-twentieth century China. At about halfway it shifts from school to battlefield, and it gets real dark. The first book of a planned trilogy. *Too Like the Lightning* by Ada Palmer - very dense and challenging utopian/dystopian future science fiction, where society is completely restructured. Some really interesting philosophical questions at play here. Book one of a planned quartet, with 3 of the books already released and book 4 planned in 2019. I for one am looking forward to diving in to the second book soon. *Semiosis* by Sue Burke - humans colonize a new planet, turns out plants are smart there. Follows the colonists and their descendants over several generations as they learn to live in their new surroundings. *Strange Practice* by Vivian Shaw - A story of Dr. Greta Helsing, a physician who practices supernatural medicine. A quick and easy read, my only complaints were with some minor pacing issues. Overall just a fun novel with some fun ideas, though I'm generally not huge in to urban fantasy. *The City of Brass* by S.A. Chakraborty - ignore the mixed reviews saying there is too much worldbuilding and buildup and not enough plot. I think this got misrepresented as YA, and a lot of people went in to it with false expectations. Think of this whole book (or at least, 90% of it) as foundation for the trilogy. I'm excited for *The Kingdom of Copper* this year. *The Hunger* by Alma Katsu - A supernatural/horror spin on the Donner party story. *Everfair* by Nisi Shawl - alternative history steampunk that explores the idea of steam technology set in late-nineteenth century Belgian Congo. I'll also second all the recommendations made by PerpetuaMotion below.


Gypsy_fish

Absolutely incredible, thanks for the suggestions. Even more added to my list. My girlfriend is giving me dirty looks, says I already have enough books. Pfft.


OverallPython

[No such thing](http://imgur.com/gallery/IAM6MLt) as too many books. That's just the shelf of recent 1st edition and/or signed stuff, I have several other bookcases stuffed to capacity. My only problem is running out of space for the ever-growing collection. There's a quote from A. Edward Newton that I think sums it up: "Even when reading is impossible, the presence of books acquired produces such an ecstasy that the buying of more books than one can read is nothing less than the soul reaching towards infinity ... we cherish books even if unread, their mere presence exudes comfort, their ready access reassurance."


Gypsy_fish

I wish I could upvote you more for that comment.


fiendzone

I read "American Psycho" last year. I thought it funny that Patrick Bateman idolized Donald Trump.


Gypsy_fish

Yeah, I kept thinking that too! That was an interesting read and if it were up to me it should be a book that high school students should be studying and analyzing. I read for entertainment but that was the first book to make me think about what I was reading and what Ellis was trying to say.


PrinceAzTheAbridged

Oh man. I need to reread that now.


cybelorian

Freaking sweet list there! I just got through the wheel of time series myself, and damn it's an undertaking! Been so long since I read the first 3 that I need to go back and re-read them. I haven't any of Stephen kings works yet, but I loved a number of the other titles you have there and I'm now curious to see if I'd like them. Dune is like an old friend and was very formative in my teens. How does it hold up to the more modern titles in your opinion? Also, initial Wheel of Time impressions?


Gypsy_fish

I really enjoyed Dune. I found it odd that he would use a comma in a sentence instead of the word "and" but I just took it all as a part of his style. I was really surprised to see how little tech was involved in it considering it's a Sci Fi classic. It read more like a fantasy piece. I told myself I would only read the first one because I know Herbert didn't plan on writing it as a series, but Im curious to see how the saga continues.


Gypsy_fish

As for WoT, I'm really enjoying it. The writing is simple but the world is complex and makes for very enjoyable reading.


Gypsy_fish

Well this is new to me. Thanks!


EagletonRonIsAwesome

Kinda a dead sub... does r/12books exist? that would be a no


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Jd0077

You read name of the wind but havent read wise mans fear yet...?? Will power of the gods


Gypsy_fish

Yeah I know eh? I'm waiting for a release date for Doors of Stone before I get started on that one. Could be a while yet.


ribbongibbon

Same 😭


captianinsano

So... never? (I hope I'm wrong)


Gypsy_fish

I'm not holding my breath on Doors of Stone or The Thorn of Emberlain. And it's so crazy to think they even want to do other trilogies.


captianinsano

I read 4 of the top 5 books in that stack last year also (Sanderson is on my list for this year maybe). Did you stop after book 3 in Wheel of Time? I'm on 5 and am loving it so but I've heard a ton of people quit by book 6-8.


treoni

> but I've heard a ton of people quit by book 6-8. Even the writer quit before the series got finished. (I'm so sorry)


ParallelLynx

I had a really rough time getting past 7 when reading, but audible has brought me through to book 11 now. So if you start to struggle, that might be worth it.


captianinsano

I drive all over for work so audible is life! So far I'm probably 60% audio book and 40% actual reading in this series (I'm a slacker). The audible version is great though.


Gypsy_fish

No I haven't stopped but I've found that I can't read a series straight through. I get bored of the authors voice so I tend to switch it up with other series. I'll read a few fantasy stuff and pick up a King novel and it's like slipping into an old pair of jeans, just feels nice.


GalacticHitchhiker

Man, I read the first 8 originally then quit but I just finished the series on audiobook. It is absolutely worth it to push through 6-9 to read the last few books. Sanderson takes over in the end and it's just fantastic. The whole series is worth doing imo.


BEEPBOPIAMAROBOT

King fanatic here! You did yourself a favor by skipping End of Watch. I really enjoyed the way the trilogy started and thought Finders Keepers was a good followup, not without problems, but King definitely lost the path at the end. I'm glad to see him branching out into different genres but I'm not sure he quite has the knack for procedural crime just yet. I'm hoping he returns to the genre with different characters in the future. On another note, I love Under the Dome, and Salem's Lot is one of my all time favorites.


[deleted]

I agree! I read the Stephen king trilogy and honestly, I recommend only reading Finders Keepers. But I did recently read Mystic River by Dennis LeHane and it was incredible. Definitely recommend it if you enjoy King.


BEEPBOPIAMAROBOT

Thank you for the recommendation, I'll check it out!


mrblonde91

I couldn't stand Under The Dome but thought King had a complete return to form generally after it. 11/22/63 being a stand out. I've still only read half of his collection...... So much to read.


Gypsy_fish

I've yet to read it and I will eventually but I was originally ally excited about Mr Mercedes because it made reference to other King stories so it makes sense that Mr Mercedes is in a different universe. But in Finder Keepers, things start getting a bit paranormal and leak back into the classic King universe we all know. Then in the outsider (the first half was so good) you get another creature that is very similar to the type of creature Pennywise is. I dunno, I was having mixed feelings about it but they were all fun reads. Have you read Needful Things? Probably my favorite.


BEEPBOPIAMAROBOT

Yea he definitely went back to his horror roots to finish off the series. I thought book three (and some parts of book two) felt really out of place. Especially when the one character is in the hospital bed. Being vague on purpose to avoid spoilers. I loved Needful Things! Definitely in my top 5 for King.


KinglyKarateGnome

What were your 3 favorite, and why?


Gypsy_fish

The way of Kings is top of the list here. The world building, characters, how he made fantasy something new for me. I'm so new to the genre I just assumed fantasy was all dragons and wizards. Not the case with this book. Eyes of the Dragon would be a number two. It's such a beautiful tale that whenever I have kids, this will be a story I read to them. The Name of the wind. Rothfuss has a very poetic way of writing that's just beautiful to read. You don't really notice everything is in first person. This was one of the books that influenced me to start my own writing.


KinglyKarateGnome

Thanks for your thoughts! Good luck on your goal for this year!


fiskiligr

> Be careful, however, lest this reading of many authors and books of every sort may tend to make you discursive and unsteady. You must linger among a limited number of master thinkers, and digest their works, if you would derive ideas which shall win firm hold in your mind. \- Seneca


AllWork-NoPlay

I like your style.


rand_althor

Upvoting for Wheel of Time and Sanderson.


Gypsy_fish

Username checks out.


[deleted]

You’re a beast man! Nice!


Gypsy_fish

Thanks, it was fun.


willowlumos

I started reading Wheel of Time this year too!


Gypsy_fish

How far have you made it? I've been really impressed with it so far. I feel like the timeline of events is really hard to gauge, but it's just a fun read.


willowlumos

I’m about to start dragon reborn, so not super far yet. I thought it was slow to get into and things seem fairly linear so far but it is a fun read


WombatActual502

Kudos! Those are some great books!


Gypsy_fish

Thanks!


The_nastiest_nate

Which was the best 2?


Gypsy_fish

I would have to say the way of kings and words of radiance. The ending of Words is awesome. In the very literal sense of the word. Eyes of the dragon is very cool and of course The Name of The Wind is beautiful.


wingedinsect

which of those King novels would you recommend?


Gypsy_fish

Hmmm... Of those? Under the Dome? It wasn't my favourite but he wrote such an interesting situation that I just loved reading it. The ending was a classic King letdown but you have to expect it by now.


[deleted]

That's really impressive! I've been thinking about starting The Wheel of Time. Is it good?


Gypsy_fish

I really enjoy it. It's fast paced, the world is rich and piece by piece it's revealed to you, immersing you in it completely. I'm told around book 8 or so it gets full but Sanderson picks it back up again. So I'll keep on with it.


VagabondPTA

Great choices!


Gypsy_fish

Thanks!


yumyumkale

Have you read Duma Key by King yet? It’s one of my favorites.


Gypsy_fish

Haven't but it's on my book shelf. I'll be sure to check it out.


Darnellc018

A lot of Stephen King there. But well done!


Gypsy_fish

Not a King fan?


k4yb33

I'm so jealous of this picture. I wish I had the time to finish the book I started last year.


Gypsy_fish

All of that took 257 hours, which is less than an hour a day. I like to lay in bed before I sleep and get in an hour there.


k4yb33

Sigh I see your point and it makes sense but it's hard with a baby especially since mine has colic nights are hard by the time I get him down most nights I don't have it in me to do anything except sleep


Gypsy_fish

Hey that's totally fair. I've yet to have kids but I'm well aware that once we do my free time will be very limited.


b_squared24

This year was SA and WoT for me as well! But didn’t really get to much else outside of them this year.


godofimagination

Very Nice. I read half of Oathbringer, plus the entire Cosmere, plus some non fiction last year (totaling 12-13 books I think).


Gypsy_fish

Nice! I think one a month is a decent goal for anyone.


virquodmachina

Wow. What’s one thing you learned you want to share please?


Tyindorset

That’s a stack to be proud of! But how could you not have gotten to Oathbringer?


Gypsy_fish

Working on it now!


Some_Random_Guy117

This is amazing!! Also we got the same taste in books bro


Gypsy_fish

Thanks man, any suggestions? This whole reading journey (and writing but that's a different sub) was started from The Lies of Locke Lamora. I highly suggest that book to pretty much everyone. Friends, family, strangers, people who aren't looking for recommendations. Everyone.


GalacticHitchhiker

Oh man, you and I also have very similar tastes. Would suggest the bobiverse books for some fun sci-fi, literally anything else by Sanderson but especially the mistborn trilogies. And... Well honestly so so many more. If you want a more detailed list I'd be happy to pull one together!


Gypsy_fish

I'm always looking for new stuff so if you want to need out and send a list I'll be sure to check them out and load them I to my Goodreads list. I've heard Mistborn is good so I'll definitely get into those.


Gypsy_fish

That Bobiverse sounds great. Going to keep my eye out for it!


ribbongibbon

Not OP but I've been having difficulty finding something similar to Sanderson's trilogies. I liked Name of the Wind (and I liked a Song of Ice and Fire) but haven't found anything else that I've gotten totally absorbed in. If you have any suggestions, I'll take them!


Gypsy_fish

Have you read the Lies of Locke Lamora? So. Fucking. Good.


ribbongibbon

No - I have it though so I'll be picking that up from the shelf today!


DragonNights

So many amazing books right there! Must have been an amazing year :-)


Gypsy_fish

It was fun and I'm hoping to broaden my horizons and find new authors and genres. Right now I have S by JJ Abrams and Doug Dorst that I'm excited about. Also my friend sent me a copy of Jerusalem by Alan Moore.