Now I’m more excited for it I’m going to see if I can get it at the library!! I’m also hoping for Cultish as a Christmas gift and that one I’m looking forward to just from your praise
based on The Rum Diary I'd say absolutely, though it's widely considered one of his worst so idk if that's fair or not. After this snoozefest I am unsure whether I want to revisit Fear & Loathing.
Fear and Loathing is OK. I just think his drug-addled shtick made enough mystique to sell books. I feel the same way about the Beats. Give me Henry Miller over them any day.
Love this 5v5 wrap up format (might have to snag the idea for my own post)! I read through the Arc of a Scythe trilogy by Neal Shusterman this yeah and, while I didn’t love every book in the series, the first book Scythe quickly became one of my favorite reads. It isn’t often I feel that coming back to a book instantly makes me feel like I’m living in its world, but that one just works.
It’s such a good feeling when you want to go back to a book immediately! I have heard of that first book but now I’m intrigued! & definitely go for it with the post! It was very fun to write up
I ADORED Piranisi. It was as you say unlike anything I’ve ever read. She’s an extraordinary writer. Have you read her first which made a pretty big splash?
Did you read Susanna Clarke’s first book, Jonathan Stange & Mr Norrell? Very different but also great.
Re The Maidens, which I haven’t read, if you want a good take on the idea of a weird student cult check out Elizabeth Hand’s Waking the Moon, and also of course Donna Tarrt’s The Secret History, though opinions of that one vary widely. (I read it way back when it came out and remember feeling iffy about it but it’s been too long to get specific.)
I have Clarke’s first book on my list I’ve heard nothing but good things! & I adored The Secret History (maybe I was expecting too much out of The Maidens since I read it after TSH) but I haven’t heard of Waking the Moon, I’ve just added it to my list, thank you for the recs!! <3
Ah that answers my question about whether you have read her first. Yes I loved this one and was so happy that she came out with another full novel finally. The Ladies of Grace Adieu is also good but you have to read her first before it.
I will definitely be giving Piranesi a read soon! It’s been on my TBR for the whole year but I’ve never committed to picking it up... Guess it’s time to change that!
Wow im blown away by the fact you read 100 books. Thank you for putting this together. Now i have 5 new books to check out and 5 to stay far away from :)
As I am weary of most fantasy, Six of Crows was an unexpected treat. Crooked Kingdom, the sequel, is also really good. Good to see character driven fantasy can still work 🙂
I loved the sequel too! I was pleasantly surprised at how complex and lovable all the characters were. Have you read any other books set in that universe?
I’ve not read any of the other Grishaverse books but I did watch the TV series which I thought did an OK job with the Crows, particularly the actor playing Kaz Brekker. It’s a shame it’s been cancelled 🙄
Have you read any of them? I did also quite enjoyed Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo so I should maybe give the others a shot 🤔
The casting was phenomenal for the series, all of the characters I thought were brilliantly portrayed, it is so sad it was cancelled! I haven’t read any of the other series, but I mean to since I really enjoyed the world building. I also loved Ninth House! Have you read the sequel?
I’ve not read the sequel yet but I plan to. My reading speed is not the quickest, and I’m currently wading my way through Dune for the first time, so I’ll hopefully get around to it next year 😁
Babel was my intro but I recently read The Poppy War and absolutely loved it, I actually have a review up on it! She’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Have you read it?
in the vein of asian fantasy recs - have you read jade city?? it’s almost nothing like TPW but i read those two series around the same time so i always put them together in my mind haha
!!! Thanks for sharing your list! I feel like I read so many great books this year but I'll try to keep it brief --
BEST:
Against the Written Word: Toward a Universal Illiteracy by Ian Svenonius
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
Slow Media: Why Slow is Satisfying, Sustainable, and Smart by Jennifer Rauch
Jawbone by Monica Ojeda
WORST:
The Rum Diary by Hunter S Thompson
Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
(I had quite a few mid reads but it doesn't feel fair to put 'em on the 'worst' list, so we'll leave it with those two)
I’m adding all your best ones to my list!! I did love Tender is the Flesh too (but it didn’t make the cut hahah) thank you for the list!!
absolutely!! i did the same w yours. drop me a line when/if you check 'em out and want to discuss :))
i think Jawbone in particular will be up your alley, freaky lil cosmic horror abt cultish young girls
Now I’m more excited for it I’m going to see if I can get it at the library!! I’m also hoping for Cultish as a Christmas gift and that one I’m looking forward to just from your praise
Is it me or is ol' Hunter overrated?
based on The Rum Diary I'd say absolutely, though it's widely considered one of his worst so idk if that's fair or not. After this snoozefest I am unsure whether I want to revisit Fear & Loathing.
Interested to hear more of your thoughts?
Fear and Loathing is OK. I just think his drug-addled shtick made enough mystique to sell books. I feel the same way about the Beats. Give me Henry Miller over them any day.
Love this 5v5 wrap up format (might have to snag the idea for my own post)! I read through the Arc of a Scythe trilogy by Neal Shusterman this yeah and, while I didn’t love every book in the series, the first book Scythe quickly became one of my favorite reads. It isn’t often I feel that coming back to a book instantly makes me feel like I’m living in its world, but that one just works.
It’s such a good feeling when you want to go back to a book immediately! I have heard of that first book but now I’m intrigued! & definitely go for it with the post! It was very fun to write up
I ADORED Piranisi. It was as you say unlike anything I’ve ever read. She’s an extraordinary writer. Have you read her first which made a pretty big splash?
Did you read Susanna Clarke’s first book, Jonathan Stange & Mr Norrell? Very different but also great.
Re The Maidens, which I haven’t read, if you want a good take on the idea of a weird student cult check out Elizabeth Hand’s Waking the Moon, and also of course Donna Tarrt’s The Secret History, though opinions of that one vary widely. (I read it way back when it came out and remember feeling iffy about it but it’s been too long to get specific.)
I have Clarke’s first book on my list I’ve heard nothing but good things! & I adored The Secret History (maybe I was expecting too much out of The Maidens since I read it after TSH) but I haven’t heard of Waking the Moon, I’ve just added it to my list, thank you for the recs!! <3
Ah that answers my question about whether you have read her first. Yes I loved this one and was so happy that she came out with another full novel finally. The Ladies of Grace Adieu is also good but you have to read her first before it.
Both of them are on my list!! I especially can’t wait to read her first
I will definitely be giving Piranesi a read soon! It’s been on my TBR for the whole year but I’ve never committed to picking it up... Guess it’s time to change that!
I’m glad to hear that! It’s such a beautifully written book I hope you love it! <3
Wow im blown away by the fact you read 100 books. Thank you for putting this together. Now i have 5 new books to check out and 5 to stay far away from :)
Thank you for reading! I only got back into reading this year and remembered how much I love it, hence all the books I flew through hahaha
I loved Piranesi as well! So creative.
I recommend it to everyone it’s one of my all time favorites!
I've been meaning to read Piranesi for a little while now. Glad to hear it's worth the read!
It’s such a beautiful book, I hope you love it! You’ll have to let me know what you think!
As I am weary of most fantasy, Six of Crows was an unexpected treat. Crooked Kingdom, the sequel, is also really good. Good to see character driven fantasy can still work 🙂
I loved the sequel too! I was pleasantly surprised at how complex and lovable all the characters were. Have you read any other books set in that universe?
I’ve not read any of the other Grishaverse books but I did watch the TV series which I thought did an OK job with the Crows, particularly the actor playing Kaz Brekker. It’s a shame it’s been cancelled 🙄
Have you read any of them? I did also quite enjoyed Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo so I should maybe give the others a shot 🤔
The casting was phenomenal for the series, all of the characters I thought were brilliantly portrayed, it is so sad it was cancelled! I haven’t read any of the other series, but I mean to since I really enjoyed the world building. I also loved Ninth House! Have you read the sequel?
I’ve not read the sequel yet but I plan to. My reading speed is not the quickest, and I’m currently wading my way through Dune for the first time, so I’ll hopefully get around to it next year 😁
have you read the poppy war?? or was babel your first introduction to r f kuang? 👀
Babel was my intro but I recently read The Poppy War and absolutely loved it, I actually have a review up on it! She’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Have you read it?
yes!! i still need to read yellowface but i’ve read all of TPW and babel and i’m so obsessed with her substack too! 🥰
I was so excited when I found her substack! Also I need to read Yellowface too and the rest of the Poppy War series. How are the rest of the books?
the dragon republic is my favorite of hers and the conclusion in the burning god is so well done - excellent series!!!
I’m even more excited to finish the series now!!
in the vein of asian fantasy recs - have you read jade city?? it’s almost nothing like TPW but i read those two series around the same time so i always put them together in my mind haha
Sure thing. Let me know what you think if you read it!