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Chris’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Chris’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
Chris Dietzel’s Followers (422)
3,273 books
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248 friends
2,337 books
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31 friends
491 books
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29 friends
1,345 books
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59 friends
10,060 books
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1,116 friends
5,599 books
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24 friends
203 books
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4 friends
301 books
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241 friends
More friends…
Chris Dietzel
Goodreads Author
Born
in The United States
Website
Twitter
Genre
Influences
Member Since
April 2013
URL
https://www.goodreads.com/chrisdietzel
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The Man Who Watched the World End (The Great De-evolution)
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published
2013
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5 editions
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The Green Knight (Space Lore, #1)
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published
2016
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5 editions
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A Different Alchemy (The Great De-evolution)
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published
2014
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5 editions
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The Hauntings of Playing God (The Great De-evolution)
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published
2014
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5 editions
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The Theta Prophecy
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published
2015
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4 editions
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The Last Teacher (The Great De-evolution)
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published
2015
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5 editions
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The Last Astronaut
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published
2017
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5 editions
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The Theta Timeline
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published
2014
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4 editions
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The Theta Patient: A Time Travel Dystopian
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published
2015
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3 editions
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The Faulty Process of Electing a Senior Class President
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Best Fiction I Read In 2025
My annual list of the best Fiction I read can be found here
Let me know what you think of the list. If you read any great books in 2025 and think I would like them definitely give me a shout.
Let me know what you think of the list. If you read any great books in 2025 and think I would like them definitely give me a shout.
Chris’s Recent Updates
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Chris Dietzel
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Pros: - It had an interesting premise and I really liked that it didn't sensationalize anything, the way genre fiction would. - The types of loss / regret that Kawaguchi focused on felt authentic, as opposed to the types you would see in commercial fic ...more |
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Chris Dietzel
rated a book really liked it
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By itself, this is a solid 4-star book. Haig does a good job of being conversational and relatable throughout. He also does a good job of moving from one idea to another to make it feel like you're getting advice on a bunch of related ideas. My only i ...more |
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Chris Dietzel
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Two notable things about this book: 1) It's one of the rare instances where a movie is clearly superior to the book. The book isn't bad (the ending is absolutely beautiful) but the movie tells the story far more effectively. 2) Hannah Pittard's The Fat ...more |
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Chris Dietzel
rated a book liked it
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Pros: - Coile establishes a great mood for the story. It feels gritty and tense. - The small cast of characters makes the mystery and suspense easy to execute in a sci-fi setting. - The pace was very good. Cons: - The characters felt like archetypes rathe ...more |
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Chris Dietzel
rated a book liked it
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| This should have been excellent. Houdini was a fascinating person and lived a remarkable life. But Kalush tends to strip most scenes of their livelihood, so what you end up reading feels like a really long obituary rather than a page-turning biograph ...more | |
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Chris Dietzel
rated a book really liked it
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| This was really well done, but for one big reason I can understand why the book didn't connect with more readers. Namely, the first half is solely a literary depiction of extreme sorrow and the second half is a pure suspense horror. Unlike writers li ...more | |
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Chris Dietzel
rated a book liked it
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Pros: - Great premise - Marrs does a good job of exploring the premise through a variety of different character types so the reader can see how the speculative premise would play out in different situations. Cons: - No subtlety at all. Each character is ...more |
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Chris Dietzel
rated a book really liked it
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| I'd never heard of this author or this book before but saw it at a library book sale and was intrigued by it being a Booker Award short list story. It started out rough for me, being way too random and disjointed, but it quickly settled in and became ...more | |
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Chris Dietzel
rated a book really liked it
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| Ever since reading Pessl's Night Film and loving it I knew I would read whatever else she wrote. Parts of this maintained the same haunting creepiness that made her break-out novel a success, but there was also a lot of genuine heartfelt moments that ...more | |
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Chris Dietzel
rated a book did not like it
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This might be the most intentionally deceptive and misleading book I've ever read, and given that it pretends to help the reader spot fake news, this is akin to getting advice on how to prevent house fires from an arsonist. - She insists legacy / corp ...more |
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“Anything said is gone as soon as it leaves my lips. Things written down at least have a chance to leave a soft echo of what had been.”
― The Man Who Watched the World End
― The Man Who Watched the World End
“Maybe that’s why I get frustrated sometimes, because there’s no one to blame for how our lives have turned out. I wouldn’t change any of the things I’ve done, but at the same time I wish things were different than they are. I have no regrets, but there’s also no satisfaction in where I am.”
― The Man Who Watched the World End
― The Man Who Watched the World End
“Scared people don’t really mean what they say, they’re just looking for ways to rationalize everything so they have someone or something to blame. They need to have a reason for what’s happening because when they have that they can take comfort in knowing it’s out of their control.”
― The Man Who Watched the World End
― The Man Who Watched the World End
Polls
[POLL NOW CLOSED]
RUNOFF POLL! Please vote for a book you'd like to read for a bonus mid-October book, written by a member of the Apocalypse Whenever group! This is poll #2, a runoff of the first poll. Happy voting!
RUNOFF POLL! Please vote for a book you'd like to read for a bonus mid-October book, written by a member of the Apocalypse Whenever group! This is poll #2, a runoff of the first poll. Happy voting!
Ain't No Grave by S.A. Softley
2015, 260 pages
Kindle $2.99 (on sale from Sept 20 to Oct 1 for 99¢), print $15.99
"A man is struck by an unknown illness high over northern Canada. The plane is forced to make an emergency landing in an isolated northern town. When he awakens, he finds himself naked and cold in an empty hospital. He soon discovers that the town is deserted and all its people missing. Alone in the unforgiving winter, he must struggle to survive and uncover the truth. Nothing can prepare him for what he finds."
Rocky Mountain Locust: Opus I, Trio by M.I. Lastman
2014, 323 pages
Kindle $6.78, print $17.86
Review: "The storyline is fast-paced, and thrilling, the commentary a sensitive and thoughtful discourse on 21st century life and times. Read it and weep.” Susan Koswan, KW Record. “This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. . . the story riveting and the characters believable, . . . it is also terrifyingly plausible, and maybe even inevitable. This is a MUST READ for every adult. . ."
The Hauntings of Playing God by Chris Dietzel
2014, 225 pages
$3.99 Kindle, paperback from $7.97
"Everyone is dead. All that remains is an old woman and a gymnasium full of unresponsive bodies. Each day, another storm approaches, threatening to destroy the building they call home. Each night, a series of nightmares leaves the woman screaming for help. Alone and overwhelmed, will the final member of the human race be thought of as a caretaker or as a monster?
A Great De-evolution Story."
The Last of the Ageless: A Post-Apocalyptic Adventure by Traci Loudin
2015, 410 pages
$4.99 Kindle, $14.99 print
CreateSpace has a $4 off coupon: SQ9T5GUG
No zombies, no romance, just an adventure through the apocalypse.
"After the end of the world, every survivor must choose who to become... Victim? Or villain?"
After the Storm by Don Chase
2012, 204 pages
99¢ Kindle, cheap used paperback
"After the Storm is a post apocalyptic novel set five years after a meteor wipes out 95% of the population. A group of survivors in Boston have to find ways to survive and contend with a reemerging government that wants to take back control after deserting them for years... Hilarity ensues."
Devastation Point -5 Years Post Viral Apocalypse by Paul Kirk
2014, 568 pages
Kindle $2.99, Print $18.97
"The world collapsed after the spread of the hyper-aggressive H5N1 Avian plague and several airborne mutations. By simply breathing the air, billions around the world died in less than a few months' time. Airborne Special Forces Colonel Connor MacMillen survives the dark and dangerous times. DEVASTATION POINT begins with Connor Mac's exploits in the fifth year of the New Dark Ages as he encounters a strange and changed America turned upside down by the "Cuckoo Flu". "
Blank: Mind the Gap by Matt Eaton
2015, 300ish pages
$3.99 on Kindle and iBooks
"The oceans of the world rise five metres without warning on the heels of a massive solar event."
Topics Mentioning This Author
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Reading Chal...: The Goodreads Authors Challenge - 2014 | 320 | 644 | Dec 27, 2014 12:49AM | |
| The History Book ...: MICHAEL'S 50 BOOKS READ IN 2014 | 46 | 127 | Dec 30, 2014 04:33AM | |
Dystopia Land:
Goodreads Author's writing Dystopia
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59 | 235 | Feb 02, 2015 10:55AM | |
| Dystopia Land: GR Giveaway and a special one for ya'll! Ends 1/31. | 19 | 38 | Feb 06, 2015 03:50PM | |
| Apocalypse Whenever: You need to read something by (fill in the blank) already!! | 64 | 68 | Aug 06, 2015 06:50PM | |
| Apocalypse Whenever: Bonus club nominations: AW/Goodreads authors (CLOSED) | 82 | 214 | Sep 25, 2015 11:15AM | |
| The History Book ...: MICHAEL'S 50 BOOKS READ IN 2015 | 85 | 126 | Oct 06, 2015 10:55AM | |
| Apocalypse Whenever: Books written by group members (nominated Oct 2015) | 3 | 93 | Oct 08, 2015 10:40AM | |
| Apocalypse Whenever: Apocalyptic books without graphic violence? | 28 | 102 | Feb 19, 2016 09:28AM |
“Anything said is gone as soon as it leaves my lips. Things written down at least have a chance to leave a soft echo of what had been.”
― The Man Who Watched the World End
― The Man Who Watched the World End
“At this moment, many people have stopped living. They do not become angry, nor cry out; they merely wait for time to pass. They did not accept the challenges of life, so life no longer challenges them”
― The Fifth Mountain
― The Fifth Mountain
“Maybe that’s why I get frustrated sometimes, because there’s no one to blame for how our lives have turned out. I wouldn’t change any of the things I’ve done, but at the same time I wish things were different than they are. I have no regrets, but there’s also no satisfaction in where I am.”
― The Man Who Watched the World End
― The Man Who Watched the World End
Apocalypse Whenever
— 13998 members
— last activity 2 hours, 7 min ago
The most active group for apocalyptic and dystopian stories! Join a monthly book discussion, get recommendations, or just tell us if you like canned p ...more
Dystopia Land
— 5562 members
— last activity May 21, 2026 03:49PM
THE BIGGEST GROUP FOR DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE ON GOODREADS. What you can do in the group? * You can say 'Hi', or tell us what you are reading * Yo ...more
The Next Best Book Club
— 26194 members
— last activity 14 hours, 4 min ago
Are you searching for the NEXT best book? Are you willing to kiss all your spare cash goodbye? Are you easily distracted by independent bookshops, bi ...more
Comments (showing 1-45)
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Chris wrote: "Jim wrote: "Chris - really struck by your latest batch of "want to read." If you have not read Canticle or postman, I am very glad to see that you are planning to. Both rather old books, and certai..."Chris wrote: "Jim wrote: "Chris - really struck by your latest batch of "want to read." If you have not read Canticle or postman, I am very glad to see that you are planning to. Both rather old books, and certai..."
I agree - my TR pile is so out of control that I have given up on much of it. It is this pile of snow and every time I take a shovel full off the bottom it snow two more on top! - woes me - I guess if the worst problem I have is to many books to read I'm pretty well off!! As to the books - both are fantastic, and and both stuck with me for a long time. One similarity is that both books take place a bit of time after the actual disaster, and what caused the disaster is not discussed that much. The postman is rather different than other Post-apocalyptic books in that it really posits a path out of hell. It is by far the easiest and breezier read, and the author is actually one of my all time favorite authors - if you haven't read his uplift series you must add it to your list. Canticle is not as easy a read, but sticks with you for much longer. Without spoiling too much, it really deals with the whole "history repeating itself" adage. Being raised Catholic i also could see a lot of things that I could connect with that many non-catholics would not. Enjoy!😁
Jim wrote: "Chris - really struck by your latest batch of "want to read." If you have not read Canticle or postman, I am very glad to see that you are planning to. Both rather old books, and certainly are date..."Hi Jim, I haven't read either of them (so many books, so little time) but I'm excited to do so. My stack of to-read books is out of control these days. Which did you enjoy more between the two?
Chris - really struck by your latest batch of "want to read." If you have not read Canticle or postman, I am very glad to see that you are planning to. Both rather old books, and certainly are dated in spots, but are also must read books for any sf fn.
Thanks for the friend-vite. Star Wars fans rule the world :D I hope we can chat books soon
Thanks, Martin. When you read it, I'd love to hear what you think.
Thanks for the friend invite Chris. I found your book on here when looking for suggestions for the Dystopian reading group I attend. I put it forward but wasn't at the meeting to argue in its favor so it didn't get selected this time, but I will put it forward next time we take a vote. I plan to read it before then though as it sounds pretty good, and seems to have some good feedback in the comments on here.
Thanks, Pamela! I'm glad you're enjoying it so much. And thank you for the support.
Thank you for the friend request Chris. It's been awhile since a book as grabbed my attention from the very beginning and even longer since I have read something that feels completely original (funny note; the last one was about the end of the world.) Thank you for that and I look forward to jumping into more of your books.
Hey Chris, thanks for the invite, enjoying The Hauntings of Playing God
Hi Samu, that's wonderful! Thank you for the support. When you do read it, I'd love to hear what you think.
Hey Chris! I actually just ordered The Man Who Watched the World End and can't wait to read it!
Thanks, John! Not just for the support, but the encouragement with the cats. I can't wait to hear what you think of my book when you're done. And I completely agree: writing is the easy part.
Hi, Chris, happy to be a friend and more than happy to give an apocalypse novel a go from a fellow Goodreads Author. I've read pretty much all the great and good with mixed feelings about some of them. I don't know about you but I find writing relatively easy; getting anyone to actually read the books after is the hard part. I'll post a review when I've read it. Good luck with the cats, by the way. Great project. John Wiltshire.
Hi Chris! thanks for the invite friend.Loking forward to read your books:)
Yes, Steinberg and his classic, "The Winter of Our Disconterg." : )
Nice new profile photo, Chris. And in good company too! I can make out Vonnegut, McCarthy, Coetzee, Steinberg :)
I didn't realize you were the author. I'm looking forward to reading it! Thanks.
Just saw you graduated from WMC/McDaniel. Go Green Terrors!!
Katrina, a fellow alum
Katrina wrote: "Thanks for the friend invite. Looking forward to reading your book."Thanks Katrina. I can't wait to hear what you think of it. Thanks for the support.
Thanks for the friend invite. Looking forward to reading your book.
Charlotte wrote: "looking forward to reading your books."Thanks, Charlotte. I hope you enjoy them. Definitely let me know what you thought after you finish.
Pepperpots wrote: "Thanks for the request :) I have it on my kindle ready to read as soon as I've finished 'The Rice Paper Diaries' (it's the book my local book club has chosen).EDIT: I will read 'The Man Who Watch..."
Great! I can't wait to hear what you think of them. Definitely keep me updated with your thoughts. I always like to hear if there are specific parts readers particularly like or dislike as they read my books.
Thanks for the request :) I have it on my kindle ready to read as soon as I've finished 'The Rice Paper Diaries' (it's the book my local book club has chosen).EDIT: I will read 'The Man Who Watched The World End' first.
Thanks Robyn, I hope you enjoy it. After you read it, let me know what you thought.
Chris, thank you for the friend invite :) I just ordered your book online and I'm very much looking forward to reading it!
Chris, thanx for accepting my friend request :)
Caio wrote: "Hey Chris! Your book is quite interesting! I'm a Brazilian translator, if you need help to translate your book into portuguese I could gladly do it."Very cool, Caio! If I ever have translations done, I'll definitely let you know.
Hey Chris! Your book is quite interesting! I'm a Brazilian translator, if you need help to translate your book into portuguese I could gladly do it.
Karen wrote: "Hi Chris, Thanks for the friend request! I am sure I will enjoy your novel, sadly I will not likely get to it soon though."I definitely understand. My to-read list is out of control as well. Whenever you do get around to it, I hope you enjoy it.
Hi Chris, Thanks for the friend request! I am sure I will enjoy your novel, sadly I will not likely get to it soon though.
Thanks Ahmad. I can't wait to hear what you think of it.
Thanks for the invite, Chris. Just ordered "The Man Who Watched The World End". Can't wait to read it.
Thanks Ketty. Whenever you do get around to reading it, definitely let me know what you think.
Thanks for the invite! I'm looking forward to starting The Man Who Watched the World End. Sadly, it won't be soon, but I'll get there!
Stephen wrote: "Hi Chris,Thanks for the invite. I'm finding your book, The Man Who Watched the Word End, to be tremendously entertaining. I'm very thankful to Mack for the recommendation."
Thanks Stephen, I appreciate the support. I'm really glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Chris,Thanks for the invite. I'm finding your book, The Man Who Watched the Word End, to be tremendously entertaining. I'm very thankful to Mack for the recommendation.
Alexandra wrote: "Hi, Chris.Thanks for the 'friend' invite!"
Hi Alexnadra, thanks for stopping by. It's always great to meet new people and discuss great books with them.
Thanks CJ, I appreciate the support. If you read it, definitely let me know what you think.I have to say, I'm in awe of the fact that you have 5 works already published and your average rating is a PERFECT 5.0. That's amazing. You are obviously doing something right. Great job.
C.J. HeckHello Chris,
It's such a pleasure having you for a friend. I am looking forward to reading your work! Thank you and best wishes to you.
Warmest regards,
CJ
Hi Chris,Thank you for the friend invite. I look forward to learning more about your work.
Roxanna
Sep 09, 2017 10:34AM · flag
Sep 09, 2017 02:48PM · flag