What Else Are You Reading v. 2026 > Likes and Comments
I’ll start!Right now I’m reading Atmosphere, which is about astronauts in training and their lives and missions together later on. It’s great so far.
Also reading The Starfarers Quartet. I read the first one a couple of years ago and am now on the second book and plan to finish the series in the next couple of months. It’s about the crew of a (sort of generation) starship, which is supposed to go on a mission to Tau Ceti in search of life.
I'm taking a break from fantasy and am into non-fiction. Who Can Hold the Sea: The U.S. Navy in the Cold War 1945-1960
.Happy New Year!
I ended with Queen Demon (The Rising World part 3) by Martha Wells and I really hope there is a part 3 bc Kaiisteron is the most compelling character and I absolutely love the way Wells puts in so many layers to the Rising World saga. Her stye is so rich with a diversity of characters, the story is told with interesting emotional insight and fantastic world building. My first book of the new year that I’m reading is by Kate Eliot The Nameless Land. It’s a completely different from the first two books of the Sun Chronicles (fantasy not sci fi) the writing is different as well, world building is intriguing and the story seems to be a fast and easy read. Perfect for the first book. I’ve also got like 10 Pendric books (Lois Mcmaster Bujold) from the library that I’ll be reading soon. The first one was so much fun I have to see what happens next.
Continuing my reread of the entire Midkemia series and just completed King of Foxes by Raymond E. FeistMy rating: 3.25 of 5 stars
A solid entry into this series. The main character didn't inspire me like prior ones, but there is nothing wrong with the writing and others enjoy this book quite a bit.
My review here
Continuing with the last in the Conclave of Shadows sub-series, Exile's Return. Also listening to Pratchett's Feet of Clay while working in the shop.
I've just begun a reread of Furies of Calderon and subesequent books. Had forgotten how much I'd enjoyed these.
I'm blogging my review of an EW+ DRC from days of yore...A Coin for the Ferryman
by Megan Edwards, a time-travel tale starring Julius Caesar; whisked away mere seconds before the Ides of March murder, now he's here...now what?https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So I just got around to finishing She Commands Me and I Obey by Ann Leckie (Imperial Radch 0.6) after….checks notes….2 years. I read the first half at the beginning of 2024 and reread it and found the second part yesterday. Yayyy me. Hopefully this year will be better than last year. I only read 3 books last year. Started maybe 20 but lost interest in them. The year before wasn’t much better. Anyhoo…
The recepy for January is as follows: Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, The Midwich Cuckoos, The Stepford Wives, Rosemary's Baby, plus a reread of The Lathe of Heaven if I can fit it in.
Just finished Isles of the Emberdark and savouring the aftertaste. The first half of the book seemed a bit weak for Sanderson, even though I absolutely adore Cosmere crossovers. But, of course, then everything came together and I couldn't tear myself away from the book.
Glad to see you again, Jacqueline. I hope this is a better reading year for you and congrats on finishing the Leckie!
I am currently reading One Shot (Jack Reacher #9) by Lee Child. I plan to continue till Bad Luck and Trouble (Jack Reacher #11). After that, I will continue with the Riftwar Cycle starting with Prince of the Blood (Krondor's Sons #1).At some point this year, I plan to start Isles of the Emberdark and at least one among The Broken Earth Trilogy/Dungeon Crawler Carl/The Dresden Files.
Thanks DD. I’ve always dropped in to see what you lot are up to. And I haven’t stopped collecting books. Quite a few newbies have ended up on my shelves. Probably 1-2 a week. We moved this year and I have what was supposed to be a huge lounge room that has been turned into a library. 3 full size Billys, one thin Billy and 4 other big bookcases around the same size. Still not enough room for all my books.
Charlton wrote: "I finished The Tower of the Swallow and am now beginning Lady of the Lake by Andrzej Sapkowski." My favs! I grew up with this series and wanted to be be Yennefer :) Enjoy
not a fantasy, but so good. Family drama, emotional, funny and wise, which is so rare these days. So if you're looking for something different, give it a try.
I've finished Golden Dream: A Fuzzy Odyssey. You can find my review here.Kat wrote: "Charlton wrote: "I finished The Tower of the Swallow and am now beginning Lady of the Lake by Andrzej Sapkowski." My favs! I grew up with this series ..."
I grew up with this series, like you, but I wanted to be Ciri and chop off the heads of bad guys with my sword. I liked the Scoia'tael too, though I'm not sure why.
Jacqueline wrote: "3 full size Billys, one thin Billy and 4 other big bookcases around the same size. ."I have a bedroom with several walls covered with those bookcases
Raviteja wrote: "After that, I will continue with the Riftwar Cycle starting with Prince of the Blood (Krondor's Sons #1)..."Hope you enjoy those as much as I do.
Having a decent library is the best eh Chessie. The only spare bedroom that I could commandeer for me is full of craft, sewing and Lego gear. Absolutely chockers. We upsized to 4 bedrooms and thankfully this place has a family room (kitchen, dining and living area all in one big space) where my hubby is happy to watch his 75” TV and I could have the formal lounge room for my books. There are two lounges in there too and one of them takes up precious wall space which could fit at least 3 more Billies but we have to make compromises sometimes. Also I have nowhere for that second lounge suite. I also have Lego displayed in there too. The children have the two remaining bedrooms set aside for when they come to visit. Which isn’t often. But yeah anyone who says Boomers need to downsize haven’t seen how much stuff we accumulate and let me tell you I’m not giving up my stuff for anyone. Makes me happy.
moving from Texas to Oregon significantly culled my books and other items and our basement is set up as an ADU so that where most of the books are stored (other than the three smaller bookcases of cookbooks
Netgalley handed me a scary lens to look at the world to come:Where the Axe Is Buried
by Ray Nayler:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Economondos wrote: "Raviteja wrote: "After that, I will continue with the Riftwar Cycle starting with Prince of the Blood (Krondor's Sons #1)..."Hope you enjoy those as much as I do."
I've very much enjoyed the Riftwar books. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and I hope to see Pug and others there too :)
The Name of War, Jill Lepore (she wrote These Truths.) It's about King Phillip's War, of 1675-1676.
I am currently reading Soul Survivor. It's a medical science fiction novella. The crew of the Magpie is on a salvage operation to a derelict space ship whose crew has mysteriously died or disapeared.It's the second one in this series. I enjoyed the first one last year, and I'm half way through this one, and enjoying it as well.
Finally reading Dungeon Crawler Carl. I really like it, but my sister hated it. Maybe some of the humor isn't for everyone. I plan on reading Hyperion for the second time.
CBRetriever wrote: "moving from Texas to Oregon significantly culled my books and other items and our basement is set up as an ADU so that where most of the books are stored (other than the three smaller bookcases of ..."Yeah we've moved a lot and all of my books from before 2017 are in a shipping container on our farm. Every time we moved before I would pack my books in boxes and leave them at my childhood home. When I sold it in 2021 we had to move everything to where we were living on the farm so I bought a shipping container to store all of my stuff from that house in. My parents had heaps of antiques and stuff. Basically there was 64 years and 4 generations of "treasures" in there. So yeah I can't ever bring myself to cull books. Or anything for that matter.
Just finished Exile's Return by Raymond E. FeistMy rating: 3.25 of 5 stars
How many of us would like to start over with all our current knowledge? Well, maybe not in as brutally abrupt a manner as Duke Kaspar.
My review here
That completes the Conclave of Shadows sub-series. Continuing the reread with Flight of the Nighthawks, the first in the Darkwar Saga.
The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women's Magic, Lindsey Stewart. Super interesting.
Fred wrote: "Finally reading Dungeon Crawler Carl. I really like it, but my sister hated it. Maybe some of the humor isn't for everyone. I plan on reading Hyperion for the second time."Congrats. My favorite series right now because I grew up with RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons. Love the humor. The series is consistently good all the way up to book seven.
If you’re not aware, the audiobooks are outstanding as well, so if you find yourself on a long road trip, the audiobook may be worth the investment.
I have been really struggling to read so far in 2026, and I started off poorly with a DNF mystery. My community has been struck by several multi-day winter storms since the beginning of December (with the last two weeks being especially bad), and I've had a lot of family issues the last few months. Normally, reading is my escape place, but I have been having a hard time finding the right books for my current state (and the energy to read). That said, I did finally finish an audiobook - The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow - which I enjoyed very much. It was a good snow-shoveling companion. Recommended for people who like fantasy adventure with romance (and, oddly, (view spoiler)). (It's not exactly a spoiler, since it's plain if you look at the book page, but it surprised me, so I didn't want to take that surprise away from others.)
I am also very slowly reading The War of the Worlds by HG Wells for the group re-reads. It is the first time reading it for me, and I am really enjoying it, even if I don't make it very far reading each night.
Kaia wrote: "I have been really struggling to read so far in 2026, and I started off poorly with a DNF mystery. My community has been struck by several multi-day winter storms since the beginning of December (w..."Sorry to hear about the storms and other things, hope they will pass soon and send you a warm hug.
Kaia wrote: "I have been really struggling to read so far in 2026, and I started off poorly with a DNF mystery. My community has been struck by several multi-day winter storms since the beginning of December (w..."Sending peaceful vibes over your way. I can very much relate to the art of choosing the right book to pair with my current mood. I hope your next story uplifts you and becomes a wellspring of energy for more stories.
I just finished Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher which was really charming.Starting Song of Spores by Bogi Takács which I hope would be as weird as its cover.
Thanks, Olga and Peter! I know this time will pass. I have a variety of library books out right now, from cozy to serious. We'll see what sticks. Oddly, sometimes during stressful times, I find serious books to be more comforting / easier to read.
Kaia wrote: "Thanks, Olga and Peter! I know this time will pass. I have a variety of library books out right now, from cozy to serious. We'll see what sticks. Oddly, sometimes during stressful times, I find ser..."I hear that. It's stressful times on my end as well so for my current read I was trying to decide between Parable for the Sower and a Becky Chambers piece. Quite the juxtaposition to highlight how potent the moment is.
Been listening to Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir in the car. The 1st time I've ever listened to an audiobook, the narrator really is good and makes the book.
On a nice streak. Finished The Fifth Season and Children of Time, almost done with Snow Crash!
apologies. posted in error. I have been enjoying T Pratchetts Wee Free Men on audiobook. I love his whimsical approach and his sense of humour. His style is unique and unforgettable.
Just finished up Flight of the Nighthawks by Raymond E. Feist instead of getting up and starting chores this morning.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the 23rd book in the series (or 24th before the two Magician volumes were combined) and the series still seems fresh. Maybe it is because Feist broke it up into these 3-4 book sub-series. However he does it, it works.
My review here
Continuing on in the Darkwar Saga with Into a Dark Realm. Also listening to Pratchett's Feet of Clay when I am in the shop, but the cold has been keeping me out of there this month.
Adam wrote: "On a nice streak. Finished The Fifth Season and Children of Time, almost done with Snow Crash!"Nice run of books, Adam. Those are three stories I've been wanting to find time for.
Sooo…last night I started Fourth Wing for some crazy reason I haven’t worked out yet. The last few days a lot of reels have been coming up on FB and instagram about it and last night I just couldn’t help myself. Especially since the reels have some rather hunky looking renderings of the guys in this story. I have it on my iPad and I started it. I do have the physical copy at home and have had it since it came out but I’m currently away for a few weeks. My husband has his prostate out this week and we are staying closer to his surgeon and hospital. They’re a few hours away from our normal house and we’ve come to the beach house because it’s only an hour away. Anyhoo….I’ve been hearing that the second one is pretty shit which is why I didn’t bother with the first one in the end. Hopefully it’s not as bad as all that after all.
Kaia wrote: "I have been really struggling to read so far in 2026, and I started off poorly with a DNF mystery. My community has been struck by several multi-day winter storms since the beginning of December (w..."Don't forget to breathe. Holding space for you in my heart.
Sometimes I go with the comfort reads. Along with the comfort foods. And a snuggly comfort cat or 2.
I just finished The Sword of Light by Heather Graham, a romantasy, magic objects, fighting for the kingdom kind of story. Super lame. Set off my tripe-o-meter, it did.On the other hand, I really liked The Incandescent. Nice picking for the BOTM.
Naomi Klein's, The Shock Doctrine: the Rise of Disaster Capitalism.
Jabotikaba wrote: "I'm reading His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik."One of my favorites. I have found so many good books by participating in the RATB for several years.
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