Here are the books I finished this past week. I had a bunch of books that I was almost done with, so it looks like I read more than I did. Also, two of these were novellas.

• Vicious, by V.E. Schwab. Lots of memorable characters. An exciting plot. The sequel is coming out at the end of the month, so I wanted to read this.
• A Closed and Common Orbit, by Becky Chambers. I liked this book even more than the first book in the series. I think that I could sympathize with Sidra on lots of things. Not on the whole AI thing, but on a lot of other things. Also, Pepper's story was really sweet.
• The Black Tides of Heaven, by J.Y. Yang. This book was too rushed and wasn't fleshed out enough, which I've noticed happens in a lot of novellas. The novella is hard to get right, I think. The story had a lot of potential.
• Annihilation, by Jeff Vandermeer. I liked the last chapter of this book. I liked the descriptions. I didn't really like the rest of it. I was disappointed because I loved Borne.
• Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler. Lots of interesting ideas. Definitely the product of a different time, but cool to see someone writing about a climate change-caused dystopia in the early 90s. It's like a hipster climate change novel - "I was terrified of climate change before it was cool." I didn't like the main character, Lauren, very much, which made me not like the book as much as I'd hoped.
• Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, by Douglas Adams. It's a clever book. It's not as hilarious as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and it has more "ideology" in it (if you can call it that). The Electric Monk is now one of my favorite characters ever in any book, though.

I both started and finished Annihilation, by Jeff Vandermeer, the first book in the Southern Reach trilogy. I really enjoyed it. It was so atmospheric. I felt the desolation.

I’m now starting Authority, by Jeff Vandermeer, the second book in the Southern Reach trilogy.

I also started City of Ashes, by Cassandra Clare, the second book in The Mortal Instruments series. I’m not quite sure what so many people see in this series, to be honest. It’s poorly written and lacking in originality. I’m just trying to get through it so that I can give her Infernal Devices series a try. That series really appeals to me. I’ve heard her writing improves. Fingers crossed.

Other books I’m currently reading: The Return of the Native, by Thomas Hardy (I’m neutral towards it so far); Proxima, by Stephen Baxter (slow-moving, but worth it); and Devil’s Night Dawning, by Damien Black (started off strong, slowed down a bit, but seems to be picking up again).

Finished reading

Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer

Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West by Tom Holland

Continued reading

The collected short stories of Saki, by Hector Hugh Munro

Started reading

The human mind, by Robert Winston

Started re-reading

Game of thrones by George

Plus I have a new comfy reading chair!

I found annihilation entertaining but not sure if I should read the whole trilogy as heard the others aren't as good. Made me want to just go and read original Lovecraft.

Persian Fire does a very good job of condensing a lot of history in to an engaging narrative and explaining the politics and personalities involved, as well as the battles themselves.

Started and put down:

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer Decided I didn't like it enough to not even bother finishing it. Yes it's a short book but I wasn't enjoying myself and I got other books to read. Just wasn't my jam.

Finished:

Rise by Mira Grant Short stories and novellas set in the Newsflesh world. I really enjoyed it for the most part. Except the last story, where she spent the entire time making sure to remind us just what exactly Shawn and George were feeling, all the time, even though what they were feeling never at any point changed. But she had to remind us anyways! In case we forgot in the last 10 pages! We did not forget Mira, settle down. Also contained one of the hardest to get through short stories I've ever read.

Started:

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman I like Neil Gaiman, even though sometimes his writing gets a little on the precious side. But this is a great book. I'm still not 100% sure what's going on, and I doubt I'll get much more than a mumbly hand wave of "magic or something" to explain it all. But. Don't really care. I like it a lot.

I finished Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, by Phillip K. Dick, and Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer. Both were quick, easy reads. Annihilation was an interesting concept, but I'm not sure if I'll be diving into the rest of the series any time soon. Androids truly captivated me, and will certainly warrant a re-read in the future.

I was extremely excited about finally finding a copy of Iron Gold, by Pierce Brown to continue the Red Rising series. I enjoyed the trilogy immensely, and have high hopes for this.

I just finished Annihilation, by Jeff Vandermeer and got into The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, by John Boyne.

Annihilation was a disappointment, quite frankly. Without going into detailed spoilers, I thought the peeks of Area X we got were fascinating enough to merit more worldbuilding and exposition. I also felt that the book didn't work very well as a standalone. Would have much preferred if the trilogy were a single book divided into three parts, and the three-book thing looks like a money grab especially when you consider how short the book is. I haven't seen the movie so I can't compare with the book, but I'd advise other readers to not get their hopes too high because of the hype.

I'm about 20% through The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, and honestly it's not doing much for me either. There have been several instances which have snapped me out of the book because of how unnatural they seem. The writing seems quite mediocre and I don't have any great expectations from the book. This is a surprise since I usually don't pick books to read on a whim so I'm assured of some form of quality at least. But I happened to slip up and assume the high Goodreads rating meant the book couldn't be too bad.

Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer

Finished and enjoyed.

The Ring of Solomon, by Jonathan Stroud

Currently reading. Have already read the trilogy. And adding the prequel to the set of read books. Love a snarky character.

Seige of Darkness, by R. A. Salvatore

Currently reading. Book 9 in the Drizzt adventures. Will finish this one. And the next. And then take a break from Drizzt.

Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley

Currently listening to. Seems a lot like 1984, but still enjoyable.

I was away from the internet a few times the last few weeks so here is a summary for my reading for all of June.

Finished:

The Anatomy of Dreams, by Chloe Benjamin : I love her writing style, although this book is a little long. Her writing definitely improved for The Immortalists.

Flight, by Sherman Alexie : normally I don't read YA but I had this one my list from a while ago and I finished it on a plane ride. Enjoyable and I love when authors portray teens that actually feel like teens.

Life of Pi, by Yann Martel: finally finished this after a few months. I was stuck about 1/3 of the way through, but I finally powered through it. I've now finished all of Martel's books this year and this is his best. But boy is mediocre. At the beginning it says "this tale will make you believe in god" and it made me wonder how simple that person's beliefs are.

Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck: Wow. What an amazing novella. I've never read anything by him and I'm amazed the ending wasn't spoiled for me just through pop culture osmosis. An absolutely brilliant story from start to finish. I've put East of Eden and Grapes of Wrath on my to read list.

Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer: I normally don't read weird fiction, but this book really worked for me. Loved the setting. Loved the characters, Loved the whole world of Area X he has created. Everything about this book just satisfied me. I look forward to reading the next two books.

Reading:

Academ's Fury, by Jim Butcher: I asked last time for someone to pick a number for me and this is the book. I'm enjoying it, yet it comes in bursts. I'll read like 50 pages and then put it aside for a few days. I did the same thing with the first one as well. I think I read it over the span of 2 months?

The Blind Assassin, by Margaret Atwood : I like this, but I find the sections with the old woman really boring.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet , by Becky Chambers: it's nice to have a sci-fi that is more character-driven and less sci-fiey. The conflict is lessened and it's just more a story in a world. I like it, but the author needs to learn to tone down the LGBT+ messages. I like the ideas, but sometimes they are just so ham-fisted it takes away from the novel.

The Tokyo-Montana Express, by Richard Brautigan: Great short, short, short stories.

Radiance, by Catherynne M. Valente: Goodreads describes this as "a decopunk pulp SF alt-history space opera mystery set in a Hollywood". Light and fluffy and fun.

Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel: I'm a huge Shakespeare nut so I love this book. Her writing is great and the book just flows along nicely.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman: I only picked up this book because I liked the cover and I enjoy it. I always enjoy reading about characters who are on the spectrum. No idea where it is going.

Finished Sing,Unburied,Sing, by Jesmyn Ward* I think this was my favorite book of the year so far. I also finished Annihilation, by Jeff Vandermeer it was...good. I can’t say it was my favorite by any stretch but it was a good easy read.

Finished Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer and subsequently started Authority by Jeff VanderMeer.

I bought the collected edition, so good chance I’ll be finishing the trilogy. I’m normally against trilogies, but Southern Reach got me.

Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer

I'm actually pleasantly surprised at how completely different from the movie this book is. Aside from a few aspects, its hard to tell that they're even the same story, which is a good thing.

I'm poor, so I'm retreading the audiobooks of old. Finished Return of the King, by J.R.R Tolkein and am on the last legs of Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer.

Finally feel like I'm getting a handle on the complex lore of the Tolkein universe, and conversely, picking up way more in Annihilation than I did on my first listen.

Finished:

Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer

Started:

Authority, by Jeff VanderMeer

Listening to:

The Stand, by Stephen King

Red Rising, by Pierce Brown

Finished:

Cibola Burn by James S. A. Corey When I mentioned reading this last week, someone mentioned that this was the least liked book in the series. And I can totally see it. Between Elvi fangirl squealing over Holden every 8 seconds to a very middling plot to spending all their time on a planet...yah not my favorite. But hey, if this is the worst that it gets, that only means that it goes up from here!

Started:

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer I don't like it. It's not that long, so I'll finish it, but I don't like this book so far. Maybe it improves? I dunno. Absolutely not my cup of tea though

Finished: Mindhunter by John E. Douglas Read this a chapter a night, which worked well for the format. Not the most well written, but it was entertaining. Remains of The Day by Kazuo Ishiguro This was a great, relatively short read. It's very subtle, but never boring. Started: Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer Only a couple pages in, but it seems interesting so far. I'm excited to finish it so I can see the movie.

Picked up Annihilation, by Jeff Vandermeer after seeing the film adaptation (it's fantastic, please catch it in theaters while you can)! I loved the visuals in the movie, and I'm curious how Vandermeer conveys the trippiness/otherworldliness of Area X on paper.

Finally finished Annihilation, by Jeff Vandermeer. Pretty good, I kept getting into the book and back out of it, but really grabbed me in the end. May try the sequels, though I've heard mixed reviews. Next up, probably going to be The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger, by Stephen King.

Annihilation, by Jeff Vandermeer

I've almost finished this but still not sure what to make of it. I think I'd say I admire it rather than like it.

I finished reading Annihilation, by Jeff Vandermeer which succeeded in giving me nightmares.

I started reading Dr. Bloodmoney, or how we got along after the bomb, by Philip K. Dick which seems promising.

Finished:

Annihilation, by Jeff Vandermeer

I loved it, very Lovecraftian, and original.

Started:

Authority, by Jeff Vandermeer

I'm ⅓ of the way through and I like it so far. I like the new perspective on Area X.

i started and finished the BotM Club's The Grip of It by Jac Jemc. i wasn't impressed. i finished it only because it was pretty short.

ETA: started the Southern Reach trilogy with Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer this morning. enthralling so far!

Finished Fourth of July Creek, by Smith Henderson. A heartbreakingly sad but wonderful account of unfortunate Montanans and their lives. The story revolves around a social worker, Pete Snow, his daughter Rachel, and a survivalist family in the woods, the Pearls. It can be disturbing at times, but is such a marvelous read (or listen, the reader is fantastic!).

Finished Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer. Bizarre and upsetting, riveting and definitely not uplifting. This sci-fi/psychological/eco-dystopian book (now movie, loosely adapted from it) is well worth a read as it delves into themes of loneliness as it questions what is true and what is merely a projection from Area X.

Started The Collapse of Western Civilization, by Erik M. Conway and Naomi Oreskes. As the name implies, this is a bleak outlook on what could happen should our modern day consumer-based, unsustainable form of capitalism persist. Written from the year 2393, the authors (Oreskes, an American historian of science & professor of Earth & Planetary Sciences at Harvard; and Conway, the historian at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab) lay out the disturbing - cited - truths of today and the past that could lead to the inevitable collapse of life as we know it.

This week I am reading Annihilation, by Jeff Vandermeer and for such a short book it is insanely dense prose. I'm really, really loving it-- the horror reminds me a bit of the feeling I got from reading the (story) in House of Leaves.

I'm also leafing through/note-taking from A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis, by Eugene Bardach as I prepare for a new job/fellowship this summer. It's not as fun, but I really want to be great at this career switch.

I finished Last Days by Brian Evenson, a depressed detective gets pulled into a religious cult to solve a murder. Dark, disturbing but humorous as well. A great read for anyone after a horror/noir read.

I’m thinking I may start Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer, i’ve never read anything by him yet but do see him recommended quite often.

I finished Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer over the course of a day. It was amazing, I liked it a lot better than other sci-fi I've read recently. I just started My Cat Yugoslavia, by Pajtim Statovci and I'm hoping I like it a lot better than the mixed reviews it's gotten so far.

Finished:

Searching For the Sound, by Phil Lesh

Began:

Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer

annihilation, by Jeff vandermeer

Very different from the movie but still leaves you wondering what it all means.

Started / Continuing

Annihilation, by Jeff Vandermeer

I saw the film a few weeks ago and wanted to read the novel for comparison. So far, I am about halfway through. It has really good atmosphere and some noticeable differences from the film.

Don't Be a Jerk and Other Practical Advice from Dogen, Japan's Greatest Zen Master by Brad Warner

I have gotten a good way into this work. It uses everyday language and pop culture references to explain complex zen concepts like no-self.

The Garlic Ballads, by Mo Yan

I previously read Mo Yan's novel Frog, which I found very enjoyable. So far, this novel, which was banned in China after the Tiananmen Square Massacre, is just as well written. It looks at political unrest in rural China.

The Burning Wire, by Jeffrey Deaver

A fun if not particularly realistic thriller in the Lincoln Rhyme series

I'm finishing Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer today. It's not bad. I enjoyed it but I can't figure out why... and that bothers me a little bit. It's listless and at times very dull. I didn't find it terrifying like so many other readers have but it definitely has an atmosphere that something inside me must find compelling. I just don't like being unable to articulate why I would recommend this. After that I will be moving on to Animal Farm, by George Orwell.

Also this week I should (hopefully) be finishing Final Girls, by Riley Sager. While it was an interesting book for a while I've become absolutely baffled by some of the actions of the main character. She just seems to be self destructing simply for the reason of making what I assume to be an upcoming battle more interesting. Also, I'm 99.9% sure I've figured out an important piece of the "mystery" and the obvious way in which the author is trying his hardest at slight of hand story telling is almost cringe inducing at times. Of course, that's if that .1% of me is wrong. I would have DNFed this if I had felt this way earlier on or if this was a longer book but as it is I only have ~150 pages left so I might as well bang it out. I really think the mystery genre as a whole might just be wrong for me. After Final Girls (and possibly a shower) I'm jumping back into the Chronicles of Prydain with The Castle of Llyr, by Lloyd Alexander.

I just finished The Nowhere Girls, by Amy Reed. Now I'm starting Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer

Started Annihiliation, by Jeff Vandermeer

Finished reading Annihilation, by Jeff Vandermeer last week. Loved the movie so much had to give the book a try.

Now I'm a couple chapters in PIMP The Story of my Life, by Iceberg Slim. Dave Chappelle with the recommendation and also catching HBO's The Deuce vibes from it.

Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer

Authority, by Jeff VanderMeer

Just started Authority!

Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer

Call Me By Your Name, by Andre Aciman

I'm reading Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer, and I'd recommend to all who read it not to do so while listening to the soundtrack from the movie. It creeped the hell out of me. It's good so far, a bit boring at times, but it's managed to keep me interested enough to read the other books in the series.

I'm probably going to start reading The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson next, because I've seen it recced everywhere and it made me curious.

Having finished Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer, I'm now shifting gear and starting We Have Always Lived in the Castle, by Shirley Jackson