The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

I started and finished that this past week. Had never read it before, but have seen the movies. I don’t hate the movies but reading the source made me so happy I read it. The book is such comfort food to read. It was a delight and just a fun time. Don’t wanna spoil anything really but my favorite part was in the forest. Overall i will be reading the LoTR in the near future and can’t wait for that as well as returning to the hobbit.

The 13 and a Half Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers

I was searching around this sub for ‘underrated’ or hidden gem books and saw this one mentioned a few times. I just started this one a few days ago and already am over halfway, one day reading 3 hours straight in the evening which I usually don’t do (usually just an hour an evening). This is such a magical and imaginative book and as an artist has been really giving me all these ideas to pursue and I’ve just loved this one, so much that I bought the rest of the books in the series/by Walter Moers.

The Stand by Stephen King

I was interested in reading some Stephen King and I’ve heard about this one a lot... I mean A LOT. I also have been told it’s an easy intro to King. I’m only 10 pages or so in cause I got side tracked by the above. More opinions in the future.

The Stand by Stephen King Not even half way through, but I like it thus far.

Recently finished 1984 by George Orwell.

A great book but quite unsettling- provides a different perspective on a lot of things going on with our world, consumerism etc. A perfect start to get back to a long-lost habit!

Currently reading The Stand by Stephen King - 5 chapters in.

Followed by the Dark Tower series.

If any one has any recommendations, I would really appreciate it! :)

Finished reading House of Leaves, by Mark Z Danielewski Now I'm about a third of the way into The Stand, by Stephen King

It's so relaxing moving on from HoL to a book that I can just enjoy and not look for secret codes or rack my brain with wild theories.

Finished:

Heartbreaker, by Claudia Rey

This was a weird one but I liked it. It takes place on a somewhat undefined cult territory and explores the disappearance of a woman from three different perspectives - her daughter, her dog (yes, her dog), and her teenage lover. I found it very easy to read and the prose quite interesting.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle, by Shirley Jackson

I read The Haunting of Hill House a couple of months back and it wasn't really my favourite. However, after finishing it, I did listen to a biography of Shirley Jackson, which helped me have a greater understanding and appreciation of her work. It definitely inspired me to pick up a few more of her books and I am glad I did - We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a fantastic read.

Say Nothing, by Patrick Radden Keefe

This is a fantastic history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland that initially begins with a simple mystery, the disappearance of Jean McConville, a thirty-eight-year-old mother of ten. It was both sad and humorous at times and I thought very well balanced, explaining the motivations of the IRA but at the same time, highlighting some of the crueler acts perpetrated by both sides during the Troubles. I highly highly recommend it.

Started reading:

The Stand, by Stephen King

I really enjoy Stephen King and I had heard good things about this one, but I'm having trouble getting into it. I'm about 15% in (which is quite a bit as it's a long book) and I'm almost finding it a bit boring, like there's a bit too much exposition and build-up. I'm going to keep going for now since a lot of people seem to like this one.

The Stand, by Stephen King

The Stand, by Stephen King

I finished The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. It wasn't very good unfortunately, you could tell it had been expanded from a screen play.

Currently reading The Stand by Stephen King. About 400 pages into this brick and absolutely loving it! I'm hooked.

And still chugging along with War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. 2/3 of the way through now. I'm still enjoying it but I'm glad the end is in sight. 3 months is a long time to be reading the same book.

I’m still reading:

** The Stand by Stephen King**

I’m just 100 pages in and it’s been a real page turner but I just need to sit down a read more. This may sound strange and dorky but I’ve really been RP’ing this book as my allergies (or something) have been flaring up this week and I’ve been all sniffly and can feel my sinus draining. As such I have been using that to act like I ‘have’ the virus and its years later and I’m reading this book as a documentary of the early moments. It’s been really fun and I’ve really been getting into the book that way. I’ve also been keeping a list/count of all the people I may have infected.

Finally finished The Stand by Stephen King on Monday - I liked it a lot, but it took me so long to read I just wanted to get to the end!

Next was The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie. I liked this - light, easy read and I didn't guess the outcome, so that was fun :)

Then I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away by Bill Bryson. This is a compilation of columns he did for a magazine. Short, funny chapters. Some of it is a little dated (computer issues from 1999 anyone?) but definitely enjoyable

Currently reading The Stand, by Stephen King. I am at about 700 pages and have been struggling to finish it because of how dense the book can be at times but I'm pulling through!

The Stand (uncut), by Stephen King

It took me a while to finish this over 1500 pages beast. I loved the story, the characters and the whole book - I only think the ending came a tad too fast. Great, great book.

I am thinking about reading salems lot before continuing with the 5. book of the dark tower series. Any suggestions?

I finally, finally finished The Stand, by Stephen King and I have to say, it's not my favorite, but definitely a strong novel. I almost wished he'd gone into more detail but, whether because of my mood recently or something else, I'm glad it wasn't any longer lol

Just started Sharp Objects, by Gillian Flynn as a rec from a thread on this sub ("what's the most f-ed book you've read") and I'm liking it so far. She has a very simple but mysterious style.

Edit to add: I've been puzzling over this for a while now and something about SO reminds me deeply of Lolita, but the two are vastly different.... I can't put my finger on it.

Finished:

Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer

Started:

Authority, by Jeff VanderMeer

Listening to:

The Stand, by Stephen King

Red Rising, by Pierce Brown

Halfway through Dust of Dreams, by Steven Erikson.

Halfway through Infinite Jest, by David Foster Wallace.

Halfway through The Stand, by Stephen King.

I feel like an asshole reading Infinite Jest because it has a kind of pretentious reputation but I am still liking it. I am primarily reading MBoTF and will finish both The Stand and Infinite Jest when I finish the main series. The Stand has gotten very mundane at this point. The first 1/3 of the story was amazing

Finished Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius

Started The Stand, by Stephen King

Finished The Sphere, by Michael Crichton

Finally starting The Stand, by Stephen King

The Stand - by Stephen King

Sooooo close to finishing The Stand by Stephen King! Got 90 pages left and I can taste the end....

I definitely need something short after this. I picked up a few Agatha Christies at work this week, I think the ABC Murders by Agatha Christie will be next on the list :)

P.s. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy is still in the works. Slowed down a bit this week as I plowed through The Stand though.

Still making my way through Shogun by James Clavell. It's long as hell but incredibly compelling and absorbing. I'm about 75-80% of the way through and hoping to be done by mid-week. It's definitely one of the best historical fiction novels I've read thus far.

My next read will probably be The Stand by Stephen King. I've read about 20-25 King novels but for some reason I never got around to what's one of his most popular works.

Couple of hundred pages into The Stand by Stephen King. I can't believe it's taken me this long to get to this one, because I'm a huge King fan and have read at least 20-25 works by him before. No idea how I didn't pick up one of his most famous works before this lol.

I'm really enjoying it so far, although I'm only a couple hundred pages in..."only" 200 lol, this thing is a monster.

Started The Stand, by Stephen King

35 pages in!

Finally finished The Stand, by Stephen King

This book feels like it could have been 200-300 pages shorter.

Starting Neuromancer, by William Gibson

Halfway through The Girl You Left Behind, by Jojo Moyes and next on my list is The Stand, by Stephen King.

Edit: Almost forgot - Bedtime reading for my daughter: Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, by C.S. Lewis

I found The Stand by Stephen King at a library book sale a couple weeks ago, the 'uncut' version for like 50c, so I bought it. And now I'm reading it. I've read other King, but none of the big big blockbusters (I've read a couple Dark Tower, On Writing, etc.) It's fun! And actually quite spooky! Even though the post-apocalyptic/deadly disease genre took off after it was written it's kind of fun.

On the side I'm still putzing through a book on Square Foot Gardening and the rpg core sourcebook for Coriolis by Fria Ligan.

The Stand, by Stephen King

This one is taking me awhile to get through. It keeps getting better though. There was a point where there were so many random storylines that the story wasn’t keeping my attention. Now I’m in the last few hundred pages and I have a difficult time putting the (heavy) book down!

This week I finished The Last wish, by Andrzej Sapkowski, which I thoroughly enjoyed, especially as a massive fan of The Witcher videogames.

I have started Black and British: A Forgotten History, by David Olusoga and The Stand, by Stephen King. Loving both so far. I haven't read Stephen King in years; I'd forgotten how much I liked his writing style, and I'm hooked on every word. "Just one more chapter before bed", turns into five.

Finished:

The Talisman, by Stephen King and Peter Straub

Started:

The Stand, by Stephen King

I'm reading the Dark Tower series and have taken the advice of others to catch up on other pieces of the Stephen King universe before continuing. I'll move on to Wizard and Glass next. Long days and pleasant nights, Constant Readers.

I'm currently reading The Stand , by Stephen King it's so long but also so long, the second longest book I've ever read, right after The Lord of the Rings. Thanks to it I'm kinda freaking out every single time I hear someone sneezing or coughing in public

** The Woman in Cabin 10, by Ruth Ware**

This book was more of an in between book for some of the other stuff I’m reading right now, sort of a palette cleanser. It was alright, it did feel very similar to The Girl on the Train although the plot twists were enjoyable to watch unravel. The pacing was pretty good but I did feel certain key points were rushed when other details were drawn out. Overall it was worth the read and a fairly enjoyable book!

Also started reading The Stand(Uncut), by Stephen King and I’m already 500 pages in and absolutely enthralled.

Still reading The Stand, by Stephen King. Not in a hurry since I'm a bit ahead of my book challenge schedule.

The Stand, by Stephen King, reading it since last week, but really liking it! I've just finished the Captain Trips section, and absolutely loved it! I really liked how King manages to create his characters, Fran's dad, for instance, appeared for no more than 10 pages, I guess, but i just love the man.

I'll probably finish the book next week, if everything works out fine =)

Finally finished The Stand by Stephen King and started reading The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie. Which is going pretty fast, tbh, and I have the other two in the trilogy.

Planning to finish The Stand, by Stephen King. Still have around 600 pages left but will have to take 2 10-hour long bus rides this week. It's one of the last books I've not read from him.

Finished The Stand by Stephen King

Incredible story, it kept me glued to the pages all the way through, certainly one of the top 3 books I've read this year.

Finished: The Sirens of Titan, by Kurt Vonnegut

I don't know how Vonnegut manages to make so much with so few words.

Started: The Stand, by Stephen King

In the middle of: The Stand, by Stephen King

Started: Ask the Passengers, by A. S. King

Finished; Non-Stop, by Brian Aldiss Working my way through the Sci-fi masterworks list and really enjoyed this.

Rather be the Devil, by Ian Rankin I’m not really into detective/crime novels but I love the character of John Rebus, he is just so flawed.

The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham Wyndham was the first science fiction writer that I read and absolutely love his style.

Just started The Stand, by Stephen King I’m a huge Stephen King fan and have waited until having the week off work to read this.

Finally done with The Stand (Unabridged version), by Stephen King and now I'm halfway through Little Fires Everywhere, by Celeste Ng.

Reading The Stand, by Stephen King while in a bout of flu and cough. Yeah, I really like to scare the shit out of me.

The Stand by Stephen King

​

I just finished reading it, and I want to discuss the book. It was very well done, but many people have stated it is a masterpiece. I am not too sure of that. The ending just bugs me a bit but the journey through the book was amazing. Thoughts? I want to discuss this book.

Finished: The Stand, by Stephen King. I now get why people criticize King for his endings. This was a 5-star book going into the climax, but then it petered on for another 100 pages. Still, overall an incredible reading experience.

Started: Wizard and Glass, by Stephen King. Ka is a wheel, and all things serve The Beam.

I’ve finished: The Stand, by Stephen King

I enjoyed this but GOD was it lengthy. I read the 90s uncut version and it really dragged.

Read: My Friend Dahmer, by Derf Backderf

I found this to be very underwhelming. I feel as if the premise entices you to read it by suggesting that, by being written by a “friend” of Dahmer, it has some kind of hidden insight into his life. In actuality, it really offered nothing I didn’t already know and understand from the few Youtube videos I have watched on his crimes.

Started: Vox, by Christina Dalcher

I love the premise of this. So far, I am enjoying it, but I’m not totally convinced that it is the best-written or best-presented dystopian fiction in the world. It has offered no surprises thus far, and I don’t think the characterisation is ideal - it is made up of very cut-and-paste figures: the overbearing feminist; the “weak”, emasculated male; the sexist, woman-hating man, and so on. So far, there’s very little dynamism found within characters. However, I still have 200 pages to go - things can change!

The Stand, by Stephen King

I have really bad ADHD and can barely focus on anything, let alone reading: an activity with little to no visual aid whatsoever where it's extremely easy for your mind to wander. However, I do love reading and always have done from a young age. I'm ashamed to say I buy lots of books, start them, and never finish them. I won't bore you with personal anecdotes and just say the reason I mentioned the above is because I bought The Stand last Friday, and in that time I've read 1000 pages and had a few sleepless nights reading it. I fucking love it. I don't even know exactly what it is about it? I think the mystery and suspense of it all is so encapsulating even from the very beginning. I especially love the vast group of characters King creates and I feel I know them so well by this point, I'm extremely invested and emotionally attached to them.

I hope to finish it in the next couple days but oh my god it is a good book. If you haven't read it I highly recommend it and I can't wait to experience the conclusion, even though I've heard negative opinions on it I'm sure it won't be so disappointing it'll ruin the journey leading up to it for me.

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, by Mark Haddon

This is a book very dear to me. I originally read it a couple years ago with minimal understanding of Asperger's syndrome yet still enjoyed the mystery and drama in it. However after recently being diagnosed with ASD (I know, another disorder lol) I decided to re-read it. I finished my re-read of it this week and not only did I enjoy the book even more than I did the first time, it also managed to evoke so much emotion out of me that I cried for about 5 minutes straight. It may have just been because I was having a bad day, but I think it was because being older and having an official diagnosis along with everything being explained to me helped me understand Christopher's frustrations and struggles and though slightly over-exaggerated, it was an accurate depiction of an autistic child's stream of consciousness. I'm not sure how well known it is outside of the UK honestly, most friends that don't live here haven't heard of it but I may just be ignorant. I do know that it's received a lot of critical acclaim and a theatre adaptation here (which was wonderful). Overall, I feel like it blends charming narration, compelling mystery and interesting drama to create one of my favourite books ever

PS. Sorry for the stupidly formal r/iamverysmart type writing, this just felt very official and I like voicing my opinions on stuff like books and movies etc in that way