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The Three-Body Problem
Cixin Liu
1967: Ye Wenjie witnesses Red Guards beat her father to death during China's Cultural Revolution. This singular event will shape not only the rest of her life but also the future of mankind. <br...

Appears on TRB list
24th place on
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Comment from [Reddit user] with 14 upvotes on /r/books/

I finished these:

Leviathan Wakes, by James S.A. Corey

Well it took a turn that I did not expect. I almost wanted to chuck my ereader across the room when I read the words "vomit zombies". Ugh. Just ugh. So terrible. It's unfortunate they had to use the words "vomit zombie" and if they had just not done it I would have been more of a fan. However, whenever the book avoided the whole zombie bullshit, I enjoyed it. Again, the universe has clearly been constructed with some care and I definitely will be continuing the series to see where it goes. I do like the interplanetary fighting and the writing is fluid and exciting enough that one can read the book in a few days. Nice short chapters too keep the pacing nice and fast.

Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall, by Kazuo Ishiguro

I like Ishiguro's writing style but boy were these stories forgettable. They all felt samey and if you asked me what was different about them, I'd have a hard time telling you. The first, fourth, and fifth stories were pretty much identical in plot and kinda bland. Also I've noticed he really likes to use the whole author telling the reader that they probably don't know something. He did it in Never Let Me Go and The Remains of the Day and it's kinda cliche at this point.

Currently reading:

The Three-Body Problem, by Liu Cixin

I started reading this a year ago but put it aside since I wasn't enjoying it. Since I am on a bit of sci-fi kick I figured I'd finish since I was only 100 or so pages from the end. I should be enjoying this book more since my PhD is in astronomy and astrophysics but it just reads so flat. The science is neat and the author clearly understands it (I read that he has a background in physics) and I enjoy that but it just seems so dry. I guess since I spent my early career hanging around physicists, reading about physicists isn't that interesting since here the characters felt so stilted. It could be a translation issue too since one of my old colleagues was Chinese and recommended them to me but he had read them in the original Chinese and was praising them. Once I'm done I dunno if I'll read the remaining two in the trilogy.

Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris

I always like me some Sedaris. Nice short stories that are always amusing. I think I sat down yesterday and read about 1/3 of the book in a single sitting. It's just so pleasant to read. Plus I finally decided to look up a youtube video of him speaking and so many things make sense. I'd watched many videos of his sister Amy but never him. I dunno why my book version of him was so different.

I'll probably also start Caliban's War, by James S. A. Corey when I finish The Three-Body Problem.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 11 upvotes on /r/books/

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, by Phillip K. Dick

Finished this book this week, and enjoyed it throughout.

The Three Body Problem, by Liu Cixin

Started this in earnest this week. Super excited about it and it’s going great so far. The names are a touch harder to follow. But that’s just me needing to pay more attention.

Authority, by Jeff VanderMeer

Started this and am looking forward to it. Have heard mixed reviews. But going in with an open mind. I enjoyed Annihilation but I didn’t think it was amazing like others have. So I don’t think Authority will be a let down like others have felt.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 10 upvotes on /r/books/

The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu. I'm rereading this, and it's an brilliant entry to a three book series, hard sci-fi that gets more and more intense, and is ultimately an excellent read. It's also fascinating to read from a Chinese perspective, (the book is a translation to English).

Comment from [Reddit user] with 10 upvotes on /r/books/

Finished: Unfinished Tales, by J.R.R. Tolkien and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It really is insane how detailed and elaborate Tolkien's world is. And it's amazing that Christopher has brought it all together. For those of you who loved The Silmarillion but want more information about the second and third ages, this is the book for you.

Starting: The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath and I have to say I'm very excited. It's great not only to get back into a narrative structure but I've heard great things from Reddit and I'm ready to leave the UK (for now) and get back to an American author.

Shelfed: The Three Body Problem, by Lui Cixin, just couldn't get past the writing. Hopefully I can give it another shot down the road.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 9 upvotes on /r/books/

Seige of Darkness, by R. A. Salvatore

A few more chapters before I finish this book. Should finish this week.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep

About halfway through this. Likely will watch Blade Runner and the new 2049 movie afterward for good measure. Enjoying the story so far.

The Three-Body Problem, by Liu Cixin

Super excited about this book. Just read the very beginnings to whet my appetite. Will start this in earnest after finishing my Drizzt book.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 9 upvotes on /r/books/

Almost done with The Three-Body Problem, by Liu Cixin. I'm really enjoying it, though the majority of the hard science flies right over my head.

Starting Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee afterwards

Comment from [Reddit user] with 9 upvotes on /r/books/

The Three Body Problem, by Cixin Liu

I went to China for a vacation and decided to read the number one seller there.

It's fantastic! It's sci Fi, heavy on the sci. I don't want to spoil anything, but it's an amazing story and is only enhanced by the unique cultural viewpoint of the author and his experience with China's cultural revolution.

Highly recommended.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 9 upvotes on /r/books/

Thief, by Matthew Colville - Just finished reading this one. Waiting for Fighter to come out now.

The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu - About halfway through this one already. It's been interesting, but I don't know what to really make of it yet.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 8 upvotes on /r/books/

Finished: The Crow Road, by Iain Banks and was very pleasantly surprised. When I started it I found it a little slow, not sure if I'd enjoy the whole book. But I think it was definitely worth it; the plot and the characters were compelling and the writing was just wonderful.

Started: Three Body Problem, by Liu Cixin. I'm about two chapters in and getting worried. The story looks so fascinating and there are so many great recommendations here on Reddit, but I'm really struggling with the writing. It reads to me like middle school reading level (overuse of the word "reactionary", descriptions like "crazier than crazy", etc). Can someone who has read this perhaps in it's original form comment as to whether this is maybe a translation issue? Because the writing to me is so cringey and I don't know if I can keep going.

Still Reading: Unfinished Tales, by J.R.R. Tolkien and I'm enjoying it. For anyone curious about it I would recommend reading The Silmarillion first, but this book gives a lot of good Second and Third Age material that The Silmarillion didn't get into extensively

Comment from [Reddit user] with 7 upvotes on /r/books/

I just finished Caliban’s War by James S.A. Corey and Another Fine Myth by Robert Aspirin and I’ve just started The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu. So stoked on Sci-Fi right now. I also started re-reading Watership Down by Richard Adams started Myth Conceptions by Robert Aspirin.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 7 upvotes on /r/books/

Year of The Flood, by Margaret Attwood and The Three Body Problem, by Liu Cixin Same books as last week. I'll hopefully finish at least one this week. Life has got in the road but in a good way.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 5 upvotes on /r/books/

I finished The three body problem, by Liu Cixin I enjoyed it pretty well, it was well paced and written and kept me entertained the whole way through.

I wanted a bit of a shake up so I started reading Pet semetery, by Stephen King It was my mum's first king novel and she always speaks fondly of it. So far I am enjoying it quite a lot. It's keeping me on my toes and I am pretty anxious waiting for something sinister to happen, haha

Comment from [Reddit user] with 5 upvotes on /r/books/

Finished Year of The Flood, by Margaret Attwood

Will finish The Three Body Problem, by Liu Cixin

Will start Arrival, by Ted Chiang and Canticle for Leibowitz, by Walter M Miller Jnr

Edit: have finished Three Body Problem. Kindle said 84% and the book ended at 85%. Did not realise I had one very short chapter left when I went to bed.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 5 upvotes on /r/books/

Finished

  • Aching God, by Mike Shel
  • Exit Strategies, by Martha Wells
  • The Library at Mount Char, by Scott Hawkins.

Started

  • The Good Fairies of New York, by Martin Millar
  • The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu
Comment from [Reddit user] with 5 upvotes on /r/books/

Finished:

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K. Rowling - I'm a little late to the HP game.

Started:

The Three-Body Problem, by Chixin Liu - I'm only 1/3 of the way through the book, but I find myself thinking about it a lot. So far, quite enjoyable.

Fellside, by M.R. Carey - I'm having a really hard time putting this book down. It has really short chapters, which makes it really easy to pick up for a few minutes here and there.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 4 upvotes on /r/books/

The Three-Body Problem, by Liu Cixin
strangely riveting so far

Comment from [Reddit user] with 4 upvotes on /r/books/

I finished The Three-Body Problem, by Liu Cixin and really liked it...looking forward to the next two books.

I started Lexicon, by Max Berry heard good things about this so am also excited.

Still reading Authority, by Jeff VanderMeer and to be honest, I like this so far more than Annihilation...I enjoy the character of Control and his manner of thinking.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 4 upvotes on /r/books/

Finished:

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

I enjoyed it, but thought the parallel stories (Holmes and the fair) were too disconnected. I went into it expecting a greater emphasis on the Holmes story arc and less on the fair.

Still reading:

The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu

I have already purchased the second book of the trilogy as I am enjoying this one so much!

Comment from [Reddit user] with 4 upvotes on /r/books/

I finished Redshirts, by John Scalzi, it was thoroughly enjoyable, really nice ending and it did some cool second person narration at the end, 7.5/10 I recommend it

I started The three body problem, by Cixin Liu, I am thoroughly enjoying it, it's a snappy read and I like the parts where they in into the game and different philosophers take a go at solving the problem. It's quite a quick read as well which is nice

Comment from [Reddit user] with 4 upvotes on /r/books/

The Three Body Problem, by Liu Cixin

This chinese science fiction novel, set partially during the cultural revolution, gives an interesting window into chinese society. the plot is very unusual, i have no idea where the story is going.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 4 upvotes on /r/books/

I'm about halfway through, and utterly fascinated by, The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu. I haven't really read any science fiction before, but after seeing a lot of recommendations for it here I had to check it out. I'm glad I did!

Also reading The book of Swords, edited by Gardner Dozois.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 4 upvotes on /r/books/

Started:

Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin - I did not read the synopsis or the back of the book cover of the English translation AT ALL, so I had no idea what to expect. I'm about 2/3 of the way through, and I'm realizing the mystery was not what I expected. For some silly reason I thought the intrigue and mystery was around time travel.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 3 upvotes on /r/books/

Finished: The Three-Body Problem, by Liu Cixin

Started: The Dark Forest, by Liu Cixin

Comment from [Reddit user] with 3 upvotes on /r/books/

I am almost finished The Three Body Problem, by Cixin Liu. Someone in this subreddit posted an article about it which is why I read it, so thanks whoever that was! I really love it, it's exciting and quirky but actually plausible. I highly recommend

Comment from [Reddit user] with 3 upvotes on /r/books/

Finished:

The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu

Started:

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu

Comment from [Reddit user] with 3 upvotes on /r/books/

Finished

  • The Good Fairies of New York, by Martin Millar
  • The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu

Started

  • The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, by Patricia A. McKillup
  • A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe, by Alex White
Comment from [Reddit user] with 2 upvotes on /r/books/

This week I finished:

Caliban's War, by James S.A. Corey

I am really enjoying this series, although this novel starts off rather slow. I also found Prax to be a rather dull character and didn't really enjoy reading his sections. The others were all enjoyable. One thing I have been enjoying is that the characters actually shoot each other in situations where others wouldn't, e.g. in this book with Admiral Nguyen. He is doing the classic film scene thing where we always wonder why the good guy won't shoot him. Well here they do. I like this.

Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris

I have mixed feelings about this one. I didn't find the 2nd part - where he lives in France - all that interesting. The first part impressed me more.

The Three-Body Problem, by Liu Cixin

I finished the last 1/3 of this book after putting it aside for about a year. It has everything I should like in a sci-fi book: it's a story about physicists and uses properties of physics as a driving force. Yet I left the book feeling empty. The physics was interesting but it just didn't work for me. Perhaps it is the years I spent during my PhD reading actual physics papers but here it just didn't do much for me as the descriptions fell flat. Another huge issue I have is that I found all the characters incredibly robotic. There was no personality to anything, just very analytical and scientific. That's important in a paper, but in a sci-fi book I just kept getting bored. I couldn't really distinguish the different characters from one another. They all felt the same.

Also I read Drive, and The Butcher of Anderson Station by James SA Corey, but they are just short stories so nothing really interesting to say about them.

Started this week:

Abaddon's Gate, by James S.A. Corey

I am definitely addicted to these books. They are so easy to read and just flow so nice. The chapters are short and fast-paced and it makes it easy to digest in a few days. So far, the story is definitely better than Caliban's War as from page 1 we have the whole thing with The Ring. I'll have to see how the story with Melba/Clarissa develops as I've never been the biggest fan of this type of revenge plot. Something about it just bugs me. But I'm only 1/4 of the way through so I'll see how it plays out.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 2 upvotes on /r/books/

I finished The Three-Body Problem, by Liu Cixin. Loved the creative, immersive universe depicted in this book. Looking forward to the rest of the books in the trilogy.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 2 upvotes on /r/books/

Just finished Cork Dork, by Bianca Bosker. It was amazing, maybe the favorite book I've read this year.

Not sure what's next, It'll be hard to pick something similar that's just as good so maybe some sci-fi. I've got The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers and The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 2 upvotes on /r/books/

The Three-Body Problem, by Liu Cixin

Like if PKD, Bradbury, and Ken Liu had a baby. Half way its great.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 2 upvotes on /r/books/

About 1/3 of the way through The Three Body Problem, by Cixin Liu. It's just ok. I don't really understand what's going on, and I don't think the translation to English was done very well, but I'm gonna press on at least for now.

Also just started Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi. I always thought Iran would be an interesting to place to travel to but, you know, given that I'm gay and homosexuality is punishable by death, I think it's a country I'm comfortable skipping.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 2 upvotes on /r/books/

This week I finished reading Reaper's Gale, by Steven Erikson which I really enjoyed. The Malazan books are a massive undertaking and it took me nearly a month, but they are so rewarding. The depth and richness of the world is just breathtaking and is complemented by great character moments. If I had to criticise I'd say that, like the other books in the series, there are subplots and smaller storylines which, although not uninteresting, don't seem to serve the main plot directly or even really go anywhere significant. There's also a lot of philosophising which can sometimes slow things down, but the high points in this installment were totally worth it.

I've started reading Postcapitalism, by Paul Mason and The Three Body Problem, by Cixin Liu. Both are interesting so far but I'm not far enough into either to have formed much of an opinion.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 2 upvotes on /r/books/

Oh man, I had slowed down there for a while, but knocked out some hard copy books and a couple audiobooks!

Finished:

The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Currently Reading:

The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Comment from [Reddit user] with 2 upvotes on /r/books/

The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin

Comment from [Reddit user] with 2 upvotes on /r/books/

Finished The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu.

Started The Dark Forest, by Cixin Liu.

Work got in the way, so my progress with the second book in the series isn't as fast as it was in the first, but the story is still interesting so far, and I've heard a lot of people saying that the series only gets better as you go, so I'm looking forward to my reading time this week.

I can't say anything about The Dark Forst without spoiling The Three-Body Problem, so, well, sorry for the lack of information on what the book is about.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 1 upvotes on /r/books/

Finished: Bird Box, by Josh Malerman

Started: The Three-Body Problem, by Liu Cixin

Comment from [Reddit user] with 1 upvotes on /r/books/

I am reading Hope Never Dies, by Andrew Shaffer. I am only about seventy five pages in and the jury is still out on this one.

Listening to The Three Body Problem, by Cixin Liu. I am about sixty percent through the audio book and I love it. I was listening today while walking around at work and there were a few times where the author basically had a small info dump. I realized as I listened that I enjoyed those parts. I know a lot of people don't like that and I am not sure I always would, but in this case the information was just so interesting that I liked it.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 1 upvotes on /r/books/

The Three Body Problem, by Liu Cixin

Book sucked. The characters and the conversations were incredibly, incredibly shallow. I'm leaning towards it being a culture thing. I studied Chinese and the story read like a passage from one of my textbooks. The universe was cool though. 2/5

Comment from [Reddit user] with 1 upvotes on /r/books/

I began reading:

The three-body problem, by Cixin Liu. Everyone talks so good about this one, that I simply had to. I'm just beginning, and while the Chinese Cultural Revolution context is very interesting, The bit of exposition when Ye Zhetai is giving pages of exposition about his wife, was a bit odd.

The artful edit, by Susan Bell. I'm like 10 pages in and loving the wit and clarity of it all. Hopefully I do learn a bit or two at least.

Finished reading:

Dance, dance, dance, by Haruki Murakami

I enjoyed it. It was a nice surreal ride. I had two problems with it. The first one was the translation (Spanish), which used vocabulary that is not used at all or just too formal, in parts that are supposed to be dialogue or narration, told in a very casual way. So the translation got in the way a bit (more than translations do to begin with). The other bit was that the ending felt a bit rushed. Don't worry, won't spoil anything, I will just say that the pace the book keeps for almost all of the story suddenly feels weird and hurried up by the end.

I will read more Murakami books, but I'm still not sure if I'll do it in English or in Spanish.

Comment from [Reddit user] with 1 upvotes on /r/books/

The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu

Comment from [Reddit user] with 1 upvotes on /r/books/

Finished Fresh off the Boat, by Eddie Huang , great read, hilarious at times and sad at others but a good book.

Started The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu, about halfway through now and so far it's been great. First sci-fi book for me as well

Comment from [Reddit user] with 1 upvotes on /r/books/

I just finished The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, by Steve Brusette and Hunting Badger, by Tony Hillerman--enjoyed them both. Now I'm puttering along in Salt, by Mark Kurlansky and The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu.