r/books discussion

Hey all! I've been around r/books for about 6 months or so but only today discovered the Goodreads group, so I thought I'd join.

Little bit about me... from Ohio, lived nearly everywhere before coming back to Ohio. Almost 30 but back in school for a career change (applied math & computer science is my new field). Done next spring thankfully. I've been reading avidly since I was a child.

I'm currently on a gigantic Stephen King binge, with a few other books thrown in there (starting a few new fantasy series... Mistborn, Gentlemen Bastard, Demon Cycle).

Genres I enjoy:
- fantasy
- dystopia
- contemporary fiction
- nonfiction - especially revolving around mathematics, politics, and/or cultural anthropology

Anyway, looking forward to whatever the group has to offer!

Welcome! Sounds like we have a lot of the same interests as far as books go, although I have been struggling big time to get into King. Just finished Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption which was spectacular, but before that I put down 11/22/63 and never picked it up again. Before that, Lisey's Story... Couldn't do it!

Have you read all the Gentleman Bastard series so far? I haven't read the newest one yet... Hopefully this summer!

I hear mixed reviews about Lisey's Story, which is strange because King considers it his favorite work. I highly recommend The Stand. Especially the uncut version.

I'm about halfway through the first Gentleman Bastard book and I'm loving it. I am hoping to get all three read before the fourth comes out in November.

I have read the Stand, and I enjoyed it. I don't think I love it to the degree many others do, and as far as apocalyptic novels go, it wouldn't make my top 5. I loved the opposing forces of good and evil, light and dark that he created, but some of the narrative with the faceless man, etc. was a bit much for me. I also watched the miniseries with Rob Lowe... And wondered why I watched the miniseries with Rob Lowe haha

Welcome Nicole!

I am glad you decided to join :)

I must ask how did you find our book club?

As for SK, I haven't read Lisey's Story but the Stand has been one of my favorites, among with IT, Misery, Under The Dome, and Rose Madder, which I especially recommend. Have you or Jennifer read any of them?

Welcome, welcome. I read The Stand a long time ago and liked it, even though he seemed to go off in tangents at various times. I have read some of his older books and have just barely started The Gunslinger. So far, so good.

I like historical fiction, drama, the classics and right now am also enjoying The Golem and The Jinni.

Again welcome!
Megan

Annie - I think there is a subreddit for book suggestions and someone linked their Goodreads book club along with r/books book club. I've read Rose Madder, that was my very first SK book, as well as Misery. Under the Dome and IT are both on my to-read list for this summer!

Megan - How far into The Golem and the Jinni are you? I got the book for Christmas and I'm excited to get into it when I can.

Hi Nicole, welcome. I read The Golem and the Jinni recently. Historical fiction & urban fantasy are two things I don't read much of so I wasn't sure if I would like it, but it was a page-turner and good yarn.

I've read a little Stephen King. I liked Night Shift and The Gunslinger, but Under the Dome was my first King and I thought it was long, dragged, bad ending .etc. I thought i'd love it because dystopia is my favourite genre.

Hi Chris! Yeah, historical fiction can be hit or miss with me, but the fantasy aspect seems really fascinating and I've heard it's very well-written. You aren't the first person that's mentioned to me that they didn't really like Under the Dome. I'm a big dystopian genre fan too. I guess we'll see. Apparently the bad ending bit is classic King, but someone in the SK subreddit said many of his endings do disappoint, but with reading King's works, it's more about the journey and less about the destination. I'm inclined to agree somewhat, though it does suck to commit to a book that long only for it to end terribly or stupidly.

Nicole - sorry I haven't responded, we had some family tragedy. I am about 65% through 'The Golem and the Jinni' but am really liking it so far. As Chris mentioned there are a lot of biblical references but not so many that you get bogged down.

I also received the Golem and the Jinni for Christmas and I absolutely loved it!

has anyone read Doctor Sleep? it's on my list of "to read"

@Karen, I would really like to read that for a book club here, unfortunately it's a sequel so I can't do that for the monthly book unfortunately. Did you read the shining?