John Williams other book is also an anti western about buffalo hunting, it's called Butchers crossing, I'd put it against blood meridian any day. If you're ok with westerns lonesome dove is the best one of the few I've read. I loved hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy as a kid but when I reread it last year it just wasn't landing with me like it did back then.
Looking forward to your 2024 videos! I don't usually make a TBR but there is a strong possibility I'll be reading The Books of the New Sun too. I read and loved Seveneves. Not sure if you know Rachel from ShadesofOrange but when exchanging comments she recommended Seveneves as a good entry point to Stephenson. Will definitely read Anathem and perhaps more Stephenson in 2024. All the best to you and your family Bart!
Going Postal was one of my favourites from the series but all of them are good. They are very popular here in England and hopefully the humour crosses the Atlantic ok, if you like Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Universe then you should like them, there's a lot of satire in the Did world series.
@@adrianmcmahon5731 Hitchiker did not exactly work for me. I’m not sure what I expected, but not what I read. 😂 I will re-read it at some point and probably enjoy it much more. But, I’m still excited to get into Discworld! 🤞
Sounds like you have a great reading year ahead of you. I'm hoping to get to Blood Meridian. In truth, "Guards! Guards!" might be our only overlap. I find the Discworld books pretty easy to pick up and get lost in when nothing else is working (which is often). I would love to get into Hyperion and Book of the New Sun, but I'm not sure my brain is up to it this year. Maybe 2025. Heck, maybe this year. Gotta think positive.
The more I read the better I am able to develop a sense of what I enjoy. While being challenged by book can be rewarding, ultimately, I want to enjoy the reading experience. That’s why Hyperion worked so well for me. It did both: challenge me and bring great enjoyment. Whether Book of the new Sun can do the same… will see. Stay positive!
So much to talk about here: Hyperion is great, but I’m like you and have only read the first book. I read the first 4 Red Rising books, they get better after book one but are definitely more on the Sci-Fantasy side of the spectrum. I’ve read all 4 Book of New Sun books but that was 20 years ago, will be re-reading them hopefully this year and might piggyback on your schedule. I’ve read all 6 Herbert Dune books and love them all but the series takes some turns after book 1. I’ve never read Banks so will be reading Player of Games sometime late winter or spring. Neal Stephenson is the author I’ve DNF’d the most, but I feel like I’m a more mature reader now and will trying him again soon. I read Swan Song back in the 90’s because it was compared to the Stand, I think it’s vastly different but still so good. What a year to look forward to, cheers Bart.
Thanks Ira! I’m looking forward to lots of interesting reads this year. Doing a buddy read of Book of the New Sun might be fun. Let’s think about it, and maybe we can get more people to join us? I’m typically all over the place with my reads, starting series and not finishing them, but if I commit to something, it get done. 😉
You've got a lot to look forward to there! The Ocean at the End of the Lane is one of Gaiman's most engaging and atmospheric works. I'm also of the opinion that Speaker for the Dead is a far superior novel than Ender's Game.
Interesting. I’ve heard different takes on the books, with most people liking the first one best. And I, of course, love Hyperion, so the followups have their work cut out. 😂 Thanks for your comment!
Some great reads ahead for you! Im interested in what you will think about the other three books in the Hyperion Cantos. Personally I stopped after book two.
@@bartsbookspace I thought book 2 was still good but a step down from from book one. Then after I finished it I didnt have that drive to continue the series.
I'm reading Blood Meridian at the moment lol, have fun, I hope you've read more McCarthy because Blood Meridian would be quite the place to start. I'm also going to read Hyperion series, Gene Wolfe, and get into more Gaiman. John Williams is awesome, so is Swan Song. I personally think it is superior to the Stand, though not trying to compare.
I’m excited for you to read Hyperion! Its a unique reading experience; hope it works for you. Swan Song being better than The Stand is high praise, can’t wait to see if I feel the same way. How do you feel about Blood Meridian? Is it as dark and disturbing as advertised?
@@bartsbookspace I read primarily horror so I don't think it's anything I have not seen before, just in more amounts and substantially more allegorical. I'm only 100 pages in but so far there definitely has been a lot of death. That's all I can really say hahah
I’m trying to find a decent empire of silence in paperback. For some reason it’s very hard to find?! They only have mass market paperback but it’s too small.
Player of Games is my favourite Iain M. Banks book. As for the Dune series, I've read all 6 many times over the years but you should at least read up to God Emperor of Dune. Neal Stephenson is another author I love since reading Snow Crash years ago, if you haven't read it already also try Cryptonomicon.
Thanks. I wonder if I should start with what most people (and you) feel is Banks’ best book. If I do, perhaps every subsequent read will be a small disappointment!? 😂 I’m joking, and really looking forward to the read. It’s always exciting to pick up a new author.
@@bartsbookspace the great thing about Banks' Culture novels is they are all set in the same universe but they are all independent of each other so can be read in any order if you want. The benefit of reading in order is you understand the Culture as a whole slightly better that way. There's still some truly great books in the series and his non- culture books contain some true gems too.
I read the Arkady Martine books a couple of years back, i enjoyed them. i also read BOTNS a while back, it's nuts! I gather it rewards a re read or 5. Speaker for the Dead is great! As good as Ender's Game, very different. Player of Games is good, Use of Weapons is better. Silverberg!! Time of Changes is wonderful. Anathem is awesome, in my top 10. Read that one first.
I also LOVE House of Suns. Won't lie though, I thought the Inhibitor trilogy was pretty bad. Clunky writing, bad descriptions in terms of setting, confusing characterization and plot. Not saying don't read it; I would actually love to hear your opinion on it on here if you do read it. I hope you enjoy it if you do read it, truly. Complete miss for me, though. I was quite disappointed considering how naturally well-written, imaginative, emotional & lush House of Suns is.
That makes sense. Reynolds published Revelation Space in 2000 and after it’s release he wrote 14 books before he wrote House of Suns. So I guess it makes sense that his first efforts would be somewhat inferior. There are, I’m sure, authors who debuted with their best effort, but that’s difficult and rare. I’ll definitely read at least the first book in the series and share my thoughts. Thanks!
John Williams other book is also an anti western about buffalo hunting, it's called Butchers crossing, I'd put it against blood meridian any day. If you're ok with westerns lonesome dove is the best one of the few I've read. I loved hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy as a kid but when I reread it last year it just wasn't landing with me like it did back then.
Lonesome Dove is one of my all-time favorites.
I could not put the book down. And, yes, Butchers Crossing is another one on my long tbr list.
Looking forward to your 2024 videos! I don't usually make a TBR but there is a strong possibility I'll be reading The Books of the New Sun too. I read and loved Seveneves. Not sure if you know Rachel from ShadesofOrange but when exchanging comments she recommended Seveneves as a good entry point to Stephenson. Will definitely read Anathem and perhaps more Stephenson in 2024. All the best to you and your family Bart!
Thanks Richard! Happy New reading Year!
Yes, I do know Rachel, her recommendation is definitely helpful. 🙌
I enjoyed Discworld. Looking forward to your thoughts.
Oh, that’s great to hear! I’m looking forward to reading it, as most people have a positive experience with the series. Thanks!
Going Postal was one of my favourites from the series but all of them are good. They are very popular here in England and hopefully the humour crosses the Atlantic ok, if you like Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Universe then you should like them, there's a lot of satire in the Did world series.
@@adrianmcmahon5731 Hitchiker did not exactly work for me. I’m not sure what I expected, but not what I read. 😂 I will re-read it at some point and probably enjoy it much more.
But, I’m still excited to get into Discworld! 🤞
@@bartsbookspace there is quite a lot of quite British humour and some references might not translate 100% but you'll soon find out when you try it.
I haven't read Blood Meridian yet, but The Road by Cormac McCarthy is one of my favorite books of all time.
That’s great to hear; The Road is another title I want to get to at some point, hopefully soon.
Sounds like you have a great reading year ahead of you. I'm hoping to get to Blood Meridian. In truth, "Guards! Guards!" might be our only overlap. I find the Discworld books pretty easy to pick up and get lost in when nothing else is working (which is often). I would love to get into Hyperion and Book of the New Sun, but I'm not sure my brain is up to it this year. Maybe 2025. Heck, maybe this year. Gotta think positive.
The more I read the better I am able to develop a sense of what I enjoy. While being challenged by book can be rewarding, ultimately, I want to enjoy the reading experience. That’s why Hyperion worked so well for me. It did both: challenge me and bring great enjoyment. Whether Book of the new Sun can do the same… will see.
Stay positive!
Ambitious plans! My goal is at least 25 books :))
Nice! You can definitely hit your goal. Just a bit over two books per month. 👊🏼
So much to talk about here: Hyperion is great, but I’m like you and have only read the first book. I read the first 4 Red Rising books, they get better after book one but are definitely more on the Sci-Fantasy side of the spectrum. I’ve read all 4 Book of New Sun books but that was 20 years ago, will be re-reading them hopefully this year and might piggyback on your schedule. I’ve read all 6 Herbert Dune books and love them all but the series takes some turns after book 1. I’ve never read Banks so will be reading Player of Games sometime late winter or spring. Neal Stephenson is the author I’ve DNF’d the most, but I feel like I’m a more mature reader now and will trying him again soon. I read Swan Song back in the 90’s because it was compared to the Stand, I think it’s vastly different but still so good. What a year to look forward to, cheers Bart.
Thanks Ira! I’m looking forward to lots of interesting reads this year.
Doing a buddy read of Book of the New Sun might be fun. Let’s think about it, and maybe we can get more people to join us? I’m typically all over the place with my reads, starting series and not finishing them, but if I commit to something, it get done. 😉
You've got a lot to look forward to there! The Ocean at the End of the Lane is one of Gaiman's most engaging and atmospheric works. I'm also of the opinion that Speaker for the Dead is a far superior novel than Ender's Game.
That’s great to hear! I’m looking forward to reading both. 🙌
I didn't like the last 2 books , but the first 2 Hyperion and the fall was amazing.
I might just reread the first 2 now ❤
Interesting. I’ve heard different takes on the books, with most people liking the first one best. And I, of course, love Hyperion, so the followups have their work cut out. 😂
Thanks for your comment!
Happy New Year, Bart!!
Happy New Year, Koda! 😀
Hope it brings you tons of satisfying reads.
Some great reads ahead for you! Im interested in what you will think about the other three books in the Hyperion Cantos. Personally I stopped after book two.
Thanks!
Did you stop because you didn’t like book 2? I’ve heard so many differing opinions on the series.
@@bartsbookspace I thought book 2 was still good but a step down from from book one. Then after I finished it I didnt have that drive to continue the series.
@@TomOrange Got it. That makes sense. 👍
I'm reading Blood Meridian at the moment lol, have fun, I hope you've read more McCarthy because Blood Meridian would be quite the place to start. I'm also going to read Hyperion series, Gene Wolfe, and get into more Gaiman.
John Williams is awesome, so is Swan Song. I personally think it is superior to the Stand, though not trying to compare.
I’m excited for you to read Hyperion! Its a unique reading experience; hope it works for you.
Swan Song being better than The Stand is high praise, can’t wait to see if I feel the same way.
How do you feel about Blood Meridian? Is it as dark and disturbing as advertised?
@@bartsbookspace I read primarily horror so I don't think it's anything I have not seen before, just in more amounts and substantially more allegorical. I'm only 100 pages in but so far there definitely has been a lot of death. That's all I can really say hahah
I’m trying to find a decent empire of silence in paperback. For some reason it’s very hard to find?! They only have mass market paperback but it’s too small.
Yes! You would think there would be another printing or a new edition considering how popular these books have been lately.
Player of Games is my favourite Iain M. Banks book. As for the Dune series, I've read all 6 many times over the years but you should at least read up to God Emperor of Dune. Neal Stephenson is another author I love since reading Snow Crash years ago, if you haven't read it already also try Cryptonomicon.
Thanks.
I wonder if I should start with what most people (and you) feel is Banks’ best book. If I do, perhaps every subsequent read will be a small disappointment!? 😂
I’m joking, and really looking forward to the read. It’s always exciting to pick up a new author.
@@bartsbookspace the great thing about Banks' Culture novels is they are all set in the same universe but they are all independent of each other so can be read in any order if you want. The benefit of reading in order is you understand the Culture as a whole slightly better that way. There's still some truly great books in the series and his non- culture books contain some true gems too.
I read the Arkady Martine books a couple of years back, i enjoyed them. i also read BOTNS a while back, it's nuts! I gather it rewards a re read or 5. Speaker for the Dead is great! As good as Ender's Game, very different. Player of Games is good, Use of Weapons is better. Silverberg!! Time of Changes is wonderful. Anathem is awesome, in my top 10. Read that one first.
Great advice. Thanks for your input! Looks like you read most of the books on my near tbr.
🙌
@@bartsbookspace good luck with your reading plans! Silverberg is a treat, such a great writer.
I also LOVE House of Suns. Won't lie though, I thought the Inhibitor trilogy was pretty bad. Clunky writing, bad descriptions in terms of setting, confusing characterization and plot. Not saying don't read it; I would actually love to hear your opinion on it on here if you do read it. I hope you enjoy it if you do read it, truly. Complete miss for me, though. I was quite disappointed considering how naturally well-written, imaginative, emotional & lush House of Suns is.
That makes sense. Reynolds published Revelation Space in 2000 and after it’s release he wrote 14 books before he wrote House of Suns. So I guess it makes sense that his first efforts would be somewhat inferior. There are, I’m sure, authors who debuted with their best effort, but that’s difficult and rare. I’ll definitely read at least the first book in the series and share my thoughts. Thanks!