«China Mountain Zhang» sounds really interesting, reminded me somewhat of the «Chung Kuo» series by David Wingrove, where in the future the World is conquered by the Chinese and virtually covered by a gigantic multilayered sky city, where the elite live in lavish mansions on or near the Top and billions others live in squalor in tight layers beneath, never to experience the Sun, fresh air or solid ground! Due to a loss in the family (a beloved old aunt of mine), I only finished three novels in March: «Brother Red» by Adrian Selby (Grimdark Fantasy, standalone «midquel» to «Snakewood» & «The Winter Road», «Judas Blossom» by Stephen Aryan (Fantasy inspired by the Mongol Conquest of Persia) and «Suldrun’s Garden», book 1 in the «Lyonesse» Trilogy by Jack Vance ((Pre-)Arthurian Fantasy). So after a slow March, in April I finished «The Fort» by Adrian Goldsworthy (City of Victory Trilogy #1, Historical Military Fiction set during the Campaigns of Roman Emperor Trajan, Sequel Trilogy to the «Vindolandia» Trilogy), «Empire of Silence» by Christopher Ruocchio (Sun Eater #1, Space Opera/Sci Fantasy), «Islands in the Net» by Bruce Sterling (80’s (Post-)Cyberpunk 😄), «Howling Dark» (Sun Eater #2) and «Idoru» by William Gibson (90s Cyberpunk 😄). I had to rearrange somewhat my April and May TBR Lists, as Petrik & Jake Bishop group-pressured me (though in the nicest way, after all Petrik is Southeast Asian and Jake Canadian! 😄) into start reading «Howling Dark» right away after finishing «Empire of Silence» earlier in April, so I pushed back «The Green Pearl» (Lyonesse Trilogy #2) from April till May. Further on my May TBR List, I have: «The Wise Man’s Fear» by Patrick Rothfuss (Fantasy, sequel to «The Name of the Wind») «Madouc» (Lyonesse Trilogy #3) by Jack Vance ((Pre-)Arthurian Fantasy) «The Dragonbone Chair» (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, #1) by Tad Williams (Epic Fantasy, a key influence for George R. R. Martin's « A Song of Ice and Fire»)
First things first, I hope you're ok. Losing a beloved member of the family is always hard. I'm going to check out Chung Kuo. That sounds awesome. How did you find Brother Red? I liked it less than The Winter Road but it was still a solid read. Many of the books you've mentioned are on my list!
@@bookswithzara Thank you so much for you thoughtfulness Zara, much very appreciated! I have only read the first prequel, «Son of Heaven», of Wingrove’s (so far unfinished) 20 book reinterpretation of his original 8 book series: Must be 10-15 years since I read it, still has some haunting images of a possible future that I remember to this very day! It would be my least favorite of the three, but still an awesome and powerful read, easily 4+ Stars!
I am adding some of those Japanese translated works to my list, I need to diversify my reading more!! Also very delighted that Will of the Many was such a hit for you, I am dying for the sequel! And gosh, I am so glad I DNFed the Justice of Kings series after book 1 lol. Hope May is treating you well!
@@bookswithzara Idk, I think it was Helena's voice that just really threw me off. For some reason I found the story to be extremely boring, even though there were objectively intersting things happening lol
I finished Piranesi about a month ago and I think you're really going to like it. You sold me on Flowers for Algernon which was absolutely fantastic and one of the best reads of the year for me so far......now I'm going to get China Mountain Zhang because of your glowing review. lol. Awesome video Zara.
I might have to take a look at The Will of the Many. I was avoiding this one because it sounded like booktube hype, but since you recommend it, I might have to give it a go. I haven't read much fiction the last couple of months. I'm currently reading through a 1500 page omnibus of The Books of Magic, a 90s Vertigo comic orignally created by Neil Gaiman (but mostly written byJohn Ney Rieber) that some people believe JK Rawling used as inspiration for Harry Potter. I read and loved this series when they first came out and am enjoying the reread, though a lot of the longer story threads kinda peter out by the end.
I hope you enjoy it! I think it's a good one to read if you want something fast-paced and just a solid good time. I wish I liked Neil Gaiman's writing but it just doesn't seem to gel with me. I am quite keen to try his comics though, at some point.
Hope you enjoy Piranesi, I love it. Yeah, everything I've heard about Robert Jackson Bennett's books don't sound like I'd enjoy, actually i think Jake Bishop was the one who told me not to bother a year or two back. March was mostly just re-reading Prince of Nothing and the Judging Eye but I did finish Ken Liu's Veiled Throne. April was another high quality month for me: *Fantasy* Tawny Man 2: Golden Fool Tawny Man 3: Fool's Fate - My new favourite trilogy! I'm taking a wee break to prepare for Rain Wilds but I can't wait to return to Hobb's writing. *Grimdark Fantasy* Sharp Ends: Made A Monster (re-read) Sharp Ends: A Beautiful B@st@rd (re-read) - Gearing up for a First Law re-read. *Memoir* The Disaster Artist / Greg Sestero & Tom Bissell - I don't usually like audiobooks, but this was great. I never tire learning about bts stuff of Tommy Wiseau's The Room. The film adaptation with James Franco does play a lot of the content in the book up for laughs, even the creepy and really toxic parts of Tommy and Greg's friendship (huge power and financial imbalance going on), and that's not even mentioning Wiseau's onset behaviour... *Thriller* Grave Descend / Michael Crichton - Kinda forgettable. So far in May I've finished: *Steampunk* Books of Babel 1: Senlin Ascends (re-read) As for what I'm currently reading: *Epic Fantasy* Stormlight Archive 1: Way of Kings - I was worried I wouldn't but I'm enjoying the re-read, i just needed some brain candy, palette cleanser type stuff but still epic. The comedy is worse than when I remembered and there's a jester type character coming up that I'm fairly sure I'm going to hate now. Not a priority read. *Grimdark Fantasy* First Law 1: Blade Itself (re-read) - I need to re-read these books more often. I did put on a pause on Wars of Light & Shadow 1: Curse of the Mistwraith and Simon Jimenez' Spear Cuts Through Water, I just wasn't in the right head pace for them but they are great so far.
How was the ending of The Veiled Throne? Man, I really need to start Hobb this year. Our tastes generally align well so I'd be surprised if it wasn't a hit. I'm keen to pick up Stormlight at some point. Won't be for a while but I'm intrigued by the themes. I also need to re-read First Law more often. I might do so this year. Totally makes sense to pause! Hope you're able to get back to Spear soon!
@@bookswithzara Veiled Throne is my least favourite of the series so far but it was still awesome. I'll probably do a re-read next year definitely one of my favourite series of all-time now. I hope you enjoy Hobb, and that I haven't overhyped her for you. Like you said, we've similar taste so I'm partially nervous 😅 Stormlight Archive is enjoyable, though there are parts of Sanderson's writing I still don't like even in here, like the repetitive and immersion breaking explanations of the magic system and Sanderson's humour.
I'm currently reading The Blackest Heart by Brian Lee Durfee, it's taking me a long time to read it I'm a slow reader. I just started Stoner by John Williams. I would like to start The Prince of Nothing Trilogy soon. I read the first book years ago, I put the series down because I wasnt interested in a holy war at the time. Nice wrap up
This is another case of me not knowing how people can read so much so fast; I'm so slow! Especially when reading for my podcast! China Mountain Zang, I remember you mentioned it in another video; I'm definitely getting to it some day with the SF Masterworks Circuit! The Just City as well, I *really* want to read that one! Foundryside, that's disappointing! Cohesiveness between the series is so important! From Le Guin, I read The Left Hand of Darkness this month, but I definitely need to re-read it, going for audiobook was *not* a good choice.
Yeah, I waa pretty shocked myself haha. I didn't expect to have read that much. I know you're going to really like CMZ. I'll be shocked if you don't. Same with The Just City. I'm planning to read The Left Hand of Darkness over the summer!
I know I'm always asking for videos that aren't related to books, but after hearing your comments on Klara and the Sun and given your academic expertise, I'd love to hear you do a deep dive into AI and its various issues!
Finally someone not gushing rainbows about Jay Kristoff or Richard Swan. Makes those series a little more believable now. Hopefully this month's picks are going better than last months. Have you tried any China Mieville as yet?
@@bookswithzara Everything, I love that guy. Embassytown's a treat, I'll watch out for your video on it to chat about it . . . I'm excited just thinking back on my experience with it, ha.
I didn’t even finish Foundryside because I didn’t like the main character very much, I do hope his other trilogy works for you tho. I think they are his best work, but I do agree his stories tend to start out strong and usually get ruined by weird twists. Still worth reading just for the world building. I’m currently reading Mystic River which is my first time reading a crime fiction novel, along with Fool’s Quest by Hobb! I don’t think I’ll read Jay Kristoff anymore 😂 I didn’t like his writing style in Nevernight and dnfed it. Plus his Japanese inspired book called Stormdancer is one my least favorite reads ever (apparently he used Wikipedia and anime to do his cultural research 😂)
That's good to hear that City of Stairs is his best one. How are you finding Hobb? Totally fair on Kristoff. I really do get it. I'm excited to read his older stuff because I think there'll be something funny things to say. I have zero desire to read Stormdancer. That whole situation sounded like a s*** show haha.
I'm reading Ishiguro in pub order.... I've read The first 3 and loved 2, liked 1. He uses memory quite a bit in his themes.
Yay Piranesi!🎉🎉
Which ones did you love?
The Remains of the Day and A Pale View of Hills. Remains is a very quiet novel so know that going in.
«China Mountain Zhang» sounds really interesting, reminded me somewhat of the «Chung Kuo» series by David Wingrove, where in the future the World is conquered by the Chinese and virtually covered by a gigantic multilayered sky city, where the elite live in lavish mansions on or near the Top and billions others live in squalor in tight layers beneath, never to experience the Sun, fresh air or solid ground!
Due to a loss in the family (a beloved old aunt of mine), I only finished three novels in March: «Brother Red» by Adrian Selby (Grimdark Fantasy, standalone «midquel» to «Snakewood» & «The Winter Road», «Judas Blossom» by Stephen Aryan (Fantasy inspired by the Mongol Conquest of Persia) and «Suldrun’s Garden», book 1 in the «Lyonesse» Trilogy by Jack Vance ((Pre-)Arthurian Fantasy).
So after a slow March, in April I finished «The Fort» by Adrian Goldsworthy (City of Victory Trilogy #1, Historical Military Fiction set during the Campaigns of Roman Emperor Trajan, Sequel Trilogy to the «Vindolandia» Trilogy), «Empire of Silence» by Christopher Ruocchio (Sun Eater #1, Space Opera/Sci Fantasy), «Islands in the Net» by Bruce Sterling (80’s (Post-)Cyberpunk 😄), «Howling Dark» (Sun Eater #2) and «Idoru» by William Gibson (90s Cyberpunk 😄).
I had to rearrange somewhat my April and May TBR Lists, as Petrik & Jake Bishop group-pressured me (though in the nicest way, after all Petrik is Southeast Asian and Jake Canadian! 😄) into start reading «Howling Dark» right away after finishing «Empire of Silence» earlier in April, so I pushed back «The Green Pearl» (Lyonesse Trilogy #2) from April till May.
Further on my May TBR List, I have:
«The Wise Man’s Fear» by Patrick Rothfuss (Fantasy, sequel to «The Name of the Wind»)
«Madouc» (Lyonesse Trilogy #3) by Jack Vance ((Pre-)Arthurian Fantasy)
«The Dragonbone Chair» (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, #1) by Tad Williams (Epic Fantasy, a key influence for George R. R. Martin's « A Song of Ice and Fire»)
First things first, I hope you're ok. Losing a beloved member of the family is always hard.
I'm going to check out Chung Kuo. That sounds awesome. How did you find Brother Red? I liked it less than The Winter Road but it was still a solid read. Many of the books you've mentioned are on my list!
@@bookswithzara Thank you so much for you thoughtfulness Zara, much very appreciated!
I have only read the first prequel, «Son of Heaven», of Wingrove’s (so far unfinished) 20 book reinterpretation of his original 8 book series: Must be 10-15 years since I read it, still has some haunting images of a possible future that I remember to this very day!
It would be my least favorite of the three, but still an awesome and powerful read, easily 4+ Stars!
I am adding some of those Japanese translated works to my list, I need to diversify my reading more!! Also very delighted that Will of the Many was such a hit for you, I am dying for the sequel! And gosh, I am so glad I DNFed the Justice of Kings series after book 1 lol.
Hope May is treating you well!
Ohhh nice! You were very smart to DNF Justice of Kings hahaha. I’m curious, what didn’t you like about it?
@@bookswithzara Idk, I think it was Helena's voice that just really threw me off. For some reason I found the story to be extremely boring, even though there were objectively intersting things happening lol
@@esmayrosalyne that’s fair. I agree with you but for me I didn’t find the sci fi aspects interesting. Too much was going on.
I finished Piranesi about a month ago and I think you're really going to like it. You sold me on Flowers for Algernon which was absolutely fantastic and one of the best reads of the year for me so far......now I'm going to get China Mountain Zhang because of your glowing review. lol. Awesome video Zara.
Thanks Dan! You're going to really enjoy CMZ, I think.
I might have to take a look at The Will of the Many. I was avoiding this one because it sounded like booktube hype, but since you recommend it, I might have to give it a go.
I haven't read much fiction the last couple of months. I'm currently reading through a 1500 page omnibus of The Books of Magic, a 90s Vertigo comic orignally created by Neil Gaiman (but mostly written byJohn Ney Rieber) that some people believe JK Rawling used as inspiration for Harry Potter. I read and loved this series when they first came out and am enjoying the reread, though a lot of the longer story threads kinda peter out by the end.
I hope you enjoy it! I think it's a good one to read if you want something fast-paced and just a solid good time.
I wish I liked Neil Gaiman's writing but it just doesn't seem to gel with me. I am quite keen to try his comics though, at some point.
Hope you enjoy Piranesi, I love it. Yeah, everything I've heard about Robert Jackson Bennett's books don't sound like I'd enjoy, actually i think Jake Bishop was the one who told me not to bother a year or two back.
March was mostly just re-reading Prince of Nothing and the Judging Eye but I did finish Ken Liu's Veiled Throne.
April was another high quality month for me:
*Fantasy*
Tawny Man 2: Golden Fool
Tawny Man 3: Fool's Fate
- My new favourite trilogy! I'm taking a wee break to prepare for Rain Wilds but I can't wait to return to Hobb's writing.
*Grimdark Fantasy*
Sharp Ends: Made A Monster (re-read)
Sharp Ends: A Beautiful B@st@rd (re-read)
- Gearing up for a First Law re-read.
*Memoir*
The Disaster Artist / Greg Sestero & Tom Bissell
- I don't usually like audiobooks, but this was great. I never tire learning about bts stuff of Tommy Wiseau's The Room. The film adaptation with James Franco does play a lot of the content in the book up for laughs, even the creepy and really toxic parts of Tommy and Greg's friendship (huge power and financial imbalance going on), and that's not even mentioning Wiseau's onset behaviour...
*Thriller*
Grave Descend / Michael Crichton
- Kinda forgettable.
So far in May I've finished:
*Steampunk*
Books of Babel 1: Senlin Ascends (re-read)
As for what I'm currently reading:
*Epic Fantasy*
Stormlight Archive 1: Way of Kings
- I was worried I wouldn't but I'm enjoying the re-read, i just needed some brain candy, palette cleanser type stuff but still epic. The comedy is worse than when I remembered and there's a jester type character coming up that I'm fairly sure I'm going to hate now. Not a priority read.
*Grimdark Fantasy*
First Law 1: Blade Itself (re-read)
- I need to re-read these books more often.
I did put on a pause on
Wars of Light & Shadow 1: Curse of the Mistwraith and Simon Jimenez' Spear Cuts Through Water, I just wasn't in the right head pace for them but they are great so far.
How was the ending of The Veiled Throne? Man, I really need to start Hobb this year. Our tastes generally align well so I'd be surprised if it wasn't a hit.
I'm keen to pick up Stormlight at some point. Won't be for a while but I'm intrigued by the themes.
I also need to re-read First Law more often. I might do so this year.
Totally makes sense to pause! Hope you're able to get back to Spear soon!
@@bookswithzara Veiled Throne is my least favourite of the series so far but it was still awesome. I'll probably do a re-read next year definitely one of my favourite series of all-time now.
I hope you enjoy Hobb, and that I haven't overhyped her for you. Like you said, we've similar taste so I'm partially nervous 😅
Stormlight Archive is enjoyable, though there are parts of Sanderson's writing I still don't like even in here, like the repetitive and immersion breaking explanations of the magic system and Sanderson's humour.
Piranesi was great! I still haven't read her Strange & Norrell. Makioka Sisters is still on my tbr as well.
If you like it, then I'm especially sold.
I'm currently reading The Blackest Heart by Brian Lee Durfee, it's taking me a long time to read it I'm a slow reader. I just started Stoner by John Williams. I would like to start The Prince of Nothing Trilogy soon. I read the first book years ago, I put the series down because I wasnt interested in a holy war at the time. Nice wrap up
Hope you love Stoner even half as much as I did. Such an aamzing down. Hope you all enjoy Bakker when you eventually go back to him.
This is another case of me not knowing how people can read so much so fast; I'm so slow! Especially when reading for my podcast! China Mountain Zang, I remember you mentioned it in another video; I'm definitely getting to it some day with the SF Masterworks Circuit! The Just City as well, I *really* want to read that one! Foundryside, that's disappointing! Cohesiveness between the series is so important! From Le Guin, I read The Left Hand of Darkness this month, but I definitely need to re-read it, going for audiobook was *not* a good choice.
Yeah, I waa pretty shocked myself haha. I didn't expect to have read that much.
I know you're going to really like CMZ. I'll be shocked if you don't. Same with The Just City. I'm planning to read The Left Hand of Darkness over the summer!
I know I'm always asking for videos that aren't related to books, but after hearing your comments on Klara and the Sun and given your academic expertise, I'd love to hear you do a deep dive into AI and its various issues!
I will be doing videos like this on my business channel! I'll be posting the first video on there soon. Watch this space!
Finally someone not gushing rainbows about Jay Kristoff or Richard Swan. Makes those series a little more believable now.
Hopefully this month's picks are going better than last months. Have you tried any China Mieville as yet?
I remember Kristoff was a lot more divisive before EotV. His own review on Goodreads put me off reading EotV for a fair bit it was so cringe 😂
I have! I have read The Last Days of Paris and The City and the City. Both were great. I'm planning to read Embassytown next month. Have you?
@@bookswithzara Everything, I love that guy. Embassytown's a treat, I'll watch out for your video on it to chat about it . . . I'm excited just thinking back on my experience with it, ha.
@@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels ohhhhhh amazing! I’m excited.
I didn’t even finish Foundryside because I didn’t like the main character very much, I do hope his other trilogy works for you tho. I think they are his best work, but I do agree his stories tend to start out strong and usually get ruined by weird twists. Still worth reading just for the world building.
I’m currently reading Mystic River which is my first time reading a crime fiction novel, along with Fool’s Quest by Hobb!
I don’t think I’ll read Jay Kristoff anymore 😂 I didn’t like his writing style in Nevernight and dnfed it. Plus his Japanese inspired book called Stormdancer is one my least favorite reads ever (apparently he used Wikipedia and anime to do his cultural research 😂)
That's good to hear that City of Stairs is his best one. How are you finding Hobb?
Totally fair on Kristoff. I really do get it. I'm excited to read his older stuff because I think there'll be something funny things to say. I have zero desire to read Stormdancer. That whole situation sounded like a s*** show haha.
@@bookswithzara Hobb is excellent. :) I think you’ll love her books
Joao is a great guy! I hosted a release party for Thorns of War on my channel.
That's awesome!