I was after a new book and China was recommended as I like odd fantasy bollocks.
Need to look into it more.
I think he describes it as weird fiction, which fits the bill pretty well. The Bas Lag books (I’ve read The Scar and Perdido Street Station) are quite dense, but beautifully written and realised. I can’t really think of much to compare them to to be honest.
Kraken which I’m reading now is kinda like a grown up version of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, or Rivers of London (which I never really got the love for).
I’d definitely recommend, but don’t go expecting Tolkien style elves and shit.
On a fantasy tip would also heartily recommend anything by Joe Abercrombie.
That’s good you make those comparisons as I liked those books for the ideas but not sure they were realised that well but the worlds are what you make them I guess. I could try Kraken based off that, cheers.
Oh, i’m not wanting Tolkien, More a darker weirder murakami, nice flow, easy reading but interesting.
The Vorrh trilogy by Brian Catling is pretty mental stuff.
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Going by that I reckon Kraken might suit. It’s pretty easy to read (I do find myself looking up the odd word) but with depth.
It’s a different kind of weird to Murakami (who I also love) but very good so far.
Looks good. Been a good year for Phaidon.
https://www.phaidon.com/store/design/nike-better-is-temporary-9781838660512/
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Not massively into fiction at the moment but have found myself lacking a bit of self discipline. This book is amazing, one of those that you finish then immediately go back to the beginning and on my second session right now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/1847941834
The other book is one on mindset and is really interesting as, well, you’d have to read it really. Although I’ve fulfilled my potential in some areas it really highlights how you can make excuses for yourself and self sabotage
Going to finish that one and probably start a reread as well.
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I think I need that first one, might have to check it out. It’ll be a while though, currently listening to Obama’s latest book, it’s a weighty one at nearly 30 hrs and this is only part one apparently. Finding it a pretty fascinating insight into a lot of what he was up against and the resulting tension between his pragmatic and idealistic instincts. The man can definitely write/talk as well.
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I tried to read some Charles Dickens a while back and gave up because I found it too boring. But now I’m listening to Great Expectations narrated by Matt Lucas and it’s awesome. Much easier to get into when it’s read well. Dickens was actually funny as fuck, I never realised. Always assumed he’d be really stuffy and boring.
Also +1 for China Miéville, Embassytown is awesome.
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Yeah I really should try that too, I’m 47 and Muppets Christmas Carol is about the extent of my Dickens knowledge.
Woah, they made a book of that?!
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Once you get used to the 19th century prose styling, Dickens is unbeatable. That first scene in Great Expectations in the churchyard! David Copperfield is incredible.
I’ve been grinding my way through the Turn of the Screw by Henry James and his never-ending sentences are frying my Covid-addled brain.
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Thanks for sharing dude 
Finished ‘The Three-Body Problem’ series on Friday. Wish there was more as I didn’t want it to end. What a ride.
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My favourite book series full stop. I’ve read it all 3 times.
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It’s so good, I read them on your recommendation earlier in this very thread. The last two books and the questions they ask are some of the most thought provoking in fiction. The dimensional decay stuff was so vivid. I want to read it again.
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Done the first one and really loved it.
Got a few in the pile to plough through and then I’ll get on the other two.
The 2nd and 3rd books are even better than the first IMO, so I reckon you’ll enjoy them if you liked the first.
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Actually I went to buy the other two but weren’t available with the new covers.
Can’t have them different innit.
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