Book Lovers: What Are You Reading Now?

[thebottomsupblog]

First, let me say that I’ve not been reading that much ever since I became a parent. I either have busy seasons with work/school/parenting life or, if there’s time, I do tend to doomscroll.

But increasingly, we’re hearing more about “going analog,” and returning to the things that we used to love, such as books. So one of my resolutions this year was to target the unread books in my shelf!

I’m now reading Ken Liu’s All That We See or Seem (mystery sci-fi, speculative fiction).

A friend told me about this author — Ken Liu was in SG last year for the writers’ fest and to teach a writing course. One of the first things I heard about him was that he studied comp science, law, and Eng lit at Harvard!

I watched his interview on Datacamp (where he talked a bit about his new book and writing process) and was quite intrigued: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBI72PJnhsE

All That We See or Seem is set in the future, and it’s quite fun reading his prediction of how AI tech has evolved. The protagonist is a young hacker dragged into solving a mystery of a missing woman (an artist who invites people to dream together). I’m only about a quarter way through, I used the CNY break to get started.

What are you reading now?

[sharonkhoo]

@thebottomsupblog I have always read a lot, but I mostly read in the “mystery” genre - think Agatha Christie, Dick Francis, Ellis Peters, Dorothy Sayers (just realised that that short list is very heavily British, but I really do read authors of other nationalities too!) and all those cozy mystery series with historical or modern settings. Also some general fiction, classics, non-fiction (depending on current need or interest)… I also reread favourite authors every few years - currently running through Dick Francis for the 3rd or 4th time, alternating with newer stuff.

I don’t know whether ebooks are considered analog? I use an ereader for convenience and, to me, it is just a more a compact form of a physical book, and I prefer it to reading on a tablet or phone with all their distractions. When I lived overseas, borrowing from NLB was my main source of English books ever since I got my first ereader in 2011! As I got older, being able to adjust font size and screen lighting was a great boon - I now find that older editions of print books defeat me as the font was too small. I’ve also got used to the luxury of “going to the library” any time of the day or night, without setting foot outdoors, and not having to worry about overdues.

That said, my 4-yr-old Kobo just died on me yesterday! Half the screen went black, so I’ve just ordered a new one. In the meanwhile, I’m going to read on Libby on my phone.

[thebottomsupblog]

@sharonkhoo I guess the idea of long-form reading is still considered “analog” haha! My Kindle died out quite a while ago and now I have a Boox reader, but I do have a number of unread physical books as well. I’m not like others who need to smell the pages and so on. Like you, I’m happy to have convenience and the e-book format doesn’t take away from the emotions of the story.

I remember BBC had these radio shows where they would act out Agatha Christie stories, and I used to love those! When you re-read crime and mystery stories, how does already knowing the ending impact the way that you enjoy the story?

I wouldn’t say I’m a big mystery fan, but Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is one of my faves, and I would reread that! More because I also see it as a commentary on long-term relationships and how toxic they can get.

Btw do you like audiobooks, and do you consider that to be reading too?

[sharonkhoo]

@thebottomsupblog I don’t actually read the stories to try to figure out the endings; I just find the genre very satisfying because it has a conclusion, and often aren’t too emotional. I don’t like heavy internal dialogues etc. My kids joke that if anyone gets murdered in my vicinity, I will be the obvious suspect!

I like audio as long as my hands are busy with something - some craft etc. If not, I fall asleep! Mostly, I still read rather than listen.

[rinsider]

I find myself revisiting old books rather than new ones in recent years. Attention span is not as it used to be. But I have a soft spot for John Steinbeck (East of Eden especially). As usual, DH Lawrence and Thomas Hardy too. I don’t like, really reread them nowadays as I already am familiar with the plot, but it’s a delight to flip through them and pick out paragraphs that resonate with you even years later (and they constantly change in their relatable meaning, if you know what I mean).

Would prefer gravitating to short stories nowadays like Gaiman’s Fragile Things. I also Iike revisiting Tina Brown’s Vanity Fair Diaries (1982-1983) as I feel like I can read any entry and just root around from that point.

Classic ghost stories will always appeal to me especially those from MR James or EF Benson. Project Gutenberg has titles where the copyright has lapsed I think (not much schooled in IP there). I used to listen alot on Librivox, but these are from volunteer narrators so you have to find one whose accent and diction you can live with!

Recently I found Enid Blyton’s “Book of Brownies” on PDF and finished it in one sitting or less than an hour!

My kids’ Garfield compilations from over 20 years ago… Do they qualify as book reading?

Right now just slowly riffling through Bryony Gordon’s “No Such Thing As Normal”. Some mental wellbeing book where the author speaks to you like a comforting friend. Although I guess some parts I’ve zoned through as she’s in the UK and makes references to the NHS

[sharonkhoo]

@rinsider said in Book Lovers: What Are You Reading Now?:

I find myself revisiting old books rather than new ones in recent years.

When I was young, I was criticised by a number of adults (aunts, teachers, parents) for rereading books - I really don’t understand why! I can’t see anything inherently bad about rereading books, especially if they aren’t 100% of the reading diet. I was such a voracious reader as a kid that I always ran out of books to read very quickly; if I wasn’t able to get to a physical library, I just reread what I had on hand (including the newspaper, any magazines I could lay my hands on, even labels on bottles…). I love to reread books just for their familiarity, or sometimes because I recall that something in a particular book resonates with something in my present. As a student, when my mind was exhausted from studying, I would revert to childhood favourites for ease of reading and familiarity - I reread the Narnia series countless times during my university years! I do make a point to read some new books as well, just for a good mix. Maybe I’m just odd…

[thebottomsupblog]

@sharonkhoo I have the lazy eye condition, so before audiobooks, I used to skim read a lot! This meant that I glossed over many details and I’m also prone to impatience to find out the ending haha.

So I actually love rereading, because I’ve missed so many things, and I’m often surprised by new information each time.

Btw to update: I just finished Ken Liu’s All that We See or Seem! I think his interpretation of how tech might evolve and impact humanity is very credible, given his education/professional experience. But I think I prefer writing that draws me in emotionally!

My next book: I’m going to finally try to finish Apeirogon, which is about the friendship between an Israeli and a Palestinian father. It’s actually really beautifully written and narrated (I have the audiobook), but somehow I never made time for it!

[thebottomsupblog]

@rinsider Byrony Gordon! I recognise that name… think she’s a journo who is sympathetic to Prince Harry/the Sussexes. Haha I do like to read about the royals (I’ve read Spare) but I personally think they’re not good for much else other than gossip value. Or worse, they could be Prince Andrew!

[rinsider]

@thebottomsupblog you mean Bryony favours Meghan? BAH!

[thebottomsupblog]

@rinsider hahaha are you annoyed by the Sussexes too? Or does this annoyance extend to all royals?