OFFICIAL Misc 2020 52 books in 52 weeks thread - All Kinds of Brain Gainz

[FullGluteSpread]

Has anybody read the Wheel of Time series? I am on book 8 (I began the series about 20 years ago, lol). Does anyone have any tips on taking down this beast?

Read only wheel of time and immerse yourself in the world. It slows down in the middle but it’s worth it to push through. My fav series other than Malazan.

[PattBattmann]

Read only wheel of time and immerse yourself in the world. It slows down in the middle but it’s worth it to push through. My fav series other than Malazan.

Thanks. Don't get me wrong; I love it. It is just such a grind. There is an upcoming show that I believe has the potential to be greater than GOT. It has a lot of material to use.

[SicKunt68]

First book of 2020 done. I've started listening to audiobooks at the jim and whilst playing fifa (hehe)

1. The Power of Moments - Chip & Dan Heath (audio) 7/10



"The Power of Moments is about why certain brief experiences can jolt us and elevate us and change us—and how we can learn to create such extraordinary moments in our life and work."

aka go the extra mile and reap a chit ton of benefits

[spikyhunter]

In! Failed terribly last year cuz of school and life. Only read like five books or so. My goal for this year will be 25-30 books. Happy new year everyone!

[StoliFun]

Started reading the Binti novellas. Samraiwise, I know you've read every cyberpunk book you can find, but have you read any africanfuturism?

[TheBodfather94]

1. Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison by Michel Foucault:

Decent philosophy book which covers crime, state power and the modernisation of punishment in the West (with a focus on France). Foucault laid out the norms of punishment before the inception of modern penal codes (in the 18th and 19th centuries) and went on to argue that punitive measures shifted the focus of punishment from the convict's body to their soul. He also discussed the rise of surveillance and discipline and their impacts on society as a whole. Overall, this was a worthwhile and occasionally very compelling read for me, but it didn't match up to my philosophy favourites; I found Foucault's prose verbose, repetitive and difficult to follow at times (this could be due to my translated version: I read the Penguin classics one).

---

Next up: One Hundred Years of Solitude

1. The Rosie Project (Don Tillman #1) by Graeme Simsion - 5/5

Over Christmas my sister recommended to pick up this book, as she thought it would be something I could relate to. The book was already on my to read list based on the recommendations in this topic, so there we went. What a strong and funny story. It provides an insight into the world of autism, showing both the strengths and pitfalls, and combines that seamlessly with a lot of humor. It's easy to read, compelling and has two more books; so strongly recommended.

+1! I seldom see this book mentioned here, but think miscers are the ideal audience for it.

[PermaBulk610]

Shooting for 12 this year. Between school, work, and other time consuming endeavors, 12 books seems like a nice goal. One book a month is doable i think.

[Payton1221]

Here's my first 2020 entry:

1 The First Commandment (Scot Harvath #6) by Brad Thor (7.5/10)

I still really enjoy Brad Thor's writing and his Scot Harvath is still a great character (Very similar to Mitch Rapp), but I didn't like this book as much as others because the premise IMO was illogical (hardly a spoiler but the U.S. Government breaks the First Commandment in dealing with terrorists which is "you don't negotiate with terrorists") and because much of the storyline is based on earlier books that I haven't read in over a year.

[SicKunt68]

1. Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison by Michel Foucault:

Decent philosophy book which covers crime, state power and the modernisation of punishment in the West (with a focus on France). Foucault laid out the norms of punishment before the inception of modern penal codes (in the 18th and 19th centuries) and went on to argue that punitive measures shifted the focus of punishment from the convict's body to their soul. He also discussed the rise of surveillance and discipline and their impacts on society as a whole. Overall, this was a worthwhile and occasionally very compelling read for me, but it didn't match up to my philosophy favourites; I found Foucault's prose verbose, repetitive and difficult to follow at times (this could be due to my translated version: I read the Penguin classics one)



+1! I seldom see this book mentioned here, but think miscers are the ideal audience for it.

I have no idea how you make it through these philosophical books. I just ordered Meditations to try it out.

Would you mind telling us why miskers are the ideal audience for the book with the bicycle on it, Bod?

[Renic]

Last year I read more than any year in my adult life at only 21 books. I'm going for the full 52 books this year. I'm already on schedule with the first book:

All Systems Red by Martha Wells ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a great sci-fi novella about a robot that secretly gains sentience and self-governance. It uses the new found freedom to binge TV on the job. It gives itself the name Murderbot, but has a relatable introverted personality. It's a short ride, but full of action and humor. It can easily be read in a single sitting if you've got a bit of time. Highly recommend this for anyone looking for good sci-fi.

2019 List:

Spoiler!

1. A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine.

2. The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury

3. Horns by Joe Hill

4. Friend's Self Published Book

5. Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky

6. We, the Drowned by Carsten Jensen

7. The Stranger by Albert Camus

8. The Plague by Albert Camus

9. We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

10. Siddhartha by Herman Hesse

11. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

12. The Collector by John Fowles

13. The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass

14. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

15. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

16. The Pearl by John Steinbeck

17. Night by Elie Wiesel

18. American Gods by Neil Gaiman

19. A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle

20. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

21. Child of God by Cormac McCarthy

[jackm7]

Has anybody read the Wheel of Time series? I am on book 8 (I began the series about 20 years ago, lol). Does anyone have any tips on taking down this beast?

Yes, it's probably my favourite fantasy series of all time. Gets a bit slow between books 8-10 i think, but then gets amazing again. Last book is basically just a huge battle, i legit had a boner the whole time i was reading it

[TheBodfather94]

I have no idea how you make it through these philosophical books. I just ordered Meditations to try it out.

Would you mind telling us why miskers are the ideal audience for the book with the bicycle on it, Bod?

Most of the ones I've read aren't too dense tbf. Meditations should be a solid starter for you--hope you enjoy it.

The Rosie Project is basically a Romcom with a ridiculously socially awkward and idiosyncratic protagonist. I think miscers will really appreciate Don Tillman's character (39 year old autist), his romantic ventures and the general humour throughout. Definitely worth checking out if/when you want a lighter read.

[zubairs]

What is the best place to buy books? Somewhere I can order online, mostly paperback.

[BradRumble]

Definitely in on this! I believe I read the most in my life in 2019, looking to increase my book intake. Doing alot of Audiobooks

[lnvictus]

What is the best place to buy books? Somewhere I can order online, mostly paperback.

Look into thriftbooks if you're in US

[PatheticPeter]

Will get in on this later, but look into the overdive app.
Local and state library books,ebooks, audiobooks that you can check out on your phone or tablet.

[PatheticPeter]

1. The book thief - Markus Zusak - 8/10

[Ayz33]

my god...A Gentleman in Moscow was amazing

[zubairs]

Look into thriftbooks if you're in US

Not in US but can get it shipped.

[MrBourbon]

1 Atomic Habits
2 Wounds - Nathan Ballingrud
3 North American Lake Monsters - Nathan Ballingrud

Both Wounds and NALM are collections of short stories by Nathan Ballingrud. He writes "dark" stories: most of these have elements of horror or supernatural, but the focus is on how ordinary humans react to their version of the world after these things intrude on them - for instance following a man who survived a Werewolf attack that claimed his two best friends. The coroner called it a wolf attack, and the man let that be the official version of events, but he knows the truth.

I'm not a big horror guy so these were way outside my wheelhouse, but I really enjoyed reading Ted Chiang's short stories last year so gave these a shot. If you're looking for something weird with a little gore and a pretty bleak tone, I enjoyed these like a shot of cheap whiskey - rough and nasty in a very good way.

Currently Listening - Off Armageddon Reef by David Weber
Currently Reading - House of Leaves

[anonymous]

I've just finish Wealthy Barber Returns, pretty solid for Canadian bros to get their personal finance on track. Some basic stuff, but overall easy to read and not a lot of numbers/graphs.

[SicKunt68]

Most of the ones I've read aren't too dense tbf. Meditations should be a solid starter for you--hope you enjoy it.

The Rosie Project is basically a Romcom with a ridiculously socially awkward and idiosyncratic protagonist. I think miscers will really appreciate Don Tillman's character (39 year old autist), his romantic ventures and the general humour throughout. Definitely worth checking out if/when you want a lighter read.

lmao yeah definitely applies to some miskers

[TravelinJhwkFan]

1. How Successful People Lead by John C Maxwell

Nice and easy read to get started for the year. My first real self help kind of book. I might read some more of his books, but I'm gonna move back into some suspense.

[SicKunt68]

1. The Power of Moments - Chip & Dan Heath 7/10
2. The Four Tendencies - Gretchen Rubin 8/10

Learned a lot about myself from this book. Highly recommend y'all read it, or at least take the 5 min (srs) quiz to find out which of the 4 tendencies you are. I'm a rebel :

https://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/four-tendencies-quiz/

[PermaBulk610]

Finished my first of the year.


1. Dapper Dan : Made in Harlem

I love biographies, and this was solid. Not too long of a read, finished it in 3 days. Couldn't put it down.

Gonna start reading a biography about the Koch brothers and their business ventures. It seems to paint them as scum, so we'll see how it goes.

[zubairs]

One book down

1 - The Need by Ellen Phillips (2.5/5)

Book was well written but the story was not very captivating. Very hard read but I still managed to finish it. Not a good start.

Reading "The night boat to Tangier" currently.

[PatheticPeter]

1. The book thief - Markus Zusak - 8/10
2. The Devil in the White City - Erik Larson -10/10

While Chicago is building its 700 acre marble city for the Columbian exposition, Americas first serial killer is building his murder hotel down the street. Some of the best nonfiction i ever read.

[sl_17b]

2020
1. Greig Beck – Hammer of God 3.5/5
2. Michael Sullivan – Legends of the First Empire #1 4/5
3. Michael Sullivan – Legends of the First Empire #2 4/5
4. Michael Sullivan – Legends of the First Empire #3 4/5

[Legz422]

Will get in on this later, but look into the overdive app.
Local and state library books,ebooks, audiobooks that you can check out on your phone or tablet.

This is what I do. I get all my books on Kindle from the library. Sometimes sucks because they changed it from 3 week loan to 2 weeks and can't renew for the extra week anymore. But it's free so I'll take it.

I finished 2 books in 2 weeks. Something I haven't done in a really long time. Also just started 3rd book and got notification from library today that a book I've been waiting 6 weeks for is avail so I'll be hitting the reading a lot the next 2 weeks again.

Spoiler!

1. The Forbidden Door by Dean Koontz
2. Dark Witch (Cousin O'Dwyer Trilogy book #1) by Nora Roberts
3. Twisted 26 (Stephanie Plum series) by Janet Evanovitch- reading now

[jreacher]

This is what I do. I get all my books on Kindle from the library. Sometimes sucks because they changed it from 3 week loan to 2 weeks and can't renew for the extra week anymore. But it's free so I'll take it.

If you put your device in airplane mode, it will prevent the book from being removed from your device automatically when it expires.

Also, for those interested, the Free Library of Philadelphia offers memberships for anyone in the country for about $50 a year (last time I looked) and they have OverDrive available. I did this when my local library quit offering overdrive.