Good fiction recs? Are audiobooks effective?
Lmk.
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I started Game of Thrones recently (never watched the show), has given me the love of reading I haven't felt for years (I only read nonfiction since college). Would highly recommend, particularly if you haven't seen the show.
Last series I did via audiobooks during commute and chores, it works fine, though I find my thoughts wander and I have to pause or rewind here and there, but that's part of the point of (audio)books (stimulating inspiration). If it suits you better, do it.
Would also recommend the Game of Thrones/ASOIAF books but would 100% avoid the audiobook. Some of the voices are quite bad (Tyrion’s is brutal to listen to and he is the character with the ~3rd most dialogue) to the point where I owned both physical/audio but switched to only reading the paperback.
Also reading ASOIAF right now (have watched the show)
Absolutely incredible- way better than the show IMO
I imagine audiobooks to work well with fiction. Descriptive text that you can imagine in your head and if you zone out you won’t completely miss the entire point.
I tried to listen to Ezra Klein ‘Abundance’ on Audible and I could not understand anything if I zoned out for a while
I can't do audiobooks for fiction. I'm way too ADHD and some of the voice acting is awful. The few audiobooks I listen to are all non-fiction, but to each their own.
The bigger question is: what kind of books do you like? Happy to make recommendations, but a starting point helps.
I want to read more classics. I’m reading The Stranger right now and going to read The Red and the Black next in an attempt to get into French literature. I want to read east of Eden too. I like typical “guy” books I’d say
Gotcha.
I made several recommendations in a thread named "Literature Recs" for what it's worth. I don't use audiobooks though for fiction - but that's because I listen when I'm running or cycling outdoors and it's way too easy to get distracted
Read the First Law series of books, they will blow your mind. If you are at all interested in Lord of the Rings or any other fantasy novel, this series is a must.
Unfortunately I hated his newest, The Devils. So much corny Marvel-ass humor.
I haven't read his new trilogy, but what you said makes sense. James Cameron is going to allegedly direct movies based on The Devils so it's probably very Hollywood friendly. You have to be realistic about things...
To try and make better suggestions, could you share what genre of fiction do you tend to like?
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“Immortal Life: A Soon To Be True Story” by Stanley Bing. It’s a sci-fi story written in 2017 by a CBS executive and narrated by him in the audiobook. He passed away in 2020, but I’d say he’s created a world in his story that could be the future 50 - 100 years from now.
A 130 year old trillionaire printing his strap on synthetic penis using a 3D printer before sex. He creates one more product that would even make his biggest business rivals a devoted customer and willing acquisition roll up, and that is eternal life via mind upload into a humanoid. Shed the biological body you were born with, and copy over your thoughts into a medium that will never die.
A book reader in 2026 would appreciate this book more than when it first came out in 2017. We’ve seen more of a glimpse of the future recently, which is why this book is a hidden gem.
I listened to the audiobook via the San Francisco library, so your local library might have it. Just giving appreciation to an author who is no longer with us, and might help you think of a long term trends to get interested in.
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Wager by David Grann. Read last year, one of the best books I've read. It's nonfiction, but written in an engaging way like a fiction novel. Not a nerdy nonfiction for learning, just a truly crazy story. Think Ernest Shackleton meets Lord of the Flies. Literally cannot recommend it highly enough, a couple folks around the office have spoken highly of it independently as well.
I really like Tom Wolfe. Bonfire of the Vanities and A Man in Full are his best work.
You and every other real estate guy.
I gotta larp somehow man
zen and art of motorcycle maintenance
il deserto dei tartari
il nome della rosa
odyssey & Iliad
death of Ivan ilyich
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
My personal favourite
Read the first three books in three weeks, been struggling to get through Iron Gold. About a third of the way through and I'm having trouble caring about the other viewpoints besides Darrow. Hoping it picks up soon.
Iron Gold is the biggest slog, but it's absolutely worth pushing through. I hated multiple viewpoints at first but the buildup is completely worth it.
Men should read a Court of Thrones and Roses series and learn to act like the male characters if they want to get some. Ask your girlfriend about it. That or Fourth Wing.
Assortment of standouts for me, some repeats from others in the thread. Good luck finding something that keeps you enthralled until the last page!
Diary of wimpy kid works.
vince flynn
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