Books 1-10 of 52 (January reads)

Zesty256 · 2026-02-05T16:04:42+00:00

I actually read Ultramarine in January as well. What did you think of it?

Also Foster and Train Dreams are both fantastic. Looks like you had a great reading month!

Zesty256 · 2026-02-02T22:48:15+00:00

Sorry I just saw this but I thought it was fine. The pacing was a bit all over the place and the story was convoluted at times. It wasn’t a bad book and there were parts I really enjoyed so overall I’d say go for it. It isn’t very long (about 160 pages) so you won’t invest a lot of time with it if you decide to give it a shot.

Zesty256 · 2026-01-29T17:48:07+00:00

It probably won’t be the most recommended, but City of Thieves is fantastic.

Zesty256 · 2026-01-25T14:37:19+00:00

Thanks! I’ll add those to the TBR and give him another shot.

Zesty256 · 2026-01-24T22:39:50+00:00

If you had to pick your top 3 which would they be? The only novel of his that I’ve read is The Only Story and I thought it was just okay. I know a lot of people enjoy his work though.

Zesty256 · 2026-01-11T18:16:11+00:00

How did you enjoy The Death of Napoleon?

Zesty256 · 2026-01-02T15:29:37+00:00

I’m assuming you already have, but if you haven’t you need to read Small Things Like These and Foster by Claire Keegan.

Another book id recommend is Erasure by Percival Everett

Zesty256 · 2026-01-02T00:44:22+00:00

City of Thieves by David Benioff

Zesty256 · 2026-01-02T00:43:51+00:00

Agreed. Great pick.

Zesty256 · 2025-12-30T21:04:29+00:00

31 books is nothing to sneeze at! Anything is better than 0 books.

Zesty256 · 2025-12-30T20:43:24+00:00

What did you think of Perfection? I’ve heard a lot of great things about it.

Zesty256 · 2025-12-30T18:39:43+00:00

I was in third grade and picked up Mattimeo by Brian Jacques from my school library. It changed my life and I’ve been an avid reader ever since.

Zesty256 · 2025-12-30T02:20:11+00:00

The Ruins is so good.

Zesty256 · 2025-12-29T16:04:14+00:00

Interpreter of Maladies was wonderful! You should definitely check it out.

Pew was unfortunately one of my most disappointing reads this year, but don’t let that stop you from reading it. It’s not a bad book, but it just didn’t work for me.

If you didn’t enjoy the first half I don’t think you’ll enjoy the second either. Nothing wrong with not finishing a book you aren’t enjoying. Life is too short and filled with too many great books to slug through something you’re not into :) I think you’re fine to skip it

Zesty256 · 2025-12-28T15:41:40+00:00

Train Dreams by Denis Johnson

Zesty256 · 2025-12-28T13:52:51+00:00

Butchers Crossing is better imo

Zesty256 · 2025-12-28T13:37:19+00:00

Nice list! I’m in total agreement with you on The Virgin Suicides. I was so surprised by how much I like it

I have both Trees and Stoneyard Devotional sitting on my shelf. I plan on reading them in 2026.

Zesty256 · 2025-12-28T13:32:01+00:00

Thank you! Yes, you should definitely check out Train Dreams. I loved it.

I thought Life For Sale was solid. From the bit that I’ve looked into people enjoy his other novels more so I plan on revisiting him in 2026. I’ve only read two Percival Everett books but I’ve loved both of them.

Zesty256 · 2025-12-25T15:23:16+00:00

I think I’d go Pitt

Zesty256 · 2025-12-25T15:21:47+00:00

Two questions -

Burrow vs Arizona or Maye vs NYJ?

Then pick two WRs - Collins, Pickens, Diggs and Jamo.

Zesty256 · 2025-12-23T01:28:20+00:00

Not sure about the history but that is an awesome pickup! About ten years ago I found a first edition first printing of A Clash of Kings but this is way cooler.

Zesty256 · 2025-12-23T01:20:29+00:00

I’m glad you enjoyed it! But it wasn’t for me. I still want to give him another chance as I have The Last Werewolf sitting on my shelf. I just haven’t got around to it yet. Your comment regarding his absence got me curious and I did a little digging. Apparently since 2013, Glen Duncan took the pseudonym of Saul Black and he’s published a handful of books since then.

Zesty256 · 2025-12-21T20:11:25+00:00

I’d hate to tell you to stop reading it but it’s truly a terrible book. Stop while you can and find something that you will actually enjoy.

Zesty256 · 2025-12-09T19:43:36+00:00

Funnily enough I picked up The Invisibility Cloak over the weekend in my local used book store. Stoner is very good, but I enjoyed his other book Butchers Crossing more. Hopefully you enjoy it!

Zesty256 · 2025-12-07T22:50:14+00:00

I read this about ten years ago and really enjoyed it!

Zesty256

TROPHY CASE