Just a few pages remaining now, would've finished it, but kid got a book from his school library, and wanted me to read it too, so reading Gangsta Granny by David Williams.

What about all of you? What have you been reading or listening to lately?

There's a Midyear Bingo check-in post, do take a look. Even if you haven't started this year's Book Bingo, you can still join, as there are ~~still 6 months remaining~~ only ~~5~~ ~~4~~ 3 months to go!

For details, you can checkout the initial Book Bingo, and it's Recommendation Post . Links are also present in our community sidebar.

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[–] sharkfinsoup@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Honestly I agree with a lot of your criticisms. The first book is mostly just setting up the story for the next two. I always forget the first book is mostly a murder mystery because the other two books lean in such a different direction.

The main character doesn't really do anything for the story. It feels like the plot happens around the main character and nothing would've changed without them. Fortunately every book has a new main character and the one from the first book is never mentioned again. Personally I think the characters are much better written as the series goes on.

I am big fan of the series so I'm pretty biased when I recommend to try the second book, but if you have to force yourself to read a book then it's probably just not for you.

[–] Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I'm literally still reading the first book, and I also also forgot it was a murder mystery, because the book forgot too. Like, the entire premise of the plot just withers on the vine. I know that at this point I have the answer, but characters don't even really react to this in any way. Like, you'd think the whole "scientists committing suicide" thing could have been used as a ticking clock to give more urgency to the plot, but it really just gets forgotten about by everyone involved.

[–] sharkfinsoup@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Right, like the main character, who is a scientist, is just playing a videogame most of the time. And he literally sees a countdown timer that no one else sees but the urgency to save himself just doesn't exist for some reason.

[–] Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago

Also his family are just sort of... There? Like, his interactions with his wife are some of the most pathetic shit I've ever read. She pops into existence for one scene and then just ceases to matter after that.