Weekly Media Roundup

[cittasette]

I'm still reading. This is good.

What I've recently finished reading:

The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway. The first half of the book was pretty slow, but I blitzed through the second half. There were many twists, most of which I didn't expect. It reminded me of the Southern Reach Trilogy, except more lighthearted. A good read despite the occasional encyclopedic rambling, and I liked how all the bits and bobs throughout the story came together neatly at the end.

What I'm currently reading:

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett. After The Gone-Away World I needed something a bit lighter, so here we are! This is my second attempt at Discworld. My first attempt was chronological; I read the first two books years ago (Colour of Magic, etc) and they were fun, but evidently not good enough to hold my interest. So far, Going Postal is equal amounts funny and clever, and I need me some more Vetinari.

China Wakes by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Still getting through this one. So far it's been describing to me in very detailed anecdotes how corrupted China was. Fun.

What I'm reading next:

I'm thinking I'd like something light so I can keep up with this reading habit. Currently loaded on my Kindle: A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab, Borne by Jeff VanderMeer, and Red Rising by Pierce Brown. Or I could read more Discworld. I welcome any and all recommendations!

What I've recently finished watching:

SSSS.Gridman. A 12-episode anime series that I'd never heard of until I saw a youtube video talking about the antagonist. I stopped about five minutes in to avoid being further spoiled and went and watched the series. I enjoyed it despite some pacing issues and the fact that I don't watch that whole genre (normal people gaining powers and fighting kaiju, yada yada), and I'm sure I missed a whole lot of references. The best parts were the slow unveiling of something wrong with the world and the chilling effect caused by the antagonist acting just like a normal girl in high school while doing antagonistic things.

What I'm currently watching:

Guardian (镇魂) - I snuck a look at the recent meta posts and was spoiled on the ending in a slightly more specific fashion, whoops. But I'm still slowly making my way through this. 12 episodes to go, hoo boy.

I don't know why it's so much easier to watch anime than actual dramas. Probably has to do with how the episodes are half as long. I really don't know how I managed to watch all of Stargate... nowadays, I can hardly get through a single episode of a thing without having to pause and do something else.

Comments

[tozka]

Yay, Going Postal! I really liked that book, and the TV miniseries version isn't too terrible, either.

The very early Discworld books are NOT as good as the later ones-- I can't even finish Colour of Magic, it's that bad. But some of the others are my very favorite books! If you like Vetinari, you might enjoy the City Watch subseries, starting with Guards! Guards! (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64216.Guards_Guards_). He plays a significant role in several of those books, though he's not the protagonist. That subseries really finds its feet around book three (Feet of Clay), but all of them are enjoyable. They also have mystery elements among the comedy, as well as significant character development for the protag AND a lot of Pratchett's heavier-hitting political-based sarcasm, which can be fun!

[songscloset]

Yeah, I came here to suggest all of the Watch books. Sam Vimes is one of my all-time favorite characters. It's so rare to see the type of character development Pterry did with him.

[cittasette]

Looks like I've got to read them, then!

[cittasette]

Huh, there's a TV miniseries? Interesting...

Thanks for the rec!

[yantantether]

From memory, all the Discworld books about the Guards have quite a lot of Vetinari in them. Men at Arms is great, and would be a good introduction to that set of characters (Guards Guards comes before it, but I don't think it's as good.)

[cittasette]

Good to know. I might start from the first one anyway, because chronological order. Hmmm.

[howsmyenglish]

I don't know the others, but as far as Pratchett is concerned, I'd say it's best to find your favorite series and go through them at first. Later, you'll just have to read everything else, because you'll miss them;)
My favorite series are the Death series, the Watch series and the Witches.
If you like Going Postal, you'll probably also like Making Money aaand... for Vetinari... there is this one, where he is a young assassin... but I don't remember, which book that's in... it might be in one of the Watch books... I'm sure it's easy to find out.

[troisoiseaux]

I think Night Watch has flashbacks to Vetinari's assassin-training youth? That's the only one I can think of.

[cittasette]

Oh yes, Death. I've been meaning to read Mort, too, and I've heard good things about Equal Rites.

[yuuago]

Glad to hear you're enjoying Going Postal. :D I haven't revisited that one in a while, maybe it's time. Vetinari is always great. <3

[cittasette]

He is an excellent tyrant :D

[troisoiseaux]

Going Postal is my favorite!!!!! The Color of Magic....... is not. Like doctorisdrat said, it takes Pratchett a few books to really find his feet and for Discworld to become the brilliant series it is. :)

[cittasette]

I'm glad I gave it another go. So many good lines...

[trobadora]

Oooh, Vetinari! He's my favourite Discworld character, and I very much recommend the Watch subseries that everyone else has already mentioned. I recommend starting with the first book, Guards! Guards!, which has some excellent Vetinari. (One of my favourite Vetinari scenes, in fact!)

[cittasette]

I love his aura. And style. Since everyone's recommending the Watch, I guess I'll be starting on that next :D