Bryan's Big Books 2016.

My 3rd year of Big Book Challenge, managed 23 in 2014 and 17 last year. Enjoyed the comraderie and encouragement of this group, and have plenty more big books to tackle, including Seveneves, A Little Life, and about to start The Grace of Kings by Ken Lui.
Read on !

Nice to see you again! Happy reading!

Hi Bryan, nice to see you here again mate.

Hi and thanks MissWatson and John, 1st big book done !

Congrats!

1. The Grace of Kings, by Ken Liu ; 623 pages.

Big epic fantasy novel that borrows from ancient Chinese stories to great effect.

A vast story of rebellion and ambition that I enjoyed, the first of the 'Dandelion Dynasty' trilogy and I'll be eagerly awaiting the next novel.

2. Altruism, by Matthieu Ricard ; 700 pages.

700 pages so a detailed account of how an altruistic approach is needed if we are going to be happier, and global altruism is required if the world's people and other beings are going to avoid future upheavals.

Lots of research backed by Matthieu's expertise as a Buddhist monk and longtime practitioner of altruism and compassion make this an informative and interesting read.

Started A Brief History of Seven Killings at 688 pages, not enjoying it so slow going.

Still slow going, barely half way, unpleasant and difficult to read, will plod along.

Hate those plodders! That's how I felt about The Far Pavillions.

3. A Brief History of Seven Killings, by Marlon James ; 688 pages.

Won the last Booker Prize but I don't know how, found this to be difficult to read and follow, also nasty, violent story, didn't enjoy.

How brave of you to persevere with it!

Usually I'll finish a book I start, sometimes they improve, I remember years ago putting down The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo after 80 pages, but someone assuring me it picks up, and it did ) but not this one IMO, cheers !

Got a reread of The Passage coming up, the final book in the series The City of Mirrors is published in a few months and want to relive the great story !

Happy reading!

Thanks MissWatson. Well into the reread of The Passage, had forgotten what a great read it is !

4. The Passage, by Justin Cronin ; 766 pages.

Enthusiastic review tomorrow !

Alas the sequel to The Passage has only 568 pages unless I read the Large Print edition.....

>18 bryanoz: Then go for the Large Print edition! C'mon, treat yourself. ;-> I've claimed the Mary Poppins: 80th Anniversary Collection based on its page length, but it's a children's anthology after all.

Better not CurrerBell, at least the upcoming The City of Mirrors is over 600 !

So bought The City of Mirrors, flicked to the back to check the number of pages, had a slight scare but 602 pages will do !
Also while browsing came across The Wheel of Osheim, third in Mark Lawrence's The Red Queen's War series which I didn't know was published yet, and 640 pages !

Thank you for your kind words over on my book challenge thread, Bryan. Now I just need to pick up another BFB!

5. The City of Mirrors, by Justin Cronin ; 601 pages.

The finale to the Passage trilogy and I enjoyed the read though the story took a few turns I wasn't expecting, like spending a significant chunk of the book with Zero, who rarely features in the first 2 books.
If you might be interested in a literate, apocalytic thriller try The Passage, and it is also over 600 pages...

6. The Wheel of Osheim, by Mark Lawrence; 640 pages.

Finale to the Red Queen's War trilogy and a 'coming of age' for Jalan who has been a totally selfish, lazy womaniser and drunk; but develops some virtues and courage along the way.
Great fun and highly recommended !

Am well into A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, a captivating but challenging read at 720 pages.

Haven't been here for a while, haven't read a bfb for a while either, Seveneves is coming up, I've saved it for the holidays when I can concentrate a little better.

7. A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara ; 720 pages.

A harrowing but rewarding novel of a man's life following years of childhood abuse, his struggles, and his relationships. Tough read but touching.

Finally began a big fat book, Stephenson's Seveneves at 867 pages, opening sentence "The moon blew up without warning and for no apparent reason." !!

8. Seveneves by Neal Stephenson. 867 pages.

Review to follow.

9. NOS-4R2 by Joe Hill ; 692 pages.

Read this a while ago and forgot to post it, will be my last BFB for this year, a slow year for big books...

My main goal each year is to read over 100 books and will finish on about 112, so all good.

Have several big books lined up for 2017 and plan to read at least 12 big ones !

have a safe and joyful Christmas everyone..

Good on you to surpass your goal!

Thanks MissWatson, it's my 7th year of reading 100 books or more so it is my serious hobby, much better than watching tv !

Hi Bryan, 112 books a top effort mate, I will end up with 108 I think which is the first time I have reached my century. Hope you have a great Christmas and New Year mate and see you back on here next year.

Good job Bryan and John. I read 100 exactly, my 2nd year. I probably could get in another 1-2 before the year is up, but any new reading I'm going to attribute to the New Year.