I agree with the other comment. What type of books do you like?

I don’t get excited about most new books with the exception of a few of my favorite authors and a few occasional novels that turn out to be good. Otherwise, I spend most of my time reading older books.

Do you like literary fiction? Science fiction? Mysteries? Fantasy? Romance? Bios? History? Etc?

It's a rare classic the at absolutely lives up to the hype. A moving page turner that turns a mirror to the reader, forcing them to face their own internal struggles and contradictions.

Thank you. What do you recommend? Maybe I’m looking at the wrong stuff.

I can’t follow the plot line if I am reading anything or otherwise trying to concentrate. But I recently found audio books and I am enthralled. I am on my 5th book in a week-so 50+ hours. I actually structure my day so I can listen and “get things done”. I have completely cleaned out my storage room including sorting the coffee cans of fasteners into one for wood screws and a second for metal screws,nails…. I have an hour drive to work 3 days a week. I also had to drive 7 hours this weekend. I have a different problem. With the books in my ears I get so enmeshed in them that there is a transition period back to the real world which can be jarring at times depending on what is happening in the book.

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I can’t do it. My mind goes for a walk and it’s also why I hate talking on the phone…. I get distracted and then I’m not paying attention and before you know it I just agreed to help someone move into a 5 floor walk up exchange for food.

I don't even know the name of this book, but when I was 10 or so I read a book in some kind of dystopian future where all babies are basically genetically tailored to fit their parent's wishes. I think there was some other stuff, maybe the MC met a girl who was born the old fashioned way? But I don't really remember that, just how disturbing this novel made the idea of everyone being some idealized mold created by their parents.

His conversation with the cabbie is hilarious.

Try stuff that isn’t bestsellers. There are plenty of great books available if you search even a tiny bit. I’ve read some amazing books in the past 5 years.

LOL, just posted this comment above: I listened to Stephen Hawking's "A brief history of time" when I was commuting to graduate school. I enjoyed it, but didn't retain much (ok, anything) and almost drove off the road a few times, trying to grasp what he was saying.

I listened to Stephen Hawking's "A brief history of time" when I was commuting to graduate school. I enjoyed it, but didn't retain much (ok, anything) and almost drove off the road a few times, trying to grasp what he was saying.

Well it could be both! But that’s interesting, I have heard of this book but haven’t read it yet bc I wasn’t sure what the tone/writing style would be like.

John Lennon was a real phony

I can't listen to audiobooks either and gave up on them.

Also solid. The hybrid of swords, guns, genosplicing, psykers is really apt.

Quality definitely varies by author, and outside the 60 Hours Heresy series there are some great other series like Eisenhorn and Gaunts Ghosts. And even humor like Caiphas Cain series.

On the use of old historical texts (esp Catholic) one my favorites is the Sabbatine Martyr connection from Gaunts Ghosts. Sabbatine in 40k is a Joan of Arc type character that dies a martyr (not a spoiler, ancient backstory in the books). A system is named after her, which sets up the title of one of the books “Sabbat Martyr” a play on the prayer/hymn “Stabat Mater”or “Sorrowing Mother”

I interpreted the novel to be in the modernist vein because I found it while searching these authors. But it appears that I am incorrect and it is a feminist novel.

I know that I can't always stay tuned into a podcast, so I have never tried an audiobook. I prefer to read the book. With the book in my hands. Paper. Not ebook.

'Dune but Bolt Thrower' makes more sense

I can listen to nonfiction audiobooks. There’s too much dialogue in fiction and it drives me crazy to hear the same person read all the dialogue for all the characters.

Gaunt's Ghosts, Caiphas Caine, Eisenhorn, and Ravenor are all non-Astartes series that are absolutely worth the time investment to read if you like the Horus Heresy stuff

Huh why are Lolita, Kafka, and Beckett “the greats”? That’s such a specific list - is there some particular reason you’re comparing those to this book?

I create a unique bookmark on an index card for each book. I include the date read, title, author and a draw a picture. I have stacks of them.