This week, I finished The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu. My son really wanted me to read it, but warned me that it was a little hard to understand, and difficult to keep the character’s names straight (since this is a translation from Chinese.)
Nonsense! The name thing was a little challenging, but I’m used to it (reading all those Japanese murder mysteries paid off!) And, yes, too bad I never followed through on my summer plan to learn all about quantum physics (remember that half-baked idea?) But you don’t need to be a genius to enjoy this book- it was fascinating. I’m looking forward to the next two books in the trilogy, which my son is bringing home at Thanksgiving.
There was also a postscript by the author that I enjoyed. He explains how he became interested in science, and then in writing science fiction. He says “I’ve always felt that the greatest and must beautiful stories in the history of humanity were not sung by wandering bards or written by playwrights or novelists, but told by science. The stories of science are far more magnificent, grand, involved, profound, thrilling, strange, terrifying, mysterious, and even emotional, compared to the stories told by literature.”
I never used to like science fiction, but now I enjoy it. Next up… a book that’s been languishing on my TBR for a long time:
A couple weeks ago Noemi mentioned how much she loves it (and the other books by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.) Whenever someone talks about LOVING a book, I’m extra-curious to read it, so I finally took the plunge. I’m not far into it, but I started liking it in the first chapter.
One more bookish thing. Last week Stephany wrote about things she’s recently purchased, and I was especially interested in the “Books are Magic” advent calendar. I looked at it on Amazon, put it in the cart but then decided to sleep on it. Do I really NEED an advent calendar? Maybe I shouldn’t spend the money…. while I was thinking about it, my husband made an Amazon purchase and bought the calendar since it was in our cart. Oops! (heh heh…)
On to all the amazing meals I’ve made! Er, well, there was one. On Sunday I made the Pumpkin Pasta Bake With Almond Ricotta from Nora Cooks. It was so good!
My daughter didn’t like it (SIGH) which meant more for my husband and me. We ate it Sunday with a salad, Monday with roasted broccoli, and Tuesday with roasted cauliflower. It made THREE DINNERS, woohoo!!!
What are you reading?
Are there any genres that you previously disliked but now like?
28 Responses
Haha, so nice of your husband to get you that present! Now I’m curious what you get every day. You will need to keep us posted!
Whenever I read a book with a lot of confusing names and characters, I would keep a list of the names on the inside cover. For a library book, I’d use a piece of paper that doubles as a bookmark.
This book actually has a list of characters at the beginning (a sure sign, to me, that it’s going to be confusing.) I did flip back and forth many times making sure I was keeping everyone straight.
i’ll definitely show you what I get in the advent calendar!
Yay to your hubby for accidentally buying the advent calendar! Of course you NEED it. Last year was the first time that I ever got one and the Hubs and I loved it. It was a puzzle and there were sections of 50 pieces each day.
I tried to continue my non-reading streak into a second week, but I ended up picking up one of the Dover books for a reread and I just heard about a book called I Hope This Find You Well which sounds like a lighter read about an email snafu, so I’ll start that soon.
Ha, WHY are you on a non-reading streak??? Why don’t you try Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy if you’re stuck?
I remember your puzzle advent calendar, and I actually did consider getting one this year. Maybe I still will!
Haha, I’ve gotten those accidental Amazon cart presents too. The calendar looks lovely and I hope you’ll enjoy every day of it!
Hearing how much you loved _Three-Body Problem_ I’m going to put it on my reading list for Winter break.
What does Angie eat when she doesn’t want what you’ve made? (I’d have loved your pumpkin bake btw)
Great question. Sometimes I’ll get her a sushi roll (Sprouts has $5 sushi on Wednesdays), or she’ll eat something really plain like baked tofu and roasted vegetables. Her loss!
I think you’ll like it!
Reading the story of Edgar Sawtelle.
Used to like dystopia and vampires. Over them.
Those are two subjects I’m NOT interested in! Dystopia makes me anxious, and vampires just seem silly to me. But… never say never. I’m sure there are some really good vampire books out there, just waiting for me to try.
Advent calendars!!! I need to be on the lookout. I’ll admit anything non-chocolate doesn’t really appeal to me, but this year I am buying myself a nice chocolate one. I did it two years ago and it was such a delight. Why withhold that from myself. Life is too short to not enjoy a little bit of delicious chocolate every morning in December, right? I am always a bit shocked by how much Advent calendars cost, though. And the cheap, plasticky chocolate ones from my childhood aren’t really appealing so I do want something like Lindnt. One year I went to Walmart on Dec 2nd and got them for a greatly reduced price, but lately they seem to pull them from the shelves without reducing them…How far will my frugality go this year? That’s anyone’s guess.
All that to say – I am SO glad you have the advent calendar and didn’t have to overthink it. Clearly it was meant to be. I think I recall you usually buy an advent calendar with cat treats as well which is utterly charming <3
Yes, I’ll be getting the car advent calendar as well this year! Some of the advent calendars I looked at were REALLY expensive. This one was reasonable. I think you should definitely get yourself a chocolate one, and if you need to splurge, so be it. It’s Christmas!
Advent calendars are so fun, I’m glad you ended up getting yours and can’t wait to see what you open up every day! That reminds me that I need to start stalking Trader Joe’s for their dog treat Advent calendar because it sells out fast, and I want to get one for my dog!
The pumpkin pasta bake looks so good, and nice that it made three meals.
Yes- I need to get the cat one from Trader Joes. For the last few years I’ve managed to hit it at the right time, but you’re right- they do sell out fast. My cats will be so disappointed if I miss it this year : )
That sounds like a great book for my son, and the book advent calendar sounds like a great thing for me! I’ve been trying to read more, especially since spending so much time recently renovating. We’re on the last thing on our to-do list, and we have professional refinishers for it, so now we just wait for them to finish to put the house back together! And as soon as I have more time, I’ll be sitting down to read more. Thanks for the ideas!
Not sure how old your son is- mine is 21. But it would appeal to teenagers as well, I think.
I feel like the universe wanted you to have the advent calendar and I love that it worked out that way! I am just starting Richard Osman’s new book – I wasn’t as into The Thursday Murder Club series as everyone else seemed to be, so I am hoping I like this more.
I haven’t read any of those- I trust your opinion so I’ll see what you have to say about this one.
I love that your husband accidentally bought the advent calendar for you! I can’t wait to see what’s in it!! I haven’t ever bought an advent calendar for myself but I did buy a Lego one for the boys last year. I am not sure if I will buy another one this year. I should probably make up my mind soon!!
I am reading ‘dead romantics’ which I think is a romance or contemporary fiction. It has a ghost in it which is a plot I don’t love but I decided to stick with it. I used to not like romance but now it is a genre I enjoy!
Romance is still a genre I don’t like, although maybe I haven’t given it enough of a chance? And, I’ll definitely be sharing the advent calendar surprises!
OOOOH Shadow of the Wind!!! I read this for a book club. It is not the type of book I usually pick up but I’m glad the book club picked it bc I really ended up enjoying it! It was MEMORABLE and unique!
I swear I left a response to this yesterday, but it’s not there, so I suspect I did not. My brain is not functioning. I’m pretty sure I just *thought* a response. So that’s helpful.
I am reading The Color Purple and listening to a super terrifying book about nuclear war. So, basically, my reading is NOT uplifting right now. I need some lighthearted book to show up on my doorstep.
Excellent work by your husband on the advent calendar! I’ve only ever had the traditional ones where you open a door and there’s a picture inside. I think I’m too mean (careful) to spend out on lots of little things: there’s an inks one I like the look of but most of the inks are so small and there is a limit to how much flourescent writing I want to do, which is at least one of them!
My Husband and Ishould just get separate Amazon accounts because I like to put things in the cart and not but them, but he’ll then go to buy one thing and buy the whole cart.
I had a pumpkin pasta bake last week too.
I’m currently reading a couple books- This is so awkward: Modern Puberty explained, The Unlikely Thru Hiker, and Daughter of the Merciful Deep. This last is kind of historical fantasy- a genre that hadn’t even occurred to me to be a thing. But I liked the author’s last book ;The Monsters We Defy) sonI thought I’d try this one.
My Husband and Ishould just get separate Amazon accounts because I like to put things in the cart and not but them, but he’ll then go to buy one thing and buy the whole cart.
I had a pumpkin pasta bake last week too.
I’m currently reading a couple books- This is so awkward: Modern Puberty explained, The Unlikely Thru Hiker, and Daughter of the Merciful Deep. This last is kind of historical fantasy- a genre that hadn’t even occurred to me to be a thing. But I liked the author’s last book ;The Monsters We Defy) sonI thought I’d try this one.
The Three Body Problem is such a fascinating read! I love how you tackled the challenge of the names and embraced the complexity of the story. My husband, who works in auto repair, and I are always looking for engaging books to unwind with, and this one sounds right up our alley—especially with the sci-fi and quantum physics elements. Thanks for sharing your thoughts; now I’m tempted to dive into the trilogy myself!
Love the suggestion! Thanks for sharing!
I did not read the 3 body problem but we did watch the series recently and surprisingly loved it! Looking forward to season 2