User Profile

Abstract Reader

abs@books.ihatebeinga.live

Joined 3 years, 6 months ago

This link opens in a pop-up window

Abstract Reader's books

Currently Reading

Stopped reading (View all 6)

Brendan P. Bellecourt: Absynthe (2022, Head of Zeus) 3 stars

Pretty average

3 stars

When I started reading this book, I really did not like it at first. Many aspects of the story and characters initially felt quite cliched and forced. As the book went on, I found myself enjoying the characters and central mystery more. Especially the latter turned out to be a bit more exciting than initially expected. Still, this book isn't anything out of the ordinary. There's probably something better out there for you to read instead of this.

Neal Stephenson: Reamde (2011, William Morrow) 4 stars

Reamde is a speculative fiction novel by Neal Stephenson, published in 2011. The story, set …

Fun albeit sometimes a bit obnoxious

4 stars

It's a fun adventure/thriller involving techbros, terrorists, mafia, three-letter-agencies and gun-nuts. It takes some pretty crazy twists and turns but eventually culminates in a really satisfying manner. It was kind of different from what I usually read/listen to but definitely worth it.

As pointed out in the title, the writing can sometimes be a little obnoxious. This is because the book was clearly written by a techbro-y kind of guy: Computer stuff, MMORPG culture, commercial and military organization principles and gun usage are all described and explained in minute detail. Some of this is quite interesting (I learned a bunch of stuff about firearm safety) but it can get somewhat draining at some points.

Another thing that I found somewhat off-putting is all of the cartoonish characters. Nearly everyone is an excentric genius, super hardcore operator or very principled anti-Trump conservative. With some fantastical stories, Dune prime among, this sort …

Piranesi (2020, Bloomsbury Publishing) 5 stars

From the New York Times bestselling author of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, an …

Most likely the best book I'll read this year

5 stars

As the title says, this will likely be the best book I'll read all year. It certainly was better than every book I read last year. I started the book yesterday evening and have basically spent my every waking moment since then reading it. I strongly recommend anyone who enjoys reading to pick this one up. It will be worth it.

I will not say anything on what it is actually about. The less you know, the more you will enjoy the book. Not really because of twists and turns but rather because you will see an astounding world laid out from the perspective of a very interesting main character.

The main thing this book reminded me of was the books I read in German class in my two last years at school. This is a very good thing (German was my favorite class). The book is fairly short and …