Books Read in 2024 on paapereira.xyz

The Gift by Freida McFadden (2022)

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:00:00 +0000

The Gift by Freida McFadden (2022)

Author: Freida McFadden
First Published: December 4, 2022
Score: 6/10

Goodreads

It’s Christmas Eve and Stella Hansen is broke.

She is so broke that despite working two jobs, she can’t even afford a present for her husband on their first Christmas as man and wife. But then a mysterious storekeeper at a pawn shop offers Stella an intriguing trade.

Stella wants more than anything to buy her husband the Christmas gift of his dreams. But will it come at a terrible price?

Mystery Walk by Robert R. McCammon (1983)

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Mystery Walk by Robert R. McCammon (1983)

Author: Robert R. McCammon
First Published: January 1, 1983
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Born and raised in rural Alabama, Billy Creekmore was destined to be a psychic. His mother, a Choctaw Indian schooled in her tribe’s ancient mysticism, understands the permeable barrier between life and death—and can cross it. She taught the power to Billy and now he helps the dead rest in peace. Wayne Falconer, son of one of the most fervent tent evangelists in the South, travels the country serving his father’s healing ministry. Using his unique powers to cure the flock, Little Wayne is on his way to becoming one of the popular and successful miracle workers in the country. He helps the living survive. Billy and Wayne share more than a gift. They share a dream—and a common enemy. They are on separate journeys, mystery walks that will lead them toward a crossroad where the evil of their dreams has taken shape. One of them will reject the dark. The other will be consumed by it. But neither imagined just how monstrous and far-reaching the dark was, or that mankind’s fate would rest in their hands during an epic showdown of good versus evil.

Way Station by Clifford D. Simak (1963)

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Way Station by Clifford D. Simak (1963)

Author: Clifford D. Simak
First Published: June 1, 1963
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

Enoch Wallace is an ageless hermit, striding across his untended farm as he has done for over a century, still carrying the gun with which he had served in the Civil War. But what his neighbors must never know is that, inside his unchanging house, he meets with a host of unimaginable friends from the farthest stars.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson (2016)

Sat, 07 Dec 2024 22:00:00 +0000

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson (2016)

Author: Mark Manson
First Published: January 1, 2016
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

In this generation-defining self-help guide, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be “positive” all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.

For decades, we’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. “Fk positivity,” Mark Manson says. “Let’s be honest, shit is fked and we have to live with it.” In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn’t sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is—a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*k is his antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mindset that has infected American society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up.

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi by James Kahn (1983)

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 21:00:00 +0000

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi by James Kahn (1983)

Author: James Kahn
First Published: June 6, 1983
Series: Star Wars Universe
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

It was a dark time for the rebel alliance…Han Solo, frozen in carbonite, had been delivered into the hands of the vile gangster Jabba the Hutt. Determined to rescue him, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Lando Calrissian launched a hazardous mission against Jabba’s Tatooine stronghold.The Rebel commanders gathered all the warships of the Rebel fleet into a single giant armada. And Darth Vader and the Emperor, who had ordered construction to begin on a new and even more powerful Death Star, were making plans to crush the Rebel Alliance once and for all.

Small Favor (The Dresden Files #10) by Jim Butcher (2008)

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Small Favor (The Dresden Files #10) by Jim Butcher (2008)

Author: Jim Butcher
First Published: April 1, 2008
Series: The Dresden Files Book 10
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Harry’s life finally seems to be calming down. The White Council’s war with the vampiric Red Court is easing up, no one’s tried to kill him lately, and his eager apprentice is starting to learn real magic. For once, the future looks fairly bright. But the past casts one hell of a long shadow.

Not Till We Are Lost (Bobiverse #5) by Dennis E. Taylor (2024)

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Not Till We Are Lost (Bobiverse #5) by Dennis E. Taylor (2024)

Author: Dennis E. Taylor
First Published: September 5, 2024
Series: Bobiverse Book 5
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

The Bobiverse is a different place in the aftermath of the Starfleet War, and the days of the Bobs gathering in one big happy moot are far behind. There’s anti-Bob sentiment on multiple planets, the Skippies playing with an AI time bomb, and multiple Bobs just wanting to get away from it all.

Hawksbill Station by Robert Silverberg (1967)

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Hawksbill Station by Robert Silverberg (1967)

Author: Robert Silverberg
First Published: January 1, 1967
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

In the barren landscape of the late Cambrian period, a penal colony sits high above the ocean on the east coast of what would become the United States. The men—political prisoners—have been sent from the twenty-first century on a one-way ticket to a lifetime of exile. Their lonely existence has taken its toll . . .

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2) by J.K. Rowling (1998)

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2) by J.K. Rowling (1998)

Author: J.K. Rowling
First Published: July 2, 1998
Series: Harry Potter Book 2
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

Harry Potter’s summer has included the worst birthday ever, doomy warnings from a house-elf called Dobby, and rescue from the Dursleys by his friend Ron Weasley in a magical flying car! Back at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his second year, Harry hears strange whispers echo through empty corridors - and then the attacks start. Students are found as though turned to stone … Dobby’s sinister predictions seem to be coming true.

The Spoils of War (The Damned #3) by Alan Dean Foster (1993)

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 21:00:00 +0000

The Spoils of War (The Damned #3) by Alan Dean Foster (1993)

Author: Alan Dean Foster
First Published: March 16, 1993
Series: The Damned Book 3
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

The Weave was on the verge of winning a decisive victory after a milennia of war, thanks to their new allies from earth. But then the birdlike Wais scholar Lalelang found evidence that Humans might not adapt well to peace. Researching further, she uncovered a secret group of telepathic Humans called the Core, who were on the verge of starting another war, and then eliminating Lalelang. At the last moment, she was saved by a lone Core commander. He took a chance on her intelligence and compassion, and gambled the fate of Humanity on the possibility that together, they could find an alternative to a galaxy-wide bloodbath….

The Surprise Party (Fear Street #2) by R.L. Stine (1989)

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 08:00:00 +0000

The Surprise Party (Fear Street #2) by R.L. Stine (1989)

Author: R.L. Stine
First Published: August 1, 1989
Series: Fear Street Book 2
Score: 6/10

Goodreads

When an old friend returns to town, Meg plans a party to bring the old gang back together, but someone—or something—will do anything to keep it from happening in this chilling tale from Goosebumps author R.L. Stine.

A year ago, Meg Dalton’s group of friends fractured. Evan died in the Fear Street woods. Ellen moved away. The ones that stayed behind changed. And Meg felt as if she’d lost her best friends. Lately, even her boyfriend Tony has been acting moody and strange. But things may finally be looking up. Ellen is coming to visit! And what better way to bring old friends together than with a surprise party for her arrival?

I Found Puppets Living In My Apartment Walls (I Found Horror Series) by Ben Farthing (2023)

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 22:00:00 +0000

I Found Puppets Living In My Apartment Walls (I Found Horror Series) by Ben Farthing (2023)

Author: Ben Farthing
First Published: August 1, 2023
Series: I Found Horror
Score: 6/10

Goodreads

Johnny awakes. A puppet looms over his bed.

He recognizes the furry Grandpa was its puppeteer on the children’s television show R-City Street. But Grandpa went missing a year ago. He disappeared from this very apartment building, which was converted from the old R-City Street studio.

Horns by Joe Hill (2009)

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 16:00:00 +0100

Horns by Joe Hill (2009)

Author: Joe Hill
First Published: March 1, 2009
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

Joe Hill’s critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling, Bram Stoker Award-winning debut chiller, Heart-Shaped Box, heralded the arrival of new royalty onto the dark fantasy scene. With Horns, he polishes his well-deserved crown. A twisted, terrifying new novel of psychological and supernatural suspense, Horns is a devilishly original triumph for the Ray Bradbury Fellowship recipient whose story collection, 20th Century Ghosts, was also honored with a Bram Stoker Award—and whose emotionally powerful and macabre work has been praised by the New York Times as, “wild, mesmerizing, perversely witty…a Valentine from hell.”

The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb (Goosebumps #5) by R.L. Stine (1993)

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 21:00:00 +0100

The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb (Goosebumps #5) by R.L. Stine (1993)

Author: R.L. Stine
First Published: January 1, 1993
Series: Goosebumps Book 5
Score: 6/10

Goodreads

Gabe just got lost–in a pyramid. One minute, his crazy cousin Sari was right ahead of him in the pyramid tunnel. The next minute, she’d disappeared.But Gabe isn’t alone. Someone else is in the pyramid, too. Someone. Or some thing.Gabe doesn’t believe in the curse of the mummy’s tomb. But that doesn’t mean the curse isn’t real. Does it?Now with all-new bonus materials including a Q&A with the author and more!

My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix (2016)

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 21:00:00 +0100

My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix (2016)

Author: Grady Hendrix
First Published: May 17, 2016
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fifth grade, when they bonded over a shared love of E.T., roller-skating parties, and scratch-and-sniff stickers. But when they arrive at high school, things change. Gretchen begins to act….different. And as the strange coincidences and bizarre behavior start to pile up, Abby realizes there’s only one possible explanation: Gretchen, her favorite person in the world, has a demon living inside her. And Abby is not about to let anyone or anything come between her and her best friend. With help from some unlikely allies, Abby embarks on a quest to save Gretchen. But is their friendship powerful enough to beat the devil?

Desperation by Stephen King (1996)

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 17:00:00 +0100

Desperation by Stephen King (1996)

Author: Stephen King
First Published: January 1, 1996
Series: Stephen King Novels
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Something is terribly wrong in Desperation, Nevada – a small mining town just off Route 50 with a played out open pit copper mine. The streets are wind swept and deserted; animals have the run of the town and something horrific is brewing in the now abandoned mine pit. You won’t have a good day in Desperation.

The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden (2018)

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 21:00:00 +0100

The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden (2018)

Author: Freida McFadden
First Published: October 10, 2018
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

Abby wants a baby more than anything.

But after years of failed infertility treatments and adoptions that have fallen through, it seems like motherhood is not in her future. That is, until her personal assistant Monica makes a generous offer that will make all of Abby’s dreams come true.

Or all of her nightmares.

The New Girl (Fear Street #1) by R.L. Stine (1989)

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 21:00:00 +0100

The New Girl (Fear Street #1) by R.L. Stine (1989)

Author: R.L. Stine
First Published: June 1, 1989
Series: Fear Street Book 1
Score: 6/10

Goodreads

The new girl is as pale as a ghost, blond, and eerily beautiful – and she seems to need him as much as he wants her. Cory Brooks hungers for Anna Corwin’s kisses, drowns in her light blue eyes. He can’t get her out of his mind. He has been loosing sleep, ditching his friends…and everyone has noticed. Then as suddenly as she came to Shadyside High, Anna disappears. To find a cure for his obsession, Cory must go to Anna’s house on Fear Street – no matter what the consequences. Anna may be the love of his life…but finding out her secret might mean his death.

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson (2023)

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 20:00:00 +0100

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson (2023)

Author: Brandon Sanderson
First Published: January 10, 2023
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, with the simple pleasures of collecting cups brought by sailors from faraway lands and listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when his father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress must stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death?

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (1992)

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:00:00 +0100

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (1992)

Author: Neal Stephenson
First Published: June 1, 1992
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

In reality, Hiro Protagonist delivers pizza for Uncle Enzo’s CosoNostra Pizza Inc., but in the Metaverse he’s a warrior prince. Plunging headlong into the enigma of a new computer virus that’s striking down hackers everywhere, he races along the neon-lit streets on a search-and-destroy mission for the shadowy virtual villain threatening to bring about infocalypse. Snow Crash is a mind-altering romp through a future America so bizarre, so outrageous… you’ll recognize it immediately.

The Expert System's Brother (Expert System #1) by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2018)

Sat, 31 Aug 2024 22:00:00 +0100

The Expert System’s Brother (Expert System #1) by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2018)

Author: Adrian Tchaikovsky
First Published: July 17, 2018
Series: Expert System Book 1
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

After an unfortunate accident, Handry is forced to wander a world he doesn’t understand, searching for meaning. He soon discovers that the life he thought he knew is far stranger than he could even possibly imagine.

Can an unlikely saviour provide the answers to the questions he barely comprehends?

Rocannon's World (Hainish Cycle #1) by Ursula K. Le Guin (1966)

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 20:00:00 +0100

Rocannon’s World (Hainish Cycle #1) by Ursula K. Le Guin (1966)

Author: Ursula K. Le Guin
First Published: January 1, 1966
Series: Hainish Cycle Book 1
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

A world shared by three native humanoid races - the cavern-dwelling Gdemiar, elvish Fiia, and warrior clan, Liuar - is suddenly invaded and conquered by a fleet of ships from the stars. Earth scientist Rocannon is on that world, and he sees his friends murdered and his spaceship destroyed. Marooned among alien peoples, he leads the battle to free this new world - and finds that legends grow around him even as he fights.

Throne World (Undying Mercenaries #21) by B.V. Larson (2024)

Sun, 25 Aug 2024 12:30:00 +0100

Throne World (Undying Mercenaries #21) by B.V. Larson (2024)

Author: B.V. Larson
First Published: April 27, 2024
Series: Undying Mercenaries Book 21
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

The Galaxy is ruled by a single Empire—but the Imperial Throne is empty. The machine races demand a turn at the job, but the organics refuse to allow it. For more than a century, the Galactics have battled for supreme power. War and instability reign in place of peace, with every species spread over a hundred billion stars suffering as the Empire decays.

The Godfather (The Godfather #1) by Mario Puzo (1969)

Sat, 24 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0100

The Godfather (The Godfather #1) by Mario Puzo (1969)

Author: Mario Puzo
First Published: March 10, 1969
Series: The Godfather Book 1
Score: 10/10

Goodreads

With its brilliant and brutal portrayal of the Corleone family, The Godfather burned its way into our national consciousness. This unforgettable saga of crime and corruption, passion and loyalty continues to stand the test of time, as the definitive novel of the Mafia underworld.

A #1 New York Times bestseller in 1969, Mario Puzo’s epic was turned into the incomparable film of the same name, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. It is the original classic that has been often imitated, but never matched. A tale of family and society, law and order, obedience and rebellion, it reveals the dark passions of human nature played out against a backdrop of the American dream.

Inhibitor Phase (Revelation Space #4) by Alastair Reynolds (2021)

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 15:30:00 +0100

Inhibitor Phase (Revelation Space #4) by Alastair Reynolds (2021)

Author: Alastair Reynolds
First Published: October 12, 2021
Series: Revelation Space Book 4
Revelation Space Universe
Score: 10/10

Goodreads

For thirty years a tiny band of humans has been sheltering in the caverns of an airless, crater-pocked world called Michaelmas. Beyond their solar system lie the ruins of human interstellar civilization, stalked by a ruthless, infinitely patient cybernetic entity determined to root out the last few bands of survivors. One man has guided the people of Michaelmas through the hardest of times, and given them hope against the Miguel de Ruyter.When a lone human ship blunders into their system, and threatens to lead the wolves to Michaelmas, de Ruyter embarks on a desperate, near-suicide mission to prevent catastrophe. But an encounter with a refugee from the ship—the enigmatic woman who calls herself only Glass—leads to de Ruyter’s world being turned upside down.

The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden (2019)

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 21:00:00 +0100

The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden (2019)

Author: Freida McFadden
First Published: October 18, 2019
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

“Mrs. Cass, we were hoping your son could answer a few questions about the girl who disappeared last night…”

Erika Cass has a perfect family and a perfect life. Until the evening when two detectives show up at her front door.

A high school girl has vanished from Erika’s quiet suburban neighborhood. The police suspect the worst–murder. And Erika’s teenage son, Liam, was the last person to see the girl alive.

Silo Stories by Hugh Howey

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 21:00:00 +0100

Silo Stories by Hugh Howey

Author: Hugh Howey
Series: Silo
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954)

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 21:00:00 +0100

Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954)

Author: William Golding
First Published: September 17, 1954
Score: 9/10

Goodreads

As provocative today as when it was first published in 1954, Lord of the Flies continues to ignite passionate debate with its startling, brutal portrait of human nature. William Golding’s compelling story about a group of very ordinary boys marooned on a coral island has been labeled a parable, an allegory, a myth, a morality tale, a parody, a political treatise, and even a vision of the apocalypse. But above all, it has earned its place as one of the indisputable classics of the twentieth century for readers of any age.

Dust (Silo #3) by Hugh Howey (2013)

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0100

Dust (Silo #3) by Hugh Howey (2013)

Author: Hugh Howey
First Published: August 17, 2013
Series: Silo Book 3
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

In a time when secrets and lies were the foundations of life, someone has discovered the truth. And they are going to tell.

Jules knows what her predecessors created. She knows they are the reason life has to be lived in this way.

And she won’t stand for it.

But Jules no longer has supporters. And there is far more to fear than the toxic world beyond her walls.

They Thirst by Robert R. McCammon (1981)

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 16:00:00 +0100

They Thirst by Robert R. McCammon (1981)

Author: Robert R. McCammon
First Published: January 1, 1981
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

The Kronsteen castle, a gothic monstrosity, looms over Los Angeles. Built during Hollywood’s golden age for a long-dead screen idol with a taste for the macabre, it stands as a decaying reminder of the past. Since the owner’s murder, no living thing has ever again taken up residence. But it isn’t abandoned. Prince Conrad Vulkan, Hungarian master of the vampires, as old as the centuries, calls it home. His plan is to replace all humankind with his kind. And he’s starting with the psychotic dregs of society in the City of Angels.

The Sandman: Act II by Neil Gaiman and Dirk Maggs (2021)

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0100

The Sandman: Act II by Neil Gaiman and Dirk Maggs (2021)

Author: Neil Gaiman and Dirk Maggs
First Published: September 22, 2021
Series: Sandman Audible Original Book 2
Score: 6/10

Goodreads

Enter the Dreaming once again as the blockbuster audio adaptation of “the greatest epic in the history of comic books” continues in The Sandman: Act II. James McAvoy returns to voice Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams, in this sequel to the #1 New York Times audio best-seller. Journey into a world of myths, imagination, and terror based on the best-selling DC comic books and graphic novels written by Neil Gaiman (returning as the Narrator), and lose yourself in another groundbreaking, immersive drama adapted and directed by the award-winning audio master Dirk Maggs.

Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton (2017)

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 21:00:00 +0100

Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton (2017)

Author: Michael Crichton
First Published: May 22, 2017
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

The year is 1876. Warring Indian tribes still populate America’s western territories even as lawless gold-rush towns begin to mark the landscape. In much of the country it is still illegal to espouse evolution. Against this backdrop two monomaniacal paleontologists pillage the Wild West, hunting for dinosaur fossils, while surveilling, deceiving and sabotaging each other in a rivalry that will come to be known as the Bone Wars.

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein (1961)

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 21:00:00 +0100

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein (1961)

Author: Robert A. Heinlein
First Published: July 1, 1961
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

Here at last is the complete, uncut version of Heinlein’s all-time masterpiece, the brilliant novel that grew from a cult favorite to a bestseller to a classic in a few short years. It is the story of Valentine Michael Smith, the man from Mars who taught humankind grokking and water-sharing. And love.

White Night (The Dresden Files #9) by Jim Butcher (2007)

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 16:00:00 +0100

White Night (The Dresden Files #9) by Jim Butcher (2007)

Author: Jim Butcher
First Published: April 3, 2007
Series: The Dresden Files Book 9
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Wizard Harry Dresden must investigate his own flesh and blood when a series of killings strike Chicago’s magic practitioners in this novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.Someone is targeting the members of the city’s supernatural underclass—those who don’t possess enough power to become full-fledged wizards. Some have vanished. Others appear to be victims of suicide. But now the culprit has left a calling card at one of the crime scenes—a message for Harry Dresden. Harry sets out to find the apparent serial killer, but his investigation turns up evidence pointing to the one suspect he cannot possibly believe his half-brother, Thomas. To clear his brother’s name, Harry rushes into a supernatural power struggle that renders him outnumbered, outclassed, and dangerously susceptible to temptation. And Harry knows that if he screws this one up, people will die—and one of them will be his brother…

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back by Donald F. Glut (1980)

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 21:00:00 +0100

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back by Donald F. Glut (1980)

Author: Donald F. Glut
First Published: May 1, 1980
Series: Star Wars Universe
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Although they had won a significant battle, the war between the Rebels and the Empire had really just begun. Soon, Luke, Han, the princess and their faithful companions were forced to flee, scattering in all directions…the Dark Lord’s minions in fevered pursuit…

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling (1997)

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 16:30:00 +0100

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling (1997)

Author: J.K. Rowling
First Published: June 26, 1997
Series: Harry Potter Book 1
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry’s eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

The False Mirror (The Damned #2) by Alan Dean Foster (1992)

Sun, 26 May 2024 21:00:00 +0100

The False Mirror (The Damned #2) by Alan Dean Foster (1992)

Author: Alan Dean Foster
First Published: January 1, 1992
Series: The Damned Book 2
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

As war rages on between the Amplitur and the union of races known as the Weave, Ranji–an Ashregan warrior trained from birth to battle humans–is captured, and he soon learns of the Amplitur’s vile genetic manipulations.

Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America by Jeff Ryan (2011)

Sun, 19 May 2024 15:30:00 +0100

Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America by Jeff Ryan (2011)

Author: Jeff Ryan
First Published: August 1, 2011
Score: 6/10

Goodreads

The story of Nintendo’s rise and the beloved icon who made it possible

Nintendo has continually set the standard for video game innovation in America, starting in 1981 with a plucky hero who jumped over barrels to save a girl from an ape.

The saga of Mario, the portly plumber who became the most successful franchise in the history of gaming, has plot twists worthy of a video game. Jeff Ryan shares the story of how this quintessentially Japanese company found success in the American market. Lawsuits, Hollywood, die-hard fans, and face-offs with Sony and Microsoft are all part of the drama. Find out about: Mario’s eccentric yet brilliant creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, who was tapped for the job because he was considered expendable; Minoru Arakawa, the son-in-law of Nintendo’s imperious president, who bumbled his way to success; and the unexpected approach that allowed Nintendo to reinvent itself as the gaming system for the nongamer, especially now with the Wii.

Nightflyers & Other Stories by George R.R. Martin (1985)

Sat, 18 May 2024 16:00:00 +0100

Nightflyers & Other Stories by George R.R. Martin (1985)

Author: George R.R. Martin
First Published: January 1, 1985
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

On a voyage toward the boundaries of the known universe, nine misfit academics seek out first contact with a shadowy alien race.

But another enigma is the Nightflyer itself, a cybernetic wonder with an elusive captain no one has ever seen in the flesh. Soon, however, the crew discovers that their greatest mystery – and most dangerous threat – is an unexpected force wielding a thirst for blood and terror….

Red Company: Contact (Red Company #3) by B.V. Larson (2023)

Sun, 12 May 2024 15:00:00 +0100

Red Company: Contact (Red Company #3) by B.V. Larson (2023)

Author: B.V. Larson
First Published: June 30, 2023
Series: Red Company Book 3
Score: 6/10

Goodreads

Everyone wants a piece of the newly discovered alien tech, and they’re willing to fight over it. As tensions rise between Earth’s various factions, and the mining vessel Borag is refitted for war. She becomes a key player in a brewing conflict that threatens to shatter the fragile balance of power in the Solar System.

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson (2009)

Sat, 11 May 2024 15:20:00 +0100

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson (2009)

Author: Brandon Sanderson
First Published: June 9, 2009
Score: 9/10

Goodreads

Warbreaker is the story of two sisters, who happen to be princesses, the God King one of them has to marry, the lesser god who doesn’t like his job, and the immortal who’s still trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago.

Their world is one in which those who die in glory return as gods to live confined to a pantheon in Hallandren’s capital city and where a power known as BioChromatic magic is based on an essence known as breath that can only be collected one unit at a time from individual people.

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy (2010)

Sun, 05 May 2024 15:00:00 +0100

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy (2010)

Author: Darren Hardy
First Published: January 1, 2010
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Darren Hardy, publisher and editorial director of Success magazine, presents The Compound Effect, a distillation of the fundamental principles that have guided the most phenomenal achievements in business, relationships, and beyond.

Minority Report and Other Stories by Philip K. Dick (2001)

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0100

Minority Report and Other Stories by Philip K. Dick (2001)

Author: Philip K. Dick
First Published: January 1, 2001
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

•The Minority Report: a special unit that employs those with the power of precognition to prevent crimes proves itself less than reliable… •We Can Remember It For You Wholesale: an everyguy’s yearning for more exciting “memories” places him in a danger he never could have imagined (basis of the feature film Total Recall)… •Paycheck: a mechanic who has no memory of the previous two years of his life finds that a bag of seemingly worthless and unrelated objects can actually unlock the secret of his recent past – and insure that he has a future… •Second Variety: the UN’s technological advances to win a global war veer out of control, threatening to destroy all of humankind (basis of the movie Screamers)… •The Eyes Have It: a whimsical, laugh-out-loud play on the words of the title.

Total Recall by Arnold Schwarzenegger (2012)

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0100

Total Recall by Arnold Schwarzenegger (2012)

Author: Arnold Schwarzenegger
First Published: January 1, 2012
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Born in the small city of Thal, Austria, in 1947, Arnold Schwarzenegger moved to Los Angeles at the age of twenty-one. Within ten years, he was a millionaire businessman. After twenty years, he was the world’s biggest movie star. In 2003, he was elected governor of California and a household name around the world.

Chronicling his embodiment of the American Dream, Total Recall covers Schwarzenegger’s high-stakes journey to the United States, from creating the international bodybuilding industry out of the sands of Venice Beach, to breathing life into cinema’s most iconic characters, and becoming one of the leading political figures of our time. Proud of his accomplishments and honest about his regrets, Schwarzenegger spares nothing in sharing his amazing story.

Shift (Silo #2) by Hugh Howey (2013)

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 21:00:00 +0100

Shift (Silo #2) by Hugh Howey (2013)

Author: Hugh Howey
First Published: January 28, 2013
Series: Silo Book 2
Score: 9/10

Goodreads

Hugh Howey goes back to show the first days of the Silo, and the beginning of the end In 2007, the Center for Automation in Nanobiotech (CAN) outlined the hardware and software platforms that would one day allow robots smaller than human cells to make medical diagnoses, conduct repairs, and even self-propagate. In the same year, the CBS network re-aired a program about the effects of propranolol on sufferers of extreme trauma. A simple pill, it had been discovered, could wipe out the memory of any traumatic event. At almost the same moment in humanity’s broad history, mankind discovered the means for bringing about its utter downfall. And the ability to forget it ever happened.

Made Things (Made Things #1) by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2019)

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0100

Made Things (Made Things #1) by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2019)

Author: Adrian Tchaikovsky
First Published: November 5, 2019
Series: Made Things Book 1
Score: 6/10

Goodreads

Making friends has never been so important. Welcome to Fountains Parish–a cesspit of trade and crime, where ambition curls up to die and desperation grows on its cobbled streets like mold on week-old bread. Coppelia is a street thief, a trickster, a low-level con artist. But she has something other thieves don’t… tiny puppet-like some made of wood, some of metal. They don’t entirely trust her, and she doesn’t entirely understand them, but their partnership mostly works. After a surprising discovery shakes their world to the core, Coppelia and her friends must re-examine everything they thought they knew about their world, while attempting to save their city from a seemingly impossible new threat.

Galactic North (Revelation Space Book 3.5) by Alastair Reynolds (2006)

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 07:00:00 +0100

Galactic North (Revelation Space Book 3.5) by Alastair Reynolds (2006)

Author: Alastair Reynolds
First Published: July 1, 2006
Series: Revelation Space Book 3.5
Revelation Space Universe
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

A collection of eight short stories and novellas in the dark and turbulent world of Alastair Reynolds’ Revelation Space universe.

Centuries from now, solidarity stretches thin as humanity spreads past the solar system and to the nearest stars. Technology has produced powerful new tools-but lethal risk will always accompany great advancement. And without foresight, opposing groups may fracture multiple worlds. Between the Demarchists and the Conjoiners, the basic right to expand human intelligence-beyond its natural limits-has become a war-worthy cause. Only vast lighthugger starships bind these squabbling colonies together, manned by the panicky and paranoid Ultras. And the hyperpigs just try to keep their heads down. The rich get richer. And everyone tries not to think about the worrying number of extinct alien civilizations turning up on the outer reaches of settled space…because who’s to say that humanity won’t be next?

Cycle of the Werewolf by Stephen King (1983)

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Cycle of the Werewolf by Stephen King (1983)

Author: Stephen King
First Published: November 1, 1983
Series: Stephen King Novels
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Terror began in January—by the light of the full moon…

The first scream came from the snowbound railwayman who felt the werewolf’s fangs ripping at his throat. The next month there was a scream of ecstatic agony from the woman attacked in her cozy bedroom. Now scenes of unbelievable horror unfold each time the full moon shines on the isolated Maine town of Tarker’s Mills. No one knows who will be attacked next. But one thing is sure. When the full moon rises, a paralyzing fear sweeps through Tarker’s Mills. For snarls that sound like human words can be heard whining through the wind. And all around are the footprints of a monster whose hunger cannot be sated…

Supernova Era by Liu Cixin (2003)

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Supernova Era by Liu Cixin (2003)

Author: Liu Cixin
First Published: January 1, 2003
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

In those days, Earth was a planet in space. In those days, Beijing was a city on Earth. On this night, history as known to humanity came to an end.

Eight light years away, a star has died, creating a supernova event that showers Earth in deadly levels of radiation. Within a year, everyone over the age of thirteen will die.

The Green Mile by Stephen King (1996)

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 18:00:00 +0000

The Green Mile by Stephen King (1996)

Author: Stephen King
First Published: January 1, 1996
Series: Stephen King Novels
Score: 10/10

Goodreads

Welcome to Cold Mountain Penitentiary, home to the Depression-worn men of E Block. Convicted killers all, each awaits his turn to walk the Green Mile, keeping a date with “Old Sparky,” Cold Mountain’s electric chair. Prison guard Paul Edgecombe has seen his share of oddities in his years working the Mile. But he’s never seen anyone like John Coffey, a man with the body of a giant and the mind of a child, condemned for a crime terrifying in its violence and shocking in its depravity. In this place of ultimate retribution, Edgecombe is about to discover the terrible, wondrous truth about Coffey, a truth that will challenge his most cherished beliefes… and yours.

Micro by Michael Crichton with Richard Preston (2011)

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Micro by Michael Crichton with Richard Preston (2011)

Author: Michael Crichton with Richard Preston
First Published: November 22, 2011
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

In the vein of Jurassic Park, this high-concept thriller follows a group of graduate students lured to Hawaii to work for a mysterious biotech company—only to find themselves cast out into the rain forest, with nothing but their scientific expertise and wits to protect them.

An instant classic, Micro pits nature against technology in vintage Michael Crichton fashion. Completed by visionary science writer Richard Preston, this boundary-pushing thriller melds scientific fact with pulse-pounding fiction to create yet another masterpiece of sophisticated, cutting-edge entertainment.

The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking (2001)

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000

The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking (2001)

Author: Stephen Hawking
First Published: October 6, 2001
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Seeking to uncover the holy grail of science, the elusive Theory of Everything that lies at the heart of the cosmos, Professor Stephen Hawking takes us to the cutting edge of theoretical physics. In a realm where truth is often stranger than fiction, he explains in layman’s terms the principles that control our universe.

The Sandman: Act I by Neil Gaiman and Dirk Maggs (2020)

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

The Sandman: Act I by Neil Gaiman and Dirk Maggs (2020)

Author: Neil Gaiman and Dirk Maggs
First Published: July 15, 2020
Series: Sandman Audible Original Book 1
Score: 6/10

Goodreads

When The Sandman, also known as Lord Morpheus - the immortal king of dreams, stories and the imagination - is pulled from his realm and imprisoned on Earth by a nefarious cult, he languishes for decades before finally escaping. Once free, he must retrieve the three “tools” that will restore his power and help him to rebuild his dominion, which has deteriorated in his absence. As the multi-threaded story unspools, The Sandman descends into Hell to confront Lucifer (Michael Sheen), chases rogue nightmares who have escaped his realm, and crosses paths with an array of characters from DC comic books, ancient myths, and real-world history, including: Inmates of Gotham City’s Arkham Asylum, Doctor Destiny, the muse Calliope, the three Fates, William Shakespeare (Arthur Darvill), and many more.

The Night Boat by Robert R. McCammon (1980)

Sat, 24 Feb 2024 22:00:00 +0000

The Night Boat by Robert R. McCammon (1980)

Author: Robert R. McCammon
First Published: August 1, 1980
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Robert Moore had a cushy life in Baltimore. The son of a bank president, he could have had the old man’s job if he’d just waited in line. But Moore isn’t the patient type, and rather than spend his life trapped behind a desk, he decamped for the Caribbean, to pass his days diving beneath the perfect blue sea. One day, diving deeper than usual, he spies a sunken ship. His investigations disrupt an unexploded depth charge, which hurls Robert to the surface with the sunken ship not far behind.

Tau Zero by Poul Anderson (1970)

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Tau Zero by Poul Anderson (1970)

Author: Poul Anderson
First Published: January 1, 1970
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Aboard the spacecraft Leonora Christine, fifty crewmembers, half men and half women, have embarked on a journey of discovery like no other to a planet thirty light-years away. Since their ship is not capable of traveling faster than light, the crew will be subject to the effects of time dilation and relativity. They will age five years on board the ship before reaching their destination, but thirty-three years will pass on Earth. Experienced scientists and researchers, they have come to terms with the time conditions of their space travel. Until . . . the Leonora Christine passes through an uncharted nebula, which damages the engine, making it impossible to decelerate the ship on the second half of their trip. To survive, the crewmembers have no choice but to bypass their destination and continue to accelerate toward the speed of light. But how will they keep hope alive and maintain order as they hurtle deeper into space with time passing more and more rapidly, and their ultimate fate unknown?

Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files #8) by Jim Butcher (2006)

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 18:00:00 +0000

Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files #8) by Jim Butcher (2006)

Author: Jim Butcher
First Published: February 1, 2006
Series: The Dresden Files Book 8
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

Harry Dresden is the only wizard in the Chicago phone book. He consults from the police department on those so-called “unusual” cases. He’s even been on talk shows. So there’s no love lost between Harry and the White Council of Wizards, who find him a little brash and undisciplined. But now war with the vampires has thinned the ranks of wizards, and the White Council needs Harry, like it or not. He’s drafted as a Warden, and assigned to look into rumors of black magic in the Windy City.

Red Company: Discovery (Red Company #2) by B.V. Larson (2023)

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 18:00:00 +0000

Red Company: Discovery (Red Company #2) by B.V. Larson (2023)

Author: B.V. Larson
First Published: June 25, 2023
Series: Red Company Book 2
Score: 6/10

Goodreads

There’s a land-rush on exploiting alien tech. Pirates, claim-jumpers, cyborgs, and bureaucrats all must be defeated to keep Borag flying.

Corporal Devin Starn is working his way up through the ranks of Red Company. Aboard Borag , a mining ship based out of Mars City, Starn discovers more about the aliens who preceded us. Their ruins and strange technologies deepen the mystery of their ancient downfall.

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope by George Lucas (1976)

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 21:00:00 +0000

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope by George Lucas (1976)

Author: George Lucas
First Published: December 5, 1976
Series: Star Wars Universe
Score: 8/10

Goodreads

Luke Skywalker was a twenty-year-old who lived and worked on his uncle’s farm on the remote planet of Tatooine…and he was bored beyond belief. He yearned for adventures that would take him beyond the farthest galaxies. But he got much more than he bargained for….

The Regulators by Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman (1996)

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 19:00:00 +0000

The Regulators by Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman (1996)

Author: Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman
First Published: January 1, 1996
Series: Stephen King Novels
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

The battle against evil has begun in this “devishly entertaining” (Publishers Weekly) story of a suburban neighborhood in the grip of surreal terror - a number-one national best seller from Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman.

Peaceful suburbia on Poplar Street in Wentworth, Ohio, takes a turn for the ugly when four vans containing armed “regulators” terrorize the street’s residents, cold-bloodedly killing anyone foolish enough to step outside their homes. Houses mysteriously transform into log cabins, and the street now ends in what looks like a child’s hand-drawn Western landscape. Masterminding this sudden onslaught is the evil creature Tak, who has taken over the body of an autistic eight-year-old boy, Seth Garin.

Precious Little Things (Made Things Book 0.5) by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2017)

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 22:30:00 +0000

Precious Little Things (Made Things Book 0.5) by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2017)

Author: Adrian Tchaikovsky
First Published: November 10, 2017
Series: Made Things Book 0.5
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

A prequel to the magical novella Made Things.

A Call to Arms (The Damned #1) by Alan Dean Foster (1991)

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 22:00:00 +0000

A Call to Arms (The Damned #1) by Alan Dean Foster (1991)

Author: Alan Dean Foster
First Published: March 27, 1991
Series: The Damned Book 1
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

For eons, the Amplitur had searched space for intelligent species, each of which was joyously welcomed to take part in the fulfillment of the Amplitur Purpose. Whether it wanted to or not. When the Amplitur and their allies stumbled upon the races called the Weave, the Purpose seemed poised for a great leap forward. But the Weave’s surprising unity also gave it the ability to fight the Amplitur and their cause. And fight it did, for thousands of years.

Accessory to War by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Avis Lang (2018)

Sun, 14 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Accessory to War by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Avis Lang (2018)

Author: Neil deGrasse Tyson and Avis Lang
First Published: September 11, 2018
Score: 7/10

Goodreads

In this fascinating foray into the millennia-long relationship between science and military power, acclaimed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and writer Avis Lang examine how the methods and tools of astrophysics have been enlisted in the service of war. “The overlap is strong, and it’s a two- way street,” say the authors, because the astrophysicists and military planners care about many of the same things: multi- spectral detection, ranging, tracking, imaging, high ground, nuclear fusion, and access to space. Tyson and Lang call it a “curiously complicit” alliance.

The Hero of Ages (The Mistborn Saga #3) by Brandon Sanderson (2008)

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 22:00:00 +0000

The Hero of Ages (The Mistborn Saga #3) by Brandon Sanderson (2008)

Author: Brandon Sanderson
First Published: October 14, 2008
Series: The Mistborn Saga Book 3
Score: 9/10

Goodreads

Who is the Hero of Ages?

To end the Final Empire and restore freedom, Vin killed the Lord Ruler. But as a result, the Deepness—the lethal form of the ubiquitous mists—is back, along with increasingly heavy ashfalls and ever more powerful earthquakes. Humanity appears to be doomed.