The Dragon's Path by Daniel Abraham

It would be hard not to compare this first entry in Abraham's epic fantasy series to the Malazan series by Erikson that I read last year, since there are quite a few setting and style elements in common, but that would be fairly unhelpful because for one, not many people have necessarily read all of the Malazan book of the fallen series (it's a lot...) and for two, numerous superficial symmetries aside, the Dagger and the Coin seems to have a lot going for it that the other does not - it's approachable / easy to read, for one, and thus far easier to recommend: I really liked it.

late night with the devil (2024)

very impressed by the taut creepy action, campy setting, and the decision to narrate the exposition instead of show it - everything about this fun movie was measured, smart, and cool. 

Gai-Jin by James Clavell

I thought a continuation of the last two books in this saga would be enthralling and I was wrong - this third book is just talking, talking, this person goes here, talks to that one. then goes there, all they do is talk, I realized I didn’t care. 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

This long, carefully-plotted psychological thriller is hard to put down as it gets going, and while on the minus side it tries too hard - over-wrought, precious, implausible in its complexity - on the plus side it’s well-crafted, fun to discuss, and fairly unique. 

Impro by Keith Johnstone

The first half of this book is chock full of fun stories and inspiring wisdom on how to live and act spontaneously- like most good advice, it seems specific (improv techniques) but ends up being applicable to broad swathes of life. 

Tai-pan by James Clavell

The first third of Clavell’s second book in the Asian Saga is slow to get moving and full of characters and places and lingo and it’s all kind of hard to care, but he earned my attention with Shogun so I stuck with it and I’m really glad I did, because the second two thirds really use all that exposition and tell a fascinating tale.