I’m now starting the 4th volume of Book of the New Sun, by Gene Wolfe. I don’t understand much, but am completely captivated by the implication that I might, someday.
I’ll have a look, thanks!
Redshirts proved to be wholly entertaining, but pretty short.
Afterwards I started with Book 1 called Luna: New Moon by British Author Ian McDonald. It is a strange book for me. On the one hand I could see and read that it is really well crafted, and the author has really perfected his writing style. However, there are certain things that let me bounce off of the book. At first the book starts with a glossary of people that will be in the book, and oh boy do you need that. Multiple pages of descriptions of people, at least 60 or 70, spread over multiple families/dynasties. And while I am not a literature critic, for me it seems opening with a glossary to try to understand what happens later seems lazy, or a failure of introductions of the people. Comparing that with my favourite author Peter F. Hamilton he never needs to hand out glossaries for his characters. At the same time some of the dynasties described are foreign cultures to me, and the naming schemas made it very difficult to follow who is who.
So I ultimately stopped reading that after about 200 pages. I think I gave it a decent try.
Next on the list is (already startet, 130 pages down) is the first book of The Merchant Princes by American Author Charles Stross.
It reads very smoothly, which is both a compliment and a complaint. While I can read this down very quickly and without problems of understanding (english is not my mother tongue), I am not learning new words, or phrases. This is deep American culture writing, so if you’re good with CSI or American television/books in general you can probably read this through without any problems.
Thank you so much for your view and reading experience!
I’ve been away from SF for a bit and read a book I got in a thrift shop:
A pleasantly surprising read, I must say. Local language used poetically, usage of historic events for its story, and well crafted descriptions of nature and landscapes, seasons, farming and husbandry. It’s also a love story, I suppose, but that didn’t bother me 
.
I’ve since learned that it’s quite a famous book, or used to be.
Thanks for the reference; just put a hold on this at my local library.
My mom’s third husband and I have, shall we say, sharply diverging views on history and politics. He sends me books from his echo chamber, and I politely put them on the donation pile unread. I’m going to send him Howard Zinn’s “A People’s History of the United States” and possibly this one for Christmas this year.
And may have inspired a cookie / biscuit 
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Speaking as a library worker, we thank you for that.