IarwainBenAdar's recent activity
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Comment on Books: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~books
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Comment on Books: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~books
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentI also read City of Last Chances and Shards of Earth, but Alien Clay was the one that really hit home with me. I love his world building and his writing style. My favorite Mieville books are The...I also read City of Last Chances and Shards of Earth, but Alien Clay was the one that really hit home with me. I love his world building and his writing style.
My favorite Mieville books are The City in the City, Kraken, Railsea, and Perdido Street Station. I read all of these last year so I didn’t put them on my list. In January I finished Embassytown, which was more ‘literary’ than I normally read, but the concept is something I keep thinking about.
I’m kinda odd and I like to leave content to look forward too, so I don’t really keep up on what’s coming out soon. I keep books from my favorite authors unread so when I’m having a bad day I can tell myself ‘there is still a Clive Barker story I can read for the first time’ and I have something to look forward to.
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Comment on Books: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~books
IarwainBenAdar LinkI had a pretty good year for reading, I am currently at 63 total books with an original goal of 56 which is twice what I finished last year. I also try to read at least 1 nonfiction book out of 5,...I had a pretty good year for reading, I am currently at 63 total books with an original goal of 56 which is twice what I finished last year. I also try to read at least 1 nonfiction book out of 5, and I’m currently at 21% with two nonfiction books in progress.
At the start of the year I was really getting into China Mieville who I discovered at the end of last year and is now on my list of favorite authors. I read Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky for the book club and have been devouring his books, another favorite author. Looking back the last few months I’ve read more westerns than I ever have.
Some of my favorite books I read this year, in no particular order:
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
You Can’t Win by Jack Black
Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Blacktounge Thief by Christopher Buehlman
Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova
Semiosis by Sue Burke
Necroscope by Brian Lumley
The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling
The Twisted Ones by T Kingsfisher
The Hollow Places by T Kingsfisher
Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett -
Comment on Cataloging your home library in ~books
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentI just got my first Apple product in my life a few weeks ago, so I'm not too hip on what Apple has to offer. I just looked it up though and it looks like they stopped support last year and took...I just got my first Apple product in my life a few weeks ago, so I'm not too hip on what Apple has to offer. I just looked it up though and it looks like they stopped support last year and took down the apps? From a brief glance it looks similar to Libid or LibraryThing.
I am concerned about using one of the services because you have no guarantee that will keep supporting it. Delicious Library is a great example that released in November 2004, and ran for 20 years. I would be so upset to have 20 years of cataloging lost because the app got shut down, which is my biggest reason for leaning so hard towards Google Sheets.
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Comment on Cataloging your home library in ~books
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentI thought about this, but I have a huge stack of projects, so for now I am looking for something ready to go. Maybe at some point in the future.I thought about this, but I have a huge stack of projects, so for now I am looking for something ready to go. Maybe at some point in the future.
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Comment on Cataloging your home library in ~books
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentI have this bookmarked to look more into when I have more time for tech projects. For now I'm cleaning up my Google Sheet and doing some experiments with Libid, but I prefer function over style,...I have this bookmarked to look more into when I have more time for tech projects. For now I'm cleaning up my Google Sheet and doing some experiments with Libid, but I prefer function over style, so I will probably stick with a spreadsheet until I can look into a more specified program.
I agree completely about those passion projects being such a breath of fresh air in the current age of the internet where everything is made by the big 5, I always try to support FOSS whenever I can.
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Comment on Cataloging your home library in ~books
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentThat's unfortunate to hear, but not entirely unexpected. It used to work, but now that I check it was last updated in 2013, so it probably hasn't worked for years. It would have saved a lot of...That's unfortunate to hear, but not entirely unexpected. It used to work, but now that I check it was last updated in 2013, so it probably hasn't worked for years. It would have saved a lot of time, but oh well.
On the topic of discrepancies on ISBN lookup, while I was cataloging some books today some older books only had Library of Congress catalog card number, and I could not get a single one to come up with the right book, and thats using the loc.gov website.
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Comment on Cataloging your home library in ~books
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentI'm not a huge fan of AI, but that would definitely be the easiest way. Not entirely related but it made me think of https://prelingerlibrary.org/stacks/I'm not a huge fan of AI, but that would definitely be the easiest way.
Not entirely related but it made me think of https://prelingerlibrary.org/stacks/
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Comment on Cataloging your home library in ~books
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentI actually started setting up a Google Sheet for this a few years ago, but since I have let it get very out of date, moved my books around, and inherited my dad's book collection, so the whole...I actually started setting up a Google Sheet for this a few years ago, but since I have let it get very out of date, moved my books around, and inherited my dad's book collection, so the whole thing needs completely redone. I want to have things set up by ISBN which I didnt add last time.
I'm not as tech savvy as most people on here, is there a way to get Google Sheets to search the ISBN to fill out title/author/ect? I found one that used to work, but it used ISBNDB, which has since started charging for the API and I can't figure how to switch it to OpenLibrary or another free one.
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Comment on Cataloging your home library in ~books
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentI use TheStoryGraph to track the books I am currently reading and to have stats on what I have read, but I don't think it is enough for my needs for a library database. My primary use is to see...I use TheStoryGraph to track the books I am currently reading and to have stats on what I have read, but I don't think it is enough for my needs for a library database.
My primary use is to see what I have, whether it's paperback or hardback since I massively prefer hardback, and to see where it physically is on my shelfs. I do a lot of used book stores and thrift stores, and I have a bad memory for what books I need. I know I have like 3 copies of Tolkiens Book of Lost Tales 2 because I always forget which one I need.
It would be convenient to use TheStoryGraph since I already use it and keep everything in one app, but I would really like a database where I could look through everything I have at once, and maybe have filters like genre.
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Cataloging your home library
I have a decent sized library of probably around 2-300 books, and it has been on my list of projects to-do to make a catalog/database for my library to quickly reference what I have. Do any of you...
I have a decent sized library of probably around 2-300 books, and it has been on my list of projects to-do to make a catalog/database for my library to quickly reference what I have. Do any of you catalog your libraries and if so what do you use for it?
I know Libid and LibraryThing are two of the big website/app ones, and it could be done with a Google Sheet or similar, but I was wondering if anyone here has any experience before I really get started.
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Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentI get this too, but the only deodorant I found I can use is Old Spice Pure Sport. I never had any problems until I tried to switch to a different brand, but everything else gave me chemical burns....I get this too, but the only deodorant I found I can use is Old Spice Pure Sport. I never had any problems until I tried to switch to a different brand, but everything else gave me chemical burns. I tried like 5-7 brands before giving up and sticking with Old Spice. I was even looking into the ingredient list and trying to find what was causing it, but I have no idea.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club discussion - June 2025 - A House with Good Bones by T Kingfisher in ~books
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentIt's a pretty silly one, but something worth noting is that T Kingfisher is a pseudonym for writing horror and fan fic while they mainly write kids stories.It's a pretty silly one, but something worth noting is that T Kingfisher is a pseudonym for writing horror and fan fic while they mainly write kids stories.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club discussion - June 2025 - A House with Good Bones by T Kingfisher in ~books
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentI am a big horror junkie, I have read 30 horror books since I started keeping track in 2024. and I enjoyed the book enough that I went on a bit of a kick and read 4 of their books in a month or...I am a big horror junkie, I have read 30 horror books since I started keeping track in 2024. and I enjoyed the book enough that I went on a bit of a kick and read 4 of their books in a month or two. They are good, quick reads that you don't have to focus on too hard. I actually recommended this book to my mom.
T Kingfisher writes a lot of modern re-tellings of classic horror stories, for example What Moves the Dead is based on The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe. So for suggestions I would recommend that if you have any of their books you like you can see what they where based on and read the classic. They kinda have their own style , but another author I would recommend is John Langan especially his short stories. However this recommendation is for plot, so they don't have the characters or more 'casual' writing style of T Kingfisher, so if that is what you enjoyed I would take a pass on Langan.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentThats what felt right, but I didn't know and I think there was recently a thread about this confusion which is what really made me ask.Thats what felt right, but I didn't know and I think there was recently a thread about this confusion which is what really made me ask.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentI feel its not dense in the way that you have to constantly look things up to understand what's being said, it's dense in that it has something deep to say, and sometimes you need to listen to a...I feel its not dense in the way that you have to constantly look things up to understand what's being said, it's dense in that it has something deep to say, and sometimes you need to listen to a bit and let it 'marinate' before you can continue.
For me it's a little more personal because I am looking for a job, and had to take something shitty temporary, so it probably wasn't the best time to read a book about how capitalism is the cause of most of our misery and without it we could be able to pursue our interest. It's a very well written and thought out book, and I am glad I am reading it, but with this and everything political going on, I really feel like I'm stuck in America. I'm a jack of many trades, but not enough of a master of any to get a visa, and my family is here. sigh, back to the American Dream©
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentI went with your recommendation and I am now on chapter 14 (41%) and it almost feels like it was written by China Mieville, there is so much world building and introducing characters that I have...I went with your recommendation and I am now on chapter 14 (41%) and it almost feels like it was written by China Mieville, there is so much world building and introducing characters that I have no idea where the plot is heading. I feel that's about to change since they just got their ship back and the cliffhanger was them opening the box.
So far I think I prefer Elder Race and Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovski, but I know he has some really good endings, so things may change. Elder Race was the first story of his I read, and my favorite quote has always been Arthur C Clarke's Third Law 'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.' which I feel that story perfectly captures. As for Alien Clay, I just love the work building of Kiln.
Which of his stories have you read and where any exceptional?
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
IarwainBenAdar LinkRecently finished: The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler - This was an interesting book that I'm glad I forced myself to finish, although I think i did myself a disservice by listening to the...Recently finished:
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The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler - This was an interesting book that I'm glad I forced myself to finish, although I think i did myself a disservice by listening to the audiobook while doing yardwork. It was a interesting story, and brought up lots of good debates about consciousness, it was just not quite what I was expecting, I rated it 3.75 stars, but I may go back and read the physical book and I might change my rating.
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Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - I read this book as a lighthearted companion to pair with The Mountain in the Sea. It's not something I would normally have read but rit was a good quick read, although I feel it could have been trimmed down or edited better, but it was a fun and charming read. I rated it 4/5 stars.
Currently Reading:
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54% finished with The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow - This is a pretty dense one, I don't want to butcher trying to describe it but while its not one I'm enjoying reading because the concepts don't have a simple answer in modern life, I am glad I am reading it for knowledge's sake at least. I feel like I am learning a lot from it, but with everything going on in the news its pretty melancholy. I was listening to it as an audiobook at a soulless stock job I have to work until I can find something better, until that got to be too much and I borrowed...
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78% finished with Semiosis by Sue Burke - I have been on a book pairing kick lately, and I was waiting for some library loans, so I picked this book to reread to pair with Alien Clay. I really liked this book for its out of the box ideas and how it portrayed a sentient plant, but on rereading I realized I like the world developed and the portrayal of the characters more than the actual stories being told. I originally rated it 5/5 star, but I think I'm going to drop it to a 4.75/5. I should have finished it before starting Alien Clay, but I have a hard time resisting Adrian Tchaikovski
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90% finished with Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovski - Finishing up this one this evening. Another book by Adrian Tchaikovski that I'm rating 5/5 star, my pairing with Semiosis made it obvious. I am a big fan of the concepts Adrian Tchaikovski talks about, the stories he actually tells, and the way he tells them. Adrian Tchaikovski is quickly joining my favorite authors with Clive Barker and China Mieville.
Up Next
- Shards of Earth, and Dogs of War, both by Adrian Tchaikovski. I have both these two on loan from the library if anybody has a recommendation on which to read first.
Offtopic post script: does the biweekly in the tag mean twice a week or every other week?
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentIt was definitely someone else, it was all written out and no video. I just watched the video and while I appreciate the simplicity and speeded up cook time, I feel like I need the texture...It was definitely someone else, it was all written out and no video. I just watched the video and while I appreciate the simplicity and speeded up cook time, I feel like I need the texture difference of all the different nuts for it to really feel like granola, that seems more like a nut butter bar with oats. I admit I like to experiment with different things, so mine's definitely not the simplest way of doing things. I may try using some nut butter next time, but I'm still going to use a lot of seeds too.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
IarwainBenAdar Link ParentLike I said I'm pretty new to cooking, how much does the rince and steam change things? I would imagine that it gives it the stickiness but I'm not experienced enough to do more than guess. Do you...soak, boil to al dente, rinse well, final steam.
Like I said I'm pretty new to cooking, how much does the rince and steam change things? I would imagine that it gives it the stickiness but I'm not experienced enough to do more than guess.
Do you have any experence with rice cookers and how they compare to all of this. I like the conveince of being able to set-and-forget and the consistancy, but it seems like you have more control when making it yourself.
al dente
I'm not a big pasta person so I have never heard that term, but it's perfect and exactly what I was trying to say.
I have The Crying of Lot 49 on my to be read list, I’m pretty sure it was mentioned to me when talking about Moby Dick, Blood Meridian, and Sabbaths Theater by Phillip Roth. Can you give an explanation of why it was a disappointment to you and would you recommend it to someone in the context of those books? You read a lot more literature than I do and I value your opinion.