I'll link below to the other posts I came across using these prompts. Let me know if you wrote one! Go to Thomas’ post to get an easy copy/paste of the questions if you like.

WHO – An author you would love to have a ‘one to one’ with?

I would like to have a chat with Isaac Asimov. I would like to discuss with him the “Three Laws of Robotics” and how they would apply to our current state of technology. I would like to know his thoughts about the Internet, artificial intelligence, social media, bots, slop, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

WHAT – What genre do you most gravitate to?

I've always been interested in both Science-Fiction and Fantasy since my early childhood. Lately I've been gravitating more towards Science-Fiction, even though I've read a lot of Fantasy.

Actually, I have data to prove this point. I used The StoryGraph to generate two reports: a list of all the books I've read by genre and a list of the 5-star rated books by genre (I'm showing here only the top 10 genres)

Overall, I've read more Fantasy than Sci-fi, in terms of total number of books read (757 tracked books in total, of which 208 were Fantasy):

My all time books read stats by genre (generated by The StoryGraph)

But If I look at my favorite books, rated with 5 Stars, then the winner is Science Fiction:

My all-time 5-star rated books, by genre

So, science fiction it is!

WHERE – Where do you prefer to read?

At home, in my reading corner, with blankets and a cup of tea. Snacks are good too. But I literally carry my Kobo with me anywhere, so anywhere can work too (the only time I don’t have my Kobo within easy reach is when I’m out running or exercising at the gym).

WHEN – What time of day do you prefer to read?

I love reading in the mornings, but during weekdays I end up not having that much time available before work. On the weekends I love starting the morning reading a book, while having a slow breakfast. But as long as I have the energy, any time is a good time to read for me. I try to squeeze out any downtime I have during the day to read.

WHY – Why is your favourite book your favourite book?

It's because I like the characters and it has an interesting plot. If I don't relate to at least one character, then I'm more likely to stop reading the book. It's also because I enjoy the narrative voice. I have to be able to create an emotional connection to the story. The storytelling style must match the character's personality and point of view. In summary, I care deeply about the world and its characters.

A book that took me into a fascinating world

For some reason “Dune” by Frank Herbert came to my mind. I first read this book 25 years ago, and I still think about it. It was such an immersive experience for me. The way it builds an entire universe, with its own unique ecosystem, religion, politics, philosophical discussions, and power struggles is amazing.

A book that made me cry (or maybe two)

“Everything is Tuberculosis” by John Green. It's a great mix of personal stories and historical data about tuberculosis. It is a call to action that left me feeling both devastated and hopeful.

But I would also include here the graphic novel “Maus” by Art Spiegelman. I still think about this novel. I caught myself in tears in many moments while I was reading. It’s not an easy topic (Nazism and the story of a Polish Jew who survived Auschwitz concentration camp). Extremely touching. We can't forget this horror so as to not repeat it again, ever.

A book that was thoughtful and profound

“The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark” by Carl Sagan has shaped a lot of my worldview. It is not only a defense of science against pseudoscience, but also a celebration of human curiosity with its sense of wonder about the universe. I still remember the “Baloney Detection Kit” and “The Dragon in My Garage” story. This book is timeless, and it's a reminder that a little common sense and healthy skepticism are some of the best tools we have for looking out for one another.

A “comfort” book, read and re-read many times

I'm not a big re-reader. But if I have to name a book I've re-read multiple times, that's “Getting Things Done” by David Allen. I still learn a lot each time I read this book. It is a book that has shaped my adult life and helped me organize my thoughts and my goals and led me to think about higher horizons like life purpose and principles. If you have read this blog for a while, you already know how much I like this author.

Bonus – How do you go about selecting what you will read next?

I have a huge TBR list! I mark the books I want to read on The StoryGraph, and right now, I have 384 books in there (yeah, I probably need to do a clean-up).

At the beginning of every year, I create a shortlist for the next 12 months and drop it into an Excel spreadsheet. I use the fantastic one developed by the creators of the “Currently Reading” podcast.

Then each month I compile a shortlist from my local Book Club (or another online book club I follow) and my personal wish list. I keep this updated weekly using The StoryGraph 'Up Next' feature to track books I want to tackle next. I limit this list to up to 5 books, never more.

I think that other than following book club picks, I just go with what my gut tells me.

Other great posts to read with the Five Ws of Reading:

• Thomas Rigby
• The Wry Writer
• Frances Crossley
• Explicating Elle

List of Books mentioned in this post:

(Publication date at the end)

1. “Dune” by Frank Herbert (1965)

2. “Everything is Tuberculosis” by John Green (2025)

3. “Maus” by Art Spiegelman (1994)

4. “The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark” by Carl Sagan (1997)

5. “Getting Things Done” by David Allen (2001)

—

#readinglist #books #reading

Thoughts? Discuss... if you have a Write.as account or Reply by email

By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

• Leviathan Falls (The Expanse #9) by James S.A. Corey, 529p: I didn’t want it to end, but all good sagas must come to a close. We see what’s left of the Rocinante crew as fugitives, now joined by Teresa Duarte (daughter of the Laconian high consul, Winston Duarte). There is a lot going on as bizarre, physics-bending anomalies begin to manifest within the ring space, threatening the existence of humanity. It’s tense, and full of high stakes with interesting viewpoints from Colonel Tanaka and Elvi. I think it was a satisfying conclusion to the series even though it does not answer all the questions. Sometimes, knowing less is better.
• Platform Decay (The Murderbot Diaries #8) by Martha Wells, 256p: Another adventure with Murderbot. Very consistently good, delivering the usual cynical humor and inner monologues. To be honest, nothing in particular stood out to me, but it is still a solid comfort read.
• Cryoburn (Vorkosigan Saga (Publication Order) #14) by Lois McMaster Bujold, 345p: We get into cryogenics shenanigans and politics with Miles investigating a major “cryocorp” called WhiteChrys, on the distant planet of Kibou-daini. I enjoyed the three different POVs: Miles, his Armsman Roic, and a local boy called Jin Sato. We also get to see Raven, a cryo-revival specialist from the Durona Group who assisted in reviving Miles after his death on Jackson's Whole in a previous book. Another great book in the Vorkosigan saga, that brings me closer to finishing the series!

Post 14 of #Blaugust #readinglist #books #reading

Thoughts? Discuss... if you have a Write.as account or Reply by email

By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

1. The Hobbit / Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien: Yeah, I know, not one book. I am already bending the rules here. But I cannot talk about LOTR without The Hobbit, and vice versa. I would also include The Silmarillion here as well. I was completely immersed in this fantasy world from the first time I read The Hobbit.

2. Dune by Frank Herbert: It has been a while since I read this one, but I remember it blew my mind back then. I am secretly afraid of re-reading this book and getting disappointed (I am not sure it aged well). But from what I remember, the complex politics and alien world elements got me super interested in this type of sci-fi.

3. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov: This is another one that I consider a whole series, but this was the first book I read. I loved learning about the positronic brain and the laws of robotics. It was fascinating to see a robopsychologist! I will also include The Caves of Steel and The Naked Sun here. Great sci-fi! I want to read them all again.

4. Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle: I absolutely love these books! I can read them over and over. They are great! I used to have a collection of used Sherlock Holmes books. The first time I read them, I borrowed them from the library. After that, I would go to used bookstores and try to find old editions. I love the way Sherlock Holmes pays attention to the smallest details and comes up with deductions using logical reasoning. When the mystery is solved, it is so satisfying!

5. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams: Again, the whole series is included here. These books are a masterpiece of clever humor with scientific nuggets of information. I love how it makes fun of technology, plays with the laws of physics, and is just so much fun. I recently listened to the first two audiobooks, and they are so good!

And now that listed them all I realized it's a list of 5 book series! Ok, I’ll change the title. So, there you go!

— Post 12 of #Blaugust #Books

Thoughts? Discuss... if you have a Write.as account or Reply by email

By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

1. Hyperfocus: The New Science of Attention, Productivity, and Creativity by Chris Bailey, 256p: Great read about focus with enough scientific data and practical insights. The author talks about “attentional space”, which is like our RAM or the available working memory capacity. He argues that because the amount of distraction machines we have available at our fingertips right now, our attentional space shrinks and our minds wander less, reducing the quality of our attention. The author explores “hyperfocus”, which is deep, intense focus on an activity, versus “scatterfocus” which is mind wandering. Both of these modes are important and there are nice diagrams to help understand the concepts.

2. Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga (Publication Order)) #15 by Lois McMaster Bujold, 580p: This time a fun adventure with Miles' cousin: Ivan Vorpatril. It's the Ivan book! It is packed with action and Ivan getting caught in hilarious situations. Miles and Ekaterin make some appearances, but we also see Simon, Alys, Gregor and even Cordelia in some scenes. There is mystery, a fake marriage situation, family secrets and failed engineering with sinking consequences. Tej's family had an interesting mafia vibe without malice, just pure family loyalty and eccentric choices. Overall a funny and lighthearted book, which matches Ivan's eternal optimism.

3. Children of Strife (Children of Time #4) by Adrian Tchaikovsky, 496p: I didn't find this book as enjoyable as the previous ones in the series. The pacing was off, with these three different timelines alternating. Some chapters felt repetitive, telling the same story already covered in previous books. The First Age chapters with the human terraformers was by far my least favorite timeline. The Second Age with the ark ship was so-so. The only timeline I was invested in was the Third Age with the excellent mantis-shrimp hero called Cato. I missed seeing the octopuses and the corvids. 

#readinglist #books #reading

Thoughts? Discuss... if you have a Write.as account or Reply by email

By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

1. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, 321p: I had fun reading this book. I've heard of it before. I knew it was a classic from Canadian literature. I had the chance to visit Prince Edward Island, so I decided that the trip was the perfect moment to read this book. The protagonist, Anne, is the joy of the book. She is always looking at the bright side of things, she inspires courage and joy. And she is such a relentless creative soul. I loved her vivid imagination and her curiosity. Overall, I was glad I spent some time with Anne and her friends, it was a comforting read that brought the landscapes of Prince Edward Island to life right before my eyes.

2. Shady Hollow (A Shady Hollow Mystery #1 ) by Juneau Black, 208p: I enjoyed most of this book, I thought it was cozy and interesting at the beginning. I began to lose interest past halfway through because the resolution to the mystery seemed very obvious to me. It's cute, but at some moments I had difficulty suspending my disbelief with the anthropomorphic animals. It didn't grab me enough for me to continue the series.

3. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers #1) by Becky Chambers, 404p: I re-read this one for my local Book Club. I first read it back in 2017, and I remember I was far too harsh on this book. This time around I enjoyed it more because I am in a place right now where I can appreciate cozy, lower stakes stories. It is really low stakes, there are some tense moments, but conflicts are easily resolved, and you get back to just hanging out with this found family spaceship crew. It reminded me a lot of The Expanse series, but without the whole complex world building and political shenanigans. I could not stop visualizing the Wayfarer’s captain, Ashby, as James Holden. The book's positive points still hold up beautifully: diverse characters representing different sentient species with all types of biologies and cultures, interesting discussions on different types of relationships, and exploration of Artificial Intelligence rights and sentience. It actually works well as a comforting, character-driven space opera.

#readinglist #books #reading

Thoughts? Discuss... if you have a Write.as account or Reply by email

By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

1. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky, 373p: I love an unemotional robot protagonist with an active inner monologue and strong critical-thinking skills, so this was a fun and engaging read for me. I thought it had the same snarky sense of humour found in the “Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams. It's dystopian and explores the idea of what might happen if humanity destroys the environment to the point where mostly machines and robots are left behind. The book satirizes capitalism, bureaucracy, artificial intelligence and the pursuit of efficiency, while also dealing with questions of free will and existence. It was highly entertaining, both in terms of plot wise and writing style.

2. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Mackenzies & McBrides #1) by Jennifer Ashley, 320p: This is a unique historical romance book, because it depicts a neurodivergent male protagonist (Ian),  a widowed independent female protagonist (Beth) and a suspenseful murder mystery. It highlights how neurodivergent people were deeply misunderstood by society in the 19th century. I loved that both protagonists are rebellious and refuse to conform to society's expectations. They pursue what makes them happy while navigating a dark and challenging reality.

3. The Anxious Achiever: Turn Your Biggest Fears into Your Leadership Superpower by Morra Aarons-Mele, 232p: I read this book slowly. It was an interesting read, although it felt repetitive at times. It offers some good advice for people with anxiety who work in high-demand positions and are leaders. I got some good ideas from it, and it helped me realize that I'm not alone. It also reinforced that it's possible to become a good leader without being extroverted, even if you have some anxiety-related traits.

4. Murder by Memory (Dorothy Gentleman #1) by Olivia Waite, 103p: This was a quick read with a cozy mystery set inside a spaceship. I loved that the main protagonist, Dorothy Gentleman, is a sweet and smart older woman, who is also a detective. The writing is sharp and engaging. It almost feels too lighthearted at times and I found some of the solutions came a little too easily. The resolution of the murder mystery was not as interesting as I had hoped it would be. Overall, though, it was a fun and enjoyable read.

#readinglist #books #reading

Thoughts? Discuss... if you have a Write.as account or Reply by email

By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

1. Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green, audio [5h 36min]: I really enjoyed this as an audiobook since the author narrates it himself. I loved John Green's voice in this one since it is a mix of personal stories and historical data about tuberculosis. I learned so much from this book, and it also made me cry. It's well-researched, and it brings together social, political and human perspectives on such a stigmatized yet curable disease. It doesn't shy away from discussing the dark global injustices that slowed down or prevented communities from accessing treatments. It is a call to action that left me feeling both devastated and hopeful.

2. The Tainted Cup (Shadow of the Leviathan #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett, 410p: Unique world building with weird botanical magic and giant creatures. It's a murder mystery, with an interesting “Holmes-and-Watson” style duo. Dinios Kol (aka Din) is the young apprentice to the Empire's eccentric Immunis of the Department of Justice. He also has a type of magical eidetic memory, a super cool and useful trait for crime investigations. His mentor is Anagosa (aka Ana) Dalabra, an older woman who never leaves her house and essentially blindfolds herself to avoid overstimulation while she puzzle out cases. The two have unique quirks and great chemistry working together. The assassinations are gruesome, involving these 'dappleglass' plants, that suddenly bursts out from the victims' bodies. With plenty of twists, false trails, and secretive characters, it’s a gripping read.

3. Done and Dusted (Rebel Blue Ranch #1) by Lyla Sage, 356p: Cozy romance, in a farm, with cowboys and horses. Perfect to just relax and read something lighthearted. It's a slow burn romance and I found it cozy. I think I enjoy a small-town homecoming story once in a while. This was my first time reading a contemporary cowboy romance.

4. Tiamat's Wrath (The Expanse #8) by James S.A. Corey, 534p: This one felt a bit different. I wouldn't consider it my favourite of the whole series, but it is still pretty good! The pacing is tight, and the stakes are high. There is tension and atrocities going on as the Laconian empire continues to expand its power. It's a very sad book in many ways. We see the Rocinante's crew scattered across the system, still trying to save the world, or at least, make it a better place. Even though the plot is bleak and at times despairing, the ending felt relatively hopeful. I’m excited for the final book!

#readinglist #books #reading

Thoughts? Discuss... if you have a Write.as account or Reply by email

By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

1. Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany, 311p: This is a book ahead of its time, with a strong and intelligent main female character. It's weird and bizarre, with psychedelic vibes. It's full of interesting ideas: neurolinguistic programming, language being used as weapon, polyamorous ship navigators, discorporate people, pilots good at wrestling. It's queer-norm, it is cyberpunk before cyberpunk was a thing. It has an anti-war message, illustrated brilliantly in the weapons gallery scene (if you know, you know). Also, that dinner party scene: I never read something so intense and vivid. This book feels remarkably new and modern even though it was written in 1966. I missed some more character development and more information about the Invaders. The writing style was not exactly my cup of tea, it had highs and lows for me.

2. The Brush of Black Wings (Master of Crows #2) by Grace Draven, 135p: I wanted to read this novella because it's the sequel of a book that I love: Master of Crows. But this novella did not measure up to the previous book. The mystery plot was not interesting enough, and it was too easy to predict the ending.

3. Diplomatic Immunity (Vorkosigan Saga (Publication Order) #13) by Lois McMaster Bujold, 320p: We start with an older Miles and Ekaterin, in their honeymoon, getting into a messy investigation of a man disappearance in the Quaddiespace. Also: scary biological weapons, station lockdowns and mysteries unravelled. We meet again Bel Thorne, former pilot in the Dendarii Free Mercenaries and our favourite hermaphrodite. I liked the contrast of the different cultures: the quaddies focus on work and the Barrayarans focused on honour. The stakes are high, I wasn't prepared for all the tension! Another book with excellent pacing and good climax.

4. The Thursday Murder Club (A Thursday Murder Club Mystery #1) by Richard Osman, 388p: I was very curious to read this book. I was intrigued by the premise of a group of retirees investigating murders. I don't read a lot of mystery nowadays, and this book didn't work for me. I thought it started well, but it gets convoluted in the middle with so many new characters being introduced to the story. It has a unique sense of humour that worked most of the time. The chapters were super short, and the writing style felt choppy to me. It alternates different points of view in each chapter and I found it hard to track which characters were active. I didn't like that the plot was clearly manipulating me and steering my attention away from the real clues. I could see when the author was meandering just to fool me. It was not my type of mystery.

#readinglist #books #reading

Thoughts? Discuss... if you have a Write.as account or Reply by email

By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

1. The Just City (Thessaly #1) by Jo Walton, 368p: This novel begins with an interesting premise: Apollo, trying to understand consent after Daphne escapes him by turning into a tree, joins Athena’s experiment to build Plato’s Just City and chooses to live there as a powerless human child. The philosophical discussions about agency, sentience, and whether robots are slaves are thought-provoking, and Socrates questioning the status of the workers was the highlight for me. In the end, I didn’t really love it. The ideas are interesting, but the whole thing just left me feeling uncomfortable. The sexual assault parts weren’t handled in a way that felt properly addressed, which is especially weird in a story that’s supposed to be about justice and consent. The society often seemed oddly unquestioning and cult-like, I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Overall, it felt more depressing than thought-provoking, and it just didn’t click for me.

2. Persepolis Rising (The Expanse #7) by James S.A. Corey, 622p: It opens with a time jump, where the Rocinante’s crew are older and even beginning to think about retirement. The pacing was excellent, and it kicks off a new arc in the story, introducing a new military force determined to dominate everyone else, as they tend to do. This book has some great action scenes and great character development. The military occupation is somewhat quiet and brutal, very passive-aggressive style, which makes it even more violent. It employs all the fascist propaganda methods of oppression, which makes it unsettling and real. I definitely want to know what happens next.

3. Dreamweaver's Dilemma (Vorkosigan Saga (Publication Order) #9.1) by Lois McMaster Bujold, 26p: This was an interesting short story in the Vorkosigan universe. As per the author's note, it is her first draft of what has become the “Vorkosiverse” or the “Vorkosigan Saga”. It takes place around 600 years before the first in the series Cordelia's Honor. It's about a “feelie-dream” composer who is asked to compose a particularly bizarre dream from a mysterious and eccentric client, who is offering a big sum of money for it. The “feelie-dream” is a kind of 3D-sensory-virtual reality experience that people plug-in to experience, kinda like a very immersive Virtual Reality experience. The story is mysterious and exciting, with noir-like tension in the way the composer tries to understand who this man really is and why he wants this particular dream created.

4. Falling Free (Vorkosigan Saga (Publication Order) #4) by Lois McMaster Bujold, 237p: I loved that this book if full of engineers problem-solving with whatever resources and tools they have available. There are fun references to typical engineer quirks. But on top of that, it deals with genetically altered humans subjected to a big corporation's greed. It takes place 200 years before Miles Vorkosigan was born. The “Quaddies” are genetically modified people who have four arms: instead of legs, they have a second pair of hands, which makes them very efficient in zero gravity. However, the Quaddies are legally considered corporate assets, used as space labor, and we see their struggles for autonomy and recognition. I read this after finishing the Brothers in Arms / Mirror Dance / Memory / A Civil Campaign sequence. It's a nice addition to the Vorkosigan Saga world-building, especially since the Quaddies are referenced again in the next book in the series, Diplomatic Immunity.

5. Do You Want to Start a Scandal (Castles Ever After #4) by Tessa Dare, 384p: This one was a funny and light read. The mother's sex education dialogue was hilarious, I'll remember it every time I see aubergines and peaches from now on. I liked that there was a bit of a mystery to the story and Charlotte was playing amateur detective with Piers. The mystery resolution was nothing extraordinary, and I missed some more spy action from Piers.

—

#readinglist #books #reading

Thoughts? Discuss... if you have a Write.as account or Reply by email

By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

1. The Left Hand of Darkness (Hainish Cycle #4) by Ursula K. Le Guin, 364p: This is a classic sci-fi book that doesn't hold your hand at the beginning, with lots of world building terms being mentioned without too much explanation. But the world is rich, and eventually we understand pieces of it by reading further and making our own connections. This was not a plot heavy book for me, it shines on character building. It explores the clash between two different societies, one which is traditional gender binary and another (the Gethenians) which is essentially genderless and sexless, except during a mating season. It was a slow read for me, but it pays off when the two main characters have to team up and go on a long journey, trekking a cold and snowed-in landscape together. It is a great though-experiment on gender, cultural oppression and colonization. Having been written in the 60s, this book paved the way for future sci-fi gender conversations by daring to imagine a world where gender isn’t a constant and can be fluid, contextual, and socially constructed.

2. Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It by Cory Doctorow [audio] 10h17min: This book lays down all the foundation and reasoning behind the phenomenon that is the systematic decay of services everywhere. The author coined the term “Enshittification”, and he presents various examples of the mechanism happening in services like Meta, Amazon, Uber, etc. I enjoyed the audio version, narrated by the author himself. Cory Doctorow uses sarcasm and he is often funny. But at the same time, the sad reality of capitalism exploitation is distilled in great detail. There is also a final section where he offers solutions. Very informative and timely read in our current moment (I read it in early 2026). After finishing it, it’s hard not to notice enshittification everywhere.

3. Winterfair Gifts (Vorkosigan Saga #13.5) by Lois McMaster Bujold, 90p: A nice novella where we can see Miles and Ekaterin's wedding! But we actually see it through the eyes of Roic, a Vorkosigan House guardsman who we met in the previous book, A Civil Campaign. We also get a chance to see Sergeant Taura again, which was great in this story. There's a bit of a mystery, but nothing complex.

4. A Week to Be Wicked (Spindle Cove #2) by Tessa Dare, 384p: The first time I tried this book, I didn’t like either of the characters from the first scene. I gave this book a second chance, and it was okay. The trope is the smart, bookish girl (Minerva) who really doesn't want to get married because she wants to be a geologist and the unrepentant rake (Colin). It's a road trip novel, with the two faking an elopement so that Minerva can travel to Scotland and present her findings in a Royal Geological Society Symposium. It's a light, funny read.

—

#readinglist #books #reading

Thoughts? Discuss... if you have a Write.as account or Reply by email

By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.