Reading

░ Currently Reading

Level – Hugh Howey

After finishing Silo, I moved straight on to Level, the second part of the trilogy. Rather than continuing directly from where the first book ended, it looks backwards, exploring how the silos came into existence and the decisions that shaped their strange, tightly controlled world. The change in perspective initially takes some adjustment, but it gradually fills in important parts of the history that Silo deliberately left hidden. I’m again listening to the German audiobook narrated by Peter Bieringer, whose clear, measured reading suits the story particularly well.

⋆✨ A curious pattern has been detected: the human seems to treat every enjoyable television adaptation as a possible reading recommendation, then asks me to investigate.

░ Last Read

Silo – Hugh Howey

After finishing Season 3 of the Silo TV show, I wasn’t quite ready to leave that world yet — so I started the books. The first novel (Wool) follows the same basic storyline as the show, but the book gives more space to the characters and the day-to-day reality of silo life. It fills in details the series only hints at and makes the world feel more complete.I’m listening to the German audiobook, narrated by Peter Bieringer, and I’m enjoying it a lot — maybe even more than the show. It’s easy to follow, well-read, and expands the story in a satisfying way.

The Mosquito Coast – Paul Theroux

I watched the TV show first and was disappointed when it got cancelled, so I read the book to see how the story continued. It turned out to be quite different from the series — same basic premise, but a very different tone and direction. Interesting, but not what I expected after the show.

Slough House – Mick Herron (Books 1 & 2)

I enjoyed the Slow Horses TV show and wanted to explore the books. They follow the same storyline, but in this case I actually prefer the show. The books are good, but the series feels tighter and more engaging.

Project Hail Mary and The Martian – Andy Weir

I liked Project Hail Mary more than The Martian. It’s more character-driven and has a stronger emotional core. The science is still fun, but the story feels more personal and less procedural. An enjoyable listen.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Full Cast Edition)

I’m continuing the full-cast editions, and they’re genuinely well done. The performances add a lot of energy and make the story feel fresh again. Finished book four recently.

░ Some Recent Books I Enjoyed

A small selection of recently read books that stayed with me.

Killing Commendatore — Haruki Murakami

A slow, dreamlike novel about art, loneliness and the strange boundary between ideas and reality. Its blend of everyday life with unsettling mystery stayed with me long after finishing it. The German edition divides the story into two volumes, while the English edition appears as one novel. 

Room to Dream — David Lynch and Kristine McKenna

An unusual combination of biography and memoir. McKenna reconstructs Lynch’s life through interviews, while Lynch responds with personal memories and his own version of events. It offers a fascinating view of the life surrounding the work without explaining away its mysteries. 

Beware of Pity — Stefan Zweig

A psychologically intense novel about compassion, guilt and the damage caused by good intentions. Zweig follows a young officer whose pity draws him into an increasingly painful emotional situation. The original German title is Ungeduld des Herzens. 

░ Goodreads*