Thanks! 😊

I'm a bit active on book-related forums. I post reviews of books I've read, give book recommendations, etc. In this case, the author contacted me based on my reviews.

Like alpha, beta, gamma readers. Used by authors to get feedback at various stages of their book before it is published. Alpha stage is very rough, like first draft. Not sure where the line lies between beta and gamma stage, but they are close to finished works - only typos and minor changes would be made based on reader feedback.

For indie authors, beta readers often help to get a few reviews out close to book publication.

I'm doing a beta-read. Well written, great ideas, etc. Unfortunately, the book is turning out to be much darker than I'm comfortable with. I'll probably try to get to the halfway point before deciding to give up.

Bobiverse by Dennis E. Taylor is a fun and easy read

See also: https://github.com/pllk/cphb (Competitive Programmer's Handbook)

Stormlight Archives can be daunting to those not familiar with Sanderson's works, especially since the books are long (1000+ pages) and the first book is setting up a long 10-book series (plus other stuff from a wider universe).

If you'd like something smaller and standalone to try first, check out "Emperor's Soul" (novella) or Warbreaker (novel).

+1 for Murderbot!

True, perhaps a case of doing too much of anything over a long period ;)

When I was younger, I'd read slowly, trying to visualize the setting, keep track of character preferences, look up words I don't know, etc. I'd remember a book well enough to talk about it even a year or so after.

These days, I just skim over descriptions and read as fast as I could while still getting the main plot. I get attached to characters only if the book is really good and savor them during rereads.

I mostly read fantasy and sci-fi, which tend to have multiple books in a series. If they are easy-to-read and short (300-400 pages per book), it becomes easy to consume. Also, I read for escapism, so I don't read too closely.

Hopefully less than this year. I'm reading too many (100+) and that's reflecting in my reduced time on actual work (self-employed).