What are you reading?...Part 2

[Thebazile78]

My list from December and January is as follows:

The Golden Compass (Philip Pullman)
The Subtle Knife
The Amber Spyglass

Gods Behaving Badly (Marie Phillips)

The Dogs of Bedlam Farm: An Adventure With Sixteen Sheep, Three Dogs, Two Donkeys and Me (Jon Katz)

Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne - From Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest (Stephen E. Ambrose)

The Other Boleyn Girl (Philippa Gregory)

Round Ireland With a Fridge (Tony Hawks)

I think that I will pick up another Chris Moore, possibly another Jon Katz and see if I can find the collected letters of John & Abigail Adams somewhere. When we were up in Boston I saw a paperback edition in one of the Faneuil Hall gift stalls, but I didn't buy it, considering it was an off-pay week and I'd just splurged on my other paperbacks.

I can heartily recommend all of my recent reads to most of you. And I think I need to spend part of this long weekend rearranging my bookshelves . . . my books are starting to get sloppy.

[Mullenax]

Chuck Dugan is AWOL, by Wes Anderson's brother Eric. I sooo love the illustrations and sets from Life Aquatic and Royal Tenenbaums, and the story itself is funny enough. "Maps" of people's pockets and truck engines are killer.
<img src="http://www.avclub.com/content/files/images/avclub_review2943.article.jpg">

[Fezticle98]

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1549/musicroundup39418uk3.jpg

[Friday]

i just recently finished "Lucky" by Alice Sebold.
depressing subject matter at first glance, but written in a way that makes even the most horrific description of real events tolerable... i may come back to this again for a second read in the next months.

Deciding on what to tackle next...even with the free time I have... reading is something that I am fighting to bring back into the forefront of my life. I miss it.

I STILL have not read Jimmy's book, so i may use that as an easy buffer piece. and after that I may pull from Liz's reading list... as there are a few on there I have promised myself I would read for awhile now....

[joethebartender]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51dDQHw5TZL._AA240_.jpg

Got this for christmas with the dvds too. I've always been fascinated by WWII and the accounts in this book are amazing.

[IamFogHat]

http://jakjonsun.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/notes_from_underground_cover.jpg

[GonzoStyle]

http://jakjonsun.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/notes_from_underground_cover.jpg

Excellent book, Dostoyevsky is my absolute favorite author. I've read crime and punishment at least half a dozen times.

[BrooklynKat]

I go to work really depressed every morning reading this on the subway.

http://library.syr.edu/digital/exhibits/g/GrapesOfWrath/lgimage/TheJungle.jpg

[GonzoStyle]

I go to work really depressed every morning reading this on the subway.

http://library.syr.edu/digital/exhibits/g/GrapesOfWrath/lgimage/TheJungle.jpg

The best part is the fact that book eventually had the complete opposite result to what Sinclair was shooting for. He was more concerned with economic conditions rather than sanitary conditions of factories but thanks to people like Teddy Roosevelt, the book is now infamous for the latter.

[grlNIN]

I'm almost to the middle of "The Winter of Our Discontent". At the beginning of my break from school i had finished East of Eden and Fahrenheit 451.

[grlNIN]

i just recently finished "Lucky" by Alice Sebold.
depressing subject matter at first glance, but written in a way that makes even the most horrific description of real events tolerable... i may come back to this again for a second read in the next months.


I chose this book as a semester read for one of my classes and wrote a 15 page paper on it as journals entries from Sebold's P.O.V.-which included a letter at the end to her rapist.


Really emotionally exhausting but i seriously love the way she writes. I think after i finish my next book im going to read The Lovely Bones.

[GonzoStyle]

I'm almost to the middle of "The Winter of Our Discontent". At the beginning of my break from school i had finished East of Eden and Fahrenheit 451.

Did you ever read any other Steinbeck novels? If you enjoyed East of Eden, which you did, i'd highly reccomend Grapes of Wrath, great novel as well as film.

[Yerdaddy]

Cambodia: Report From A Stricken Land. An excellent read - even if you're only half interested in Cambodia - by, Henry Kamm, a NYT journalist through all of the turbulent years of Cambodia's involvement in the Vietnam War through the Khmer Rouge years, the Vietnamese occupation and the UN-mandate period.

The Road, by Cormack McCarthy

I'm back to The Simple Art of Murder, by Raymond Chandler.

[Thebazile78]

Really emotionally exhausting but i seriously love the way she writes. I think after i finish my next book im going to read The Lovely Bones.

I stayed up all night reading The Lovely Bones before wrapping it as a birthday present to send my best friend.

There were some elements that I found to be really interesting and others that felt rushed. Good debut novel, though, so I might read Lucky now.

I think if you enjoyed that, you might also like My Sister's Keeper and Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. (In the meantime, I'm waiting for Nineteen Minutes to be out in paperback before I pick it up.)

[Thebazile78]

The Road, by Cormack McCarthy


I've heard amazing things about that one.

Do you have to be in a certain state of mind to get into it? Or can you just pick it up and start reading "for fun"?

[Thebazile78]

Deciding on what to tackle next...even with the free time I have... reading is something that I am fighting to bring back into the forefront of my life. I miss it.

I STILL have not read Jimmy's book, so i may use that as an easy buffer piece. and after that I may pull from Liz's reading list... as there are a few on there I have promised myself I would read for awhile now....

Pick up The Other Boleyn Girl first.

There's a movie tie-in paperback version for under $7 at Target.

The Pullman novels (called the His Dark Materials series) should also be there; mine were under $7 each.

Target also sells Jon Katz's A Good Dog, which is primarily about his border collie Orson, who he had to put down either two years ago or last year (I've forgotten which) because he'd become too aggressive.

I haven't seen any of the others there yet. (I am DEFINITELY in need of reorganizing my part of the bookshelves. I can't fit all the books I've been reading on my shelves!)

[grlNIN]

Did you ever read any other Steinbeck novels? If you enjoyed East of Eden, which you did, i'd highly reccomend Grapes of Wrath, great novel as well as film.

Yes.

I picked one of his shorter books so that i could finish it before i go back to school next week.

[grlNIN]

I stayed up all night reading The Lovely Bones before wrapping it as a birthday present to send my best friend.

There were some elements that I found to be really interesting and others that felt rushed. Good debut novel, though, so I might read Lucky now.

I think if you enjoyed that, you might also like My Sister's Keeper and Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. (In the meantime, I'm waiting for Nineteen Minutes to be out in paperback before I pick it up.)

Lucky dragged a little bit in the middle but it doesn't lose it's steam and it's a shorter book than TLB so i think you might like Lucky better. It's also an autobiography so it makes it that much more interesting.

I know the Plain Truth from the Lifetime movie that they made about it with Benson from SVU. I just read the synopsis of the two books on wikipedia.

[GonzoStyle]

Yes.

I picked one of his shorter books so that i could finish it before i go back to school next week.

Cannery Row or Tortilla Flat?

[grlNIN]

I wanted to switch it up with a New England setting.

[Thebazile78]

Lucky dragged a little bit in the middle but it doesn't lose it's steam and it's a shorter book than TLB so i think you might like Lucky better. It's also an autobiography so it makes it that much more interesting.

I know the Plain Truth from the Lifetime movie that they made about it with Benson from SVU. I just read the synopsis of the two books on wikipedia.

OK, so the next time I see the paperback of Lucky at Target, I'll buy it. Sounds like it won't kill me and I can probably finish it in a few hours straight through. (Now I know what I'll be doing while Matty watches football!)

You should still read Plain Truth. It's really interesting. . .I finished it when we were in Hawaii. (OK, so I also figured it all out long before the ending, but that doesn't change the fact that I enjoyed reading it!)

And there's an episode of CSI that has elements of My Sister's Keeper in it. (I loved the story and the book, but I really hated the ending. It made me angry.)

Since I enjoyed both of those so much, I definitely have Nineteen Minutes on my list.

Any other recommendations? I've been skipping all over the place and will read pretty much anything at the moment.

[sailor]

once upon a number - john allen paulos (starting slower than his other stuff, but we'll see)

wyrd sisters - terry pratchett

[Yerdaddy]

I've heard amazing things about that one.

Do you have to be in a certain state of mind to get into it? Or can you just pick it up and start reading "for fun"?

It's not exactly "The Little Engine That Could". It's grim. But it's written so sparingly and consicely that you'll get into the proper mood whenever you want to pick it up. I'm not that far into it though.

[ATMfromChico]

Endymion. Book three of four in an epic sci-fi series that deals with time, overpowering AI entities, a catholic church that rises to gigantic power with the use of a cross shaped symbiotic life form that can raise those who are killed back to life, a killing maching called the shrike that loves to slaughter people and can bend time to do pretty much anything it likes, and the rise of a young girl that becomes a messiah and the catholic church desperately tries to capture. It begins with Hyperion by Dan Simmons. I read the series about ten years ago and have picked it up and love it as much as the first time. If you love deep character development and far-future epic landscape. You'll like this.

[TeeBone]

Civil War Curiosities, by Webb Garrison. It's standard stuff but one thing I learned that I never knew before was that Robert E. Lee was commander of ALL Southern Forces for less than 90 days before surrendering at Appomattox Courthouse.

[Slumbag]

I finally went and picked up Chuck Palahniuk's newest, Rant. Fucking loving it so far. The style seems like something he hasn't done before, and the story has me talking to my buddies about it.

[BrooklynKat]

The best part is the fact that book eventually had the complete opposite result to what Sinclair was shooting for. He was more concerned with economic conditions rather than sanitary conditions of factories but thanks to people like Teddy Roosevelt, the book is now infamous for the latter.

I know, but being the bleeding heart that i am, i can't help but feel more moved by the plight of the working man, rather than the nasty food conditions. China must have similarly sanitary food processing methods today.

[JustJon]

Almost done with Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Picked up iWoz at the same time, Steve Wozniak's autobiography.

Yeah, it's an autobiography two-fer

[luzerne56]

first post new member thanks again jj :thumbup::thumbup:

[aarathi]

Now i am reading Othello written by William Shakespeare. The work revolves around four central characters: Othello, his wife Desdemona, his lieutenant Cassio, and his ensign Iago. Because of its varied themes — racism, love, jealousy and betrayal - the play remains relevant to the present day, and is still quite popular. I like this very much.

[topless_mike]

i am reading "south of the pumphouse" by les claypool.

yes, this guy
http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/pv/Les%20Claypool-5.JPG


its pretty wild.
supposedly, he took his childhood and re-enacted it with characters, or something like that.

[Dirtybird12]

Just finised Steve Martin's Born Standing Up .

working on the slash book now.
http://www.monstercable.com/famous/images/slash_with_amps.jpg

[Thebazile78]

It's not exactly "The Little Engine That Could". It's grim. But it's written so sparingly and consicely that you'll get into the proper mood whenever you want to pick it up. I'm not that far into it though.

Thanks.

I am prepared for the dark, grim aspects of it . . . I just wanted to know if I needed to be in a serious mindset to go into it, mostly because I've been reading a lot of fluff lately.

[Jujubees2]

I also just finished Steve Martin's book. My (younger) wife says, "Wow, I didn't know Steve Martin did stand up. I thought he just did movies."

Now I'm on to Education of a Coach.

[Thebazile78]

I also just finished Steve Martin's book. My (younger) wife says, "Wow, I didn't know Steve Martin did stand up. I thought he just did movies."

Now I'm on to Education of a Coach.

How young is "younger" ? Because I'm 29 and I've always known that Steve Martin did stand-up. (And that reminds me of this MSN article about Clay Aiken that my friend sent to me the other day . . . he's guest-appearing in Monty Python's Spamalot on B'way through May and he didn't know who the Pythons were until this year. He is also 29; I called him a moron and had a good loff.)

Born Standing Up is another one on my list of "must read" books this year. . .I gave it as a gift to my best friend this Christmas, but neglected to pick up a copy for myself.

[Jujubees2]

How young is "younger" ? Because I'm 29 and I've always known that Steve Martin did stand-up. (And that reminds me of this MSN article about Clay Aiken that my friend sent to me the other day . . . he's guest-appearing in Monty Python's Spamalot on B'way through May and he didn't know who the Pythons were until this year. He is also 29; I called him a moron and had a good loff.)

Born Standing Up is another one on my list of "must read" books this year. . .I gave it as a gift to my best friend this Christmas, but neglected to pick up a copy for myself.

She's 38 but spent four years living in Germany when she was younger. As for me, I remember walking around high school with an arrow through my head.

The Mrs. bought me the book for Christmas. I agree that it was a great read.

She is also a big Monty Python fan. I bought her tickets to Spamalot as a Christmas present two years ago. She loved it.

[Knowledged_one]

Homicide the book

and Contact Harvest the prequel to the Halo books

[Hamey]

Long Walk by Stephen King

[SeriouslySuprCJ]

I'm just about to read A Brief History of The Universe by Stephen Hawking. I don't normally read books like this, but it makes me sound more cultured to say I'm going to.

I just finished Starcraft - Queen of Blades, which is much closer to the kind of book I read.

[Dirtybird12]

I'm just about to read A Brief History of The Universe by Stephen Hawking. I don't normally read books like this, but it makes me sound more cultured to say I'm going to.

I just finished Starcraft - Queen of Blades, which is much closer to the kind of book I read.


people in atlanta cant reed. there stoopid

[Thebazile78]

I'm just about to read A Brief History of The Universe by Stephen Hawking. I don't normally read books like this, but it makes me sound more cultured to say I'm going to.

I just finished Starcraft - Queen of Blades, which is much closer to the kind of book I read.

A Brief History of Time is supposed to be great. Unfortunately, the only thing by Stephen Hawking I've managed to read is his prefatory note to Lawrence Krauss's book The Physics of Star Trek.

[badorties]

I also just finished Steve Martin's book. My (younger) wife says, "Wow, I didn't know Steve Martin did stand up. I thought he just did movies."

Now I'm on to Education of a Coach.

How young is "younger" ? Because I'm 29 and I've always known that Steve Martin did stand-up. (And that reminds me of this MSN article about Clay Aiken that my friend sent to me the other day . . . he's guest-appearing in Monty Python's Spamalot on B'way through May and he didn't know who the Pythons were until this year. He is also 29; I called him a moron and had a good loff.)

Born Standing Up is another one on my list of "must read" books this year. . .I gave it as a gift to my best friend this Christmas, but neglected to pick up a copy for myself.

i met a guy at a dinner party that had no idea who abbott & costello were (never even heard of 'who's on first') ... and he was 27, i'm 33

+++

i'm really trying to read "all over but the shouting," but it's coming off as a big letdown ... i'm a huge 'mats fan and even enjoy the oral history device (the tom schales, SNL book was fantastic) -- but this book just bites ... the anecdotes are kind of weak, and not really all that linear ... too much of the book comes off as that annoying, loud chick at the end of the bar bore-assing some fellow secretaries with uninteresting stories about her high school days

i won't give up on it yet, but i'm gonna pick up some 'american splendor' and 'y: the last man' to supplement things

[Dougie Brootal]

just got confessions of an economic hitman. only read the intro so far but it seems good.

[weekapaugjz]

I just picked up the rise and fall of the third riech by william shirer. I'm only on page 35 of over 1100 so I've still got a ways to go.

[PhishHead]

I just picked up the rise and fall of the third riech by william shirer. I'm only on page 35 of over 1100 so I've still got a ways to go.

Mojo and I were talking about this book recently, it is a great book.

[envirogator]

Ideas and Opinions by Albert Einstein

[The Chairman]

I read several books at the same time. Currently on my night table:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F0G6TS3PL._AA240_.jpg

http://www.meganwilson.com/subtexts/uploaded_images/Pimp-788019.jpg

http://a1055.g.akamai.net/f/1055/1401/5h/images.barnesandnoble.com/images/13760000/13760028.JPG

http://www.artbyakemi.com/images/FUR-FAMILY.gif

http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/imageDB.cgi?isbn=9780394519920

http://www.shared-vision.com/files/what%20to%20eat-77.jpg

[jauble]

http://scienceblogs.com/omnibrain/upload/2007/06/palahniukcoverrant.jpg

[milliehatchett]

Currently reading:

On The Road: The Original Scroll
The Art of War
My Friend Leonard
A Bowl of Cherries (Milard Kaufman - 90 year old man's debut novel...interesting).

In the pipeline:

Lucky by Alice Sebold
Naked Lunch (re-reading one of my favorites)
The Good Earth

[TheGameHHH]

I just started "Oil!" by Upton Sinclair............im gonna read it before I see 'There Will Be Blood'

[EffMeBoobs]

I just started "Oil!" by Upton Sinclair............im gonna read it before I see 'There Will Be Blood'

There's absolutely no reason to wait to see it. The movie is extremely loosely based on the book and so you'll be fine going in without having read it.

[keithy_19]

I need a good book to read. I got a 15 dollar b&n gift card so it's a good time for me to get something. The last thing I read was Voltaire's Candide.

[TheGameHHH]

There's absolutely no reason to wait to see it. The movie is extremely loosely based on the book and so you'll be fine going in without having read it.

for some odd reason i just like reading a book before i see the movie. i was actually curious to see how they were going to adapt the book on to the big screen because i'm 1/5th of the way through the book and there's hardly been any dialog at all. its a movie i wanna see im just planning on waiting, but thank you for the heads up.

[eeroomnhoj]

The Collected Works of Alex Elmsley

http://re3.yt-thm-a01.yimg.com/image/25/m7/3712653715

[danner1515]

http://www.simonsays.com/assets/isbn/0743236009/C_0743236009.jpg

[grlNIN]

Heard a lot about SD&CC, has piqued my interest.

Right now i am in the middle of Lolita.

[keithy_19]

http://www.simonsays.com/assets/isbn/0743236009/C_0743236009.jpg

So good. I finished it awhile ago. It's one of those books that you don't want to put down.

[keithy_19]

I just picked up The Screen Writer's Workbook by Syd Field. I'm so interested in writing and particulary writing for film or stage and just need that lift to help me get started. Hopefully this book will do that.

[DiabloSammich]

http://training.fws.gov/graphicsstudio/graphics/ableman.jpg

[eeroomnhoj]

Has anyone read the Steve Martin Book? It's sounds like it is pretty good.

[Kris10]

Business Law I & II :(

School sucks

[DonInNC]

Business Law I & II :(

School sucks

Ugh. I'm starting grad school in a few months, so I'm packing in all the movies and books I can now.

Ben Franklin:An American Life
Walter Issacson

[commish13]

I'm a couple parts into Stephen King's It.

[danner1515]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1120/1117601087_a1df9f50e1_m.jpg

Starting this one today.

[keithy_19]

I was lsitening to Jimmy Eat Worlds album "Clarity", and the last song on the album, 'Goodbye Sky Harbor', is based on the book A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving. It peacked my interest so I picked it up and started it a few days ago while waiting for my class to begin.

There's a lot of back story going on at the start of the book which isn't so exciting. I'm hoping it picks up.

[keithy_19]

I'm a couple parts into Stephen King's It.

I always heard the book was better than the miniseries, and a lot dirtier. It's definately something I want to read eventually.

[DonInNC]

I've got my eye on Knockemstiff by Donald Ray Pollock. Anybody read it?

[tileslinger]

Reading: Notes of a Native Son
James Baldwin it's a sleeper. But for me the leason is the heart of man never changes only perceptions. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/410810.Notes_of_a_Native_Son

Listening: On the Road
Jack Kerouac LOVE IT http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70401.On_the_Road

I can't wait to read this whole thread.

[Mike Teacher]

[GLOATY GLOATERTON signing in]

The book Ron mailed me.

[Signing off]

[TooLowBrow]

[GLOATY GLOATERTON signing in]

The book Ron mailed me.

[Signing off]

THE book?
what book?

[keithy_19]

I don't have any time to read, though I really want to read something short.

Any suggestions?

[TooLowBrow]

I don't have any time to read, though I really want to read something short.

Any suggestions?

'the outsiders'
s.e.hinton

[keithy_19]

'the outsiders'
s.e.hinton

I've read it about five times already. It was always the book I could finish quickly. I want something different though.

[Thebazile78]

I don't have any time to read, though I really want to read something short.

Any suggestions?

What're you into?

I usually turned to Scott O'Dell ... Island of the Blue Dolphins, Zia and Sing Down the Moon ... or Elizabeth George Speare The Witch of Blackbird Pond ... or any of the Narnia books, except The Last Battle (it starts so slowly!) ...

You could also try The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams), The Dante Club (Matthew Pearl), Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden) ...

How fast/slow do you read? The O'Dell, Speare, Lewis and Adams would take me a couple of hours, but I could make the Pearl or Golden last all day. . .depending on how crappy the weather was.

[Furtherman]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51iSA%2BzW34L._AA240_.jpg
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/27/69/4098228348a01647402e5110._AA240_.L.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41xW81zDjOL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

And to shake off the nerd-ness:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QD2GHKPZL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

[Mike Teacher]

I don't have any time to read

Bullshit

Bullshit

Bullshit

Bullshit

I'll be nice and just say

Bullshit

It's not you it's anyone here who would claim this, coz it's

Bullshit

Bullshit

Bullshit

[IamFogHat]

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n28/n140809.jpg

[Thebazile78]

Bullshit

Bullshit

Bullshit

Bullshit

I'll be nice and just say

Bullshit

It's not you it's anyone here who would claim this, coz it's

Bullshit

Bullshit

Bullshit

Agreed.

What would you do with/to someone who says:

"I wish I had time to waste on reading...."

(Oh and the icing on the cake? This is an actual person I used to know, who teaches special education at a grammar school somewhere in Morris County.)

My father and I have debated that time spent reading is time "wasted" and that you don't learn anything from reading fiction. (We think that time spent reading is not wasted and no matter what you read, fiction or nonfiction, you will develop a lot of different things, including a larger vocabulary and improved critical thinking skills. But, hey, what do we know? We're not special ed teachers.)

[nate1000]

Because it's getting to be time to start thinking about spring commissioning (34 days and counting):

http://images.contentreserve.com/ImageType-100/0887-1/%7B74D1567F-DDE7-4928-9006-23D39CE02248%7DImg100.jpg

and, just because I've never read them:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71VRGCAKCDL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.gif

Oh, and our local Shakespear in the Park group will be performing Lear this summer, so my seven year old daughter and I are starting to read it together- I cannot wait for her to meet Cordelia, but I'll have to step gently at the end.

[EliSnow]

Right now, I'm finishing this:

http://cdn.harpercollins.com/harperimages/isbn/large/9/9780061374609.jpg

Next I'll be re-reading this before moving on to Chabon's other books:

http://www.weeklyreader.com/readandwriting/content/binary/kavalier%20and%20clay.jpg

[Thebazile78]

Brian - if you enjoy Kavalier and Clay, you may be disappointed by Chabon's others. One of my teammates read K&C, then followed up with Wonder Boys and didn't like the 2nd as much as the other.

Although, truthfully, I really want to read The Yiddish Policemen's Union because it looks interesting.

Following that theme, I think I need to get a copy of Born to Kvetch: Yiddish Language and Culture in All of its Moods by Michael Wex.

[EliSnow]

Brian - if you enjoy Kavalier and Clay, you may be disappointed by Chabon's others. One of my teammates read K&C, then followed up with Wonder Boys and didn't like the 2nd as much as the other.

Although, truthfully, I really want to read The Yiddish Policemen's Union because it looks interesting.

Following that theme, I think I need to get a copy of Born to Kvetch: Yiddish Language and Culture in All of its Moods by Michael Wex.

I didn't get Wonder Boys, but I got the Yiddish Policemen's Union and his latest Gentlemen of the Road. Both got good reviews, but at the same time, I'm not expecting much to equal K&C. I mean how can anyone top a Pulitzer Prize winning book about a comic book artist and writer?

[Badinia]

I'm takin' this to the next level- here's my page on goodreads.com-

http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/923889

[Knowledged_one]

I am reading

Homicide by David Simon

and Halo: Contact Harvest

[tileslinger]

Just started Julian by Gore Vidal it's my first by him.

Notes of a Native Son kicked my ass I'm still working on it maybe I should put it in the freezer for a month or two.

[HBox]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415JhJ6huYL._SS500_.jpg


It's absolutely brilliant.

[Chimee]

I'm reading the seventh book in the Dark Tower series by Stephen King.

[Gritty]

Ugh. I'm starting grad school in a few months, so I'm packing in all the movies and books I can now.

Ben Franklin:An American Life
Walter Issacson

What do you think of it so far? I picked it up months ago, got though the first chapter and then got distracted by a biography of Benjamin Disraeli by Christopher Hibbert. I'm about 3/4's through that but all I've learned so far is that Disraeli was good at giving speeches.

I'm going to stick it out cuz I have to finish any book I start no matter how dull it is but I'm looking forward to picking up the Franklin bio again.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I've read a lot of Holocaust memoirs:
Night by Elie Weisel
All But My Life by Gerda Weissman Klein
The Girl in The Red Coat by Roma Ligocka

Then I read frivolous rock history
Our Band Could Be your Life by Michael Azerrad
All Over But The Shouting: An Oral History of The Replacements by Jim Walsh

And several odd-ball memoirs
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
Dry By Augusten Burroughs
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

I'd recommend all of them.

The next book I'm going to read is Fargo Rock City-- A Heavy Metal Odyssey in Rural North Dakota.

NOTE-- There ARE umlauts over the Os in North Dakota.

[DonInNC]

What do you think of it so far? I picked it up months ago, got though the first chapter and then got distracted by a biography of Benjamin Disraeli by Christopher Hibbert. I'm about 3/4's through that but all I've learned so far is that Disraeli was good at giving speeches.

I'm going to stick it out cuz I have to finish any book I start no matter how dull it is but I'm looking forward to picking up the Franklin bio again.

Finished it last night. Great read. Not dry at all and it seems well researched. I don't think there was a part anywhere in the book that I had to force myself through.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Issacson's Einstein and Frankling bios, I'll probably read his Kissinger bio even though I'm not partcularly interested in the subject.

Today I started Comfortably Numb by Charles Barber, then it will be Full House by Stephen Jay Gould.

[jeffdwright2001]

"Born Standing Up" - Steve Martin
"Dance of Death" - Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
"The Venetian Betrayal" - Steve Berry
"Not Quite Dead Enough" - Rex Stout

[BeerBandit]

I just finished a collection of H. P. Lovecraft shorts. Now I'm reading Hyperion by Dan Simmons. So far seems like a futuristic Canterbury Tales.

[Ritalin]

http://bluepyramid.org/ia/littocggm.jpg

What took me so long?

[nate1000]

http://bluepyramid.org/ia/littocggm.jpg

What took me so long?

Great book- check out 100 years of solitude, too.

[Thebazile78]

Fuzzy-P: If you liked Augusten Burroughs, I think that you might also like David Sedaris. (I nearly peed myself laughing while reading Running With Scissors bu Burroughs so my friend Sara recommended I read Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by Sedaris.)

I have two paperback copies of Night ... the old one from the first-run and the new translation by Elie Wiesel's wife. Either way, it's a powerful little book.

Currently, I'm making more time for cookbooks and TV reruns than I am for reading. (This is sad.)

[IamFogHat]

I'm reading the seventh book in the Dark Tower series by Stephen King.

Check back in when you're done, I'm always interested in what people think of the ending.

[CountryBob]

I'm reading the seventh book in the Dark Tower series by Stephen King.

Man, that is a great series. I am about ready to start it over and re-read it again.

I recently picked up I am Legend and was let down by the story length. It was over before it got started. Half of the rest of the book is short stories.

[Mike Teacher]

Agreed.

What would you do with/to someone who says:

"I wish I had time to waste on reading...."

(Oh and the icing on the cake? This is an actual person I used to know, who teaches special education at a grammar school somewhere in Morris County.)

My father and I have debated that time spent reading is time "wasted" and that you don't learn anything from reading fiction. (We think that time spent reading is not wasted and no matter what you read, fiction or nonfiction, you will develop a lot of different things, including a larger vocabulary and improved critical thinking skills. But, hey, what do we know? We're not special ed teachers.)

My main reaction was actually: Keith is smart; you can tell the dude reads! No one talks like that and doesnt read, and think, a lot.

=

Having said that, I agree on the boredom thing. I had an hour to kill today, so 2 minutes after starting out the window I remembered all the threads about vaccinations and autism and I relaized 'I havent really read up on the current stuff, and by the way, remind myself of the basics. Not to be an expert, just, to know.

I want to know how it all works. I want to know all the answers. I want to know the secrets of the Universe. I wont. I will never get there. But god fucking damn I'm gonna have fun trying.

Someday I'll find Sagans [shocker!] rant on books. Its fucking amazing. In short, he thought books were perhaps the single greatest invention ever.

[Thebazile78]

Someday I'll find Sagans [shocker!] rant on books. Its fucking amazing. In short, he thought books were perhaps the single greatest invention ever.

Agreed.

Although, without the moveable type press, modern books would not have come about.

Nor would modern newspapers or magazines ... although everything is friggin' digital nowadays. (Fewer moving parts = fewer process delays = faster printing and wider distribution ... it's all PDF to Press ... *sigh* I hate working in publishing.)

[nate1000]

... although everything is friggin' digital nowadays. (Fewer moving parts = fewer process delays = faster printing and wider distribution ... it's all PDF to Press ... *sigh* I hate working in publishing.)

Tell me about it- I'm in banking and we've had to eat a couple of Heilelbergs from printing companies who got slammed by desktop capabilities.

[Soupy_Dreck]

i recently read "though all the world betrays thee" by William Sudell. its an interesting take on the civil war and civil war era philadelphia through the eyes of an irish immigrant who joins the union army.

[Knowledged_one]

Check back in when you're done, I'm always interested in what people think of the ending.

I'm with you on this, and i liked the ending well the first ending the second was meh but makes sense i think

And i get to one point in the 7th book now and stop because i just feel bad after reading certain parts

[DonInNC]

I'm in the middle of Water for Elelphants by Sara Gruen. This would make a great vacation book - entertaining story and an easy read (I'm 200 pages into it in 2 days). If you read with a critical eye though, you might want to skip it.

[TooLowBrow]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41A2QWJ472L._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

[cougarjake13]

ronfez.net

[keithy_19]

My main reaction was actually: Keith is smart; you can tell the dude reads! No one talks like that and doesnt read, and think, a lot.


Thanks Mike.

I do read, but lately I've been picking up books, reading a little and losing interest. It's like I've developed ADD with my reading. That's why I want a shorter book to read so I can just run through it.

To pass the time I've been reading a lot of Edgar Allan Poe's poetry. 'Annabel Lee' is my favorite work of poetry ever.

[grlNIN]

I just finished this today, loved it.

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/2029/185262680f52c5a42e0uk3.jpg


Bought this today after waiting for my boyfriend to get out of work, can't put it down either.

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/9369/girlswhowent265x405cu4.jpg

[Thebazile78]

I finished the final Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book the same day I bought it. I admit, I am far too old to be reading this series. BUT, I read what I like. And I liked these novels; they're also great for quick-hits.

Now I have to buy a copy for my sister. This is what I've done each time one of the novels has come out in paperback. (Christmas present ... DONE!)

[Furtherman]

I just finished this one and it's up there with some of the best books I've ever read.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0425103552.01.LZZZZZZZ.gif

[tileslinger]

John Updike "Rabit Run"

Then Norman Mailer "The Naked and the Dead"

[EliSnow]

Right now, this:

http://www.czlonkafamily.com/Books%20-%20Matt/images/GentlemenOfTheRoad.jpg

Next is this:

http://www.lindamaubooks.com/blog/wp-content/theroad.jpg

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I just finished this today, loved it.

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/2029/185262680f52c5a42e0uk3.jpg


Bought this today after waiting for my boyfriend to get out of work, can't put it down either.

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/9369/girlswhowent265x405cu4.jpg

I haven't had a chance to read much lately but I will check these books out.

I actually get to read at work when there is nothing to proofread. Since the other proofreader quit I've been very busy. I grabbed a book off my book shelf the other day:

http://blog.vcu.edu/bookremarks/images/charmingbilly.jpg

I found it in a desk drawer a couple of jobs ago. About an Irish alcoholic after he dies and his family's memories of him. Not bad.

BTW-- SO happy The Lovely Bones is being made into a movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0380510/)!

[grlNIN]

The next book I'm going to read is Fargo Rock City-- A Heavy Metal Odyssey in Rural North Dakota.

NOTE-- There ARE umlauts over the Os in North Dakota.

Would that be heavy metal a la first edition Metallica or heavy as in death metal?

PS I am Reading "Can't Find My Way Home: America and the Great Stoned Age" by Martin Torgoff. I found another book today called "Where the Girls Are: Growing Up Female with the Mass Media" that ill probably go back for when i finish the other.

[WampusCrandle]

http://kijiji.ebayimg.com/i22/06/k/000/7a/90/b46b_20.JPG?set_id=1C4000
http://blogs.timesunion.com/books/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/infidel.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/duncanblack/jonah.jpg

flipping back and forth between shits and work. all very interesting

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Would that be heavy metal a la first edition Metallica or heavy as in death metal?

Not so heavy. He talks about his experiences with music and growing up in North Dakota. He's younger than I am (by 5 years) so he talks a lot about discovering metal (like Sabbath and Iron Maiden) but his love lies (as much as he hated to admit it at the time) in Hair Metal. He'd trash talk, say, Motley Crue, but slept under a Motley Crue poster with a pentagram. He admits to loving Poison.

It's a quick, fun read. The cover ROCKS though:

http://www.simonsays.com/assets/isbn/0743406567/C_0743406567.jpg

I have NEVER been a fan of Motley Crue, but The Dirt is a MUST read for any rock fan. It's so amazing they survived the 80s. Pure debauchery.

"Where the Girls Are: Growing Up Female with the Mass Media"

I'll check that out. Might I suggest, "The Beauty Myth" by Naomi Wolf. It's old school, hardcore feminism. I read it and I disagreed with a lot of it b/c it portrayed the woman a victim. It came out in the early 90s and it was SO refreshing to see women take back rock.

[tileslinger]

Also I just downloaded the Preface to The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire from http://www.archive.org/details/decline_fall_1_0707_librivox .

This is also a great place to download Greatful Dead Shows

[grlNIN]

I'll check that out. Might I suggest, "The Beauty Myth" by Naomi Wolf. It's old school, hardcore feminism. I read it and I disagreed with a lot of it b/c it portrayed the woman a victim. It came out in the early 90s and it was SO refreshing to see women take back rock.


I have that one actually, i started reading it but with school i had to put it aside and then i ended up getting Torgoff's book and sidetracked by that.

We seem to have similar tastes, i love everything and anything having to do with counterculture and the waves of feminism but not limited to. I am really fascinated when writer's take a subject having to do with a time period and break down/investigate every aspect of the culture and the "rules" that apply to the generation.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I have that one actually, i started reading it but with school i had to put it aside and then i ended up getting Torgoff's book and sidetracked by that.

We seem to have similar tastes, i love everything and anything having to do with counterculture and the waves of feminism but not limited to. I am really fascinated when writer's take a subject having to do with a time period and break down/investigate every aspect of the culture and the "rules" that apply to the generation.


I'm having a DUH moment here-- I've NEVER read Fear of Flying by Erica Jong. It seemed to be on all my friend's divorced mother's bedside tables.

I will report if it's silly in a cultural way (the 1970s) or a MUST READ or a sort-of read.

I know it was ground breaking, like Wifey, by Judy Blume. That blew my SOCKS off when I was 11. BUT I was 11...

[WhistlePig]

I'm just finishing the third in the series of Dexter books. I thought since I loved the series I'd like the books and they are really good. The characters are the same as the TV show (so I can't help but picture those actors as I'm reading) but the stories are totally different.

http://www.freewebs.com/dextermorgan/n185029.jpg

[drjoek]

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f324/Andy1888/brutal.jpg
Brutal - Inside Whitey Bulger's Irish Mob
In Kevin Weeks, mobster James "Whitey" Bulger thought he had found the perfect deputy. For 25 years, Whitey's handpicked assistant performed every task he was assigned: digging graves, witnessing executions, collecting protection money, running phantom businesses. When Bulger decided to go underground, it was only natural that Weeks would provide him with a fake ID and keep him current on gangland gossip. There was only one problem: Whitey's right-hand man was a career FBI informant.

[BoondockSaint]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MT1A54VEL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

[Thebazile78]

I've been reading the Shopaholic books by Sophie Kinsella ... which aren't my usual cup of tea, but very addictive. (They're very silly and formulaic overall, but the silliness only makes the formulaic part enjoyable. Oh and the fact that they're ridiculous on the one hand and believeable on the other makes them funny.)

And, on the flip side, I've been reading the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. (I find them absorbing and well-crafted, which is unusual for something tagged with the "young adult" label.)

I've been on-and-off interested in them for a while, but figured with the film version of Twilight set to open this year, I might as well indulge a bit. (Plus, the paperbacks are under $9 at Target, so I get to read them all in quick succession. Of course, I couldn't find the paperback version of Eclipse last night when I made an emergency book-run, but that's OK. The hardcover versions are under $14.)

[FANDICK]

"52 tips to Texas Hold 'em"

(It isn't working that well)

:wallbash:

[Thebazile78]

....
http://blogs.timesunion.com/books/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/infidel.jpg

...

I read an interview with Ms. Ali a while ago ... it was in a fashion magazine, of all places. Really good interview ... and she is a really amazing individual.

Her book sounds really interesting; maybe I will have to get a library card so I can read it and then decide later if I want to purcahse it.

[BoondockSaint]

Has anyone tried this yet?

BookMooch (http://www.bookmooch.com/)

[bobrobot]

I love this book, it goes from Japanese ghost stories to Chinese folklore & tales about butterflies. I read it every summer!!!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/bobogolem/kwaidan.jpg

[Furtherman]

i recently read "though all the world betrays thee" by William Sudell. its an interesting take on the civil war and civil war era philadelphia through the eyes of an irish immigrant who joins the union army.

I just wanted to thank you Soupy Dreck for this recommendation. The book was incredible. Loved it.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XZM2W0DVL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

[EddieMoscone]

Now that I finally got around to finishing the Tipping Point, I've moved on to...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/49/Blinkgla.jpg/173px-Blinkgla.jpg

[ChimneyFish]

"Cry to Heaven" by Anne Rice

"Batman: Year One" by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli

"Nightcrawler: The Devil Inside" by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Darick Robertson

[Aqualad]

M is for Magic Neil Gaiman (short stories aimed at a YA audience)

The Cosmic Puppets Philip K Dick

[ahhdurr]

Pillars of the Earth by that smarmy looking Ken Follett (that's two t's b/c I'm <i>Ken</i>)

I'm about 15 pages in - it's ok. Just ok, but I haven't reallly dug in yet. Seems pretty neat - I've never read an artist's rendition of Medieval England.

[tileslinger]

I've been listening to A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (Mark Twain).

I tried to read this years ago and got thrown off by the language. I've found that when listening to these old books when I zone out due to the olde english I still get the point/idea of the text.

Wow this is great.

[Friday]

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

it's the first book for the Wackbag Book Club.
yes, wackbag has a book club. :)

i really like it so far.
not sure why i haven't read this before now!

[jetdog]

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

[hedges]

Scar Lover by Harry Crews

[keithy_19]

Acid Dreams:The complete social history of LSD, the CIA, the sixties, and beyond by Martin A. Lee and Bruce Shlain.

Really interesting read.

[BeerBandit]

I'm reading The Kiterunner, and I'm not enjoying it. I know it's a pretty sad story about the turmoil in Afghanistan, but it really seems hack. And not being a chick, the sad angle just doesn't do it for me. Very, very disappointing.

[WampusCrandle]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0d/BrightShinyMorning-cover.jpg

its ok, so far

[FunkyDrummer]

http://dicionariododiabo.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/grossman.jpg

[Thebazile78]

OK, so Breaking Dawn (which is the 4th and, supposedly, final, book in the Twilight series) comes out a week from tomorrow. My local Borders is having a release party.

I'm interested, but I'm no longer 16.

I'm torn.

Maybe I'll just pre-reserve a copy & pick it up the next day...

Anyway, in the meantime I've read another Sophie Kinsella book (The Undomestic Goddess ... which is silly, formulaic, but funny and well-written in spite of it) and Stephenie Meyer's first "adult" novel, The Host. She's really weird, but I mean that in a good way. (Needless to say, I enjoyed the "adult" book.)

On the reading list is Candy Girl ... Diablo Cody's memoir as well as the last Dave Barry/Ridley Pearson Peter Pan "prequel" Peter and the Secret of Rundoon.

And, of course, this is in addition to all the picture books I read to the nieces & nephew when we were at the beach. (I like Dr. Seuss for reading out loud, don't you??)

Yeah, I'm all over the map lately.

[Furtherman]

A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World

http://www.voyagelongandstrange.com/images/a_voyage_long_and_strange2.gif

This book is great. Between Columbus "discovering" the new world and the arrival of the Mayflower, there is a long history of other explorers who roamed around the North American continent. The author not only gives you the story, but travels to the sites in present day. Educational and a lot of fun.

[bobrobot]

http://www.hnabooks.com/images/products/9/31109-23.jpg

The Great John Lurie (Painter, Composer, Ex~Lounge Lizards, Fishing w/ John, etc... ) has told me it's fraught w/ errors, but I'm reading it anyway cuz that was a special time to & for me!!! Lotsa cool photos too!!!

[Dougie Brootal]

http://images2.fishpond.co.nz/0316286567.jpg

[tileslinger]

Pillar of Fire : America in the King Years 1963-65 (America in the King Years)
Taylor Branch.

And downloading to listen to on the comute
A Tale of Two Cities

http://www.archive.org/details/tale_two_cities_librivox

[hedges]

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o7/cigarettesandspeed/library/9070504.gif

[nate1000]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0393324508.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Thebazile78]

Pillar of Fire : America in the King Years 1963-65 (America in the King Years)
Taylor Branch.

And downloading to listen to on the comute
A Tale of Two Cities

http://www.archive.org/details/tale_two_cities_librivox

Make sure you get the unabridged version. It's more fun.

(Read it in 5th grade; then in the 7th grade we had to read an abridgement for middle school kids ... it was painful. I haven't re-read it in a few years, but my copy is in my in-laws' basement at the moment!)

[El Mudo]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0807847305.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg


RIP 3rd Corps... :sad: :sad:

http://www.brotherswar.com/Gettysburg-050702-124th_New_York-Colonel_A_Van_Horn_Ellis-01.jpg

[Badinia]

http://www.hnabooks.com/images/products/9/31109-23.jpg

The Great John Lurie (Painter, Composer, Ex~Lounge Lizards, Fishing w/ John, etc... ) has told me it's fraught w/ errors, but I'm reading it anyway cuz that was a special time to & for me!!! Lotsa cool photos too!!!

Deepinthewoods is reading this also.

I'm reading the Chris Farley bio, Russell Brand's book, and some books by Jimmy Carr on jokewriting and telling. Thematic!

[Willmore]

Just finished:

http://www.hobartpulp.com/website/january/books_BriefHistoryOfTheDead.jpg

Rather enjoyed it. Light, sometimes funny, sometimes sad. Most importantly, it is very well written. Certainly it's not Dostoevsky, but it never aspires to it either. I would heartily recommend it to anyone that doesn't mind that he knows where the novel is going, as long as it's a fun read along the way.

[Landblast]

When You Are Engulfed In Flames

It should be a goody.

http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn331/AndromedaDrive/flames-200x300.jpg

[nassue]

more like re-reading

<a href="http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/Nassue/?action=view&current=vonnetsot.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/Nassue/vonnetsot.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

love the harmoniums

[jax]

The Brief Wonderous Life Of Oscar Wao
by Junot Diaz

Highly recomend this book

[WhistlePig]

http://www.alnyethelawyerguy.com/al_nye_the_lawyer_guy/Born_20Standing_20Up_small.jpg

Really interesting autobiography of Steve Martin's career as a stand up comedian, how he made his way to the top and then just walked away from it. He's an excellent writer--book is very hard to put down. I highly recommend it.

[Columbus]

Well I am catching up with a few old comics. The newest Batman ''RIP" Series and a MTG Book.

[Thebazile78]

I have to go out and get the last book in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, seeing as how I've finished both Candy Girl and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon.

It should last me about a day.

[PigShitIrish]

http://www.gilpinlibrary.org/images/Book-Gospel.jpg

I just started reading it and I'm flying through it.

[jax]

King Dork by Frank Portman

[DonInNC]

I just started Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis. Love it. Its my second Lewis novel - Arrowsmith was the first, and I have Main Street and Elmer Gantry waiting in the wings. He is becoming one of my favorite writers. With a little tweeking to the verbage, Lewis's political and social commentary could be about early 21st century as easily as it is about early 20th century. Example:

"These standard advertised wares - toothpastes, socks, tires, cameras, instantaneous hot water heaters - were his symbols and proofs of excellence; at first the signs, then the substitutes, for joy and passion and wisdom."

That shit was written in 1922.

I've also been reading the Idiot by Dostoyevsky for several months, and I'm only about a third of the way through it. Its been brutal, but one of my life goals is read all of his works.

I've also been reading a history of medicine (can't remember the exact title). Pretty dry as it is written for medical students, but interesting enough to keep going.

[Chimee]

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa144/Ch1mee/Ron%20and%20Fez/papillon.jpg

I'm only a little way into the book, but it's damn good.

[bobstevens4]

The Lobotomist

[dino_electropolis]

I just started Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis. Love it. Its my second Lewis novel - Arrowsmith was the first, and I have Main Street and Elmer Gantry waiting in the wings. He is becoming one of my favorite writers. With a little tweeking to the verbage, Lewis's political and social commentary could be about early 21st century as easily as it is about early 20th century. Example:

"These standard advertised wares - toothpastes, socks, tires, cameras, instantaneous hot water heaters - were his symbols and proofs of excellence; at first the signs, then the substitutes, for joy and passion and wisdom."

That shit was written in 1922.

I've also been reading the Idiot by Dostoyevsky for several months, and I'm only about a third of the way through it. Its been brutal, but one of my life goals is read all of his works.

I've also been reading a history of medicine (can't remember the exact title). Pretty dry as it is written for medical students, but interesting enough to keep going.


Leavin for vacation on friday, and need a good book...this Sinclair Lewis book sounds interesting....if i pick it up, i will have a book report for you when i get back!

[bobrobot]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41F66DTQJFL._SS500_.jpg

This book is blowing my mind!!!

[DonInNC]

Leavin for vacation on friday, and need a good book...this Sinclair Lewis book sounds interesting....if i pick it up, i will have a book report for you when i get back!

I got my copy at a used bookstore for 2.00, but the cover price was 1.65 (1961 edition) and I found it online for 1.00. (I guess I got ripped off)

[DonInNC]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41F66DTQJFL._SS500_.jpg

This book is blowing my mind!!!

I'm intrigued. would a non-player get anything out of this or is it too full of harmonica lingo?

[boosterp]

"Flags of Our Fathers"

Next is " A Soldier's Story"

[bobrobot]

I'm intrigued. would a non-player get anything out of this or is it too full of harmonica lingo?

Sure, if you're into Music, especially stuff beyond Pop/Rock. The stories are fascinating!!!

http://en.woodbrass.com/images/woodbrass/HOHNER+TRUMPET+CALL.JPG

[tileslinger]

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa144/Ch1mee/Ron%20and%20Fez/papillon.jpg

I'm only a little way into the book, but it's damn good.


Very cool book. I think about it often.

[Furtherman]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/48/The_Dangerous_Days_of_Daniel_X.jpg/200px-The_Dangerous_Days_of_Daniel_X.jpg

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X. I picked this up for a train ride over the weekend. A very easy read and is more for a teenage sci-fi geek rather than adults, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. After a little research, I've learned the movie rights have already been picked up and look for a movie in 2010. Kind of a Harry Potter meets Men In Black.

[Dingbat_Charlie]

Resurrection, by Tolstoy.

Like all Tolstoy, it's fantastic.

[Dougie Brootal]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/2332940331_8dd49dfb3d.jpg?v=0

[JustJon]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/2332940331_8dd49dfb3d.jpg?v=0

Great book.

[Dingbat_Charlie]

Great book.

I just got it as a birthday gift. can't wait to read it.

[Dougie Brootal]

Great book.

i just bought the dvds of no reservations season 1 & 2. i love this guy, hes hysterical!!!

[drjoek]

http://cdn.harpercollins.com/harperimages/isbn/large/7/9780061439087.jpg

[Chigworthy]

Tried reading Gravity's Rainbow again, but just can't stick with it. Diminishing returns of pleasureable reading.

[BeerBandit]

Dan Simmons
Olympos

I really liked Hyperion, so I went to the library to pick up one of the successive books. Unfortunately they were all out, so I picked this one up. The Blurb says the Gods on Mars are recreating the Trojan War sometime in the future. Seems pretty interesting, sci-fi and mythology. I'm hoping Clutch does the soundtrack when the movie comes out.

[Friday]

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis.

So far, so good. It's a different read than Hemingway, which was my last author, but I am adjusting well. :)

I have learned to love the library system here too. Free books! who knew! lol

[DonInNC]

Black Postcards - Dean Wareham

[ChrisBrown]

Black Postcards - Dean Wareham

What do you think of it? I want to get it when it is out in paperback. I have always been a big Galaxy 500 fan and I like Luna. I read a review saying that he plays up his hanging with hookers, drugs, and asshole behavior almost to make himself sound more like a rock star than he really is. Do you get that feeling?

[ChrisBrown]

Tried reading Gravity's Rainbow again, but just can't stick with it. Diminishing returns of pleasureable reading.

Have you read Mason & Dixon? I haven't read any Pynchon and want to give one of his books a shot. Gravity's Rainbow looks like it isn't the effort, like you say.

[DonInNC]

What do you think of it? I want to get it when it is out in paperback. I have always been a big Galaxy 500 fan and I like Luna. I read a review saying that he plays up his hanging with hookers, drugs, and asshole behavior almost to make himself sound more like a rock star than he really is. Do you get that feeling?


I'm only 46 pages in, they're still learning to play their instruments at this point.

I have to admit that I'm ignorant of Galaxie 500 and Luna. I'll probably check them out as I'm reading the book.

[Chigworthy]

Have you read Mason & Dixon? I haven't read any Pynchon and want to give one of his books a shot. Gravity's Rainbow looks like it isn't the effort, like you say.

No, this was my first Pynchon, and most likely, last.

[KatPw]

I just started Botany of Desire:A Plant's-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan.

[Knowledged_one]

Reading a few things

Reading: The Hot Zone - a true story about the ebola virus and its outbreak

Finished teh First book in the Legacy of the Force books, now on the 2nd

ALso finished reading Legend the 2nd of the Event Group books

and the book of fate which was a cool book about freemasons and such

and i am going to be picking up the Corner soon

[bobrobot]

http://www.sohojournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/book_cover.jpg

[Knowledged_one]

I have read some cool things about Houdini and things like the Handcuff challenge from some frech guy where he changed the password to get out as they wrestled or how much he studied locks and things during any free time or how he learned to be able to bring things like keys up from his stomach

[KatPw]

s

Reading: The Hot Zone - a true story about the ebola virus and its outbreak

I read The Hot Zone a few years ago, really interesting I enjoyed it immensely. Demon in the Freezer was equally good.

[Knowledged_one]

I read The Hot Zone a few years ago, really interesting I enjoyed it immensely. Demon in the Freezer was equally good.

Thanks i will check it out, the book is so great and its a true story with no drama. How crazy was it about how there could have been an outbreak if that woman had a whole in all 3 of her gloves during the monkey dissection

[bobsnin]

I'm finishing Lamb:The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal - Christopher Moore

Starting Rock On: An Office Power Ballad - Dan Kennedy

[IamFogHat]

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/75/d9/743c4310fca059bc8e454010.L.jpg

[KatPw]

Thanks i will check it out, the book is so great and its a true story with no drama. How crazy was it about how there could have been an outbreak if that woman had a whole in all 3 of her gloves during the monkey dissection

Completely. I swear, I was on the edge of my seat reading that book. Scared me as if it was a horror novel. I really felt for the people the book chronicled.

[bobrobot]

I have read some cool things about Houdini and things like the Handcuff challenge from some frech guy where he changed the password to get out as they wrestled or how much he studied locks and things during any free time or how he learned to be able to bring things like keys up from his stomach

Yeah, he was pretty amazing. He was considered the world's foremost expert on locks of any kind. Portions of his collection of magic apparatus have sold in auction for millions!!!
I'm not sure that anyone has ever replaced him since few performers now are willing to do tricks w/ such a high element of personal risk!

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/assets/aa/houdini/aa_houdini_magic_1_e.jpg

Got Houdini?
(get it??? it's a milk can!!! HA HA HA!!!)

[Thebazile78]

Have you read Mason & Dixon? I haven't read any Pynchon and want to give one of his books a shot. Gravity's Rainbow looks like it isn't the effort, like you say.

No, this was my first Pynchon, and most likely, last.

Pynchon is one of those authors who was really popular with a lot of the postmodern snobs I knew in college.

The only book of his that I read was The Crying of Lot 49.

I remember enjoying it, mostly because it was short. But I haven't read any Pynchon since.

[Thebazile78]

I'm finishing Lamb:The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal - Christopher Moore

Starting Rock On: An Office Power Ballad - Dan Kennedy

Christopher Moore is an evil, twisted, sick and very funny guy.

I loved Lamb and have read a number of his other novels. If you enjoyed Lamb, you may also enjoy Practical Demonkeeping.

[bobrobot]

Pynchon is one of those authors who was really popular with a lot of the postmodern snobs I knew in college.


OUCH!!! Gravity's Rainbow is one of my fave books, my thesis in college was on it's chemical & alchemical references!!!

from an online article:
"She (Laurie Anderson) then mentioned how her plan to write an opera from Thomas Pynchon's "Gravity's Rainbow" was nipped in the bud when he stipulated that the orchestra must be comprised only of banjos."


I had sent many emails to Laurie Anderson, offering to organize the banjo orchestra, but she never responded, DAMMIT!!!

http://www.orbit.zkm.de/files/LaurieAnderson_TeomKevin.jpg

[Misteriosa]

i really enjoyed lamb... i may check the demon keeping one out...

i just recently finished The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

i didnt know it was part 3 of a series so i have some catching up to do... these are the guys who wrote Relic (which is pt 1 of the Pendergast Series)

[Thebazile78]

OUCH!!! Gravity's Rainbow is one of my fave books, my thesis in college was on it's chemical & alchemical references!!!

from an online article:
"She (Laurie Anderson) then mentioned how her plan to write an opera from Thomas Pynchon's "Gravity's Rainbow" was nipped in the bud when he stipulated that the orchestra must be comprised only of banjos."


I had sent many emails to Laurie Anderson, offering to organize the banjo orchestra, but she never responded, DAMMIT!!!


But being a postmodern snob don't make you a bad person!

It was a bad relationship that started with me puking in the men's room (long story) and ended with him going back to the ex-girlfriend who broke his heart ... and being too much of a pussy to tell me about it.

Pynchon was his (and his group of friends') favorite author at the time. It's hard to pick Pynchon up without thinking about this guy.

[KatPw]

i really enjoyed lamb... i may check the demon keeping one out...

i just recently finished The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

i didnt know it was part 3 of a series so i have some catching up to do... these are the guys who wrote Relic (which is pt 1 of the Pendergast Series)

I've read most of the books in the Preston/Child series, except possibly the last one. I have to check. Love Pendergast, even if the books do get kinda wacky.

[Chigworthy]

I've read most of the books in the Preston/Child series, except possibly the last one. I have to check. Love Pendergast, even if the books do get kinda wacky.

Great junkfood thriller reading. My wife and I have read every book of theirs. Ironically, Douglas Preston's brother is Richard Preston, who wrote the aforementioned The Hot Zone, as well as a great junkfood thriller called The Cobra Event.

[hedges]

Rock and the Pop Narcotic
by Joe Carducci

[KatPw]

Great junkfood thriller reading. My wife and I have read every book of theirs. Ironically, Douglas Preston's brother is Richard Preston, who wrote the aforementioned The Hot Zone, as well as a great junkfood thriller called The Cobra Event.

I believe I have read that they were brothers. Talented family. I'll have to check out The Cobra Event next time I am at the library.

[KC2OSO]

I've been listening to a lot of Jean Shepherd lately and Jean really liked Kerouac. Every good town needs a good bookstore and a good story. So, there we were in New Hope today, in amongst the tatted posers, and the fags and the bikers and the ice cream eaters was a copy of On the Road. It's been 25 years since I've read it so I blazed through the first 100 or so pages tonight.

What a great time that must have been to be alive and young and free to travel around.

I'm not sure what's in vogue now. Maye this stuff is old hat but I find it interesting.

[DonInNC]

What do you think of it? I want to get it when it is out in paperback. I have always been a big Galaxy 500 fan and I like Luna. I read a review saying that he plays up his hanging with hookers, drugs, and asshole behavior almost to make himself sound more like a rock star than he really is. Do you get that feeling?

After reading the book, I'd recommend it if you're a fan. As far as the excessive rock n' roll lifestyle, I came away with the impresion that he walked the tightrope - he enjoyed the trappings to a point, but didn't really give in to the excesses.

On another note - I am rereading Knockemstiff / Donald Ray Pollack. The first time around I thought it was over-the-top. This time though, I'm getting the absurdity. It's a great read. This is one I'll probably read several times.

[DonInNC]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/2332940331_8dd49dfb3d.jpg?v=0

Finally getting around to reading this one. So far, so good.

[grlNIN]

When i got out of my last day of class (the 13th) i bought The Lovely Bones and read it within a day, then went and got Torillla Flat and finished that.

Now i am starting to use the library because i dont like Barnes & Noble's new return policy, which i can't even get around although my boyfriend works there.

I checked out Joyce Carol Oates' Haunted and James Joyce's The Dubliners.

[DonInNC]

I recently started The Craftsman by Richard Sennett. It a tough read; I've had to pull the dictionary out a couple times and I'm only at page 68. Right now he's using the medevial goldsmith as an example to explain the difference between art and craftsmanship.

[DonInNC]

I'm not sure what's in vogue now. Maye this stuff is old hat but I find it interesting.

I don't think there is old hat when it comes to literature. For every newer novel I read, I probably read five or six older ones. I especially like the 1890-1930 time period, when the writing was still modern enough that the author's point of view is easily understood, but at the same time you are experiencing a different era. It's like reverse science fiction.

[Chigworthy]

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/26170000/26176506.JPG

Martin Cruz Smith's troubled Russian detective Arcady Renko is deeply developed, flawed, and intelligent. I've also read Polar Star, and plan on picking up the other four novels in the series, including Gorky Park.

[hedges]

The lastest National Geographic. There is an article that looks interesting called "Ancient Iran: Inside a Nation's Persian Soul".

[Chigworthy]

The lastest National Geographic. There is an article that looks interesting called "Ancient Iran: Inside a Nation's Persian Soul".

Any good pictures of saggy non-caucasian tits?

[hedges]

I'm lookin', I'm lookin'...non-Cuacasian, no...Moscow Never Sleeps, big no to Caucasian too.

[hedges]

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/75/d9/743c4310fca059bc8e454010.L.jpg

I have this one on my shelf but have yet to read it. It is next.

[FunkyDrummer]

http://store.rdrbooks.com/images/takingrisks.jpg

Just started but will breeze through it in no time.

Also trying to finish this...
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/04uZ88Qbqc1ev/340x.jpg

[ursassygurl]

hi there..i love "chiclit", i have all the books by marian keyes,sophie kinsella,emily giffin and meg cabot..its good to read something light after long hours of stress and workloads..:)

[Chigworthy]

i love "chiclit"

Lesbian porn set in The Windy City? The City With the Broad Shoulders? The White City, Second City? That Toddling Town?

[ChimneyFish]

"The Vampire Armand" by Anne Rice

"Watchmen" by Alan Morre & Dave Gibbons

[jennysmurf]

I'm mucking through "Trainspotting" but I'm having a heck of a time with the Scottish dialect. Next on my list is "The Arrogance of the French." Should be a hoot.

[TooLowBrow]

I'm mucking through "Trainspotting" but I'm having a heck of a time with the Scottish dialect. Next on my list is "The Arrogance of the French." Should be a hoot.

the 4 main characters each have a different scottish dialects

[jennysmurf]

That should make it easier?

[joethebartender]

Sorry but I love Leg Show...
http://www.legshow.com/images/legshow_02.jpg

[Thebazile78]

"The Vampire Armand" by Anne Rice

"Watchmen" by Alan Morre & Dave Gibbons

Skip the Anne Rice and stick to Watchmen.

The latter-day Vampire Chronicles went wrong. Those characters she'd created in previous books, the ones we loved so very much, just went a different direction from the way they'd been presented earlier.

Too bad, though. Pandora and Armand are good characters.

[El Mudo]

Just finished The Grapes of Wrath

starting to-day on Peter Cozzens' study of the Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1862


http://www.elohi.com/photo/stonewall/stonewall_013.jpeg

General Jackson FTW

[nate1000]

I'm mucking through "Trainspotting" but I'm having a heck of a time with the Scottish dialect. Next on my list is "The Arrogance of the French." Should be a hoot.

Just wrapping up Porno, the follow up. Very cool to revisit the characters 10 or so years later.

[jennysmurf]

Just wrapping up Porno, the follow up. Very cool to revisit the characters 10 or so years later.

Cool! I find it helps to read them outloud. It makes the people around you very nervous and helps me understand what they're saying. Did you see the movie? I didn't, but I thought I might if it was worth a watch.

[JustJon]

Skip the Anne Rice and stick to Watchmen.

The latter-day Vampire Chronicles went wrong. Those characters she'd created in previous books, the ones we loved so very much, just went a different direction from the way they'd been presented earlier.

Too bad, though. Pandora and Armand are good characters.

Stop after the first three books if you like Anne Rice.

[Thebazile78]

Stop after the first three books if you like Anne Rice.

Yeah, Tale of the Body Thief was pretty stupid.

She's better than that!!!!!!

[peacefrog081]

I am currently reading "The wellness revolution, how to make a fortune in the next trillion dollar industry." by Paul Zane Pilzer

It is an excellent book for those interested in taking control of there financial future.

[KatPw]

Went to the library yesterday and got God is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens and Spook Country by William Gibson.

[dino_electropolis]

Been strugglin to get through "100 Years of Solitude"...well written, but hard to follow as all the names share the same 2 last names, spread over like 30 characters......



At the point of reading just to finish. Sad, as i was really captivated in the first few chapters.

[DonInNC]

Been strugglin to get through "100 Years of Solitude"...well written, but hard to follow as all the names share the same 2 last names, spread over like 30 characters......



At the point of reading just to finish. Sad, as i was really captivated in the first few chapters.

100 years of solitude has been on my "must read" list for close to 20 years and i still haven't gotten to it.

Right now, I'm reading "The Culture of the New Capitalism" by Richard Sennett. Very enlightening study of the corporate structure today versus that of 20+ years ago, and how it affects workers. I highly recommend.

[Heather 8]

Currently reading Bret Hart's biography, Hitman. I'm about a hundred pages in so far, and man, he does not like his sister Ellie.

[KatPw]

Reading Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex by Mary Roach. Interesting read, as are all her books.

[bigfatfuck]

Reading is for queers.

[Whiskeyportal]

I'm reading Rebels, The Irish Rising of 1916 by Peter De Rosa. God damn I hate the British.

[cougarjake13]

the innerwebs

[Crippler]

Currently reading Bret Hart's biography, Hitman. I'm about a hundred pages in so far, and man, he does not like his sister Ellie.

I was finally able to get my copy back from my little brother last weekend when he bought his own copy at the signing Bret did in Bridgewater. I've had the book since its' Canadian release but it got hijacked off my bookshelf while I was in the middle of another book.

I'm only about 50 pages in, but the thing that stands out the most to me is how Bret refers to his father 95% of the time as Stu, as if he was just a scary guy in town that everyone knew. Actually, he does that on & off with most of his family with the exception of his mom. Like all the inhabitants of Hart house were just acquaintances. Then again, when there's that many of you, I guess it's tough to be close to everyone.

[DiabloSammich]

http://www.wunderkabinett.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/fortbook.jpg

http://photosynthesis.com/images-titles/P160-95.jpeg

http://firstedition.com.my/images/rich%20dad%20poor%20dad.jpg

[WampusCrandle]

just finished, great book:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b9/NightWiesel.jpg

[skyscraper]

I am currently reading this thread. (ba dum bum.)
But seriously folks, I am reading Christopher Buckley's latest novel "Supreme Courtship." I love Buckley's books, but this one is weaker than some of his others. Not bad, but not great. It is put-downable.

[paulisded]

I have three books currently in progress - Sarah Vowell's The Wordy Shipmates, Julianna Hatfield's autobiography, and Chuck Klosterman's Downtown Owl.

[KatPw]

I have three books currently in progress - Sarah Vowell's The Wordy Shipmates, Julianna Hatfield's autobiography, and Chuck Klosterman's Downtown Owl.

How is The Wordy Shipmates? I read a little bit about the book and it seems interesting.

[paulisded]

How is The Wordy Shipmates? I read a little bit about the book and it seems interesting.

I'm really enjoying it. Vowell is great at livening up topics that are generally presented in a textbook matter. I also love how she takes historical events and shows how they still influence us today.

[KatPw]

I'm really enjoying it. Vowell is great at livening up topics that are generally presented in a textbook matter. I also love how she takes historical events and shows how they still influence us today.

Awesome! I'm gonna take it out of the library the next time I go.

[cougarjake13]

the crawl underneath the rays-sawx game

[Hottub]

Planet Z-Man.

No shit.

[cougarjake13]

Planet Z-Man.

No shit.



whats that about ??

[Furtherman]

"Do you dream of a city at the end of time?"

http://www.craphound.com/images/cityendoftimecover.jpg

I'm almost done this one. A great, trippy sci-fi story. It starts off a little hard to read with a dozen or so sci-fi names and terms but once you figure them out, the story flows.

[Thebazile78]

I just plowed through the first three books in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, which is technically "juvenile fiction" but I have been keeping things really light lately ... now I have an itchy buyers' finger for the latest one, but since it's still in hardcover, and even at Target it's $17, I think I'll pass until it's in paperback.

[Dougie Brootal]

on my 6th reading of 1984 by george orwell. now im waiting for someone to burn the dvd for me...:wink: