Well, I cancelled a couple of magazine subs and am thinking of letting another lapse so we'll see if that has an effect on my novel reading!
Idea for the month in this thread: more "<A HREF="http://www.bookmagazine.com/issue21/capsules.shtml" target="_blank">capsule</a>" reviews of the book you've just finished.... unless, of course, there is a better thread in which to place such a post e.g. maybe the author/book was already discussed and you can "bump" an earlier thread!
Tsar Chasm
03-02-04, 12:49 PM
Now: Wolves of Calla - King
Next: ???
PalmerJoss
03-02-04, 01:12 PM
Just finished: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Now reading: Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco
Next up: El Club Dumas by Arturo Perez-Reverte
darkside
03-02-04, 07:46 PM
Just Finished Salem's Lot - Still a great book nearly 30 years later.
Trying to finish - Big Bad Wolf - A complete piece of rubish that I was given for free and should just quit on. I just hate not finishing a book though.
pretty intense stuff, at times. in a -ohbfrank- -kinda way.
next:
Lewis Carroll - "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass"
Just have to read it, finally :)
MrBob
03-03-04, 11:52 AM
Just finished up the Bell Jar by Silvia Plath, good read.
Now I'm starting Fight Club.
Drop
03-03-04, 01:24 PM
Just finished: Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut
Now reading: A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
Next up: Geek Love by Katherine Dunn or A Scanner Darkly by Philip K Dick or Dark Tower 4: Wizard and Glass by Stephen King
DGibFen
03-03-04, 02:13 PM
For School:
True Worship by Donald Hustad
A Royal Waste of Time and Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down by Marva Dawn
Emerging Worship by Dan Kimball
All God's Children and Blue Suede Shoes by Kenneth Meyers
For Myself:
A Matrix of Meanings by Detweiler and Taylor
Reel Spirituality by Robert K. Johnson
drunkrob
03-03-04, 08:25 PM
Reading God knows by Joseph Heller. Has anyone else read this book?
Damage
03-04-04, 10:55 AM
Recently finished Brian Keene's The Rising. Creepy stuff!
Now it's Fargo Rock City by Chuck Klosterman.
gp98
03-04-04, 11:53 AM
Just read: If You Ride Alone, You Ride With Bin Laden by Bill Maher - slightly dated (I think 2002) take on post-9/11 America and what can be done. I didn't agree with everything he said but I liked his ideas and he uses modern propaganda posters to convey his message which is clever.
Finishing up: Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut - rereading it because it's one of my favorites.
Starting: THE CRISIS OF ISLAM by Bernard Lewis
and
PIGS AT THE TROUGH by Arianna Huffington which I'm not too impressed with yet but I've just begun.
Originally posted by drunkrob
Reading God knows by Joseph Heller. Has anyone else read this book?
I (and everybody else) have only read Catch-22 but really enjoyed it. I look forward to hearing what you think of that one. I would probably have to know the Bible better to appreciate it though.
drunkrob
03-04-04, 08:01 PM
Yeah, Catch-22 is brilliant and definitely one of my favourite books. I'm enjoying God Knows a lot but as you point out knowing the Bible would help.
Everybody must know the David vs Goliath story but this book certainly makes David seem more interesting. It is written as David being an old man telling his life story, interspersed with his present time as if it is leading to something which may be obvious. His comments on the pilfering by Shakespeare of expressions he coined is a little strange but Joseph Heller is an intelligent writer with a style I enjoy reading. There is a little repetitiveness early on with regards to a certain person but I think that's done deliberately for a later part of the book.
Charlie Goose
03-04-04, 08:16 PM
Just finished: The Policy by Bentley Little. I'm thinking that Little had a problem with an insurance company, because this is just twisted!
Reading: The Last Detective by Robert Crais. Elvis Cole & Joe Pike, baby!
Next: Possibly rereading some Jack London that I haven't read since way back when. I'm interested to know how they'll compare to when I was a lad.
Anjanettea
03-04-04, 08:35 PM
Just about to finish <b>3rd Degree</b> by James Patterson. Probably won't get a chance to read anything else since I am on spring break, and I return to classes this coming Monday. At least I have the Sopranos Sunday night.
Ralph Wiggum
03-04-04, 09:18 PM
Jude the Obscure - Hardy
A People's History of the United States - Zinn
White Noise - DeLillo
darkside
03-04-04, 10:17 PM
Just started Dark Tower 2 and I'm already half way through it. A much better read than the first Gunslinger book. Now that I'm finally rolling I hope to catch up to the current book pretty quickly.
I finished Big Bad Wolf. Very mediocre even by James Patterson's standards. No real excitement or suspense anywhere in the story.
Quake1028
03-05-04, 12:38 AM
Now: Digital Fortress - Dan Brown
Next: Day of Infamy: Sixieth-Anniversary Edition - Walter Lord
MrBob
03-05-04, 06:24 PM
I just finished up fight club, and this is the rare occasion where I actually perfer the movie to the book. Which is no insult to the book, as I think very highly of the movie. Also I felt that Tyler's secret was much more obvious in the book, than in the movie.
Now I'm reading catch 22 by Heller, so far it's good.
kninestile
03-05-04, 08:49 PM
Now: Digital Fortress - Dan Brown
Next: Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco
Quake1028
03-06-04, 12:04 AM
Just Finished: Digital Fortress - Dan Brown ***1/4 Didnt like it as much as Angels & Demons, but still a good, fast read. Going to take a break before starting up DaVinci Code.
Now Reading: Eragon - Christopher Paolini
Next Up: Day of Infamy: Sixtieth-Anniversary Edition - Walter Lord
Calculon
03-06-04, 01:05 AM
Finished:
Martel - Life of Pi (overrated)
Grimwood - Replay (starts poorly, but ends up pretty good)
Currently reading:
Bulgakov - The Master and Margarita (loving it so far)
gp98
03-08-04, 08:37 AM
Originally posted by MrBob
I just finished up fight club, and this is the rare occasion where I actually perfer the movie to the book. Which is no insult to the book, as I think very highly of the movie. Also I felt that Tyler's secret was much more obvious in the book, than in the movie.
That's surprising. I loved both but enjoyed the book more. It might be a matter of which you consumed first. I agree that the secret is more obvious in the book but it's not blatant (maybe it is if you read it knowing the plot, I'd like to read it again). Also, I felt that the insomnia was better developed in the book which made for more of a "complete" ending instead of a cool twist.
12thmonkey
03-08-04, 08:50 AM
Just started:
Ripper
by Michael Slade
and
Cascading Style Sheets: The Definitive Guide
by Eric Meyer
Rainman15
03-08-04, 11:24 AM
Just finished: Master and Commander
Now reading: Post Captain
MrBob
03-08-04, 12:31 PM
Originally posted by gp98
That's surprising. I loved both but enjoyed the book more. It might be a matter of which you consumed first. I agree that the secret is more obvious in the book but it's not blatant (maybe it is if you read it knowing the plot, I'd like to read it again). Also, I felt that the insomnia was better developed in the book which made for more of a "complete" ending instead of a cool twist.
Yeah it probably is because I saw the movie 2 times before reading the book. Also I do agree that the book does a better job developing the insomnia and making the ending more belivable than in the movie.
Kal-El
03-08-04, 04:30 PM
The Confessor by Daniel Silva
lucasorion
03-08-04, 06:22 PM
Last read: "Darwin's Radio" by Greg Bear (anyone read the sequel to this? I heard bad stuff so moved on to another book instead of picking it up)
In the middle of "The Rift" by Walter J. Williams
up next is probably Angels And Demons, followed by DaVinci Code
Deckard-10
03-08-04, 08:30 PM
Just Finished:
<li> The Stars My Destination, By Alfred Bester
Up Next:
<li> Across The Sea Of Stars, By Arthur C. Clarke
gettinbranded
03-08-04, 11:48 PM
Fast Food Nation
up next:
Any recommendations? I loved the writing, investigative work, and history in this---the social commentary much less so.
nodeerforamonth
03-09-04, 05:44 PM
Just finished "Think and Grow Rich" by Napolean Hill
Am now reading "Hey Ho Let's Go: The Story Of the Ramones"
Up next is Bobby Heenan's new book, Sean Hannity's books, and "Despite Everything" (Aron Cometbus)
darkside
03-09-04, 10:17 PM
Finshed Dark Tower 2 and I'm on to 3 The Wastelands. Unbelievable how much the story improved in the second book.
gp98
03-10-04, 11:57 AM
Originally posted by gettinbranded
Fast Food Nation
up next:
Any recommendations? I loved the writing, investigative work, and history in this---the social commentary much less so.
By social commentary, do you mean the liberal slant or do you mean the ramifications of what he found (as in, how it affects society)?
Tsar Chasm
03-10-04, 12:23 PM
Finished - Wolves of Calla
Now - Dirty Work - Stuart Woods
A nice popcorn book to clear the palate after reading the 5 Dark Tower books.
gettinbranded
03-10-04, 01:19 PM
Originally posted by gp98
By social commentary, do you mean the liberal slant or do you mean the ramifications of what he found (as in, how it affects society)?
I mean, I enjoyed everything up until he started editorializing.
I didn't read it, it was a book on tape, so maybe it came out sounding like talk radio and thats why I didn't enjoy it.
Overall---great book.
Anyway, I'm onto Word Freak now...
birdseye
03-10-04, 09:24 PM
Finished "The Janson Directive" by Robert Ludlum
Next up is "Certain Prey" by John Sanford
Tsar Chasm
03-11-04, 12:40 PM
Finished - Dirty Work - Stuart Woods
Now - Tell No One - Harlan Coben
Deke Rivers
03-11-04, 01:35 PM
Originally posted by Deckard-10
Just Finished:
<li> The Stars My Destination, By Alfred Bester
how was this? its next on my stack of 'Not Read Yet" books
al_bundy
03-12-04, 04:26 PM
I decided to try The Dolorous Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ by Anne Emmerich. It's in the public domain and I downloaded a copy for free. I wanted to see what all the controversy was about.
Cedar
03-13-04, 05:08 PM
I recently finished Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson. I am a fan of his Alex Cross series, but this was without a doubt the worst book I have ever read bar none. His titles are named after nursery rhymes, but this book read like it was written by a twelve year old. A truly horrid book with as much depth as a Britney Spears song.
Currently reading Spandau Phoenix by Greg Iles. Its very good so far. I also highly recommend Black Cross, Mortal Fear, and the Quiet Game, also by Iles.
goLUCKY
03-13-04, 07:40 PM
just finished!
http://a1055.g.akamai.net/f/1055/1401/5h/images.barnesandnoble.com/images/1190000/1195900.gif
Beaver
03-13-04, 10:43 PM
Just finished Robin Hobb's Liveship Trader series. Now I'm onto her Tawny Man series.
birdseye
03-15-04, 03:55 PM
Finished Certain Prey by John Sandford, and I'm going to stick with the Prey Series and go onto Easy Prey, which is supposed to be the worst of the series.
Chad
03-15-04, 11:48 PM
Just Starting:
Confessions of a Cineplex Heckler - Joe Queenan
After that:
The Evil Dead Companion - Bill Warren
Kal-El
03-16-04, 01:55 PM
Finished Daniel Silva's "The Confessor"
Now reading Greg Iles' "Footprints of God"
drjay
03-16-04, 02:57 PM
Reading Lullaby by Palahniuk right now, and next is Cryptonomicon by Stephenson. Whoo I'm catching up on my backlog of books I need to read!
benedict
03-16-04, 03:07 PM
Started Tad Williams' Otherland on a recent plane journey.
Looking good so far although, not having paid close attention to the reviews apart from registering that it was well-liked, not at all what I had anticipated thematically!
antennaball
03-16-04, 05:50 PM
"The Murder Book" - Jonathan Kellerman
and with this, i will be wrapping up my kellerman reading pending the release of his next one. i think it'll be time to dip into my collection and re-read a classic. possibly even Art of War.
dcswirl
03-17-04, 10:20 AM
Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind. Very good so far.
Giles
03-17-04, 11:13 AM
Just started reading Down and Dirty Pictures : Miramax, Sundance, and the Rise of Independent Film
by Peter Biskind.
Tsar Chasm
03-17-04, 12:24 PM
Now reading - Me talk pretty one day - David Sedaris
gp98
03-17-04, 01:33 PM
I read Crisis of Islam and really enjoyed it. It dealt with the history of Islam which was good because all that I had read before was just about the religion.
I finally read Angels & Demons and enjoyed it. It had some cheese but it was mostly good.
Up Next:
I am a school teacher, so I'm going to whip through some young adult before I get back to personal reading.
Geofferson
03-17-04, 01:35 PM
I'm about 3/4 finished through Thomas Perry's Sleeping Dogs. I just haven't had much reading time lately as its taken me forever to get through this one.
Giles
03-18-04, 10:16 AM
Originally posted by Tsar Chasm
Now reading - Me talk pretty one day - David Sedaris
I have to admit I don't read as much as I should, but this book was a great quick read for me. Sedaris is very funny.
Tsar Chasm
03-20-04, 08:53 PM
Finished Me Talk Pretty One Day
Now - The Hanged Man's Song "a Kidd novel" - John Sanford
wakwak007
03-21-04, 12:08 AM
Just finished the Christopher Moore's book, "Island Of The Sequined Love Nun."
farleyisgod
03-21-04, 01:15 AM
wind-up bird chronicle
tasha99
03-22-04, 01:05 PM
Just finished reading The Sandman Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman. I'd never read a graphic novel before (other than a few manga I barely understood when I lived in Japan.) I liked it and am going to keep going in the series.
Now I'm reading a non-descript romance by Catherine Coulter (can't remember title) and His Mother's Son by Cai Emmons (my writing teacher).
tasha
goLUCKY
03-23-04, 10:28 AM
over half way through Timeline, by M.Crichton
birdseye
03-23-04, 11:00 AM
Finished John Sandford's "Easy Prey", and started "Black Cross" by Greg Iles. A lot of people have recommended Black Cross and it's my first Greg Iles book.
Cedar
03-26-04, 06:34 PM
Originally posted by birdseye
Finished John Sandford's "Easy Prey", and started "Black Cross" by Greg Iles. A lot of people have recommended Black Cross and it's my first Greg Iles book.
Black Cross was an excellant read. After that you may want to check out Spandau Phoenix, also by Greg Iles. It is set during the late 1980's in Germany with alot of references back to World War 2. Lots of intrigue and action, with speculation about what happened to Rudolph Hess. I've read almost all of Iles books and they are all pretty solid reads.
PalmerJoss
03-26-04, 09:11 PM
I'm going to be starting "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo later tonight.
birdseye
03-26-04, 09:36 PM
Originally posted by Cedar
Black Cross was an excellant read. After that you may want to check out Spandau Phoenix, also by Greg Iles. It is set during the late 1980's in Germany with alot of references back to World War 2. Lots of intrigue and action, with speculation about what happened to Rudolph Hess. I've read almost all of Iles books and they are all pretty solid reads.
I already have Spandau Phoenix and 24 Hours, but haven't gotten around to reading them yet. I bought them along with Black Cross awhile ago based on recommendations of them on this board. So far so good for Black Cross :thumbsup:. I'll be on the lookout for his other books.
Geofferson
03-28-04, 07:09 PM
Just finished Thomas Perry's Sleeping Dogs.
Next up, Richard Laymon's To Wake the Dead (aka Amara).
heyitsDAVER
03-28-04, 11:40 PM
Just finished Puzo's The Sicilian..
Reading The Lost World right now.
n0fear88
03-29-04, 12:23 PM
just over a hundred and 55 pages till i finish The Iliad :D
Buy: