What are you reading? Part 2
 

Part 1: http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=117437

I kind of liked this old thread as it was a way to get short mini-reviews as well as to get some ideas on what to read next. Not sure if anyone else is interested in something like this (as the last one kind of petered out) but I thought we'd give it another try. :)

I just finished Baker's Fermata and Black Hawk Down.

Fermata actually seemed to have more sex (as opposed to just talking about sex) than Vox (then again, I haven't read Vox in a long time) and was a bit more vulgar than Vox as well, but still a very nice, similar ending. I really like the way this guy writes. It's a bit more self-indulgent in this book than it was in Vox, but I wouldn't mind reading some of his other works.

Black Hawk Down. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I know there's a lot of stuff they just wouldn't be able to put into the movie. While I had read some about our involvement in the area, the book itself really does a good job of providing some background on how the Somalis viewed what we were trying to do. And it is an excellent account of the action on the ground. Not only was he able to get numerous interviews with the Rangers (and some ex-Delta members) and some of the Somalis as well, but he also was given access to the radio coversations and video taken during the incident. Amazing stuff and a page turner as well.

I have now picked up Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (after being inspired to do so by the excellent BBC miniseries), though I am currently bogged down in an introduction that started off by discussing how P&P addressed the need to be both more free and more guarded in the time of Revolutionary France, and has now moved on to the eroticism of eyes and chairs in the story. :)

-David

I have been reading 'The Gun Control Debate: You Decide' for the past week... it normally takes me 2-3 hours to read a fiction book (Piers Anthony, Anne McCaffrey, etc.) so you can see this book is very weighty.

This book presents various studies on guns and violence, and presents them for the reader to draw their own conclusions. Often, there are studies directly refuting a previous one, on the basis of flawed research, especially if the previous researcher started with his own opinion, and crafted the study to match that opinion.

I just started reading Martin's A Game of Thrones. I realize it is extremely popular in this forum & I don't want to start a debate here, but I'm now about 120 pages into it, & the book is doing absolutely nothing for me. If anyone reads this post that has read this series, head on over to the Martin thread below & maybe you can answer some of my questions/compaints.

If this book doesn't get better soon I'm going to stop reading it & move on to another book I just bought:

Round Ireland With a Fridge by Tony Hawks(not the skateboarder). this looks like it will be a great funny read, a true story, about a comedian who made a bet with his friends one night while at a bar, that he could hitchhike all the way around Ireland with a refrigerator.

just started John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany" I've only read a chapter so far, but I'm not liking it as much as the other books I've read by him before. Just finished the new Clive Barker book - "Coldheart Canyon" - a little disappointing. I've liked all his other novels, but this one didn't seem like anything special to me - though there was plenty of sex - and it was actually mostly straight sex this time, which is a plus for me.

I'm re-reading 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' for class, and when I finish it I'll probably go on to 'Salvation on Sand Mountain' by Dennis Covington for another class. After that I have 'The Journalist and the Murderer' by Janet Malcolm, and 'As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl' by John Colapinto, both also for class. After that I'll try to catch up on some stuff I've been wanting to read. I.E. some Star Wars books, some Hunter S. Thompson, some Edgar Allen Poe, and maybe the latest book in R.A. Salvatored Dark Elf series if I can get it at a decent price. I'll likely just wait for the paperback though.

Killing Time by Caleb Carr. Just started it.

re-Reading "the Lazarus Effect" by Frank Herbert and Bill "I'm wrecking the story" Ransom. This is the first time I've read it since HS and the first time I've read it in it's proper context. That said, I'm getting disappointed the second time through, compared to his other works that I'm now familiar with.

Also, a bunch of Poli sci books for Japanese politics, etc.

Next on the list: Dune: House Corrino.

Tuan Jim

I started reading Catch 22 but, well, i'm finding it quite unreadable. I understand the style, and I see where he's going with it, but it just doesn't "do it" for me. Maybe it's because I often think exactly as he writes, so it seems like old hat. I have written many a story with a similar narrative style .... perhaps a little bit of the problem comes from my incredible disdain for reading my own writing, regardless of the quality or praise from others.

I'm not really sure why, but that spark isn't there and I have no motivation to continue.

Yossarian is dead ...

Halfway through Memories Of Ice, third in a series of books by Steven Erikson called A Tale Of The Malazan Book Of The Fallen.

Absolutely incredible fantasy series. Erikson pulls no punches with the violence. The battles are amazing.Brutal stuff indeed.

I am definitely into this world of humans, and gods, and demons, and undead....

Highly recommended.

After that I have to decide whether to read

Once, by James Herbert

Silent Children, by Ramsey Campbell,

or, Portrait Of A Psychopath As A Young Woman, by Edward Lee and Elizabeth Steffen.

Just started "The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich" by William Shirer

I dont have anymore books to read after I finished A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks.

Right now I'm trying to decide if I wanna pre-order Find Me by Rosie O'Donnell from amazon.

Just finished Body of Secrets by James Bamford about the inner workings of the NSA.

Been trying to get through Les Miserable, but am about 1/2 way complete.

In my experience, yours is one of only two reactions readers have to Catch-22. If you laugh out loud on page one -- like I do every time I pick it up -- then you're beginning one of the most enjoyable reads of your life. If it doesn't work for you right from the start, well, it won't get any better.

Because you're a writer, let me give you one suggestion, though: If you decide that you don't want to finish it, read "The Eternal City" before putting the book away. "The Eternal City" is one of the last chapters and it's the emotional center of the novel. It's also the only chapter in which Heller strips away all of the irony and dark humor and makes the reader experience the very real horrors of war. That chapter is by far the best writing Heller was capable of.

Back on topic. I've recently finished:

- Cane by Jean Toomer (for the third or fourth time)
- When Harlem was in Vogue by David Levering Lewis - an exhaustive and refreshingly readable history of the Harlem Renaissance
- O Pioneers! by Willa Cather - a novel I had put off reading for years, it was infinitely better than I had imagined.

Making my way through:

- The Pensees by Blaise Pascal - this is slow going because I'm only reading a few pages a night before going to sleep.
- Henderson the Rain King by Saul Bellow - I've been meaning to read a Bellow novel for some time, and I found this one sitting on my book shelf.
- Revolt of the Filmmakers by George Faraday - Just picked this one up, it's a study of the Russian film industry after the fall of the Soviet Union.

I'm reading the Honor Harrington series by David Weber. Military Science Fiction set in a future where decendents of Earth have moved out into the universe from the home planet. Honor is a female Navy officer serving the Kingdom of Manticore. I honestly didn't think I would like these books but I got the first couple, On Basilisk Station andThe Honor of the Queen FREE from the Baen Free Library. http://www.baen.com/library/ Well, I did like them very much so I have been suckered into buying the rest. ;) Eric Flynt knows what he's doing... giving out freebies and getting you hooked in the process. It is also a good way to discover new writers you might like.

A bit about Weber from the Baen site: Granted, the decade has just begun, but David Weber shows all signs of being the science fiction phenomenon of the decade. Weber is often compared to C.S. Forester (the celebrated creator of Captain Horatio Hornblower), is the recipient of critical praise worthy of Heinlein or Asimov, and has hordes of voracious fans clamoring for more and more Weber.

Free books available in several formats. I recommend them.

I've been trying to find this series; unfortunately, I don't think it's carried by any US publisher. I can get the first 2 books from Amazon for $37, though. Where did you get your copies?

Personally, I'm just starting A Fool's Errand by Robin Hobb. Glad to see a return to the Fitz character. I agree with the general consensus that the 2nd trilogy (Liveship Traders) was written better, but I enjoyed the story and characters of the 1st one better.

:up: :up:

Sounds right up my alley. I'll have to look into it.

Right now I'm reading Magehound by Elaine Cunningham. Haven't gotten very far yet, but so far I like it.

I'm reading Blood and Gold (Anne Rice). I bought it when it came out but I have had so much to read for school that I haven't been able to read much of it. I finally have a little time, so I should finish it soon. So far I like it better than I've liked her last few vampire books. It's also making me want to reread Armand.

I got Gardens Of The Moon, and Deadhouse Gates from ebay.I just searched everyday until one week, both showed up, from two different sellers.

I was the only one to bid on the books.
Nice deal, huh :)

Memories Of Ice I preordered from Amazon.co.uk.

On the Malazan Empire board Erikson stated (cut and paste):

" US publishers have yet to bite on the series. It's been called 'too complicated,' which my American friends find somewhat insulting. Has to do with perceived markets, and thus far US editors don't perceive one, not in any desperate way, in any case. Personally, I can be patient. It'll come eventually. In the meantime, there's always amazon.co.uk."

Too complicated? Okay, there is a lot going on, many, many characters, plots within plots within plots,BUT, I haven't felt lost, and I certainly do not feel it too complicated.

Memories Of Ice is almost 900 pages long, but I have never felt Jesus, when is it going to end?

I DON'T WANT IT TO END!!!!

This series just gets better and better with each book.

Fantasy..., would never have even thought of reading Fantasy.

I may never have even given the genre a try if it wasn't for those of you who raved about A Song Of Ice And Fire.

I'm so glad I took your suggestions.

Many thanks.

Is that the one that takes place in the future? If so, how is it? I've read The Alienist and it's follow up and really enjoyed those.

As for what I'm reading...

I just finished Stuart Woods's Orchid Beach. I enjoyed it very much, although the finale was a little forced. The writing, however, was pretty good. It was Elmore Leonard in the way that it had a beat to it. That is the best way I can describe it.

I have started on Minette Walters's The Echo. I'm on page 20 or so and I've started to get sucked in a little bit.

-Steve

I am currently working my way through God Emperor of Dune. Kind of tough reading. Next will be Heretics of Dune. Working my way through the Dune series slowly but surely.

I always read multiple books at once so that I don't get hooked and waste day(s) reading and rereading it. I lost almost a month to Zen and the art of motorcycle Maintenance. Stopped reading it becuase my tattered and notated copy fell apart.

Anyways, I'm reading; The mother Tongue by Bill Bryson. Very entertaining, beware, you might learn! Mind over water by craig lambert is a great romantization of the great sport of rowing. He has a very philisophical outlook on everyday things. Rowers and non-rowers alike will enjoy this. It reminds me of one of my favorite books, everything I ever needed to know I learned in kindergarden(sp?) Finally, I am reading in persuit of excellence by dr terry orlich, but I haven't really gotten into it yet.

Stuff like that just bugs me. Too complicated????

Anyway, I ordered the first one to give it a try. I can't believe what the "rare" book people are getting for these, I don't think I'd ever pay $40-$80 for a book in paperback. If it's anything like the reviews I've been reading I know I'm going to love it. I'll probably just order the other two from a UK bookstore. I'm afraid I'm going to get hooked and it'll be a long wait until House of Chains comes out.

I'm almost finished with John Maxim's, "Bannerman's Promise". It's the third consecutive Bannerman novel I've read. Next will be "Omerta" by Mario Puzo.

I think I'm going through a period of "lightweight reading" which, in this case means, not heavy. Just finished Nick Hornby's "High Fidelity" and I'm half way through PJ O'Rourke's "Holiday's in Hell". I may pick up a heavier tome when I work up the strength.

I've been pretty bogged down in school readings, which include:

Ulysses-James Joyce
two studies on Ulysses by two different writers
The Frederick Douglass Reader
various poems by Robert Frost (bleh)

Next week we start on Booker T. Washington in my Black Authors seminar class, but Ulysses will take the rest of my semester in James Joyce.

When I have time to read, I am working on this book called A Guide to the Teachings and Practices of the Catholic Church so I can understand James Joyce a little better, C.S. Lewis's Miracles, and a book by John M. Ellis titled Literature Lost: Social Agendas and the Corruption of the Humanities. It's basically about the wrong turn literary studies have taken and the detriment of cultural studies.

Maybe one day I'll have time for a life, eh? :)

Finished reading Dune: House Harkonnen....Working on Earth by David Brin. Only problem with the book is its not too subtle message. Interesting format and I like the illustrations (I like pictures.)

Most likely, I try to get my hands on Dune: House Corrino or Patricia Highsmith's Ripley Series. Or I'll try to finish Lord of the Ring Series. Man, the first book took me forever to finish which is odd since the Hobbit only took me three days.

Just picked up Enzo Ferrari: a Life - Richard Williams to read on the plane next week.

Just read Kitchen Confidential by anthony bouirdain based on the recommendations on the last thread, I throughly enjoyed it.However reading about prep work and the stuff that goes on behind the scenes does not instill confidence in eating out at clean locations,.

I was given a book for Christmas by a cousin that I just finished. And it was amazingly good ...

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon (author of the book Wonder Boys).

It just won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. I think it was deserved.

Oh, and if you happen to be into comic books at all, then this is a book you must not miss!

Hope some of you will check it out. This is the kind of book you wanna share with others :-)

Aaron

James Morrow's The Eternal Footman.

absinthe, I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed Kavalier and Clay. If you haven't found it yet, check out Chabon's personal home page, which he updates frequently:

http://home.earthlink.net/~mchabon/

It looks like the Pulitzer and the success of Wonder Boys has finally brought him some much-deserved attention. I tried his site a minute ago and discovered that he had surpassed his monthly allotment of web traffic.

Penny Lane, good luck with Ulysses. If you make it all the way through, then you're a more dedicated student than I. Also, I'd be very interested to hear your opinion of the Ellis book.

Scarecrow, who did you order it from and how much was it? I noticed from Amazon.com you can get the 1st 2 books for $37.

Finished Robin Hobb's Fool's Errand. Excellent book. Best book I've read in quite a while. For those of you that are Hobb fans (I know there have been a few here from previous posts), I know you'll enjoy this book. I'll probably Feist's Tear of the Gods next.

Currently engrossed in Jonathan Carroll's The Land of Laughs . I'm a big fan of Carroll's Sleeping in Flame .

Am getting ready to start Gish Jen's Who's Irish? . Also a fan of her other work.

I ordered the trade paperback version from a private seller through Amazon for $20. Providing I like it, which from the sound of things I will, I think I'll order the other two from Amazon UK since their prices for them seem pretty good.

John Adams by David McCullough is in my office. Book is blowing me away!

The Human Factor by Graham Greene is in my bedroom. I am almost always re-reading a Greene novel. :D

Ice by Ed McBain (Evan Hunter) is on tape in my car. Love the 87th Precinct novels!

On deck:
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Candyland by Ed McBain & Evan Hunter :eek:

On deck for the car:
Bag of Bones by Stephen King

Just finished BROWN HARVEST (by Jay Russell), a wonderfully fast read about the boy detective's trip back home. Laced with dark humor and sarcasm.

Now I've picked up PRAYERS FOR RAIN by Lehane. Only about 5 chapters into it, but I already know it's going to be a winner.

Just finishing up Ghost Story by Peter Straub. I'm going to re-watch the DVD -- I have some thoughts on the book vs. the movie that I might post on shortly.

On the shelf: Slaughtermatic by Steven Aylett, Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy, Shadow & Claw by Gene Wolfe, and Cornelius Chronicles by Michael Moorcock.

Getting to be too busy. :(

About half way through Pride and Prejudice. The BBC miniseries is pretty faithful so far. And the book is pretty compelling reading.

I also just finished Dr. Laura Schlessinger's 10 Things Couples Do to Mess Up Their Relationships. Her writing style has improved since her first book and this one, while not as spot on as the first, is a good read for people who are having trouble with a relationship (married or just dating). Some good advice, but written from a a Conservative world-view. A lot of it is made up of letters and calls from her listeners and the variety means that quite a few items are likely to hit very close to home. A fairly fast read too.

-David

<u>The Great War: Walk In Hell</u>
the second(I think) of Harry Turtledove's WW I books with the USA fighting against the CSA, Britain, France, Canada, and Japan
it's kind of a continuation of his alternate Civil War books

Harry Turtledove does excellent alternate history books

the Summons - Grishams latest
the Bible