Books, books, suggestions, info [Archive]

Ponine

08-30-2007, 12:04 PM

I read an article on CNN yesterday that said

One in four adults say they read no books at all in the past year, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll released Tuesday
and
The survey reveals a nation whose book readers, on the whole, can hardly be called ravenous. The typical person claimed to have read four books in the last year -- half read more and half read fewer. Excluding those who hadn't read any, the usual number read was seven.
Now, this is NOT me.

Seven? In a year?? I think I read two last week. Let alone since January one.

so, what have you read that I need to read?

And i also want to know.... oh my dear Helen, many moons ago, maybe on MP, you laid out a sort of....
smut rating on romance authors... I cant find that anywhere now.

Why? Because when I run out of things to read, I tend to drift to the romance section of the library. It doesnt require much thought, and they tend to be quick reads.

Your turn.

Gemini Cricket

08-30-2007, 12:04 PM

I'm reading "Lamb" by Christopher Moore.
I like it so far.
Very funny.
:)

Snowflake

08-30-2007, 01:02 PM

I'm not reading anything new :(

I'm getting my library card next week, that should help! :cool:

3894

08-30-2007, 02:04 PM

You people should pre-order the book I wrote with the hubbo (http://www.waveland.com/Titles/Johnson-ACS.htm).

Don't buy it from the publisher; pre-order it from amazon.com If you're at all interested in the subject, I promise you a gripping read.

Prudence

08-30-2007, 02:15 PM

I've been reading "Polio: An American Story" by David Oshinsky. I only get to read a few pages a night, so it's taking me forever, but it's very interesting.

Morrigoon

08-30-2007, 02:20 PM

Looks interesting, Helen!

As for me, I'm on the fiction kick again, though I've sworn off any pleasure reading till I slog through my continuing ed correspondance courses (for which the deadline is LOOMING).

Just read a great one... I think it was a Crichton novel, about this lawyer who gets caught up trying to break up some major acts of ecoterrorism by extremist environmental groups. I know, sounds riveting, right? But the guy nearly gets killed ten ways till Sunday by falling in Arctic crevasses, running from South American warlords, being bitten by some weird octopus, etc. Dang, I wish I could remember the name of it!

Already have a new book lined up. I know it has something to do with life in the middle east, I think it's one of those names-and-stories-mixed-up-to-protect-the-innocent kind of nearly non-fiction deals. I really enjoyed "Reading Lolita in Tehran" so I'm hoping this one is just as illustrative of life behind the veil. Pretty sure this one's set in Afghanistan, but I could be wrong.

I tore through an entire Nora Roberts trilogy in a few days earlier this year. Not what I'd call challenging reading, but who doesn't love a vampire novel?

And of course Harry Potter, but I'm sure you read that one the first week.

BarTopDancer

08-30-2007, 02:32 PM

I'm reading school books again. Does that count?

Once I get settled in my new place I want to start reading the Jack Ryan series from Tom Clancy in chronological order. I have to buy them again.

Chernabog

08-30-2007, 02:41 PM

I'm reading Blaze by Stephen King/Richard Bachman.

And Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos by HP Lovecraft and others.

That's actually on the light end for me (usually I have 4-5 books I'm reading at the same time). I do read at least 20 books a year I'd say.

AllyOops!

08-30-2007, 03:09 PM

I have too many unread books on my bookshelf. Or packed away in boxes. Stored.

I make no secret of the fact that I'm obsessed with reading. It's all I ever want to do! However, I'm a newsstand junkie. Every Thursday, when the new shipment of weeklies arrive, there I am, all giddy like.

I usually scoop up bewteen 7 to 10 magazines and then I tear through them and have nothing by the end of the weekend. I try to pace myself, I really do. I just get so greedy and don't want to have to wait to read them! Especially on Thursday night. I'm up all night reading and then just a total zombie on Friday morning.

I should pick up a book. Without sacrificing my magazine & newspaper habit. :)

Capt Jack

08-30-2007, 03:18 PM

How to Rebuild and Modify Carter/Edelbrock Carburetors: Performance, Street, and Off-Road Applications by Dave Emanuel

yeah yeah. I know it doesn't count, but you asked...although Ive not really finished it yet

good book though.

:D

Ponine

08-30-2007, 03:25 PM

I tore through an entire Nora Roberts trilogy in a few days earlier this year. Not what I'd call challenging reading, but who doesn't love a vampire novel?

And of course Harry Potter, but I'm sure you read that one the first week.

I read the bio-terroristic Crichton. We're good there... I read the book thats the Kite Runner part 2....
Harry potter, yeah , did that one.
My household is pretty up to date in all things Crichton, Patterson (x2) and Child.

Nora Roberts Vampire books.. that I havent done. The last group I read by her was the flower series with the ghost living in the house.

Prudence

08-30-2007, 04:01 PM

And Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos by HP Lovecraft and others.

Have you read "A Scream for Jeeves"? Most amusing.

Morrigoon

08-30-2007, 04:18 PM

Ponine: I read the first one because it was called Morrigan's Cross (or something like that). Couldn't resist!

Overall I thought her style a little cheesy and supermarket-ready, but it WAS entertaining, to be fair. I think if she'd taken the sex out of it, it would have been even better as a normal work of fiction.

Ponine

08-30-2007, 04:27 PM

Ponine: I read the first one because it was called Morrigan's Cross (or something like that). Couldn't resist!

I'll look around. her stuff tends to be lieft in the rec room at the condos a lot. :D

Kevy Baby

08-30-2007, 05:30 PM

Currently slowly working my way through the last HP. Since I don't get much time to read, I do a chapter or less some nights.

Susan is a voracious reader and is often working on more than one book at a time. She will listen to a book on the iPod while she gets ready for bed, and then reads a different one once she gets there. She keeps another in her purse to read if she is out and has a few minutes.

You people should pre-order the book I wrote with the hubbo (http://www.waveland.com/Titles/Johnson-ACS.htm).Wait a sec... I thought your authoring identity was as secret? Or is it just your nom de plume that is secret?

Besides, it appears you are dead (http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1994/940625/06250176.htm).

MouseWife

08-30-2007, 05:36 PM

My last read was 'The Kite Runner'. I've purchased 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' and can't wait to get started on it.

Next up, as I have to read ATSS I will be reading 'Aria'.

'The Kite Runner' was an awesome read, very well written. I read it like it was a decadant piece of chocolate cake.

Since ATSS is by the same author, I expect nothing less!!

Aria is in a similar setting and is recommended if you've enjoyed TKR/ATSS.

alphabassettgrrl

08-30-2007, 07:36 PM

I can well believe the statistic, though it makes me sad. I read a lot. Lately it's been non-fiction.

"Guns, Germs, and Steel" - why Europe stomped the rest of the world in spite of the others' apparent head start.
"The sacred prostitute" - bringing back the physical to the sacred. Also sacred femininity. Small book, but kind of heavy in some places.
Fiction: "The Name of the Rose" Umberto Eco.
One I just finished: "The Dark Side of the Light Chasers"- talking about pagan groups.

I'll have to look and see what else I have. My pleasure reading is somewhat curtailed during school; I'm reading a lot for that.

lindyhop

08-30-2007, 08:03 PM

I'm doing more reading lately but I'm mostly keeping to light stuff. Earlier this summer I read Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen and The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde.

Now I'm on another Terry Pratchett binge and having a great time with his books. I'm reading Witches Abroad and ran across a swipe at The Lord of the Rings last night that made me laugh so much I nearly fell out of bed.

In the stack by my bed I have The Companions by Sheri S. Tepper and two books that Quality Paperback Book Club talked me into: The Dead Fathers Club by Matt Haig and Finn by Jon Clinch.

3894

08-31-2007, 07:34 AM

Besides, it appears you are dead (http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1994/940625/06250176.htm).

Which makes me that much more remarkable, doncha think? :cool:

Snowflake

08-31-2007, 07:49 AM

I'm doing more reading lately but I'm mostly keeping to light stuff. Earlier this summer I read Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen and The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde.

The Thursday Next series is on my list, I've had 4 friends recommend Fforde to me, and I can't believe I've missed them!

Snowflake

08-31-2007, 07:49 AM

Which makes me that much more remarkable, doncha think? :cool:

Or, as Spanky used to say, Re-MARK-able!

3894, that you are, my dear, that you are!

Ponine

08-31-2007, 08:39 AM

Wait a sec... I thought your authoring identity was as secret? Or is it just your nom de plume that is secret?

Besides, it appears you are dead (http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1994/940625/06250176.htm).
Right, but that means you also thought what I did.. "AHA!!! I can find her now."

Wowzer... that was a dead end. :p

At least now I know why she had no qualms giving us the title! Which btw, Amazon lists the hubster as the ONLY author.

3894

08-31-2007, 08:49 AM

Which btw, Amazon lists the hubster as the ONLY author.

The book is in the first person. That's why the writing credit is HUBBO with 3894.

Snowflake

08-31-2007, 09:05 AM

I'm ordering 3894, this looks to be very interesting! I'm also passing on to a friend who I think will reallt enjoy it!

lindyhop

08-31-2007, 09:07 PM

The Thursday Next series is on my list, I've had 4 friends recommend Fforde to me, and I can't believe I've missed them!

The Fourth Bear is part of a new series he's doing, Nursery Crime. It's very difficult to describe. My hairdresser asked about what I was reading and I tried to explain it was a mystery but most of the characters were from nursery rhymes and she was giving me a blank look so I gave up. They're amusing but I like the Thursday Next books more.

Morrigoon

08-31-2007, 09:11 PM

I found the name of that book I'm about to start... it's called Veil of Roses and it's about an Iranian girl adjusting to American culture

alphabassettgrrl

08-31-2007, 10:31 PM

I also mean to re-read the Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper. I guess they're making movies of them, and it's been a while since I read them. They're kids books, but I still liked them. I saw they've been re-issued.

CoasterMatt

08-31-2007, 10:50 PM

I'm currently absorbing "The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: A Century by the Sea"

Thanks once again, Snowflake.

wendybeth

09-01-2007, 12:01 AM

I got a sack full of Nora Roberts from a client today- she's a sweetheart and I don't have it in me to tell her I can't read Nora Roberts as I have an aversion to puking. Thankfully, I don't have to provide book reports upon return. However, there are a couple of Janet Ivanovich books in the bag, and I read one of hers that was hilarious so I should probably at least take a peek.

I'm also (re) reading 'Agincourt', by Juliet Barker. I love that period in history, and that battle in particular. One of the best books I ever read on the subject was a fictional novel called 'Fortune Made His Sword', but the author's name escapes me at the moment. Great book.

lindyhop

09-01-2007, 12:21 PM

CoasterMatt

09-01-2007, 12:24 PM

If I knew German, I'd get a bit more out of these Huss Flatride service manuals...

I like reading technical manuals, does that count as some sort of sickness?

€uroMeinke

09-03-2007, 10:52 AM

I've been in reading deprivation this week, so right now I'm catching up on LoT, but there's a Granta by the bed with the "Best Young American Novelists" - the few contributions already are making it to Amazon.com wish lists.

Not Afraid

09-03-2007, 11:00 AM

I'm in the middle of Cloud Atlas and LOVING it. I can't wait to get back to it.

Morrigoon

09-03-2007, 04:42 PM

Just finished Veil of Roses. OMG I actually CRIED! I almost never cry while reading, but it turned out to be a little more than a story about an Iranian woman adjusting to American life and trying to find a husband so she can stay... it was also a (clean) romance.

I feel compelled to loan this one out, if anyone's interested.

LSPoorEeyorick

09-04-2007, 08:10 AM

My favorite book is Dave Eggers' A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. I haven't been able to go back to it since I first read it, but the laughter--and the pain-- I experienced was significant.

Currently I'm reading American Sphinx, about the true nature of Thomas Jefferson. But I have to get back into the swing of it-- my reading deprivation pulled me out and I'll need to snuggle up with it again.

Ooh, ooh, Time Traveler's Wife is another I'd recommend.

mistyisjafo

09-07-2007, 04:32 PM

I've read: Stardust, four or five Robert Parker crime novels, Stephen King's Blaze, reread SK's Hearts in Atlantis, and currently reading Tim Lebbon's Everlasting.

I'd consider myself an avid ravenous reader that can't get enough books.