Books: What have people been reading recently?

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: maire-aine
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 07:57 PM

300

Just finished "Invisible Hands: The Making of the Conservative Movement from the New Deal to Reagan" by Kim Phillips-Fein

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 06:34 PM

A couple of bodice rippers I picked up at the laundromat. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 06:34 PM

I was doing a clean up and sort and rediscovered Dewey Lambdin's Alan Lewrie series. Enjoyed it and will reread it.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Amergin
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 06:54 PM

the Allan Quatermain series....books I loved as a boy...

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: GUEST,j-boy
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 06:59 PM

I've mentioned it before but "The Killer Angels" is one of the best books about war you could ever read.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Becca72
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 02:53 PM

I'm about half way through "When will Jesus bring the pork chops" by George Carlin. This has to be his best book!

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 03:05 PM

Just finished reading Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean. It's a well documented history of how Spain created piracy as a reaction to the Inquisition and made the situation for the boucaniers to transform themselves into buccaneers. I was not aware that Sephardic Jews were among the early sponsors of privateering and piracy as a means of self-defense against the Spanish. Cromwell also figures in, as he encouraged Jewish settlement in Jamaica, as well as making an attempt to get Parliament to accept Jews in England.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 04:16 PM

That sounds very interesting, Ebarnacle! Esp. as I just read, last year, about the Irish who were enslaved by the English and sent to Barbados in To Hell Or Barbados.

Just finished Ian Frazier's On The Rez. Excellent, though I kept finding myself wondering if he's written an update, have to check, as it was published in 2000.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 07:11 PM

I thought some of you might be interested in something I learned, today. I belong to LibraryThing where it is easy and quick to keep a catalogue of one's own library and keep it private or public.

Anyway, they have an Early Reviewers List which comes out from which members can choose from thousands of new-to-be-released books for a chance to win a free book in exchange for a 25 word review. It's a bit overwhelming to choose out of that many and I didn't see a search function, but they do list how many review copies will be available and how many members have requested a chance to "win" each book for review.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 06:43 AM

Finally reading "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel. Wouldn't have thought it possible to make Thomas Cromwell a sympathetic character but she's done it.

Also rereading some of the late Keith Roberts' short stories and novels. His most well known is "Pavane", an alternate history one. I've been reading "The Inner Wheel" which is at least its equal, about gestalt minds. His novels suffer a bit from usually originating as successive short stories in SF mags, but the level of imagination and the Wellsian/Kiplingesque but 1960s style makes up for this. He was apparently a VERY prickly, nay objectionable, chap who put just about everybody's back up, which is may be why some of his books are hard to find these days.

Oh yeah, "Electric Eden" (see other thread!) Flagged a bit towards the end, Rob Young must have a mind like a supercomputer though. Every folk interview for the past 50 years is grist to his mill.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 06:52 AM

I forgot a really great historical novel by Keith Roberts called "The Boat Of Fate". Young Roman Empire lad makes pass at neighbouring rich girl (etc), mother dies, escapes to Rome to seek fortune with help of Uncle Cubicularis, lots of adventures, comes to Britannia and has affair with rich matron. Sounds daft but amazingly good. First edition hardback worth lots, wish I had one.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 01:34 PM

Isaiah.

And next, via Librivox:


A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw

by Ukawsaw Gronniosaw (c.1705-1775)

Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, also known as James Albert, (born ca. 1705 - 1775) was a freed slave and autobiographer. His autobiography is considered the first published by an African in Britain. Gronniosaw's autobiography was produced in Kidderminster in the late 1760s. Its full title is A Narrative of the Most remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African Prince, As related by himself. It was the first Slave narrative in the English language. Published in Bath in 1772, it gives a vivid account of Gronniosaw's life, from his capture in Africa through slavery to a life of poverty in Colchester and Kidderminster. It is devoid of the anti-slavery backlash ubiquitous in subsequent slave narratives. (Summary modified from Wikipedia)

    Note to those who dislike incongruities: This is read by a North American woman.

===

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: ollaimh
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 04:55 PM

i'm reading chriss hedges "death of the liberal class" and i insist every one read it as i am getting tired of the mudcatters who dream on oblivious to the premenent war democracy that the usa and uk have become at the expenseof almost all other american and british productive and creative sectors. so there! get your copy now.

his empire of illusion is good too

before that i was reading about the unranium industry in sasketchewan. we took part in the cold war too

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Wesley S
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 04:58 PM

"Life" by Keith Richards. An excellent read so far.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 05:05 PM

Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Amergin
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 06:44 PM

I'm still reading the Allan Quatermain books....the one I'm reading now is called "Finished", and it's about the Zulu War. I found the dedication at the beginning a bit interesting....because it was written to a friend of H. Ryder Haggard's by the name of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 08:30 PM

Last wo bought here were childhhod ones. Tom's Midnight Garden and Moonfleet


We also got a book on salad leaves. Can't think of hand of the author.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 09:02 PM

Spent a dollar and got a book with three mysteries by Josephine Tey. An excellent writer.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 09:10 PM

Josephine Tey's best was an analysis of Richard III's role in the murder of the two sons of Edward IV. Good historical writing, much more than a 'novel'. "The Daughter of Time."

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 09:17 PM

The Daugter of Time is a book I'd really like to read some day.

As I seem to been on time with this and Tom's Midnight Garden...

I think Allison Uttley's a Traveler in Time is a gem.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 09:56 PM

Daughter of Time was excellent. Jon, I just gave my copy away, but would have gladly sent it to you. BTW, Night Owl was thrilled to hear from you.

I've just started A Stranger in the Kingdom.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 02:22 PM

Jon, "Tom's Midnight Garden" is the most wonderful book. First heard of it when I was about 10 via BBC Children's Hour (showing my age)and have reread it at about 5 yr intervals ever since. Philippa Pearce manages to say pretty profound things about childhood, old age, loss, time. I was really sad to hear of her death a few years ago - maybe she's skating down the Cam with Tom and Barty in Heaven, hope so.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Eiseley
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 02:40 PM

I'm reading The Nutmeg of Consolation by Patrick O'Brian. I never want these books to end!

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 03:13 PM

Just finished Life by Keef. Great!! and just starting The Anatomy Murders by Lisa Rosner, which is all about Burke and Hare.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 12:06 PM

Under the Unpredictable Plant: An Exploration in Vocational Holiness - (Eugene H. Peterson) In this book Peterson clarifies the pastoral vocation by turning to the book of Jonah, in which he finds a captivating, subversive story that can help pastors recover their "vocational holiness". Peterson probes the spiritual dimensions of the pastoral calling and seeks to reclaim the ground taken over by those who are trying to enlist pastors in religious careers.

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Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation (Parker J. Palmer). The old Quaker adage, "Let your life speak," spoke to author Parker J. Palmer when he was in his early 30s. It summoned him to a higher purpose, so he decided that henceforth he would live a nobler life. "I lined up the most elevated ideals I could find and set out to achieve them," he writes. "The results were rarely admirable, often laughable, and sometimes grotesque.... I had simply found a 'noble' way of living a life that was not my own, a life spent imitating heroes instead of listening to my heart." Thirty years later, Palmer now understands that learning to let his life speak means "living the life that wants to live in me." It involves creating the kind of quiet, trusting conditions that allow a soul to speak its truth. It also means tuning out the noisy preconceived ideas about what a vocation should and shouldn't be so that we can better hear the call of our wild souls. There are no how-to formulas in this extremely unpretentious and well-written book, just fireside wisdom from an elder who is willing to share his mistakes and stories as he learned to live a life worth speaking about. --Gail Hudson

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Search for the Beloved Community: The Thinking of Martin Luther King Jr. (Kenneth L. Smith, Ira G. Zepp). Search for the Beloved Community examines the thinking of Martin Luther King Jr. and the influences that shaped it. Late co-author Kenneth L. Smith was one of King's seminary professors. His firsthand knowledge of King's seminary studies provides the background for an incisive analysis of the influences of the Christian tradition and of Mahatma Gandhi upon this outstanding leader.

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Making Whiteness: The Culture of Segregation in the South, 1890-1940 (Grace Elizabeth Hale). First-timer Hale's impressive examination of the Jim Crow Southan erudite intellectual survey of the sweeping social, historical, and economic trends that shaped white racial identity in opposition to blacknessis obscured by deadly academic jargon. The central myth Hale debunks is that whiteness is an organic, rather than manufactured, racial identitythat it is, somehow, the American norm. She identifies several large cultural forces that influenced white racial identity. The replacement of local merchandise with a national mass market, for example, gave rise to advertising (much of it created in the North) that manipulated southerners' nostalgic remembrance of loyal, subservient slaves by using African-American icons like Aunt Jemima to sell goods to a nationwide audiencepresumed to be entirely white. Advances in printing technology made it easier to distribute demeaning images of African-Americans, reinforcing negative stereotypes. Just as black racial identity was largely defined in relation to whiteness after Reconstruction, Hale asserts, whiteness was defined by blackness. Analyzing how whites of different economic and educational backgrounds shared a unified sense of supremacy, she fleshes out Ralph Ellison's famous declaration: ``Southern whites cannot walk, talk, sing, conceive of laws or justice, think of sex, love, the family or freedom without responding to the presence of Negroes.'' But in place of Ellison's simple eloquence, Hale raises an impenetrable thicket of theoretical jargon (terms like transhistorical, isomorphic, and dialectics rain like candy from a Mardi Gras float). She glosses the Civil War's outcome thus: ``Union victory delegitimated that nascent nationalist collectivity, the Confederacy.'' Furthermore, her contention that ``this corresponding depth of racial obsession occurred only with passing'' for African-Americans spectacularly understates the totality with which whites controlled black life during Jim Crow's dark reign. One senses in Hale's (American History/Univ. Of Virginia) cogent, encyclopedic scholarship the debut of an important new intellectual voiceall the more reason to regret the cloaking of provocative thinking in the fusty duds of academic prose. (8 pages b&w photos) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Introduction to the Bible, An (Christian E Hauer, William A Young). An Introduction To The Bible approaches the Bible by considering it from three different 'worlds'-- literary, historical, and contemporary worlds. This unique approach underscore the dynamics of each of world and the methods scholars have developed to study them. The authors are especially careful to distinguish the historical and literary worlds for readers new to the discipline. Readers are also encouraged to consider and discuss the contemporary significance of the Bible.

===

Praying Shapes Believing: A Theological Commentary on the Book of Common Prayer (Leonel L. Mitchell). Mitchell's basic assumption is the old "lex orandi lex credendi" proviso: how we pray influences what we believe. Since the Book of Common Prayer is the center of how Episcopalians corporately pray, it follows that an examination of it can reveal the theology to which it gives rise. Looking at every aspect of the Book of Common Prayer, Mitchell examines the connection between liturgy, scripture, prayer, and theology. The examination is thorough, running through the liturgical calendar, the Great Vigil, baptism, Holy Eucharist, pastoral offices, and ordinations.

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... and several 80-pg long study-booklets (plus the respective Biblical books) here: http://www.gcfweb.org/institute/index.php

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It's all college-level reading that I chose for fun (not because assigned). Also a couple of concurrent audiobooks from Librivox.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 08:36 AM

A book about Victorian the Home. It follows absolutely everything to do with how an upper/middleclass Victorian home was run and the etiquette of the time and covers what was happening in society outside the family home and the double standard hypocracy of the time. It's one of those books that I can't put down for long.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Rapparee
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 10:08 AM

Jamestown: the buried truth by Kelso.

Nonfiction, archeology: the original Jamestown fort site is NOT under water! Great read.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 10:13 AM

sitting bull by alexander b adams,every American should read it

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Becca72
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 10:29 AM

"The Most Evil Women in History" by Shelley Klein.

It was a birthday gift from a dear friend...I wonder if she's trying to tell me something??

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 11:23 AM

Yes, Edthrfolkie, TMG stands up to re reading and adult reading well.

Personally, I think Moonfleet does too. Maybe that one is more my sense of childhood adventure and nostalgia but my 70+ yr old mother is currently getting something out of it and it is new to her.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Amos
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 12:04 PM

HEre's a really interesting read: The Seven Mysteries of Life. Despite its title it is a profound exposition of every level of life from the microscopic to the macroscopic, and all the systems involved therein, and remarkably well done considering the ambitious scope of the work.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 11:09 AM

I am still reading and really enjoying the Patrick O'Brien series. Have just finished a book by Olga Grushin called The Line, best book I have read in ages. Also reading Tony Blairs book..Journey, My Political Life..not sure what to make of that.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 01:41 PM

I am two thirds into Life by Keef...It brings back memories of life in and around London at that time.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 01:56 PM

I've just begun The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 02:44 PM

Painted Ladies the penultimate Spenser novel by the late Robert B Parker.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 06:16 PM

Just finished another Kirk Mitchell Native American murder mystery, Sky Woman Falling. His aren't as good as Hillerman, but they are still good reads and I really get a kick out of the two main characters.

I just received the paperback of Ken Follet's World Without End and am about one third into it. I love that he carries on with the descendants from the first book AND gently reminds the reader of who belongs to whom in the family trees.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 06:22 PM

Amos: That book,The Seven Mysteries of Life, looks interesting. Especially since Amazon paired it with Original Wisdom: Stories of an Ancient Way of Knowing by Robert Wolff, a marvellous book. I'll keep an eye out for it.

My fav of recent months is still The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Aubrey. It is wonderfully translated from French. An elegantly written novel with a story that unfolds as insightful and unique. Both my male friend and I found it hard to put down, a page turner that needed focus.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: GUEST,Bat Goddess in Boston
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 08:35 AM

I just started re-reading Ian Fleming's James Bond series -- last read circa 1965 when I was in high school.

I brought several with me to Boston to occupy myself while we were hanging out close to mass General -- we travelled very light as we both have current mobility problems and have to schlep our small bags through North Station, trains, shuttle buses, cabs and on foot. Paperbacks in the '60s weren't the bloated things they are today and had smaller type, close leading and many fewer pages. I think publishers today produce such fat books merely to justify the $8-10 price tag. These Signet paperbacks were originally 50 cents -- more expensive than the 35 cent average at the time.

Discovered I haven't a copy of "Casino Royale" so started with "Live and Let Die". Wrapped that up the other day and yesterday finished "Moonraker". Interesting, Bond was driving a 1930 supercharged Bentley -- more of a John Steed car than the James Bond sports cars of the films. Also, interestingly, he didn't get the girl at the end -- Gala (with whom he'd been naked but innocent)marries her fiance a couple days after she and Bond save London.

Just started "From Russia With Love" this morning.

Bond smokes 3 packs a day (according to "Live and Let Die") and everyone else seems to be smoking at least as much. He also has a housekeeper named May, has a tax-free thousand pounds a year, plus his salary of (net) about a thousand pounds.

I've already learned about "Truman shirts" and the South Goodwin Lightship Disaster.

I need to find out what Signet copies besides "Casino Royale" that I need to scare up.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: LilyFestre
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 11:12 AM

Just finsihed up Tuesdays With Morrie (absolutely LOVED it) and am now starting The Blue Orchard by Jackson Taylor.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Wesley S
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 12:42 PM

"Catcher in the Rye". I haven't read it since high school.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 08:39 PM

Just a minor drift--Ian Fleming was one of the principles involved in "The Man Who Never Was."

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: mousethief
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 02:43 AM

Okay, just finished Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen. The blrb on the front cover said that from cover to cover it is a "howl" and the back cover promised it was laugh-out-loud funny.

I laughed out loud, once, on page 466. Of 511. Never howled.

Very convoluted, somewhat clever. But laugh-out-loud funny?

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: theleveller
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 04:11 AM

Just finished Arthur Machen's The Great God Pan and The Hill of Dreams - not as disturbing as I remember.

I'm now re-reading John Cowper Powys's Maiden Castle for the first time in many years. It confirms my earlier opinion - that it's not anywhere near as good as A Glastonbury Romance, which is one of the greatest English classics.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: GUEST,Bat Goddess in Boston
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 06:28 AM

Mousethief -- Carl Hiaasin's earlier books are the funniest. Sick Puppy, so so. Give Stormy Weather a miss.

But Tourist Season and the other earlier ones...yes, you may well howl. They are wonderfully warped.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Wesley S
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 07:12 AM

Just to offer another viewpoint - I laughed out loud several times while reading "Stormy Weather". But I grew up on the coast of Florida. Perhaps living there made it funnier.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 07:36 AM

Finally got around to reading the other two books in the Philip Pullman 'Dark Materials' series (The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass), as last time I read the first one, I just couldn't garner enthusiasm for the second. This time, I have been hooked.

Otherwise it's a book on the Slave trade and its abolition ('Bitter water and sweet', by Sian Rees who wrote 'The Floating Brothel') orthe writings of Hildegarde of Bingen, one of my favourite nuns.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: mousethief
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 01:42 PM

I wonder if, as with many authors that achieve a level of fame and sales, the reviewers just aren't allowed to say "this really sucks compared to his early stuff"? They'd get the axe for upsetting a perfectly profitable apple cart. No more Hiaasen for me. Besides what I wanted was a mystery. I went into a mystery specialty book shop ("Whodunit? Books" even!) and specifically asked for a funny mystery. There was nothing mysterious about Sick Puppy (precious little funny either) except how the reviewers found it so funny when it was riddled with cliches and as funny as the shipping report.

Off to read Murder with Peacocks.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 05:09 PM

The only book by Hiaasen I managed was HOOT. A terrific book geared to empowering the young people in our midst. Totally wonderful and, for me, anything that encourages the young to stand up and be counted is top notch.

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 05:30 PM

Are you talking about the same book?

Subject: RE: BS: Books-What have people been reading recently?
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 05:38 PM

Pulp History by Talbott.