Books: What book are you reading right now

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 22 Aug 05 - 08:52 AM

101 is the new 100. Erh..... no that's not a book.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: John Hardly
Date: 22 Aug 05 - 09:02 AM

Just finished Forsyth's "Avenger". Sort of pedantic style, but fascinating plot.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: GUEST,Blind DRunk in Blind River
Date: 22 Aug 05 - 09:04 AM

I ain't read none of these flippin' books you are all talkin' about. Flip me! What a big flippin' waste of time!

I'll tell ya what I read, man. I read "Grapes" by Don Cherry. Don ia a mans' man, eh? He RULES! Both on the flippin' ice and off.

You wanta read some good stuff that, like, says what NEEDS ta be said? Go to this link, eh?

Don Cherry tells the hole flippin' WORLD where to GO!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: ranger1
Date: 22 Aug 05 - 09:16 AM

I'm currently reading "The Road to McCarthy" by Pete McCarthy (Kind of a sequel to "McCarthy's Bar") and "Dry: A Memoir" by Augusten Burroughs (kind of a sequel to "Running with Scissors").

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Janie
Date: 22 Aug 05 - 02:16 PM

LH,

My own reading preferences have shifted with age. Until my mid 30's I mostly was interested in fiction, with a little biography and history thrown into the mix.

These days, fiction doesn't hold my interest as well. I often don't finish novels. I read much less of anything than I once did, but I read a lot more non-fiction than fiction. More times than not, I'll put a fiction book down without finishing it.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 22 Aug 05 - 03:56 PM

Reading "The Secret Army: the IRA". Actually, very interesting, a lot of history packed into it. It's a rather thick book so it should keep me busy for a while!

E

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Aug 05 - 03:57 PM

I've also lost interest in most fiction, Janie.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 22 Aug 05 - 07:15 PM

Or Leadfingers, do what I do - use the Interlibrary Loan, if you have it...are you in the UK?

The last book I requested - Type II Diabetes: The First Year - they opted to buy. Which reminds me, it's overdue now!

(Good library patrons always have overdue books.)

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Aug 05 - 10:34 PM

"The New Rulers of the World" by John Pilger.

Read it and weep.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Aug 05 - 10:55 PM

....went to my local library for a copy of Goethe's Faust and they didn't have it! I was shocked. Is it just in my jerkwater town or have libraries everywhere succumbed to the hideous practice of appealing to popular demand to bring in more revenue?

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: KT
Date: 22 Aug 05 - 11:42 PM

I'm with you, Janie and Little Hawk. I prefer non-fiction, but right now am reading Steinbeck's East of Eden as an assignment.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Little Hawk
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 12:04 AM

Is Pilger's book about banks and corporations?

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Little Hawk
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 12:14 AM

Okay, I had a look at it (Pilger's book) on Amazon. Looks like something I'd be pretty much in agreement with, all right.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 01:47 AM

LH - John Pilger is a journalist who fears for free speech:

http://www.newstatesman.com/20050822001

The book I am reading is well written and factual.

Its time people stopped being deluded by propaganda and start reading the words of a true journalist.

dianavan (who is using another computer)

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 02:57 AM

Mary in Kentucky - I must be a fantastic library patron then... I've still got 2 books from 2000 - not set foot in a library since then... Well, they did sack me for being ill. They still haven't come for them.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 04:04 AM

Finished "Learing to Breathe " by Andy Cave last week . It is bound for classic status. And as an aside I was surprised when it mentioned my climbing partner in the acknowledgements.

Started Elton John's "Inconceivable" only to have the whole book ruined by my wife who told me it had been turned into a film and she then proceeded to tell me everything including the ending! But I shall keep reading.


OOOPS. that should be Ben Eltons book not Elton Johns however on second thoughts it would make it a very intersesting thought if Elton had wrote it!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 08:16 AM

American Scoundel by Thomas Kenneally about General Dan Sickles. I'm just past his trial for the murder of Barton Key (Francis Scott Key's son) who was having an affair with his Sickle's wife Teresa. And the American Civil War is just thinking about starting.

I'm about half way through it -- and this morning I started listening to and transcribing the tapes from Saturday's shanty sing while reading. (Multi-tasking is good.)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: kendall
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 12:54 PM

Don't Know Much About History by Kenneth Davis.

This should be required reading in high school.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 01:02 PM

as well as 1066.....

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 05:13 PM

We have a series of children's books here in the UK called 'Horrible Histories' - they should DEFINATELY be required reading for children and adults alike! They are all factually correct, but they leave in the interesting bits like how the Egyptians REALLY got brains out and how they mummified cats. They cover the Ancients right up to WWII - Terrible Tudors, Measily Middle Ages, Rotten Romans... all great fun!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 05:35 PM

My favourite sort of history.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: ranger1
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 06:08 PM

I purchased the first of Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley series last evening. I finished it by lunch today. Good thing it's my day off.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 06:55 PM

"The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 18 Oct 05 - 06:44 AM

'm not readyning any book now.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: GUEST,Ard Mhacha
Date: 18 Oct 05 - 07:15 AM

Almost through page 3 of the Beano.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Pseudolus
Date: 18 Oct 05 - 09:38 AM

Since the thread originally came out I have since read 2nd chance, also by James Patterson and I'm now reading the King or torts by John Grisham. I love John Grisham books, unfortunately I'm running out. I've read almost all of his.

Frank

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 18 Oct 05 - 10:23 AM

I'm currently reading 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' by Susanna Clarke. It's huge tome about magic - the eponymous JS and Mr N. are magicians. It's set in a sort of alternative Georgian England in which 'English magic' has been revived. It reads a bit like a fantasy written by Jane Austen. Mr N. is a cantankerous old git who wants to keep English Magic to himself; JS is a sort of 'Young Turk' of a practical magician who uses his craft to help his country win the Napoleonic Wars. Mr N. unleashes forces that he can't really control and then tries to ignore the increasingly sinister consequences.
The plot involves dealings with fairies - who are definitely not cute little things with wings - they are very, very alien and very scary.
This is an extremely ambitious book, which I am enjoying immensely, and contains some very fine writing. So far I'm not sure that it is completely successful but I'll reserve judgement until I've finished it. Neverthless, if you like fantasy, as I do, I've read enough to thoroughly recommend it - and if you're as sick as I am of endless Tolkein clones I'm sure you'll get a lot out of it.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: GUEST,Janine
Date: 18 Oct 05 - 10:35 AM

Sir John,
Would you like some back copies of the British Dental Journal?!

Liz,
Those 'Horrible Histories, are wonderful. As you say quite detailed and factual but with all the nasty bits, which the children love and remember, still there. It's taken over poking fun at history from '1066 and All That', which is still worth reading. Better than my school history which was delivered by a Professor Binns sound-alike, or probably his great grandfather. (Yes Harry Potter fan too)

Janine

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: yrlancslad
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 02:14 AM

I guess this thread is far to long for anyone to actually read it any more but I just came across a book called " The Weaver and the Factory Maid", by Deborah Grabien ( Like me, English, living in San Francisco), supposed to be the first in a new mystery series each of which will be built around characters in folk ballads.
Unfortuntately MS Grabien doesn;t write very well but if your'e a Folkie.........

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 05:23 AM

Finished the Marquis of Carabas (alt. Master-at-Arms), great book.
Right now am on one of my very favourites, the Three Musketeers.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Flash Company
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 05:44 AM

A.N.Wilson, The Victorians. Not sure if I like it yet, but has made me LOL at some of his quirky opinions. Just up to the Indian Mutiny.

FC

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 06:21 AM

Just this very morning purchased another Jasper Fforde book - 'Something Rotten' - having gone into a major sulk because I left his last one 'Lost in a good book' somewhere I know not where. I've just finished 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' and needed something to fill the afternoon with.

Oh, and for all Lemony Snickett fans, the latest in the 'Series of Unfortunate Events' is out as of yesterday - 'The Penultimate Peril'... and yes, it is the penultimate book. Ssh, though, Limpit doesn't know yet, I'm saving it for half term to keep her quiet for a day.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: GUEST,David Hannam
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 10:17 AM

Sartre, Being & Nothingness

Head hurting

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: ard mhacha
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 10:35 AM

On the Net, the full book, read Internment by John McGuffin, also by McGuffin on the same Site, The Guinea Pigs, two powerful eye opening reads on the 1970s in N Ireland.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 10:51 AM

Hunting Season by Nevada Barr.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: number 6
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 11:20 AM

The Salmon of Doubt by Douglas Adams

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Micca
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 11:35 AM

I am 5 chapters into the "DaVinci Code" (orthe convince me code as a friend puts it) bought for reading on the plane at Heathrow!!

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 03:17 PM

Chita -- by Lafcadio Hearn

and

Hemingway In Cuba -- by Hilary Hemingway and Carlene Brennen

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: open mike
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 03:23 PM

Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson
southern california historical
novel set in the itmes of the
Missions--probably 1800's

it has been made into a movie
at leaast 3 times...once was
black and white silent film
and ne was one of the first
color flicks.

speaking of flick
i just thought about that term
maybe called that because earely ones
flickered? (blinked on and off as the
frames moved?)

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Cluin
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 03:47 AM

Umberto Eco's Foucalt's Pendulum
Joseph Campbell's Masks of God, Volume 2: Oriental Mythology
Ronald Embleton & Frank Graham's Hadrian's Wall in the Days of the Romans

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 06:51 AM

As it is now December, I'm reading, as I always do, the Susan Cooper books 'The Dark is Rising' sequence. It's a set of 5 books, beginning with 'Over sea, Under stone'. This is the story of how the three Drew children and a mysterious 'great uncle' Merriman Lyon hunt for a golden chalice, hidden in Cornwall in the days of King Arthur. The chalice, or grail is an important weapon in the battle between the Dark and the Light - two forces that have been opposed since the dawn of time, in constant battle for domination over man.

The second book in the sequence is 'The Dark is Rising', which continues the battle with a new protagonist for the Light - it tells how Will Stanton became the youngest member of the great Circle that battles the Dark, from his 11th birthday on 21st Dec, his meeting with Merriman and their quest until 12th Night.

The Drews and Will Stanton meet in the third book, 'Greenwitch'. The Dark have stolen something from the Light and the children must go again to Cornwall to retrieve it, and hopefully take one more step along the path to defeating the Dark.

The fourth book, 'The Grey King' tells how Will met Bran, a Welsh boy of uncertain descent, how they battle with the Grey King at Cader Idris and the tasks they must fulfil.

The final book 'Silver on the Tree' is a stunning piece of work. It brings together the Drew children, Will and Bran, binding elements of the previous 4 books into the last task, culminating in one final, desperate race against the Dark.

I've read these books at this time of year, every year for at least the last 20. When the rest of the country is racing around, spending too much on things people don't really want, it's a wonderful way to step out of the world, to read of people risking all for an ideal, not for themselves or glory, or fame and riches, but that the whole of mankind might have hope.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: bobad
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 07:46 AM

The Crying of Lot 49 - Thomas Pynchon

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: kendall
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 07:49 AM

"The Nightingale's Song"
About a group of military men, such as John McCain, John Poindexter, and Oliver North. It's a beautiful insight into what makes these guys tick. McCain, for instance, was an authority defying screwup. The typical underachiever. Poindexter, sharp mind, but dedicated to the military. Ollie North meathead Marine.
These guys are all very different now, not surprising considering what they have been through.

All republicans, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 07:51 AM

Psychology of Survival by John W.P. Leach

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 07:56 AM

Scrum Bums, by Darby Conley.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Piano.
Bad Deaths, by Spider Robinson.
The Stardance Trilogy, by Spider and Jeanne Robinson.
Variable Star, by Robert Heinlein and Spider Robinson.
The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry.

Well, you asked....

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 08:01 AM

I'm buried in the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Manual, as I am starting the teachers course on sunday. Eeeep!

Also, various bits of Leiths cookery bibles, and my scattered notes, as I work on some interesting new bits of baking, and am looking for a copy of Godel, Escher, Bach as light relief.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 08:02 AM

I'm also reading through a couple of Christmas presents before I wrap them, but I can't say what they are in case the recipients read this!!

But they're funny!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Becca72
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 08:07 AM

"The Sea Shall Embrace Them" by David Shaw, about the steamship Arctic.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 08:24 AM

Oh, and I'm still reading "Godel, Escher, Bach" -- as I have been for the last 20 years.

Subject: RE: BS: What book are you reading right now
From: ranger1
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 08:52 AM

I've got George R. R. Martin's "A Feast for Crows" going at the moment. And, when I find where I put it after I got back from the Getaway, Joseph Campbell's "Hero With a Thousand Faces".