BS: Read any good books lately?

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Riginslinger
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 10:20 AM

"The Sea Wolf, by Jack London. OK, some of the sailing and sealing stuff could not quite happen that way--"

                      I remember reading this when I was a kid, and everytime they had a storm and the water got rough, they would simply put out a "sea anchor." I came away wondering how any ship could ever sink at sea. Why didn't they just put out a sea anchor?

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: quokka
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 09:13 AM

Just finished John Grisham's 'The Testament'. Very good.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 04:04 AM

I am reading Asimov's New Guide To Science at the moment. A massive book which I will probably read in stages to stopmy brain exploding withall the infomration overload.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: alison
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 02:07 AM

Lamb - by Christopher Moore - think Hitchiker's Guide meets the missing bits in the New Testament. Not for the easily offended - but it is an absolute hoot.

another vote for Diana Gabaldon - re-reading Crosstitch for the umpteenth time.

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Riginslinger
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 10:09 PM

Well tell us about it, Alice. It sure sounds interesting to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Alice
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 07:56 PM

Sherlock Holmes: The Montana Chronicles

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Joe_F
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 07:49 PM

Picked some more or less random old ones off my shelves to browse in today:

Edward Gibbon, _The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire_ (1776-1781). One can pick a chapter at random & escape from present to ancient wickedness & foolishness.

Elizabeth Hawes, _Men Can Take It_ (1939). An extended complaint, by a well-known fashion designer, that the clothing of respectable men in the U.S. is unnecessarily uncomfortable. Amusing, temperate, and amazing when one considers how many other things people had to worry about in 1939.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: kendall
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 04:40 PM

I haven't finished it yet but Seamus Kennedy's book "Clean Cabbage in the Bucket" is a very interesting read. It's a series of short stories about the life of traveling Irish singers. Also included are Robbie O'Connell, Frank Emerson, Dennis O'Rourke and Harry O'Donoghue.

Poignant and funny is a combo hard to beat.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Amos
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 04:33 PM

HIghly recommended first-hand account of the tribulations of the Gemini and Apollo space programs, and their ultimate, extraordinary successes: Last Man on the Moon by Eugene Cernan (who was indeed the last man to walk and drive on the Moon). A humdinger.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Riginslinger
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 04:29 PM

"The Aught-Sixers"

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 05:09 PM

Kats my copy of To hell or the Babadoes is a paperback, dont forget my advice on Henry Morris`s trilogy, his account is the fairest I have ever read on this period.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 05:01 PM

I have just finished reading book one of Henry Morris`s trilogy on the British Empire,Heavens Command, beg borrow or steal this trilogy, Pax Britannia, a brilliant account.
Try your local library, I got mine from Folio, a must read.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 04:51 PM

Michael, thanks to you I have been reading nothing but Diane Gabaldon this month! Devoured Outlander, went on to Dragonfly in Amber and am getting close to finishing Voyager and have a copy of the next one on its way to me. THAT one will likely have to wait a bit as I am committed to writing a 50,000+ word novel of my own in November!:-)

In between I am up to the 6th book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Series and have a new John Lescroart to read. All else waits for Gabaldon!

ard, I've just finally ordered a copy of that book from Amazon. If you have a hardback of it, I'd suggest hanging on to it; they are pricey! I am really looking forward to reading it, even if I find some of my ancestor's slaves may have been Irish. (It would be ironic as we've a mix of all three, Irish, Scottish, and English, in my heritage.) The records say he left Barbados to be the governor of the Carolinas and took several hundred slaves with him.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 04 Oct 08 - 09:28 AM

I just finished "speak Memory" by Nabokoff. It is the best Biography I have read in a long time. Excellent. On the other hand, I also recently read "Pillars of The Earth" by Ken Follett;one of the worst books I have ever read..so you wine some, you lose some.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 04 Oct 08 - 12:26 AM

"Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life" by Jon Lee Anderson

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Joe_F
Date: 03 Oct 08 - 09:57 PM

_Army Life in a Black Regiment_, by Thomas Wentworth Higginson (1869, reprinted by Penguin, 1997). Interesting contemporary memoir. He liked their songs, among other things. His hopefulness is sometimes heartbreaking.

_Giovanni's Room_ by James Baldwin. Bisexuals in Paris, 1950s. Rather dreary IMO. I liked _Another Country_ a lot better.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: bobad
Date: 03 Oct 08 - 09:15 PM

Rereading JD Salinger's "Franny and Zooey" after more than forty years, surprisingly some recollection remains and appreciation is enhanced by four decades of living.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: freda underhill
Date: 03 Oct 08 - 09:05 PM

I read Edward Rutherford's books Dublin - Foundation, an account of Dublin from pre-Christian times to @ 17th century, and haven't yet started his next book Ireland the Awakening which continues on. (they sound like the two books referred to above, maybe a different name in Australia?) He's a historian as well as a writer, and also checks his writing with other historians for accuracy in details of the era. The first one was engrossing.

Ducks on the pond by Australian journalist Anne Summers is a fascinating autobiography which is also a rich social history of women in Sydney and social change in the 70s and 80s.

It is similar to Nuala O'Faolain's "are you somebody" in it's frankness and honesty. Any woman can learn from and identify with the writings of these two women.

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Oct 08 - 04:01 PM

The Sea Wolf, by Jack London. OK, some of the sailing and sealing stuff could not quite happen that way-- but what a character study/buddy epic. Theological, too.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 06:29 AM

Michael and Kats I got O`Callaghan`s book from Amazon.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 01:50 AM

Beer - you should find "The Rebels Of Ireland" at amazon.com or at
half.com at very good prices. Reading is a fine pastime - until they drop the puck again. GO RED WINGS!

ard mhacha - thanks for the tip on the Cromwell book I will most certainly be looking out for a copy of that one. Cheers.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 08:12 PM

Just finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. As her memoir, On Gold Mountain, this was excellent. Equally as interesting are her notes, afterwards, about the travels and research she went through to write it, esp. the info about the secret women's writing known as "nu shu." You may read more about the book at her wbsite: Lisa See dot com.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 05:40 PM

ard macha, that one sounds interesting....I had ancestors who went to Barbados as bigwigs...thanks for mentioning the book.

Michael, thanks to you, too. I have just ordered the Outlander from www.paperbackswap and look forward to the series.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 10:58 AM

Michael Harrison well worth a read is Sean O`Callaghan`s book on Cromwells time in Ireland, entitled `To hell or the Barbados`, an insight into a period of hidden history, well researched by O`Callaghan.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: john f weldon
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 10:34 AM

A search reveals no mention of Martin Amis' "The Information". It's been a few years but this tale (by Chaim's brother-in-law) is about two rival authors. One has managed to become popular while the other writes books that absolutely no-one can read without becoming ill. The latter repeatedly attempts to sabotage the former. It's very funny, and for an animator seems very familiar. I suspect some folkies will find these guys recognizable, too.

Less junkie than the aforementioned Mickey S.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: john f weldon
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 10:21 AM

Currently reading that 50s pulp-master Mickey Spillane. The hero Mike Hammer is a racist, homophobic, sexist, right-wing thug. It's total garbage and I don't recommend it to anyone. But sometimes I just looove a little garbage!

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 09:09 AM

I just finished a very good novel by Trish Cohen called "The Townhouse". It is the story of the son of an iconic rock star who leaves his only son a decaying townhose and not much else.The story revolves around the son's struggle to hang on to his fathers only legacy. Great read, sad, funny and very well written.
I am also reading a grand non fiction book by Judith Flanders called " Consuming Passions". She writes wonderful social histories (The Victorian House) and this is a fascinating look at the rise of consummerism. Loads of interesting detail. Although is pertains exclusively to England, it is none the less, a great read. Some of the subject areas are ; the rise of shoping and department stores, Popular Music and Theatre, Books and Publishing, the advent of railroads and travel and it ends with a look at the ultimate consumer binge..christmas and what consumerism has done to it. Just a great book.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Beer
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 07:57 AM

Michael,
Read the first one of the Dublin saga and can hardly wait to get my hands on the second novel. Read all of Diana's Outlander series and found them truly fascinating. my next book is titled Gondar by Nicholas Luard. A friend just gave it to me. Hope it is enjoyable as the last few I've read.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 03:22 AM

Well, I am just finishing up, "The Dublin Saga" by Edward Rutherfurd, which consists of two books, "The Princes of Ireland," followed by "The Rebels Of Ireland" and I couldn't put them down.
It is the history of Ireland intertwined with a novel, and, for me, at least, it was a most excellent read. Now I'm told that I need to read "The Green Flag" by Robert Kee - the real stuff, I guess.

My sweet missus has not been able to put down the Scottish historical novel series by Diana Gabledon (sp?) that started with the book, "The Outlander." So there's a few to consider. Cheers.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Riginslinger
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 10:47 PM

So I'm reading the "The Best American Short Stories of 2007," obviously, 2008 ain't over yet. And in this one story, this guy and his wife decide to commit suicide, so they pull into the garage in a late modle Toyota, close the garage door and leave the engine running.
                   The obvious problem is, a late model Toyota with a catalytic converter produces almost no carbonmonoxide, the thing what kills you.
                   The story was written by a PHD from Johns Hopkins University, and vetted by the editors of the publication that is was originally published in, plus the editors of TBASS of 2007.
                   An out of work coal miner from West Virginia with a 6th grade eduation would have spotted this right away--if he'd been inclined to read it--but it slipped right by all of those folks with advanced degrees from Harvard to UC Berkeley.
                   The out of work miner would have voted for Hillary Clinton. The PHD's would have voted for Barack Obama, and they'd have been wrong.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: olddude
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 08:45 PM

Multivariable Calculus by Bruce H. Edwards

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: John Hardly
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 08:05 PM

Interesting writer I just finished off four books. Jodi Picoult

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: MAG
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 11:29 AM

I'll get it from the Library, Kat. Our copy was out yesterday, so I'm rereading *Pattern REcognition* instead for now. In between doing what I listed on the declutteri g thread, of course!

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 12:18 PM

MAG, I just sent out my copy of it, or I'd send it to you. You can join www.paperbackswap and request a copy from there. There are PLENTY available. It's a fun read!

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: MAG
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 12:13 PM

Just finished *Yiddish Policemen's Union* -- stayed up most of the night to finish it.

How can I not go look for something called *Undomestic Goddess*?

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 03:46 PM

Must be a specific version, Rig. I went to www.addall.com and did a search on that title and it came up with tons of them, so good question.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Riginslinger
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 03:16 PM

How could a Nora Roberts title become a sought after book, or am I reading it wrong?

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 02:46 PM

Something rather interesting: Bookfinder's out of print book trends, i.e. most sought after out of print books...I used to have one of them. Now, I'll have to see if I can find it!

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Aug 08 - 11:48 AM

I just finished 'Lost Horizon', which I borrowed from the used-book store where I work part time.

I had certainly heard of the book - published in the early 30s, and claims to be the first book ever printed in paperback - and most certainly knew the shangra-la concept but my question is: Is this where the concept of Shangra La came from? Or did it only pick up a much earlier allusion?

Interesting story, I must say.

When I first picked it up I thought it was a different book, different subject. What is the name of a movie done early on- 50s or maybe 40s - about, among other things, miscegnation, passing for White, and consequent family conflicts? "Lost" something, I know. Maybe with Dorothy Dandridge in it?

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Joe_F
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 09:13 PM

I am most of the way thru _The Confession_ by James E. McGreevey, a former governor of New Jersey. It might be subtitled Love, Lust, & Politics: Their Vile Interactions. Highly educational for me at least.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Riginslinger
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 10:50 AM

Thanks again, Rowan!

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Rowan
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 07:36 PM

G'day Riginslinger,
On another thread (about whether kids read anymore) Sandra from Sydney mentioned the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge, which was originally a program encouraging students from Years 5-8 to get reading. Years 5 & 6 are the last two years of primary school (called Grade School, I believe, in the US) and Years 7 & 8 are the first two years of secondary (or High) school. I noticed at the URL below that it's now expanded to cover from Kindergarten (preschoolers) to Year 9.

The separate booklists are seachable by title, author or category. Although the URL is an https: site I had no trouble accessing it.

Lots of luck.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 07:39 AM

i'm most of the way through 'Marley and Me' by John Grogan.

It's nice to know that our Seamus is an almost normal yellow lab in comparison to this one - this is a book that has made me laugh out loud a number of times and that is causing me to become sleep deprived!

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Riginslinger
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 07:29 AM

I didn't even know things like that were out there!

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: heric
Date: 29 Jul 08 - 11:12 PM

I just read "Flush" on the strong recommendation of my daughter, and I liked it, too. It's a good choice. (She really did say "strongly recommend.")


From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up–In Flush (Knopf, 2005), Carl Hiaasen's ecological concerns focus on illegal dumping of raw sewage from a floating casino. Noah Underwood's dad has sunk the gambling ship, the Coal Queen, in protest. Now the elder Underwood is launching a media campaign from his jail cell to raise public awareness since the sewage-spewing ship will soon be back in operation. Though Noah and his younger sister Abbey believe in their father's cause, they also fear their mother will file for divorce if he continues to react so outrageously to environmental issues. After a few false starts and run-ins with the casino owner's son and the ship's hired goon, the siblings come up with a plan . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Riginslinger
Date: 29 Jul 08 - 09:59 PM

I have boys coming to visit--9 and 10 years old. Any suggestions on good bedtime stories?

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Rowan
Date: 29 Jul 08 - 07:22 PM

I read Louis Sachar's book "Holes" a while ago and found it an interesting read, even though I gather it is aimed at teenagers. Both my daughters liked it and were a trifle peeved when I donated it to the school library. After they'd read it, of course.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: GUEST,Neil D
Date: 29 Jul 08 - 01:35 PM

I am 2/3 through "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer. Its protagonist is 9 year old Oskar Schell, trying to make sense of things after losing his father in the World Trade Center collapse, but this is not a childrens book. At times funny and touching and often very sad (to borrow a phrase from Oskar, it makes me wear heavy boots) this book is quite profound. Mr. Foer's first novel, "Everything Is Illuminated" was made into a movie which two years ago was THE movie that I told everyone was a must see. I now recommend this novel just as highly.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: Mike789
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 08:06 PM

Reading William Gibson is a hoot. He coined the word "Cyberspace".

Neuromancer -- Early work, very cool.

Pattern Recognition -- More recent, cool, though tamer.

Subject: RE: BS: Read any good books lately?
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 12:54 PM

We've had a few other threads like this and that: click here. Not to say there shouldn't be another.:-)