Whatcha readin now? (book, books, reading, read) (5 Viewers)

[KarmaPolice]

I guess Serial rekindled a fire for my love of true crime books.

I read The Last Victim in the last couple days. Very interesting idea - a college kid researched serial killers and wrote letters to them based on their preferences in victims, in an attempt to get them to open up in ways that they might not for others. Maintained a relationship with a couple - most notably John Wayne Gacy, even talking on the phone to him and eventually visiting him in prison. Above average book, I thought there was too much about him and not enough about the insights of the people he was contacting (the intro to the book by his professor stated that he gave him the idea that people would be as interested in the kid's motivations to do this - I guess I disagree).

Got a few more random ones from the library. I think 3 are about specific cases, and one more overview with our obsession with the topic and it's about a lot of different cases.

 

[Don Quixote]

Haven't posted in here in awhile... I'm stuck in a "biographies on early 19th century figures" rut for some reason

John Marshall: Definer of a Nation - Jean Edward Smith -- Fourth biography I've read by Smith (I've also read his bios on Grant, FDR, and Ike). All are thorough and well-written, and this one is no different. Despite being an attorney and reading a lot of Marshall's cases in law school, I did not know a lot about the man. A lot of detail about his career before the Supreme Court that was interesting.

John Quicy Adams: American Visionary - Fred Kaplan -- Almost done with this one. I've read a decent amount about JQA (such as Samuel Flagg Bemis's books from about 50 years ago), but not a full-life biography like this. One of the more underrated figures of the early republic. Well-written and good account of his life.

Next up... Napoleon: A Life - Andrew Roberts

 

[Swing 51]

Haven't posted in here in awhile... I'm stuck in a "biographies on early 19th century figures" rut for some reason

You ever read a biography on Robert E. Lee?

 

[Don Quixote]

Haven't posted in here in awhile... I'm stuck in a "biographies on early 19th century figures" rut for some reason

You ever read a biography on Robert E. Lee?

I have not. I've read a lot of civil war stuff, but nothing solely dedicated to him. I think Douglas Southall Freeman's bio on him is considered the standard, and is on the list of books that I'm planning to read at some point, but haven't gotten to it yet.

 

[The Flying Elvis]

Been getting into kind of a spy/CIA kick recently... Started with more spy thriller type novels like I Am Pilgrim and Red Sparrow, then jumped into a little old spy genre with The Spy Who Came in From the Cold and moved onto historical fiction CIA type stuff with The Company by Littell.

Has anyone read Harlot's Ghost by Mailer? I know it is a tome but seems to be in a similar vein to The Company as more researched historical fiction. Any other recommendations for spy type stuff more in the vein of historical fiction or even non fiction than a typical Clancy or Ludlum type spy thriller.

 

[El Floppo]

did my every decade (16, 26, 36, 46) reread of Hesse's Siddhartha. For such a simple little thing, I've extracted new and different love for it with each read.

but I really need a new book.

 

[prosopis]

I am reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown

So far so good. Science fiction that seems to have some Hunger games theme mixed in but I am only at the beginning.

 

[skol asylum]

Slowly working through Gone Girl. Just finished listening to The Lost Island by Preston and Child. Just started listening to The Passage by Justin Cronin. Been reading a bunch of comics in the Marvel Unlimited app. Scanning bits and pieces of the FFA.

 

[Sand]

I am reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown

So far so good. Science fiction that seems to have some Hunger games theme mixed in but I am only at the beginning.

Gets way, way better as you go. Easily the book of the year for me.

 

[The Flying Elvis]

I am reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown

So far so good. Science fiction that seems to have some Hunger games theme mixed in but I am only at the beginning.

Gets way, way better as you go. Easily the book of the year for me.

2nd book Golden Son is even better IMO.

 

[Sand]

I am reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown

So far so good. Science fiction that seems to have some Hunger games theme mixed in but I am only at the beginning.

Gets way, way better as you go. Easily the book of the year for me.

2nd book Golden Son is even better IMO.

I'm trying to be patient and let the price come down a bit. But I'll probably cave at some point and get the audiobook.

And I'm surprised that #2 got better. I finished #1 wondering where he could realistically go with that story. You're not the first I've heard say that, though, so I'm even more intrigued.



See what you've started here? Damn you.

 

[Fly]

did my every decade (16, 26, 36, 46) reread of Hesse's Siddhartha. For such a simple little thing, I've extracted new and different love for it with each read.

but I really need a new book.

I love this book and definitely need to read it again. How long do you spend with it for each read? It's so short that I feel like I have to force myself to put it down every so often just so I can think about it.

 

[Ilov80s]

I am reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown

So far so good. Science fiction that seems to have some Hunger games theme mixed in but I am only at the beginning.

Gets way, way better as you go. Easily the book of the year for me.

2nd book Golden Son is even better IMO.

I'm trying to be patient and let the price come down a bit. But I'll probably cave at some point and get the audiobook.

And I'm surprised that #2 got better. I finished #1 wondering where he could realistically go with that story. You're not the first I've heard say that, though, so I'm even more intrigued.



See what you've started here? Damn you.

Why not just borrow it from the library?

 

[El Floppo]

did my every decade (16, 26, 36, 46) reread of Hesse's Siddhartha. For such a simple little thing, I've extracted new and different love for it with each read.

but I really need a new book.

I love this book and definitely need to read it again. How long do you spend with it for each read? It's so short that I feel like I have to force myself to put it down every so often just so I can think about it.

yeah- it's easy to read in one sitting, and probably no more than a few hours total. I forced myself to read it during the day on weekends during 'quiet' no-screen time with the kids- it's broken up into chapters that are almost self-contained, which makes it easier to put down. as does a 3 yo daughter bouncing off my noggin.

last time I read it I didn't have kids- so I probably did it all at once.

 

[Swing 51]

American Rust by Philipp Meyer

Next up: The Last Policeman

The Last Policeman has been a bit underwhelming so far (book 1 in the series). About 100 pages left and I assume it picks up or a holy #### moment is coming per the multiple positive reviews of this book/series in this thread.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

American Rust by Philipp Meyer

Next up: The Last Policeman

The Last Policeman has been a bit underwhelming so far (book 1 in the series). About 100 pages left and I assume it picks up or a holy #### moment is coming per the multiple positive reviews of this book/series in this thread.

It's kind of a slow burn. There are also a couple of "wtf?" moments scattered about (don't remember which event happened in which book, but one I know was in book 2 that had me rolling my eyes).

That said, I really liked them. I like the writer's style and thought he had a pretty unique idea that he executed well. Maybe that's why the few times he used worn out tropes it was so jarring to me.

 

[Lehigh98]

This thread hits its 11th birthday next month.

Would be interesting to see a summary of FBG favorites, rank of book mentions or something similar.

Did you guys ever cover your top few books or top recommendations for others?

 

[Bonfire]

Inspired by the Godfather thread, finally reading the book. I'm surprised how closely the movie has followed the book so far, its practically like reading a screenplay.

 

[Swing 51]

Inspired by the Godfather thread, finally reading the book. I'm surprised how closely the movie has followed the book so far, its practically like reading a screenplay.

Book has a lot more Fredo in it

 

[shuke]

This thread hits its 11th birthday next month.

Would be interesting to see a summary of FBG favorites, rank of book mentions or something similar.

Did you guys ever cover your top few books or top recommendations for others?

igbomb tried to put this together once, based on rankings. I think it sizzled.

 

[Sand]

Just finished up Over the Edge of the World, an account of Magellan's voyage. Started pretty dry, but really picked up and was pretty satisfying toward the end. Learned a lot.

 

[Donald_Rodriguez]

The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber. It begins with Peter, a devoted man of faith, as he is called to the mission of a lifetime, one that takes him galaxies away from his wife, Bea. Peter becomes immersed in the mysteries of an astonishing new environment, overseen by an enigmatic corporation known only as USIC. His work introduces him to a seemingly friendly native population struggling with a dangerous illness and hungry for Peter's teachings --- his Bible is their 'book of strange new things'. But Peter is rattled when Bea's letters from home become increasingly desperate: typhoons and earthquakes are devastating whole countries, and governments are crumbling. Bea's faith, once the guiding light of their lives, begins to falter. Suddenly, a separation measured by an otherworldly distance, and defined both by one newly discovered world and another in a state of collapse, is threatened by an ever-widening gulf that is much less quantifiable. While Peter is reconciling the needs of his congregation with the desires of his strange employer, Bea is struggling for survival. Their trials lay bare a profound meditation, love tested beyond endurance, and our responsibility to those closest to us.

A gripping read.

 

[Barry]

You might be right. I was talking about The Goldfinch.

cos, I don't owe you a neck drink after all.

whoa I just started this. it's very early, the event just happened but I'm liking it. I have no idea where the story is going.

Please post your thoughts when you've read more of it, or all of it. I think someone whose opinion I respect in here--haven't gone back to see who it was--really liked the book, and it also was on a bunch of year-end top-ten lists, including the NY Times. I'm curious as to other opinions since I might be an outlier on it.

I did go through stages--loved, hated, loved, and then hated.

stopped at a 180 pages. i was getting bored.

 

[Swing 51]

American Rust by Philipp Meyer

Next up: The Last Policeman

The Last Policeman has been a bit underwhelming so far (book 1 in the series). About 100 pages left and I assume it picks up or a holy #### moment is coming per the multiple positive reviews of this book/series in this thread.

Just didn't do it for me. Maybe I read too much about how good this series is and it didn't live up to expectations. I have the other two books in the series so will get to them eventually.

Next up - The Ballad of a Small Player by Lawrence Osborne:

As night falls on Macau and the neon signs that line the rain-slick streets come alive, Doyle – “Lord Doyle” to his fellow players – descends into his casino of choice to try his luck at the baccarat tables that are the anchor of his current existence. A corrupt English lawyer who has escaped prosecution by fleeing to the East, Doyle spends his nights drinking and gambling and his days sleeping off his excesses, continually haunted by his past. Taking refuge in a series of louche and dimly lit hotels, he watches his fortune rise and fall as the cards decide his fate.In a moment of crisis he meets Dao-Ming, an enigmatic Chinese woman who appears to be a denizen of the casinos just like himself, and seems to offer him salvation in the form of both money and love. But as Doyle attempts to make a rare and true connection, all that he accepts as reality seems to be slipping from his grasp.

 

[playin4beer]

American Sniper.

Not to talk ill of the dead but that guy is (was) a cocky dude. Like Marcus Luttrel better.

Just finished reading (scanning) through this book... wanted to read it before seeing the movie.

Before the book, I was pretty stoked to see the movie.. after? I'm not sure.. the book kind of sucked.

It wasn't an easy read.. it was like sitting and listening to a drunk macho tough guy talk about all the fights he won and how much ### he's kicked.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he was a bad dude, but I really didn't find the book interesting..

 

[kupcho1]

Finally read "Cloud Atlas" - as mentioned by many others - and thought it was fantastic. I guess I'll see the movie on DVD, though I'm not sure how it can do the book justice. I have a pair of very, very strong recommendations, made even stronger by the fact that both are about topics I can't believe I would find interesting or entertaining, but by which I was completely captivated. The novel is "The Orphan Master's Son" about life in North Korea, and a lowly guy who somehow rises higher and higher in the bizarre totalitarian state. The first half is maybe the best thing I've read this year. Second half is good, too, though markedly different and not ultimately as great. The non-fiction is "Behind the Beautiful Forevers," about life in an Mumbai slum. It recently won the National Book Award and I'm guessing will take the Pulitzer as well. It is just an incredible feat of reporting, as the writer basically submerged herself into this community until she became a fly on the wall. It showed me a part of the world I had no idea about, and though the subject matter is depressing, the book itself is easy to read, not slow or off-putting.

Huge second on The Orphan Master's Son. Fantastic read.

 

[ragincajun]

This thread hits its 11th birthday next month.

Would be interesting to see a summary of FBG favorites, rank of book mentions or something similar.

Did you guys ever cover your top few books or top recommendations for others?

igbomb tried to put this together once, based on rankings. I think it sizzled.

I tried to start a spreadsheet once but I realized I had too much actual work to do.

Can we start a Google doc that everyone can update?

 

[Tom Servo]

Anybody read the Terran Chronicles series?

 

[The_Man]

The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber. It begins with Peter, a devoted man of faith, as he is called to the mission of a lifetime, one that takes him galaxies away from his wife, Bea. Peter becomes immersed in the mysteries of an astonishing new environment, overseen by an enigmatic corporation known only as USIC. His work introduces him to a seemingly friendly native population struggling with a dangerous illness and hungry for Peter's teachings --- his Bible is their 'book of strange new things'. But Peter is rattled when Bea's letters from home become increasingly desperate: typhoons and earthquakes are devastating whole countries, and governments are crumbling. Bea's faith, once the guiding light of their lives, begins to falter. Suddenly, a separation measured by an otherworldly distance, and defined both by one newly discovered world and another in a state of collapse, is threatened by an ever-widening gulf that is much less quantifiable. While Peter is reconciling the needs of his congregation with the desires of his strange employer, Bea is struggling for survival. Their trials lay bare a profound meditation, love tested beyond endurance, and our responsibility to those closest to us.

A gripping read.

This is up next for me. Can't wait.

But to get there, I have to finish the slog through James Ellroy's newest, "Perfidia." It's book one of a trilogy that's a prequel to his LA Quartet, starting with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Man, what the F happened to Ellroy? American Tabloid is one of my favorite books ever, and I really liked most of the LA Quartet. But the second two books after American Tabloid were pretty bad, and this new one is pretty much a giant mess. I'll still finish it (and will no doubt read the next 2), and there are some good scenes sprinkled here and there, but that's a very small payoff for almost 700 unhinged pages of plotting with minimal character development and goofy cameos by real-life celebrities. For example, Dudley Smith (who you might remember as the villain from L.A. Confidential) just finished banging Bette Davis.

I'll give a recommendation for a post-apocalyptic book called "Station Eleven." It's pretty mellow as far as end of the world books go, kind of like The Dog Stars if anyone read that. Less about mass death and more about what it means to make a life after the end of the world. Mix in a healthy portion of "Visit from the Goon Squad," as there's a lot of shifting backward and forward through time, and it includes some show biz stuff.

 

[Brady Marino]

Finished 11/22/63. Liked it a lot, but...

Spoiler

Maybe it's me, but it almost seems like a trope to NOT have the story end with the ideal happy ending of Jake and Sadie hooking up in the 60s again and not even bothering with time travel. Jake has this strong desire to go back to save Sadie (and the world) and, after all we went through with Sadie, Jake is convinced by a loon in a matter of moments to go back to reset everything and leave Sadie behind.

I really don't see the harm in having him stay and let everything run its course. Instead, we get the "what if" ending we got where Jake lives a meager life afterwards and Sadie apparently doing good in her life without Jake in it. I think it would have been perfectly fine to let Jake proceed forward with the original idea he had when he came back of reuniting with Sadie and living happily ever after. But still, good book and one I'm glad I'm experienced over the course of a few months on audiobook. It made going to and from work easier and both the time spent and the narrator made me feel like I was a part of Jake's life.

On to Unbroken.

 

[E Street Brat]

The Hater Series: David Moody

I read all three books back to back, and enjoyed the story. I felt the last book dragged at times and was ready for it to end about a 100 pages or so before it did. It’s loaded with violence so if you’re queasy you might wanna stay away. 2.5 stars / 3 if you can get it at a discounted price.

The Last Policeman Series: Ben Winters

There are a few reviews of the book in the thread already. It’s been some time since I finished and now that it’s faded a little from my memory, I don’t find it as good as I originally thought it was. I think I liked the idea of a pre-apocalypse story and where this story could have gone more than where it actually took ya. The movie “Children of Men” made me feel the same way. Do not pay full price, wait for it to drop before buying.

Hugh Howey

This cat has quickly become my favorite story teller. I’m going to skip over “Wool” and “Sand” both of those have been discussed in here already. I will add once more since I seem to be in the minority, but I thought “Sand” was brilliant and I’m very anxious for the sequel to be released.

“Hurricane”

After reading the “Silo Series” I could hardly believe that this was done by the same writer. It’s very much in the YA genre.

The story is of a teenager’s life. A busy mother and stepfather, bickering siblings and an absentee father, all brought together in the wake of a Carolina hurricane. Our young, awkward teenager even finds love as the cleanup begins. Both in the neighborhood and in himself

“Half Way Home”

This is a Young Adult Scyfi. Aimed and written in the way of “Enders Game” only much better. I’m not sure how to describe it so I’ll paste this in from Amazon.

Five hundred of us were sent to colonize this planet. Only fifty or so survived.
We woke up fifteen years too early, we had only half our training, and they expected us to not only survive ... they expected us to conquer this place. The problem is: it isn't safe here.
We aren't even safe from each other.

“The Shell Collector”

The first stinker from Hugh. I really wanted to like this book but it just misses the mark. What could have been a thrilling Sci-Fi about the death of the oceans due to the picture perfect cliché greedy oil corporations Gets turned inti a romance when the hard nose reporter working on an exposé to bring down the corrupt ‘big oil” family falls in love with her intended target. If you like romance you will probably like this. If not, stay away.

“Alone; Book 1: Facing Armageddon Darrell Mallony

Kind of Meh, Don’t pay for this but hit me with a PM if you’re bored with nothing to read I can send it to ya

[SIZE=12pt]Prime members can borrow this book and read it on their devices with Kindle Owners Lending Library.[/SIZE]

“Dave and Sarah Anna Speer had been preparing for Armageddon for years. They thought they’d covered all the bases, and had planned for everything. It never occurred to them that the single thing they had no control over was the timing.
Sarah was on an airplane with her young daughters when solar storms bombarded the earth with electromagnetic pulses. Everything powered by electricity or batteries was instantly shorted out and would never work again.
Dave was suddenly alone. He was also unsure whether his family was dead or alive. He assumed that the airplane stopped working and plunged from the sky. But it was scheduled to land in Kansas City at almost the exact time everything stopped working.
Had they landed in time? Was it possible they survived?
This is the story of a man facing Armageddon alone. It chronicles the things he does to survive in a newly vicious world. It also includes Dave’s desperate and poignant diary entries to his wife. Just in case she did survive, and somehow makes it back to him to find he didn’t make it himself.

“The Secession of Texas” Darrell Malony

Horrable. One of the very few books I could not finish. If you’re tired of jabbing needles on your eyes. Hit me with a pm if ya wanna borrow this one.

“She Comes Undone” Wally Lamb

Someone in this thread recommended this and left a nice review, I loved the story and feel like such a homo for it. And that’s all I have to say about that.

Creep

Freak (Creep Series book2) Jennifer Hillier

I was in a serial killer mood when I read these two, and they did the job of satisfying my need for a crime thriller.

Pasted from Amazon

[SIZE=10.5pt]Dr. Sheila Tao is a professor of psychology, an expert in human behavior with her own hidden past. But she’s not the only one keeping secrets. . . . When Sheila began an affair with her sexy graduate assistant Ethan Wolfe, she knew she was playing with fire. Consumed by lust when they were together, she was riddled with guilt when they were apart. Now she’s finally engaged to a good man, and it’s time to end the dangerous liaison. But Ethan has something different in mind. He intends to make her pay for rejecting him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]FREAK [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]pasted[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]from Amazon[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Jennifer Hillier amps up the terror of her “truly frightening” (Suspense Magazine) debut thriller, Creep, returning to the Pacific Northwest college town where one killer’s stranglehold has ebbed . . . but another sick mind emerges from the shadows. [/SIZE]

Serial: G Lusby

Still in the mood for a serial crime thriller I picked up this dud for free I can’t hardly remember what it was about.

“The Purge of Babylon” Series. Sam Sasavath

I just finished the sixth book and am finally caught up on this series. The seventh is due out early this year. Feb. or March from what I read.

I picked this up after someone here mentioned it. The fact that
I’ve read all six must mean I like it, but I can’t figure out why. With the start of every new one, I feel like “here we go again” like I’m climbing another a mountain, but once I’m 20 pages in, I can’t put it down.

It’s a simple story about a group of people trying to survive in a vampire/zombie/ghoul infested post-apocalyptic southern U.S. world.

Sasavath has developed a group of characters that he makes you care about, and creates dialog that can be funny at times. But I think what brings me back for more is the question. How would I handle myself in such an unbelievable situation?

These books a very cheap on Amazon and I highly recommend them.

 

[skol asylum]

I haven't read it but I believe that Shell Collector book was written in a month as part of the November writing month thing so it wouldn't surprise me if the quality wasnt there.

 

[skol asylum]

Actually Half Way Home was one of thise November books. Not sure about shell collector.

 

[Gandalf the Grey]

I am reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown

So far so good. Science fiction that seems to have some Hunger games theme mixed in but I am only at the beginning.

I loved this book. Reads like another YA book but very entertaining, compulsive read for me. Thought it was a mix of Hunger Games, Lord of the Flies, and a touch of Game of Thrones. Finished the next book in this series, Golden Sun, in like 2 days. It was a great read as well.

 

[Don Quixote]

HFS: Second Harper Lee novel to be published in July

(Not what I'm reading, but I will be reading.)

 

[Rushmore]

Just picked up a hardback copy of a book titled The Devil All The Time by Donald Ray Pollock. I read some reviews comparing his style to McCarthy and O'Connor, so I'm pretty anxious to dive into this one. It appears to be a pretty wild ride.

 

[Barry]

Finally read "Cloud Atlas" - as mentioned by many others - and thought it was fantastic. I guess I'll see the movie on DVD, though I'm not sure how it can do the book justice. I have a pair of very, very strong recommendations, made even stronger by the fact that both are about topics I can't believe I would find interesting or entertaining, but by which I was completely captivated. The novel is "The Orphan Master's Son" about life in North Korea, and a lowly guy who somehow rises higher and higher in the bizarre totalitarian state. The first half is maybe the best thing I've read this year. Second half is good, too, though markedly different and not ultimately as great. The non-fiction is "Behind the Beautiful Forevers," about life in an Mumbai slum. It recently won the National Book Award and I'm guessing will take the Pulitzer as well. It is just an incredible feat of reporting, as the writer basically submerged herself into this community until she became a fly on the wall. It showed me a part of the world I had no idea about, and though the subject matter is depressing, the book itself is easy to read, not slow or off-putting.

Huge second on The Orphan Master's Son. Fantastic read.

just finished. great book. I agree with the second part not being as good. there were moments where I just wanted the story to get on with it.

 

[shuke]

Just picked up a hardback copy of a book titled The Devil All The Time by Donald Ray Pollock. I read some reviews comparing his style to McCarthy and O'Connor, so I'm pretty anxious to dive into this one. It appears to be a pretty wild ride.

 

[Todd Andrews]

Been getting into kind of a spy/CIA kick recently... Started with more spy thriller type novels like I Am Pilgrim and Red Sparrow, then jumped into a little old spy genre with The Spy Who Came in From the Cold and moved onto historical fiction CIA type stuff with The Company by Littell.

Has anyone read Harlot's Ghost by Mailer? I know it is a tome but seems to be in a similar vein to The Company as more researched historical fiction. Any other recommendations for spy type stuff more in the vein of historical fiction or even non fiction than a typical Clancy or Ludlum type spy thriller.

This is nonfiction but a pretty remarkable CIA book about interrogating a detainee right after 9/11 and a really good CIA procedural:

The Interrogator by Glenn Carle

 

[Todd Andrews]

The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber. It begins with Peter, a devoted man of faith, as he is called to the mission of a lifetime, one that takes him galaxies away from his wife, Bea. Peter becomes immersed in the mysteries of an astonishing new environment, overseen by an enigmatic corporation known only as USIC. His work introduces him to a seemingly friendly native population struggling with a dangerous illness and hungry for Peter's teachings --- his Bible is their 'book of strange new things'. But Peter is rattled when Bea's letters from home become increasingly desperate: typhoons and earthquakes are devastating whole countries, and governments are crumbling. Bea's faith, once the guiding light of their lives, begins to falter. Suddenly, a separation measured by an otherworldly distance, and defined both by one newly discovered world and another in a state of collapse, is threatened by an ever-widening gulf that is much less quantifiable. While Peter is reconciling the needs of his congregation with the desires of his strange employer, Bea is struggling for survival. Their trials lay bare a profound meditation, love tested beyond endurance, and our responsibility to those closest to us.

A gripping read.

This is up next for me. Can't wait.

But to get there, I have to finish the slog through James Ellroy's newest, "Perfidia." It's book one of a trilogy that's a prequel to his LA Quartet, starting with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Man, what the F happened to Ellroy? American Tabloid is one of my favorite books ever, and I really liked most of the LA Quartet. But the second two books after American Tabloid were pretty bad, and this new one is pretty much a giant mess. I'll still finish it (and will no doubt read the next 2), and there are some good scenes sprinkled here and there, but that's a very small payoff for almost 700 unhinged pages of plotting with minimal character development and goofy cameos by real-life celebrities. For example, Dudley Smith (who you might remember as the villain from L.A. Confidential) just finished banging Bette Davis.

I'll give a recommendation for a post-apocalyptic book called "Station Eleven." It's pretty mellow as far as end of the world books go, kind of like The Dog Stars if anyone read that. Less about mass death and more about what it means to make a life after the end of the world. Mix in a healthy portion of "Visit from the Goon Squad," as there's a lot of shifting backward and forward through time, and it includes some show biz stuff.

Yeah, Perfidia was a let down and I love Ellroy.

 

[Apes with Guns]

I bought this book today, as I'd heard good things about it. It's on sale for 1.99 on kindle as part of the daily deal.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NJ8468M/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The highly-anticipated paperback edition of The Elements is finally available.

An eye-opening, original collection of gorgeous, never-before-seen photographic representations of the 118 elements in the periodic table.

The elements are what we, and everything around us, are made of. But how many elements has anyone actually seen in pure, uncombined form? The Elements provides this rare opportunity. Based on seven years of research and photography, the pictures in this book make up the most complete, and visually arresting, representation available to the naked eye of every atom in the universe. Organized in order of appearance on the periodic table, each element is represented by a spread that includes a stunning, full-page, full-color photograph that most closely represents it in its purest form. For example, at -183°C, oxygen turns from a colorless gas to a beautiful pale blue liquid.

Also included are fascinating facts, figures, and stories of the elements as well as data on the properties of each, including atomic weight, density, melting and boiling point, valence, electronegativity, and the year and location in which it was discovered. Several additional photographs show each element in slightly altered forms or as used in various practical ways. The element's position on the periodic table is pinpointed on a mini rendering of the table and an illustrated scale of the element's boiling and/or melting points appears on each page along with a density scale that runs along the bottom.

Packed with interesting information, this combination of solid science and stunning artistic photographs is the perfect gift book for every sentient creature in the universe.

Includes a tear-out poster of Theodore Gray's iconic Photographic Periodic Table!

 

[skol asylum]

Cool. I picked this one up a while but haven't cracked it open yet. Also 1.99 now on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004J17VTO/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&sr=&qid=

 

[Sand]

I am reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown

So far so good. Science fiction that seems to have some Hunger games theme mixed in but I am only at the beginning.

Gets way, way better as you go. Easily the book of the year for me.

2nd book Golden Son is even better IMO.

I'm trying to be patient and let the price come down a bit. But I'll probably cave at some point and get the audiobook.

And I'm surprised that #2 got better. I finished #1 wondering where he could realistically go with that story. You're not the first I've heard say that, though, so I'm even more intrigued.



See what you've started here? Damn you.

Why not just borrow it from the library?

Eh - the library is an hour and a half trip and they don't do electronic lending. My time is worth more than that. And I really want it as an audiobook so the family can listen on the next trip like we did the last.

 

[igbomb]

I am reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown

So far so good. Science fiction that seems to have some Hunger games theme mixed in but I am only at the beginning.

Gets way, way better as you go. Easily the book of the year for me.

2nd book Golden Son is even better IMO.

I'm trying to be patient and let the price come down a bit. But I'll probably cave at some point and get the audiobook.

And I'm surprised that #2 got better. I finished #1 wondering where he could realistically go with that story. You're not the first I've heard say that, though, so I'm even more intrigued.



See what you've started here? Damn you.

Why not just borrow it from the library?

Eh - the library is an hour and a half trip and they don't do electronic lending. My time is worth more than that. And I really want it as an audiobook so the family can listen on the next trip like we did the last.

Where the hell do you live that the library is that far away?

Oh, nevermind, I see it's Alabama. They only have one, right?

 

[Ilov80s]

I am reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown

So far so good. Science fiction that seems to have some Hunger games theme mixed in but I am only at the beginning.

Gets way, way better as you go. Easily the book of the year for me.

2nd book Golden Son is even better IMO.

I'm trying to be patient and let the price come down a bit. But I'll probably cave at some point and get the audiobook.

And I'm surprised that #2 got better. I finished #1 wondering where he could realistically go with that story. You're not the first I've heard say that, though, so I'm even more intrigued.



See what you've started here? Damn you.

Why not just borrow it from the library?

Eh - the library is an hour and a half trip and they don't do electronic lending. My time is worth more than that. And I really want it as an audiobook so the family can listen on the next trip like we did the last.

Makes sense, but that sucks. I have access to maybe 30 libraries within an hour of me. They all do electronic lending.

 

[shuke]

Just finished Blindness by Jose Saramago. At first I thought the writing style really made me fell disoriented, like I was blind and wasn't sure who was saying what. But then I read that Saramago writes all his books like this, so I wasn't as impressed.

I really enjoyed it until they left the internment camp.

Regarding the ending..

Spoiler

Did the doctor's wife see a nuclear bomb explode in the sky?

 

[shuke]

Next up: Ready Player One

 

[KarmaPolice]

Finally trudged through A Dance with Dragons. Book 3 was so great that i am not sure my feelings for 4 and 5 are because they dont live up to that. Just not convinced Martin even knows where this is leading, esp. with a couple characters who just seem to be wandering around.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I am reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown

So far so good. Science fiction that seems to have some Hunger games theme mixed in but I am only at the beginning.

This looks right up my alley. Will add to the queue.

 

[Tom Servo]

I'm currently reading Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. I have to say I'm quite impressed. This is hard science fiction with a lot of technical stuff in it. He also does a good job with the personal politics that any group of people can have.

My only criticism is that with it being set in the late 2020s, it feels too soon for it to be possible for mankind to be able to pull it off. That and I want to throat punch Arkady.