Whatcha readin now? (book, books, reading, read) (4 Viewers)

[ditka311]

On vacation in the Wisconsin northwoods and took along The Coldest Winter. I know basically nothing about the Korean War so this is pretty interesting.  

 

[badmojo1006]

The Maltese Falcon

 

[Ilov80s]

The Maltese Falcon

Love that movie although I always kind of wish it was Bacall instead of Astor.

Just realized this was the book thread and not the movie thread, lol. I was disappointed that the most famous line from the movie and damn near any movie wasn't in the book. Other than that, great book. 

 

[jvdesigns2002]

Just got done reading "A Perfect Union of Contrary Things" written by Sarah Jensen.  The book was written with and about Maynard James Keenan (from Tool, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, and Merkin Vineyards).  As a big fan of Maynard's music and having sampled and purchased some of his wine while I was visiting Jerome, Arizona--I figured this would be a cool insight to a guy that has purposely tried to live a reclusive lifestyle for somebody of his fame.   I definitely enjoyed the book as I learned many things about his past--family life, his decision to go into the military, then art school, his friends, the people that he had met along the way (guys like Tom Morello and Brad Wilk), and how his life had progressed in the way it did.  Sarah obviously writes the book as a friend--but also as a "fan girl" type--as there is very little to nothing negative mentioned about Maynard in the book.   This didn't bother me much as I decided to read the book because I personally am a fan-boy of Maynard.  I would have liked to have seen more of Maynard's quotes in the book as I found many of them to be pretty deep and introspective--but this is a dude that tries to avoid the spotlight while being a rockstar.  Literally a lead singer that mainly performs from the back of the stage as he hates and doesn't believe in the "frontman" dynamic.    I think if you are a Maynard fan--it's an easy, fun and cool read--as long as you aren't expecting him to completely open up to you.   I'd say that 10-20% of the book is Maynard quoting or telling Sarah stories to write in the book--while the other 80+% is Sarah writing it as a close friend and fan-girl.  

 

[beer 30]

The characters are running together for me - you mean the one last seen in a boat? 

Yes

Spoiler

He was suppose to go to the tropical Garden of Eden and decided to head to jolly ole England instead. I guess with all the other characters, their history was recorded by Amy who, at the very end, caught the historian/archeologist up. Nothing like that existed for Michael since he set off to sail the seven seas alone. Although he went to the trouble of describing Fanning's life after death. Just seemed odd since he tied a bow on everyone else.

 

[prosopis]

I have a goodreads question

I am having trouble following a group. I can search and find the group I want but I dont see a join button to hit. Has anyone else had this problem? I am trying to do it on my kindle, maybe that is the problem?

Is there a goodreads group from the FFA?

I recently read Gwendy's Button box by S King and R Chizmar. It is a super quick read but I did like it. 

I am currently reading Iron Ambition: my Life with Cus D'Amato by Mike Tyson. I am really liking this one. It has a nice mix of life stories, training,history, fight stories. If you have any interest in Tyson and the fight game I recommend it. I am learning lots about D'Amato and he was a fascinating guy. 

* Appreciate any help with goodreads

 

[prosopis]

On goodreads- I was able to join a group on my laptop. I guess you cant do it on the kindle?

Any goodreads groups from here or any you guys suggest?

Thanks

 

[Don Quixote]

I read Richard Rhodes' book shortly after it came out in paperback 30 years ago.   It won him a Pulitzer back then but I don't know if there have been any new sources declassified since then.  I vaguely remember it as being very readable in spite of the dense subject matter.

I ended up reading Rhodes' book before my trip to Los Alamos.  Thanks for the rec. Agree on it being readable and easy to understand, even for someone like myself without a physics background.  Rhodes was interviewed in one of the videos that I watched at the Manhattan Project NHP visitor center, so he is clearly still viewed as one of the most knowledgeable persons on it.

I may still pick up the Oppenheimer bio that was also recommended, but I ran out of time before my trip and need a break from the atomic stuff for a bit.

Currently reading Arundhati Roy's The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. Getting a lot of good press.

 

[Don Quixote]

On goodreads- I was able to join a group on my laptop. I guess you cant do it on the kindle?

Any goodreads groups from here or any you guys suggest?

Thanks

There is an FBGs' group, but it hasn't been active in five years or so. Here. I joined after it died (same Picasso avatar there if you are looking for people to add).

 

[trogg78]

On goodreads- I was able to join a group on my laptop. I guess you cant do it on the kindle?

Any goodreads groups from here or any you guys suggest?

Thanks

I like to use goodreads to keep track of my bookshelf. I don't know of any groups and none of my friends are really active with the ap. I would be interested if in joining an active group.

I'm currently reading "Ravenheart" by David Gemmel. This is the third book in the Rigante series which is some really good heroic fantasy.

Recently finished "Magpie Murders" by Anthony Horowitz. This is a new murder mystery with a little bit of inception since its about a book and an author. You get the mystery of the book and then a second mystery around the authors murder that has fun with the whole whodunit genre.

Dinner with DiMaggio by Rock Positano. This was a fund biography of Dimagio's later years in life. He was very eccentric and fun character. The stories move really fast and turn the iconic hero into a real man.

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. This was an old private detective mystery similar to Maltese Falcon as mentioned above. It is a really short book and quick read.

 

[Swing 51]

I'm only about 10 percent into Nathan Hill's "The Nix" and I already feel like I'm going to be telling everyone that I know (and don't know) to read it.  Funny and well-written.

I started this last night. Only a few chapters in but liking it, very readable.

Also, finished Moonglow. Was pretty good, a bit uneven with the dual timelines but enjoyable overall. Chabon is a really good writer.

Seems like you and I have similar taste re: fiction.

 

[Don Quixote]

I started this last night. Only a few chapters in but liking it, very readable.

Also, finished Moonglow. Was pretty good, a bit uneven with the dual timelines but enjoyable overall. Chabon is a really good writer.

Seems like you and I have similar taste re: fiction.

The Nix was great too.  JJ Abrams and Meryl Streep are working on a TV adaptation of it (can't wait).

I lean a bit towards historical fiction (or books set in historical times, depending on how you define historical fiction) (tend to go back and forth between reading history books and novels).  The Nix and Moonglow appealed a bit more to that part of me (although both involve somewhat recent history).  There's been lots of good historical fiction that has come out in the last year-plus (Lincoln in the Bardo, Barkskins, The Underground Railroad, and A Gentleman in Moscow are some others that come to mind).

 

[Swing 51]

The Nix was great too.

Halfway through and really enjoying it. Doesn't hurt that I'm the same age as the protagonist.

 

[kupcho1]

re-reading Infinite Jest.  So good

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Started Jeff Vandermeer's Southern Reach series. I'm half-way through the first book and I have no idea what the hell is going on, but I like it.

 

[Ilov80s]

Started Jeff Vandermeer's Southern Reach series. I'm half-way through the first book and I have no idea what the hell is going on, but I like it.

I read the first book (Annihilation I believe) and it was ok. I stared the second book and it just didn't do anything for me and I gave up on the series. Let me know if yo think that was a mistake once you get through more of it. 

 

[ragincajun]

Finished up Ready Player One a few weeks ago and loved it.  Looking for something new now.

 

[facook]

Finished Cronin's The Passage Trilogy.  Glad I read it.  I don't know that the second and third books fulfilled the promise shown by The Passage, but a very good trilogy.  I'd probably give The Passage 4.5 stars as a novel, and the trilogy 3.5.

 

[beer 30]

The Lost City Of Z - true story about a British explorer and his trips to the Amazon in the early 20th century. It's sort of in the vein of Erik Larsen's stuff and was entertaining enough, though weirdly paced. I think a movie was just made based on it.

Yes, just saw it. Was looking forward to it but was very meh. I guess a lot of it was conjecture since, well, you know.

On vacation in the Wisconsin northwoods and took along The Coldest Winter. I know basically nothing about the Korean War so this is pretty interesting.  

In the same boat and a topic I've been wanting to get educated on.

Currently reading Secret Warriors: Inside the covert military operations of the Reagan era by Steven Emerson.

Based on exclusive access to unpublished documents and scores of interviews, this is the story of how the Pentagon set up a "mini-CIA" within its own walls, fanning out around the globe, gathering intelligence and conducting undercover operations, often bypassing the CIA and Congress.

Interesting look behind the scenes on some cover/black ops stuff that went on during the Reagan administration. I'm sure it goes on today as well but I think a lot of it has been outsourced because of the things that came out of covert programs within the Army & CIA and their lack of oversight for these programs. You can see the need for the quick reaction forces needed to respond to today's warfare, this was the first attempt at setting something up that could address, within about 5 days, any situation that cropped up, anywhere in the world through covert programs largely (and intentionally) kept in the dark so the Washington bureaucracy wouldn't get in the way. Trusting the government with large sums of money, virtually no oversight and the ability to almost wage proxy wars anywhere in the world yields the expected results no matter how well intentioned the early leaders of these programs were.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I read the first book (Annihilation I believe) and it was ok. I stared the second book and it just didn't do anything for me and I gave up on the series. Let me know if yo think that was a mistake once you get through more of it. 

Yeah, I could see how the conceit - tight first-person, unreliable narrator - might wear thin, especially if it's the same narrator and the payoff sucks. I got a deal on all three through Amazon, so I'll probably soldier through to the end unless it gets Walking Dead stupid.

 

[Don Quixote]

Currently reading Arundhati Roy's The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. Getting a lot of good press.

I finished this, but I thought it was kind of mediocre overall.  Some interesting characters with interesting pasts, but the plot is a bit thinner than I was expecting for something set in Kashmir. It is well-written, and while I love reading a good metaphor, she likes writing a good metaphor a bit to the extreme.  Critics seem to love it and are giving it book of the year-type hype (it's well below "Lincoln in the Bardo" to me though); maybe my impression will change upon a second read now that I understand the disparate threads a bit better, but I'm not going to do that now, at least.

Heading back to my Presidential bio quest with James Buchanan, from the American Presidents Series.

 

[Ilov80s]

Started Jeff Vandermeer's Southern Reach series. I'm half-way through the first book and I have no idea what the hell is going on, but I like it.

The 2nd book is from a totally different perspective and a character that isn't in the 1st book. As far as I got, none of the characters from the 1st book were in it. It felt like I was reading an entirely different series. Sci-fi isn't normally my thing either and I don't even know why I started the books in the first place so take my reviews with a grain of salt. 

 

[shuke]

The 2nd book is from a totally different perspective and a character that isn't in the 1st book. As far as I got, none of the characters from the 1st book were in it. It felt like I was reading an entirely different series. Sci-fi isn't normally my thing either and I don't even know why I started the books in the first place so take my reviews with a grain of salt. 

 

[Don Quixote]

Heading back to my Presidential bio quest with James Buchanan, from the American Presidents Series.

Buchanan was a pretty quick read.  In the Afterword, the author describes Buchanan's actions as "speak[ing] to one of the palpable characteristics of failed presidencies--the arrogant, wrongheaded, uncompromising use of power." Seems about right and maybe a bit timely.

I was debating skipping Lincoln since I've already read a lot on him individually and also the Civil War in general, but I've never read David Herbert Donald's biography, which is considered the best one on him out there (and I could use a good one after Fillmore/Pierce/Buchanan before getting into A.Johnson). So, reading that one.

 

[GilbertGrape]

I like to use goodreads to keep track of my bookshelf. I don't know of any groups and none of my friends are really active with the ap. I would be interested if in joining an active group.

I'm currently reading "Ravenheart" by David Gemmel. This is the third book in the Rigante series which is some really good heroic fantasy.

Recently finished "Magpie Murders" by Anthony Horowitz. This is a new murder mystery with a little bit of inception since its about a book and an author. You get the mystery of the book and then a second mystery around the authors murder that has fun with the whole whodunit genre.

Dinner with DiMaggio by Rock Positano. This was a fund biography of Dimagio's later years in life. He was very eccentric and fun character. The stories move really fast and turn the iconic hero into a real man.

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. This was an old private detective mystery similar to Maltese Falcon as mentioned above. It is a really short book and quick read.

Loved David Gemmel. Simple but awesome. 

 

[GilbertGrape]

Finished up Ready Player One a few weeks ago and loved it.  Looking for something new now.

Flashback by Dan Simmons is good. 

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Flashback by Dan Simmons is good. 

Simmons is on my "buy it as soon as it comes out" list. I have my issues with him (probably documented several times in this very thread over the years), mainly that he tends to try to squeeze every last ounce of research he does into his books. Some of it is pretty interesting, but it's jarring to go on a 50-page tangent about how the Brooklyn Bridge was built in the middle of Black Hills when it has nothing to do with the plot. But he's a really good writer, IMO.

Flashback was good, though I think it got a little heavy with some of his political leanings under the guise of the dystopian setting.

 

[GilbertGrape]

Simmons is on my "buy it as soon as it comes out" list. I have my issues with him (probably documented several times in this very thread over the years), mainly that he tends to try to squeeze every last ounce of research he does into his books. Some of it is pretty interesting, but it's jarring to go on a 50-page tangent about how the Brooklyn Bridge was built in the middle of Black Hills when it has nothing to do with the plot. But he's a really good writer, IMO.

Flashback was good, though I think it got a little heavy with some of his political leanings under the guise of the dystopian setting.

He is kind of hit or miss. I loved Hyperion and Endymion and Flashback, but hated The Drood. 

 

[Swing 51]

Finished up Ready Player One a few weeks ago and loved it.  Looking for something new now.

Wow this is good! Only about 30% thru.

 

[El Floppo]

I brought it with me on spring break and read through some more without finishing... forgot I wrote the above, but it's pretty apt. the writing and thoughts conveyed by the characters is genius, but nothing gripping in terms of overall story. as such, it makes for good incremental reading (subway, bus, etc) because each page is full of fantastic prose, but does little in pushing forward the story. did enjoy finding out the genesis of yet another indie band, the airborne toxic event. also looking at you Francisco the Man.

eta: talking about Dawn Delillo's White Noise.

On vacation new... Finally finished White Noise. Nothing new to offer other than the book ultimately never really goes anywhere. Nice prose, nice micro writing, pointless macro story.

 

[El Floppo]

Jumping into Absalom, Absalom. Can't remember if it was this or Sound and the Fury that I read previously.

 

[badmojo1006]

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. Slow getting started but really enjoying it right now. Loved the Beatles song references

 

[shifty]

Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show 

https://www.amazon.com/Andy-Don-Friendship-Classic-American/dp/1476747741

A great book that dishes the dirt in a good, but not "dirty" way, if that makes sense. 

 

[Native]

Dissolution by CJ Sansom. A murder mystery set in a Benedictine monastery in 1500's England - after Henry VIII splits from papal rule and creates the Church of England. Reminiscent of The Name of the Rose as one would expect, but much more readable. 4.1 stars on Goodreads

 

[Carver]

Just finished the OJ "If I did it" book and audiabled "My Imfamous Life" written and narrated by Prodigy. 

Both were fun quick reads. 

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I read the first book (Annihilation I believe) and it was ok. I stared the second book and it just didn't do anything for me and I gave up on the series. Let me know if yo think that was a mistake once you get through more of it. 

I'm onto the 2nd. This (so far) kind of reminds me of Hugh Howey's Wool/Sand series, where the overall mystery of just what the hell is going on doesn't get explained (IMO, Howey blew it when he DID finally explain). 

I've also started Jonathan Gould's Otis Redding: An Unfinished Life. I believe this is the first biography of Otis where the author got the cooperation of the Redding estate (not to mention former associates) and the book is BIG. It's gotten great reviews and Otis is my favorite singer, so I'm going to take this one in small bites.  

 

[Ilov80s]

I'm onto the 2nd. This (so far) kind of reminds me of Hugh Howey's Wool/Sand series, where the overall mystery of just what the hell is going on doesn't get explained (IMO, Howey blew it when he DID finally explain). 

I've also started Jonathan Gould's Otis Redding: An Unfinished Life. I believe this is the first biography of Otis where the author got the cooperation of the Redding estate (not to mention former associates) and the book is BIG. It's gotten great reviews and Otis is my favorite singer, so I'm going to take this one in small bites.  

Cool, I'm definitely more interested in the Otis bio than the sci-fi.

 

[Ilov80s]

I'm onto the 2nd. This (so far) kind of reminds me of Hugh Howey's Wool/Sand series, where the overall mystery of just what the hell is going on doesn't get explained (IMO, Howey blew it when he DID finally explain). 

I've also started Jonathan Gould's Otis Redding: An Unfinished Life. I believe this is the first biography of Otis where the author got the cooperation of the Redding estate (not to mention former associates) and the book is BIG. It's gotten great reviews and Otis is my favorite singer, so I'm going to take this one in small bites.  

Cool, I'm definitely more interested in the Otis bio than the sci-fi.

 

[badmojo1006]

The Garner Files - Autobiography of James Garner. Always liked him and he has some interesting stories. But the writing is pretty bad and he comes off as an angry old man.

short book so I will finish it. Wouldn't recommend it to anybody except a big Garner fan.

I think I am in the FBG goodreads group. Phone is giving me some difficulty but will check tomorrow. Really like goodreads

 

[El Floppo]

for you parents out there... very good young adult (with a slant towards girls) historical fiction book called Risuko. highly recommend- my kids and all their friends love it (all around 10-12yo). hero-journey stuff set in samurai/ninja era japan. looks like more are or will be coming out.

 

[Swing 51]

Heroes of the Frontier by Dave Eggers

Josie and her children’s father have split up, she’s been sued by a former patient and lost her dental practice, and she’s grieving the death of a young man senselessly killed. When her ex asks to take the children to meet his new fiancée’s family, Josie makes a run for it, figuring Alaska is about as far as she can get without a passport. Josie and her kids, Paul and Ana, rent a rattling old RV named the Chateau, and at first their trip feels like a vacation: They see bears and bison, they eat hot dogs cooked on a bonfire, and they spend nights parked along icy cold rivers in dark forests. But as they drive, pushed north by the ubiquitous wildfires, Josie is chased by enemies both real and imagined, past mistakes pursuing her tiny family, even to the very edge of civilization.

 

[kupcho1]

Finished Infinite Jest for the 3rd time.  Fantastic.  So much to be had in re-reads.   I love this book and it makes me sad DFW offed himself and we won't be getting anything else.  

Moving on to Motherless Brooklyn by Lethem.  Guess it's re-read season. Damn this book cracks me up. EAT ME!

 

[KarmaPolice]

Got about 100pgs into The Circle and stopped.  Wasn't holding my interest at all.  

Just started on Mr. Mercedes. 

 

[Sand]

for you parents out there... very good young adult (with a slant towards girls) historical fiction book called Risuko. highly recommend- my kids and all their friends love it (all around 10-12yo). hero-journey stuff set in samurai/ninja era japan. looks like more are or will be coming out.

Reading Neverwhere with my 12 year old.  He really likes it.

Just started on Mr. Mercedes. 

Thoroughly enjoyed that one.

 

[Brony]

The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of the Donner Party by Daniel James Brown

I enjoyed The Boys in the Boat by the same author and there is on par with that one, maybe not quite as good.  I like historical non-fiction when it's focused on the story and, as someone recently pointed out, doesn't harp on every detail just to prove it was well researched.  It did a really good job of following the journey to the West and the mentality required to pick up your life, put it into a wagon and head west just because you heard Oregon / California was supposed to be pretty cool. 

 

[Swing 51]

Moving on to Motherless Brooklyn by Lethem.  Guess it's re-read season. Damn this book cracks me up. EAT ME!

Yeah I love this book. Also really liked The Fortress of Solitude.

 

[Sand]

Hyperion on sale for $2.  Great book.

 

[shuke]

Hyperion on sale for $2.  Great book.

Purchased.  Have seen this mentioned a lot in here.  

 

[streamkeeper]

Hyperion on sale for $2.  Great book.

Me two

Thanks

 

[Poke_4_Life]

Maybe its been mentioned here before...  but I'm reading The Book Thief...  its really good.