Tough As Nails
Glave Master
That is not a ringing endorsement at all for a bunch of people. I thought (and a number of others who frequent this thread) DaVinci Code was terrible.
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Whatcha readin now? (book, books, reading, read) (11 Viewers)
- Thread starter shuke
- Start date
flysack
Footballguy
Really? It's on my short list of books to read. I've heard nothing but great stuff.Why didn't you like it?
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kupcho1
Footballguy
The DaVinci Code isn't terrible for what it is.It's a page turner. It's a quick, easy read. If you're looking to think or be challenged by a book, look elsewhere. But if you're passing time (say, on a transpacific flight with nothing good on the entertainment system) it's perfectly fine; a nice guilty pleasure.Angels and Demons, however, sucked.Suspension of disbelief is one thing, but some of the crap the reader is asked to accept is just ridiculous. I came across this review:
I couldn't have said it better myself (although I probably would have stopped after "soft plop").
beer 30
Footballguy
Didn't work for you (or a number of others who frequent this thread), it did for me.
pantagrapher
Footballguy
kupcho1
Footballguy
IvanKaramazov
Footballguy
I tried to like Morrison. Really, I did. I slogged through The Bluest Eye once in college and then again a couple of years ago, but I just couldn't get over the fact that I hated it. So okay, maybe it was just that one book. Well, it turned out that I hated Beloved too (even worse than Bluest Eye) and I also hated Sula. At this point, Morrison ran out of chances with me and I've happily ignored her ever after.
pantagrapher
Footballguy
The only Morrison book worth reading is Song of Solomon. It's a great book. The rest of her stuff is crap.
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Chigurh
Footballguy
You've read all of her books? You must be a glutton for punishment -- reading 9 books by the same author and thinking that 8 of them are crap. I would have stopped after the 2nd, maybe 3rd crappy book.
pantagrapher
Footballguy
OK, I haven't read all nine. I am going to guess that I don't need to. Your results may vary.
Chigurh
Footballguy
Which ones did you read that lead you to conclude that her stuff is crap?
The_Man
Footballguy
Haven't read this, but keep meaning to. "Fatherland" by Robert Harris is good, a noir mystery that happens to be set in early 1960s Europe after Germany wins WWII. And if you like that, his book "Pompeii" is very good.
SierraKiloBravo
Footballguy
Pat Frank. Alas, Babylon.
tri-man 47
Footballguy
Just about finished with Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr by Nancy Isenberg. It's an interesting, detailed (400 pp) book that's quite pro-Burr. Lot of good information on the first few presidents, NY politics, Alexander Hamilton (of course), and the early development of the country.
I
ianfitzy
Guest
I've already recommended it earlier in the thread but I finished I would mention it again. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shantaram_(novel)"</a>"]Shantaram. It is really an incredible book. It might be a little preachy/philosophical at times but the read is well worth it.
facook
Footballguy
Just checked MIHC out of the government-run book exchange this afternoon. Hoping it is interesting/entertaining.Just finished Rough Weather by Robert Parker. Latest Spenser mystery. No one will ever accuse Parker of being literary, but he writes entertaining mysteries that can be digested in 2-3 evenings.The_Man said:
facook
Footballguy
SO good. I still have Shantaram on my end table 5 years after reading it for the first time. Trying to figure out if enough time has passed for me to read it again. One of my favorite books ever.I've been hoping Roberts would put out another book, but it seems his time is occupied working on the Shantaram screenplay. No idea how they're going to make it into a movie, unless they do a four or five part series (prison escape, life in the slum, drug/gang involvement, war - maybe it's doable).
SierraKiloBravo
Footballguy
Penultimate Truth is a pretty good one as well.
El Floppo
Footballguy
DVC was a good airplane read for me... not exactly coming away with anything worthwhile, but a good page-turning way of passing time.A&D was the exact same forumula, which got old fast... even on an airplane.Didn't work for you (or a number of others who frequent this thread), it did for me.
pantagrapher
Footballguy
I've read The Bluest Eye, Sula and Beloved. Crap may have been a bit harsh. I'm a picky reader.
Power Monster
The Midnight Stalker
The Archer's Tale by Bernard Cornwell. Solid as usual from Cornwell...
facook
Footballguy
No. No it isn't.
beer 30
Footballguy
The Battle of the Hurtgen Forest
Just got this at the library for some light reading over the Easter vacation.
In September 1944, three months after the invasion of Normandy, the Allied armies prepared to push the German forces back into their homeland. Just south of the city of Aachen, elements of the U.S. First Army began an advance through the imposing Huertgen Forest. Instead of retreating, as the Allied command anticipated, the German troops prepared an elaborate defense of Huertgen, resulting in a struggle where tanks, infantry, and artillery dueled at close range. The battle for the forest ended abruptly in December, when a sudden German offensive through the Ardennes to the south forced the Allied armies to fall back, regroup, and start their attack again, this time culminating in the collapse of the Nazi regime in May 1945.
In The Battle of the Huertgen Forest, Charles B. MacDonald assesses this major American operation, discussing the opposing forces on the eve of the battle and offering a clearly written and well-documented history of the battle and the bitter consequences of the American move into the forest. Drawing on his own combat experience, MacDonald portrays both the American and the German troops with empathy and convincingly demonstrates the flaws in the American strategy. The book provides an insight into command decisions at both local and staff levels and the lessons that can be drawn from one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.
Just got this at the library for some light reading over the Easter vacation.
In September 1944, three months after the invasion of Normandy, the Allied armies prepared to push the German forces back into their homeland. Just south of the city of Aachen, elements of the U.S. First Army began an advance through the imposing Huertgen Forest. Instead of retreating, as the Allied command anticipated, the German troops prepared an elaborate defense of Huertgen, resulting in a struggle where tanks, infantry, and artillery dueled at close range. The battle for the forest ended abruptly in December, when a sudden German offensive through the Ardennes to the south forced the Allied armies to fall back, regroup, and start their attack again, this time culminating in the collapse of the Nazi regime in May 1945.
In The Battle of the Huertgen Forest, Charles B. MacDonald assesses this major American operation, discussing the opposing forces on the eve of the battle and offering a clearly written and well-documented history of the battle and the bitter consequences of the American move into the forest. Drawing on his own combat experience, MacDonald portrays both the American and the German troops with empathy and convincingly demonstrates the flaws in the American strategy. The book provides an insight into command decisions at both local and staff levels and the lessons that can be drawn from one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Netherland, by Joseph O'Neill.
This is the first non-parenting book I've read in almost 2 years and I was not disappointed. The prose in this is stunning and the story relevant (for me)- pre/post 9/11 immigrants' lives/relationships in and out of NYC. It got compared up and down to the Great Gatsby... obviously due to one of the main characters, but I don't remember the original enough to tell whether the writing compares.
I'd highly recommend this one if you're looking for a short, easy read that carries some emotional edge and does a great job conjuring a lot of the nerves and paranoia that hit NYC in those dark days (and linger).
This is the first non-parenting book I've read in almost 2 years and I was not disappointed. The prose in this is stunning and the story relevant (for me)- pre/post 9/11 immigrants' lives/relationships in and out of NYC. It got compared up and down to the Great Gatsby... obviously due to one of the main characters, but I don't remember the original enough to tell whether the writing compares.
I'd highly recommend this one if you're looking for a short, easy read that carries some emotional edge and does a great job conjuring a lot of the nerves and paranoia that hit NYC in those dark days (and linger).
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
In Search of Memory by Eric Kandel
just started it... very deft interweaving of autobiography, the history of brain/mind (cognitive) science in the 20th century & his own nobel-winning work on the physical basis of memory (making learning possible & knowledge/understanding in higher life forms) in organisms...
i think this might be one of the best & most well written scientific autobiographies i've ever encountered (the double helix was about a monumental event in the history of science & man's understanding of himself & nature - the discovery of DNA... but it was a bit dry at times... lewis thomas' lives of a cell would have to be among the best writing about biology in the past 30 years or so)...
just started it... very deft interweaving of autobiography, the history of brain/mind (cognitive) science in the 20th century & his own nobel-winning work on the physical basis of memory (making learning possible & knowledge/understanding in higher life forms) in organisms...
i think this might be one of the best & most well written scientific autobiographies i've ever encountered (the double helix was about a monumental event in the history of science & man's understanding of himself & nature - the discovery of DNA... but it was a bit dry at times... lewis thomas' lives of a cell would have to be among the best writing about biology in the past 30 years or so)...
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Saints-Man
Footballguy
Are you enjoying this?
bentley
Footballguy
I'm supposed to be reading Happiest Baby on the Block, Health Sleep Habits Healthy Child, and Touchpoints.
I'm reading Runnin' With the Big Dogs regarding the Texas-OU football rivarly. It's written by Mike Shropshire, who also wrote Seasons in Hell about the Texas Rangers baseball team in the 70s. It's decent enough filler in the non-football part of the year.
I'm reading Runnin' With the Big Dogs regarding the Texas-OU football rivarly. It's written by Mike Shropshire, who also wrote Seasons in Hell about the Texas Rangers baseball team in the 70s. It's decent enough filler in the non-football part of the year.
kupcho1
Footballguy
Just finished Canaan's Tongue.Thanks for the info. Disappointed to hear that, though.
I'm not sure what oso diablo is referring to by "gobbledy" but I thought it was brilliant. Yes, the narrative fractures toward the end, but I think that's intentional based on what Wray is trying to convey. It's a very well written book with very interesting characters and several good plot twists. This is the first from Wray that I've read, but I'll be looking for more.The blurb on the back of my copy references "Faulkner, Morrison and Poe" - I can't disagree with this as Wray evokes each at various stages (and for the record, the Morrison being referred to is not the Lizard King; at least I don't think so
).
El Floppo
Footballguy
Definitely read that one... or at least skim it.
Johnny Detroit
Footballguy
Just finished Greenspan's The Age of Turbulence (which was a great read). Trying to get back to Will Durant's History of Civilization. Bought the whole set about a year ago, but a major undertaking to try and get into them. Poor guy spent like 40 years putting it all together.
dwashington
Footballguy
I just finished Malcom Gladwell's latest, Outliers.Very thought provoking, a must read for parents/teachers.
igbomb
Footballguy
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
Pretty interesting. A little on the opinionated side. And I definitely get the feeling that I would really not like Krakauer in real life. He comes across as a condescending jerk who writes well.
Into Thin Air is still far and away his best book.
Pretty interesting. A little on the opinionated side. And I definitely get the feeling that I would really not like Krakauer in real life. He comes across as a condescending jerk who writes well.
Into Thin Air is still far and away his best book.
prosopis
Arizona Chupacabra
I finished Lone Survivor which was recomended here. It was very good. Not to long ago I read the book by Pat Tillman's mother. I think it was called friendly fire. To me it is amazing the different feelings you get reading these two books. I dont know that I can put it into words. I almost felt like I was reading about two different wars. Both books moved me to tears.
Lone Survivor certainly left me with a better taste in my mouth regarding our armed forces and government. They were both good books and worth reading.
I am about 50 pages into The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and so far I like it.
I recently read The Shack. This was an ok book but I had some issues with it due to my religous beliefs.
Lone Survivor certainly left me with a better taste in my mouth regarding our armed forces and government. They were both good books and worth reading.
I am about 50 pages into The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and so far I like it.
I recently read The Shack. This was an ok book but I had some issues with it due to my religous beliefs.
facook
Footballguy
Also have read the Shack, and also have fairly strong beliefs. Care to elaborate?
prosopis
Arizona Chupacabra
It would be to much typing for me to elaborate and I would not be able to do my objections justice.I will say while I believe and know God may take any form he wants. I also believe there is a strong group of people that want to feminize the church. You see subtle changes in liturgy. Changing of words such as changing "men" to "people". (I am already messing up what I am trying to say)Anyway the portrayal of God as a woman set alarms off in my head. I realize the book goes on to state this was to change the characters preconceived notions and show God can show up however he wants. I still felt it was one of those subtle ways of trying to change beliefs.There were a few other instances that I had to ignore. I will say I liked the story and I bet a lot of people found help in it. Those are the most dangerous stories though. As I told a friend today. I liked the book but I would not recomend it to everyone. I think people without a strong knowledge in their faith could be mislead.* I am Catholic.
facook
Footballguy
Gotcha. I'm right there with you in being concerned about the feminization of the church. Obviously women are fantastic and a gift...the problem is that guys are absent and/or abdicating their leadership roles, and women are only to happy to fill the void. And I also was troubled by the portrayal of "The Father." Not so much in a dogmatic way, but more in the way that you describe. To be honest, I was also bothered that there seemed to be an overall dismissal of the danger and death of sin, as well as a hint of "God can be whatever you want him to be." If you do some studying of the author's background and Christian history, I think that's fairly apparent in his own belief system.To be fair, I did kind of enjoy the book, and it did make me think. The portrayal of the Holy Spirit was interesting and in a way eye-opening, and I was very convicted by the "courtroom in the woods" scene. Mostly I read it to be able to converse intelligently with friends who were reading it, and I'm glad I did so. But like you I wouldn't be quick to recommended it.
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FunkyPlutos
Footballguy
Has anyone read Steve Berry's work? I am currently reading The Romanov Prophecy and am having trouble getting into it, but was just wondering if anyone had any opinions.
Weapon of Mass Instruction
Watch my feet!
Very interesting premise. Just a piss-poor delivery. Went NOwhere.
facook
Footballguy
prosopis
Arizona Chupacabra
Sounds like we are on the same page.
oso diablo
Footballguy
i guess one man's fractured plot is another man's gobbledy-guk (sic, to avoid the filter). I just watched The Departed, and its ending segments reminded me of how this book ended. (Though i do recommended the movie)I'm not sure what oso diablo is referring to by "gobbledy" but I thought it was brilliant. Yes, the narrative fractures toward the end, but I think that's intentional based on what Wray is trying to convey. It's a very well written book with very interesting characters and several good plot twists. This is the first from Wray that I've read, but I'll be looking for more.
The blurb on the back of my copy references "Faulkner, Morrison and Poe" - I can't disagree with this as Wray evokes each at various stages (and for the record, the Morrison being referred to is not the Lizard King; at least I don't think so).
kupcho1
Footballguy
Hmmm, I don't recall being hit over the head with one of the most obvious and trite symbols ever used (i.e., the rat) at the end of Canaan's Tongue. Perhaps I missed something.i guess one man's fractured plot is another man's gobbledy-guk (sic, to avoid the filter). I just watched The Departed, and its ending segments reminded me of how this book ended. (Though i do recommended the movie)I'm not sure what oso diablo is referring to by "gobbledy" but I thought it was brilliant. Yes, the narrative fractures toward the end, but I think that's intentional based on what Wray is trying to convey. It's a very well written book with very interesting characters and several good plot twists. This is the first from Wray that I've read, but I'll be looking for more.
The blurb on the back of my copy references "Faulkner, Morrison and Poe" - I can't disagree with this as Wray evokes each at various stages (and for the record, the Morrison being referred to is not the Lizard King; at least I don't think so).
ETA: I tried to use spoiler tags in case anyone hadn't seen the Departed, but the text didn't show.
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shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
As expected, not nearly as good as The Stand or Swan Song, but still pretty good. I'd say I liked it better than Lucifer's Hammer. Prose was pretty decent for a horror/thriller at the beginning, reminded me a little of Dan Simmons, but got rather pedestrian once the action picked up.7/10
Weird thing is the cover has absolutely nothing to do with the story.
Next up: Going After Cacciato by Tim O'Brien
