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

[Plaid Boxer]

Have any of you guys used Goodreads.com? Kinda like a social networking for book nerds.

I joined and inputted the last 7 books I read, I thought just from my rankings it would give me recommendations. But it is based solely on your friends? Lets get a fbg group going

 

[igbomb]

Have any of you guys used Goodreads.com?

Kinda like a social networking for book nerds.

I joined and inputted the last 7 books I read, I thought just from my rankings it would give me recommendations. But it is based solely on your friends? Lets get a fbg group going

Goodreads group has been created.Name of group: FBGs

 

[Tough As Nails]

Have any of you guys used Goodreads.com?

Kinda like a social networking for book nerds.

I joined and inputted the last 7 books I read, I thought just from my rankings it would give me recommendations. But it is based solely on your friends? Lets get a fbg group going

Goodreads group has been created.Name of group: FBGs

Request to join: sent

 

[D_House]

Have any of you guys used Goodreads.com?

Kinda like a social networking for book nerds.

I joined and inputted the last 7 books I read, I thought just from my rankings it would give me recommendations. But it is based solely on your friends? Lets get a fbg group going

Goodreads group has been created.Name of group: FBGs

requested to join as D_House

 

[igbomb]

Have any of you guys used Goodreads.com?

Kinda like a social networking for book nerds.

I joined and inputted the last 7 books I read, I thought just from my rankings it would give me recommendations. But it is based solely on your friends? Lets get a fbg group going

Goodreads group has been created.Name of group: FBGs

If you're sending a request to join and your name doesn't match your FBG name, be sure to either include your FBG name in the request or send me a PM. I think I might be getting requests from random people who want to join a group.

 

[Tough As Nails]

I read The Hunger Games. I can't help but compare it to Ender's Game. The characters, the basics of the plot, the way the protagonist is too young and too smart, the way the protagonist is used as a symbol for other things, the sappy love stories, the predictability, the simplistic but entertaining action, the doomed friendships...The book is "fun"...but I wish I would have read it at age 15 or so as I'm sure I would have been much more satisfied with a lot of things.

If I didn't love it...does anybody recommend sticking with books 2 and 3? It seems pretty easy to see where the story is headed...

 

[KarmaPolice]

Have any of you guys used Goodreads.com?

Kinda like a social networking for book nerds.

I joined and inputted the last 7 books I read, I thought just from my rankings it would give me recommendations. But it is based solely on your friends? Lets get a fbg group going

Goodreads group has been created.Name of group: FBGs

If you're sending a request to join and your name doesn't match your FBG name, be sure to either include your FBG name in the request or send me a PM. I think I might be getting requests from random people who want to join a group.

Sent my request - I think my name is KarmaPolice there too.

 

[Urinal Mint]

requested to join

might be "texagjosh"

 

[badmojo1006]

I read The Hunger Games. I can't help but compare it to Ender's Game. The characters, the basics of the plot, the way the protagonist is too young and too smart, the way the protagonist is used as a symbol for other things, the sappy love stories, the predictability, the simplistic but entertaining action, the doomed friendships...The book is "fun"...but I wish I would have read it at age 15 or so as I'm sure I would have been much more satisfied with a lot of things. If I didn't love it...does anybody recommend sticking with books 2 and 3? It seems pretty easy to see where the story is headed...

I had trouble with book 2, it was a bit too Twilight-ish to me in the beginning but finished strong. Waiting to pick up 3 from the library

 

[Bob Lee Swagger]

Requested to join the Good Reads thing--username: Bob Lee Swagger.

 

[KarmaPolice]

So now what with the good reads thingy? We ever going to read a book at once or is it more to poke around and get suggestions based on what other are reading?

 

[Plaid Boxer]

So now what with the good reads thingy? We ever going to read a book at once or is it more to poke around and get suggestions based on what other are reading?

I'm willing to do a book club type thing. It is fun to look through what others are reading to get ideas.

 

[KarmaPolice]

So now what with the good reads thingy? We ever going to read a book at once or is it more to poke around and get suggestions based on what other are reading?

I'm willing to do a book club type thing. It is fun to look through what others are reading to get ideas.

Yeah - I like the site enough just as a tool for organizing what I am reading, or keeping a list of books I want to read in the future. Did somebody say the only way you get suggestions on stuff to read is by being in groups, or is it based on books you rank or have in your queue to read?

 

[igbomb]

So now what with the good reads thingy? We ever going to read a book at once or is it more to poke around and get suggestions based on what other are reading?

I was going to ask the same thing.I'd be willing to participate in a book club. We could gather some nominations and then vote on a book every month or two.And unfortunately there isn't a recommendation engine on goodreads. It is purely a cataloging, social network kind of place.

 

[Swamprat]

I'd like to join the good reads group...SwampRat

Has anyone read anything by Michael Koryta?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I'd like to join the good reads group...SwampRat

Has anyone read anything by Michael Koryta?

I read So Cold The River, which I believe is a departure from his normal stuff. It would probably be classified more as horror/supernatural. IIRC, most of what he writes is detective/crime fiction.Anyway, SCTR was pretty good - not great. He writes well enough but had to go through some strenuous plot-contorting to get where he wanted to go.

Oh, and Goodread request sent. Same user name as here.

 

[Socrates11]

Request sent to join the GoodReads group. Online book club sounds cool.

 

[D_House]

So now what with the good reads thingy? We ever going to read a book at once or is it more to poke around and get suggestions based on what other are reading?

I'm willing to do a book club type thing. It is fun to look through what others are reading to get ideas.

Yeah - I like the site enough just as a tool for organizing what I am reading, or keeping a list of books I want to read in the future.

Did somebody say the only way you get suggestions on stuff to read is by being in groups, or is it based on books you rank or have in your queue to read?

One way that I've found to find more stuff to read is to go to the review page for a book I like and then see what user generated lists it is included on (I have a huge to-read list from doing this and from looking through the reviews in this thread). Some lists are more useful then others, generally the more specific the better. For example, if you go to the page for Stephen King's The Stand, in the 'lists with this book' section there are a number of lists to choose from, from 'best books ever' to 'best post-apocalyptic fiction'. The second one has works like The Road, World War Z, I Am Legend, which I think would generally appeal to fans of The Stand. Then of course you can further research books on the list by looking at their reviews.

Alternatively, you can also just browse lists by clicking the 'find books' tab.

 

[D_House]

So now what with the good reads thingy? We ever going to read a book at once or is it more to poke around and get suggestions based on what other are reading?

I was going to ask the same thing.I'd be willing to participate in a book club. We could gather some nominations and then vote on a book every month or two.

I think we should give this a shot and do the nominating/discussion here and maybe recruit some non-goodreads members.

 

[Socrates11]

#### My Day Says

Holy crap, I'm only a handful of pages in and my stomach already hurts from laughing so much.

 

[ODoyleRules]

#### My Day Says

Holy crap, I'm only a handful of pages in and my stomach already hurts from laughing so much.

I liked this book. Compelling enough to read the whole thing at once, but also entertaining to read 3 minutes at a time.

 

[Pooch]

Finished "A Game of Thrones" and downloaded the sequel "A Clash of Kings" to my Kindle. Before I start on that one I'm reading a few books I got for Christmas. Keith Richards' autobiography "Life" and Jon Stewart's "Earth". Both awesome so far. Especially "Life". Keith Richards' narrative is constructed like he's just talking directly to you, with half sentences and slang that make it less formal and fun to read. If he's really responsible for the verbiage he's a lot more intelligent than I imagined him to be.

I've got a lot more respect for him than I did before. The Stones worked their butts off to get started in the biz.

Anybody that watches "The Daily Show" and enjoys it will love Stewart's book. It's written for future aliens that stumble onto our planet and explains how and why we did things. This is a first class Toilet Book.

 

[scoobygang]

I read The Hunger Games. I can't help but compare it to Ender's Game. The characters, the basics of the plot, the way the protagonist is too young and too smart, the way the protagonist is used as a symbol for other things, the sappy love stories, the predictability, the simplistic but entertaining action, the doomed friendships...The book is "fun"...but I wish I would have read it at age 15 or so as I'm sure I would have been much more satisfied with a lot of things. If I didn't love it...does anybody recommend sticking with books 2 and 3? It seems pretty easy to see where the story is headed...

I read all three after Biggie talked about it. I don't know what to say. They're not "good" books. But in some ways, they're interesting anyway. I find the whole arena thing the least interesting aspect of the whole story and think the author is kind of lousy at sci fi elements. For instance fans HATE Mockingjay, which I liked more than Catching Fire. Interspersed in all the stuff that doesn't particularly work, I find Katniss' ultimate progression somewhat moving in spite of itself.Keep in mind, I have a strong tolerance for mindless Y.A. schlock. I've read Vampire Academy and that makes the Hunger Games look like Tolstoy.

 

[Birdie048]

Any Dave Duncan fans here.... somewhat Sci-Fi Fantasy style stories along the lines of Lord of the Rings & Harry Potter style.

Just read his "Speak to the Devil". Captivating & interesting story. More Potter & less Rings with The Crusades & 15th Century Europe as the backdrop.

Requested a few of his other series from the local library. Would appreciate any thoughts on his other work.

Does not compute.

:( Tolkien & Rowland's style are almost polar opposites.

Okay, not a good comparison. I was trying to make a quick post.

Duncan writes about a realistic realm where magic (conjurations) and swords are key. The characters are designed as real identities with faults and bias. The use of conjuration is always an underlying unknown.

The comparison of Potter/Rowland was off base compared to the analogy of Tolkein - creatures of magic, swords, and epic battles.

 

[badmojo1006]

I read The Hunger Games. I can't help but compare it to Ender's Game. The characters, the basics of the plot, the way the protagonist is too young and too smart, the way the protagonist is used as a symbol for other things, the sappy love stories, the predictability, the simplistic but entertaining action, the doomed friendships...The book is "fun"...but I wish I would have read it at age 15 or so as I'm sure I would have been much more satisfied with a lot of things. If I didn't love it...does anybody recommend sticking with books 2 and 3? It seems pretty easy to see where the story is headed...

I read all three after Biggie talked about it. I don't know what to say. They're not "good" books. But in some ways, they're interesting anyway. I find the whole arena thing the least interesting aspect of the whole story and think the author is kind of lousy at sci fi elements. For instance fans HATE Mockingjay, which I liked more than Catching Fire. Interspersed in all the stuff that doesn't particularly work, I find Katniss' ultimate progression somewhat moving in spite of itself.Keep in mind, I have a strong tolerance for mindless Y.A. schlock. I've read Vampire Academy and that makes the Hunger Games look like Tolstoy.

I just finished Mockingjay and I agree with you. I liked it more than Catching Fire. I think the people who liked Catching Fire are probably fans of the Twilight series. I guess I enjoyed the action more in Mockingjay

 

[Exfireman_62]

Used the same name except i didn't put in the underscore Exfireman62

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Finished a re-read of King's Dark Tower series (whew!). Some of the things that bothered me the first go-round didn't this time. There are probably 500 pages throughout the 7 books that could be cut and not hurt - in fact, would probably help - so it's a little bloated (not that any King fan would be surprised by that). I still think the end is perfect and really the only way King could've done it.

Started Laura Hildebrand's Unbroken. She wrote Seabiscuit. This one's about a US WWII serviceman. I've just gotten to where he's going into the service, but am liking it so far. Lordy, was he a hellion as a kid.

 

[simsarge]

I'm now starting "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand. "Seabiscuit" was my favorite all time book, so I have high hopes for this one.

My mom read this & loved it. She said it's unbelievable the stuff that guy went through. It's in my queue, as I really liked "Seabicuit" too.

Phenominal story Started lsitening to it on CD on my commute and was so hooked I had to buy the story and read it on the CINC's Nook after I got out of the car. This story is begging to be made into a movie. Can't recomend it enough.

Just finished Unbroken today. It was a great story, and definitely should be made into a movie considering the schlock Hollywood has been putting out.That said, the ending was a little disappointing. I honestly thought I had almost 100 pages left, but then realized they were all just footnotes, etc. I was left with a "that was it?" feeling at the end.

Just found this. Unbroken movie story.

 

[kupcho1]

In at goodreads

yic

kupcho1

 

[D_House]

On to The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

I just finished this 600 page behemoth and want to get some thoughts down. Firstly, it reminded me a lot of Paul Auster's City of Glass. Like that book, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is absurdist noir with an extremely passive everyman (Toru) navigating the outer reaches of his own consciousness in what is ostensibly a tale of mystery. Toru is engaged in a struggle to find (and ultimately understand) his missing wife. In this quest he interacts with a large cast of intriguing characters that may or may not be real, as many of the documented events apparently occur in dreams.Layered in symbols, the book touches on all sorts of themes. Most notable is Murakami's attempt to connect the main contemporary storyline with events that took place in Manchuria during WWII. In the end, I'm not sure if he pulls this part off, and I think a few loose ends with respect to some of the supporting cast were left dangling. Ultimately I enjoyed the book and would find a re-read rewarding, but this would probably best be enjoyed as a book club read.

 

[D_House]

Finished Arcadia and Dead Souls. Both very good, although the latter is on another level of greatness. I'll be reading that one again and again.

Started Gogol's Dead Souls this AM. First on my list from the novel draft.

 

[eaganwildcats]

Just finished Too Big To Fail by Andrew Ross Sorkin, a really good depiction of the recent financial collapse.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Just finished Too Big To Fail by Andrew Ross Sorkin, a really good depiction of the recent financial collapse.

I just finished that too. Forgot to post it here. Really good book, highly recommended. Also just finished Nurture Shock last night. Very interesting stuff as a parent of two young kids.

 

[HellToupee]

about 60% thru Life by Keith Richards & enjoying the hell out of it. Really fun read.

 

[D_House]

Currently reading:

Born to Run - Christopher McDougall - Phenomenal book about ultra distance running. This is exactly the kind of non-fiction I like as it makes you smarter while telling an oftentimes amazing story. I immediately want to run out and buy some Vibram Fivefingers and go for a jog. On the other hand, this book is also sheer torture as I am currently reading it while wearing a cast on my foot as I am four weeks removed from surgery to re-attach my Achilles tendon. I have an appointment with my foot and ankle surgeon tomorrow and I can't wait to ask him what he thinks about the whole barefoot running movement and whether it would be good for me as I work into my rehab. The book notes that many orthopedic doctors are not on board with the barefoot running trend and I'm curious to see where he stands.

Highly recommended for runners, it is an inspirational page-turner. Makes me want to try for another marathon. My only criticism is that there is a little lack of organization in the storytelling (although it doesn't detract from the flow).

 

[Jutz]

Currently reading Scorecasting. It's basically Freakonomics for sports. If you liked Freakonomics and are a fan of sports, you should like this book.

I'm not that far into it, but have read about how refs influence the game by not making close calls late in games (mistakes of omission). I also read about a HS football coach that always goes for it on 4th down. Also, on kickoffs, he either does an onside kick, or kicks it out of bounds. He never kicks off to the other team normal. I read how MLB strike zones change depending on the count. So far very interesting.

Some of the baseball stuff I read was slow. I'm not a big MLB fan so... but so far it is a good read. Very interesting.

 

[Sundays Rule]

Just finished The Windup Girl, very much enjoyed that. Now i'm reading the two short stories that were written prior to it that the novel expanded upon, "The Calorie Man" and "The Yellow Card Man".

 

[Foosball God]

Just finished Starship Troopers. It was a good read, of course it was virtually nothing like the movie.

I'm reading Moving Pictures now, I usually revert to a Terry Prachett Discworld book when I'm not sure what else to read. Not sure what I should look into reading next.

 

[5Rings]

Snowball, the Warren Buffett story. Surprisingly good read.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Just finished Unbroken. JHC, I know some of this story may be embellished, but if 10% is true I cannot imagine.........

Was gonna go to Joe Abercrombie next but I think I'll knock out Hunter's last Swagger book before. They've gotten pretty much cookie-cutter now in terms of plot and Bob Lee has mellowed (a smidge), but I can breeze through quickly and be entertained.

 

[Chaka]

I seldom read more than one book at once but the Three Kingdoms volumes aren't the best for traveling (big hardcovers) so I brought Lonesome Dove on my holiday.

I am only one chapter in and I already suspect this will be one of the better books I have read.

I cannot imagine you will feel differently when you're done. That book won the Pulitzer but there's not one iota of pretention in it. Others can have their Faulkner or whomever - I think it's the best American novel ever.

About 100 pages to go and my opinion has not changed in the least. What a phenomenal novel.My question is are any of the other three books in the series worth it or will I be chasing the dragon?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Finished Lost City of Z last night. Really liked it a lot. Read some reviews that
*** SPOILER ALERT! Click this link to display the potential spoiler text in this box. ***");document.close();, but those are silly nit picks IMO. Fascinating story and well told.

Really enjoyed this. Not sure what those critics could have possibly wanted. I was intrigued to the very end.

 

[Chaka]

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

If you've seen the mini-series, you don't need to read the book. And vice versa.

I completely disagree. The mini-series is excellent, no doubt, but the book is so much more alive and brings tremendous depth to the characters. I would absolutely and without hesitation recommend exploring both.

 

[Abraham]

I added Stephen kings new short stories book to my rotation with "life", "the real price of everything", "good to great" and basic economics. But I am reading it on my kindle app which is making a huge difference in terms of convenience.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I seldom read more than one book at once but the Three Kingdoms volumes aren't the best for traveling (big hardcovers) so I brought Lonesome Dove on my holiday.

I am only one chapter in and I already suspect this will be one of the better books I have read.

I cannot imagine you will feel differently when you're done. That book won the Pulitzer but there's not one iota of pretention in it. Others can have their Faulkner or whomever - I think it's the best American novel ever.

About 100 pages to go and my opinion has not changed in the least. What a phenomenal novel.My question is are any of the other three books in the series worth it or will I be chasing the dragon?

*** SPOILER ALERT! Click this link to display the potential spoiler text in this box. ***");document.close();

The prequels and sequel are all very good - not LD good, but still cool if you like the original. They're damned grim, though they all have shots of McMurtry's humor.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

If you've seen the mini-series, you don't need to read the book. And vice versa.

I completely disagree. The mini-series is excellent, no doubt, but the book is so much more alive and brings tremendous depth to the characters. I would absolutely and without hesitation recommend exploring both.

Agreed. The book won the damned Pulitzer, for God's sake - it wasn't some kind of reverse-engineering because the movie was so good. The amazing thing was that the movie was as good as the book even though some things were omitted/changed.

 

[Chaka]

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

If you've seen the mini-series, you don't need to read the book. And vice versa.

I completely disagree. The mini-series is excellent, no doubt, but the book is so much more alive and brings tremendous depth to the characters. I would absolutely and without hesitation recommend exploring both.

Agreed. The book won the damned Pulitzer, for God's sake - it wasn't some kind of reverse-engineering because the movie was so good. The amazing thing was that the movie was as good as the book even though some things were omitted/changed.

I wouldn't say as good as the book but I have repeatedly told friends that it may be the single best piece of broadcast television in the history of the medium. Having seen it first, I think in many ways has enhanced my reading experience. Obviously there are fewer surprises but I am learning so much more about characters that I already have great fondness for that it is really a great experience.BTW I have one of these prominently displayed in my office.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

The Andean Cocaine Industry

Patrick Clawson (Author), Rensselaer W. Lee (Author)

 

[eaganwildcats]

I also just finished Lonesome Dove, a fantastic novel.

ETA: Any suggestion on whether to continue and read Streets of Loredo and then the two prequels or vice versa?

 

[ragincajun]

Found out my library has tons of audiobooks and e-books for freeeeeee....

Just picked up...

Skipping Christmas

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

Downloaded the app to the computer and sync with Iphone and booyah. Instead of listening to hours of Muzak at work now it is time to crank out some "reading".