Whatcha readin now? (book, books, reading, read) (6 Viewers)

[beer 30]

Thanks for the perspective. Not sure I want to pick that up. Maybe Wool?

Wool is a quick read, nice filler in between novels. Good payoff in the second trilogy which is also short & quick.

 

[lombardi]

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

Great Sci-Fi read, especially for anyone who grew up in the 80s

I enjoyed it quite a bit. After this and the Martian I'm on a sci fi kick. Has anyone read Seveneves by Stephenson?

I'm just about 2/3rds of the way in, right before the book apparently has a big shift.

I loved all of Stephenson's books, so far this is probably one of my least favorites. His books are always interesting and keep me entertained all the way through. He breaks down really technical concepts or obscure historical references or just pop oddities into really understandable and engaging prose. Even in the depths of historical mathematics lesson in the Baroque cycle he keeps my attention all the way through. And these tangents and vignettes add color to the always action packed and wild ride you're on when he brings you back to the characters and the plot.

Sevenses isn't really doing that for me. There is so much space/astronomical/science explanation that it overwhelms the book and the characters/plot too much and it's so much that it's not as interesting as usual. Half the time I feel like I'm reading a text book and can't wait to get back to the characters.

It's kind of like when Tolkein starts talking about a meadow or forest, you're 8 pages into his description just dying for him to get back to what Merry and Pip are doing. Except in this case the woods and meadows are orbital perigee's and bolide trajectories.

The characters also don't have the strong personality that many of the characters in his other books have. I liked Markus a lot, he was interesting and there were some interesting depth to his decision and future, but most of the rest are kind of uncharacterically (for his writing) one dimensional.

If you like the Martian (which I REALLY liked) this is a drier version of it with a lot less humor and a lot more Astrophysics 101 (and 201 and 301). It still has its moments and to be fair I have a 1/3rd of the book left and he could still save it in the end but it's probably my least favorite Stephenson so far. So bummed, I hope it gets better.

Thanks for the perspective. Not sure I want to pick that up. Maybe Wool?

Wool was pretty cool. A bit lightweight compared to the Martian, don't expect that kind of depth, it's YA and is written kind of at that audience. I enjoyed it though.

If you want to read some good, easy YA I just finished the rot and ruin books, they were really fun. Again, not deep but a really enjoyable ride. You should like zombie stuff but it's not entirely all zombie flight for 3 books, a bit more to it.

 

[RC94]

Per the recommendation of some people here I got "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain. Just started it so no comments about it yet. From his TV shows I am not really a Bourdain fan, but I really want to learn more about being a chef and working in a restaurant.

 

[FUBAR]

On to The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery, by Steve Sheinkin

http://www.amazon.com/The-Notorious-Benedict-Arnold-Adventure/dp/1250024609

Good reviews, interesting historical figure.

 

[oso diablo]

also The Brothers K by David James Duncan

This has been on my radar for 2 decades. Is it good?

i loved it, but it involves three subjects that greatly interest me: faith, family, and baseball

Does this book play off the theme/characters of the Brothers Karamazov? Or just a coincidence in name? Brothers Karamazov was one of my favorite books.

only sort of... (from NYT review)

David James Duncan had been working on his second novel for two years when he happened to reread "The Brothers Karamazov." "I found there were a lot of parallels," he said in a recent telephone interview from his home in Portland, Ore. "There's an inquisition scene of sorts, an exile, a murder scene, a public scandal." He decided to call his own novel "The Brothers K," and use it "to poke fun at the similarities."

"But the main thing I was thinking," he added, explaining the book's title, "is the baseball statistician's lingo. A 'K' is a strikeout, which is a personal failure. I love the fact that a man who is considered a success in baseball has a 30 percent success rate -- in other words, a 70 percent failure rate."

though perhaps not coincidentally, i consider The Brothers Karamazov to be the best book i've ever read.

 

[Sand]

Just finished "The Forge of God" by Greg Bear.

Truthfully, I was disappointed. I had read that this was a classic Sci Fi and a must read (with overall very good reviews on Amazon) but I found it plodding, choppy, and a bit slow at times. In certain places I found my self skimming paragraphs until I found substantive content again. I also felt that he left way too many loose ends and things that didn't make sense. He had all these characters running around but there was no real point. I kept waiting for that "aha" moment or that "now I see what XYZ is all about" but it never really came.

He had some very interesting and original ideas but I think it would have been a whole lot better if the book had been 250 pages long instead of 500 pages. It reminded me a bit of Lucifer's Hammer - but LH was better all around.

That said, it wasn't terrible and had some interesting, even captivating, parts as well - its a very borderline recommend. There are better books of this genre out there.

I thought it was incredible. Trenscendently good.

 

[Ilov80s]

I have The Dud Avocado and The Spy Who Came In From the Cold up next. I just finished Brighton Rock which was a great crime/gangster book. It's a fictional account of a postwar British gang leader- think Peaky Blinders.

 

[Fariq]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

Here's some parenting advice- don't leave a 3-year old and a 1-year old for that long. Good luck to whoever has to be stuck with all the crying that will happen for four days.

 

[igbomb]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

Here's some parenting advice- don't leave a 3-year old and a 1-year old for that long. Good luck to whoever has to be stuck with all the crying that will happen for four days.

Kind of a d-bag bit of advice here.

 

[Fariq]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

Here's some parenting advice- don't leave a 3-year old and a 1-year old for that long. Good luck to whoever has to be stuck with all the crying that will happen for four days.

Kind of a d-bag bit of advice here.

I can't disagree. I just don't understand a married couple willingly leaving young kids behind for a few days. It is actually shocking. Not aware of friends, family or coworkers who ever did such a thing. There is no way my wife and I would have even considered such a thing.

 

[facook]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

Here's some parenting advice- don't leave a 3-year old and a 1-year old for that long. Good luck to whoever has to be stuck with all the crying that will happen for four days.

Kind of a d-bag bit of advice here.

I can't disagree. I just don't understand a married couple willingly leaving young kids behind for a few days. It is actually shocking. Not aware of friends, family or coworkers who ever did such a thing. There is no way my wife and I would have even considered such a thing.

Actually it's shocking you wouldn't consider it. You're on an island here. Everyone in my circle of friends has gone on multiple parents-only vacations. We have great sets of grandparents that love having the kids and we get some time to actually focus on each other and rekindle the flames and such. Guess you have to have a strong enough support system.

 

[Fariq]

Yeah, maybe with bigger kids like 5 and up.

 

[Fariq]

Rekindle the flame?!? They just had sex a little while ago. They have a 1-year old.

 

[Ilov80s]

Yeah, maybe with bigger kids like 5 and up.

My SIL and BIL have 3 kids under 5 and they have taken at least a half dozen vacations without the kids. Both sets of grandparents are dying to spend that time with the kids.

 

[Fariq]

Well, if you can get out of four days of diaper changing and the kids can go that long without their parents and vice versa, then fine. It is not a crime but I do find it weird.

 

[Ilov80s]

Well, if you can get out of four days of diaper changing and the kids can go that long without their parents and vice versa, then fine. It is not a crime but I do find it weird.

I just don't get what's the problemn with family watching kids, even babies, for a few days. Seems healthy to me.

 

[Fariq]

One night for a few hours, sure. Four days? Weird to me.

Agree to disagree.

 

[Fariq]

Well, if you can get out of four days of diaper changing and the kids can go that long without their parents and vice versa, then fine. It is not a crime but I do find it weird.

I find you weird.

I like that.

 

[shuke]

What thread is this?

 

[GoBirds]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

Here's some parenting advice- don't leave a 3-year old and a 1-year old for that long. Good luck to whoever has to be stuck with all the crying that will happen for four days.

Easy there Osama. ....they are in good hands with the in laws. We deserve 1 trip w no kids every 4 years. Also I raised my kids better that yours so they don't cry and 1 is potty trained. Easy street.

 

[Ilov80s]

What thread is this?

Lol anyone read The Spy That Came In From the Cold? It's supposssed to be a classic?

 

[GoBirds]

Well, if you can get out of four days of diaper changing and the kids can go that long without their parents and vice versa, then fine. It is not a crime but I do find it weird.

I just don't get what's the problemn with family watching kids, even babies, for a few days. Seems healthy to me.

Normal people......Thank you.

Trips getting close....need some books. So far just have a thick one on real estate development.

 

[timschochet]

What thread is this?

Lol anyone read The Spy That Came In From the Cold? It's supposssed to be a classic?

It's very good. I actually like Frederick Forsyth a little better (Day of the Jackal, Odessa File) in terms of great suspense novels written in the same era, but LeCarre is fine.

 

[Sand]

What thread is this?

The one about how the father in The Road was irresponsible for leaving his kid.

 

[Fariq]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

Here's some parenting advice- don't leave a 3-year old and a 1-year old for that long. Good luck to whoever has to be stuck with all the crying that will happen for four days.

Easy there Osama. ....they are in good hands with the in laws. We deserve 1 trip w no kids every 4 years. Also I raised my kids better that yours so they don't cry and 1 is potty trained. Easy street.

My wife thinks you're nuts.

 

[facook]

Rekindle the flame?!? They just had sex a little while ago. They have a 1-year old.

Touché.

 

[facook]

Book stuff: Blake Crouch, author of Wayward Pimes Trilogy. My first experience is Run. I'd definitely recommend it for post-apocalypse fans. It gets pretty heavy with all of the trauma but I definitely care about the characters and have enjoyed every bit of it.

 

[timschochet]

My daughter, between freshman and sophomore year in high school, has required reading this summer:

Fahrenheit 451

1984

The Power of One

Enjoyed the first two, but the third is one of my all time favorite novels. I really hope she likes it- whenever a novel is required, somehow it's never as good.

 

[Ilov80s]

My daughter, between freshman and sophomore year in high school, has required reading this summer:

Fahrenheit 451

1984

The Power of One

Enjoyed the first two, but the third is one of my all time favorite novels. I really hope she likes it- whenever a novel is required, somehow it's never as good.

I didnt read F451 as a teen. I'm sure it would be enjoyable at some level, but I really wonder if kids GET that book.

 

[GoBirds]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

Here's some parenting advice- don't leave a 3-year old and a 1-year old for that long. Good luck to whoever has to be stuck with all the crying that will happen for four days.

Easy there Osama. ....they are in good hands with the in laws. We deserve 1 trip w no kids every 4 years. Also I raised my kids better that yours so they don't cry and 1 is potty trained. Easy street.

My wife thinks you're nuts.

I'm glad I didn't marry your wife.

 

[GoBirds]

Any good investing books? Bogleheads guide to investing is all I've read so far.

 

[Sand]

Any good investing books? Bogleheads guide to investing is all I've read so far.

I'd personally recommend A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Malkiel.

 

[Fariq]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

Here's some parenting advice- don't leave a 3-year old and a 1-year old for that long. Good luck to whoever has to be stuck with all the crying that will happen for four days.

Easy there Osama. ....they are in good hands with the in laws. We deserve 1 trip w no kids every 4 years. Also I raised my kids better that yours so they don't cry and 1 is potty trained. Easy street.

My wife thinks you're nuts.

I'm glad I didn't marry your wife.

I'm glad I didn't marry yours.

 

[GoBirds]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

Here's some parenting advice- don't leave a 3-year old and a 1-year old for that long. Good luck to whoever has to be stuck with all the crying that will happen for four days.

Easy there Osama. ....they are in good hands with the in laws. We deserve 1 trip w no kids every 4 years. Also I raised my kids better that yours so they don't cry and 1 is potty trained. Easy street.

My wife thinks you're nuts.

I'm glad I didn't marry your wife.

I'm glad I didn't marry yours.

Dude....I'm sorry no one agrees with you or your wife. Go helicopter parent your kids, lets get back to books here.

 

[GoBirds]

Any good investing books? Bogleheads guide to investing is all I've read so far.

I'd personally recommend A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Malkiel.

Just ordered it, only $10 on Amazon can't beat that. Appreciate it!

 

[Fariq]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

Here's some parenting advice- don't leave a 3-year old and a 1-year old for that long. Good luck to whoever has to be stuck with all the crying that will happen for four days.

Easy there Osama. ....they are in good hands with the in laws. We deserve 1 trip w no kids every 4 years. Also I raised my kids better that yours so they don't cry and 1 is potty trained. Easy street.

My wife thinks you're nuts.

I'm glad I didn't marry your wife.

I'm glad I didn't marry yours.

Dude....I'm sorry no one agrees with you or your wife. Go helicopter parent your kids, lets get back to books here.

I don't "helicopter" but I would not leave a 1-year old for four days. Who will feed him/her the milk? Will your dad do it? Formula or your wife giving him some of her milk?

Don't ask about parenting advice on the internet and get mad when you get some.

 

[Ilov80s]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

Here's some parenting advice- don't leave a 3-year old and a 1-year old for that long. Good luck to whoever has to be stuck with all the crying that will happen for four days.

Easy there Osama. ....they are in good hands with the in laws. We deserve 1 trip w no kids every 4 years. Also I raised my kids better that yours so they don't cry and 1 is potty trained. Easy street.

My wife thinks you're nuts.

I'm glad I didn't marry your wife.

I'm glad I didn't marry yours.

Dude....I'm sorry no one agrees with you or your wife. Go helicopter parent your kids, lets get back to books here.

I don't "helicopter" but I would not leave a 1-year old for four days. Who will feed him/her the milk? Will your dad do it? Formula or your wife giving him some of her milk? Don't ask about parenting advice on the internet and get mad when you get some.

He was asking for book recommendations.

 

[Fariq]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

Here's some parenting advice- don't leave a 3-year old and a 1-year old for that long. Good luck to whoever has to be stuck with all the crying that will happen for four days.

Easy there Osama. ....they are in good hands with the in laws. We deserve 1 trip w no kids every 4 years. Also I raised my kids better that yours so they don't cry and 1 is potty trained. Easy street.

My wife thinks you're nuts.

I'm glad I didn't marry your wife.

I'm glad I didn't marry yours.

Dude....I'm sorry no one agrees with you or your wife. Go helicopter parent your kids, lets get back to books here.

I don't "helicopter" but I would not leave a 1-year old for four days. Who will feed him/her the milk? Will your dad do it? Formula or your wife giving him some of her milk? Don't ask about parenting advice on the internet and get mad when you get some.

He was asking for book recommendations.

Yes and no, sort of.

 

[GoBirds]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

Here's some parenting advice- don't leave a 3-year old and a 1-year old for that long. Good luck to whoever has to be stuck with all the crying that will happen for four days.

Easy there Osama. ....they are in good hands with the in laws. We deserve 1 trip w no kids every 4 years. Also I raised my kids better that yours so they don't cry and 1 is potty trained. Easy street.

My wife thinks you're nuts.

I'm glad I didn't marry your wife.

I'm glad I didn't marry yours.

Dude....I'm sorry no one agrees with you or your wife. Go helicopter parent your kids, lets get back to books here.

I don't "helicopter" but I would not leave a 1-year old for four days. Who will feed him/her the milk? Will your dad do it? Formula or your wife giving him some of her milk? Don't ask about parenting advice on the internet and get mad when you get some.

He was asking for book recommendations.

Yes and no, sort of.

He's right....but you decided to act like a tool...then no one agreed with you...and you won't let it go.If you were still breastfeeding you kid at 18 months you might need the parenting help there boss.

 

[shuke]

Can you guys shut the F up if you're not talking about books?

Thanks

 

[shuke]

Don't hit reply, GoBirds. Just backspace it all. No one wants to read it.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Ok, so I started It again. I think I read it in H.S., but I am not 100%. I got through most of Kings work up until the point of It. No surprises- still like Pet Semetary, Dead Zone, and The Shining the best. I think I asked before, but is there a consensus top 3-4 books of his from the 90s on? I thnk I have only read a couple- Liseys Story and The time traveling Kennedy one.

 

[Hov34]

Finished King's Mercedes Man - it was ok, a little too clumsy and some of the characters were awkward. will probably read the next one (Finders Keepers) as I read a couple page preview in one of my wife's magazines on the plane home.

Am half way through another King book Revival - so far it has my attention, but is a bit slow.

Got distracted while on vacation and started The Dog Stars by Peter Heller and can't put it down. A little more than half way though and it is great.

 

[GoBirds]

Don't hit reply, GoBirds. Just backspace it all. No one wants to read it.

Haha couldn't resist....well give me some book recommendations then fella!

 

[General Tso]

Don't hit reply, GoBirds. Just backspace it all. No one wants to read it.

Haha couldn't resist....well give me some book recommendations then fella!

Just a read some rag magazines with a lot of pictures. Or a preseason football mag. Either way, enjoy the vaca. And fwiw, don't let that stupid comment get to you. You are smart to get away with the wife away from the kids. More people should do that in my opinion. Makes you both better parents for the other 361 days of the year.

 

[Ilov80s]

What thread is this?

Lol anyone read The Spy That Came In From the Cold? It's supposssed to be a classic?

It's very good. I actually like Frederick Forsyth a little better (Day of the Jackal, Odessa File) in terms of great suspense novels written in the same era, but LeCarre is fine.

Thanks, added both to my list. I'm 2/3 through The Spy... right now. I can't put it down, real well done thriller.

 

[facook]

What thread is this?

Lol anyone read The Spy That Came In From the Cold? It's supposssed to be a classic?

It's very good. I actually like Frederick Forsyth a little better (Day of the Jackal, Odessa File) in terms of great suspense novels written in the same era, but LeCarre is fine.

Thanks, added both to my list. I'm 2/3 through The Spy... right now. I can't put it down, real well done thriller.

I think they are a little later in time, but Ken Follet's early spy stuff was outstanding. Eye of the Needle, Triple, Key To Rebecca. Top notch reads.

 

[Ilov80s]

What thread is this?

Lol anyone read The Spy That Came In From the Cold? It's supposssed to be a classic?

It's very good. I actually like Frederick Forsyth a little better (Day of the Jackal, Odessa File) in terms of great suspense novels written in the same era, but LeCarre is fine.

Thanks, added both to my list. I'm 2/3 through The Spy... right now. I can't put it down, real well done thriller.

I think they are a little later in time, but Ken Follet's early spy stuff was outstanding. Eye of the Needle, Triple, Key To Rebecca. Top notch reads.

Cool. I finished The Spy... It was remained strong all the way through. I like how dark it was, not the typical Bond Cold War era spy BS.

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

Reading "The Crying of Lot 49." I'm not sure I completely get Pyncheon but he does come up with some good lines throughout. As I understand this is one of the more accessible Pyncheon novels but it's still pretty far out there and it takes a lot more critical analysis than I have time for at this point in my life.

 

[lombardi]

My daughter, between freshman and sophomore year in high school, has required reading this summer:

Fahrenheit 451

1984

The Power of One

Enjoyed the first two, but the third is one of my all time favorite novels. I really hope she likes it- whenever a novel is required, somehow it's never as good.

Read the first two, not the last. What's the premise, why do you like it so much? Interested.