lombardi
Footballguy
Really liked The Dog Stars. Read it a while ago and quick and I'm trying to remember what I really liked, I think I liked the writing a lot.
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Whatcha readin now? (book, books, reading, read) (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter shuke
- Start date
Ilov80s
Footballguy
I just thought it was ok. He is a smart writer and there's some really funny stuff in there, but in the end I didn't feel anything from it. I felt like I was the butt of the joke or something.
timschochet
Footballguy
Its about a South African boy of English descent who is trapped in a pro-Nazi Afrikaner boarding school as World War II breaks out. Later he becomes a boxer.
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shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
Hov34
Eephus's Great Great Great Love Child
Lehigh98
Footballguy
I didn't realize it was a book. The movie was pretty good, Morgan Freeman and all...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105159/
Finished 2 short health/nutrition type books. Interestingly enough, their theories and conclusions are very similar.
The first one: "THE MIRACULOUS RESULTS OF EXTREMELY HIGH DOSES OF THE SUNSHINE HORMONE VITAMIN D3" by Jeff Bowles.
Ok, its a lot of rambling and he repeats himself a lot but there are a ton of gold nuggets as well.
In very short: Most of us are deficient in the Hormone know as Vitamin D. Most of us are inside all day and when we go outside we slather on sunscreen. This D deficiency has many negative health-related consequences. And studies - many anecdotal - but some empirical as well have shown that supplementing Vitamin D has major health benefits.
Most mammals have some sort of hibernation response to the changing seasons. Not all sleep for months like bears but virtually all have a response of fat storage and slower metabolism. Humans , he says (and I would agree) also have a hibernation response - although not as pronounced as some other mammals - we still slow our metabolism down and try and store fat for the harsh season ahead. Vitamin D is the signal to the changing seasons. When we have a lot of vitamin D (way back when we were outside for most of the day and getting it from the sun) our metabolism speeds up and doesn't store as much fat due to the abundance of the season. Conversely, when Vitamin D is low its a signal to our bodies that food is going to be scarce and we need to slow down and store fat.
Unfortunately, most of us lack enough Vitamin D so our bodies are in constant hibernation mode (storing fat and slowing metabolism).
Mainly, due to this book (and some other supporting literature I have read) I currently supplement vitamin D.
---------
The second related book is "The Queen of Fats" by Susan Allport. She has a very similar premise although her premise is that a lack of Omega 3 Fats and the over abundance of Omega 6 is causing major damage to our bodies - including fat storage and slower metabolism.
In contrast to the Vitamin D book, she is an excellent writer and actually makes reading about essential fatty acids interesting.
She brings down a huge amount of supporting evidence. Just massive. Its so clear cut that this is one of the causes of modern day diseases (heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, overweight) that the current USDA nutrition requirements will be looked back on as a crime against humanity
Among the explanations she states that Omega 3 is found in leaves and omega 6 is found in seeds. Way back when we were hunter gatherers we ate leafy greens (and the animals that ate leafy greens) during seasons of abundance and we stored and ate the seeds during the difficult winter months. Again Omega3=faster metabolism and Omega6=slower metabolism.
Unfortunately, the standard American (almost global) diet is heavy on processed foods and vegetable oils which are mainly based on omega 6 fats and contains almost no omega 3.
I have started making diet changes to incorporate more omega3 (and may supplement with fish oil) if I don't think I can get enough via diet alone.
The first one: "THE MIRACULOUS RESULTS OF EXTREMELY HIGH DOSES OF THE SUNSHINE HORMONE VITAMIN D3" by Jeff Bowles.
Ok, its a lot of rambling and he repeats himself a lot but there are a ton of gold nuggets as well.
In very short: Most of us are deficient in the Hormone know as Vitamin D. Most of us are inside all day and when we go outside we slather on sunscreen. This D deficiency has many negative health-related consequences. And studies - many anecdotal - but some empirical as well have shown that supplementing Vitamin D has major health benefits.
Most mammals have some sort of hibernation response to the changing seasons. Not all sleep for months like bears but virtually all have a response of fat storage and slower metabolism. Humans , he says (and I would agree) also have a hibernation response - although not as pronounced as some other mammals - we still slow our metabolism down and try and store fat for the harsh season ahead. Vitamin D is the signal to the changing seasons. When we have a lot of vitamin D (way back when we were outside for most of the day and getting it from the sun) our metabolism speeds up and doesn't store as much fat due to the abundance of the season. Conversely, when Vitamin D is low its a signal to our bodies that food is going to be scarce and we need to slow down and store fat.
Unfortunately, most of us lack enough Vitamin D so our bodies are in constant hibernation mode (storing fat and slowing metabolism).
Mainly, due to this book (and some other supporting literature I have read) I currently supplement vitamin D.
---------
The second related book is "The Queen of Fats" by Susan Allport. She has a very similar premise although her premise is that a lack of Omega 3 Fats and the over abundance of Omega 6 is causing major damage to our bodies - including fat storage and slower metabolism.
In contrast to the Vitamin D book, she is an excellent writer and actually makes reading about essential fatty acids interesting.
She brings down a huge amount of supporting evidence. Just massive. Its so clear cut that this is one of the causes of modern day diseases (heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, overweight) that the current USDA nutrition requirements will be looked back on as a crime against humanity
Among the explanations she states that Omega 3 is found in leaves and omega 6 is found in seeds. Way back when we were hunter gatherers we ate leafy greens (and the animals that ate leafy greens) during seasons of abundance and we stored and ate the seeds during the difficult winter months. Again Omega3=faster metabolism and Omega6=slower metabolism.
Unfortunately, the standard American (almost global) diet is heavy on processed foods and vegetable oils which are mainly based on omega 6 fats and contains almost no omega 3.
I have started making diet changes to incorporate more omega3 (and may supplement with fish oil) if I don't think I can get enough via diet alone.
lombardi
Footballguy
I can't believe I did this but I was less than a 100 pages from finishing Seveneves and my library loaner date passed, it just deleted itself from my overdrive. GRRRR!!!
Unlike a couple people who commented, so far I was preferring the latter third of the book, pretty good pure sci fi that blended great with the first two thirds. Now I'm like 15th on the waiting list to finish it.
It's probably best anyway. I really need to spend the week reading up on Azure deployments and Visual Studio Online Team Foundation Server. Not exactly exciting reading but we have a huge server/environment upgrade coming and I need to get prepared.
I have the Bone Clocks (David Mitchell) lying next to my bed from Christmas that I still haven't read. It will be tempting but I need to hold off until after the server upgrade. I really enjoyed Cloud Atlas and the Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet.
Unlike a couple people who commented, so far I was preferring the latter third of the book, pretty good pure sci fi that blended great with the first two thirds. Now I'm like 15th on the waiting list to finish it.
It's probably best anyway. I really need to spend the week reading up on Azure deployments and Visual Studio Online Team Foundation Server. Not exactly exciting reading but we have a huge server/environment upgrade coming and I need to get prepared.
I have the Bone Clocks (David Mitchell) lying next to my bed from Christmas that I still haven't read. It will be tempting but I need to hold off until after the server upgrade. I really enjoyed Cloud Atlas and the Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet.
facook
Footballguy
Just finished Desert Places by Blake Crouch. My second novel of Crouch's, and I'd recommend him highly (he's also the author of the Wayward Pines trilogy). This one is creepy, hopeless, and somehow ultimately satisfying. Apparently the first in another trilogy. I'd say Crouch reminds me of early Koontz but with more of a thriller than horror bent.
Just started Golden Son, the follow up to Red Rising. Just as good and intriguing as the original so far.
Just started Golden Son, the follow up to Red Rising. Just as good and intriguing as the original so far.
Ash
Footballguy
Swing 51
Footballguy
I hear you on the bolded, really enjoyed that book tho. The sequel Wild Thing was awful, avoid
lombardi
Footballguy
Michael Crichton actually wrote a book about his experience, he graduated from Med school. It was called Five Patients.
I read it a LONG time ago and the info is probably dated but I remember it was really interesting.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I recently finished Dan Simmons' The Fifth Heart. As is usually the case when I read a Simmons book, I liked it quite a bit but it was too long with too many sidetracks that had nothing to do with the plot. If you like his recent work, you'll like this.
I'm now on Stephen King's Finders Keepers. It's a sequel of sorts to Mr Mercedes. I'm about 2/3 through it and like it. As with most of King's novels these days, there's nothing ground breaking going on here. I guess I'd describe it as "comfort reading" for me. He's got a short story collection coming out later this year which I'm really looking forward to. I think that's his wheelhouse, especially nowadays.
My Wishlist is loaded with stuff I want to read (some recommended here). A few at the top are:
Let The Old Dreams Die - John A Lindqvist. Short story collection from the guy who wrote Let The Right One In.
Paradise Sky - Joe R Landsdale
The Border - Robert McCammon
Dead Wake - Erik Larsen
Epitaph: A Novel Of The Ok Corral - Mary D Russell
Thoughts on these?
I know someone here has read the Russell book and liked it. I don't think I've read Landsdale before, but have 3 or 4 of his books on my list. McCammon's book is SciFi, which is out of the ordinary for him. Larsen's book - you know what you're getting with him and I'm sure it'll keep me interested. I love Lindqvist, but I really have to be in the right frame of mind to get into him.
I'm now on Stephen King's Finders Keepers. It's a sequel of sorts to Mr Mercedes. I'm about 2/3 through it and like it. As with most of King's novels these days, there's nothing ground breaking going on here. I guess I'd describe it as "comfort reading" for me. He's got a short story collection coming out later this year which I'm really looking forward to. I think that's his wheelhouse, especially nowadays.
My Wishlist is loaded with stuff I want to read (some recommended here). A few at the top are:
Let The Old Dreams Die - John A Lindqvist. Short story collection from the guy who wrote Let The Right One In.
Paradise Sky - Joe R Landsdale
The Border - Robert McCammon
Dead Wake - Erik Larsen
Epitaph: A Novel Of The Ok Corral - Mary D Russell
Thoughts on these?
I know someone here has read the Russell book and liked it. I don't think I've read Landsdale before, but have 3 or 4 of his books on my list. McCammon's book is SciFi, which is out of the ordinary for him. Larsen's book - you know what you're getting with him and I'm sure it'll keep me interested. I love Lindqvist, but I really have to be in the right frame of mind to get into him.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Ash
Footballguy
Haven't posted any book stuff in a long time, but here goes:
Finished Worthy by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Named for the dog who helps a damaged young man reconnect with the woman who loved his father 20 years ealier. Very character driven, nothing much actually happens, but really enjoyed it. I'll definitely read more by her.
Have almost finished "The Rise and Fall of the Second Largest Empire in History", a quick easy narrative history of the Mongol empire from the rise of Ghenghis Khan through to the breakup and fall of the splinter kingdoms a couple of hundred years later. Interesting read, and at times shocking in regard to the casual brutality with which they treated conquered people and how this period impacted history to the present day. I read a different, genetic history book a couple of years ago which said that around 8% of the current population of the central Asian steppe are directly descended from a single figure in the 13th century, being Yesugai, Genghis Khan's father, through the "actions" of Ghengis and his brothers and then sons who were his leading generals.
The Empty Quarter by David Robbins. Did not like this at all, but a lot due to incorrect expectations on my part. It's basically an action novel with pretty thin, cliched military characters involved in a rescue operation gone wrong. Based on a description or review I read, I was expecting something more character based, and centred on the Arab characters rather than the military team. Ended up skimming the last quarter just to see how it ended and then didn't particularly like that either.
Crow Hollow by Michael Wallace. Liked this one quite a bit. Told from the POV of a British spy in pre Revolutionary America sent to investigate the death of another British agent. Without getting into spoilers he uncovers some underhand scheming by some of the locals and follows that through to it's conclusion. Solid balance in this one between the investigation side of the plot and relationship between the two main characters. Nothing spectacular but an enjoyable read.
River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay. I've been a massive GGK fanboy, but for some reason both the plot and the characters in this one just didn't grab hold of me the way his other novels have. Was consistent style wise with his other work, but this one just didn't pull me in. Found myself quite often putting this down after a half hour and not coming back to it for a week. Still highly recommend all his other historical novels though.
One Second After by William R Forstchen. I'm always fascinated by end of the world type stories and this is one of the best I've read. Very hard to read at times, with some really heart breaking moments but also people rising to the occasion, pulling together etc. The most outstanding aspect to me was how realistic it seemed, there wasn't any times where you suspend disbelief and call BS. No really evil "Randall Flag" type supervillain, but certainly plenty of those who take advantage of the breakdown of law and order etc. Highly recommend this one.
Finished Worthy by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Named for the dog who helps a damaged young man reconnect with the woman who loved his father 20 years ealier. Very character driven, nothing much actually happens, but really enjoyed it. I'll definitely read more by her.
Have almost finished "The Rise and Fall of the Second Largest Empire in History", a quick easy narrative history of the Mongol empire from the rise of Ghenghis Khan through to the breakup and fall of the splinter kingdoms a couple of hundred years later. Interesting read, and at times shocking in regard to the casual brutality with which they treated conquered people and how this period impacted history to the present day. I read a different, genetic history book a couple of years ago which said that around 8% of the current population of the central Asian steppe are directly descended from a single figure in the 13th century, being Yesugai, Genghis Khan's father, through the "actions" of Ghengis and his brothers and then sons who were his leading generals.
The Empty Quarter by David Robbins. Did not like this at all, but a lot due to incorrect expectations on my part. It's basically an action novel with pretty thin, cliched military characters involved in a rescue operation gone wrong. Based on a description or review I read, I was expecting something more character based, and centred on the Arab characters rather than the military team. Ended up skimming the last quarter just to see how it ended and then didn't particularly like that either.
Crow Hollow by Michael Wallace. Liked this one quite a bit. Told from the POV of a British spy in pre Revolutionary America sent to investigate the death of another British agent. Without getting into spoilers he uncovers some underhand scheming by some of the locals and follows that through to it's conclusion. Solid balance in this one between the investigation side of the plot and relationship between the two main characters. Nothing spectacular but an enjoyable read.
River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay. I've been a massive GGK fanboy, but for some reason both the plot and the characters in this one just didn't grab hold of me the way his other novels have. Was consistent style wise with his other work, but this one just didn't pull me in. Found myself quite often putting this down after a half hour and not coming back to it for a week. Still highly recommend all his other historical novels though.
One Second After by William R Forstchen. I'm always fascinated by end of the world type stories and this is one of the best I've read. Very hard to read at times, with some really heart breaking moments but also people rising to the occasion, pulling together etc. The most outstanding aspect to me was how realistic it seemed, there wasn't any times where you suspend disbelief and call BS. No really evil "Randall Flag" type supervillain, but certainly plenty of those who take advantage of the breakdown of law and order etc. Highly recommend this one.
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oso diablo
Footballguy
i really liked Fives And Twenty-Fives, a debut novel from Michael Pitre.
Pitre weaves three narrators (a Marine lieutenant, a Marine corpsman, and an Iraqi translator - all part of a engineering unit that removes booby-trap bombs from road potholes in Iraq) as they recount episodes from their tours in Iraq and from their time trying to move on afterwards.
Pitre weaves three narrators (a Marine lieutenant, a Marine corpsman, and an Iraqi translator - all part of a engineering unit that removes booby-trap bombs from road potholes in Iraq) as they recount episodes from their tours in Iraq and from their time trying to move on afterwards.
Brony
Footballguy
Just finished Dead Wake and actually didn't like it that much. In Devil in the White City, the stories centered around 3 people and you wanted to know what would happen next to these people. It read like a fiction book almost. In Dead Wake, he gives you back stories on dozens of people on the Lusitania and a lot of it was tedious minutia. I have enjoyed other historical books like this that give you some insight on what it was like in year XXXX, but this one wasn't one of these. I found myself not really interested in any one of the passenger story lines. I did like the story line on the German sub captain.
Looking at Amazon's reviews, seems like I'm in the minority, but I preferred Seabiscuit for a non-fiction book on early 1900's and I preferred In Harm's Way for a shipwreck/survival book.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I chose the McCammon book. It starts out full-throttle and doesn't let up for the first 1/4 of the book. Then there's a shift in location with different characters that takes some of the wind out of it (though it's as bat #### crazy as the first part). I'm maybe 1/3 of the way in now and have no idea where it's going.
dal_boys_phan
Footballguy
Just finished reading (from my local library here in NJ)
How Music Got Free: The End of an Industry, the Turn of the Century, and the Patient Zero of Piracy by Stephen Witt
Book just came out last month and was a fairly quick read, but really interesting. Takes you through the period from the development of the MP2/MP3 to today, from the perspective of the developers (big part of first 3rd of book) and then a music executive and one of the key participants in leaks to illegal sites for music.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525426612
How Music Got Free: The End of an Industry, the Turn of the Century, and the Patient Zero of Piracy by Stephen Witt
Book just came out last month and was a fairly quick read, but really interesting. Takes you through the period from the development of the MP2/MP3 to today, from the perspective of the developers (big part of first 3rd of book) and then a music executive and one of the key participants in leaks to illegal sites for music.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525426612
Ash
Footballguy
Finished A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini a few days ago. Covers a period of Afghanistan's history starting before the Russian invasion and mujahideen wars through to just post the removal of the Taliban government. Tells the story of two women who's lives are brought together by events of the war. Even though the protagonists are women, it's not one of those books which is intended more for that audience, it's fantastic storytelling and one of those books that leaves a lot with you after you've finished.
As you'd probably expect from the setting, it's mostly not happy events that propel the story and there was a point about 3/4 through where the relentless bleakness and tragedy really started to wear me down. Didn't make it easier to know that exactly these kind of things happened to tens or hundreds of thousands of people during this period.
Without getting spoilery it does change direction somewhat after that so there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
If you're put off by books described as "literary fiction" I think that's kind of an overused label these days, I'd highly recommend this.
As you'd probably expect from the setting, it's mostly not happy events that propel the story and there was a point about 3/4 through where the relentless bleakness and tragedy really started to wear me down. Didn't make it easier to know that exactly these kind of things happened to tens or hundreds of thousands of people during this period.
Without getting spoilery it does change direction somewhat after that so there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
If you're put off by books described as "literary fiction" I think that's kind of an overused label these days, I'd highly recommend this.
Ash
Footballguy
Reviews on the 3rd book in this series are brutal so I'm going to pass. Such a shame after a smashing first book in the series. For me this has been a test case in ignoring sunk costs in decision making. I have about 50 books on my Amazon wish list, too many options to spend time on something which I seem certain not to enjoy.
Hopefully Anthony Ryan gets back on track in the future.
Don Quixote
Footballguy
Finished HW Brands' new bio on Reagan. Pretty good read and thorough, though relies on his diaries maybe a bit more than needed. Favorable of Reagan, but not too hagiographic.
Just picked up Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See.
Just picked up Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See.
Ash
Footballguy
Swing 51
Footballguy
So a character in this novel is named Reed Riley, which is quite distracting as I'm familiar with the work by "actress" Riley Ried.
lombardi
Footballguy
I read And the Mountains Echoed and really liked it, I have this one but haven't read it yet.
If you ever want to read a novel that is amazing but gut ravaging depressed, I mean no mercy despair, try A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. A really great novel but it was exhausting and I couldn't wait for it to be over.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
I'm have it on hold at the library. I don't expect much since it was a rejected draft, but it's more of a curiosity than anything.
Todd Andrews
Footballguy
I am currently reading Kirk Cameron & The Crocoduck of Chaos Magick.
Not for everyone, but I am enjoying it.
Not for everyone, but I am enjoying it.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
How is it so far? It's been sitting on my wish list for a while, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.
I just finished McCammon's The Border. I saw it described somewhere as a cross between his early works Swan Song & Stinger, and that's about right. The set up was great, but he went off the rails a bit towards the end - there were a couple of philosophy lessons that brought the action to a screeching halt and the conclusion was kind of silly. Still, an enjoyable read if you like scifi/PA.
I think I'm going with Epitaph (about the OK Corral) next.
Swing 51
Footballguy
E Street Brat
Footballguy
Just bought this and I'm really looking forward to it based on what you guys have said.
I've never been one for the "classics" but I'm really digging The Count of Monte Cristo
I can't believe I've waited this long to read it
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I did like Doc. There were a couple of things that took me out of it periodically - a few direct (or almost so) quotes from the movie Tombstone, and I thought she was channeling McMurtry a little too hard sometimes. But overall she's tells a good story and is a talented writer. I'm maybe 10% into Epitaph and am enjoying it so far.
facook
Footballguy
I tried this novel a couple of years ago and gave up 1/3 of the way thru. Could not get past the appearance that it was edited by a third grader.
cosjobs
Footballguy
facook
Footballguy
Yep, The Stand
Green Mile
Bag of Bones
Needful Things
Desperation
I would say Dark tower as a series, and Needful, Desparation, Insomnia, and Hearts in Atlantis with it as a "world". But if you are talking individual novels the above. Drawing Of The Three might stand above all those but is part of the DT series.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
One Second After: The author is not a good writer, but the story is well thought out.facook said:
Stephen King: for late period stuff, Duma Key is an underrated book. Also try his most recent short story collections - Full Dark, No Stars and (the name of the other is escaping me).
facook
Footballguy
Don Quixote
Footballguy
cosjobs
Footballguy
oso diablo
Footballguy
just read this yesterday. it's skippable, imo.
written by a woman who doesn't seem to like men very much (just basing that on the characters in the book) and doesn't really know how to write male dialogue (i was reminded of the Seinfeld where Jerry/George initially leave Elaine out of their pilot because they don't know what a woman would say). though really, none of the characters here - male or female - will elicit your sympathy.
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shader
Footballguy
shader
Footballguy
Just finished reading five incredible books. Not sure where to go from here.
First Fifteen Lives of Harry August - I'm a time travel nut, and I loved Groundhog day, so this book was a fave
The Martian -- One of the few books that had me glued to the pages. I couldn't put it down
All the light We Cannot See - My least favorite of this group, but I still really liked it.
Seven Eves -- Huge Stephenson fan. Hit a home run with this book.
The Bone Tree -- 2nd part to a trilogy from Greg Iles. It was quite good.
I love Stephenson, but couldn't push through Anathem. Maybe I'll give try and tackle that, or move on to Snow Crash, which I've never read.
First Fifteen Lives of Harry August - I'm a time travel nut, and I loved Groundhog day, so this book was a fave
The Martian -- One of the few books that had me glued to the pages. I couldn't put it down
All the light We Cannot See - My least favorite of this group, but I still really liked it.
Seven Eves -- Huge Stephenson fan. Hit a home run with this book.
The Bone Tree -- 2nd part to a trilogy from Greg Iles. It was quite good.
I love Stephenson, but couldn't push through Anathem. Maybe I'll give try and tackle that, or move on to Snow Crash, which I've never read.
