Books you're currently reading??? - Page 150

wolf · 11-24-2011, 10:56 AM

Another library Kindle book ... 100 Mistakes that Changed History - Bill Fawcett

Imagine drinking with a history professor who has a somewhat dry, pedantic delivery, who discusses fuckups from the beginning of recorded history.

Would be better as a bathroom book than a straight read, I think.

I also am continuing with Mercury Rises, which picks up where the hilarious Mercury Falls left off.

Glinda · 11-26-2011, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

Really?

extrapolate!

(I'm channelling Captain Jean-Luc Picard!)

The premise in a nutshell:

Common Question: If you could go back in time and change ONE thing, what would it be?

Typical Response: Stop Oswald.

King takes it one step further... and of course, it rocks.

Pete Zicato · 11-29-2011, 04:57 PM

If you are a fan of classic science fiction and have not yet done so, you owe it to yourself to read the various Little Fuzzy books by H. Beam Piper.

If these books don't make you smile, then you are way too uptight and need to cut back on cable news.

DanaC · 11-29-2011, 05:01 PM

Halfway through the latest Discworld novel, Snuff. It's a Commander Vimes story, which is always good. I'm really liking it. Vimes is a nicely dark character at times.

wolf · 11-29-2011, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Zicato

If you are a fan of classic science fiction and have not yet done so, you owe it to yourself to read the various Little Fuzzy books by H. Beam Piper.

If these books don't make you smile, then you are way too uptight and need to cut back on cable news.

I loved it. Thanks to the Kindle I was able to read it, finally. I'd been looking for it for years without success (ever since I read David Gerrold's book about his experiences writing The Trouble with Tribbles, because he talks about Little Fuzzy). I have a copy of John Scalzi's Fuzzy Nation, not sure when I'm going to get to it though.

I just finished the new Kindle Fire Edition of The Watchmen.

VERY cool. Deeply saturated colors, crisp lines. The panel navigation isn't quite as seamless as I'd like, but oh well.

infinite monkey · 11-30-2011, 08:53 AM

One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson

wolf · 11-30-2011, 09:17 AM

The Screwtape Letters - C.S.Lewis

Public library ebook. I'm thoroughly liking the public library ebook thing. Especially since my library is, um, marginal. It's not in the worst neighborhood, but it's not in the best, either, and like many city libraries, it's a hangout for the homeless that are kicked out of the shelters until the evening.

wolf · 12-07-2011, 04:36 PM

Crazynurse's teenage granddaughter told me I had to read The Hunger Games. I'd been actively avoiding this book on the grounds that if the Twilight crowd loved it that much, it was probably something I wouldn't like. So against my better judgment (the granddaughter beat me at a Twilight Trivia game last Christmas), I got it free from amazon Prime Lending and actually liked it.

Now trading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential, which is fascinating.

Sundae · 12-07-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

Now trading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential, which is fascinating.

Always meant to give it a go, but I find the man repulsive.

Did I already admit that I will read the follow-up to A Discovery of Witches when it's out? I spend my reading life dumpster-diving. I'll finish anything which doesn't actually stink. And I find some really wholesome stuff along the way.

Stretching my metaphor beyond what is really acceptable - this book was like finding a wrapped burger. Edible. And memorable simply because it was unusual - an otherworldy romance novel that didn't make me heave. Was it good? No.

It sufficed.

Lamplighter · 12-07-2011, 05:00 PM

Bourdain is one of the few "food people" I'd like to have over for dinner.
I'm impressed by his natural way of showing his "sacred hospitality".

busterb · 12-09-2011, 10:39 AM

The art of saying goodbye. by Ellyn Bache

glatt · 12-09-2011, 10:45 AM

I just started reading that Hugo book last night. After ten minutes, I had read 80 pages. I think I was mildly irritating Mrs. glatt with the fast flipping of pages.

wolf · 12-09-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae

Always meant to give it a go, but I find the man (Anthony Bourdain) repulsive.

Frankly, so do I. I pretty much only know Anthony Bourdain as "that sonofabitch from Top Chef," and the book hasn't really done anything to change that impression.

He is irascible, cantankerous, foul-mouthed, and has both over- and underlying anger issues.

He is, however, funny as hell, and communicates his rancor against the cooking establishment masterfully. And he imparts some important information ... never order meat well done, and don't ever choose the fish special on a Monday.

TonyE · 12-09-2011, 12:53 PM

An autobiography, "Against all odds" by Paul Connolly

The author grew up in a childrens home in East London. He was one of 8 children sharing a dorm and suffered years of abuse from the staff. When he was 35, the police called and told him 6 of the 8 were dead. This is a very harrowing and uplifting story, telling of the years of abuse and how he overcame it.

Sundae · 12-10-2011, 03:36 PM

Tony, I know you were Quarantine (sp?) but are you also Carruthers?
I'm not stalking you, it's just wonderful and strange to come across people in geographical proximity on a global forum. And by proximity I mean less than an hour away - which is housemates by the standards of many Dwellars.

Read One Day by David Nicholls.
It was recommended by so many people and "well loved".
I just didn't connect. I found the characters annoying; I couldn't relate to their circumstances, politics or goals.

All round disappointment.

And as I finished it, I was accosted by a young lady on my bus who demanded to know how much I had adored it. And I had to find a polite way to explain that I just hadn't connected with it.

The above is an exaggeration. She didn't accost or demand, but she was surprised and disappointed that I thought it was pretty rubbish (I didn't actually say that, but it's true).

All sparkle and no shine.

I raised The Time Traveller's Wife, thinking she would like it and I was right. Redeemed.

I ventured Kate Atkinson, and left her saying she would try.
I spread the word whenever I can.

11-24-2011, 10:56 AM	#2236
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Another library Kindle book ... 100 Mistakes that Changed History - Bill Fawcett Imagine drinking with a history professor who has a somewhat dry, pedantic delivery, who discusses fuckups from the beginning of recorded history. Would be better as a bathroom book than a straight read, I think. I also am continuing with Mercury Rises, which picks up where the hilarious Mercury Falls left off. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

11-29-2011, 04:57 PM	#2238
Pete Zicato Turns out my CRS is a symptom of TMB. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 2,916	If you are a fan of classic science fiction and have not yet done so, you owe it to yourself to read the various Little Fuzzy books by H. Beam Piper. If these books don't make you smile, then you are way too uptight and need to cut back on cable news. __________________ Talk nerdy to me.

11-30-2011, 09:17 AM	#2242
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	The Screwtape Letters - C.S.Lewis Public library ebook. I'm thoroughly liking the public library ebook thing. Especially since my library is, um, marginal. It's not in the worst neighborhood, but it's not in the best, either, and like many city libraries, it's a hangout for the homeless that are kicked out of the shelters until the evening. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

12-07-2011, 04:36 PM	#2243
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Crazynurse's teenage granddaughter told me I had to read The Hunger Games. I'd been actively avoiding this book on the grounds that if the Twilight crowd loved it that much, it was probably something I wouldn't like. So against my better judgment (the granddaughter beat me at a Twilight Trivia game last Christmas), I got it free from amazon Prime Lending and actually liked it. Now trading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential, which is fascinating. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

12-09-2011, 10:39 AM	#2246
busterb NSABFD Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MS. usa Posts: 3,908	The art of saying goodbye. by Ellyn Bache __________________ I've haven't left very deep footprints in the sands of time. But, boy I've left a bunch.

11-30-2011, 08:53 AM	#2241
infinite monkey Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13,002	One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson

12-07-2011, 05:00 PM	#2245
Lamplighter Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bottom lands of the Missoula floods Posts: 6,402	Bourdain is one of the few "food people" I'd like to have over for dinner. I'm impressed by his natural way of showing his "sacred hospitality".

12-09-2011, 10:45 AM	#2247
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I just started reading that Hugo book last night. After ten minutes, I had read 80 pages. I think I was mildly irritating Mrs. glatt with the fast flipping of pages.

12-09-2011, 12:53 PM	#2249
TonyE Simulated Simulacrum Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: The Chilterns, Bucks Posts: 39	An autobiography, "Against all odds" by Paul Connolly The author grew up in a childrens home in East London. He was one of 8 children sharing a dorm and suffered years of abuse from the staff. When he was 35, the police called and told him 6 of the 8 were dead. This is a very harrowing and uplifting story, telling of the years of abuse and how he overcame it.

12-10-2011, 03:36 PM	#2250
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Tony, I know you were Quarantine (sp?) but are you also Carruthers? I'm not stalking you, it's just wonderful and strange to come across people in geographical proximity on a global forum. And by proximity I mean less than an hour away - which is housemates by the standards of many Dwellars. Read *One Day* by David Nicholls. It was recommended by so many people and "well loved". I just didn't connect. I found the characters annoying; I couldn't relate to their circumstances, politics or goals. All round disappointment. And as I finished it, I was accosted by a young lady on my bus who demanded to know how much I had adored it. And I had to find a polite way to explain that I just hadn't connected with it. The above is an exaggeration. She didn't accost or demand, but she was surprised and disappointed that I thought it was pretty rubbish (I didn't actually say that, but it's true). All sparkle and no shine. I raised The Time Traveller's Wife, thinking she would like it and I was right. Redeemed. I ventured Kate Atkinson, and left her saying she would try. I spread the word whenever I can. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

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