What are you reading? [Archive]

iggystar

12-17-2007, 05:07 AM

The book club is dead, but I know you guys are reading....something. Can we just post what book we've got our noses in and whether we liked it? I've been reading alot lately and love suggestions.

http://www.bookgasm.com/wp-content/images/NoCountryOldMen.jpg

My current book...

guagloves

12-17-2007, 05:18 AM

I have been reading If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor by Bruce Campbell

esophagus

12-17-2007, 05:19 AM

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/412BFZ58DCL.jpg

From Wikipedia:The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test is a literary journalism book written by Tom Wolfe early in his career in 1968. Using techniques from the genre of hysterical realism and pioneering new journalism, he tells the story of Ken Kesey and his band of Merry Pranksters as they drive across the country in a DayGlo painted school bus dubbed "Furthur," reaching what they considered to be personal and collective revelations through the use of LSD and other psychedelic drugs. It covers their cross country road trip, as well as the Acid Tests, early performances by The Grateful Dead, and Kesey's exile to Mexico. Wolfe is primarily concerned not with narrative, but with relating the Pranksters' intellectual and quasi-religious experiences.

siraim

12-17-2007, 05:26 AM

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Prattchett.

joymarie

12-17-2007, 05:38 AM

I'm reading Wicked right now. What can I say... I'm obsessed :p

patch

12-17-2007, 05:42 AM

I'm reading Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780345404473&itm=1) and The God Delusion (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780618680009&itm=1). I've got a shit ton of books piled up that I've had lined up to read tho.

mr-underachiever

12-17-2007, 05:42 AM

Just finished A Scanner Darkly, moving on to The Neverending Story.

siraim

12-17-2007, 06:00 AM

I'm reading Wicked right now. What can I say... I'm obsessed :p

I may start all of those after I'm finished with Good Omens. I like the idea of the slightly off take on fairy tales. It's good to see a different perspective..

andyfm

12-17-2007, 08:40 AM

I'm currently reading Thud by Terry Pratchett.

k4ng

12-17-2007, 08:57 AM

I'm reading Wicked right now. What can I say... I'm obsessed :p

I picked up Wicked expecting a happy fun story like the musical plot line and was rather shocked by how dark the actual book was. How are you liking it so far?

I'm re-reading The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman right now because I wanted to have the book fresh in my head when I go to see the movie.

hydrocoptic

12-17-2007, 09:16 AM

I have been reading If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor by Bruce Campbell

i got this book when it came out and it is a GREAT READ.

im currently trying to read The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. I just started The Gunslinger and its not really grabbing me. So far its a dude riding a horse looking for another guy and thats about it.

if you have read The Dark Tower series please tell me if it gets better. I want to read it but if it keeps this same pace i might not be able to finish it. Would i be missing out on something very cool if i stopped?

serenity

12-17-2007, 11:26 AM

i got this book when it came out and it is a GREAT READ.

im currently trying to read The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. I just started The Gunslinger and its not really grabbing me. So far its a dude riding a horse looking for another guy and thats about it.

if you have read The Dark Tower series please tell me if it gets better. I want to read it but if it keeps this same pace i might not be able to finish it. Would i be missing out on something very cool if i stopped?

IT GETS BETTER! Ack, don't give up I promise you it gets MUCH better in book 2. The Gunslinger is unfortunately a barrier for a lot of readers.
He wrote it over 12 years or so and started it when he was still in college.

Keep going, please!
You'll be missing out on some of the best writing ever if you stop now.

-mk-

12-17-2007, 12:45 PM

I wasn't a big reader growing up, but now being 27 I've always got a book going. The cool thing is that I can now read all of the great favorites and recommended classics without thinking its torture. Right now I'm reading Slaughterhouse Five by Vonnegut and I think it's simply amazing.

I just finished Ender's Game by O.S.C. and it blew me away (of course). Other recent favorites were Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan and The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson.

diane

12-17-2007, 01:36 PM

I am reading Principles of Managerial Finance, but that is for school. I am reading Skinny B*tch to get dieting ideas, Climbing Mountains in Stilettos to get inspired and Going Postal for fun reading.

Other recent favorites were Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan and The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson.

I love Diamond Age, it is one of my top 13 books. I am trying to determine if Anakin is old enough for the book. Though it is a pretty good read, there are really two aspects that are hard, even for adults to read, the child abuse and the "underground" culture. As cool as the concept of spreading knowledge that way is, the consequences seem really harsh. I don't know if Anakin could handle that yet. But aside from those two aspects the book is right up his alley.

deegraww

12-17-2007, 01:40 PM

I'm into "His dark material" not very far in mind you. It's not grasping me thus far and I haven't really had a lot of time to sit down and try to get into it. Hopefully I'll get some good books for x-mas since I got a new book shelf.

gglynn00

12-17-2007, 01:45 PM

I wasn't a big reader growing up, but now being 27 I've always got a book going. The cool thing is that I can now read all of the great favorites and recommended classics without thinking its torture. Right now I'm reading Slaughterhouse Five by Vonnegut and I think it's simply amazing.

That's cool, I'm reading Slaughterhouse Five too...I think it's a little trippy b/c it's my first Vonnegut book. Next I'm reading Mother Night by Vonnegut. Then it's back to Margaret Weis with the Mag Force 7 novels.

mltvcocktail

12-17-2007, 01:49 PM

I've been getting into Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series because I thought the show was pretty good. It's a great mix of CSI/Harry Potter which works surprisingly well.

tokenuser

12-17-2007, 01:54 PM

My last book was World War Z. Its a little dry, being written like a thrid person documentary.

Imagine those docuementaries you see of the Vietnam war, where they tell the story of the war by interviewing people and having them recount their experiences at different stages of the war.

OK, its an interesting concept, but doesn't pull you in and have you empathise with the characters like a first person telling of the story would.

I think that ultimately that deteached journalistic nature of the book is what ultimately ruined it for me.

Unfortunately, my current reading list consists of "Thinking in Java", "Enterprise J2ME", and online documentation for a project I am working on after hours. Hope to read "I am Legend" early int he new year when I start travelling again (I read when I travel ... rarely fly without a paperback in my bag).

gglynn00

12-17-2007, 03:14 PM

Hope to read "I am Legend" early int he new year when I start travelling again (I read when I travel ... rarely fly without a paperback in my bag).

Bring another book for back up b/c I am Legend was a pretty fast and easy read of me...It's not that it's short, it just reads well...If that makes sense.

deegraww

12-17-2007, 03:27 PM

Bring another book for back up b/c I am Legend was a pretty fast and easy read of me...It's not that it's short, it just reads well...If that makes sense.

I read it fast as well but then upset I spent that much time on it.

siraim

12-17-2007, 03:31 PM

I am reading Principles of Managerial Finance, ...

From everything I know about how managers see finances, you really can't call that a book.. it must have been a pamphlet. <full disclosure.. i've been a mgr with a budget to worry about.. always seemed like dealing with funny money...>

esophagus

12-17-2007, 06:45 PM

My last book was World War Z. Its a little dry, being written like a thrid person documentary.

Imagine those docuementaries you see of the Vietnam war, where they tell the story of the war by interviewing people and having them recount their experiences at different stages of the war.

OK, its an interesting concept, but doesn't pull you in and have you empathise with the characters like a first person telling of the story would.

I think that ultimately that deteached journalistic nature of the book is what ultimately ruined it for me.
I can't believe I'm going to say this... Never thought I'd ever listen to one myself, but buy the audiobook. It's read by a full cast (including Max Brooks and Henry Rollins) which just gives it a much more realistic feel. It's like 6 hours long, and I'm not sure if I ever managed to finish the whole thing because of that, but it's an amazing listen.

silentsignals

12-17-2007, 09:13 PM

I'm just finishing up Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. A really amazing steam punk fantasy novel. Then I'll probably either read Mieville's The Scar or the Books of Blood by Clive Barker.

joymarie

12-17-2007, 09:55 PM

I picked up Wicked expecting a happy fun story like the musical plot line and was rather shocked by how dark the actual book was. How are you liking it so far?

I really like it so far. It's a lot darker than I had expected too, but I like how it deals with the good and evil of each of the characters. I'm only around 150 pages in. For some reason this isn't a book I can sit down and read big chunks of. I have to read a few pages, then put it down.

az0madman

12-17-2007, 10:28 PM

Currently reading 'Why Do Men Have Nipples?'. I'm a sucker for trivial knowledge books and this one is hilarious.

iggystar

12-17-2007, 11:27 PM

I love triva books too. I always have one when I want to take a break in between regular reading.

Right now I'm reading an Uncle John's Bathroom Reader - The World of Odd. Those Bathroom Readers are great.

sjspring90

12-18-2007, 01:27 AM

I am reading "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris, amazing book so far.

esophagus

12-18-2007, 05:53 AM

Started reading Soren Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling tonight. Very excited to see where this goes. The "father of existentialism" must have something intelligent to say.

maxiscool1994

12-18-2007, 02:38 PM

"In The Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex." By Nathaniel Philbrick. Great read about whaling.

-mk-

12-18-2007, 02:42 PM

I really like it so far. It's a lot darker than I had expected too, but I like how it deals with the good and evil of each of the characters. I'm only around 150 pages in. For some reason this isn't a book I can sit down and read big chunks of. I have to read a few pages, then put it down.

I had this same issue reading Wicked. I think I read maybe 40-50 pages at one time at the maximum, and that was toward the end when I wanted to finish it. Great book, just a slow read IMO.

I'm finding the same to be for Neal Stephenson's "Cryptomonicon." I've started it twice and have stopped twice. It's GREAT too, I just can't seem to keep going. Maybe I need for life to slow down a little more before attempting it again...yea, right.

joymarie

12-18-2007, 05:27 PM

"In The Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex." By Nathaniel Philbrick. Great read about whaling.

I've picked this up then put it back down numerous times at book stores. I never knew if it was going to be good. I'll have to check it out since you like it :)

comhcinc

12-18-2007, 05:35 PM

right now i am re-read forest gump. seeing the movie, it's been on tv recently, makes me want to read the book again

dfs-vegas

12-18-2007, 05:40 PM

I'm trying to read 1984 again... Last time I got about 40 pages in, and just lost intrest.

dfs-vegas

12-18-2007, 05:42 PM

right now i am re-read forest gump. seeing the movie, it's been on tv recently, makes me want to read the book againI've heard that's one of the few movies that is actually better than the book... True or not true?

-mk-

12-18-2007, 05:44 PM

Some "unique" books I've read within the last year - worth a quick read:

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers

comhcinc

12-18-2007, 05:52 PM

I've heard that's one of the few movies that is actually better than the book... True or not true?

i would say not true. they are two different beast. the movie has a uplifting meesage that is not in the book. the book is very cynical and has a very pessimistic outlook on life. i think that is why people say the movie is better. not a lot of people had read the book before the movie came out and went into the book expecting the same type of story that the movie was.

iggystar

12-18-2007, 05:53 PM

I'm trying to read 1984 again... Last time I got about 40 pages in, and just lost intrest.

Oh, it's worth keeping with it. I read it back in high school and I can remember the plot in detail...now that is a scary book!

dfr

12-18-2007, 08:04 PM

I am reading Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton...autobiography. I have always been fascinated by what would make a person become a priest..let alone a Trappist priest. Very interesting read.

ravenhair

01-13-2008, 12:05 AM

I´ve just started on Vonnegut´s Breakfast of Champions, and I really like it so far. Anybody read Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain? Or Kafka´s Investigations of a Dog? I haven´t, but I´m curious, especially with Mysterious Stranger, since he took about 20 years in writing it, but never finished, Albert Bigelow Paine did, and I´m not sure if it ruins the ending that another guy finished it. Anybody?

serenity

01-13-2008, 12:23 AM

Just today I bought "Soon I Will Be Invincible".

Haven't started it yet, I will tomorrow. :)

limeygeeza

01-13-2008, 08:42 AM

I just finished 'World War Z, An Oral History Of The Zombie War, by Max Brooks.'

And I have Clive Barkers new novel 'Mister B. Gone' looking up at me here, begging to be read.

fraggleuprising

01-13-2008, 02:27 PM

I just got the new Sony e-book reader, so I've been reading a lot more than usual. I just finished Steve Martin's bio before picking up Neuromancer for the umpteenth time. I was thinking about finally picking up some Terry Pratchett next.

0garrett0

01-13-2008, 03:01 PM

Reefer Madness: Sex, Drugs, and Cheap Labor in the American Black Market

gobias

01-13-2008, 05:21 PM

Just finished Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges and I can't recommend it highly enough. Borges was an absolutely incredible author.

patrickdonohue

01-13-2008, 10:28 PM

The Elements of Cooking by Michael Ruhlman

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0743299787/sr=8-1/qid=1200266788/ref=dp_image_0/104-2754313-8417518?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1200266788&sr=8-1

kevincollateral

01-13-2008, 10:41 PM

my boring ass life - the uncomfortably candid diary of kevin smith

by of course...kevin smith

joedubbs

01-13-2008, 11:22 PM

I am reading "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris, amazing book so far.

Thomas Harris is a really good writer. I definitely recommend Red Dragon, personally wasn't a fan of Hannibal.

I'm not reading anything.:( I used to be a big reader but now I commute 2 hours on the train and would be asleep in seconds if I attempted reading on the the train.

I should definitely make time for it seeing how much I enjoy it.

zombierin

01-14-2008, 12:21 AM

I finally found myself a copy of Watchmen, so I shall be starting that very soon.

patch

01-14-2008, 12:53 AM

I finally found myself a copy of Watchmen, so I shall be starting that very soon.

Pfft... Not fair... I shoulda stole it from you when you were drunk... You wouldn't have remembered.

zombierin

01-14-2008, 12:55 AM

Pfft... Not fair... I shoulda stole it from you when you were drunk... You wouldn't have remembered.

I was going to put some sort of snappy retort, but you are probably right...

patch

01-14-2008, 12:59 AM

I was going to put some sort of snappy retort, but you are probably right...

Now you're getting it! So, were you well hung over today? Lol.

zombierin

01-14-2008, 01:04 AM

Now you're getting it! So, were you well hung over today? Lol.

Surprisingly no!
I don't really get hungover ever.

patch

01-14-2008, 01:08 AM

Surprisingly no!
I don't really get hungover ever.

Well that gypsy curse actually ended up being good I guess..?

jason-h

01-14-2008, 09:44 AM

http://www.holtzbrinckpublishers.com/images/Books/L/0312351747L.jpg

This book makes me belly laugh repeatedly. :D

avenwhell

01-15-2008, 02:48 AM

I am currently re-reading the manga AKIRA by Katsuhiro Otomo. If you liked the anime, the book will blow your mind! Otomo-san is a genius.

d3isme

01-16-2008, 03:50 AM

Sunshine by Robin McKinley - for about the 10th time. Love it.

Diane, I hope you enjoy Going Postal. That's another one I re-read a lot.
Pratchett rocks.

Work reading - Ancient Egyptian Art (I know, rough :-)

satori

01-16-2008, 05:27 AM

A Sale of Two Tities by Rarnaby Budge. I was recommended it by M Python back in the mid 80s.

mttskates

01-16-2008, 07:29 AM

Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman, good so far. HP and the half blood, Y:the last man Vol 4 TPB, I am definitely going to check out World War Z.

johnnysix

01-16-2008, 07:43 AM

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (soon to be a Martin Scorsese film)

mttskates

01-16-2008, 07:46 AM

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (soon to be a Martin Scorsese film)

Did you by chance get this rec from TRS? I have this book on waiting at the local lib. Mystic River was awesome, didnt care for the movie so much.

mttskates

01-16-2008, 07:51 AM

I dont know how many fans of Christopher Moore are on these boards, but I just wanted to throw his name out there. Everyone must read "A dirty job"

magunwarrior

01-16-2008, 08:19 AM

Currently reading Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut, then I'm going to move on to the Mass Effect prequel...

tnvwboy

01-16-2008, 12:39 PM

I've been reading World War Z. Freaking awesome book. I think it would make a great movie too.

gm_wil

01-16-2008, 01:47 PM

just read the trade of Batman and Son...was awesome, except the last issue...really liked Kubert's style...

oh, wait, is this for book books? I hear book and think "comic" when I'm in the geek-state-of-mind...reading an old james bond book written back in the 80's by a guy other than ian fleming...tis ok...

(damn you TRS for time-warping me and making me late for work)

-

iggystar

01-16-2008, 02:11 PM

Finally finished "No Country For Old Men" (awesomeness) and just started "Love in the Time of Cholera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez for a book challenge that I'm behind on.

jimmydelicious

01-16-2008, 02:23 PM

My last book was World War Z. Its a little dry, being written like a thrid person documentary.

I really think that World War Z was better experienced as an audio book. The A and B list actors in the cast really pull it off better than just reading it.

ike6116

01-16-2008, 03:03 PM

Reading The Wizard and The Glass in the Dark Tower series.

I read The Gunslinger on a drive from Massachusetts to Florida, I didn't find it that bad but then again I had very little choice.

proghog

01-16-2008, 03:10 PM

The Night's Dawn Trilogy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night%27s_Dawn_Trilogy)

tnvwboy

01-16-2008, 05:38 PM

I really think that World War Z was better experienced as an audio book. The A and B list actors in the cast really pull it off better than just reading it.

I'd consider it if it was unabridged. I simply refuse to buy abridged audio books. I want the WHOLE book, not the parts some editor thought would be the best.

iggystar

02-10-2008, 01:32 PM

This should be required reading in school. Simply awesome kid's poetry. I bought it yesterday for Mini-star and she's been reading to me for hours...and I actually remember most of the poems.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/iggycomet/2142383-1452601073.jpg

I'm reading The God Project, by John Saul.

darthender

02-10-2008, 05:44 PM

At the moment, I'm reading the first book in the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind, Wizard's First Rule.

diane

02-10-2008, 11:59 PM

At the moment, I'm reading the first book in the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind, Wizard's First Rule.

*Spoiler*
I liked the story a lot. My only issue is after reading 5 of them, he seems to have a bizarre issue with women and rape. After reading 5 books I just couldn't keep going because it just became oddly predictable. Any woman gains power or status, then the rape or the attempted rape. I couldn't do it, no matter how good the story was. And to make it worse, that type of violence really wasn't necessary for the plot line. There were one or two attempts in all the books that dealt with the aspects of the world they wanted to get through, but for the most part, it just seemed like either he doesn't know how to deal with women characters or has some serious issues.

bubba-mudd

02-11-2008, 02:06 AM

I'm reading Preacher, vol 1 - Gone to Texas, based on rec by TRS. I haven't read many comics, but I did a long time ago. The premise of this series is right up my alley (dark alley, of course ;) ). So far it's really good.

Also reading the 3rd book of Dread Empire's Fall - Conventions of War, by Walter Jon Williams. A really good space opera.

Waiting on George R.R. Martin to finish his fifth installment of A Song of Ice and Fire series, A Dance with Dragons. :(

ryan79

02-11-2008, 02:12 AM

I'm reading the Illuminatus Trilogy and I don't think it's possible take enough drugs to make sense of this book. After that's over, I'll start on the Dresden Files series.

diane

02-11-2008, 02:20 AM

I'm reading the Illuminatus Trilogy and I don't think it's possible take enough drugs to make sense of this book. After that's over, I'll start on the Dresden Files series.

Try Masks of the Illuminatus, it is a bit more linear in the writing and easier to follow. I understand what you mean though, that book is hard to get through because of how it flows.

hobbes

02-11-2008, 02:20 AM

Sunshine by Robin McKinley - for about the 10th time. Love it.

I love Sunshine also, Robin is a great story teller.

I just finished reading Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger and started a book by Stuart Woods (don't remeber which one) I read alot at work (only on breaks of course) so I loose track.

rickfedor

02-11-2008, 02:45 AM

I needed me some Douglas Adams so I'm going through Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

ariastar

02-11-2008, 03:20 AM

I am re-reading The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Greggory. It's a fictional telling of Mary Boleyn, sister of Anne Boleyn, Anne being the first wife Henry VIII decapitated. Greggory has taken a few specific times from the Tudor era and tells them in story form, which comes with the necessity of some fictionalizing. However, the basic stories are accurate. She's done a pretty damned good job of keeping facts straight with her books.

Anyway, a friend and I are looking forward to seeing the movie when it comes out at the end of the month, though we're having a hard time seeing Charlotte Johansen as Mary.

esophagus

02-11-2008, 04:49 AM

Anyway, a friend and I are looking forward to seeing the movie when it comes out at the end of the month, though we're having a hard time seeing Scarlett Johansson as Mary.Editted for the name.

It's a nitpick, I know.

esophagus

02-11-2008, 04:50 AM

crassius

02-11-2008, 05:20 AM

I am right now reading through the second book of Tad Williams, Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy, the Stone of Farewell. It is a read I highly recommend. It is in a similar vein as Robert Jordan's work, but much more concise and character-driven.

darthender

02-11-2008, 08:30 AM

*Spoiler*
I liked the story a lot. My only issue is after reading 5 of them, he seems to have a bizarre issue with women and rape. After reading 5 books I just couldn't keep going because it just became oddly predictable. Any woman gains power or status, then the rape or the attempted rape. I couldn't do it, no matter how good the story was. And to make it worse, that type of violence really wasn't necessary for the plot line. There were one or two attempts in all the books that dealt with the aspects of the world they wanted to get through, but for the most part, it just seemed like either he doesn't know how to deal with women characters or has some serious issues.Sounds hot!

lordstandley

02-11-2008, 08:38 AM

After watching No Country for Old Men I had to rush out and grab the book. I also still have iWoz on the shelf.

diane

02-11-2008, 08:38 AM

Sounds hot!

You are a goober.

iggystar

02-11-2008, 11:32 AM

Shel Silverstein is a geeeenius. Loved him as a kid, and still do.

The kid read the entire book to me in a day. She loved it! It just hit me one day..."Where the Sidewalk Ends. Why doesn't she have it?"

I'm so glad my mother allowed me the luxury of buying books when I was a child.

iggystar

02-11-2008, 11:33 AM

After watching No Country for Old Men I had to rush out and grab the book. I also still have iWoz on the shelf.

You're going to love it! Simple, plain and honest writing that just rocked me. Made me buy The Road (in my TBR stack).

deegraww

02-11-2008, 12:08 PM

this weekend I picked up Jumper (Which they re-released since the movie comes out this week) Read that, also picked up "Soon I will be invincible" and "Rant: An Oral Biography of Buster Casey". Wanted to pick up "Dexter in the Dark" But 2 hardcovers was already more then I wanted to spend.

andyfm

02-11-2008, 12:50 PM

i'm currently on book 3 of Preacher, but have book 4 ready and waiting as well. =)

also have one or two Pratchett books to catch up on.

iggystar

02-11-2008, 01:24 PM

mr-smith

02-11-2008, 01:32 PM

moogaman

02-11-2008, 03:20 PM

I'm currently reading World War Z for the 2nd time. Have I Am Legend, and The Art of Intrusion on my shelf to read, and am getting Jumper as well.

I go through spurts of reading, and right now is one of my dry times.

I really enjoyed World War Z.

I am (re)reading the Dark Tower series. It is interesting to pick up on little things that I didn't notice the first time through. Am also working through I am Legend, but it is slow going right now.

deegraww

02-11-2008, 03:39 PM

I bought "Soon I Will Be Invincible" a few weeks ago, also in my TBR stack.

So, how was Jumper?

I really liked it. I've read it three times already. I wish they would release the second one as well but they skipped right over it and went to the third book instead. Still have World War Z to finish as well or I shoudl say start.

iggystar

02-11-2008, 05:18 PM

I really liked it. I've read it three times already. I wish they would release the second one as well but they skipped right over it and went to the third book instead. Still have World War Z to finish as well or I shoudl say start.

What? That doesn't make any sense. Is the second in the series out of print?

The next debate is whether to see the movie first, then read the book. I had such a bad experience with I Am Legend.

Also, should I red The Zombie Survival Guide, then World War Z...is it necessary to go in order?

We need a TRS book challenge.....

sinatra

02-11-2008, 08:06 PM

Ugh, I need to find some free time.

Currently 1/2 to 3/4 through The God Delusion, Why Darwin Matters, Freakanomics, Confessions of an Economic Hitman and and original copy of Casino Royal.

esophagus

02-11-2008, 08:25 PM

Confessions of an Economic HitmanI pick this up then put it back down everytime I'm in the bookstore. It looks good, but my stack is too big for me to buy it yet. Is it any good?

diane

02-11-2008, 09:19 PM

I pick this up then put it back down everytime I'm in the bookstore. It looks good, but my stack is too big for me to buy it yet. Is it any good?

Yes, very. But I am an econ and math geek.

deegraww

02-11-2008, 11:45 PM

What? That doesn't make any sense. Is the second in the series out of print?

The next debate is whether to see the movie first, then read the book. I had such a bad experience with I Am Legend.

Also, should I red The Zombie Survival Guide, then World War Z...is it necessary to go in order?

We need a TRS book challenge.....

Yes all the books but Jumper: Griffon's story were out of print till last week. The re-released Jumper, Skipped reflex and pushed a paperback of Griffons story. Most of his books are out of print for some reason.

I would say read the book. It's a quick read and very good. The movie looks like it's taking a bit from all three books and pushing them all together. Which sucks because the first two are about one guy and the third is about a different kid.

With the Zombie books the two do not follow the same story. One is what to do if caught in the middle of a zombie attack the other is a retelling from people that where in zombie wars. Both are great (i haven't finished WWZ yet)

darthender

02-12-2008, 01:54 AM

You are a goober.Yeah...yeah I am....

tsmith15

02-12-2008, 02:43 AM

I'm actually reading WWZ and Children of Men right now, I might toss in Oliver Twist too.

deegraww

02-12-2008, 03:24 AM

I'm actually reading WWZ and Children of Men right now, I might toss in Oliver Twist too.

is children of men the book any better than the movie?

ugly-casanova32

02-12-2008, 03:37 AM

I really enjoyed Children of Men the book, I wouldn't say it's better, or that the movie is better, they are just different. Both are fantastic.

I am currently trying to read every single thing Kurt Vonnegut ever wrote.

patch

02-12-2008, 04:27 AM

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency & A Confederacy of Dunces.

If anyone else is reading/read either, I'd love to talk about 'em as I read through 'em.

bcool

02-12-2008, 07:58 AM

im about half way through star wars: thrawn trilogy. why they ever made the prequels...

it's been a nice light break from my programming/math HW

iggystar

02-12-2008, 10:25 AM

Yes all the books but Jumper: Griffon's story were out of print till last week. The re-released Jumper, Skipped reflex and pushed a paperback of Griffons story. Most of his books are out of print for some reason.

I would say read the book. It's a quick read and very good. The movie looks like it's taking a bit from all three books and pushing them all together. Which sucks because the first two are about one guy and the third is about a different kid.

With the Zombie books the two do not follow the same story. One is what to do if caught in the middle of a zombie attack the other is a retelling from people that where in zombie wars. Both are great (i haven't finished WWZ yet)

Crap, now I won't have time to read the book before I see the movie as everyone wants to check it out Thursday. But, that's never stopped me from enjoying a good read before.

Now, the "Zombie Guide", it's written as a "how-to" manual, right? Or is there an actual story and plot?

deegraww

02-12-2008, 01:30 PM

Now, the "Zombie Guide", it's written as a "how-to" manual, right? Or is there an actual story and plot?

it's a How-To guide. But an awesome one.

gglynn00

02-12-2008, 06:18 PM

Crap, now I won't have time to read the book before I see the movie as everyone wants to check it out Thursday. But, that's never stopped me from enjoying a good read before.

Now, the "Zombie Guide", it's written as a "how-to" manual, right? Or is there an actual story and plot?

There are a few "stories" as examples of "what not to do" and some "success" stories...I found it to be very funny...World War Z is all stories of "survivors" of the war

iggystar

02-12-2008, 06:38 PM

There are a few "stories" as examples of "what not to do" and some "success" stories...I found it to be very funny...World War Z is all stories of "survivors" of the war

Sigh, everytime I come in this thread my book list gets longer. I promised I wouldn't buy anymore books until I read 5 or 6 of the 40 I have stacked, but...now I want both of these.

Maybe I can buy them cheaply used on Amazon.

gglynn00

02-12-2008, 07:25 PM

Sigh, everytime I come in this thread my book list gets longer. I promised I wouldn't buy anymore books until I read 5 or 6 of the 40 I have stacked, but...now I want both of these.

Maybe I can buy them cheaply used on Amazon.

Two book forums!!! World War Z was good in some places and I kinda...sorta...didn't like some of the others...I liked the parts of the grizzled Vets and scientists telling thier parts, but there was a couple of stories that I wish he didn't "go into." Overall though I consider it a good read, but I liked the Zombie Survival Guide better.

idave

02-12-2008, 07:56 PM

TheSkyNinja

02-12-2008, 09:04 PM

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami

gglynn00

02-12-2008, 09:53 PM

How does the E-reader compare to normal print? I was thinking about getting Amazon's Kindle.

My Kindle should be here TOMORROW!!!!!! I am Uber excited to get rid of the 70+ books that I carry in a tote from Hotel to Hotel...I don't know what my first book will be though...Maybe a free classic from Gutenberg...Maybe it'll give me some much needed class.

iggystar

02-13-2008, 01:48 PM

How does the E-reader compare to normal print? I was thinking about getting Amazon's Kindle.

I've heard that the Kindle's electronic ink is very much like real paper as far as the look. Where did I hear that? I think on Diggnation.

Oh the book I just finished by John Saul, "The God Project" was pure garbage. It was supposed to be a quick, fun read in between my current heavy, book challenge. So back to the challenge, now I'm reading "Half of a Yellow Sun", by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

nobodysleeps

02-13-2008, 06:08 PM

I'm reading...Born Under Saturn, a book about artists since the Italian Renaissance that explores the possibility that great artists are a little crazy

Reading How to Read Literature Like a Professor

The Corner by David Simon and Ed Burns..creators of the best show EVER..The Wire.

doophq

02-14-2008, 12:20 AM

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami

I will have to second this book.

I'm currently reading A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin.

gonzooo

02-26-2008, 08:57 AM

Yay, I just ordered two books: One on discrete mathematics and one really, really thick one on neural networks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neural_network) (842 pages).

/me is excited! :)

rickweasel

02-26-2008, 09:10 AM

Bastard out of Carolina its for my english class. So far so good.

indiegirl

02-26-2008, 12:48 PM

Just finished I Am America (And So Can You). Took me a couple of weeks since I read it during 15 minute intervals between classes. Great book, it's absolutely hilarious!

Now I'm appealing to my girly side and reading Pride & Prejudice. Also reading Akira (the mangas) for the first time. I saw the anime years ago and really liked it so after getting some of the mangas as a Christmas present, I finally started to read them.

talleyrand

02-27-2008, 03:42 AM

Didn't find Colberts book as funny as I thought it would be, I haven't finished it.
My expectations were likely too high.

About half way through American Brutus by Michael Kauffman. About the Lincoln Assassination. Pretty good, picked it up off the B&N bargain rack for under $10

az0madman

02-27-2008, 04:01 AM

Finished Like Water for Chocolate for a class. Thought it was a pretty decent read despite it's premise (a bit too girl-centric for me).

Reading Kite Runner for class now. Been meaning to read it, but unless it's for school, I can't bring myself to do it.

yssman

02-27-2008, 05:39 AM

My current reading list:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix
- So far, its been a good read. I saw the movie beforehand, but its that attention to detail in the books that make them so much fun. I can't wait to get through the next two!

David Kennedy's American People in the Great Depression
- As an overview of the 1930s, Kennedy's assment of the era comes down to a better understanding through the use of detail. Although it certainly isn't my favorite history book that I've read, it at the very least has been interesting, and a halfway decent read. I'm on the last chapter, and I'm looking forward to the close of the decade.

The American Presidency: Origins and Development, 1776-2007
- As a main text in my Presidency and Congress class (*sigh*) it does a decent job of being an overview to the history of the executive office, and furthermore, the men that controlled it. The problem is, being a history minor, it reads more like a historical text than the political science book that it is supposed to be. I'm only a few chapters in, but if the same amount of detail can be achieved with more modern Presidents, I will be a happy reader.

Michael J. Sullivan's American Adventurism Abroad
- One of the great things about Dr. Durham's classes is that he requires reading of books that make you think. This one is it. I've barely cracked into it, but its exactly what I want. A hard-hitting analysis of American foreign policy.

tonks13

02-27-2008, 10:12 AM

Y - The Last Man
Emma
100 Years of Solitude (this one is taking me awhile to get through)

Up Next: Preacher, Persuasion, Artemis Fowl series

scigrex14

02-27-2008, 03:16 PM

Right now reading Bringing Down the House, the book that the new movie 21 is based on.

zeroack

02-27-2008, 05:42 PM

Virtual Light by Gibson

I like it so far.

Zero

stringtheory

02-27-2008, 06:19 PM

just finished The Atrocity Archives (my submission for the challenge)

now working on Halting State.

both by Charles Stross.

gglynn00

02-27-2008, 09:53 PM

[QUOTE=stringtheory;305902]just finished The Atrocity Archives (my submission for the challenge)QUOTE]

I cry foul!!! You're suppose to read the book in March!!!:p Just kidding...I just started The Bourne Identity last night and am trying to finish before the March kick off for the book challenge. Wow, is it different from the movie. I guess it was hard to adapt a semi-Cold War novel into a post-Cold War world...I think it was cool that they did use assassanation targets in the book and movie that were relevent to the times...Or is it just me seeing this correlation?

gonzooo

02-27-2008, 09:59 PM

I found out today that my book on neural networks won't be sent because the suppliers are out, and restocking isn't mentioned at all... I replaced it with one general book about neural nets and one about neural nets for pattern recognition. Awesome. :)

keithnl

02-27-2008, 10:26 PM

Just finished Good Night Irene by Jan Burke. I count mysteries as "genre" fiction, I guess because they are. I like series as well and Good Night Irene is the first of the Irene Kelly novels. Although I have a tendency to find a new series and burn myself out reading them one after the other.

magunwarrior

02-28-2008, 01:37 AM

I just finished Choke by Chuck Palahniuk, really top notch if you enjoy his stuff.

Gonna start on The Golden Compass next for the TRS challenge.

tink2112

02-28-2008, 02:30 AM

im workin on chuck klosterman IV and the pact by jody piccoult. great combo, literary nonfiction and a suicide pact gone wrong....

tsmith15

02-28-2008, 02:35 AM

I just finished Choke by Chuck Palahniuk, really top notch if you enjoy his stuff.

Gonna start on The Golden Compass next for the TRS challenge.
I have been itching to read pretty much everything by Palaniuk, since I loved Fight Club so much. Unfortunately books cost a shit-ton and I don't have an income.

tink2112

02-28-2008, 02:42 AM

I have been itching to read pretty much everything by Palaniuk, since I loved Fight Club so much. Unfortunately books cost a shit-ton and I don't have an income.

say it with me... LI- BRA- RY...

tsmith15

02-28-2008, 03:05 AM

Libraries are pain in the ass ><

talleyrand

02-28-2008, 06:20 AM

My county made national news last year when all the public library's were closed due to a budget shortfall.
The libraries have reopened being run by a government contracting service paying workers very low wages.

skoufis

02-28-2008, 07:24 AM

At the moment I'm reading 'Physics of the Soul' by Amit Goswami. Non-fiction to do with a scientific explanation for reincarnation and death and all that spiritual stuff. Great reading if you have an interest. I'm also about to read 'The God Delusion' by Richard Dawkins, pretty much the atheist's handbook, just because it's come highly recommended to me. But aside from all the serious stuff, around Christmas time I read 'Woken Furies' by Richard Morgan. It's very gritty straight cyberpunk (my first of the genre) and I absolutely loved it. So I went out and bought his other two 'Broken Angels' and 'Altered Carbon'. I read 'Altered Carbon' before my current serious phase and I loved it just as much as 'Woken Furies'. I also purchased 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson, just to get back to cyberpunk's roots, and my brother who is reading it at the moment is loving it. So that's what I'm reading.

-Nik