The Prose Book Thread - 2009 Edition

[esophagus]

I've always had a thing for memoirs. This Christmas I received two more to add to the collection. Nervous System (http://www.amazon.com/Nervous-System-Losing-Mind-Literature/dp/B000BZ99T2) and Scattershot (http://www.amazon.com/Scattershot-Bipolar-Family-David-Lovelace/dp/0525950788/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230850337&sr=1-1).

I'm not that far into Nervous System, but it's amazingly funny and interesting.

Anyone else receive any books through the holidays? Anyone give any?

[cenquist]

I got Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz off amazon and I ordered the Adventures of Kaviler and Clay from Chapters....plus I still have the Day Watch and the Twilight Watch to read.

I gave the Phineas Poe trilogy to a buddy for xmas.

[Humphrey Lee]

I'm starting the year already into two books, and with four more stacked off to the side. Oh yeah, this is going to bode well for the next 364 days...

[thenextchampion]

Just finished a really great documentary style book: The War by Ken Burns and Geoffery C. Ward.

If anyone doesnt know, Ken Burns is a master at documentaries; known for his specials on The Civil War and Baseball. Here he focuses on the lives of people in four big cities of America at the time. Now obviously with that premise; we dont go into full detail of the war. Mainly just focuses on the people who lived in those cities (like Mobile or Sacramento) and the soldiers who represented that city.

I'm on a WWII high right now since I read Willie and Joe. So this entertain me through out and some of the exploits of these people are heartbreaking. We get stuff like African Americans and Japanese trying to make a difference in a racist society, a couple of POW stories, and some grueling details of some of the bloodiest battles in the war (like Battle of the Bulge). There's also other material on the people who made the war more bareable at home like Al Macintosh and his newspaper.

This is just a fantastic read from beginning to end. But this is just a book that carries along the PBS documentary Ken Burns did. So I know this is a 'Prose' only thread. But do yourself a favor and pick up that documentary as well, even more remarkable stuff that Burns didnt put in the book. Oh and look up some of his other documentaries as well.

[Six Gun]

Reading Mark Bowden's Guests of the Ayatollah it's truly excellent.

[JonCrites]

Reading Mark Bowden's Guests of the Ayatollah it's truly excellent.
'Guests' is really good but my favorite Bowden book is still 'Killing Pablo'.

I got a few books for Christmas and just finished the first; Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road'. Wow. Just wow. I could not put this book down and when I did the images of it would still linger in my thoughts. It is haunting, powerful, tragic and beautiful all at the same time. As much as we all like a good 'Crisis', what if the world really did die?
That is what this story is about, the death of the world and the age of Men and of a father and son carrying 'the fire' with them. Great Stuff.

[Six Gun]

'Guests' is really good but my favorite Bowden book is still 'Killing Pablo'.


I put Black Hawk Down above Pablo simply because the subject matter interests me more.

[OwlBoy]

Just picked up Eveyln Waugh's Scoop

[oh_caroline]

I got a copy of "Pretty Monsters" by Kelly Link as a gift. It's a collection of supernaturally themed short stories -- I've only read the first one so far, but it looks like it's going to be great.

I actually didn't give any prose books as gifts this year, which is unusual, but everybody seemed to want music or clothes this time around. (And it was all toys for my comics-fan friends, we share books all the time anyway).

[Jon_Samuelson]

This book's a couple of years old already, but I'm really digging it...

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

Being a dork, sci-fi and fantasy are pretty much all I read, and this is a really good example of a (to me) unique story telling technique that fires on all cylinders.

[paper]

I got a copy of "Pretty Monsters" by Kelly Link as a gift. It's a collection of supernaturally themed short stories -- I've only read the first one so far, but it looks like it's going to be great.



I got that for Christmas! It is indeed quite good.

[OwlBoy]

Literally just heard about this book (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Black-and-White-and-Dead-All-Over/John-Darnton/e/9780307267528/?itm=1) and I'm dying to read it.

[winthewonderboy]

Just got Johnathon Lethem's short story collection Men and Cartoons. Better late then never.

[thenextchampion]

Just finished reading a very good humor book: 'The Know-It All' by A.J. Jacobs.

Now I read Jacobs second book last year, The Year of Living Bibically, and I urge you to all read that. But this was also a pretty funny and interesting look at a guy just trying to be smarter then the average person. It's not as thought provoking as his second book, but there is enough humor and witty insight into Jacobs life from this experiment that I fully recommend it. Whether it's trying to outsmart his brother in law, to getting into the mind of his father, to even getting on 'Who Wants to Be a Millionare?' you will like every moment from this book.

I hope AJ does more books in the future, or at least do more experiments like these.

[gineration]

I know I'm a little late to the game, but I'm almost through Kavalier & Clay. (http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Adventures-Kavalier-Clay/dp/0312282990/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232837453&sr=8-1) It's wonderful. Can someone reccomend another Chabon book to me?

[paper]

I know I'm a little late to the game, but I'm almost through Kavalier & Clay. (http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Adventures-Kavalier-Clay/dp/0312282990/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232837453&sr=8-1) It's wonderful. Can someone reccomend another Chabon book to me?

Final Solution is good. Sherlock Holmes as an old, old man.

Yiddish Policemen's Union is another good detective story in an alternate history

Gentlemen of the Road is a really (intentionally) overwrought adventure novel in the style of Conan the Barbarian. Lots of fun.

[cenquist]

I know I'm a little late to the game, but I'm almost through Kavalier & Clay. (http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Adventures-Kavalier-Clay/dp/0312282990/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232837453&sr=8-1) It's wonderful. Can someone reccomend another Chabon book to me?

I am also reading this...about 1/4 through now.

[gineration]

Final Solution is good. Sherlock Holmes as an old, old man.

Yiddish Policemen's Union is another good detective story in an alternate history

Gentlemen of the Road is a really (intentionally) overwrought adventure novel in the style of Conan the Barbarian. Lots of fun.

Thanks! I've ordered Gentlemen of the Road to have ready when I finish.

[gineration]

I am also reading this...about 1/4 through now.

Don't you love it thus far?

[Six Gun]

I visited a friend of mine at Furman on Thursday and read the first 50 pages of his copy of Snow Crash. It's really, really good. I'm going to have to pick this up soon.

[Six Gun]

Yiddish Policemen's Union is another good detective story in an alternate history


I was killing time at Furman's bookstore and came across a stack of used copies of TPU, apparently one of their lit classes reads it. That impressed me.

[sarahg42]

Currently I am reading "Dead in the West (http://www.amazon.com/Dead-West-Joe-R-Lansdale/dp/0917053044)" by Joe R. Lansdale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_R._Lansdale) (some of you may know his story Bubba Ho-Tep or you may know his name from his contributions to Batman).This particular tale is a zombie western. If you enjoy either genre I recommend it. That man can turn a phrase!

[Neb]

Currently I am reading "Dead in the West (http://www.amazon.com/Dead-West-Joe-R-Lansdale/dp/0917053044)" by Joe R. Lansdale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_R._Lansdale) (some of you may know his story Bubba Ho-Tep or you may know his name from his contributions to Batman).This particular tale is a zombie western. If you enjoy either genre I recommend it. That man can turn a phrase!

Sounds dope. I loved the Bubba Ho-Tep movie.

[Jon_Samuelson]

Is it of the same flavor as "Bubba Ho Tep"?

[sarahg42]

Is it of the same flavor as "Bubba Ho Tep"?

Well it's hard to say... I would say it is similar because it is written by the same man, with the same sensibilities. It is a completely different kind of story though. (western setting -- different vibe) I am only about a quarter of the way through (it's my bedtime book for the week, I tend to read those a bit slower) and I am loving it.

[sarahg42]

Sounds dope. I loved the Bubba Ho-Tep movie.

The novella it is based on is quite good. I need to buy a copy of that one too. (I read a friend's copy)

[jmstump]

I'm looking for some new books to read on my new ereader (http://murmur.com/lifestyle/review_of_the_ebook_reader_sony_505.html). I'm currently reading Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K Hamilton. I plan on reading some Dresden Files. Now that I'm trying to read more I'm open to suggestions.

[cenquist]

I just finished Odd Thomas by Deam Koontz....a few years old but was really good. Sequels are out the too.

What type of books you like?

[jmstump]

It's oddly been so long since I've really dug into prose books I'm not too sure. I like a lot of different sci fi stuff and I plan on reading things like Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. I'm open to all sorts of suggestions. Oddly spy novels and the such usually don't interest me. I've tried reading Clive Cussler and never got into it.

The really odd one I used to love reading growing up Louis Lamour.

[miyamotofreak]

Finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Excellent read. Probably best in one sitting too. Set aside a couple of hours and read it. I know there's a movie in release date hell (hopefully it doesn't become Whiteout). Interested in how that turns out since I found the style of prose crucial to the plot.
Next on my to read list is A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane. I loved the film Gone Baby Gone and I wanted to read his stuff. This is apparently his debut and has the characters from GBG.

[paper]

It's oddly been so long since I've really dug into prose books I'm not too sure. I like a lot of different sci fi stuff and I plan on reading things like Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. I'm open to all sorts of suggestions. Oddly spy novels and the such usually don't interest me. I've tried reading Clive Cussler and never got into it.

The really odd one I used to love reading growing up Louis Lamour.

I think you'd really like the book I'm reading now. Charlie Huston's Already Dead. (http://www.amazon.com/Already-Dead-Novel-Charlie-Huston/dp/034547824X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233235531&sr=8-1) It's the first in a series of a novels about a vampire for hire. Written in the style of a crime novel. Really slick pacing, terrific voice, refreshingly unpretentious take on vampires.

[cenquist]

I think you'd really like the book I'm reading now. Charlie Huston's Already Dead. (http://www.amazon.com/Already-Dead-Novel-Charlie-Huston/dp/034547824X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233235531&sr=8-1) It's the first in a series of a novels about a vampire for hire. Written in the style of a crime novel. Really slick pacing, terrific voice, refreshingly unpretentious take on vampires.

That sounds up my alley....I will have to check it out.

[sugarsickness]

Currently reading Warren Ellis' Crooked Little Vein (http://www.amazon.com/Crooked-Little-Vein-Novel-P-S/dp/0061252050/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233286797&sr=8-1) and Clay Shirky's Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations (http://www.amazon.com/Here-Comes-Everybody-Organizing-Organizations/dp/0143114948/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233286872&sr=1-1). Both very good, so far (Almost done with CLV!)

[jmstump]

I think you'd really like the book I'm reading now. Charlie Huston's Already Dead. (http://www.amazon.com/Already-Dead-Novel-Charlie-Huston/dp/034547824X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233235531&sr=8-1) It's the first in a series of a novels about a vampire for hire. Written in the style of a crime novel. Really slick pacing, terrific voice, refreshingly unpretentious take on vampires.

I'm working on getting a copy now. Thanks!

[RaceMcCloud]

So, I've finally accepted that there will indeed be no more new "Harry Potter" novels, ever (although J.K. Rowling will NOT be able to tear herself away from that world; something else is going to come, guaranteed, even if it's not a book about Harry). So, I've decided to throw in with another borderline YA fantasy/adventure series. I've "thumbed" thru Amazon and B&N.com, and I have a few contenders. I'll list them in the order I'm considering them in:


Artemis Fowl (book 1 in the "Artemis Fowl" series)
The Lightening Thief (Book 1 in the "Percy Jackson" series)
Magyk (Book 1 in the "Septimus Heap" series)
Fablehaven (Book 1 in the "Fablehaven" series)
The Alchemyst (Book 1 in the "Nicholas Flamel" series)


Opinions on any of these would be groovy; as would recommendations I haven't thought of. The above books all worry me a tad... as the descriptions seem to indicate they're all at least somewhat derivative of "Potter". I've been through "Harry Potter", "Narnia", "Oz", and (forgive me) haven't been able to get through "Lord of the Rings" (not a fan of Tolkien's writing style), so I'm looking for the "next best thing", I suppose.

Oh... and I refuse to read the "Twilight" series, no matter how many "Potter" fans try to push it on me. I've thumbed through some of them; they are romance novels for 'tween girls. I'm not THAT sad.

[jasonb35]

I'm digging on Greg Rucka's Queen & Country novel "Gentleman's Game". If you're into Rucka's spy stuff this will defintely work for you.

[miyamotofreak]

So, I've finally accepted that there will indeed be no more new "Harry Potter" novels, ever (although J.K. Rowling will NOT be able to tear herself away from that world; something else is going to come, guaranteed, even if it's not a book about Harry). So, I've decided to throw in with another borderline YA fantasy/adventure series. I've "thumbed" thru Amazon and B&N.com, and I have a few contenders. I'll list them in the order I'm considering them in:


Artemis Fowl (book 1 in the "Artemis Fowl" series)
The Lightening Thief (Book 1 in the "Percy Jackson" series)
Magyk (Book 1 in the "Septimus Heap" series)
Fablehaven (Book 1 in the "Fablehaven" series)
The Alchemyst (Book 1 in the "Nicholas Flamel" series)


Opinions on any of these would be groovy; as would recommendations I haven't thought of. The above books all worry me a tad... as the descriptions seem to indicate they're all at least somewhat derivative of "Potter". I've been through "Harry Potter", "Narnia", "Oz", and (forgive me) haven't been able to get through "Lord of the Rings" (not a fan of Tolkien's writing style), so I'm looking for the "next best thing", I suppose.

Oh... and I refuse to read the "Twilight" series, no matter how many "Potter" fans try to push it on me. I've thumbed through some of them; they are romance novels for 'tween girls. I'm not THAT sad.
Haven't read them in years but I liked the Artemis Fowl books (haven't read the latest). Having a young morally questionable protagonist is entertaining. It's one of the crazy kid genius things where you actually see how he works.

So I finished A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane and LOVED IT. It's a bit 90s (the descriptions of the clothing give it away) but goddamn was it satisfying. So satisfying that I went out and bought 3 of the 4 sequels (4th wasn't at the store) and two of the authors other books (Mystic River and Shutter Island). Mmmm.

[paper]

So, I've finally accepted that there will indeed be no more new "Harry Potter" novels, ever (although J.K. Rowling will NOT be able to tear herself away from that world; something else is going to come, guaranteed, even if it's not a book about Harry). So, I've decided to throw in with another borderline YA fantasy/adventure series. I've "thumbed" thru Amazon and B&N.com, and I have a few contenders. I'll list them in the order I'm considering them in:


Artemis Fowl (book 1 in the "Artemis Fowl" series)
The Lightening Thief (Book 1 in the "Percy Jackson" series)
Magyk (Book 1 in the "Septimus Heap" series)
Fablehaven (Book 1 in the "Fablehaven" series)
The Alchemyst (Book 1 in the "Nicholas Flamel" series)


Opinions on any of these would be groovy; as would recommendations I haven't thought of. The above books all worry me a tad... as the descriptions seem to indicate they're all at least somewhat derivative of "Potter". I've been through "Harry Potter", "Narnia", "Oz", and (forgive me) haven't been able to get through "Lord of the Rings" (not a fan of Tolkien's writing style), so I'm looking for the "next best thing", I suppose.

Oh... and I refuse to read the "Twilight" series, no matter how many "Potter" fans try to push it on me. I've thumbed through some of them; they are romance novels for 'tween girls. I'm not THAT sad.

They were giving out free copies of Fablehaven at NYCC. I was one of the only people not trying to avoid the girl handing them out. Not sure when I'll get to reading it, but I'll surely post thoughts here.

[RaceMcCloud]

Thanks, guys. I'm probably going to check out "Artemis Fowl" first, primarily because of the somewhat antihero protagonist.

Anyone else?

[paper]

Thanks, guys. I'm probably going to check out "Artemis Fowl" first, primarily because of the somewhat antihero protagonist.

Anyone else?

Have you read Lemony Snicket? I love the voice in those books.

Or what about Barry and Pearson's Peter and the Star Catchers books?

[TimmyWood!]

I started reading 2666 on the plane ride out to New York and it is really good. I am about 100 pages in and I am not sure where it's taking me but I am enjoying the ride.

I am also reading David Foster Wallaces A supposedly fun thing I'll never do again

[RaceMcCloud]

I'm reading Kevin Smith's "My Boring-Ass Life", and while it's interesting on a "all this dude does is watch DVD's and occasionally make a movie" level, the section near the end of the book, "Me and My Shadow", which chronicles his efforts to help Jason Mewes (Jay of "Jay and Silent Bob" fame) kick his many, many chemical addictions is terrific, terrific reading. Even if you don't want to sit back and read the whoooooole boring-ass life portion of the book (it's tedious to get through at time) find yourself a way to read the "Me and My Shadow" section. Regardless what you think of Kevin Smith and his work, that is some compelling reading.

[RaceMcCloud]

On "My Boring-Ass Life"... the very last bit of the book chronicles K.Smith's experiences on-set with Bruce "Die Hard" Willis, shooting his scenes in DH4. That and the "Me and My Shadow" segments alone are worth the price of admission, so to speak.

Truthfully, unless you're a Smith die-hard, those will probably be the only two segments of the book you find entertaining. Oh, and one point somewhere in there he chronicles a poetry reading his wife hosted at their place for charity, with a bunch of famous and quasi-famous people reading poetry, and he reprints all of the (very funny) introductions he wrote for them. Best part of that? He details how Carrie Fisher, having only brought one poem to read, brings the house down by reciting from memory her "Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi" speech from the original "Star Wars". Great stuff.

[RaceMcCloud]

Also, just got a book called "Re-potting Harry Potter" by James W. Thomas, PhD, a literary professor who teaches course on the Harry Potter series. I haven't read it yet, but I've thumbed through it; it's a really extensive (and accessible) analysis, but not of the symbolism and religious interpretation of the series (which has been hashed to death in any number of quickie books, particularly by "I've made a living leeching off of Harry Potter" author John Granger, whose work I refuse to read/buy on the general principle that he's written seven books about the series, primarily analyzing the presence of Christian elements in the work. How much can he possibly have to say about it? One more book and he'll outpace JKR herself.)

Rather, "Re-potting Harry Potter" analyzes the series from a LITERARY point of view, dissecting the craft of writing as employed by JKR who, whether you like the series or not, is undeniably a hell of a storyteller. Seems that it'll be a very interesting read for anyone interested in studying writing as a craft.

[hank41]

just read the book Salt by Kurlansky. great read if you have any interest on salt and the impact it has made in the world

[RaceMcCloud]

just read the book Salt by Kurlansky. great read if you have any interest on salt and the impact it has made in the world

Just put it on my Amazon Wishlist. Sound fascinating. Thanks for the heads-up!

[thenextchampion]

just read the book Salt by Kurlansky. great read if you have any interest on salt and the impact it has made in the world

I have that at my work, it always peaked my interest. Thanks for the heads up on it.

It's funny how you think the most mundane thing on the planet could influence an entire civilization or the whole planet! There's a book out there that completely describes how Cod helped saved the world....Amazing.

[hank41]

I have that at my work, it always peaked my interest. Thanks for the heads up on it.

It's funny how you think the most mundane thing on the planet could influence an entire civilization or the whole planet! There's a book out there that completely describes how Cod helped saved the world....Amazing.

hmmm.....cod. that sounds interesting. thanks!

[Dave Carr]

Salt is a great read. I've actually been reading a lot of Flannery O'Connor lately. Her short stories are great if you don't mind an irreligious mindset.

Also, the new Lennon Biography Lennon: The Life by Phillip Norman is awesome Really great insight into John's childhood/adolescence.

[gabeja]

Currently Reading the Yiddish Policemens union. Quite good. Got my K&C signed back when it came out, hopefully I can get this signed this weekend.

[sugarsickness]

Working my way through Eisner/Miller. It's quite good so far.

[gabeja]

I always was tempted by that whenever I saw it on a shelf

[thenextchampion]

Same here....although I might have more rage considering this book mentioned they were best of friends....and then Miller did 'The Spirit'....

but that's for another topic.

[RaceMcCloud]

Also, just finished a book called "The Looking Glass Wars". It's a dark-ish re-imagining of "Alice in Wonderland"... and it is not that good. The characters are flat, the characterizations are uneven, the P.O.V. changes suddenly and awkwardly at times, there are stabs at contemporary humor that just take you right out of the fantasy setting. (At one point the Cheshire Cat, re-imagined as a hugely muscular assassin called simply "The Cat", turns to some talking flowers and totally does a Travis Bickle, "Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me? I don't see anyone else around, so you must be talkin' to me." Just... not good.

[RaceMcCloud]

I was just made aware... and apparently it is not new news... but I was just made aware that Eoin Colfer, the author of the Artemis Fowl novels, has been asked by Douglas Adams' wife to continue the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, and that he has furthermore accepted this offer and is as-I-type writing the sixth Hitchhiker's book, which is due in October.

As somebody with the large, red words DON'T PANIC as his sig, I really feel I should have known about this before (I believe it was announced last September.) Now, having found out, I do not know how I feel about it... I will say this.

I will buy this book, and read it, and there shall be much rejoicing. I hope.

I guess now I HAVE to read the Artemis Fowl series.

Edit: Just looked it up on Amazon. Not only is it due out in October, but it is actually due out ON MY BIRTHDAY. That... is fantastic.

Edit #2: And Another Thing... No, I have nothing else to add. That's what the book is going to be called. And Another Thing...

[hank41]

im reading A Farewell to Arms right now. great so far

i found a first printing of In Cold Blood at a cafe this weekend and i convinced them to sell it to me for 75c. woot!

[thenextchampion]

just read the book Salt by Kurlansky. great read if you have any interest on salt and the impact it has made in the world

Hey on your recommentation I read it and it was great! It's amazing how much impact Salt has made to our entire planet.

Btw the book I mentioned called 'Cod' (or the history of Cod fish) is written by the same guy. So it could be very good.

[Neb]

I just finished reading "A Gentleman's Game," which is the first of the two Queen and Country novels. It was fantastic, and fills in the story of just what happened to Tom Wallace. I'm really looking forward to reading the second one. Any fans of the series should be reading these books!

[Six Gun]

I just finished reading "A Gentleman's Game," which is the first of the two Queen and Country novels. It was fantastic, and fills in the story of just what happened to Tom Wallace. I'm really looking forward to reading the second one. Any fans of the series should be reading these books!

It's a huge commitment, but I highly suggest that you read Rucka's Atticus Kodiak series of novels. I've read all of them to date, and while the first one is a bit slow at times, from the second one on, they're like published crack, fun, fast-paced adventures that are researched to a scarily thorough amount.

[thenextchampion]

I'm re-reading the 'Dark Tower' books.

God, this is difficult to read. Not because it's bad; just that King wrote a crap load of info for each book. Seriously, each book gets more convoluted as it goes on. Again not in a bad way....just damn, King had a lot of time on his hands.

[voodoomama]

Reading Toni Morrison's lateset book A Mercy.

I love her books, but they always leave really emotionally raw and in need of a solid three hours of Looney Tunes when I'm done.

[gabeja]

Reading The Yiddish Policeman's Union. (Got it, and my first edition Cavalier and Klay signed at Wondercon!)

[JohnVFerrigno]

It's a huge commitment, but I highly suggest that you read Rucka's Atticus Kodiak series of novels. I've read all of them to date, and while the first one is a bit slow at times, from the second one on, they're like published crack, fun, fast-paced adventures that are researched to a scarily thorough amount.

I have read the first three kodiak novels. I thought the first one, Keeper, was a very solid read. Then i read Finder, which I thought blew Keeper away.......and i LIKED Keeper. I just finished Smoker like two weeks ago. it was fantastic. Looking forward to continuing the series.

I also read Crooked little Vein by Warren Ellis not too long ago. I read that in an afternoon. I could not out that down. I was just sitting on the coach, laughing out loud at the hysterical situations, and my wife would ask me what i was laughing at. I would explain the situations (Which i will not say here for anyone who hasn't read the book needs to be surprised by them!) and she would laugh and be aamazed that a book that sick got published.

Right now, i am currently reading Lamb, by Christopher Moore. A hysterical comedy about Jesus and his childhood friend, Biff, that amazingly enough, manages to not only be laugh out loud funny, but does so WITHOUT making fun of Jesus. Moore manages to write a really funny story, but it tkaes jesus and his teachings very seriously. An amazing thing to accomplish, toeing the line between comedy and respect like that.

[deadspace]

I haven't read a book with no pictures for so so long. I'm a crap reader, slightly dyslexic and I just find comics easier to read. Last book was maybe.... His Dark Materials.

[deadspace]

I also read Crooked little Vein by Warren Ellis not too long ago. I read that in an afternoon. I could not out that down. I was just sitting on the coach, laughing out loud at the hysterical situations, and my wife would ask me what i was laughing at. I would explain the situations (Which i will not say here for anyone who hasn't read the book needs to be surprised by them!) and she would laugh and be aamazed that a book that sick got published.


so it's good? i buy everything warren ellis... but haven't got this.

[RaceMcCloud]

I haven't read a book with no pictures for so so long. I'm a crap reader, slightly dyslexic and I just find comics easier to read. Last book was maybe.... His Dark Materials.

Hey, are "His Dark Materials" any good? I was curious to try it.

[RaceMcCloud]

So very, very excited.
http://eoincolfer.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/andanotherthingcover420.jpg
I don't even care that it's likely going to be a tremendous letdown. Good luck, Artemis Fowl guy! Good luck!

[gabeja]

If all goes well, my mother will have a book out this year........

[hank41]

Hey on your recommentation I read it and it was great! It's amazing how much impact Salt has made to our entire planet.

Btw the book I mentioned called 'Cod' (or the history of Cod fish) is written by the same guy. So it could be very good.

wow dude, that's really cool. im soooo happy you enjoyed it.

i'll check out Cod. im intrigued

[TimmyWood!]

I finished part one of Five of 2666 and while I am loving it, took a break and started Lush Life by Richard Price. It's my first foray into his novels and I am loving it so far.

[Neb]

I finished the second of Greg Rucka's Queen and Country novels and it was awesome. If you're a fan of the comic book series you NEED to read these books. So excellent.

The only downside is that, now, I want more Queen and Country!

[comicbookchris]

I just finished reading Choke by Chuck Palahniuk, and laughed my ass of while reading it. Definatly liked it better than the last Palahniuk book I read, Survivor.

Right now I'm reading The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett...great mystery with a constantly winding plot. While reading, I'm slowly remembering the key point from the movie I saw many years ago.

[thenextchampion]

Couple of weeks ago I finished reading another good, and humorous look into the Bible.

Good Book: The Bizarre, Hilarious, Disturbing, Marvelous, and Inspiring Things I Learned When I Read Every Single Word of the Bible by David Plotz

It's just a man reading the old testament basically. But his insights on the stories are remarkable, mainly because the general public have censored so much of the classic stories. So many of them have more violence, sexual themes, and other risque stuff....it's amazing some religious figures use the bible for one instance (like hating on gay marriage), but milk the true story of Abraham or David.

I wont go into more detail about my beliefs or what I got out of this book....that's what Plotz's want you to do. But it's amazing how much contradictions are in the Bible and how many people use this as a source when in ways it should never be.

Good stuff.

[comicbookchris]

Has anyone heard of the new Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy book that is supposed to come out later this year? It's called "And Another Thing..." and is written by Eion Colfer, the guy who wrote the Artemis Fowl series. What do you guys think? I'm excited for a new book, since the ending to Mostly Harmless was quite a bummer. However, Colfer seems more of a fantasy writer, does anyone think he can write in the witty madcap style of Adams?

[dmaggot]

I currently just finished The Road and World War Z. I highly recommend both. Anybody that loves zombies definitely needs to go out and pick up World War Z. Currently I'm reading I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. Great book so far, much better than the Will Smith movie (which is the only one I've seen).

Oh, and in early January I read Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book. It's written for a younger crowd, but I loved it nonetheless.

[matthaber1]

Anyone else here know who Darren Shan is? IMO He has written one of the greatest Vampire books ever, yet I have never met some one who knows who he is.

[hank41]

im about to read Davita's Harp in Humanities class.

anyone read it?

any thoughts?

[comicbookchris]

So all this talk on iFanboy about Thor has got me interested in reading the actual mythology on the Norse gods. So I got this Tales of the Norse Gods book from the library and started reading it today. I'm only about a quarter of the way through it, and I love the Norse mythos! So much violence, murder and deceit! I love how the earth was created from a murdered giant's flesh, and how his blood was spilled to make the oceans and best of all, his brains splattered to make clouds!!!

I know as I read further I'm going to find more of these, but I found a curious inconsistancy with the actual mythos and the comics. In the mythos, it is well established from the get-go that Thor and Balder are step-brothers, while this fact was just recently discovered in the current JMS run. Also, Sif is always defined long flowing blonde hair in the mythos, while every comic incarnation of her seen of her, she has had black hair. It's a bit curious why they'd change her defining trait, but whatever. I still love the comics, and highly recommend reading up on the actual Norse mythology.

[mikeluoma]

I've been reading non-fiction, mostly. I've got a few books going at once. In the middle of Elaine Pagels' "The Origin of Satan" right now. Recently finished Graham Hancock's "Supernatural", where he ties together shamanism, UFOs, faerie, religious and Ayahuasca visions. Trippy... trying to slog through "James the Brother of Jesus" by Robert Eisenman, but its pretty dry and a little repetitive. Also reading "Strange and Stranger: the World of Steve Ditko" by Blake Bell.

[voodoomama]

I am currently on the third No 1 Ladies Detective Agency due to my current obsession with the TV show. It gives me a totally new view of Africa and its people.

[Neb]

I just finished a really delightful book. It's called The Automatic Detective by A. Lee Martinez. The story takes place in Empire City, which is the city of the tomorrow. It's a noir tale that stars a reformed evil robot as the main character as he unravels the mystery behind the disappearance of his neighbors. It's got a ton of science fiction and pulpy noir and is just a ton of fun to read. I recommend it whole heartedly to everyone on the threads. Great, great stuff.

From the back of the book: Even in Empire City, a town where weird science is the hope for tomorrow, it's hard for a robot to make his way. It's even harder for a robot named Mack Megaton, a hulking machine designed to bring mankind to its knees. But Mack's not interested in world domination. He's just a bot trying to get by, trying to demonstrate that he isn't just an automated smashing machine, and to earn his citizenship in the process. It should be as easy as crushing a tank for Mack, but some bots just can't catch a break.When Mack's neighbors are kidnapped, Mack sets off on a journey through the dark alleys and gleaming skyscrapers of Empire City. Along the way, he runs afoul of a talking gorilla, a brainy dame, a mutant lowlife, a little green mob boss, and the secret conspiracy at the heart of Empire's founders---not to mention more trouble than he bargained for. What started out as one missing family becomes a battle for the future of Empire and every citizen that calls her home.

[Neb]

I finished Soon I'll Be Invincible last night. It was a pretty entertaining and fun superhero romp. I felt the storytelling wasn't as tight as it could be, but I thought the idea of telling the story through the perspectives of one of the heroes and the villain was pretty great. I just felt like the book repeated itself a lot, and the hero character wasn't too interesting to read about. The villain was pretty great though. It was a solid read overall though.

Right now, I'm reading through Kirby: King of Comics, and it's so awesome. I'll fill everyone in on my thoughts when I finish with it.

[Neb]

I finished Kirby: King of Comics today. It was really good. It had some great art from Kirby, which looked fantastic in the oversized format. It's a real shame the way that those companies treated him and many of his peers. Those guys are the reason comics are still around today, and Kirby especially changed the face of comics. I'm glad he got to enjoy a little bit of his fame before he passed on. Stan Lee really comes off as a dick in this book though.

[Euchre0]

I just traveled to Spain and had lost of time to read on planes and in airports. I read:

Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin - This was very interesting and definitely amusing. Martin is a very good writer and really conveys his wit and intellect while writing about making his name as an off-the-wall wacky comedian. Interestingly, this book is only about Martin breaking into the stand up scene. I was born in 1984, so I mostly know Steve Martin from his many great movies of the 1980s and knew relatively little about his stand up career aside from ExcuuuUUUuuse Meeeee! Recommended.

Franklin and Winston by Jon Meacham - I was a bit disappointed with this. I've long found Churchill and Roosevelt to be very fascinating, so was very excited to get into this. The content was certainly interesting, but the presentation wasn't super engaging. It was basically a lot of "Roosevelt was like this..." and then "Churchill was like this..." As the book progresses it evens out, but still isn't as captivating as I'd hoped.

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson - I picked this up based on Josh and Conor's endorsements. Very good and as one of them wrote, it reads like a thriller but is all the more exciting because it happened. The reader knows Booth gets caught, yet there is still a palpable feeling of Booth's possible escape. Check out murmur.com for much better reviewing.

Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt by H.W. Brands - I started this and am only about halfway through, but I still wanted to mention that this book kicks the crap out of "Franklin and Winston."

[Valoharth]

I've started The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay again, this time I'm going to finish it. Its really good, love Chabon's word usage.

[johnferrigno]

I finished Kirby: King of Comics today. It was really good. It had some great art from Kirby, which looked fantastic in the oversized format. It's a real shame the way that those companies treated him and many of his peers. Those guys are the reason comics are still around today, and Kirby especially changed the face of comics. I'm glad he got to enjoy a little bit of his fame before he passed on. Stan Lee really comes off as a dick in this book though.

I read this recently as well. I thought it was an outstanding book. It served as a kirby art-book, Kirby biography, and a mini comics history book all rolled into one. I would highly recommend this to anyone who was interested in comics history, or just great artwork.

[johnferrigno]

I recently finished Manhunt. Before this, i had read exactly one book on history: 1776 by David McCullough. I enjoyed that book a great deal, and said "I need to read more history!" I saw Josh's article on manhunt over at murmur.com and was intrigued. I thought it was a fascinating tale. In history class, they spend about twenty seconds telling you about Lincoln's assassination. I had no idea it was so interesting. After finishing that, I went to the book store and picked up Team of Rivals. I just started that the other day, but i already know I am going to enjoy it a great deal. If only history was this interesting in school.....

[chunkahash]

It's not really prose per se but I recently picked up Despite Everything: A Cometbus Omnibus. It collects back issue and unprinted material from the first 20 years of Aaron Cometbus' zine Cometbus. An east bay punk legend Aaron has played with bands such as Pinhead Gunpowder, Crimpshrine, Cleveland Bound Death Sentance, and the new band with Jawbreaker frontman Thorns of Life. Rants, ramblings, and stories, if you are a fan of punk zines then this should be a must read.