Today I read: The book thread

[North Country Dad]

Piggybacking on this idea:http://dadstayshome.com/dads/showthread.php?t=3508

Read (or reading) a good book? I'm thinking books for adult readers, but if you have an especially strong suggestion for a book to read with your kids, toss it in here.

Just finished An Inconvenient Truth. Reviewed it here (http://anotherathomedad.blogspot.com/).

Just started Gretl Ehrlich's This Cold Heaven about her experiences living in Greenland. I have always been fascinated by life in the frozen wild -- arctic explorers, Inuit, massive chunks of ice sliding across North America, gouging out the very lakes that bring us Lake Effect snow, which is at this very moment, dumping on us again.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/gmiller1122/snowfall.jpg

We're just below the "F" in "Forecast" -- another foot on the way!

- G

[Patrickz]

The Happiest Toddler on the Block Still thumbing through it at night tring to get a clue. I also have the DVD for Al Gore's presentation. Your review is shared by me as well. Lots of old news but a good voice none the less.

[Ma(tt)Daddy]

Reading the "Letters of Tennessee Williams" right now.

Making my way through the collected stories of Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

[sao95]

Aldous Huxley, Heaven and Hell, It's about going through the "door in the wall", either using drugs or other devices that are used by religion and what not...

[chuck]

Great thread idea!
Right now I'm reading "Stories for around the campfire" by Ray Harriot, a very good book with differnt age level spooky stories for the kids, I'm getting ready for some seriouse camping this spring with our boyscout pack. (gonna scare the papjibas out of these kids :) )

[Will'sdad]

I'm reading book 2 in Shelby Foote's trilogy The Civil War, "Fredericksburg to Meridian".

[stretch]

Bill Bryson, The Life And Times Of The Thunderbolt Kid

A memoir of his childhood in Des Moines in the 50s and a very amiable and perceptive look back at the era. Also one of the flat-out funniest writers alive.

[silviomossa]

Reading "Fiasco" by Thomas Ricks. About the war. Title says it all.

[Joey G]

Reading Bag of Bones by Stephen King, have the new Pete Maravich biography in tow.

JG

[cjbart]

John Irving's Until I Find You. It's really quite a good read and has a great hook. Better than his last couple of novels, in fact I think it's on a par with his great earlier novels like World According to Garp or Cider House Rules. Same kind of lifelong story, but his style has changed some over the years.
I think Gore's Inconvenient Truth is next on the list. It takes a lot longer to read a whole book than it used to.

[silviomossa]

It takes a lot longer to read a whole book than it used to.

Geez, ain't that the truth! I've renewed Fiasco too many times at the library. Glad their whole system is online.

I also have the Gore book -- got it for Christmas. Still have not had the inclination to pick it up, several others interest me more.

I'm also reading a slew of baseball stat books to prep for the season: Shandler's "Baseball Forecaster", McKamey's "Minor League Baseball Analyst", handbookd from both James and BA. And the Baseball Prospectus comes out in three weeks. Real page turners! =P~

[stretch]

It takes a lot longer to read a whole book than it used to.
Also agreed. That's why I like short story anthologies by the bed for that 20-minute quick fix before you nod off and start drooling down onto the pages.

This (http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/best_american/) is a pretty good series to suit almost any range of interests.

Usually also takes me a few months to get through Gardner Dozois's doorstep-sized Year's Best Science Fiction anthology. And it's always well-chosen.

[Math Daddy]

I'm working on the Crown of Stars series by Kate Elliott. On Book 2, Prince of Dogs, at the moment. I'm rather enjoying it. I recently devoured several series by Harry Turtledove, including Derlavai, Crosstime Traffic, and War Between the Provinces. All very good alternative history novels, if you're into that kind of thing.

[Joey G]

had a hard time with that one. he developed the plot rather slowly. Still not a bad, albeit pedestrian, read though.

Currently going through Jeff Shaara's "To The Last Man" a historical/novel of characters in the first world war. Pershing, Patton, Haig, Petain, Foch, Joffre, Rickenbacker (94th Aero Squaderon), and Richthofen. Follows a nice chronology where you're initially introduced to a british reinforcement infantryman who's developed nicely in the first two chapters but gets mowed down suddenly (point being few groundtroops lasted more than a few months). Later Richthofen gets downed just before Pershing's AEF ramps up and Rickenbacker is just starting out in his flying career. With two of the lead characters now dead the story picks up with two characters in the AEF who are Marines having to switch to army uniforms as the marines colours resemble that of the Germans. Interesting to see how they develop.

Pershing, Joffre and Haig still remain the overall backbone of the story

I'm about 300 pages in to Bag of Bones, and admittedly, not a lot has happened. King has done this with some of his other books, where it takes a long time for the plot to build (Cujo comes to mind), but so far it hasn't been dull.

The Jeff Shaara book sounds interesting. I enjoyed his two American Revolution books.

JG

[North Country Dad]

It takes a lot longer to read a whole book than it used to.

Not if they're board books. :shock:

I'm interested in reading Fiasco, but time is so limited and my list of "books to read" is long. Would you guys mind posting a few short insights on it?

Oh, yeah, and I read Time cover to cover every week. Some of it is so-so, but it's a quick way to get the weekly news scoop.

[Bollux]

Star Wars: Betrayal

[Jackson's Dad]

Reading "Fiasco" by Thomas Ricks. About the war. Title says it all.

I started that book -- very well written, and so easy to read. But I had to stop after a chapter because it's so depressing. What a mess. I think the first thing that hits you, is that this war has been in the making for a long time. The key players (Cheney, Rummy, etc.) have been moving towards this goal for decades.

Just finished a fine science fiction novel, John Scalzi's first, called "Old Man's War". He's a new writer, and also has a very fun to read blog (http://www.scalzi.com/whatever/).

Just about to start a new huge book on Caesar called "Caesar: Life of a Colossus". I took three years of Latin in high school so I've always been fasincated by Roman history.

[North Country Dad]

I think the first thing that hits you, is that this war has been in the making for a long time. The key players (Cheney, Rummy, etc.) have been moving towards this goal for decades.

Old men with old ideas. I usually don't like this sentiment, because it's so misguided, but in this case, I would have loved to have forced Dick and Donald into fatigues and sent them overseas to fight their own damn war. W could go along, too, for comic relief.

Sorry...had to ramble there for a minute.

Thanks for insight on Fiasco. I have the same concerns -- that it's so depressing. Maybe I'll pick it up when the weather gets nicer? :shock:

[silviomossa]

I started that book -- very well written, and so easy to read. But I had to stop after a chapter because it's so depressing. What a mess. I think the first thing that hits you, is that this war has been in the making for a long time. The key players (Cheney, Rummy, etc.) have been moving towards this goal for decades.

Despite that, I was a bit surprised to learn that the administration didn't plan on this from the outset, though some in the think-tanks on the outside did. It did take some persuasion, and a friend of Cheney noted that he was surprised when he did change course from containment to war.

What struck me (halfway through, up by Oct. 2003), as one who has read the news for years but not gone into all of the details of the war, is how the intelligence was sold, how there was really *no* post-war plan and why, specifically how many post-Saddam battles and situations were botched (and why), and how the lack of central authorities, as well as a clear sense of what the overall mission was/is, caused so many problems.

I never thought this war would work. Reading this, I see how *maybe* it could have worked if so many people hadn't screwed up. And all of that information makes it clear that the latest solutions, such as a troop surge, won't amount to a hill of beans.

[silviomossa]

Thanks for insight on Fiasco. I have the same concerns -- that it's so depressing. Maybe I'll pick it up when the weather gets nicer? :shock:

I'm not depressed by it, though a bit outraged at times. It's a fascinating read and, as noted, well-written. I might be depressed by it if I found any of the conclusions surprising, but for the most part, I don't. It's many of the details that are all new to me.

[Sonnie Bee]

just finished SNOW CRASH by Neil Stephenson. was a great read!

just started reading THE GIVER by Lois Lowry. so far so good!

[North Country Dad]

just finished SNOW CRASH by Neil Stephenson. was a great read!

just started reading THE GIVER by Lois Lowry. so far so good!

I liked The Giver. Also read Lowry's Gathering Blue. I've read a lot of books lately that are marketed for Young Adults. Guess all this fatherhood stuff makes me want to revisit my adolescence?!:shock:

[Bollux]

read the 3 civil war books by father/son shaara not bad

[Jackson's Dad]

just finished SNOW CRASH by Neil Stephenson. was a great read!

Snow Crash is a great novel. Have you tried his others yet? Cryptonomicom is huge, but fascinating. And his Baroque series (3 books a zillion pages long each) was intense -- half pirate adventure, half scientific treatise. It's basically a challenge to the dot-com generation -- if you think the past 10 years have had a huge number of cultural/technological changes, check out what the generation in the late 1600s accomplished: invention of the scientific method, the stock market, and the modern nation state. Key characters include Newton and Leibniz.

[Jackson's Dad]

I never thought this war would work. Reading this, I see how *maybe* it could have worked if so many people hadn't screwed up. .

That's always been Jon Stewart's position: whether or not you agreed with the war, if the administration had been straight about why they wanted the war, honest about their goals, and competent in their execution of it, a lot more people would've given them support.

[DaddyO]

just now reading Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use and The Omnivore's Dilemma.

[silviomossa]

DaddyO, post what you think of Omnivore when you get the chance. It's heavily requested at the local libraries, but I might get on the lists if it would be worth it. Thx.

[stretch]

DaddyO, post what you think of Omnivore when you get the chance. It's heavily requested at the local libraries, but I might get on the lists if it would be worth it. Thx.
It's well worth it. More a collection of interesting anecdotes than a coherent thesis, but full of details about our modern food culture that are both-eye opening and stomach-churning.

[Wilde Silas]

I've been reading a bunch of children's books for the sheer fun of it lately. Right now on loan from the library:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 13 - The End
Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane

Also getting ready to read Republic Commando:Hard Contact (Star Wars)

[JimP]

Just finished An Inconvenient Truth. Reviewed it here (http://anotherathomedad.blogspot.com/).

- G[/QUOTE]

And in today's news, House Energy Subcommittee cancels Global Warming Hearing due to Ice Storm................it gets better and better .........

[Ma(tt)Daddy]

Halfway through "First Light" by Charles Baxter.
Wonderful novel.

[silviomossa]

"Fiasco"

It got a little plug from John McCain on the Letterman show the other night. I'm almost done, a very good book.

Now, someone damn well better buy me a pizza when I finish it. J/K Riggs!!!! :wink:

[Wilde Silas]

Will finish up "The King of Torts" by Grisham, tonight. It's a good put ya to sleep book, a real mumbler, MIL thought it was a real spinetingler, gifts, bah.


I read that a few years back. That's a few hours of my life I'll never get back. :roll:

[sao95]

after Wilde Silas started goin on about kids books, I picked up Huck Finn again, I read it when I was a kid, Mark Twain was the first author I read where I had to read everything he wrote, so I also wanted to read Twain as an adult. I have to say I'm enjoying it probably more than I did when I was a kid :)

[Jackson's Dad]

Unnghhh... with a newborn around, I haven't had a chance to read in over a week. Going through withdrawal....

[Tom Skelton]

I'm reading The Best of H.P. Lovecraft, I get on a Lovecraft jag once every few years.

[Tom Skelton]

just finished SNOW CRASH by Neil Stephenson. was a great read!


That book is incredible - I think Stephenson has begun to surpass Phillip K. Dick. Before I read SC I thought The Matrix was sublime.

[Tom Skelton]

I'm about 300 pages in to Bag of Bones, and admittedly, not a lot has happened
JG

This book didn't do it for me - I'm way too critical of Steven King sometimes, though.
I think some of his work is genius - like Low Men in Yellow Coats from Hearts in Atlantis.

[MoparDaddy]

Just started reading a David Feherty book : someplace in Ireland a village is missing an Idiot

[Bollux]

just finished book 2 of the Legacy of the Force series. damn good so far, book 3 and 4 are out so will have to get at library if they have.

[CTDon]

I just ordered a few books from amazon.

The first two I read about in Mens Journal while sitting on the can at my brother's house(between 3:45-6am)cursing life and the stomach viruses that it throws at you.

The Moral Animal: Why We Are, the Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology (http://www.amazon.com/Moral-Animal-Science-Evolutionary-Psychology/dp/0679763996/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-0957602-2428948?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173062566&sr=8-2)

The Happiest Man In The World: An Account of the Life of Poppa Neutrino (http://www.amazon.com/Happiest-Man-World-Account-Neutrino/dp/1400065437/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-0957602-2428948?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173062646&sr=1-1)

This third one is just to read about the psychological aspect of running. I'm currently training for my second half marathon (it's at the end of April) and am planning on running a full marathon next year.

Running Within: A Guide to Mastering the Body-Mind-Spirit Connection for Ultimate Training and Racing (http://www.amazon.com/Running-Within-Mastering-Body-Mind-Spirit-Connection/dp/0880118326/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-0957602-2428948?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173062840&sr=1-1)

[CTdadof3]

I just finished The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. I enjoyed his more recent effort, "Blink", and came back to this. It's an interesting take on what the author calls social epidemics, how they begin and spread. The chapter on the 'stickiness' of Sesame Street and Blues Clues was particulary interesting, from a parent's perspective.

[Mark B.]

Just finished "Manhunt". The story of the the 12 day search for John Wilkes Booth after the Lincoln assassination. Great book. I hope to get to D.C. in the next few years to take the tour of Ford's theater to see some of the memorabilia up close.

[poppadopolus]

tonight it was green eggs and ham (is that cliche or what?) and some new book about a dog that taught a bird to talk.

PD

[cjbart]

Christopher Moore's Fluke
I've read all of Moore's books, even the ones that aren't so good make me laugh out loud!

[DarthDaddy]

I just read

The Abs Diet (http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=weight.loss&category=abs.diet&conitem=a72a99edbbbd201099edbbbd2010cfe793cd____)

Was written by the editor of mens Health. i borrowed it from the Library which I do for most books and dvd's.

Not a bad read. some interesting ideas and good energy food ideas. I am actually adding the workout (home version) to my bicycle training. Maybe by the end of the summer I will actually be in better shape...

[jeffus]

I think I can kill this thread in 1 post! ;)

I'm working on the Trane Air Conditioning Manual

...enthalpy, BTU's, and sensible heat....2 semester's of thermodynamics, all in one big juicy helping - yum!

My other diversion has been looking at mfg's pump performance curves for flowrate vs static pressure for fluids around 20-30 centipoise viscosity for the latest project...

And I read the back of the Children's Tylenol package to determine the correct dosage based on age and weight.

I also tore thru the latest issues of Time, BusinessWeek, and Popular Mechanics over the weekend....:shrug:

Next-up: The Alfa-Laval, "Everything You Need to Know about Sanitary Equipment Product Catalog"....

Life is good! :beer:

[sao95]

at the library today I picked up The American Trancendentalist's: essential writings, I've only made it through the first three essays, they were enjoyable though.

[North Country Dad]

I think I can kill this thread in 1 post! ;)

I'm working on the Trane Air Conditioning Manual

...enthalpy, BTU's, and sensible heat....2 semester's of thermodynamics, all in one big juicy helping - yum!

My other diversion has been looking at mfg's pump performance curves for flowrate vs static pressure for fluids around 20-30 centipoise viscosity for the latest project...

And I read the back of the Children's Tylenol package to determine the correct dosage based on age and weight.

I also tore thru the latest issues of Time, BusinessWeek, and Popular Mechanics over the weekend....:shrug:

Next-up: The Alfa-Laval, "Everything You Need to Know about Sanitary Equipment Product Catalog"....

Life is good! :beer:

As the starter of this thread, I'd have to say that that was a damn good attempt at killing it. #-o

I've started a few novels lately, but they're boring me. This has made me gun-shy to start another one, though I have a pile to choose from.

[jeffus]

As the starter of this thread, I'd have to say that that was a damn good attempt at killing it. #-o


Nope! Just my day, so far....Read On Daddies! :supz:

I was looking for "Assault on Reason" by Al Gore at the library yesterday, but I guess it's coming out in July.....whoops!

The Pony books just don't seem to hold my attention anymore....:shrug:

[silviomossa]

Falling Man by Don Delillo
What To Eat by Marion Nestle

[stretch]

"The Year Of Magical Thinking" -- Joan Didion.
"The End Of Faith" -- Sam Harris.

[North Country Dad]

Stretch, how do you like the Didion book? I've heard really good things about it, but have avoided it because, well, it sounds so damn depressing.

[Will'sdad]

Just started the LOTR trilogy for kicks...good summer reading.

[Weston]

"The End Of Faith" -- Sam Harris.

Read it a while ago. Good stuff :yeah:

[stretch]

Stretch, how do you like the Didion book? I've heard really good things about it, but have avoided it because, well, it sounds so damn depressing.
It is pretty harrowing, but I'd thoroughly recommend it nonetheless.

[Weston]

Just finished Outside Lies Magic (http://www.amazon.com/Outside-Lies-Magic-Regaining-Awareness/dp/0802775632)

I read it years ago and happened to pick it up again for a second read.

I had forgotten how interesting this book was and how much it influenced me after the first time I read it.

[CTdadof3]

Just finished "Shoeless Joe" by WP Kinsella (basis for Field of Dreams). I was looking for a little hope and magic in this Yankee fans soon to be lost summer.
I think I'll continue the trend with "The Iowa Baseball Confederacy".

[stretch]

"A Long Way Down" by Nick Hornby.

Liked some of his other books. This one felt forced.

[North Country Dad]

Just read Tony Abbott's Firegirl (http://www.amazon.com/Firegirl-Tony-Abbott/dp/0316011703/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-0485994-3118205?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183684263&sr=1-1). It's a "middle-grade" book, so some of you all with older kids might like it. It deals with differences and kindness, but Abbott doesn't ram the messages down your throat. He knows it's a powerful message and just lets the story speak for itself. Highly recommended, even if you don't have any kids 9-12.

[stretch]

Robert Wilder (http://www.robertwilder.com/index.html) -- "Daddy Needs A Drink". Think it's been mentioned here before. Really enjoyed it. (What were the odds on that? :roll: )

[Zag]

I came down with strep throat Friday night. The only good thing about the miserable weekend I had was getting halfway through an unabridged version of The Count of Monte Cristo. It was one of the first classics I ever read and I've always wanted to re-read it. Now the question becomes, how long will it take to get through the second 600 pages?

Zag

[Ma(tt)Daddy]

Began "100 Years Of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 90 pages into it and it is already brilliant.

[stretch]

"Parenting Beyond Belief: Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion"

Useful stuff, if that's your thing.

[tt3]

"The Gift of Fear" By Gavin De Becker (https://www.gavindebecker.com/books-gof.cfm)
Seriously recommended for understanding our intuition and staying out of dangerous situations.

[Bollux]

finished the prequel to the transformers movie. was ok... nothing special started hp7

[Math Daddy]

Began "100 Years Of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 90 pages into it and it is already brilliant.

I had to read that book in my sophomore Lit class in college. I hated, hated, HATED it. By the second page, I had figured out that it was one of, if not THE MOST, retarded things I had ever read. (It has since been nearly equaled by "Animal Dreams"...almost, but not quite.) I had to write a paper on it, and that was so hard to do. Fortunately, my professor loved my sarcastic tones in papers, and felt my take on it was brilliant.

I'm working on Harry Turtledove's "Worldwar" series. I enjoy Turtledove's stories, even if the first book in every series takes forever to get going. By the second book, the story is chugging along.

[Zag]

I'm reading Al Gore's "The Assault on Reason". I find myself in almost total agreement with him, and that's depressing.

Zag

[Bollux]

finished potter, pretty good some of it was already a given and i knew all along....hopefully she decides to do prequels and can write about his parents life at hogwarts

[cjbart]

I'd pull a Gary Larson and never write again (unless I damn well felt like it!). She's got plenty of laurels to rest on. She's worth more than the Queen!

[North Country Dad]

Just finished Cormac McCarthy's The Road. Wow. Full review to follow, but it's going to take some time to let that one settle in.

[North Country Dad]

Okay, so I didn't review The Road. I'm still processing it all.

Meanwhile, on a lighter note, I've been listening to the CD version of The Daily Show's "America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction" (http://www.amazon.com/Daily-Stewart-Presents-America-Audiobook/dp/1586217011/ref=sr_1_1/103-1850828-3791065?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191981284&sr=8-1)

Hilarious. It's actually quite educational, too. Information, punchline, repeat... I am bursting out in uncontrollable laughter as I drive through town. #-o Stewart and his Daily Show pals take shots at anyone and everyone -- Dems, Repubs, the media, the founding fathers...everyone is fair game. I highly recommend it! It's like watching his show, but way, way funnier, and it lasts several times as long.

WARNING: lots of vulgar language, so be careful not to listen when the kids are in the car. :roll:

I read the book also, but found it difficult to get into. It's just not the same as having someone verbalize the jokes.

[North Country Dad]

Been reading The World Without Us by Alan Weisman (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780312347291&itm=1). It's a very scientific look at what would happen to things, both man-made and natural, if we suddenly weren't around to control them. Though it slants left on environmental issues, this is subtle. I'm impressed with just how subtle it is. The book is actually very, very scientific. Lots of facts. Lots of talk of engineering, from buildings to bridges to water control. Fascinating.

From editorial reviews on bn.com:

"Some examples of what would happen:
· One year: Several more billions birds will live when airplane warning lights cease blinking.
· Twenty years: The water-soaked steel columns that support the street above New York’s East Side would corrode and buckle. As Lexington Avenue caves in, it becomes a river.
· 100,000 years: CO2 will be back to pre-human levels (or it might take longer).
· Forever: Our radio waves, fragmented as they may be, will still be going out."

"Drawing on interviews with architects, biologists, engineers, physicists, wildlife managers, archaeologists, extinction experts and many others willing to conjecture, Weisman shows how underground water would destroy city streets, lightning would set fires, moisture and animals would turn temperate-zone suburbs into forests in 500 years and 441 nuclear plants would overheat and burn or melt."

[silviomossa]

I read The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer. It was for my teenage lit class, but it was a very exciting read. It's semi-futuristic, sci-fi (I guess) as it deals with cloning in a future time. I chose it because that isn't a genre that I dabble in very often. Either way, it's a really good book.

[North Country Dad]

I read The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer. It was for my teenage lit class, but it was a very exciting read. It's semi-futuristic, sci-fi (I guess) as it deals with cloning in a future time. I chose it because that isn't a genre that I dabble in very often. Either way, it's a really good book.

Reminds me of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. Cloning in a not-so-distant future where clones are considered sub-human. Excellent book.

[silviomossa]

A bit, but it's very different book. Kazuo Ishiguro (that's my team, gents in the NFL pool!), is my favorite (along with Delillo) current author. Scorpion has a lot more action and is more character-driven, as is common with sci-fi books written for younger people, I think. More character, less technical nuances.

[North Country Dad]

A bit, but it's very different book. Kazuo Ishiguro (that's my team, gents in the NFL pool!), is my favorite (along with Delillo) current author. Scorpion has a lot more action and is more character-driven, as is common with sci-fi books written for younger people, I think. More character, less technical nuances.

I was surprised by Ishiguro's prose. I was expecting more action, based on the subject matter. By page 50 I was getting frustrated, but it was mostly because I expected something different. When I accepted the pace and focus, I enjoyed the book so much more. It's now one of my favorites. I'll have to check out Scorpion.

Ever read Markus Zusak?

[PatGlennon]

Misfortune by Wesley Stace (aka John Wesley Harding)

Reading it is a bit of an overstatement though. Got it from the library 3 weeks ago and have barely cracked it open. It's due today.

I miss reading. When I was working days I had 90 minutes on a commuter train each day. Used to read loads then.

[silviomossa]

The Remains of the Day is the deserved classic Ishiguro title. I like the others too, save one. I've not heard of Zusak.

[stretch]

My wife insisted I try "The Tenth Circle" by Jodi Picoult -- one of her fallback airport-book-store authors -- because it is narrated by a stay-at-home dad. I guess the title should have been a tip-off that it wouldn't be a light read. Anyway, if infidelity, date rape, self-mutilation, parental guilt, murder and extremely extended Dante metaphors are your thing, you could give it a try.

[poppadopolus]

Just finished my first book this year - "the last american man' about a southern Appalachain dude (still living) who literally lives off the land and has crazy unbelievable adventures like riding a horse across the US eating roadkill and sleeping wherever.

pd

[stretch]

This made me sadder than anything I have read this week apart from Marion's posts about his foster kids.

From Terry Pratchett's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Pratchett) web site:

AN EMBUGGERANCE

Folks,

I would have liked to keep this one quiet for a little while, but because of upcoming conventions and of course the need to keep my publishers informed, it seems to me unfair to withhold the news. I have been diagnosed with a very rare form of early
onset Alzheimer's, which lay behind this year's phantom "stroke".

We are taking it fairly philosophically down here and possibly with a mild optimism. For now work is continuing on the completion of "Nation" and the basic notes are already being laid down for "Unseen Academicals." All other things being equal, I
expect to meet most current and, as far as possible, future commitments but will discuss things with the various organisers. Frankly, I would prefer it if people kept things cheerful, because I think there's time for at least a few more books yet.

PS: I would just like to draw attention to everyone reading the above that this should be interpreted as 'I am not dead'. I will, of course, be dead at some future point, as will everybody else. For me, this may be further off than you think - it's too soon to tell. I know it's a very human thing to say "Is there anything I can do", but in this case I would only entertain offers from very high-end experts in brain chemistry.

:(

[PackerDad]

I finally took a break from the textbooks & studying and pounded through:

http://jasonhawes.com/_remote_files_for_taps_forums/r_images_taps/bookcover_tn.jpg
(http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Hunting-Unexplained-Phenomena-Paranormal/dp/1416541136/)
I was a fan of the show during it's early years, so I thought I would check into it. It was a fun read, nothing mid-expanding, nothing special, just a good 6 hour diversion.

If you like the show, you'll enjoy it. If you don't, you may only find it mildly interesting at best.

[cloweman]

I was hoping to find a thread like this. I've actually discovered that being a sahd has allowed me a lot more time to read. I don't get burnt out reading for work, so I actually like to read now when the kids are down. Since staying home I've been reading 30-40 books/year.

I just finished reading "Blaze" by Richard Bachman (Stephen King). It was fair yet somewhat predictable and I was hoping for a much more depressing ending. I think if King has a big fault it is that he is a poor closer. I love most of his tales, but I'm often disappointed with the endings.

Before that I read "Loving Frank". It is historical fiction about Frank Lloyd Wright and his mistress and has a very sad ending (and that part is true). It was a decent read (probably because I'm an architect that was taught to worship the man, not that I did), but a little feminine for my liking.

Anyway, I'm now reading "The Island of the Sequined Love Nun" by Christopher Moore. He is a very funny, insane, vulgar writer that leaves me in stitches. He reminds me a bit of Douglas Addams with the bizarre situations and tying obscure events together. I believe someone mentioned him also. I've read most of his books and am now finishing the last few.

I've been struggling to find new authors to read and I got a few ideas from your posts. Thanks. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Oh, and another of my favorite authors I did not see mentioned was R.A. Salvatore. He is a fantasy writer in the D&D type genre. (Yes, I certainly have some nerd tendencies) I especially like his books featuring the charater Drizzt. If fantasy is your thing, I highly recommend them.

[cjbart]

Very few writers make me laugh out loud while reading, but Moore is one of them!

[Mark B.]

Got a little catching up to do. A couple of months ago I read "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston. It was a true story about how so called "hot viruses" slipped in to the country and were detected to be living in a monkey house out side if Washington D.C. back in the 90's. For those of you who are into medicine you will enjoy it. It gave a pretty good insight as to different government department responsibilities that most of us take for granted everyday.

Another book I just finished was "Write It When I Am Gone" by Thomas DeFrank. DeFrank, who was the beat reporter for Newsweek covering Vice President Gerald Ford back during the Watergate scandal in the 70's. Ford says something to DeFrank during an interview that he should not have concerning the Nixon impeachment period. As payback for DeFrank not disclosing it to the press, Ford agrees to let DeFrank interview him 2-3 times a year for the rest of his life off the record and write a book about their conversations after Ford dies. I was a teenager during the Watergate scandal and paid attention to the story intermittently. The book does not dwell on Watergate but gives a pretty clear picture of what was going on behind the scenes at that time. I was amazed at how Ford and all the other living Presidents with him are still involved in public policy and called on by sitting Presidents for their views and opinions on hot topics. The book also shows how Ford was not really the stumbling fool portrayed by Chevy Chase on SNL and how he embraced the media which is rare today. The days of civilized politicians like Ford are gone I am sad to say. Politicians like him get pushed aside today.

[QJ]

Finally picked up Into the Wild that sao sent me and started reading. 6 chapters into it and it's really good. Anybody that wants to read it next I'll pass it along. PM me your address.

[JimP]

Currently reading "Fireworks" by Jeff Cooper.

[Mark B.]

Just finished "Twilight at Monticello" by Alan Crawford. It tells of the final years of Thomas Jefferson's life after his Presidency back in his home state of VA. It was amazing what he accomplished back in the early 1830's at an advanced age. What really stuck with me is that upon death he left his family sacked with $150,000 of debt. He was always in denial of his personal financial misfortunes. When I first started the book I did not think I would want to finish it. In the end it turned out to be a pretty good read.

[North Country Dad]

Just finished reading "Life As We Knew It", a novel by Susan Beth Pfeffer, about a family trying to survive a catastrophic event. It's well-written and a quick read. Another post-apocolyptic tale.

[DarthDaddy]

In the middle of "Listening" to Enders Game... (Orson Scott Card, SciFi)

[cjbart]

I've got "The Dangerous Book for Boys" by Conn and Hal Iggulden on my bedside table. It would make a good bathroom book, too.
Lots of short reads and great information. The first chapter is "The Greatest Paper Airplane in the World".
It also has chapters on How to Play Stickball, Table Football, Famous Battles, Building a Treehouse, Navigation, Astronomy, Codes and Ciphers, Extraoridnary Stories, Making a Go-Cart, How to Play Poker and Girls.

Here is some great advice about Girls-

"If you see a girl in need of help - unable to lift something, for example - do not taunt her. Approach the object and greet her with a cheerful smile, while surreptitiously testing the weight of the object. If you find you can lift it, go ahead. If you can't, try sitting on it and engaging her in conversation."

[North Country Dad]

I've got "The Dangerous Book for Boys" by Conn and Hal Iggulden on my bedside table. It would make a good bathroom book, too.
Lots of short reads and great information. The first chapter is "The Greatest Paper Airplane in the World".
It also has chapters on How to Play Stickball, Table Football, Famous Battles, Building a Treehouse, Navigation, Astronomy, Codes and Ciphers, Extraoridnary Stories, Making a Go-Cart, How to Play Poker and Girls.

Here is some great advice about Girls-

"If you see a girl in need of help - unable to lift something, for example - do not taunt her. Approach the object and greet her with a cheerful smile, while surreptitiously testing the weight of the object. If you find you can lift it, go ahead. If you can't, try sitting on it and engaging her in conversation."

I've heard good things about this book. I'll have to check it out.

[Zag]

I finished reading Barack Obama's The Audacity of Hope last week. It was a quick read, and full of good liberal ideals. His view on the various factious debates that are hamstringing this country right now are right on, but I worry that his idealism will not translate into a good president. He reminds me too much of Jimmy Carter. I love Jimmy Carter - but Washington ate him alive.

[Mark B.]

I finished reading Barack Obama's The Audacity of Hope last week. It was a quick read, and full of good liberal ideals. His view on the various factious debates that are hamstringing this country right now are right on, but I worry that his idealism will not translate into a good president. He reminds me too much of Jimmy Carter. I love Jimmy Carter - but Washington ate him alive.

If he wins the election I hope you are wrong about Obama being like Jimmy Carter. People can't sell homes at 5.9% interest rates. Most of you are too young to remember double digit rates. Good decent man. Not a good President.

[stretch]

J.P. Moehringer -- "The Tender Bar."

http://146.74.224.231/archives/TenderBar_pb.jpg

This is very much a flavor-of-the-month right now but it turned out to be mostly up to the hype. Pushed all my favorite buttons -- growing up an outsider, father need and, of course, lots and lots of beer.

Many echoes of "A Fan's Notes" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Fan%27s_Notes) and if you haven't read that then you really should!

[Ma(tt)Daddy]

Presently reading and being totally astonished by Nabakov's "Lolita."

[Mark B.]

Finished reading "Triumph" by Jeremy Schaap billed as the "Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics". It lived up to it's title. Very good account of what was going on behind the scenes before and during the historic 1936 Olympics in Berlin. It should be a must read for sport fans.

[stretch]

"Snow Angels" by Stewart O'Nan.

Reread this because I saw they've now made a movie of it and I wanted to refresh my memory.

Apart from having a totally awesome name, O'Nan is a pretty kick-ass writer. His new one, "Last Night at the Lobster" is also very much worth a read. Be warned, he tends toward bleakness (some might say realism).

Little known fact, Mr. O'Nan once cowrote a book with our own Jeffus!

http://passitonsv.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/faithful_cover.jpg

[jeffus]

You know, it took me all day to figure that one out. #-o






The ponies have really worn off my sharp edges....

[madmax61107]

Another great read is Billy Crystal's "700 Sundays" Great father /son memories and pretty funny. You'll get through quick.

[sao95]

Stephen King has two other books due out,
"Bitten at Dusk, chronicling the history of the largest chigger infestation in history"
and
"My plastic ponies are talking: memoirs from a man on the edge"

[jeffus]

My lastest effort is: "Just Say No to the Wheel of Wow". It's about my epic battle to overcome a crushing and debilitating addiction to WebKinz and Kinzcash. ;)

[Mark B.]

Just finished "Colin Powell, My American Adventure". What a truly great American dream story. A first generation Jamaican, C student from NYC rose to be the most powerful man in the US Army through commitment and hard work. I wish I had read it sooner. Most of us know the basic story behind him, but the book is full of really amazing details of his life and career. What really struck me was how he described himself as pretty much a carbon copy of Dick Cheney philosophically. The were known to finish each others sentences often. But the public perception of the two men is quite opposite. I guess it is like my wife says, "It's not what you say it is how you say it".

[stretch]

What really struck me was how he described himself as pretty much a carbon copy of Dick Cheney philosophically. The were known to finish each others sentences often. But the public perception of the two men is quite opposite.
Well, it was published in 1996. Considering how bitterly Powell and Cheney subsequently battled over foreign policy throughout his term at State in W's administration, I rather doubt they're still BFFs today. :icon_wink:

I'm rereading Good Omens, which is almost certainly the funniest book about Armageddon that has been written so far.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk20/allyourpicsarebelongtous/13570430.jpg

[jeffus]

Written after a life-threatening incident....

http://www.straightlinegp.com/Alda.jpg

[SteveH]

Currently, I'm reading "Last Dance", John Feinstein's book following the Final Four (2003, I believe). It's a little slower of a read than his golf-oriented books, but still pretty interesting.

[Mark B.]

Well, it was published in 1996. Considering how bitterly Powell and Cheney subsequently battled over foreign policy throughout his term at State in W's administration, I rather doubt they're still BFFs today. :icon_wink:

As General Powell has said "I did end arounds and Dick Cheney did end arounds about Iraq. It's bureaucratic warfare."

As for being best friends that never was an issue. They never spent an hour together just socializing and after Bush's term in office was over Cheney left town without ever saying goodbye to General Powell. Just Cheney being Cheney I guess.

[Bollux]

the pastor that is marrying us gave me "the purpose driven life" to read. a 40 day read about oddly enough, finding what our purpose is in life and accepting god as the number 1 thing in life. Think i have become the pastors pet project since meeting him for the wedding a few months back.

[stretch]

Think i have become the pastors pet project since meeting him for the wedding a few months back.
Everyone likes a real challenge! :icon_lol:

"I did end arounds and Dick Cheney did end arounds."
Is that anything like reach arounds? Cause that's a mental picture I did not need.

[Mark B.]

Everyone likes a real challenge! :icon_lol:


Is that anything like reach arounds? Cause that's a mental picture I did not need.


As for Bollux, I think that Pastor is going for "Employee of the month".

As for Stetch's comment I have no words besides YIKES!

[Mark B.]

Just finished reading "Mom's Marijuana"by Dan Shapiro. It was a first hand account of his life experience of fighting and eventually defeating cancer. A rare 3 time loser who beat the odds big time.

[Math Daddy]

I'm finishing up Andre Norton's "Beast Master" series, upon which the 80s movie was loosely based. (Well, it kept the title and the idea of a human communicating with animals, especially a large cat, a bird, and some small critters. That's about it.) I'm also trying to finish up (whenever the library gets the last book in) Robert Doherty's "Area 51" series. It's been a fun little series to read. I recommend it to anybody who likes a lot of fiction mixed in with historical events. (Basically, an alien species colonized Earth thousands of years ago, and all of our major myths and legends come from their doings. Very cool series.)

I would read more non-fiction, but I find it far too boring. I just can't stomach it.

[Mark B.]

I would read more non-fiction, but I find it far too boring. I just can't stomach it.

I am quite the opposite. To each his own I guess.

[silviomossa]

I think fiction is good for the soul, in a way, as it's good for the mind to spend some time in another world, I think. That said, I've read more nonfiction of late, and some good books of that kind can do the same thing -- The Devil In The White City, Confederates In The Attic, to name a pair. I just finished Barack Obama's first book and it was a fascinating read.

[Jackson's Dad]

(Basically, an alien species colonized Earth thousands of years ago, and all of our major myths and legends come from their doings. Very cool series.)

I wish I could remember the name of it, but this reminds me of a novel I read years ago. Takes place on another place that was colonized by earth. But when earthlings arrived, our tech was so much greater, we were treated like gods. So the earthlings begin to play being gods, taking on names from our myths. The fascinating part was how after playing these roles for a long time, the people started acting like the myths (the guy who called himself Zeus invented a lightning gun and started smoting people who didn't worship him, etc.). It was a pretty fun read.

[North Country Dad]

I think fiction is good for the soul, in a way, as it's good for the mind to spend some time in another world, I think. That said, I've read more nonfiction of late, and some good books of that kind can do the same thing -- The Devil In The White City, Confederates In The Attic, to name a pair. I just finished Barack Obama's first book and it was a fascinating read.

I usually stick with fiction, but have been reading nf as of late. John Lane's "Circling Home" is about exploring the world within a 1 mile radius of your home. Very cool concept. A neighbor loaned me Ekhart Tolle's "The Power of Now". I've never read self-help, and didn't think I'd enjoy this, but it's more than self-help. It's a slow read (lots of stuff to consider over time), but his insights into the uselessness of dwelling on the past and/or waiting for the future have been eye-opening. It's all common-sense, cliche material, but he delivers it in a powerful way.

[wolfmanyoda]

I wish I could remember the name of it, but this reminds me of a novel I read years ago. Takes place on another place that was colonized by earth. But when earthlings arrived, our tech was so much greater, we were treated like gods. So the earthlings begin to play being gods, taking on names from our myths. The fascinating part was how after playing these roles for a long time, the people started acting like the myths (the guy who called himself Zeus invented a lightning gun and started smoting people who didn't worship him, etc.). It was a pretty fun read.
That sounds like my kind of read. I enjoy the occasional non-fiction, but give me some good fantasy/sci-fi any day.
I'm re-reading the Wheel of Time books from Robert Jordan right now, on book 10.

[sao95]

anyone have a book or books that you read and read again and again? I'm like that with Emerson and have been reading a few of his essay's, they just are not a pick up and start at the beginning and read to the end type of book. I always pick up things I missed before, or maybe I just forgot, who knows, but I never get tired of it.

[Will'sdad]

anyone have a book or books that you read and read again and again?

I re-read Shelby Foote's trilogy "The Civil War" every 4 or 5 years. I can't quite explain why I keep going back but I enjoy it every time.

[North Country Dad]

anyone have a book or books that you read and read again and again? I'm like that with Emerson and have been reading a few of his essay's, they just are not a pick up and start at the beginning and read to the end type of book. I always pick up things I missed before, or maybe I just forgot, who knows, but I never get tired of it.

I seldomly reread books -- life is too short! But I've read books by Annie Dillard a few times over just because the language is so fucking good. Oh, and I've read "Counting with Oswald" about 100 times. Thin plot, but the characters are lovable. :icon_wink:

[Jackson's Dad]

I re-read Shelby Foote's trilogy "The Civil War" every 4 or 5 years. I can't quite explain why I keep going back but I enjoy it every time.

Have you read April 1865 by Jay Winik? An excellent book on the Civil War; fascinating and really well written.

[Mark B.]

Just finished "The Brothers Bulger". The true and ongoing tale of two brothers from "Southie" Boston. Billy Bulger went on to be the most powerful and corrupt political figure in Mass. politics for over 30 years while his brother James ,a.k.a. Whitey, went on to become the leader of the Irish mob in Boston for the same time. Along the way Whitey was personally involved in 19 murders along with numerous drug businesses and racketeering ventures all with the help and blessing from the local government and the FBI. Whitey Bulger turned 79 this month and the world wide search for him continues.

[fondestpie]

Rereading Plato's Rebuplic tough digesting. Just finished the Illiad we've been reading it as a bedtime story we'll prob start on Aseop tonight

[CTDon]

Just ordered "Magnetic North" from half.com. Supposedly it's an awesome book about camping & trekking across Canada. looking forward to a good book.

[fondestpie]

Let me know what you think about it. I almost picked it up the other day but ended up with Kombia a book about two adventures who lived with the tribe in W. Papua. should be interesting i watch a show called Mark and Olly along the same lines

[Mark B.]

Just finished "Jokes My Father Never Taught Me" by Richard Pryor's daughter Rain Pryor. Do not ask me why I read it. I use to like his stuff. What a sick piece of shit he was. All this woman beater cared about when he was not onstage was drinking, smoking, doing drugs and fucking whores in his house. My favorite quote from his daughter was on Thanksgiving day when she was about 7 year old. Daddy, I guess did not like football so he arranged for some entertainment in his bedroom while the entire family was there for dinner. The hookers were still milling around at dinner time for their money and Rain said "Daddy, you forgot to pay the whores". Everybody laughed and started to eat dinner. Somehow someway she turned out normal. And she loved him till the day he died. I do not think I will watch him ever again. Gonna miss "Stir Crazy".

[jeffus]

Wow...he seemed like a cooler dude. Might have to check it out.

[jeffus]

Thanks for the book Mark!

The wife & I both read it. Interesting stuff. I thought he'd be cooler, especially to his own family. Just goes to show how different people are in real life.

If anyone wants it, pm me with your address and I'll pass it on.

We ordered "Pryor Convictions" from the library tonight to get his side of the story.

[CTDon]

I'm only about a 1/4th of the way through, but it's a really cool read. I'm completely enjoying it!

Let me know what you think about it. I almost picked it up the other day but ended up with Kombia a book about two adventures who lived with the tribe in W. Papua. should be interesting i watch a show called Mark and Olly along the same lines

[North Country Dad]

Just started "Circling Home" about a guy who, after a lifetime of wandering, settles down and explores a 1 mile circle around his home. In the first few pages, he talks about the futile search to find happiness in one's work and the importance of spending time with family.

Sounds familiar.

I'll keep you posted.

[Bollux]

picked up Order 66 from the library, but seems i need to read book 3 before this one and wouldnt you know it the entire bucks county area doesnt have a single copy. DOH!

[fondestpie]

Finally through Henrik Isben compilation of Ghost, Public enemy, and Honor
Circa 1914 good read if you can find it

[fondestpie]

title.....The Mauritus Command

author......Patrick Obrian



Once there's too much snow to do wood, I'll go through about 10 more books. SAD.

i will have to give your book report a c minus what was it about

[jeffus]

Cleaning off the shelves around here. If anyone wants these, let me know.

End of the Line, The Rise and Coming Fall of the Global Corporation - Barry C. Lynn, Hardcover

[Mark B.]

Literally just finished Claim Of Privilege by Barry Siegel. It is the true story of a B-29 crash that took place in GA back in 1948. The families of the dead civilians tried to get to the bottom of what caused the crash but were stopped by the U.S. government by what ended up being the landmark U.S. vs Reynolds Supreme Court decision which pretty much made it impossible to sue the U.S government when they claim state secrets are involved. Long story short the governments case was based on lies to help cover up gross negligence on servicing B-29's. What was really ironic was that when the accident originally happed it was the beginning of Cold War hysteria. Then years later when documents became available it was post 9/11 hysteria that made any changes to the original injustice hard to come by. Shitty timing indeed.

[stretch]

End of the Line, The Rise and Coming Fall of the Global Corporation - Barry C. Lynn, Hardcover
Overtaken by events? :icon_wink:

[DarthDaddy]

Currently Listening to...

The Golden Buddha by Clive Cussler... Audio Books Rock!

[57plymouth]

Last book I read was Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" two weeks ago.

I started Stephen Ambrose's "Undaunted Courage" about Lewis and Clark, but put it down. I can't get back into it now.

I just reserved five books on frugal living from the library, so I will read them when they get in.

[stretch]

I just reserved five books on frugal living from the library, so I will read them when they get in.
Should have bought them from Amazon -- in hardback and on credit! :icon_wink:

[57plymouth]

:morons: on American Depressed.

[Mark B.]

Should have bought them from Amazon -- in hardback and on credit! :icon_wink:

Your a punk!

[stretch]

Not a book, but some very fine reading nonetheless.

The Seven Greatest Stories In The History Of Esquire Magazine. (http://www.esquire.com/features/page-75/greatest-stories)

"The Falling Man" was very hard to finish, having known some people who did not get out that day, but I can absolutely appreciate the craft of it.

[jeffus]

Overtaken by events? :icon_wink:

Nope! Got that at the end of 2005, when it came out.

Having watched what's happened to manufacturing in this country over the last 20-25 years, I've been waiting to see how this all ends. Apparently, the wait is over.... :chugchug:

[fondestpie]

Eyes of the Dragon

Stephen King
read it when i was a teenager and recently reread it after finding it at goodwill omitting a few parts makes it a great bedtime story

[wolfmanyoda]

I'm working on Cell from Stephen King. I was thinking about the Eyes of the Dragon the other day, must be about 15 years or so since I read that one.

[Patrickz]

Reading "An Archers Tale" I know a surprising read for me.:icon_lol:

[fondestpie]

Just started the Gunsliger series by Stephen King again.
I never read the last one. I couldnt bring myself to. I had been reading that series for a long time, i was a kid in fact prob about 12-13 when i started it. The last one represented the end of an era for me. So i begin again and will finish them all this time.

I have never read the cell, Wolfy you'll have to let me know if it worth a read.

[DarthDaddy]

I'm working on Cell from Stephen King. I was thinking about the Eyes of the Dragon the other day, must be about 15 years or so since I read that one.

Cell was really good. I had that on Audiobook and enjoyed it. Granted I like the end of the world stuff a little too much.

[fondestpie]

The Stand has to be my favorite book of all time. read and reread about 5 times now. I enjoy end of the world entertainment as well .

[wolfmanyoda]

The Cell was definately worth a read, I finished it last night.
I also enjoy those end of the world type stories, you gotta read Swan Song by Robert McCammon. It's along those lines as well.

[stretch]

The Stand has to be my favorite book of all time. read and reread about 5 times now. I enjoy end of the world entertainment as well .
Reminds me of the old Friends episode where Joey admits the only book he's ever re-read is the "The Shining" and whenever he gets to a scary bit he has to put it in the freezer for a while. :smile:

[silviomossa]

"The Falling Man" was very hard to finish, having known some people who did not get out that day, but I can absolutely appreciate the craft of it.

The book of the same name by Don Delillo, also dealing with post-9/11, was one of his best. And that's saying something to me, as I think he's on of the top writers of the latter half of the 20th century.

[Puritan]

Usually I am reading textbooks, but in between semesters I do read other books...

Right now, I am in the middle of "Born in Blood: The lost secrets of freemasonry".

And I am re-reading "How to raise girls" for the third time.

[fondestpie]

Metamorphasis by Ovid

[Mark B.]

Just finished "Give Me My Father's Bones" by Kenn Harper. It's the true story of an Eskimo boy named Minik, who along with 5 other members of his family, were brought back from the wilds of northern Greenland circa 1900 by William Peary who claimed to be the first man to get to the North Pole. The Eskimos were brought back "in the interest of science" and shacked up at the American Museum of Natural History in NY. The entire experiment was a disaster with 4 of the six dying fairly quickly due to lung issues. The title of the book is in regards to the museum keeping his dead fathers bones and using them for an exhibit. He ended up being the only Eskimo left state side and was pretty much handled like a public relations hot potato for the remainder of his short life which ended in his mid thirties after finally bouncing back and forth between Arctic Greenland and the North East United States. A tragic life indeed.

[Mark B.]

Just finished "The Last Days of John Lennon" by his personal man slave at the time of his death Frederick Seaman. I had read on SAHD websites and other articles about how Lennon took time of from his career to raise his young son Sean. What a lie. He and Yoko spent very little quality time with him. I think I learned more about Yoko than John. I have never wanted to punch a woman more squarely in the nose than her after reading the book. What a total using, self centered, no talent, spouse cheating, manipulative bitch she was and probably still is. She pretty much had Lennon killed by telling everyone their daily schedule in a Daily News interview against the advice of her security guard who took a leave of absence due to her doing so. After he was killed she hardly cared. "Put them under the bed" was her reply to the author when he asked her what to do with the urn holding Lennon's ashes just days after his death as she held a business phone call on the same bed about releasing the "Double Fantasy" album. Lennon was a talented funny free spirit who predicted how he would die. My favorite Lennon saying is "Fuck a pig!"

[DarthDaddy]

Listening to "Twilight" on my iPod. Had to see what the deal was. It is OK thus far.

[CTDon]

Fondestpie,

Sadly I'm STILL reading Magnetic North..although I'm making it a point to read some every night after the kids go down...so I should be done soon. It's a really good book, fun to read about their trans-Canadian adventures.

A cool thing about the book I got...I bought it off amazon (or half.com) for $3. After I started reading it I noticed there was an inscription on the front page...turns out to be from one of the two explorers. Not the author, as he's dead, but the other one. Pretty neat.

Let me know what you think about it. I almost picked it up the other day but ended up with Kombia a book about two adventures who lived with the tribe in W. Papua. should be interesting i watch a show called Mark and Olly along the same lines

[Bollux]

Started reading Millennium Falcon, basically a history of the ship from construction to the vast number of owners and escapades.

[woodchuck]

Wizard of Earthsea.

Pulled it out of my textbook section of the bookshelves. Yes, it was required reading, far more material between the lines....

[57plymouth]

Finished "Atlas Shrugged" a few weeks back. I need to get started on "Fountainhead" next.

I highly recommend Ayn Rand. She will change your perspective on politics.

[silviomossa]

Finished "Atlas Shrugged" a few weeks back. I need to get started on "Fountainhead" next.

I highly recommend Ayn Rand. She will change your perspective on politics.

Hmm, I read her, and I'm liberal -- that wasn't the "change" you had in mind, right! :icon_lol: She's still very good. Fountainhead and Virtue of Selfishness are my favorites, especially the latter.

[sao95]

Fountainhead and Virtue of Selfishness are my favorites, especially the latter.

ditto, I actually liked fountainhead better than Atlas Shrugged.
currently reading Kurt Vonnegut's Player Piano, really a good read so far.

[DarthDaddy]

OK

I read (listened to audio book) in the past month. I love my iPod...

Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn
Brisingr - Third Eragon Book (listening to)
Millennium Falcon (listening to) yes two at once
Dune (Up Next)
A Darkness forged in Fire (Up Next Next)

[North Country Dad]

Malcom Gladwell's Outliers. (http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780316017923-10)

This is a great book. It's thought-provoking, to the point where I had to put it down for days at a time to let things sink in. It's not difficult -- in fact, he explains things in a very basic manner -- but it's a new way of thinking about what 'success' looks like, and why.

Though Gladwell talks at length about well-known successes like Bill Gates and the Beatles, he also observes how 'success' is determined at a young age for many of us. He explores all-star youth hockey players and what they all have in common, which makes you realize that talent is only a small part of the equation and that sheer coincidence determines to much.

On a personal note, I responded strongly to this book. First, my parents waited to send me to kindergarten when I was 5 going on 6 rather than 4 going on 5. Because of this, I excelled in school -- I was, after all, nearly a year older than many of my classmates. I experienced academic success early on. On the flip side, I also became sensitive to the teasing of my friends -- 'brain' 'Einstein', etc. To this day, I am still conscious about not wanting to come across as snobbish or a show off. I am by no means a brain, struggling with many thing academically, but that one decision of my parents helped me to realize that I could succeed if I tried.

Second, being raised with several brothers, I grew up constantly comparing myself to them, eager to be an individual rather than just another one of "those boys." I was envious and suffered from the grass is always greener syndrome. I rebelled for the sake of rebelling, but have also been very conscious of how and where I fit in, and of getting star-struck by celebrities and pro athletes, etc. I'm fascinated in finding out how exactly an ultra-successful actor or rock star spends their days, studies, eats, practices. In this sense, Outliers is right up my alley. Gladwell helps strip away the mysteries of such people, showing how A) they were given many, many opportunities to succeed along the way and B) they know it. Gates, for instance, is humble enought to admit that, yes, he was given wonderful opportunities to explore computers time and time again at a young age, and if he hadn't, he wouldn't have been that successful. Period.

Very interesting book. Take your time, but I think a lot of you guys will like it.

Publisher Comments:
In this stunning new book, Malcolm Gladwell takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of outliers — the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. He asks the question: what makes high-achievers different? His answer is that we pay too much attention to what successful people are like, and too little attention to where they are from: that is, their culture, their family, their generation, and the idiosyncratic experiences of their upbringing. Along the way he explains the secrets of software billionaires, what it takes to be a great soccer player, why Asians are good at math, and what made the Beatles the greatest rock band.
Brilliant and entertaining, Outliers is a landmark work that will simultaneously delight and illuminate.

[silviomossa]

I was interested in that book, and most people seem to favor it. I read this one from a Times reviewer that I like and he was pretty brutal.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/18/books/18kaku.html

Any thoughts on it?

[North Country Dad]

I was interested in that book, and most people seem to favor it. I read this one from a Times reviewer that I like and he was pretty brutal.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/18/books/18kaku.html

Any thoughts on it?

My wife can contest to the fact that I often questioned Gladwell's theories. (I think she's glad I'm done with the book!) His ideas have holes and shouldn't be read as or taken for academic-level social analysis. What it is is thought-provoking and easy to read.

Much of what Mr. Gladwell has to say about superstars is little more than common sense: that talent alone is not enough to ensure success, that opportunity, hard work, timing and luck play important roles as well. The problem is that he then tries to extrapolate these observations into broader hypotheses about success.

That 'common sense' point was in my mind the whole time I read the book too. Isn't he just stating the obvious? But I think the application of this theory in society as a whole has merit; we tend to favor children who seem to show special skills, rewarding them with extra time and more positive reinforcement, and so we begin a cycle that increasingly widens the gap between the high achievers and the low achievers. By the time we are in middle school, our life paths have been all but mapped out. And often, such discrepencies are based on nothing more than being lucky enough to be born in this month rather than that month. It's arbitrary, Gladwell argues, and in public education, very dangerous.

As for the section on cultural effects, I can see the reviewer's point that Gladwell seems to practice that with which he's finding fault -- predestination. I think he's extending his argument clearly, though. In the same way that we are affected by the coincidences of when we were born and to whom, we are also affected by where we are born. Our cultural backgrounds say a lot about our abilities to perform well in certain professions.

Again, it's not a perfect theory, but it sheds light on just how much power there is in pure coincidences. In the end, it reminds us that we really are not that different from one another -- Bill Gates, you and I, the children living in extreme poverty in India and Africa. Switch one or two coincidences around, and we'd all be living very, very different lives.

Read it. You might not like it, but it's worth a try. I'd be curious to hear your take on it.

[silviomossa]

His ideas have holes and shouldn't be read as or taken for academic-level social analysis.

I think that's my problem, as I learned about this book a year ago in a class I was taking from the chair of the math ed. department. She heard him speak at a major conference about his upcoming book, and given her description, I expected something more academic-level and (potentially) groundbreaking.

It does seem glib, perhaps in the Freakonomics vein, which was interesting and entertaining, but not terribly deep. I would like to check it out, but the wait at the library is long, and I've purchased a few too many books lately. My goal is to explore some unread (fiction) classics in the upcoming year before I go back to teaching, but peppering in some nonfiction as a break is always a nice thing.

[silviomossa]

Got distracted, but I finally finished Emma. Austen is great, one of the classic authors that I've always missed. I have about ten books to choose from for my next read. I hate the time between finishing one and starting another. Intellectual/Creative thirst limbo.

[North Country Dad]

Got distracted, but I finally finished Emma. Austen is great, one of the classic authors that I've always missed. I have about ten books to choose from for my next read. I hate the time between finishing one and starting another. Intellectual/Creative thirst limbo.


I haven't read Austen in a long time. And I agree that the limbo time sucks. I jumped from Outliers into a horrible HP Lovecraft book (still trying to figure out why I finished it) and now I'm reading Friedman's "The Next 100 Years." Obviously, you have to take it all with a grain of salt, but it's interesting when analyzing geopolitical trends.

[Mark B.]

Finally finished "One Minute To Midnight" by Michael Dobbs. It is a recent book about the Cuban Missile Crisis that included some newly disclosed documents, subplots and photos. Holy crap! I am certain that the only reason the world was not thrown into a nuclear apocalypse was dumb luck on all sides.

[sao95]

Just finished Vonnegut's the Siren's of Titan. It was good, but I liked Player Piano better. I'm going to read another of his next, not sure which, but I really enjoy his humor.

[taoistfrog]

I'm a little behind on this thread...

Malcolm Gladwell has a couple of other books, one of which I've read, several times, "The Tipping Point", which explores the way that ideas, or products go viral, while others flounder. The topics he explores range from Sesame Street and Blue's Clue's to suicide in the South Pacific, to the dramatic drop in violent crime that began with cleaning subway cars of their graffiti. It was fascinating to me as an off and on student of business, and as a would-be entrepreneur.
He also wrote a book called Blink, which has been in my queue since a good friend recommended it repeatedly. For what it's worth...

If you enjoy some fun fiction, you've gotta read Christopher Moore. Just do it, he's awesome, irreverent, funny and crass. He has influenced my foul language in amazing ways, my favorite new phrase is douche-waffle.
Some of his titles include:

Lamb; or The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Friend
The Stupidest Angel, A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror
Practical Demonkeeping
The Lust-Lizard of Meloncholy Cove
Island of the Sequined Love Nun
Fluke
Bloodsucking Fiends
You Suck, a Love Story
A Dirty Job
Coyote Blue

I have read them all and highly recommend each and every one. He's just released a new one called Fool, which I'm waiting for from the library, I'll be sure to let y'all know how awesome this one is.

No, I do not receive any royalties from Chris Moore, he's just a great author, maybe I have a slight man-crush...:icon_redface:

[cjbart]

I'm with you, Taoistfrog. Very few authors make me laugh out loud while I read. Moore is one of them.
Haven't been to the bookstore lately, I'll definitely pick up "Fool" at my next visit. (Bookstores are dangerous places for me, I can quickly drop a ton of money.)

[Will'sdad]

Just finished Vonnegut's the Siren's of Titan. It was good, but I liked Player Piano better. I'm going to read another of his next, not sure which, but I really enjoy his humor.
I really enjoyed "Deadeye Dick"

[sao95]

I really enjoyed "Deadeye Dick"

I've looked at that one before and thought about getting it, I'll get it next now. I also saw a lecture he had given that someone transcribed, looking through it in the bookstore, it looked pretty good.

[MoparDaddy]

If you like WWII stories, The Longest Winter: The Battle of the Bulge and the Epic Story of WWII's Most Decorated Platoon is a good read.

[wolfmanyoda]

Just checked out 'Liberty and Tyranny' by Mark Levin from the library. Can't wait to dive into it.

[Bjorn74]

Almost through with Pete Slosberg's Ber for Pete's Sake. It's an autobiography of the guy who started Pete's Brewing Company. It's interesting. More so now that he's completely out of brewing and into chocolate now.

[Fred MacMurray]

I'm reading The Best of H.P. Lovecraft, I get on a Lovecraft jag once every few years.

Lovecraft is one of my all time favorites. I've been reading his (and his contemporaries) Mythos works for decades.

[Mark B.]

Just finished "Shadows At Dawn" by Karl Jacoby. It tells the story of the beginning of the end for the Apache Indians in the South West which happened at the hands of Americans, Mexicans and O'odham Indians when they attacked and killed 150 unarmed Apache Indians on the morning of April 30th 1871. Most were woman and children. They were supposedly living in the security of Camp Grant which was controlled by the U.S.A. which led to the attack being called the "Camp Grant Massacre". It took many years to bring those who committed the atrocity to trial and in the end all were found not guilty. It was a pretty good lesson on the origins and history of the South West.

[taoistfrog]

Finished 'Amberville' by Tim (or Mark, or ?) Davys (4 sure!), it was some twisted fiction, kind of like a crime-noir with stuffed animals as characters, once I got immersed in the world he created it was really good, good character development, and some truly sick stuff...brilliant. It was translated from Swedish, which I found out halfway thru, and that made a lot of the place names make more sense. Worth a read if you get tired of the same old stuff...

Now I'm reading 'The Big Both Ways' by John Straley, it's also fiction, kind of a mystery type novel. He lives in Sitka, Alaska, and his novel is set in Washington State and Alaska, by way of the Inside Passage. So far, it's been really good. Set during 1935, so the economic times are similar to today, interesting to read about the day to day for the working ( or non-working) class. I guess he's got another half dozen novels, all based in or around Alaska, I'll be checking them out for sure. He weaves a great picture of Alaska, only served to strengthen my desire to visit some day, though probably not by dory...

[DarthDaddy]

Just finished the 9 part Star Wars Legacy of the Force series on Audiobook... Not a bad story.

Loaded DUNE on the ipod yesterday...

[Quiesco Viduata]

How the hell do you guys find time to read? What is your secret?

[Mark B.]

How the hell do you guys find time to read? What is your secret?

I just got back into it the last year or two. It is almost impossible with real little ones. Either you are too busy or more likely too tired to read something longer than the funnies in the paper on the crapper.

[taoistfrog]

How the hell do you guys find time to read? What is your secret?

Personally, I just figured out that when I'm out driving around on errands and such, if the baby falls asleep I can just go park at the City Beach and read while taking in the scenery.

[North Country Dad]

Personally, I just figured out that when I'm out driving around on errands and such, if the baby falls asleep I can just go park at the City Beach and read while taking in the scenery.

I used to do the same. I actually found more time to read when they were young. The toddler demands much more of my time. I have a few books started, but haven't read now for a few weeks. Don't really want to, either, with the nicer weather and some new projects under way.

[Kwak]

I hate to admit it, but I picked the Star Trek pulp novel "Countdown" that's basically the prequel to the upcoming movie. Sure, it's a glorified comic book but at this point my mind's so fried I need the pictures. Besides, it appeals to my dormant graphic artist.

[Bjorn74]

I'm working on getting back into the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Now that he's died, I'm avoiding the prior disappointment that there wouldn't be an unending series (Currently 3.5 million words and 11 books) with the 12th book being sketched out but being finished by another author. I'm about halfway through The Eye of the World.

At the same time, I have started reading the Toddler volume of the series that starts with The Expectant Father. So far they've been better books for dealing with the child than any of the Mom books. Guys just seem to pare it down to the essentials.

And then I ahve the new Harry Dresden book waiting for me at the library.

[Electriclime]

Stumbled across Garrison Keillor in the used section at B&N. Just finished Lake Wobegon Days the other week and am starting on Wobegon Boy. The former is a great portrait of small town life and Keillor's character descriptions are truly believable caricatures.

[Bjorn74]

Onto Turn Coat, Jim Butcher's latest Dresden Files book. I learned in April that I've played in games run by his agent and have played in other games with some of his buddies. Small world.

After that, I'll get back into the Wheel of Time.

[Bjorn74]

If you guys like any kind of Sci-Fi/Fantasy, you really should take a gander at Jim Butcher's stuff. Turn Coat was really good. The books and the TV show were similar enough to credit artistic license, but the books are much better. Lots of things you can't put on basic cable.

Now on to The Great Great Hunt, #2 in the Wheel of Time. The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills.

[silviomossa]

Finished Persuasion by Jane Austen. A pretty good book, though I liked Emma a lot more. Now on to Sense and Sensibility, or take a break with The Road or The Good Parents. Deciding where to go next, and the first 30 pages or so, is always a pain for me.

[fondestpie]

Just started How the Irish saved Civ. so far a pretty good historical read

[CTDon]

I was reading "As Far As The Eye Could See" which is a hiker's experiences while hiking the AT. I keep it in my car so I could pick it up and read it when i get a chance if we're out and about.

We went to a birthday party at "YuckY Diseases" (Chuck E Cheese's) yesterday and Ian brought the refillable cup back in the car with us. It spilled and now there is fruit punch all over my book. Grrrrrrrrrrr.

[sao95]

I really enjoyed "Deadeye Dick"

just read that per your recommendation, it was good, but it seemed a bit different from some of the other Vonnegut I've read, not sure why though, just finished it so haven't had much time to really reflect on it, I'm reading God Bless You Mr. Rosewater now.

[Mark B.]

Just finished "Red Hot Lies - How Global Warming Alarmists Use Threats, Fraud, and Deception To Keep You Misinformed" by Christopher C Horner. Holy moly. I never bought into the whole thing but to see how long and how deep the lies from the UN have been going on was shocking to me. And when I see how changes in our society are being pushed through at record pace seems to coincide with the fact that the jig just might be up. Hopefully it is not too late. With what some might think is an important yet dull topic to read about the author keeps it peppy with a lot of witty writing.

[North Country Dad]

Just finished Bill Bryson's Shakespeare: The World as Stage (http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780061673696-2).

I've read a lot of Shakespeare, and a lot of literary criticism, and thought this book was very good for what it is: a brief, very easy to read look at how little we know about Shakespeare the person -- and how, despite all the conspiracy theories about who he was or wasn't or how many plays or sonnets he actually wrote or didn't....just how extraordinarily talented he was. It's a fun look into life in Elizabethan London in the late 1500's (so many crooks!) and the quick rise and fall of theaters. In a blink of an eye, the man wrote so many great works of literature whose themes are still relevant today that it's truly amazing.

[Mark B.]

I am going to put that on my summer reading list NCD. I like the real stories behind the stories types of books. True talent always stand the test of time. Thanks!

[North Country Dad]

I am going to put that on my summer reading list NCD. I like the real stories behind the stories types of books. True talent always stand the test of time. Thanks!

Good to hear it -- be sure to let us know what you think of it!

[fondestpie]

Iv'e been reading the Voayge Of the Beagle. It give a very intresting insight into the scientific mind of the early to mid mid 1800s

Wether you agree with evolution or not it is a great geographical read and as it is the authors journal it give you a good feel for how Darwin thought and saw the world around him.

[North Country Dad]

I finished Indian Creek Chronicles (http://www.amazon.com/Indian-Creek-Chronicles-Winter-Wilderness/dp/0312422725/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1248883254&sr=8-1) by Pete Fromm, about a young man who takes a job in the Idaho wilderness one winter.

It's not filled with many life-or-death situations, but the action is steady -- bobcats, moose, mountain lions -- and it's fascinating to read about how a person survives alone in sub-zero temperatures. It's strong point is how Fromm comes out of it with a new perspective of life. If you like true-life adventure stories, it's a good read.

I also got half-way through The God of Small Things (http://www.amazon.com/God-Small-Things-Novel/dp/0812979656/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1248883104&sr=8-1) by Arundhati Roy. It's highly-respected, but I had no interest in the characters, and the slow pace of action was maddening. There was little focus and many tangents. Life's too short....


... so now I'm onto Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives (http://www.amazon.com/Sum-Forty-Afterlives-David-Eagleman/dp/0307377342/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1248883303&sr=8-1) by David Eagleman. It's a short, wild read. I really like it, but will wait 'til I'm done to say more.

[Cubfan]

Three Cups of Tea. (http://www.threecupsoftea.com/) Wow, I really need to do something with my life, anything. Finished it a few months ago actually, just too lazy to post.

A Thousand Splendid Suns (http://www.khaledhosseini.com/hosseini-books-splendidsuns.html) Finished this morning.

[CTDon]

You know, I heard someone talking about that book awhile ago and it sounded facinating. For the life of me I couldn't remember the name of it..thanks!

Three Cups of Tea. (http://www.threecupsoftea.com/) Wow, I really need to do something with my life, anything. Finished it a few months ago actually, just too lazy to post.

[Cubfan]

Its truly incredible and inspiring. I could mail it to you but its being checked out right now by a friend of the wifey.

[CTDon]

If you get it back by the WCA Throwdown, could you bring it with you?

Its truly incredible and inspiring. I could mail it to you but its being checked out right now by a friend of the wifey.

[North Country Dad]

Three Cups of Tea. (http://www.threecupsoftea.com/) Wow, I really need to do something with my life, anything. Finished it a few months ago actually, just too lazy to post.

A Thousand Splendid Suns (http://www.khaledhosseini.com/hosseini-books-splendidsuns.html) Finished this morning.


Thanks for the leads. Did you like Splendid Suns?

[silviomossa]

Finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy and The Good Parents by Joan London, an Aussie writer. Both were really good. I'm in the middle of her first book, Gilgamesh, and got an earlier Cormac book (Suttree) on deck.

[North Country Dad]

Finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy and The Good Parents by Joan London, an Aussie writer. Both were really good. I'm in the middle of her first book, Gilgamesh, and got an earlier Cormac book (Suttree) on deck.

What did you think of the Road?

[silviomossa]

I loved it. I've read a few road/adventure books, especially back when I taught kids, and this exceeded those -- painted the picture of the land very well, and didn't fall give into easy suspense by creating a danger around every corner. I didn't get the ending all the way, but that's about it.

[woodchuck]

Flight From the City......Ralph Borsodi


A short book, eversion in a link I provided in another post.

For someone leaving a depressed urban environment, and heading to a rural selfsubsistency type of lifestyle, its the outline autobiography of one family, with enough information to build from.

The insight to homeschooling is worth the time for a parent or educator to read through, and implement. For the rest of the populace, it provides what we should be doing during after school and especially summer break as parents/truest educators.

It's quite fitting for our times.

The list of readings and materials in the index at the end give all the breadcrumbs to find a way for any willing family to make a way.

[tt3]

How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must) (http://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Liberal-You-Must/dp/1400054184)

:icon_lol:

It was a dollar store buy. I'll let you know how it is when I finish it.

:icon_lol:

[Cubfan]

Thanks for the leads. Did you like Splendid Suns?

Yes I liked it. For me, it was a great read. I like any book, movie, etc., that can give a meaningful insight to a region, culture, people.

Ive read a lot of reviews where people said they liked it but didnt love it. Or that The Kite Runner was better.... My opinion is that the book is well written, the guy is a great writer. But it was indeed difficult to see the heroine(s) endure tragedy after tragedy after tragedy. Afterall, everyone loves a happy ending. My wive kept saying, it so depressing....

I recommend it though.

If you get it back by the WCA Throwdown, could you bring it with you?

Nah.

[Bjorn74]

I'm finishing up book four of the Wheel of Time and I think I'll interlude with Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry and The Scythe Book by some scythe expert.

[Bjorn74]

Finished the fourth Wheel of Time book and took up the Scythe Book. I got a little past halfway and the index begins. That was odd and then it starts back up again. Apparently, the guy who republished this wanted to correct some of the details but respected the author enough to print it without edits. Then he goes on to do the whole thing over again but in a much more concise and understandable way. Still, at 11:30 last night, I wasn't ready for an index to show up in the middle. Kept me awake for a while.

[Mark B.]

Secrets and Lies - The history of CIA torture and bio-weapons experiments by Gordon Thomas. The book details the relationship between the CIA and Doctors around the world hell bent on finding the link to mind control and germ warfare. The book includes a lot of newly released information about the programs that had/have been going on for decades. Shock therapy, weeks of drug induced sleep and lobotomies were all the rage. I always wondered why countries did not release all the POW's after wars had ended and why so many MIA's were unaccounted for. It looks like many had been used by their captures as expendable lab rats for their experiments. And all of the countries involved have done it. When I was about half way through the book I happened upon a National Geographic episode about the story. It is always good to see the real faces of the people in the story.

[57plymouth]

I just finished Ayn Rand's "Anthem" and I am working on "The Fountainhead."

[North Country Dad]

I just finished Ayn Rand's "Anthem" and I am working on "The Fountainhead."

Care to let us know what you thought of it?

[57plymouth]

Care to let us know what you thought of it?

It is clear that "Anthem" was the genesis of the Objectivist concept that she developed over her life. The book bears little plot, and much philosophy. It is almost like a primer to "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged." All are commentaries against enfranchised slavery driven by a foolish and absent minded governing force. All three sing the praises of a self-actualized individual who depends not on society, but wholly upon self.

It is a short read. I finished it in an hour or so. It is quite like science fiction, where you must leave your pretense of reality at the door, only to find that the reality presented is in fact your own reality presented from a differing viewpoint. From the simplest of key features we see reality; people are named in a manner that replicates early twentieth century telephone numbers. Thereby, your name is your number as assigned to you by the Social Security, er, the government.

Shocking, starkly bleak, beautiful and thought provoking. It should be required reading. If for no other reason, it shows the clear development of the concepts that are fully matured in "Atlas Shrugged." Of course, no one should be allowed to vote or hold a job without first reading "Atlas Shrugged."

[Mark B.]

Just finished "The Baby Thief" by Barbara Raymond. It is the true story of a woman named Georgia Tann and her 25 year career (1925-1950) of setting up adoptions for about 5000 kids. Most of them were either taken from duped parents or stolen outright. Most were placed in homes without proper background checks on the adoptive parents. She amassed enough power in the State of Tennesee to pretty much do whatever she wanted during her reign of terror which netted her about $1,000,000. Her power is still in effect today and is the backbone of why most adoptions are called closed adoptions where the identities of all parents involved are kept sealed. Her excuse was that nobody wants their privacy given up when in reality the truth would have been the end of her. This issue has been changing but still has a long way to go.

[Mark B.]

After reading the previous book I posted about above I needed a little something to cheer me up. Just finished "The Rocket That Fell To The Earth" By Jeff Pearlman. It is the story of Roger Clemen's "Rage For Baseball Immortality". It is a well documented story of Roger's life. It detailed his life growing up in OHIO (WTF!?) and his move later on to Texas where he worked his as off to be one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history. He, like most sports superstars, lived in a very self centered world. The book detailed the time line of his steroid use as a means to come back and win 4 Cy Young awards after the Red Sox left him for dead. Dan Duquette the Sox GM was right. In the end he is now a shunned man in Texas (He attended 1 Astros game last year and had to buy his own ticket) and is waiting to be served with papers for lying under oath to Congress and will likely do jail time. The MLB Hall Of Fame is out of the question also. What a shame.

[Kwak]

I've just started reading "Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Integration Issues" and it's been shedding some light on some of my son's puzzling behaviors.

[silviomossa]

I read Olive Kittridge, really good stuff. A series of short stories, all loosely centered around the title character. Really well written, though a touch on the depressing side.

On deck is The Family, about a group of Washington religious nutjobs that have a shockingly strong grip on American politics today. Scary stuff.

Oh, and I bought a soup book off the sale rake at Border's. I've not made soup much before, looking forward to it.

[Bjorn74]

Finished Book 5 of the Wheel of Time. Got in a mild argument between four adults who range from loving every word of this multi-million word tripe and me, obviously thinking it's over-rated, last weekend. I was happy when the author died because I knew I could start reading it again. As it is, the "last book" as directed by the author turned into three books, equating to increasing the word and page counts by 30%, after 11 books, already.

Also read Pacify Me, a New To Fatherhood book. It was actually pretty humorous. Light on fact, but good stories.

Will pick up #6 in the WoT and Daddy Shift tomorrow or maybe even later tonight.

[CTdadof3]

I've been reading The 7 Habits... (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743269519/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0671708635&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1ND7ANYT7DS6FSA4Z2TW), by Stephen Covey. My wife's recommendation after reading it for a class through work. I'm about half way through, and have found a bunch of insightful and useful stuff, both professionally and personally. I've never read any self-described 'life-changing' or 'self-help' books, and this one blows away any preconceptions I had.

[Guy]

I'm currently reading The Forever War. Sci-Fi book about a guy who goes off to fight an interstellar war, and the world he comes back to. Very good so far.

I am also listening to the audio version of No More Monday's by Dan Miller. That is very good. Miller reads the book, which is nice but has its drawbacks (he knows exactly what he means to convey, but he's not setting the world on fire with his reading).

[wolfmanyoda]

Listening to "Without Warning" by John Birmingham. Fiction about the sudden disappearance of most of the population in North America. It's OK, I've definitely read worse.

[cjbart]

I'm reading Toni Morrison's A Mercy. If you like Morrison, this is some of her finest work.

[Mark B.]

Just finished "Fordlandia" by Greg Grandin. It is the true but little known story of Henry Ford's effort to build a self sustaining American type town in the Amazon rain forest in an effort to supply Ford Motor Company with its own supply of rubber for their cars. After about 10 years and millions of dollars from the late 1920's to 1930's they walked away. I still do know whether to be amazed by Ford's effort or amazed by the stupidity of it all. Don't fool with Mother Nature seemed to be the nature of the story.

[North Country Dad]

I'm reading Toni Morrison's A Mercy. If you like Morrison, this is some of her finest work.


I've heard that it's great. I loved Paradise and others. I'll have to check that out.

Mark, that sounds like a good read, too. Thanks for the info.

[jeffus]

This (http://www.amazon.com/reader/0385526474?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=sib%5Fdp%5Fpt#reader_0385526474) looked interesting..

[sao95]

currently reading Kafka's The Trial, if you have a really good memory you might remember I started it about a year and a half ago but I never made it through the first chapter, this time it does have me hooked and I'm not sure exactly where it is going yet and I like that.

[silviomossa]

This (http://www.amazon.com/reader/0385526474?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=sib%5Fdp%5Fpt#reader_0385526474) looked interesting..

Looks funny! Might have to browse through it in the bookstore this week.

[Bjorn74]

I picked up Parenting is a Contact Sport at the library. 1/3rd through it and so far everything she says that we should do has failed for her or the people she's offered this advice to have not taken it. I'm totally confused. Especially about the title. This Contact Sport thing? Not so much. The Eight Step process is to Do things for our kids health and safety and then to be with them in a listening and talking sort or way. No contact whatsoever.

I doubt I'll keep it.

Next up: Gilead by Marilynn Robinson and Book 7 of The Wheel of Time. TOR stopped their re-read because the release date of book 12 was moved up a month or two. I'm going to get the audiobook version of Gilead to see if we can listen to it on our way to Bloomington and maybe more through the weekend. We need to "read" it for a book study at church that I'm leading.

[57plymouth]

I read "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown yesterday.

From a reader's perspective: it is the usual Dan Brown. Short chapters with several story lines running at the same time. He does weave an interesting web that he pulls together at the end with a twist. I read it in one day, which is typical of his work. It reads fast.

From a Mason's perspective: Lots of errors. The usual "33rd degree is highest" mistake. (It's not, the 3rd degree is the highest degree) He gets the code incorrect to translate the symbols on the pyramid. He thinks that revealing the ritual will result in outrage from the uninitiated populace. He implies that you can buy into honorary degrees. He puts degree work in the House of the Temple which does not occur there. He perpetuates the "secret knowledge in the 33rd degree" myth.

But hey, it's FICTION!

So really, no surprises that he gets the story right, but the Masonic stuff not quite. At least he sheds a positive light on the Craft, even though he spreads some mis-information.

If you have not read it, you should. It is a good book, even if you don't like Freemasons.

[57plymouth]

currently reading Kafka's The Trial, if you have a really good memory you might remember I started it about a year and a half ago but I never made it through the first chapter, this time it does have me hooked and I'm not sure exactly where it is going yet and I like that.

Good movie!

[sao95]

Good movie!
I never saw the movie, but the book sucked. It was pretty good and then boom it was he end, it just felt like the ending was slapped on half way through, interesting enough I read a note from the editor where It said it was published after Kafka was dead, and that Kafka didn't think the book was finished, but the editor/publisher did. I did like the story, but the end was just to fast compared to all the buildup and detail the story previously had going.

[Mark B.]

Just finished "The Daddy Shift" by Jeremy Smith who lives on the planet San Francisco. He stayed home with his one son for a cup of coffee and decided to write a book to tell his wish for parenting in the future. His vision among other things is for large governmental policies to force all companies to give longer (up to 1 year) leave to both parents of children. And it does not have to be from the day of birth, or even within a year.

I think that even all my male friends and family who I rag on are far more involved with their kids lives than the generation before and it probably is largely due to the increase in woman working more full time jobs. Even the author came in and out of this idea. That seems to be the bottom line. And if living expenses continue to rise we might have plateaued in that regard and there will be less stay at home parents at all future.

As the author poked and plotted his "egalitarian utopia" he took many opportunities to take jabs on the Catholic Church and the far right for their beliefs in child raising duties. I was left to wonder why he did not do the same to the second largest Religion in the world, Islam.

[sao95]

he took many opportunities to take jabs on the Catholic Church

wonder why he's so anti-Catholic, I can't say I've encountered any more resistance than from any other boxed religion.

[DiaperDutyDad]

what book are we talking about here?

[Mark B.]

what book are we talking about here?

Look at my last post.

[Tallen234]

Gents:

I am soon to be a semi-SAHD. I will be working from home on a limited basis while my wife goes back to work. I am looking for a book mostly tailored to the SAHD dad that is not a political polemic on gender roles, etc. Something straight forward, helpful, humorous, etc. Thx

[Mark B.]

Gents:

I am soon to be a semi-SAHD. I will be working from home on a limited basis while my wife goes back to work. I am looking for a book mostly tailored to the SAHD dad that is not a political polemic on gender roles, etc. Something straight forward, helpful, humorous, etc. Thx

This site should fit the bill. Good luck.

[Riggs]

Just read The Kite Runner. I didn't know it was about Afghanistan when I picked it up, interesting the timing with the buildup there now. It's a novel, he really does a good job putting on a personal level all the crap that's gone on there, the severe ethnic prejudices and injustices now and from way before 9/11. Father-son relationships explored too, interesting and very intense with some of the weird sh!t that goes on. Thought it was very good.

[Cubfan]

Just read The Kite Runner.

yeah it was good. I thought the movie was equally good.

You might find his A Thousand Splendid Suns (http://www.khaledhosseini.com/hosseini-books.html) interesting too. Much more in depth look at Afghan life. Its quite a bit more somber and depressing though..

[North Country Dad]

Has anyone seen "The Road" with Viggo Mortensen? I'm still haunted by the book, so I'm not sure if I'll watch the film, but I'm curious about it.

[silviomossa]

I loved The Road, but I've heard time and again that the movie misses the mark. I think I'll pass on it. Reading it, I wouldn't imagine that it would be easy to film.

I'm currently on Sense and Sensibility, and a bio of George Washington.

[Whitesocks4]

Has anyone read "The Moviegoer" by Walker Percy? Reading it right now and it's quite enjoyable so far.

[Tallen234]

I just watched The Road this past Friday night. I read the book when it first came out, so it had been a while. For the most part, the movie was dreary and depressing. I enjoyed the book, but the bleakness of the story was somewhat buffered by the prose and/or format. In the movie, it was quite stark.

All in all, it was a decent (albeit depressing) movie, but it didn't compare to the book.

(great cameos by Robert Duval and Omar)

I loved The Road, but I've heard time and again that the movie misses the mark. I think I'll pass on it. Reading it, I wouldn't imagine that it would be easy to film.

I'm currently on Sense and Sensibility, and a bio of George Washington.