What Book Are You Reading?

[roosta]

Just finished 1984 by George Orwell

Stunning! Such great ideas, so well written. Depressing in the extreme, though.

[HEIRESS]

Tore through that a few weeks ago on some long train/plane rides. Absolutely loved it. Incredibly done - so enthralling.

About four chapters into Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. Slow going at first but picked up a lot.

Weird, I'm reading the same book.

I'm on whatever chapter has all the annoying colloquial writing.

I'm excited to finally re-visit each era in the final chapters.

[MC Moot]

”Donald” (http://www.amazon.com/Donald-Eric-Martin/dp/1936365251/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309293012&sr=1-1)...haven’t started it yet but I love the premise:

"What would happen if Donald Rumsfeld, former defense secretary and architect of the war on terror, was abducted at night from his Maryland home, held without charges in his own prison system, denied a trial, and kept in a place where no one could find him, beyond the reach of the law? Donald is a high-wire allegory that answers this question, in equal parts breakneck thriller and gradual descent into madness. But it is also a novel rooted in the harrowing stories of real people caught in America’s military campaigns. And while there are those who would try to convince us that war is full of uncertainty—of knowns and unknowns—Donald reminds us that there remain things we know to be wrong."

[p-branez]

I read a lot and have heard of very few of the books up on here. Maybe I read too many basics in the American literary tradition, as exemplified by:

"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou.

If you are interested, this book is a lesson in figurative language and African American history.

[MC Moot]

I just finished up Earth Abides by George R. Stewart. It was pretty damn good.

Thanks for the lead...I dug it...it's right up there with the best of the post-apocalyptic genre...especiall considerin it was written in 1949...I'd love to find it with this cover (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Earth_Abides_1949_small.jpg)...(y)

[Nuzzolese]

The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathen Lathem. I'm not loving it.

[Gareth]

hunger games - suzanne collins :cool:

[silence7]

Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated

By: Alison Arngrim

Really good so far, I'm like 150+ pages in, out of 320, and it's interesting to read about what went on behind the scenes of the most wholesome show on TV in the 70's.

[roosta]

At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O'Brien

I'm a big fan of O'Brien's "The Third Policeman" but people often say this is better. Its very funny, but very confusing (it has a book, inside a book, inside a book)

[TimDoolan]

Michael Jackson: the magic and the madness by J. Randy Tarraborelli.
Pretty good honest bio on the late king of pop.
Pretty weird the only constants in my life are family, food and Michael Jackson.
MJ was almost like one of my family members growing up. I'm just now coming to grips with his death.
I just quit smoking weed so I had to dump the last friend I had cause he's such a pothead and will never accept the fact that I'm done smoking.
I've been clean a little over a month now, deleted the numbers of my dealer and all my friends who smoke.
So now it's just me and MJ. And he's dead. Which sucks.

[FunkyHiFi]

Thought this would be a good place for another pic w/caption from the unhappyhipsters.com website ;):

http://unhappyhipsters.com/post/6954210772/nights-at-home-spent-alone-with-her-books-became

Books? Finished The Hobbit a couple months ago and will finally be starting the Ring trilogy this week (the last couple months I've been reading pieces of Asimov's super-classic Foundation millenia-spanning sci-fi series (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_series) which I intend to fully read - again! - sometime later this year after I buy the hardback versions).

[silence7]

Just started reading Stephen King's - Under The Dome. So far it's The Simpson's movie with more gore and violence. I'm only 40 pages in out of 1100+ so we'll see how it goes. So far, so good..

[p-branez]

"Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson.

I get most of my books from references in other books, and "Silent Spring" has called my name for months now. It is the well-known book that introduced the term "ecology" into conventional wisdom.

So far it's good, and being a fan of nature, I think I will continue to enjoy it, and start thinking twice about where the food I eat comes form.

[Maradona]

Taschen's The Big Book of Breasts by Dian Hanson.

Recommended.

[hardnox71]

First Steps to Wealth by Dani Johnson
It is fucking awesome.

and

Selling to VITO-the Very Important Top Officer by Anthony Parinello
It's not for personal amusement, it's for work so I guess it's alright as far sales and marketing journals are concerned.

[MC Moot]

”A Moment in the Sun” (http://www.amazon.ca/Moment-Sun-John-Sayles/dp/1936365189) by John Sayles (writer/director/actor)...this was my massive summer holiday read, weighing in at over 900 pages it’s a monumental account of early American turn of the century era...it’s a whole lot of history, hardship and wherewithal...it stretched my brain...I could see this taking its place amongst the “Great American Classics” without a doubt...(y)

[MC Moot]

”The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” (http://www.amazon.ca/Curious-Incident-Dog-Night-Time/dp/0385659806) by Mark Haddon...excellent book,can’t say enough...heartbreaking hilarity...particularly if you have known a autistic person in your life...a wonderful trip...(y)(y)(y)

[Waus]

"A Good Man is Hard To Find" by Flannery O'Connor.

Lots of vaguely eerie stories from the south.

[GreenEarthAl]

Lilith's Brood by Octavia Butler.


So far it's really good.

[silence7]

Any Classic books you'd recommend for a 16yr old girl (my Niece), that are available for the Nook.

Don't give me none of that Twilight B.S. I mean Classics, that a girl of her age should read, something to make her think about the world around her, but not so complicated she won't understand it.

Thanks for any help..

Oh, and still reading: Stephen King's - Under the Dome, yeah, it's worth a read. Read recently Steven Spielberg will be doing a miniseries based on it. Movies based on King's books haven't been all that great, I hope this one fares a little better.

[Bourgie]

I am currently reading Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories: Volume 1. It's over 1,000 pages of small text and that's only the 1st volume...geeeez. I'm almost through it though!

In relation to that, I would also like to add the the BBC series Sherlock is awesome.

[icy manipulator]

i got a whole bunch of Roald Dahl books for christmas last year and i've started hacking through them. finished reading My Uncle Oswald yesterday. it was really funny and definitely not a childrens book

[silence7]

Roald Dahl books are usually in the "Childrens" section of book stores, I've read most of them, and when you're young and reading some of them, you almost feel like you're reading something you're not supposed to be reading. Like you're getting away with something.

BBC series Sherlock is awesome
Got nothing on Jeremy Brett (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX6a--uu6QM) He will always be my Sherlock!

[Bourgie]

Got nothing on Jeremy Brett (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX6a--uu6QM) He will always be my Sherlock!

Oh he is indeed good, but I think it's interesting what they're doing with the series. I love Martin Freeman, and the dynamic between Holmes and Watson is definitely very humorous in Sherlock. A lot of that humor is very evident in the books, which I love. Cumberbatch plays him a lot more sarcastic and anti-social and awkward than in the book but I guess that's expected to make his character more "exciting" and "different". It's all good in my book. (y)

[MC Moot]

”Black Robe” (http://www.amazon.com/Black-Robe-Novel-Brian-Moore/dp/0452278651/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1316195000&sr=1-1)...by Brian Moore...I’m tearing though it, very readable,great subject matter,French Jesuits and Hurons...brutal and vivid...it’s was also made into a great movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101465/)...(y)

[MC Moot]

”Pearl Jam Twenty“ (http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Jam-Twenty/dp/1439169217)by Cameron Crowe...this book is an incredible bargain,to accompany Crowe’s new doc on them...what a deal,really,really cool that they made it available to fans at this price, it’s the kind of coffee table book that usually goes for a hundred bucks or so...awesome stuff...(y)

[MC Moot]

”The Things They Carried” (http://www.amazon.ca/Things-They-Carried-Tim-OBrien/dp/0767902890) by Tim O’Brien...O’Brien is a Vietnam Vet who’s made his career by writing about the war from a fictional perspective as well as historical fact...This is a pretty great collection of interwoven or related stories...some of which are based on his experience "in-theater"...with one being totally unbelievable but for the most they are part powerful and moving...(y)

[MC Moot]

”The Year of the Flood” (http://www.amazon.com/Year-Flood-Novel-Margaret-Atwood/dp/0385528779) by Margaret Atwood...enjoying it a lot...pre/post apocalyptic setting, including wicked detail of a blade runner like society on the verge of an unexpected but somewhat prophesized extinction...a companion/follow up to ”Oryx and Crake” (http://www.amazon.com/Oryx-Crake-Margaret-Atwood/dp/0385721676/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b)...(y)

[MC Moot]

”The Invisible Man” (http://www.amazon.com/Visible-Man-Novel-Chuck-Klosterman/dp/1439184461) by Chuck Klosterman...it’s his 2nd “novel” and it’s fantastic...wicked form, killed half of it last night...Kid Klosterman has become the voice of my generation as much as I truly despise the terminology...that’s part of the cynicism we share...once you start to read him, you’ll likely read it all...pop culture swiller and killer...(y)

[na§tee]

i'm reading neil gaiman's american gods.

text i sent to the friend who suggested i read it:

"i've only just started reading it, and already there's a woman who eat men with her vagina and a motherfuckin' leprechaun! AWESOME! loves it."

that says it all really.

[MC Moot]

^Have you ever read ”Good Omens” (http://www.amazon.ca/Good-Omens-Neil-Gaiman/dp/0441003257) by Gaiman and Pratchett?...it’s a blast...wow,both A-Z and nastee came back on the same day,speaking of good omens...(y)

[MC Moot]

“Master and the Margarita”…after hearing it mentioned and praised around here and then after Flea said it’s one of the fave 2 books , picked it up…I think I may have a hard time with it…in that I’ve never had an enthusiasm form Russian authors or Russian stories, so to speak…we’ll see….

[MC Moot]

^it's got me gompletely at about 70 pages...just took me awhile to get used to reading in russian again...;)

[icy manipulator]

^well you've got past the 2nd chapter, that's a pretty big step. the next couple of chapters are quite fun

[P of R]

The God Delusion. It's not going well even though I like it. Haven't touched it in a month or so.

[paul jones]

I,PARTRIDGE by Alan Partridge

nearly finished it and have a few lined up to read.

It's good to read as It keeps you away from the fucking internet

[p-branez]

I still read very often and still recognize very few books mentioned.

I'm reading Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin. 1961 United States: Caucasian man poses as African American and travels on Greyhound buses through US South.

[silence7]

About 40 pages into Kevin Mitnick (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Mitnick)'s "Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker"

Good writing so far, and it's been a book that I've been waiting for him to write for a long time. He's been forbidden to profit from his "crimes" until now, so it's nice to see HIM telling the story, instead of someone else, as has been the case with other books I've read about him.

Tru life computer crime books are my semi-dirty secret love.

It's good to read as It keeps you away from the fucking internet
True That.......!!

The Steve Jobs bio is next in my queue...

Why in the hell don't they have a Netflix for e-books??

[icy manipulator]

just finished off Someone Like You, another 15 short stories by Roald Dahl

[yeahwho]

I'm reading that one that has pages made of paper with black ink and a red binder, sick as fuck good.

[MC Moot]

”Bowl of Cherries” (http://www.amazon.com/Bowl-Cherries-Mcsweeneys-Millard-Kaufman/dp/1932416838) by Millard Kaufman...started it last night and I am pretty hooked...one chapter told in the present tense the next in the past, leaves you to try and mash out where, why and what happened to the narrator...pretty amazing to think that it’s this guy’s debut novel at the age of 90!!...I think it’ll be another fine title from the amazing peeps at Mcsweeneys...(y)

[MC Moot]

^ I ended up putting that one down at about 120 pages,from a strong start it petered right out...pass on it...

[MC Moot]

”The Call” (http://www.amazon.ca/Call-Novel-Yannick-Murphy/dp/0062023144) by Yannick Murphy...I was a huge fan of ”Here They Come” (http://www.amazon.ca/Here-They-Come-Murphy-Yannick/dp/1932416501/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321379421&sr=1-7) and this is another great book...really interesting format...she has a way of tearing you to bits and then putting you back together with wisdom and wry wit...a really nice little read...(y)

[HEIRESS]

It is not often books make me giggle out loud, but this one definitely did.

The Ask by Sam lipsyte (http://www.amazon.com/Ask-Novel-Sam-Lipsyte/dp/0374298912)

READ IT YA'LL

Currently in the middle Of Human Bondage (http://www.amazon.com/Human-Bondage-Bantam-Classics/dp/055321392X)

Has anyone here read The Instructions by Adam Levin (yes I am looking at you Moot!)? I want to read it but its hard to go out and buy such a gigantic book without having the input of someone I trust first...

[MC Moot]

It is not often books make me giggle out loud, but this one definitely did.

The Ask by Sam lipsyte (http://www.amazon.com/Ask-Novel-Sam-Lipsyte/dp/0374298912)

READ IT YA'LL

Currently in the middle Of Human Bondage (http://www.amazon.com/Human-Bondage-Bantam-Classics/dp/055321392X)

Has anyone here read The Instructions by Adam Levin (yes I am looking at you Moot!)? I want to read it but its hard to go out and buy such a gigantic book without having the input of someone I trust first...

Nope...it sounds interesting...although I see in the reviews that he's compared to David Foster Wallace (R.I.P :() which could be a good or bad thing...also a little bit of weirdness or coincidence: I just reserved "The Ask' from the library and at the time there were no holds on it...1/2 and hour later and there are now 4 other holds on it...hmmmmmm...maybe others in this town are reading this thread and acting on the suggestions as I often do...:cool:

[HEIRESS]

The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathen Lathem. I'm not loving it.

That one is perhaps only for a certain crowd, I read Lethem's "Chronic City" this year and I would recommend that one to you instead.

I couldn't help myself, I too adored "Under the Dome", tore through that huge mother SO QUICK.

I have also been eyeing up "A Moment Under the Sun"

Oh yeah, during my honeymoon to Portland I finally got to visit Powell's (http://www.powells.com/) books, and it was everything I had hoped it would be. Amazing, amazing bookstore although due to it's vastness I didn't even make it out of the fiction section.

I do have to say, there can't be too many other book threads on random non-literary message boards that are as good as this one, nope, no sir. (y)

[MC Moot]

”How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe: A Novel” (http://www.amazon.ca/Live-Safely-Science-Fictional-Universe/dp/0307379205) by Charles Yu...haven’t read anything in this medium for awhile...fun to bend your mind with the grand implications of time..be it,present,past,future and the ability or inability to change destiny...it has me grinning...reminds of Tony Vigorito’s (http://www.tonyvigorito.com/taxonomy/term/3) 2 novels, which I strongly recommend, they’re fantastic...(y)

[MC Moot]

It is not often books make me giggle out loud, but this one definitely did.

The Ask by Sam lipsyte (http://www.amazon.com/Ask-Novel-Sam-Lipsyte/dp/0374298912)

READ IT YA'LL
[/URL]...



I’m at around 90 pages...I love the way it’s building crescendo...can’t tell just where it’s going it’s just getting funnier and stranger...loving Bernie’s “Daycare” and I am pretty sure I came up with the idea for that show some time ago!!!...thanks for the lead Heiress...

http://bbs.beastieboys.com/showthread.php?t=83702&highlight=last+meal

[MC Moot]

”Better Living Through Plastic Explosives” (http://www.amazon.ca/Better-Living-Through-Plastic-Explosives/dp/0670065188)shorts by Zsuzsi Gartner...loving it ,although it’s making me quite home sick...a Giller nominee...very hip stuff...(y)

[Gareth]

hunger games - suzanne collins :cool:

finished the trilogy, this shit's about to blow up at the movies

also: magician king by lev grossman

[roosta]

Thank You And OK! An American Zen Failure in Japan by David Chadwick

Quite good, but a bit long. I'm semi-obsessed with Japan and Zen so I liked it.

Dunno what to read next - thinking of tackling 1Q84...but its long, and i'm a slow-ish reader

[Bob]

Zeitoun by dave eggers

i don't know what it is about it, but whenever i open it, i just get sucked in and stop paying attention to the world around me and can't put it down, which is rough, because i read it on the train and risk missing my stop

in the vein of what is the what, it is a nonfictional book about people who have nothing but miserable things happen to them for hundreds of pages, but somehow it makes you want to read it anyway.

[p-branez]

^ A book I know!

Is it a quick read - like big font, large spaces, and lots of conversation? I might pick it up from the library for my fix of quick pop non-fiction that goes down so well during holiday vacations.

I have two books going: No Logo by Naomi Klein and We Make Mud by Peter Markus. No Logo has tiny font and a little off-the-mark of what I anticipated. But the introductory chapter by Klein, where she notes the book is the study of current anti-corporate trends in activist groups, makes me want to finish.

We Make Mud is a collection of short stories from Michigan writer Peter Markus. Check it out if you enjoy fish, brothers, family, mud, a river, and repetitive writing.

[Bob]

i dunno if i'd call it a "quick read" exactly but it's a page turner for sure, you never really want to stop reading.

[The Notorious LOL]

Just finished "The Jungle". Its a bit depressing how relevant it still is today even though it was written over 100 years ago. The last chapter was a bit hokey though.

[HEIRESS]

Zeitoun by dave eggers

i don't know what it is about it, but whenever i open it, i just get sucked in and stop paying attention to the world around me and can't put it down, which is rough, because i read it on the train and risk missing my stop

in the vein of what is the what, it is a nonfictional book about people who have nothing but miserable things happen to them for hundreds of pages, but somehow it makes you want to read it anyway.

I have lent it to so many friends over the past year since I received it last christmas, awesome awesome book.

[MC Moot]

Zeitoun by dave eggers

i don't know what it is about it, but whenever i open it, i just get sucked in and stop paying attention to the world around me and can't put it down, which is rough, because i read it on the train and risk missing my stop

in the vein of what is the what, it is a nonfictional book about people who have nothing but miserable things happen to them for hundreds of pages, but somehow it makes you want to read it anyway.

It's excellent as are ”A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” (http://www.amazon.ca/Heartbreaking-Work-Staggering-Genius/dp/0676973655/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323716986&sr=1-1-spell) but for me his best to date is ”What is the What?” (http://www.amazon.ca/What-Dave-Eggers/dp/0676979491/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323717055&sr=1-1) which is absolutely amazing...(y)...and as with the other titles are based on true events...Eggers has helped in creating foundations to benefit both Abdulrahman Zeitoun and Achak Deng...

http://www.valentinoachakdeng.org/

http://www.zeitounfoundation.org/

[na§tee]

the marriage plot by jeffrey eugenides.

the university pretentious student bullshit is so brilliantly done - instantly recognisable to all former students whatever the decade, methinks. i like it, but only a third in at the mo.

[MC Moot]

”More Notes of a Dirty Old Man: The Uncollected Columns” (http://www.amazon.com/More-Notes-Dirty-Old-Man/dp/0872865436)by Charles Bukowski...first of my xmas books and more post mortem stuff from the bastard bard...alot of this stuff I’ve read before in previous collections...not a great assembly...still has its moments of awe though...

[p-branez]

the marriage plot by jeffrey eugenides.

the university pretentious student bullshit is so brilliantly done - instantly recognisable to all former students whatever the decade, methinks. i like it, but only a third in at the mo.

Ughhh. I read some bad reviews. And I didn't like Middlesex (and I'm from Michigan), which by all accounts is better than The Marriage Plot. I'm passing.

re: Dave Eggers, I actually like his fiction better than his non-fiction. You Shall Know Our Velocity!, with the overdone best-friend road-trip and lots-of-money plot, is actually more enjoyable than his non-fiction. And Dave Eggers has done great philanthropic work for young creative writers. Wow! Could more foundations and charitable organizations be possible for one man? Volunteer with or donate money to the 826 (http://826national.org/chapters/) in your local city. Seriously! I volunteered with 826michigan for a year and a half while in college.

For me, nearly finished with Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell. Like any Orwell, it's short and detailed, concrete and succinct. There are these two wild passages that stick out.

1. The narrator (semi-autobiographical Orwell) explores the social value of a dishwasher in a fancy Paris hotel. Conclusion: the work is useless, there is no such thing as luxury, and the work is provided by the rich who want to keep the lower class in its place to prevent social unrest.
2. The narrator explores slang words in London. A bizarre passage of translations, and, reminiscent of Orwell's essay "Politics and the English Language," wanders on tangents of currently popular words.

Only Orwell could hit the reader with political philosophy in the middle of a passage about street artists in London. I also pulled Burmese Days off a dusty bookshelf.

[na§tee]

Ughhh. I read some bad reviews. And I didn't like Middlesex (and I'm from Michigan), which by all accounts is better than The Marriage Plot. I'm passing.

oh goodness, middlesex is infinitely better. a shame you didn't like it, it's a fantastic book in my mind. but yes, if you didn't like that you certainly won't like TMP.

i said the student stuff is brilliantly done, not the book per se. i like it, i don't love it. which is a pretty meh sort of thing to say. i'd be interested to see what bad reviews you read though and if they share some of the things i find squiffy about it. it feels like i'm waiting for some sort of massive drama/resolution/turning point and it's just not coming.

[HEIRESS]

Just finished:
North to the Night (http://www.amazon.com/North-Night-Spiritual-Odyssey-Arctic/dp/076790446X)
Really good arctic survival story mostly because THERE'S A KITTY (http://www.purr-n-fur.org.uk/featuring/adv09.html)

Wonderful World (http://www.amazon.com/Wonderful-World-Novel-Javier-Calvo/dp/0061557684)
very weird little tale.

A Moment in the Sun (http://www.amazon.ca/Moment-Sun-John-Sayles/dp/1936365189)
Sayles has quite the impressive resume.

[MC Moot]

”The John Fante Reader” (http://www.amazon.ca/John-Fante-Reader/dp/0060184965/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325865343&sr=8-2) by John Fante...awesome...absolutley worth owning/adding to your library...for me,Lorca begot Neruda,Neruda begot Saroyan,Saroyan begot Fante then Fante begot Bukowski and the Beats...(y)

[MC Moot]

Just finished:
North to the Night (http://www.amazon.com/North-Night-Spiritual-Odyssey-Arctic/dp/076790446X)
Really good arctic survival story mostly because THERE'S A KITTY (http://www.purr-n-fur.org.uk/featuring/adv09.html)

Damn title unavailable...I sent my sister that link with a cat and she's thinking kids book...;)

[HEIRESS]

It would make a wonderful basis for a kids story! Make sure she gives the bbmb props in the dedication!

Best friend gave me Half Blood Blues (http://www.amazon.ca/Half-Blood-Blues-Esi-Edugyan/dp/0887627412) for xmas, itching to start it.

[MC Moot]

”The Brothers Sisters” (http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Brothers-Novel-Patrick-deWitt/dp/0062041266) by Patrick deWitt...totally worthy of the hype and praise...it’s like Cormac McCarthy meets Kurt Vonnegut meets Joel and Ethan Coen...I was unable to put it down...a fantastic 4 hour pulp trip...this book is totally ripe for movie pickin’...(y)(y)(y)

[p-branez]

I read a collection of bad reviews on Amazon. To be certain, I'll probably read The Marriage Plot one day when I'm looking for mindless fiction. Hell, I know a handful of folks at the school Mr. Eugenides attended; I have to read this book.

Finished Orwell. I moved to Galápagos by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

The novel has solidified Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. as my absolute favorite writer of American fiction. This novel, like his others, has the perfect blend of science fiction, dry humor, and recurrent characters. His knack for perfect pacing and quick wit will never be matched.

[trailerprincess]

Am reading Fair Game at the moment, about the 'outed' CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson. I feel I ought to ask for a refund seeing as most of the first third of the book has been redacted to hell but it's rather fun trying to guess the missing words so I am torn. Phewee

[MC Moot]

”Here Comes Trouble: Stories from My Life” ( http://www.amazon.ca/Here-Comes-Trouble-Stories-Life/dp/044653224X ) by Michael Moore...Quite a good read...except the family tree stuff...otherwise really entertaining, interesting and moving...great way to fill a long flight or Sunday afternoon...he’s had some incredibly chance meetings/occurrences in his life...or maybe it’s that nothing is coincidence...predetermined destiny?...americas most american...(y)

[M|X|Y]

the steve jobs book.. great story(y)

am reading "free agent nation" and "the art of speed reading people" (y)

[abbott]

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

[TAL]

Inventory by the people at the A.V. Club.

It has lists. Many.

[na§tee]

it feels like i'm waiting for some sort of massive drama/resolution/turning point and it's just not coming.
yeah, it didn't. the marriage plot straight up sucks.

i bought neverwhere by neil gaiman but the boyfriend nicked it before i could claim it as the next read - someone gave me the slap though so i'll have that in the meantime.

[MC Moot]

”Ablutions: Notes for a Novel” (http://www.amazon.com/Ablutions-Notes-Novel-Patrick-deWitt/dp/0151014981) by Patrick deWitt...divine debauchery, down and almost out in L.A...the drawback about finding a “new”author whom you really like is when they only have 2 books and there’s no back catalogue to dive into...:rolleyes:

[MC Moot]

”The Night Circus” (http://www.amazon.com/Night-Circus-Erin-Morgenstern/dp/0385534639)by Erin Morgenstern...all kinds of awesome, something wicked this way comes...(y)

[HEIRESS]

”The Night Circus” (http://www.amazon.com/Night-Circus-Erin-Morgenstern/dp/0385534639)by Erin Morgenstern...all kinds of awesome, something wicked this way comes...(y)

This ^ and The Brothers Sisters are both on hold at the library but i'm like 500th in line :(

Just finished Underworld (http://www.amazon.ca/Underworld-Novel-Don-DeLillo/dp/0684848155) by DeLillo and 2666 (http://www.amazon.ca/2666-A-Novel-Roberto-Bola%C3%B1o/dp/0312429215/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330914020&sr=1-1) by Bolano and that was basically the worst idea ever to read both at the same time. I could barely keep the characters and multiple storylines from each book straight in my poor brain ugh.

Just starting Jamrach's Menagerie (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jamrachs-Menagerie-Carol-Birch/dp/1847676561) and it's a welcome breath of straight forward story telling.

[MC Moot]

This ^ and The Brothers Sisters are both on hold at the library but i'm like 500th in line :(

Ha!...that's funny I got Brothers Sisters for X-mas...but I was like 299 on my library list when I saw the Night Circus at my local second hand,could'nt resist so I snagged it for $14 bucks,hard cover,perfect condition...I think I'm like over 500 in line for Ondaatje's ”The Cat’s Table” (http://www.amazon.ca/Cats-Table-Michael-Ondaatje/dp/0771068646)...which I'll probably end up buying before it gets to me...

[checkyourprez]

Tuesday's with Morrie


really good. simple but effective. helped me through some difficult things.

[TAL]

I'm gonna start "God, No!" by Penn Jillette soon.

[TimDoolan]

Anybody listen to audiobooks? Narrator Richard Ferrone is the best. Just finished The Last Templar.

[MC Moot]

”The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee” (http://www.amazon.com/Bedwetter-Stories-Courage-Redemption-Pee/dp/0061856436) by Sarah Silverman...mostly a lament about her childhood, I put it down at about page 50,not enough funny, feels like it was edited by Judy Blume...(n)

[HEIRESS]

Scored "The Night Circus" off the express reads shelf at the library! Having no issue finishing it in a week because its a damn swift read.

Next in line is "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote which I've been told to read for years but never got around to it.

[MC Moot]

Scored "The Night Circus" off the express reads shelf at the library! Having no issue finishing it in a week because its a damn swift read..

I love it when that happens!...Especially with new DVD's...little life bonus...about to start "Jamrach's Menagerie"...;)

[MC Moot]

"Iron Maiden: On Board Flight 666" (http://www.amazon.ca/Board-Flight-666-Iron-Maiden/dp/1409141365)...Up the Irons!...:cool:

[TAL]

I'm gonna start "God, No!" by Penn Jillette soon.
This time, "soon" was almost a month. It was a fun and good read. Probably not for people who likes God.

[p-branez]

I will finish Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins this weekend.

Tom Robbins came highly recommended from a close friend, but this book disappointed so far. I really enjoy the writing style, littered with pop culture references, alliteration, humor, extended metaphor, and self-conscious remarks. And the out-of-this world reality of cowgirls, ranches in the Dakotas, alternative methods of time, avant-garde artists, and giant thumbs is captivating and engaging.

But the overall story is fairly thin: the plot is loosely tied around a collection of endangered birds, and many of the characters make short appearances with no extended growth and development. This reader (haha, this reader, writing a Tom Robbins book review) bogged down in a nearly 50-page conversation between Sissy and her psychologist, Dr. Robbins, about living on the Rubber Rose with the Chink in the Dakotas.

So, I'll definitely try another Robbins book, if for nothing else the humor and style, but won't be looking for extended character development and meaningful plot twists.

[MC Moot]

^

I love Robbins...My order of preference:

Skinny Legs and All (1990)
Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates (2000)
Still Life with Woodpecker (1980)
Villa Incognito (2003)
Jitterbug Perfume (1984)
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1976)
Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas (1994)

B is for Beer (2009) *A children's book for grown-ups,a grown-up book for children*

Wild Ducks Flying Backward (2005) *Essay's and stories,don't bother,nothing noteworthy*

P.S: Don't watch the Cowgirls movie...:rolleyes:

[silence7]

Hell's Angel - Hunter S. Thompson

I'm about 30 pages in so far. Loving the writing style.

Fun Fact: I grew up about 100 yards away from a Hell's Angel clubhouse in the city where they started.

I haven't been surprized by anything I've read so far.

[MC Moot]

”Sacre Bleu: A Comedy d'Art” (http://www.amazon.ca/Sacre-Bleu-A-Comedy-dArt/dp/0061779741) by Christopher Moore...an interesting but oversimplified idea...I really like “Lamb” and “A Dirty Job” but his style is a bit simple for me most of the time...this would be a appropriate accessory to high school art study...theres a great quote on the sleeve that sums up Moore rather well: “Christopher Moore is a thinking man’s Dave Berry and an impatient mans Tom Robbins.”

[abbott]

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

i just finished, im slow

[HEIRESS]

Truman Capote "In True Blood"
Excellent.

Ann Patchett "Bel Canto" (http://www.amazon.com/Bel-Canto-Ann-Patchett/dp/0060934417)
Pretty good, I'm surprised it hasn't been turned into a movie yet.

Elizabeth Taylor "A game of hide and seek" (http://www.amazon.ca/Game-Hide-Seek-Elizabeth-Taylor/dp/1844085295)
I just randomly picked it up and it was actually pretty damn good.

Philip Roth "Portnoy's Complaint" (http://www.amazon.com/Portnoys-Complaint-Philip-Roth/dp/0679756450)
Dick, dick, dick, dick, dick, dick, dick, dick, dick.
How many dick's is that?
A lot.

Cormac McCarthy "Child of God"/"Blood Meridian"
I shouldn't have read either before going to bed at night, pretty sure it caused me to have nightmares.
I just read that James Franco might be directing the adaptation of Blood Meridian, eeep.

[Pres Zount]

I'm reading Roadside Picnic, to keep me from getting bored while I continue to plug away at War and Peace, of which I am about 100 pages shy of finally finishing.

[paul jones]

agent zigzag

[gbsuey]

Have just finished Every Contact Leaves a trace-Elanor Dymott (http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/every-contact-leaves-a-trace-by-elanor-dymott-7717382.html)

Heard a good review of it on 6music and d'lded it straight away....it was ok....a bit long-winded for the actual content though.

[Pres Zount]

I started War and Peace, and I only have about 900 pages to go. It is surprisingly interesting considering the very boring subject material it is dealing with at this early stage; Russian elites enjoying dinner parties and speaking French.

I'm reading Roadside Picnic, to keep me from getting bored while I continue to plug away at War and Peace, of which I am about 100 pages shy of finally finishing.

Well, I've now finished a book I started almost three years ago. Go me.

[na§tee]

neil gaiman's anansi boys. i've been all about neil gaiman in the past 8 months or so. i love him and amanda palmer together. sigh.

[Matt]

A used book store just opened near me, and all the books are super cheap (3.50 for a paperback, buy three get one free), so I'm catching up on all the books I should have read by now. I'm currently reading The Virgin Suicides, and then I'll work my way through all of Nick Hornby's novels. I'm gonna need another bookshelf.

[trailerprincess]

Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty

It's very good but hefty; sometimes I wish I'd just let go and get a kindle.

[roosta]

What The Buddha Taught by Dr. Rahula Walpola.

Very good, gives a good general over view of the main teachings, all backed up with references to scripture and without the modern tendency to use over elaborate metaphors. Get it in your brains.

[b-grrrlie]

The Tibetan book of death by W.Y. Evans-Wentz

[MC Moot]

”Tough Shit: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good” (http://www.amazon.ca/Tough-Sh-Life-Advice-Lazy/dp/1592406890) by Kevin Smith...I’ve always thought of Smith’s schtick as being “truth based anecdotes” but unlike his previous collections this is setting a much more serious narrative and tone...the first bit on his dad’s passing knocked me right in the gut...

[Mae]

neil gaiman's anansi boys. i've been all about neil gaiman in the past 8 months or so. i love him and amanda palmer together. sigh.

He's one of my favorite authors.

I am currently reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Killer and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

[Heather_D]

Getting ready to start (& finish) Jimmy Fallon's "Thank You Notes 2.". Just reread "Go the Fuck to Sleep" (the audio version read by Samuel L Jackson is better).

The real reader in me has been alternating between John Irvin's "A Prayer for Owen Meany," Walter Isaacson's (?) "Einstein," & the transcripts of Jackie Kennedy interviews. Thank god for the iPad.

[TimDoolan]

Americans in Paris: Life and Death Under Nazi occupation.
Very strange to read about nazis saluting americans and treating them well but understandable because early on as a neutral country USA got the respect of both germans and french.

[HEIRESS]

Touch (http://www.amazon.ca/Touch-Alexi-Zentner/dp/0307399443)
Good ole northern BC.

The Sisters Brothers (http://www.amazon.com/The-Sisters-Brothers-A-Novel/dp/0062041266)
Absolutely loved it. I just put his debut novel Ablutions (http://www.amazon.com/Ablutions-Notes-Novel-Patrick-deWitt/dp/B0058M8WTQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339164659&sr=1-1) on hold at the library as well.

Blood, Bones & Butter (http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Bones-Butter-Inadvertent-Education/dp/140006872X)
I really loved the first half, and would have also adored the second half where she describes her summer vacations in Italy with her husband's family but she ruined the whole experience by complaining about her husband again and again and again. WE GET IT ALREADY, LESBIANS HAVE BAD TASTE IN HUSBANDS BACK TO THE FOOD GODDAMMIT.

Halfway through Indignation (http://www.amazon.ca/Indignation-Philip-Roth/dp/054705484X)

[MC Moot]

”The Cat’s Table”... (http://www.amazon.ca/The-Cats-Table-Michael-Ondaatje/dp/0771068646)by Michael Ondaatje...when he’s at his best his books just find a way to unknowingly mesmerize you with the simplest but vivid of styles...using a youth’s perspective adult life is revealed with wonder and confusion during a 21 day sea voyage...(y)

[MC Moot]

The Sisters Brothers (http://www.amazon.com/The-Sisters-Brothers-A-Novel/dp/0062041266)
Absolutely loved it. I just put his debut novel Ablutions (http://www.amazon.com/Ablutions-Notes-Novel-Patrick-deWitt/dp/B0058M8WTQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339164659&sr=1-1) on hold at the library as well.

Ablutions is an entirely different beast but I really dug it as well...at times it reminded me of both ”Fever Chart” (http://www.amazon.ca/Fever-Chart-Bill-Cotter/dp/193478141X) and ”Mailman” (http://www.amazon.com/Mailman-Novel-J-Robert-Lennon/dp/0393057313)...:eek:

[HEIRESS]

I have never read anything by Mr Lennon, will seek it out!

Haven't checked out Ondaatje's latest either.

I just picked up 8 new books from the library, so those two may have to go on the backburner for a few weeks!

Just finished "Outer Dark (http://www.amazon.ca/Outer-Dark-Cormac-McCarthy/dp/0679728732)" by Cormac McCarthy. Intense pre-bedtime reading material but I burned through it in just two sittings!

[MC Moot]

”Child of God” (http://www.amazon.ca/Child-God-Cormac-McCarthy/dp/0679728740/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b) by Cormac McCarthy...whoa pretty crazy little novella...I thought this was the title referred by Heiress up above...once I read “Outer Dark” I think I will have read all his stuff except “Suttree”...such great style...(y)

[roosta]

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

Bit slow to begin with, and some of the writing is a bit odd (I think this may be down to translation) but its intriguing and has definitely grown on me, and its had its first big 'what the fuck' moment.

[MC Moot]

IJust finished "Outer Dark (http://www.amazon.ca/Outer-Dark-Cormac-McCarthy/dp/0679728732)" by Cormac McCarthy. Intense pre-bedtime reading material but I burned through it in just two sittings!

Whoa...yeah that was pretty messed up!...:eek:

[HEIRESS]

Messed up INDEED. I need to take a break from Mr. McCarthy for awhile.

The Devil all the Time by Donald Ray Pollack (http://www.amazon.ca/The-Devil-Time-Donald-Pollock/dp/038553504X)
Apparently I am addicted to gritty americana. Pretty good read, but again INTENSE.
Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward (http://www.amazon.com/Salvage-Bones-Wheeler-Hardcover-Jesmyn/dp/1410447111)
Another sad story but it definitely keeps you interested.

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (http://www.amazon.ca/Visit-Goon-Squad-Jennifer-Egan/dp/0307592839)
I couldn't connect with her writing or her characters. meh.

Just finished reading Michael Ondaatje's latest "The Cat's Table" (http://www.amazon.ca/The-Cats-Table-Michael-Ondaatje/dp/0771068646)
Thanks for the recommendation Moot, it was right up my alley. (y)

Starting "the wind up bird chronicle" by Haruki Murakami.
This is the second novel by him I'm attempting to read. I picked up Norwegian Wood awhile ago and immediately knew I didn't want to read it after a few pages. I think deep down I only enjoy Victorian love stories.
On the library waiting list for 1Q84 though...

[MC Moot]

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (http://www.amazon.ca/Visit-Goon-Squad-Jennifer-Egan/dp/0307592839)
I couldn't connect with her writing or her characters. meh.

^I had the exact same experience with it,picked it up,put it down after 70 or so pages...also on the same page as you with McCarthy,I'll wait a year till I hit up "Suttree"...I also just watched this (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1510938/) as it turned up in my library search of his stuff...time to change it up,I need to find something monumentally funny to read,pronto...I may even re-read "A Confederacy of Dunces" cause that's the vibe I need right now...

[p-branez]

I read Kafka on the Shore maybe 6 or 7 years ago, and remember really loving, but also not totally understanding, the far-out stuff with lost cats, a truck driver, Colonel Sanders, Oedipus complex, and running away to libraries.

I bought 1Q84 on my Kindle (first and only purchased book!) but haven't started it yet. It's going to take a serious time and energy commitment.

I'm breezing through The Long Tail by Chris Anderson. It's one of the latest in my steady diet of pop-non-fiction. It's also the second that's been a rather thin expansion of a magazine article into full-length book. "The Long Tail" is Anderson's theory that business is now about selling less of more: internet-based production and distribution means that entertainment markets have fragmented into millions of valuable "niches" and that TV, music, and Hollywood is no longer about creating a few blockbuster products.

I finished Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., which in the middle became a complete slog. It sped up with a quick ending, but was too meandering and slow. Probably my least favorite Vonnegut.

[MC Moot]

I'm breezing through The Long Tail by Chris Anderson. It's one of the latest in my steady diet of pop-non-fiction. It's also the second that's been a rather thin expansion of a magazine article into full-length book. "The Long Tail" is Anderson's theory that business is now about selling less of more: internet-based production and distribution means that entertainment markets have fragmented into millions of valuable "niches" and that TV, music, and Hollywood is no longer about creating a few blockbuster products.

Sounds interesting in a similar vein,speaking of pop-non-fiction,I’m really looking forward to this... (http://www.amazon.com/How-Music-Works-David-Byrne/dp/1936365537/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342120853&sr=1-6&keywords=david+byrne)


I finished Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., which in the middle became a complete slog. It sped up with a quick ending, but was too meandering and slow. Probably my least favorite Vonnegut.

I agree but it's better than "Wampeters, Foma and Granfalloons" which although is not a novel is pretty much unreadable...

[HEIRESS]

^I had the exact same experience with it,picked it up,put it down after 70 or so pages...also on the same page as you with McCarthy,I'll wait a year till I hit up "Suttree"...I also just watched this (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1510938/) as it turned up in my library search of his stuff...time to change it up,I need to find something monumentally funny to read,pronto...I may even re-read "A Confederacy of Dunces" cause that's the vibe I need right now...

I downloaded that movie awhile ago but haven't gotten around to watching it yet! My moms said she it was good though.

I've been on the list for "Confederacy of Dunces" for awhile, I should probably just buy it.

Also just picked up this (http://www.amazon.ca/A-Fans-Notes-Frederick-Exley/dp/0679720766). Based on the reviews, I'm pretty sure I'll dig it.

[roosta]

I read Kafka on the Shore maybe 6 or 7 years ago, and remember really loving, but also not totally understanding, the far-out stuff with lost cats, a truck driver, Colonel Sanders, Oedipus complex, and running away to libraries.

I bought 1Q84 on my Kindle (first and only purchased book!) but haven't started it yet. It's going to take a serious time and energy commitment.

.

I quite like Murakami - The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is completely wacky but also really great.

I thought 1Q84 was going to be near impossible for me to read (im a slow reader and its massive, but im getting on quite well, its a page turner, as they say)

[p-branez]

Sounds interesting in a similar vein,speaking of pop-non-fiction,I’m really looking forward to this... (http://www.amazon.com/How-Music-Works-David-Byrne/dp/1936365537/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342120853&sr=1-6&keywords=david+byrne)


I agree but it's better than "Wampeters, Foma and Granfalloons" which although is not a novel is pretty much unreadable...

The David Byrne book I think I could stand, because of knowing and enjoying David Byrne's music.

I learned my lesson with the Chris Anderson book "The Long Tail" (http://www.amazon.com/The-Long-Tail-Business-Selling/dp/1401302378). It ended up being awful, like literally when I finished I wanted my 200 pages and 4 hours back. I've never really been mad at an author before this book; it was a totally unoriginal idea (though presented as radical) wrapped in constant repetition with banal anecdotes. I was just starting catch up on this bit of currently popular social science stuff (James Surowiecki, Malcolm Gladwell, and many others), but I think I'm done. This book was total garbage.

I'll take moderately heavy non-fiction over a journalist's collection of anecdotes, so today at the library I picked up "The Late, Great Lakes: An Environmental History" (http://www.amazon.com/The-Late-Great-Lakes-Environmental/dp/0814318878) by William Ashworth. The really nice updated cover and font remind me of "Silent Spring," which is a book I love.

[MC Moot]

“The Sea Is My Brother: The Lost Novel” (http://www.amazon.com/The-Sea-Is-My-Brother/dp/0306821257) by Kerouac...sometimes lost novels should remain just that,lost...other than seeing how his style first manifested itself this did little for me compared to his greats...

“Conversations with Tom Robbins” (http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Tom-Robbins-Literary/dp/160473826X)...I’m a huge Robbins enthusiast and have always loved how playful and ego free he comes off as when he actually agrees to be interviewed...also appreciated the biography timeline...I wait eagerly for another novel...

[p-branez]

^ I will pick up another Tom Robbins books soon.

Kind of an aside here, but I almost felt vindicated with my comments about poppy non-fiction books.

Jonah Lehrer's Bob Dylan quotes lead to resignation (http://www.latimes.com/features/books/jacketcopy/la-jc-jonah-lehrer-bob-dylan-20120730,0,7090461.story)

Not to rip on the author for making up a few quotes, but I did an internal "YESSS!" after I heard this story on NPR. From the last paragraph of the LA Times, bold is mine:

Lehrer, 31, had only recently moved to the New Yorker. He came to fame in 2007 when he published "Proust Was a Neuroscientist," a surprise bestseller that made complex scientific ideas accessible. He followed that up with another popular science book, "How We Decide," and in March published "Imagine." He wrote a column for Wired that connected science and culture. This year, he moved to the New Yorker, where he came under fire for recycling ideas and language he'd used in earlier writings.

Anyway, now I'm reading "Tree of Smoke" by Denis Johnson.

I'm about 130 pages into the big 620 page book. I liked the first 75 pages, but then the narrative took a detour into romance, and I'm not sure if the sub-plot returns or is an empty side trip. The dialogue is great, fast-paced and effective, so I'm learning about good dialogue.

[abbott]

william wilberforce amazing grace

[HEIRESS]

Apparently I have been on a short story kick:

Hot Pink - Adam Levin (http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Pink-Adam-Levin/dp/1936365219/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348581368&sr=1-3&keywords=adam+levin)
EXCELLENT.

The Cloaca - Andrew Hood (http://www.amazon.ca/The-Cloaca-Andrew-Hood/dp/1926743199)
These are definitely the type of stories one would expect from a McSweeney's publication and that is the highest compliment I can pay this gifted writer.

Bobcat and other Stories - Rebecca Lee (http://www.amazon.ca/Bobcat-Other-Stories-Rebecca-Lee/dp/0143182331)
Another collection from a talented Canadian, definitely worth a read.

Drift - Leo Robillard (http://www.amazon.ca/Drift-Leo-Brent-Robillard/dp/088801385X)
Yet another Canadian writer!
Set during the Second Boar War and follows a Canadian volunteer soldier. It was decent, I liked it mainly because I haven`t read any war novels from this specific time period before.

Ablutions - Patrick DeWitt (http://www.amazon.ca/Ablutions-Notes-Novel-Patrick-deWitt/dp/0151014981)
dark, ugly and disturbing. Right up my alley.

The Dog Stars - Peter Heller (http://www.amazon.ca/The-Dog-Stars-Peter-Heller/dp/0307959945)
I read far too much post-apocalyptic literature, but holy crap, I tore through this one in record time.
Read this goddamn book.

[MC Moot]

Ablutions - Patrick DeWitt (http://www.amazon.ca/Ablutions-Notes-Novel-Patrick-deWitt/dp/0151014981)
dark, ugly and disturbing. Right up my alley.

Knew you'd dig it...

The Dog Stars - Peter Heller (http://www.amazon.ca/The-Dog-Stars-Peter-Heller/dp/0307959945)
I read far too much post-apocalyptic literature, but holy crap, I tore through this one in record time.
Read this goddamn book.

O.K...just reserved it...;)

[MC Moot]

”Walking the Clouds: An Anthology of Indigenous Science Fiction” (http://www.amazon.ca/Walking-Clouds-Anthology-Indigenous-Science/dp/0816529825) by various authors…tre,tre cool…a very soulful take on the medium…

”The Advanced Genius Theory: Are They Out of Their Minds or Ahead of Their Time?” (http://www.amazon.ca/Advanced-Genius-Theory-Their-Minds/dp/1439102368/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348583817&sr=1-11) by Jason Hartley…really quite interesting,a nice forward by my man Klosterman, Hartley takes some liberty and leaps about but proposes some plausible theorem…

Really looking forward to this… (http://www.amazon.ca/Blasphemy-Selected-Stories-Sherman-Alexie/dp/0802120393/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348583571&sr=1-11)

[MC Moot]

”Waging Heavy Peace” (http://www.amazon.com/Waging-Heavy-Peace-Neil-Young/dp/0399159460) by Neil Young…Prior to this I’ve only really read 2 memoirs or auto bio’s I felt I needed to keep/own…Malcolm X and Johnny Cash…this is the 3rd…fantastic stuff, long may he run, Canada’s greatest son…should you get the Heiress as a secret santa recipient consider your shopping done…;)

[MC Moot]

The Dog Stars - Peter Heller (http://www.amazon.ca/The-Dog-Stars-Peter-Heller/dp/0307959945)
I read far too much post-apocalyptic literature, but holy crap, I tore through this one in record time.
Read this goddamn book.

Tore through about 1/2 of it last night...so totally readable...really worried about Jasper's fate though...despite his diet...also a reference in it has me looking for this (http://www.amazon.com/We-Die-Alone-Escape-Endurance/dp/1558219730 ) to put in my cue...(y)

[HEIRESS]

Tore through about 1/2 of it last night...so totally readable...really worried about Jasper's fate though...despite his diet...also a reference in it has me looking for this (http://www.amazon.com/We-Die-Alone-Escape-Endurance/dp/1558219730 ) to put in my cue...(y)

I KNOW, RIGHT?!!

I just put a hold on the book you mentioned. Oh boy!

I may have to try and get my hands on the Neil Young book before Xmas rolls around ;)

[MC Moot]

^I was really impressed the way Heller used Japers fate to bring about our protagonists undoing and subsequent rebirth…I think I’ll read ”Alas, Babylon” (http://www.amazon.com/Alas-Babylon-Perennial-Classics-Frank/dp/0060931396) from the post-apocalyptic shtick…don’t know if you’ve read this (http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Abides-George-R-Stewart/dp/0345487133/ref=pd_sim_b_1) but it’s one of my faves…oh and I read this (http://www.amazon.com/Beach-Vintage-International-Nevil-Shute/dp/0307473996/ref=pd_sim_b_3) a month or 2 back and didn’t care for it…

[MC Moot]

I’m about 100 pages into ”Life After Death” (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0399160205) by Damien Echols of the so branded “West Memphis Three”…heavy and good, good and heavy, tragic and all messed up…reminds of 2 other great reads:

”Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance” by Leonard Peltier (http://www.amazon.ca/Prison-Writings-Life-Sun-Dance/dp/0312263805 )

And:

”Live From Death Row” by Mumia Abu Jamal (http://www.amazon.ca/Live-From-Death-Mumia-Abu-Jamal/dp/0380727668/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b)

Also has me wanting to see this:

http://www.westofmemphisfilm.com/

[silence7]

Shit... Almost forgot to mention this to you guys.

Humble E-Book Bundle. 17 hours remaining.
http://www.humblebundle.com

Pay what you want. Support charity.

[MC Moot]

”Shadow Show: All-New Stories in Celebration of Ray Bradbury” (http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Show-All-New-Celebration-Bradbury/dp/0062122681)…I’m about 6 stories into this and it’s really quite good…For me Bradbury always invokes memories of summers end; autumn or fall and in particular Halloween…with an emphasis on transition, crispness, growing darkness and mystery…and all these writers seemed to have been influenced by it and it shows with these thoughtful,savy,tributes…some of which you could swear were Ray himself…perfect late October reading…featuring bits by: Neil Gaiman ,Margaret Atwood, Dave Eggers and Harlan Ellison…(y)

[MC Moot]

In other literary news...Stephen King remains as rad as they come… (http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/books/awesome-thing-of-the-day-the-master-of-horror-stephen-king-shocks-students-at-a-high-school-in-new-b.html?p=home&s=home)despite that the fact that my father chided me for reading him in my teens…(y)

[MC Moot]

”Blasphemy: New and Selected Stories” (http://www.amazon.ca/Blasphemy-Selected-Stories-Sherman-Alexie/dp/0802120393) by Sherman Alexie…16 new bits and a lot of his most renowned pieces…pretty much an Alexie reader…(y)

”Citrus County” (http://www.amazon.com/Citrus-County-John-Brandon/dp/1934781533 ) by John Brandon…A McSweeney’s joint…quite a bizarre book, not sure that I liked it at all…Mcsweeney’s loves this kind of twisted line of writing but this has little merit…there a couple of parts that will always stick in my mind when I hear of a child abduction but overall it made me kinda nauseaus…

[Bob]

i'm reading "the hell of it all" by charlie brooker, the wonderful man responsible for wonderful things like screenwipe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIyg2a72uV4) and co-creation of nathan barley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwTzPnWsz20)

it's a collection of his articles that he's written for the guardian and it's obviously funny and all, but what i find most striking about it is that when you read them all together you get a kind of touching glimpse into his soul. he describes himself accurately as a "professional curmudgeon" and the articles are mostly him complaining about things he hates, but underneath it all is this kind of deeper, simmering self-loathing of "ugh, i hate myself for complaining about all these things, i can't believe i chose to do this for a living"

my favorites are the ones where he'll write something awful about someone (usually someone on tv), only to meet them in person later on and realize "well shit, they're actually a perfectly pleasant person and actually the giant cunt for judging them based entirely on how they act on TV." he tells a story about it happening to him one time, and him apologizing for the article he wrote, only to have the other guy tell him that he hadn't read it, he was just complimenting charlie generally for something he'd seen that he liked. so charlie had to awkwardly explain to him what it was he'd said and watch him react to it for the first time

basically it's all very dark and self aware and i get kind of a kick out of reading it, even if it is the book equivalent of a clip show

[p-branez]

Messed up INDEED. I need to take a break from Mr. McCarthy for awhile.



I bought "Blood Meridian" on my Kindle this weekend. Probably 25% done after a few sittings. I like everything so far.

[MC Moot]

”The Trade” (http://www.amazon.com/The-Trade-Fred-Stenson/dp/B009F7JULO) by Fred Stenson…about 100 pages in and unsure whether to continue…however this would be a great read for high schoolers studying Canadian History and Western Civ…

[MC Moot]

”We Are What We Pretend To Be: The First and Last Works” (http://www.amazon.com/We-Are-What-Pretend-Be/dp/1593157436/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354205015&sr=1-1&keywords=we+are+what+we+pretend+to+be+the+first+an d+last+works) by Kurt Vonnegut…keep moving along, nothing worth reading here…the 1st post mortem piece of his published, that I have found to be disappointing…the brief forward by his daughter is the most valuable bit…

[HEIRESS]

”The Trade” (http://www.amazon.com/The-Trade-Fred-Stenson/dp/B009F7JULO) by Fred Stenson…about 100 pages in and unsure whether to continue…however this would be a great read for high schoolers studying Canadian History and Western Civ…

Oh weird, I totally have this out from the library right now as well! I think I am feeling the same way about it....
Did you also get it because of Canada Reads: Turf Wars?

I also scored a copy of "Waging Heavy Peace" by Neil Young! It was such a refreshing read, I actually enjoyed the somewhat slapdash approach to writing his memoir.

Oh and read "Earth Abides" as well, a little bit dated, but it was very well written and I enjoyed it.

[MC Moot]

Oh weird, I totally have this out from the library right now as well! I think I am feeling the same way about it....
Did you also get it because of Canada Reads: Turf Wars?

Ha,ha!..but of course!...:D

[MC Moot]

”Anansi Boys” (http://www.amazon.ca/Anansi-Boys-Novel-Neil-Gaiman/dp/006051518X ) by Neil Gaiman…started it last night,seems like it’s going to be good fun…already reminds me of “Good Omens” (http://www.amazon.ca/Good-Omens-Accurate-Prophecies-Nutter/dp/0060853980/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358440305&sr=1-1)of course without Pratchett…:(

Next in cue are ”The Gone Away World” (http://www.amazon.ca/The-Gone-Away-World-Nick-Harkaway/dp/0307268861) and ”Angelmaker” ( http://www.amazon.ca/Angelmaker-Nick-Harkaway/dp/0307743624/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1) by Nick Harkaway as per William Gibson’s suggestion…

[MC Moot]

”Leaving the Atocha Station" (http://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Atocha-Station-Ben-Lerner/dp/1566892740 ) by Ben Lerner…a powerful little book that I relate to for many reasons…