What books are you reading?

[jkisha]

Thought it might be interesting to see what books other eplayans are reading or have currently read. Here's my current Kindle list:

The Watchman's Rattle
by Rebecca Costa
(About half way through and can't put it down.)

Physics of the Impossible
by Michio Kaku
(Just finished this.)

Free Lunch
by Kavid Kay Johnston

The Frugal Superpower
by Michael Mendelbaum

The Greatest Show on Earth
Richard Dawkins
(about half-way through this one)

Gay, Straight and the Reason Why
Simon LeVay

JK

[geospyder]

Just finished "Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation" by John Carlin.

Now I'm going into my fiction adventure mode.

Curently reading "The Janson Directive" by Robert Ludlum

The next two that I have ready are:

"The Afgan" by Frederick Forsyth and "A Place Called Freedom" by Ken Follett

[theCryptofishist]

The Saragossa Manuscript, odd, odd, odd. Almost done, finally picking up again.
Advance copy of Heroes is up next. I enjoyed The First Law trilogy, but can he still be "fresh"?
I'd have to look at my bookshelf for more.

[ygmir]

just finished "The Gathering Storm", 12th in the "Wheel of Time" series, Robert Jordan (this and the next, written by Brandon Sanderson, upon the death of RJ)

[K-mom]

I just finally finished Thomas Pynchon's Against The Day - it was the longest read of my life. Started it on Boxing Day 2009, finished it on Day of the Dead 2010, including a couple of extended breaks when I felt my brain starting to melt. That book also wound up well traveled, as I took it on a work trip in April, a family visit across the country in July, and of course, BM in August. The best part is my memories of this entire year will forever be intertwined with that tome.

[Isotopia]

Voyager: Seeking Newer Worlds in the Third Great Age of Discovery, by Stephen J. Pyne

[Fire_Moose]

Sorry, I'm late for nerd practise.

[flatlander13]

Being dyslexic I mostly read for work. I do listen to audio books in my studio and in the car. My current audio book is Life by Keith Richards and James Fox. Not being a big Stones fan I was really surprised on how good of stories are in this book. It’s kind of like listening to your uncle tell you stories……only your uncle is Uncle Keith (Richards) and the stories are well……..just think of your uncle telling you about being high on acid for 3 days driving around London with John Lennon………or making his first guitar amp out of the family radio………


Just finished Kill the Dead by Joe Haldman. This is the second book in the Sandman Slim series. This book is dirty and gritty and funny as hell………maybe because the main character escaped from hell in the first book…….

[Thecatman]

"The Gun Digest of Concealed Carry" by Massad Ayoob.

Only half way through Sara Palin's "Going Rouge."

[jkisha]

Sorry, I'm late for nerd practise.

I'm sorry you don't read.

Actually, I got out of the habit myself for awhile, then Kindle came out for my phone and I'm reading more than a book a week again.

JK

[gaminwench]

Celestial Harmonies, Esterhazy; War & Peace, Tolstoy (second time round, first was 30 years ago - time for a re-visit, my high school students want relevant discussion); Hamlet, Shakespeare (or whomever) for possible production next year...

[Eric]

I only read one book at a time, but read my magazine subscriptions along with & in-between them. This is the current book and a couple of the most recent:

The Black Swan, the Impact of the Highly Improbable (Taleb)

A Crack in the Edge of the World, American & the Great California Earthquake of 1906 (Winchester)

Germania, In Wayward Pursuit of the Germans and Their History (Winder)
I love this book!

The History of the Medieval World (Bauer)

[theCryptofishist]

A Crack in the Edge of the World, American & the Great California Earthquake of 1906 (Winchester)

How is this? I read his Krakatau book and the Professor and the Madman, and I found him interesting but irritating. I've sort of vowed never to read him again. But it's San Francisco, and the earthquake, so there's this maybe...

And what is it about

Germania, In Wayward Pursuit of the Germans and Their History (Winder)

that you love?

[Thecatman]

A Crack in the Edge of the World, American & the Great California Earthquake of 1906 (Winchester)

Germania, In Wayward Pursuit of the Germans and Their History (Winder)
I love this book!

sounds like two interesting books there.
Making a note of them.

[Eric]

A Crack in the Edge of the World, American & the Great California Earthquake of 1906 (Winchester)

How is this? I read his Krakatau book and the Professor and the Madman, and I found him interesting but irritating. I've sort of vowed never to read him again. But it's San Francisco, and the earthquake, so there's this maybe...

If you didn't like his other ones you won't like it. I find him a little annoying also, but he does cover his subjects really well, and he gives a lot of depth to them. Got a little scary when he pointed out that Loma Prieta wasn't on the San Andreas, and the fault is 12' (yes, feet) out of alignment since 1906. We are sooooo due for one....... I really need to update my earthquake kit.

And what is it about

Germania, In Wayward Pursuit of the Germans and Their History (Winder)

that you love?

I read history like someone in danger of losing the ability, and have read a great deal of German & European history- this book completely made me rethink the "common knowledge" of Germany & Prussia- you know, their aggression coming from strength. It's a fun read, and it's not an in-depth study (but it's not meant to be), but it's an all around fantastic book.

I just read it a few months ago & it went right into the "re-read" pile. Not many do that right away, even though I re-read almost everything a couple of times.

[Simon of the Playa]

'Demian' by Hesse.

"Der Vogel kämpft sich aus dem Ei. Das Ei ist die Welt. Wer geboren werden will, muß eine Welt zerstören. Der Vogel fliegt zu Gott. Der Gott heißt Abraxas."

[theCryptofishist]

Hm. I'm not such an ace at German history. I like history that makes me think.
Argh. I'm not sure I want to start a to be read list. On the other hand...

and barring unforseen circumstances, I'll finish Saragossa tonight.

[Eric]

Hm. I'm not such an ace at German history. I like history that makes me think.
Argh. I'm not sure I want to start a to be read list. On the other hand...

and barring unforseen circumstances, I'll finish Saragossa tonight.

I should add that Germania is one of the snarkiest history books I've ever read as well.

Hmmm. I may need to read it again sooner rather than later.

[Fire_Moose]

Sorry, I'm late for nerd practise.

I'm sorry you don't read.

Actually, I got out of the habit myself for awhile, then Kindle came out for my phone and I'm reading more than a book a week again.

JK

I don't read much cuz it's really hard for me to get into a book, i have read most of Chuck Palaniuck's stuff and Douglas Adams of course...

[Ranger Genius]

Currently:
The Yiddish Policemen's Union, Michael Chabon

Masked (collection of short fiction in the superhero genre) Ed. by Lou Anders

No Time Like Tomorrow, Brian W. Aldiss

Recently:
The City & The City, China Mieville

Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, Cory Doctorow

Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town, Cory Doctorow

The Zenith Angle, Bruce Sterling

Spook Country, All Tomorrow's Parties, and Pattern Recognition, all William Gibson

In queue:
Naked, David Sedaris

Waiting for the Galactic Bus, Parke Godwin

Whale Season, N.M. Kelby


And speaking of The Yiddish Policemen's Union: I thought I was inured to blasphemy, but there's a murdered heroin addict, and when they look in his kit, it turns out he's been tying off with his Tefillin. I'm not easily shocked, but for some reason that did it.

[theCryptofishist]

Hm. I'm not such an ace at German history. I like history that makes me think.
Argh. I'm not sure I want to start a to be read list. On the other hand...

and barring unforseen circumstances, I'll finish Saragossa tonight.

I should add that Germania is one of the snarkiest history books I've ever read as well.

History snark! I am so there! (It's coming out in paperback, or just did, I forget.)

[jkisha]

What a broad range of genres this list encompasses. I read very few novels or works of fiction and rarely a biography. I think I might try choosing a book off of everyone's list to broaden my horizons.

BTW, I hear Kindle is going to be implementing the ability to lend books to friends. If anyone else is using Kindle, I wouldn't mind lending or sharing books when the feature is operational.

JK

[knowmad]

My two favorite reads of 2009. From which I'll generally read a few passages with my morning meditation.

How to See Yourself As You Really Are
by, Holiness the Dalai Lama

Anleitung zum Unglücklich-Sein
by Paul Watzlawick
(in German, but there is a translation titled "The Guide to Unhappiness")

And out of the re-read pile:

Cities of the Red Light
by William S. Burroughs

[Savannah]

Ranger Genius, I hope you love Sedaris's Naked as much as I did. It's my favorite of his.

I am currently reading The Plague, by Albert Camus. I didn't know anything about it going in, and I wish I'd read it last month before Halloween. It's pretty creepy.

[theCryptofishist]

So, what did you think of The City and the City, Genius? (I meant to ask earlier, but got derailed.)
I thought that the evocation of cold war police thrillers was incomplete. But of course, that wasn't what it was--wasn't even one of the chief parents of the hybrid.
I did finish Saragossa Manuscript and I have no idea of what to say. Maybe it's the happy version of learning that a secret cable has been controlling the world for years. Sorta "I found out that the Illuminati are good and I got a nice tee-shirt." I'm going to say that people should read it if they are interested in its place in history of lit, but if you're looking for a good read, this may not be it.

[Ranger Genius]

I really enjoyed it, Fishie. It was kind of an indictment of the arbitrary concept of national boundaries. He manages to be subtle and ham-fisted about arguing for global government at the same time. It took me a while to understand what was going on, exactly, but I really like how the concept unfolded. I enjoyed Perdido Street Station so much, I had to pick it up when I saw it.

[BAS]

I'm reading "Hawaii The Big Island Revealed" by Andrew Doughty, and finding out I want to see EVERYTHING! (My parents invited my brother and I to go with them this time, with my mom offering to pay my way. I kind of wish that they had told me earlier. I was already well into my "use it or lose it" mode with regards to my vacation time.)

I am also preparing to re-read Bill Phillips "Body for Life" since I have let my health go for far too long.

I am also reading my cryonics sign up forms to see what I need to finish before sending by to the Cryonics Institute.

What I am NOT reading is my email, since most of it has been ads or other stuff I am not really interested in.

[Thecatman]

I have the book "Once a Dodger, Always a Bum" by the late Don Drysdale.
Thats gonna have to be my next one

[theCryptofishist]

I really enjoyed it, Fishie. It was kind of an indictment of the arbitrary concept of national boundaries. He manages to be subtle and ham-fisted about arguing for global government at the same time. It took me a while to understand what was going on, exactly, but I really like how the concept unfolded. I enjoyed Perdido Street Station so much, I had to pick it up when I saw it.

For me it fell that little bit flat; you got more out of it than I did. I tried Perdido Street Station and swore I'd never touch Mieville again, but earlier this year I found Un Lun Dun at the library. I like what he did to prophesy. So I read Kraken too, and that was pretty good. Now Iron Council is on my tbr shelf. If I take to it, I'll give Station another chance.

[lonestoner916]

I just finished an old Dean Koontz novel, Hideaway. Also currently reading Darkly Dreaming Dexter and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Despite all this evidence to the contrary, my favorite books are the classics and "new classics." Recently read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and loved it. Next up is Dickens' Bleak House and a book I have been trying unsuccessfully to get my hands on for several years, Infinite Jest. For audiobooks I'm working through two Espanol textbooks and Aristotle on the Perfect Life.