just finished


just started

8/3/2009 6:22:17 PM

"Quite possibly the most engrossing book ive ever read... I literally lose my ability to remain aware of my surroundings while I'm reading this book."

-- joe_schmoe, The TWW Journal of Literary Criticism








[Edited on August 3, 2009 at 6:53 PM. Reason : ]

8/3/2009 6:50:51 PM

I just started it, really good so far.

8/4/2009 8:04:06 AM

Just finished reading FireFly Lane[i] by Kristin Hannah

8/4/2009 9:20:13 AM

quagmire02, how is Locke Lamora? a quick wiki search makes it sound really interesting.

8/4/2009 9:35:27 AM

and just started

8/4/2009 9:55:28 AM

8/5/2009 9:07:52 AM

Just finished:

8/11/2009 8:36:44 AM

just finished:



Thinking about starting:

or

8/11/2009 8:59:32 AM

isn't Lovely Bones just the most depressing and simultaneously best book you've ever read?

8/11/2009 10:01:18 AM

8/11/2009 10:02:33 AM

Finished Flyboys. Good book

Now reading:



[Edited on August 11, 2009 at 10:06 AM. Reason : .]

8/11/2009 10:06:15 AM

Gotta see what the hype is all about.

8/11/2009 11:22:27 AM

Quote :

"isn't Lovely Bones just the most depressing and simultaneously best book you've ever read? "

I didn't like the ending, but that's life.

If you want a depressing/best book read Fall on your Knees. eahanhan suggested it and I texted her the minute that I finished saying that it was like being punched in the stomach.

OOOH the Time Traveler's Wife is great too, definitely depressing as well.

8/11/2009 11:38:40 AM

so noted

8/11/2009 11:40:43 AM

Quote :

""Quite possibly the most engrossing book ive ever read... I literally lose my ability to remain aware of my surroundings while I'm reading this book." -- joe_schmoe, The TWW Journal of Literary Criticism "

The Diamond Age was ridiculously good; read that one earlier this year. Then again I've never been disappointed by Stephenson, though his newer works tend to get a little slow in places.

Just finished:

Great read--goes into a lot of detail about Lincoln, the Cabinet, and the time period, but very well written and engaging.

Also:

Informative and enjoyable; a quick read (finished in like 3 days).

About to begin:

I haven't read anything by Chabon before, but have heard good stuff. Looking forward to a good novel after several nonfiction reads.

8/11/2009 12:26:20 PM

I've started at the beginning again ... that's ... 14 books since last September ... re-reading Dune will set myself up well for



[Edited on August 13, 2009 at 4:06 PM. Reason : again]

8/13/2009 4:05:42 PM

Started this last night. Liking it so far. Looking forward to reading while at the beach this weekend.

8/13/2009 4:13:34 PM

Quote :

" haven't read anything by Chabon before, but have heard good stuff. Looking forward to a good novel after several nonfiction reads"

I would suggest The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (probably my all-time favorite book) or Wonder Boys over The Yiddish Policeman's Unit

[Edited on August 13, 2009 at 4:57 PM. Reason : s]

8/13/2009 4:57:30 PM

8/13/2009 5:04:32 PM

Can't seem to find anything new or worthwhile recently... so, I'm starting to re-read through some of my fav series. My queue:

- Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon series. I finished the Defector the day after it came out... fanfreakingtastic
- Douglas Preston's and Lincoln Child's Pendergast series (Aloyisius Pendergast is my secret lover)
- Anne Rice's Vamipre Chronicles. Haven't read those in probably 15+ years, so it is time to reread
- Matt Reilly's Scarecrow series (poor writing, but thoroughly entertaining)

[Edited on August 13, 2009 at 8:43 PM. Reason : more]

8/13/2009 8:42:03 PM

^^^^
Didn't know Brian was still writing. Did the three prequels, three sequels, and now an interquel tetralogy (thanks Wikipedia for our phrase of the day!). Will wait till he's done with all 4 before reading, but good to know more to come.

Still working on Robert Jordon's Wheel of Time series ... book 9 / 11 right now (with 12 part 1 this fall).

8/13/2009 9:53:30 PM

^i'm a little apprehensive that it won't measure up to the series with the new author, but i'm more excited that *someone* will be finishing the series... and i am pleased that they aren't trying to cram the entire ending into 1 vol.

i started reading the wheel of time back in 1991 (yes, i am that old), so i've been following it for years. when rj passed away, i was terrified that i'd never know how the story ends, that all those years waiting and the re-reads were in vain (i typically re-read the whole series every two years or so - if i don't refresh my memory, when a new volume comes out, i don't remember all the details from prior books that make the story so rich).

8/13/2009 11:39:36 PM

ok so I'm currently halfway through:



Holy shit.

Completely fucked up book.

I LOVE IT.

[Edited on August 14, 2009 at 10:53 AM. Reason : Chuck Palahniuk]

8/14/2009 10:52:26 AM

Quote :

"I would suggest The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (probably my all-time favorite book) or Wonder Boys over The Yiddish Policeman's Unit"

I own Kavalier and Clay but haven't read it yet, Wonder Boys is on my list of books to buy at some point. I honestly chose this one by perusing my bookshelf and pulling out the first novel that I hadn't read yet.
~75 pages in and I enjoy it so far.

8/14/2009 2:43:55 PM

8/17/2009 8:31:03 AM

Not surprisingly, it has absolutely nothing to do with the third movie.

8/18/2009 4:43:08 AM

^^ starting a game of thrones next! i hear a song of fire and ice is an unbelievable series! all the books are huge too.

8/18/2009 9:33:52 AM

yea man im loving it. I had read up a ton on the series before and kept meaning to start and finally bought this book over the weekend. Even though I am only halfway through the first book, I am already glad I started these...hopefully they keep it up.

8/18/2009 9:57:45 AM

I'm about 300 pages into the third book, A Storm of Swords, and as someone who'd never read any fantasy books before, I'm loving it so far.

8/18/2009 10:07:42 AM

^that is such a good series, I'm excited for the next book and wary of the impeding tv show

8/21/2009 1:56:57 PM

8/21/2009 2:04:53 PM

from what i understand a song of fire and ice isn't as fantastical as some other things out there. supposedly it's more about the age it takes place in and the interpersonal relationships and political battles...with some creatures thrown in of course. for instance the wheel of time series. i'm halfway through shadow rising and this series has been about as magic packed as any.

we'll see what hbo does with it. it hasn't been given a complete green light yet from what i understand. but an official pilot is being produced along with ~5-10 other shows which will all compete for 2 slots or something like that. even if they do butcher it you can always have the books, which will be much more timeless than a tv/movie.

8/21/2009 2:53:34 PM

started it monday night and finished it wed night-- good read, i really enjoyed it. it was sci-fi without being over your head



starting this one today. its been recommended by several friends

my favorite place to read is the stairclimber at the gym. i can knock out several books per week and i get two things done at once

ive also rediscovered my local library and have been borrowing books non stop. i like buying books but storage becomes an issue and i very rarely reread books so i figure the library is a good option. i even feel more compelled to read because i know i have to give it back

8/21/2009 3:23:37 PM

Quote :

"from what i understand a song of fire and ice isn't as fantastical as some other things out there. supposedly it's more about the age it takes place in and the interpersonal relationships and political battles...with some creatures thrown in of course. for instance the wheel of time series. i'm halfway through shadow rising and this series has been about as magic packed as any. we'll see what hbo does with it. it hasn't been given a complete green light yet from what i understand but an official pilot is being produced along with ~5-10 other shows which will all compete for 2 slots or something like that. even if they do butcher it you can always have the books, which will be much more timeless than a tv/movie."

yea. im over 3/4 through the first book and loving it. As much as I enjoy well-written high fantasy, I have really enjoyed this book being based around political agenda's and personal interactions and just good dialogue and character development so far. This is really so similar to the style of fantasy that I am looking to write myself (though much more well written than I could do haha) so it is definitely something I am enjoying to read so far.

As far as the TV series goes, I'm actually looking forward to it or at least looking forward to giving it a shot. The few actors they have signed on to big roles so far are actually very solid actors and decent casts for the parts and George R. R. Martin himself said the scripts for the first season/first book that he saw were incredibly faithful. Plus, like you said, if they butcher it, then no big deal because we still have the books.

8/24/2009 8:10:51 AM

8/24/2009 9:34:23 AM

finally!

8/25/2009 6:45:09 PM

books?

8/25/2009 10:17:18 PM

Pale Fire

8/25/2009 11:07:47 PM

I really want to read The Time Traveler's Wife. My best friend just ordered this book. I also wanna see the movie! Anyone seen it?

8/26/2009 9:03:53 AM

8/26/2009 1:40:48 PM

Quote :

"quagmire02, how is Locke Lamora? a quick wiki search makes it sound really interesting."

aha, i never saw you post this

it's pretty good...for me, there are the books i can't put down, the books i can but find myself making excuses to keep reading anyway, and the books that i could take or leave...this one is definitely in the second category

i liked it well enough that i'm on the second book:



i think lynch is a good author and i like the way he writes...lots of detail and good character development...i was in the mood for something a little different when i picked up the first one, though, and so think that clouded my enjoyment just a tiny bit

8/26/2009 2:54:17 PM

loved the first one, and I've been devouring this one even faster.

8/31/2009 8:25:21 AM

So, I'm looking for a new book to read. Can anyone suggest a really good non-fiction book? Maybe one that is something inspiring, like about someone overcoming the odds? I have read books such as Three Cups of Tea and Icebound.

Thanks!

8/31/2009 8:40:36 AM

^ "Lucky" by Alice Sebold, "Sex, Sushi, & Salvation" by Christian George

ORRRR... "Bitter is the New Black" by Jen Lancaster... inspiring and seriously hysterical

[Edited on August 31, 2009 at 11:14 AM. Reason : .]

8/31/2009 11:13:40 AM

Alternatives to the Peace Corps : a directory of global volunteer opportunities / edited by Jennifer Sage Willsea.

How to live your dream of volunteering overseas / Joseph Collins, Stefano DeZerega, and Zahara Heckscher.

So, you want to join the Peace Corps : what to know before you go / Dillon Banerjee.

Survival kit for overseas living : for Americans planning to live and work abroad / L. Robert Kohls.

[Edited on August 31, 2009 at 11:16 AM. Reason : .]

8/31/2009 11:15:31 AM

^^I quickly looked over the synopses for all of those books & they sound very interesting! Thanks for the suggestions! I think I'll try out the Sex, Sushi, & Salvation book.

[Edited on August 31, 2009 at 11:18 AM. Reason : errrrr]

8/31/2009 11:18:06 AM

^ Jen Lancaster actually has 4 books out now and I highly recommend all of them... "Bitter is the New Black" is officially one of my favorite books now.. it really made me LOL

"Lucky" will make you cry most likely... and another book I recently heard about (haven't read yet though) is by Rue McChlanahan called "My 5 husbands and the ones who got away" or somethingl ike that

8/31/2009 11:21:26 AM

^Aw...I love books that make me cry! I cry at a lot of books though. Firefly Lane, by Kristin Hannah, made me cry. It reminds me so much of my best friend and I. It was sweet. I will check out that book you were mentionioning...Bitter is the New Black. The summary on Amazon made it sound funny. I think I'll just buy it!

8/31/2009 11:23:33 AM

dorking out on color/art history

9/8/2009 1:48:59 PM