What are you reading? What was the last book you enjoyed?

only reading two at a time

Just finished Machine Crusade one of the latest Pre-Queels to the Dune series, and reading Second Foundation, 'cuz I didnt read Asimov as a kid. And going to buy Hefs Little Black book tommorrow
 
Currently reading 2 books.

"Democracy in America" by Alexis de Tocqueville
and
"Six Not So Easy Pieces" a collection of lectures by Richard Feynman

The first is the essential starting point in any inquiry into the basics of American democracy, and provides a view of the process that is over 150 years old. This lets one see how things have changed.

The second is an edited transcript of lectures given by Dr. Feynman, at Cal-Tech, 1961-1965. It is stunning how brilliant this man was. Another great read about/by him is "Surely Your Joking Mr. Feynman".

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D :SpiningDe
 
I just packed these two books for my next flight later today:

I have never read this one before:

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And then some "hopefully" interesting political stuff:


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Wow, To Kill a Mockingbird is definitely one of those you somehow missed when you were a kid! Canuck, I think you'll like it... lots about social justice and doing what's right whether or not it's popular. And remember that Scout's little friend was based on her real life childhood friend, Truman Capote.
 
I've picked up and read several books that my friends here South of the Border had to study in school - books that you all in the States here are often assigned as required reading.

I have been very pleased with the results.

Slaughterhouse Five
Lord of the Flies
The Catcher in the Rye

That kinda stuff. I'm getting there - I want to be able to understand all literary references in conversation!
 
It seems like there is this whole sub-genre in American required school reading based on private boys' schools. Another one to go along with that is A Separate Peace. I don't know why there are so many of them... I guess it probably had to do with where the predominant authors were coming from in the middle of the 20th century.
 
I started reading Hitchhiker: A Biography of Douglas Adams recently, which prompted me to pick up The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy again.

- Fin
 
I'm about halfway through my third Jack Keroauc book, "Big Sur".
 
I'm about 2/3 of the way through John Irving's "The Fourth Hand".

Last book I finished was Irving's "A Widow for One Year". I was surprised to see in the LA Times this morning that the first part of that book has been turned into a movie that's coming out, called "A Door in the Floor".

I'm kind of picky about books and authors now, I just don't get much time to read any more. I have several books backed up.
 
Fooferah said:
It seems like there is this whole sub-genre in American required school reading based on private boys' schools. Another one to go along with that is A Separate Peace. I don't know why there are so many of them... I guess it probably had to do with where the predominant authors were coming from in the middle of the 20th century.
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I hated "A Separate Peace".

D :SpiningDe
 
I'm currently reading a book by English author SIMON CLARK, called "Blood Crazy". It's a horror book...and my first of Clark's. I would say the story is
*somewhat* similar to the movie "28 Days Later"....but Clark adds a great deal of humor to his horror. I'm only on page 138 of 394, but so far, so good.

I'm always on the prowl for some good (trashy even!) horror/thriller books, so
if anyone has a personal recommendation (besides the requisite Stephen King or Anne Rice), I'm "dying" to know. ;) Thanks!
 
Fooferah said:
That's what one of my friends says too... she absolutely detests it. I liked it, from what I remember.
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All I remember was "Blitz Ball", the game in which the rules were made up on the fly.

darthrob13 said:
The second is an edited transcript of lectures given by Dr. Feynman, at Cal-Tech, 1961-1965. It is stunning how brilliant this man was. Another great read about/by him is "Surely Your Joking Mr. Feynman".
Click to expand...

I received that book as a gift from one of my college professors. Enjoyed it tremendously. Feynman ended up serving on the comission that studies the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. I don't know exactly how accurate the folklore is, but he supposedly developed his experiment for testing the fragility of the failed O-rings at freezing temperatures by putting a small rubber ring in a glass of ice-water during a commission meeting.
 
I have just finished a couple of great books read with my book club. They are:
The Piano Tuner (rent the movie Appocalyse Now to go with it)
Middlesex
We also read the Da Vinci code, which is not a great book in and of itself. The things it discusses, such as the Knights Templar and Opus Dei are fascinating if you do additonal research on the Web. It makes the book more interesting.
I am also reading Teaching Lolita in Teheran, a fascinating story and best seller
 
I just finished "Bleachers", now onto my next book.....hmmm.....maybe "Angels and Demons" finally or "Paradise Lost".
 
Just finished the GoodKind book Sword of Truth:Naked Empire and Sterling's Heavy Weather...made the Lustbader book the bathroom book :).

Started Thomas Harlan's Wastelands of Flint.
 
i read the new non-fiction book from chuck palahniuk last night. it's a bunch of essays on all kinds of stuff. i really liked it, but then i'm a big chuck fan anyways.

Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This collection from shock novelist Palahniuk (Choke; Lullaby) is an eye-opening look at the raw material that goes into Palahniuk's fiction, as well as proof that the novelist's art is derived from keen observation and recording of details. Often these are as grotesque as a closeup in a horror film (e.g., in talking to a group of wrestlers enduring Olympic tryouts, Palahniuk focuses on their injuries, both physical and emotional). Half the essays are magazine assignments and include insightful profiles of rock star Marilyn Manson, indie-movie queen Juliette Lewis and a high schooler who wants to explore space via a homemade rocket. Others offer the author's impressions of a demolition derby, the Rock Creek Lodge Testicle Festival and life aboard the USS Louisiana. Palahniuk often philosophizes, dwelling on the effects his fiction has had on "reality," especially the obsession his fans have had with his novel Fight Club. Palahniuk is fixated on the transformation of life's raw material into fiction and the writing process itself, which he sees as having the potential for self-fulfillment. (Incidentally, Brad Pitt, who played Fight Club's protagonist, emerges as Palahniuk's alter ego, and a number of the essays play on this theme, creating a patchwork memoir.) Palahniuk's fans will undoubtedly revel in the secrets the author reveals. Newcomers might initially feel queasy, but they're likely to warm up to his visceral prose and come to enjoy it.


link: Stranger Than Fiction: True Stories by Chuck Palahniuk
 
spanky said:
I received that book as a gift from one of my college professors. Enjoyed it tremendously. Feynman ended up serving on the comission that studies the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. I don't know exactly how accurate the folklore is, but he supposedly developed his experiment for testing the fragility of the failed O-rings at freezing temperatures by putting a small rubber ring in a glass of ice-water during a commission meeting.
Click to expand...

It was better then that.

A Morton-Thyocol (sp?) spokesman had just finished speaking to the press about how it couldn't have been the O-Rings.

Feynman proceeded to twirl a piece of o-ring in a glass of ice water. He took it out a little latter, and broke it on the table.

Brilliant man, and a brilliant scientist.

D :SpiningDe
 
Fingolfin said:
I started reading Hitchhiker: A Biography of Douglas Adams recently, which prompted me to pick up The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy again.

- Fin
Click to expand...


no set of books has every made me laugh more the the Hitchhiker's saga. Everytime I pick them up I'm in stitches.
 
I am finishing I, Robot and starting The Order of the Phoenix again.
 
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