The Last Three Books You've Read

[racer2c]

Anait's comments in her b-day thread about what she was reading got me wondering what everyone else likes to read.

I was in the attic a few months ago and found an old box of books of mine from when I was a kid. I couldn't help but break out some of my old favorites and see if they were as good as I remember them.

As a young teenager I played D&D ( :gomer: ) which lead me into reading fantasy books. From fantasy to sci-fi through high school and then mainly sci-fi and non-fiction history in college.

So the last three books I've read are re-reads (sic).

1) High Deryni - Kathryn Kurtz -Adult Fantasy (book 3 of series)
2) On a Pale Horse - Peirs Anthony - Sci-Fi (book 1 of series)
3) The Seeress of Kell - David Eddings - Adult Fantasy (book 5 of series)

I was surprised that I enjoyed them again as much as I did. At times I felt the fantasy books were a bit adolescent even though they are classified as 'adult fantasy' which means they have detailed violence and sex. They blow away Harry Potter though! :)

The last three books that weren’t ‘re-reads’ are;

1) Green River Running Red – Anne Rule – Non Fiction (my wife only reads Anne Rule books and she made me read this. I hated it. Those books are too damn depressing)
2) The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown – Fiction ( I hated this book even before I read it so I figured I’d read it to see why I hated it. I hated it even more. Pulp fiction in it’s mediocrity).
3) Band of Brothers – Steven E. Ambrose – Non-Fiction (love the HBO series, love the book. I'm watching the series on DVD for the third time through!)

[rabbit]

"The Godfather" - Mario Puzo
"Man of Honor" - Joseph Bonanno
"The Great Divide" - T. Davis Bunn

[Andrew Longman]

1776 (in progress)
The Last Open Road
Benjamin Franklin

[extramundane]

"The Lone Surfer of Montana, Kansas" - Davy Rothbart
"Assassination Vacation" - Sarah Vowell
"The Rise of the Creative Class" - Richard Florida

[Ankf00]

Homage to Catalonia - George Orwell
(His memoirs of his service in the P.O.U.M. army "fighting" alongside anarchists & communists against Franco's fascists. The experience which taught him that communism was as worthless as fascism.)

Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
(Man Booker Prize finalist, an award for contemprorary fiction by any Commonwealth or Irish writer. The award shortlist is a reliable source for quality literature. I think previous winner Life of Pi was a pretty popular read in the US at one time...)

Bouchon - Thomas Keller
(Owner/chef of French Laundry in Napa, also owns a bistro named Bouchon. Cookbook for the bistro, beautiful photographs, coffee table quality, but lots to read beyond recipes such as histories of bistros, and lesser-known facts of certain foods, ingredients, and such)

[rosawendel]

"the complete calvin and hobbes - vol II" - bill watterson
"is nothing sacred?" - lewis black
"the truth - with jokes" - al franken.

[KLang]

'Saga of Seven Suns - Book 5: Of Fire and Night' - Kevin J. Anderson (current read)
'Joshua's Hammer' - David Hagberg
'Saga of Seven Suns - Book 4: Scattered Suns' - Kevin J. Anderson

[skaven]

Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan - hard-boiled SF (a great read for r2c)
Collapse by Jared Diamond - "how societies choose to fail or succeed"/ a look at ancient civilizations destroyed by environmental damage and a look at our own times
A Tramp Abroad by Mark Twain - stories of his European vacation

[anait]

The Halo novels:

1) The Fall of Reach - Eric Nylund
2) The Flood - William C. Dietz
3) First Strike - Eric Nylund

I like Eric Nylund's writing a LOT. I will be looking for his other books, I think: V-R thrillers A Signal Shattered and Signal to Noise; contemporary fantasy novels Pawn's Dream and Dry Water; and a sci-fantasy novel A Game of Universe.

The middle Halo book was my least favourite - being the official 'novel of the game' it seemed like Mr. Dietz was hampered by having to stay so closely within the limits of the game. But the characters were still well-drawn. In all three books, I got a good picture of every single Marine, every ONI spook, every Navy commander. And I have now joined my teenager in having a big ol' crush on John, the Master Chief, Spartan 117. :D I want a keychain of his MJOLNIR armour. http://comicsmedia.ign.com/comics/image/article/696/696891/halo-continues-as-comic-book-20060317054027428.jpg

One book mr anait read last year was Kiln People, by David Brin, lent to him by some friends. He and they both loved it, but so far, I don't like it at all. The first couple of chapters are too 'crime drama meets hard sci fi' for me...but I'll read some more, I don't want give up yet. :)

[Ankf00]

Now I love Halo and all, don't get me wrong. The first one provided endless LAN massacres in the dorms at all hours and even our apts the final 2 years of school had broadband hooked up collectively. The 2nd one is just ALLSOME and can be played online on XBox Live and stuff.


But this whole book reading thing and knowing Master Chief's name and armor and all that is just creepy... :saywhat:


:p

[anait]

Non-sci-fi books I've read/am reading:

1) The Making of the Atomic Bomb - Richard Rhodes

This is an AMAZING book. Covers all the angles, all the personalities, all the technology, all the politics - scientists, physicists, politicians, military people all described in great detail. And the science and tech are explained so well...I was thoroughly impressed with the bomb's structure, how the damping materials combine to compress the inner core evenly...incredible, terrifying stuff.

2) My Life - Bill Clinton

Still reading this one. A bit of a slog. It's reviewed as easy to read, very conversational in tone...but I guess I find it a bit too conversational. SO many names from his childhood, that he refers to once or twice, in a few paragraphs or a page, and then he moves on to another name. Just a bit disjointed, even though it's chronological...don't know if you get what I mean.

3) Bono in Conversation - with Michka Assayas

Fantastic book. Interviews recorded over a few years. Great read, great insight into Bono's life and background and beliefs. Love it.

[anait]

Now I love Halo and all, don't get me wrong. The first one provided endless LAN massacres in the dorms at all hours and even our apts the final 2 years of school had broadband hooked up collectively. The 2nd one is just ALLSOME and can be played online on XBox Live and stuff.


But this whole book reading thing and knowing Master Chief's name and armor and all that is just creepy... :saywhat:


:p

So sue me, I'm a relatively housebound homemaker who's a closet soldier, and wants to kick some alien @ss. :D Heh...and it's much less of a concern to mr anait if I read a book than if I get all into a FPS game for hours on end. :rofl:

[TKGAngel]

Wicked:The Life & Times of the Wicked Witch of the West - Gregory McGuire.
The story of the Wicked Witch of the West from her childhood as a little green girl through her murder at the hands of Dorothy.

The Rabbit Factory - Marshall Karp
An actor playing the role of a beloved character at a So. Cal theme park is murdered. Two of LAPD's finest must rush to solve the crime before things spiral out of control. Well written and funny.

Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs - Chuck Klosterman.
Pop culture essays. Great read.

[racer2c]

Wicked:The Life & Times of the Wicked Witch of the West - Gregory McGuire.
The story of the Wicked Witch of the West from her childhood as a little green girl through her murder at the hands of Dorothy.



Didn't she do Maxwell House coffee commercials in the 70's?

[Sean O'Gorman]

Green Eggs and Ham
Hop on Pop
Go Dog Go

[RaceGrrl]

"Cesar's Way" by Cesar Millan- the dog whisperer
"Feast of Love" by Charles Baxter
"Crimson Petal and the White" by Michael Faber

...all vacation books.

Now I'm back to just reading school books.

[G.]

Green Eggs and Ham
Hop on Pop
Go Dog Go
Sean, in a few weeks, after you finish Hop on Pop, could you mail it to me for my kids?

Thanks.

[Ankf00]

Green Eggs and Ham
Hop on Pop
Go Dog Go
you know, I always believed you were an intellect just made for Dr. Seuss

[skaven]

"Crimson Petal and the White" by Michael Faber

...all vacation books.

I heard that was good, despite being a bit steamy.

[RaceGrrl]

I liked it and you're right, it is definitely not for kids.

[TKGAngel]

Green Eggs and Ham
Hop on Pop
Go Dog Go

What's next: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish?

[RichK]

Eleanor Rigby by Douglas Coupland

Wild Ducks Flying Backwards by Tom Robbins

A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

Coincidentally, these are my three favorite authors!

[Dr. Corkski]

I heard that was good, despite being a bit steamy.Is Nelson Philippe on the cover? :gomer:

[chop456]

Hope Against History - The Course of Conflict in Northern Ireland - Jack Holland
The Beatles Anthology - The Beatles
Age and Guile Beat Youth, Innocence and a Bad Haircut - P.J. O'Rourke
Holidays in Hell - P.J. O'Rourke

Sue me. :gomer:

[Gangrel]

"Shadow Divers" by Robert Kurson (in process)
The true story of a group of scuba divers who make history by discovering and researching an undocumented U-boat wreck in the Atlantic off the coast of New Jersey.

"The Divemaster Handbook", PADI publications
Need I say more? :D

"No Safe Harbor" by Joe Burnworth
True story of the tragedy of a diving cruise ship (liveaboard) that sank during Hurricane Iris with 19 souls aboard. Worst disaster in recreational scuba diving history.

See a running theme here?

[racer2c]

"Shadow Divers" by Robert Kurson (in process)
The true story of a group of scuba divers who make history by discovering and researching an undocumented U-boat wreck in the Atlantic off the coast of New Jersey.

"The Divemaster Handbook", PADI publications
Need I say more? :D

"No Safe Harbor" by Joe Burnworth
True story of the tragedy of a diving cruise ship (liveaboard) that sank during Hurricane Iris with 19 souls aboard. Worst disaster in recreational scuba diving history.

See a running theme here?

You prefer non-fiction? ;)

[Gangrel]

You prefer non-fiction? ;)

Of course, my favorite book of all time was The Stand. Probably second favorite would be War of the Worlds. :)

[TKGAngel]

A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore



He is a great writer. Have you read Lamb: The Gospel According to Christ's Childhood Pal? I don't think I've ever laughed so hard while reading a book.

[RichK]

He is a great writer. Have you read Lamb: The Gospel According to Christ's Childhood Pal? I don't think I've ever laughed so hard while reading a book.


:thumbup:
I bought a few copies of Lamb as gifts! He's from the Central Coast out here in CA, so I've met him at booksignings/readings a couple times. He's very funny in person, as well.

[race chica]

Deception Point - Dan Brown
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - JK Rowling
Angels and Deamonds - Dan Brown

Since i go through about a book every 3 days b/c of the 2 hr/day metro ride to work there are a lot more i could add to the list. Mostly Dan Brown and whatever looks good in the "lunch room library" at work.

[IlliniRacer]

What's next: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish?

One Fish, Two Fish,..... is a Classic in our household :thumbup:


As for my list:

Wild At Heart - John Eldridge
Ghosty Men - Franz Lidz - which led me to read:
Unstrung Heroes - Franz Lidz

[Night Train]

reading Angels and Demons by Dan Brown right now

before that:

Watership Down - Richard Adams
A Churchill bio - don't remember the author
The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

[anait]

One Fish, Two Fish,..... is a Classic in our household

I have the cutest One Fish Two Fish T-shirt I bought in D.C. :thumbup:


Wild At Heart - John Eldridge

Have you read Waking the Dead?

[datachicane]

Guns, Germs and Steel- Jared Diamond
Brunelleschi's Dome- Ross King
The Crying of Lot 49- Thomas Pynchon (Don't Ever Antagonize the Horn! :cool: )

[skaven]

Guns, Germs and Steel- Jared Brown


Not to nit-pick, but that is written by "Jared Diamond."

... and is a great read. :)

[datachicane]

Yeah, I know.
:gomer:

[WickerBill]

The Silmarillion - JRR Tolkien
Wild at Heart - John Eldridge (a big :saywhat: to Illini)
VMware ESX Server - Advanced Technical Design - Ron Oglesby/Scott Herold

Also just finished the LoTR trilogy, my annual summer read.

[emjaya]

The Jack Brabham story by Sir Jack Brabham. very good read about 60's grand prix racing, the Indy stuff is interesting.

Rising Sun by Michael Crichton. Xenophobia???

Miller's Collecters Cars price guide. So many cars, so little money. :( :gomer:

[swift]

The Game- Neil Strauss
;) "did you see the two girls fighting outside?" http://www.champcarfanatics.com/forums/images/smilies/gorgeous.gif

Sideways - Rex Pickett
haven't seen the movie yet.. but i will eventually 'cuz the book rocked.

Porno- Irvine Welsh
its the sequel to Trainspotting

[racer2c]

The Game- Neil Strauss
;) "did you see the two girls fighting outside?" http://www.champcarfanatics.com/forums/images/smilies/gorgeous.gif

Sideways - Rex Pickett
haven't seen the movie yet.. but i will eventually 'cuz the book rocked.

Porno- Irvine Welsh
its the sequel to Trainspotting

Sideways the movie is one of my new favorites! Wonderful film. I'll have to check out the book. :thumbup:

[racer2c]

The Silmarillion - JRR Tolkien
Wild at Heart - John Eldridge (a big :saywhat: to Illini)
VMware ESX Server - Advanced Technical Design - Ron Oglesby/Scott Herold

Also just finished the LoTR trilogy, my annual summer read.

I didn't know you were a fellow ring head! I don't read them yearly, but diffinitly every three years. Do you read other fantasy series?

[nrc]

April 1865: The Month That Saved America - Jay Winik
A Scanner Darkly - Phillip K. Dick
Martian Time Slip - Phillip K. Dick

[racermike]

this year so far (completed)

Freakanomics - Steven Levitt
Collapse, How Societies Choose to fail or succeed - Jared Diamond
Angels & Demons - Dan Brown
The Hot Zone - Richard Preston
The Essays of ralph Waldo Emerson

at the moment

Winning Modern Wars - General Wesley Clark

[WickerBill]

I didn't know you were a fellow ring head! I don't read them yearly, but diffinitly every three years. Do you read other fantasy series?


You ... didn't... *choke*...know??

Completely off-the-wall plug here, but a good friend's wife has written an extremely well-crafted middle earth-type novel called "Elfhunter", which is a good read with excellent reviews. Check it out here. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1420894609/sr=8-1/qid=1153392104/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9024843-4092726?ie=UTF8)

[nrc]

You ... didn't... *choke*...know??Wasn't there a thread once with WB's tearful coming out as a "Ring" geek? :)

[racer2c]

Wasn't there a thread once with WB's tearful coming out as a "Ring" geek? :)

I remember now! Yes! It turned out that Mike Kellner was also a big ring geek too. *warm and fuzzy*

[RaceGrrl]

<----ring dork. I'm not knowledgeable enough to be a ring "geek." I read the trilogy every couple of years.

BTW, On a Pale Horse is one of my all time favorite books too- can't remember who listed that one here. The Stand is at the top of my list. I read it every year on vacation.

[Ankf00]

Guns, Germs and Steel- Jared Diamond


liked that book. muy interesting.

[Night Train]

The Silmarillion - JRR Tolkien

By far his best work!

[anait]

I was the ultimate LotR nerd in junior high...carried the trilogy, the Guide to Middle Earth, the Silmarillion all around with me to classes. Did my Gr 9 English report on the history of Middle Earth... But I never did make it all the way through the Silmarillion. :D That might have to be my vacation reading this year!

[theunions]

Started and finished over the last two months:

1. The Danica autobiog (go ahead and snicker, I don't care). Some interesting parts, some fluff, and the self-help mumbo-jumbo I could've done without (most of which I think was the doing of her co-author anyway), but far better done than the unauthorized crap (even by the likes of Jonathan Ingram, who should've known better) churned out over the past year.

2. Gold Thunder - autobiog of Rex White, by far the most obscure Grand National champion in NASCAR history. Still doesn't really explain why he basically pulled a disappearing act for the better part of four decades and was completely invisible throughout 1998 while he was being honored as one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers of all time.

3. Icons' Krazy Kids' Food! - Vintage Food Graphics - a B&N/Taschen imprint by Steve Roden & Dan Goodsell. Not a reading book but plenty of photos of classic consumer packaging from the '30's to 1976 (some of which I'm actually just barely old enough to remember seeing on store shelves).

I've avoided fiction of all kinds like the plague since no longer being required to touch it by any school curriculum. Love English and creative writing courses - hate the infinite majority of fiction writers who I just plain don't find interesting or imaginative enough. I've got enough nonfiction books stockpiled to keep me occupied the rest of my natural life if I never devoted time to anything else whatsoever.

[Napoleon]

Guns, Germs and Steel- Jared Diamond
Off Center - Jacob Hacker/Paul Pierson
Lapdogs - Eric Boehlert

[nrc]

Started and finished over the last two months:

1. The Danica autobiog (go ahead and snicker, I don't care).

<Muttley snicker>

[Ed_Severson]

Some interesting lists here. I'm sure the theme of my list will be obvious. Just for fun, the last seven books I've read, starting with the most recent, are ...

1) We Have Capture: Tom Stafford and the Space Race -- Thomas P. Stafford with Michael Cassutt
2) Light This Candle: The Life and Times of Alan Shepard, America's First Spaceman -- Neal Thompson
3) Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut's Journeys -- Michael Collins
4) Deke!: An Autobiography -- Donald K. Slayton with Michael Cassutt
5) The Last Man on the Moon: Astronaut Eugene Cernan and America's Race in Space -- Eugene Cernan with Don Davis
6) Apollo 13 -- Jim Lovell with Jeffrey Kluger
7) First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong -- James R. Hansen

[Ankf00]

Some interesting lists here. I'm sure the theme of my list will be obvious. Just for fun, the last seven books I've read, starting with the most recent, are ...

1) We Have Capture: Tom Stafford and the Space Race -- Thomas P. Stafford with Michael Cassutt
2) Light This Candle: The Life and Times of Alan Shepard, America's First Spaceman -- Neal Thompson
3) Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut's Journeys -- Michael Collins
4) Deke!: An Autobiography -- Donald K. Slayton with Michael Cassutt
5) The Last Man on the Moon: Astronaut Eugene Cernan and America's Race in Space -- Eugene Cernan with Don Davis
6) Apollo 13 -- Jim Lovell with Jeffrey Kluger
7) First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong -- James R. Hansen
[nasa geek] DWEEB!!! [/nasa geek]