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What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Benjamin Grimm Jan 05 2009 02:57 PM

I don't want to lock the 2008 thread yet, since some of us want to post our year-end lists. But let's start putting new books in this thread.

metirish Jan 05 2009 08:16 PM

With my B&N gift card I ordered- In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex Nathaniel Philbrick Child 44 Tom Rob Smith Lost Men: The Harrowing Saga of Shackleton's Ross Sea Party Kelly Tyler-Lewis The Great Shame: And the Triumph of the Irish in the English-Speaking World Thomas Keneally Two of these books came from reading last years thread and the good recommendations they got.

DocTee Jan 05 2009 08:24 PM

Philbrick is great. Kenneally can be, but wanders into mawkish sentimentality too much for my tastes. His treatment of TF Meagher--trying to walk the fine line of party politics and his own conscience-- is compelling.

SteveJRogers Jan 05 2009 09:09 PM

Going to read Jeff Pearlman's book on the 1990s Dallas Cowboys during my Aruba trip No doubt it will be as entertaining and descriptive as his 1986 Met one!

Fman99 Jan 06 2009 01:55 AM

[quote="metirish"]With my B&N gift card I ordered- In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex Nathaniel Philbrick Child 44 Tom Rob Smith Lost Men: The Harrowing Saga of Shackleton's Ross Sea Party Kelly Tyler-Lewis The Great Shame: And the Triumph of the Irish in the English-Speaking World Thomas Keneally Two of these books came from reading last years thread and the good recommendations they got.

I read the Essex book. It is tremendous.

Centerfield Jan 06 2009 12:24 PM

I'll second that. Essex was my favorite book that I read in 2008. I am about 100 pages into Outliers, Malcom Gladwell's latest book. For those of you that read Tipping Point, it is basically the same exact book.

seawolf17 Jan 06 2009 12:25 PM

Hey, it worked the first time. Might as well sell a few million more copies before anyone realizes. edit: Not that he's the first author to try that. (See Koontz, Dean.)

RealityChuck Jan 06 2009 12:39 PM

A Christmas present.

Fman99 Jan 09 2009 09:28 AM

[quote="RealityChuck"] A Christmas present.

I just added that to my Barnes and Noble list.

Right now I'm reading this...



Sadly I am running low on Michener books that I have not yet read.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 09 2009 09:40 AM

I bailed on Michener many years ago after slogging through Hawaii, however I did pick up a paperback copy of Poland for a dime a few months ago. I'll keep it on my bookshelf to read in case I ever plan a vacation to Poland.

Fman99 Jan 09 2009 09:52 AM

I am putting together my purchase list for the GC my parents got me this year. So far I have on my list... * denoted a CPF recommendation, the others are on Barnes and Noble bargain list... *Salt by Mark Kurlansky *The Beer & Whiskey League by David Nemec *A Game of Brawl by Bill Felber *Rome 1960 by David Maraniss *Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert Massie The Rise of American Democracy by Sean Wilentz *American Lion by Jon Meacham Rising Tide by John Barry The Secret Founding of America by Nicholas Hagger Also I think I will start keeping track of the books I read in 2009. Why not.

themetfairy Jan 09 2009 09:56 AM

Jon Meacham was a guest on The Daily Show recently - American Lion sounds fascinating.

HahnSolo Jan 09 2009 10:24 AM

[quote="metirish":dncjc3mg]With my B&N gift card I ordered- In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex Nathaniel Philbrick Child 44 Tom Rob Smith Lost Men: The Harrowing Saga of Shackleton's Ross Sea Party Kelly Tyler-Lewis The Great Shame: And the Triumph of the Irish in the English-Speaking World Thomas Keneally Two of these books came from reading last years thread and the good recommendations they got.[/quote:dncjc3mg] I liked Child 44 quite a bit. And In the Heart of the Sea is awesome.

Frayed Knot Jan 09 2009 10:56 AM

I love the cover of 'Poland' where it says; by the author of 'Mexico'. Like it couldn't also have said author of 'Hawaii', or 'Alaska', or 'Texas', or about 100 other one-word title/place names. Hopefully he stopped before getting to 'Burkina Faso'

seawolf17 Jan 09 2009 11:17 AM

But it's just like Mexico, only colder. It's nothing like his Norway, which was a real bodice-ripper.

themetfairy Jan 09 2009 12:13 PM

Fucking funny stuff!

Willets Point Jan 09 2009 03:08 PM

Denis Leary has a doctorate?

themetfairy Jan 09 2009 03:44 PM

An honorary one from Emerson (where he actually used to be a writing instructor, back in the day).

Fman99 Jan 09 2009 07:34 PM

[quote="Frayed Knot":3lelv3dm]I love the cover of 'Poland' where it says; by the author of 'Mexico'. Like it couldn't also have said author of 'Hawaii', or 'Alaska', or 'Texas', or about 100 other one-word title/place names. Hopefully he stopped before getting to 'Burkina Faso'[/quote:3lelv3dm] Ironically "Mexico" is one of his weakest books. I tried twice and could not get through it.

Vic Sage Jan 13 2009 03:36 PM

Count yourself lucky. If you'd gotten thru it, you'd have ended up in Guatamala.

Edgy DC Jan 13 2009 05:33 PM

Denis Leary, author. Why should I care?

themetfairy Jan 13 2009 06:15 PM

Why should I care if you care? This isn't the "Does Edgy Care?" thread. It's the "What Are You Reading?" thread. And I happen to be reading it (and finding it humorous).

DocTee Jan 13 2009 06:40 PM

I think you read too much into Edgy's comment. My interpretation was "Denis LEARY? Seriously? I'm writing books that no one'll read and he's getting published! Blech. "

TheOldMole Jan 13 2009 07:08 PM

metirish Jan 18 2009 08:57 AM

more than a few here highly recommended this book , it was harrowing and astonishing and the author did a brilliant job of tying together reports that are now nearly two centuries old. Now reading

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 26 2009 11:01 AM

Interesting! A lighter touch on the history & stuff for sure than a book like Salt, but no worse for it. I mean, there's a ton of stuff I didn't know about bananas and the tragedies around its history are astonishing (suicides, mass murder, coups, disease, etc). And comes out with a strong endorsement for GMOs.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 26 2009 11:02 AM

As I was reading the book, I found myself really wishing I could try a Gros Michel to see how different from a Cavendish it really was.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 26 2009 11:04 AM

I mean, isn't that crazy? I also wanna try one of those red ones he endoreses (begins with an L?, can;t remember the name) and the one shaped like an orange.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 26 2009 11:10 AM

Inspired by that book, I bought some red bananas at my local supermarket. It took, literally, weeks for them to get ripe. I think, even two weeks after I bought them, I still wasn't able to peel them because they were some firm. When they finally got ripe, I was disappointed in the taste. Not much different from a Cavendish, but the difference that did exist wasn't an improvement.

Centerfield Jan 26 2009 11:40 AM

I'm about halfway through this book and I love it: American ship wrecks in Africa after the war of 1812. This is the story of their attempts to survive the wreck, starvation, thirst, enslavement etc. I think I really like shipwreck books.

metirish Jan 26 2009 11:52 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 26 2009 12:04 PM

[quote="Centerfield"] I think I really like shipwreck books.

I'm going to pick that up CF , in waiting I have another shipwreck book .




From Publishers Weekly
While the story of Ernest Shackleton's crew of the Endurance is well known, the fate of Shackleton's Ross Sea support party has largely been forgotten—until now. Charged with laying supply depots for Shackleton's aborted 1914–1916 trans-Antarctic trek, the Ross Sea party became stranded when its ship tore free of her moorings and disappeared in a gale. Cambridge historian Tyler-Lewis's account of the 10-man party's plight relies heavily on the men's journals, which are amazingly detailed, considering the physical (snow blindness, scurvy, frostbite) and mental (depression, paranoia) problems they faced. The men's decision to lay the depots despite the obstacles demonstrates their courage, but Tyler-Lewis's narrative doesn't focus solely on heroics. Instead, the heart of the book lies in Tyler-Lewis's dissection of the men's relationships with one another. As friends are made, alliances formed and resentment festers, humanity is never lost, even amid inhumane conditions. Given the collection of military, civilian, scientific and blue-collar personnel that made up the expedition, it's compelling to see how each man deals with his fate. Add in the party's adventures of sledding in subzero temperatures with the sociological aspects of being stranded for nearly two years in such an inhospitable place, and the result is a gripping work.

MFS62 Jan 26 2009 11:56 AM

Just got the 2009 BaseballAmerica Almanac. All the hitting, fielding and pitching stats for every team in organized baseball last year. Later

Edgy DC Jan 26 2009 11:56 AM

[quote="themetfairy":36rxtqd8]I think you read too much into Edgy's comment. My interpretation was "Denis LEARY? Seriously? I'm writing books that no one'll read and he's getting published! Blech. "[/quote:36rxtqd8] Actually, I'm just asking what's in there, having limited time in my life and wanting to know where best to invest it. I didn't mean to deride the selection. Only looking for more information when the book is posted without note of the substance of the content.

Edgy DC Jan 26 2009 12:12 PM

[quote="themetfairy":156c1pgd]This isn't the "Does Edgy Care?" thread.[/quote:156c1pgd] See, here, I didn't say I didn't care, and am sorry if this reads rudely, but it wasn't meant to be read that way.

Fman99 Jan 26 2009 12:56 PM

[quote="metirish"][quote="Centerfield"] I think I really like shipwreck books.

I'm going to pick that up CF , in waiting I have another shipwreck book . From Publishers Weekly While the story of Ernest Shackleton's crew of the Endurance is well known, the fate of Shackleton's Ross Sea support party has largely been forgotten—until now. Charged with laying supply depots for Shackleton's aborted 1914–1916 trans-Antarctic trek, the Ross Sea party became stranded when its ship tore free of her moorings and disappeared in a gale. Cambridge historian Tyler-Lewis's account of the 10-man party's plight relies heavily on the men's journals, which are amazingly detailed, considering the physical (snow blindness, scurvy, frostbite) and mental (depression, paranoia) problems they faced. The men's decision to lay the depots despite the obstacles demonstrates their courage, but Tyler-Lewis's narrative doesn't focus solely on heroics. Instead, the heart of the book lies in Tyler-Lewis's dissection of the men's relationships with one another. As friends are made, alliances formed and resentment festers, humanity is never lost, even amid inhumane conditions. Given the collection of military, civilian, scientific and blue-collar personnel that made up the expedition, it's compelling to see how each man deals with his fate. Add in the party's adventures of sledding in subzero temperatures with the sociological aspects of being stranded for nearly two years in such an inhospitable place, and the result is a gripping work.

Yes I am adding those to my books to buy list. Thanks.

Fman99 Feb 28 2009 09:35 PM

Just got another $50 GC for my birthday and turned it into 5 more books. Some are CPF recommended. I just finished "The Pitch that Killed" and "A Game of Brawl." Both good baseball books. Now reading "American Lion." Keeping a running tally of the books I've read this year for the first time. I'd like to get through 25-30 books this year if time allows.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 01 2009 05:27 PM

Keeping it light... BASEBALL PROSPECTUS 2009 y PRACTICAL GUIDE TO RACISM - "C.H. DALTON" (Really "Daily Show" writer Sam Means) The latter-- newish in paperback-- is highly recommended for anyone with a developed sense of humor and without easily-offended sensibilities (think Swift via Daily-Show-sensibility). The former is recommended for everybody, as it is spring, and BP is rather awesome.

Edgy DC Mar 01 2009 06:38 PM

Malcolm Gladwell explains success (like Bill Gates) and failure (like plane crashes) by tracing the unexpected factors that feed into success and failure. You could have been an NHL hockey player, Gladwell explains. Not you, but maybe you. And you would've but for an arbitrary factor that has nothing to do with your talent nor your effort.

Rockin' Doc Mar 01 2009 07:00 PM

Players of the 1950's and 1960's tell stories and reminisce about their experiences in the game they love. It is interesting reading the personal experiences and humorous anecdotes from players such as Ralph Branca, Robin Roberts, Duke Snider, and Harmon Killebrew. Their recollections demonstrate just how much the game of baseball (and the world) has changed in the past 40-50 years.

Centerfield Mar 02 2009 09:00 AM

Did either of you get to The Lost Men yet? I'd like to see what you think before picking up a copy. I just started: The author gives us his account of his attempt to read the Encyclopedia Brittanica. Funny stuff so far. I just finished: The theory sounded very interesting, and it cited studies from one of my old professors. It wasn't. Boring as hell. Couldn't wait to get through it.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 02 2009 01:56 PM

[quote="Edgy DC":11zzjxh8] Malcolm Gladwell explains success (like Bill Gates) and failure (like plane crashes) by tracing the unexpected factors that feed into success and failure. You could have been an NHL hockey player, Gladwell explains. Not you, but maybe you. And you would've but for an arbitrary factor that has nothing to do with your talent nor your effort.[/quote:11zzjxh8] Just finished that one. One-and-a-half sittings. As Francesa might say, HUGE Gladwell fan, here. HYYYYYYYUGE. I would love to have him write a eulogy for me when my time comes... I just have a feeling he'd be able to explain certain things.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 02 2009 02:04 PM

[quote="Centerfield"]Did either of you get to The Lost Men yet? I'd like to see what you think before picking up a copy. I just started: The author gives us his account of his attempt to read the Encyclopedia Brittanica. Funny stuff so far.

His "The Year of Living Biblically"-- in which he attempts to follow Biblical dictums literally-- is similarly amusing.

batmagadanleadoff Mar 02 2009 07:09 PM

[quote="Edgy DC":2w058cpv] Malcolm Gladwell explains success (like Bill Gates) and failure (like plane crashes) by tracing the unexpected factors that feed into success and failure. You could have been an NHL hockey player, Gladwell explains. Not you, but maybe you. And you would've but for an arbitrary factor that has nothing to do with your talent nor your effort.[/quote:2w058cpv] This is one of, I don't know, a thousand or so books on my imaginary list of the actual book I will next read. There's just not enough time in life to read everything I'd like to read. Anyway, your post has rekindled my interest in Outliers and I am promising myself that this will be the next book I read. I mean it. Don't tell me how it ends.

metirish Mar 18 2009 07:21 AM

Reading Sebastian Barry right now and can't believe I've not read him before , love his style of writing and the humour of the various characters. nearly finished this In the hole >

Fman99 Mar 18 2009 07:43 AM

[quote="Fman99"]I am putting together my purchase list for the GC my parents got me this year. So far I have on my list... * denoted a CPF recommendation, the others are on Barnes and Noble bargain list... *Salt by Mark Kurlansky *The Beer & Whiskey League by David Nemec *A Game of Brawl by Bill Felber *Rome 1960 by David Maraniss *Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert Massie The Rise of American Democracy by Sean Wilentz *American Lion by Jon Meacham Rising Tide by John Barry The Secret Founding of America by Nicholas Hagger Also I think I will start keeping track of the books I read in 2009. Why not.

Salt was unreadably boring. They could've just written one sentence, "Salt has been used by many people in history." and been done with it.

I am reading Rising Tide now and enjoying it thoroughly. I liked American Lion and I think Rome 1960 is on deck.

Edgy DC Mar 18 2009 07:44 AM

I like Barry. Not so much the plays as the books. He's so heavy with metaphor that I have to puzzle over some, and they just shoot by in the plays.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 18 2009 07:48 AM

As mentioned below I recently finished this: 800+ pages spanning the fab Four from their birth to breakup. I'm a big fan of the Beatles music obviously and had a rudimentary understanding of most of the stuff explored here but I'd never been intimate with the details. I felt I learned quite a bit. About half the book concerns stuff that happened before they ever arrived in the USA. I thought Spitz did a great job bringing excitement to his descriptions the creation of songs -- which he does for most of their important ones. And though an appreciation for their talent shines through Spitz is no fool for Lennon's post-assassination Sainthood or McCartney's sheen. Basically, John comes off as an angry, paranoid bad husband and father, and once addicted to drugs, a destructive force vulnerable only to a contemptible, scheming Yoko. Paul means well for the band but is driven by his need to have an audience and control, which pisses off George who probably liked being a Beatle the least. Some really interesting stuff about manager Brian Epstein I didn't know, and seems that his own problems -- drugs, disorganization, an odd desire to be beaten and robbed by gay lovers, etc. -- hastened the Beatles' demise in that when he faded away there was nobody around to say no. But it was also Epstein's belief in the band that opened a lot of doors at the beginning. Anyway, longest book I've read in years and I just ate it up. PS, Sorry about that Salt thing, FMeat. I did try to say it was a big giant book.

Fman99 Mar 18 2009 09:50 AM

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]As mentioned below I recently finished this: 800+ pages spanning the fab Four from their birth to breakup. I'm a big fan of the Beatles music obviously and had a rudimentary understanding of most of the stuff explored here but I'd never been intimate with the details. I felt I learned quite a bit. About half the book concerns stuff that happened before they ever arrived in the USA. I thought Spitz did a great job bringing excitement to his descriptions the creation of songs -- which he does for most of their important ones. And though an appreciation for their talent shines through Spitz is no fool for Lennon's post-assassination Sainthood or McCartney's sheen. Basically, John comes off as an angry, paranoid bad husband and father, and once addicted to drugs, a destructive force vulnerable only to a contemptible, scheming Yoko. Paul means well for the band but is driven by his need to have an audience and control, which pisses off George who probably liked being a Beatle the least. Some really interesting stuff about manager Brian Epstein I didn't know, and seems that his own problems -- drugs, disorganization, an odd desire to be beaten and robbed by gay lovers, etc. -- hastened the Beatles' demise in that when he faded away there was nobody around to say no. But it was also Epstein's belief in the band that opened a lot of doors at the beginning. Anyway, longest book I've read in years and I just ate it up. PS, Sorry about that Salt thing, FMeat. I did try to say it was a big giant book.

No biggie JCL.

I read Peter Brown's Beatles bio ("The Love You Make") several years back and found it to be a good read. Also a big fan of their tunes.

A Boy Named Seo Mar 18 2009 10:10 AM

My bro got the that Beatles book for Xmas 2 years ago, I think, and I've been scared to dive in. I kinda feel like it now.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 18 2009 01:52 PM

FAFIF:AIPHNYM. Got it Monday. 7 chapters in. Highly enjoyable before-bed reading-- it's like a "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" for Met faithful.

Edgy DC Mar 18 2009 08:45 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 18 2009 09:54 PM

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket":169xxf2g][/quote:169xxf2g] What did he say about "It's All Too Much"?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 18 2009 09:00 PM

Spitz regards it -- along with 'Hey Bulldog', 'All Together Now' and 'Only a Northern Song' as "basically throwaways in the grand scheme," that the Beatles were required to provide for YS. They had almost nothing to do with the whole YS movie, which was negotiated by Brian before he died, and wanted no part of it. They were also in a bad way group-wise by then. "Their reaction was 'We've got to supply them with these bloody songs but we're not going to fall over backward providing them. We'll give them what we think is right." --George Martin Lennon apparently hated much of the YS album, calling it "terrible shit" though not specfiic to that song. Again, he was all fucked up by then.

Edgy DC Mar 18 2009 10:00 PM

Yabbut, "It's All Too Much" was a leftover from Sgt. Pepper. The Beatles' John-led dickishness about Yellow Submarine was the opportunity that George needed to break through and show his voice. It could have re-ignted the whole shit if J&P could have opened their eyes and seen the way.

sharpie Mar 19 2009 09:19 AM

Except George also contributed "Only a Northern Song" which is pretty crappy.

Edgy DC Mar 19 2009 09:29 AM

Yes, but (1) deliberately so and subversively so (he, too, overlooked his opportunity) and (2) it's not like he didn't continue to shine on Let It Be and Abbey Road. I'm standing by my opinion that "It's All Too Much" is excellent, as it rocks more than any of the Beatles Indian adventures. That said, you won't catch me trying to convince you that Blue Jay Way is a lost classic.

sharpie Mar 19 2009 09:35 AM

If by "shining" on Let It Be you are citing "I Me Mine" I must respectfully disagree. "For You Blue" is kind of nice but underwhelming. Yes, George ruled on his two songs on "Abbey Road" and contributed good works to The White Album. Afterword, "All Things Must Pass" is great but his career was pretty spotty afterword.

Fman99 Mar 19 2009 09:36 AM

I acutally am quite fond of "Hey Bulldog." Most of the rest of YS stinks. I will admit my love of their "Indian adventures," at least the ones on Revolver and Sgt. Pepper anyway.

Fman99 Mar 19 2009 09:40 AM

[quote="sharpie":1qjs4g4i]If by "shining" on Let It Be you are citing "I Me Mine" I must respectfully disagree. "For You Blue" is kind of nice but underwhelming. Yes, George ruled on his two songs on "Abbey Road" and contributed good works to The White Album. Afterword, "All Things Must Pass" is great but his career was pretty spotty afterword.[/quote:1qjs4g4i] I agree on all points here. "All Things Must Pass" is tremendous, and my all time favorite post Beatles solo effort. I learned how to play most of those songs and Harrison's Beatles catalog on my guitar early in my self-teaching. I also was born on George's 30th birthday. That record is as brilliant as you'd expect it to be, given how many years Harrison had to stash that music away waiting for an opportunity to record/release it.

Edgy DC Mar 19 2009 09:54 AM

I didn't mean to introduce George's post-Beatles career into the discussion.

Fman99 Apr 16 2009 05:35 PM

Back to books, I am 100 pages into "The Lost City of Z" and it is a great read.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 16 2009 05:53 PM

[quote="Fman99":1xa8vht5]Back to books, I am 100 pages into "The Lost City of Z" and it is a great read.[/quote:1xa8vht5] That one's on my to-read list.

Elster88 Apr 16 2009 07:22 PM

Got it as a birthday gift. Worth a pickup at the library or a retail rent

cooby Apr 16 2009 07:48 PM

Nice. It has a different cover though

Edgy DC Apr 16 2009 08:23 PM

Good. I mean, that's a little over-pandering a cover, isn't it?

cooby Apr 16 2009 08:36 PM

How about it? I mean, I haven't felt well lately, but that woman looks pretty ghastly

Edgy DC Apr 16 2009 08:41 PM

It says "Read this book and you too will be magically transported into an impressionist world, where a mountain breeze flaps your floral summer dress and gently cools you as the midday sun peeks in and out of the billowing clouds --- until you grow pallid and too weak to hold the book up." Mansfield deserves better.

cooby Apr 16 2009 08:44 PM

Lol, gotta agree with you there....mine is a library book with a plain tan cover. Freaking fancy covers? Katherine Mansfield don't need no freakin fancy covers! Her stories are the art work! (Edgy you shouldn't get me giggling like that right before bedtime)

Fman99 Apr 25 2009 04:19 PM

Just finished The Pillars of the Earth, purchased at the airport last week after devouring two books on my trip. Eh. It was pretty good, nothing spectacular.

RealityChuck Apr 25 2009 04:55 PM

I'm reading multiple books right now:

Willets Point Apr 25 2009 05:21 PM

Just finished "Ulysses" by James Joyce.

sharpie Apr 25 2009 07:46 PM

Just finished "Ulysses" by James Joyce. Show off.

metirish Apr 25 2009 07:48 PM

Apparently the key to reading Joyce is eating lots of cookies , namely Thin Mints and Samoas .

batmagadanleadoff Apr 25 2009 07:57 PM

[quote="sharpie"] Just finished "Ulysses" by James Joyce. Show off.

He probably read the whole thing in one morning. Then again that evening just to see if he missed anything the first time through.

A Boy Named Seo Apr 26 2009 10:38 PM

I don't know what took me so long, but I recently read "American Pastoral" by Phillip Roth and followed it up with "Portnoy's Complaint" and I zipped through "Indignation" today, broken up only by the shitty Met game. That guy is just awesome. "Portnoy" is one of the funniest books ever. "Amer. Pastoral" won the Pulitzer and "Indignation" is just really good. "The Plot Against America" is on deck. So stoked to have so many of this guy's books yet to read. Just started "Love & Responsibility" by Pope JP II. My very devout Catholic friend sent it to me because I think he thinks I need direction in my love life and need to married and have some kids and stuff. I love the guy and told him I'd read it, and so I'm reading it. Anyone else had the pleasure?

sharpie Apr 27 2009 07:12 AM

Haven't read JPII but I've read lots of Roth. "Plot Against America" really good til it peters out at the end. I recently read "Exit Ghost" -- he's writing short books now but he can still bring it. My main knock against him is that he switched from being a Mets fan to a MFY fan saying something to the effect of "why should we have to keep going with our playground favorites?" Of course he is too old for the Mets to have been a playground favorite but still. His "Great American Novel" is a good baseball book.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 27 2009 08:26 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 27 2009 08:42 AM

I've read a lot of Roth, too, including Portnoy's Complaint, which I've read about a half a dozen times. There are a few good baseball passages in PC, including the narrator Alex's realization that his dad ain't no Charlie "King Kong" Keller after Dad holds the bat cross-handed while attempting to hit some fungoes to Alex. My first exposure to PC was as a little kid, reading some Mad Magazine piece satirizing Alex's propensity to whack off. I was too young to get the joke but the Portnoy's Complaint title stuck with me. Roth's Great American Novel -- a historical fiction about the third Major Baseball League, The Patriot League -- is the funniest baseball book and one of the funniest books in its own right I've ever read, even if it's a bit too long for its own good, in my opinion. I still laugh out loud whenever I read that one, even though, like PC, I've also read GAN about a half dozen times. But that's how funny GAN is. I'll recommend GAN if you haven't yet read it.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 27 2009 08:42 AM

Currently reading Cait Murphy's Crazy '08 about the 1908 baseball season. It's a good interesting read, though I'm not sure what I think of the author's modern-day perspective snarkiness that she sometimes expresses. I try not to read too many baseball books (this is my second of the year) but I've always been intrigued by Merkle's Boner. (Wait, that didn't sound quite right...)

batmagadanleadoff Apr 27 2009 08:51 AM

[quote="Benjamin Grimm"]Currently reading Cait Murphy's Crazy '08 about the 1908 baseball season.

I'm juggling three books at the same time right now, including Crazy '08. I'm also reading The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Nasaw's biography on Andrew Carnegie (896 pgs.), which I couldn't resist after I saw it for sale in Hardcover in, of all places, a supermarket for five bucks, mint condition. Carnegie's persona already came up in Crazy '08. If he should appear in Pimpernel, I'll be triply impressed.

A Boy Named Seo Apr 27 2009 09:17 AM

[quote="sharpie":1ug0ta7m]Haven't read JPII but I've read lots of Roth. "Plot Against America" really good til it peters out at the end. I recently read "Exit Ghost" -- he's writing short books now but he can still bring it. My main knock against him is that he switched from being a Mets fan to a MFY fan saying something to the effect of "why should we have to keep going with our playground favorites?" Of course he is too old for the Mets to have been a playground favorite but still. His "Great American Novel" is a good baseball book.[/quote:1ug0ta7m] Thx, sharpie and mags, both. Haven't read GAN. That one's on deck then. There was also a passage in "Amer. Patoral" with the Lou Levov (I think) at a game at Shea in '86. He switched allegiances, huh?

batmagadanleadoff Apr 27 2009 09:21 AM

[quote="sharpie"] There was also a passage in "Amer. Patoral" with the Lou Levov (I think) at a game at Shea in '86. He switched allegiances, huh?

If Roth switched teams, it wouldn't be the first time. He was a baseball fan long before the Mets even existed, and writes about Joe DiMaggio lovingly in Portnoy's Complaint.

G-Fafif Apr 27 2009 01:54 PM

Game 6 of the '86 NLCS makes an appearance a piece of Roth non-fiction, which I made part of a Flashback Friday three years ago when we celebrated the Twentieth Anniversary of that season of seasons. Here's a version you might not have read or heard. It's from Philip Roth's Patrimony, a memoir about the end of his father's life. In the fall of 1986, Herman Roth, born in 1901, battled a brain tumor but kept his son, then in London, informed via phone of the Mets' doings. London was five hours ahead but where baseball was concerned, a world away. There was no technology to transcend the time difference or the ocean. Phillip Roth and Herman Roth would have to communicate by telephone the morning after the sixth game of the National League Championship series. The subtitle on its cover says Patrimony, like the NLCS that sneaks in on page 146, is a true story. Why wouldn't it be? "Phil? "Yes." "It's Dad. You've never seen anything like it. Mets won in the sixteenth." "Great. I was going to phone you a little later." "I only just got up. I knew you'd be wondering. They were down three in the ninth. Did I tell you this last night, about the ninth?" "Don't worry. Tell me everything." "Get this. They get three runs in the ninth. They go ahead four three. That pitcher is in there." "Kerfeld, for Houston?" "No. For the Mets. I can never think of his name." "McDowell." "No. The other guy." "Orosco." "Yeah, Morosco. The Mets go ahead four three. Then Houston gets a home run, ties it up four four. In the sixteenth inning the Mets get three runs. They go ahead seven four. Houston gets up. Guy gets on base and the next guy gets a home run. Seven six. And then Kevin Bass strikes out and they won the series." "So They won the series." "They won the series." "How'd the Mets get the three runs?" "Dykstra. I'm telling you! After Morosco gave up the runs in the sixteenth, Hernandez came out to the mound — I just read this in the paper — and you know what he said to him? 'If you throw another fastball, I'll kill you.'" "I wonder if he would have." "I would have," my father said, laughing, and sounding as though whatever had floored him in the spring was a fluke and he was going to live a thousand years." Also in that Flashback, another father and son not necessarily associated with the Mets. You know who wanted the Astros to beat the Mets in 1986? George Bush. Both of them. The elder Bush was the vice president at the time. His home away from Washington was a Houston hotel room. He was throwing out the first pitch at the Astrodome before Game One. As he was leaving, a Channel 4 reporter, Mike Taibbi, had a clear shot at him, so to speak. "Mr. Vice President!" he called out. "Who's going to win the series?" Bush, who looked almost as annoyed as he would when chatting with Dan Rather two Februarys hence, answered curtly. "The Astros." I had no plans to vote for Vice President Bush come 1988, but that sealed it. As for the younger George Bush, my introduction to him came in 1992 via Richard Ben Cramer's masterwork, What It Takes: The Way to the White House. No mere Making of the President, Cramer's book sought to discern how a man — each of six men who ran in '88 — could possibly think he was qualified to lead the free world. It's a half-dozen psychobiographies in one, with a particular amount of attention paid to George Herbert Walker Bush. Unlike the Astros in 1986, he would go on to win. Cramer kicks off his book at the Astrodome, with the veep prepping to fling the ol' ceremonial horsehide. This is about as good as it gets, as close as American politics offers to a mortal lock. On this night, October 8, 1986, the Vice President is coming to the Astrodome, to Game One of the National League Championship Series, and the nation will be watching from its La-Z-Boys as George Bush stands front and center, glistening with America's holy water: play-off juice. Oh, and here's the beauty part: he doesn't have to say a thing! He's just got to throw out the first ball. The author goes on to explain that in executing something so simple, there are a thousand details and a million egos to hurdle. Nobody was more of a problem than the vice president's son, George Walker Bush. See, a box, the box of Astro owner John McMullen, was arranged for family and staff and somebody had the temerity to include "Junior" out. He wouldn't have bad seats, he just wouldn't be sitting with his dad in camera range. Cramer portrayed the offspring's anger before Game One. It had nothing to do with Mike Scott or Dwight Gooden. It had everything to do with that staff man. Maybe he doesn't know Junior's here — the hell he doesn't, he oughta — or that he might want to sit with his parents, have a few laughs with the family...or that he likes to be seen in Texas, might want to run in Texas someday. What would that asshole know about running? Typical Junior, according to the author. They were screwing around with the wrong guy. Junior was the Roman candle of the family, bright, hot, a sparkler — and likeliest to burn the fingers. He had all the old man's high spirits, but none of his taste for accommodation. In fact, he was more like Bar, the way he called a spade a spade. But it wasn't so easy for him to do it in the background, the way she'd done it all these years." ("Bar," of course, was then-second lady Barbara Bush. She'd come into some infamy in the very same Astrodome 19 years later when she suggested that for the evacuees of Hurricane Katrina, living in this arena was probably an upgrade over whatever the floods had washed away in New Orleans.) Worse for the staffer was that the seats George W. Bush wanted for himself and his wife Laura were to be occupied by that particular staff man and his aide. With his new nemesis in full earshot, Junior, indeed throwing off sparks, expressed his dismay to another family retainer, Lee Atwater. SEATS AIN'T WORTH A SHIT. I GUESS THE BOX GOT A LITTLE CROWDED. PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY GOTTA BE HERE... Eventually, George W. Bush calmed down or got distracted and took off with his entourage for an Astrodome skybox. His father the vice president threw the first pitch. It bounced in front of the plate. Embarrassed, he buried his head in his hands. So much for that holy water play-off juice. George W. Bush was a footnote to a constitutional appendage in 1986. We didn't know who he was. We didn't know he was 40 and that years later we would be told that when he turned 40 he decided to forsake alcohol for the Almighty and that, as Cramer noted then, "these days, control, discipline — some of that old Bush medicine — was what he was always teaching himself." What that would imply for this nation's future in how it was run and where it would head...totally unknowable and unimaginable then. On October 8, 1986, George W. Bush was simply an unpleasant character in some way associated with the Houston Astros. He had plenty of company. This isn't about politics. It's about pitching. The Astros had it but good. But boy was it unlikable.

Fman99 Apr 29 2009 10:11 AM

[quote="metirish"][quote="Centerfield"] I think I really like shipwreck books.

I'm going to pick that up CF , in waiting I have another shipwreck book . From Publishers Weekly While the story of Ernest Shackleton's crew of the Endurance is well known, the fate of Shackleton's Ross Sea support party has largely been forgotten—until now. Charged with laying supply depots for Shackleton's aborted 1914–1916 trans-Antarctic trek, the Ross Sea party became stranded when its ship tore free of her moorings and disappeared in a gale. Cambridge historian Tyler-Lewis's account of the 10-man party's plight relies heavily on the men's journals, which are amazingly detailed, considering the physical (snow blindness, scurvy, frostbite) and mental (depression, paranoia) problems they faced. The men's decision to lay the depots despite the obstacles demonstrates their courage, but Tyler-Lewis's narrative doesn't focus solely on heroics. Instead, the heart of the book lies in Tyler-Lewis's dissection of the men's relationships with one another. As friends are made, alliances formed and resentment festers, humanity is never lost, even amid inhumane conditions. Given the collection of military, civilian, scientific and blue-collar personnel that made up the expedition, it's compelling to see how each man deals with his fate. Add in the party's adventures of sledding in subzero temperatures with the sociological aspects of being stranded for nearly two years in such an inhospitable place, and the result is a gripping work.

Just finished this one. Fantastic.

Now reading "Angela's Ashes." Bit of a downer.

Edgy DC Apr 29 2009 10:17 AM

Childhood in Limerick: more depressing than being marooned in Antartica. Ouch. In such conditions, why do you not leave a skeletal crew aboard the ship?

Fman99 Apr 29 2009 10:21 AM

[quote="Edgy DC":3pp7aa9r]Childhood in Limerick: more depressing than being marooned in Antartica. Ouch. In such conditions, why do you not leave a skeletal crew aboard the ship?[/quote:3pp7aa9r] There was a full crew aboard the ship. Unfortunately it did not include anyone with Antarctic experience, and a poor choice of docking locations was made. The ship was set adrift in ice and could not return until first going back to New Zealand for repairs.

metirish Apr 29 2009 10:24 AM

I've yet to read "Lost" myself.....I've read Angela's Ashes of course , I thought "'Tis" was excellent.

MFS62 Apr 29 2009 10:53 AM

One thing I'm NOT reading is the "Who's Who In Baseball" - 2009 Edition. I buy it every few years. I saw it at Borders and decided to pick it up. I was standing on line waiting to pay and decided to check out Daniel Murphy's minor league stats. He's not in this year's book. Players with less major league time were. I put it down and walked out of the store. Later

TransMonk Apr 29 2009 11:07 AM

Picked up two used books today after them being recommended to me: Recommended by my Dad. Recommended by my girlfriend.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 29 2009 11:19 AM

I thought it was a little jumpy and disjointed at first but ultimately comes together to tell the fun true story of a genius dangerous quack who sews goat balls onto people and while promoting himself and/or eluding authorities who should have him in for murder invented or laid the groundwork for country radio, political campaigning, infomercials, etc. The killer underlying thread is how little has changed.

Edgy DC Apr 29 2009 11:24 AM

Why does the font change on "The Man Who Pursued Him"? It looke like somebody lasered in Arial there.

Willets Point Apr 29 2009 11:24 AM

It's written by a Pope and that's no bull.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 29 2009 11:41 AM

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket"] I thought it was a little jumpy and disjointed at first but ultimately comes together to tell the fun true story of a genius dangerous quack who sews goat balls onto people and while promoting himself and/or eluding authorities who should have him in for murder invented or laid the groundwork for country radio, political campaigning, infomercials, etc. The killer underlying thread is how little has changed.

I saw this covered on TV recently in a documentary where this goat balls story wasn't the main theme of the documentary. Can't recall if it was PBS or the History Channel. This guy promised all sorts of medical benefits with his goat balls and even managed to con a U.S. politician who boasted about the positive effects of his surgery. He died a year later.

Fman99 Apr 29 2009 12:16 PM

I better get these goat scrote removed, then, if they're not going to help.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 29 2009 12:43 PM

They may not help you live longer, but they'll enable you to better digest paper and aluminum.

Fman99 May 04 2009 12:00 PM

[quote="metirish":qhzujqzo]I've yet to read "Lost" myself.....I've read Angela's Ashes of course , I thought "'Tis" was excellent.[/quote:qhzujqzo] I just finished "Angela's Ashes," which is a tremendous read. I am adding "Tis" to my list of books to get next. Just started "Halsey's Typhoon."

TheOldMole May 04 2009 06:16 PM

batmagadanleadoff May 04 2009 08:49 PM

[quote="batmagadanleadoff"][quote="sharpie"] There was also a passage in "Amer. Patoral" with the Lou Levov (I think) at a game at Shea in '86. He switched allegiances, huh?

If Roth switched teams, it wouldn't be the first time. He was a baseball fan long before the Mets even existed, and writes about Joe DiMaggio lovingly in Portnoy's Complaint. Today, I was reading some pieces from a Baseball Anthology that I haven't read in years --particularly a Philip Roth article that had originally appeared in the New York Times Op-Ed page on Opening Day, 1973, when I was reminded of this thread. Roth's earliest baseball allegiance was to the Newark Bears and the Brooklyn Dodgers: [quote="Philip Roth"]To sing the National Anthem in the school auditorium every week, even during the worst of the war years, generally left me cold. The enthusiastic lady teacher waved her arms in the air and we obliged with the words: "See! Light! Proof! Night! There!" But nothing stirred within, strident as we might be - in the end, just another school exercise. It was different, however, on Sundays out at Ruppert Stadium, a green wedge of pasture miraculously walled in among the factories, warehouses, and truck depots of industrial Newark. It would, in fact, have seemed to me an emotional thrill forsaken, if, before the Newark Bears took on the hated enemy from across the marshes, the Jersey City Giants, we hadn't first to rise to our feet (my father, my brother, and I - along with our inimical countrymen, the city's Germans, Italians, Irish, Poles, and, out in the Africa of the bleachers, Newark's Negroes) to celebrate the America that had given to this unharmonious mob a game so grand and beautiful. Just as I first learned the names of the great institutions of higher learning by trafficking in football pools for a neighborhood bookmaker rather than from our high school's college adviser, so my feel for the American landscape came less from what I learned in the classroom about Lewis and Clark than from following the major-league clubs on their road trips and reading about the minor leagues in the back pages of The Sporting News. The size of the continent got through to you finally when you had to stay up to 10:30 P.M. in New Jersey to hear via radio "ticker-tape" Cardinal pitcher Mort Cooper throw the first strike of the night to Brooklyn shortstop Pee Wee Reese out in "steamy" Sportman's Park in St. Louis, Missouri. And however much we might be told by teacher about the stockyards and the Haymaker Riot, Chicago only began to exist for me as a real place, and to matter in American history, when I became fearful (as a Dodger fan) of the bat of Phil Cavarretta, first baseman for the Chicago Cubs.

SteveJRogers May 25 2009 07:04 PM

Listening to the audio book version of this, downloaded off of iTunes Funny thing about hearing a sports book via audio book is hearing names butchered by readers whom clearly never heard those names before. Among them, Jerry Grote's name is pronounced the same as Dick Groat, as if there was a silent e at the end of Jerry's name. Worse is that sometimes even YOGI'S own last name is pronounced as if it was the same as the author, Barra!

Rockin' Doc May 25 2009 08:00 PM

Is anyone surprised that Steve is reading a book subtitled Eternal Yankee?

Fman99 May 26 2009 05:38 AM

I am 2/3 of the way through "Rome 1960," which is an excellent mix of sports and history. Very readable even to those such as myself who are largely indifferent to the Olympic games.

The Second Spitter Jun 01 2009 05:56 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 01 2009 06:03 AM

Has anybody read Rick Darling's book? I've read a couple of reviews which had differing opinions. Just wanted someone else's take.

Edgy DC Jun 01 2009 06:00 AM

I'm finding it a little wanky so far. (Psst, Ron.)

The Second Spitter Jun 01 2009 06:02 AM

[quote="Edgy DC"]I'm finding it a little wanky so far. (Psst, Ron.)

Thanks. Yes, I confused him with the cricketer.

soupcan Jun 01 2009 06:50 AM

[quote="Triple Dee":4z59z3y5]Has anybody read Rick Darling's book? I've read a couple of reviews which had differing opinions. Just wanted someone else's take.[/quote:4z59z3y5] I'm about 60 pages in. S'okay so far. I liked the tidbits about the lockerroom interraction his rookie year.

TheOldMole Jun 01 2009 07:02 AM

Funny thing about hearing a sports book via audio book is hearing names butchered by readers whom clearly never heard those names before. The guy who read Peter Golenbock's Bums did this a lot. The one that sticks in my mind is Phillie catcher Andy Sa-MINN-ick. Listening to Proust on AudioBook, read by Neville Jason, who is a master.

themetfairy Jun 01 2009 07:13 AM

I enjoyed Ron Darling's book. It's set up where Chapter 1 discusses the first inning of his first major league game, Chapter 2 discusses the second inning of a different game, etc. The chapters about games he pitched are more compelling than the chapters about games he merely observed, but overall I found it to be a very good read. Keith's reminiscences on the 2008 season, OTOH, isn't as compelling (especially because it's a season that we'd all prefer to forget).

Rockin' Doc Jun 01 2009 05:39 PM

Major League stars of the 1940's and 1950's share memories of their time in the game and occassionally offer commentary on the changes in the game and modern players. Bob Feller, Warren Spahn, Larry Doby, Ralph Kiner, and others reflect on the game they loved. Warren Spahn on the current use of pitchers; "This is one the things I don't understand about baseball today, is that guys pitch once a week, they pitch five innings. They don't pitch in relief, they don't pitch batting practice. You know, to me your arm is like your legs; you've got to use them to keep them in shape. How the heck can these guys today stay off the disabled list with what little throwing they do? "You know, everything today is predicated on preventing a sore arm with the five man rotation and counting the pitches. Well, we get more sore arms now than we ever had in history. And it's because pitchers never get their arms in shape." "I think baseball has made cripples out of pitchers, or freaks, and I don't think it's right." You tell'em Spahnie. Another interesting aside was that both Ralph Kiner and Monte Irvin singled out the same pitcher as the toughest they ever faced. I think you will be quite surprised by their choice..................Ewell Blackwell.

Edgy DC Jun 01 2009 05:50 PM

[quote="Warren Spahn":l6eowp5j]"You know, everything today is predicated on preventing a sore arm with the five man rotation and counting the pitches. Well, we get more sore arms now than we ever had in history. And it's because pitchers never get their arms in shape." "I think baseball has made cripples out of pitchers, or freaks, and I don't think it's right."[/quote:l6eowp5j] I'd like to see the data on that.

Farmer Ted Jun 01 2009 06:13 PM

Going to take a stab at this piece of rock and roll fiction this week. http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Bottom-Novel ... 0316031925

Willets Point Jun 01 2009 08:07 PM

[quote="themetfairy":3qqevhfp]Keith's reminiscences on the 2008 season, OTOH, isn't as compelling (especially because it's a season that we'd all prefer to forget).[/quote:3qqevhfp] This I don't get. 2003 is a season I want to forget. 1993 is a season I want to forget. 2008 is a year we were privileged to see Wright, Beltran & Reyes hit, Delgado have a comeback year, and the best pitcher in baseball don the blue & orange. 2008 is a season where the Mets competed all year and were in the fight for a postseason spot to the last game. 2008 is also a year we said farewell to Shea Stadium. I want to remember 2008 and hope we have more years like 2008 than the many, many, many really bad years in this franchise's history.

themetfairy Jun 01 2009 08:10 PM

Having sat through the final home games in 2007 and 2008, I'm ready for a little amnesia.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2009 10:01 PM

Really good. It's an admiring and sensitive biography but hard-hitting too, well-researched and well-written. Gehrig really was a remarkable character, an inncocent, dorky mama's boy, but also a brave and powerful kind of warrior (sorry, Paul O'Neill. That's what one is). You can almost see Eig's eyebrows rise when he notes, for example, how sincerely Gehrig took to a post-baseball job as a NYC parole officer, even though he was dying, in a role that was offered to him only as a symbolic gesture; or in detailing the enormous differences between the lifestyles led by Ruth and him while they together refined baseball in the 1920s and 30s. There is also a lot on how he dealt with his disease that killed him which was moving and frightening. Real good book.

Fman99 Jun 20 2009 08:55 PM

Just plowed through this while on travel for work. For those fans of historical non-fiction I recommend this highly. Movie version comes out July 1. While the movie narrows its focus to Dillinger (at least from the trailers I've watched), the book also gets into details on all of the most famous crooks of the 1930s -- the Barker gang, Bonnie and Clyde, Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, and Machine Gun Kelly.

themetfairy Jun 20 2009 09:02 PM

On G-Fafif's recommendation, I'm reading this history of the events that led to the Dodgers and Giants leaving New York for California. It's compelling, and tells a lot of stories behind the story about which I was previously unaware.

Fman99 Jul 07 2009 08:21 PM

For those history buffs, I am halfway through this tome: Equal time given to events in Korea as well as the political maneuvering back in the states during 1950-1951. Fascinating stuff.

Rockin' Doc Jul 07 2009 08:33 PM

I should probably check that one out, Fman. Halberstam is a good writer and it would likely tie in nicely with Truman by David McCullough which I just finished reading.

Fman99 Jul 07 2009 08:53 PM

[quote="Rockin' Doc":1fu7v9tp]I should probably check that one out, Fman. Halberstam is a good writer and it would likely tie in nicely with Truman by David McCullough which I just finished reading.[/quote:1fu7v9tp] I read McCullough's Truman bio a year or two ago, and enjoyed it greatly. If you liked that one you'd like this book as well I suspect.

A Boy Named Seo Jul 07 2009 10:04 PM

I'm sure a couple of you's have read this already, but I'm feeling lazy about going through the thread. It's real gripping so far, and I know how it ends.

Rockin' Doc Jul 08 2009 01:45 PM

I read manhunt immediately reading the wonderful Team of Rivals. It just seemed to be a nice continuation of the story. I found Manhunt very interesting. After completing Manhunt i read Stealing Lincoln's Body about an attempt by low level Chicago mobsters to steal Lincoln's body and hold it for ransom from the federal government. It was pretty good, but not as good as the other two books of my Lincoln trilogy.

Fman99 Jul 08 2009 08:53 PM

Loved "Team of Rivals." Just added "Manhunt" to my list.

Fman99 Jul 08 2009 08:56 PM

[quote="Rockin' Doc":2coysocd]I read manhunt immediately reading the wonderful Team of Rivals. It just seemed to be a nice continuation of the story. I found Manhunt very interesting. After completing Manhunt i read Stealing Lincoln's Body about an attempt by low level Chicago mobsters to steal Lincoln's body and hold it for ransom from the federal government. It was pretty good, but not as good as the other two books of my Lincoln trilogy.[/quote:2coysocd] Doc if you're looking for more good Lincoln reading I'd suggest "1864: Lincoln at the Gates of History" by Charles Flood. An in-depth look at the last full year of his presidency, the war and the 1864 presidential campaign.

cooby Jul 19 2009 04:20 PM

Since I've been using Celexa, I don't cry as much as I used to. But this book brought me close to tears.

TransMonk Jul 20 2009 10:15 AM

I thrifted a copy of If At First by Keith Hernandez this weekend. I look for it anytime I go into a used book store and finally found it on Sunday at a Savers. I've probably read it a half-dozen times, but not in the past 15 years or so. Looking forward to reading it again.

Fman99 Jul 28 2009 09:06 PM

If you've never read any of his books, Wally Lamb is worth digging. Three novels, each better than the last. Just finished this one. Run, don't walk, to your library. Heavy, dark, but ponderous and ultimately uplifting and powerful.

TransMonk Jul 29 2009 03:45 PM

This one just arrived today. One of many books in my queue to read right now.

seawolf17 Jul 29 2009 06:26 PM

[quote="TransMonk"]I thrifted a copy of If At First by Keith Hernandez this weekend. I look for it anytime I go into a used book store and finally found it on Sunday at a Savers. I've probably read it a half-dozen times, but not in the past 15 years or so. Looking forward to reading it again.

Actually re-read that myself earlier this season, when I was out of stuff to read. It's my fallback book; I've read it four or five times over the years.

HahnSolo Jul 30 2009 10:11 AM

SLowly, but gradually, I am going through Penguin's repackaged collection of Ian Fleming's Bond novels. I love the packaging. I've seen most of the movies but have not read the books before. I've read Live and Let Die, Thunderball, and Goldfinger. I just started Dr. No. Casino Royale, Moonraker, You Only Live Twice, and The Spy Who Loved Me are among the others on my shelf.

Frayed Knot Jul 30 2009 04:12 PM

Currently in the midst of this one which I should have read about two decades ago

Rockin' Doc Jul 30 2009 05:40 PM

The Best and The Brightest is on my list for upcoming reads. Halberstam is a fine writer. I've previously enjoyed The Teammates (one of my favortite sports books) and Summer of '49 by Halberstam.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 30 2009 06:35 PM

Getting through this one, albeit slowly:

Rockin' Doc Jul 30 2009 06:49 PM

David Mcullough could write the phonme book and make it interesting.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 30 2009 06:50 PM

Yup, good book but for whatever reason I'm going slowly and there's a 5-book pileup behind it. My goal is to kill it dead by the weekend and move on.

Nymr83 Jul 30 2009 06:59 PM

I just bought this book, never heard of the guy much less read him before. the girl at the book store was HOT, she looked like Eliza Dushku.

Fman99 Jul 30 2009 07:49 PM

[quote="Frayed Knot"]Currently in the midst of this one which I should have read about two decades ago

Just looked for that one at my sad-assed local library and came up empty.

Nymr83 Jul 31 2009 06:46 AM

[quote="Nymr83":3jp9cr4e]I just bought this book, never heard of the guy much less read him before. the girl at the book store was HOT, she looked like Eliza Dushku. [img.]RED FUCKING X>[/quote:3jp9cr4e] it would help if i didn't post a red X picture. The book is "Union 1812" by A.J. Langguth.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 31 2009 10:06 AM

Times reporter Bruce Weber explores the world of umpiring both as a participant (he attends ump school and officiates a spring training game) and a journalist (interviews with players, umps, officials etc) revealing a perspective on the game even hardcore fans like me didn't know much about. It comes off sympathetic to umpires overall who throughout history have been treated like shit by baseball officials, players and the media -- though it doesn't hesitate to take them to task for being idiots, sexists and dickheads as warranted. Good book!

Benjamin Grimm Aug 31 2009 11:11 AM

[quote="Nymr83"]it would help if i didn't post a red X picture. The book is "Union 1812" by A.J. Langguth.

I read that book, and was very disappointed. His earlier book, Patriots, was MUCH better, and led me to have high expectations for this one.

Rockin' Doc Aug 31 2009 08:17 PM

I just finished this tremendous book that tells the story of two men from vastly different worlds. One is a black sharecropper from Louisiana that hops a train in search of a better life, only to wind up homeless on the streets of Dallas-Fort Worth. The other is a wealthy, white art dealer that is living the "good life" that his lucrative business can provide. The unlikely friendship that develops between the two men is a testament to the love, faith, and perseverance of the woman that brought them together. Just in the first chapter of this one now.

Edgy DC Aug 31 2009 09:42 PM

When I'm president, I'm going to put through an executive order that all portraits of me are finished before I leave office.

metirish Sep 02 2009 06:41 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Disgrace," J.M. Coetzee A disgraced college professor retreats to rural South Africa to live with his daughter after getting reprimanded by his superiors for having a torrid affair with a student. A terrible incident occurs where both are assaulted in their home , the daughter in a vicious way . In the aftermath of this both father and daughter must confront and deal with one another. Absorbing

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 30 2009 06:16 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Greaseballs shoot at each other. I don't much go for crime novels generally but I was looking for good beach reading and saw a good review. Apparently this Johnson is like God's gift to writing in real life and this project is just sort of his homage to trashy crime novel writing. A fun read that can be killed in a hour or so.

Edgy DC Sep 30 2009 09:02 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

And yet it won the National Book Award. Huh. I'm on this one. The problem is that the author is such a fanboi that he tries occasionally to write like Ray.

sharpie Oct 01 2009 10:53 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Denis Johnson is a winner of the National Book Award. Nobody Move is not a NBA winner. I'm reading The Lost City of Z, an account of a guy obsessed with finding an El Dorado in the wilds of Brazil in the early part of the 20th Century. Quick read, liking it. This is after reading two straight novels set in Africa, The Eye of the Leopard by Henning Mankel set in Zambia and Little Boys Come From the Stars by Emmanuel Dongala, a Congolese writer (that's the Republic of Congo not the Democratic Republic of Congo which was formerly Zaire).

Fman99 Oct 01 2009 12:50 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

[quote="sharpie"]Denis Johnson is a winner of the National Book Award. Nobody Move is not a NBA winner. I'm reading The Lost City of Z, an account of a guy obsessed with finding an El Dorado in the wilds of Brazil in the early part of the 20th Century. Quick read, liking it. This is after reading two straight novels set in Africa, The Eye of the Leopard by Henning Mankel set in Zambia and Little Boys Come From the Stars by Emmanuel Dongala, a Congolese writer (that's the Republic of Congo not the Democratic Republic of Congo which was formerly Zaire).

The Lost City of Z was a previously recommended by the CPF book that i purchased, read and enjoyed tremendously. Nice payoff at the end, for the author, and the reader.

Frayed Knot Oct 01 2009 06:00 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

BOTTOM OF THE NINTH - Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball From Itself -- Michael Shapiro Shapiro is the guy who wrote 'The Last Good Year' about the final throes of the Dodgers in Brooklyn and this is a follow up of sorts. The Dodgers left New York, the Giants went with them, Yankee attendance is still declining and the gap between the haves and the have-nots has never been as big - so now what?!? The answer - or at least an answer - comes in the form of the proposed 'Continental League', an effort to make a 3rd major league, preferably with the blessing of the existing power structure but outside of it if necessary headed mostly by Branch Rickey and a New York lawyer named Bill Shea. Rickey's view - and the one Shapiro picks up on - is that the future of the sport depended on cooperation between the teams in the form of more sharing of both the untapped young talent (particularly from the just burgeoning Latin American market) and of the just growing TV revenues and that this was a unique time in history to do so. Shea is NYC Mayor Wagner's point man on the project as the money men throwing in with the Continental League know they can't make a run of it with a franchise in New York. As usual in these tales that retroactively assign a particular year as a turning point where things could have been entirely different (read: better) if only ..., it's probably a bit overblown. In particular things events in the book run parallel to the 1960 season leading up to the World Series where the spunky Pirates are in a fight with the always dominant Yankees that is treated as the small market's last stand against a power structure that has things rigged their way every bit as much as the cops do in Roman Polanski's 'Chinatown'. But it's a good history of a daring though largely forgotten gambit that feeds into some of the structure of sports discussions we've had in other threads recently. Good stuff about Casey, Shea, Rickey, and even some of the characters who threw in with the new league and even some spill-over into the creation of the AFL.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 01 2009 06:21 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Haven't read that one yet. But his other baseball book was great, and he spoke at a SABR gathering once and killed.

Frayed Knot Oct 01 2009 07:24 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

I suck because I never got around to 'Last Good Year' and now I feel like I've seen the sequel but not the original. I was kind of burnt out on the nostalgia for Brooklyn Dodgers nostalgia and as a result kept putting it off. Really liked this one though, in part because I knew very little about the Continental League - was it real or just a threat to cause expansion? - or about Shea himself. The implications about how things would have been different had it come about are intriguing. Rickey was definitely a visionary who foresaw many of the problems ahead in his sport and whose main hero in life was Ban Johnson, the man who invented the American League and forced his way into parity with the established National League with no help from them whatsoever. Baseball and the country - particularly the newer, growing cities of the south and west - were ripe for a larger league (or a new league) but the men in power like MFY owners Webb & Topping, plus O'Malley now in LA, held a lot of cards. They also had the anti-trust thing on their side although knew that it was iffy to stand the test of time. On the other hand Rickey was in no more hurry to bust the reserve clause then the establishment was and the crew ready to join his new venture was a fragile clan.

Centerfield Oct 08 2009 08:29 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Picked up the new Krakaeur about Pat Tillman for Dad for his birthday. I fully expect him to let me read it when he's done. Picked this up for myself: Can't wait to start it.

cooby Oct 10 2009 09:04 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Somehow, I have never read this wonderful book before.

Edgy DC Oct 11 2009 06:53 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Read it twice. You get more out of Tree Grows that you missed the first time than you get at all from most other books. Meanwhile, Eddie is reading this:

Frayed Knot Oct 22 2009 05:58 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 22 2009 09:40 PM

Recently caught up on a couple of older books that my father left behind which I had been meaning to get but never did a few years back. Radical Son - David Horowitz Published back in 1999, it’s a memoir of a ‘60s radical turned ‘90s conservative that manages to not really be a politcal book. Obviously he thinks his conversion was the correct move, but his purpose isn’t to argue about the plusses and minuses of each side and to sell his transformation so much as to talk about the origins of his politics. From the son of immigrant eastern European Jewish communists, to his role as one of the intellectual leaders of the 1960s ‘New Left’, to his questioning and eventual mid-life abandoning of those life-long beliefs, it’s mostly a story about his family and how he came to reject the politics that were so much a part of his parents’ lives and his upbringing as a ‘red-diaper’ baby. Over the Edge of the World -- Laurence Bergreen (2004) An extremely readable story of Magellan’s landmark 16th century circumnavigation of the globe. Keeping track of the myriad of unfamiliar foreign names and characters is about the only challenging part of what otherwise reads like an adventure story. Could have used a few more maps to follow along with but that's a minor complaint.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 22 2009 06:51 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

I read, and enjoyed, the Magellan book. I have an as yet unread copy of a book about Marco Polo by the same author and I'm looking forward to reading it.

Frayed Knot Oct 22 2009 08:12 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

The author blurb on the book jacket talks about the other biographies Bergreen had done to that point (all the definitive versions - or so it claims) which, in addition to Magellan, includes: Louis Armstrong, Al Capone, and Irving Berlin, as well as a book about NASA. Interesting variety of topics. I'm definitely going to look into the Marco Polo book.

Edgy DC Oct 23 2009 09:36 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

[quote="Edgy DC"]Read it twice. You get more out of Tree Grows that you missed the first time than you get at all from most other books. Meanwhile, Eddie is reading this:

This is actually getting good. The author first gets interested in the higly aged multi-zillionaire inventor of instant ramen noodles out of curiousity. Who would think there was such a man? Wouldn't you think a dozen chemists worked together on the process and no one man held the patent? But as the author learns more about this distant enigmatic figure, he starts writing to him, almost full aware that his letters will never get through, and the ramen king becomes a God-like figure to him, to whom he shamefully confesses his moral bankruptcy. (He falls for terrific women but can't stay faithful.) He cries for redemption or at least the wisdom to understand why he's fallen. He cries to a noodle king.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 23 2009 09:54 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Interesting seeing as I just finished this one: in which the author investigates the hidden-in-plain-sight world of Chinese restaurants. I thought the style at times was annoying; the writer sort of wants you to like her and care about her friends and stuff and I really didn't; her detailing flying around to dine at Chinese restaurants all over the world came off as a boring ego thing. That said, the interesting parts were very interesting: goofy stuff on the origins of the fortune cookie, General Tso's chicken, Chop Suey, etc etc, and some great stuff detailing how most of the operators of Chinese restaurants today are smuggled immigrants from the same area of China who've been taking over from the Cantonese for years now.

Centerfield Nov 02 2009 01:32 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Someone has recommended that I read Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham. My plan is to start it as soon as I finish my current book. If you have read it and think it sucks balls, intervene NOW!!!! (or at any point within the next week and a half, which is how long I expect it will take to finish my current book)

A Boy Named Seo Nov 09 2009 11:11 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

I found "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" at the $1 book shop the other day and devoured it in a couple days. A little dated now with the Real World - San Francisco stuff, but man, what a sad, funny book. What the hell else have I missed out on?

TheOldMole Nov 09 2009 12:13 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

"Black Popular Music in America" - out of print, couldn't find cover art online, but anyone who loves American music should read all of Shaw's books.

Nymr83 Nov 09 2009 09:37 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

I just got a whole shipment in from Amazon: -Lafayette - a biography by Harlow Giles Unger -Manhunt: the 12 day chase for Lincoln's killer - by James Swanson -Glenn Beck's latest -and a Star Trek Enterprise book about the romulan war (or: how season 5 could have not sucked it if it had happened) i enjoyed the Star trek book with the caveat that it was essentially a "part 1" and didn't say so, and i like to know these things because i hate waiting to read sequels and would have waited to read them together. also, the author gets on my nerves sometimes though he did so less here than in his previous trek books Manhunt was good too, but it didnt have that same feeling of not wanting to put it down that Team of Rivals had. starting lafayette soon.. and Beck, well i like him on tv but his last book kinda bored me, he was on sale so he gets another shot.

Fman99 Nov 10 2009 06:44 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

I am halfway through Puzo's "The Sicilian." The guy actually did write a few good non-Godfather books that I'd also recommend (I enjoyed "The Fourth K" as well as "The Last Don").

Frayed Knot Nov 11 2009 09:03 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

My catch-up history kick continues with David Halberstam’s massive 1993 tome on the 1950s Covering a variety of topics it doesn’t delve into so much minute detail on any one subject which makes it a lot more readable than its near-800 page length suggests. From the politics of Truman, Nixon, Stevenson, McCarthy, McArthur - the hot war in Korea, the cold war everywhere else, plus U.S. sponsored coups in Guatemala, Iran, and attempted or planned ones in Vietnam and Cuba - the science of the hydrogen bomb, the first computers, and the space/missle race - the rise of American business, in particular GM but also the building Levitt brothers on the east coast and the hamburger cooking McDonald brothers on the west coast - in the arts there was Brando, Kazan, Dean, Ball, Presely, Monroe, Tennesse Williams, Kerouac & Ginsberg - the development of the birth control pill, the studies of Kinsey, and the rise of a magazine by Hefner - civil rights issues from Brown vs Board of Ed, to Rosa Parks & Emmit Till the author makes a case that there was a lot more going on in that decade than its reputation of an Eisenhower-led dullness that did little more than merely mark time between the war-torn decade which preceded it and the explosive one to follow.

cooby Dec 16 2009 08:40 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Metfairy got me this absolutely wonderful book for Christmas. I just love it. I've been flipping through it and eventually I know I'll read it cover to cover. Last night I read about Mrs. Payson. Gosh, I wish I remembered her. Came to the section about Ralph, Bob and Lindsey. I can't think about them without thinking about Dad. I sat there with tears in my eyes and a grin on my face, and closed my eyes and could hear their voices, all four of them. And it was the five of us together again, just like when I was a kid. Wanted to talk to someone about it and texted someone, but no answer. I guess it was just too late. Saw a lot of your names in the back section, congratulations to you all; I'm proud of you! (thank you metfairy :) )

Fman99 Dec 16 2009 09:35 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

I am halfway through this very readable book...

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 16 2009 09:36 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Just went through this whole thread for an xmas list

themetfairy Dec 16 2009 09:50 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

You're very welcome cooby - I'm glad you're enjoying it :)

metirish Dec 17 2009 07:33 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Reading this right now , In September 1940, the Spanish Civil War is over and Madrid lies in ruins while the Germans continue their march through Europe. Britain stands alone as General Franco considers whether to abandon neutrality and enter the war. Into this uncertain world comes Harry Brett, a privileged young man who was recently traumatized by his experience in Dunkirk and is now a reluctant spy for the British Secret Service. Sent to gain the confidence of Sandy Forsyth, an old school friend turned shadowy Madrid businessman, Brett finds himself involved in a dangerous game and surrounded by memories. Meanwhile, Sandy's girlfriend, ex-Red Cross nurse Barbara Clare, is engaged in a secret mission of her own — to find her former lover Bernie Piper, whose passion for the Communist cause led him into the International Brigades and who vanished on the bloody battlefields of the Jarama.

Frayed Knot Dec 17 2009 08:21 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

I have a suspicion that the Spanish Civil War is the clubhouse leader in producing the largest ratio of literature to dead bodies in the history of warfare.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 17 2009 09:33 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

[quote="Back cover of "Sweetfarts":33dptgpm]Someone has been farting up a storm at school and everyone thinks Keith Emerson is to blame. Unfortunately for Keith, it has earned him the nickname "S.B.D." (silent but deadly). To make matters worse, Keith's dad is a self proclaimed "Fart Machine" who really stinks it up at home. With the science fair quickly approaching, Keith decides he has had enough. He comes up with a science fair project idea to turn the foul smell of human gas into something sweet smelling. The idea lands him in the principal's office, and in big trouble with his mom. With the help of his little sister Emma, his dad, his crazy grandma, and Benjamin Franklin (great American scientist), Keith will attempt to make the greatest scientific discovery of all time, the cure for the common fart.[/quote:33dptgpm]

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 17 2009 09:37 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

I smell a Pulitzer.

Frayed Knot Dec 17 2009 10:22 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

But how do Lake and Palmer fit in?

RealityChuck Dec 17 2009 12:32 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Another very funny novel by the author of Gil's All-Fright Diner. Martinez has a way of mixing humor with high fantasy better than anyone whose name isn't Pratchett, and the pterry doing more seriously themed things these day, he's filling the gap admirably. And how could you not like a book billed as "A tale of vengeance, true love, and cannibalism"?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 23 2009 09:19 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

I happened to come across a full-page ad in the latest WIRED magazine for this book (new in paperback), a well-reviewed technological thriller and NYT bestseller. Turns out I went to kollege with the author (I knew he'd written a book but had no idea how successful it'd been). We were never real close but had a lot of mutual friends, he was a very bright guy. This is his first novel and originally self-published. He's now quite rich and famous and has a bestselling sequel. Techothrillers aren't my thing, necessarily, but curious -- Anyone read this?

metirish Dec 23 2009 09:24 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

[quote="metirish"]Reading this right now , In September 1940, the Spanish Civil War is over and Madrid lies in ruins while the Germans continue their march through Europe. Britain stands alone as General Franco considers whether to abandon neutrality and enter the war. Into this uncertain world comes Harry Brett, a privileged young man who was recently traumatized by his experience in Dunkirk and is now a reluctant spy for the British Secret Service. Sent to gain the confidence of Sandy Forsyth, an old school friend turned shadowy Madrid businessman, Brett finds himself involved in a dangerous game and surrounded by memories. Meanwhile, Sandy's girlfriend, ex-Red Cross nurse Barbara Clare, is engaged in a secret mission of her own — to find her former lover Bernie Piper, whose passion for the Communist cause led him into the International Brigades and who vanished on the bloody battlefields of the Jarama.

Utter bollox

Benjamin Grimm Dec 23 2009 09:38 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

The book? Or the description? I have to admit, if I was one to judge a book by its cover, I'd be intrigued by that one.

metirish Dec 23 2009 09:40 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

The book....I was intrigued too but I found it a very slow read, I just couldn't get into it at all. Now that maybe because I am so busy right now.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 23 2009 02:19 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Here's my annual year-end list of books that I read during the year. In 2009 I read 36 books, 30 of them non-fiction, which is about a typical ratio for me. Three of the books were about baseball, which is actually above average. Numbers 11 through 19, below, were vacation-related and were read prior to this summer's trip to Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. I thoroughly enjoyed number 32, the book about Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. It may not have been the best of the books, but it was definitely the one I got the biggest kick out of. I was most disappointed by numbers 1, 14, and 22. Numbers 20 and 21 and 23 were solid and interesting. Number 3 is one that's familiar to us all, and was, of course, a fun read. Most pleasant discoveries were numbers 6, 13, 15, and 17. Number 24 was of dubious authenticity, but it was a fun read. It made of a movie that I enjoyed very much many years ago, and would love to see again, and would make for a great pay-cable miniseries. And number 36 I haven't finished yet. I'm pretty sure, though, that it will be the last book I'll finish in 2009. [table:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]1[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]The Collapse of the Third Republic: An Inquiry into the Fall of France in 1940[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Shirer, William L.[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]2[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Martin, Steve[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]3[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Mets by the Numbers: A Complete Team History of the Amazin' Mets by Uniform Number[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Springer, Jon[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]4[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Acquainted with the Night: Excursions Through the World After Dark[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Dewdney, Christopher[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]5[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Lush Life: A Novel[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Price, Richard[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]6[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Rounding The Horn: Being the Story of Williwaws and Windjammers, Drake, Darwin, Murdered Missionaries and Naked Natives - A Deck's Eye of Cape Horn[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Murphy, Dallas[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]7[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Brinkley's Beat: People, Places, and Events That Shaped My Time[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Brinkley, David[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]8[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Oh What a Slaughter: Massacres in the American West: 1846--1890[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]McMurtry, Larry[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]9[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]The Selling of the President 1968[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]McGinnis, Joe[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]10[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Crazy '08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Murphy, Cait[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]11[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Prague: A Cultural and Literary History[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Burton, Richard D.E.[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]12[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Where Ghosts Walked: Munich's Road to the Third Reich[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Large, David Clay[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]13[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Quest for the Sublime: Finding Nature's Secret in Switzerland[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Bangs, Richard[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]14[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]The Forever Street: A Novel[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Morton, Frederic[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]15[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Where She Came From : A Daughter's Search for Her Mother's History[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Epstein, Helen[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]16[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Priestblock 25487: A Memoir of Dachau[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Bernard, Jean[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]17[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Schlepping Through the Alps: My Search for Austria's Jewish Past with Its Last Wandering Shepherd[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Apple, Sam[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]18[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Thunder at Twilight: Vienna 1913/1914[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Morton, Frederic[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]19[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]The Magic Mountain[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Mann, Thomas[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]20[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Brands, H.W.[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]21[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of his Time[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Sobel, Dava[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]22[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1)[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Harris, Charlaine[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]23[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Rome 1960: The Olympics That Changed the World[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Maraniss, David[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]24[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Papillon[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Charrière, Henri[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]25[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]A.D. 1000: Living on the brink of apocalypse[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Erdoes, Richard[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]26[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]The Wandering Hill: A Novel[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]McMurtry, Larry[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]27[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Ehrenreich, Barbara[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]28[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]We'll Be Here For the Rest of Our Lives: A Swingin' Show-biz Saga[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Shaffer, Paul[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]29[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]The Making of the President 1960[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]White, Theodore H.[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]30[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]The Great Railway Bazaar[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Theroux, Paul[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]31[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Night[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Wiesel, Elie[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]32[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Tales to Astonish: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, and the American Comic Book Revolution[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Ro, Ronin[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]33[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]All God's Children[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Butterfield, Fox[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]34[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Three Nights in August: Strategy, Heartbreak, and Joy Inside the Mind of a Manager[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Bissinger, H.G.[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]35[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]The Death of a President: November 1963[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Manchester, William Raymond[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][tr:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]36[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Darkly Dreaming Dexter[/td:359uk5bi][td:359uk5bi]Lindsay, Jeff[/td:359uk5bi][/tr:359uk5bi][/table:359uk5bi]

Fman99 Jan 01 2010 08:37 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Inspired by BG I kept track of all the books I read last year, for the first time in my life. Here is the list. * Puzo - The Sicilian * Coldest Winter - Halberstam * Michener - Legacy * King - Skeletons on the Zahara * The Kite Runner * The Lost Men * Angela's Ashes * A God in Ruins - Uris * Michener - Texas * The Haj - Leon Uris * 1858 Bruce Chadwick * Pillars to the Sky * The Hour I First Believed - Wally Lamb * Public Enemies - Burroughs * Shutter Island - Lehane * What If? Robert Cowley (ed.) * The World is Made of Glass - West * Bradley - Flags of our Fathers * Michener - Poland * A Widow for One Year - Irving * Felber - A Game of Brawl * 1864: Lincoln at the Gates of HIstory * The Pitch that Killed * In the Shadow of Wounded Knee * Rome 1960 Maraniss * Barry - Rising Tide * The Lost City of Z * Love in the Time of Cholera * Halsey's Typhoon * Meacham - American Lion Pleased to see that I read 30 books this year. Best nonfiction -- "Coldest Winter," Halberstam's account of the first year of the Korean War. I'd read that again in a second. I'd recommend many of the other titles above for nonfiction, specifically "Skeletons of the Zahara," "The Lost Men," "Halsey's Typhoon," "American Lion," "The Lost City of Z," Rome 1960," "Rising Tide," "1864," "Public Enemies," and "Flags of our Fathers." Best fiction -- Not counting books I was rereading ("Love in the Time of Cholera," and "Widow for One Year"), my favorite new fiction book that I read last year was probably "The Sicilian." "The Haj," "The Hour I First Believed" and "The World is Made of Glass" were also good. Weakest fiction -- The stuff that was just too predictable, flimsy or unmemorable despite being popular sellers. Specifically, "Shutter Island," "Pillars to the Sky," "Legacy," "Kite Runner," and "God in Ruins" come to mind.

cooby Jan 01 2010 08:39 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Fman, tell me about "A Widow for One Year", sounds intriguing.

Fman99 Jan 01 2010 08:44 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

[quote="cooby":26wnjais]Fman, tell me about "A Widow for One Year", sounds intriguing.[/quote:26wnjais] John Irving is one of those authors where if you like one of his books you generally speaking like all of them. They have a consistent feel and style to them. A former coworker, an English teach I used to work with when I was teaching, put me on to his work (as well as some other great authors like Russell Banks). That is one of his better books, that I bought this past fall for $3 at the local library book sale and reread. I had read it originally probably 10 years ago or ago. Like most of his books, it's about a specific family and what happens to them over time. It's a love story, a murder mystery and it has one of the great last lines of any of his books.

cooby Jan 01 2010 08:47 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Thanks, I'm always looking for new authors to try! I swear if I could make a living reading, I would do it.

Fman99 Jan 01 2010 08:54 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

[quote="cooby":m3bo6qeg]Thanks, I'm always looking for new authors to try! I swear if I could make a living reading, I would do it.[/quote:m3bo6qeg] I tend to read fiction by author, once I find one I plow through their library of work. Off the top of my head, and the book from each to start with: Gabriel Garcia Marquez (start with "One Hundred Years of Solitude," my all time favorite book) John Irving (start with "The World According to Garp") Leon Uris Russell Banks (start with "Affliction") Gore Vidal ("Lincoln") Morris West ("The Shoes of the Fisherman")

Swan Swan H Jan 01 2010 08:58 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

[quote="Fman99":3382i4t3][quote="cooby":3382i4t3]Fman, tell me about "A Widow for One Year", sounds intriguing.[/quote:3382i4t3] John Irving is one of those authors where if you like one of his books you generally speaking like all of them. They have a consistent feel and style to them. A former coworker, an English teach I used to work with when I was teaching, put me on to his work (as well as some other great authors like Russell Banks). That is one of his better books, that I bought this past fall for $3 at the local library book sale and reread. I had read it originally probably 10 years ago or ago. Like most of his books, it's about a specific family and what happens to them over time. It's a love story, a murder mystery and it has one of the great last lines of any of his books.[/quote:3382i4t3] The film 'The Door in the Floor' was adapted from the first part of this book. I haven't read the book, but I liked the movie a lot.

cooby Jan 01 2010 09:42 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

The Door in the Floor also sounds intriguing.

Ashie62 Jan 01 2010 10:55 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

You might like "The Humbling" by Philip Roth

Willets Point Jan 02 2010 01:05 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Here's my 2009 list, a mix of paper, audio and digital readings. # Jane Goodall: The Woman Who Redefined Man by Dale Peterson # In the Summer Country by John Conlee # Transit Maps of the World by Mark Ovenden # The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin # The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs # Getting Unstuck by Tim Butler # unSpun: finding facts in a world of disinformation by Brooks Jackson # Connecticut Baseball: The Best of the Nutmeg State by Don Harrison # The Long Tail by Chris Anderson # An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England by Brock Clarke # A Mercy by Toni Morrison # The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell # Lincoln at Gettysburg by Gary Wills # Facing the Lion by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton # Fool: A Novel by Christopher Moore # The Day Wall Street Exploded by Beverly Gage # The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman # Musicophilia : tales of music and the brain by Oliver Sacks # Faithful Dissenters by Robert McClory # A Portrait of Jesus by Joseph Girzone # Consistently Opposing Killing by Rachel McNair and Stephen Zunes # The Tent of Abraham by Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Joan Chittister, OSB, and Murshid Saadi Shakur Chisti # Quest for the Living God by Sr. Elizabeth Johnson # Founding Faith: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America by Stephen Waldman # Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi # Playing Hard Ball: County Cricket and Big League Baseball by E.T. Smith # Traffic by Tom Vanderbilt # Outcasts United by Warren St. John # The Lodger: Shakespeare on Silver Street by Charles Nicholl # Dark Side of the Diamond by Roger Abrams # Ulysses by James Joyce # LinkThe New Bloomsday book : a guide through Ulysses by Harry Blamires # Brilliant Orange by David Winner # Blink by Malcolm Gladwell # A Home on the Field by Paul Cuadros # The Plot Against America by Phillip Roth # Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh # Becoming Manny by Jean Rhodes and Shawn Boburg # “Currency” (Book 7 of the Baroque Cycle) by Neal Stephenson # The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie # “The System of the World” (Book 8 of the Baroque Cycle) by Neal Stephenson # Invisible Hook by Peter Leeson # Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian # The John Cheever Audio Collection by John Cheever # The Cul-De-Sac Syndrome by John F. Wasik # The Last Fish Tale by Mark Kurlansky # Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey # The Prophet by Khalil Gibran # Company of Liars by Karen Maitland # Outposts by Simon Winchester # Salt & Saffron by Kamilla Shamsie # All the Shah’s Men by Stephen Kinzer # The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz # The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli # The Fortune of War by Patrick O’Brian # An African in Greenland by Tété -Michel Kpmoassie # Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe # A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman # The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields # The dangerous joy of Dr. Sex and other true stories by Pagan Kennedy # Free : the future of a radical price by Chris Anderson # Rex Libris : I, librarian by James Turner # Little Fingers by Filip Florian # Where the Wild Things Were by William Stolzenberg # Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution by Sean Carroll # American Nerd by Benjamin Nugent # Early Bird by Rodney Rotham # 722 Miles by Clifton Hood # Faith and Fear in Flushing by Greg Prince # Aya by Marguerite Abouet # A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry # Central Park in the Dark by Marie Winn # Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (And Stick You with the Bill) by David Cay Johnston # A People’s History of American Empire by Howard Zinn # Street Gang : the Complete History of Sesame Street by Michael Davis # The Protest Singer by Alec Wilkinson # How the Beatles Destroyed Rock n Roll by Elijah Wald # The Trial of Robert Mugabe by Chielo Zona Eze # What’s next? : dispatches on the future of science edited by Max Brockman # Little Book by Selden Edwards # The Art of Travel by Alain De Botton # Snow by Orhan Pamuk # Made to Stick by Chip Heath # The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Harvey Karp, M.D. # Rick Steves’ Amsterdam, Bruges, & Brussels by Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw # The Rough Guide to Amsterdam by Phil Lee & Martin Dunford # A Voyage Long & Strange by Tony Horwitz # The Surgeon’s Mate by Patrick O’Brian # The Possibilities of Sainthood by Donna Freitas # Frommer’s 24 Great Walks in Amsterdam by Robin Gauldie # Reason for Hope by Jane Goodall with Phillip Berman # Time Traveler by Dr. Ronald L. Mallett # The Autocrat at the Breakfast Table by Oliver Wendell Holmes # Live from New York by Tom Shales and James Andrew Miller # The God of Small Things by Arundhuti Roy # The Ionian Mission by Patrick O’Brian # The Mom & Pop Store by Robert Spector # I, Claudius by Robert Graves # The Old Iron Road by David Howard Bain # The Alienist by Caleb Carr # Dogside Story by Patricia Grace

Edgy DC Jan 02 2010 01:07 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

IN my best year, I couldn't read a fifth of that.

Fman99 Jan 02 2010 01:10 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

[quote="Edgy DC":3t0uoc5j]IN my best year, I couldn't read a fifth of that.[/quote:3t0uoc5j] Seriously.

Rockin' Doc Jan 04 2010 07:16 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

My list looks positively pathetic after Willet's impressive reading list, but here is what i read in 2009: 1. We Would Have Played for Nothing by Fay Vincent 2. It Came From Within by Andy Stanley 3. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer 4. Dewey : The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched The World by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter 5. A Wolf At the Table: A Memoir of My Father by Augusten Burroughs 6. The Only Game In Town by Fay Vincent 7. Truman by David McCullough 8. Physics of Baseball by Robert K. Adair 9. Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer 10. No Ordinary Time: Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt-The Home Front in World War II by Doris Kearns Goodwin 11. Peanuts Guide to Life by Charles Schulz 12. American Lion by Jon Meacham 13. Same Kind Of Different as Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore 14. Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do and What It Says About Us by Tom Vanderbilt 15. Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom 16. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell 17. Echoes In the Darkness by Joseph Wambaugh 18. The Longest Journey Home by John Grogan 19. Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Fman99 Jan 04 2010 08:06 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

[quote="Rockin' Doc":3ltfv350]My list looks positively pathetic after Willet's impressive reading list, but here is what i read in 2009: 1. We Would Have Played for Nothing by Fay Vincent 2. It Came From Within by Andy Stanley 3. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer 4. Dewey : The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched The World by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter 5. A Wolf At the Table: A Memoir of My Father by Augusten Burroughs 6. The Only Game In Town by Fay Vincent 7. Truman by David McCullough 8. Physics of Baseball by Robert K. Adair 9. Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer 10. No Ordinary Time: Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt-The Home Front in World War II by Doris Kearns Goodwin 11. Peanuts Guide to Life by Charles Schulz 12. American Lion by Jon Meacham 13. Same Kind Of Different as Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore 14. Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do and What It Says About Us by Tom Vanderbilt 15. Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom 16. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell 17. Echoes In the Darkness by Joseph Wambaugh 18. The Longest Journey Home by John Grogan 19. Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt[/quote:3ltfv350] I tried reading "No Ordinary Time" but quit 30 pages in. I may give that one another shot sometime.

TheOldMole Jan 04 2010 08:15 PM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

sharpie Jan 05 2010 08:53 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Here's my 2009 list. 52 books. One a week: ONE GOOD TURN - Kate Atkinson KILLING CHE - Chuck Pfarrer THE NUCLEAR AGE - Tim O'Brien EVERYMAN - Philip Roth THE WAPSHOT CHRONICLE - John Cheever SIN IN THE SECOND CITY Karen Abbott THE QUEENS GAMBIT - Walter Tevis LEGACY OF ASHES - Tim Weiner WHEN WILL THERE BE GOOD NEWS - Kate Atkinson MASTER OF THE SENATE - Robert A. Caro BRIDGE OF SIGHS - Richard Russo THE O. HENRY PRIZE STORIES: 2008 - Laura Furman (ed.) BEAUTIFUL LIES - Lisa Unger DROP CITY - T.C. Boyle THE HUNTERS - James Salter HOUSE OF MEETINGS - Martin Amis AMERICAN-MADE - Nick Taylor 31 DAYS - Barry Werth ECHOES OF AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY - Naguib Mahfouz THE ECHOING GREEN - Joshua Prager THE ARCHIVIST'S STORY - Travis Holland MY NAME IS RED - Orhan Pamuk THE MARCH OF FOLLY - Barbara W. Tuchman WICKETT'S REMEDY - Myla Goldberg DAWN DUSK OR NIGHT - Yasmina Reza AMERICAN VISA - Juan De Recacoechea WHEN SKATEBOARDS WILL BE FREE - Said Sayrafiezadeh THE VICTIM - Saul Bellow THE ORDEAL - Vasily Bykov EXIT GHOST - Philip Roth AMERICA AMERICA - Ethan Canin LOOK AT ME - Jennifer Egan MOON PALACE - Paul Auster LOVE AND HYDROGEN - Jim Shepard THE EYE OF THE LEOPARD - Henning Mankell ALI AND NINO - Kurban Said LITTLE BOYS COME FROM THE STARS - Emmanuel Dongala THE LOST CITY OF Z - David Grann A GATE AT THE STAIRS - Lorrie Moore POINT TO POINT NAVIGATION - Gore Vidal SIGNALS OF DISTRESS - Jim Crace UNACCUSTOMED EARTH - Jhumpa Lahiri CAN'T BUY ME LOVE - Jonathan Gould THE CROWD SOUNDS HAPPY - Nicholas Dawidoff IN THE HOLD - Vladimir Arsenijevic THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY - Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows NETHERLAND - Joseph O'Neill A FREEWHEELIN' TIME - Suze Rotolo AMERICAN LION - Jon Meacham TWILIGHT OF THE SUPERHEROES - Deborah Eisenberg BOWIE - Marc Spitz HEROIC MEASURES - Jill Ciment

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 05 2010 09:03 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

How was the Bowie book? Got it for Wifey for xmas.

sharpie Jan 05 2010 10:00 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Bowie book was just ok. I learned some stuff about him but there was too much of the author in it (stuff about his college days listening to Bowie or his personal justifications for saying that some of those later crappy albums are worth listening to).

HahnSolo Jan 05 2010 10:13 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

I loved The Given Day.

RealityChuck Jan 05 2010 11:02 AM Re: What Are You Reading Now? - 2009 edition

Just started it. It is very weird. I love the way Elliot completely ignores anachronisms (e.g., Teddy Roosevelt reminiscing about San Juan Hill in 1882, 16 years before it happens, and another character pointing this out to him; kerosene powered cell phones, etc.).