What books have you been reading?

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Hey Ron- try reading Shusaku Endo's classic 60s classic Silence. Some muppet has finally made it into a movie apparently -which will totally destroy the brilliance of his book and not do it justice. Endo was a brilliant writer- recommend The Sea and Poison as well.
 
Mine was the last post? Wow. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L.Frank Baum. Very different than the movie. The Shelf Life of Happiness by David Machado...about half way through this one. I have been enjoying the young adult series Rangers Apprentice and Brotherband by John Flanagan.
 
scottsma said:
I haven't read any Harry Potters or Lord Of The Rings.I do love the films,but I know that's not the same of course.I think I would struggle keeping track of people and places.

Maybe Janet & John are more my forte.
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I highly recommend the books by JK Rowling. From what I know of our correspondence,you would like them. Even the play,The Cursed Child.
 
I just read the Cursed Child play and thought it very good. Enjoyed the whole series; there's always more in the books. But you can hardly fault the movies, also gems.
 
Textbooks, textbooks, text books. Can't wait for the semester to be over and wallow in a good novel and not foreign policy analysis. Jealous of all the leisure readers out there, when I should be sharing in your joy.
 
I have been reading "The Mare", by Mary Gaitskill, as well as "Roses and Rot", which is a retelling of a fairy tail :)
 
I like non-fiction books about Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry, excluding my textbooks. I don't really read fiction books very often now, unless I come across something that I like, which is usually in the genre of science fiction. If you know of any books I may like, do recommend some for me!

Here's my collection of books on my iPad, in chronological order since January 2013:
1. Marley and Me by John Grogan
2. The Kite Runner by Kharled Hosseini
3. Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally
4. How We Know What Isn't So by Thomas Gilovich
5. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
6. How Not to Be Wrong by Jordan Ellenberg
7. The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
8. The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov
9. Parallel Worlds by Michio Kaku
10. The 4 Percent Universe by Richard Panek
11. Flatland by Suzanne Fox Buchele
12. The Last Question by Isaac Asimov
13. Hyperspace by Michio Kaku
14. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
15. The Bicentennial Man by Isaac Asimov
16. Nightfall by Isaac Asimov
17. The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
18. The End of Eternity by Isaac Asimov
19. The Ugly Little Boy by Isaac Asimov
20. The Robot Series (4 novels and 1 short story in total) by Isaac Asimov
21. Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku
22. The God Particle by Leon Lederman
23. The Theory of Almost Everything by Robert Oerter
24. The Code Book by Simon Singh
25. The Hidden Reality by Brian Greene
26. The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene
27. The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz
28. Physics of the Future by Michio Kaku
29. Just Six Numbers by Martin Rees
30. Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom (currently reading this)
31. Calculating the Cosmos by Ian Stewart (currently reading this)

Other than the above mentioned books, I also like to read some of David Kellogg Lewis' papers on philosophy.

I look forward to reading Things to Make and Do in the Forth Dimension by Matt Parker and The Violinist Thumb by San Kean in future. Unfortunately, they do not come in .pdf format as of now for me to download onto my iPad for free :(
 
Just about to finish Dean Koontz's 3rd book in the Frankenstein series.I read the first one a few years back,and have recently acquired some sequals.Missing no.six,the last one, but no doubt I'll find it at a book sale one day.Koontz is an excellent writer and I've followed him for many years.Just because he's in the "horror"genre doesn't mean he writes trash.I'm going to start re-reading Bill Bryson's books,as I've collected a few of those too.He's really funny and observant.
 
"At the Highest Levels" by Michael Beschloss. Sub titled The Inside Story of Bush, Gorbachev, the End of the Cold War.

It's always fascinating to read about historical moments we lived through 10 or 15 later. It shows how superficial newspapers and TV news are, and why most people (and voters) only know about 5% of the story. Of course we all need to dig deeper than the headlines, but most of us don't.

I find this to be true about all of the history and political books I've read in the last 50 years.
 
Philippe Sands - East West Street- on the origins of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Henry Kissinger - World Order

Han Kang- Human Acts
 
Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich. Halt's Peril by John Flanagan. Last Words by George Carlin. Trying to finish,and finding it difficult,The Shelf Life of Happiness by David Machado.Currently reading,The Emperor of Nihon-Ja by John Flanagan.


How many people utilize Libraries?
 
Do you like dogs? The Chet and Bernie series is a mystery series. The books are told from Chet's point of view,Chet is a dog.
 
Hey Ron- If you like dogs, Paul Auster (of the New York Trilogy fame, amongst others)- Timbuktu, featuring a dog called Mr. Bones. A beauty little book. Auster writes well on memory and loss.

And yes, I have two red miniature dachshunds. (one in a wheelchair).
 
Yes- Dave- I love a decent library. Luckily, now days as uni student I spend a lot of time in there-only 15 minutes walk from home. One public library 10 minutes drive away is great, overlooking a park, and comfortable with a good range of quality books.
It's well away from a shopping mall. I have a theory- the closer a library to a mall the least attractive it is to frequent. Somebody please prove me wrong.
When I travel- I check out the libraries. Singapore public library- what a view over St. Josephs.
 
Dackelmann said:
Yes- Dave- I love a decent library. Luckily, now days as uni student I spend a lot of time in there-only 15 minutes walk from home. One public library 10 minutes drive away is great, overlooking a park, and comfortable with a good range of quality books.
It's well away from a shopping mall. I have a theory- the closer a library to a mall the least attractive it is to frequent. Somebody please prove me wrong.
When I travel- I check out the libraries. Singapore public library- what a view over St. Josephs.
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Glad that you like our National Library :D
It's one of the biggest here in Singapore, but we have other smaller libraries scattered throughout the heartlands too. Be sure to check them out the next time you visit Singapore!
 
CYY- yep- plenty from choose from in the heartlands.
I also frequent Books Actually in Tiong Bahru (turned now into a travesty of hipster bread shops).
I'm about to order Troy Chin's part 8 of The Resident Tourist. Also really like O Thiam Chin and Alfian Sa'at among SG authors.
 
Dackelmann said:
CYY- yep- plenty from choose from in the heartlands.
I also frequent Books Actually in Tiong Bahru (turned now into a travesty of hipster bread shops).
I'm about to order Troy Chin's part 8 of The Resident Tourist. Also really like O Thiam Chin and Alfian Sa'at among SG authors.
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Cool! Hope you find pleasure in reading it! SG has some great authors too :)
I guess if you're feeling more adventurous, you could check out the libraries in the West. Jurong Regional Library and Jurong West Public library are some I frequent.
The libraries at Ang Mo Kio and Chua Chu Kang often host reading activities too! Do check them out if you have the time! :D
 
ah- i know the library at Ang Mo Kio!

Also like Dave Chua, and the little series edited by Verena Tey - Balik Kampung.
I can't get over how vibrant the poetry and writing (as well as painting/drawing) scene is in The Little Red Dot. Cheers, CYY.
 
Dackelmann said:
ah- i know the library at Ang Mo Kio!

Also like Dave Chua, and the little series edited by Verena Tey - Balik Kampung.
I can't get over how vibrant the poetry and writing (as well as painting/drawing) scene is in The Little Red Dot. Cheers, CYY.
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Yeah, I've heard of Balik Kampung. It means something like going back to one's hometown in Malay. Although the genres of books by local authors are not really what I like to read, but I do feel that the work of local authors have been under appreciated. It's quite ironic that it takes a foreigner to make us appreciate a part of our local culture. The arts and aesthetics aren't as valued as the food here XD

On a side note, I went to the library at Bull Creek, Murdoch the last time I visited some relatives in Perth in 2013. There was quite a selection of books, I must say. The sad thing was that I did not have a library card that allowed me to borrow books there. :/

However, things have changed much for me over the past 3 years. As schoolwork piled on and on, and with my Crohn's getting worse over the years, I find myself visiting the library less often nowadays. Things have gotten digital for me too, as I now read e-books and search the web for information, instead of going to the library to borrow books. I still wish I could find the time and energy to make a trip down to the library one day and relive the moments of yesteryears (oh my goodness, I sound like an old woman already :0).

If you happen to visit Singapore again, I don't mind being your tour guide :')
It's hard to find other Crohnies in Singapore as Crohn's is quite rare here, even though the incidence rate is on the rise.
 
CCY- yeah, sure to look you up next time I'm over. I collect SG lit' as even my University library has only one book of poetry by Alvin Pang- nothing more. Maybe one day I'll donate my collection to a uni that has a lit' course on SE Asian course. NUS however does do courses in English Asian lit.
 
Dackelmann said:
CCY- yeah, sure to look you up next time I'm over. I collect SG lit' as even my University library has only one book of poetry by Alvin Pang- nothing more. Maybe one day I'll donate my collection to a uni that has a lit' course on SE Asian course. NUS however does do courses in English Asian lit.
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Cool! Looking forward to hearing from you soon! (^▽^)
 
Elizabeth Gilbert- The signature of all things
Kate Morton - The forgotten Garden
Petra Dunst The Glassblowers
Sarah Lark Toward the Sea of Freedom


Love books, that help me escape my crohnie reality.
 
smccoy416 said:
Elizabeth Gilbert- The signature of all things
Kate Morton - The forgotten Garden
Petra Dunst The Glassblowers
Sarah Lark Toward the Sea of Freedom


Love books, that help me escape my crohnie reality.
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I agree with you wholeheartedly. Especially when you are in a doctor's waiting room. That tends to be be non-fiction for me.

My wife just started Terry Pratchett's Disc World series...again. He is our favorite author. Social satire at its best,with just enough absurdity.

Just got The Obysidian Chamber by Preston and Childs.

Question: How many books do you have going at any given time?
 
I need to spell check myself. Obsidian Chamber by Preston and Child. I enjoy there Pendergast series.
 
Only one book at a time.....my dad used to have one in the lounge and one in the bedroom,I could never understand it personally........Now you're going to tell us you have 2 or 3 on the go at once aren't you ?
 
Me. Only one novel at a time and like give it at least 24-48 hours between books to digest the essence of it and contemplate it...
but in the meantime usually 1-3 non-fiction on the boil. I try to keep the subject material different so not to confuse or conflate ideas. e.g. 1 on history, one on politics, one on something else like subversive cross-stitch or goldfish breeding. I'm a slow reader.
Plus journals, newspapers, poetry. Motorcycle, rugby league and cricket news.

The dud part of UC is when feeling fatigue or just crook I can't concentrate or its too damn difficult- it's all to hard. It's frustrating. The good part is i discovered graphic novels a while go. Ever read Thompson's Blankets, Satrapi's Perpepolis or Bechdell's Fun Home?

When I'm too knackered to read- listen to podcasts or sleep.
 
That's "Brain Fog" you're getting.But in your case I expect your brain just needs to rest
given the amount of info. you're ingesting.No sarcasm intended I assure you.
 
dave13 said:
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Especially when you are in a doctor's waiting room. That tends to be be non-fiction for me.

My wife just started Terry Pratchett's Disc World series...again. He is our favorite author. Social satire at its best,with just enough absurdity.

Just got The Obysidian Chamber by Preston and Childs.

Question: How many books do you have going at any given time?
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I also love all the Terry Pratchett books , my son was pestering me for years to read them and I finally did and read the lot of them in a few weeks , my son can't read the last TP book that was published , (still cant get over the fact that TP has gone )
Terrys final tweets

AT LAST, SIR TERRY, WE MUST WALK TOGETHER

Terry took Death’s arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night.



my stoma is called Igor , one of the surgeons I had was named IGOR .

Back to non Terry Pratchett
I currently have about 6 books on the go , I read them on my phone so that makes it a little easier to carry a lot of books with me and because my hands cant handle heavy books anymore I find book on the phone great .

I am currently re reading Lee Childs Reacher series amongst others , much better than the movies .
 
I always find that no movies ever live up to the books,especially if I've read the book first.

Always a huge disappointment.
 
dave13 said:
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Especially when you are in a doctor's waiting room. That tends to be be non-fiction for me.

My wife just started Terry Pratchett's Disc World series...again. He is our favorite author. Social satire at its best,with just enough absurdity.

Just got The Obysidian Chamber by Preston and Childs.

Question: How many books do you have going at any given time?
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Am currently enjoying three different stories, Where I am helps decide what I read. In a doctor's office. I always go for something light, cause the television is always blasting, as well as others distractions. If I am able to read during the day, will go for a heavier read. A few days ago, starting reading about J.F.K's last hundred days. At night is when I enjoy a suspenseful read Like Kate Morton.
 
Have just finished book 3 of Dean Koontz' Frankenstein.I have another two of the series to read,so do I continue, or take a break and begin a new author.As you know I have at least 40 to choose from. Mmmm,decisions,decisions.
 
The Man in the Rubber Mask by Robert Llewellyn

The Hanging Tree:A Rivers of London Novel by Ben Aaronovich
 
I'm in the middle of book 4 of 5 of Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series.Still enjoying the story so may as well keep going 'til I've finished them all.
 
Carol,I will get to that series eventually. It may sound odd to those who have not read him,but he can be funny. Does this series have humor in it?
 
Yes it does Dave.I wouldn't normally read Frankenstein/Dracula/Werewolfe type stories,but I love D.K.It's not scary,well not to me,and it's an easy read.Frank.didn't die on the ice of the North Pole as in Mary Shelleys story,but continued to live (well so far) and is developing super-humans in the lab.He has had help all the known despots worldwide.
 
I have mentioned before how I enjoy his inclusion of dogs. Humans have a high body count but the dogs,a golden,are o.k.. When I look back I am surprised how many of his books I have read. Joanne likes him too. She was surprised she likes his work.
 
Yes there's a G.S.D showed up in the last book and he has been adopted by the goodies. just a passing mention in the present book,but he's still part of the family.
 
'The Shelf life of Happiness' by David Machado. I started this and put it down about half way through some time ago.I left it for awhile and recently picked it up and finished it.

Just started 'The Monster of Venice:a true story' by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi.
 
Philip Roth's Portnoy's Complaint- 50th Anniversary since he wrote it and worth a revisit. I last read it on its 20th anniversary.

American Pastoral is my personal favourite of his.

Also reading Joseph Roth (one of my alltime fav's) - What I Saw: Reports from Berlin 1920-1933. Pure brilliance.
 
I have another question to everyone. Do you finish every book you start? A co-worker and I recently decided life is too short and there are too many good books out there to get slogged down. We both use to be of the mind if you start it,you finish it. No more.
 
It's a long time since I didn't finish a book.When I did I had a feeling of failure and guilt,as though I really should have tried harder.I'm very selective in my choices,I love Brit.social history and the "Horror"genre authors so I only choose books I know I wont have to struggle with.I love to read and as you say,life's to short


Halfway through D.Koontz fifth and last of the Frankenstein series.I have enjoyed them,but having read the last four in succession,I'm ready for something new..
 
'Heart Shaped Box' by Joe Hill is the only book I can think of that I didn't finish. Has anyone read it?
 
Don't fancy his books for some reason Dave.I know the film Horns is around,but I haven't got round to it.Films NEVER live up to the books,especially Stephen Kings.
 
scottsma said:
Don't fancy his books for some reason Dave.I know the film Horns is around,but I haven't got round to it.Films NEVER live up to the books,especially Stephen Kings.
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Has anyone read his alternative book about 11/29/63 and what did you think?
 
Like Scotsma- I'm pretty discerning about what I read ,so tend to finish what I start. I kind of know what I want to read to start with. Sometimes if I'm busy and have to put the book down- I'll start it over some other time when I'm free enough or if I can't read if I'm just too crook to concentrate. That's where poetry is a good bet to pick up and put down on a whim. Or motorcycle magazines.
 
The Elusive Elixir,book three in The Accidental Alchemist Mystery Series by Gigi Pandian.
 
The fifth book of Dean Koontz Frankenstein series.
I enjoyed them all, but having read the last four one after the other I was looking forward to reading something new.Have just started Dean Koontz Midnight.hahaha.It's an oldie but I don't think I've read it.
 
Carol, my library has the cloud library app. I checked and they have the Koontz Frankenstein series. I prefer real books, but it gives me an option to borrow it as an e-book. I just haven't been in a Koontz kinda mood recently.
 
I'm just at this minute checking to see if one of my fave authors new release is in the bookshop yet.It's due out today.It's John Connollys A Game Of Ghosts. I've read all of his Charlie Parker (main character) books and I love them.Detective,humor,spiritual and blood and guts,they have it all.......I'm reading The Birthing House by Christopher Ransom now.Seems Ok so far.I know e books are easier and cheaper,but I will always prefer paper.
 
'Post Apocalyptic Nomadic Warriors:A Duck and Cover Adventure' by Benjamin Wallace. The main character is(was) a librarian pre-apocalypse and he has a dog. Have to check it out.
 
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Have cast aside the Birthing House for now, and am at present engrossed in John Connolly's Game Of Ghosts.
I'm halfway through and am dreading finishing it.I love the author and his character Charlie Parker and his mates.I will have to wait at least a year for a new release .:(:(:(
 
John Connolly- A Game Of Thrones. Review from the Independent on Sunday......
The finest crime series currently in existence. I have read all 15 of the Charlie Parker series and 2 other novels by the author.
I am now reading an old Stephen King book.I have read it before but years ago, and I'm enjoying it just as much as I did first time 'round.
 
Sara Shilo- The Falafel King is Dead. (again). It tells the story of Moroccan immigrants in Israel through monologues of family members set in one day in the 1980s. Terrific little novel.
 
I've been reading "Almost Home: My Life Story Volume 1" by Damien Echols. Poor Damien. If you're not familiar with the West Memphis 3, in a nutshell - 3 young boys, 8 years old, were brutally murdered in West Memphis Arkansas in 1993. The investigation by police was seriously bungled in many ways. Basically, the police tried to make the evidence fit Damien, they wanted him to be the killer. He was a teenager who had long hair, wore all black, listened to heavy metal, and this was during the time of "Satanic panic" so they wanted to pin it on him simply because he didn't fit in and people were scared of him and it was the bible belt. There was absolutely zero evidence to tie him to the murder, but police found another teenager who was borderline retarded (IQ of about 70) who they questioned for 12 hours straight, and they coerced this boy into falsely confessing that he, Damien, and another teenager did the murders - these 3 teenagers are known as the West Memphis 3. They were all convicted, in spite of the lack of evidence (years later, DNA tests were conducted on the evidence, and the DNA did not match any of the WM3 but did match one of the victim's stepfathers, but that man has never been arrested nor prosecuted for the murders). Damien spent 18 years on death row for these crimes before he was finally released (the other 2 boys spent 18 years in prison too and were all released on the same day). He's written 2 memoirs and this is the first one (he wrote this one while he was still in prison) - I've got his second book, "Life After Death", waiting for me to read once I finish this book. So far I really like it, he's very intelligent and insightful and his book is quite interesting, although his life story is obviously very tragic. It's shocking and horrible that such a miscarriage of justice could happen in this day and age - Damien is only 5 years older than I am, and I also didn't fit in and listened to weird music and dressed weirdly as a teenager, so I really relate to him. His story is so sad.
 
Since I last posted: The Tournament at Gorlon,Notorious Nineteen,Takedown Twenty,The Battle at Hackham Heath,Knights of the Apocalypse,The Lost City of the Monkey God.
Currently reading Pursuit of the Apocalypse and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl:Squirrel Meets World.
 
I'm reading The Fireman by Joe Hill (S.Kings son) I'm really enjoying it and pick it up often during the day.It has 800 or so pages and I'm still under 200 so I hope it continues to deliver.
 
Yan Lianke - Dream of Ding Village. Novel about the blood contamination plasma economy in Henan Province, China. Brilliant writer and satirist. He's up there with Yu Hua as my favourite Chinese writers.

Martin Flanagan - The Short Long Book: A Portrait of Michael Long. Fantastic little book about racism Australian Football League and the stolen generations.
 
The Fireman..Joe Hill.
First time I've read his work,although I'm a big fan of his dad Stephen King.
I really enjoyed it and it's one of the few books I've picked up during the day,although of course it's not the best book I've ever read.It's a post apocalyptic thriller with a touch of the Harry Potters about it.I was drawn into the characters and always wanted to know what the next page would bring.I'm sad to finish it so I'm going to my stash for a new one to start right now.
 
The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley.

Set on the west coast of Britain this follows a group of Catholics on a retreat at Easter time.One of the young boys is mute and the annual retreat is mainly in the hope that God will cure him.
I am not religious at all,and I would not have read this book if the details on the back had been clearer.But I have to admit I found it strangely compelling,and read it quite quickly for me.The ending was weird and I'm glad I've finished it so that I can get on with something more to my liking.

PS.He was cured and became a much adored priest,but the cure was not of Gods doing.
 
The Silent ones. Ali Knight British suspense story.
The Missing C.L.Taylor....another Brit.novel.Really enjoyed it.
I'm now engrossed in The Unquiet by John Connolly. Revue from The Times "This man is so good,it's terrifying.....a quieter,subtler more reflective way of scaring us into shivering wrecks." I love his books and thought I'd read them all but I must have missed this one.
Have today bought Stephen and Owen Kings new release Sleeping Beauties.....Can't wait to start it but will finish my present read first of course.
 
Currently deep in Uni studies- so books on foreign policy, geo-politics etc.
This leaves me too brain fried late in the evening for heavy novels, so I have been in my old habit of reading graphic novels to wind down with before lights out and wood sawing. David B. - Epileptic. Daniel Clowes- Ghost World. Rutu Modan - The Property. etc.
 
Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King & Owen King.

A good read,over 800 pages,but not one of his best.Although I'm not a fan of film follow ups,I can see how this one would make a good (ish) movie.
 
I read very very little fiction. I can count the number of fiction books in my library on one hand. Lots of people like to read on war history and celebrities, not me. Can't say I have a favorite author.

Ever since I graduated from college with a degree in EE, I never stopped learning and I am always finding EE stuff that they didn't teach me in college. Other things that involve building such as computer software, cabinetmaking, house building, etc.

I loved trains since I was a kid so I read a lot of books on railroad history.

Being a musician I have lots of good books on music - old & modern instruments, group biographies, techniques, even a fascinating book on the old player pianos and "auto-orchestras".

Also read the Bible a lot.

I find that my brain absorbs the engineering stuff best early in the day. I can't read it after dinner as my brain won't stop running when I'm trying to get to sleep. I like to read just before I fall asleep so it is either trains or music.
 
The Real MC said:
I read very very little fiction. I can count the number of fiction books in my library on one hand. Lots of people like to read on war history and celebrities, not me. Can't say I have a favorite author.

Ever since I graduated from college with a degree in EE, I never stopped learning and I am always finding EE stuff that they didn't teach me in college. Other things that involve building such as computer software, cabinetmaking, house building, etc.

I loved trains since I was a kid so I read a lot of books on railroad history.

Being a musician I have lots of good books on music - old & modern instruments, group biographies, techniques, even a fascinating book on the old player pianos and "auto-orchestras".

Also read the Bible a lot.

I find that my brain absorbs the engineering stuff best early in the day. I can't read it after dinner as my brain won't stop running when I'm trying to get to sleep. I like to read just before I fall asleep so it is either trains or music.
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I read the Bible a lot myself
 

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