Time again for "Which book(s) are you reading?"

[Zomby Woof]

Two editions from one of my all-time favorite publishers, the Library of America: "Lincoln - Speeches and Writings 1832-1858" and "Poe - Poetry and Tales". It's an October tradition for me to read Poe.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

1. "L4yer Cake" by J.J. Connolly.

It's a London crime novel that became a movie starring a pre-Bond Daniel Craig. Before that, Christoper Buckley's "Boomsday," and next up will probably be Werner Herzog's "Conquest of the Useless" or Charles Mingus' "Beneath the Underdog."

[bikebloke]

2. Candleland by Martyn Waites

Popcorn. Gritty British crime mystery centered in Newcastle and London.

[REP]

3. The Trial -Kafka

Just reread Brave New World and 1984. Fall makes me feel all warm and dystopian.

[Call Me Wesley]

21. Dystopian is double-plus-good!

Make sure you read Orwell's 'Homage to Catalonia' as well! Great book! :hi:

[Zomby Woof]

36. HIGHLY recommend that one!

I used to cite it often in the old days in GD. Cautionary lessons about factionalism and party purity.

When people want to discover Orwell beyond '1984' or 'Animal Farm', 'Catalonia' is always my first recommendation.

[GirlAfire]

4. Presidents Fact Book and...

The Nation magazine

I almost never have time to read anything, but I am enjoying the Presidents Fact Book. It covers every president from George Washington to Barack Obama. I'm only on James Madison.

[Zomby Woof]

37. I am a presidential history junkie

Speaking of Madison, some weeks ago I completed Henry Adams's "A History of the United States during the Administrations of James Madison, 1809-1817". Goes into deep detail about the War of 1812, the dissipation of the Federalist Party, and the economics of the era. Adams (the great-grandson of John Adams and grandson of J.Q. Adams for anyone interested in his work) breaks up his serious analysis with just the right touch of wit and wryness. You can almost see him cock his eyebrow at times.

Hope you continue to enjoy your book. :-)

[GirlAfire]

45. I'm Sure I Will!

I'm a big presidential history junkie as well, but I'm just a beginner junkie. I think Doris Kearns Goodwin really sold me on the subject of presidential history. The book you've recently finishes sounds awesome. I'm going to have to check that out. It's always nice to have specialized, or more thorough, knowledge for such a condensed account as the Presidents Fact Book. I mean, it's only 793 pages!

If you're interested, or you haven't yet read the book, here is a link for ya: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1579128076/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1/179-9546060-1513308?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=1YGY0XMM0074Q09RAV6A&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_i=1579123899

:)

[Zomby Woof]

47. Thanks!

I have not read that, but am definitely curious! By the way, I highly recommend "The American President" by Philip B. Kunhardt Jr., Philip B. Kunhardt III, and Peter W. Kunhardt. It classifies the presidents categorically rather than chronologically. The rare photos alone are a treasure.

http://www.amazon.com/American-President-Philip-Kunhardt-Jr/dp/157322149X

Oh, as for the Adams work, I recommend his volume on Jefferson even more than the Madison effort. It is eye-opening to learn just how devastating the Embargo Act of 1807 was on the economy, and nearly led to New England's secession (for those who think secession was strictly a southern predilection, think again). Adams is a bit more crisp and lively in the Jefferson volume too. Start with that one, and read the Madison only if you enjoyed the first. :-)

[GirlAfire]

52. Oh, Thanks!

I will check these books out that you're recommending. In fact, I've added "American President" to my Amazon Wish List. :D

There was something else I wanted to say, but it totally slipped my mind! Thanks for the recommendations!

[BOSSHOG]

5. The Death of the USS Thresher

Have to keep up on my Navy History

I found three old William Caunitz Crime fiction books in an old musty used bookstore. Set in the NYPD in the 80's. Caunitz was a retired NYPD LT. His books are real life, with lots of alcohol abuse and adultery done by the cops. Lots of bad guys, lots of violence.

[joeybee12]

6. One Hundred years of Solitude...second time....

...that opening paragraph still blows me away.

[BurtWorm]

7. Weird

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9064723

I just asked that same question!

[GirlAfire]

8. Tried to Find That Thread!

I wanted to respond, and I searched for "What are you reading?" but I couldn't find it anywhere. Sorry!

[BurtWorm]

13. Oh well.

Maybe if I had put it in all caps or had asterisks or arrows pointing to it...


;-)


Pas de probleme.

[Zomby Woof]

39. Oh shit

Sorry. I did not intend to post a dupe. :-(

[BurtWorm]

48. Think nothing of it.

Must be something in the air to put this question on our minds at the same time. Or just the zeitgeist.
;-)

[Zomby Woof]

49. October just makes me want to stay inside and read

[BurtWorm]

51. Don't I know it!

:toast:

[eyepaddle]

9. The Prize: The epic quest for oil, money, and power.

I read it back in the mid 90s, and I fugure it is time to re-read and see how much more light it sheds on the state of the world today.

[MorningGlow]

10. Juliet, Naked

Not pr0n. :evilgrin: It's the latest Nick Hornby novel. Pretty good--and nobody incorporates rock music into fiction like he does.

[Crankie Avalon]

11. "Geek Love" by Katherine Dunn

Rereading actually, but it's been several years since the last time I read it. Trying to live on a budget this week, but next week I should be able to buy the third of the "Flashman" books. I read the first two and they were really funny, so I can't wait to read the rest of them.

[bif]

12. Two: "A Painted House"-Grisham and "The Winter Vault"-Anne Michaels

Never read any Grisham before and now I know why. The story is okay but the writing is terrible. But Anne Michaels is pure poetry. If you haven't read "Fugitive Pieces" by her, do. It's beautiful.

[rbnyc]

14. Villette

Charlotte Bronte

Just got through re-reading 4 novels by Jane Austin. I needed to go darker.

[VaYallaDawg]

15. "In the Tennessee Country" by Peter Taylor

Just about to finish it up - really terrific southern-lit style storytelling with true artistry in the language.

[lukasahero]

16. Several:

"Dog Talk: Lessons Learned From a Life With Dogs " Harrison Forbes; "A Night in the Cemetery & Other Stories of Crime and Suspense" Anton Chekhov; "Broken Music: A Memoir" Sting; "Through a Dog's Ear" Joshua Leeds, Susan Wagner; "Ask Your Animal" Marta Williams; "My Dog Tulip" J.R. Ackerly

So happy to have time to read again!

I should dig out some Poe and Lovecraft though, like you said, for October. :)

[trof]

17. Try "Harry Truman's Incredible Adventure".

It's about a road trip he and Bess took from Independence, MO back to D.C., Philadelphia, and NYC about 6 months after Ike was sworn in.

What I didn't know:
Back then there was NO presidential pension, no secret service protection, and no paid office expenses for 'retired' presidents.

It's a riveting read.

[Bossy Monkey]

18. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and The Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper n/t

[JTG of the PRB]

19. "The Hobbit"

Re-reading it, actually. I think I'm going to try and read it once a year. Next up: "The Lord of the Rings." :D

[NightWatcher]

20. as always, a mixture of Edward Abbey, John Muir, and the new Hartmann

[Fleshdancer]

22. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Fun so far.

[WinkyDink]

31. Another reader here! "Say, is that man wearing make-up?"

[Fleshdancer]

32. LOL!

I was told there's a hidden message in the book as well. Have you heard about that?

[Brigid]

23. The Bible.

New American Bible for Catholics, to be exact. Yes, I'm serious. *puts on flame-retardant suit*

[stray cat]

46. Sad that a flame suit might be required - some democrats really are hostile to religion

[Hayabusa]

24. Dragons of Autumn Twilight

by Weis & Hickman

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

25. "The Family."

:scared:

[XemaSab]

26. Kim by Rudyard Kipling

:)

[peacefreak]

27. World Without End by Ken Follett

but have been rooting for the Plague to kill all the characters (not a good sign), so I put it down. Picked up Tess Gerritsen's Keepsake & liking it so far.

[Fleshdancer]

33. I read World Without End last month

I enjoyed it. Parts of it dragged a bit, but overall it was pretty good.

[peacefreak]

44. Maybe I'll give it another shot.

I loved Pillars of the Earth so much, I had high hopes for this one.

[Bucky]

28. Oh... um, all of them...

[tabbycat31]

29. The Family

I waited 4 months for my library to get it. I'm about 100 pages into it and so far it's great.

[raptor_rider]

30. 90 Minutes in Heaven

25 pages in and was already crying. Also New Moon for the 5th time (damn Twilight series.)

[RFKHumphreyObama]

34. "True Compass" by Senator Edward M Kennedy

And just in the process of starting this one


I'm already flicking through it and it is already heart-wrenchingly sad. He has such a great writing style and his warmth, kindness and empathy just comes through so much

[applegrove]

40. It is packed full of interesting annecdotes. I am really enjoying it.

[Zomby Woof]

42. I've read the first chapter

And have the same opinion as you. I will resume as soon as I complete 1 of the 2 above - which I had started prior to obtaining Kennedy's book. However, it's not unusual for me to have 3 or 4 books going at once, so I am estimating within a week or so. The Poe is more than 3/4ths done, as it is. :-)

[seemunkee]

35. The Prince of the Marshes: And Other Occupational Hazards of a Year in Iraq

by Rory Stewart
Interesting look at trying to keep the peace while acting as govenor of a province in a Iraq by a member of the British foreign service

[applegrove]

38. Ted Kennedy's autobiographie. I'm really enjoying it.

[whistler162]

41. the Autobiography of Phillip H. Sheridan.....

[Gormy Cuss]

43. Duma Key by Stephen King.

I'm taking a brain break.

[Mari333]

50. Kitty Kelleys expose of Nancy Reagan

she has the skills of a Benihana chef in cutting up Nancy.

[txwhitedove]

53. Just finished “The Quiet Game” by Greg Iles, a real page turner…

and interesting mix of politics, race relations, and mystery.

Now reading “Born to be Wild” by Kristi Meisenbach Boylan, on “freeing the spirit of the hyperactive child” without drugs or labels.

[Odin2005]

54. "The Idea of Justice" by Amartya Sen

Sen is fucking brilliant.