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crazycanuck
06-20-2008, 05:35 AM
Hey,

I recently finished Asne Seierstad's The Angel Of Grozny. Now before you go out and purchase it please note it's not an uplifting, happy book. I thought it provided me with an insight on what's still happening in the shadows in Chechnya.

Since I prefer non fiction books regarding conflict..I'd like to read Blood and Soil but ian's in the middle of it at the moment.

So,I think i'll go back & finish Victor Klemperer's The Klemperer Diaries 1933-1945.

I think after that i'll give Taylor Branch's Pillar Of Fire, America in the King Years 1963-65 or Martin Windrow's The Last Valley-Dien Bien Phu & the French Defeat in Vietnam a shot..

So, what are ye reading?

uk elephant
06-20-2008, 05:52 AM
I'm reading more Bernard Cornwell at the moment. This time the story is set during the 100 year war between England and France in the 14th century. His books are very well researched, but also captivating story telling. I keep nearly forgetting to get off the train at the right stop!

indigoiis
06-20-2008, 05:58 AM
For my "bus book", I am reading "Shot in the Heart" by Mikal Gilmore about his brother, Gary Gilmore, a criminal who was executed in Utah in 1976, changing the way this country thought about executions and the death penalty. It's about their family and the issues that likely brought Gary to that end. It's a great book. When I am done I am going to get Norman Mailler's "The Executioner's song" from the library.

At home, bedside I am reading Dickens' Hard Times. I am constantly re-reading the classics.

crazycanuck
06-20-2008, 06:05 AM
I remember watching The Executioners Song many moons ago and would love to see it again.. Tommy Lee Jones' earlier films were so :cool:

The books you're both reading sound rather interesting. Perhaps when I manage to get through our overflowing book cases :o :)

mimitabby
06-20-2008, 07:15 AM
I'm reading "the long emergency " and it's so scary I'm not sure I can continue reading it as I had been (as a bedtime book) it's non fiction and it's a realistic look at where we're heading. augh..

Grog
06-20-2008, 08:12 AM
I'm reading "the long emergency " and it's so scary I'm not sure I can continue reading it as I had been (as a bedtime book) it's non fiction and it's a realistic look at where we're heading. augh..

It took me about six months to fully recover from reading that. It's integrated in my thought process now... Many times I look at things I'm thinking about buying and I try to see the long term consequences/usefulness. I'm scared no more, but a bit more thoughtful I think...

Anyway, it's not badly written, too.

Irulan
06-20-2008, 10:26 AM
I'm reading more Bernard Cornwell at the moment. This time the story is set during the 100 year war between England and France in the 14th century. His books are very well researched, but also captivating story telling. I keep nearly forgetting to get off the train at the right stop!

Are you reading the Archer's tale sequence, or the ones about King Alfred. Bernard Cornwell is awesome. How about the Richard Sharpe series?

jesvetmed
06-21-2008, 12:45 AM
Just finished "Water for Elephants" ... I'd recommend it. Interesting, a bit of intrigue, and animals!

Went to Barnes and Noble tonight and spent WAY TOO MUCH. I'll post anything I find interesting! Starting "Eat, Pray, Love" next.

Trekhawk
06-21-2008, 04:15 AM
Are you reading the Archer's tale sequence, or the ones about King Alfred. Bernard Cornwell is awesome. How about the Richard Sharpe series?

I just read the first in the Richard Sharpe series and really enjoyed it. I think I will have to track down number two.
I am currently reading Tobruk by Peter Fitzsimons. My grandfather was one of the rats of Tobruk but never really spoke about the war. This book gives me a chance to get a little glimpse of what it must have been like for him and his mates.

Kimmyt
06-21-2008, 06:07 AM
I'm in a book lull right now. Just finished Jim Harrison's 'Returning to Earth' and it was quite a lovely little read.

I use this site to keep track of and share reviews on books... a bunch of women on a ski forum I frequent introduced me to it.

Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com)

Velobambina
06-21-2008, 07:15 AM
Kimmy, did you read Dalva or its sequel? Those are a couple of my all-time favorite books. Haven't read any of Jim Harrison's others, though.

I just finished the Fugitive (by a Canadian author--Gil something or other). It was pretty good. "The German Bride" by Joanne Hershon (sp?) was also a well-written, good story. I just started "Attachment" by Isabel Fonseca.

I can't wait to start Louise Erdrich's new book---I'm saving it for when I'm on leave in July!!!

Ruth Rendell has a new one either out or coming out, as does Joyce Carol Oates. :):):):):):):):)

uk elephant
06-21-2008, 09:09 AM
Are you reading the Archer's tale sequence, or the ones about King Alfred. Bernard Cornwell is awesome. How about the Richard Sharpe series?

Currently on the Archer's tale sequence. Already finished the King Alfred books, the viking books and the one about Stonehenge. BF has also read all the Sharpe ones. I guess we're sort of fans :o BF has read all of his books except 4 (set in the American Civil War). At least I know what to get him for his birthday this year...

malkin
06-21-2008, 11:29 AM
In the Woods
by Tana French


Certainly worth the read.

Kimmyt
06-21-2008, 01:15 PM
Kimmy, did you read Dalva or its sequel? Those are a couple of my all-time favorite books. Haven't read any of Jim Harrison's others, though.




I actually just went to the book store and picked up True North, but I realized that it's actually the prequel to the one I just read. So I'm worried the fact that I read the book that takes place after it beforehand might make it less enjoyable. This one is written from one of the characters POV that I found more difficult to enjoy, so we'll see how it goes, but it seems to have gotten good reviews.

I think I've got myself a new author for the next few months, if this book goes well I'll probably add Dalva and the rest of his books to my list.

KnottedYet
06-21-2008, 06:25 PM
I'm in the middle of "Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time" by Marcus Borg. It's about this historical Jewish dude named Jesus of Nazareth, a real subversive liberal guy, big into human rights and compassion. The sort of radical fellow who gets into trouble. If he was around today I'm pretty sure he'd be in jail by now under the Patriot Act. (y'know, undermining gov't authority and stuff)

Good book, I highly recommend it. Quite short; 137 pages.

Bad JuJu
06-22-2008, 06:58 AM
I'm probably the last person in my circle of friends to read The Kite Runner, but I'm about halfway through it now. So sad and so beautiful. Someone lent me The Long Emergency, but I haven't been able to face it yet. On a recent road trip, I listened to Stormy Weather, a Carl Hiassen novel, which, like most of his fiction, is a complex, rousing chase through the wilds of south Florida, with an environmentalist message cleverly hidden in the highly entertaining plot.

Meanwhile I'm reading multiple textbooks for fall classes--not nearly as beautiful though some are pretty sad.:rolleyes:

Brandi
06-22-2008, 08:36 AM
Ok I have a few i am trying to get to and one that I am finishing. The one I am trying to finish is called The Snow Leopard. It is a true story about a man who goes through a walking journey of Nepal with a friend who is seeking the snow leopard amongst other stuff. It is very interesting and it goes very deep into he's soul of thinking. He had lost he's wife the year before to cancer.
And let's Water for elephants and Animal, vegatable , miricle. The later is about a family who decides to eat nothing but locally grown and made food for a year. never going to the market. I look forward to both.