Read any good books lately?

[crazycanuck]

I just finished A Fortunate Life by A.B Facey & twas a great read. It's Mr Facey's autobiography & details his life on farms being settled in early Western Australia & his time at Gallipoli. He was unable to attain any education but managed in his own way.

ANother one worth reading is Swimming to Antarcticaby Lynne Cox. WOW!!! If you need something to make you understand that pain is all in your mind, this is the book!

I started reading Prisoner Of the State-The SEcret Journal of Ex Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang-had to put it down as the translated text often doesn't flow well?

I'm looking for good Non Fiction recommendations if you have any.

[shootingstar]

Jumping between 2 bks. on the whims of fickle moments:

The Craftsman. By Richard Sennett. Bk. is a philosophical examination of craftsmanship, history and social impact on craftsmanship due to industrialization (=mass production), globalization (outsourcing) and free enterprise. For instance, he talks about the true craftsperson who just like to perfect their work for perfection sake. But forget the end result. He uses the example the creation of the atomic bomb as an example where bomb creator didn't think of destructive consequences thoroughly. References to skill of patient diagnosis by doctors and nurses if there is time and no push to be cost-efficient, vs. the revolving door of patient care treatment efficiencies. So lots of different ways of examing "craftsmanship" and what we now value/don't value as much.

http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Prof-Ric...3214&sr=1-1

One Foot in Laos. By Dervla Murphy. She is the prolific Irish cyclist and hiker. Has written travelogues over past 20 yrs. She is over 70 or late 60's in this trip. Am reading this 2nd time since I've had this bk. for awhile.
http://www.amazon.com/One-Foot-Laos-Derv...3413&sr=1-1

[smilingcat]

new twist on economic theory:

Mr. Silver, you may be interested in these two books.

Animal Spirits by George A. Akerlof & Robert J. Shiller
The Big Sort, why the clustering of Like-minded America is Tearing Us Apart by Bill Bishop

Other books I can't recommend.

animal related:

A Lion Called Christian, The true Story of the Remarkable Bond Between Two Friends and a Lion by Anthony Bourke and John Rendall (fast easy read)

autobiography of sort. If you like about getting back to the land.
Made From Scratch by Jenna Wolgrin (sp) The book is in the garage book shelf.
http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com/
Peace At Heart, An Oregon Country Life by Barbra Drake so soo...

homesteading related back to earth kind

The Winter Harvest Handbook by Eliot Coleman great reference book BTW. MUST HAVE
The One-Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka It's been translated and it is more about zen of homesteading bit philosophical. Another half a dozen or so books but ehhh...

I don't have time to read fiction. The other books I read are technical related to my field so would be of no interest here. Things like
Wind Energy Explained, Theory, Design and Application
The Definitive Guide to the ARM Cortex-M3 Arm Computer chip manual. Talk about dry read.

and so it goes...

[Red Rock]

I have read the following:
Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell The eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10. This was a great book. After reading this it gave me appreciation for what the Military are doing in Afganistan. That part of the world is not easy to be fighting in especially due to the terrain.

Madam Secretary A Memoir Madeleine Albright. This has been intresting just from the point of view of someone so close to the President and what actually happens on a day to day basis inside a whitehouse/cabinet posisition. I am still in the middle of this book. Some chapters are more dry than others. Also, it is intresting how she even ended up in politics.

The Green Book by Elizabeth Rodgers and Thomas Kostigen. This has been helpful to make my/our lives more green where we can.

One bullet Away by Nathaniel Fick. Inspired by the Lone Survior read. Finished the first part, bur should be intresting.

Inspired by CC and her studies, I picked up Urban Sprawl and Public Health Designing, Planning, and Building for Healthy Communites by Howard Frumkin, Lawrence Frank, and Richard Jackson. I just started this one. I really like it. I think it will actually answer a lot of questions that I have about commuting and cycling instead of driving. I am also intrested in Public Health too. So this is a good combonation of the two subjects.

Gusher of Lies The Dangerous Delusions of "Energy Independence" by Robert Bryce. I read The Bottomless Well and I think it was a bit over my head. I think this might still explain the same subject matter but in a way that might more sense to me.

I have also ordered Oil and Gas Production so I have a better understanding of how this all takes place.

If anyone has any other Urban Studies/Planning titles, I'd be intrested. The whole cycling commuting connection is facinating to me. America's dependence on the automobile is terrible, but if we could change/modify our cities that would much better.

Anyway, that is my most recent selection.

Happy reading.....

Red Rock

[OnTerryOh]

Right now I'm reading Don't Kiss Them Goodbye, by Allison Dubois (http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Kiss-Good-bye-Allison-DuBois/dp/0743282280/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1249266521&sr=8-3). This is "the true story of the woman who inspired the hit NBC television series Medium (http://www.amazon.com/Medium-Complete-Seasons-1-3-17pc/dp/B000SQFC36/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1249266521&sr=8-4)." I find DuBois' discussions of communicating with dead people fascinating.

Earlier this year I read Over the Hills: A Midlife Escape Across America by Bicycle, by David Lamb (http://www.amazon.com/Over-Hills-Midlife-America-Bicycle/dp/0812925793/ref=ed_oe_h). I greatly enjoyed his independent spirit and the adventure of crossing the U.S. alone by bike. I usually skipped the descriptions of bicyling history.

[crazycanuck]

RedRock..I think it was Spokewench or Tulip that put me onto the cyburbia website (planning related) www.cyburbia.org

You can also go to www.planning.org (American Planning assn)

Suburban Nation:Rise of Sprawl and the decline of the American Dream Andres Duany
(I'd love to read all of it but it's a high demand book at the uni library & only avail for 3 day loans..:() I can see this one on my shelf very soon!

Books I have out atm for another class (Diversity & cultural planning) but haven't read yet...:o
Heterotopia & the City-Dehaene & De Cauter
Identity, Ethnic Diversity and Community Cohesion Wetherell, Lafleche & Berkeley
Enough is Enough: Contested Communities Paul HOggett

[badger]

if you're into Chinese politics/human rights, I highly recommend Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng (http://www.amazon.com/Life-Death-Shanghai-Nien-Cheng/dp/014010870X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1249278445&sr=8-1). I couldn't put it down.

[papaver]

I'm reading The suspicions of mr. Wicher right now. By Kate Summerscale. It's about a true murderstory and the policeman who investigated the murder. Non-fiction but written as a detective story.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/may/11/crimebooks.features

Another book that is waiting for me: The Good Terrorist by Doris Lessing.

http://www.dorislessing.org/thegood.html

This is an all time favorite:

The Larve by Midas Dekkers. An interesting view on children....
http://www.nlpvf.nl/book/book2.php?Book=89

[OakLeaf]

I haven't read The Good Terrorist, but the title reminded me of a book that I have read: The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid. One of those books you read in one sitting with your eyes huge.

But you were looking for nonfiction... :o I have a couple in the pile, but mostly been reading fiction lately.

[shootingstar]

I haven't read fiction in last 2 yrs. or more. Unlike some folks here, I'm pretty turtlish at the rate of reading books at this point in life. A big contrast when I used to devour them many decades ago.

[arielmoon]

Fun reading in the romance section:

Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward.


Also:

In death series by JD Robb

[papaver]

I've forgotten this one.

Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud by Peter Watson

http://tinyurl.com/n3j98f

Very good reading.

And this one:

A people's history of the United States : 1492 to present by howard zinn

http://www.amazon.com/Peoples-History-United-States-Present/dp/0060838655

[KathiCville]

I recently finished The Thirteen American Arguments: Enduring Debates That Define and Inspire Our Country by journalist Howard Fineman. Fineman believes that our never-ending, passionate national 'arguments' about such issues as immigration, religion, free press, and the like are what make the U.S. strong. Says Fineman in his intro: "We are the Arguing County, born in, and born to, debate. The habit of doing so---the urgent, almost neurotic need to do so---makes us unique and gives us our freedom, creativity, and strength." A good read, and good reminder that dissent is both healthy and patriotic.

I'm now reading Rick Steves' Travel as a Political Act. Steves is the host of the PBS series "Europe Through the Back Door." A well-written reminder that stepping outside of one's own borders, comfort zone, and assumptions can be deeply rewarding.

[tulip]

Light Beach Reading this summer: Birth of Venus and In the Company of the Courtesan. Italy, art, romance (kinda), history.

[surgtech1956]

I just finished James Patterson 8th Confession(Women's Murder Club) series. I just started the Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum series 3 For the Dough, these should keep me busy for awhile since there's 14 or 15 in the series.

[Jolt]

I recently read Born to Run: a hidden tribe, superathletes and the greatest race the world has never seen by Chris McDougall--highly recommended for all runners! I also read The Jungle Effect by Daphne Miller. It's all about indigenous diets (from several different parts of the world, including the Copper Canyons in Mexico which is where a lot of Born to Run is about) and how to incorporate them into our lifestyle to be healthier.

[mtbdarby]

I spend a lot of time in the car transporting my son to his dad so I like to listen to lighter topiced books. I started listening to books on tape and I'm addicted! My current favorite series is the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. The best reader is Lorelei King - I just love the voices she does! Stephanie is an inept bounty hunter and Lula is her sidekick. There isn't a book that doesn't have a part where I laugh out loud! And the characters in this book would make great dog names: Lula, Ranger, Morelli etc.

[shootingstar]

The Craftsman. By Richard Sennett. Bk. is a philosophical examination of craftsmanship, history and social impact on craftsmanship due to industrialization (=mass production), globalization (outsourcing) and free enterprise. For instance, he talks about the true craftsperson who just like to perfect their work for perfection sake. But forget the end result. He uses the example the creation of the atomic bomb as an example where bomb creator didn't think of destructive consequences thoroughly. References to skill of patient diagnosis by doctors and nurses if there is time and no push to be cost-efficient, vs. the revolving door of patient care treatment efficiencies. So lots of different ways of examing "craftsmanship" and what we now value/don't value as much.


That's my earlier post ..how did you own it? Hands off, please.

[solobiker]

I just finished James Patterson 8th Confession(Women's Murder Club) series. I just started the Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum series 3 For the Dough, these should keep me busy for awhile since there's 14 or 15 in the series.

I read her books. They are fun and fast to read.

I have been trying to find some new books to read, I have gotten some good ideas here...Thanks! I wish there was more time in the day to read. The latest book I read was In Harm's Way. It was about the sinking of the USS INDIANAPOLIS, by Doug Stanton. Normally I am not a history fan but it looked interesting. It was a pretty good book.

[TxDoc]

Yes, just finished 'the light within' by Lois Ramondetta. Great book!

[leathela]

I just finished a novel called "The Sorrows of an American," by Suri Hustvedt. I highly recommend it; very thought-provoking and intimate.

While this is technically a young adult novel, I also recommend the book "Wintergirls," by Laurie Halse Andersoon. The book chronicles a young woman's struggle with anorexia. It's a very quick read and very realistic--which is to say, very dark at points. Still, there are undercurrents of hope throughout the book.

I'm rereading "Lolita" right now, which I always love. I think Nabokov's prose style is just unparalleled. Even though the subject matter is deplorable (obviously!), the book is just so engaging and so perfectly rendered.

I also read a lot of memoirs (I'm working on one, and always like to see what's out there), and one of my absolute favorites is "This Boy's Life" by Tobias Wolff. It kills me a little, it's such a good book. I also love "The Liar's Club" and "Cherry," both by Mary Karr.

[Mistie]

The Book Thief...excellent perspective
These Granite Islands author ????
The Time Traveller's Wife (I've read this a bunch of times since I got in 2004and it is out on Friday as a movie...hope they stick to the story)...Niffenger, may be misspelled.

[tribogota]

a big super big plus one on jolt's reply about
born to run

[tyrocks00]

In preparation of the movie coming out, I reread The Lovely Bones (I read it when I was an early teen) and it was great. Kinda depressing but very beautifully written and just heartbreaking!

[Pan Dulce]

Fun reading in the romance section:

Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward.


Also:

In death series by JD Robb


So funny, I've read most of the JD Robb series, and I'm re-reading the JR Ward series. Seems like we have the same tastes in books. ;)

I'm a voracious reader normally, and fed by my Amazon Kindle - I'm gone. In college I'd read around 3 books per week.. I'm close to that now.

[katluvr]

a big super big plus one on jolt's reply about
born to run

Just got it this week on my Kindle...it is addictive. I think mostly I am trying to find out "how it turns out" so I keep reading when I should be sleeping so I can get up and RUN!:eek:

[Norse]

I read non-fiction and have not read any fiction stories in years. Most recent finish was Hit By A Farm by Catherine Friend. Friend is a writer who's partner talked her into taking up farming in southeastern MN. The book is alternatively sad, funny, poignant, hysterical. I couldn't put it down.

Before that, before I even knew about the new movie, I read Julia Child's My Life in France. It took me a while both because I only read a few pages at night and because I just loved this book and when I neared the end, I started setting it aside because I just didn't want it to be over. I am a bit of an amateur chef and have always adored Julia Child and her spunk.

[fastdogs]

I've been reading like crazy since I got my kindle.
I downloaded the free preview to Born To Run, and it sounds good, but haven't ordered the whole book yet because I've got so many to read still.
I recently finished Water for Elephants, a great free book called Paranoia, Son of a Dog (about an adopted greyhound), Surviving an American Gulag, and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (Lisa See)
I've heard nothing but good reviews about Born to Run, so will probably eventually end up downloading that. I'm reading about a book a week now.
vickie

[redrhodie]

I recently read "Diary of an Exercise Addict" by Peach Friedman. It's the documentation of her slide into exercise bulimia. She tells how exercise became her crutch for coping with life. She tells of binge eating and purging with workouts that became increasingly long and painful, until she was a shell of her old self.

Exercise bulimia is really hard disorder to deal with, and probably easy to develop because we are all taught that we should be exercising more. Eventually, more can be too much, and before you know it, you have an eating disorder.

I think this is important reading for any athletic person. The line between fit and this disease is fine, and you may not know you are suffering from this until you've already done great damage to your body and your life.

[arielmoon]

I just read The Hunger Games (http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Suzanne-Collins/dp/0439023483/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250859291&sr=8-1). Excellent!

[mtomm]

The Help, Kathryn Stockett

I highly, highly recommend it as an audiobook. Really you cannot go wrong with this book.

[grey]

The Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan. Very interesting read, even for a food nut like me.

[graceomalley]

Just finished:

Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex by Mary Roach. It was a satisfying read: very informative and interesting, yet witty and sometimes outright hilarious.

[SpinSpinSugar]

Geek Love by Katherine Dunn - no real way to describe this one you just have to read it. Here's a link to a review: http://fandomania.com/book-review-geek-love/

[northstar]

Best book I've read in a LONG time: Sherman Alexie's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian." It's autobiographical, mostly...but marked as fiction. You'll laugh, you'll cry, all at the same time. Fantastic.

But right now, I'm reading "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." I love reading cookbooks, and Julia Child is a hoot.

[OakLeaf]

Oh, I love Sherman Alexie. Hilarious, heartbreaking, and very, very angry - all at the same amazing time.

[salsabike]

Oh, I love Sherman Alexie. Hilarious, heartbreaking, and very, very angry - all at the same amazing time.

Me too. I've read everything he's written and have his next one on hold at the library. He lives here. Was the keynote speaker at an Iraq War (the first one) protest. Boy, do I like his writing.

[shootingstar]

Starting on The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America is Tearing Us Apart. By Bill Bishop

His premise is that although U.S. (and Canada) are more diverse in terms of ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion, that we do still tend to naturally cluster with like-minded people that we feel most comfortable with. Focus is abit more on political dynamics and changes.

Only halfway through other one that I mentioned earlier in this thread. Plus have a 3rd book I must read for a written book review that I committed for a professional journal. More dull. On law of commerical leases.

[kenyonchris]

I always have several going.
Right now re-reading "A Prayer for Owen Meany"...John Irving. Very, very good (I don't like all his stuff, but the old stuff is great).
Finished "The Time Traveler's Wife"...awesome.
"Peace Like a River"...Leif Enger

And, ashamedly, I read the twilight books.

[graceomalley]

I always have several going.
Right now re-reading "A Prayer for Owen Meany"...John Irving. Very, very good (I don't like all his stuff, but the old stuff is great).
Finished "The Time Traveler's Wife"...awesome.
"Peace Like a River"...Leif Enger

And, ashamedly, I read the twilight books.

Oh, kenyonchris, I knew I liked you after reading your response to the post about the 13 year old sailor.

"Owen Meany" is one of my very favorite books of all time. I, too, reread it every few years. What a gem.

[mudmucker]

The all-time classic, Wiring Simplified, 42nd edition by Richter, Schwan and Hartwell, suitable for the 2008 NEC. :p I just got it to replace my 36th edition. Not exactly riproaring fiction that keeps you on the edge of your seat nor anything that induces extreme cerebral induction but it has been quite helpful this summer.