Does anybody read books here?

[salsabike]

I currently have a collection of to-be-read books from what I term the "way-far-away-on-adventures-I'll-never-have" genre: Into Thin Air (mountain climbing), The Hungry Ocean (swordfish fishing), Under the Tuscan Sun (fixing up that dream house in Italy), etc.

Into Thin Air is an absolutely fascinating, very well written book. The author used to be one of my doc's climbing partners. After the 96 climbing season that the book is about, she said he became pretty reclusive; it was hugely traumatic for him. Great book, though.

[Patti37]

You guys have mentioned some new authors I haven't read yet, I'll have to check them out.

I love reading too--of course, I work in publishing so I better love it! The good thing about publishing is that I get all books 60% off--the bad thing is that I get books 60% off :-( There goes my money.

Anyway, I love Anna Maxted, Jennifer Weiner, Terri Blackstock, Patricia Cornwell, Francine Rivers, Tom Clancy, and Michael Crichton for my fun reading.

Francine River's "Mark of the Lion" series is what got me hooked on reading when I was in college.

I recently read 1776 by David McCullough and found myself surprising riveted. I wish there was a 1777.

David McCullough's book on John Adams is also a very good read. He also wrote a book on Harry Truman that was good but it was not a "I can't put it down" kind of book.

[SadieKate]

I tried the Series of Unfortunate Events. Read book 1, started book 2 and found it so depressing, I didn't finish it. Why do all the good adults in their lives die?

V.

Okay, okay, old thread but I just read Book 1. I agree with V. What the ??? I don't get the popularity.

[Veronica]

I think it's because the kids are resilient and figure out how to deal with their problems, outsmarting Count Olaf in the process. I did try them again at the urging of last year's class. I got to book 8 and skipped to book 13, just to see how it ended.

V.

[SadieKate]

You read 8 more of them? Nothing made me smile or laugh or even cry. It was just plodded along with how horrible this and how horrible that . . . but at least no one died after the first few pages. I think I'll pass.

[GLC1968]

I'm a voracious reader (but a lousy speller!) and I love, love, love books. I have to keep myself in check though, because I would easily give up too much in my life to just read. It's crazy. My H gives me a hard time about it and my family used to call me 'brick wall' whenever I had a book in my hands. It's not uncommon for me to stay up all night reading when I'm into a good book! It's also not good for my riding habit. I missed out on too many beautiful evening rides because I was head first into the last Harry Potter.

My favorite are historical novels and adventure stores, but there isn't much I won't read. Luckily, I read quickly. I loved 'Into Thin Air'...I think it's one of my all time favorites. Currently I'm reading a series of Philippa Gregory books (historical romance...but not trashy) and a few on solar power (I'm an EE by trade).

I also tend to like LONG books. I hate it when I'm enjoying a story and it's over too quickly. I think that's why I've enjoyed each Harry Potter more than the previous ones...they keep getting longer! Oh, and I read and loved Sarum which is a super long historical novel set in England (Salisbury area). I loved that it lasted half a summer for me!

[mimitabby]

wow, you read Sarum! I don't know anyone else besides myself that has read that book.

[SadieKate]

I did. Probably only because one of our family names is Canterbury.

[GLC1968]

Wow, you guys both read it too? I've also never met anyone else who has...

I think I picked it up originally just because it was so long.

[Thorn]

Do I get any points for reading Sarum after I finished London?

Ain't the web grand? The world isn't quite as different and diverse, perhaps, as we think sometimes.

As a kid I devoured Michener novels, too. I like good historicals. Heck, I read through Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars Trilogy (and the pre-quel Antartica). Not exactly "historical" but along the same line.

[SadieKate]

I read many of the Michener novels also. Now, I'm under a limit as to the weight of my books. Bubba doesn't like getting whacked in the face with them when I fall asleep.

[Fredwina]

I'm a fan of both Rutherford and Michner.
Also like John Krakauer(intio Thin air)

[mimitabby]

me too SadieKate, i don't like reading books that are so heavy they could hurt me if they fell on my nose.

as a result i've only read 2 Harry Potters.
owell, I have been reading a lot of italian novels, they last me longer than any Harry Potter book...

[Irulan]

Do I get any points for reading Sarum after I finished London?

Ain't the web grand? The world isn't quite as different and diverse, perhaps, as we think sometimes.

As a kid I devoured Michener novels, too. I like good historicals. Heck, I read through Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars Trilogy (and the pre-quel Antartica). Not exactly "historical" but along the same line.

I LOVE KSR, I think he's a real visionary. If you get a change try to find the Three Californias tryptich... Pacific Edge, The Wild Shore and the Gold coast... looks like it's being reprinted in an omnibus.

The new one (40 day of rain etc) is cool but a little all over the place. Again, he's such a visionary I forgive the lack of focus.

[Bklynmom]

Has anyone read anything by Henning Mankell?

I have read everything my Henning Mankell that is translated into English. I love the Kurt Wallander series and also return of the Dancing Master. If you like Mankell you should check out Maj Sjowall and Per Waloo's Martin Beck Series. There's an amazing one called the Fire Engine that Disappeared.
I also like Ian Rankin, but again have read them all. Any other quality mystery writers you can suggest?

For serious books I have recently read American Prometheus (about Robert Oppenheimer) Brilliant description of Mccarthyism leading to the cold war. I have been reading the Guns of August on and off for a moth or so too. Would love suggestions of good biographies - loved the Robert Moses book by Caro - lots of Doris Kearns-Goodwin. Would love more suggestions of biographies and history.