Does anybody read books here?

[Zen]

I'd like to read this one about George Washington and you might like The Devil In The White City about the 1893 Chicago's World Fair.

[Bklynmom]

Thanks. I loved the Devil in the White City! I will look for the George Washington Book.

Another one in this vein that is great is The Island at the Center of the World - you couldn't make up a character as wild as Peter Stuyvesant.

[salsabike]

Hey, Sherman Alexie just won a National Book Award for the book I just finished reading last week: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

I love that. It was a great book.

[Bklynmom]

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.

Great book - amazing journalism - his other books are good as well. I would also add The Heart of the Sea - about the true story that Moby **** is based on -- great sailing story.

[Zen]

Thanks. I loved the Devil in the White City!

I found the beginning somewhat tedious but was really surprised at the end to find out everyones ultimate place in history.

[Thorn]

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.

Agreed....on all counts. I am still haunted by one of the California books--the post apocolyptic book where the outside world prevents technology from redeveloping. Bad plot summary on my part, but some days I fear that isn't so far fetched.

I didn't mind the 40 Days series. A little disconnected, particularly the last book, but it is an important viewpoint. Besides, after the Years of Rice and Salt I was pleased (I'm one of the few who did *not* like YoRaS)

[skibum]

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

I've read Sarum too... For those who like historical fiction, I'm currently reading one also based in England called World Without End. It's by Ken Follett and is a sequel to his book Pillars of the Earth. Both are very good.

[Crankin]

I read constantly, but I think I am the only person (and English teacher) who has not read Harry Potter. I really dislike fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery; all those strange names confuse me and there just doesn't seem to be the same type of plots that I like in other genres. I like historical fiction and just plain regular realistic fiction books about real people. I have also read quite a few of the biographies like John Adams and I really liked the Bill Clinton bio. I also read a lot of non fiction on politics, ec.
And as far as those series of Unfortunate Events... after awhile my former students realized that they were a "formula" type of book and they always ended the same way. The same thing happened a few years ago with the RL Stine and Goosebumps books, which were even worse in terms of writing quality. The kids could never understand why i don't like fantasy, but some of the YA science fiction I have read is OK.

[Pax]

I'm in a Fannie Flagg mode these days. I'm reading Can't Wait to Get to Heaven right now and it's just lovely.

[smilingcat]

I tend to read more non-fiction.

Harvest for Hope by Jane Goodall
Legacy of Luna by Julia Butterfly Hill
Moral Politics by George Lakoff
Cookwise by Shirley Corriher (food)
On food and cooking by Harold McGee (food)
The Ceramic Spectrum Robin Hopper (pottery)
and so on.

Smilingcat

[GLC1968]

I've read Sarum too... For those who like historical fiction, I'm currently reading one also based in England called World Without End. It's by Ken Follett and is a sequel to his book Pillars of the Earth. Both are very good.

Ooh, I'm going to have to get a copy of both of those! I believe that I've read Ken Follett before, but I can't remember the titles (it wasn't either of those). Thanks!

[jobob]

+1 for Fannie Flagg.

Queen, have you read Welcome to the World, Baby Girl - that's one of my favorites.

[Pax]

+1 for Fannie Flagg.

Queen, have you read Welcome to the World, Baby Girl - that's one of my favorites.

I have read it and it was wonderful! It's on my re-read list.

I love how she is able to distill things down to simplicity..."kindness and forgiveness is always right, hate and revenge is always wrong".

[Trekhawk]

We don't have TV so at night I read. Hmm I won't tell how many books we have to cart back to Aust but its a little scary.

Im currently reading Bones of the Master (a journey to secret Mongolia) by George Crane. Fascinating!!

[SadieKate]

Hmm I won't tell how many books we have to cart back to Aust but its a little scary.

Bet I can at least match you box for box.

And I haven't even started on mini-storage.