Book Thread- what are you reading?
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 11,481
Yikes, I don't know about all you folks who read Stephen King...braver than I, for sure! I read "The Mist" way back when, probably over 30 years ago. It gave me screaming nightmares for weeks and I will not read his books or watch movies of them EVER any more. Actually, I don't do horror of any kind, just doesn't sit well w/me...
I am just about to go lie down and finish "The Rooster Bar", pure John Grisham legal thriller brain candy for the weekend. Found it in the library's "for sale" shelves for a buck.
Liked "The Complete Tassajara Cookbook" (last thing I posted here) so well that I had to buy it, but it was tough to find in hardcover. Eagerly awaiting its arrival!
I am just about to go lie down and finish "The Rooster Bar", pure John Grisham legal thriller brain candy for the weekend. Found it in the library's "for sale" shelves for a buck.
Liked "The Complete Tassajara Cookbook" (last thing I posted here) so well that I had to buy it, but it was tough to find in hardcover. Eagerly awaiting its arrival!
Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Wareham, Mass
Posts: 7,067
I have been deliciously frightened by scary stuff since I was a tiny kid.
Yet...I absolutely cannot read about or watch anything that puts an animal in peril.
Life of Pi. Nope.
Warhorse, well, finally after my friend convinced me that it would be okay to watch.
Gory nature programs, uh, no.
Fine with zombies getting their heads bashed in, no to tiny ducks jumping off cliffs to get to water.
The wonder that is me, I tell ya.
Snork.
I will give Lovecraft Country a look, Sparkle.
Oh, and in my Sunday yoga class, my instructor often reads spiritual passages during shivasana, resting time.
Today’s was by Mark Nepo, and it was about fear of missing out, or greed.
It was wonderful.
So NOW I have to get something by him as well.
I am going to check the library, as I try not to collect books.
Not much room, and too heavy to move.
Yet...I absolutely cannot read about or watch anything that puts an animal in peril.
Life of Pi. Nope.
Warhorse, well, finally after my friend convinced me that it would be okay to watch.
Gory nature programs, uh, no.
Fine with zombies getting their heads bashed in, no to tiny ducks jumping off cliffs to get to water.
The wonder that is me, I tell ya.
Snork.
I will give Lovecraft Country a look, Sparkle.
Oh, and in my Sunday yoga class, my instructor often reads spiritual passages during shivasana, resting time.
Today’s was by Mark Nepo, and it was about fear of missing out, or greed.
It was wonderful.
So NOW I have to get something by him as well.
I am going to check the library, as I try not to collect books.
Not much room, and too heavy to move.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,780
I'm not much into horror reading but I did go through a Stephen King phase in college & lost sleep over Pet Sematary & Misery. Like - literally could NOT allow myself to sleep until I finished the books because both times I scared myself so badly just from his writing. His books are always far more intense for me than they ever manage to capture in the movie versions.
I finished The Alchemist on audio CD & am going to slow down now & go back to READ it properly. Lots to take in there, reminds me very much of The Shack in it's parable-like format.
I finished The Alchemist on audio CD & am going to slow down now & go back to READ it properly. Lots to take in there, reminds me very much of The Shack in it's parable-like format.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 5,450
Since I'm still reading the 1200+ page hardcover book at home, I had to find something to replace Lovecraft Country for my commute. On a whim I picked up a book my husband got me for Christmas called The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, book one of a series called The Broken Earth. I'm about 75 pages in and other than "apocalyptic," I'm not sure exactly what it is yet, but already it's been really specific in its world-building, which I love.
Are y'all on Goodreads? I very frequently find my next book that way, just from seeing what my Facebook friends are reading!
Are y'all on Goodreads? I very frequently find my next book that way, just from seeing what my Facebook friends are reading!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,780
Originally Posted by SparkleKitty 
Are y'all on Goodreads? I very frequently find my next book that way, just from seeing what my Facebook friends are reading!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...e-glass-forest
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 5,450
Oh, and re: Stephen King -- I grew up on the guy. My parents kept his paperbacks in an old bureau drawer under their bed and thought we'd never find them there. Ha. I read Carrie for the first time when I was around 9.
When I finished the last Dark Tower book, I went back to the beginning of his bibliography and started re-reading the books in the order they'd been published. It was fascinating on many different levels. First off, reading how detached he was at as writer when he first started (stylistically--certainly The Shining is a book written by someone descending into addiction who has no idea they are on that road yet) compared to how personal his later books feel. How much better we know him.
I read his On Writing every couple of years, as well.
He's on my list of famous people whose passing will devastate me. After losing Tom Petty last year, I'm gonna need Mr. King to stick around awhile...
When I finished the last Dark Tower book, I went back to the beginning of his bibliography and started re-reading the books in the order they'd been published. It was fascinating on many different levels. First off, reading how detached he was at as writer when he first started (stylistically--certainly The Shining is a book written by someone descending into addiction who has no idea they are on that road yet) compared to how personal his later books feel. How much better we know him.
I read his On Writing every couple of years, as well.
He's on my list of famous people whose passing will devastate me. After losing Tom Petty last year, I'm gonna need Mr. King to stick around awhile...
Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 5,450
Originally Posted by FireSprite
Yep!!... my next recommendation is The Glass Forest by Cynthia Swanson. Her first book was a great, intense but easy read.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...e-glass-forest
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...e-glass-forest
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 30
Addictive Thinking, by Twerski. Sane, useful and clear.
I'm also reading some cookbooks (I really love a well-written cookbook). Milk Street by Christopher Kimball, and Gluten Free on a Shoestring Quick & Easy. Milk Street marries together world cuisines in a fashion that's easy to execute. And GF on a ShoeString Quick and Easy has made my GF life easier, and tastier. She writes really well, too. Just a nice, conversational style.
In the cooker:
Sophie's Choice
The Hate U Give
I'm also reading some cookbooks (I really love a well-written cookbook). Milk Street by Christopher Kimball, and Gluten Free on a Shoestring Quick & Easy. Milk Street marries together world cuisines in a fashion that's easy to execute. And GF on a ShoeString Quick and Easy has made my GF life easier, and tastier. She writes really well, too. Just a nice, conversational style.
In the cooker:
Sophie's Choice
The Hate U Give
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 453
While looking for "Love Warrior" at the library (looking forward to reading this next!), I came across "Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy" by Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant. I have found it fascinating and a great read for where I currently am. I find myself taking notes for future reference.
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 16,246
Just want to share a funny story.....
Years ago, when I was needing something to read, I asked my sister if she had anything, good? She handed me a copy of "French Lieutenant's Woman".
I proceeded to read it...but got confused near the end of the book...and I wouldn't figure out why....so , I kept turning back and reading some sections over and over....
so, I called my sister and told her that there was something that was confusing me...."Why can't I understand?".....
She laughed, and asked me...."You know that this book has two different endings, don't you?"
Duh!!
Years ago, when I was needing something to read, I asked my sister if she had anything, good? She handed me a copy of "French Lieutenant's Woman".
I proceeded to read it...but got confused near the end of the book...and I wouldn't figure out why....so , I kept turning back and reading some sections over and over....
so, I called my sister and told her that there was something that was confusing me...."Why can't I understand?".....
She laughed, and asked me...."You know that this book has two different endings, don't you?"
Duh!!
Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 5,450
Still reading my 1200+ page opus, about a third of the way through.
Also reading Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box. Joe Hill is Stephen King's son, and the resemblance between Hill's writing and King's earlier works is uncanny. Very enjoyable!
Also reading Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box. Joe Hill is Stephen King's son, and the resemblance between Hill's writing and King's earlier works is uncanny. Very enjoyable!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,699
Oh I started a new one this weekend and am half way through - "A Dirty Job" by Christopher Moore.
I LOVE dark stories, and if there is humor in it, well it just doesn't get much better than that. The language and writing is fantastic, and a very compelling story about a man who loses his wife immediately after she gave birth to her first child. He slowly starts to realize that after the event, he has unwillingly become employed as an agent of death...and his new baby daughter is a miniature grim reaper. The characters are vivid and the story is hysterical, and now I want to read all of his books!
I LOVE dark stories, and if there is humor in it, well it just doesn't get much better than that. The language and writing is fantastic, and a very compelling story about a man who loses his wife immediately after she gave birth to her first child. He slowly starts to realize that after the event, he has unwillingly become employed as an agent of death...and his new baby daughter is a miniature grim reaper. The characters are vivid and the story is hysterical, and now I want to read all of his books!
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 15
Dangerous question for a literature major! haha
Apart from my reading lists for classes (I would not inflict these on innocent bystanders) I'm bouncing between The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz (a really refreshing twist on a coming of age story set in some of the tougher immigrant neighborhoods of New Jersey) and Integral Recovery by John Dupuy, not far into this one yet but I'm digging it so far.
Apart from my reading lists for classes (I would not inflict these on innocent bystanders) I'm bouncing between The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz (a really refreshing twist on a coming of age story set in some of the tougher immigrant neighborhoods of New Jersey) and Integral Recovery by John Dupuy, not far into this one yet but I'm digging it so far.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: W Washington
Posts: 11,589
i do audiobooks...primarily on my wonderful seattle commute, roughly an hour each way on a GOOD DAY, if you try listening to AM radio with traffic on the 10's, or the 4's, or the 11's.....you get a repeat every ten minutes. which can drive a person crazy after a while.....yes i'm still not moving, and yes i know there's a wreck somewhere and the DOT is taking their sweet time, and yes i too can tell it's raining!!!!
i do try the occasional self help, inspirational....was trying to give The Book of Joy with the Dali Llama and Tutu....and i found it REALLY hard to have Compassion (a word repeated no less than 532 times!) in frickin' traffic!!!! i do not feel compassion for the tailgating jerk laying on his horn because i can't get the 112 cars ahead of me to move faster.
the problem with audiobooks vs hard copy books is that you can't really flip back to an earlier reference. like wait.....who was Mr. Smith again? also tough if you hear a word you don't recognize.
i took voice-over classes years ago, but didn't have the confidence to take a next step. now i'm starting to think about it again......just thinking.....read this one narrator's blog who suggested you try reading out loud in a small enclosed space every day for two weeks and see if the gild is off the lily.
i do try the occasional self help, inspirational....was trying to give The Book of Joy with the Dali Llama and Tutu....and i found it REALLY hard to have Compassion (a word repeated no less than 532 times!) in frickin' traffic!!!! i do not feel compassion for the tailgating jerk laying on his horn because i can't get the 112 cars ahead of me to move faster.
the problem with audiobooks vs hard copy books is that you can't really flip back to an earlier reference. like wait.....who was Mr. Smith again? also tough if you hear a word you don't recognize.
i took voice-over classes years ago, but didn't have the confidence to take a next step. now i'm starting to think about it again......just thinking.....read this one narrator's blog who suggested you try reading out loud in a small enclosed space every day for two weeks and see if the gild is off the lily.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Wareham, Mass
Posts: 7,067
Now reading Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand.
It takes place, as many of her books do, on Nantucket.
Though I live on the Mass. coast, I have never been to Nantucket, and plan to jaunt over there some time soon.
Been to the Vineyard many times, but not Nan.
It takes place, as many of her books do, on Nantucket.
Though I live on the Mass. coast, I have never been to Nantucket, and plan to jaunt over there some time soon.
Been to the Vineyard many times, but not Nan.
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