read a good book lately?

[woodrat]

In the spirit of moving away from pointless, polarized political blather, I'm posting this non-political, non-troll thread:

Read any good books lately?

I just finished "Cod" by Mark Kurlansky, and I'm now reading "Salt" by the same guy. Both are historical books exploring the human history involved with the cod fishery and salt. Both really interesting.

A few weeks ago I re-read the book "Endurance" by Alfred Lansing about the Antarctic expedition of Ernest Shackleton. What a story!

I've also been reading "Saga of a Wayward Sailor" by Tristan Jones, who also wrote two other books about his sailing adventures in the 60's in Europe and the Arctic.

Another one I can recommend is "The Death Ship" by B. Traven. A fascinating tale of a sailor being stranded in post WWI europe without papers.

 

[Pony]

Re: read a good book lately?

I recently read "The Golden Ass" by Apuleius. Its apparently the only Latin novel to survive in its entirity, it was written in the 155AD I think. It is an incredibly odd book. More than once do people get peed on..........Roman humor I guess.

 

[crunch]

Re: read a good book lately?

I'm working my way through the 5 volume, million+ word "Galactic Center" series by Greg Bear... again, after doing it piece meal 10 thru 20 years ago. ½ way thru V. 4

Don't you guys ever have fun?

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: read a good book lately?

I just finished "Forgotton Soldier" by Guy Sajer.
He was an Alsaition (sp?) who enlisted in the German army and served in the Eastern front.

Also finished a book called "Soldat" by Siegfried Knapp.

Very intersting read. He became an officer at the start of the war and finished in a Russian POW camp. Later moved with wife and kids to Ohio to escape the political situation there.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: read a good book lately?

I'm reading the Bible for the first time. Oh sure, I've read lots of parts and pieces and passages, but I've never read the whole thing start to finish. I've finished the New Testiment and now am into 2 Chronicles of the Old Testiment. Also reading The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren.

 

[aspeck]

Re: read a good book lately?

Both good books, BB.

Just went nostalgic and picked up the Chronicles of Narnia books and am re-reading them. Haven't read them in about 10 or 15 years. Currently on Prince Caspian and the Dawn Treader.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: read a good book lately?

some of the best of late were Bio-Hazard by Alex Trebik(sp) the former director of the soviet Bio-weapons program who defected to the US in 95, dang scary book.
from Kitty Hawk to Sputnik was a very good read.
I recently reread Miracle at Midway and am still amazed we actually won that battle but am eternally thankful .
couple months ago I reread al quiet on the western front and red badge of courage again.
dont read much sci-fi or non fiction or scary novels anymore. not enough time.
I do enjoy the hour or so it takes to read the readers digest.
this winter I may reread a tale of two cities and Great Expectations again.
or I may go fishing
but the Bio-Hazard book is an eyeopener and incredibly scary, much worse than anything stephen king can come up with.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: read a good book lately?

In the spirit of moving away from pointless, polarized political blather, I'm posting this non-political, non-troll thread:

Read any good books lately?

Yes, I have. But you might not like the title of it...

The No Spine Zone by Bill O'Reilly.

How's that for a non-political thread?

I find it hilarious, actually. But it is a completely honest answer to your question.

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: read a good book lately?

Recommend "Sympathy for the Devil" by Kent Anderson. About Vietnam and spec forces: seems like he knows his stuff. An excellent read on the beach.

 

[oddjob]

Re: read a good book lately?

I'm reading ......"The season of Golden leaf" Written by someone with Douglas in their name. Its a novel about the life of a Comanche band after Texas became a US Territory.

I like to read novels that teach a bit of history. Learned alot about My hometowns in Kentucky during the Civil war period. I buy old public library books for 25 cents apiece ( hard copies ). The cool thing about the book about the civil war, "The way to Fort Pillow", was that I picked the book off the shelf by the Look of the cover and then the forward entry. I'm so glad I found that book it answered alot of questions I had growing up there.

 

[rolmops]

Re: read a good book lately?

Just finished reading "cod ",(Mark Kurlansky),again.My wife gave me 2 other books on roughly the same subject.
One is great, it is called :"The Secret Life Of Lobsters" by Trevor Corson. This is a must read for any nature loving east coast fisherman.
The other is a book about stripers.It is called "On The Run",by David DiBennetto.
These three books deal with 3 different species, human influence on their survival and environment,and research on their life cycles and survival chances.
When you read through all three books,you will get a good idea about what happens to different species when things become unbalanced.At the same time,it is a really enjoyable read.

 

[ricksrster]

Re: read a good book lately?

The Crusades by Zoe Oldenbourg

 

[mikeandronda]

Re: read a good book lately?

Im reading the 4th book in the Game of Thrones series of books by George R.R. Martin. Its the best midievel "fantasy/political" series of books I have ever read......

Also am reading the Purpose driven Church by Rick Warren (Great book so far)

Of course the Bible........allthough not as much as I should.

 

[12Footer]

Re: read a good book lately?

I'd tell y'all ,but then it's a political book. sorry.

 

[ricksrster]

Re: read a good book lately?

12 footer,
some of the books on my self:
Two Treatises on Government by John Locke
George Washington by Woodrow wilson
A Familiar Exposition on the Constitution of the United States by Joseph Story
The Federslist by Alexander Hamilton, Jon Jay, and James Madison
Common Sense and The rights of Man by Thomas Paine
etc...

 

[rolmops]

Re: read a good book lately?

Im reading the 4th book in the Game of Thrones series of books by George R.R. Martin. Its the best midievel "fantasy/political" series of books I have ever read......

I read "A Feast For Crows" and came away disappointed. The first three books are great and a rare act to follow.
This fall an addition about the north is supposedly coming out.
Just a few weeks ago another one of his books came out.The name implies that it is part of the series,but it is a young readers children's book.

 

[mikeandronda]

Re: read a good book lately?

Yes Rolmops Im about 1/2 way through "A feast for Crows" and I have to agree not up to par with the first 3. It almost seems like he had to write a book to pay the bills so he just came up with stuff to keep the story going. I have to say the first three were awesome and his (George R.R. Martin) character development is second to none.........

 

[QC]

Re: read a good book lately?

I am currently reading 1776 by David McCullough, which is, as I am sure you've guessed, about the American Revolution, but specifically that year. You think we were lucky at Midway . . . whew.

I usually read fiction, but I have been reading more non-fiction lately. If there are any Beatles fans out there, I just read John by Cynthia Lennon. Great read, and definitely changed my understanding of the guy.