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11/25/2010 04:31:04 PM · #226 |
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan - 10/10.
Non-fiction, but so wonderfully written. A first-hand account of his navigation through the "industrial food" machine, the "organic" machine, and other food growing choices. Shocking and enlightening, and will make you a truly informed consumer of what you put in your mouth, and change how you look at cheap food. |
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11/25/2010 08:57:12 PM · #227 |
Originally posted by Sevlow:
'Alone in Berlin' by Hans Fallada - 9/10
(snip)
Absolutely brilliant book and one I can recommend 100%. One of the few books I really did have trouble putting down! This was first published in 1947 in German and was only recently translated into English. |
I very much agree with  Sevlow on this one. Fallada wrote this in a feverish 24 days in 1947, basing his story on the real life struggles of his protagonists. However, the story is as fresh now as it was at the end of World War Two.
It is another Kindle e-book and is easy to find on Amazon.
Even as I recommend, and use, Kindle e-books, I am still uneasy with the ratio of benefits Amazon appears to be giving to authors and publishers and hope it will improve. |
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11/25/2010 09:14:36 PM · #228 |
| Under the Dome - Stephen King - 3 stars, very good read, terrible cop out ending. |
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11/25/2010 10:18:29 PM · #229 |
never just one book! Recently finished re-reading (3rd or 4th time) Sybille Bedford's "A Legacy." This is an extraordinary book, basically autobiographical and beautifully written. Delightful and cunning rendering of time and place. And class. (Latter 19th century to just before WWI, Germany and points west and south.
Now reading David Malouf's "Ransom." Excellent writing; rereading as I go along. An imagining and filling in of a brief time in the Trojan War. |
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11/26/2010 11:33:00 AM · #230 |
The Solace of Open Spaces by Gretel Ehrlich. I enjoyed this a good deal. It's a simple book, written in a very matter of fact fashion. I enjoyed the simplicity, as well as the stark fashion in which she described Wyoming (and many places I am personally familiar with). If you're looking for excitement and action, this is not it. If you enjoy introspection, solitude, and silence, this may be down your alley. 8/10
Why People Photograph by Robert Adams. I also have really enjoyed this book. I'll openly admit that his discussions of notable photographers in the Examples of Success section largely were outside of my depth, as I'm not versed in the "greats" of photography. Having said that, his writing has increased my interest in them, and I think I'll be reading into the subject more. Topics are pretty wide ranging, and I wouldn't say I didn't like any of it, finding the whole thing a very worthwhile read. Like the other book I mentioned, this is written in a simple, stark fashion. 10/10
Currently being read- Traffic- Why We Drive the Way We Do and What It Says About Us by Tom Vanderbilt. This one has been alternately interesting and funny, just the way I like it. I'm a pretty nerdy type of guy, so maybe the discussion of traffic won't be as amusing to others as I've found it to be, but I've been pretty entertained by it. About 3/4's through this one.
Next Up- The Complete Guide to Black and White Photography by Michael Freeman. I own two other books by him (Perfect Exposure and The Photographer's Eye) and I've liked both of those. I'll check back once I get through this one. I've owned this one for awhile but hadn't gotten to reading it yet.
Along Some Rivers by Robert Adams. I'm on a Robert Adams binge, I may be reading Beauty in Photography as well by him.
Message edited by author 2010-11-26 11:41:58. |
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11/26/2010 11:59:14 AM · #231 |
Just finished "The Land" - Mildred Taylor
A good book, not amazing, but good. It's an interesting story written from the perspective of a boy who has a white father and a black mother. Although treated well during his childhood, he struggles growing up as he is shunned by both white and black people. There isn't a ton of action, but the book gains its strength through emotional power. There are some infuriating moments throughout. 7/10
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12/01/2010 12:37:25 AM · #232 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I'm almost finished with a really entertaining book called "The Oblivion Society" by Marcus Alexander Hart. I got it for about five bux on my Kindle and it has been quite entertaining. I typically try to work some occasional humor into my reading regimen, and this book has definitely filled that role... |
I have to say that for $5 I never could pass up a bargain.
With tongue firmly in cheek, I will say that:
Yes, there is a lot of squishy humor in there, jmsetzler,
and the parts of it I read were quite a ride.
HehHeh, got any other recommendations? |
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12/01/2010 12:43:00 AM · #233 |
Originally posted by Ivory:
Dog on It.
About a private eye and his dog, from the dogs point of view.
Very entertaining read. 9/10
If you love dogs you will love it! |
Sounds great.
And ditto if you haven't read "The Art Of Racing In The Rain". As much about the human condition. An instant "classic", IMO. |
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12/01/2010 04:26:45 AM · #234 |
I can also heartily recommend Bernard Cornwell's latest, The Fort. A little epic about the seige of Majabigwaduce during (?) the war of independence.
Some interesting home truths about Mr Paul Revere! |
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12/01/2010 06:05:44 AM · #235 |
| Finished The Book Theif by Markus Zusak a few weeks ago. Its the story of a 12 year old German girl before and during WWII, and narrated by Death. One of the best books I have read in years. |
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12/01/2010 08:01:48 AM · #236 |
Originally posted by VitaminB:
Finished The Book Theif by Markus Zusak a few weeks ago. Its the story of a 12 year old German girl before and during WWII, and narrated by Death. One of the best books I have read in years. |
I agree 100% - a great read, Markus Zusak is an excellent writer. I recently read I Am the Messenger by him, another excellent read.
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12/01/2010 11:10:22 AM · #237 |
Originally posted by sfalice:
I am reopening this thread to rave about another book.
The Autobiography of Mark Twain I am about half-way through this entertaining read. He did, as promised, write candidly and eloquently about his life, family and times. Yes, and except for the very sad parts, he wrote it in his trademark humorous vein.
The only caveat I'd give, is that if you have a Kindle (or other electronic reading device that will handle it) use that instead of the heavy, bulky brick of a book the publishers selected for the print version. I did look at the 'brick' and handled it, but put it back. |
Back to the Autobiography of Mark Twain. There is a great review in Slate by Judith Shulevitz that tells the story of this book better than I can.
Having read the roughly one-third of the book that is actually written by Clemens/Twain and quite a bit of the material surrounding his writing, I can agree with her wholeheartedly that "...the voluminous scholarly apparatus that envelops the book like billowy scaffolding... is an apt description of the remainder.
I'll stick with my caveat - don't buy the door-stopper, but the Kindle version, if you can navigate to the good bits, is a fine read. |
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12/09/2010 07:51:50 PM · #238 |
I'm working my way through this thread for ideas, but as mentioned in this thread I will be having some extra time this weekend to read. Looking for some recommendations in the non-fiction realm. I love historical non-fiction and just finished Skeletons on the Zahara (recommmended by  mpeters) about a crew shipwrecked in the 1800s on the coast of Africa and captured and enslaved. But I enjoy most non-fiction that digs into an interesting subject. The history of coffee or something like that.
Message edited by author 2010-12-09 19:52:54. |
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12/09/2010 08:57:39 PM · #239 |
Originally posted by VitaminB:
Finished The Book Theif by Markus Zusak a few weeks ago. Its the story of a 12 year old German girl before and during WWII, and narrated by Death. One of the best books I have read in years. |
This was in this thread (or a similar one) earlier but definitely worth repeating. Excellent book. |
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12/14/2010 05:35:04 PM · #240 |
I just finished reading The Hunger Games trilogy... very good light reading with an excellent story. I'm looking forward to the movie now :)
I'm getting ready to read Atlas Shrugged as part of a discussion group at the local college but I'm gonna try to find something else to read before I dig into that one...
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12/14/2010 08:55:33 PM · #241 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I just finished reading The Hunger Games trilogy... very good light reading with an excellent story. I'm looking forward to the movie now :)
I'm getting ready to read Atlas Shrugged as part of a discussion group at the local college but I'm gonna try to find something else to read before I dig into that one... |
I read the first of the Hunger Games trilogy earlier this year, and couldnt bring myself to reading the second (Catching Fire). It reminded me too much of Battle Royale by Koshun Takami, which I found was a much better book. That being said, the Hunger Games trilogy is getting a lot of attention, and is especially popular with YA readers. |
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12/14/2010 09:13:52 PM · #242 |
| Just read Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card) for the first time. It was one of the books my son studied at school this year, so I grabbed it from him when he finished with it. Wonderful, thought provoking piece of classic science fiction. |
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12/14/2010 09:35:55 PM · #243 |
Originally posted by Qiki:
Just read Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card) for the first time. It was one of the books my son studied at school this year, so I grabbed it from him when he finished with it. Wonderful, thought provoking piece of classic science fiction. |
We read that one for book club last year. It is a very thought provoking book. |
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12/14/2010 10:25:44 PM · #244 |
I decided to pick up John Grisham's "The Confession" to read between now and Christmas. Then I'll start Atlas Shrugged... that one is going to be a challenge... lol
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12/14/2010 10:27:12 PM · #245 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
Then I'll start Atlas Shrugged... that one is going to be a challenge... lol |
You'd better believe it. I'd recommend you read some critical notes on the book first, so you know what to look out for as you read it. It will enhance you appreciation.
R. |
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12/14/2010 10:30:37 PM · #246 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
Then I'll start Atlas Shrugged... that one is going to be a challenge... lol |
You'd better believe it. I'd recommend you read some critical notes on the book first, so you know what to look out for as you read it. It will enhance you appreciation.
R. |
I have already purchased the Sparknotes to accompany me as I read. Whatever happened to Cliffnotes? I didn't see any at Barnes & Noble. Are they defunct or only sold at specific booksellers now?
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12/14/2010 11:18:38 PM · #247 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I have already purchased the Sparknotes to accompany me as I read. Whatever happened to Cliffnotes? I didn't see any at Barnes & Noble. Are they defunct or only sold at specific booksellers now? |
They still exist. I don't know offhand who retails them, however...
//www.cliffsnotes.com/
R. |
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12/15/2010 11:38:08 AM · #248 |
| I'm currently between books, and not liking it. My next read will be 'Bird Cloud; A Memoir" by Annie Proulx. I simply love her writing. |
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12/25/2010 09:35:50 PM · #249 |
I picked up "The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" for Kindle for $9.99. I have never read these so I figured I would hit the first book before I dig into Atlas Shrugged...
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12/25/2010 09:49:18 PM · #250 |
The Mysterious Affair at Styles — Agatha Christie's first Hercule Poirot novel ... not bad for a beginner -- I don't even think she's reached 100 million books sold yet in the succeeding 90 years ... ;-)
I got it for $1.00 at Moe's book store ... |
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