Whatcha Readin'? A Book Thread

fureverywhere

fureverywhere

beloved friend who will always be with us in spiri
Location
Northern NJ, USA
Forgive me if such a thread already exists...but reading is my passion. I could survive without food, but I didn't have access to reading material I'd have to jump. I read multiple books at a time so maybe this could be a place to share reviews and suggestions? Four I just finished

The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue/ Robert Klein
Robert Klein was before my time, so I began reading this just because it looked interesting. Really well written and entertaining. In his youth he worked the Catskill resorts as a busboy and life guard. I remember the Concord very well. A great read for somebody who knows his comedy as well.

Bomb Squad/Richard Esposito
One of those books that pulls you right in there. If you ever wondered what it feels like to be in a hot one hundred pound safety suit...your hands are bare so you can carefully dismantle the device in front of you...all you can hear is your own heartbeat as you make the long walk towards it...A history of bombings both in the US and globally. Maybe not the best book to read before bed.

Fireball/Robert Matzen
I've always been a big fan of Clark Gable. This book focuses on the final days of Carol Lombard, the other passengers on the plane, and examines the crash itself and it's aftermath. She had been on a successful tour selling war bonds when her plane crashed. Something that surprised me was the author says that because of the dense woodlands of the crash site, pieces of the plane still remain there today.

Behind the Burly Q/Leslie Zemeckis
I read online that this was also a documentary, I'll have to look for it. All the stars of burlesque when it was still a naughty art form. Interesting behind the scenes gossip.

One I've just started

Furiously Happy/Jenny Lawson
So far a lot of fun...finding the jolly humor in being bipolar whoooohoooo! The raccoon illustrations alone are worth buying the book.
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Well I went to the library today so I'll be starting in on these titles, not sure in what order just yet, but, I am always reading something, The Slut by Lauren Homes, should be a fun read :D, I will leave this to the imagination, but, not really so much the title well depending on mindset, possible other afflictions.

The Household Spirit, by Tod Wodicka, a story of misfits, well sort of, much more than that. Appears to have some depth, will see.

Letters To Zell, by Camille Griep, Figured I could use a laugh this holiday season. Take on Garden of Eden, but not in a usua sense. A woman washes up on shore in a suitcase bada boom. ;)

I'll let you know if I yawn or die of laughter, think I'll save this for the turkey day. But, just rereading the cover, I'm almost tempted to start on it right now. :D

Eve, by WM. Paul Young, I'm not really sure where this one goes, but, it sounded interesting, I might be done with it after two paragraphs or may thoroughly be able to let it wash over me for just what it is another novel with really good writing.


I'm thinking it's a toss up between starting on Eve or Slut first.


I've not had much luck with the previous couple of books, so hope these ones I just picked up, hold my attention.
 
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A Partial History of Lost Causes by Jennifer DuBois--very thoughtful book and I took notes on it.

Getting Back from 2003 about a man's struggles from college thru life
 

I'm currently reading an old book bought at the 5 for $1.00 sale at local library, called "The Target"by David Baldacci (1983).
It's a bit dated, having to do with past atrocities in N. Korea and the fine art of killing.
 
Just finished "The Diary of Anne Frank"....I know I am late to the party since it was published in 1947 but I just finally did it. After toughing it out for 25 months the hiding place is discovered and Anne who kept her diary religiously died in a concentration camp while still not yet 16. Courage....Lot's of courage.
 
Just finished "The Diary of Anne Frank"....I know I am late to the party since it was published in 1947 but I just finally did it. After toughing it out for 25 months the hiding place is discovered and Anne who kept her diary religiously died in a concentration camp while still not yet 16. Courage....Lot's of courage.

Yes I read that many years ago. I understand that the new editions have parts Otto Frank had edited. I would enjoy reading the complete text.

M Train by Patti Smith --- I've already read her bio 'Just Kids' very very enjoyable.
"Just Kids" was lovely...one of my favorite parts was when she's in the automat with Allen Ginsberg, he was asking her if she was a pretty boy or a butch girl. Either way he fed her and was very kind.
 
AZ Jim said:
Just finished "The Diary of Anne Frank"....I know I am late to the party since it was published in 1947 but I just finally did it. After toughing it out for 25 months the hiding place is discovered and Anne who kept her diary religiously died in a concentration camp while still not yet 16. Courage....Lot's of courage.
Click to expand...

Her home is a museum in Amsterdam, interesting to visit.
 
I'm reading The Elementals by Francesca Lia Block. It's about a college coed investigating the disappearance of her best friend while on a school field trip.
 
I'm currently reading a book written by my brother which is about combining big business and social change. (social intrapreneur). I haven't read his previous books, so thought I'd read at least one and I'm actually finding it interesting.

The most recent books I've read that I enjoyed:
All 3 by Gillian Flynn:
Dark Places
Sharp Objects
Gone Girl

In the Woods (Dublin murder mystery)
The Girl on the Train
Michelle Wan series of 4 - Death in the Dordogne
The Bookseller
1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community and War

Next up will be one of these - all suspense or mystery
Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman
The Disenchanted Widow - Christina McKenna
The Godforsaken Daughter - Christina McKenna
Dark Secrets of the Dordogne - Angela Clarke

Or
A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking

All are on my Kindle so I will not be short of reading material on the planes or in Thailand!
 
I've been reading John Varley stuff since the mid 80's. His imagination blows my mind. There's only one book of his I didn't like, because it was too real, called Slow Apocalypse. About a virus that was put in all the oil of the whole world.

I just finished his newest book, Dark Lightning, the fourth in a series.

Varley wrote a book called Millennium, that was made a movie starring Sheryl Ladd and Chris Christofferson, back in the 80's.

I just put a couple of books in the Entertainment Section, if anyone is interested. THE TESTAMENT OF SOLOMON and THE SECRET DOCTRINE....
 
fureverywhere said:
Just finished "The Diary of Anne Frank"....I know I am late to the party since it was published in 1947 but I just finally did it. After toughing it out for 25 months the hiding place is discovered and Anne who kept her diary religiously died in a concentration camp while still not yet 16. Courage....Lot's of courage.

Yes I read that many years ago. I understand that the new editions have parts Otto Frank had edited. I would enjoy reading the complete text.

M Train by Patti Smith --- I've already read her bio 'Just Kids' very very enjoyable.
"Just Kids" was lovely...one of my favorite parts was when she's in the automat with Allen Ginsberg, he was asking her if she was a pretty boy or a butch girl. Either way he fed her and was very kind.
Click to expand...
Google "What did Otto Frank edit from Anne Franks Diary" it will show you the edited parts, it was mostly about her "self exploration" of her body. Typical teen curiosity.
 
"Two Days That Rocked the World" by Terry O' Neill
A collection of photos from when Elton John played Dodger Stadium in 1975. I wish there were more text. It was a big group of musicians and all but one or two is still alive. It would have been better to have more commentary. A bunch of the pictures have been published elsewhere. Terry O' Neill was a noted photographer. If you're a fan it's interesting but better to find "Elton, It's a Little Bit Funny" by Bernie Taupin. Out of print but worth tracking it down, same tour but possibly more pictures.

One book on my wish list is " Fear and Clothing" by Cintra Wilson. She contributes to GQ and an article on the candidate's sense of style was really spot on. Me want more of her writing.
 
Currently about 2/3 through "Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind." by Yuval Noah Harari. It begins with the Cognitive Revolution (about 70,000 years ago) and runs to the present day. It is a broad history of Homo Sapiens, our beliefs, societies, personalities, etc. and how we evolved into who and what we are. It meets my main criteria for a good book in that it is masterfully written.
 
I'm in the middle of "Notes From a Very Small Island" by Anthony Stancomb. It is a nonfiction about living on the island, Vis which is off the coast of Croatia. This book must have been self-published as there are a number of typos. However, despite those errors, I am enjoying the read. It is a lighthearted view of those who reside there. I have just finished "Hornet Flight" by Ken Follett, and my next book will be "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho.
 

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