Books! How do you read and what do you read?

The book I'm reading is '15th Affair: Women's Murder Club Novel' by James Patterson /Maxine Paetro
Its set in San Francisco with the same 4 ladies in the club, Det Lindsay Boxer, Cindy Thomas newspaper reporter for SF Chronicle, Claire Washburn -medical examiner Yuki Castellano ass't DA
In this book, Lindsay& her partner, Rich are trying to find killer of murder victims found in luxury hotel
I've read 8 of these{try to read them in order} throughly enjoy them ,well written. Maxine started co writing with James with the 4th book '4th of July'
 

Got a new book going, fairly new at least as it came out in 2022. I'd started to read it earlier on someone's recommendation but I was unclear on what I was getting into it and had other books I was reading so after poking around in it a while I put it down and returned it to the library.

This time I started at the beginning with the prologue and that has me interested to learn more of the author's perspective. The book is about the early German romantics which many think spawned our modern frame of mind. Here is an excerpt from the first four pages of the prologue.

From the prologue of Magnificent Rebels by Andrea Wulf, pp 2-4

"Every single day of my life. I write. I tell stories. I try to make sense of the past so that I can learn something about the present. I am lucky. Incredibly lucky. It could have all gone horribly wrong. But it didn’t. Until now, I have had the privilege of having lived my life. I’m also very aware. That it might not always remain like this.
There have been times when my ferocious appetite for independence became egotistical. I’m sure my daughter would have preferred not to move as frequently as we did. But despite these upheavals, she turned out to be a beautiful human being. And I became an adult as I grew up with her. That little girl grounded me and anchored my determination to be free into something bigger: to be a good person. She enabled me to find a balance between being free spirited and being responsible.
We live in a world in which we tiptoe along a thin line between free will and selfishness, between self-determination and narcissism, between empathy and righteousness. Underpinning everything are two crucial questions: Who am I as an individual? And who am I as a member of a group and society? ..
For most of my adult life, I have been tryin to understand why we are who we are. This is the reason why I write history books. In my previous books, I have looked at the relationship between humankind and nature in order to understand why we’ve destroyed so much of our magnificent blue planet. But I realize that it is not enough to look at the connections between us and nature.
The first step is to look at us as individuals - when did we begin to be as selfish as we are today? At what point did we expect to have the right to determine our own lives? When did we think it was our right to take what we wanted? Where did this - us, you, me or our collective behavior - all come from? When did we first ask the question, how can I be free?"
 
I am enjoying this novel very much…

IMG_1463.jpeg

I was afraid it would be one of those Jane-Austen-knock offs but it’s really quite compelling and entertaining. The situations the ladies get themselves into are quite eye-opening (to the behind the scenes of the time period) and most push *all* my nursing buttons lol. Good read, recommended.
 
I'm currently halfway through Merel's Door, true account: A dog of uncertain breed is found wandering in the desert by a writer on a canoe trip in Wyoming. He appears to be abandoned or lost, and a tentative partnership is established between the writer and dog, which eventually becomes a fully committed relationship. The two return to the writer's home, a trailer near Jackson Hole, Wyoming and the rest of the story is about their lives together, with frequent references to research explaining dog behavior.

If you have a dog, you will relate to the story, the antics, and dog/human relationship.
 
1000002622.jpg


On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane's bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.

The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he'd been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.

Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.
 
JustDave said:
I'm currently halfway through Merel's Door, true account: A dog of uncertain breed is found wandering in the desert by a writer on a canoe trip in Wyoming. He appears to be abandoned or lost, and a tentative partnership is established between the writer and dog, which eventually becomes a fully committed relationship. The two return to the writer's home, a trailer near Jackson Hole, Wyoming and the rest of the story is about their lives together, with frequent references to research explaining dog behavior.

If you have a dog, you will relate to the story, the antics, and dog/human relationship.
Click to expand...
Ted Kerasote is the author, and the title is "Merle's Door". It is one of the best books I've read in my lifetime. The author has written other books which are great, but this one is his best, IMO.
 
JustDave said:
I'm currently halfway through Merel's Door, true account: A dog of uncertain breed is found wandering in the desert by a writer on a canoe trip in Wyoming. He appears to be abandoned or lost, and a tentative partnership is established between the writer and dog, which eventually becomes a fully committed relationship. The two return to the writer's home, a trailer near Jackson Hole, Wyoming and the rest of the story is about their lives together, with frequent references to research explaining dog behavior.

If you have a dog, you will relate to the story, the antics, and dog/human relationship
Click to expand...
JustDave said:
I'm currently halfway through Merel's Door, true account: A dog of uncertain breed is found wandering in the desert by a writer on a canoe trip in Wyoming. He appears to be abandoned or lost, and a tentative partnership is established between the writer and dog, which eventually becomes a fully committed relationship. The two return to the writer's home, a trailer near Jackson Hole, Wyoming and the rest of the story is about their lives together, with frequent references to research explaining dog behavior.

If you have a dog, you will relate to the story, the antics, and dog/human relationship.
Click to expand...

OldFeller said:
View attachment 362674


On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane's bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.

The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he'd been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.

Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.
Click to expand...
This was a terrific book, didn't enjoy the movie version as much Sue
 
Sliverfox said:
CLETE by James Lee Burke
Set in Southern Louisiana in the late nineties,, story starts at a car wash.

I have a difficult time with the author's style of writing, hops around till he settles into the story.
Once into the book I enjoy it.
Click to expand...
I'm happy to hear that Burke has a new Dave Robicheaux novel, featuring Clete Purcell ! I've read them all, starting with The Neon Rain in 1987. It's remarkable that Burke can keep putting out full length novels at aged 87!

Burke is one of the best crime mystery writers ever. He writes almost perfect prose, and no one is better in describing a setting-- to where you can feel it and even smell it. Living on the Gulf Coast not far from New Orleans, I can really appreciate his Roicheaux novels' settings. I've read 1 or 2 of his novels set in the West, and have read a couple Hackberry Holland novels, but the Robicheaux books are the best.

If there is any criticism, it seems like most of the novels follow a similar very loose pattern, with Robicheaux getting into a situation where he loses it and beats up or kills someone. And Purcell always gets in trouble with his wild ways, but he and Dave prevail.

Thanks for the tip. Will pick up Clete when I can get to it. Currently reading some John Abbott.
 
OldFeller said:
View attachment 362674


On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane's bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.

The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he'd been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.

Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.
Click to expand...
If you'd asked Mr. Zamperini about all of this he'd have told you that it was ultimately the greatest gift of his life because it moved him to becoming a directionless soul to a devout Christian. And when I say this, I mean the guy wasn't just a church-on-Sunday Christian. He was kind, gentle, caring, soft-spoken and generous in thought and deed.

I've known a lot of self-described Christians, but Mr. Z was one of the small handful who didn't parrot Bible verses, but lived according to Christ's example. An admirable man. (He often invited me to call him by his first name, but I never felt worthy of the honor.)
 
I'm reading 'Demon Copperhead' by Barbara Kingsolver
The story of a 10 yr old boy born to a young, single mother who is a drug addict,his childhood of foster homes ,how he survives this traumatic upbringing with a sense of humor along the way
Its long,549 pgs but I can't put it down
I've read a couple other of the author's books, 'The Poisonwood Bible, Flight Behavior, Unsheltered',
 
I just finished "The Axeman's Carnival". A quirky story that I'd give a 7/10. Right now I'm knee deep in, and quite enjoying, "Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books".

Recently read "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" for the first time (in anticipation of reading "James" and realized I would have hated HF in high school but enjoyed it as an adult.

@CinnamonSugar, I just put a hold on "The Benevolent Society of Ill Mannered Ladies". The title itself greatly intrigues me.
 
StarSong said:
If you'd asked Mr. Zamperini about all of this he'd have told you that it was ultimately the greatest gift of his life because it moved him to becoming a directionless soul to a devout Christian. And when I say this, I mean the guy wasn't just a church-on-Sunday Christian. He was kind, gentle, caring, soft-spoken and generous in thought and deed.

I've known a lot of self-described Christians, but Mr. Z was one of the small handful who didn't parrot Bible verses, but lived according to Christ's example. An admirable man. (He often invited me to call him by his first name, but I never felt worthy of the honor.)
Click to expand...
I'm so glad to know this, StarSong! My favorite part of the book was his amazing conversion experience through Billy Graham. Of course Angelina Jolie completely left that out of the movie.
 
I just read a couple of nonfiction books I really enjoyed.

How to Tame a Fox (and Build a Dog), by Lee Alan Dugatkin and Lyudmila Trut.
The Russian scientists did not build a dog, but they did end up with tame foxes that have some dog-like characteristics. They also retain some fox characteristics, of course. Fascinating read about this decades-long research in Siberia, which gave me a new respect for their scientists.

How Dogs Love Us, by Gregory Berns, MD, Ph.D.
The author is a neuroscientist at Emory University in Atlanta. He is the first (and only, for all I know) person to train awake dogs to be able to undergo MRI's for research on their brains. I thought the book was interesting and it validated some of the things that happen in the relationships between me and the dogs I've had. I've met a lot of dog owners who have had similar experiences, but one of my close friends thinks that is all hogwash - especially about dogs understanding human speech, and genuine communication occurring between dogs and people.
 
This afternoon, I finished reading Barbara Kingsolver's latest book' Demon Copperhead'
It was good, couldn't put it down but a tad long 546 pgs{paperback}
She received Pulitzer Prize when the book 1st published in 2022
 
WheatenLover said:
I just read a couple of nonfiction books I really enjoyed.

How to Tame a Fox (and Build a Dog), by Lee Alan Dugatkin and Lyudmila Trut.
The Russian scientists did not build a dog, but they did end up with tame foxes that have some dog-like characteristics. They also retain some fox characteristics, of course. Fascinating read about this decades-long research in Siberia, which gave me a new respect for their scientists.

How Dogs Love Us, by Gregory Berns, MD, Ph.D.
The author is a neuroscientist at Emory University in Atlanta. He is the first (and only, for all I know) person to train awake dogs to be able to undergo MRI's for research on their brains. I thought the book was interesting and it validated some of the things that happen in the relationships between me and the dogs I've had. I've met a lot of dog owners who have had similar experiences, but one of my close friends thinks that is all hogwash - especially about dogs understanding human speech, and genuine communication occurring between dogs and people.
Click to expand...
Dogs ARE a lot smarter than we give them credit for. They certainly pick up on words we use as well as our body language. They sound like interesting books you read.
 
Sliverfox said:
CLETE by James Lee Burke
Set in Southern Louisiana in the late nineties,, story starts at a car wash.

I have a difficult time with the author's style of writing, hops around till he settles into the story.
Once into the book I enjoy it.
Click to expand...
I forgot to say: I see your location listed in your avatar. I was reared in Pittsburgh, and had several good friends that lived in Meadville, where we used to go hunting. In fact, a high school chum of mine, Don Lewis, was District Attorney of Crawford County for many years before he retired to do defense work, and ultimately to write crime novels. Nice country, if you like snow...;)
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top