What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
I have now set a new personal record of which I am not proud. Over 11 months ago I misplaced a new book about to read, spent hours looking in every bookshelf, without luck. Last week inadvertently discovered it hiding under another book on seldom used table. I know, should read the Marie Kondo book, but like having many hundreds of books on shelves and tables most of which will be never be read again. Anyway, very much enjoying the long lost book, The Conquering Tide by Ian Toll, about WWII between 1942 and 1944 in the Pacific, from Naval perspective. Highly recommend.
- ruralavalon
- Posts: 26353
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:29 am
- Location: Illinois
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
The Fleet At Flood Tide, by James D. Hornfischer.
This is a history of the war in the Pacific in 1944 - 1945, from the invasion of Saipan through the surrender and occupation of Japan. It focuses on the Marine Corps invasions of Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and on the naval and air battles involved in those invasions. It focuses on the roles played by Admiral Raymond Spruance commanding naval forces, Admiral Kelly Turner commanding amphibious forces, and Colonel Paul Tibbets leading the unit responsible for the bombing of Hiroshima. I recommend this book.
This is a history of the war in the Pacific in 1944 - 1945, from the invasion of Saipan through the surrender and occupation of Japan. It focuses on the Marine Corps invasions of Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and on the naval and air battles involved in those invasions. It focuses on the roles played by Admiral Raymond Spruance commanding naval forces, Admiral Kelly Turner commanding amphibious forces, and Colonel Paul Tibbets leading the unit responsible for the bombing of Hiroshima. I recommend this book.
"Everything should be as simple as it is, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein |
Wiki article link: Bogleheads® investment philosophy
-
- Posts: 12073
- Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:10 am
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
I just re-read it last year. There were passages that gave me chills. Both of my kids read 1984, at my urging, and fairly often bring up quotes or thoughts from the book. It apparently is no longer required reading in high school, but it should be.letsgobobby wrote:Rereading Orwell's 1984...
"The course of history shows that as the government grows, liberty decreases." Thomas Jefferson
-
- Posts: 12073
- Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:10 am
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
I read Animal Farm last year, too. What a good book. I think 10 might be too young to really understand the political and economic implications, but she would likely get the most obvious hypocrisies and manipulations. It depends on the individual, of course, but I would think junior high age would be the youngest to really appreciate it. Of course, some people never understand it.letsgobobby wrote:the version I borrowed includes Animal Farm.deanbrew wrote:I just re-read it last year. There were passages that gave me chills. Both of my kids read 1984, at my urging, and fairly often bring up quotes or thoughts from the book. It apparently is no longer required reading in high school, but it should be.letsgobobby wrote:Rereading Orwell's 1984...
What is the recommended age for Animal Farm? I want to read to my almost 10 year old daughter, but if it's not going to be understood we will wait.
"The course of history shows that as the government grows, liberty decreases." Thomas Jefferson
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
The Road to Wigan Pier and Down and Out in Paris and London are also enjoyable. Both by Orwell of course.letsgobobby wrote:Rereading Orwell's 1984...
http://www.planetebook.com/ebooks/Down- ... London.pdf
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
On Mystic Lake
by Kristin Hannah
The wife of a successful Southern California lawyer lives a
mundane linear life putting everyone's interest ahead of her
own. She is stunned by an unexpected demand for a divorce
and returns to her roots in rural Washington state where she
undergoes a transformation. Keeps you gripped from beginning
to end.
by Kristin Hannah
The wife of a successful Southern California lawyer lives a
mundane linear life putting everyone's interest ahead of her
own. She is stunned by an unexpected demand for a divorce
and returns to her roots in rural Washington state where she
undergoes a transformation. Keeps you gripped from beginning
to end.
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Great stuff!Nicolas wrote:The Road to Wigan Pier and Down and Out in Paris and London are also enjoyable. Both by Orwell of course.letsgobobby wrote:Rereading Orwell's 1984...
http://www.planetebook.com/ebooks/Down- ... London.pdf
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Dead diva, the soprano Isabella Sommita, was widely loathed, so much so that the problem is less a lack of suspects than an embarrassment of options. Though the grand country-house – and with it, the country-house murder mystery – was history by 1980, the author got around the problem by setting Photo Finish on a lavish island estate, cut off from the mainland by a sudden storm. Happily, Inspector Alleyn is among the guest and can take charge in the absence of the local constabulary. The penultimate novel in this series, Photo Finish, is also one of only four books set in Ngaio Marsh's native New Zealand. (Synopsis edited from the description on the back cover of the paperback.)
This is another great Marsh crime novel. Unlike Elizabeth George, whose books generally run over 600 pages, Marsh can tell her story in 250 pages with an interesting and complex plot whose solution is not evident until the closing scenes, and involve us with equally interesting and complex characters.
After I finish the last book in this series, I plan to read Marsh's autobiography and at least one second-party biography. Also after I finish the last book, I plan to start reading the Albert Campion novels of Margery Allingham, from start to finish.
This is another great Marsh crime novel. Unlike Elizabeth George, whose books generally run over 600 pages, Marsh can tell her story in 250 pages with an interesting and complex plot whose solution is not evident until the closing scenes, and involve us with equally interesting and complex characters.
After I finish the last book in this series, I plan to read Marsh's autobiography and at least one second-party biography. Also after I finish the last book, I plan to start reading the Albert Campion novels of Margery Allingham, from start to finish.
Gordon
-
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:22 pm
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
American Ulysses by Ronald White. Great book about one of my heros, US Grant.
- peterinjapan
- Posts: 605
- Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 8:41 am
- Location: Japan!
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
The Terror by Dan Simmons, An amazing horror story set on and around two British ships frozen in the ice, who are stalked by some kind of supernatural creature. It's totally exactly from the point of view of the crew members, and is incredibly detailed.
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Reading "River God" by Wilbur Smith. I have always been a fan of historical fiction (emphasis on the fiction). I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell and Wilbur Smith has some of the same elements: intrigue and action. The narrator Taita is a great character. As a eunuch slave he is the Leonardo Da Vinci of ancient Egypt. Hoping the rest of the books in this series are as good.
- Jazztonight
- Posts: 1339
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 11:21 pm
- Location: Lake Merritt
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Last night I finished Michael Connelly's newest book, The Wrong Side of Goodbye. https://www.amazon.com/Wrong-Goodbye-Ha ... l+connelly
Like his other books, it's a page-turner. I like the Bosch character a lot. You can always expect an entertaining ride for your (or your library's) money, and this book is no exception. It is a well-written thriller.
Now back to the two books I was reading previously: Harry Potter (volume 1) in Spanish, and American Discoveries: Scouting the First Coast to Coast Recreational Trail.
Like his other books, it's a page-turner. I like the Bosch character a lot. You can always expect an entertaining ride for your (or your library's) money, and this book is no exception. It is a well-written thriller.
Now back to the two books I was reading previously: Harry Potter (volume 1) in Spanish, and American Discoveries: Scouting the First Coast to Coast Recreational Trail.
"What does not destroy me, makes me stronger." Nietzsche
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
The Underground Railroad
Colson Whitehead
It was a good read.
D
Colson Whitehead
It was a good read.
D
- quantAndHold
- Posts: 10141
- Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2015 10:39 pm
- Location: West Coast
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Secret History, by Donna Tartt. College kids accidentally kill someone, then intentionally kill one of their friends to cover it up. Everyone is changed by the experience. A great read.
The Wind-up Bird Chronicle, by Murakami. I'm 3/4 of the way through it and I think I might actually know what it's about now. Weird. Very weird.
The Wind-up Bird Chronicle, by Murakami. I'm 3/4 of the way through it and I think I might actually know what it's about now. Weird. Very weird.
- ruralavalon
- Posts: 26353
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:29 am
- Location: Illinois
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Red Bones, by Ann Cleeves.
Two deaths at an archeological site in the Shetland Islands are a mystery with roots long ago.
Two deaths at an archeological site in the Shetland Islands are a mystery with roots long ago.
"Everything should be as simple as it is, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein |
Wiki article link: Bogleheads® investment philosophy
- ruralavalon
- Posts: 26353
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:29 am
- Location: Illinois
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Red Bones, by Ann Cleeves.
Two deaths at an archeological site in the Shetland Islands are a mystery with roots long ago.
Two deaths at an archeological site in the Shetland Islands are a mystery with roots long ago.
"Everything should be as simple as it is, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein |
Wiki article link: Bogleheads® investment philosophy
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
So nice, he's reading it twice!
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
100 to 1 in the Stock Market: A Distinguished Security Analyst Tells How to Make More of Your Investment Opportunities; by Tom Pheleps . This book was used as research for a new & updated book: 100 Baggers, by Chris Mayer w/similar 100 bagger research from the 60s to 2015.
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Just finished reading A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Really, really good.
- ruralavalon
- Posts: 26353
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:29 am
- Location: Illinois
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Twice the enjoyment, and the second reading took only two minutes .Blues wrote:So nice, he's reading it twice!
"Everything should be as simple as it is, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein |
Wiki article link: Bogleheads® investment philosophy
-
- Posts: 5994
- Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 3:22 pm
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. by Ron Chernow.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XUDGHG/re ... TF8&btkr=1
Just finished "The Whistler" by John Grisham.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XUDGHG/re ... TF8&btkr=1
Just finished "The Whistler" by John Grisham.
- bertilak
- Posts: 10726
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:23 pm
- Location: East of the Pecos, West of the Mississippi
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
I recently picked up a collection of Edgar Allan Poe's poetry and am occasionally dipping into it. This of course includes The Raven, a true masterpiece.
It also has my favorite, Annabel Lee:
It also has my favorite, Annabel Lee:
- It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.
...
May neither drought nor rain nor blizzard disturb the joy juice in your gizzard. -- Squire Omar Barker (aka S.O.B.), the Cowboy Poet
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
I just finished John Grisham's The Whistler. Much better than his last two,especially Rogue Lawyer. The Whistler does jump all over the state of Florida, and briefly others. It has an Indian casino, a state agency, the Coast Mafia and even the FBI. It was a decent read.
I'm just starting The Girl from Venice by Martin Cruz Smith. I have Harlan Coben's "Home" up after that. I've always enjoyed the Myron Bolitar character.
I'm just starting The Girl from Venice by Martin Cruz Smith. I have Harlan Coben's "Home" up after that. I've always enjoyed the Myron Bolitar character.
- Earl Lemongrab
- Posts: 7270
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2014 1:14 am
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Currently finishing up "Red Planet Blues" by Robert Sawyer. Read about it on the old rec.arts.sf.written usenet group. It's a gritty private investigator working out of a domed city on Mars.
Earl
Earl
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
"The Wrong Side of Goodbye" by Michael Connelly.
Harry Bosch is back...pushed out of LAPD and doing double duty as a P.I. and helping a small town police department.
Perhaps my favorite Bosch series book yet.
Ed
Harry Bosch is back...pushed out of LAPD and doing double duty as a P.I. and helping a small town police department.
Perhaps my favorite Bosch series book yet.
Ed
- quantAndHold
- Posts: 10141
- Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2015 10:39 pm
- Location: West Coast
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
"The Things They Carried," by Tim O'Brian. Vietnam war stories, exquisitely told.
"The Year of Magical Thinking," by Joan Didion. Her path through the grief process, after her husband dies suddenly. A lovely book.
"A Brief History of Time," by Stephen Hawking. Physics explained to laypeople. I couldn't get through the first chapter. It's well written and informative, but I didn't want to put in the work to understand what he was talking about, which says more about me than it does the book, of course.
"The Phantom Tollbooth," by Norman Juster. A kids book that I didn't read as a kid. A bored kid goes on the adventure of his life. Cute and funny, especially if you like wordplay.
"The Year of Magical Thinking," by Joan Didion. Her path through the grief process, after her husband dies suddenly. A lovely book.
"A Brief History of Time," by Stephen Hawking. Physics explained to laypeople. I couldn't get through the first chapter. It's well written and informative, but I didn't want to put in the work to understand what he was talking about, which says more about me than it does the book, of course.
"The Phantom Tollbooth," by Norman Juster. A kids book that I didn't read as a kid. A bored kid goes on the adventure of his life. Cute and funny, especially if you like wordplay.
- quantAndHold
- Posts: 10141
- Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2015 10:39 pm
- Location: West Coast
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
I was wrong. I had no idea what it was about until the very end. It just kep getting weirder, until everything was resolved in the last chapter.quantAndHold wrote:The Wind-up Bird Chronicle, by Murakami. I'm 3/4 of the way through it and I think I might actually know what it's about now. Weird. Very weird.
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
"News Of The World" by Paulette Jiles
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
I am half way through this now. Hard to beat the two Poet books though.MP173 wrote:"The Wrong Side of Goodbye" by Michael Connelly.
Harry Bosch is back...pushed out of LAPD and doing double duty as a P.I. and helping a small town police department.
Perhaps my favorite Bosch series book yet.
Ed
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
- market timer
- Posts: 6535
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:42 am
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Benjamin Franklin's biography by Isaacson.
- ruralavalon
- Posts: 26353
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:29 am
- Location: Illinois
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
American Ulysses, by Ronald C. White.
This is a comprehensive biography of Ulysses S. Grant from his childhood to his death, including his family life, his Presidency, and his later private life, with relatively little time spent on his Civil War service. I recommend this book.
This is a comprehensive biography of Ulysses S. Grant from his childhood to his death, including his family life, his Presidency, and his later private life, with relatively little time spent on his Civil War service. I recommend this book.
"Everything should be as simple as it is, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein |
Wiki article link: Bogleheads® investment philosophy
-
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2016 6:33 pm
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
"With the Old Breed" by Eugene B. Sledge. Memoir from a Marine on the battles during WWII in Peleliu and Okinawa.
My grandfather was an officer in the US Army and came to Okinawa during the war and I'm USAF now stationed in Okinawa.
My grandfather was an officer in the US Army and came to Okinawa during the war and I'm USAF now stationed in Okinawa.
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Can I Retire Yet? by Darrow Kirkpatrick - no nonsense - I recommend to anyone contemplating early retirement or waiting until full retirement age.
MMS
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
My problem is that I have "caught up" with my favorite authors...Michael Connelly, John Sandford, James Lee Burke, Lawrence Block, Johathan Kellerman and several others. I must await new books as I have read all. The series books are appealing to me.
Currently reading Stephen White's "Critical Condition". This is the first I have read of his. Hoping he will fall into that "most favored author" status.
Any suggestions?
Ed
Currently reading Stephen White's "Critical Condition". This is the first I have read of his. Hoping he will fall into that "most favored author" status.
Any suggestions?
Ed
- bertilak
- Posts: 10726
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:23 pm
- Location: East of the Pecos, West of the Mississippi
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Suggestion:MP173 wrote:My problem is that I have "caught up" with my favorite authors...Michael Connelly, John Sandford, James Lee Burke, Lawrence Block, Johathan Kellerman and several others. I must await new books as I have read all. The series books are appealing to me.
Currently reading Stephen White's "Critical Condition". This is the first I have read of his. Hoping he will fall into that "most favored author" status.
Any suggestions?
Ed
Look to the old masters: Agatha Christie, Rex Stout, John Buchan, Arthur Conan Doyle, Raymond Candler, Ian Fleming. All of those have series of books that can keep you busy for a long time. For most of those you do need to get into the spirit of time and place but I find that one of the greatest joys of reading them.
May neither drought nor rain nor blizzard disturb the joy juice in your gizzard. -- Squire Omar Barker (aka S.O.B.), the Cowboy Poet
- nisiprius
- Advisory Board
- Posts: 52216
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:33 am
- Location: The terrestrial, globular, planetary hunk of matter, flattened at the poles, is my abode.--O. Henry
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Just finished A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman. Wow. Wow. What can I say? Wow.
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six, result happiness; Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Glad to hear that. I have a copy in my "to be read" pile.nisiprius wrote:Just finished A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman. Wow. Wow. What can I say? Wow.
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
I recently completed 'When Pride Still Mattered' by David Maraniss. Its a biography of Vince Lombardi. Very successfully football coach with awful personal life.
I completed 'Sapiens' by Yuval Noah Harari before that and loved it. Its a brief history of human kind.
I completed 'Unbroken' by Laura Hillenbrand before that and loved it. Its a biography of Louis Zamperini; son of Italian immigrants, an olympian, prisoner of war in Japan during WWII and Christian. I got tired of description of his suffering in Japan. I can not imagine what he went through. It also stood out to me that how hearing just two sermons from Billy Graham changed his life 180 degree.
I completed 'Sapiens' by Yuval Noah Harari before that and loved it. Its a brief history of human kind.
I completed 'Unbroken' by Laura Hillenbrand before that and loved it. Its a biography of Louis Zamperini; son of Italian immigrants, an olympian, prisoner of war in Japan during WWII and Christian. I got tired of description of his suffering in Japan. I can not imagine what he went through. It also stood out to me that how hearing just two sermons from Billy Graham changed his life 180 degree.
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Just finished Hero of the Empire by Candice Millard, the story of Winston Churchill in South Africa during the Boer war, focusing on his capture and imprisonment by Boer forces and his escape from prisoner of war camp and trek on foot and by railway to freedom through almost 300 miles of Boer controlled territory while the Boers were using every effort possible to recapture their prized former captive. Interesting and rousing story but in the end a light adventure story showing the events that propelled Churchill to his subsequent political career. What I would call a good companion to a long airplane flight.
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Blues wrote:Glad to hear that. I have a copy in my "to be read" pile.nisiprius wrote:Just finished A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman. Wow. Wow. What can I say? Wow.
I have heard so many good things about this book that I just placed a hold on it at my library. I stand 265 in a queue of 265.
Gordon
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
I loved that book.Exuberent wrote:Just finished reading A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Really, really good.
His next 2 books are good too: "My Grandmother Told Me to Tell You She's Sorry" and the follow up to that "Britte-Marie Was Here", but neither top Ove.
I look forward to his next book.
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Omg, hopefully your library has a slew of copies and fast readers who don't hang on to it for the entire check out period, otherwise you might be waiting years to read that book!gkaplan wrote:Blues wrote:Glad to hear that. I have a copy in my "to be read" pile.nisiprius wrote:Just finished A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman. Wow. Wow. What can I say? Wow.
I have heard so many good things about this book that I just placed a hold on it at my library. I stand 265 in a queue of 265.
- ruralavalon
- Posts: 26353
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:29 am
- Location: Illinois
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Vaccinated, by Paul A Offit M.D.
This is a very informative, easy to read, short history of the development of vaccines, centered around a biography of microbiologist Maurice Hilleman, head of virus and cell biology research at Merck & Co.
This is a very informative, easy to read, short history of the development of vaccines, centered around a biography of microbiologist Maurice Hilleman, head of virus and cell biology research at Merck & Co.
"Everything should be as simple as it is, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein |
Wiki article link: Bogleheads® investment philosophy
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Based on past experience, my hold probably will come up in about two months.island wrote:Omg, hopefully your library has a slew of copies and fast readers who don't hang on to it for the entire check out period, otherwise you might be waiting years to read that book!gkaplan wrote:Blues wrote:Glad to hear that. I have a copy in my "to be read" pile.nisiprius wrote:Just finished A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman. Wow. Wow. What can I say? Wow.
I have heard so many good things about this book that I just placed a hold on it at my library. I stand 265 in a queue of 265.
Gordon
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Due to popular demand...I started "A Man Called Ove", by Fredrik Backman late last night.
It's been entertaining thus far...early into the read.
It's been entertaining thus far...early into the read.
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Just finished Stephen White's "Critical Condition". His charactor - Alan Gregory is a clinical psychologist in Bolder, Colorado - similar to the Jonathan Kellerman series.
Not bad, I will read more of his series.
Ed
Not bad, I will read more of his series.
Ed
-
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2016 6:33 pm
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Same here...25% through on the Kindle.Blues wrote:Due to popular demand...I started "A Man Called Ove", by Fredrik Backman late last night.
It's been entertaining thus far...early into the read.
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, by Hunter S. Thompson. I always assumed that I wouldn't like this (200 pages of early '70s drug-fueled antics didn't appeal to me) but it was recommended by someone who has made good suggestions in the past, so I decided to give it a look. It is, of course, 200 pages of early '70s drug-fueled antics, but it's surprisingly entertaining thanks to Thompson's witty style. I'm enjoying it!