Book Thread number ?

[leswp1]

Re: Book Thread number ?

I bought the first of the Sanguinist books because I saw that it was Rollins, and I liked his other works, without even reading the description. I read the whole thing, but it definitely isn't my kind of book. I wasn't very far into it when I started thinking to myself 'what did I get myself into?'

I agree that the intrigue factor is not bad, and that is what got me through it, but the rest of it, the vampires being a special forces arm of the Catholic church factor, just too far out there for me.

Got it out of the library. The sequels were better than the first one but had the same feeling- UUtf- when I started to read

 

[Kepler]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

Really enjoyed it. Great narrative voice with humor and a surprisingly deep amount of philosophy.

 

[jen]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Finished Water for Elephants. Pretty good. I think my opinion is slightly lower than the rest of the book merits because I was disappointed in the ending. It's been out for quite awhile, so I don't think I'm spoiling anything, but.. he joins the circus? Really? I can think of better endings that would have been more suitable. He could die at the circus. They could find him and take him back, while he wistfully remembers his youth and returns to his doldrum days. Or she could've just ended the book and not had a resolution to him leaving the nursing home, since that wasn't the "main" story. I didn't really care what happened to him after that (not that the main character wasn't likeable, but the "end" of the main story had already happened - it doesn't need another "end").

I'm up to 251 on the Anthony Doerr book!

 

[Probert]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Recent Reads



Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Eric Larson This book follows the lead up and devastation unleashed on Galveston Texas. The lead character is Isaac Cline the chief meteorologist for the US Weather Bureau. A little too much weather related information to me but interesting take on how unprepared both the city and the weather bureau was for the storm.

The Rosary Girls (Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne #1) by Richard Montanari This book follows the initial homicide case of Jessica Balzano and her new partner. Someone is killing Catholic schoolgirls and posing them striking fear into parents across the city. Good detective book.

Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor by Russell S. Bonds An excellent take on telling the true story of Andrew’s Raiders. Detailing how the raid came about, the men tasked with carrying out the raid and the employees of the railroad who chased after them. It tells of their imprisonment and the trial and execution of a third of the raiders including James Andrews. I learned several things, that not 1 but 3 trains along with a push car and running on foot were used in the pursuit and the lives of the raiders who survived, amazingly all of the Raiders who weren’t executed went back into the army and all of them survived the war. It also tells of the several reunions held after the war, the books and articles written by the survivors and the controversies over who did what between them. Excellent read.

Gathering Prey (Lucas Davenport #25) by John Sandford The latest Lucas Daveport novel finds him investigating a group of travelers who travel across the US and leave a trail of bodies in their wake. His adopted daughter Letty befriends one and when her friend disappears she asks her for help. Spanning several states and many law enforcement agencies Davenport needs to stop them before the body count gets higher.

Takedown: The Fall of the Last Mafia Empire by Rick Cowan, Douglas Century This book tells the story of the NYPD’s investigation into the mob run garbage cartel which ran and controlled the industry in NY for over 50 years. Told by the cop who spent over 3 years undercover with the members of the mafia who ran these lucrative rackets. Good read.

Private Vegas (Private #9) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro This is called Private Vegas but only a small part of the book takes place in Vegas. Typical Private book, multiple cases involving the wealthy a plot involving his brother Tommy to “bring Jack down” in this case trying to get his friend convicted of assaulting a woman. The team at Private tries to juggle these balls in the air and solve the cases. OK read.

Twelve Days (John Wells #9) by Alex Berenson This books picks up where the Counterfeit Agent left off John Wells, Vinnie Duto and Ellis Shafer trying to prove that the President is being baited into a war with Iran. After the bombing of the airport in Tehran the Iranian terror proxies start to target US assets across the globe. Wells travels the war and pulls all the strings he has in order to stop the war from breaking out.

The Geneva Strategy (Covert-One #11) by Jamie Freveletti This Covert One novel finds prominent government officials with ties to the US drone program. Following the thread which leads to a fellow researcher of John Smith who was seeking a way to erase the bad memories of US vets. Smith teaming up with a civil rights attorney and the usual cast of suspects leapfrogs the world trying to stop a 3rd party from controlling the drones. Ok read.

American Desperado: My Life--From Mafia Soldier to Cocaine Cowboy to Secret Government Asset by Jon Roberts, Evan Wright A pretty good book about one of the Cocaine Cowboys Jon Roberts as he tells his early life as a Mafia Prince, his Uncle was Consiglieri in the Gambino Family and his father a made man as well, to his time as one of the Transport kings for the Medellin Cartel. Tells the story of 80’s and 90’s Miami.

Dry Bones (Walt Longmire #11) by Craig Johnson This Longmire book starts with the murder of a man found in a pond, it is further complicated by the fact that the man owns the property that has the intact skeleton of a T-Rex on it as Walt struggles to find his killer while coping with a press hungry district attorney and the arrival of his grandchild. Ok read.

William McKinley by Kevin Phillips This book in the American Presidents series seems to deal with McKinley's accomplishments, how he was an underrated President and that TR carried on policies the McKinley had already started on conceived. The negatives are the fact that several parts of McKinley’s life are glossed over, his assassination while mentioned is never covered. His relationship with his wife who was bedridden and required care is spoken of several times but not gone into detail. OK

 

[The Rube]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Takedown: The Fall of the Last Mafia Empire by Rick Cowan, Douglas Century This book tells the story of the NYPD’s investigation into the mob run garbage cartel which ran and controlled the industry in NY for over 50 years. Told by the cop who spent over 3 years undercover with the members of the mafia who ran these lucrative rackets. Good read.

American Desperado: My Life--From Mafia Soldier to Cocaine Cowboy to Secret Government Asset by Jon Roberts, Evan Wright A pretty good book about one of the Cocaine Cowboys Jon Roberts as he tells his early life as a Mafia Prince, his Uncle was Consiglieri in the Gambino Family and his father a made man as well, to his time as one of the Transport kings for the Medellin Cartel. Tells the story of 80’s and 90’s Miami.

Might have to check these out. Just made an Amazon DVD binge purchase, and have a rather expensive (relatively) trip in the near future, but will put them on my never-ending list of wants.

 

[leswp1]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Might have to check these out. Just made an Amazon DVD binge purchase, and have a rather expensive (relatively) trip in the near future, but will put them on my never-ending list of wants.

This is what a library is for....

 

[WeAreNDHockey]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Is anyone else here astonished and impressed with the amount of reading Probert does? I am. By most standards today I think I read a lot. By Probert's I never pick up a book. My love of reading is due in large part to parents who read to their kids, encouraged us to read on our own, and set a constant example of being seen reading virtually every day of our lives growing up. I bet Probert is a wonderful example to someone too.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Is anyone else here astonished and impressed with the amount of reading Probert does? I am. By most standards today I think I read a lot. By Probert's I never pick up a book. My love of reading is due in large part to parents who read to their kids, encouraged us to read on our own, and set a constant example of being seen reading virtually every day of our lives growing up. I bet Probert is a wonderful example to someone too.

I got through a book in about a week. I can't even comprehend how he gets through so many.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Book Thread number ?

I'm not really too much into reading, but with Packt Publishing offering free eBooks on various topics, I may be inclined to start looking.

https://www.packtpub.com/packt/offers/free-learning#

Yes, I have a bit of an interest in software development.

 

[MadTownSioux]

Re: Book Thread number ?

I got through a book in about a week. I can't even comprehend how he gets through so many.

Cliff notes?

 

[The Rube]

Re: Book Thread number ?

This is what a library is for....

Bah. If a book is good enough for me to read, it's good enough to buy.

As for reading, until a few years ago, I hadn't read a book in years, unlike in my young kid days. When I started flying out to CO a couple times a year, I started reading again. Usually on a RT flight, I'll knock out a couple books. At home, usually takes me a week or so, as I only read on the patio after work (in most cases). When it gets dark, I stop reading and go inside.

 

[jen]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Bah. If a book is good enough for me to read, it's good enough to buy.

As for reading, until a few years ago, I hadn't read a book in years, unlike in my young kid days. When I started flying out to CO a couple times a year, I started reading again. Usually on a RT flight, I'll knock out a couple books. At home, usually takes me a week or so, as I only read on the patio after work (in most cases). When it gets dark, I stop reading and go inside.

how do you know it's good until you read it? I've been deceived by a lot of jackets - books that should have interested me, but were poorly written or just not good. I certainly wouldn't waste money on them before I know if they're worth keeping. It's fine either way... but then don't complain they're too expensive, when you have a simple, free alternative that you're too lazy to pursue Wouldn't that be like buying every movie you watch?

I go through a couple of books a week, but I very rarely buy books. Last book I bought was the newest one on Hank Aaron, which I bought the day it came out. If I really enjoy something and think I'll read it again, I'll buy a copy after I've read it.

I used to pick up cheap paperbacks from the clearance shelves at Half Price Books, but they just piled up in my library, and it seems like a waste of money when I can go to the library and get it for free without commitment.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Book Thread number ?

I usually choose books from recommendations from friends, or I research via reviews/reputation/etc. Since I read non-fiction, it's pretty easy to figure out which books are good.

(and as for movies, I buy about 1/5 of the movies I watch)

 

[SJHovey]

Re: Book Thread number ?

how do you know it's good until you read it? I've been deceived by a lot of jackets - books that should have interested me, but were poorly written or just not good. I certainly wouldn't waste money on them before I know if they're worth keeping. It's fine either way... but then don't complain they're too expensive, when you have a simple, free alternative that you're too lazy to pursue Wouldn't that be like buying every movie you watch?

I go through a couple of books a week, but I very rarely buy books. Last book I bought was the newest one on Hank Aaron, which I bought the day it came out. If I really enjoy something and think I'll read it again, I'll buy a copy after I've read it.

I used to pick up cheap paperbacks from the clearance shelves at Half Price Books, but they just piled up in my library, and it seems like a waste of money when I can go to the library and get it for free without commitment.

I buy a lot of books. Unquestionably I have purchased some that I thought were poorly written, or average at best, once I got into them. But it hasn't caused me to change my purchasing habits.

I'm helped a little bit due to my fiction reading habits. Probably two thirds the books I buy are either biographies or non-fiction. Thus, my selection is based upon my interest in the person or subject. Some books are better than others, but if I have an interest in the subject I'll usually get something out of it.

As for fiction, I almost always will buy a book from an author whose books I've already read and enjoyed. The rest I choose from reviews I've read or from recommendations I've received.

I buy books because I want to support the author and the industry. I like books. I like the way they feel, the way they smell. I like turning pages. I don't want to lose that and have everything turn electronic.

 

[jen]

Re: Book Thread number ?

I buy a lot of books. Unquestionably I have purchased some that I thought were poorly written, or average at best, once I got into them. But it hasn't caused me to change my purchasing habits.

I'm helped a little bit due to my fiction reading habits. Probably two thirds the books I buy are either biographies or non-fiction. Thus, my selection is based upon my interest in the person or subject. Some books are better than others, but if I have an interest in the subject I'll usually get something out of it.

As for fiction, I almost always will buy a book from an author whose books I've already read and enjoyed. The rest I choose from reviews I've read or from recommendations I've received.

I buy books because I want to support the author and the industry. I like books. I like the way they feel, the way they smell. I like turning pages. I don't want to lose that and have everything turn electronic.

Absolutely fair. I don't question that some people would rather buy books than borrow them. That's fine, that's your choice. But the point is - you are not the one complaining they're too expensive.

 

[WeAreNDHockey]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Midnight's Furies, The Deadly Legacy of India's Partition by Nisid Hajari and The Interstellar Age, Inside the 40 Year Voyager Mission, by Jim Bell. The latter is fascinating and well written. The former I'm not sure about yet as I've only read the prologue.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Absolutely fair. I don't question that some people would rather buy books than borrow them. That's fine, that's your choice. But the point is - you are not the one complaining they're too expensive.

I never said they were too expensive, I just said that I have spent/am spending my "fun budget" on other things right now.

I think the only books that any of my friends have that I would enjoy (and vice versa) were the "Girl With" trilogy. I read the first one (at my apt complex, people leave unwanted stuff in the lobby; dunno why), and borrowed the other two from bbdl.

 

[leswp1]

Re: Book Thread number ?

how do you know it's good until you read it? I've been deceived by a lot of jackets - books that should have interested me, but were poorly written or just not good. I certainly wouldn't waste money on them before I know if they're worth keeping. It's fine either way... but then don't complain they're too expensive, when you have a simple, free alternative that you're too lazy to pursue Wouldn't that be like buying every movie you watch?

I go through a couple of books a week, but I very rarely buy books. Last book I bought was the newest one on Hank Aaron, which I bought the day it came out. If I really enjoy something and think I'll read it again, I'll buy a copy after I've read it.

I used to pick up cheap paperbacks from the clearance shelves at Half Price Books, but they just piled up in my library, and it seems like a waste of money when I can go to the library and get it for free without commitment.

I have had a gift card for a book store since Xmas- haven't spent it yet. I have certain authors I follow and will read again- those I buy but I could never afford to buy everything I read! I might read 3-4 books a week on a good week. Usually 1-2 on a slow week.

Our library has shelves for most recently published books. I usually browse those and pick what sounds interesting. If I like the author I may buy what I read and then buy subsequent books. I couldn't wait for my budget to afford that many books. I would be in withdrawal.

Agree with physically touching the book. New research is also showing retention is better with solid books vs electronic versions

 

[The Rube]

Re: Book Thread number ?

I have had a gift card for a book store since Xmas- haven't spent it yet. I have certain authors I follow and will read again- those I buy but I could never afford to buy everything I read! I might read 3-4 books a week on a good week. Usually 1-2 on a slow week.

Our library has shelves for most recently published books. I usually browse those and pick what sounds interesting. If I like the author I may buy what I read and then buy subsequent books. I couldn't wait for my budget to afford that many books. I would be in withdrawal.

Agree with physically touching the book. New research is also showing retention is better with solid books vs electronic versions

For me, it's the same with movies and music. I love looking at liner notes, or the cover art, etc. For books, you all are correct. It's the "feel" of the book. Love it. I've bought a couple e-books, but nothing special "Uncle John's Bathroom Reader" was one of them. Something that I really didn't need a hard copy of.

 

[jen]

Re: Book Thread number ?

I have had a gift card for a book store since Xmas- haven't spent it yet. I have certain authors I follow and will read again- those I buy but I could never afford to buy everything I read! I might read 3-4 books a week on a good week. Usually 1-2 on a slow week.

Our library has shelves for most recently published books. I usually browse those and pick what sounds interesting. If I like the author I may buy what I read and then buy subsequent books. I couldn't wait for my budget to afford that many books. I would be in withdrawal.

Agree with physically touching the book. New research is also showing retention is better with solid books vs electronic versions

This. The library is really the perfect resource for me. I read way too much to buy every book I want to read, and it'd be a waste of money, in my opinion, to buy 3-4 books a week when I only REALLY enjoy (as in, would read more than once) maybe 20% of them. Most of them are good, but not great, and I don't regret reading them, but I don't want to read them again. A few of them are just bad. I keep recommendations on my phone (right now my to-read list has 160 books), but I also just browse and pick things that look good or interesting - depends on my mood. I usually stay away from the new books section, just because the checkout period is only a week, and with 5-6 books checked out at a time, I can't guarantee I'll get to it in a week.

And I agree that I will never switch to any kind of electronic reading either. I don't find it that inconvenient to carry around a book or two, and I like having it in my hands and turning the pages. But I don't need to buy one to have it in my hands.

My mom listens to lots of books on CD (in her car), but she still also reads them. What's odd is she goes to the library all the time for CDs (3-4 at a time), but never books. She always buys the books (usually paperback or clearance hardcover - never full price). She also never reads any time except before bed. I never read before bed (I'd never fall asleep!) Funny how you pick up little reading habits. My ideal way to spend a day is sitting on my patio in the morning (when it's shady and quiet) with a cup of coffee and a book.