What book(s) are you reading now?

[AslanDesu]

Richard Wright Native Son

 

[Smoke]

The Great Transformation, by Karen Armstrong. I bought it some time ago, but never got around to reading it, and today while I was looking for another book, I came across it and decided it was time.

 

[Buttercup]

'Tis, by Frank McCourt of Angela's Ashes fame.

I have procrastinated for years and years reading this book because I so adored Angela's Ashes I was afraid the sequel would be a disappointment and I didn't want the memory of AA tarnished in my mind.

I'm about half way through and while it's a good read, so far it's not nearly as compelling as Angela's Ashes.

 

[ladyhawke]

I've just finished the Dark Matters trilogy by Phillip Pullman (kids stuff but great) have just started The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley..all good so far.

 

[thewanderer]

I'm reading "Into The Wild" by Jon Krakauer for the second time-- It's my new favorite non-fiction book.

 

[Bishka]

"That Day In June -- Reflections on the Teton Dam Diaster"

More on the Teton Dam Diaster here

This book is full of personal first-hand stories about what happened during that time to people who lived in Southeastern Idaho.

 

[Runt]

"Pattern Recognition" by William Gibson
"Addiction and Grace" by Something-Or-Another May
"Ice Hunt" (some cheap adventure novel that distracts me at work by an author whose name I can't remember)

 

[Yerda]

Rights of Man (and other political writings), Tom Paine.

 

[TashaN]

"The Essential Theatre". (Oscar G. Brockett & Ropert J. Ball).

"Losing My Religion : A Call for Help". (Jeffrey Lang).

 

[TurtleGirl]

I just finished True Selves recently and I have also been working through A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. I just finished Book the Seventh - The Vile Village.

 

[TurtleGirl]

Just finished "Lamb" by Christopher Moore. Pretty good.

I love Christopher Moore! My favorite by him is Coyote Blue.

 

[ChrisP]

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath - Joel McIver

History of Black Sabbath (for the uninitiated... to the fans that must be obvious ;-) ) Best read on this band I've found. Every member opened themselves up to the author except Ozzie (god bless you Sharon you heartless money grubbing...) and many many many contemporary metal artists are interviewed as well.

A pretty comprehensive history, and I'm only 1/3 through.

Reccommend it to fans of 60s 70s music and any fan of metal. Know your roots.

 

[Smoke]

I'm about half way through and while it's a good read, so far it's not nearly as compelling as Angela's Ashes.

That's how I felt. Well worth reading, but not up to Angela's Ashes.

I've had a copy of Marilynne Robinson's Gilead since Christmas, and I'm afraid to read it because I just know it won't be as good as Housekeeping. (How could it be?)

 

[Jaymes]

Just finished Neil Gaiman's Stardust in preparation for the upcoming movie.

 

[Buttercup]

That's how I felt. Well worth reading, but not up to Angela's Ashes.

I've had a copy of Marilynne Robinson's Gilead since Christmas, and I'm afraid to read it because I just know it won't be as good as Housekeeping. (How could it be?)

I'm wondering if any sequel can hold up to the original?

Take the movie The Matrix (1999) for example. I LOVED that movie and went see it twice the week it came out....it was completely innovative, original and exciting in so many ways. I was quite disappointed with both sequels and so was everyone else I know.

Now, is it because we were already exposed to the premise and it's shock or compelling nature is somewhat taken for granted? It's no longer new so the nuance is lost?

 

[ayani]

"the pontif in winter", "being muslim", and "no greater love". all excellent books...

 

[Katzpur]

I'm just barely getting started reading "Pope Joan." My mom, who is 94 years old, just finished it and told me it was one of the best books she's read in her life. After a recommendation like that, I didn't have much of a choice as to whether to read it!

 

[Azakel]

Necronomicon: The Wanderings of Alhazred by Donald Tyson

He stayed true to H.P. Lovecraft and is really meant for fans of H.P. Lovecraft.

 

[Smoke]

I'm wondering if any sequel can hold up to the original?

Well, Huckleberry Finn is widely considered to be better than Tom Sawyer. I hate to say it, because I love the McCourt brothers -- Frank and Malachy -- but the main problem with Tis is that the parents' generation was more interesting than Frank's own.

 

[Aqualung]

I'm currently reading Anthropologist from Mars by Oliver Sacks. It's a book featuring seven case studies of people with various neurological problems. One man became completely colour blind in his fifities (following a car accident). One was a surgeon with Tourrette's syndrome who could operate without any need to tic. One section was on idiot savants. And I can't remember the rest.