Spring Thaw Reading Thread

Post by **Shirley** » Thu May 02, 2013 7:51 pm

I recently finished the audio book of this one:

It wasn't nearly as good as I'd hoped it would be. We're only two years apart, but some of his pop culture fascinations seemed way different than my friends' and mine.

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Thu May 02, 2013 8:10 pm

Number one on that list (that Rush2112 posted) is The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson. Fascinating book. Highly recommended.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Thu May 02, 2013 8:26 pm

If anyone is an eBook reader I have a high percentage of these available in MOBI for anyone that wants them.

Scottie wrote:Number one on that list (that Rush2112 posted) is The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson. Fascinating book. Highly recommended.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu May 02, 2013 8:40 pm

Rush2112 wrote:I am. Helps me keep track of books I see here, at the library, or bookstore that I want to read and also makes recommendations based on what I've read/want to read. Also there are a imperial fuckton of user created/voted lists on all sorts of subjects that help me find books to read. This one on microhistories is awesome.

P.D.X. wrote:How many of you are on Goodreads and what's really the benefit?

Apparently Microhistories is one of my favorite genres. I have either read or have already downloaded at least half of the books on that list. Which is pretty funny, because they seem like the most random or boring books, but I am obsessed with them.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu May 02, 2013 8:44 pm

Shirley wrote:I recently finished the audio book of this one:

It wasn't nearly as good as I'd hoped it would be. We're only two years apart, but some of his pop culture fascinations seemed way different than my friends' and mine.

I had the same experience. Listening to the book made it that much worse, as he comes off as an arrogant prick, while also seeming about as cool as the Comic Book guy on the Simpsons. I had an overwhelming urge to punch him in the face the entire time I listened to the book.

Scottie wrote:Number one on that list (that Rush2112 posted) is The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson. Fascinating book. Highly recommended.

My Dad's been pushing that book on me for close to 10 years now. I think he even gave me the hardcover copy. I just put in for the audiobook at the library. Thanks for the reminder, Scottie. That will probably be my next book.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Thu May 02, 2013 8:45 pm

Have you read Salt?

That book friggin rules.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu May 02, 2013 9:16 pm

Rush2112 wrote:Have you read Salt?

That book friggin rules.

I haven't, but it is on my hard drive. I always avoid it, as it just seems so boring. I'll have to give it a go.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Thu May 02, 2013 9:38 pm

It seems boring, but is anything but. A fantastic baseline for the study of human history, as well as some great stories, like the story about how Tabasco sauce came about.

Plus you learn the recipe for garum!

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Fri May 03, 2013 9:58 pm

ETA: If only to confuse people (and am reading two at once.)

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Fri May 03, 2013 10:12 pm

So good you're reading it twice?

Bensell · Post by **Bensell** » Fri May 03, 2013 10:15 pm

Scottie wrote:So good you're reading it twice?

He does has a prescription...

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Fri May 03, 2013 11:20 pm

Prescription? It's legal man...

and I forgot I posted it yesterday. These Manhattan's are tasty.

Though I did learn today that the first beer to use Cascade hops, perhaps the hop flavor that drove the craft revolution..was coors. The second was Anchor's Liberty Ale, brewed to honour Paul Revere's ride.

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Sat May 04, 2013 9:23 pm

I haven't got a copy yet but as a heads up . . . Khaled Hosseini has a new novel; And the Mountains Echoed is to be released on May 21st.

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Sat May 04, 2013 9:47 pm

I was at a gigantic book sale today (a ginormous yearly event that takes up an entire 6-sheet curling rink). Didn't want to leave. Anyway . . . my wife found a very nice copy of Thomas Pynchon's Vineland. I didn't buy it (I already got one) but instinctively checked the Title Verso page to see if it was a first edition. I found this note inside.

" . . . maybe to you, buddy."

Bensell · Post by **Bensell** » Sun May 05, 2013 10:56 pm

Just started this:

The first 50 pages are great; love having no idea where the story is going.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Mon May 06, 2013 7:13 am

Joe Hill Signing was fun. He is an engaging guy. However, the two+ hours I had to wait after he had his reading and answered questions was pretty ridiculous.

This was the lady directly in front of me:

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Mon May 06, 2013 11:03 am

Also, I finished A walk in the Woods.

Fun read. Thought it might be too preachy, but it's almost like Bryson was aware of that and each time it got close, he backed off.

Very well done. Makes me want to head out and go camping.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Tue May 07, 2013 7:03 am

Keg...you ever get that A Song Of Fire And Ice audio book downloaded yet?

Keg · Post by **Keg** » Tue May 07, 2013 10:03 am

Yes, I have them downloaded to my computer but not uploaded to the web. I'll upload the first book this evening when I get home.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue May 07, 2013 10:29 am

Started Devil in the White City yesterday. Reminds me a bit of the Alienist, but a true story. Also struck me how much their firm sounded like a Tech firm with the handball court and all of the other office perks.

BTTG · Post by **BTTG** » Tue May 07, 2013 2:41 pm

Always liked this thread, kudos to the Doc for tipping me off that the Swamp was back:

Post by **Sabo** » Tue May 07, 2013 2:56 pm

Welcome back, BTTG. Always good to have a long-time Swamper make a return.

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Tue May 07, 2013 3:08 pm

The Sybian wrote:Started Devil in the White City yesterday. Reminds me a bit of the Alienist, but a true story. Also struck me how much their firm sounded like a Tech firm with the handball court and all of the other office perks.

Larson does an excellent job of highlighting Chicago's obsession with becoming a "world class" city, the height of modernity, and their self-consciousness about being "second" to New York; they'd embrace just about anything that sounded cutting edge.

If you look up "World's Columbian Exposition" or "1893 Chicago World's Fair", there is a veritable ton of photographs online that make great accompaniment to that book.

If you are interested in Thomas Pynchon at all, his 2006 novel Against the Day begins at the 1893 World's Fair, as well.

Speaking of Pynchon, he has a new novel (yay!) due out on September 17th of this year. I'm counting the days.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Tue May 07, 2013 3:25 pm

Scottie wrote:
The Sybian wrote:Started Devil in the White City yesterday. Reminds me a bit of the Alienist, but a true story. Also struck me how much their firm sounded like a Tech firm with the handball court and all of the other office perks.
Larson does an excellent job of highlighting Chicago's obsession with becoming a "world class" city, the height of modernity, and their self-consciousness about being "second" to New York; they'd embrace just about anything that sounded cutting edge.

If you look up "World's Columbian Exposition" or "1893 Chicago World's Fair", there is a veritable ton of photographs online that make great accompaniment to that book.

If you are interested in Thomas Pynchon at all, his 2006 novel Against the Day begins at the 1893 World's Fair, as well.

Speaking of Pynchon, he has a new novel (yay!) due out on September 17th of this year. I'm counting the days.

Someone I just met mentioned this book to me the other day when he found out I was from Chicago. I guess I will have to take a look.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue May 07, 2013 3:38 pm

BTTG wrote:Always liked this thread, kudos to the Doc for tipping me off that the Swamp was back:

We never stopped, MFer! How have you been? Leaving me as the only Arsenal fan here now!

Keg · Post by **Keg** » Tue May 07, 2013 9:26 pm

Johnnie wrote:Keg...you ever get that A Song Of Fire And Ice audio book downloaded yet?

I have uploaded the first audio book to my gdrive. Shoot me your gmail address and I'll share access to the folder (this offer goes out to all swampers).

BTTG · Post by **BTTG** » Wed May 08, 2013 2:24 am

The Sybian wrote:
BTTG wrote:Always liked this thread, kudos to the Doc for tipping me off that the Swamp was back:
We never stopped, MFer! How have you been? Leaving me as the only Arsenal fan here now!

Hah, not anymore! (he said, before not checking back in for another three years) All good, still living in the UK, got married (so that's living in the UK for good then), baby on the way, Gooner, about to buy a car and move to the suburbs, etc. All prettay prettay good...

On that note, keeping on topic, this is one I started the other day that only you might appreciate. Quick fun read and a mere $2 download to your Kindle:

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Fri May 10, 2013 6:00 pm

The Book of the Courtier by Baldassarre Castiglione

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Tue May 14, 2013 6:44 am

I pre-ordered the third of Rick Atkinson's WWII books, "The Guns At Last Light" about D-Day and the war in western europe a few months ago, and it showed up on my Kindle today. Started reading it on the commute home. I've read a ton of books about D-Day, and WWII in general, but this guys other two books about the campaigns in North Africa and Italy made this a must.

Post by **Sabo** » Tue May 14, 2013 6:54 am

AussieDave wrote:I pre-ordered the third of Rick Atkinson's WWII books, "The Guns At Last Light" about D-Day and the war in western europe a few months ago, and it showed up on my Kindle today. Started reading it on the commute home. I've read a ton of books about D-Day, and WWII in general, but this guys other two books about the campaigns in North Africa and Italy made this a must.

Thanks for posting this. I was wondering when the third book of his trilogy would be released. The first two books were fantastic, especially the one about the North Africa campaign. Operation Torch gets much less attention than it should.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue May 14, 2013 7:20 am

In addition to being halfway through NOS4A2

Bensell · Post by **Bensell** » Tue May 14, 2013 11:28 am

AB_skin_test wrote:

I liked that bio quite a bit. I'm halfway through this novel:

Another really well written book with main characters I hate

BuffloSoldier · Post by **BuffloSoldier** » Tue May 14, 2013 2:51 pm

Bensell:

How was the Third Bullet?

Shrew · Post by **Shrew** » Wed May 15, 2013 9:21 am

Been attending Quaker services in Providence. Just read this:

Currently reading: The Piano Tuner
Very good so far.

Bensell · Post by **Bensell** » Wed May 15, 2013 12:14 pm

BuffloSoldier wrote:Bensell:

How was the Third Bullet?

It was good, not great. A middle of the road book from Stephen Hunter.

Bensell · Post by **Bensell** » Thu May 23, 2013 12:49 pm

Started this the other night:

Another book where I'm loving the writing but hate the characters for the most part.

BTTG · Post by **BTTG** » Fri May 24, 2013 4:15 am

Both of these are pretty enjoyable so far, though each is challenging in its own way:

Bensell · Post by **Bensell** » Wed May 29, 2013 1:35 pm

This has been a nice, fast and interesting read:

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Wed May 29, 2013 5:25 pm

Interesting so far.

howard · Post by **howard** » Wed May 29, 2013 5:53 pm

Fuck, is Pollan writing a book a year? I'm falling behind.