Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.
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.
Totally Kafkaesque
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.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?
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.
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.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.
Last edited by The Sybian on Thu May 02, 2013 9:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
Have you read Salt?
That book friggin rules.
That book friggin rules.
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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 wrote:Have you read Salt?
That book friggin rules.
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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!
Plus you learn the recipe for garum!
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
ETA: If only to confuse people (and am reading two at once.)
Last edited by Rush2112 on Fri May 03, 2013 11:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
So good you're reading it twice?
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
He does has a prescription...Scottie wrote:So good you're reading it twice?
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.
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.
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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."
" . . . maybe to you, buddy."
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
Just started this:
The first 50 pages are great; love having no idea where the story is going.
The first 50 pages are great; love having no idea where the story is going.
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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:
This was the lady directly in front of me:
My gall is sufficiently mitigated. Thank you for your concern.
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.
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.
My gall is sufficiently mitigated. Thank you for your concern.
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
Keg...you ever get that A Song Of Fire And Ice audio book downloaded yet?
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
Always liked this thread, kudos to the Doc for tipping me off that the Swamp was back:
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
Welcome back, BTTG. Always good to have a long-time Swamper make a return.
THERE’S NOWT WRONG WITH GALA LUNCHEONS, LAD!
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.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.
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.
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.Scottie wrote: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.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.
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.
And his one problem is he didn’t go to Russia that night because he had extracurricular activities, and they froze to death.
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
We never stopped, MFer! How have you been? Leaving me as the only Arsenal fan here now!BTTG wrote:Always liked this thread, kudos to the Doc for tipping me off that the Swamp was back:
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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).Johnnie wrote:Keg...you ever get that A Song Of Fire And Ice audio book downloaded yet?
My only fear of death is coming back to this b1tch reincarnated
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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...The Sybian wrote:We never stopped, MFer! How have you been? Leaving me as the only Arsenal fan here now!BTTG wrote:Always liked this thread, kudos to the Doc for tipping me off that the Swamp was back:
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:
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
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.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.
THERE’S NOWT WRONG WITH GALA LUNCHEONS, LAD!
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
In addition to being halfway through NOS4A2
My gall is sufficiently mitigated. Thank you for your concern.
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
I liked that bio quite a bit. I'm halfway through this novel:AB_skin_test wrote:
Another really well written book with main characters I hate
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Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
Bensell:
How was the Third Bullet?
How was the Third Bullet?
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
Been attending Quaker services in Providence. Just read this:
Currently reading: The Piano Tuner
Very good so far.
Currently reading: The Piano Tuner
Very good so far.
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
It was good, not great. A middle of the road book from Stephen Hunter.BuffloSoldier wrote:Bensell:
How was the Third Bullet?
Worldwide Frivologist and International Juke Artist
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
Started this the other night:
Another book where I'm loving the writing but hate the characters for the most part.
Another book where I'm loving the writing but hate the characters for the most part.
Worldwide Frivologist and International Juke Artist
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
Both of these are pretty enjoyable so far, though each is challenging in its own way:
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
This has been a nice, fast and interesting read:
Worldwide Frivologist and International Juke Artist
Re: Spring Thaw Reading Thread
Fuck, is Pollan writing a book a year? I'm falling behind.
Who knows? Maybe, you were kidnapped, tied up, taken away and held for ransom.
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…