What book is everyone reading at the moment? - Page 33

Tobermory · 18th September 2007, 09:23 PM

I've been finishing The Demon Haunted World for three months now. But mainly I read court transcripts and Bar/Bri outlines. If there's anything that might turn one off to reading, it's that.

JoeEllison · 18th September 2007, 09:27 PM

Talk Talk by T.C. Boyle.

SRW · 18th September 2007, 09:48 PM

A Secret of the Universe By Steve Gibson, Just starting the second chapter, so far so good.

This is the first novel I have read in a while, and Steve's first novel, I have high hopes as I enjoy his podcasts and am looking forwarded to a book by a skeptic.

Here it the vidio promo.

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I AGREE

clerihew80 · 19th September 2007, 02:38 AM

Shalimar The Clown - Salman Rushdie.

Denial · 19th September 2007, 04:53 AM

The History of Europe by Karsten Alnæs. Originally in norwegian, it's being translated to five other european languages now (can't tell you which though, but english and german would be rather safe guesses).

Geek Goddess · 19th September 2007, 05:55 AM

Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire, by Alex von Tunzelmann.

I've read several books on Indian history, most of it in the era of the British raj, and have enjoyed this one so far. It disturbs me that what most people think they know about Ghandi came from the movie, which idealized the man and got history out of order and wrong.

LBN · 19th September 2007, 12:46 PM

Right now I'm plowing my way through the "prequel" and "sequel" Dune books written by Brian ("Why Didn't My Father Wear A Condom?") Herbert and Kevin J. ("The J. Stands For Jagoff") Anderson. Although supposedly based on notes magically found in hidden safety deposit boxes ten years after Frank Herbert's death they are filled with so many science fiction cliches you would think they are written by a 14 year old fanboy. The attraction of Frank Herbert's original series is not even so much the story as it is the insight he had into politics, religion, philosophy, etc. The books were almost a guise for him to get his views out. Brian Herbert is the proverbial monkey pounding on a keyboard and Kevin J. Anderson is the other part of what was going to be a humorous metaphor but I lost track of it now.

So why am I reading them? I'm a sucker. I bought into the whole "based on the original outline for Dune 7" spiel. I already know how it all ends because these two amateurs phoned it in.

After that I'll probably work my way through Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon simply because it's the only other book I own that isn't in storage right now.

I have The Children of Húrin on my Amazon purchase list even though I know the whole story cobbled together from The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales.

House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski is on the plate. I found it in a bookstore and later added it to my Amazon list. Only later found out he is the brother of one of my favorite singers.

Destroy, She Said by Marguerite Duras. French erotic nihilism. What could be more beautiful?

But the one to which I am looking forward the most is tentatively titled Zero Requiem by Chris Blanc. I'm sure it will be beyond my comprehension but undoubtedly brilliant. More info available at: chrisblanc.org

Dogdoctor · 20th September 2007, 05:36 PM

I am reading "Why Darwin Matters" by Micheal Shermer. I am familiar with much of what he says but there are some little nuggets of new info here and there.

aofl · 20th September 2007, 06:07 PM

I just finished reading Reclaiming History by Vincent Bugliosi. That's right, I read the whole book (though not the CD-ROM of end notes. Yet).

I hope I don't ruin it for anyone, but it turns out Oswald did it.

I'm just happy to have my life back.

A

fuelair · 20th September 2007, 07:00 PM

Just finished Changes(ed.Bishop/Watson) - an SF anthology on the topic of Metamorphosis. Still in Oscar Micheaux the Great and Only (Black film producer - for almost 20 years the only ongoing independant one - '31-'50-and author and pioneer farmer and the other famous -and only real- resident of Metropolis, Illinois - where there is no mention of him in Chamber of Commerce info.

Chris Haynes · 20th September 2007, 09:51 PM

I am reading Rethinking Thin by Gina Kolata.

I am listening to Tim Curry read Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. I am presently on the last half of A Slippery Slope, which I downloaded as an audio book from my library's subcription to http://www.overdrive.com/. I tried a previous rendition of e-audio book from the library, but the licensing refused to work on my 2004 vintage i-River mp3 player. But this one works on my "ancient" mp3 player.

Downloading audio books is awesome... It makes it easier to spend time when I do mundane things like make dinner (it takes time to fry potato pancakes) or weed the garden.

Wudang · 21st September 2007, 04:42 AM

My "normal reading" book is Steve Erikson's "Deadhouse gates" - nice style, rich universe but he doesn't spend half of every chapter with "The Madeup Gods? Thrud's mind reeled as he recalled the tales of Shebaheth who begat Boreng, who begat Tedium who...". Paints with a broad brush and lets you fill in the details.
Working through "Mastering regular expressions" by Friedl for a work project. Excellent stuff that I never really go to grips with before.
As a treat I'll let myself read another chapter of Hemingway's "A moveable feast" which I find an absolute joy.

LBN · 21st September 2007, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by Wudang

As a treat I'll let myself read another chapter of Hemingway's "A moveable feast" which I find an absolute joy.

One can never go wrong with Hemingway. "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" is the template for my life.

Obscure synthpop band Blue Clocks Green did a great song called "Hemingway" in 1988. (If one googles for it, one can find it.) It has a happy melody and danceable beats with the lyrics "Just like Hemingway you can be a hero all you have to know is what to say / And if I want to be just like Hemingway I'll put a pistol in my mouth and blow my head away". (Technically, Hemingway put a double-barreled shotgun to his forehead and pulled both triggers but we can allow for artistic license in this case.)

Spidey13 · 22nd September 2007, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by LBN

After that I'll probably work my way through Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon simply because it's the only other book I own that isn't in storage right now.

I'm about to start that one myself.

LBN · 23rd September 2007, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Spidey13

I'm about to start that one myself.

Of course if you haven't read Snow Crash it's a must read. I read that they're going to be developing it into a movie. It's almost scary how some of the concepts in the book have become reality: Gated communities everywhere, privatized police forces, corporate franchise prisons, online communities with 3D avatars.

I think my next tattoo should be POOR IMPULSE CONTROL across my forehead. But then I would need to get a nuclear warhead to carry around with me.

Wudang · 23rd September 2007, 03:38 AM

Originally Posted by LBN

But then I would need to get a nuclear warhead to carry around with me.

Aren't those legal in Texas?

LBN · 23rd September 2007, 03:42 AM

Originally Posted by Wudang

Aren't those legal in Texas?

You're darned tootin'!

Hourglassmemory · 23rd September 2007, 10:42 AM

I'm currently reading two books at the same time because I like them both.
the third instalment of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy "The Amber Spyglass", and Daniel Dennet's "Breaking the Spell"(it recently came out in Portugal).

I am a compulsive book buyer.
I have 8 books that I'm yet to read and I bought 2 yesterday.
"A Briefer History of Time" by Stephen Hawking
"The Varieties of Scientific Experience" by Carl Sagan
"Tunnels" by Gordon and Williams
"The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams (800 pages)
"The Historan" by Elizabeth Kostova
"A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
"The Ancestor's" Tale by Richard Dawkins
"The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

TJ · 24th September 2007, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by LBN

House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski is on the plate. I found it in a bookstore and later added it to my Amazon list. Only later found out he is the brother of one of my favorite singers.

Please! You must let me know how this book is!

ksbluesfan · 24th September 2007, 03:33 PM

Carl Sagan: A Life by Keay Davidson

This book makes me feel like a stupid slacker. Compared to Sagan, many people are.

Spidey13 · 24th September 2007, 06:49 PM

I know I am.

sackett · 25th September 2007, 06:49 AM

A Soldier of the Great War, by Mark Helperin.

So what's it to ya? Look, it was one dollar from the seriously-disregarded-and-dogeared remainder pile at the undergrad libe. I wanted something fat and thick to last me until I go on vacation. I mustn't break into the vacation book-bag! I musn't!

It's fat, it's thick, but it carries you along. He's a good stylist for a windbag.

headscratcher4 · 25th September 2007, 06:55 AM

Over the weekend, read "the Ruins"...a great page-turner. Scary and smoothly written.

Ancestor · 26th September 2007, 12:17 AM

Primal Ancestor; I know the author. It’s hard science fiction published by a Christian publishing company; that in itself is a contradiction to the norm of this universe. Sometimes the Great Storyteller - you know, the one that works in mysterious ways - has a bizarre sense of humor. Of course, anyone that has ever seen a platypus knows that.

Do not continue to plug your book. Any further mentions will be deleted with no notice.

Posted By:Lisa Simpson

Foolmewunz · 26th September 2007, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by Ancestor

Primal Ancestor; I know the author. It’s hard science fiction published by a Christian publishing company; that in itself is a contradiction to the norm of this universe. Sometimes the Great Storyteller - you know, the one that works in mysterious ways - has a bizarre sense of humor. Of course, anyone that has ever seen a platypus knows that.

In three posts you've plugged this book twice. (I guess you couldn't find a way to plug it in the Welcome thread.... although your name is sort of a giveaway.)

Tate's only unique in that they call themselves Christian to differentiate themselves from the other vanity press outfits.

If you have something to add to the JREF Forums, then welcome. If you're here to spam for a commercial site or product, please cease for all our sake. If you're the author, identify youself properly, please.

Michael C · 26th September 2007, 06:59 AM

"The God Delusion". I'm stuck somewhere in the memes.

Walrus32 · 26th September 2007, 07:51 AM

The Forgotten Man by Amity Schlaes. An absolutely spendid history of the Great Depression. Rather than making any pejorative statements about the principals, she let's their words and deeds speak for themselves, e.g. Drew Pearson's despicable antisemitism..

maledoro · 26th September 2007, 01:30 PM

Why People Believe Weird Things by Michael Shermer. The title says it all...

Bikewer · 26th September 2007, 05:12 PM

Just started William Gibson's new one, Spook Country. Very good so far; three disparate groups of people somehow intertwined with each other with a background in Cuban/Russian intelligence.

Formerly · 26th September 2007, 05:31 PM

Just finishing up Last Exit to Brooklyn - it's near the top of my 'most powerful and moving' books list (if I had such a list).

Finishing up Daniel Handler's Adverbs next.

Achán hiNidráne · 26th September 2007, 06:40 PM

The rulebook for the Saganami Island Tactical Simulator.

SRW · 26th September 2007, 08:19 PM

Just started a book on CD, for my commute, The Good Guy by Dean Koonts, so far so good reminds me of a Raymond Chandler thriller.

LBN · 27th September 2007, 12:07 AM

I can't make it through the rest of the Dune prequels/sequels. They are just so gOD-awful. I can't read through two pages without falling asleep. I'm going to have to send these off to Half Price Books and move on to my next book which is... <sorts through piles> ...whatever I just pulled out of storage in 14 banker boxes. I'd rather read a dictionary than these abortions.

To any fans of Frank Herbert's original series of Dune books who were considering anything written by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson, spare yourself the disappointment. These two are hacks. Remember Herbert's wonderful series the way it originally ended: With a universe of endless possibilities.

Bikewer · 27th September 2007, 05:20 PM

We got the first one of the Dune prequels by mistake from the Sci-Fi book club. Thought I'd give it a go. Absolutely dreadful....

HawaiiBigSis · 1st October 2007, 09:22 PM

Just finished "Avalon" by Anya Seton (about 40 years old) -- it was very good, but not really about what you usually associate with Avalon stories...

Just about to start "Survivor" by Tabitha King.

Not really doing much heavy lifting here!

alfaniner · 2nd October 2007, 07:12 AM

Prey by Michael Crichton. Jurassic Park with nanoprobes.

boojum · 2nd October 2007, 07:27 AM

Remarkable Mathematicians from Euler to von Neumann by Ioan James. It's fascinating to me how much political wrangling and personal infighting is involved in mathematical careers.

Bikewer · 2nd October 2007, 07:28 AM

As usual, everything I ordered from the library arrived at once. I started William Gibson's new one, Spook Country. Very good so far, set in contemporary times and dealing with odd goings-on about virtual art, ex-Cuban intelligence types, and perhaps a bit of terrorism.

I also got Stephen Pinker's new one on language, hope I can get 'em read in the two weeks as they are both in demand.

sackett · 2nd October 2007, 08:48 AM

The Basque History of the World, by Mark Kurlansky. It's journalism, not scholarship, but it summarizes a ton of history at reasonable length. I could wish his style was less choppy; John McPhee should have written his books for him.

afinemadness · 2nd October 2007, 09:31 AM

Loitering with intent: The Child The first of the Peter O'Toole autobiography

18th September 2007, 09:23 PM	#1281
Tobermory Musette Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 102	I've been finishing The Demon Haunted World for three months now. But mainly I read court transcripts and Bar/Bri outlines. If there's anything that might turn one off to reading, it's that.
Tobermory Musette Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 102

19th September 2007, 02:38 AM	#1284
clerihew80 Guest Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 320	Shalimar The Clown - Salman Rushdie.
clerihew80 Guest Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 320

19th September 2007, 05:55 AM	#1286
Geek Goddess Hot enough to melt 4" rebar Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Near my books Posts: 6,980	Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire, by Alex von Tunzelmann. I've read several books on Indian history, most of it in the era of the British raj, and have enjoyed this one so far. It disturbs me that what most people think they know about Ghandi came from the movie, which idealized the man and got history out of order and wrong.
	__________________ You can't fix stupid. Jenny McCarthy - wacko

19th September 2007, 12:46 PM	#1287
LBN Scholar Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 60	Right now I'm plowing my way through the "prequel" and "sequel" Dune books written by Brian ("Why Didn't My Father Wear A Condom?") Herbert and Kevin J. ("The J. Stands For Jagoff") Anderson. Although supposedly based on notes magically found in hidden safety deposit boxes ten years after Frank Herbert's death they are filled with so many science fiction cliches you would think they are written by a 14 year old fanboy. The attraction of Frank Herbert's original series is not even so much the story as it is the insight he had into politics, religion, philosophy, etc. The books were almost a guise for him to get his views out. Brian Herbert is the proverbial monkey pounding on a keyboard and Kevin J. Anderson is the other part of what was going to be a humorous metaphor but I lost track of it now. So why am I reading them? I'm a sucker. I bought into the whole "based on the original outline for Dune 7" spiel. I already know how it all ends because these two amateurs phoned it in. After that I'll probably work my way through Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon simply because it's the only other book I own that isn't in storage right now. I have The Children of Húrin on my Amazon purchase list even though I know the whole story cobbled together from The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales. House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski is on the plate. I found it in a bookstore and later added it to my Amazon list. Only later found out he is the brother of one of my favorite singers. Destroy, She Said by Marguerite Duras. French erotic nihilism. What could be more beautiful? But the one to which I am looking forward the most is tentatively titled Zero Requiem by Chris Blanc. I'm sure it will be beyond my comprehension but undoubtedly brilliant. More info available at: chrisblanc.org
LBN Scholar Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 60

20th September 2007, 05:36 PM	#1288
Dogdoctor Canis Doctorius Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pacific Ocean Posts: 14,281	I am reading "Why Darwin Matters" by Micheal Shermer. I am familiar with much of what he says but there are some little nuggets of new info here and there.
	__________________

18th September 2007, 09:27 PM	#1282
JoeEllison Cuddly Like a Koala Bear Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 7,276	Talk Talk by T.C. Boyle.

19th September 2007, 04:53 AM	#1285
Denial Scholar Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Christgrinding Avenue Posts: 93	The History of Europe by Karsten Alnæs. Originally in norwegian, it's being translated to five other european languages now (can't tell you which though, but english and german would be rather safe guesses).

20th September 2007, 06:07 PM	#1289
aofl Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 489	I just finished reading Reclaiming History by Vincent Bugliosi. That's right, I read the whole book (though not the CD-ROM of end notes. Yet). I hope I don't ruin it for anyone, but it turns out Oswald did it. I'm just happy to have my life back. A
aofl Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 489	__________________ The root of all superstition is that men observe when a thing hits, but not when it misses. -Francis Bacon, essayist, philosopher, and statesman (1561-1626) Belief in the supernatural reflects a failure of the imagination. -Edward Abbey, naturalist and author (1927-1989)

20th September 2007, 07:00 PM	#1290
fuelair Cythraul Enfys Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 28,932	Just finished Changes(ed.Bishop/Watson) - an SF anthology on the topic of Metamorphosis. Still in Oscar Micheaux the Great and Only (Black film producer - for almost 20 years the only ongoing independant one - '31-'50-and author and pioneer farmer and the other famous -and only real- resident of Metropolis, Illinois - where there is no mention of him in Chamber of Commerce info.
fuelair Cythraul Enfys Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 28,932

20th September 2007, 09:51 PM	#1291
Chris Haynes Perfectly Poisonous Person Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wacky Washington Way Out West Posts: 4,205	I am reading Rethinking Thin by Gina Kolata. I am listening to Tim Curry read Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. I am presently on the last half of A Slippery Slope, which I downloaded as an audio book from my library's subcription to http://www.overdrive.com/. I tried a previous rendition of e-audio book from the library, but the licensing refused to work on my 2004 vintage i-River mp3 player. But this one works on my "ancient" mp3 player. Downloading audio books is awesome... It makes it easier to spend time when I do mundane things like make dinner (it takes time to fry potato pancakes) or weed the garden.
	__________________ I used to be intelligent... but then I had kids "HCN, I hate you!" ( so sayeth Deetee at http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=1077344 )... What I get for linking to http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/

21st September 2007, 04:42 AM	#1292
Wudang BOFH Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sheffield Posts: 8,243	My "normal reading" book is Steve Erikson's "Deadhouse gates" - nice style, rich universe but he doesn't spend half of every chapter with "The Madeup Gods? Thrud's mind reeled as he recalled the tales of Shebaheth who begat Boreng, who begat Tedium who...". Paints with a broad brush and lets you fill in the details. Working through "Mastering regular expressions" by Friedl for a work project. Excellent stuff that I never really go to grips with before. As a treat I'll let myself read another chapter of Hemingway's "A moveable feast" which I find an absolute joy.
	__________________ Aphorism: Subjects most likely to be declared inappropriate for humor are the ones most in need of it. -epepke

21st September 2007, 11:03 PM	#1293
LBN Scholar Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 60	Originally Posted by Wudang As a treat I'll let myself read another chapter of Hemingway's "A moveable feast" which I find an absolute joy. One can never go wrong with Hemingway. "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" is the template for my life. Obscure synthpop band Blue Clocks Green did a great song called "Hemingway" in 1988. (If one googles for it, one can find it.) It has a happy melody and danceable beats with the lyrics "Just like Hemingway you can be a hero all you have to know is what to say / And if I want to be just like Hemingway I'll put a pistol in my mouth and blow my head away". (Technically, Hemingway put a double-barreled shotgun to his forehead and pulled both triggers but we can allow for artistic license in this case.)
LBN Scholar Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 60

22nd September 2007, 08:11 PM	#1294
Spidey13 Pastor of Muppets Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Goshen, KY Posts: 3,606	Originally Posted by LBN After that I'll probably work my way through Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon simply because it's the only other book I own that isn't in storage right now. I'm about to start that one myself.
	__________________ "I love you like a fat kid love cake." - 50 Cent

23rd September 2007, 12:33 AM	#1295
LBN Scholar Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 60	Originally Posted by Spidey13 I'm about to start that one myself. Of course if you haven't read Snow Crash it's a must read. I read that they're going to be developing it into a movie. It's almost scary how some of the concepts in the book have become reality: Gated communities everywhere, privatized police forces, corporate franchise prisons, online communities with 3D avatars. I think my next tattoo should be POOR IMPULSE CONTROL across my forehead. But then I would need to get a nuclear warhead to carry around with me.
LBN Scholar Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 60

23rd September 2007, 03:38 AM	#1296
Wudang BOFH Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sheffield Posts: 8,243	Originally Posted by LBN But then I would need to get a nuclear warhead to carry around with me. Aren't those legal in Texas?
	__________________ Aphorism: Subjects most likely to be declared inappropriate for humor are the ones most in need of it. -epepke

23rd September 2007, 03:42 AM	#1297
LBN Scholar Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 60	Originally Posted by Wudang Aren't those legal in Texas? You're darned tootin'!
LBN Scholar Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 60

23rd September 2007, 10:42 AM	#1298
Hourglassmemory Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 315	I'm currently reading two books at the same time because I like them both. the third instalment of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy "The Amber Spyglass", and Daniel Dennet's "Breaking the Spell"(it recently came out in Portugal). I am a compulsive book buyer. I have 8 books that I'm yet to read and I bought 2 yesterday. "A Briefer History of Time" by Stephen Hawking "The Varieties of Scientific Experience" by Carl Sagan "Tunnels" by Gordon and Williams "The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams (800 pages) "The Historan" by Elizabeth Kostova "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson "The Ancestor's" Tale by Richard Dawkins "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

24th September 2007, 03:00 PM	#1299
TJ Amateur Rhythmatist Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Denver, Co Posts: 2,352	Originally Posted by LBN House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski is on the plate. I found it in a bookstore and later added it to my Amazon list. Only later found out he is the brother of one of my favorite singers. Please! You must let me know how this book is!
	__________________ In most of the states of this union, I could not give testimony. Christianity has such a contemptable opinion of human nature that it does not believe that a man can tell the truth unless frightened by a belief in God. - Ingersoll My Blog

24th September 2007, 03:33 PM	#1300
ksbluesfan Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,384	Carl Sagan: A Life by Keay Davidson This book makes me feel like a stupid slacker. Compared to Sagan, many people are.

24th September 2007, 06:49 PM	#1301
Spidey13 Pastor of Muppets Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Goshen, KY Posts: 3,606	I know I am.
	__________________ "I love you like a fat kid love cake." - 50 Cent

25th September 2007, 06:49 AM	#1302
sackett Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Detroit Posts: 3,613	A Soldier of the Great War, by Mark Helperin. So what's it to ya? Look, it was one dollar from the seriously-disregarded-and-dogeared remainder pile at the undergrad libe. I wanted something fat and thick to last me until I go on vacation. I mustn't break into the vacation book-bag! I musn't! It's fat, it's thick, but it carries you along. He's a good stylist for a windbag.
	__________________ Dyslexic and prond!

25th September 2007, 06:55 AM	#1303
headscratcher4 Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: USA Posts: 7,749	Over the weekend, read "the Ruins"...a great page-turner. Scary and smoothly written.
	__________________ Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals ... except the weasel. -- Homer Simpson

26th September 2007, 06:27 AM	#1305
Foolmewunz Grammar Resistance Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pattaya, Thailand Posts: 20,516	Originally Posted by Ancestor Primal Ancestor; I know the author. It’s hard science fiction published by a Christian publishing company; that in itself is a contradiction to the norm of this universe. Sometimes the Great Storyteller - you know, the one that works in mysterious ways - has a bizarre sense of humor. Of course, anyone that has ever seen a platypus knows that. In three posts you've plugged this book twice. (I guess you couldn't find a way to plug it in the Welcome thread.... although your name is sort of a giveaway.) Tate's only unique in that they call themselves Christian to differentiate themselves from the other vanity press outfits. If you have something to add to the JREF Forums, then welcome. If you're here to spam for a commercial site or product, please cease for all our sake. If you're the author, identify youself properly, please.
	__________________ Ha! Foolmewunz has just been added to the list of people who aren't complete idiots. Hokulele Don't you wish someone had slapped baby Hitler really really hard? [i] Dr. Buzzo 02/13 [i]

26th September 2007, 06:59 AM	#1306
Michael C Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: N 49° 52' 3" E 8° 40' 21" Posts: 1,853	"The God Delusion". I'm stuck somewhere in the memes.

26th September 2007, 07:51 AM	#1307
Walrus32 Critical Thinker Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 469	The Forgotten Man by Amity Schlaes. An absolutely spendid history of the Great Depression. Rather than making any pejorative statements about the principals, she let's their words and deeds speak for themselves, e.g. Drew Pearson's despicable antisemitism..
Walrus32 Critical Thinker Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 469

26th September 2007, 01:30 PM	#1308
maledoro Scholar Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In hiding... Posts: 98	Why People Believe Weird Things by Michael Shermer. The title says it all...

26th September 2007, 05:12 PM	#1309
Bikewer Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 9,525	Just started William Gibson's new one, Spook Country. Very good so far; three disparate groups of people somehow intertwined with each other with a background in Cuban/Russian intelligence.

26th September 2007, 05:31 PM	#1310
Formerly Student Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 26	Just finishing up Last Exit to Brooklyn - it's near the top of my 'most powerful and moving' books list (if I had such a list). Finishing up Daniel Handler's Adverbs next.
Formerly Student Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 26

26th September 2007, 06:40 PM	#1311
Achán hiNidráne Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Muskego, WI. Posts: 3,979	The rulebook for the Saganami Island Tactical Simulator.
	__________________ "As the Corpse Lord knows, men today are ill-trained--ignoble: naught but wet anuses dribbling childish terrors and superstitions! Thus is knowledge--history, science, the world of the ancients--lost, never to be regained!" --M.A.R. Barker, "The Man of Gold"

26th September 2007, 08:19 PM	#1312
SRW Master Poster Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 2,901	Just started a book on CD, for my commute, The Good Guy by Dean Koonts, so far so good reminds me of a Raymond Chandler thriller.
SRW Master Poster Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 2,901

27th September 2007, 12:07 AM	#1313
LBN Scholar Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 60	I can't make it through the rest of the Dune prequels/sequels. They are just so gOD-awful. I can't read through two pages without falling asleep. I'm going to have to send these off to Half Price Books and move on to my next book which is... <sorts through piles> ...whatever I just pulled out of storage in 14 banker boxes. I'd rather read a dictionary than these abortions. To any fans of Frank Herbert's original series of Dune books who were considering anything written by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson, spare yourself the disappointment. These two are hacks. Remember Herbert's wonderful series the way it originally ended: With a universe of endless possibilities.
LBN Scholar Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 60	__________________ * "If freedom is short of weapons, we must compensate with willpower."

27th September 2007, 05:20 PM	#1314
Bikewer Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 9,525	We got the first one of the Dune prequels by mistake from the Sci-Fi book club. Thought I'd give it a go. Absolutely dreadful....

1st October 2007, 09:22 PM	#1315
HawaiiBigSis List Management Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Under the rainbow Posts: 5,029	Just finished "Avalon" by Anya Seton (about 40 years old) -- it was very good, but not really about what you usually associate with Avalon stories... Just about to start "Survivor" by Tabitha King. Not really doing much heavy lifting here!
	__________________ The easy confidence with which I know another man's religion is folly teaches me to suspect that my own is also. - Mark Twain

2nd October 2007, 07:12 AM	#1316
alfaniner Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sorth Dakonsin Posts: 11,382	Prey by Michael Crichton. Jurassic Park with nanoprobes.

2nd October 2007, 07:27 AM	#1317
boojum Thinker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: "On the group 'W' Bench...." Posts: 210	Remarkable Mathematicians from Euler to von Neumann by Ioan James. It's fascinating to me how much political wrangling and personal infighting is involved in mathematical careers.
	__________________ Spend the afternoon. You can't take it with you. -- Annie Dillard (Pilgrim at Tinker Creek)