[Books] What are you currently reading?

**TheOriginalGrumpySpy** · 12-23-2008, 04:19 PM

I've just finished Vonnegut's Galapagos and absolutely loved it. This was the first book I've read in 3 months that wasn't assigned and it was absolutely brilliant in true Vonnegut style. This was after reading Alias Grace (Atwood), Snow Crash (Stephenson), And Then There Were None (Christie), The Long Goodbye (Chandler), and Mrs. Dalloway (Woolf) so you could understand why I would revel in Galapagos.

I've just picked up Into the Wild and surprised how brilliant Krakauer's writing and McCandless' story truly is.

What are you reading?

**Killuminati** · 12-23-2008, 04:42 PM

I am reading through The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene again. last time I read it was a couple of years ago and I didn't get through the string theory portion of it but this time I am going to. Even if string theory can't be proven right now and might be a bunch of horse shit, it is still pretty interesting. I absolutely recommend this book for anyone interested at all in physics/quantum mechanics. Brian Greene presents all of the material without going into the math and allows for the book to be read by people without a phd in physics. It is some of the craziest shit I have ever read and it has sparked many interesting conversations.

**djwolford** · 12-23-2008, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by Killuminati

I am reading through The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene again.

I love that book very much. I also enjoyed The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene.

Right now I'm reading In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols.

**Pepè Silvia** · 12-23-2008, 05:57 PM

Less Than Zero by BEE.

I'm looking forward to reading Into the Wild as well.

**gwahir** · 12-23-2008, 06:27 PM

I'm currently reading Watchmen -- I got it for my birthday. I'm about a quarter of the way through and I really don't know how I feel about it yet.

**Killuminati** · 12-23-2008, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by djwolford

I love that book very much. I also enjoyed The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene.

Right now I'm reading In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols.

The Fabric of the Cosmos was also good. I have that but I couldn't find it, I'm not sure what happened to it. I need to find that and give it another read.

**Mad Pino Rage** · 12-23-2008, 06:37 PM

Haven't read so much and spent so much on books since I've joined the Navy, and all of my reading has been nonfiction. Didn't bring any of my books with me on vacation, but just a brief overview of what I've read in the past three months.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Thurgood-Marshall-Revolutionary-Juan-Williams/dp/0812932994/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230072421&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary (9780812932997): Juan Williams: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mpjkvh-jL.@@AMEPARAM@@51mpjkvh-jL[/ame] by Juan Williams
One of the first books I picked up in my original book buying spree, and was the first one to be finished. Didn't know if I felt like a Jim Crow or disappointed in some characteristics of Thurgood Marshall and his life. No matter what, it goes in depth to what he did and how he did it to do so much for black Americans.

Introduction to Philosophy

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Brief-History-Paradox-Philosophy-Labyrinths/dp/0195179862/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230072346&sr=1-2"]Amazon.com: A Brief History of the Paradox: Philosophy and the Labyrinths of the Mind (9780195179866): Roy Sorensen: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Y1GNo1Q4L.@@AMEPARAM@@51Y1GNo1Q4L[/ame] by Roy Sorensen
Beyond my comprehension. The reason I purchased Introduction to Philosophy.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Einstein-Life-Universe-Walter-Isaacson/dp/0743264746/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230072709&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Einstein: His Life and Universe (9780743264747): Walter Isaacson: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ms8Z2dU1L.@@AMEPARAM@@51ms8Z2dU1L[/ame] by Walter Isaacson
So far, the best book and biography that I have read.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Making-Your-Case-Persuading-Judges/dp/0314184716/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230073303&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges (9780314184719): Antonin Scalia, Bryan A. Garner: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518Hvp3c56L.@@AMEPARAM@@518Hvp3c56L[/ame] by Antonin Scalia and Bryan A. Garner
A lot of lawyer talk but not so much to obstruct my reading. Would go back and read again once I find a dictionary of lawyer talk. Like a big book of advice on procedures for people just jumping into a law profession.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/1776-David-McCullough/dp/0743226720/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230073415&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: 1776 (9780743226721): David McCullough: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PCWA0Y7GL.@@AMEPARAM@@51PCWA0Y7GL[/ame] by David McCullough
Details fledgling America mostly focusing on George Washington, his most trusted officers, friends, and the ragtag army he commanded, with counterpoint narratives of King George III and Parliament. Really makes the British commanders to look like blunderous fools who let their arrogance and petty quarrels explode into big advantages for George Washington. Personal letters from troops, from Washington, and others also provides insight into the people who may have not known what this nation would grow into. An enjoyable read.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Sailors-History-U-S-Navy/dp/1591141516/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230073923&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: A Sailor's History of the U.S. Navy (9781591141518): Thomas J. Cutler: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Y2D-WjhkL.@@AMEPARAM@@51Y2D-WjhkL[/ame] by Thomas J. Cutler
Sometimes gruesome descriptions, maybe overzealous, but was very much inspiring.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Red-Queen-Evolution-Human-Nature/dp/0060556579/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230074025&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature (9780060556570): Matt Ridley: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512y3sBog6L.@@AMEPARAM@@512y3sBog6L[/ame] by Matt Ridley
Kind of a ridiculous read but I guess I took something from it and have no merit to judge the content.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Physics-Albert-Einstein/dp/0671201565/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230074165&sr=1-3"]Amazon.com: The Evolution of Physics (9780671201562): Albert Einstein, Leopold Infeld: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RARoprVQL.@@AMEPARAM@@41RARoprVQL[/ame] by Albert Einstein and Leopold Infeld

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Relativity-Special-General-Albert-Einstein/dp/055436932X/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230074330&sr=1-8"]Amazon.com: Relativity: The Special and General Theory (9780554369327): Albert Einstein: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RafhXkP%2BL.@@AMEPARAM@@41RafhXkP%2BL[/ame] by Albert Einstein
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Art-War-Sun-Tzu/dp/1438241593/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230074495&sr=1-9"]Amazon.com: The Art of War (9781438241593): Sun Tzu: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41FKKDUfNUL.@@AMEPARAM@@41FKKDUfNUL[/ame] by Sun Tzu
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/War-Carl-von-Clausewitz/dp/9562915883/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230074495&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: On War (9789562915885): Carl Von Clausewitz, Colonel J.J. Graham: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QkGtKlVnL.@@AMEPARAM@@51QkGtKlVnL[/ame] by Carl von Clausewitz
The Penguin classic versions of these three books that have several pages to explain what it is I was about to read. Probably helped me understand them a little better that if I jumped straight in. Really influenced me to read most of the books on this list.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Jackets-Manual-Naval-Institute/dp/B000SOQB56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230074840&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: The Blue Jackets Manual, 21st Edition, U.S. Naval Institute: Books[/ame] by Bill Bearden
A book I haven't entirely read but should.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Benjamin-Franklin-American-Walter-Isaacson/dp/B001LNOONO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230074890&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (9780743258074): Walter Isaacson: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51X9X2XGVYL.@@AMEPARAM@@51X9X2XGVYL[/ame] by Walter Isaacson
This is what I am currently reading, and about halfway in and quite hooked. Wish I had brought it with me.

Also purchased some For Dummies book on Pre-Algebra, Algebra I and II, and Geometry, and being that it is the first time I've picked up a For Dummies book, I'm amazed at what they offer.

There are many other books I'm reading or have purchased and haven't picked up, but I can't remember them at this moment.

**Pepsi** · 12-23-2008, 08:07 PM

For some reason, I don't know why...but I'm reading the seventh Harry Potter book.

I'm also reading Revelation Unveiled by Tim Lahaye, Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, the complete works of H.G. Wells, To Kill A Mockingbird, and A Mind That Found Itself by Clifford W. Beers.

Whichever is nearest, I'll pick up and read it.

**KT.** · 12-23-2008, 08:29 PM

I just started Children's Art by Miriam Lindstrom.

I'm also reading 101 Wacky Computer Jokes.

**simonj** · 12-24-2008, 09:15 PM

I've just about finished reading a proof copy of Up A Tree In A Park At Night With A Hedgehog by P. Robert Smith. It comes out on 5th Feb and I'd thoroughly recommend it to the Brits among us. It was original, moving and completely hilarious.

Since I've been studying it in college I've read Macbeth a few times recently. And Saint-Huxbury's The Little Prince.

I'll probably now read either Muriel Spark's The Ballad of Peckham Rye, Haruki Murakami's After Dark or, because I've been in a bit of a Sci-fi mood recently, something by Arthur C. Clarke or Isaac Asimov.

**Shinysides** · 12-24-2008, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by Killuminati

I am reading through The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene again. last time I read it was a couple of years ago and I didn't get through the string theory portion of it but this time I am going to. Even if string theory can't be proven right now and might be a bunch of horse shit, it is still pretty interesting. I absolutely recommend this book for anyone interested at all in physics/quantum mechanics. Brian Greene presents all of the material without going into the math and allows for the book to be read by people without a phd in physics. It is some of the craziest shit I have ever read and it has sparked many interesting conversations.

No, fucking way. I am also reading The Elegant Universe.

**Killuminati** · 12-24-2008, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Shinysides

No, fucking way. I am also reading The Elegant Universe.

It's a great book isn't it? Probably the single most interesting book I have ever read.

**coqauvin** · 12-24-2008, 10:25 PM

I recently just finished reading Collapse! by Jared Diamond which was a fascinating glimpse into some of the overarching themes that many failed societies shared, and why some succeeded in difficult conditions while others faltered in easy-going places.

His previous work, Guns, Germs and Steel was again an incredibly well (read:easy to read) written short history of the world, and why certain cultures excelled while others remained static (namely, the explosion of Europeans across the world contrasted with the Aborigines of Australia). I really, really recommend both of them.

On the entertainment side, I read a fantasy novel called Deadhouse Gates - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File

eadhouse_Gates.jpg" class="image"><img alt="Deadhouse Gates.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/11/Deadhouse_Gates.jpg/200px-Deadhouse_Gates.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/1/11/Deadhouse_Gates.jpg/200px-Deadhouse_Gates.jpg, part of a fantasy series that is both immense and completely epic. If you like fantasy, you will probably sustain a massive erection through the entirety of the book.

On, what I suppose is, the road of self-enlightenment, I have a few to list. The 33 Strategies of War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:33StratagiesWar.jpg" class="image"><img alt="33StratagiesWar.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b1/33StratagiesWar.jpg/125px-33StratagiesWar.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/b/b1/33StratagiesWar.jpg/125px-33StratagiesWar.jpg was a pretty interesting read, in terms of shifting your perspective on how to deal with a problem, or a problematic person/group of people. It was like Art of War, except without the cryptic, vague messages (which was arguably worse, because it is easier to see a solution or answer you want in something that is vaguely worded, like a Rorschach inkblot), and I found it also useful in identifying trends and types of political stances and choices that politicians make, especially when combined with his first book: The 48 Laws of Power - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:GreeneRobert-48LawsOfPower.jpg" class="image" title="Robert Greene"><img alt="Robert Greene" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9d/GreeneRobert-48LawsOfPower.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@en/9/9d/GreeneRobert-48LawsOfPower.jpg. I mean, both of these had their fair share of bullshit throughout them, but they were both interesting reads and got me much more interested in politics, government or otherwise.

**mutton** · 12-25-2008, 02:57 AM

watchmen by alan moore
survivor by chuck palahniuk
american gods by neil gaiman
a storm of swords by george r.r. martin
do androids dream of electric sheep? by philip k. dick

the elegant universe
hackers & painters by paul graham
from metaphysics to ethics by frank jackson
complex analysis by ahlfors
topology by munkres

alice in wonderland by lewis carroll
exterminator! by william s. burroughs
only revolutions by mark z. danielewski

**captain castle** · 12-25-2008, 04:45 AM

Deep Simplicity

It's about deterministic chaos

**gwahir** · 12-25-2008, 06:50 AM

i really like mutton's list.

**captain castle** · 12-25-2008, 09:50 AM

Watchmen is amazing

**no_brains_no_worries** · 12-25-2008, 10:03 AM

I am currently reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Now, I'm really not into thrillers and "Corporate Intrigue" should be a sub-sub-sub-sub-sub/watered down spy genre. But, it's pretty good. Kinda of dry, but really keeps you hooked.

**Shinysides** · 12-25-2008, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Killuminati

It's a great book isn't it? Probably the single most interesting book I have ever read.

Yeah. I also really like A Brief History of Time, but Elegant Universe is a little better written in my opinion. I'm just starting to read Quantum, A guide for the Perplexed and it looks pretty interesting too.

**captain castle** · 12-26-2008, 02:43 AM

I just got Dark Scar and the sequel for Christmas. I'm like 8 pages in, and it's ok. Allegedly the author is the new Neil Gaiman.

**KT.** · 12-26-2008, 02:54 AM

What happened to the old Neil Gaiman?

**captain castle** · 12-26-2008, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by KT.

What happened to the old Neil Gaiman?

Holy crap I :lol:ed so hard! I don't even know why but for some reason this incredibly retarded and misguided attempt at humor made me burst out in a chuckle that had all my coworkers staring

Oh wait, no it didn't. It was just a really fucking stupid post that deserves to go down in history as the second worst moment, right after Pepsi's conception

**gwahir** · 12-26-2008, 03:13 AM

Originally Posted by captain castle

Holy crap I :lol:ed so hard! I don't even know why but for some reason this incredibly retarded and misguided attempt at humor made me burst out in a chuckle that had all my coworkers staring

Oh wait, no it didn't. It was just a really fucking stupid post that deserves to go down in history as the second worst moment, right after Pepsi's conception

okay seriously this is overreacting so rein it in there before you have to get mod-slapped buddy

**captain castle** · 12-26-2008, 04:22 AM

Originally Posted by gwahir

okay seriously this is overreacting so rein it in there before you have to get mod-slapped buddy

lol Jem do you need to listen to some hook soundtrack?

But seriously, I'm just in a foul mood because it's Christmas and I'm at work and I've already been sworn at for about an hour by an elderly man.

Gets ya annoyed quick

**mkdisciple** · 12-28-2008, 01:14 AM

Dopefiend by Donald Goines. I'm on my third read. Its about black people in the ghetto on heroin. Shits grimey.

**KT.** · 12-28-2008, 02:04 AM

I just finished 101 Wacky Computer Jokes and have moved on to Monster Jokes and Riddles.

I love campy/cheesy jokes and puns.

Some highlights of 101 Wacky Computer Jokes:

Q. Where does Spider-Man find a date?
A. The World Wide Web

Q. Why did the witch buy a computer?
A. She needed spell-check

Q. Where do cool mice live?
A. In mousepads

If you like this type of humor I would definitely recommend this book. For this genre I rate the book 8/10.

**coqauvin** · 12-28-2008, 02:32 AM

wow kt you are something special

**Nadia** · 12-28-2008, 02:38 AM

I just started reading Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez.

I saw the movie in Hispanic Literature class but we never got to read it (which is fucked up), so I went and got the book myself and it is rather nice.

Next is The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende.

**victrola** · 12-28-2008, 03:42 PM

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.

It's taking a long time to read for me.

**simonj** · 12-29-2008, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by Nadia

I just started reading Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez.

I saw the movie in Hispanic Literature class but we never got to read it (which is fucked up), so I went and got the book myself and it is rather nice.

Next is The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende.

I've tried reading One Hundred Years Of Solitude a few times but I always give up after a while because I get confused about which character is which (I'm no good with foreign names).

Currently Reading Isaac Asimov's The Martian Way.

**MalReynolds** · 12-29-2008, 03:10 PM

Lyses' Story/Duma Key/Past Sunset. The 3 Steven King novels I have not read.

**Atmosfear** · 12-31-2008, 03:02 AM

On my roadtrip, I read or audiobooked (driving

) the following: Marley and Me, which was good; My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler, which was whorishly entertaining; Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, which was more of the same (easy to listen to while driving); Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk, which has officially made me uninterested in any more of his books after Fight Club and Choke; I Am Legend, which was better than the movie; and Twilight, which is terrible but I read it for ammunition because I have a friend obsessed with it and it's a know-thy-enemy type of situation to annoy her.

**TheOriginalGrumpySpy** · 12-31-2008, 03:08 AM

Originally Posted by Atmosfear

On my roadtrip, I read or audiobooked (driving

) the following: Marley and Me, which was good; My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler, which was whorishly entertaining; Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, which was more of the same (easy to listen to while driving); Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk, which has officially made me uninterested in any more of his books after Fight Club and Choke; I Am Legend, which was better than the movie; and Twilight, which is terrible but I read it for ammunition because I have a friend obsessed with it and it's a know-thy-enemy type of situation to annoy her.

I actually prefered Survivor to Choke but would highly recommend Rant. After that I think you'll probably have the full Palahniuk spectrum.

**Atmosfear** · 12-31-2008, 03:14 AM

I am not reading any more books about maladjusted, socially-impaired nihilists.

Edit: but thanks though

**jack burden** · 12-31-2008, 04:27 AM

Originally Posted by Atmosfear

and Twilight, which is terrible but I read it for ammunition because I have a friend obsessed with it and it's a know-thy-enemy type of situation to annoy her.

Whatever helps you sleep at night, homo.

I just started reading Elmer Gantry.

**coqauvin** · 12-31-2008, 10:47 AM

Well, I started reading the God Delusion by Dawkins, but i haven't made it past the introduction yet because I keep getting so frustrated at some of the ridiculous statements he makes. I'm still going to finish it eventually, but I have such huge issues with how he presents his work that I can't take him seriously.

I was given "the Outliers" as a Christmas/Welcome gift by my aunt and uncle here, and even though I know a few of the points (thanks to Atmosfear) already, it is still a pretty fascinating read. I'm thinking of picking up more books on the same subject by him.

**TPLefever** · 12-31-2008, 11:53 AM

In the past 3 days I've read The Conspiracy Club by Jonathan Kellerman and Digital Fortress by Dan Brown. I don't normally read, but I've been getting seriously bored over here in the sandbox lately and just tore these books up. Today I bought You've Been Warned by James Patterson, When Darkness Falls by James Grippando and Mom Said Kill by Burl Barer (I read just over half of Mom Said Kill and I don't think I like "True Crime" all that much after having done so, it's not what I thought it would be).

Originally Posted by coqauvin

Well, I started reading the God Delusion by Dawkins, but i haven't made it past the introduction yet because I keep getting so frustrated at some of the ridiculous statements he makes. I'm still going to finish it eventually, but I have such huge issues with how he presents his work that I can't take him seriously.

I was given "the Outliers" as a Christmas/Welcome gift by my aunt and uncle here, and even though I know a few of the points (thanks to Atmosfear) already, it is still a pretty fascinating read. I'm thinking of picking up more books on the same subject by him.

I actually bought The God Delusion almost a year ago or more now. I read maybe the first quarter of it, and loved how it went. I'm going to have my parents send it to me here so I can finish, or re-start it rather.

**Atmosfear** · 12-31-2008, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by coqauvin

Well, I started reading the God Delusion by Dawkins, but i haven't made it past the introduction yet because I keep getting so frustrated at some of the ridiculous statements he makes. I'm still going to finish it eventually, but I have such huge issues with how he presents his work that I can't take him seriously.

I was given "the Outliers" as a Christmas/Welcome gift by my aunt and uncle here, and even though I know a few of the points (thanks to Atmosfear) already, it is still a pretty fascinating read. I'm thinking of picking up more books on the same subject by him.

Skip Blink by Gladwell. It's not very well-written and I didn't find it worth my time.

The Tipping Point is really Gladwell's magnum opus and it put him on the map. It isn't perfect (his theory regarding crime, for example, is flawed), but much like Outliers, he has some great ideas.

**TheOriginalGrumpySpy** · 12-31-2008, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by Atmosfear

Skip Blink by Gladwell. It's not very well-written and I didn't find it worth my time.

Someone finally agrees with me.

**thefecesthrowinggod** · 01-04-2009, 07:09 PM

Right now I'm finishing House Of Leaves (Mark Z. Danielewski) for the 14th time, and I still am blown away by it. When I'm finished with that, I think I'm going to move on to Cloud Atlas (David Mitchell) and then reread The Raw Shark Texts (Steven Hall). Each of these may be described as hard to read, but when you put forth the effort, they are incredibly well structrued and written books, they'll be in my library for a long time.