The "What Are You Reading?" thread.

PyroGamer

PyroGamer

Banned
And no, I don't want any wise-ass answers like "this stupid thread".

I am currently reading:

Everything and More: A Compact History of Infinity by David Foster Wallace

The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason by Sam Harris

In Defense of American Liberties : A History of the ACLU by Samuel Walker

Edmund Burke: A Genius Reconsidered by Russell Kirk



Everything and More is fantastic, David Foster Wallace is brilliant and an absolute pleasure to read, as is the book itself. I'm sure anyone would thoroughly enjoy reading it.

The End of Faith is a bit unstructured for my liking, and all in all not as scholarly a work as it ought to be. I'm a little underwhelmed, but I'll hang on for the last two chapters.

In Defense of American Liberties is something I've been going through this past month. It's very complete in its historicity, presenting the good and the ugly, a very objective history of the ACLU (though it is, indeed, written by an active member of the union).

Edmund Burke is a decent biography, and great for someone like me who knows all too little about the man. I'm only about a chapter in, though.



I just recently finished Consumed: How Markets Corrupt Children, Infantilize Adults, and Swallow Citizens Whole, which I enjoyed, though I thought it was rather long for what its message was. Honestly, it could have had more impact as an essay in some magazine. Personally I've been cultivating some opinions extreemely close to what's presented here. When explaining them to a friend he suggested this. After reading it I suddenly realized how unoriginal my opinions are.
 
I'm not reeding anything, because reed is not a verb.

I question one's ability to read if they can't even get the fundamental verb right.

Is that a smartass enough answer for you?

/Yes. Yes it is.
 
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Then it's most likely going to be Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and then one of the many unread books I have.
 
Real answer:

Re-reeding (ho ho!) the Harry Potter series in preparation for 7. Most likely will go to Barnes and Nobles and read the "Muggle.net's Guesses for the Finale" book (I know that's not the exact title).

I've basically re-read the the third one - Prisoner of Azkaban - at this time.

Also going to pick up Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Murakami soon, and I need to finish reading a 1100+ page story my friend wrote (yes, it is that long).

Also, I don't know if Penny-Arcade volume 4 counts, but I submit to you that it does.
 
[quote name='Strell']Real answer:

Re-reeding (ho ho!) the Harry Potter series in preparation for 7. Most likely will go to Barnes and Nobles and read the "Muggle.net's Guesses for the Finale" book (I know that's not the exact title).[/quote]God, I completely forgot about that.

Chances are I'm not going to be able to request a library copy by now, I suppose. Oh well, I guess I can buy it, it is Harry Potter after all.

These books are so wonderously addictive it usually takes me overnight to finish them, and then I stock them away on my shelf never to open again, completely forgetting the plot-line in the process... oh well, it hasn't really hurt anything so far... it's just the last two books... or three... are all a big blur in my mind.

I'm worried about this next one. I don't want some "where in the world is Carmen Sandiago", globe-hopping horcrux (or however you spell it) search. In fact, I really didn't like the last few books because they didn't spend any time at hogwarts (which I think is the best part of the books). I expect even less time will be spent in the finale... now that Hogwarts is, you know, out of business.

As for my guess to a finale: Snape dies, Voldemort is never really killed.

Also, I don't know if Penny-Arcade volume 4 counts, but I submit to you that it does.
Click to expand...
But of course it does.
 
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www.madbuggygaming.com
 
[quote name='PyroGamer']ess.

As for my guess to a finale: Snape dies, Voldemort is never really killed.
[/QUOTE]

My guess it's all a dream and Harry just wakes up at the end.

I'm currently rereading Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara. I'm going to try to visit Chancellorsville during my move back to Boston next week.
 
nothign yet i tried reading worker in the light by george noory but the book was boring and i couldnt finish it also he came off a bit full of himself. so im basically waiting till harry potter and the deadly hallowws comes out im gonna buy that specail 7 book set that comes with a box and ill spend a week or so reading the final book. i would read them all over in order but im too worried about all the douchebags who will try to ruin the ending.
 
Right now I'm reading Chuck Palahniuk's new novel, Rant. It's not terribly good, but it's still better than Haunted (which was utter garbage).
 
Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose.
Never saw the mini-series but will probably check it out once I'm done with this book.
 
i used to read a fair amount when i was younger but now i really don't. i know it's because of the internet, video games, and other visual and auditory media.

i started the 5th Harry Potter book and A Confederacy of Dunces but i didn't get far in either.. got the Kite Runner as a gift and it sits unread. i fail at teh reed :(
 
Currently: Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov

Recently finished:

Foundation (enjoyed, but boy is it dated)

The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason (absolutely loved)

A Year of Lesser by David Bergen (eh. a slog by the 3/4 mark)

Marley and Me by John Grogan (eh. dog parts were good)

The Good Good Pig by Sy Montgomery (despised. grew to hate the author.)
 
Band of Brothers - Stephen Ambrose

I've read it once already but my fiancee found me a bunch of awesome military history books at a garage sale a couple weeks ago. Within the past 2 weeks I've finished "The Last Battle" and "The Longest Day" both by Cornelius Ryan.
 
[quote name='sonderiaom']Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.

It's basically a dark alice-in-wonderland that deals with a world below london.[/quote]
I looked this up on amazon and it sounds interesting. Added it to my list. Thanks!

Finishing up The Wayfarer Redemption by Sara Douglass. I was looking to get into a new fantasy series, and this one is OK. I preferred Rhapsody by Elizabeth Hayden, so I will probably continue with that series.

Also reading Naked Empire by Terry Goodkind, A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin, and Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs.
 
Where Have All The Leaders Gone? by Lee Iaccoca
Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Bennedict XVI
And soon I'll probably pick up Drew Curtis' FARK book along with the Reagan Diaries.
 
[quote name='Silencer']Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose.
Never saw the mini-series but will probably check it out once I'm done with this book.[/QUOTE]
Fantastic book, even better mini-series.

Band of Brothers definitely beats out Saving Private Ryan (and The Longest Day and whatever you want to throw out there) for best WWII story on film. Absolutely amazing.
 
I've been on a crime fiction kick lately:

I've read these the past 2 weeks

The Guards by Bruen
The Wounded And The Slain by David Goodis
Lucky At Cards by Lawrence Block

and I am currently making my way through Out by Natsuo Kirino which has been really good so far.

The only thing that sucks is my reading has gone to a crawl so far this summer


Also going to pick up Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Murakami soon
Click to expand...

I couldn't get into that one. There is some intresting stuff going on but it it was a chore to read
 
(About Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman)

[quote name='moiety']I looked this up on amazon and it sounds interesting. Added it to my list. Thanks![/quote]

Neverwhere is good. American Gods is great.
 
[quote name='blandstalker'](About Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman)



Neverwhere is good. American Gods is great.[/quote]

Quite agreed. Most anything by Neil Gaiman is an awesome read. What really got me into him was Good Omens.
 
[quote name='AK85']The Drawing of Three - Stephen King[/quote]
Have you read them all yet?? I was angry....but wanted to start over.
 
Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield (thanks to a rec from corrosivefrost) Historical fiction dealing with the Battle of Thermopylae (the battle that The 300 is loosely based on.) as told by the sole survivor to King Xerxes. Has really interesting historical details interspersed into the story of the narrator's life. Highly recommended.

I'm looking for some more book ideas so hopefully this thread will come in handy. :)

Just put in a hold for Book 7 of Harry Potter and I'm #1249 on the list in my library chain! :shock: Although I think it's indicating that they've ordered 702 copies so maybe I'll only have to wait a month or two. I can't remember but I don't think I ever got around to reading book 6, so I should try to get that one. Can't remember for certain if I read book 5 either...
 
[quote name='Maklershed']Currently reading All Souls Rising:

http://www.amazon.com/Souls-Rising-...0396657?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182730319&sr=8-1

[/QUOTE]


Historical fiction? Gates of Fire really has me in the mood for more of the same so I think I'm going to check this one out.

------------------

Neverwhere also sounded good to me and that led me to discover my library stocks some graphic novels. So I just put a hold in for Watchmen, Marvel 1602, and The Dark Knight Returns! :)
 
Lifeguard - James Patterson

Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock and Roll's Legendary Neighborhood - Michael Walker

The Expectant Father - Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-to-Be - Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash
 
Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett: Good Omens
Terry Pratchett: Reaper Man
CS Lewis: Mere Christianity
Alan Eckert: The Frontiersmen
Franklin Foer: How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization

That's what I have lined up for vacation reading.
 
Okay so if I've never read (or is it reed?) any Gaiman should I start with Neverwhere or something else? Are his novels each a separate entity?
 
Most actively reading/almost done with:
Lewis Lockwood - Beethoven: The Music and The life

In the middle of:
Francois Martin Mai - Diagnosing Genius: The Life and Death of Beethoven
Joseph Kerman - Concerto Conversations

And about 15 other books that I'm not in a rush to/don't plan to finish

Up Next:
William Kinderman - Beethoven
Scott Burnham - Beethoven Hero
The Fark.com book

For those wondering, I have my big test in January that determines if I stay around and get my PhD or get kicked out of school on my butt so I'm currently in Beethoven mode
 
A Mouth Sweeter than Salt - Toyin Falola
Discipline and Punish - Michel Foucault
Shake Hands with the Devil - Romeo Dallaire
 
[quote name='wubb']Okay so if I've never read (or is it reed?) any Gaiman should I start with Neverwhere or something else? Are his novels each a separate entity?[/QUOTE]

Stardust can be read in an afternoon, and is a pretty good indicator of his writing. It's not as satirical as Good Omens is, but I think the humor is more Pratchett than Gaiman. I may be wrong, however. There's also a film of Stardust coming out this summer, so you can buy into the hype by reading the book ahead of time.

[quote name='happy']For those wondering, I have my big test in January that determines if I stay around and get my PhD or get kicked out of school on my butt so I'm currently in Beethoven mode[/QUOTE]

Well, in that case, put that book down and get to taking notes on your prelim reading list! What are you working on your degree in?
 
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami- a beautiful, strange and haunting book. (Technically I'm not reading it. I have the audio book version which is terrific.)
 
Last week I read I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. I absolutely loved it.

Jeff long's The Wall is sitting in front of me waiting to be next.
 
Sorry, should have been clearer, the absurd number of Beethoven books are for the test, because I'm studying to be a musicologist. We don't get any kind of reading list except to know as much as you can about everything having to do with music.

I already have plans to teach a video game music class, one of the older students is doing it this summer, so I'll need to wait a few years till he gives it up.

Supposedly there's someone in Canada working on a video game music textbook
 
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