Previous Book: The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell
Current Book: That Hideous Strength, Clive Staples Lewis
Next Book:Likely a choice between Stand on Zanzibar, by John Brunner, or The Demolished Man, by Alfred Bester, or something that one of you guys suggest.
I just finished reading Digital Fortress by Dan Brown. I have now read all 3 non-DaVinci books by Brown and have been disappointed by each one.
They all start out with a cool premise and storyline, but all become very obvious and boring down the stretch.
I am a big fan of John Sandford. He has written probably 15+ "Prey" series books about a homicide detective named Lucas Davenport. They are set up in a similar fashion to books by James Patterson, but I think that Sandford is a better writer.
If you enjoy Patterson, pick one of Sandford's books up. You can usually find them at a used book store for like a buck or 2. Sandford does write them in a chronological order (i.e. besides the murder investigation, the character's lives are discussed) so if you start near the beginning of the series it will make more sense as you read. (i.e. kind of like watching Seinfeld. Knowing the history isn't critical to understanding the plot, but adds to it if you do.)
I read DiVinci when it came out, but this was already after reading just about all of the books that he referenced or borrowed from. I was expecting something a bit better, and I'm not particularly fond of his writing style. Still, I appreciate his effort to get the masses to think about certain topics, and I guess that's why he dumbed down his writing so much, IMO.
Sophandros Wrote:....Still, I appreciate his effort to get the masses to think about certain topics, .....
How is a complete work of fiction supposed to "get the masses to think about certain topics"?
I am currently reading
The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life by Charles Stanley
Sophandros Wrote:I read DiVinci when it came out, but this was already after reading just about all of the books that he referenced or borrowed from. I was expecting something a bit better, and I'm not particularly fond of his writing style. Still, I appreciate his effort to get the masses to think about certain topics, and I guess that's why he dumbed down his writing so much, IMO.
I'm not sure that was his goal. Although I have not yet read DaVinci, his sophmoric approach in the other 3 tells me that that is just his style. He tries to be tricky with a twist, but the whole time he is jumping up and down and waving his hands telling you where he is going, so that it is clear what the twist is about 10 chapters before he gets there.
The other thing that is funny to me is that each book has a "true" element that he tells you all about (anti-matter, code breaking, space telescope) and then he mixes that with a bunch of stuff he "creates" or manipulates, creating the illusion of "everything in my book must be true" leading critical thinkers to question and "sheep" to foolishly believe.
Just finished reading:
Elaine Pagels,
Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas
Currently reading:
Nevada Barr,
Endangered Species
Marge Piercy,
Sex Wars
Up next:
Nevada Barr,
Liberty Falling
Richard Feynman,
What do you care what other people think? (I'd started reading this but left off awhile ago)
Murray Sperber,
Beer and Circus: how big-time college sports is crippling undergraduate education
Skimming so I can catalog 'em*:
a shload of digitized 19th & 20th century German Jewish periodicals
*doesn't count as "reading"; but man oh man, am I spending a lot of time looking at them!
[EDIT] goofed on the dates -- it's 19th & 20th, not 18th & 19th. Duhhh.
blah Wrote:I just finished reading Digital Fortress by Dan Brown. I have now read all 3 non-DaVinci books by Brown and have been disappointed by each one.
They all start out with a cool premise and storyline, but all become very obvious and boring down the stretch.
Angels & Demons was the best Dan Brown book. Hands down. Digital Fortess was a joke, and Deception Point was even worse.
blah Wrote:I am a big fan of John Sandford. He has written probably 15+ "Prey" series books about a homicide detective named Lucas Davenport. They are set up in a similar fashion to books by James Patterson, but I think that Sandford is a better writer.
If you enjoy Patterson, pick one of Sandford's books up. You can usually find them at a used book store for like a buck or 2. Sandford does write them in a chronological order (i.e. besides the murder investigation, the character's lives are discussed) so if you start near the beginning of the series it will make more sense as you read. (i.e. kind of like watching Seinfeld. Knowing the history isn't critical to understanding the plot, but adds to it if you do.)
Patterson's a hack. His early Alex Cross stuff was great, but ever since leaving the DC PD, and going FBI, the books have stunk.
Currently, I'm reading "A Confederacy of Dunces", by John Kennedy Toole. Hilarious. Too bad the guy got so depressed he killed himself before the book (or anything else he might have ever written) got published.
I'm a big fan of James Rollins, Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, Clive Cussler, Jack DuBrul, Jeffery Deaver, Michael Connelly, and a few more. I'll read anything written by that list above without worry of quality dropping. (Although Cussler's recent work is questionable, he has plenty of books in his catalogue that do NOT suck, and will keep you reading for a long time).
lauramac Wrote:Currently reading:
Marge Piercy, Sex Wars
I know how that one ends.....
The woman always wins. ;-)
blah Wrote:lauramac Wrote:Currently reading:
Marge Piercy, Sex Wars
I know how that one ends.....
The woman always wins. ;-)
And the man takes up residence on the couch!
rteynor Wrote:Currently, I'm reading "A Confederacy of Dunces", by John Kennedy Toole. Hilarious.
Indeed! lmfao
I am a fan of many of Peter Benchley's books.
GrayBeard Wrote:Sophandros Wrote:....Still, I appreciate his effort to get the masses to think about certain topics, .....
How is a complete work of fiction supposed to "get the masses to think about certain topics"?
I am currently reading The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life by Charles Stanley
Well, people think about the stuff in the Bible, now don't they?
lauramac Wrote:Just finished reading:
Elaine Pagels, Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas
Currently reading:
Nevada Barr, Endangered Species
Marge Piercy, Sex Wars
Up next:
Nevada Barr, Liberty Falling
Richard Feynman, What do you care what other people think? (I'd started reading this but left off awhile ago)
Murray Sperber, Beer and Circus: how big-time college sports is crippling undergraduate education
Skimming so I can catalog 'em*:
a shload of digitized 18th & 19th century German Jewish periodicals
*doesn't count as "reading"; but man oh man, am I spending a lot of time looking at them!
I like Pagels and her approach to things.
rteynor Wrote:blah Wrote:I just finished reading Digital Fortress by Dan Brown. I have now read all 3 non-DaVinci books by Brown and have been disappointed by each one.
They all start out with a cool premise and storyline, but all become very obvious and boring down the stretch.
Angels & Demons was the best Dan Brown book. Hands down. Digital Fortess was a joke, and Deception Point was even worse.
blah Wrote:I am a big fan of John Sandford. He has written probably 15+ "Prey" series books about a homicide detective named Lucas Davenport. They are set up in a similar fashion to books by James Patterson, but I think that Sandford is a better writer.
If you enjoy Patterson, pick one of Sandford's books up. You can usually find them at a used book store for like a buck or 2. Sandford does write them in a chronological order (i.e. besides the murder investigation, the character's lives are discussed) so if you start near the beginning of the series it will make more sense as you read. (i.e. kind of like watching Seinfeld. Knowing the history isn't critical to understanding the plot, but adds to it if you do.)
Patterson's a hack. His early Alex Cross stuff was great, but ever since leaving the DC PD, and going FBI, the books have stunk.
Currently, I'm reading "A Confederacy of Dunces", by John Kennedy Toole. Hilarious. Too bad the guy got so depressed he killed himself before the book (or anything else he might have ever written) got published.
I'm a big fan of James Rollins, Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, Clive Cussler, Jack DuBrul, Jeffery Deaver, Michael Connelly, and a few more. I'll read anything written by that list above without worry of quality dropping. (Although Cussler's recent work is questionable, he has plenty of books in his catalogue that do NOT suck, and will keep you reading for a long time).
Toole also wrote
The Neon Bible, which is an unfinished novel.
Confederacy is one of the greatest American novels ever written, IMO.
GrayBeard Wrote:Sophandros Wrote:GrayBeard Wrote:Sophandros Wrote:....Still, I appreciate his effort to get the masses to think about certain topics, .....
How is a complete work of fiction supposed to "get the masses to think about certain topics"?
I am currently reading The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life by Charles Stanley
Well, people think about the stuff in the Bible, now don't they?
Sophandros, the drama queen. I absolutely regret taking the bait that you tossed out there.
Nah, dude, I'm just giving you a hard time. You asked whether fiction can inspire thought, and I responded with the most published peice of fiction that his inspired the most thought.
Sorry to burst your bubble.
BTW, you may have noticed the author of the book I'm currently reading.
Sophandros Wrote:Nah, dude, I'm just giving you a hard time. You asked whether fiction can inspire thought, and I responded with the most published peice of fiction that his inspired the most thought.
Sorry to burst your bubble.
BTW, you may have noticed the author of the book I'm currently reading.
One day the truth will be revealed, but no one can make you see what you refuse to until that time.
As far as your current book, who is it? Should I know him?
GrayBeard Wrote:Sophandros Wrote:Nah, dude, I'm just giving you a hard time. You asked whether fiction can inspire thought, and I responded with the most published peice of fiction that his inspired the most thought.
Sorry to burst your bubble.
BTW, you may have noticed the author of the book I'm currently reading.
One day the truth will be revealed, but no one can make you see what you refuse to until that time.
As far as your current book, who is it? Should I know him?
Ahh, CS Lewis...sheesh. I have not read any of his stuff, so I didn't get the full name thing.
GrayBeard Wrote:GrayBeard Wrote:Sophandros Wrote:Nah, dude, I'm just giving you a hard time. You asked whether fiction can inspire thought, and I responded with the most published peice of fiction that his inspired the most thought.
Sorry to burst your bubble.
BTW, you may have noticed the author of the book I'm currently reading.
One day the truth will be revealed, but no one can make you see what you refuse to until that time.
As far as your current book, who is it? Should I know him?
Ahh, CS Lewis...sheesh. I have not read any of his stuff, so I didn't get the full name thing.
No worries at all.
Lots of non-fiction, heavily focused on 3-6 page articles related to relevant scientific advances.
I forsee this trend continuing for at least the next 3-4 months, with a slight shift into reading larger works of my own invention. (EDIT: that's also soon to be a recurring feature of l-mac's reading list as well)
Saturn by Ben Bova
previous: The Precipice by Ben Bova
Weak Link: The Feminization of the American Military by Brian Mitchell
The best laid out argument against women in the military I have read (perhaps because it is the first I have read). Talks about more than just problems regarding strength.
Currently reading (when I have some free time): E=mc^2: A Biography of the World's Most Famous Equation by David Bodanis
I'm reading this board
;-)
Sadly enough...I'm reading "Actuarial Mathematics"
Quote:Sadly enough...I'm reading "Actuarial Mathematics"
interesting selection. Please let me know how that experience works out for you. It's enough to make a person think about his own mortality.
And yes, I
AM evil. Why do you ask?
Just finished "Down and Out in London and Paris" by George Orwell. I'm also currentley reading about 10 books. I'm halfway through "The Partner," by Grisham, almost done with "Snows of Kilamanjaro" by Hemingway, almost done with "the Next Attack," by David Benjamin and somebody else. I'm a little bit through "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad. I can't wait to start my new Jack Kerouac book "Desulation Angels."
niusfactuary Wrote:Sadly enough...I'm reading "Actuarial Mathematics"
As someone who once walked down that path, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Inorganic Chemistry
F. A. Cotton
I can feel the jealousy radiating from the screen.
Just finished:
She's Having a Baby -- and I'm Having a Breakdown by James Douglas Barron (I had to make sure it was suitable for my husband)
Currently reading:
What to Expect When You're Expecting
I was also reading a novel, but I appear to have left it at my aunts. I read that when other people are around, because I don't want their imaginations running wild!
Next:
The Feminist Mystique by Betty Friedan (probably...my list is subject to change)
TUfan Wrote:What to Expect When You're Expecting
That was always with my wife through all three pregnancies.
GrayBeard Wrote:TUfan Wrote:What to Expect When You're Expecting
That was always with my wife through all three pregnancies.
I've heard it is the best on the market. True or not? It's certainly a matter of opinion, but so far, I have found it to be informative and helpful.
TUfan Wrote:GrayBeard Wrote:TUfan Wrote:What to Expect When You're Expecting
That was always with my wife through all three pregnancies.
I've heard it is the best on the market. True or not? It's certainly a matter of opinion, but so far, I have found it to be informative and helpful.
Doesn't reading that book take all the fun and suprise out of child rearing? "Why's he crying? Maybe he wants to go for a ride, or play with these scissors." It seems as though that's the approach my parents took.
Ziggy Stardust Wrote:TUfan Wrote:GrayBeard Wrote:TUfan Wrote:What to Expect When You're Expecting
That was always with my wife through all three pregnancies.
I've heard it is the best on the market. True or not? It's certainly a matter of opinion, but so far, I have found it to be informative and helpful.
Doesn't reading that book take all the fun and suprise out of child rearing? "Why's he crying? Maybe he wants to go for a ride, or play with these scissors." It seems as though that's the approach my parents took.
It's more about the pregnancy (understanding the changes your body is going through, picking the right doctor and method for you, etc) and asking the doctors the right questions.
GrayBeard Wrote:That was always with my wife through all three pregnancies.
Three?!?!?!? May I recommend:
![[Image: 0517885069.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIlitb-dp...ZZZZZ_.jpg]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0517885069.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIlitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,32,-59_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
OwlJacket Wrote:GrayBeard Wrote:That was always with my wife through all three pregnancies.
Three?!?!?!? May I recommend:
lmfao lmfao lmfao
ShoreBuc Wrote:OwlJacket Wrote:GrayBeard Wrote:That was always with my wife through all three pregnancies.
Three?!?!?!? May I recommend:
lmfao lmfao lmfao
Don't encourage him!
GrayBeard Wrote:ShoreBuc Wrote:OwlJacket Wrote:GrayBeard Wrote:That was always with my wife through all three pregnancies.
Three?!?!?!? May I recommend:
lmfao lmfao lmfao
Don't encourage him!
Thats all right GrayBeard, I know you are just creating a pipeline of future ECU student athletes
ShoreBuc Wrote:GrayBeard Wrote:ShoreBuc Wrote:OwlJacket Wrote:GrayBeard Wrote:That was always with my wife through all three pregnancies.
Three?!?!?!? May I recommend:
lmfao lmfao lmfao
Don't encourage him!
Thats all right GrayBeard, I know you are just creating a pipeline of future ECU student athletes
My dreams of having my sons play for my alma mater on a sub-standard pathetic excuse of a team were dashed when ECU dropped it's men's soccer team.
Hey, but my daughter could still play for the women's team.
Just finished reading: Genevieve (Eric Jerome Dickey)
ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:porn
You'll go blind!
GrayBeard Wrote:ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:porn
You'll go blind!
Don't worry, the've got you covered:
![[Image: brailleplayboy.jpg]](http://southgaeagle.younce.net/misc/brailleplayboy.jpg)
I saw that at the Ray Charles exhibit at the Smithsonian American History museum... as the caption says: "Ray Charles enjoyed reading the articles in Braille editions of Playboy magazine and Reader's Digest. The LIbrary of Congress has produced the Braille version of Playboy (without pictures) since 1970.
GrayBeard Wrote:ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:porn
You'll go blind!
Better blind than with a whole litter of whelps...
OwlJacket Wrote:GrayBeard Wrote:ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:porn
You'll go blind!
Better blind than with a whole litter of whelps...
Kinda stuck on that, aren't you.
GrayBeard Wrote:Kinda stuck on that, aren't you.
All I'm saying is that you shouldn't criticize someone for making responsible choices.
OwlJacket Wrote:GrayBeard Wrote:Kinda stuck on that, aren't you.
All I'm saying is that you shouldn't criticize someone for making responsible choices.
???? I don't get it. Are you implying that I have not been responsible?
