Books you're currently reading??? - Page 78

DanaC · 05-09-2008, 05:34 PM

I just started reading a book today that I know, ten pages in, is going to stay in my head. The writing is beautiful, challenging and lyrical. It's called Riddley Walker, by Russel Hoban.

Written 20 years ago and republished in an anniversary edition, it's set in a post nuclear holocaust Kent in the South of England. The english language has evolved and a kind of strange mix of iron-age culture and remnants of our own culture translated through many generations until they are echoes.

The opening lines caught me as I browsed in the library:

"On my naming day when I come 12 I gone front spear and kilt a wyld boar he parbly ben the las wyld pig on the Bundel Downs any how there hadnt ben none for a long time befor him nor I aint looking to see none agen."

Sundae · 05-09-2008, 05:36 PM

Damn Dani, am gonna have to find it just on your recommendation.

wolf · 05-15-2008, 07:31 PM

John Adams - David McCullough

I'm finding out exactly how many corners were cut by HBO for the sake of pacing.

There's a lot of rich detail regarding Adam's life because he was a frequent letter writer and diarist, so there's a wealth of primary sources.

Tree Fae · 05-15-2008, 07:48 PM

I'm not even sure where I picked up the book I just started. Its called A Salty Piece of Land and it's by Jimmy Buffett. It's about a guy rebuilding a lighthouse to be a womans last resting place.

liyaHuang · 05-16-2008, 02:31 AM

well , now I am reading "who says the elephant can't dance"

dar512 · 05-22-2008, 02:53 PM

Welcome to The Cellar Liya.

I'm reading "The Maltese Falcon" by Dashiell Hammett. Very readable. So far it looks like the movie stuck very close to the book.

Chocolatl · 07-23-2008, 03:31 PM

In the past few months I went on a Neil Gaiman binge. I went through the entire Sandman series, Coraline (with one of the kids I'm tutoring), The Wolves in the Walls (with the other kid I'm tutoring), M is for Magic, Fragile Things, Marvel 1604. Oh, and a not-so-good graphic novel adaption of Neverwhere.
I think I'd probably sell a kidney to own the Absolute Sandman books.

Anyway, what I am currently reading is Philip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke and Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Tink · 07-23-2008, 05:13 PM

"Make Them Go Away: Clint Eastwood and Christopher Reeve and the Case Against Disability Rights" by Mary Johnson.

Shows all the loopholes that businesses in America find to avoid having to accomodate those with special needs. Really pisses you off sometimes as you read through it. I think I'll pick a crime drama next.

REVIEWS . . .

"You really need to read this book. If it makes you grit your teeth, read it anyway. It will help you explain to others why we need to change our way of thinking about disability rights in general and the Americans With Disabilities Act in particular."

Sundae · 07-30-2008, 08:47 AM

Just finished Don't Cry for Me Aberystwyth by Malcolm Pryce.
Fourth in a series. Superb, all of them.

Complex plots, improbable but well rounded characters, obscure motivation and a gorgeous noir twist on this Welsh seaside town. All feature Louie Knight, a private detective and a regular cast of dark and peculiar figures.

Sheldonrs · 07-30-2008, 02:06 PM

Just finished "Odd Hours" by Dean Koontz. Book 4 in the Odd Thomas series. Another great read.
Can't wait for the final "Frankenstein" installment.

DanaC · 07-30-2008, 08:14 PM

Lessee.....what am i reading now.....a Doctor Who novel (classic series) and a collection of Doctor Who short stories (Short Trips).

@SG, I know, I can see that's really surprised you:P

Sundae · 07-31-2008, 04:55 AM

I fell off my swivel chair.

Shawnee123 · 07-31-2008, 08:08 AM

I just read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" recommended by my international book club (my sis in law and I exchange books when she comes home from NZ twice a year.)

A very interesting, very different book. I am drawn to the "slice of life" type stories, human condition with all our foibles. This book was written from the perspective of a 15 year old boy with Asperger's Syndrome.

Sundae · 07-31-2008, 08:18 AM

I really enjoyed that.
Little bits stuck with me for ages afterwards.

TheMercenary · 07-31-2008, 08:24 AM

This is good.

Deer Hunting with Jesus, by Joe Bageant

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Dee...7339379/?itm=1

The photo essay which goes with the book above:
http://www.coldtype.net/Assets.06/Es...206.JoePix.pdf

His blog:
http://www.joebageant.com/

05-09-2008, 05:34 PM	#1
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	I just started reading a book today that I know, ten pages in, is going to stay in my head. The writing is beautiful, challenging and lyrical. It's called Riddley Walker, by Russel Hoban. Written 20 years ago and republished in an anniversary edition, it's set in a post nuclear holocaust Kent in the South of England. The english language has evolved and a kind of strange mix of iron-age culture and remnants of our own culture translated through many generations until they are echoes. The opening lines caught me as I browsed in the library: "On my naming day when I come 12 I gone front spear and kilt a wyld boar he parbly ben the las wyld pig on the Bundel Downs any how there hadnt ben none for a long time befor him nor I aint looking to see none agen." Last edited by DanaC; 05-09-2008 at 06:07 PM.

05-09-2008, 05:36 PM	#2
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Damn Dani, am gonna have to find it just on your recommendation. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

05-15-2008, 07:31 PM	#3
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	John Adams - David McCullough I'm finding out exactly how many corners were cut by HBO for the sake of pacing. There's a lot of rich detail regarding Adam's life because he was a frequent letter writer and diarist, so there's a wealth of primary sources. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

05-15-2008, 07:48 PM	#4
Tree Fae Major Inhabitant Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Raytown, MO Posts: 120	I'm not even sure where I picked up the book I just started. Its called A Salty Piece of Land and it's by Jimmy Buffett. It's about a guy rebuilding a lighthouse to be a womans last resting place. __________________ May the Forest Be With You!!

05-22-2008, 02:53 PM	#6
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	Welcome to The Cellar Liya. I'm reading "The Maltese Falcon" by Dashiell Hammett. Very readable. So far it looks like the movie stuck very close to the book. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

05-16-2008, 02:31 AM	#5
liyaHuang Kinda New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1	well , now I am reading "who says the elephant can't dance"

07-23-2008, 03:31 PM	#7
Chocolatl Glutton for Gluttony Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,409	In the past few months I went on a Neil Gaiman binge. I went through the entire Sandman series, Coraline (with one of the kids I'm tutoring), The Wolves in the Walls (with the other kid I'm tutoring), M is for Magic, Fragile Things, Marvel 1604. Oh, and a not-so-good graphic novel adaption of Neverwhere. I think I'd probably sell a kidney to own the Absolute Sandman books. Anyway, what I am currently reading is Philip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke and Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

07-23-2008, 05:13 PM	#8
Tink Why oh why? Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 186	"Make Them Go Away: Clint Eastwood and Christopher Reeve and the Case Against Disability Rights" by Mary Johnson. Shows all the loopholes that businesses in America find to avoid having to accomodate those with special needs. Really pisses you off sometimes as you read through it. I think I'll pick a crime drama next. REVIEWS . . . "You really need to read this book. If it makes you grit your teeth, read it anyway. It will help you explain to others why we need to change our way of thinking about disability rights in general and the Americans With Disabilities Act in particular."

07-30-2008, 08:47 AM	#9
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Just finished Don't Cry for Me Aberystwyth by Malcolm Pryce. Fourth in a series. Superb, all of them. Complex plots, improbable but well rounded characters, obscure motivation and a gorgeous noir twist on this Welsh seaside town. All feature Louie Knight, a private detective and a regular cast of dark and peculiar figures.

07-30-2008, 02:06 PM	#10
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	Just finished "Odd Hours" by Dean Koontz. Book 4 in the Odd Thomas series. Another great read. Can't wait for the final "Frankenstein" installment. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

07-30-2008, 08:14 PM	#11
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Lessee.....what am i reading now.....a Doctor Who novel (classic series) and a collection of Doctor Who short stories (Short Trips). @SG, I know, I can see that's really surprised you:P

07-31-2008, 04:55 AM	#12
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I fell off my swivel chair.

07-31-2008, 08:08 AM	#13
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	I just read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" recommended by my international book club (my sis in law and I exchange books when she comes home from NZ twice a year.) A very interesting, very different book. I am drawn to the "slice of life" type stories, human condition with all our foibles. This book was written from the perspective of a 15 year old boy with Asperger's Syndrome. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

07-31-2008, 08:18 AM	#14
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I really enjoyed that. Little bits stuck with me for ages afterwards.

07-31-2008, 08:24 AM	#15
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	This is good. Deer Hunting with Jesus, by Joe Bageant http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Dee...7339379/?itm=1 The photo essay which goes with the book above: http://www.coldtype.net/Assets.06/Es...206.JoePix.pdf His blog: http://www.joebageant.com/ __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012! Last edited by TheMercenary; 07-31-2008 at 08:59 AM.

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