What are you reading right now?

[DrWho42]

Currently reading Eastern Standard Tribe (http://www.craphound.com/est/) which is a good read so far.

[Joe Beaudoin Jr.]

I finished reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman... my gods, what a boring book. Very disappointing.

I'm presently reading Harlan Ellison's "Spider Kiss". Very good book. I read it before, but it's been a while.

[JDS]

I'm in the middle of Insomnia by Stephen King and Bleak House by Charles Dickens. Not sure how I ended up reading both at once, but it's sort of a moot point because I'm stalled on both due to how busy I've been. I'll probably finish them during Christmas break.

[BklynBruzer]

I'm reading Vision of the Future (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Vision_of_the_Future), a Star Wars EU story at the moment. It's one of the Star Wars stories written by the brilliant Timothy Zahn (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Timothy_Zahn), one of the few EU Star Wars writers I can stand.

[Steelviper]

Amish Society (http://www.amazon.com/Amish-Society-John-Hostetler/dp/0801844428/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195591401&sr=8-1). I swiped it from my wife, but it's been good when I've been able to get a chance to read it.

[aylinn]

I actually am reading "The Witcher" by Andrzej Sapkowski. To me it's the best book ever :D.

[Aset]

Currently reading Holiday's are Helll, a compilation of Kim harrison, Lynsay Sans & a couple others I'm not sure of atm.

As for Zahn, I would agree. Especially the first trilogy, I was blown away by them.

[kvitske]

I'm currently reading "Les Mots" ("the words") by Jean-Paul Sartre. Really interesting book... first part about how he learned to read ("this wasn't reading... it was simply dying of ecstasy")

[frakk`up]

Norbert elias: The prozess of Civilization - part II soziogenetic and Psychogenetic investigations - Change of society and a concept of civilization

very good...

[DrWho42]

I'm now on Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom (http://www.craphound.com/down/), which is also by Cory Doctorow.

A pretty plusgood read so far. I'm enjoying it much more than "Eastern Standard Tribe". Anyone ever read either?

[BklynBruzer]

I just finished Empire. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_%282006_novel%29) One of the single best books I've ever read. And I've read a lot of books.

[Joe Beaudoin Jr.]

Currently reading:

I Am America (And So Can You) (http://astore.amazon.com/battlestarwik-20/detail/0446580503/) by Stephen Colbert.

[aylinn]

Currently reading "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" by Fannie Flagg... for the 9th time :D I'm totally addicted to it.

[ThPrime]

Children of the Mind, book 3 1/2 in the Ender's Game trilogy. Now that I'm fully overdosed on Orson Mormon Card...

Next up is World War Z by Max Brooks, since the movie is racing towards the theaters next year.

[DrWho42]

I've also been reading the graphic novel, "The Goon Vol. 1: Nothin' But Misery".

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/DilbertianDirigible/41G2NAGRX5L.jpg

[OrionFour]

The Aeneid, Virgil

[BklynBruzer]

Children of the Mind, book 3 1/2 in the Ender's Game trilogy. Now that I'm fully overdosed on Orson Mormon Card...

Next up is World War Z by Max Brooks, since the movie is racing towards the theaters next year.

You're doing yourself a favor with WWZ. Phenomenal book.

[Malcolm]

The more than complete hitchhiker's guide. :)

[Kregano]

Warhammer 40K: Let the Galaxy Burn. :)

[aarathi]

Now i am reading What's This India Business book by Paul Davies. Paul Davies reveals the secrets you need to take full advantage of the competitive edge that India can give your company. A major global services revolution is happening, and India is at the forefront.

[BklynBruzer]

And India being at the "forefront" is taking jobs away from Americans, and making it tough for me to get coherent tech support.

[DrWho42]

I'm now on Rudy Rucker's "Postsingular (http://www.rudyrucker.com/postsingular/)".

[Dwyn2435]

I am currently reading Братья Карамазовы AKA: The Brothers Karamazov

[Lt.Heracles]

Reading a manga: バトル・ロワイアル (Batoru Rowaiaru aka Battle Royale)

[aylinn]

Reading a manga: バトル・ロワイアル (Batoru Rowaiaru aka Battle Royale)
Frak yeah! One of the best I read.
Now I'm reading "Islam an Illustraded History" by Michael Jordan along with "Peter Pan in Scarlet" by Geraldine McCaughrean and "Edgar Alan Poe's Tales of Mystery and Madness" :D

[DrWho42]

I'm reading both "The Essential Howard the Duck" and Philip K. Dick's "The Man in the High Castle". (For those who've read it, somebody recently made an electroluminiscent T-shirt inspired by the novel: Link (http://www.zazaziza.com/fornogoodreason/2008/01/08/hexagram-shirt/)).

[DrWho42]

I've recently finished "The Goon, Volume 0: Rough Stuff". Great stuff. I also special ordered another volume ("My Murderous Childhood (and Other Grievous Yarns)") and the first volume of Judge Dredd (not to be confused with the awful movie with Stallone.....).

[Spencerian]

Bernard Lewis' The Middle East (http://www.amazon.com/Middle-East-Bernard-Lewis/dp/0684832801/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202882976&sr=8-1). Studying for some writing I'm doing.

[OrionFour]

just finished Over the Edge of the World by Laurence Bergreen and Halsey's Typhoon by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin, now I'm reading the very first Star Trek book ever made (somebody got it for me as a gift). Get this, the back lists Kirk, Spock and Yeoman Rand as the most popular members of the crew.

[Thoth]

American Gods.

Neil Gaiman

[ThPrime]

Continuing my books turned into screenplays reading list:

Neil Stephenson's Diamond Age - the unofficial sequel to Snow Crash, one of the defining books from the post-cyberpunk era novels. Charming Neo-Victorian Nano-Punk :thumbsup:

George Clooney (http://www.clooneystudio.com/movies/announced_development_discussion.html) is executive producing Diamond Age as a six hour miniseries for the Sci Fi Channel.

[EverlastingGaze]

currently reading The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell, Dance Dance Dance by Huraki Murakami and The Amory Wars comics by Claudio Sanchez:D

[Jonathan]

I've been on a murder mystery binge lately. I normally don't read that kind of stuff. However, I am a fan of Angela Langsbury and naturally of Murder, She Wrote. The novels are well written by Donald Bain. I highly recommend his MSW novels over the ones written by other authors.

Additionally, I've reading the new White Dwarf plus No Quarter #15. On top of that I'm reading the January and February 08 Macworlds, the February 08 PC World, PC Magazine, Booklist, Naval History, and Model Railroader.

Lastly, I'm reading volumes 5-8 of Fullmetal Alchemist (having finished the newest Bleach volume) on top of The Appeal by Grisham and Sword Swong by Cornwell.

[Zod]

I'm currently reading 'Cloud Atlas' by David Mitchell (again) , it's definitely one of my favourites, he has such an intimidating command of the English language, I highly recommend it!

[aylinn]

Just bought "World War Z" by Max Brooks :D In the next week I'm buying his "The Zombie Survival Guide". I love zombies :D

[iheartthesystem]

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

[Dwyn2435]

The Count of Monte Cristo By Alexandre Dumas.

[ShadowEnigma]

The first part of that book was really slow for me, but once it picked up, I loved it.

[NEXUX]

Playboy

:tos-cylon:

:devil:

[NEXUX]

Just bought "World War Z" by Max Brooks :D In the next week I'm buying his "The Zombie Survival Guide". I love zombies :D

Suddenly felt strong feeling like to be a zomby :D

:devil:

[aylinn]

Suddenly felt strong feeling like to be a zomby :D

:devil:

I'm reading Max Brook's "Zombie Survival". After that, if you're a zombie I'll know how to kill and not be eaten :D

[Jonathan]

I better watch out. After reading The Walking Dead, all volumes up to 7, I think I've become a bit of a zombie.

I'm reading three books right now.

Blood on the Vine by Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain (a Murder, She Wrote novel)
Mr. Monk in Outer Space by Lee Goldberg (a Monk novel)
Restless Virgins: love, sex, and survival at a New England prep school by Abigail Jones & Marissa Miley

Going to be starting on Medicus soon and Terra Incognita just arrived. Both are by Ruth Downie. I'm told good things about both titles from librarian friends.

If you ever want a light book club type book I recommend Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. The sequel, Peony Pavilion, is good but Snow Flower is much better. Just re-read that, well both actually, a couple weeks ago.

[EverlastingGaze]

Re-reading 2001: A Space Odyssey...RIP Arthur C. Clarke

[Jonathan]

I just finished Blood on the Vine. It was a decent story but I, sadly, correctly guessed near the beginning who the killer was. That is one of my bad habits. Is it a deductive mind like The Riddler and Mr. Holmes? Or, is it luck of the draw? I don't know but it frequently happens.

I also finished the Mr. Monk and Outer Space and Restless Virgins book. Restless Virgins is of particular interest to those of us living in Massachusetts. Shane will find it interesting as it centers on Milton Academy and Shane intimately knows the prep school experience and this area to boot. Sadly, I had forgotten that I read it previously, right after I read Pledged and the Overachievers for the first time, so I skimmed it this go around.

Mr. Monk was genius as usual. A delightful read that brings SF into the Monk universe and showcases Monkisms as the delectable oddities they are.

Snow Flower, as I said, is a great read so I re-read that again. On finishing that I took a break and read Horton Hears a Who by Theodore Geisel and the new Batman graphic novel Death and City by Paul Dini.

I am now on to several books. I am reading Peter and the Shadow Thieves by Dave Barry, part 2 of a prequel trilogy on Peter Pan that is wonderful and action packed. I can never read just one book at a time so I am also reading Murder, She Wrote A Deadly Judgment by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain. Plus, I'm reading Akira Vol. 1.

I was going to read Medicus, followed closely by Terra Incognita, both by Ruth Downie, but the copy of Medicus I took out was heavily infused with cigar smoke. That resulted in my returning it to the library. I await a better conditioned copy before I delve into that historical murder comedy.

[aylinn]

Finished all 7 parts of Harry Potter. God, I hate Rowling for killing my favorite character in the 7th part :>

[Jonathan]

That was your favorite character? Hmm, quite interesting.

[aylinn]

Yeah Snape was the best.

[ShadowEnigma]

Oh, don't even get me started on Harry Potter.

I had another ending in mind for the last book lol.

[DrWho42]

Starship Troopers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starship_Troopers) by Robert A. Heinlein.

[Jonathan]

The Heinlein classic and not a bad miniatures game to boot. The Veerhoven film adaptation, while campy, is quite enjoyable.

I finished Black Cat vol. 13 and am now on Fullmetal Alchemist vol. 7 and am finishing Terra Incognita by Downie. Some good reads. I also started, for the umpteenth time this year, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by Sedaris. It is much funnier listening to it on audiobook but the written version is quite good too.

[aylinn]

Finished Patricia Cornwell's "Pedator" starting Fannie Flaggs "Can't Wait to Go to Heaven" :)

[TitanimRex]

Just finished the first of the English translated Witcher tales: The last Wish. It was quite good.

Am now re-reading To Find And Wake The Dreamer, by Hugh Cook which is right up my street.

Last week was Brother Odd by Dean Koontz

[Lt.Heracles]

デスノート, Desu Nōto- by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata.
http://www.spotbit.com/contents/products/1171/thumbnail/400.jpg

[aylinn]

I've seen both part of Death Note. Now I'm planning to buy manga 'cause I read first volume and I must say it was very cool :). Just bougt 11th volume of Neon Genesis Evangelion but I'm waiting for the 12th and then I'll read it all at once.

[JDS]

I'm reading A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge right now. Before that it was Blaze by Stephen King and Idoru by William Gibson.

[ShadowEnigma]

Once summer hits I want to read the Aubrey-Maturin Series. I have all of the books, just haven't gotten a chance to start reading.

[Jonathan]

デスノート, Desu Nōto- by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata.
http://www.spotbit.com/contents/products/1171/thumbnail/400.jpg

The ending is horrendous. You can seriously skip the last hmm 3-4 volumes of the manga. The last volume is absolutely the worst. I am also not sure if volume 13 (the so-called how do I read this series) is even worth a read or purchase.

Oddly enough, on another issue, I've never read the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory saga by Roald Dahl. I read his other books as a child but never this saga. At last I got to it this weekend. I finished Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in one day and am not onto Charlie and the Glass Elevator. So far so good.

I'm finally getting to Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell too plus two Murder, She Wrote novels. Panning for Murder and Martinis & Mayhem are the two I'm reading. I tend to read a lot of books at once.

[JDS]

Once summer hits I want to read the Aubrey-Maturin Series. I have all of the books, just haven't gotten a chance to start reading.I was under the impression that there are quite a lot of those...you have them all but haven't read a single one?

[ShadowEnigma]

Yeah, I have a four box set of all the stories (Christmas present this past Christmas). There's about a dozen and a half or two dozen stories. No I haven't gotten a chance to read any of them yet. This semester has been insane with the amount of reading for classes I've had to do. So no :( I haven't read any yet. This summer I want to read all of it, but more realistically will only get through maybe half.

[aylinn]

My girl just bought me to Patricia Cornwell's books so I have sth good to read :).

[Dwyn2435]

No Country For Old Men.

[EverlastingGaze]

The Fight for English by David Crystal
and
How the Dead Live by Will Self

[Jonathan]

I'm reading Happy Endings by Jim Norton. He's a comedian on the Opie & Anthony Show. However, I can't really discuss the book here because its content, like that of the show, is only appropriate for Joe's Bar.

However, I am also reading The Trigan Empire. It is an old sci-fi graphic novel based on the Roman Empire. It has incredible artwork and the story isn't half bad.

[JDS]

Starship Troopers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starship_Troopers) by Robert A. Heinlein.A timeless classic...

Interesting thing...I read it during the months when I was making my decision on whether or not to join the Air Force...probably nudged me a little :lol:

The Veerhoven film adaptation, while campy, is quite enjoyable.The movie can be...fun, I guess. But even remembering the movie after reading the book is painful, I mean he butchered it sooooo badly...what kind of dick refuses to read the book he's making into a movie because it's "too depressing"? If you hate the story that much, go do something else.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by Sedaris. It is much funnier listening to it on audiobook but the written version is quite good too.Sedaris is hilarious, I love his stuff. I think Corduroy was the first Sedaris book I read...most recent one, a few weeks ago, was Holidays on Ice...barely a book, almost more like a pamphlet :lol:

[buerger23]

Star Wars : Rule of Two, Star Wars : Death Star, Dune : Hunters, World w/o Us.

[Jonathan]

Some replies. Many of the actors in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy refused to read the novels. Same with a lot of other films (Batman, Superman, other superheros). They don't want to be bound by what was done before so that they can do their take on the script.

That said, if you take the Veerhoven film not as a duplication of the novel but as a satirical film you'll find it to be brilliant. Campy, yes, but brilliant nonetheless. The sequel is nothing short of a horrid B horror film.

After reading the novel, and seeing the Veerhoven classic and the Roughnecks animated series, so much they all blend together and form a new rendition that, for me, is greatly appreciated.

I find Sedaris' Holidays on Ice to be one of his funniest pieces of writings. In particular the Santaland Diaries are genius. For those who missed them originally on NPR, "what? a republican listening to npr?", the audiobook is worth a listen.

In fact, although Sedaris is funny in print he shines on audio. Dress Your Family and Me Talk Pretty are also great additions. Stay away from the Hercules Statue book. Not so good.

AND....right now I'm reading The Trigan Empire.

A timeless classic...

Interesting thing...I read it during the months when I was making my decision on whether or not to join the Air Force...probably nudged me a little :lol:

The movie can be...fun, I guess. But even remembering the movie after reading the book is painful, I mean he butchered it sooooo badly...what kind of dick refuses to read the book he's making into a movie because it's "too depressing"? If you hate the story that much, go do something else.

Sedaris is hilarious, I love his stuff. I think Corduroy was the first Sedaris book I read...most recent one, a few weeks ago, was Holidays on Ice...barely a book, almost more like a pamphlet :lol:

[Mishakal]

The Origin of Species: By Charles Darwin

Since that Ben Stein doc about (un)intelligent design came out I felt that a little solidarity with the foundations of actual, proven science was just what I needed.

[JDS]

"what? a republican listening to npr?"Yeah, I've been known to listen to NPR now and then.

Of course, most of the shows cause me to yell at the radio and shake my fist, but in small doses, it can be nice.

[Jonathan]

I am reading two books recommended to me by co-workers. The first is The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta. I'm expecting to hate it and hoping the author wins me over.

The other is a sci-fi/fantasy novel, trilogy i think, about a real life wizard. The book is Storm Front by Jim Butcher. It is book 1 of the Dresden Files. Pretty good but a little scary, to me.

My dear friend from England, Jcro, recommended it and she's the smartest person I know (isn't that a requirement for all English expats?) So I'm looking forward to finishing it.

[Joe Beaudoin Jr.]

Presently reading Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy.

[TitanimRex]

Tim Willocks: The Religion

[DrWho42]

The Essential Ellison.

[Zod]

I have just started reading 'The Illuminatus! Trilogy' and I am REALLY enjoying it!

[TitanimRex]

I have just started reading 'The Illuminatus! Trilogy' and I am REALLY enjoying it!

I can see the Fnords!

[GaetaGirl]

I am currently reading 'The Cylons' Secret' by Craig Shaw Gardner.

Over the last week and a half, I've started that one and I read 'Sagittarius is Bleeding' by Peter David and 'Unity' by Steven Harper.

[cylon_democrat]

Some replies. Many of the actors in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy refused to read the novels. Same with a lot of other films (Batman, Superman, other superheros). They don't want to be bound by what was done before so that they can do their take on the script.

That said, if you take the Veerhoven film not as a duplication of the novel but as a satirical film you'll find it to be brilliant. Campy, yes, but brilliant nonetheless. The sequel is nothing short of a horrid B horror film.

After reading the novel, and seeing the Veerhoven classic and the Roughnecks animated series, so much they all blend together and form a new rendition that, for me, is greatly appreciated.

Finished that Heinlein book in 2 train commutes. The book interested me because other than the battlestar wiki and London Review of Books issues I try to read stuff that could aid my own fiction writing. I have friends who are connected to a base here and was told that the dialogue was fairly accurate.

I've seen the trailer to the Verhoeven film and would like to see it for its campy portrayal of the forces and regime.

[Osprey]

"campy portrayal"

keep that in mind and the film should be rather enjoyable for you ...

[GaetaGirl]

Now reading "The Virgin's Lover" by Philippa Gregory

[Jonathan]

Just finished Marley and Me by Grogan. Read it and try not to cry. I dare ya.

[pagad]

Judas Unchained by Peter F. Hamilton. His Commonwealth Saga (Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained) is easily some of the best sci-fi I've ever read.

That said, I didn't like Dune. So hang me.

[DrWho42]

Watchmen. Best comic I have ever read (so far).

[letsgooilers]

Currently I am reading War and Peace by Tolstoy

Just finished World of Wonders by Robertson Davies, the conclusion to the Deptford trilogy. While good, certainly below the high standards I had come to expect from the previous two Deptford books: Fifth Business(fraking awesome) and The Manicore(also fraking awesome).

[Jonathan]

I am 1/4 of the way into Grave Peril by Jim Butcher. This is his third novel forming his series The Dresden Files (yes, like the show on SciFi that was canceled).

[ranvir]

As far as nonfiction is concerned, I just wrapped up "Naming and Necessity" by Saul Kripke and am now moving on to "The Logic of Scientific Discovery" by Karl Popper.

As for fiction, I recently finished "The Gunslinger" (the first book in the Dark Tower series by Stephen King). It was quite good, I can't wait to read the rest!

[Jonathan]

I'm working on Eat This Not That by David Zinczenko for non-fic. It is a non-diet diet book or rather I should say a way to eat the way you normally do but with same type foods (tasting too) but healthier.

I never knew McDonalds is healthier than Burger King until I read this book. It is really a great read. The author is Editor-in-Chief of Men's Health, one of my favorite journals.

Additionally, for non-fic, I'm reading Wellesley. It is part of the Images of America series and this particular installment was researched and written by a friend of mine, Jen Jovin, and the Wellesley Historical Society. Please get a copy because it is real good and it is nice for her to get some fame from it. On top of that I am reading The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.

In the realm of graphic novels I have just finished Y: The Last Man volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan (yes that Vaughan, now go read Pride of Baghdad) and am on to volume 2. Can't wait for the film to come out. For break time at work I am reading xxxholic volume 1 by CLAMP (with volumes 2-5 sitting on my table).

On science fiction/fantasy I am reading Grave Peril, which is book 3 in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series (formerly a SF channel series). It is real good and I have books 4 and 5 (Summer Knight and Death Masks) lined up).

As for journals I am reading Scrye#121 July 2008. On top of that I am working on No Quarter #18 (May 2008), White Dwarf #340 (May 2008), Hello (from England) May 6 2008 issue, Archeology May/June 2008, Manga (by Tokyopop) Spring 2008, and Model Railroader June 2008.

[EverlastingGaze]

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman by Haruki Murakami which is a great short stories collection especially if you like surreal literature and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte which needs no explanation.

[ranvir]

Dude, EverlastingGaze, I am a huge Pumpkins fan (Machina era is my fav!) and it's funny too because my best friend is an even bigger fan than me and he is also reading short stories by Haruki Murakami right now.

[aylinn]

My mom just bought me "Book of the Dead" by Patricia Cornwell, so I guess I'm gonna spend few great nights reading it :)

[DrWho42]

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk.

[Dzonatas]

Battlestar Forum by Joe and Shane.

[aylinn]

Battlestar Forum by Joe and Shane.
That too. What is the best about this "book" that it's huge and it's free :D

[Xenon242]

I'm finally getting round to reading Spook Country by William Gibson. So far I'm much happier with it than I was with the relatively disappointing Pattern Recognition.

[laisan]

Wuthering Heights, but I'm retarded so it might take me a while.

[aylinn]

Wuthering Heights, but I'm retarded so it might take me a while.
Great book. Read it 3 times. Always suprises me :)
Right now I'm readin "Heroic for Beginners" by John Moore. What a crazy book :D

[laisan]

Great book. Read it 3 times. Always suprises me :)
Right now I'm readin "Heroic for Beginners" by John Moore. What a crazy book :D

sounds interesting, it is a humour? Let me know if it's any good. :)

[Shane]

Battlestar Forum by Joe and Shane.

Epic. Tell me how it is. :D :lol:

[genji2000]

Epic. Tell me how it is. :D :lol:

Too many plotholes. Cylons who aren't Cylons. Cylons who are two Cylons. Improbable possessions of humans by Cylons.

I've read better.

[Joe Beaudoin Jr.]

Epic. Tell me how it is. :D :lol:

I personally believe it's overrated. But that's just me. :lol::lol:

[Shane]

"What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception"

[Jonathan]

"What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception"

That sounds like an enjoyable read. I just finished "First Patient" by Michael Palmer. He's a local to eastern Mass and I've never read him before. The book isn't great but it is enjoyable. I finished it in a day and a half. It is of the popular fiction ilk. The main protagonist is a doctor and obviously his patient is the President. I think it'd make a good movie. Lots of twists and turns. Even has an endorsement from Bill Clinton for the liberals out there.

Right now I'm on to a few things. I'm reading volumes 5, 6, and 7 of Y: The Last Man. Plus, I'm on volumes 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of xxxHolic by CLAMP. They're both graphic novels and quick reads.

I've just finished volumes 8, 9, 10, and 11 of Yakitate!! Japan by Takachi Hashiguchi, which is a hilarious manga (and anime) about baking a national bread for Japan. Very funny and even pokes fun at the entire shojo genre. It is worth a read for fans and newcomers alike.

I'm trudging through the Dresden Files series. Can't muster the same gusto as before. I think that is from their subject...it is fantasy but at the same time it is kinda scary. I know I should man up but I have an active imagination and reading about vampires, lycanthropes, and other netherworld creatures right before bed puts me off a good night's sleep. I'm hoping to get through them but I may have to table those.

Lastly, I'm read The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin. It is an interesting look at the modern US Supreme Court. I'm only on chapter 2 but it has revealed many arguments I should have made in debates for my numerous constitutional law classes I took in college. Additionally, it has re-affirmed my conservative beliefs. That aside it is a good survey of the US Supreme Court and an accessible read for everyone.

When I finish with that I have the following lined up:

How to Make Money With Your Blog by Duanne Forrester (I've already read it but need to finish the last few chapters)

Hellsing volume 8 by Kohta Hirano (I'm half finished but only read it at work during short breaks)

The Patient by Michael Palmer (not to be confused with The First Patient)

The Amber Room by Steve Berry (I enjoyed his Templar Legacy)

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (highly recommended by numerous library patrons and librarians, it is definitely a book club book).

The Fifth Vial by Michael Palmer

The Society by Michael Palmer

The Official eBay Bible by Jim Griffith (I'm going to be selling stuff for my friends on eBay to help them prep for some moves, thought pointers would be nice)

Blue Heaven by C.J. Box (the author has been highly recommended to me by numerous librarians and this is the newest title)

Three Cups of Tea by Gregg Mortenson (the non-fic title about Afghanistan that has topped the NY Times Bestseller list, is a favorite with book clubs, and has been touted to me by liberals and conservatives alike as a must read tale of heroism, diversity, and surmounting challenge)

Sunset Express by Robert Crais (a mystery novel featuring his famous character Elvis Cole. I thought I read all the Cole books but I may have missed this. The series is also a favorite with my fiance who is also a librarian)

For the car I have two audio books:

Water for Elephants (again)

New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (there's nothing like listening to a Holmes adventure. Reading them doesn't do the stories justice)

[mariarilke]

I'm reading Atonement by Ewen McEwan. Far better than the movie, though the movie was good too.

[EverlastingGaze]

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole and The Illuminatus Trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson. Both really bizarre and really funny so far.

[Zod]

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole and The Illuminatus Trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson. Both really bizarre and really funny so far.

I have just finished reading the Illuminatus Trilogy #fnord# and I thought that it was really very good, it really takes you on a journey like no other. I had been dying to read it for ages ( I was (and i suppose I still am) a massive KLF fan, and their whole manifesto was based on the book, I suppose you know that already...) and was told that it was fairly heavy going, so I did some research before hand, read the 'Principia Discordia' which was a massive influence on it(which I think is the ultimate toilet book) but once I read Illuminatus, it was failrly straight forward IMO.

I have just begun reading 'Lord of Light' by Roger Zelazny, which I am really enjoying so far, and i am finding a lot of similarities to the themes and story which is RDM's BSG ,which can never be a bad thing! :)

[aylinn]

sounds interesting, it is a humour? Let me know if it's any good. :)
Finished the book and I must say it was a good parody. There was no stupid humor like in "American Pie" but it was closer to Mel Brooks movies. :D

[Aphrodite]

I'm reading Darth Bane: Rule of Two. I'm reading it while I'm at the pool.

[Pnutmaster]

^
One of the better SW novels from what I hear.

Currently digging into Heroes Die by one of my favorite authors, Matthew Stover :) Few writers can describe combat like he can...

[Jonathan]

I'm usually up for a good SW novel but can't get into the newer releases. Not much a fan of the NJO realm of events, hated Death Star, and couldn't get into Darth Vader. Maybe its me.

That said I did just finish one of the best non-fiction reads in ages. The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin was incredible. A great inside look at the motives and machinations of the modern US Supreme Court. He writes with a clear liberal bias throughout entire segments but the book remains informative and enlightening. I highly recommend it to everyone because it is very accessible and easy to read while remaining informative and helpful. I am calling this a must read.

I've taken a break from the Dresden Files. I have book four, Summer Knight, sitting in front of me but I'm done with them for the time being. Too suspenseful a read right before bed. I'll try them again later this summer. They are, however, very well written and engaging. Anyone who likes a good mystery mixed with fantasy will like these. There's another series by Jim Butcher too, a sci-fi one I'm told, that is also incredible. I heard that from the dean of admissions for a local prominent liberal arts university, with a strong creative writing and english bent, in Boston. Must account for something.

I am almost done with Y: The Last Man. I have volume 10 but need to read volume 9. Turns out I returned the wrong volume and had to re-request it from work. Waiting for the last volume to be published this month. Whether you read graphic novels or not this is a story that anyone, especially guys, can love. What would the world be like if all males died on Earth except one? Great artwork and a great story. Brian K. Vaughan hit it out of the park with this title.

While I'm discussing graphic novels I just finished volume 11 of xxxHolic by CLAMP. I'm only reading this at work and I finished it on my break today. This volume sets up the impending major conflict. I am really enjoying the series but feel that something is missing since I haven't read Tsubasa in conjunction, something I tried to do a year ago but found too confusing. I am going to read that series next to catch up on the intermingling plots. But, based on my prior readings up to volume 6 of Tsubasa I enjoy xxxHolic much more.

I shared a list of titles last time and I've finished all, or almost, by now. As a reminder for all of you I'm sharing them again in case I can entice you to read, or avoid, them based on my experience.

How to Make Money With Your Blog by Duanne Forrester (I read it several times and it is a well written and helpful read for anyone running a blog that wants to at least break even if not make a profit.)

Hellsing volume 8 by Kohta Hirano (With each new volume I am enjoying Hellsing less and less. I find Anderson's and the Germanic accents to be more irritating and disruptive than helpful. This is one time when the anime is superior to the manga.)

The Fifth Vial by Michael Palmer
The Society by Michael Palmer
The Patient by Michael Palmer (Palmer is consistent with his novels that provide light enjoyable reads. This never disappoints. In fact all of his are worth the read. Take them to the beach and enjoy.)

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (I've picked it up, put it down, and picked it up several times. Finally I returned it, took it out again, and returned it again. I'm going to wait until the hype dies down. I just can't seem to get into it but want to give it another go.)

The Official eBay Bible by Jim Griffith (I read the first edition and this updated version is quite helpful. If you're going to buy, sell, or window shop on eBay this is a good reference guide. It works really well to thumb through for quick answers.)

Blue Heaven by C.J. Box (There's no doubt this is well written but the subject matter, the setting, and the characters do nothing for me. I had to give this a pass.)

Three Cups of Tea by Gregg Mortenson (I had to choose between finishing The Nine and starting this. I finished The Nine and will be starting this soon.)

Sunset Express by Robert Crais (I started to read this and realized I already read it. Can't go wrong with Crais. All his books are available as mass market paperbacks making them perfect to take on a trip, to the beach, or to the pool.)

For the car I have one audio books:

City of Falling Angels by Berendt (An expertly written and spoken true tale of Venice. Engaging and in depth.)

Also, I am currently reading:

The Amber Room by Steve Berry (This is an enjoyable popular fiction that reminds me of Forsythe's style with a smidge of Jack Higgins and Balducci, minus the legalities.)

Rolling Stone's June 2008 issue
Archaeology June 2008
Naval History June 2008
American History June 2008
PC World June 2008
PC Magazine June 2008
MacWorld June 2008

They're all really good for their prospective fields. Rolling Stone has a great article covering the 100 greatest guitar songs of all time. Archeology has a fantastic piece on cave art. The PC magazines offer prime tips to speed up and secure your computer.

[Osprey]

"the looming tower" by lawrence wright ...

[Jonathan]

Is that any good? I've seen it on the shelves but haven't read much about it other than it being a non-fic on the rationale of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

[Bluce_Ree]

http://images.play.com/bc/931154m.jpg

Possibly the finest story of love, hope, despair and triumph since the 2003 Tellytubbies annual.

[OldManRivers]

I just went through this whole thread and picked up a wicked load of books I've been meaning to read, but forgot to add to my wishlist. Thanks guys!

Dune is one of my favorite series. Still haven't made it past 'Children of Dune', but will one day after I go back and read it all.

Science-fiction books scare me. Simply because it's sooooo nerdy and I have a hard time finding friends who are into such books. But I read them anyway. (Actually, I'm from North America. Barely anyone reads here!)

I'm reading Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. A friend recommended the whole series to me. Kim writes some hard science fiction man. I just finished one of his latest books, The Years of Rice and Salt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt). THAT was a phenomenal book. I gues because I'm indigenous to North America, reading about colonization not coming from Europe was cool.

I am also reading Trinity by Leon Uris. I gift from a good friend. He throughly enjoyed it, so shall I.

I also have a huge bookshelf of my days when I used to "buy" books all the time. Still need to make it through Che: A Revolutionary Life by Jon Lee Anderson and 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez.

[genji2000]

(Actually, I'm from North America. Barely anyone reads here!)

Try living in the UK.

[OldManRivers]

Try living in the UK.

Haha. Touche!

[aylinn]

Right now all the books by Andrzej Pilipiuk, a Polish writer. Bought his books some time ago but never ha time to start. I think I should stop spending money on books ;)

[ranvir]

I just finished one of his latest books, The Years of Rice and Salt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt). THAT was a phenomenal book. I gues because I'm indigenous to North America, reading about colonization not coming from Europe was cool.

That book sounds awesome... Definitely gonna check it out! And One Hundred Years of Solitude is quite good.

Currently reading: Representation and Reality by Hilary Putnam and Gödel, Putnam, and Functionalism: A New Reading of Representation and Reality by Jeff Buechner. Writing my philosophy thesis and this stuff actually, haha.

[pagad]

I just finished one of his latest books, The Years of Rice and Salt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt). THAT was a phenomenal book. I gues because I'm indigenous to North America, reading about colonization not coming from Europe was cool.

I read another book by Robert Silverberg with a similar premise - that the Roman Empire never fell. It was pretty disappointing, actually. That book you recommended sounds really good, though.

[OldManRivers]

The central concept of "a group of reincarnating characters" coming back through the book is really intriguing. Well, for those who are into religion (as in learning about different religions) and spirituality. He present some interesting takes on things, idea's, concepts, and whatnot that is super relevant to modern day problems. You can also tell he really did his research for the book. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading his other books.

[Osprey]

"Is that any good?"

oh yeah! it's academic without being dry; goes all the way back to the "original angry young man" sayyid qtub who left eqypt several decades ago, came to the u.s. for a year as an exchange student, became as disgusted with us as with his "sellout" government, tried to engineer an overthrow, and was finally executed by the egyptians. i'm only to the point where the author takes up the bio of zawahiri, for example why he chose his wife for 1 reason and one reason only -- she was as off-the-charts radical about religion as he was!
:-0

[Jonathan]

Hmm sounds good. I'll add it to my list when a slot opens up. In the meantime my copy of the DND 4e core books arrived as did volume 8 of The Walking Dead. All four have been bumped to the top of my list.

[DrWho42]

Steve Aylett's "Slaughtermatic".

[Jonathan]

I'm reading a killer book published in 1678 titled The Buccaneers of America A True Account of the Most Remarkable Assaults Committed of Late Years upon the Coasts of the West Indies by the Buccaneers of Jamaica and Tortuga (Both English and French): Wherein are contained more especially the Unparalleled Exploits of Sir Henry Morgan, our English Jamaican Hero, who sacked Porto Bello, burnt Panama, etc.

This is written by Alexander Olivier Exquemelin aka John Esquemeling. It is a riveting read. You can read it at Google Books (http://books.google.com/books?id=wnwIpoX7qYIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=alexander+olivier+exquemelin&source=gbs_book_other_versions_r&cad=0_1#PPP11,M1) (they scanned the 1684 original English edition from the Harvard College libraries).

[Zlaticko]

I had started and stopped several 40k books, but lost interest, so I'll re-read:

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Heinlein

One of his best, I think.

[pagad]

Most recent issue of PCGamer. :D

[timbo]

Just finished Sophie´s choice - Styron. Most gripping, moving, disturbing book i´ve read for a long time.

[michaels]

I am about a third of the way through Jack Miles' Christ: A Crisis in the Life of God. It's not quite as good as his "God: A Biography" but it is still very thought provoking.

Michael

[Jonathan]

Just finished Sophie´s choice - Styron. Most gripping, moving, disturbing book i´ve read for a long time.

Classic! I'm spending a lot of time with the 4th ed Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook. Never played before and going to learn how this month. Talk about amazing!

[timbo]

Classic! I'm spending a lot of time with the 4th ed Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook. Never played before and going to learn how this month. Talk about amazing!

Jonathon, sorry mate, but you´ve lost me.

[genji2000]

Jonathon, sorry mate, but you´ve lost me.

D&D (http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Core-Rulebook-Gift/dp/0786950633/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215822266&sr=8-1). Fantasy role playing. Played with dodecahedronal dice.

[Batman316]

Star Wars 'Legacy of the Force' "Revelations"

The Legacy series is well worth a read for any SW fans out there..... All that we could see coming through the NJO has happened. :)

[timbo]

D&D (http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Core-Rulebook-Gift/dp/0786950633/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215822266&sr=8-1). Fantasy role playing. Played with dodecahedronal dice.

From Sophie´s choice to Dungeons and Dragons. I can´t see the connection. What is going on?

OK, I think Jonathon pressed quote instead of reply.

[genji2000]

From Sophie´s choice to Dungeons and Dragons. I can´t see the connection. What is going on?

OK, I think Jonathon pressed quote instead of reply.

Eh? He said Sophie's Choice is a classic and then said he was reading D&D.

[Jonathan]

Eh? He said Sophie's Choice is a classic and then said he was reading D&D.

Thank you. Somebody understands.

Maybe I should have done it as such.



Classic!

I'm spending a lot of time with the 4th ed Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook. Never played before and going to learn how this month. Talk about amazing!

[Zod]

Currently reading 'The Book of the Subgenius' which i have spotted on another thread. amazing, but actually freaking me out!!! i went through a D&D thing in the 80's which is where my name came from.

[Prolescum]

I'm reading 'the nano flower' by Peter F. Hamilton and about to flick through some David Icke book my mate lent me. I think it might be funnier than the Raellian books.

[Zod]

I'm reading 'the nano flower' by Peter F. Hamilton and about to flick through some David Icke book my mate lent me. I think it might be funnier than the Raellian books.

What, THE David Icke?? the former sports presenter in the UK??

[timbo]

Thank you. Somebody understands.

Maybe I should have done it as such.



Classic!

I'm spending a lot of time with the 4th ed Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook. Never played before and going to learn how this month. Talk about amazing!

Sorry Jonathon, I thought the "amazing" referred to a coincidence. These misunderstanding threads are funny. We had one a few weeks ago about the last supper pic that went on for ages. Sorry again dude.

Be careful though, I heard these D and D games can send you crazy.

[Zod]

Sorry Jonathon, I thought the "amazing" referred to a coincidence. These misunderstanding threads are funny. We had one a few weeks ago about the last supper pic that went on for ages. Sorry again dude.

Be careful though, I heard these D and D games can send you crazy.

phwweeeeeughhh??

[Prolescum]

What, THE David Icke?? the former sports presenter in the UK??
Yeh, haven't gotten round to reading many fringe conspiracy theories about lizard aliens messing with human destiny thus far. I've heard all manner of opinions on him but precious little of his own words.
You never know; Hunter S Thompson used to see lizards too...

[pagad]

I'm reading 'the nano flower' by Peter F. Hamilton and about to flick through some David Icke book my mate lent me. I think it might be funnier than the Raellian books.

Is The Nano Flower any good? It's one of his earlier books, isn't it?

[DrWho42]

Yeh, haven't gotten round to reading many fringe conspiracy theories about lizard aliens messing with human destiny thus far. I've heard all manner of opinions on him but precious little of his own words.
You never know; Hunter S Thompson used to see lizards too...Aren't they called reptoids or is that the inappropriate term?

[Prolescum]

Is The Nano Flower any good? It's one of his earlier books, isn't it?
It's really good actually, I will probably get the prequels too.
I love it when the brits get post-apocalyptic...

[Prolescum]

Aren't they called reptoids or is that the inappropriate term?
Well back in the seventies, it was used frequently and usually without comment in TV shows such as, 'Two up, Two down and one under the stairs', and 'Not on my planet!', however since the disturbances a few years after the 3 day week, it was written into law that we could not discriminate against the colour of someone's scales and the term has since fallen out of favour with the general public.
In America they are referred to as lizo-americans...

[DrWho42]

I reread Daniel Clowes' "Ice Haven" last night.

[Jonathan]

I'm almost done with a great nonfic called Leisureville. It discusses retirement communities, one in particular in Florida called The Villages, that is an eye opener.

Seniors are giving up lots of freedoms to live in these private gated communities and then do nothing, it seems, but unprotected sex (seniors are the #1 fastest growing group of people getting STDs), drink, party, and play golf.

I recommend this for anyone wanting a good nonfic title or a chance to see what your parents/grandparents/you (not too far down the road) are in for.

[genji2000]

I'm almost done with a great nonfic called Leisureville. It discusses retirement communities, one in particular in Florida called The Villages, that is an eye opener.

Seniors are giving up lots of freedoms to live in these private gated communities and then do nothing, it seems, but unprotected sex (seniors are the #1 fastest growing group of people getting STDs), drink, party, and play golf.

I recommend this for anyone wanting a good nonfic title or a chance to see what your parents/grandparents/you (not too far down the road) are in for.

Wow. Although, the image is not one I especially want lodged in my brain.

[Zod]

Whereabouts in florida is this place?? My grandmother is over there at the moment and i am starting (after this information) to get somewhat worried.

[Jonathan]

According to the book 1 hour north of Orlando. The Villages (http://www.thevillages.com/AboutUs/location.htm)is larger than the island of Manhattan. It is a gated community, although it is open to everyone because the county (a couple anyway) pay for maintaining some of the access roads and therefore the guards cannot keep people out.

Also, it is owned completely by the developer, who is also its own government, and is an unincorporated piece of land under Chapter 170 from Florida law. The guy builds a rec center worth say 5 million and sells it to the residents for 50 million. The residents, according to the book don't seem to know or care, are over 1 billion dollars in debt because of the amenities fees and other things they have to pay. Instead they're having frat parties every night.

I'm stressing the negatives but it does sound like a lot of positives too.

[genji2000]

I can't respond to this yet because I'm about to eat.