Thread: What are You Reading?

It hasn't been recent, but Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth pleasantly surprising. I found it (and World War Z) on deployment. Both we great reads, though couldn't be further from each other as far as content, both were able to keep me enthralled. Steve Berry's Cotton Malone series is pretty good. Not masterworks, but definately entertaining. I just finished a collection of short Sherlock Holmes tales, definately worth your time. Finding myself bending more towards classics lately, though we did have some required reading that made a big impact on me, mostly due to my ability to relate, and as I was reading it, I realized I actually knew one of the guys in the book, but it was called Blackhearts: One Platoon's Descent into Madness in Iraq's Triangle of Death. Unfortunately it is an extremely accurate depiction of what can happen in the hell we call war. All good options, just depends on what you're looking for.

Prior to 'Around the World in 80 Days', I read a book by W.H Hudson titled 'A Shepherds Life' written around 1910 or there abouts. It is essentially a series of talks with an old Shepherd about his life and stories from his fathers era, but it is very well written and full of interesting bits of little known everyday life of the ordinary people that is lacking in far too many books of this style. Many of those focus on the life of well known or well off folk that really doesn't click with everyday living.
I read the book in it's original format, but it is available as a free ebook from Amazon (which I downloaded as well...And I don't even own a Kindle reader! )


Mick

While the 1st lady got hooked into TV, Walkind Dead or something, i kept her company and spent few nice moments by reading 'Tales of ordinary madness' by Charles Bukowski. Excellent (if you're up to this kind of literature). My other quickie favorites are maybe 'Spoon river anthology' and 'Letters to Yesenin' by Jim Harrison.

Revisiting A Confederacy of Dunces. Having lived there makes it even funnier. You know exactly what the little nuances mean.

After having read this book many times I am starting to think Ignatius really was crazy JMO.

Just finished a re-read,freedoms forge,a must read IMO.
All about how the great industrialists took over the feeble attempts of the U.S Govt to Ramp up for WW2
Transformed the auto makers into tank builders,Planes, guns,munitions,ships,great read.

I have only a few times reread a book and refuse to watch a movie twice. I feel that if the author/director didn't get their point across the first time they failed and it isn't worth my time to try to understand them.

"The Liberator" by Alex Kershaw"
"One WWII Soldier's Odyssey From The Beaches Of Sicily To The Gates Of Dachau".

I really appreciate this book and will never forget it. On one level it is the age old brutal existence of ground combat soldiers
and the day to day mayhem of their existence. It pays tribute to the men of the 145th Infantry (Thunderbirds) and their personal 500 day fight through hell.
Bob

Originally Posted by 32t

I have only a few times reread a book and refuse to watch a movie twice. I feel that if the author/director didn't get their point across the first time they failed and it isn't worth my time to try to understand them.

I would disagree, the first viewing of a film gives you an overview of what is happening, whereas subsequent viewings will reveal the more subtle things. I think this is because you are not trying to concentrate on what is going on so much you can see different things, I was just thinking this morning that I would like to watch Donnie darko again, it took me a few watches to really understand the point of the movie, though that was 7 or more years ago.

Originally Posted by 32t

I have only a few times reread a book and refuse to watch a movie twice. I feel that if the author/director didn't get their point across the first time they failed and it isn't worth my time to try to understand them.

To me a reread is like visiting with old friends. You do it for enjoyment and relaxation and nothing more.

I like Kipling just for the prose. OTOH, Evan Wright's Generation Kill is just so exciting even if you know what is going to happen. JMO.