Thread: What are You Reading?

Originally Posted by kruppstahl

Yeah, I need to start re-reading O'Brien's books. Have them all on the shelf at the foot of my sick bed (just had back surgery). The first one I read, no.4, I started and put down. I didn't like it. Later I picked it up again and that time, for some reason, loved it; couldn't put it down. How good are they? I started the last one on a voyage that started and went badly. So I put the book down until the next voyage. I couldn't stand the thought of conflating such a good book with such a lousy voyage. I own the complete set of Aubrey-Maturin books including a biography of O'Brien, the cook book for the series, the lexicon, and the unfinished 21st book of the series. Needless to say I'm an O'Brien junky.

Yeah, man! I think this series has ruined all other literature for me. I finished reading the series for the first time at the end of the summer. After that I read 4 or 5 books that were good, but my heart just wasn't in it - I was always wishing I was back in Aubrey and Maturin's world. So I gave in, and started the series again from the beginning, about 2 weeks after having finished it. I found a good deal on the entire series in mint condition on eBay, which makes it easier - there is only one library in all of Montreal that has the series (and no bookstores).

I've been reading "Not a Fan" by Kyle Idleman with a group of guys. The title comes from the book's comparison of fans of Jesus to followers of Jesus. Good book that leads to some great discussions.

Last night I was reminded of a science fiction book I'd read years ago -- Flower for Algernon. My 13 year old loves Sci-Fi. So I re-read it to see if it is appropriate for her. The original short story was written in 1958 and a book followed later. I found a 23-page pdf of the original short story online, read it, and passed it along to her.

Originally Posted by joelkerr

Yeah, man! I think this series has ruined all other literature for me. I finished reading the series for the first time at the end of the summer. After that I read 4 or 5 books that were good, but my heart just wasn't in it - I was always wishing I was back in Aubrey and Maturin's world. So I gave in, and started the series again from the beginning, about 2 weeks after having finished it. I found a good deal on the entire series in mint condition on eBay, which makes it easier - there is only one library in all of Montreal that has the series (and no bookstores).

If its any comfort, the Litmosphere is full of good writers. I guess I had the same O'Brien withdrawal you've had. While it takes some time, soon enough you'll find your heart in other authors though O'Brien's work will always hold a special place in mine.
We have no book stores here where I live, but in Portland there is Powell's Bookstore. Every time I visit my aged mother in Portland, I manage to get high centered in Powell's for an afternoon. I suppose that they've every book that's in print.

BTW did you know that there wasn't a drop of Irish blood in O'Brien? His real name was not O'Brien but Russ. And he was all German, 100%. Also he had led a fairly irresponsible life. If you can find the O'Brien biography, buy it. Its by a guy the name of Dean King.

Originally Posted by kruppstahl

BTW did you know that there wasn't a drop of Irish blood in O'Brien? His real name was not O'Brien but Russ. And he was all German, 100%. Also he had led a fairly irresponsible life. If you can find the O'Brien biography, buy it. Its by a guy the name of Dean King.

I recently read that, yes - and I think that experience was how he was able to make Maturin's "outsider" character so believable. I'm definitely planning on getting that biography soon (as well as the cookbook).

Just finished "A Round Heeled Woman " by Jane Juska. An entertaining book, enough so that I'll check out her other book.
Next up is "The Art of Thinking Clearly " by Rolf Dobelli. I hold high hopes for this book.

Working on "the Confession" by john grisham. Its keeping my attension so not bad. He aint too bad of a writer.

Pale Horse Coming by Stephen Hunter. He is a great story teller, especially if you like action thrillers with lots of gun play.

I'm on the second book if Cormac McCarthy's border trilogy, The Crossing.

Originally Posted by Wayne1963

Pale Horse Coming by Stephen Hunter. He is a great story teller, especially if you like action thrillers with lots of gun play.

I got trapped up reading all is books of Bob lee and his dad, gave me a good 3 months f reading. Enjoy.

Jerry , John Grisham is one of my favorite authors, the ford county books I can read again and again. Tc