What are you reading at the moment????????

[White Fairy]

I don't know if many of you know this but I am completely book mad :winky - I love to read, I've been reading since the age of two - I was just wondering what you are all reading at the moment and do any of you have a favourite book?????????

Right now I am reading ''Where we have home - A memoir of Zimbabwe'' and ''Disposable people - New slavery in the global economy''. I don't think that I would be able to come up with a favourite book coz I have read thousands and the list would be very, very long - I don't want to crash this site.

What are you all reading??????????

Love and hugs

Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx :beatnik :gimmehug :lubdub :gimmehug

[ShootingSTARS]

:hugon Siobhan :hugoff

Good post.

I'm reading a couple of books at the moment (I rarely read one at a time :winky)

:drawblue Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah

:drawpink No Logo by Naomi Klein

:drawgreen The Silent Takeover by Noreena Hertz

I've also recently read "One Child" by Torey Hayden, "My sisters keeper" by Jodi Picoult, "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakaeur and "The Millionaires" by Brad Meltzer.

One of the most thought provoking books I've read in recent years was Muhammed Yunus --"Banker to the poor -- the story of the Grameen bank!"

I also liked books by Thor Heyerdahl about his explorations....such as Fatu Hiva, and In the Footsteps of Adam.

Fiction wise I like James Patterson and Peter Robinson books.

Sorry for listing so many!!!

xxx

[White Fairy]

I've also read Falling leaves and No logo - good books - Have you ever read ''Chinese Cinderella'' - The secret Story of an Unwanted Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah. (This is her story up until the age of fourteen) - It's a really sad book but sometimes when I read other peoples stories I can see that many people have hard lives and if they can make it - then so can I - sometimes reading can be really inspiring.............

I too read four or five books at the one time - I just get bored so easily.

I find that reading helps me a lot.......... :lubdub

Loads of love

Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxx :lubdub :lubdub

p.s Have any of you read a book that really helped in your recovery - and I don't just mean books that relate to eating disorders???????????

[Calletta]

:hugon Siobhan :hugoff

I have always :love loved books :supergrin

I have a job in the library at the moment which is just fantastic!!!!! :cheesy

At the moment I'm reading Heart of a Woman which is the fourth book in Maya Angelou's autobiographical series. I read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (the first book) years ago, and since I got my library job noticed the next one in the series, so I've been working my way through. I love her way of writing and can relate to what she writes even though her life is a million miles away from my own.

I don't really have a book which helped me with ed recovery... actually the whole time I was ill was quite a barren time for books for me. I either read rather triggering stuff, or nothing at all. One exception though I guess was The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche which is a really thick book covering lots of aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. I did find that an extra spur to try and get well, though I don't think it was a big part of my recovery.

:love:flower:love

[White Fairy]

:hugon Calletta :hugoff

I read ''The Tibetan book of living and dying'' and I've read all of the Dalai Lamas books - he helped me a lot - he is so so so full of love and compassion - until I read his books I have never known that a human being could be that forgiving and loving - his books helped me to work through a lot of my stuff and I will be eternally grateful and thankful to share this world with him.............

He helped me to heal my fear and distrust of men - well he was one of the men that helped me :lubdub

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[meow]

I'm going through a Marian Keyes phase- reading Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married.

Have you read anything by her :loveSiobhan:love?
They're good, light, funny summer reading- I recommend Rachels Holiday.

ShootingSTARS: "My sisters keeper" by Jodi Picoult

Ohhhh....good book, cried my eyes out at the end.

You'll pick it up in Easons :loveSiobhan:love


I'm thinking of starting into Potter books- god help me!:muhaha
Would anyone be so kind as to name the six in order, just so I don't end up reading the third first and so on:winky

Also, anybody read any other good Jodi Picoult books??:bounce

[White Fairy]

I'm going through a Marian Keyes phase- reading Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married.

:hugon Meow :hugoff

I very rarely read fiction - but I have heard that this book is good - I know quite a few people that have read it - so if I was to pick one of her books to read - it would be that one.

As a teenager I read every Stephen King book that I could get my hands on - I think I read about twenty five - in fact I still have them somewhere and as a young child I read all of Enid Blytons books - as you can see I don't read that much fiction - but I do love to read -I'm a book junkie.

Loads of love

Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (The book worm) I think I must have came out of my mothers womb reading a book - maybe that explains why I was born so early - I had so many books to read :supergrin :winky :muhaha :muhaha

[duffy]

hey
im reading the harry potter ine at the moment

Ireland by frank delaney- its a lovely story (fiction) i would recommend it.

I love harlen coben, in fact i read everything and anything.

mu mum goes mad cos im always reading- she thinks if the house is not spotless the world is gonna end or something- well, im more laid back!!!

[kris]

I just finished reading the new harry potter book... having re-read the first **** before hand!!

My favorite book... is divided between ****.. but i'll list them in order or most liked first (this obviously doesnt include Harry Potter - which to me is a given)

Harold and Maude
by Colin Higgins

Siddhartha
by Hermann Hesse

Demian
by Hermann Hesse

[White Fairy]

Siddhartha

This is a good book - I read it about a year ago.

I have read about half of ''Harry Potter and the The philosophers Stone'' and this is the only one of J.K. Rowlings books that I have attemped to read. I just couldn't get in to the book for some reason - that reason could have been that when I bought this book I had about another six books that I really, really wanted to read :grin :grin

[Shuffleboard Queen]

You mean besides Harry Potter? :cheesy

Let's see...I'm reading "Name All The Animals" by Allison Smith, which is a memoir about her life after her brother dies in a sudden car accident. Really great writing.

I also just finished "The Great Influenza" (can't remember the author's name) which was about the flu pandemic of nineteen-eighteen, and the people who investigated it. Very interesting.

One of the best books I have ever read that I also just finished is called "Ursula, Under" by Ingrid Hill, a novel about a little girl who falls into a mine shaft and the story of her ancestors that brought her family to this place. She's half Finn and half Chinese, so there's a lot of great cultural stuff in there. It comes highly HIGHLY recommended.

[ShootingSTARS]

Yes, I have read Chinese Cinderella that's why I went and got Falling Leaves after having read that. It is a sad story but a positive one at the same time.....and I love Adeline Yen Mah's use of Chinese proverbs -- I like the idea of "Falling leaves return to their roots" ... and how this thought could relate to the ED and digging deep to move past it.

[fefa]

I am reading three books at the same time..
One is named Quiron it is an astrological book and the other two I can figgure out the name right now, when i do I will come back here

[KatAL]

Hey!

Great post! I love love love reading!

I'm reading two books at the moment - Empress Orchid by Anchee Min - I'd recommend that one to anybody, I think the only way of describing it would be to say it's beautiful...it just completely transports you. The other one is 'IT' by Stephen King...an old favourite, what can I say? Not exactly literary magic, but it's good for light entertainment!

[Millificent]

I'm reading The Flanders Panel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
It's a murder mystery involving an old painting and a chess game. Murder mysteries are my favorite genre and art murders are a favorite sub-genre. I get it from my dad.

:dragon Millie

[White Fairy]

:hugon ShootingStars :hugoff

I read Fallen Leaves first and then Chinese Cinderella - a bit back to front - but they really are inspiring books. Have you read Wild Swans?????????

Books keep me sane - or semi-sane :muhaha :muhaha

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxx

p.s. One of the books that I read recently was ''I choose to live'' Sabine Dardenne - really horrific, sad, sad book - and yet at the same time awe-inspiring - she is such a strong woman and has come through so much in her young life - it just goes to show how strong the human spirit really is. :gimmehug

[peepapie]

:hairy I was soooooo excited when I saw this thread cause I read constantly! :hairy

I rarely read less than ****-**** books at a time.....here are the the most recent...

:sun When Women Stop Hating Their Bodies
:sun Runaway Eating-**** Steps for Adults to Stop Obsessing about Weight and Food
:sun Unbearable Weight
:sun The Bible :)
:sun THe Pact by Jodi Piccoult(LOVE her!!!!!)
:sun Girls Like Us

and I recently read.....

:sun My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult(i reccomend ALL of her books)
:sun Hunger Point
:sun Perfect Match by Jodi Piccoult

What a great idea!!!!!!!! I have soooooooooo many more books I could list, but I will start with those.....
Amanda :lubdub

[White Fairy]

Hey :hugon Amanda :hugoff

I have also read Hunger Point and When women stop hating their bodies - Have you heard of ''The Anorexia Diaries - A mother and daughter triumph over teenage eating disorders'' - This was one of the most recent books that I have read on eating disorders - I don't read that many books on this subject any more - a few years ago I would have read every book that I could get on my hands on - on this subject.

This book is compiled from real-life diaries that the mother and daughter kept at the same time - it tells the story of the daughters struggle with eating disorders and the journey towards recovery

Sometimes these books helped me to feel less alone and showed me that people could recover - at one stage in my life I didn't think that I could recovery - but reading other people life stories and seeing how they triumphed over the disorder gave me hope for my future.

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx :yay

[peepapie]

:gimmehug WhiteFairy :gimmehug

I have not read the Anorexia Diaries yet......I am sorta 'trying' to NOT read those accounts right now--as I am obsessed with them. :sad :sad I am not sure if that makes sense. I am NOT diagnosed with an ed, but am feeling more and more that I am heading in that direction at times..... :zoinks so, thought I could start with the self-esteem books for a while..... :igotit

thanks....
amanda
ps--any results yet?

[White Fairy]

:hugon Amanda :hugoff

Hon - I hope that I didn't trigger you in any way :sad - I'm sorry - I didn't mean for this post to be about eating disorder books - I had hoped that we would be able to share books that we found inspiring - books that we loved, books that helped us - that kind of thing.

One of the books that I have read in the last six months is ''The power of Compassion'' by The Dalai Lama - you don't have to be buddhist to read this book - when I find myself being really hard on me - it is a book that I go back to and read again - it reminds me of why I need to treat me with compassion first.

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxx

p.s. I am going to go and phone the cororners office now - thank you for asking :lubdub :gimmehug :lubdub

[lilaggie]

I'm going through a Marian Keyes phase- reading Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married.

I love all of Marian Keyes' books, and I have read them all. They're wonderful, fun, light reads.

I'm just now finishing Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (Sci-Fi) for the second time. (I got turned on to Sci-Fi when I took a 'Sci-Fi Past and Present' course in college, and it's really iteresting stuff.)

I'm about to start something new, but I have yet to decide what to read...I'll let you know when I figure it out. I like all kinds of stuff, so maybe I'll try something non-fiction for a change.

[peepapie]

:lubdub WhiteFairy :lubdub
you did not trigger me, i just wanted to share that.....i am not diagnosed with an ed or anything, but i am concerned....and so i am trying to read some of those helpful books....
amanda :lubdub

[White Fairy]

:hugon amanda :hugoff

Good for you hon :yay

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxxx :supergrin

[Cathie]

I hadn't read anything for ages due to being at college- I have a pile of books I want to read over the summer, including Harry Potter :cheesy

I'm currently just over halfway through "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman, which is the second part of the His Dark Materials trilogy and it's brilliant. Another book I read recently was To Die For, by Carol Lee, which is another ED book I guess. I kinda enjoyed that but I'm trying to avoid ED books at the moment because I find them a tad triggering :ugh

Other books in my "pending" pile are

:stars Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (recommended by my Psychology tutor)

:stars Judi Dench biography by John Miller

:stars I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

:stars Hey Nostradamus by DOuglas Coupland

:stars Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

There are more, but those are the only ones I can see from my computer!

[bezzelrock]

I'm reading the new harry potter book. The half -blood prince. I'm such a big kid , hehe :grin

[Jennnifer]

Ok. Here it goes..

Right Now I'm reading: (I like to read a few at the same time)

:sun "When things Fall Apart: heart advice for difficult times" by Pema Chodron
:sun Houston's " A Concise Introduction to Buddhism"

I recently finished:

:sun "A Long Way Down" by Nick Hornby
:sun "No Death, No Fear" by Thich Nhat Hanh

I finished and liked:

:sun "Peace is Every Step" by Thich Nhat Hanh

I have waiting to read:

"Living Buddah, Living Christ" by Thich Nhat Hanh

I also read (as someone mentioned) "Into thin Air".. which I found fascinating and would recommend Krakauer's "Under the Banner of Heaven" as well as "Into the Woods". I really like non-fiction and I like the way Krakauer tells a story.

[White Fairy]

:hugon Jennnifer :hugoff

I read ''When things fall apart:heart advice for difficult times'' Pema Chodron - beautiful book. I also very rarely read fiction these days - it is almost always non-fiction.

Have any of you read a book or books that has had a strong impact on your life - one of the authors that has had a profound affect on my life is Arnold Mindell - he is a Process Psychotherapist and I had read most of his books - I would LOVE to work with him one day - if I ever manage to sort myself out...........

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxx :gimmehug

[Kaspa]

:hugon White Fairy :hugoff
Another :fishy book:slimy here!

I'm currently reading:
:stars Life: A User's Manual by Georges Perec :stars
It's brilliant!

Next on my list are the Harry Potter that comes before the one that is just out and Girl meets Ape which I got free on a magazine!

:lubdub




:love


Kaspa



:bandwagon

[duffy]

hey,
for those fishies who aren't irish-

what do you think of marian keyes books?? what do you think of her way of writing and her humour etc?? I adore her books, but a lot of her stuff has irish mannerisms, wit etc.

Do u ever find it confusing??? or maybe its edited different to reflect each country???

[(o: Smiley]

This is a good thread - i LOVE reading.

I cant remember who mentioned these but i also love Jodi Piccoult and whoever had read One Child by Tori Hayden should really read the sequal which i think is called Tigers child or something like that and is also really good.

I am reading LOADS at the moment cos i havnt really got energy to do anything else but ive just started reading Forever Today by Deborah Wearing which is about her husband getting amnesia - it seems really good so far but its funny saying that about something which is actually a true story.

[ShootingSTARS]

Jennifer,

I have Jon Krakauers "Under the banner of heaven" but haven't started reading it yet -- I have a long line of books I've not started yet :winky -- I keep buying and buying them faster than I can humanly read them hehe. It looks like a very interesting book though.

I also like the way Krakauer tells a story -- Into Thin Air was fascinating.....with that little spark of me thinking "I wish I could climb Everest"....and then after reading that thinking hmm perhaps not :winky!

I'd also like to read Krakauers other book -- into the wilderness but I can't find it anywhere!

xx

[Jennnifer]

I think "Into the Wild" was Krakauer's first booK?? I think I got it at amazon.com. I'd send you mine.. lol.. seriously... but my sister and her husband read it and then passed it on. Everyone was fascinated by it.

Under the banner of heaven has five hundred reviews at amazon (us). Many Mormons got really ticked off by it (understatement).

:gimmehug

[Petite etoile]

I'm into a few books at the same time:
:turtle I finished the last volume of San Francisco Chronicles by Armistead Maupin (loevd these books)
:turtle I already finished two volumes of Michel Tremblay "Mont Royal plateau chronicles", a french canadian book about Montreal in the forties. I have three more to read, and might read them later
:turtle i bought Harry potter six in english on monday :wand , started reading it and realized I couldn't remember number five. I actually went through number five two years ago during summer, but in english, and didn't read it in Frnech since then. As i'm French, it's easier for me to understand it in french, so I started number five again, and will then read number six :cute

[AngelMarie]

I'm reading

Jane Eyre (for a reading assignment in English)
Delores Claiborne by Stephen King
Dark Rivers of the Heart by Dean Koontz

[ShootingSTARS]

Jennifer

I can imagine Mormons would get ticked off with it from the very small amount of it I read already. I read the first chapter then got into another book and haven't gone back to it yet.

Ah maybe that'swhy I can't find it -- I thought it was into the wilderness not into the wild :winky....hmm I'll have to look again now hehe :winky.

xx

[lima]

:hugon Meow :hugoff

Im reading Marian Keyes Sushi for Beginners

I just finished a book called Mr. Maybe by Jane Green very Funny Sex and the City style :sly book!

My next book is My Sister's Keeper and I just read on People magazine that John IRving came out with a new book about his struggle w abuse. called Until I Find you Anyone heard of it???

[meow]

Lima: My next book is My Sister's Keeper

You're going to love it, its one of those books you can't put down.
I thought I had the ending predicted but was very wrong.

Im reading Marian Keyes Sushi for Beginners

What do you think of it?
I like her writing, I can always picture the characters and imagine them being real.

[lima]

I like it Meow :cute It's hard for me to picture it b/c it doesn't take place in the US so location wise I have to think about it!! :bounce My friend Alice let me borrow it and she :loved it! Ill let you know once I finish it. Funny b/c my lil cousin is going to let me borrow Harry Potter. I've never read nor seen any of those movies, but I've heard there amazing!!! :grin

[Renlibrarian]

Well, my user name should say it all, but I'm also a big fan of the written word (digital and printed).

I'm presently reading The girl who played Go by Shan Sa.

I'm an avid Go (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_(board_game)) player, so the book is great fun for me, but it's really much more of a coming of age story featuring a Chinese girl who plays go and a Japanese soldier set during the Japanese occupation of Manchuria. Quick chapters that switch viewpoint between characters make it an easy read with an excellent plot that keeps you coming back for more.

[(o: Smiley]

Ok so ive read all my last lot of books from the library - any recommendations that i will be able to get out from a UK library?
Nothing too mega challenging cos althought i love reading and so loads my attention span is a bit off at the moment!

[Anakalia]

Right now I am in the middle of The Secret Life of Bees. I just finished My Sister's Keeper and before that We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families. They are all great books. The first is much more light hearted. The last is the heaviest because it is about the genocide in Rwanda. Another great book is The Kite Runner.

[Synchrostar]

ok I am reading Garçons sous observation lol. I am learning French and it is a book aimed at preteens.

[lima]

:hugon Anakalia :hugof

I :loved The Secret Life of Bees !!!

[JadoreLesPommes]

Currently reading Satan Burger by Carlton Mellik (er..) the Third. I don't have the book on hand right now, but I think that is it.

He writes *very* strange cyber-punk novels that tend to have a psychological twist embedded within. His books are not for those who are afraid of possibly offensive material.

But he is quite entertaining!

I also have my sturdy copy of Anna Karenina by (who else..) Tolstoi but I don't read much from it. Tolstoi goes off onto such tangents sometimes...makes it difficult to get through the few pages that I do read! Lol.

[lima]

My T was reading Anna Karenina she said it was awesome but super super long!

I love this post. I love finding out what others read and I see so many things in common w/ certain fishies! :grin

[meow]

Just checking...

Is The Philosophers Stone the first :wandHP:wand book?

Will be finishing my current book tonight, and want to get HP book tomorrow.

[angelgirl]

Just finished Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and starting on Inspiration Sandwich by Sark.

[lilsweetie]

:drawpink No Logo by Naomi Klein



That's a good book. Very interesting. You should also watch "the corporation" if you haven't already.

I am reading
"the Wedding" (the sequel to the notebook) by Nicholas Sparks
"Not to People Like Us" - about abuse in upscale marriages.
"the shelter of each other" - mary pipher. about rebuilding families.

[angelgirl]

My mom just ordered me Life without ED (I think that's the title). So I have more reading to do.

[Synchrostar]

life without Ed is so good. Everyone in my IP program read it and we all found it so helpful for recovery.

lilsweetie, the corporation is my favourite documentary!!

[White Fairy]

Just wondering - did any of you read a book that really touched your soul - you know the kind of book that I mean - when you have finished reading it - you know that your life will never be the same again?????????????

Love and hugs

Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx :gimmehug :lubdub :gimmehug

[White Fairy]

We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families.

I read this book - it really hurts to see 'mans inhumanity to man'

Siobhan

[Calletta]

:hugon :angelgirl :hugoff

I :love :love :love SARK books :lubdub. She's fantastic. I think Inspiration Sandwich is the one I used to have... I gave it away to one of my friends. Need to get another one for me!!

:love:flower:love

[(o: Smiley]

Calleta - where do you get them from in the UK? I have an Amercan friend who talks about them and i seen the website but i havnt seen the books over here?

[Aubiegirl]

I love posts like this, I'm a voracoius reader, especially since I moved down to Alabama where I don't know anyone and don't have a job anymore...I'm trying to cram all the 'pleasure reading' in that I can before classes start in a few weeks!

I just finished the new Harry Potter book, I liked it although Book Four, Goblet of Fire , is still my favorite in the series.

I've gotten to the point where I very rarely read fiction, the Harry Potter book was the first novel I'd picked up in months. I did buy Historian , though, I'd seen recent reviews and thought it looked intriguing, I'll probably start that this week.

What I HAVE been reading (it's going to out me as a science geek, lol)
~Guns, Germs and Steel and Collapse by Jared Diamond

~Endless Forms Most Beautiful, the New Science of Evo-Devo by Sean Carroll (about evolutionary development/embryology/ontogenetic changes in speciation)

~Why Some Like It Hot by Gary Nabhan (it's about the biology behind certain cultural and ethnic food customs, really fascinating.)

~Ontogeny and Phylogeny by Stephen Jay Gould (reread this classic b/c the Carroll book builds on it).

~No Turning Back by Richard Ellis (a book about extinctions)

:sun***The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins***:sun is the BEST book I've read all year, I really really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down, but then again that's from the perspective of a science buff. :cool



Let's see...I'm reading "Name All The Animals" by Allison Smith, which is a memoir about her life after her brother dies in a sudden car accident. Really great writing.



I just finished listening to that (I had to take a road trip and bought the audio book, it's actually read by the author, which I thought was kind of cool). It wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be, but she had a lot of insights, I was glad I got it.

Anyway

[Calletta]

:hugon (o: :hugoff

Hi Smiley

I got my Sark book from Amazon. They had quite a few available I think. I'm trying to remember which marketplace seller it was.... hmmm.... :lookin might've been Speaking Tree I think. They are based in Glastonbury and have a fantastic range of esoteric books if you're into that kind of thing Speaking Tree Bookshop (http://www.speakingtree.co.uk) Also have you visited Sark's Webpage? (http://www.planetsark.com) Anyhow, do a search on Amazon, I'm sure you'll find something! Well, I'll finish here before I start to sound too much like an advert!!! (or is it too late? :ummm)


:love:flower:love

[Aubiegirl]

Sorry if this is an ignorant question, but what is a Sark book? :confused

[White Fairy]

Thank you so much for the speakingtree link - really, really interesting :supergrin :supergrin

[ShootingSTARS]

I'm going to go try and indulge in the James Patterson book "Along came a spider" it's good :yay

[peepapie]

ok, just finished reading "The Pact" :hairy it was sooooooooo good!!!!

[kateri]

everyone's reading such interesting books!
i'm reading holy war, inc.: inside the secret world of osama bin laden by peter l. bergen (yeah, a little light summer reading :winky)

aubie, "collapse" by jared diamond is literally the next book on my list, i'm so excited about it...i would be reading it now, but i have to wait for my dad to finish it (then get over to my home town to borrow it :ohboy)...he's a science geek, me i'm a poli.sci geek, so it works for both of us!...how is it?

Just wondering - did any of you read a book that really touched your soul - you know the kind of book that I mean - when you have finished reading it - you know that your life will never be the same again?????????????
the book i go back to again and again is a collection of short stories by sherman alexie, the lone ranger and tonto fistfight in heaven...i would recommend it to anyone, it's so beautiful i can't even explain...and his characters are so inspiring for how they survive

[Aubiegirl]

aubie, "collapse" by jared diamond is literally the next book on my list, i'm so excited about it...i would be reading it now, but i have to wait for my dad to finish it (then get over to my home town to borrow it :ohboy)...he's a science geek, me i'm a poli.sci geek, so it works for both of us!...how is it?


It's definitely worth reading. My favorite parts were the ones about Australia and also Easter Island, I thought they were really fascinating but then again I've always been intrigued by those areas At times the book can get a little tedious because he really drives home each point and will reiterate principles many times, BUT it makes sure you 'get' everything and will come away with a good understanding of his message. Once you're done with it bump this thread up and we can compare notes!

[CTsa]

I finished Million Little Pieces by James Frey and I'm currently reading,

James Mischner's--HAWAII....---sooooo good--soooo intriguing-long, but excellent


Great post--thanks! :winky

[White Fairy]

holy war, inc.: inside the secret world of osama bin laden by peter l. bergen

I too read this book - and I also really like Jared Diamond - Have any of you read ''The rise and fall of the third Chimpanzee''???????????

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxx

[Shuffleboard Queen]

:hugon Aubie :hugoff

I :love Jared Diamond's books...Guns, Germs, and Steel is one of my favorite. I also read a couple of books by Ian Tattersall on human evolution: Monkey in the Mirror and Becoming Human. The last one was the best.

:hugon Siobhan :hugoff

My life changing book was To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, which is about a black man falsely accused of assaulting a white woman in the South (nineteen-fifties or so).

I just finished a book about the disease detectives of the CDC. Makes me want to recover so I can do all of those cool things.

Another fabulous book is Breaking the Limit by Karen Larsen, which is about a woman in her twenties who takes a motorcycle across America and into Alaska, meeting her birth parents along the way. Great wonderful book/travelogue.

I'm just starting The Siege by Helen Dunmore, about the siege of Leningrad in nineteen-forty-one. It has some rather graphic portrayals of hunger and starvation that are a wee big triggering, but the book is so lyrical and haunting that I can't put it down!

[Shuffleboard Queen]

:hugon Siobhan :hugoff

Didn't see your last post there. I did infact read The Third Chimpanzee and found it really interesting. I also liked Human Natures by Paul Ehrlich.

Us science dorks need to have a convention or something!

[dependant_on_hugs]

Well at the moment I'm reading "Grace" - a biography on the life of Grace Kelly....it's quite easy bedtime reading.
My ultimate FAVOURITE book in the world is "lolita" by vladimir nabokov - it's possibly the best book ever written. It's so interesting to examine the world from the point of view of a character who is essentially a madman. I've read it at least a hundred times!
This is a great post, good call!
M
-x-

[Aubiegirl]

Us science dorks need to have a convention or something!

For any fellow science dorks, The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins and Endless Forms Most Beautiful: The New Science of Evo Devo by Sean Carroll are far and away my favorite books I've read all year! There seem to be a lot of people interested in anthropology and human origins, The Ancestor's Tale deals with evolution going from the present (and humans) back, instead of the traditional 'up the ladder' approach, and I can't emphasize enough how good that book is. If you read it, "The Grasshopper's Tale" talks about race and how far away the sociological concept of race is from the biological facts of it, that was my favorite section of the book.

I've been wanting to read Diamond's The Third Chimpanzee, now that I know it comes so highly recommended I may pick it up this week. :yay

[meow]

Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picolut

[paintbox]

I'm currently reading "Schrodinger's Kittens and the Search for Reality" by John Gribbin - it's a great read. I enjoy reading books about popular science - this is about quantum theory and the quantum world.

& "Theremin : Ether Music & Espionage", a biography of Leon Theremin (Lev Termin).


I've recently read a couple of books by British cult author Robert Rankin. Has anyone here read his books? They're completely nuts, sometimes not impressing me at all and sometimes absolutely brilliant. He's not THAT much like Terry Pratchett but that's the best comparison I can think of - at his best he has a really bizarre, off the wall kind of humour, witty and clever at the same time. He's the kind of author who gets funnier the more you read him, because he has so many recurring gags, references and characters in his books. (Including music references, which a geek like me gets a kick out of - he has a book called "Sprout Mask Replica", for example, and in something I read he made a reference to rather obscure ********s psych band Dantalion's Chariot).
"The Witches of Chiswick" - I thought this was great. The plot got so convoluted that by the end I couldn't even tell whether it made sense or not, but that didn't matter at all, who cares when it's this much fun to read?
"The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse" - this was really good too. If you haven't read anything by Robert Rankin this is probably a good place to start . Apparently this book won some award, but Rankin wasn't there to accept it since he was having a few drinks at the bar, not suspecting he would win. That's kinda cool.

[jfayzie]

My next book is My Sister's Keeper and I just read on People magazine that John IRving came out with a new book about his struggle w abuse. called Until I Find you Anyone heard of it???

What a small world. I just finished My Sister's Keeper (borrowed it from a friend) and bought the new John Irving book while I was out last night. I'm up to pg eighty-three, but I'll let you :fishy know what I think :supergrin .

[Aubiegirl]

I almost never read novels, usually I stick to science/natural history, but I just finished The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova and it is SOOO good. I especially recommend it for anyone who liked The DaVinci Code or The Rule of Four, it's a similar style of book where you just have to turn the page as the story unravels and more clues are revealed.

[Seabiscuit]

:cool topic -

I just finished

:peace For Bea: The Story of the Beagle Who Changed My Life by Kristen Von Kreisler
:peace reading now: The Wellness Revolution by Paul Zane Pilzer
:peace reading now: Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior by Temple Grandin and Catherine Johnson

[Aubiegirl]

:cool topic -


:peace reading now: Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior by Temple Grandin and Catherine Johnson


I read that a couple of months ago and absolutely loved it! Temple Grandin has a very distinctive writing style, it was fascinating to read a book by an autistic person, and the subject was really intriguing, I'm an animal lover, but it gives a lot of insights into how the human mind works as well.

[PetiteLisa]

I am so glad to see this thread! Books are awesome, which explains why I have four bookshelves full of all sorts of books! Of course, I love fiction the most, and trying to write my own book here. I recently finished "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime." Mark Haddon must be a genius, because this book is so creative! I admit I did not fully understand every part of the story because there is a lot of math involved, but I enjoyed it nonetheless! I will just make a list, and all these books are ones I recommend:

The Rising-Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins
Hadassah-Tommy Tenney
You Are A Dog-Terry Bain
The people of Sparks-Jeanne DuPray
Your best life now-Joel Osteen
Amazing Gracie-Dan Dye and Mark Beckloff
Appetites-Caroline Knapp
My Sister's Keeper-Jodi Picoult
A Northern Light-Jennifer Donnelly
The Dog Walker-I do not know the author
Must Love Dogs-I do not know the author

There is nothing wrong with reading two books a day and owning my own library:)
Hope this list enlightens other readers out there!
Happy Reading!!!

[Anakalia]

Right now I am reading Strange But True. Has anyone read this? I am about eighty pages in and it is not catching me yet.

[Trixiefour]

My all time recently read favorite was The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.... a book about following your dreams.

I am currently reading Wicked by Geogory Maguire. (about the Wicked Witch of the West)....not exactly my type of book, but my best friend and I are going to go see it in Chicago in October so that keeps me reading. My soon to be ex-husband calls it my autobiography, so that also has something to spur me on (hee hee - f**k him and his badgering opinions!)

And my passion for reading will always lie in poetry and actual letters from the ****************s.

[Trixiefour]

hee hee....the actual letters should be from the eighteen hundreds! a period in time....

[lima]

Trixie Im rereading The Alchemist right now for the second time. It's realy different how this is impacting me now (five years into recovery w/ my own goals and dreams) than it was five years ago when I was still more active in the ED. And it's my all time favorite book. I absolutely :love it!!! Have you read Eleven Minutes by him as well?

I got a book for my bday by my T called The Power of SEcrets by Deepak Chopra. I've never read much about him but I've heard hes a wonderful inspiritational author. So that will be the next one I read.

I also have been wanting to read Lolita too! And The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime sounds really interesting. Im going to look it up on Amazon! I :love anything that has to do w/ math! :cheesy

[jfayzie]

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime sounds really interesting. Im going to look it up on Amazon! I :love anything that has to do w/ math! :cheesy

I read that book in December :sly . It actually has to do w/ autism. The main character, a teenage boy, suffers from autism, and relates to the world a lot through math. I highly recommend this book as well. It's quite a quick read, though :confused .

[LadyEmie]

I love reading! I used to hate it-- but I have grown to love it! I am currently reading Prep and The Bergdorf Blondes-- I guess one of my favs would have to be Suzanne's Diary For Nicholas, A Walk To Remember, The Notebook (Well Nicholas Sparks is an awesome author-- all of his works are great!), Stephen King's works, and well the list goes on...but Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas is soo good!!!! Awesome question!!! Have a good day!

[White Fairy]

One of the books that I am reading at the moment is

''Blanketmen - An untold story of the H-Block hunger strike'' - I have just started it - but so far it is very good - very easy to read (thankfully coz I am brain dead today) and another book whose title I cannot give on this site - it's a brilliant book about a guy that works in a shelter for the homeless and the relationship that he has with his father - who is a homeless man - it's a great book - but the title is a bit rude........... :winky :winky

Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Aubiegirl]

I recently finished "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime." Mark Haddon must be a genius, because this book is so creative! !

I read that book last year and LOVED it too! I don't read much fiction, but I really enjoyed it. I heard they're making a movie version. I always hate it when they do that to good books though, because it never quite lives up to the literature. I really hate that they're making The DaVinci Code into a movie, the book is way too good and so many people will pass it up to just see the theater version!


Another of the handful of fiction books I've read over the last year or so is Life of Pi by Yann Martel, it is incredibly good, I highly recommend it! (and no, despite the 'pi' it isn't about math!)

[Shuffleboard Queen]

Speaking of Lolita...earlier this summer I read Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi who was an English lit professor in Iran after the revolution who taught a class to five women in her house. I LOVED it.

I just picked up The Flanders Panel based on Millie's recommendation, and am enjoying it. I'm hoping to read another chapter tonight. The Ancestor's Tale is next on my list, Aubie! But I'm so busy right now I couldn't face tackling that tome! :cheesy

[Mully]

Wow, so many of us are readers!

Right now I am reading "Blowfly" by Patricia Cornwell. I'm a sucker for psychological thrillers/crime novels. I'm also reading "She's Come Undone" by Wally Lamb for the fourth time- I just love how real Delores (the main character) is, and how she gets through so much pain in her life.

[cshbum]

this is so my type of question. ever since i was a child the one release i have had that wasn't self destructive was reading. it became a way to escape my own reality and be transported into a place of my choosing. only problem is i tend to pick serious books even in times of stuggle.

i just got out of treatment and not joking when i say that i packed one suitcase just for books.

so to answer the question right now i am reading...

IBM and the Holocaust : The Strategic Alliance Between Nazi Germany and America's Most Powerful Corporation by Edwin Black

Survival In Auschwitz -- by Primo Levi

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) -- by Don Miguel Ruiz-because in treatment toltec was majorly stressed.

Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too by Jenni Schaefer

but some books i would recomend would be

Breakfast of Champions -- by Kurt Vonnegut
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
mother night by kurt vonnegut
god bless you mr. rosewater by kurt vonnegut
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
White Oleander : A Novel by Janet Fitch
shes come undone by wally lamb
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
wasted by marya hornbacher
Cut by Patricia Mccormick
Smack by Melvin Burgess
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Bell Jar (Perennial Classic) by Sylvia Plath
Beauty Queen -- by Linda Glovach
The Hanged Man by Francesca Lia Block
anything by Chekhov
anything by Dostoevsky
anything by Tolstoy
anything by jane austen
anything by charlotte bronte
anything by Pushkin
anything by gogol(apparently i head straight to russian lit)
anything by Nabokov

i could go on but i won't

thanks for the interesting thread :yay

[Rosie_Cheeks]

I recently read A Painted House...It's about a young boy growing up in Arkansas...sounds boring but you wouldn't believe this character's perspective on his town, life, God, and the scandals that go down.

My all time favorite favorite favorite book (non-fiction) is You Are Not What You Weigh by Lisa Bevere...trust me this is a must read for anyone struggling with an ed. I devoured it and read the entire thing in like an hour. It is about overcoming food idols and life in a cage by discoring God.

My Other Favorites:

Girl With A Pearl Earring
Shades of Simon Gray
The Lovely Bones (You have to be very open minded when you read this one...but you'll be glad you did!)
To Kill A Mockingbird (I even have a pet named Atticus! I'm such a nerd...)
Fallen Angels

[Shuffleboard Queen]

Rosie,

I think we have similar tastes in books! I :love To Kill a Mockingbird, The Lovely Bones, and Girl with a Pearl Earring as well. I enjoyed Fallen Angels as well, but not as much as the others.

Another book I recommended earlier in the post was Ursula, Under by Ingrid Hill, which was so good I'll say it again. It traces the ancestors of a Sino-Finnish girl who gets trapped in an abandoned mine shaft in the upper peninsula of Michigan. It was awesome!

[White Fairy]

I am glad that I started this post - I too have read ''Reading Lolita in Tehran''

The books that I am reading at the moment are

A hundred and one days - A Baghdad Journal - By Asne Seierstad

Glimpses of the devil - A psychiatrists personal accounts of Possession, Exorcism, and Redemption - Dr. M. Scott Peck, M.D. (Have read all of his books)

And a book that I have just started yesterday

Under the banner of heaven - A story of violent faith - Jon Krakauer

I live to read and read to live :cheesy

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxx

[Aubiegirl]

Hey :hugonCarrie:hugoff, we had talked about The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins, just wanted to mention to you that the September issue of Discover magazine has a feature on him, kind of a short biography and also about some recent controversial things he's done. It talks about his political bulldoggedness, although I enjoy his science enough that I don't let the political things detract from his otherwise amazing writing.


I recently read A Painted House...It's about a young boy growing up in Arkansas...sounds boring but you wouldn't believe this character's perspective on his town, life, God, and the scandals that go down.
:hugonRosie_Cheeks:hugoff I read that book and really liked it. I have read EVERYTHING Grisham has ever published, and it was strange to read a book by him that didn't involve lawyers, but I really enjoyed it. I have heard that it is semi-autobiographical, but I'm not sure if that's true. They made a TV movie of it a couple of years ago but I didn't watch it, the movie versions always disappoint me, and there is no substituting Grisham's narrative voice.

[crazymate]

I am nearing the end of :sun The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay :sun and I am then going to move on to the sequil :sun Tandia :sun

My T recommended this book to me but I have to say I was a little put off by the synopsis; No stranger to the injustice of racial hatred, five-year-old Peekay learns the hard way the first secret of survival and self-preservation - the power of one. The book follows Peekay, a young boy who sets his sights on being the heavy weight champion of the world. As a young boy Peekay has some hard lessons to learn about self preservation and survival. The book is semi autobiographical tale and tells his story and that of the people who touch his life along the way, Geel Piet and Hoopie Groenewalt to name but two.

But I think The Power of one is truly brilliant. It offers a superb account of life growing up under apartheid. Yet Peekay deals with so much more than the 'South African' issue, he touches the human soul in such a way as to make this a book I will never forget.

[kapoker]

Oh, I love to read, I can't go anywhere without a book...literally. Right now, I'm reading Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. It's hilarious...I highly recommend it!

It's too hard to pick a favorite, there are just so many...


take care,
Rachel :peep

[desiderata]

I have recently gotten back into reading again since I just got a library card locally. Within the past few weeks, I've read An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison, a memoir about her bipolar disorder, Beginning to Heal by Laura Davis, an annotated version of Courage to Heal, two books about cults--quite interesting, and A Cab Called Reliable about a Korean-American girl growing up in America. All of them were good.

Currently, I'm reading Lucky by Alice Sebold and finishing The Other End of the Leash byPatricia McConnell about why humans do the things they do around dogs. My next books on my list are Pack of Two by Caroline Knapp and a book by the Dalai Llama.

I was glad to hear about Falling Leaves and Reading Lolita in Tehranas I have been wanting to read them for awhile.

Some of you mentioned some other books that I recommend, The Lovely Bones. I listened to this on a long driving trip and absolutey loved it. Someone else mentioned Unbearable Weight by Susan Bordo. She was my professor in college for women's studies and is an incredibly remarkable woman. Bordo also has another book, The Male Body out about men and body image which has gotten good reviews. I also recommend Appetites by Caroline Knapp and Full Lives, stories about women who have recovered from their EDs.

Oh yes, and I also like recommend anything by Amy Tan or Margaret Atwood. There's lots of other books I recommend, but these are the ones off the top of my list.

Dae

[CTsa]

I just finished the epic Hawaii...

Now I started reading She's Come Undone by wally lamb--really really good.... :cute

[Aubiegirl]

I just finished the epic Hawaii...

:cute

Is that by James Michener? I have always wanted to read a book by him but have never had a chance to. Have you read any of his other books?

[JenRebekah]

I've just finished the entire Gunslinger Series by Stephen King.
I am now reading the eleventh book in Janet Evonovich's series about Stephanie Plum... those are WAY funny and entertaining..........................

[CTsa]

:grin Aubie :grin
Yes, Hawii is by James Michner--It was sooo good. I highly recommend it. IT's VERy long (about **************** pages)...it takes about ************ or so pages to get into it, so don't give up on it. It's awesome!!! No, I"m getting ready to get another one--I think the one that the musical South pacific was written from.

Oh, for all you teachers out there. I'm reading a book called Quantum Teaching! IT's fantastic!!! You will get soo much out of this book. IT inspires to teaach at a level you never thought was possible. Check it out!

Love,

[desiderata]

Another good Michner book, :ummm at least I think, is called The Source. It's a very long book but worth the read, especially if you have an interest in history and early civilizations.

Dae

[Trixiefour]

Thanks Lima....I will add Eleven Minutes to my list of "Books I would like to read someday" :-)

[Aubiegirl]

Another good Michner book, :ummm at least I think, is called The Source. It's a very long book but worth the read, especially if you have an interest in history and early civilizations.

Dae

I actually think that I may have that somewhere, is it the one that is about Judaism? I've always thought it looked fascinating but have never had a chance to read it, I will definitely dig it out if it comes recommended, though. :happy

[BlueApathy]

I'm reading "The Body Myth" and I am not that impressed.

[White Fairy]

I have just finished reading ''The art of happiness at work'' - HH Dalai Lama & Howard C. Culter - good book - but not the best in the series, today I started ''Streetwise - stories from an Irish prison'' - so far it is interesting. I've had loads of time to read this weekend coz my partner has been away - coming back tomorrow - thankfully :cheesy :lubdub

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Shuffleboard Queen]

I just started Wicked by Gregory Maguire, and it's really interesting. It's the story of the Wizard of Oz from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West.

I also enjoyed Blink: The Art of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell. I actually read it because my mom got a copy from her T because his brother was interviewed for the book and appears in there. It was neat reading that. Gladwell's other book, The Tipping Point, was also soooooo interesting. I picked it up when I was stranded overnight in the Atlanta airport and had read everything else in my bags. Really made me think. Both of them are highly recommended.

[frecklefacefishy]

I just started Wicked by Gregory Maguire, and it's really interesting. It's the story of the Wizard of Oz from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West.



Wicked is one of my FAVORITE books. Also, "Confessions of An Ugly Stepsister" (about Cinderella's stepsister(s)) and "Mirror Mirror" (his take on Snow White) are good too.

[Anakalia]

:hugon Carrie :hugoff

I just started Think last night. One of my friends reccommended it. I am glad to hear you liked it!

[Lizzietheswimmer]

Is that by James Michener? I have always wanted to read a book by him but have never had a chance to. Have you read any of his other books?

Michener is actually from my town! there are a lot of museums and building's named after him around here. I think he also wrote a book about poland...i think my mom read it b/c we are polish and she thought it was excellent.

as for me, i am reading the rapture of canaan its about a very religous and isolated community. my sister, a reading junkie, left for college on thursday, and i have decided i am going to make use of all the books in her room. :cheesy

[desiderata]

I haven't read The Rapture of Canaan. but I've heard it is very good.

Aubie, yes, you should read The Source. I think you'll really like it. Plus, the ending is surprising.

I just finished a book by the Dalai Llama. I thought it was good. For some reason, the title is had totally slipped from my mind. I'm also about halfway through Pack of Two by Caroline Knapp and Am I Thin Enough? The latter is an interesting book though I already know much of the information as to the whys of body image/eating disorders and how culture, society, etc. have affected them. I was impressed with her reference list, however.

Dae

[Shuffleboard Queen]

Lizzie,

I've read The Rapture of Canaan a number of years ago (five? Maybe more?) and I really really enjoyed it. I could relate well to the main character, with her efforts to cram herself into a mold she knew she didn't fit, and then finding a way out.

Anakalia,

Enjoy Blink. Let me know if you liked it, and I'll pass the word along. My mom's T's bro is in the section by the Marine guy (forget the chapter title...but his name is Klein, and he's the author of a really important book...as you can tell my brain has officially flown the coop! :muhaha)

[Aubiegirl]

I just started Wicked by Gregory Maguire, and it's really interesting. It's the story of the Wizard of Oz from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West.




I absolutely LOVED that book! He's publishing a sequel this fall, it's supposed to be titled Son of a Witch. :winky I don't think I'm even going to wait for the paperback of it!

Hey Carrie, I thought about you this week. I know you're into anthropology and human evolution, have you read much by the primatologist Frans de Waal? He wrote Chimpanzee Politics, Bonobo: The Forgotten Ape and a bunch of other books about primate/human behavior. Anyway, he came here to Auburn yesterday and I got to see him lecture, he autographed a book for me and I got to talk to him! ACK it was like a celebrity sighting for science nuts like me, LOL. Anyway, I knew you had some similar reading interests and thought you might have heard of him, thought I'd share my experience. He is a really entertaining speaker and his books are really thought provoking. The next book on my 'to read' list is his The Ape and the Sushi Master.

[Shuffleboard Queen]

Aubie,

I will definitely put those books on my list...sound great! I've read more on human evolution than actual behavior stuff, but I'd love to read more. Have you ever read anything by Ian Tattersal? He's one of the directors of the Smithsonian Institute of Natural History, and his books are fabulous! I loved Monkey in the Mirror.

Glad you enjoyed the book signing. We had those all the time at my college, and I got to meet a few infectious disease authors while I was a grad student. It was so cool! Better than celebrity sightings, even!

[Quinacridone]

i'm not a reader (i much prefer looking at the pictures)....but I'm reading the book Captivating. (can't remember who its written by). Its a self-esteem book that my counselor is having me read. Why do I argue with books when I read them?????

I BOUGHT Phantom of the OPera (from the oriinal writter) a few months back but haven't had time to read it.

[lima]

I am starting a book by Deepak Chopra called The Book of Secrets . My T gave it to me for my birthday. Anyone read it?

My coworker just gave me The Time Traveler's Wife Anyone read it?

And I just finished The Alchemist for the third time. All time favorite book!!!

[fefa]

Now i AM READING A BOOK ABOUT TWO AMERICAN THAT WROTE ABOUT HOW TO GET OUT OF DEPRESSION.. VERY GOOD.. aT LEAST i AM FOCUS IN SOMETHING RIGHT NOW.
:gimmehug wHITE :gimmehug
lOVE
FEFA

[Lizzietheswimmer]

:hugon Lima :hugoff my mom read the time traveler's wife she thought it was excellent.

the rapture of canaan was excellent!

now i'm onto wuthering heights ...

[White Fairy]

now i'm onto wuthering heights ...

I love this book - read it years ago for my leaving cert - and I can still remember the whole book - definitely had an impact on me - beautifully written :supergrin

The books that I am reading at the moment are

''Kathy's Story - A childhood hell inside the Magdalen Laundries'' - very sad, horrific book - ''man's inhumanity to man'' never ceases to disgust me.......... :sad

''Stasiland- Stories from behind the Berlin wall'' - This is a masterpiece in investigative analysis................

Siobhan :gimmehug

[kateri]

:hugon aubie :hugoff (if you're around :grin) almost forgot i was going to come back with my reaction to collapse by jared diamond, which i finished a few weeks ago now...you're right about how he repeats himself to drive the point home, so you end up skimming over those bits. near the end, when he was trying to counteract arguments that might come up, i thought it was a little bit patronising...but despite that, :zoinks WOW what an amazing read! i was struck by SO many different parts of it...

the chapter on rwanda really stunned me because i've studied the genocide in poli sci, hell i even remember when it happened, but so much of what diamond said was brand new to me (how closely related to overpopulation/bad farming practices it was...and that brilliant/heartbreaking quote that "those who could afford shoes were killed by those who couldn't"...)

i was also so impressed that he made the effort to come up with potential solutions. so much of what i read is more or less people complaining about the world (or "society"), basically saying the end is nigh and everything is terrible :ohboy but not offering anything constructive...which i always figure is such a cop-out, it's so easy to take that point of view because you can never really be proven wrong! i'd be interested to see how he'd apply those fairly theoretical solutions to practical situations, but it's already pretty impressive!

the thing that impressed me most, as somebody raised by scientists (and i always say you might as well be raised by wolves, hehheh, just kidding science geek :supergrin), was that he tried (and succeeded, i think) to explain why we should care about particular environmental issues, and scientific research in general. so many scientists i've met over the years seem to think the population in general will just know why their research is important, and won't bother to try to communicate it. and some of them would rather just be doing science and would never even write papers if they could get away with it. now, to me it's fairly obvious that this type of work is INCREDIBLY important from a political point of view...and i just have to wonder, if someone connected the dots (à la jared diamond, perhaps!) between global warming and societal collapse, hence global warming and terrorism, maybe more people would get it. maybe GWB (or his people :grin) would get it and be willing to conform to the kyoto protocol. and maybe people would be more willing to support that kind of government policy. because most people AREN'T stupid, they just need things explained in layman's terms, and they need to be told how it will impact them personally.

ok, rant over. anyways, for now it's just textbooks :ohboy, but they are wicked cool :yay

[Anakalia]

I just finished Pledged. It is about sororities and the pledging process. It was rather interesting and at times really got to me. I picked it up because I was in a sorority at an intensely Greek school.

[lilsweetie]

a new book just came out:
"hunger: an unnatural history" and i just started reading it. it's really interesting, recommend it.

also:
"female chauvinist pigs" about the raunch culture + women these days.

"not to people like us" about abuse in upscale marriages.

[Shuffleboard Queen]

I am going to start reading The Great Fire by Shirley Hazzard, which is about the end of WWII, in Asia (China? Tokyo?) I think. It's gotten great reviews. I'm looking forward to it.

I also just finished reading The Great Mortality which is about the Black Death in Europe, and it covered all sorts of aspects of it besides just the disease portion. I thought it was great...a little morbid, but really interesting.

Speaking of morbid (:cheesy), my friend in med school gave me the book Stiff, which is a book about...get this...corpses. It is laugh out loud funny. And respectful towards the dead, in the utmost way.

[White Fairy]

:hugon :hugon Carrie :hugoff :hugoff

Stiff - Mary Roach - it's a great book, I read it about a year ago.............

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxxx

[(o: Smiley]

Sorry just a gatecrash a minute!!!
:hugon Siobhan :hugoff Thinkin of you hunny :gimmehug

[White Fairy]

:hugon :hugon :hugon Smiley :hugoff :hugoff :hugoff

Thanks hon - thinking of you too hon - hope to catch up with you soon.........

Loads of love

Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx :gimmehug :lubdub :gimmehug

[cooperraven]

Harry potter books - i've read them several times - but not the newest one yet!

[Cathie]

I'm a really slow reader- I find it difficult to concentrate for long periods so I find I can only read a chapter or two at a time (although I did spend three hours in a coffee shop reading this afternoon... :ohboy )

Anyways, I'm also more of a fiction person.I have a huge pile of books to read at home and I still keep buying more!

I've just finished reading My Sister's Keeper and I tried to read the DaVinci Code but found it really hard going, so I've stopped. I've almost finished The Pact , also by Jodi Picoult, and I bought another one of hers today that I can't remember the title of. I love her writing.

I'm always looking for new recommendations of books to read, so this thread has been quite useful. It's great to see what other people are reading and get ideas for myself.

[White Fairy]

:hugon :hugon Cathie :hugoff :hugoff

When I started this thread I didn't realise how many cool books I was going to hear about. :hairy :cheesy I don't read much fiction - there are so many non-fiction books that I want to read that I never seem to get the time to read fiction.

Last night I started Michael Palins new book ''Himalaya'' - and at the moment we are in Pakistan. I love his style of writing and as the review in the Guardian said this book is ''The Ultimate armchair travel book''. I am always happy when reading......... I have a few thousand books now - everywhere you look in our house there are books - I think we may even have to build on another room soon to accomodate all the books :muhaha :muhaha :muhaha :muhaha :muhaha We will be living on the side of the street - but at least my books will be warm and dry.............. :winky

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxx :gimmehug

[(o: Smiley]

:hugon Cathie :hugoff
I love Jodi Picoults books too! Have you read vanishing acts? thats another good one by her? (o:

[Aubiegirl]

Speaking of morbid (:cheesy), my friend in med school gave me the book Stiff, which is a book about...get this...corpses. It is laugh out loud funny. And respectful towards the dead, in the utmost way.


That book has been on my wishlist for years now, I've never had the chance to pick it up. I LOVE Mary Roach, her column is the first thing I turn to in Reader's Digest every month. :yay

[mawa]

I'm not a huge reader, but I cannot put down
The Time Traveler's Wife!!

Read it! read it! read it! It is so beautiful!

And... (for ED)...Eating in the Light of the Moon (Anita Johnston)

[White Fairy]

I've never had the chance to pick it up. I LOVE Mary Roach

:hugon :hugon Aubie :hugoff :hugoff

Excellent book - Aubie - why don't you treat yourself to a copy????????????

By the way - how are you doing hon?????????

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx :gimmehug :lubdub :gimmehug

[Cathie]

:hugon Cathie :hugoff
I love Jodi Picoults books too! Have you read vanishing acts? thats another good one by her? (o:
I haven't read it yet. It's the next one of hers I'm going to buy. I just finished The Pact and loved it, and have just started reading Perfect Match, which looks like it's going to be really sad. It's good to see I'm not the only one who's caught the Jodi Picoult bug!

I ordered Kate Adie's new book, Nobody's Child from Tesco online today- I went round all the bookshops in town trying to find it at a reasonable price, then decided I had plenty of time and I could wait a couple of days to get it, so I ordered it online and saved a whopping eight quid! Bargain.

[KathrynTheCat]

Hey,
Well haven't been into this forum before but hey. I LOVE reading and have been doing heaps of it atm since i've been hiding at home or going on public transport to appts. Anyway, Harry Potter, the latest one, read it. a good read. My fav of those is the third one though. I'll stand by that too. lol
I don't read that much fiction but am starting to get more into it now as most of the decent non-fiction books in my local library have been read already or are on loan so that doesn't really help me much. I like reading about things, and more than anything about ppl who have been through things. I've read a fair few ed books and some are SO awsome. Ok, here are the ones i've liked most:
'Slim to None' by Jennifer Hendricks; 'Bronte's Story' by Bronte Cullis; 'Dying not to eat' by Kathryn de Bruin; 'To die for' by Carol Lee; 'How to recover from anorexia and other eating disorders' by Melinda Hutchings; and this is half ed half not but 'Mirror, Mirror' by Diane Wilson (this is a new release i think, it was a gift).
there's a couple of other ones in there i've read but those are the ones i like the best. I gound this other book yesterday and over halfway through it easily already. (ie in ********hrs) it's called 'but inside i'm screaming' by elizabeth flock. i really like this one and i can relate to a lot of the things addressed. it is based in a psych hospital but also in the mind of the patient (main character) and memories. i can hardly put it down.
i have read and absolutely LOVED the hannibal series (ie red dragon, silence of the lambs and hannibal). read them a few times each. also can't seem to get enough of Paulo Coelho. of his books i've read 'the alchemist' heaps of times and always get something new out of it. i also read 'veronika decides to die', '********minutes', 'on fifth mountain' and there are a couple of others of his that i forgot names of right now. i really like david eddings books, but do need a break from time to time, and the two books 'desert flower' and 'desert dawn' by waris dirie were amazing. as were/are the dave pelzer books ('a child called it', 'the lost boy', and 'a man named dave').
Ok, those are a lot of the books i like to read though i still like other types as well, NOT romance though. lol. any ideas for great reads would be cool. hope you enjoy some of the above books it ya interested in those areas. tc all. laters.
love kath xxxxxxxxxxxxxx mwah

[White Fairy]

'desert flower' and 'desert dawn' by waris dirie were amazing. as were/are the dave pelzer books ('a child called it', 'the lost boy', and 'a man named dave').

Hi :hugon Kathryn :hugoff

I read all of these books - I have a lot of admiration for Waris Dirie - she is a strong woman. If you read through this thread - you might find some books that you would be interested in checking out. Welcome to the :bowl hon

Love Siobhanxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx :lubdub

[Catt]

I'm reading HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE!!!!!

I heard it's really good, can't wait to finish it

[Anakalia]

I just finished The Bookseller of Kabul. It was an amazing book. If you are interested in what Afghanistan is really like right now I would highly recommend this book. It follows the lives of a particular family and provides some history of the country along the way. VERY GOOD!

[White Fairy]

I just finished The Bookseller of Kabul.

:hugon :hugon Anakalia :hugoff :hugoff

Have you read her new book?????

''A hundred and one days - A Baghdad journal''

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxxx :lubdub

[Anakalia]

:hugon Siobhan :hugoff

No I haven't. Is it good? I am going to look into that because I really enjoyed The Bookseller. Last night I started Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight. It is about a memoir of a Caucasian girl's upbringing in what is now Zimbabwe.

[Shuffleboard Queen]

Anakalia,

I think I posted about that book in a different post. Perhaps this one. I read so much I'm losing track! But it's awesome! I was actually supposed to do some PhD research over in Malawi and Zambia on TB, but then I relapsed and had to cancel. It is, however, why I picked up a copy in the first place. So glad I did, regardless.

I'm reading The Historian which was loaned to me by a coworker who said I HAD to read it. The whole Dracula thing had me leery, but it's pretty good. Not much of a Gothic person, but the actual telling of the story (narration) is really interesting, and the descriptions are wonderful. However, the dang thing is so hefty that my perusal will be interrupted for a business trip cuz it won't fit in my suitcase.

I just finished A Million Little Pieces by James Frey, which is the story of his recovery of addiction to drugs and alcohol. It was so painful I cringed and literally couldn't read some pages...but I could totally relate to this guy. If you're offended by swearing then, uh, this book ain't for you. He makes Marya Hornbacher's Wasted look like it was recommended by an eighty-year-old nun in comparison. It's appropriate though. There are times when nothing but the F-word will do. It is also Oprah's newest book, so it will be everywhere. Read it in a day. Highly recommended.

[Lizzietheswimmer]

currently I am reading The Kite Runner . It is about Afghanistan and the political changes since about the nineteen seventies and the effects on humanity. It has a VERY good story line to it. I'd highly recommend it, my aunt gave it to me for my birthday.

[desiderata]

I just finished My Sister's Keeper which many of you have read. Awesome book! I'm going to look for some of her other books at the library tomorrow. Now, I'm reading Why Do Men Have Nipples? It's actually quite an interesting and funny book about all the questions/myths we wonder about but are afraid to ask.

Someone also mentioned Stiff. That's another one I would like to read. Tonight I watched the Lifetime movie "Amublance Girl" and am thinking about reading that book as well.

Dae

[KathrynTheCat]

Hey,
Just finished reading 'But Inside I'm Screaming' by Elizabeth Flock. Couldn't put it down and would definately read it again (there's very few books i'd reread, most i'd just read once and enjoy, but that's it). Am about halfway through reading 'Massive' by Julia Bell and it's interesting. Am also about to start reading A Brother's Journey, Don't Let Her See Me Cry, Scarred for Life, Tell Me I'm Here and Fresh Fields. I'll let you know what they're like. Laters.
kath

[avidreader]

I have been inundated in books to read over vacation *sigh* school...I love it :ohboy

I had to read Tess of the D'urbervilles (loved it, but the way women are portrayed sucks)
-Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (really difficult one to get through)
-Taming of the Shrew (I LOVE SHAKESPEARE!!! :lubdub)
and have yet to read Hardball by Chris Matthews for my AP Gov't class. :mad
I don't like having to read...I love reading, but not when it is forced upon me! Oh well...am planning to read some books for my own pleasure later...want to read Don Quixote...I read parts of it in my Spanish Lit class (Quixote is spelled that way in contrast to Quijote because it's in Castellano Spanish)...but wanna read it in English because that's my strength.

However, I am reading a book in Spanish called El demonio y la senorita Prym or The Devil and Ms. Prym. It's really good! It's about good and evil...long story...read it! :winky

By the way...great thread!

[Pretender]

I am reading Sylvia Browne's "Visits from the Afterlife: The Truth about Hauntings, Spirits and Reunions with Lost Loved Ones." She has approx. twenty-five books out there! :happy

I have NEVER been a "reader" at all. AT ALL. Yet I "inhaled" almost two-hundred pages of this book in ONE day!!! :zoinks I'll let this speak for itself...

http://www.sylvia.org (click on "products" to the left)

Love,

P. :gimmehug

[wgaraindaisy]

Besides my school books I am reading "We Wish to Inform you That Tommorow We Will Be Killed With Our Families" By Philip Gourevitch. -About the Rwanda genocide in ****************... That the entire world set back and just watched...

[Shuffleboard Queen]

Dae,

Stiff is highly recommended. At least by myself. :muhaha

I was away on business this past weekend, and I read The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst which was absolutely fabulous. It's about a man who tries to teach his dog to talk, after the dog was the only witness to his wife's mysterious death.

I read She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb in an evening...and that was one long freaking book! I really enjoyed it.

The Kite Runner was really good too, but there is some triggering stuff in there about assault, so be warned. Not too awful, but just in case. Totally illuminating about Afghanistan, though. Brilliantly written. Want to read The Bookseller of Kabul and after that wonderful review, I just may use my next gift card to purchase a copy.

I'm reading a book on boundaries for therapy, and will be starting Midwives tomorrow. It's about a woman and an accidental death of a baby she delivers, and the modern medical system. Etc. The lady at the used bookstore said it was wonderful when I bought it...can't wait!

[JLP]

Wow! A ton of good books were listed on here.

I am an avid reader - and I really enjoy fiction, sci-fi and horror. On average, I read one or two novels a week.

Books I'm reading now (yes, more than one): Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson and Crystal Line by Anne McCaffrey.

Anything by Anne McCaffrey is good!

And I am a HUGE fan of Anne Rice (vampire books). I love her writing style/use of language as much as I love her plots, etc.

Another favorite author is David Eddings. Sci-fi fantasy - his charachter development is incredible as well as the storylines.

Anyone want a really easy read - Brian Jaques and his Redwall series is really good. They are more young adult books, but they are just good reading. All the charachters are animals and it takes place in a medieval time period in a fictional setting.

Holy man, I could go on forever... :supergrin

[desiderata]

Carrie,

Wow, you must read fast, because, She's Come Undone is a very long book! The Dogs of Babel sounds great!:happy I'll have to put it on my reading list.

Currently, I'm reading Perfect Match by Picoult (about halfway through) and have in my possession Bluebeard's Egg by Margaret Atwood. I haven't read Atwood in awhile since Alias Grace and The Handmaid's Tale. Both are very good books. Bluebeard's Egg is part of her older stuff but eventually I want to read one of her newer ones, like Blind Assasin. Is anyone else a an Atwood fan? The other book I have right now is an ER Animal book compiled by Tufts Medical school.

Happy reading, everyone!

Dae

[Cathie]

Dae,
I've just finished reading Perfect Match and while I found some of it hard going in places (that makes no sense at all, sorry) I thought it was really good. I keep wanting to write " and did you like the bit where such and such happens" but that'd spoil it for other people, lol.

I also love Margaret Attwood. I lovedThe Handmaid's Tale and Alias Grace. I'm in a queue to borrow Cat's Eye from a friend of mine when I've finished the book I'm currently reading.

And the book I'm currently reading is Nobody's Child by Kate Adie. It's about children who've been abandoned by their parents to either be adopted or left to orphanages and such. I've only read about a chapter of it but I love the way she rights and it looks like its going to be really good.

[White Fairy]

One of the most beautiful books that I have ever seen is.......

''James and other apes'' - by James Mollison - I think it would cost just over $forty now - bascially the book is composed of pictures of well as the name implies APES :supergrin It it a really big book so you get these huge pictures and these guys are soooooooooooo expressive - there is a little bit of information on each ape at the back of the book - did I say that it is beautiful - oh well I've just said it again. I looked at this book again today coz I wasn't doing too good and it helped me to feel connected to something bigger than myself.

If any of you are interested in the great apes - get this book - you will not regret it - I promise :supergrin

Love Siobhan :monkey :monkey

[Game_Over]

An Unfinished Life by Mark Spragg. Just started it for book club...

[Anakalia]

:hugon Carrie :hugoff

I started A Million Little Pieces a couple days ago and am already half way through it. I couldn't put it down last night. It is really intense, but also very capturing. You are right about the swearing, but in this type of context it doesn't offend me. Thanks for much for the recommendation.

[JenRebekah]

The Book of Mormon and Bringing up boys

[enfant_squelette]

Someone's probably already listed these but I'm too lazy to read four pages of replies.

Ilove anything by Chuck Palahniuk, Choke is probably my favourite of his.

I love Neil Gaiman, more specifically Neverwhere, American Gods and Coraline.

The Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nyx.

White Oleander by Janet Fitch is top five material.

Catcher in The Rye and The Bell Jar are classics.

The Little Prince deserves to be named, too.

[meow]

desiderata: I just finished My Sister's Keeper

Incredible book, isn't it? Did you wail like a baby in the end like I did?:winky

I'm reading The Pact by Picoult right now, highly recommend that one to you, tough to put down.
I read Vanishing Acts by her too but have to admitt I didn't think it was great.

[Anakalia]

I am now reading The Dive From Clausen's Pier

Has anyone else read this?

[jonquil]

I'm reading "Secret Scribbled Notebooks" by Joanne Horniman.

Its a 'young adult' book, but I enjoy young adult books albeit that I am no longer a YA! The issues of searching for self identity speak to me...

[desiderata]

Meow,
Yes, I loved My Sister's Keeper. The ending was not expected and I was really rooting for Anna. However, after reading why she wrote the ending the way she did, it made sense to me. Apparently, fans were split both ways--some liked the ending, others hated, and her own son wouldn't speak to her for a few days after reading it. If you go to her website, you can read interviews of her. She sounds like a really cool woman.
I finished Perfect Match written by her as well. That was also a good book.

Anakalia, I haven't read The Dive from Clausen's Pier, but I did watch the Lifetime movie. The movie was all right but a little slow.

Dae

[(o: Smiley]

Does anybody know any good 'feel good' books? Ones that will make me smile because they are just good and the story is good, not necessarily because the are funny?

[Aubiegirl]

I am now reading The Dive From Clausen's Pier

Has anyone else read this?

I read it a few years ago and I liked it, although for some reason it wasn't exactly the type of book I thought it would be. It's been so long that I don't remember exactly what the difference was in what I expected, but I did think it was worth reading. I heard at some point there was talk about making it into a movie?

:hugonDae:hugoff and :hugonCarrie:hugoff
I read The Dogs of Babel a couple of years ago and really liked it! It wasn't exactly what I expected, I thought it would have more focus on the concept of communication with dogs (as opposed to the main theme of the man's grief and how to handle loss), but it was really interesting and thought provoking, I liked it a lot.

[HollyJC]

At the moment, I'm reading The Lovely Bones and Lucky, both by Alice Sebold!

I'm enjoying them both, although they are both very dark I'm finding

Holly

[JenRebekah]

I've got one from you... its in scholastic book orders.... its a fourth-seventh grade level, so its easy reading, BUT, its a great story.... its called

"Becoming Naomi Leon" Written by Pam Muñoz Ryan

here's a description:

From the Pura Belpré and Jane Addams Peace Award winning author of Esperanza Rising comes a riveting novel about family and identity, drawn from Pam Muñoz Ryan’s own Mexican and Oklahoman heritages. Naomi Soledad León Outlaw has had a lot to contend with in her young life.

But according to Gram's self-prophecies, most problems can be overcome with positive thinking. Life with Gram and her little brother, Owen, is happy and peaceful until their mother reappears after seven years of being gone, stirring up all sorts of questions and challenging Naomi to discover who she really is.

[Anakalia]

:hugon Aubiegirl :hugoff

I couldn't have explained my feelings about The Dive From Clausen's Pier better. I expected different, but I cannot explain what I expected. But I still really enjoyed the book and would reccommend it.

I just bought Running With Scissors anyone have thoughts on this one?

[Shuffleboard Queen]

I enjoyed The Dive from Clausen's Pier but I didn't rave about it, and haven't really recommended it (too many sex scenes for my mom, who may have otherwise enjoyed it). I actually picked it up because I saw the main character's name was Carrie.

Sorry, Anakalia, but I HATED Running with Scissors. Didn't even finish it. Well written, but...I don't know. It was almost like the author was looking for excuses as to why he was so messed up (and he certainly had reasons!). It just wasn't tasteful. Not that family life has to be pretty, just that...crap...it's hard to put into words. I just didn't like it. I donated it to my former T, who had yet to read it when I left.

I'm in between books at the moment. I finished Midwives which I really liked. I have a stack of books I bought used, and I think I shall rummage through and pick another. I also have a gift care to use at a local bookstore, so that may come in handy as well.

Happy reading!

[Anakalia]

:hugon Carrie :hugoff

I agree ... there were a lot of sex scences. I guess I was expecting the book to be more innocent. As for Running With Scissors I will let you know how it goes. It is funny because when I am reading a book and don't like it I feel as though I have to finish it. In reality why? I mean if I was listening to a CD and wasn't enjoying it I would simply turn it off and put it away. Okay, I'll let you know what happens :supergrin

[redpepper]

wow, this is a long thread, so i havent read through the whole thing to see what's been posted, but ive just finished reading all of david sedaris''s books. he is amazing. if you want to laugh out lound read his stuff!!!

:muhaha :muhaha :muhaha
xo
redpepper

[jonquil]

what does he write about?

I too haven't read all the thread!!!!

But I bought a book today thats kinda non fiction, but its not long come out in paperback so I can afford it more now...
its
"Cat Confidential" about the emotional life of cats, by Vicky Halls.

As a totally 'cat person' (although sadly minus a cat) it promises some light reading of a feline therapy nature, puurrrrfect! Anyone read it?

jonquil

[Shuffleboard Queen]

jonquil,

I don't know if they have this book in the UK, but it's really popular here in the states: Bad Cat: Two Hundred and Forty Two Felines Gone Bad. It's basically pictures with captions. There's a "warning label" that says "May contain offensive material." I laughed so hard when I was paging through it at the bookstore that I had to leave it on the bench and go pee! :hairy I HAD to buy it then!

I'm going to start The March by EL Doctorow (author of Ragtime and Billy Bathgate), which is a novel of Sherman's March to the Sea during the Civil War, told from a variety of different perspectives. It got great reviews, and I loved Ragtime.

[desiderata]

Carrie,

I bought that book for my mom last year, and she absolutely loved it. A few of those persians in there reminded me of ours. I think there is now a Bad Dogs book that is similar. The pics are just such a hoot! This is definitely a good book to make you laugh.

Dae

[jonquil]

lol Carrie and Dae, no, I haven't seen that here, not yet anyway....

"Cat Confidential" is really good, its comforting as it reminds me of Pebbles, its a bit like having a cat around again, reading it....

Has anyone read "One hundred ways for a cat to find its inner kitten"? My parents gave it to me for Christmas several years ago..its a kind of parody on Inner Child stuff! But about cats!

jonquil

[White Fairy]

:hugon :hugon :hugon jonquil :hugoff :hugoff :hugoff

"One hundred ways for a cat to find its inner kitten"?

Have you read the book

''one hundred secret thoughts cats have about humans'??????

I love this book :slimy

Human eyesight is poor. It's pitiful to see them blundering about, stubbing their toes in the dark, but their blindness is useful if you decide to snack on the hamster at midnight'' :supergrin

Humans show affection to us by grooming with their fingers. They call it ''petting'', because they are our pets. Do they understand the social significance of grooming - that the inferior animal, in this case the human, grroms the superior, in this case the cat''. :supergrin

[sprecato_vita]

jonquil,

I don't know if they have this book in the UK, but it's really popular here in the states: Bad Cat: Two Hundred and Forty Two Felines Gone Bad. It's basically pictures with captions. There's a "warning label" that says "May contain offensive material." I laughed so hard when I was paging through it at the bookstore that I had to leave it on the bench and go pee! :hairy I HAD to buy it then!
:zoinks Ohmigosh! I was in the bookstore with a friend a while ago, and we were just cracking up with that book! It was so cute. And then she gave it to me for my birthday. It is so adorable! Many good :muhaha has come from that book!

I am reading a book called The Uglies. It's rather interesting. It's hard to say what it's about without giving it away. But I'm enjoying it.

[Kiyara]

:hugon OSURD :hugoff

My sister read the Uglies, or at least half of it, before she had to take it back to the library. She found it really interesting!

I'm reading the Chrysalids. Its a classic written in nineteen fifty-five. Its about the future and people livng after a nuclear war. Really interesting! I'm reading it for an English project!

:dragon Kiyara :dragon

[jonquil]

Hi White Fairy...no I've not read that one, but it sounds great...I'll hunt for it next time I'm in a bookshop and have a read! thanks!

jonquil

[chinapink]

Ooh, I just saw this thread, and got lots of reading ideas. :bounce I have to say, I am one of the only people I know who loved Augusten Burroughs' books, esp. Running With Scissors. Maybe I'm weird. :supergrin

Others I've read recently that I loved:

Mrs. Dalloway and The Hours (in that order makes it so much better)

The Secret Life of Bees (made me smile the whole way through, despite the hard parts)

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Currently reading the new book on Mao that the author of Wild Swans wrote and Amy Tan's latest book - The Opposite of Fate.

[Aubiegirl]

It is funny because when I am reading a book and don't like it I feel as though I have to finish it. In reality why? I mean if I was listening to a CD and wasn't enjoying it I would simply turn it off and put it away.

I am EXACTLY the same way! Even if I get part of the way through a book and absolutely hate it, I feel obliged to finish it, partly out of hope that it will turn out to be worth it by having a good ending, and partly just because I feel like I have to finish it, sort of a reader's responsibility? I don't know how to explain it either, but just wanted to let you know that we're on the same page (pun only slightly intended) with that! :winky

[Game_Over]

Our book club just selected Truman Capote's In Cold Blood . I've never read any of his stuff and I'm really looking forward to it.

[Anakalia]

:hugon Carrie :hugoff

I just finished Running With Scissors. It wasn't my most favorite book in the world, but thought it was an interesting read. I think his purpose was to highlight all the f*ed up things that happened. I actually saw it as him trying to make it humerous. But I can also see how it could be taken differently.

Now I am going to start My Friend Leonard, the sequel to A Million Little Pieces.

[Shuffleboard Queen]

Anakalia,

You're right- Running on Scissors was definitely interesting. And I see the humor, kind of. I just have a different TYPE of humor. It was very well written, regardless of what I think about the rest of it.

Let me know about My Friend Leonard. I loved Million Little Pieces and am looking forward to hearing about the next book.

I'm now reading Spook: Science takes on the afterlife by Mary Roach, author of Stiff. I actually laughed out loud in several spots. Aubie, you would DEFINITELY like this one- I thought of you while I was reading. I also bought The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker about the study of human nature and genetics, etc. Yes, Aubie, thought of you there, too. Have you read it?

[DeepWaters]

Hey fellow book-worms :winky!

I just discovered this post, and I haven't read all of it, so if my recommendations have already been covered --forgive me :shy

Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates

( Love, love & love this book! It's long :zoinks, but oh so well written & touching. And, those of you who don't know it --it's based on Marilyn Monroe and her life.)

A Head Full of Blue by Nick Johnstone

( A well written & touching book about depression and alcoholism. I love Johnstone's style of writing, it's fresh & rock 'n' rollish --he works as a music-journalist so that may explain it.)

And :hugon Carrie :hugoff, I read an excerpt from your book & I gotta say that your book sounds pretty good & your writing is amazing! You got me hooked. However, no bookstores here have your book...so I don't know if I ever get to read it. :sad And, one more thing, I love Tori Amos too! So when I looked at your book (from Amazon) and saw that you quoted her ("Silent all these years") --I just knew that I would love your book :cheesy :muhaha

[Aubiegirl]

I'm now reading Spook: Science takes on the afterlife by Mary Roach, author of Stiff. I actually laughed out loud in several spots. Aubie, you would DEFINITELY like this one- I thought of you while I was reading.

I didn't know she had another book out! I will definitely have to put that on my wishlist on Amazon, I love Mary Roach, her column is the first thing I turn to in Reader's Digest every month. :winky

I also bought The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker about the study of human nature and genetics, etc. Yes, Aubie, thought of you there, too. Have you read it?
Carrie you really do know me well, I have read it, how did you guess? :grin I thought it was really fascinating (the works cited list alone is worth the price just as a guide to information if you're interested in that kind of thing) at some point I want to read his book about language...right now with my class load I have no time for pleasure reading, my 'to read' list of non-school books grows longer by the day!

[desiderata]

Chinapink, you will have otlet me know how Amy Tan's new book is. I heard it was out a few weeks ago. I absolutely love her stuff and have read all of her books.

My latest one I'm reading is Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver and Living with a Deaf Dog. I tried the Atwood book I mentioned a few posts back, but I just couldn't get into it that well. Unlike some of you, if I am unable to get into a book, I do not feel obliged to finish it.:sarcasm.

Dae

[Shuffleboard Queen]

Dae,

I :love Barbara Kingsolver, and I listened to Animal Dreams on tape when I had a long commute to a job a couple of years ago. I started crying in it so hard that I nearly crashed the car because I couldn't see!

DeepWaters,

Yeah, the book really isn't in the store much (there are two in the Detroit area, where I live, but even then it's kind of a crap shoot) so Amazon is your best bet or email me through the site and I can hook you up.

I'm still reading Spook right now. Busy week, not much reading time. The book is hilarious, and absolutely intriguing. My next book list is a wee bit empty at the moment. I want to buy something, not much money, and I need to get a new driver license before I can get my new library card. Sigh.

[NoKatyDidnt]

My favorite book of all is The Little Price by Antonie de Saint-Exupery


I'm currently reading The Best Little Girl in the World by Steven Levenkron

[Kiyara]

Has anyone read the Chrysalids? If so, I'd love to hear what other :fishy 's thought of it!

:dragon Kiyara :dragon

[Anakalia]

:hugon Carrie :hugoff

I just finished My Friend Leonard. I thought it was very good. I really like the writing style of James Frey. It works for his books ... straightforward, blunt, quick. There isn't as much concentration on suffering, but from the title, you can probably guess that. If you enjoyed A Million Little Pieces then I would say read this one as well.

Today I just bought Wicked. Anyone have thoughts on this one?

[Shuffleboard Queen]

:hugon Anakalia :hugoff

I finished Wicked about six weeks ago and really enjoyed it. The way the author turns the traditional "Wizard of Oz" story on its head is quite ingenuous. It really digs into issues like the difference between good and evil, personality, etc. There's a musical about it out now, too. My friend Liz saw it on Broadway, bought the book, and then loaned it to me! I would love to see the show, but no money and no vacation time.

[Tiffy]

I'm currently reading "But Inside I'm Screaming" by Elizabeth Flock..it's an amazing book and my boyfriend bought it for me the other night when we were at the store, I read the back of it, and just fell in love with it. =)

As far as favorites go, I can't decide on a favorite, because I'm also a total book addict. Although I do love "Wasted" by Marya Hornbacher. I love reading anything about mental health issues and psychology.

*hugs* -Tiffany

[Cathie]

I've just started reading The Time Traveller's Wife. I've been a bit lax on my reading since I finished Perfect Match but hopefully this week I'll actually have time to get stuck into it.

[(o: Smiley]

I LOVED the time travellers wife! (o:

[valerosa]

:nose The fourth Harry Potter in English and the first in Spanish
:nose I always love books by Nicholas Sparks- really sappy and always the same, but sometimes that's just what you need
:nose books by Chaim Potok- Davita's Harp, The Chosen...

[Shuffleboard Queen]

Cathie,

Enjoy The Time Traveller's Wife. I enjoyed it.

Happy reading!

[Aubiegirl]

Today I just bought Wicked. Anyone have thoughts on this one?
I really loved it! I think he just published a sequel, Son of a Witch , but I haven't had a chance to get it yet.

[Shuffleboard Queen]

Yep, Son of a Witch just came out. Haven't read it yet- will wait for paperback or the library most likely.

I'm currently reading An Alchemy of Mind which is about how the brain works, in terms of physicality, it's influences on personality, memory, etc. Totally fascinating.

I finished Spook by Mary Roach, and it was a hoot. Brought up some interesting points. I liked her book Stiff: The curious life of human cadavers a little better, but still worth the buy. 'Course, I had a gift card, so that's hard to say. :muhaha

I'm looking for some good fiction- any suggestions? I like Barbara Kingsolver, etc. Has anyone read Wally Lamb's I Know This Much is True? It looks really good.

[LouisaN]

Smiley, I don't know you enough to recommend books but I checked out your profile. I'm also into art and music (bad at the guitar). For not-so-heavy but an inspiring read I read "Zen Guitar". It applied a lot to music but also to general life and just staying in and enjoying the moment. It seemed to help me at a time when I really needed it....it was the best part of my recovery.

Just for fun: "The Philosophy of Andy Warhol" by Andy Warhol. I loved it but I'm sort of an arsty, slightly eccentric, geek.

Now...Pema Chodron, other Buddhist sorts of books, books on culture. I never seem to finish a book...just get too excited to start a new one. Bibliomania has been another problem of mine. :bounce

[lima]

Carrie,

I read I know this much is true about six years ago. Really good book. I like Wally Lamb and I had also read She's Come Undone -triggering a bit but very good writer.

I have not read Prodigal Summer I started too but couldn't really get into it.

I just finished reading Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell. Fun easy read and very :cool author.

I bought A Million Little Pieces so that'll probably be the one I start tomorrow!

[(o: Smiley]

Thanks LouisaN (o:

I've just read two GREAT books.
Soul mates by Sue Akehurst and
Family Baggage by Monica Mcinerney

[Shuffleboard Queen]

:hugon lima and Louisa :hugoff

Thanks for the recommendations. I didn't like Prodigal Summer all that much, either. My favorite is, by far, The Bean Trees. Taylor reminds me of myself on good days! I read She's Come Undone and really enjoyed it, though it definitely can be triggering. I will check out I know this much is true though. Now that you mention it, I think my mom might even have a copy.

Louisa, Thanks for the recommendations as well. I'll want to look into Zen Guitar.

Thanks, all!

[chinapink]

:hugon Dae :hugoff ,
The Opposite of Fate was not my favorite Amy Tan book, but it was pretty good. A compilation of essays, some of which were great, some of which seemed more of a self-advertising campaign. But, it's an easy read and worth the time.

:hugon Carrie :hugoff
Also loved Wally Lamb's I Know This Much is True.

I probably am a little more into Chinese-themes than most of you, but I'm reading "The Good Women of China" right now by Xinran. Not the most eloquent writing (translated from Chinese), but interesting look into women's lives in China, particularly if you come from a more feminist perspective.

Happy reading everyone. :hairy

[Aubiegirl]

I probably am a little more into Chinese-themes than most of you, but I'm reading "The Good Women of China" right now by Xinran. Not the most eloquent writing (translated from Chinese), but interesting look into women's lives in China, particularly if you come from a more feminist perspective.

Happy reading everyone. :hairy

Have you read Memoirs of a Geisha? It's set in Japan, not China, but I thought I'd mention it. I think the author's name is Arthur Golden, I remember really marvelling at the level of insight considering it was a male author writing about the trials of this young girl. I thought it was fascinating and well-written, and I passed it along to a few friends that also said they enjoyed it. It's been a few years since I read it so I've forgotten a lot of the details, but anyway just thought it was worth mentioning.

[White Fairy]

Hi Aubie - I've read Memoirs of a geisha - good book

Has anyone read ''Welcome to hell - one man's fight for life inside the Bankok Hilton''? I bought it today and was wondering if anyone here has read it and what they thought of it. I will probably have it finished by tomorrow lol :slimy

Love Siobhan xxxxxxxx :lubdub

[GracefullyMe]

I'm reading Faithless - Tales of Transgression - stories by Joyce Carol Oates (very good... don't ususally read short stories.. except maybe from Mark Twain) .. her short fiction was originally published in Harper's , the Paris Review, and Playboy, among others

and I'm finishing up Blindness by Jose Saramago

from Maxine Hong Kingston (Chinses-American author) Woman Warrior is very good

[mothtoaflame]

I'm reading "Forget you Had a Daughter" by Sandra Gregory ..... tis a very very moving book.

Before that I read "Alice in the Looking Glass" by Jo & Alice Kingsley <--- rec!

[sorrows-unknown]

My goodness :hugon :hugon :hugon :hugon Siobhan :hugoff :hugoff :hugoff :hugoff
what a clever idea!!!!! :cute

I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove reading!!!!
i feel too shy to say what im reading but im reading several things and i love them all....i seem to be reading a lot of biographies lately and they're hert breaking!!!!! :cry :lubdub

perhaps when im feeling braver i might mention some titles!!!

:gimmehug :gimmehug
i hope you're being kind to you hon????
loads of love to you,xxxxxxxx :lubdub :lubdub :lubdub :lubdub :gimmehug :gimmehug :gimmehug

[paintbox]

I'm reading the Chrysalids. Its a classic written in nineteen fifty-five. Its about the future and people livng after a nuclear war. Really interesting! I'm reading it for an English project!

I remember reading that book in high school for English! I generally am not that into science-fiction type stuff, but I though it was a really good book. Very thought provoking, the themes are still resonant and relevant today.

As for me, I was just thinking that I need to get to the library tomorrow! I mostly read non-fiction, art-related stuff for uni. Terry Pratchett has a new one out, that would be worth getting from the library.

[Shuffleboard Queen]

:hugon Aubie :hugoff

My T gave me Memoirs of a Geisha to read when I first got out of IP. I really enjoyed it...very unusual, very thought provoking.

:hugon Sarah :hugoff

I read The Good Earth in high school (for fun!) on a recommendation of my mother, who read it when she was my age and loved it. She was right! I'm thinking you probably read it, though. I'm interested in the book you mentioned, and will look it up. I like reading about different cultures. I read a book called The Moon Pearl by Shelia McCann (not positive on the author's name), which was an easy read, about silk weavers in a factory at the end of the last century. It was a really feminist take, and enjoyed it.

I'm definitely going to pick up I Know this much is true now!

[Feak]

Far too many Psychology articles *humph*

I wish I had time for recreational reading.

[Aubiegirl]

Far too many Psychology articles *humph*

I wish I had time for recreational reading.
AMEN, I have a heavy load this semester and I haven't had time to read a recreational book since August!

My 'to read' list for holiday breaks has enough books on it to last for several years. :ugh

[ShootingSTARS]

What Dreams May Come by Richard Mathieson

[Shuffleboard Queen]

I didn't read any Wally Lamb on my last trip, but I did read two very interesting books (both of which are completely up your alley, Aubie. I first thought we should have a bookshelf swap one of these days, but we probably have so many overlapping titles it wouldn't be worth it!)

The first is An Alchemy of Mind by Diane Ackerman, which has to be the best written non fiction book I've ever read. Imagine a book on the inner workings of the brain with absolutely LUSH writing. I got so caught up in the words, I had to re-read parts!

The second is Monkey Dancing by Daniel Glick, who is a nature journalist who takes his kids on a round-the-world journey after he gets divorced and his brother dies. It's part travel, part narrative, and part ecology. Very worth the fifteen bucks.

I'm still working on finding my next book out of my pile. I have mucho sympathy with all book-loving students.

[White Fairy]

My T gave me Memoirs of a Geisha to read when I first got out of IP. I really enjoyed it...very unusual, very thought provoking.

:hugon :hugon Carrie :hugoff :hugoff

It is very thought provoking - isn't it???? My head is all over the place - so not really able to concentrate to read at the mo - but I have got so many ideas from this thread. :yay Have to go book shopping this week :smokin

Love Siobhan :gimmehug

[Aubiegirl]

I was at the movies this weekend and saw posters for Memoirs of a Geisha , apparently it's being put on the big screen soon! Just thought I'd mention that on here since I knew there were several fans of it. Usually movie adaptations disappoint me, but I think I may go see this one.

:hugonCarrie:hugoff

I hadn't heard of either of those books but I'm logging into Amazon.com in my other browser at this moment to check them out, they both sound really fascinating! You're right about our bookshelves, if we were neighbors we could save money by taking turns buying books and then sharing them. :winky

[White Fairy]

Usually movie adaptations disappoint me, but I think I may go see this one.

Hi :hugon :hugon Aubie :hugoff :hugoff

I'm often very disappointed with movie adaptations - but if this film comes to Ireland I will definitely be going to see it....... :happy

How are you doing hon????? :ear :ear

Love and hugs

Siobhan xxxxxxxxxxxxx :gimmehug :gimmehug

[lima]

Hi book worm fans! :cheesy

I love this thread. It's great to see others talking about books and not about ed's!!! :winky
I wish we could have a separate thread just about books!!! :winky

I have my book fair in my city this weekend. I'm so excited. Candace Bushnell will be there speaking about her new book and so will Eve Ensler! :yay. And her play is on right now for this month. I have my list of books recommended by the :bowl. I have written down Wicked, My Friend Leonard, Spook, Running on Scissors

I just finished reading A Million Little Pieces Very good. Disturbign at some parts, but I could relate a lot to my struggles, my triggers, my shame and my ed. Especially the Fury. How it would rise when he would see his parents or his paretns would hug him. Totally relate to that.

My T is giving me tomorrow her copy of My Sister's Keeper I usualy have to read something fun and :cheesy after I read something serious so right now I am finishing up with LA Woman Not good but easy and :cheesy

Im so excited about the book fair bc they sell books so cheap and I get to meet amazing authors!!!

Thanks fishies.

Carrie enjoy I know this much is true Loved that one! And Memoirs of a Geisha i excellent too and I saw it's coming out on movie. I just recommended that one to my T!

[sflathinker]

Meli- "My Sister's Keeper" is anything but fun. Awesome book and he's an interesting author.

Just bought "A Million Little Pieces" "Little Earthquakes" and something Jennifer recommended awhile back. I've bene reading books by Nelson Demille for fun in between. I was an english major and used to reading a few books at a time.

[lima]

I meant to say after something so intense as A Million Little Pieces I have to read something fun so thats why Im finishing up LA Woman and then Ill read My Sister's Keeper bc I know thats a harder and kinda strongish book!!!!

Mara who wrote Little EArthquakes?? I've read something but dont remember who's the author!!!

[Aubiegirl]

I've heard a lot about "A Million Little Pieces" recently, and I saw the Oprah show about it, I think I may try to pick it up soon, although my list of 'things to read over the holiday break' is already overwhelming.

This is going to pin me as a nerd, but the three most recent books I've bought are Walker's Mammals of the World (a two volume set, it's kind of THE professional reference book for the field and it broke my bank for the month), Phenotypic Plasticity , and Appointments at the End of the World: A Memoir of a Wildlife Veterinarian.

[Iratxe]

I'm so happy I found this thread.....I love to read too (defintiely helps if you're an English Major :supergrin ). Right now I'm reading Wild Swans by Jung Chang and re-reading Memoirs of a Geisha for about the fourth time....I highly recommend this book....it's excellent. I'm re-reading it because the movie is coming out soon (although movies are hardly ever as good as the book :ohboy ). My favorite book? That's pretty difficult. One of my all time favorites is Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club because it was this book that inspired me to persue my passion: Asian-American Lit. I don't know why it's so fascinating to me, but it is....I also love Mary Shelley, Edgar Allan Poe, Ralph Ellison, Edward Abby, Rudolfo Anaya....*sigh* so many great books out there!!! Happy Reading! :winky

Drea

[sweetalb]

Right now I'm reading the ****th harry potter book. haha. dorky I know. But they are really good. I also just got done reading My sister's Keeper. GREAT book. was sad though.

[Iratxe]

:hugon sweetalb :hugoff That's not dorky at all! I love the Harry Potter books (and so do most of the people in my English classes). Which one was your favorite????


Drea

[White Fairy]

Right now I'm reading Wild Swans by Jung Chang and re-reading Memoirs of a Geisha for about the fourth time....I highly recommend this book....it's excellent. I'm re-reading it because the movie is coming out soon (although movies are hardly ever as good as the book ). My favorite book? That's pretty difficult. One of my all time favorites is Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club because it was this book that inspired me to persue my passion:

:hugon :hugon Drea :hugoff :hugoff

I love all of those books - I think I have read Wild Swans about three times now

Hugs Siobhanxxxxxxxxx :gimmehug :gimmehug

[Aubiegirl]

:hugon sweetalb :hugoff That's not dorky at all! I love the Harry Potter books (and so do most of the people in my English classes). Which one was your favorite????


Drea

I agree, they are really good books! My favorite was definitely Goblet of Fire , the fourth one. :yay

[journey of hope]

Hey-
I just finished Salem Falls by Jodi Piccoult..
now I'm reading My Sister's keeper by the same author..
I think she is a gifted writer.
I need some more reccommendations for my next read...I'm going to keep my eye on this thread :winky
:gimmehugs to all
heidi

[Seabiscuit]

I just finished Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton,
am reading How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie,
The Wellness Revolution by Paul Zane Pilzer,
and Life Without Ed, How One Woman Declared Independence From Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too by Jenni Schaefer and Thom Rutledge

[jesthestar]

Im currently re-reading my Sark books, because I need the positiveness in my life and days! :grin

[BellaRosa]

I am currently reading Jill Austin's "Master Potter". I saw it at a used book store recently and am so happy that I picked it up. I can see myself and my recovery in the many metephors that are used throughout the story.

Bella

[vintagehorror]

Giants in the Earth by some foreign dude (it's for honors english)
Wanting to be Her by some chick. It's about self image.
The Raganuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning

[sweetalb]

Iratxe and aubie girl, good to know that I'm not the only person reading harry potter. haha. I would have to say my favorite was the goblet of fire, the fourth book. I'm excited to go see the movie for it now. YAY!!

[Iratxe]

:hugon Ashley :hugoff
Goblet of Fire was definitely my favorite too....Did you know there's a National Harry Potter day??? I took Children's Lit last semester and we "celebrated" with Pumpkin Juice and Chocolate Frogs!!! :muhaha It's at the end of Novemeber actually, so it's coming up, I think.....

[sweetalb]

Iratxe,

That's awesome. haha. pumpkin juice and chocolate frogs??? sounds interesting. haha.

[SFishy]

Feel free to start a new thread to continue this topic - when posts get over two hundred replies they start to bog down the server.

Take care of YOU