General Question

MrMeltedCrayon's avatar

What is Fluther reading?

Asked by MrMeltedCrayon (2804points) July 29th, 2008

I just finished “The Raw Shark Texts” by Steven Hall yesterday, and before that “The Reluctant Mr. Darwin” by David Quammen. The former scared the piss out of me (I’m terrified of sharks) and the latter was the most engaging biography I’ve ever read (not to say that I’ve read enough to be a fair judge). What book(s) are you guys reading? Any suggestions as to what I should pick up next?

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

38 Answers

augustlan's avatar

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter

augustlan's avatar

I just started it though, too early to recommend.

jlm11f's avatar

Well. I read Janet Evanovich’s latest book in the Plum series, Fearless Fourteen, recently. The book was good, better than the last 2 in the series, but I seriously can’t believe Ms. Evanovich is signed for at least 7 more books…that’s crazy! I think the series should have ended like 2 books ago, and though I am a loyal fan and will continue to read them, I feel some things are getting too stretched out now. I would recommend the series to anyone with XX chromosomes.

I also read Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs and was sorely disappointed. I had heard great things about the author. But I have been told not to judge him by this book but instead I should read his “Dry” and “Running with Scissors”, so those are on my “to read” list somewhere.

Also, I read The Last Summer of You and Me by Ann Brashares and was once again not impressed. She is the author of the well known Traveling Pants series and this book was her first “adult” book. I feel that there are countless better adult books and I found her book to be strictly mediocre, she obviously needs more experience in that category.

I am currently reading Little Green Men by Christopher Buckley. He’s the same guy who wrote “Thank you for Smoking”, which was also made into a movie. I am almost done with this book and have found it to be interesting and amusing. Buckley has a subtle, sophisticated humor backed up by an interesting plot.

My next book after this one will be Intern by Sandeep Jauhar , the book was recommended by a close friend, and since I am pre-med, I will probably/hopefully find it interesting and illuminating.

I would recommend that you check out books by Christopher Buckley, and PG Wodehouse (for constant laughs).

St.George's avatar

Frank McCourt’s, Teacher Man is on deck for me. That and some Steve Martin plays.

skfinkel's avatar

The biography of Einstein. So far, it’s wonderful.

btko's avatar

I’m reading The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett right now.. really interesting, and a good read. Before that I finished The Princess Bride by what’s his name.

lefteh's avatar

House of Spirits by Isabel Allende.

@btko: His name is William Goldman

Knotmyday's avatar

Teaching With Your Mouth Shut, great book. Well-recommended.

AstroChuck's avatar

I like TV Guide.

babiturtle36's avatar

Good girls guide to bad girl sex. Haha!

AstroChuck's avatar

Wow! That totally blows TV Guide out of the water!

Indy318's avatar

The Color of Water by James McBride was the most recent book that I read. It was an emotional and uplifting memoir of the author and his mother’s life growing up in racially sensitive atmosphere. I highly recommend that fellow fluthers check it out.

MacBean's avatar

This past weekend a friend of the family had a yard sale, so last week I went through tons (probably literally) of old books and put a lot of them up for sale. In the process, I found about a dozen early Goosebumps books and I’ve been re-reading them. Fun times!

If anyone actually gives a crap, a list of everything I’ve read so far this year along with links to mini-reviews can be found here.

jlm11f's avatar

@MacBean – omg. you love House MD. yay!

MrMeltedCrayon's avatar

@PnL – Isn’t it fantastic?!

This is exciting! Is it weird that I love talking to people about what kind of books they read? For some reason it always seems fascinating.

augustlan's avatar

me too…House is one of the best shows on tv

kevbo's avatar

Just reading The Geography of Bliss made me happier and more content.

shrubbery's avatar

I am currently reading The Philosophy Gym by Stephen Law, The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, American Gods by Neil Gaiman, and Emma by Jane Austin. On Saturday, however, all of these are going on pause for Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (much to my surprise yes, I am one of them…) and after all of these I will be starting Foundation by Isaac Asimov, and rereading Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder. After this I might start the Harry Potters again, or actually it’s about time for another round of the His Dark Materials trilogy.

Skyrail's avatar

I’m not reading anything sadly. I used to read, a lot, problem is I’ve forgotten all the books I’ve read but I remember glimpses of the storylines which hurts my head so much because I really want to read the books again, even if it’s just for old times sake seeing as they would have been aimed at 12/13 year olds.

I tried reading ‘Russia: A journey to the heart of a land and it’s people’ by Jonathan Dimbleby but it got long and boring, I’m hoping I can pick it up and read it again while following the DVD I got of the series he did. :)

mzgator's avatar

In the last week I have read all three of Stephanie Myer’s Twilight series books. I had promised my daughter I would read them. The new book is coming out this weekend, and she wants to go to the party at midnight at Barnes and Noble, and then come home and read all night! I really did enjoy the books. I enjoyed our conversations about the books more. I enjoyed my daughter’s love and passion for reading even more! Now she says I am a Twilight Mom!

hoteipdx's avatar

I am reading Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami. He is one of my favorite authors, but you need to have a strong stomach for the surreal. For more on my reading habits, go to: http://www.verbum.vox.com

hollywoodduck's avatar

Free Prize Inside by Seth Godin

SuperMouse's avatar

I just picked up When you are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris. I haven’t gotten started on it yet, but Me Talk Pretty one Day was hilarious.

St.George's avatar

@supernutjob Me Talk… was hilarious. I have never laughed so hard when reading before as I did when I read that book. I’ll definitely pick up his new one.

flyawayxxballoon's avatar

The Book of Useless Information by Noel Botham and The Useless Information Society.
“Thousands of things you didn’t think you needed to know…and probably don’t.”
Very true, and very fantastic!

emt333's avatar

I just finished Names on the Land by George Rippey Stewart. Written in 1945, it has just been reissued by the New York Review of Books. It is a fascinating account of US History through the exploration and naming of the new world. Filled with great anecdotal and textual evidence, it’s a fun read for anyone interested in history, geography, names, and the like.

jlm11f's avatar

@MrMeltedCrayon – I agree, reading is one of the simplest joys of life, and I love learning about the other good books out there. Also, since flutherers are known to be intellectuals, I know I can trust their taste :) GQ!

@emt333 – that book sounds perfect as a gift to one of my friends. thanks for mentioning it!

sdeutsch's avatar

I just started The Neverending Story – it’s one of my favorite movies, but I had no idea it was based on a book until I came across it in the bookstore. So far, it’s excellent – even better than the movie!

shrubbery's avatar

Sdeutsch, I love The Neverending Story, and you’re right the movie is great but the book has so much more to offer. It’s really very philosophical too, hope you enjoy the rest!

sdeutsch's avatar

@shrubbery: I’m starting to realize that as I get farther into the book – it certainly goes much deeper than the movie does. I also love that the book I’m reading is the same book that Bastian is reading – I read the description of Bastian’s book when he found it, and thought, “wait a minute – that’s what my book looks like…”

Love the two-color printing too – I thought it would annoy me, but it really brings a whole other level to the book and makes the interaction between Bastian and the story really interesting…

kruger_d's avatar

The Masterbutcher’s Singing Club by ND author Louise Erdrich. A history of Chicago’s Second City comedy club.

augustlan's avatar

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris… and loving it!

SuperMouse's avatar

@Augustian, as soon as you are finished with Me Talk Pretty One Day, run, don’t walk and get yourself a copy of When you Are Engulfed in Flames! It is as funny as Me Talk!

augustlan's avatar

@super…I’m on it!

MrMeltedCrayon's avatar

I’m reading THUD! by Terry Pratchett.

shrubbery's avatar

I <3 Terry Pratchett

Carla's avatar

I just finished reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. An amazing story that shows the power and strength of woman and freindships.

cRazelyCrazed's avatar

I’ve just finished reading Breaking Dawn By: Stephine Myer. I am really dissapointed. Its just because I expected the final twilight saga to be much better. Overall I think Eclipse was the best volume.

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther