# It's Time for Another "Whatcha Readin'?" Thread! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 8, 2004, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231 "2004-06-08T04:11:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/21 "2004-06-08T14:45:29Z")
I’m currently reading the entire Sir Arthur Conan Doyle _Sherlock Holmes_ canon. Right now I’m on _The Return of Sherlock Holmes_ (“The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist” to be exact). ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/22 "2004-06-08T14:51:56Z")
I just started _The Robber Bride_ by Margaret Atwood today. Yesterday I finished a book on Chinese-Canadian history called _The Forbidden City within Victoria_ by David Chuenyan Lai (Good, but dry reading. It takes a geographer to make a book about persecution and resistance, opium dens, gambling, bordellos, and secret passages, boring). I’ve been on a CanLit kick for most of the last year. I finished:[ul][li] _Wilderness Tips_ by Margaret Atwood (short stories – absolutely execellent)[_] Moons of Jupiter by Alice Munro (more short stories, and again, wonderful)[_]_Canadian Short Fiction_ edited by WH New (a very bad anthology of short stories)[_]Obasan by Joy Kogawa (poetic, beautiful, incredibly depressing)[_]_The Edible Woman_ by Margaret Atwood (my favourite of hers, now)[_]The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence (depressing, but good)[_]_Survival_ by Margaret Atwood (non-fiction, wonderful read – a manifesto about CanLit)[_]Two Solitudes by Hugh MacLennan (clunky and strained in places, but an intelligent read)[_]_Bonheur d’Occasion_ (aka _The Tin Flute_) by Gabrielle Roy (very depressing, but also very funny in places, and very good)[/ul][/li] That’s all I can think of off hand. I think I’d recommend them all except for the WH New book. The man has taken the weirdest and the worst this country has to offer and stuck it together. He’s obsessed with writers who write about the act of writing, which I find to be a form of intellectual masturbation, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/23 "2004-06-08T14:59:22Z")
_No Man’s Land_ by John Toland - The last year of WWI _Wake Up Screaming_ - A collection of short stories by H. P. Lovecraft _Theodore Rex_ by Edmund Morris - The presidency of Theodore Roosevelt ---
**Author:** ![Banger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@Banger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banger)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/24 "2004-06-08T15:19:50Z")
Whatcha readin’, whatcha read, and whatcha gonna read? I’ll focus on the first. I’m currently reading _The Scarlet Pimpernel_ by Baroness Orczy and _Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898_ by Edwin G. Burrows and Mike Wallace. The former is a quick read during free moments, the latter is the first of this year’s thick summer tomes. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/25 "2004-06-08T15:21:53Z")
I recently read Evan Hunter’s “Streets of Gold.” I had noticed that several people on a Hunter message board mentioned looking for the book, and then I noticed one (hardcover & dust jacket) in the thrift store for a buck. Incredibly good book about a blind jazz pianist living in NYC from around 1940 to 1970. I love the line “Nobody does musicals like the Americans. Not even England.” Evan Hunter’s early books are so good and so hard to find. I also read Andrew Vachss’s “Blue Belle.” Good Burke mystery. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/26 "2004-06-08T15:24:25Z")
I’m currently in **The Lake House** by James Patterson, and I swear his pacing downright sucks some times. I plan on picking up the remainders of the **Deathstalker Series** by Simon Green. I finsihed the first two over the winter but have to spread silliness out a bit. I also plan on picking up Songs of Susannah now that FG has reminded me it’s due. ---
**Author:** ![Ooner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c67d28/32.png) [@Ooner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ooner)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/27 "2004-06-08T15:26:55Z")
**The Corrections** by Jonathan Franzen. It’s really long, it’s pretentious, and half of the big elaborate metaphors go right over my head, but I like it anyways. ---
**Author:** ![Chimpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@Chimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimpy)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/28 "2004-06-08T15:31:34Z")
Anything by Tom Sharpe i can get my grubby paws on, James Clavell’s asian saga and Azumanga Daioh by Azuma Kiyohiko ---
**Author:** ![susan\_foster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@susan\_foster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan_foster)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/29 "2004-06-08T15:34:51Z")
Currently - Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World. Interesting - most of what the author seems to focus on is in the 70’s - that’s when he seems to see the smallest changes that cause the biggest problems. I am thinking of reading Fast Food Nation - it’s recommended by a lot of people. We’ll see - I can have a bit of a weak stomach - but it may be worth it. Susan ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/30 "2004-06-08T15:36:20Z")
> [@N. Sane](#): > > I am currently re-reading _Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire_. This is the next intended book on my list, though I can’t in good conscience really get into any of the latter books before going through the previous ones. So it’s still four full books (plus my current reading) down the line. And the current reading: _The Picture of Dorian Gray_. I’m finding it somewhat slow and laborious to find the story in Wilde’s 2-page paragraph descriptions and musings, but the language is so well crafted that I don’t really care. ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/31 "2004-06-08T15:36:54Z")
**Messiah** by Gore Vidal - written in 1955 and about, would you believe, the rise of a new religion and the consequences thereof. Just finished **Julian** , also by Vidal, an account of the life of the Roman emperor who tried to roll back Christianity. Possibly the best book I’ve ever read and for a Creative Writing student, bloody depressing. I feel like a common hack after reading his stuff. ---
**Author:** ![LeRoi\_Lezard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@LeRoi\_Lezard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeRoi_Lezard)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/32 "2004-06-08T16:42:53Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Well, my summer reading list includes all of Patrick O’Brian’s _Master and Commander_ books, _Ringworld Children_ by Larry Niven, _Island_ by Thomas Perry, and a rereading of the works of Tim Cahill. That should keep me busy through June… I’m halfway through _Ringworld Children_ too 🙂 … ---
**Author:** ![DadWagonDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/33 "2004-06-08T16:58:08Z")
> [@plnnr](#): > > **Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers** , by Mary Roach. A very entertaining read about the 1001 ways that human cadavers are advancing science. Plus, everything you always wanted to know about embalming but were afraid to ask. I just heard about this on the radio this morning. I may have to head to the library. As for my reading, I’m in a Summer session class, Studies in the Novel. I’ve read _Catch-22_, Joan Didion’s _Democracy_, Tim O’Brien’s _In the Lake of the Woods_, Pynchon’s _The Crying of Lot 49_, and Sue Monk Kidd’s _The Secret Life of Bees_. At least one book a week for 7 weeks, yikes! I still have three weeks left, and a couple of good books to go. I really enjoyed Didion’s book, and would recommend it to everyone. Tonight, I get to read Arundhati Roy’s _The God of Small Things_. I better get busy. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/34 "2004-06-08T17:07:57Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Evan Hunter’s early books are so good and so hard to find. Have you tried library book sales? I found a slew of vintage Ed McBains (Evan Hunter) at local sales. Have to get there before the grubby booksellers, though, who scarf up everything. You’re right about Hunter- he has to be one of the most consistently talented writers out there. Read _Nocturne_ just a few years back and it was easily as taut and perfectly orchestrated as any of his 87th Precinct books from the fifties. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/35 "2004-06-08T17:32:44Z")
I’m still plowing through _The Confusion_ by Neal Stephenson. It’s very very good, but extremely slow going. Its a weird combination of historical fiction, history-of-science, and just a hair touch of science fiction. ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/36 "2004-06-08T17:33:46Z")
> [@wmulax93](#): > > Tonight, I get to read Arundhati Roy’s _The God of Small Things_. I better get busy. Not to sound discouraging, and I’d love to be wrong, but I just couldn’t will myself through that book. It came with the highest recommendation from a friend of mine whose literary tastes are impeccable. Tell me after tonight how very stupid I am for having not liked it. And on my “graduating college doesn’t mean my mind has to turn to mush” non-fiction list, I’m thinking of trying out Rousseau’s _Reveries of the Solitary Walker_. _Emile_ and the _Second Discourse_ were wonderful reads, so I hope I won’t be disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/37 "2004-06-08T17:37:55Z")
Hello. My name is dangermom, and I am an InterLibraryLoan addict. I currently have 8 books out on ILL, and about 10 slips filled out and waiting in my bookbag. I can only submit 4 at a time, which is probably a good thing. ILL means that I have to read whatever comes in right away, because I have to return them on time (I don’t pay overdue fines, so I can keep regular library books for weeks on end, until I’m in the mood to pick them up). So, I just finished _London under London_, which is about the rivers, sewers, Underground tunnels, bizarre schemes, and other interesting things to be found under London’s streets. Very cool book. At the same time, I read Dodie Smith’s _I capture the castle_, a diary-format novel which is too complicated to explain, but really a lovely book and I hope more people read it. It’s ‘by’ a 17-yo girl who lives in a rented old castle, but they have no money whatsoever because her genius writer father is depressed, so her sister is determined to marry for money, because at the moment they’re living on the wages of the guy who is supposed to be their own hired hand. Two rich and eligible brothers show up from America (but they really are the castle’s owners)… Now I’m on _Life and letters on the Roman frontier_, which describes life as a Roman soldier near where Hadrian’s wall now stands (only this is before it was built). Based on archaelogical findings of written records. And also _The oaken heart_ by Margery Allingham, a ‘strictly honest’ description of life in her English country village during the first part of WWII. But I only just started that; the villagers are currently busy worrying about the local schools and overlooking the war. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/38 "2004-06-08T18:41:02Z")
I just finished _Survivor_ by Chuck Palahnuik of _Fight Club_ fame. This guy is seriously messed up in the head, let me tell you. A truly excellent read. I’m now trying to plow through _A Brief History of Time_, since it’s been on my list of books to read for over a year now. I tend to do most of my reading while I’m doing my cardio at the gym. Some of the looks I’m getting while reading this on the elliptical trainer are priceless. Next I think I’m going to reread _A Catcher in the Rye_. It’s been about 10 years since I last read it, and I remember really liking it. After that…well, let’s finish the Stephen Hawking metaphysics book first. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/39 "2004-06-08T19:43:24Z")
Just finished _Good Omens_ by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. Funny stuff, but a total cop out in the end ;). Now I should go back to _Post Captain_ by Patrick O’Brien (I have this habit of reading like 3-4 books at a time, stopping one in the middle and starting a new book, then going back to the old book later). ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/40 "2004-06-08T19:48:18Z")
> [@tagos](#): > > **Messiah** by Gore Vidal - written in 1955 and about, would you believe, the rise of a new religion and the consequences thereof. Just finished **Julian** , also by Vidal, an account of the life of the Roman emperor who tried to roll back Christianity. Possibly the best book I’ve ever read and for a Creative Writing student, bloody depressing. I feel like a common hack after reading his stuff. May I suggest his Empire series, and his book of essays entitled “United States.” I love Vidal’s work. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231.md?page=3)