# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/121 "2004-06-29T04:25:16Z")
Twiddle, there’s a lot of good western fiction out there. Do you plan to read any of McMurtry’s other westerns? Maybe somebody should start a western thread. It’s not just Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey (not that they’re not okay). Ed Gorman, Glendon Swarthout, Ron Hansen, some others whose names I forget (too lazy to run upstairs). Lotsa good stuff. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/122 "2004-06-29T04:52:19Z")
I recently read all of \*\*Janet Evanovich’s \*\*\*Stephanie Plum \*Detective books, except the latest one **10 Big Ones**. Took me two weeks of avoiding life in general, but I was determined. Cannot recommend this series enough if you want a fast, frivolous, funny, funny read with one regular woman and two hot, hot guys involved in her life. BTW, I call dibs on Ranger. Now I am working my way through **Nora Roberts Writing as JD ROBB** _(Whatever) In Death_ series. I like everything about it except the romance with the billionaire guy. He’s too perfect and to cardboardy and is coming across as a little co-dependant. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/123 "2004-06-29T14:25:18Z")
**Twiddle** , have you seen the movie? If not, make sure you see it when you finish the book. Robert Duvall says Gus McCrae was his all time favorite role to play, and it shows. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/124 "2004-06-29T14:38:11Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > I recently read all of \*\*Janet Evanovich’s \*\*\*Stephanie Plum \*Detective books, except the latest one **10 Big Ones**. Took me two weeks of avoiding life in general, but I was determined. Cannot recommend this series enough if you want a fast, frivolous, funny, funny read with one regular woman and two hot, hot guys involved in her life. BTW, I call dibs on Ranger. Yes, I just heard that the 10th one was out. That series is so funny. When I grow up, I wanna be Stephanie Plum. 😉 And sorry, but I already called dibs on Ranger. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/125 "2004-06-29T14:50:14Z")
I just read _The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time_ by Mark Haddon in one sitting. It’s sort of a murder mystery written from the POV of an autistic child, very compelling. Next on the pile is _Guns, Germs, and Steel_ by Jared Diamond. ---
**Author:** ![Kaspar\_Hauser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b3f665/32.png) [@Kaspar\_Hauser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaspar_Hauser)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/126 "2004-06-29T15:35:30Z")
_Speaks the Nightbird_, Robert McCammon. Mystery surrounding a witch trial in 1699. Very well done. For some reason it was split into two volumes. ---
**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 29, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/127 "2004-06-29T18:26:23Z")
> [@AbbySthrnAccent](#): > > What do you think we’re doing while waiting for the thread page to load? > > Flips page Yes, it’s common knowledge that this is the slowest website in the history of the Internet. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/128 "2004-06-29T18:46:31Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Next on the pile is _Guns, Germs, and Steel_ by Jared Diamond. I read that last summer; it was my Pool Book. Utterly fascinating. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/129 "2004-06-29T21:06:04Z")
> [@Kaspar Hauser](#): > > _Speaks the Nightbird_, Robert McCammon. Mystery surrounding a witch trial in 1699. Very well done. For some reason it was split into two volumes. The hardcover was **huge** , so maybe a one-volume paperback would have been too unwieldy. McCammon’s a favorite of mine, but this book could have been a lot shorter. There was way too much description of very ordinary things and events, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/130 "2004-06-29T22:38:51Z")
I’m re-reading Pterry’s ‘Monstrous Regiment’, which I picked up the day the hard cover hit the shelves and plowed through in a day or two. I remember being ever so slightly annoyed, because I thought the plot twist got a bit repetitious and I wanted the book to get going with the action. On this second reading, I find I enjoy it a lot more. Now that I’m spoiled, I can relax and take my time and find the nuances. To other Pratchett fans, this one gets better on second reading. ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/131 "2004-06-29T23:01:18Z")
> [@El Elvis Rojo](#): > > Still, the last name is Lynch, and the book is _The Undertaking_. Lynch lives his life as a poet and undertaker, and so far, the books just a great read. I’m only four chapters in, but so far it’s great. Ohhh, man, I love that book. One of my favorites ever. (And it’s Thomas Lynch, if anyone wants to look it up. I highly recommend it.) Right now I’m reading **House of Leaves** by Mark Danielewski. It’s engrossing, and a little scary, and has left me with a slight fear of the dark and unexpected noises. The author is Poe’s brother (Poe the musician), and her album **Haunted** is sort of a companion piece to the book. Put the two together, and it’s great fun. After this, it’s **Song of Susannah**. **Stiff** sounds pretty good too; I’ll have to look for it. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/132 "2004-06-29T23:28:01Z")
I’m reading **The Things They Carried** by Tim O’Brien. It’s a collection of reminiscences and short stories based on his experiences in Vietnam. A harrowing, beautifully written book. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/133 "2004-06-30T01:29:53Z")
Ranger? _Ranger_? No, no, no! Give me a man with a nice ass in a pair of faded jeans who loves dogs! Morelli is the man. I’m reading **Ten Big Ones** by Janet Evanovich now. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/134 "2004-06-30T01:31:53Z")
I’m out of college and finally reading for pleasure again! I’m a couple of chapters into _Moanin’ at Midnight: The Life and Times of Howlin’ Wolf_, by James Segrest and Mark Hoffman. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/135 "2004-07-03T00:23:16Z")
Finishing up Betrayal by Clare Francis tonight. It was first published in England in 1995 and the cover says it’s an international bestseller. It’s a very good psychological suspense novel about a man and what follows when his lovers corpse washes ashore. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/136 "2004-07-03T02:02:18Z")
Just finished Pride and Prejudice (again) on tape. Its one of a few commute books I rotate through. Next on tape is the Book of Four which I know nothing about, but bought because some guy at Barnes and Noble recommended it. Started Midnight’s Children. Not very far into it. But the first few pages are very good. Salman Rushdie is one of my literary crushes. Just finished Time Traveler’s Wife, which I was entraced with. My bookclub reads in threes – this time it was three time travel books - The Eyre Affair, To Say Nothing of the Dog (thanks Dangermom - I made my trifle for The Eyre Affair), and The Time Traveler’s Wife. I’d highly recommend all three. Guns Germs and Steel is queued up, I don’t want to be the only Doper who has never read it. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/137 "2004-07-03T02:54:19Z")
If anyone ever wonders why you’ll hear nothing from me at the 50 Book Challenge, and then I’ll review 4-6 books at a time, it’s because I have a short attention span. It amazes me that some people think it’d be difficult to keep track of plots from switching from book(hell, I’m _writing_ five stories at the moment, and keep those straight), to book, but I can see how they can sustain interest in **one** book long enough to read only it from start to finish! 😃 Trust me, it’s hard to mix up the plots of books like the ones I’m reading at the moment. Currently reading (seriously attempting to finish) [You Shall Know Our Velocity](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1400033543/qid=1088822693/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/002-2615024-4724003?v=glance&s=books) by Dave Eggers [tithe](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0689867042/qid=1088822855/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-2615024-4724003) by Holly Black [So You Want to Be a Wizard](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/015216250X/qid=1088822892/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-2615024-4724003?v=glance&s=books) by Diane Duane (much less seriously attempting to finish) [A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Delivery Room](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0373483414/qid=1088822969/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-2615024-4724003?v=glance&s=books) by Kasey Michaels, Kathleen Eagle & Emilie Richards [The Western King](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/series/-/18/mass_market/ref=pd_serl_books/002-2615024-4724003) by Ann Marston [Wolves of the Calla](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1880418568/qid=1088823136/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-2615024-4724003?v=glance&s=books) by Stephen King (I may stop reading this one and re-read the others first. Maybe) ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/138 "2004-07-03T03:02:08Z")
Hey **Dangerosa** , what a great book-club triad. I love all those–not to mention the trifle. I just finished _Brave New World_, which I now have to confess that I’d never read before. :o Now I’m reading _A Venetian Affair_, but I don’t know if I’ll finish it. I’m already a little tired of those two. (It’s chronicles the obsessive and apparently life-long affair between a Venetian patrician and his illegitimate and unmarry-able half-English girlfriend. Casanova is involved. They seem to have spent most of their waking hours scheming to see one another.) And some short prose stories by Pushkin that I’ve been meaning to read since October. ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/139 "2004-07-03T04:16:50Z")
In early January I posted a list of, “The 100 Best Books” that it was my intention to read. Since then I’ve read: Lolita Catcher In The Rye The Great Gatsby Invisible Man 1984 On The Road To Kill A Mockingbird One Hundred Years of Solitude Brave New World Lord Of The Flies Heart Of Darkness A Clockwork Orange Beloved A Passage To India Things Fall Apart The Sun Also Rises Brideshead Revisited The Age Of Innocense All The King’s Men A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man Wuthering Heights Winesburg, Ohio Their Eyes Were Watching God The Tin Drum The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie Metamorphoses An American Tragedy The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz The Good Soldier Nostromo Madame Bovary Absalom, Absalom A Bend In The River One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich Pride and Prejudice Tess Of The Durbervilles A Prayer For Owen Meany The Bridge Of San Luis Rey Love In The Time Cholora Gulliver’s Travels Light In August Right now I’m on, “Lord Jim.” So far it’s a heap-and-a-gob better reading than the Joseph Conrad efforts. “Wuthering Heights,” mega-sucks. A typical sentence might consist of the following punctuation - , , ; ; : ! ? , , : . And yes the sentences go on after !'s and ?'s. “Beloved,” by Toni Morrison was just strange. Picture a sci-fi/horror/escaped slaves living in Ohio/pre civil war commentary kind of book. “Things Fall Apart,” was a learning experience. I now know a lot more about raising yams in Africa. Might come in handy in case a meteror strike ends civilization. “The Age of Innocense,” was really good. “To the Lighthouse,” “Don Quixote,” and “The Golden Bowl,” I’ve put aside in the hope that I’ll die before it comes time to try them again. ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231/140 "2004-07-03T07:51:18Z")
**SandyHook** it wore me out just reading your list. Are you retired, rich and idle, or do you read 1000 words per minute? I’m a poor reader myself, meaning slow, but I do manage to read a book every couple of weeks. A page-turner like Chrichton’s _Prey_ goes pretty fast, while a boring tome like Winston Churchill’s _Their Finest Hour_ (I’m reading it because I think I should) serves as a soporific when I’m really having trouble sleeping. Works like a charm. I’m finishing _Lonesome Dove_ tonight (I should say this morning). It’s a great novel, and a long one. I thought the mini-series was the best western film I ever saw, and, as I have come to expect, the novel is even better. I just bought Grisham’s _Bleachers_, which should go pretty fast since I love Grisham’s writing. In between, I’m reading the complete works of Robert G. Ingersoll on CD. I’ve read all twelve volumes before, so I’m going at it a couple of chapters (or lectures) at a time, plus a biography of Ingersoll. His style is florid, but his wit is razor sharp. Since the last of these “Whatcha Readin?” threads I read Gore Vidal’s _Burr_. I hadn’t read Vidal before, and I liked his style. The novel was wonderful and illuminating (if, as the blurb says, it’s historically accurate). Some of those founding fathers (Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton) could be real shits couldn’t they. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-another-whatcha-readin-thread/249231.md?page=8)