# Khadaji’s Whatcha Reading Thread - August 2020 edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 31, 2020, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941 "2020-07-31T21:00:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/21 "2020-08-07T13:46:55Z")
Finished [The Postmortal](https://www.amazon.com/Postmortal-Drew-Magary/dp/0143119826/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+postmortal&qid=1596807830&sr=8-1) today. I enjoyed it, although it was a downer overall. I mean, if humanity did find a way to prolong life, this is probably just how we would screw it up. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/22 "2020-08-07T13:59:03Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Just got the new Eric Flint contribution to his 163X universe: **1636 - The Atlantic Encounter.** More adventures with Commander Cantrell and group, I imagine. Thank you – hadn’t known about that one. The library lists it as “On order”, so I put a hold on it. Almost finished with _The Case of the Spellbound Child_, by Mercedes Lackey, so I’ll have to hit the library this afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/23 "2020-08-07T21:46:35Z")
This morning I finished _The Case of the Spellbound Child_. It’s the 14th book in her Elemental Masters series, and the fourth to feature Holmes and the Watsons. Took that and my other library books back, and checked out a few new ones (though I couldn’t get the ones I was looking for ☹). First up will be _America Before: The Key to Earth’s Lost Civilization_, by Graham Hancock. He apparently thinks that the Americas were populated 130,000 years ago, but their civilization was destroyed by the ice age. Not sure if this should be called psaudoscience or pseudohistory… ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/24 "2020-08-08T02:08:27Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Three fourths of the way through _LA Requiem_ , by Robert Crais. I’m a big fan of Crais’ Cole/Pike novels - they are all compulsively readable, funny and action-packed. ---
**Author:** ![DZedNConfused](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dzednconfused/32/15991_2.png) [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/25 "2020-08-08T03:44:06Z")
I believe it’s charitably called bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/26 "2020-08-08T14:24:40Z")
That works. I’m not sure I’ll be able to read 500+ pages of it. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/27 "2020-08-08T15:02:07Z")
I’ve resumed reading George R.R. Martin’s masterful sf environmental satire _Tuf Voyaging_ with one of my teenage sons. Overpopulation, a cloned T-Rex, a huge ancient warship, a telepathic cat, mushroom wine, sea monsters, absolute power, deadpan sarcasm - what’s not to like? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2020, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/28 "2020-08-09T04:54:28Z")
Finished _LA Requiem_, by Robert Crais. His eighth Elvis Cole / Joe Pike Los Angeles noir. In this one, the focus is more on Joe Pike, and we learn some of his background and what makes him tick. An old girlfriend of Pike’s is found murdered, and Cole and Pike are on the job. Very good. I thoroughly enjoy Crais. In a previous novel, someone mentions that Cole vaguely resembles Mel Gibson, but for some reason I always picture him as Billy Bob Thornton while I’m reading. Next up is _The Guardians_, by John Grisham, which I have started and am just over halfway through. ---
**Author:** ![DZedNConfused](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dzednconfused/32/15991_2.png) [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2020, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/29 "2020-08-09T12:57:03Z")
Because I finished _The Enforcer Enigma_ by Gail Carriger, I had to go back and read the first two books of the series, _The Sumage Solution_ & _The Omega Objection_. Now I am going to finish: _Rising Wolf_ by Theda Black, another m/m werewolf story. (I’m on a roll this month, this will be the fifth one) _The Hand Hand of the Necromancer_ the first Johnny Dixon book written by Brad Strickland after John Bellairs death. He’s doing a good job of sticking to the tone of the prior books. And this one has a girl as one of the main characters, she’s a “tomboy” in the mid 1950, so another duck out of water like Johnny. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2020, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/30 "2020-08-09T19:38:23Z")
I just finished the Mary Trump book about her completely fucked up family. It’s no wonder Donny is like he is, and it’s terrifying to think he may get reelected. Next up is **The Peasant Prince** , by Alex Storozynski. It’s a history of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, who most Americans have never heard of. A Polish engineer, he basically saved America’s ass in the Revolutionary War, was admired greatly by Washington and Jefferson, and fought for equal rights for ALL peoples, including slaves and indigenous people. In fact, he surrendered his pay for participating in the war, on the condition that it be used to purchase freedom for as many slaves as possible, purchase land for them and provide the tools and livestock needed to prosper. After his death, the money was largely embezzled, but he tried. He also designed West Point, where there is a statue of him. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/31 "2020-08-10T16:17:37Z")
> [@DZedNConfused](#): > > …_The Hand Hand of the Necromancer_ the first Johnny Dixon book written by Brad Strickland after John Bellairs death. He’s doing a good job of sticking to the tone of the prior books. And this one has a girl as one of the main characters, she’s a “tomboy” in the mid 1950, so another duck out of water like Johnny. I’m waiting for the sequel, _The Foot Foot of the Necromancer_. ---
**Author:** ![DZedNConfused](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dzednconfused/32/15991_2.png) [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/32 "2020-08-10T18:56:26Z")
_snort_ I even proofread that… ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/33 "2020-08-10T19:01:50Z")
Started today on David Mitchell’s newest, [Utopia Avenue](https://www.amazon.com/Utopia-Avenue-Novel-David-Mitchell/dp/0812997433/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1RHW2I9DL4YZW&dchild=1&keywords=utopia+avenue+david+mitchell&qid=1597085933&sprefix=utopia+avenue%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-2), about a British rock band in the late sixties. A sheer pleasure so far. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2020, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/34 "2020-08-11T20:47:38Z")
Finished _Cyteen_, by C. J. Cherryh, which I thought was tedious, despite its excellent reviews. Now I’m reading _Going Into Town: A Love Letter to New York_, by Roz Chast. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/35 "2020-08-12T18:21:19Z")
Finished _Going Into Town: A Love Letter to New York_ , by Roz Chast. It was charming, and surprisingly educational. Now I’m reading _The House of Daniel_, by Harry Turtledove. It’s a fantasy novel. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/36 "2020-08-13T13:44:00Z")
“George Eliot” is among 25 female writers now being republished using their real names: [https://www.cnn.com/style/article/george-eliot-reclaim-her-name-intl-hnk-scli/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/style/article/george-eliot-reclaim-her-name-intl-hnk-scli/index.html) > [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I’ve resumed reading George R.R. Martin’s masterful sf environmental satire _Tuf Voyaging_ with one of my teenage sons. Overpopulation, a cloned T-Rex, a huge ancient warship, a telepathic cat, mushroom wine, sea monsters, absolute power, deadpan sarcasm - what’s not to like? Just finished it - terrific as ever. Next up to read aloud with my son: _Old Man’s War_ by John Scalzi, one of my favorite military sf novels. ---
**Author:** ![DZedNConfused](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dzednconfused/32/15991_2.png) [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/37 "2020-08-14T02:33:44Z")
> > George Eliot” is among 25 female writers now being republished using their real names: [https://www.cnn.com/style/article/george-eliot-reclaim-her-name-intl-hnk-scli/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/style/article/george-eliot-reclaim-her-name-intl-hnk-scli/index.html) Ironic that it ends with J.K. Rowling whining about her gender being erased. My trans child would LOVE to give her an earful… ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/38 "2020-08-14T03:35:16Z")
My son gave me “Case Histories” by Kate Atkinson for Father’s Day, and I finally finished it. A combination thriller/detective story/more “serious” novel. Enjoyed it mostly, although I didn;t think much of the ending. I thought it was very reminiscent of the Gregor Demarkian books by “Jane Haddam”–sort of a British version of the Demarkian series, with lots of interior thoughts from various characters, an emphasis on human psychology, and a rather dark vision of the world when you come right down to it. Now I’m working on the sequel, “One Good Turn.” Fine so far. ---
**Author:** ![lawf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@lawf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawf)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/39 "2020-08-14T10:58:43Z")
Didn’t all realize this was a monthly thread until now. Nonetheless, here’s what I’ve been reading: 1. Zadie Smith’s [On Beauty](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/294826/on-beauty-by-zadie-smith/9780143037743/readers-guide/) – Hard to believe this was published in 2005, because it still feels extremely contemporary. Especially since it deals with the inclusive university, and the concessions and compromises it has to endure to foster inclusivity. Inclusive universities have for long been regarded as purifiers and life-blood of the public sphere, yet inclusivity has remained a rabidly fought out concept. In other words, even though we’ve been hearing plenty from pro- and anti-inclusivists, we mostly don’t get more than soundbytes and catch phrases, thereby enabling many to say that the inclusive university is a failed project. Because it hasn’t really enlivened the public sphere, one of its alleged goals. Interestingly enough, Smith teaches at NYU. 2. John J. Macionis’ [Society: The Basics](https://www.bartleby.com/textbooks/society-the-basics-14th-edition-14th-edition/9780134206325/solutions) (14th Ed) – I’m reading the first section now, and it focuses on the tensions between individual and community rights. Does ensuring the former put the latter in jeopardy and vice versa? It doesn’t so far mention Kwame Appiah or Charles Taylor, but if you’re interested, both of them argue that indefinite preservation of cultures is not possible, and that these efforts, if anything, only stunt individual growth. Interesting stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941/40 "2020-08-14T14:12:09Z")
I just finished [Peace Talks](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49381341-peace-talks), the new Harry Dresden novel. My wife asked me, “How’s the new Dresden book?” I answered, “How’s that Snickers Bar?” The feature and bug of the Dresden novels are their consistency: you know what you’re getting. There’s gonna be wry Raymond Chandler humor. There’s gonna be whiz-bang magic action. There’s gonna be plotting and betrayal. There’s gonna be basically the same cast of characters as in the previous 500 books in the series. This book neither surprised nor disappointed. It satisfied. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-august-2020-edition/916941.md?page=3)