# Khadaji’s Whatcha Reading Thread - May 2023 edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [April 30, 2023, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379 "2023-04-30T19:16:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [May 8, 2023, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/41 "2023-05-08T03:29:29Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > My sister loved and recommended it, but I gave up after 50 pages and haven’t since seen the Tom Hanks film adaptation. Just never hooked me. Forget the Tom Hanks version. [Sweden made a great version in 2015.](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4080728/) I very much recommend it. ---
**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:** [May 8, 2023, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/42 "2023-05-08T13:02:10Z")
Finished T. Kingfisher’s Bryony and Roses and liked it a lot. One of these days, I’ll need to go on a quest and round up all of her stuff that I haven’t gotten yet. It’s good to know it’s out there for me to look forward to! Started this morning on Mona Awad’s novel [Bunny](https://www.amazon.com/Bunny-Novel-Mona-Awad/dp/0525559736/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CEQ4GB8H7ARE&keywords=bunny+mona+awad+hardcover&qid=1683550327&sprefix=bunny+mon%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1). I don’t know what I think of it yet. It’s one of those books where the prose is very flashy and attention-grabbing…hard to say if there’s any story underneath it. However, it’s about a weird group of women in Providence. Witches? A cult? ---
**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:** [May 8, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/43 "2023-05-08T14:28:13Z")
Finished _12 Seconds of Silence: How a Team of Inventors, Tinkerers, and Spies Took Down a Nazi Superweapon_, by Jamie Holmes. Still reading _Callander Square_, by Anne Perry. Started _The Rim of Space_, by A Bertram Chandler. ---
**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:** [May 8, 2023, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/44 "2023-05-08T15:37:09Z")
Finished _Clockwork Futures: The Science of Steampunk and the Reinvention of the Modern World_, by Brandy Schillace, which isn’t a bad history of (mostly) 19th-century science. I would’ve liked it better, except that I’d read most of the information elsewhere.(Except the part where Sir Humphrey Davy is accused of trying to blind Michael Faraday. That was a surprise! The author cites Richard Holmes’ _Age of Wonder_ for that one.) Now I’m reading _Kiln People_ by David Brin. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/45 "2023-05-08T16:17:39Z")
Reading Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven. The story is about a Disney World type amusement park in Florida getting hit by a Katrina level Hurricane (with a flaccid Katrina level Government response) which isolates it from the rest of the state for 35 days. The employees trapped inside end up going the Lord of the Flies route. It is told in the form of interviews with survivors and academics after the fact (similar to World War Z) and while I have only just started it, I like it so far. ---
**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:** [May 8, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/46 "2023-05-08T16:17:55Z")
Thanks, **Siam\_Sam**. Finished _Sea of Tranquility_ by Emily St. John Mandel, a clever, touching sf novel about centuries-spanning time travel. Some great twists and turns. Highly recommended. I’ve now begun _Robert E. Lee and Me_ by Ty Seidule. The author is a Virginian, a U.S. Army colonel and a former West Point history prof who comes to grips with all the lies he was told from childhood about Gen. Lee, the Confederacy and the Lost Cause. Also good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/47 "2023-05-08T17:33:06Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > Reading Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven. I just read a synopsis about this book. Sounds intriguing. I will be interested in your review! ---
**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:** [May 8, 2023, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/48 "2023-05-08T18:00:01Z")
Did I, or someone else, mention LeVar Burton reading “Jackalope Wives” on his podcast LeVar Reads? (All my social media runs together and I forget where I mention stuff) ---
**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:** [May 8, 2023, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/49 "2023-05-08T18:13:09Z")
Nope, that’s awesome! ---
**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:** [May 8, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/50 "2023-05-08T18:25:51Z")
He does such a good job with it too! ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/51 "2023-05-08T22:57:47Z")
I just finished reading _A Gentleman In Moscow_ by Amor Towles and I definitely liked it better then _Lincoln Highway_. Again, I read the first and listened to the latter and I don’t think I’m too keen on listening to novels. With that said, I thought the story in Gentleman was fantastic and the ending was great (LH’s ending was a bit _meh_ for me). The ending got me right in the feels! 🙂 I just watched _Once Upon a Time In Hollywood_ and I’m considering reading _Helter Skelter_. I don’t know a lot about that story, but I see it is available at my library in both print and ebook version (I like having both versions when I can so I can read and home, at work, and waiting in some office). ---
**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:** [May 9, 2023, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/52 "2023-05-09T00:45:02Z")
Only T. Kingfisher aka Ursula Vernon would think up a semi sentient sourdough starter… and then write it into a story. I’ve a bit to catch up, Dung Beetle but T. Kingfisher month is a go. (Still happily, but carefully navigating the often disgusting pathways of _[Mummies, Cannibals and Vampires: The History of Corpse Medicine from the Middle Ages to the Falun Gong](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53857379-mummies-cannibals-and-vampires)_ ) ---
**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:** [May 10, 2023, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/53 "2023-05-10T19:06:30Z")
Finished _The Rim of Space_ and read _The Ship from Outside_, both by A Bertram Chandler. Still reading _Callander Square_, by Anne Perry. Started _Cocaine Blues_, by Kerry Greenwood. (This is the book the first episode of _Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries_ was based on.) ---
**Author:** ![BetsQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@BetsQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BetsQ)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/54 "2023-05-11T15:33:58Z")
I really loved the Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking. So good. If you want more on the semi-sentient sourdough starter front, I also recommend Robin Sloan’s [Sourdough](https://www.amazon.com/Sourdough-Novel-Robin-Sloan-ebook/dp/B06XC41K6G/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1683819089&sr=8-1). Very different, but I thought it was a fun read. ---
**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:** [May 11, 2023, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/55 "2023-05-11T15:55:44Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > I just finished reading _A Gentleman In Moscow_ by Amor Towles and I definitely liked it better then _Lincoln Highway_. Again, I read the first and listened to the latter and I don’t think I’m too keen on listening to novels. With that said, I thought the story in Gentleman was fantastic and the ending was great (LH’s ending was a bit _meh_ for me). The ending got me right in the feels! :)… Glad you liked it, as I did. I also believe that it’s better than _Highway_. But would you agree with me that the ending, although heartwarming, isn’t all that plausible? How long can he hope to remain undiscovered by the KGB in rural Russia in the early Sixties, living near his old family estate? ---
**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:** [May 11, 2023, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/56 "2023-05-11T15:57:41Z")
I will look into it! I meant to spend yesterday reading, but nope real life had other plans. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/57 "2023-05-11T16:07:12Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > But would you agree with me that the ending, although heartwarming, isn’t all that plausible? How long can he hope to remain undiscovered by the KGB in rural Russia in the early Sixties, living near his old family estate? They thought he fled the country and his good buddy Osip wasn’t going to do anything. Sure he might get caught at some point, but no one was going to be actively searching for him. It was enough for me to think that if he led a simple life, which he would have to do since he gave away his gold, he might pull off. Better than Emmett in _Lincold Highway_, who was a good person although he killed someone, intentionally killing Duchess. At least it appears to me that it was intentional. ---
**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:** [May 11, 2023, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/58 "2023-05-11T16:15:51Z")
Understood, and thanks, but all it takes is one informant - and Soviet society was riddled with them back then - to figure out who he is (which shouldn’t be too hard, given his family’s roots in the area) and give the local KGB office a call. He’d stand out like a sore thumb out in the sticks. How’s he going to eat, and pay his bills? Not worth the risk, I’d say. Even after Khrushchev’s reforms, the USSR was no paradise. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/59 "2023-05-11T18:11:56Z")
Well now you are ruining it for me 😉 I’m sure you are right though. Who is this dude with the willowy beauty on his arm? ---
**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:** [May 11, 2023, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379/60 "2023-05-11T19:45:31Z")
Ah, so you’ve met my wife…? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-may-2023-edition/983379.md?page=4)