# Khadaji's Whatcha Readin' - February 2013 Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 31, 2013, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895 "2013-01-31T07:54:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/101 "2013-02-11T14:33:41Z")
I finished the first volume of Boswell’s Life of Johnson. Well, I finished the 300 pages of actual biography, but I skipped most of the 300 pages of appendices and footnotes! ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/102 "2013-02-11T14:37:34Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > Finished _Babbitt_. **yellowval** , I liked it a lot. I would have liked it better if Babbitt had stuck to his guns about his new “liberal” positions, but at least his son will have a more fulfilling life, and Babbitt can take some credit for that. He’s a product of his time, I suppose. I’m glad you liked it! I need to re-read it sometime but I’m trying not to re-read as much this year. Babbitt is probably my third favorite Sinclair Lewis book, after Main Street and Elmer Gantry. Oh, and I like Ann Vickers a lot, too…it’s maybe tied with Babbitt for the #3 spot. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2013, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/103 "2013-02-12T00:11:31Z")
> [@Ian\_D.Bergkamp](#): > > If you’re interested in reading more about the period, I strongly recommend [The Last Apocolypse: Europe at the Year 1,000 AD](http://www.amazon.com/Last-Apocalypse-Europe-Year-D/dp/0385483368/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360589042&sr=1-3&keywords=james+reston) by James Reston. The primary focus is the replacement of paganism by Christianity and Islam, but there’s a lot of social history as well, if I remember correctly. In any event, it’s a well-written and enjoyable book, as is most of Reston’s work. I apologize for this late response,(Okay, not as late as I thought!) I’ve been distracted and forgot to check the thread. I do have that book and it is in my stack to be read this year. I just finished **Hexed** by Kevin Hearne, he is toning down the "Mary Sue"ishness of Atticus and I’m still loving the supporting cast and their quirks! ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/104 "2013-02-12T04:38:46Z")
I finished Bertrand Russell’s ‘Mysticism and Logic’. It was a bit of a slog; I think I need to find a better ‘Intro to Philosophy 101’ kind of book. Now that I’m back home, I have ‘Religion for Atheists’ by Alain de Botton back out from the library - I didn’t get to finish it before I went away. I also have ‘What Money Can’t Buy - the Moral Limits of Markets’ by Michael J. Sanders out. I have to say, I don’t really care much for my Kobo e-reader _except_ - reading books in languages that you’re studying is much, much easier when you can look up a word by holding your finger on it for a few seconds. Still reading Karl May, Daniel Pennac and Luigi Pirandello in their original tongues… ---
**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:** [February 12, 2013, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/105 "2013-02-12T05:17:19Z")
> [@Ian\_D.Bergkamp](#): > > …I’m currently reading _L.A. Confidential_ by James Ellroy. I’ve already seen the movie and that may be coloring my perception, but while it’s a fun and quick read, it tends toward being loose and sprawling; could have used a little tightening up in places. > > I do like the way Ellroy writes, though, especially dialogue. He does a great job distinguishing between the voices of the three main characters and keeps the pace moving quickly. It’s the first book of his I’ve read, but I’ll be sure to read others. His _My Dark Places_ is a fantastic nonfiction account of his trying, with the help of a retired LAPD detective, to solve the mystery of his own mother’s murder. You get a good sense of how he became the author he did. ---
**Author:** ![movingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/106 "2013-02-12T07:57:35Z")
I just finished \*\*The Proving Ground \*\*by G. Bruce Knecht. It describes the 1998 Sydney to Hobart race, which encountered cyclonic weather. Of the 115 yachts that began the race only 41 finished it, and six sailors died. Walter Cronkite described the book as the blue-water sailing race’s version of **The Perfect Storm**. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2013, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/107 "2013-02-12T13:27:44Z")
> [@Politzania](#): > > Next up was the library’s copy of _**[Because I Said So! : The Truth Behind the Myths, Tales, and Warnings Every Generation Passes Down to Its Kids](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13547494-because-i-said-so)**_ by Ken Jennings (yes, THAT Ken Jennings). I heard about this book thanks to the 11 Dec 2012 Shelf Awareness newsletter and it sounded right up my alley! Jennings does a reasonably good job of presenting typical examples of parental advice/wisdom and proceeding to debunk or confirm them, citing existing research whenever possible. This is what I’m starting today. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/108 "2013-02-12T16:04:25Z")
> [@movingfinger](#): > > I just finished \*\*The Proving Ground \*\*by G. Bruce Knecht. It describes the 1998 Sydney to Hobart race, which encountered cyclonic weather. Of the 115 yachts that began the race only 41 finished it, and six sailors died. Walter Cronkite described the book as the blue-water sailing race’s version of **The Perfect Storm**. Sounds interesting. Didja like the book? Pros and cons? ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/109 "2013-02-12T17:13:15Z")
> [@DZedNConfused](#): > > I just finished **Hexed** by Kevin Hearne, he is toning down the "Mary Sue"ishness of Atticus and I’m still loving the supporting cast and their quirks! I’m so glad you’re still enjoying this series. After the first book, I’ve been trying to hold off reading the whole series in a go, trying to responsibly read other books that I’d promised myself I would read. But really, I just want to read more Atticus books! I hereby vow that when I finish Wool 5 I will read Iron Druid #2 and as many others in the series as I feel like reading! ---
**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:** [February 12, 2013, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/110 "2013-02-12T17:49:43Z")
> [@wonderlust](#): > > I’m so glad you’re still enjoying this series. After the first book, I’ve been trying to hold off reading the whole series in a go, trying to responsibly read other books that I’d promised myself I would read. But really, I just want to read more Atticus books! I hereby vow that when I finish Wool 5 I will read Iron Druid #2 and as many others in the series as I feel like reading! Gahhh, I hear you! I ran out and bought 2, 3, 4 and5 soon as I finished Hounded. But I’m making myself space them out, like having a box of expensive chocolate. ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/111 "2013-02-12T19:21:05Z")
> [@DZedNConfused](#): > > Gahhh, I hear you! I ran out and bought 2, 3, 4 and5 soon as I finished Hounded. But I’m making myself space them out, like having a box of expensive chocolate. Hearne’s publisher signed him up to write 6 more books, so it’s safe to over-indulge I think. He’ll end the Iron Druid Chronicles at #9, and write some other stuff. The only thing I regret is not having hard copies of the books to admire the cover model. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/112 "2013-02-12T22:00:18Z")
> [@tellyworth](#): > > I just finished the Omnibus last night. It’s good. #2 was a bit slow, but don’t let that put you off. > > Don’t go reading news about the Wool movie. Many articles about it (even short ones) contain mild spoilers. You’re right, #2 was a little bit slow, but I still enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to starting #3! Loving this series so far. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/113 "2013-02-12T22:08:00Z")
Starting [The Daylight War](http://www.amazon.com/The-Daylight-War-Three-Demon/dp/0345503821/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z), the third book in Peter Brett’s Demon Cycle trilogy. Not as good as Abercrombie, but pretty good. The premise is that humans fight demons that rise out of the ground at night. The time period isn’t medieval but the weapons and technology are primitive. I’m not fond of the cover art. ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/114 "2013-02-12T22:09:02Z")
> [@yellowval](#): > > You’re right, #2 was a little bit slow, but I still enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to starting #3! Loving this series so far. Wool #2 was my favorite; it was a beautiful, touching story about love and aging. ---
**Author:** ![movingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/115 "2013-02-13T08:15:00Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Sounds interesting. Didja like the book? Pros and cons? Yes, I enjoyed it very much. The major criticism by the author is that pure racing boats are designed to be as light as possible, obviously, and that safety is sacrificed for speed and nothing any heavier than it has to be is scamped. One of the boats is so totally racing-oriented that the interior is not painted. Why? Paint adds weight. The cost of unlimited sailboat racing is tremendous, of course, with some of the larger yachts being built or purchased for mid-six figure prices (1998 money). One of the boats loses a spinnaker to a wind gust and replaces it with a spare, which is shortly destroyed as well. Each one cost 30,000 dollars. ---
**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:** [February 13, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/116 "2013-02-13T14:59:36Z")
Thanks for the review, **movingfinger**! > [@movingfinger](#): > > …safety is sacrificed for speed and nothing any heavier than it has to be is scamped… Four online dictionaries of nautical terms have let me down. What does “scamped” mean? > [@movingfinger](#): > > …The cost of unlimited sailboat racing is tremendous, of course, with some of the larger yachts being built or purchased for mid-six figure prices (1998 money). One of the boats loses a spinnaker to a wind gust and replaces it with a spare, which is shortly destroyed as well. Each one cost 30,000 dollars. I forget who first joked that the best simulation of yachting is standing in a cold shower, tearing up $100 bills. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/117 "2013-02-13T15:18:24Z")
I am reading _Ashes to Dust_ by the Icelandic author Yrsa Sigurðardóttir. I met her in October and she offered me some fermented reindeer testicles. I declined, but I’m glad I bought her book. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/118 "2013-02-13T16:07:59Z")
Just finished _Lonesome Dove_. Great, great book. Are the following books (Streets of Laredo, Dead Man’s Walk, Comanche Moon) any good? ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/119 "2013-02-13T17:46:39Z")
The Basque History of the World (just started) Super-Freakonomics (almost done) A Storm of Swords (2nd or 3rd time through, ASoIaF is my holycrapwhataday escape series of the moment, so I just keep slowly cycling through them.) ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895/120 "2013-02-13T18:06:02Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Just finished _Lonesome Dove_. Great, great book. > > Are the following books (Streets of Laredo, Dead Man’s Walk, Comanche Moon) any good? I liked them. I’ve liked all McMurtry’s stuff, except for the Berrybender series, which had too much humor to suit me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-february-2013-edition/648895.md?page=7)