# Watcha readin'? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 19, 2006, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804 "2006-12-19T18:19:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2006, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/41 "2006-12-20T17:51:25Z")
I just finished reading _Wintersmith_, and now I’m rereading (for the tenth time, if I remember correctly) _Strata_. I tend to do that- whenever a new Pratchett comes out, I read it… and then reread the entire series again, in some sort of random order.\* \*[SUB]Yeah, I know, _Strata_ isn’t technically a Discworld book. But it’s got a world, shaped like a disc, so I think it counts.[/SUB] ---
**Author:** ![iluvurmom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iluvurmom/32/7276_2.png) [@iluvurmom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iluvurmom)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2006, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/42 "2006-12-20T18:06:55Z")
I just finished reading Suze Orman Young, Fabulousm and Broke which had some good stuff in it. I just picked up Freedom Writers Diary since the movie is about to come out! ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2006, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/43 "2006-12-20T19:25:14Z")
[QUOTE=AuntiePam] I feel your pain. Have you read George R. R. Martin’s horror? Armageddon Rag, Fevre Dream, the short stories (one collection is called Sandkings)? T. M. Wright (Manhattan Ghost Story) is pretty good too, and I wasn’t disappointed with the one Tananarive Due I’ve read – The Good House. There are some horror “elements” in Steven Erikson’s excellent fantasy series, starting with Gardens of the Moon. But other than those people, if I want good horror, I read the old stuff. I’m about to re-read **Anything for Billy** by Larry McMurtry. I hear there’s a movie version in the works. Terry Gilliam! [/QUOTE] Thanks for the recommendations. I’ll be hitting the book store today and will check those out. Slee ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2006, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/44 "2006-12-20T20:42:57Z")
[QUOTE=Dinsdale] Just finished a decent novel titled **Goodnight Texas** - pretty well-written with an interesting cast of characters in a down-on-it’s luck town on the Texas coast. [/QUOTE] Ha! Now you need to read **Goodnight, Nebraska**. They’d pair up nicely on the shelf. (And it was a good book, similar to the Texas book, sounds like.) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2006, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/45 "2006-12-20T20:47:10Z")
[QUOTE=sleestak] Thanks for the recommendations. I’ll be hitting the book store today and will check those out. [/QUOTE] **Slee** , I second the rec for _Armaggedon Rag_. Great book, especially if you are of an age. After reading it the first time, I was ready to swear I had seen some of the groups in the book at the Fillmore. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/46 "2006-12-21T01:23:08Z")
[QUOTE=koeeoaddi] I’m reading the second book in the Depford series, **The Manticore** by Robertson Davies. Where has this guy been all my life. He’s _great_! [/QUOTE] I finally read them this summer, after multiple recommendations by **pseudotriton ruber ruber**. Great stuff. I’ve bought the Cornish trilogy, and am waiting for when I need a treat to read it. (BTW, **ko** , I got _The English Passengers_ for my boss for xmas. 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/47 "2006-12-21T01:34:33Z")
[QUOTE=Bridget Burke] I love Davidson & have visited the website. Since he died a few years ago, many of his books are back in print. I’ll definitely get another copy of Dr Eszterhazy. And another copy of the minor but amusing _Clash of the Star Kings_, although I’ll keep my ratty paperback with the Frazetta cover (an Aztec warrior battling a plumed serpent.) [/QUOTE] Don’t forget _Joyleg!_ Hilarious plot twists, ebullient characterization, plus great riffs on American Revolution-era culture and the 1950s _zeitgeist!_ Also _Peregrine Primus_ and _Peregrine Secundus._ The latter ends on something of a cliffhanger – really wish Avram had written a third . . . ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/48 "2006-12-21T02:57:44Z")
I’m into Len Deighton’s (I probably misspelled the name) **City Of Gold** , a spy tale of WWII set in Cairo. It’s pretty good. I like his writing. In contrast, I just laid down unfinished the second book I’ve started by David Baldacci, this one called **The Winner** , because frankly, his writing sucks and the story is so improbable that I can’t keep any interest going. Recently I discovered Michael Connelly and his Harry Bosch character. I’ll definitely be reading more of those. I’m still waiting for the next John Grisham fiction. Grisham is my favorite current fiction writer, with Ken Follett a close second. I’ve read pretty much all of their stuff so far. More to come from both of them, I hope. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/49 "2006-12-21T05:40:03Z")
I just finished rereading Simon Green’s Nightside books ( _good_ stuff ). I’m just starting to reread Loise Cooper’s Time Master trilogy. ---
**Author:** ![Campion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/50 "2006-12-21T05:55:22Z")
[QUOTE=Dung Beetle] I just finished The Thirteenth Tale last night…and started it again this morning. If that tells you anything. 🙂 [/QUOTE] I don’t think I’ve ever read a book twice in a row before. I’ve only been tempted once – Songs of the Humpback Whale, by Jodi Picoult. So I’ll start the Thirteenth Tale this weekend (after I finish Jodi Picoult’s Keeping Faith). Thanks for the endorsement! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/51 "2006-12-21T12:46:56Z")
[QUOTE=Der Trihs] I just finished rereading Simon Green’s Nightside books ( _good_ stuff ). I’m just starting to reread Loise Cooper’s Time Master trilogy. [/QUOTE] I agree, but I’m glad he got over this latest story arc with Lilith. That was getting old. I look forward to the next one, due out, I think, on the 26th. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2006, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/52 "2006-12-25T22:53:33Z")
Just finished a really well-done novel: [_Case Histories_](http://www.amazon.com/Case-Histories-Novel-Kate-Atkinson/dp/0316010707/sr=1-3/qid=1167086259/ref=pd_bbs_3/105-3329619-7662803?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Kate Atkinson. A mystery, of sorts – though somewhat more “literary” than that. There are a few old, unresolved deaths or disappearances that end up being investigated by a single private detective. It jumps around quite a bit from one time to another, and a variety of points of view. I liked it quite a bit. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2006, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/53 "2006-12-25T23:02:59Z")
I liked **Case Histories** too. The jumping around lost me a couple of times, but it wasn’t annoying enough to make me stop reading. Although I did wonder if the story would have worked just as well if told in “normal” time. I’ve started and dumped a couple lately – **Let Us Build A City** by Donald Harington. I liked the premise – look at the history of several ghost towns in Arkansas, but the writer kept interjecting himself into the book. And I didn’t like him. (Reminded me of that Waller guy who wrote Bridges.) Also dumped **The Wrestler’s Cruel Study** by Stephen Dobyns. I couldn’t find anyone in the book to relate to. I should give books more of a chance to grab me but dammit, I’m old. Right now I’m sticking with **City of Saints and Madmen** by Jeff VanderMeer, a Christmas gift from a few years back. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2006, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/54 "2006-12-25T23:04:02Z")
Got [Brother Odd](http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Odd-Thomas-Novels/dp/0553804804/sr=8-1/qid=1167087782/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-4071462-4793634?ie=UTF8&s=books) (amounst others) for Christmas and have started that. Am not yet into it enough to pass judgement, but since I liked the first one so well and the second OK, I’m expecting to enjoy this one. ---
**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:** [December 25, 2006, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/55 "2006-12-25T23:54:43Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] Just finished a really well-done novel: [_Case Histories_](http://www.amazon.com/Case-Histories-Novel-Kate-Atkinson/dp/0316010707/sr=1-3/qid=1167086259/ref=pd_bbs_3/105-3329619-7662803?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Kate Atkinson. A mystery, of sorts – though somewhat more “literary” than that. There are a few old, unresolved deaths or disappearances that end up being investigated by a single private detective. It jumps around quite a bit from one time to another, and a variety of points of view. I liked it quite a bit. [/QUOTE] I really liked it, too – interesting characters, moved right along and the ending was more of a surprise that I thought it would be. I’m reading _The House of Sand and Fog_ by Andre Dubus. I like it so far, despite the fact that when I googled it I discovered that it was an Oprah book. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/56 "2006-12-26T01:40:11Z")
[QUOTE=koeeoaddi] I’m reading _The House of Sand and Fog_ by Andre Dubus. I like it so far, despite the fact that when I googled it I discovered that it was an Oprah book. [/QUOTE] But it was a regular book before it was an Oprah book. 😉 I’ll bet we’ve all read Oprah picks without realizing it. A Fine Balance, Gap Creek, East of Eden, Song of Solomon, Sula, etc. Good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/57 "2006-12-26T02:38:31Z")
[QUOTE=Khadaji] Got [Brother Odd](http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Odd-Thomas-Novels/dp/0553804804/sr=8-1/qid=1167087782/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-4071462-4793634?ie=UTF8&s=books) (amounst others) for Christmas and have started that. Am not yet into it enough to pass judgement, but since I liked the first one so well and the second OK, I’m expecting to enjoy this one. [/QUOTE] I liked the first two, as well. I’m actually a little surprised/disappointed that no one got me _Brother Odd_ for Christmas, but now I can go out and get it for myself! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sunrazor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/58 "2006-12-26T03:00:34Z")
Looking for something to lighten the mood while waiting to fly out of Denver, picked up “A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole. Pulitzer winner back in the late 60s, early 70s. Heard of it, saw it, grabbed it, enjoying it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/59 "2006-12-26T03:29:36Z")
Just finished \*Anansi Boys \* by Neil Gaiman. I was a little hesitant to start it because while I really loved the premise of _American Gods_, the actual book left me underwhelmed. I enjoyed \*Anansi Boys \* (which covers much of the same territory as _American Gods_) much more. It felt like a more complete and developed story, with more sympathetic characters. Up next? I’ve had \*Jitterbug Perfume \* by Tom Robbins sitting on my shelf for a while, but I’ve also got a hankering to go on a Terry Prachett binge. I’ve only read up through _Sourcery_ (over the last year) and I’m anxious to get caught up. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804/60 "2006-12-26T03:36:43Z")
I’m currently trying to improve my Spanish. The last book I finished was **Il Padrino** (The Godfather). I have just started **Yo, Claudio** by Robert Graves-Sanchez. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watcha-readin/384804.md?page=4)