# What Are You Reading Now? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 18, 2002, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270 "2002-04-18T05:20:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/101 "2002-11-11T19:48:38Z")
Working my way through **A Prayer for Owen Meany** - John Irving. It’s worth finishing, but probably not a novel I’ll re-read. The back & forth timeline is sometimes difficult to keep track of and the foreshadowing (altho the point of the whole book) is a bit depressing. Maybe I’ll just go watch the movie 😉 Also reading **Software** - Rudy Rucker. Haven’t quite made up my mind as to whether I like it or not. Some interesting ideas, but a bit too cyberpunk for my usual tastes. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/102 "2002-11-11T21:52:16Z")
_Ender’s Shadow_ - Orson Scott Card and _Burning Chrome_ - William Gibson ---
**Author:** ![kitarak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kitarak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitarak)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/103 "2002-11-11T22:24:39Z")
The Count of Monte Christo. I had a lovely old fashioned edition from about 60-70 years ago, got to the end of it and realised that it was only volume one. :eek: I was most upset. Consequently I have downloaded a copy off project Gutenberg (fully legal of course - the copyright has lapsed, it being not _that_ recent a book) and am reading that until I can buy myself a more complete copy. ---
**Author:** ![liltruthie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ac91a4/32.png) [@liltruthie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liltruthie)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/104 "2002-11-11T22:56:41Z")
Sorry if I missed out on some of the thread— just too slow! I finished Deep In A Dream The Long Night Of Chet Baker and I sped through it! (416 pp) He was really an interesting character. The book’s full of the “rock and roll lifestyle” of a Jazz musician… I recommend it! Anyway, I’m finishing Them by Joyce Carol Oates, apparently it’s the true story of one of her students and that poor kid had a helluva life. A lot of desperation in this book and it’s taken forever to get through it. But if you’re from Detroit (I am not) it may prove more palatable. Of note from a previous entry: There will be a movie about Seabiscuit… it’s filming at Keeneland in Lexington, KY very soon. Also, I recommend for the Dorothy Sayers readers a biography called Maker and Craftsman: The Story of Dorothy Sayers… my auntie wrote it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/105 "2002-11-12T00:13:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Legomancer \* > **I’ve begun marathon of “going to the source”. I’ve read stuff that’s ripped off all of these books, but never the originals.** In that case, consider the Skylark Series, by E.E. (Doc) Smith. Also consider The Lensman Series, also by Smith. Both of these series have been ripped off in Sci-Fi SOOO much it’s not even funny. It’s also interesting to read a non-politically correct space opera. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/106 "2002-11-12T01:39:00Z")
_Corelli’s Mandolin_, by Louis De Bernières; my sister gave it to me this weekend, so I’ve only just begun. _Il Duce_ meets the Greeks - well, so far he’s just talking it over with me. Starts well. ---
**Author:** ![rhysean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac8455/32.png) [@rhysean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhysean)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2003, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/107 "2003-04-06T03:55:10Z")
The Nanny Diaries ---
**Author:** ![mr.splitfoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@mr.splitfoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.splitfoot)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2003, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/108 "2003-04-06T04:45:41Z")
I’ve got about 3 going right now. The History of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire (non-fiction) American Psycho - My 5th time through this one (fiction) The Spanish Inquisition - (non-fiction) And I always keep a copy of The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers around, because it makes for a good few minute read if you want to kill some time. ---
**Author:** ![Shana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Shana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shana)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2003, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/109 "2003-04-06T05:09:18Z")
I’m reading a bio on **Isak Dinesen** by Judith Thurman. I can’t put it down. I’m also reading **Wings of the Dove** by Henry James. Not enjoying it too much, but I’m only a quarter into it. Hoping it will get better! ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2003, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/110 "2003-04-06T05:44:46Z")
I didn’t realise how old this thread was till I found my post on the first page and saw that I was reading _The Fall of Hyperion_, which I actually finished about a year ago. I’d better update my list a little: I’m currently working on _The Golden Compass_. I’m around page two hundred, and so far I’m quite impressed. There’s tons of imagination here, and nice, succinct writing, although we really don’t get to see much of any character besides Lyra. I’m also reading _When Time Shall be no More_, by Paul Boyer. ---
**Author:** ![jayseebee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/258eb7/32.png) [@jayseebee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayseebee)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2003, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/111 "2003-04-06T11:01:13Z")
[_Tulipomania_](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/060980765X/qid=1049626313/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-5840742-4961659?v=glance&s=books) by Mike Dash and [_Paradise & Power_](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1400040930/qid=1049626369/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-5840742-4961659?v=glance&s=books) by Robert Kagan. I’d recommend them both. ---
**Author:** ![Othersider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/cab0a1/32.png) [@Othersider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Othersider)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2003, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/112 "2003-04-06T11:18:02Z")
Right now, I’m reading _The Lord of the Rings_ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elfje](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19b73/32.png) [@elfje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfje)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/113 "2003-04-07T12:21:15Z")
Vermilion Gate by Aiping Mu ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/114 "2003-04-07T12:23:27Z")
On the bus to work I’m reading Thomas Hine’s **The Total Package: The Secret History and Hidden Meanings of Boxes, Bottles, Cans and Other Persuasive Containers**. At home I’m reading Antony Beevor’s excellent **Berlin - The Downfall 1945**. ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/115 "2003-04-07T12:31:02Z")
_The Fisherman’s Ocean_, a great book on basic Oceanography, Ichthyology, and how these apply to Fishing. It’s written by Dr. David Ross, an Oceanographer at Wood’s Hole. Think of it as a Nerd’s Guide to Fishing. [Link](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0811727718/qid=1049718758/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/104-4609976-9613560?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/116 "2003-04-07T12:33:04Z")
**Orion – The True Story of the Atomic Spaceship** by Freeman Dyson’s son (!!) Great book so far. This is one of those things I’ve wanted to know more about for years, but only got brief mentions of (even on the SDMB). ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/117 "2003-04-07T12:50:45Z")
Currently on H.G. Wells again, _Tono-Bungay_. ---
**Author:** ![WhetherMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8e7dd6/32.png) [@WhetherMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhetherMan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/118 "2003-04-07T13:50:53Z")
Just finishing up _Replay_ by Ken Grimwood which I recommend. Thanks for the tip, **brianmelendez** , it was a great book. These next two are non-fiction that I’ve just begun reading. Although they are interesting so far, it’s too soon for a recommendation: _A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail_ by Bill Bryson _Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation_ by Joseph J. Ellis ---
**Author:** ![herwono](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9f8e36/32.png) [@herwono](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/herwono)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/119 "2003-04-07T14:00:57Z")
I’m finishing up _Slaughterhouse-Five_, and I’m about to start _One Hundred Years of Solitude_. I’m also trying to finish _Mrs. Dalloway_. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270/120 "2003-04-07T14:20:34Z")
I’m not going to check and see if I posted to this a long time ago. Currently, I’m reading or rereading: All of the _Little Women_ series (fiction, rereading). _After Virtue_, Alasdair MacInctyre (nonfiction). _Phantastes_, George MacDonald (fiction). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-reading-now/104270.md?page=7)