# Whatcha Readin' Dec 09 Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 30, 2009, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487 "2009-11-30T17:02:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/81 "2009-12-11T05:18:19Z")
_**[Don’t Look Back: Satchel Paige in the Shadows of Baseball](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/523930.Don_t_Look_Back_Satchel_Paige_in_the_Shadows_of_Baseball)**_. I really liked this guy’s bio of Josh Gibson, so I hunted up this one of Satchel Paige. Has some of the same photographs in that _de rigeur_ center photo section biographies have. ---
**Author:** ![Ian\_D.Bergkamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Ian\_D.Bergkamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ian_D.Bergkamp)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/82 "2009-12-11T15:46:22Z")
Just finished Quite Ugly One Morning by Christopher Brookmyre and liked it. It’s a fast-paced detective story set in Edinburgh. I think it’s the first of a series, but will be picking up more from Brookmyre in any event. Just started Salman Rushdie’s The Enchantress of Florence. ---
**Author:** ![StoutHearted](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@StoutHearted](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StoutHearted)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/83 "2009-12-11T16:04:05Z")
I finally finished Jennifer Weiner’s _Good in Bed_ last week, which took longer than I expected thanks to schoolwork and hellish finals. I’m still wrapping up finals but am trying to decide what to jump into next. I have a whole bookcase of things “to read” that I picked up supercheap at the used bookstore, and I usually browse through until I get a “feeling” about something. The two that I am trying to decide between right now are _Atonement_ and _The Historian_. I really need to catch up on my modern lit. As for _Good in Bed_ I was surprised at how well-written it was. This book is usually hailed as the definition of “chick lit,” implying insipidness and corny writing, but I found it very well-written. It was the first “chick lit” book I’ve read in ages where the dialogue didn’t make me want to stomp down the main characters. There were some intense moments that hit close to home, too, such as Cannie’s upbringing. Plus, the setting was in my hometown of Philly, and the author name-drops some great restaurants and eateries; I squealed with happiness when my favorite Center City restaurant, Dmitri’s, was mentioned. I thought that place was a secret! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/84 "2009-12-14T00:30:17Z")
Finished _The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2)_. It was much slower than the first in the series and if I didn’t already own the book 3, I may not have chosen to continue the series. (Originally I picked up book 3 in the bargain books bin and that is why I purchased the first two.) Having said that, it picked up in the last third of the book and overall it was not bad. ---
**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:** [December 14, 2009, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/85 "2009-12-14T02:02:19Z")
> [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](#): > > …I’m about to start on David Sedaris’s _Holidays on Ice_, which I’ve been saving for Christmas. Even though I think I’ve read at least one of the pieces in it already. Ooo, you’re in for a treat. But I cannot urge you strongly enough to get it as an audiobook. As good a writer as Sedaris is, his reading of his own material makes it 200% better. Over this weekend, I finished two books. William Styron’s _The Suicide Run_ is a posthumous collection of several short stories (one of which is so short the afterword calls it a “vignette”) about his service as a Marine officer late in WW2 and during the Korean War. There are no combat scenes in it; it’s all about his fear of being killed and his dissatisfaction, as an intellectual and an aspiring writer, with the Corps mentality. Worth a read. I also finished _Barlowe’s Inferno_, artist Wayne Barlowe’s nightmarish depiction of what Hell looks like - plenty of horrific beasts, scary cities and deformed souls. Dante and Lovecraft fans will enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![movingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/86 "2009-12-14T08:16:59Z")
I am currently enjoying a fascinating book by the name of _War Trash_ by Ha Jin. It takes place in a prisoner-of-war camp…in South Korea, 1952. The camp is run by the American army and the POWs are Chinese and North Koreans. So far, very good. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/87 "2009-12-14T14:00:55Z")
Started _Voyage of the Narwhal_ by Andrea Barrett. Love Barrett, but do not love books set in the frozen Arctic. It’s cold enough in Cleveland, thank you. So far my love for Barrett has overruled the descriptions of “Esquimaux.” ---
**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:** [December 14, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/88 "2009-12-14T14:06:45Z")
I’m about two pages into The Knife of Never Letting Go. I don’t usually like science fiction, but someone made this sound interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/89 "2009-12-14T15:27:14Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Ooo, you’re in for a treat. But I cannot urge you strongly enough to get it as an audiobook. As good a writer as Sedaris is, his reading of his own material makes it 200% better. I enjoyed “SantaLand Diaries”, and I liked “Dinah, the Christmas Whore”, which I’ve read before in another of his collections. But I didn’t like the other four purely fictional stories at all. They’re the first non-autobiographical pieces I’ve read from Sedaris, and I was really disappointed in them. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/90 "2009-12-14T15:59:23Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Started _Voyage of the Narwhal_ by Andrea Barrett. Love Barrett, but do not love books set in the frozen Arctic. It’s cold enough in Cleveland, thank you. So far my love for Barrett has overruled the descriptions of “Esquimaux.” I really, really liked that book. Have you read _The Terror_ by Dan Simmons? It’s about the Franklin Expedition, with a supernatural touch. I read both books in winter, and they made me feel better. No matter how cold it gets in Iowa, it’s colder in the Arctic. I finished _Good Omens_. Very clever and funny. Next up is _Mary Reilly_ by Valerie Martin. I think a Doper recommended it, and said it was much better than the movie. I’ve read _Property_ by Martin and liked it, so I have high hopes. ---
**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:** [December 14, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/91 "2009-12-14T16:09:06Z")
I’m finishing up Stephen Clissold’s **In Search of the Cid** , because I always wanted to know more about him. I’m cheating and re-reading **The Case of Charles Dexter Ward** and **Riverworld** on the side, when the history gets to be too much. After that, I’m finally going to read James Kakalios’s **The Physics of Superheroes** (The Spectacular Second Edition!), which Pepper Mill got me for my birthday. > **[Amazon.com: The Physics of Superheroes: More Heroes! More Villains! More...](https://www.amazon.com/Physics-Superheroes-Villains-Science-Spectacular/dp/1592405088)** > > Amazon.com: The Physics of Superheroes: More Heroes! More Villains! More Science! Spectacular Second Edition: 9781592405084: Kakalios, James: Books It might answer the questions raised in this thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=543257&highlight=Superman](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=543257&highlight=Superman) ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/92 "2009-12-14T16:21:31Z")
I read half of “You Better Not Cry” by Augusten Burroughs and threw in the towel. Not funny, not all that interesting, and distasteful, to boot. Is he trying to be David Sedaris? If so, he failed failed failed. Now I’m reading an oldie, “On The Beach” by Neville Shute, since I loved the movie. It’s slow going, not too exciting, but holds my interest. Sad and thought provoking, they seem like such nice people that you would like to know. The fifties-housewife stuff is maddening, the women are always preparing the food while the men sit, drink, and ponder the inevitable calamity. ---
**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:** [December 14, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/93 "2009-12-14T16:36:14Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > After that, I’m finally going to read James Kakalios’s **The Physics of Superheroes** (The Spectacular Second Edition!), which Pepper Mill got me for my birthday. > > [Amazon.com: The Physics of Superheroes: More Heroes! More Villains! More Science! Spectacular Second Edition: 9781592405084: Kakalios, James: Books](http://www.amazon.com/Physics-Superheroes-Spectacular-Second/dp/1592405088/ref=pd_sim_b_4) You may also be interested in this book [Becoming Batman](http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/product/isbn/9780801890635/bkm/true/) - I heard the author interviewed on ‘Quirks and Quarks’ last year, and immediately had to read the book. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/94 "2009-12-14T16:58:14Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > After that, I’m finally going to read James Kakalios’s **The Physics of Superheroes** (The Spectacular Second Edition!), which Pepper Mill got me for my birthday. > > [Amazon.com: The Physics of Superheroes: More Heroes! More Villains! More Science! Spectacular Second Edition: 9781592405084: Kakalios, James: Books](http://www.amazon.com/Physics-Superheroes-Spectacular-Second/dp/1592405088/ref=pd_sim_b_4) > > It might answer the questions raised in this thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=543257&highlight=Superman](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=543257&highlight=Superman) > [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > You may also be interested in this book [Becoming Batman](http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/product/isbn/9780801890635/bkm/true/) - I heard the author interviewed on ‘Quirks and Quarks’ last year, and immediately had to read the book. One of my best friends is the author of _[The Science of Superman](http://www.amazon.com/Science-Superman-Mark-Wolverton/dp/074348651X/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260809647&sr=8-8)_, so skeptics may take my recommendation with a grain of salt – it is a fun read, though! ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/95 "2009-12-14T18:52:58Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I’m about two pages into The Knife of Never Letting Go. I don’t usually like science fiction, but someone made this sound interesting. That was possibly me, because I have been pushing on everyone, including strangers on the street, so I will look forward to reading your reaction. ---
**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:** [December 14, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/96 "2009-12-14T18:58:35Z")
I _thought_ it was probably you. I’m going to have to start tagging my Goodreads list with the names of people who recommended stuff. ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/97 "2009-12-14T20:25:51Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I _thought_ it was probably you. I’m going to have to start tagging my Goodreads list with the names of people who recommended stuff. I try to do that with my Goodreads, and I never remember. And they provide you with a field for it, too! Technology is wasted on me, I swear. ---
**Author:** ![Zjestika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/8edcca/32.png) [@Zjestika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zjestika)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/98 "2009-12-14T21:29:58Z")
> [@delphica](#): > > That was possibly me, because I have been pushing on everyone, including strangers on the street, so I will look forward to reading your reaction. I read Knife of Never Letting Go a while back. If you’re interested in reactions, I _loved_ it. I read it nonstop in 2 days. It was one of the best books I read this year, after Hunger Games. I’ve been on a YA sci-fi kick. I do have the sequel, The Ask and the Answer, but I’m having a hard time getting into it. Did you read it? Should I persevere? ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/99 "2009-12-14T21:35:37Z")
> [@Zjestika](#): > > I read Knife of Never Letting Go a while back. If you’re interested in reactions, I _loved_ it. I read it nonstop in 2 days. It was one of the best books I read this year, after Hunger Games. I’ve been on a YA sci-fi kick. > > I do have the sequel, The Ask and the Answer, but I’m having a hard time getting into it. Did you read it? Should I persevere? I read _The Ask and the Answer_, and my big impression is that it reads like the bridge book in a trilogy, which is what it is. There were a few high points, although overall I didn’t love it the way I loved _Knife of Never Letting Go_, but it did make me excited for the third (and as far as I know, final) book in the series. Gosh, yes, _The Knife of Never Letting Go_ is one of the best things I read this year YA or otherwise, right from the first line. ---
**Author:** ![Zjestika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/8edcca/32.png) [@Zjestika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zjestika)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487/100 "2009-12-14T22:44:07Z")
Okay, I’ll take it with me on a plane later this week. I felt the same way about _Catching Fire_, the second book of the _Hunger Games_ trilogy- it had its highlights but was a bridge book. I’ll let you know what I think when I finish AatA. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-09-edition/519487.md?page=6)