# Whatcha Readin' Dec 2012 Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 30, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625 "2012-11-30T23:38:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**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 11, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/61 "2012-12-11T16:05:06Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > The author says it’s also a problem in India, Albania, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, and in the Balkans. It also was a problem in South Korea, although according to the book, it’s less so now… I didn’t realize that - thanks. Does he give any credence to the theory that China might be more militaristic in coming decades as a way of giving all of those frustratedly-unmarried men something to do? ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/62 "2012-12-11T16:28:52Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > I’d really quite like to read _ **The Night Circus** _, but I bought it as an Apple ebook and for some reason the books app won’t load it. Grr. That sucks. ☹ It’s one of the better books I’ve read in a while. Has anyone else read Florence and Giles? Does it get better? I find myself really distracted by the made-up words and slogging through the long passages. It seems like I’ve been reading forever and I’m only 80 pages in. I’m seriously considering giving it up but would hate to do that if it gets better. That, and I hate to stop reading it because I bought it. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/63 "2012-12-11T19:14:15Z")
> [@yellowval](#): > > Has anyone else read Florence and Giles? Does it get better? I find myself really distracted by the made-up words and slogging through the long passages. It seems like I’ve been reading forever and I’m only 80 pages in. I’m seriously considering giving it up but would hate to do that if it gets better. That, and I hate to stop reading it because I bought it. It’s a sunk cost! Free yourself! Note: I haven’t read the book, but life’s too short. 🙂 ---
**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:** [December 11, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/64 "2012-12-11T19:27:44Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > The author says it’s also a problem in India, Albania, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, and in the Balkans. It also was a problem in South Korea, although according to the book, it’s less so now. The book was published in 2011. And (as I read further) Taiwan, and other countries as well. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/65 "2012-12-11T19:29:55Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > It’s a sunk cost! Free yourself! > > Note: I haven’t read the book, but life’s too short. 🙂 That’s usually how I feel, too. But when I spend good money (okay, so it was a gift card) it’s hard! I did discover that it’s only 204 pages long, not 385 as I originally thought. The version I bought has “Turn of the Screw” included as well. I’m going to try skimming through the rest. ---
**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 12, 2012, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/66 "2012-12-12T05:12:39Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > And (as I read further) Taiwan, and other countries as well. Thanks. Does he give any credence to the theory that China might be more militaristic in coming decades as a way of giving all of those frustratedly-unmarried men something to do? ---
**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:** [December 12, 2012, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/67 "2012-12-12T06:19:19Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > Now I’m reading _Unnatural Selection: Choosing Boys Over Girls and the Consequences of a World Full of Men_, by Mara Hvistendahl. Fascinating stuff. Through the use of sex-selection abortion (and a few other methods) over 160 million girls haven’t been born. Now, as the “classrooms full of boys” the author describes have grown up, they’re searching for wives, with more and more difficulty. There are some profound other changes and problems, too. That really does sound fascinating. > [@jsgoddess](#): > > It’s a sunk cost! Free yourself! > > Note: I haven’t read the book, but life’s too short. 🙂 I just love it when someone gives me permission to do that. It’s so hard to quit a book, even when I’m miserable. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2012, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/68 "2012-12-12T13:20:26Z")
> [@yellowval](#): > > That’s usually how I feel, too. But when I spend good money (okay, so it was a gift card) it’s hard! I did discover that it’s only 204 pages long, not 385 as I originally thought. The version I bought has “Turn of the Screw” included as well. I’m going to try skimming through the rest. Ok, I lied. I’m done with this book. He lost me at “eventuallied.” I’m reading “The Time Machine.” ---
**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:** [December 12, 2012, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/69 "2012-12-12T14:22:40Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Thanks. Does he give any credence to the theory that China might be more militaristic in coming decades as a way of giving all of those frustratedly-unmarried men something to do? The author’s a woman, actually. Yes, she does. Another problem is that in some poorer countries, there’s an increase in women, even young girls, being trafficked as prostitutes or against-their-consent brides. ☹ She refers to some families being happy when they have a daughter because she can be sold to benefit the family economically later. A son wouldn’t be able to find a wife there in the future, because the majority of the girls would be gone. ---
**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:** [December 12, 2012, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/70 "2012-12-12T16:34:16Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > The author’s a woman, actually. Yes, she does. > > Another problem is that in some poorer countries, there’s an increase in women, even young girls, being trafficked as prostitutes or against-their-consent brides. ☹ > She refers to some families being happy when they have a daughter because she can be sold to benefit the family economically later. A son wouldn’t be able to find a wife there in the future, because the majority of the girls would be gone. Oh that’s the most disturbing thing I’ve heard in a longtime. Are any of the international human rights organizations clued into what’s going on as a result of the manipulated birthrates? ---
**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 12, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/71 "2012-12-12T16:43:15Z")
Thanks, **Dendarii Dame**. Interesting but disturbing. > [@wonderlust](#): > > …I just love it when someone gives me permission to do that. It’s so hard to quit a book, even when I’m miserable. You have my permission, too. Life’s too short to force your way through a book you hate if you don’t _have_ to read it (such as for book club or a class). I quit any book I hate at p. 50 - if the author hasn’t hooked me by then, I know from hard experience that he or she never will. ---
**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:** [December 12, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/72 "2012-12-12T17:14:48Z")
> [@wonderlust](#): > > Oh that’s the most disturbing thing I’ve heard in a longtime. Are any of the international human rights organizations clued into what’s going on as a result of the manipulated birthrates? It’s disturbing, all right. And yes, this situation is well known. I’d actually read about it (but can’t remember where) before this book. One thing I wasn’t aware of before this book, however, was the influence of various international organizations, such as the World Bank, to start (or at least facilitate) this problem. They were worried about overpopulation. One of the main causes of that, in their view, was families who kept having children until they had a son. Some people proposed that a drug be invented which would ensure a male child. But then sonograms became available and cheap, and sex selection abortion became popular. When humans don’t interfere, the average ratio of boys to girls born is approximately 105 to 100. In some parts of Asia, it’s now 168 to 100. To be fair, sex selection abortion is illegal in many places. Sonogram technicians aren’t allowed to tell you whether it’s a boy or girl there. But they find ways to hint. When people want something enough, the law won’t always stop them. I recommend this book. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2012, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/73 "2012-12-12T17:17:34Z")
Currently reading “Cutting for Stone” and “Straight” (by Dick Francis). I have 3 Agatha Christies on hold at the library for New Year’s Eve reading delight. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/74 "2012-12-12T18:45:56Z")
Started _Dawn:Xenogenesis_ by Octavia Butler. I like the concept – aliens have rescued humans after a nuclear war, and are helping them repopulate the planet (which the aliens have made habitable again), but for a price. I was enjoying it until the first man the main character meets tries to rape her. Then I read some reviews and apparently there will be human-alien sex. It’s not something I’m interested in, so I’m dumping this one. Hell, I’m not even interested in human-human sex in books these days. Not sure what’s up next. I’m in the mood for a good historical. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/75 "2012-12-12T19:59:23Z")
I’m reading the Amanda Pepper mysteries by Gillian Roberts. It’s a series I read quite a few of years ago because my library had most of them on display, but I don’t remember which I’ve read and which I haven’t. I really like the character, a prep school teacher in Philadelphia. ---
**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 12, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/76 "2012-12-12T20:07:26Z")
I just finished a couple of Walter Gibson Shadow novels, _The Golden Master_ and _Shiwan Khan Returns_, which are bound together in a single volume. They held up pretty well for pulps that were written in 1939 and I was surprised to see how much material they provided for the movie starring Alec Baldwin (including a beryllium sphere, of all things). I have a couple more and will work through those. Really fun stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/77 "2012-12-12T20:33:15Z")
Been away on vacation - but got a little reading done along the way. Finished up _**[The Prague Cemetery](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10314376-the-prague-cemetery)**_, albeit with more than a little skimming. I can see how Eco earned his rep & may give another novel of his a try someday, but am not in any hurry. I don’t mind having to work hard to enjoy a novel (Neal Stephenson is one of my fave authors), but this just didn’t quite click with me. Next up was _**[INZARED, Queen of the Elephant Riders](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15751523-inzared-queen-of-the-elephant-riders)**_ by L. Leander, which I think I picked up as a Kindle freebie. It was a quick, easy, fun YA read about an Appalachian girl living in the 1840’s who runs away & joins the circus. While it’s the first of a series, it worked well enough as a stand-along story. I also enjoyed another Kindle freebie _**[I Want It Now! a Memoir of Life on the Set of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10796632-i-want-it-now-a-memoir-of-life-on-the-set-of-willy-wonka-and-the-chocol)**_ by Julie Dawn Cole. (As you probably guessed by the title, Ms. Cole played the spoiled Veruca Salt.) The memoir provides her backstory previous to her casting in the film, with the majority of the book being set during the pre-production and filming of the classic movie. There’s not much in the way of juicy gossip; more fond recollections than anything else. Cole discusses her resulting film and TV career, ending with the recent cast reunions for the 40th anniversary of the film. Recommended to fans of the film; not sure how interested other readers would be. Also re-read _**[Snuff](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10661424-snuff)**_ by Terry Pratchett. While he’s tackled this theme before (repressed minority gains a place in society), I think this is one of my favorite Discworld novels. Sam Vimes has come a long way from his street urchin past, and continues to develop as a character, even as a “fish out of water”. The supporting cast is also well drawn and the plot just sparkles. ---
**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:** [December 12, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/78 "2012-12-12T22:01:05Z")
> [@wonderlust](#): > > I’m reading _[Among Others](http://www.amazon.com/Among-Others-Jo-Walton/dp/0765331721/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354685223&sr=8-1&keywords=among+others)_, by Jo Walton, this years Hugo Award winner. It’s a coming of age novel about a Welsh teen girl, magic, a boarding school, and her deep and abiding love for science fiction novels. > > Someone posted a page showing [the covers of all the books](http://pinterest.com/tinyampersand/the-books-of-among-others/) mentioned in\* Among Others\*. I’m still reading this fabulous book, but keep getting side-tracked by the book references. I read a lot of sf in the 70’s, but she makes me want to read the ones I missed. This book is based loosely on her own background, and I’m gobsmacked that at 15 she was ordering and reading 50 library books a week, many of them very difficult and requiring much thought, like Plato’s works. Actually I’m feeling very stupid just now. 😉 At the moment, Alan Garner is looking very interesting! Sometimes I get so excited about reading that I can’t calm down enough to read. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2012, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/79 "2012-12-12T22:19:03Z")
> [@wonderlust](#): > > I’m still reading this fabulous book, but keep getting side-tracked by the book references. I read a lot of sf in the 70’s, but she makes me want to read the ones I missed. This book is based loosely on her own background, and I’m gobsmacked that at 15 she was ordering and reading 50 library books a week, many of them very difficult and requiring much thought, like Plato’s works. Actually I’m feeling very stupid just now. 😉 At the moment, Alan Garner is looking very interesting! > > Sometimes I get so excited about reading that I can’t calm down enough to read. I love Alan Garner. Check him out. 50 books a week? No, I’m not going to believe that one. That doesn’t even make sense. ---
**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 12, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625/80 "2012-12-12T22:21:40Z")
> [@Politzania](#): > > Finished up _**[The Prague Cemetery](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10314376-the-prague-cemetery)**_, albeit with more than a little skimming. I can see how Eco earned his rep & may give another novel of his a try someday, but am not in any hurry. I don’t mind having to work hard to enjoy a novel (Neal Stephenson is one of my fave authors), but this just didn’t quite click with me. I love Eco generally, and while all of his books tend toward the esoteric, _The Prague Cemetery_ is farther along that line than some and is probably not the best introduction to his work. Personally, I thought it was disappointingly dry. [The Name of the Rose](http://www.amazon.com/Name-Everymans-Library-Classics-Contemporary/dp/0307264890/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355350636&sr=8-2&keywords=name+of+the+rose) is probably his most accessible work, followed (at some distance) by [Foucault’s Pendulum](http://www.amazon.com/Foucaults-Pendulum-Umberto-Eco/dp/015603297X/ref=la_B000APW210_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355350701&sr=1-2). So if you do get the urge to read other books by him, I’d recommend either of those. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-dec-2012-edition/642625.md?page=5)