# Whatcha Readin' Jan 2013 Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 31, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685 "2012-12-31T18:06:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [January 3, 2013, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/41 "2013-01-03T05:24:34Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > Really? I read it a few years ago, and I wouldn’t say it’s a spectacular book, but I’d recommend it to anyone who finds the topic interesting. A decent, if not great, book. I must say, Oufkir’s hyperbolic and preening writing style really irritated me. She goes on at great length about how rich, well-connected and beloved she and her family were. Once imprisoned, they had a very unpleasant experience, to be sure, but it’s not like they were in a gulag or concentration camp (at one point she actually calls it a “death camp,” even though no one died). Things could have been much, _much_ worse for her and her family, and by the end I was surprised at how little sympathy I had for her. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/42 "2013-01-03T10:20:32Z")
Right now I’m reading an odd, for me, book. _The Map of Lost Memories_ by Kim Fay. It’s about “Cambodia’s ancient Khmer civilization.” I got hooked because the protagonist is a curator at a museum. Just finished some more Barbara Kingsolver. An easy read because she writes like “we” talk. Saving the best for last—_The Poisonwood Bible._ Speaking of rabbits, how about dinosaurs? _Raptor Red_ is a very entertaining, interesting read. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/43 "2013-01-03T17:23:39Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I must say, Oufkir’s hyperbolic and preening writing style really irritated me. She goes on at great length about how rich, well-connected and beloved she and her family were. Once imprisoned, they had a very unpleasant experience, to be sure, but it’s not like they were in a gulag or concentration camp (at one point she actually calls it a “death camp,” even though no one died). Things could have been much, _much_ worse for her and her family, and by the end I was surprised at how little sympathy I had for her. YMMV. Like I said, I read it a while ago, so I don’t recall the details. I think I sort of remember what you say, though. You’re right, it wasn’t a gulag, but still - being imprisoned against your will sucks, no matter how decent the prison is. I liked the book, but mostly as a reflection of the culture, not so much the actual personal story. Another book just popped into my head - [The Black Prism](http://www.amazon.com/Black-Prism-Lightbringer-Brent-Weeks/dp/0316068136/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357233731&sr=8-1&keywords=the+dark+prism) and its sequel. I grabbed it when it was on the Kindle Daily Deal cheap, and Brandon Sanderson mentioned it on his Facebook page. Nice page-turner fantasy, in the style of Brandon Sanderson (which is probably why he liked it!). Looking forward to the next one in the series. ---
**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:** [January 3, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/44 "2013-01-03T17:38:04Z")
> [@Becky2844](#): > > Right now I’m reading an odd, for me, book. _The Map of Lost Memories_ by Kim Fay. It’s about “Cambodia’s ancient Khmer civilization.” I got hooked because the protagonist is a curator at a museum. I think I will add this one to my Goodreads Want to Read shelf. 😉 Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/45 "2013-01-03T18:21:05Z")
I’m currently reading _**[The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7170627-the-emperor-of-all-maladies)**_, by Siddhartha Mukherjee. I’m about ¼ of the way through it. It’s a history of the disease of cancer and of how its treatment has evolved through the centuries. So far it’s interesting and a good read. Cancer’s disease history is a topic that might seem grim. For me, it’s work related - I am in software design and development and we develop software medical devices for treating cancer. ---
**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:** [January 3, 2013, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/46 "2013-01-03T18:32:16Z")
I’m in the midst of reading ‘[Religion for Atheists](http://www.alaindebotton.com/Religion.asp)’ by Alain de Botton. Thoroughly enjoying it, though I’m not sure I’ll have time to finish it before I travel on Sunday. Once I’m gone, I’m stuck with the Kobo for five weeks. One of my New Years’ resolutions is to read and post in this thread more often - I love the discussion, I just get sidetracked too much. ---
**Author:** ![Grrlbrarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrlbrarian/32/4048_2.png) [@Grrlbrarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrlbrarian)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/47 "2013-01-03T21:21:35Z")
> [@Becky2844](#): > > Speaking of rabbits, how about dinosaurs? _Raptor Red_ is a very entertaining, interesting read. Love Raptor Red! I’ve read it through at least twice and practically forced an acquaintance to take it home and read it (and they adored it too). Just finished Blackout by Connie Willis since I’ve been on a London Blitz kick lately. Wow - I can’t wait to read All Clear now. I also finished Juliet Gardiner’s The Blitz: The British Under Attack. Awestruck that the Brits endured all that and refused to let it keep them down. I feel like I ought to finish by reading Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon, especially as I put the book down 17 1/2 years ago due to a move cross-country then baby and never resumed it. However, I might not - I’ve got John Dies at the End and Darkly Dreaming Dexter next to the bed (not to mention Salem’s Lot), so it looks like I’ll be on a horror streak for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/48 "2013-01-03T23:58:46Z")
I’ve started the Felix Castor series, at **jsgoddess’** suggestion. Enjoying it so far, though it took me a little bit to get into it. ---
**Author:** ![Kalea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b487fb/32.png) [@Kalea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalea)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/49 "2013-01-04T00:59:50Z")
Oooh… Can I play? I got a bunch of books for Christmas (yay!). I just finished [Oh Myyy!](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AHP5NY6/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00AHP5NY6&linkCode=as2&tag=ohmy0c-20) which was interesting but too short. Next up is [Alexander at the World’s End](http://www.amazon.com/Alexander-Worlds-End-Tom-Holt/dp/0349113157/ref=la_B000AP8S7C_1_19) by Tom Holt. His historical stuff is less overtly funny, but still engaging and lively. I feel like I should start a non-fiction as well, but I suspect I’ll have plenty of CompuSci reading to when classes start next week. **Grrlbrarian** - I found that _Blackout_ and _All Clear_ could have been edited down into one volume. There was just too much whinging to no purpose. I found _Fire Watch_ and _To Say Nothing of the Dog_ to have the same sort of plot arc, but follow it much more succinctly. ---
**Author:** ![Sevencl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sevencl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevencl)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/50 "2013-01-04T01:06:08Z")
I’ve been reading all of Karen Miller’s books set in Lur. They’re pretty mediocre, but I’d read the first two, and recently found out there was a prequel and a sequel duology, so felt obliged, and had nothing better. I got a kindle recently though, and since I found out I can just download all the books for free, I’ve had so much choice that I end up not reading anything because I can’t decide what to read first. I think I have to read “Warm Bodies” next, because someone nagged me into it. A zombie romance novel. Sigh… ---
**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:** [January 4, 2013, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/51 "2013-01-04T01:21:43Z")
> [@Sevencl](#): > > I think I have to read “Warm Bodies” next, because someone nagged me into it. A zombie romance novel. Sigh… That puts pictures into my mind. Unhappy pictures. ---
**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:** [January 4, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/52 "2013-01-04T01:32:09Z")
> [@Kalea](#): > > Oooh… Can I play? > > I got a bunch of books for Christmas (yay!). Next up is [Alexander at the World’s End](http://www.amazon.com/Alexander-Worlds-End-Tom-Holt/dp/0349113157/ref=la_B000AP8S7C_1_19) by Tom Holt. His historical stuff is less overtly funny, but still engaging and lively. I feel like I should start a non-fiction as well, but I suspect I’ll have plenty of CompuSci reading to when classes start next week. I’ve only read “Who’s Afraid of Beowulf” (reread it last spring) so I’ll be waiting to hear what you think of “Alexander at the World’s End”. ---
**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:** [January 4, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/53 "2013-01-04T01:38:16Z")
> [@Grrlbrarian](#): > > …Just finished Blackout by Connie Willis since I’ve been on a London Blitz kick lately. Wow - I can’t wait to read All Clear now. I also finished Juliet Gardiner’s The Blitz: The British Under Attack. Awestruck that the Brits endured all that and refused to let it keep them down… I recommend David Lampe’s nonfiction book _The Last Ditch_, about the surprisingly detailed planning and preparations for a British Resistance movement if the Germans actually invaded. Very interesting stuff. ---
**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:** [January 4, 2013, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/54 "2013-01-04T05:30:57Z")
Should we post our Top Ten book lists for 2012 here, or shall I start another thread? ---
**Author:** ![Sevencl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sevencl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevencl)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/55 "2013-01-04T05:42:55Z")
Top ten released in 2012, or top ten we first read in 2012? ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/56 "2013-01-04T11:28:55Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > Finally finished: [Into the Silence](http://www.amazon.com/Into-Silence-Mallory-Conquest-Everest/dp/0375708154/): The Great War, Mallory, and the Conquest of Everest. > [@Ian\_D.Bergkamp](#): > > This is on my shelf, waiting for me to finish my current book. I’m really looking forward to it. Well, it’s great, for sure, but there was point where we’d got through WW1, the history of early Himalayan exploration, and the first Everest expedition, when I realised that there were still two more expeditions and their aftermaths to go… I did wonder if I could keep reading. But my level of interest held up. The author manages to tell a _huge_ set of interrelated stories without getting - in my opinion - boring or confusing. It’s quite an achievement. ---
**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:** [January 4, 2013, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/57 "2013-01-04T13:05:18Z")
I vote another thread Elendil’s Heir, then link it here please. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/58 "2013-01-04T14:08:33Z")
I think a new thread would be good. It might draw some people who don’t participate in this thread. I love threads like that and expect my “to-read” list to grow significantly as a result. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/59 "2013-01-04T14:27:56Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Should we post our Top Ten book lists for 2012 here, or shall I start another thread? > [@Sevencl](#): > > Top ten released in 2012, or top ten we first read in 2012? I vote new thread and top ten that we read in 2012. ---
**Author:** ![Grrlbrarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrlbrarian/32/4048_2.png) [@Grrlbrarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrlbrarian)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685/60 "2013-01-04T14:47:19Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I recommend David Lampe’s nonfiction book _The Last Ditch_, about the surprisingly detailed planning and preparations for a British Resistance movement if the Germans actually invaded. Very interesting stuff. Putting it on my to-read list! And thank you too, **Kalea** , for the note about Fire Watch and To Say Nothing of the Dog. I’ve meant to get to both and will definitely do so now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-jan-2013-edition/645685.md?page=4)