# Whatcha Readin' (June 09) Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 31, 2009, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254 "2009-05-31T11:25:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/121 "2009-06-23T12:43:33Z")
Just got Michael Connelly’s \*The Scarecrow \*from the Library. Page 3. ---
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/122 "2009-06-23T13:55:20Z")
Still reading _The Strain_, but I picked up Dan Simmon’s _The Terror_ as well. It was recommended to me by a friend, so I didn’t do my usual research or read reviews before starting it. I was quite surprised to find out it’s a historical horror novel! I read the first page and was all “Wha…? Northwest Passage? Ships? 1848?” But I got into things quite quickly. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2009, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/123 "2009-06-23T14:21:52Z")
Just started on The Well-Dressed Ape: a natural history of myself, by Hannah Holmes. From the Library Journal Review: > [@](#): > > Science writer Holmes (Suburban Safari, The Secret Life of Dust), who is also a daughter of a biologist, has never come across a biological fact sheet for the species Homo sapiens. In her new book, she creates and applies this fact sheet to herself and all other humans to show how we fit within the animal kingdom. With humor and clarity, she explores the facts, fictions, and hopes about the species Homo sapiens. Each of the 11 chapters is devoted to one topic (the brain, perception, diet, communication, etc.), beginning with a short page or two of general description on the chapter’s topic as applied to humans, while the remainder of the chapter delves into the topic from a scientific, cultural, and anthropological view. Holmes comfortably uses herself as the example for the topic, and the personalization works well. In reading the fact sheet about the species Homo sapiens we can each see how very much like other animals we are and at the same time how very different. So far, so good. This is one of those books that causes me to stop and read interesting bits aloud to anyone who may be nearby. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/124 "2009-06-23T16:33:02Z")
Started _The Leather Maiden_ by Joe Lansdale and put it down after a few pages. I’ve enjoyed Lansdale’s books for many years, but either he’s changed or I have. He uses too many similes. Sometimes an adjective is enough. I dumped his last book quickly too (_Lost Echoes_) – it started with two men in bed with a dead woman. So I picked up _Winter’s Tale_ and was immediately entranced by the horse. ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/125 "2009-06-23T17:09:42Z")
I picked up _Silent In the Grave_ by Deanna Raybourn after **Twickster** mentioned it in this thread – great recommendation, I liked it a lot and agree with the assessment that it is a completely unrealistic genre book, filled with characters with 21st century views living in the 19th century … but still very fun if you can suspend your disbelief on all those points. One funny side note – I find myself wondering if Deanna Raybourn is the author’s real name, because if it _is_, I don’t think the poor woman had any choice but to become a writer of historical romances. Her name reminds me of the “glamour” names my friends and I used to make up for ourselves when we were playing at being actresses. I also finished a very cute girls YA book, _Audrey, Wait_ about a teenage girl whose ex-boyfriend writes a song about how they broke up, and then the song takes off and becomes a pop hit. This was a good, funny quick read – fairly mindless, a little bit like the Princess Diaries in tone. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/126 "2009-06-23T17:15:04Z")
> [@Enterprise](#): > > The last one is an outstanding piece of historical detective work, elegant prose, and erudite learning. I cannot too highly recommend it, IF you have a basic understanding of Midway. If not, start with something else, like Gordon Prange’s book. You’ll still need to read Parshall & Tully’s book, but it’ll get you the background you need. Got the background covered. And this book so far looks to be entertaining as well as educational. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/127 "2009-06-24T13:32:13Z")
I finished “Night” already. It was very good, but was also very short and left me wanting more. I understand that it must have been a very difficult book to write, but I found myself wanting more details about him, his family, and more reflection about what he had experienced. I decided to pick up “For Whom the Bell Tolls” next. I hope I don’t hate it, as I don’t usually enjoy books about war. But since it’s Hemingway, it can’t be all bad, right? “Winter’s Tale” is continuing to interest me. Can’t wait to get some more of it read today. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/128 "2009-06-24T14:22:50Z")
I just finished **One Second After** by William R. Forstchen. It was complete and utter crap. It’s about the aftermath of an EMP device being detonated over the US and it’s effects on a small NC town. To say it’s a tad unrealistic is pushing things. The EMP knocks out practically everything, including every car built after about 1980, battery powered toys and gas-powered generators. Yet later, there are working gas-powered generators. And dozens of people die after one day because they don’t have air conditioning in their houses and had to walk a few miles from their broken down car to their home. And… and… and… Honestly, I don’t know why I finished it. Now I’m reading a YA novel, **Hunger** by Michael Grant. It’s a sequel to **Gone** and continues the story of a small CA town where everyone over 14 has disappeared. It’s awesome so far. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/129 "2009-06-26T19:44:16Z")
I finished “Winter’s Tale.” After loving about the first two-thirds, the last part got to be a bit much. About 500 pages in, I was ready for it to be over. I still liked it overall, but thought a lot of fat could have been trimmed to make it a tighter story. I skimmed quite a bit toward the end. I’m now starting “The Time Traveler’s Wife.” It’s another one that has been on my “to-read” list at Goodreads forever. I’m trying to clear some out, but keep adding more! ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/130 "2009-06-26T19:59:54Z")
> [@yellowval](#): > > I finished “Night” already. It was very good, but was also very short and left me wanting more. I understand that it must have been a very difficult book to write, but I found myself wanting more details about him, his family, and more reflection about what he had experienced. It is part of a trilogy … you may wish to read _Dawn_ and _Day_. They are more thematic than actual sequels, though. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/131 "2009-06-26T20:02:08Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Just got Michael Connelly’s \*The Scarecrow \*from the Library. Page 3. Finished that, then read \*Still Life \*by Joy Fielding, just finished _Hound Dog: The Leiber and Stoller Autobiography_. _Still Life_: Woman is hit by car, lies in coma, hears people talking and learns what happened to her. Her husband had a hit put on her and now is planning to finish the job. Can she wake up in time to thwart the plan? Signs point to yes! _Hound Dog_: These guys are 76 years old and have been writing songs together since they were 17, and never had any kind of falling-out. They were 19 when they wrote “Hound Dog!” ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/132 "2009-06-26T20:19:15Z")
[Carter Beats the Devil](http://books.google.com/books?id=ArWAQBeA5BUC&dq=carter+beats+the+devil&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=LSxFSuntLIj0Mba5iKQB&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5). Somehow I missed this book, although it was a pretty big deal now that I’ve looked it up. I saw a book recently with Charlie Chaplin on the cover, which caught my eye, and \*that book’s \*the “next novel by the author of _Carter Beats the Devil_.” So I got that, and so far it’s pretty cool. About a magician in a slightly altered history where President Harding died at a show of his. It also has elements of magical realism - a little bit. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/133 "2009-06-26T20:28:16Z")
I’ve been reading The Wizard of Oz …the book! Yessir. I’ve never even thumbed through it before. It’s very spare and innocent and most definitely a children’s book. It appears to be written for, hm, fourth graders. It is charming, though. Did you know the Tin Man was once a real man, and his body was replaced, piece by piece, by tin? True! The Wicked Witch cursed his ax and it cut off his body a piece at a time. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/134 "2009-06-26T20:32:12Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > It is part of a trilogy … you may wish to read _Dawn_ and _Day_. They are more thematic than actual sequels, though. I didn’t know that. Thanks! I will check them out. More books on the list … ---
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/135 "2009-06-26T21:02:51Z")
> [@bup](#): > > [Carter Beats the Devil](http://books.google.com/books?id=ArWAQBeA5BUC&dq=carter+beats+the+devil&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=LSxFSuntLIj0Mba5iKQB&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5). Somehow I missed this book, although it was a pretty big deal now that I’ve looked it up. I saw a book recently with Charlie Chaplin on the cover, which caught my eye, and \*that book’s \*the “next novel by the author of _Carter Beats the Devil_.” So I got that, and so far it’s pretty cool. About a magician in a slightly altered history where President Harding died at a show of his. It also has elements of magical realism - a little bit. I LOVE this book. I’ve been waiting for Glen David Gold to write another novel for years. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/136 "2009-06-26T21:28:19Z")
> [@delphica](#): > > I picked up _Silent In the Grave_ by Deanna Raybourn after **Twickster** mentioned it in this thread – great recommendation, I liked it a lot and agree with the assessment that it is a completely unrealistic genre book, filled with characters with 21st century views living in the 19th century … but still very fun if you can suspend your disbelief on all those points. Glad you liked it! ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/137 "2009-06-26T21:30:27Z")
> [@yellowval](#): > > I didn’t know that. Thanks! I will check them out. More books on the list … Also, if you like that sort of thing, I strongly recommend Primo Levi. I’d start with _The Periodic Table_. It’s about more than simply the Holocaust - really, it’s a work of indescribable beauty as well as horror. > **[The Periodic Table: Levi, Primo, Galchen, Rivka, Rosenthal, Raymond:...](https://www.amazon.ca/Periodic-Table-Primo-Levi/dp/0805210415)** > > The Periodic Table: Levi, Primo, Galchen, Rivka, Rosenthal, Raymond: 9780805210415: Books - Amazon.ca ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/138 "2009-06-26T21:36:03Z")
I’m so fickle. I put down _Winter’s Tale_ in favor of _The Leather Maiden_. It’s turned out to be quite the nifty little thriller. I dumped it earlier because some of Lansdale’s similes annoyed me, but I was just being bitchy. A wise man once said “Read it – don’t grade it.” ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/139 "2009-06-26T23:44:15Z")
I read _The Lady and the Panda_ by Vicki Croke, based on **Gulo gulo’s** recommendation, and it was really engrossing - story of the American women who brought the first live pandas out of China. It should some with some sort of warning label on the cover, though, because the pictures in the book were so cute I was involuntarily shrieking like an 8 year old girl. _The Wordy Shipmates_ by Sarah Vowell was also good, as expected. Ye olde colonial days. _Marcelo In the Real World_ by Francisco Stock, this was only so-so. YA novel narrated by a teenage boy with Asperger Syndrome. Interesting premise (his dad essentially bullies him into agreeing to be a summer intern at dad’s law firm) but overall it felt a little ham-handed. Currently in the middle of _American Eve_ by Paula Uruburu, the story of Evelyn Nesbit and the Stanford White murder, which is pretty crazy. ---
**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:** [June 27, 2009, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254/140 "2009-06-27T02:33:01Z")
> [@yellowval](#): > > …I’m now starting “The Time Traveler’s Wife.” It’s another one that has been on my “to-read” list at Goodreads forever. I’m trying to clear some out, but keep adding more! I hope you like it as much as my wife and I and our respective bookclubs did! FYI, the movie is due out Aug. 14 and will star Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams. Here’s the trailer, which has some minor spoilers: [‎Movie Trailers - Apple TV](http://www.apple.com/trailers/newline/thetimetravelerswife/medium.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-09-edition/498254.md?page=8)