# Whatcha Readin' June 2012 Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 31, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701 "2012-05-31T20:48:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/21 "2012-06-04T16:55:47Z")
> [@Invisible\_Chimp](#): > > Now I’m rereading _Slaughterhouse Five_. I first read it at nineteen or twenty. I checked out an Ayn Rand book at the same time. The librarian made a “Hm” noise. No librarian had ever made a “Hm” noise when I was checking out books before. I asked him what he meant, he tried to dismiss it, but I persisted. He said, “These are just very different books.” Indeed, they were. I loved the Ayn Rand at the time. Vonnegut left me “meh.” My opinion on Ayn Rand has dramatically changed since then. I haven’t read any other Vonnegut. I am pretty sure I’ll appreciate this book better at 33. 😃 I read both Vonnegut and Rand at about the same age and enjoyed them both. IMHO - that’s the best time of life to read those authors; tho Vonnegut’s the one I find myself coming back to years later. I’m not sure I could make it thru _Atlas Shrugged_ or _Fountainhead_ again so easily. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/22 "2012-06-04T18:32:49Z")
About 1/3 through [**Tomorrow, When The War Began**](http://www.amazon.com/Tomorrow-When-War-Began-Series/dp/0439829100/), I like it so far. I’m having a hard time seeing, at this stage, how the premise can carry through six more books, though. Also rereading Clive Barker’s [**Books of Blood**](http://www.amazon.com/Clive-Barkers-Books-Blood-1-3/dp/0425165582/). They seem old-fashioned now, for some reason; they were bleeding-edge horror when I first read them, in the mid 80s. Recently finished the [**Spellman**](http://www.amazon.com/The-Spellman-Files-Document-1/dp/1416532404/) series and a couple of Graham Masterton’s Manitou books. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/23 "2012-06-04T22:22:00Z")
Finished [Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy)](http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Frost-Mythos-Academy-Jennifer/dp/0758266928/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338847790&sr=1-2) by Jennifer Estep, the first in a series that one review described as “Harry Potter meets Clash Of The Titans.” It kind of works as a description. More accurately though, instead of wizards you have mythology - many myths, not just the Greek myths - but it is a similar theme. Young descendants of the gods/godesses/heros from mythology go to school to learn to use their powers. I’ve read her other series and given it a not-bad review (not really enthusiastic, but not bad.) I enjoyed this series more (well, this first one.) It was light and fun and I’ll read the rest. One small word of caution to parents who might be tempted to think of this as YA - there is some sex in this. The protagonist is 16 and so of an age where it wouldn’t be unheard of for characters to be experiencing sex. It isn’t too explicit (no detailed descriptions) but at one point Gwen Frost is following some suspects and it turns out that they are going somewhere private so that the girl can give the guy a BJ. So a parent may wish to screen the books before deciding if they are appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![MisterPeabody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@MisterPeabody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MisterPeabody)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/24 "2012-06-05T01:58:00Z")
Been trying to go through some of classics that came with my E-reader that I got a couple of Christmases below. Just started _Tale of Two Cities_. Seen the movie but never read the book. This line may me stop and think some, especially the bolded part. > [@](#): > > France, less favoured on the whole as to matters spiritual than her sister of the shield and trident, **rolled with exceeding smoothness down hill, making paper money and spending it.** ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/25 "2012-06-05T23:30:12Z")
Finished [_Stein And Candle Detective Agency_](http://www.amazon.com/Stein-Candle-Detective-Agency-Vol/dp/1620070294/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338938467&sr=1-1) an interesting idea, poorly executed. It is detective pulp fiction, but with a supernatural twist. I was hoping for something akin to Garret or Dresden, but it wasn’t even close to being in their class. Heck, even Simon Green’s stuff is better. In other words, skip it. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/26 "2012-06-06T12:37:50Z")
I just finished Hemingway’s “Garden of Eden” and really liked it. That isn’t surprising, though. Hemingway never disappoints me. I have now started “When Father and Son Conspire” by Joe Amato. It’s about some local murders that happened during the farm crisis of the 1980s. I was a child at the time but remember it vividly. The 30th anniversary is next year so I want to read both books about the murders. I’m also reading the first book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, against my better judgment. A friend convinced me to try the series. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/27 "2012-06-07T17:10:04Z")
Just finished [Redshirts](http://www.amazon.com/Redshirts-A-Novel-Three-Codas/dp/0765316994/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1339088633&sr=8-2http://) by John Scalzi. I was home sick yesterday and read it in one sitting. Really good, really funny, anyone who liked Galazy Quest will love this book. Just started [Roadside Picnic](http://www.amazon.com/Roadside-Picnic-Rediscovered-Classics-Strugatsky/dp/1613743416/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339088771&sr=1-1) the new translation of the Strugatsky brothers classic. I haven’t read it since the early 90s. but it still holds up. The Pratchett Baxter collaboration [The Long Earth](http://www.amazon.com/The-Long-Earth-Terry-Pratchett/dp/0062067753/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339088899&sr=1-1) is next on the to read list. I also wrapped up [The Sugar Frosted Nutsack](http://www.amazon.com/The-Sugar-Frosted-Nutsack-Novel/dp/0316608459/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339088944&sr=1-1) by Mark Leyner. Not bad, but it felt a bit forced in places. ---
**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 7, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/28 "2012-06-07T17:18:49Z")
> [@yanceylebeef](#): > > I also wrapped up [The Sugar Frosted Nutsack](http://www.amazon.com/The-Sugar-Frosted-Nutsack-Novel/dp/0316608459/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339088944&sr=1-1) by Mark Leyner. Not bad, but it felt a bit forced in places. I don’t think I would dig it, but damn, that’s a catchy title. I’d like to have just the book jacket to put on whatever I might be reading out in public. 🙂 ---
**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:** [June 7, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/29 "2012-06-07T18:02:24Z")
I read Rex Stout’s **Homicide Trilogy** on a business trip, and started John Bunyan’s **Pilgrim’s Progress** , which I’ve never read before. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/30 "2012-06-07T21:59:37Z")
I was killing time at Barnes and Noble yesterday and somehow walked out with [Twelve](http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Jasper-Kent/dp/1616142413/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339105931&sr=8-1) by Jasper Kent. It’s fantasy/historical fiction about a group of vampires that help defend Russia from Napoleon in 1812. I’m not a big fantasy reader (though I did enjoy both _A Song of Ice and Fire_ and _Anno Dracula_ recently), so this isn’t something I’d usually get, but the setting seemed interesting. Started it last night and it’s pretty good. I also picked up [The Sherlockian](http://www.amazon.com/The-Sherlockian-Graham-Moore/dp/0446572586/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339106248&sr=1-1), a mystery novel about the search for a lost Arthur Conan Doyle journal, so I guess that’ll be next. ---
**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 11, 2012, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/31 "2012-06-11T04:48:31Z")
This was a productive weekend of reading for me; I finished three books that I’d been reading for awhile up to now: _The Shack_ by William Paul Young, a Christian-themed novel about love, loss, and evil in the world despite God’s presence. It was meh. Poorly-written and sidesteps some big questions about Christianity. _My Queen and I_ by Willie Hamilton, a scathing 1975 critique of the Royal Family by an antimonarchist Member of Parliament. I came across several references to Hamilton’s book in my recent reading of royal bios, and thought it might be worth a look. Hamilton was critical of the Royal Family’s tax-free status, secretiveness, elitism and uselessness, in a nutshell. He didn’t pull his punches. _At the Mountains of Madness_ by I.N.J. Culbard, a graphic novel based on the famous H.P. Lovecraft novel about an Antarctic expedition gone terribly wrong. Sort of had a Tintin feel to it, but of course much darker and nastier by the end. Worth a look, if you like Lovecraft. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/32 "2012-06-11T12:49:29Z")
I finished the first Sookie book. I can’t decide if I liked it enough to give the second one a try or not. I decided to pick up Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. I’m liking it so far. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/33 "2012-06-11T13:04:35Z")
I started **Arsenals of Folly** by Richard Rhodes. **Making of the Atomic Bomb** is the best pop-sci-history books I’ve read, so am looking forward to it. Though I was hoping it would be a larger history of the Cold War and the development of ICMBs (picking up where **Dark Sun** left off) but it looks like its focused on just the nuclear disarmament talks at the end of the Cold War. ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/34 "2012-06-11T17:44:48Z")
Read thru the Kindle version of Buzz Aldrin’s memoir: _**[Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6351887-magnificent-desolation)**_ - as you might guess from the subtitle, it starts with the events of Apollo 11 (which are wonderfully described and easily the best part of this book) and traces his life from that high point. Aldrin provides very little biographical background on his childhood or what led him to becoming the second man to step foot on the moon; but does not stint on sharing what happened afterwards. While I admire Aldrin’s courage in describing his struggles with alcoholism and depression; and certainly appreciate all he has done and continues to do for the future of space travel, he seemed a little glib at times and the last few chapters felt almost too “Isn’t my life grand?”; it rang a bit hollow for me, especially knowing that he has now divorced the “love of his life” described in these pages. Regardless, the memoir was an enjoyable read, and provided some insight into not only Aldrin’s life, but that of the environment that shaped this reluctant celebrity. I still think Mike Mullane is top on my list of astronauts I’d like to meet, but Buzz would definitely be on the short list (tho I guess I shouldn’t buy him a drink 😃 ) ============== Nearing the end of _**[The Stress of Her Regard](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/417656.The_Stress_of_Her_Regard)**_ by Tim Powers. While this is only the third book of his I’ve read, I think I’m going to place him in the same category as Neal Stephenson - Powers expects a lot from his readers, and rewards them accordingly. I probably should have taken notes along the way and/or had Wikipedia handy to check the bios of Byron, Keats & Shelley to see how much/little liberty Powers took with their life stories to tell this story of how these literary men’s Muses were, in fact, vampires. It’s been a challenging, but enjoyable read & think I’ll tackle Powers’ newest novel _[Hide Me Among the Graves](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11966655-hide-me-among-the-graves)_ (which looks to be a sequel of sorts) sooner rather than later. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/35 "2012-06-11T18:16:12Z")
> [@Politzania](#): > > I enjoyed _The Dress Lodger_, and more recently, read Holman’s _**[Witches on the Road Tonight t](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9316890-witches-on-the-road-tonight)**_ - her writing is just as beautiful & vivid here, but I found the shifting points of view & timeline, along with lots of characters a bit of a challenge. The story was fairly compelling, IMHO. My favorite was _A Stolen Tongue_. I loved the narrator his earnestness. I expected more from \*Witches on the Road Tonight. \* > [@TheMerchandise](#): > > Also read was **The Weird Sisters** by Eleanor Brown. There were many things I liked about this book – the first person plural narration style, the sisters’ relationships to one another and the Shakespeare quoting – but generally, this novel was merely okay. Only a few days after I finished it and I’m hard pressed to remember any specific details about the plot or characters. Agree. This really didn’t live up to the hype. I have an advance copy with the press release and I just don’t get all these quotes. And on the back of the book: “Hilarious and utterly winsome.” 😕 It wasn’t a bad book, and had some insight, but _hilarious?_ I just read [Complication](http://www.amazon.com/Complication-A-Novel-Isaac-Adamson/dp/1593764324/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339438027&sr=8-1) by Isaac Adamson. A man whose brother died in Prague five years before is going through his father’s effects after the father’s recent unexpected death, and finds a letter implying that the brother’s death was not what it seemed to be. The father had an airline ticket to Prague, so the son goes there and mystery ensues. All about a fabulous antique watch, a drunken detective, severed body parts . . . There’s a Shutter Island-style twist at the end that I found unnecessary as the book was satisfying enough without it. I loved this book. Now reading [Angel’s Flight](http://www.amazon.com/Angels-Flight-Allcutt-Mystery-ebook/dp/B002Q0Y2CY/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339438343&sr=1-5) by Alice Duncan, a 1920s-set mystery about the secretary to a private eye. She’s trying to expose some phony spiritualists when a party guest, modeled on Hedda Hopper, drops dead. The main character is an old-money Boston girl whose mother is a disapproving battleaxe. I would like it better if she were a real flapper who knew the lingo, because she’s too wide-eyed for my taste. ---
**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 12, 2012, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/36 "2012-06-12T01:42:17Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > …Now reading [Angel’s Flight](http://www.amazon.com/Angels-Flight-Allcutt-Mystery-ebook/dp/B002Q0Y2CY/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339438343&sr=1-5) by Alice Duncan, a 1920s-set mystery about the secretary to a private eye. She’s trying to expose some phony spiritualists when a party guest, modeled on Hedda Hopper, drops dead. The main character is an old-money Boston girl whose mother is a disapproving battleaxe. I would like it better if she were a real flapper who knew the lingo, because she’s too wide-eyed for my taste. That still sounds better than the book I thought you meant: [Angels Flight (A Harry Bosch Novel, 6): Connelly, Michael: 9780446582773: Amazon.com: Books](http://www.amazon.com/Angels-Flight-Harry-Michael-Connelly/dp/0446582778/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339465261&sr=8-1) ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/37 "2012-06-12T12:45:46Z")
No, but both titles refer to the same [1901 funicular railroad](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels_Flight) in downtown Los Angeles! Billed as “The Shortest Railway in the World.” The narrator of my book rides it to work every day and pays a nickel; the fare is now 50 cents, or a quarter if you have a metro pass. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/38 "2012-06-12T20:08:58Z")
Finished the next two in the Frost series by Jennifer Estep. Despite not being in the target demographic at all, I enjoy this series. It is clearly targeted at high-school girls and is filled with teen angst and all that. But I page past those pages and the over-all plot isn’t bad. (OK, it isn’t great lit, but it passes the time.) I will read the next one. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/39 "2012-06-12T21:52:32Z")
Well, I was reading \*\*\*Rick Steves’s Amsterdam, Brussels and Bruges \*\*\*in preparation for my upcoming vacation to Amsterdam and Brussels. I finished that and decided (for reasons I don’t entirely recall) to have another spin through Steven Brust’s _ **The Phoenix Guards** _, written as a bit of a tribute to (and affectionate parody of) _ **The Three Musketeers** _. It’s good fun all 'round. Bonus: I was reading it one night and posted a quote I particularly liked on a MUCK I frequent. Someone else in the room guessed that the quote was Twain. I sent the whole exchange via email to Steve Brust, who responded with many gracious thanks almost instantly! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701/40 "2012-06-12T22:05:14Z")
Finished “Gabby”, about Gabrielle Giffords. Finished a “Reacher” novel and was reminded why I haven’t read one in awhile. Started a James Lee Burke novel that I haven’t read yet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-june-2012-edition/623701.md?page=3)