# Whatcha Readin' Nov 2012 Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 31, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457 "2012-10-31T17:20:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**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:** [November 13, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/61 "2012-11-13T16:23:23Z")
I recently read [The Fear Institute](http://www.amazon.com/Fear-Institute-Johannes-Cabal-3/dp/0755348001/ref=la_B001JS2W26_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1352821070&sr=1-3), third in the Johannes Cabal series by Jonathan L. Howard. I liked it a lot, hope Mr. Howard gives us more of these! Then I read [Ranger Confidential: Living, Working, and Dying in the National Parks](http://www.amazon.com/Ranger-Confidential-Living-Working-National/dp/0762752637/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352821338&sr=1-1&keywords=ranger+confidential). The subject was interesting, but I thought the writing was a hot mess. Not recommended. Also read [The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry](http://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Pilgrimage-Harold-Fry-Novel/dp/0812993292/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352821483&sr=1-1&keywords=the+unlikely+pilgrimage+of+harold+fry). This was both a “cozy” type of book and a tearjerker. I’m finishing up The Big Book of Ghost Stories, edited by Otto Penzler, which is totally as advertised, a good solid offering. Next up, [The Prophet](http://www.amazon.com/Prophet-Michael-Koryta/dp/0316122610/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352822714&sr=1-1&keywords=koryta+prophet), by Michael Koryta. Also starting an audiobook version of [The Kill Order](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0385742886), by James Dashner. It’s a prequel to the Maze Runner series. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/62 "2012-11-13T16:39:32Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > Cloud Atlas is in my queue, but based on these reports, maybe I’ll put it in the back of the queue. It’s a deeply polarizing book (the movie as well). I loved both. I think the book is great, maybe one of the top books of the decade, but it is clearly not for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/63 "2012-11-14T14:36:20Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I recently read [The Fear Institute](http://www.amazon.com/Fear-Institute-Johannes-Cabal-3/dp/0755348001/ref=la_B001JS2W26_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1352821070&sr=1-3), third in the Johannes Cabal series by Jonathan L. Howard. I liked it a lot, hope Mr. Howard gives us more of these! Jonathan Howard recently posted on his website that a fourth book in the series has been commissioned. I’m excited! ---
**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:** [November 14, 2012, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/64 "2012-11-14T15:12:07Z")
Slowly making my way through **I, Zombie** by everyone’s favorite, Hugh Howey, author of the **Wool** series. A zombie story told from the perspective of the zombies, so far it is very depressing, very bleak, and very very gross. Howey writes so well, though, that I’m sticking with it to the end. ---
**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:** [November 14, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/65 "2012-11-14T15:20:58Z")
> [@TheMerchandise](#): > > Jonathan Howard recently posted on his website that a fourth book in the series has been commissioned. I’m excited! Woo hoo! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/66 "2012-11-14T18:12:37Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Also starting an audiobook version of [The Kill Order](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0385742886), by James Dashner. It’s a prequel to the Maze Runner series. Giving Dashner another chance, hm? It’s on my “eh.. maybe get from the library” list. I’m delving into Bret Easton Ellis’ _**[American Psycho](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28676.American_Psycho)**_ - I’ve seen parts of the movie & it’s finally piqued my curiosity enough to give it a try. It’s oddly compelling, if incredibly dated in its cultural references (intentionally so, I think). Bateman is already depicted as being off his rocker, but I don’t think he’s murdered anyone yet - at least not that’s been explicitly described. I doubt I’ll say I enjoyed this novel once I’m done - but then again, I don’t think you’re supposed to enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/67 "2012-11-14T18:35:48Z")
I’m reading a 1915 treatise called [**Skunk Culture For Profit**](https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=ozZDAAAAYAAJ&rdid=book-ozZDAAAAYAAJ&rdot=1). It’s kind of amazing. ---
**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:** [November 14, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/68 "2012-11-14T18:49:31Z")
> [@Politzania](#): > > Giving Dashner another chance, hm? It’s on my “eh.. maybe get from the library” list. Oh, I certainly wouldn’t recommend _paying_ for it. 😃 ---
**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:** [November 14, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/69 "2012-11-14T20:59:43Z")
> [@Politzania](#): > > Giving Dashner another chance, hm? It’s on my “eh.. maybe get from the library” list. > > I’m delving into Bret Easton Ellis’ _**[American Psycho](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28676.American_Psycho)**_ - I’ve seen parts of the movie & it’s finally piqued my curiosity enough to give it a try. It’s oddly compelling, if incredibly dated in its cultural references (intentionally so, I think). Bateman is already depicted as being off his rocker, but I don’t think he’s murdered anyone yet - at least not that’s been explicitly described. I doubt I’ll say I enjoyed this novel once I’m done - but then again, I don’t think you’re supposed to enjoy it. Just now I saw a woman’s review summing up:\* “Putting it bluntly: the scenes of women being raped, beaten, tortured and killed in this book are numerous, long, detailed, and presented with an absolute lack of empathy. For myself, this book made me feel as though I had been sexually assaulted. And while I appreciate the genius of such a book, that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”\* I’m curious what Doper women have to say about it. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/70 "2012-11-14T22:02:15Z")
> [@araminty](#): > > I’m reading a 1915 treatise called [**Skunk Culture For Profit**](https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=ozZDAAAAYAAJ&rdid=book-ozZDAAAAYAAJ&rdot=1). It’s kind of amazing. But not fun? C’mon… what could beat visiting skunk museums and skunk art galleries, attending the skunk opera and ballet… 😛 I’ve only really dabbled my toes in _ **Deathless** _ so far, but I’ll say this: It’s better than _ **Insomnia** _! Oh, _ **Wicked Plants** _ was an interesting little read. Not much depth–essentially a series of short entries (from a few sentences to a few pages) discussing each plant. I came away from this book convinced that the only possible way to be safe is to eat nothing but meat and avoid anything that even remotely looks like it might photosynthesize. :eek: These were indeed some _truly_ wicked plants. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/71 "2012-11-14T22:41:33Z")
> [@wonderlust](#): > > I’m curious what Doper women have to say about it. Other Doper women’s MMV, but I thought it was thoroughly repulsive and couldn’t finish it. ---
**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:** [November 14, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/72 "2012-11-14T22:51:25Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#): > > Other Doper women’s MMV, but I thought it was thoroughly repulsive and couldn’t finish it. I’ll mentally mark it as Never Read This. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/73 "2012-11-14T22:54:25Z")
> [@araminty](#): > > I’m reading a 1915 treatise called [**Skunk Culture For Profit**](https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=ozZDAAAAYAAJ&rdid=book-ozZDAAAAYAAJ&rdot=1). It’s kind of amazing. Subtitled, “How to Be Popular With Your Neighbours”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/74 "2012-11-14T23:13:40Z")
> [@wonderlust](#): > > I’ll mentally mark it as Never Read This. Thanks. I couldn’t finish it either. I started out amused by the satire about chi-chi name brands but once the violence started…I had to give up when he described cutting across someone’s eyeball with a razor I just finished **Gone Girl**. It was OK and I can see why it’s popular, but I preferred her **Dark Places**. Now I’m on a lighter read – **Where’d You Go Bernadette**. I keep trying to finish Joyce Carol Oates’s \*\*Little Bird of Heaven \*\*but get diverted by library books with due dates. ---
**Author:** ![Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/43a26b/32.png) [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pine_Fresh_Scent)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2012, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/75 "2012-11-15T08:10:14Z")
I just started Stephen King’s _Under the Dome_. It’s getting really good reviews so I’m looking forward to it. I don’t know much beyond the basic premise - a mysterious, transparent dome suddenly descends on a small New England town, trapping everyone beneath it like ants under a glass. I think King will focus more on the effects of the dome on the townspeople, rather than the dome itself - much like how in “The Mist” the mist and creatures were just devices to explore the dynamics of people forced to work together (or not) under extreme stress. Hmm, it just occurred to me that on the surface, these two stories have very similar premises. Well, I guess I’ll see if he has something different to say this time. The book includes a map of the town, so I wonder if the layout will be important. From the looks of it, the dome has a radius of 4 miles, if that. I don’t know if it’s airtight or if it extends below the surface. Tunneling out would be my first solution, and I’m looking forward to King anticipating this and cleverly shutting that option off. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/76 "2012-11-15T14:38:18Z")
_The Simpsons Movie_ had a comic take on that premise. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2012, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/77 "2012-11-15T14:42:45Z")
I’ve just finished _The Cassandra Project_ by **Jack McDevitt** & **Mike Resnick**. It’s 2019, 50 years after the moon landings and some oddities about some earlier missions come to light. Not that the landings were fake, but that Armstrong wasn’t the first! It’s an enjoyable page turner but the final reveal is very weak\*. There’s also a glaring plot discontinuity that should have been caught (the note from the President early on saying ‘we need to talk’) that was ignored completely after that, even when they finally met. The Watergate tie-in was neat, though! \*aliens visited Earth 2000 years ago but we killed their ambassador! Groan!! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/78 "2012-11-15T15:44:40Z")
I really liked Resnik’s \*Santiago \*- but didn’t love most of his other stuff. (Some of it I didn’t hate either.) ---
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/79 "2012-11-15T15:55:47Z")
I just started Cry, the Beloved Country. A few times a year, I try to pick up a Very Important Book that I never read in school. I just finished The Girl of Fire and Thorns, by Rae Carson. A diverting piece of YA fantasy. I especially liked that Elisa, the main character, isn’t the blonde, waifish Action Girl that fills so many pages in this genre. I mean, the author dared to make her heroine fat! Can you imagine? ---
**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:** [November 15, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457/80 "2012-11-15T17:16:31Z")
I’m really pleased to see Louise Erdrich win the National Book Award with\*\* Round House\*\*. She’s been a consistently wonderful writer over many years, and she deserves the attention. I’ve seen this book described as a masterpiece, so I look forward to reading it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-nov-2012-edition/639457.md?page=5)