# Whatcha Readin' Oct 2012 Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 30, 2012, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309 "2012-09-30T12:40:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/61 "2012-10-08T14:33:47Z")
I’m reading a mystery called _Every Last Secret_ by Linda Rodriguez. It won an award for “Best First Traditional Mystery Novel,” but I’m not feeling it. Nothing wrong with the writing, I guess it’s just not what I want right now. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/62 "2012-10-09T02:59:01Z")
And polished off _ **The Disappearing Spoon** _. This book ought to be in every HS chemistry class. Back, for now, to the Nero Wolfe project, with _ **Too Many Women** _. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/63 "2012-10-09T03:01:54Z")
That’s a wrap for _Broken Bottle_. I’m still not sure what I think of it, but it wasn’t like anything else I’ve read and because it’s about music (there is an extensive discography at the back) I had the enjoyable experience of reading about particular artists and songs and then taking a break to listen to them between chapters. I’m not sure what I’ll be reading next. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2012, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/64 "2012-10-09T12:05:33Z")
Finished **“The Feud that Sparked the Renaissance”** yesterday. It was a good book with a great overview of the artists of the early Quattrocento, I was especially happy about the biographical look at Masaccio. However, if one is interested in the _actual_ construction of Il Duomo and why it took one hundred years to complete, one should read **"Brunelleschi’s Dome** by Ross King. But all in all it was a good introduction to the early Renaissance art world and the lives of the people who created it. ---
**Author:** ![Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/65 "2012-10-09T13:44:25Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > Back, for now, to the Nero Wolfe project, with _ **Too Many Women** _. I’ve just started reading the Nero Wolfe books. I’m in the middle of _The League of Frightened Men_. So far these are a lot of fun. Over the weekend I read Christopher Moore’s _Island of the Sequined Love Nun_. I really liked it - it’s my number three Moore favorite so far, after _A Dirty Job_ and _Lamb_. I also read _The King’s Speech_, by Lionel Logue’s grandson. It was a nice supplement to the movie, which was an excellent drama but necessarily took liberties, especially with the timeline. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/66 "2012-10-09T13:55:06Z")
> [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](#): > > I’ve just started reading the Nero Wolfe books. I’m in the middle of _The League of Frightened Men_. So far these are a lot of fun. > > Over the weekend I read Christopher Moore’s _Island of the Sequined Love Nun_. I really liked it - it’s my number three Moore favorite so far, after _A Dirty Job_ and _Lamb_. > > I also read _The King’s Speech_, by Lionel Logue’s grandson. It was a nice supplement to the movie, which was an excellent drama but necessarily took liberties, especially with the timeline. They’re definitely good fun. If you have a chance, check out the old A&E series, “A Nero Wolfe Mystery,” featuring Timothy Hutton as Archie Goodwin and Maury Chaykin as Nero. As I recall, I checked them out because I was impressed with Timothy Hutton’s wardrobe in the commercials and wound up hooked. Also, do yourself a favor: read them in order. Not because there’s anything going on in terms of long-term plot or character development; other than some rough edges from the very early novels that get smoothed out fairly quickly, Nero, Archie, Fritz, Inspector Cramer, Sgt. Purley Stebbins and the rest of the gang are the same in book 5 as they are in book 20. No, just do it so that you don’t lose track of which ones you’ve read. That’s why I’ve got this ongoing “project” with them now–I used to pick them up at random from the library, and now I have no idea which ones I’ve read and which I haven’t. (Mind you, they’re just about as much fun the second time…) ---
**Author:** ![Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/67 "2012-10-09T14:09:35Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > They’re definitely good fun. If you have a chance, check out the old A&E series, “A Nero Wolfe Mystery,” featuring Timothy Hutton as Archie Goodwin and Maury Chaykin as Nero. As I recall, I checked them out because I was impressed with Timothy Hutton’s wardrobe in the commercials and wound up hooked. Also, do yourself a favor: read them in order. Not because there’s anything going on in terms of long-term plot or character development; other than some rough edges from the very early novels that get smoothed out fairly quickly, Nero, Archie, Fritz, Inspector Cramer, Sgt. Purley Stebbins and the rest of the gang are the same in book 5 as they are in book 20. No, just do it so that you don’t lose track of which ones you’ve read. That’s why I’ve got this ongoing “project” with them now–I used to pick them up at random from the library, and now I have no idea which ones I’ve read and which I haven’t. (Mind you, they’re just about as much fun the second time…) Thanks, I’ve added the series to my Netflix queue. I am planning to read the books in order. I’d like to buy them for the kindle, but it’s irritating that such old books are $8-$12 each. ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/68 "2012-10-09T18:00:23Z")
Checked out Charles Yu’s _**[How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7726420-how-to-live-safely-in-a-science-fictional-universe)**_ based on some GoodReads reccos and the title, but it turned out to be just a little too meta- for my tastes. I got a kick out of Ed, the “nonexistent but ontologically valid dog”; however the novel just didn’t click with me overall. I think it was more the style of storytelling than the story itself that didn’t work for me; the message of the story and the father-son relationship was worthwhile, but Yu seemed to be trying too hard to be clever. I had the same issues with _[John Dies at the End](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1857440.John_Dies_at_the_End)_ - the way the story was told was enough to kind of turn me off the story itself. This is definitely a “your mileage may vary” kind of book - if you’re into experimental fiction, you may get into this novel. I’m still working on Connie Willis’ _**[All Clear](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7519231-all-clear)**_ - I’m really starting to feel for the protagonists (even Alf and Binnie Hodbin!) as they try to survive London during the Blitz. My inklings about Sir Geoffrey still haven’t panned out yet, and things are just getting interesting for Mary/Polly on her earlier/later assignment. This is more the kind of time-travel SF I’m into. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/69 "2012-10-09T18:17:36Z")
> [@Politzania](#): > > Checked out Charles Yu’s _**[How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7726420-how-to-live-safely-in-a-science-fictional-universe)**_ based on some GoodReads reccos and the title, but it turned out to be just a little too meta- for my tastes. I got a kick out of Ed, the “nonexistent but ontologically valid dog”; however the novel just didn’t click with me overall. I think it was more the style of storytelling than the story itself that didn’t work for me; the message of the story and the father-son relationship was worthwhile, but Yu seemed to be trying too hard to be clever. I had the same issues with _[John Dies at the End](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1857440.John_Dies_at_the_End)_ - the way the story was told was enough to kind of turn me off the story itself. This is definitely a “your mileage may vary” kind of book - if you’re into experimental fiction, you may get into this novel. > > \ Yeah, I hated John Dies At the End. I don’t think I even finished it. ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/70 "2012-10-09T18:27:24Z")
Gave up on Disraeli’s **Sybil**. Have finished **Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee** , by Dee Brown, **The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven** , by Sherman Alexie and **Outer Dark** by Cormac McCarthy. I see why people go on about McCarthy, but I wasn’t feeling it. Maybe I need to try another one. Bury My Heart was shocking, horrific and nauseating in places. It is excellent. I have weakness for Sherman Alexie. Am now re-reading **Yiddish Policeman’s Union** , by Michael Chabon. Far superior to Kavalier and Clay in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/71 "2012-10-09T18:29:21Z")
Currently reading a biography of William the Conqueror by Charles Douglas, considered the seminal work on the Conqueror since its publication in the 1950s. Very thorough writing and excellent assessment of historical sources. ---
**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:** [October 10, 2012, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/72 "2012-10-10T12:28:25Z")
Reluctantly starting on _The Casual Vacancy_ today. I bought it for my daughter the Potter fan, and now that she’s read it, I’d like to be able to discuss it with her. I’m about forty pages in and it’s not bad…I’d just rather be following my own interests. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/73 "2012-10-10T16:22:47Z")
Have you guys heard about this? [Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death](http://www.amazon.com/Nutshell-Studies-Unexplained-Death/dp/1580931456) by Corrine Botz. > [@](#): > > The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death offers readers an extraordinary glimpse into the mind of a master criminal investigator. Frances Glessner Lee, a wealthy grandmother, founded the Department of Legal Medicine at Harvard in 1936 and was later appointed captain in the New Hampshire police. In the 1940s and 1950s she built dollhouse crime scenes based on real cases in order to train detectives to assess visual evidence. Still used in forensic training today, the eighteen Nutshell dioramas, on a scale of 1:12, display an astounding level of detail: pencils write, window shades move, whistles blow, and clues to the crimes are revealed to those who study the scenes carefully. It’s fascinating, and something crime buffs should have in their libraries. I’m still reading _Isaac’s Army_, which is excellent. I’ve read quite a few WWII/Holocaust novels and some nonfiction but this is my first with a focus on Poland. I can only handle a couple of chapters before taking a break. I’m also finally reading _Wool_ by Hugh Howey. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/74 "2012-10-10T19:52:56Z")
> [@MickNickMaggies](#): > > I see why people go on about McCarthy, but I wasn’t feeling it. Maybe I need to try another one. While I did enjoy **The Road** (as much as it can be _enjoyed_), I’ll probably never read McCarthy again due to his elitist attitude with regards to quotation marks. You’re not too good for proper punctuation, Cormac. ---
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/75 "2012-10-11T18:08:05Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > While I did enjoy **The Road** (as much as it can be _enjoyed_), I’ll probably never read McCarthy again due to his elitist attitude with regards to quotation marks. You’re not too good for proper punctuation, Cormac. That’s exactly why I tend to pick up his books as audiobooks! The experience is vastly improved. ---
**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:** [October 11, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/76 "2012-10-11T19:26:38Z")
> [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](#): > > …I also read _The King’s Speech_, by Lionel Logue’s grandson. It was a nice supplement to the movie, which was an excellent drama but necessarily took liberties, especially with the timeline. Ah, good! Had you seen my post in the Sept. thread?: > [@Whatcha Readin' Sept 2012 Edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-sept-2012-edition/633257/83): > > I’m reading _The King’s Speech_, nonfiction by Mark Logue, grandson of Lionel Logue, King George VI’s speech therapist, and it’s pretty good. Draws heavily on Logue’s diaries and correspondence with the monarch. If you liked the movie of the same name (even though it took some liberties with the facts and timeline), you’d like this. ---
**Author:** ![Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/77 "2012-10-11T20:26:34Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Ah, good! Had you seen my post in the Sept. thread?: Yes - I had coincidentally just ordered the book. I read a biography of George VI not long ago, and while there wasn’t much new information in _The King’s Speech_, it was an interesting read. I’ve just started reading _Into Thin Air_, by Jon Krakauer. I know nothing about mountain climbing or this Everest expedition, so I keep stopping to look things up on Wikipedia. ---
**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:** [October 11, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/78 "2012-10-11T20:28:27Z")
> [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](#): > > …I’ve just started reading _Into Thin Air_, by Jon Krakauer. I know nothing about mountain climbing or this Everest expedition, so I keep stopping to look things up on Wikipedia. Also a very good book. Hope you like it. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/79 "2012-10-11T20:54:35Z")
I finished **The Haunting of Hill House** by Shirley Jackson and was somewhat underwhelmed. It was very well written, but I guess the story kind of lost me. There were some unnecessary characters and none of the “haunting” was explained in the least. Too bad, I wanted to like it. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309/80 "2012-10-12T15:34:40Z")
After much struggle I finally put down _What the Night Knows_ by Koontz. This by-the-book horror offered nothing to keep me reading. I kept trying because it was given to me for Christmas and I always feel oddly obligated to read/use Christmas presents. However, this weekend I’m stopping to see my mother on the way to see a friend, and when I visit my mother I always take all the books I’m not keeping and give them to Mom to give to my sister. So I figured now was as good a time to stop as any. I mean, I gave it nearly 10 months of sporadic reading and I just don’t care what happens. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-oct-2012-edition/636309.md?page=5)