# Whatcha Readin' October 2011 Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 30, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194 "2011-09-30T20:10:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/41 "2011-10-05T20:20:41Z")
My last two books were pretty disappointing: **Indigo Springs** by A.M. Dellmonica and **The Other Queen** by Phillipa Gregory. Indigo Springs is modern fantasy, but the heroine is a total Mary Sue and the magical system is confusing and poorly thought out. And while I don’t expect literary greatness from Philippa Gregory, I still would have like some character development or a steamy sex scene or SOMETHING interesting. But no. I started Joe Hill’s **Heart Shaped Box** on the bus this morning and already like it lots. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/42 "2011-10-05T21:47:27Z")
_Roosevelt’s Secret War: FDR and World War II Espionage_ by Joseph Persico. ---
**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:** [October 5, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/43 "2011-10-05T21:53:54Z")
I finished Maguire’s _Wicked_ and am now re-reading a couple of August Derleth’s imitation H.P. Lovecraft books, because fall seems a good time to read that sort of thing. \*The Mask of Cthulhu[/] and _The Trail of Cthulhu_ and maybe some of his others. I came across an exchange in the former that, taken out of context, is hilarious: > [@](#): > > What had I done? I wanted to know, that people should shun me as they did. > > . > > . > > . > “There’s talk,” he said then. > > “Talk? What kind of talk?” > > “About you and Bud Perkins ’ sheep…” Just for the record, they think he sacrificed the sheep in some sort of black mass ceremony. It could probably bear that connotation back in the 1940s, when Derleth wrote it, but today it reads a bit differently. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@LilyoftheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheField)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/44 "2011-10-05T21:57:49Z")
> [@TheMerchandise](#): > > I started Joe Hill’s **Heart Shaped Box** on the bus this morning and already like it lots. hmm…isn’t Joe Hill Stephen King’s son? Similar style, I wonder? ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/45 "2011-10-05T22:10:21Z")
Finished _The Night Circus_ by first-time author Erin Morgenstern. I liked it, a lot. Reminded me in many ways of _Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell_ (which I also liked a lot). It does have some first-novel issues, but I was quite willing to overlook them for the rich atmosphere and intreging plot the author created. I’d recommend it, definitely. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/46 "2011-10-05T22:19:57Z")
> [@LilyoftheField](#): > > hmm…isn’t Joe Hill Stephen King’s son? Similar style, I wonder? I think he definitely has a style all his own, though I do think the set-up was a bit better than the payoff. I still think the whole story is very good, mind you, but a couple scenes early on made my hair stand on end, and then the resolution was kind of run-of-the-mill. I think there should be a new rule in fiction: (pretty big spoiler)if someone has a deep dark secret, it has to be something other than being molested as a child. I’m pretty goddamn sensitive, but even for me, this trope is so worn out, it elicits a frustrated sigh rather than shocked sympathy. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/47 "2011-10-06T13:07:57Z")
Just started [The Knife of Never Letting Go](http://www.amazon.com/Knife-Never-Letting-Go-Walking/dp/0763645761/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317905058&sr=8-1), which some Doper recommended in one of the book threads. (Not sure if it was a Whatcha Readin’ thread or some sort of sci-fi recommendation thread.) I’m really liking it so far. The author’s doing a great job of keeping his readers as much in the dark as the main character, Todd, and that tension of trying to get more information and figure things out really drives you to the next page. It’s a Young Adult book, and as such, nearly every chapter ends on a mini-cliffhanger, so it’s hard to put down. It’s the first of a trilogy (of which all books are published), so knowing me, I’ll rush to grab the next two in the series ASAP after finishing this first one. ---
**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:** [October 6, 2011, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/48 "2011-10-06T13:37:26Z")
I’m about a third of the way through Reamde, trying to get it finished before Pratchett’s Snuff drops to my kindle next week. Then it’s Murikami’s 19Q4. I also have “The Mote in God’s Eye” by Niven, “Machine Man” by Max Barry, and “The Chronicles of Master Li and Number 10 Ox” by Hughart in the lineup. I can’t wait for windy rainy fall weather so I have excuses not to go outside! ---
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/49 "2011-10-06T14:54:48Z")
> [@LilyoftheField](#): > > hmm…isn’t Joe Hill Stephen King’s son? Similar style, I wonder? For the most part, he has his own distinct voice. Although I did notice that one chapter ended with a very Stephen King line: “And that was the last time he ever saw him.” I :D-ed. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/50 "2011-10-06T15:26:35Z")
In the spirit of the season I just started reading _Dracula_ last night. I wish I had brought my Kindle to work so I could keep reading on my lunch. I was reading _A Princess of Mars_, but I just can’t seem to get into it that much. I may give it another try later. Must add _Ready Player One_ to my ever-expanding wish list. ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/51 "2011-10-06T17:00:39Z")
> [@TheMerchandise](#): > > For the most part, he has his own distinct voice. Although I did notice that one chapter ended with a very Stephen King line: “And that was the last time he ever saw him.” I :D-ed. I agree, I don’t think he’s too much like his father in terms of writing, but every once in a while you feel like there’s a little nod to SK, which I find endearing because it’s not overdone. ---
**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 6, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/52 "2011-10-06T19:23:06Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I’m about 100 pages into _Master and Commander._ I don’t think I’ve understood ten words so far. > > But I’m enjoying it. It’s like watching cricket highlights. I have no idea what the hell they’re going on about, but it’s fun to listen to. A good friend of mine who’s read all the Aubrey & Maturin books says whenever he’s baffled by the nautical jargon, he just says to himself, “Now they’re sailing the ship very skillfully,” and skims ahead. **Eleanor** , I really enjoyed _Anno Dracula_, too. There’s a sequel set during WWI that I haven’t gotten around to yet. **yanceylebeef** , _The Mote in God’s Eye_ is one of my personal Top Ten Favorite SF Novels Ever. A galactic empire, an interesting and well-thought-out alien race, adventure, intrigue and even a touch of romance. You’re in for a treat! **delphica** , Joe Hill also wrote (and is still writing) the graphic novel series _Locke & Key_, which I highly recommend - creepy, bloody and funny in equal measure. Start with _Welcome to Lovecraft_. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/53 "2011-10-06T19:51:59Z")
Just finished _Tuf Voyaging_ by R.R. Martin, great stuff - cat-loving, somewhat odd loner discovers ancient 30 km long warship with advanced tech, sets himself up as a planetary ecologist-for-hire. ---
**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:** [October 6, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/54 "2011-10-06T20:07:44Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > A good friend of mine who’s read all the Aubrey & Maturin books says whenever he’s baffled by the nautical jargon, he just says to himself, “Now they’re sailing the ship very skillfully,” and skims ahead. > > **Eleanor** , I really enjoyed _Anno Dracula_, too. There’s a sequel set during WWI that I haven’t gotten around to yet. > > **yanceylebeef** , _The Mote in God’s Eye_ is one of my personal Top Ten Favorite SF Novels Ever. A galactic empire, an interesting and well-thought-out alien race, adventure, intrigue and even a touch of romance. You’re in for a treat! > > **delphica** , Joe Hill also wrote (and is still writing) the graphic novel series _Locke & Key_, which I highly recommend - creepy, bloody and funny in equal measure. Start with _Welcome to Lovecraft_. I’m looking forward to it. I’m not sure how I missed it in my youth. ---
**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 6, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/55 "2011-10-06T20:43:54Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > Just finished _Tuf Voyaging_ by [George] R.R. Martin, great stuff - cat-loving, somewhat odd loner discovers ancient 30 km long warship with advanced tech, sets himself up as a planetary ecologist-for-hire. Another all-time favorite of mine! Tuf is one of the greatest smartass anti-heroes ever written. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/56 "2011-10-06T21:04:35Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Another all-time favorite of mine! Tuf is one of the greatest smartass anti-heroes ever written. It is indeed a hoot. My favorite part: in the midst of the all-out battle for possession of the ship in the first story, with cyborgs, armoured spacemen, and resurrected tyrannosaurus rexs and alien killer creatures battling it out, Tuf takes his time - to clone his dead pet cat. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/57 "2011-10-07T03:06:18Z")
Finished reading through Lonely Planet’s _Washington DC_ guidebook. I think we’ll have a fine trip. Now I’m back out of guidebook mode. I was going to read something else, but a friend who knows what big Woody Allen fans both me and the wife are loaned me _Woody Allen: A Biography_, by Eric Lax. Yes, I know it’s 20 years old, came out just before Woody’s break-up with Mia Farrow and portrays them as the perfect couple. But I never got around to reading it – nor had my friend, he just now did – so I’m going to settle in with that. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/58 "2011-10-07T12:07:13Z")
I finished _Ready Player One_ last night. I loved the book. As somebody who grew up in the 1980s, the book was right in my wheelhouse. And given what I have seen in on-line gaming, parts of the book really hit home for me with regards to me and many of my in game friends. ---
**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 7, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/59 "2011-10-07T16:12:16Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > It is indeed a hoot. > > My favorite part: in the midst of the all-out battle for possession of the ship in the first story, with cyborgs, armoured spacemen, and resurrected tyrannosaurus rexs and alien killer creatures battling it out, Tuf takes his time - to clone his dead pet cat. 😃 Heheheh. And, when the rampaging T.Rex. is trying get at him where he’s hiding under a sturdy, bolted-down table, Tuf says firmly, “Go away!” The “firmly” just killed me. Oh, sure, any gigantic slavering carnivore is going to go away if you just speak to it _firmly!_ Given your username, BTW, I’m sure you got the joke about the name of the overpopulated planet. Now I’m a hundred pages into Martin’s _A Dance with Dragons_. So far, so good. Finished Theodore Sorensen’s _Kennedy_ last night, at long last. A great book - you get a real sense of JFK as a man and as a leader in following the last years of his career, as a U.S. senator, candidate and President. Some great insights into the many issues he dealt with in the White House, esp. foreign policy, the economy and civil rights, and a surprising amount of behind-the-scenes humor. JFK had a wicked sense of humor. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194/60 "2011-10-07T17:07:22Z")
[Broadmoor Revealed: Victorian Crime and the Lunatic Asylum](http://www.amazon.com/Broadmoor-Revealed-Victorian-Lunatic-ebook/dp/B005DXFGJE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1318006611&sr=1-1) **FREE** ebook from Amazon. Relevant to my interests and gets good reviews. I don’t read much fiction, and it’s hard to find good free (or even cheap) non-fiction. It doesn’t help that the non-fic category tends to be cluttered up with new-age quackery and religious books and so on, which does not, in my opinion, qualify as non-fiction. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-readin-october-2011-edition/598194.md?page=4)