# Whatcha reading Dec. (08) edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 30, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075 "2008-11-30T18:22:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**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:** [December 18, 2008, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/121 "2008-12-18T19:02:20Z")
Well, horses do have a limited range of body language… ---
**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:** [December 18, 2008, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/122 "2008-12-18T19:10:09Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > _Into Thin Air_ by Jon Krakauer - My book club read this - a nonfiction account of a Mt. Everest climbing expedition gone tragically awry - just a few years ago. It’s excellent… Just started the audiobook last night and was up till 3am listening. Fascinating, absorbing and utterly terrifying! This one’s going to give me nightmares, I just know it – cold, slippy, precarious, dangly, unsteady, falling down and not getting up, _ever_ kind of nightmares. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/123 "2008-12-18T19:17:44Z")
Just wait until they start hallucinating because of frostbite, hunger and altitude sickness. That’s a whole new kind of scary. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/124 "2008-12-18T19:23:08Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Of the books mentioned so far in this thread, I’d already read: > > _The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven_ by Sherman Alexie - Pretty good, although if it hadn’t been for the Native American angle, not really worth the time it took to read it. > > _Dune_ by Frank Herbert - A well-deserved classic. The sequels are teh suck, though. Get out of my book pile. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/125 "2008-12-18T21:03:09Z")
> [@SpazCat](#): > > Get out of my book pile. But I like it here! ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/126 "2008-12-18T22:34:26Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > But I like it here! Okay, but beware. I keep brown recluses there. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2008, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/127 "2008-12-18T23:48:38Z")
> [@SpazCat](#): > > Okay, but beware. I keep brown recluses there. Spiders. Why did it have to be spiders? :: shudders :: ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/128 "2008-12-19T01:12:11Z")
I have officially declared **The Painted Bird** unfit for human consumption. I only read five chapters and there have already been five brutal murders/tortures. The last straw was when the village women beat a woman with rakes, then shoved a bottle of manure up her holiest of holies and kicked her until it broke and she bled to death Vile and without merit. I don’t care if it is Holocaust Literature and therefore Above Reproach, it’s nasty and it’s being returned to the library as soon as I can get there tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/129 "2008-12-19T13:05:06Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > [Here](http://www.sffworld.com/brevoff/293.html) is Hobbit’s review of the first _First Law_ book. (He’s a mod and reviewer at SFF World.) I agree with everything he said. I’d forgotten how much torture there was in the book but I think that’s because it was so matter-of-fact. Another one here who agrees completely with this review. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/130 "2008-12-19T14:13:40Z")
Well, I had some books arrive in the mail today, so I’m currently reading _The Man In The High Castle_ by Philip K. Dick. I’m about three chapters in and really enjoying it so far. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2008, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/131 "2008-12-19T15:33:01Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Well, I had some books arrive in the mail today, so I’m currently reading _The Man In The High Castle_ by Philip K. Dick. I’m about three chapters in and really enjoying it so far. If you haven’t already read them, next try _SS-GB_ by Len Deighton and _Fatherland_ by Robert Harris. Both are great what-if books about a Nazi victory in WW2. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/132 "2008-12-19T15:48:08Z")
I just finished **Atlas Shrugged** (Rand) (my all-time favorite novel) - 3rd or 4th read). Right now I’m reading **American Gods** (Gaiman) (second read). Next I’m going to read **Leadership** , (Guiliani) I read about 100 books a year, and usually about 1/4 of them are books I’ve read before. Nineteen Eighty Four is a good example - I’ve read it at least twice a year for the last 10 years or so. This may be part OCD, but I attribute it to grabbing whatever is nearby when I finish whatever I’m reading. If I haven’t planned ahead and gotten something new, or can’t find something in my (small) library that interests me, I often stumble across something I read a while back and take a second look at it. Other recent re-reads include **Good Omens** (Gaiman/Pratchet), **I, Lucifer** (Duncan), **Catcher in the Rye** (Salinger) and **Moby Dick** (Melville). Recent first-time reads include **Treasure Island** (Stevenson), **War and Peace** (Tolstoy) (aka **War, what is it good for?** ), **The Hunchback of Notre Dame** (Hugo) **The Art of War** (Sun Tzu), and **Russka** (Rutherford). ---
**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:** [December 19, 2008, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/133 "2008-12-19T16:03:00Z")
> [@Winston\_Smith](#): > > … **War and Peace** (Tolstoy) (aka **War, what is it good for?** )… Elaine told me that, too. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/134 "2008-12-19T16:05:29Z")
I’m halfway through _Solaris_ by Stanislaw Lem. It’s been in my TBR pile for a while now. It’s a quick read and I’m really enjoying it. And I’m almost finished with _Jitterbug Perfume_ by Tom Robbins. I burned through most of it a while back and then put it aside for awhile, but I’ve enjoyed it overall. The plot kind of meanders, but the characters are interesting. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/135 "2008-12-21T17:30:39Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > As I have said, the books are an homage to Holmes, but are not derivative. Mr. Barker has a rather mysterious history, and we see more and more peeks into it as the books progress. Both are likable characters and the books are an enjoyable read. Khadaji, I just finished the first in the series and enjoyed it. Thanks for the heads up! ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/136 "2008-12-22T01:39:40Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > If you haven’t already read them, next try _SS-GB_ by Len Deighton and _Fatherland_ by Robert Harris. Both are great what-if books about a Nazi victory in WW2. Read them a while back and loved them :). _Fatherland_, in particular, was eerily realistic and an excellent story too! As for _The Man In The High Castle_, I really enjoyed it, right up until the last chapter when it suddenly got… weird. And the ending didn’t tie anything up; it’s basically like the author just said “OK, that’ll do. Cut, Wrap, Print, I’ll be at the pub if anyone needs me.” I’m aware the book was written largely with the help of the _I Ching_, which explains some of the disjointedness, but I still think Dick could have done a better job on the ending. I’ve started reading Robert A. Heinlein’s _The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress_; so far I’m enjoying it but the odd manner of speaking that the main character has is a bit off-putting. I know it’s supposed to add “colour” and represent the multi-national makeup and history of the Lunar Colony, but I’m finding that it’s breaking the narrative flow and making it harder to follow what he’s talking about at times. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/137 "2008-12-22T02:00:40Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Khadaji, > > I just finished the first in the series and enjoyed it. Thanks for the heads up! I’m glad you enjoyed it. That’s what these threads are for. The downside of course is, my queue is overflowing! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/138 "2008-12-22T02:28:19Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > I’m glad you enjoyed it. That’s what these threads are for. The downside of course is, my queue is overflowing! You ain’t kidding. I have 469 books on the to-read list. Ack. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/139 "2008-12-22T02:52:55Z")
Just finished Hands of Flame by C.E. Murphy, book three in her Negotiator series. As mentioned a thoroughly mediocre urban fantasy. I just realized that I dislike the protagonist who betrays nearly every one she comes in contact with. Mind you, the people we are led to believe would also betray her. However, they seem to only do so, IMO, when pushed to do so by her. In any case, while I enjoy some of Ms. Muphy’s other works, I cannot recommend this series. ---
**Author:** ![DataZak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ea666f/32.png) [@DataZak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataZak)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075/140 "2008-12-22T03:52:03Z")
_The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast_ by Douglas Brinkley. It’s a great read albeit a tragic one. Most of the deaths occured not because of the hurricane but because of the inefficiency of FEMA, Mayor Nagin and the breakdown of the NOPD. Props to the US Coast Guard, though. They did a stellar job. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-reading-dec-08-edition/475075.md?page=8)