i'm (of course) an incorrigible bibliophile; and this is my latest pleasure (that had nothing to do with school, etc.)

I just read [ame="http://www.amazon.com/The-Impostors-Daughter-True-Memoir/dp/B005OHUK7M"]The Imposter's Daughter[/ame]--and loved it. I wanted something confessional and structurally complex. For those who love a memoir, it's fantastic--and for those who adore comic prose, it's breathtaking.

daisygrrl, I soooo loved The Imposter's Daughter! It would figure you loved it too! You're the first person I've talked to who has also read it :).

I am reading "I am the Central Park Jogger." Well, I'm listening to it on tape, let's be honest here. It's read by the author which is cool. It's certainly a heavy topic. It's very well-written and flows beautifully. Much of it is about how one recovers from a traumatic injury which I find to be quite fascinating.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Am-Central-Park-Jogger-Possibility/dp/B000C4SZ10/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369443499&sr=8-1&keywords=the+central+park+jogger"]I Am the Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility: Trisha Meili: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]


On a much lighter note, I'm listening to the CD of the new David Sedaris book: Let's explore Diabetes with Owls. It's a collection of his usual humorous, memoir-type essays. He always reads his own books for the recording, and I love his voice. It's very soothing, and he clearly gets a kick out of himself which is kind of sweet. I'm a little less into it because I've already read most of these essays by him in the New Yorker. Oh, what can ya do?

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Explore-Diabetes-David-Sedaris/dp/0316154695/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369443666&sr=8-1&keywords=understanding+owls+diabetes"]Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls: David Sedaris: 9780316154697: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

Hi everyone, I am very interested in reading a biography about Elena Sendler. Google search provided "Courageous Heart."

I welcome your suggestions regarding a good read
about her.

Thanks.
Brock

I downloaded this last night, just finished. I usually buy graphic novels (or in this case, graphic memoirs) in hard copy, but the iPad/Kindle app did a good job with the graphics.

Great read, thanks for bringing it to my attention! It has this interesting blend of titillating and insightful. Now that I think of it, that's the standard addiction-memoir formula, but it's interesting to see it as an illustrated narrative. The ending is a bit too tidy and abrupt for my taste, but that might have more to do with the comic book format/presentation.


Recommended!

I'm reading the 'Killer Wore Leather' by Laura Antoniou. It's very amusing, humorous, and if you have ever been to a leather contest - you will laugh your arse off.

superb.
 

Currently reading:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/End-All-Wars-Rebellion-1914-1918/dp/B009LPNH0K/ref=la_B000APHVX4_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1369616575&sr=1-2"]To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918[/ame]
by Adam Hochschild.

World War I was supposed to be the “war to end all wars.” Over four long years, nations around the globe were sucked into the tempest, and millions of men died on the battlefields. To this day, the war stands as one of history’s most senseless spasms of carnage, defying rational explanation.

To End All Wars focuses on the long-ignored moral drama of the war’s critics, alongside its generals and heroes. Many of these dissenters were thrown in jail for their opposition to the war, from a future Nobel Prize winner to an editor behind bars who distributed a clandestine newspaper on toilet paper. These critics were sometimes intimately connected to their enemy hawks: one of Britain’s most prominent women pacifist campaigners had a brother who was commander in chief on the Western Front. Two well-known sisters split so bitterly over the war that they ended up publishing newspapers that attacked each other.

As Adam Hochschild brings the Great War to life as never before, he forces us to confront the big questions: Why did so many nations get so swept up in the violence? Why couldn’t cooler heads prevail? And can we ever avoid repeating history?

Summer Reading List (personal studies)
 

My summer reading list will comprise largely a re-reading of books authored by Salman Rushdie and Dr. Khaled Hosseini:

Salman Rushdie (Midnight's Children, 1981; Shame, 1983; The Satanic Verses, 1988; The Moor's Last Sigh, 1995; The Ground Beneath Her Feet, 1999; and, Shalimar The Clown, 2005).

Dr. Khaled Hosseini (And The Mountains Echoed, 2013).

I once took several sociology study classes, at an undergraduate level, wherein the current professor of studies was an ardent admirer of Rushdie and his post-colonial views, as both Rushdie and my former professor are members of the Indian Diaspora. Reading the Rushdie collection of books will be my all-summer immersion study on the works of Salman Rushdie and to add toward notes I have kept since the time I undertook sociology courses in post-colonialism.

Reading the newest book by Hosseini will largely be my own independent and extended study on issues pertinent to Family Communication studies. When I set time aside for this reading project, it won't be for pleasure (per se), but more along the lines of critical analysis on as-near current theorems pertaining to Family Communication. My approach will be to read his newest book as if it were an upper-graduate course reader; compiling an annotated bibliography that connects previous scholarly authored works within the frame of Family Communication.

Toward the end of summer, I was just sharing with Katniss that, I was looking for recommendation, hoping to come across a book (fiction or non-fiction) that might have a dose or two of romance but not mushy romance: I am looking for something more along the lines of a good crime-like novel or mystery or, unsuspectingly, something that un-nerves the reader in a good way. I would welcome any suggestions, from our coummunity of readers, with appreciation.

I'm reading (well, listening) to the book:

"On Whale Island: Notes from a Place I Never Meant to Leave"
by Daniel Hays

This is my second time listening to it. I'm listening to it on tape (Yes, I love old-fashioned tape recorders.). It's a memoir about a man who takes his wife and step-child to live on a small, rugged island for a year. He goes through the day to day tasks and problems and miraculous moments with nature. I love it because it takes me out of my urban world and makes me feel like I'm living on the island too. The author reads it aloud himself so that only adds to feeling like I'm there. His love for the hardship and beauty of this way of living is evident, and clearly if his wife didn't feel understandably stifled by it, he'd stay there indefinitely. I love learning about other cultures and ways of life by hearing/reading someone's lived experience. He's a good writer and funny too. It's a very real book, like he's sitting across the table, telling all about it. Thumbs up. I always love this kind of book.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Whale-Island-Notes-Place-Never/dp/156512345X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369789817&sr=1-1&keywords=whale+island"]On Whale Island: Notes from a Place I Never Meant to Leave: Daniel Hays: 9781565123458: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

I finally finished 'Life After Life' by Kate Atkinson.
It was a tome, and it was a bit of a slow start; I had to push through the first 100 pages, when I finally got into it I finished it in two marathon sessions. I enjoyed it once I got it to it.

I've just started reading '[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Penumbras-24-hour-Bookstore-ebook/dp/B008FPOIT6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369855109&sr=8-1&keywords=penumbra"]Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore[/ame]' by Robin Sloan. It's a very funny and easy read... delightful, in fact. I was giggling aloud all the way through the first few chapters.

I am almost finished reading History's Greatest Mysteries and The Secrets Behind Them - Bill Price

The next two books I have lined up to read are

Reclaiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World - John Shelby Spong

In this thorough, substantive guide, Spong explores the origin and essential meaning of each of the individual books in the Bible, examining the background, the context, the level of authenticity. He explains why these particular books, written between two and three thousand years ago, came to be regarded as authoritative and preserved as sacred; he traces the pathway that biblical religion has traveled as it evolved through the centuries, and shows how people have misused many of these texts in the service of their prejudices.


Civil War Top Ten - Thomas R. Flagel

A ranking of the best, the worst, the bloodiest, and the most important people and events of the war between the states.

I'm about halfway through "The Imposter's Daughter" and love it!!

Also started "The Warmth of Other Suns" on recommendation from Juney and it's a fascinating read.

From the New York Times review of "The Warmth of Other Suns":


In this epic, beautifully written masterwork, Pulitzer Prize–winning author Isabel Wilkerson chronicles one of the great untold stories of American history: the decades-long migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities, in search of a better life. From 1915 to 1970, this exodus of almost six million people changed the face of America. Wilkerson compares this epic migration to the migrations of other peoples in history. She interviewed more than a thousand people, and gained access to new data and official records, to write this definitive and vividly dramatic account of how these American journeys unfolded, altering our cities, our country, and ourselves.

With stunning historical detail, Wilkerson tells this story through the lives of three unique individuals: Ida Mae Gladney, who in 1937 left sharecropping and prejudice in Mississippi for Chicago, where she achieved quiet blue-collar success and, in old age, voted for Barack Obama when he ran for an Illinois Senate seat; sharp and quick-tempered George Starling, who in 1945 fled Florida for Harlem, where he endangered his job fighting for civil rights, saw his family fall, and finally found peace in God; and Robert Foster, who left Louisiana in 1953 to pursue a medical career, the personal physician to Ray Charles as part of a glitteringly successful medical career, which allowed him to purchase a grand home where he often threw exuberant parties.

Wilkerson brilliantly captures their first treacherous and exhausting cross-country trips by car and train and their new lives in colonies that grew into ghettos, as well as how they changed these cities with southern food, faith, and culture and improved them with discipline, drive, and hard work. Both a riveting microcosm and a major assessment, The Warmth of Other Suns is a bold, remarkable, and riveting work, a superb account of an “unrecognized immigration” within our own land. Through the breadth of its narrative, the beauty of the writing, the depth of its research, and the fullness of the people and lives portrayed herein, this book is destined to become a classic.

The book is beautifully written this is a great book for anyone thinking about going vegan. Lots of information , great true stories of lots of people recovering from diseases. Liking it.....


http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/978160286...2_s260x420.JPG

Walden; Or, Life In The Woods~ Henry David Thoreau

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother is the autobiography of James McBride first published in 1995; it is also a tribute to his mother. The chapters alternate between James McBride's descriptions of his early life and first-person accounts of his mother Ruth's life, mostly taking place before her son was born. McBride depicts the conflicting emotions that he endured as he struggled to discover who he truly was, as his mother narrates the hardships that she had to overcome as a white, Jewish woman who chose to marry a black man 1942.

The Wolf Gift Anne Rice

Finished "Imposters Daughter" and agree with Kobi's assessment! Great read.

Started "Sharp Objects" by Gillian Flynn on audiobook this morning and love it so far. Listened to "Gone Girl" last week and am really loving this author. Her books are fast-paced and she is a great storyteller. Will be reading or listening to "Dark Places" as soon as this one is finished!

I have just started reading Summer World by naturalist, Bernd Heinrich

How can cicadas survive—and thrive—at temperatures pushing 115°F? Do hummingbirds know what they're up against before they migrate over the Gulf of Mexico? Why do some trees stop growing taller even when three months of warm weather remain? With awe and unmatched expertise, Bernd Heinrich's Summer World never stops exploring the beautifully complex interactions of animals and plants with nature, giving extraordinary depth to the relationships between habitat and the warming of the earth.

If my brain gets fried and needs simple amusement, I will also be reading Summer Sisters by my childhood favorite, Judy Blume. It is a novel for grown ups.

Summer Sisters unfolds over almost twenty summers in the lives of two young women - from 1977 when they're twelve to 1995 when they celebrate their thirtieth birthdays. There's a love story at the center, and the story of a friendship more intense and longer lasting than many love affairs.

My mother told me to read this specifically...and gave me the book to ensure I did...what can I say, I still have to listen to my mom! :)

Just started Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. Excellent writer can't wait for Gone Girl to come out in paperback

11/22/63: Stephen King.
I gave a copy to my father for father's day and then ran to the library to get a copy for myself.

Stephen King is both a shared love and a family joke. We were on a vacation when I was 6 or 7 years old and I ran out of reading material. Going through my parents books I had either my mother's romance novels or my father's Stephen King novels. That summer I read Cujo and Pet Cemetery. My mom thought I was fake reading so she didn't say anything, but I was fully reading them. I learned to read freakishly early. I still love Stephen King. My father doesn't talk much but I think he is secretly proud of me for having been drawn to the books so early.

I just finished The Night Watch by Sarah Waters

What a very good read about Butch/femme in the 40's and wartime.

I am currently reading The Borgia Bride by Jeanne Kalogridis. It's fiction laced with historical fact. Not too bad.

Also reading The Lady in the Tower, by Alison Weir. It's about Anne Boleyn, and I love it. Alison Weir is one of my favorites when it comes to Tudor history.

The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks.

Rereading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I started reading the series 10 years ago and made it to the 5th book. Now the 8th book is out, and there are plans to make it into a TV series... so time to get reacquainted.

The Witness by Nora Roberts

I typically only read spirit based or practical practice-able books to help myself and others. So I promised to share my knowledge.

My roomie has been in severe pain for years, with less mobility and increased pain yearly.

So. I have been researching for awhile. I found the sacro wedgy. works great for me, but i don't have chronic severe back pain.

Roomie has used it twice, today and yesterday. most of her pain is GONE, she can stand up straight, does not need to use grocery cart to walk through store. several joints have realigned in her back and her hip joints are almost back in the socket. I heard several loud pops as lower vertebrae went back where they belong.

It is like a miracle. I have never seen her get up without groaning , and pain noises.
her whole FACE is different. It's a face without pain. She says she can feel the blood flow moving throughout her whole body and in her head...

I am glad I found something that truly helps.

The other thing we are exploring is " The Melt Method", another great pain reliever.

I like multiples...
 

1. The Big Truck That Went By: How the World Came to Save Haiti and Left Behind a Disaster. by Associated Press reporter Jonathan Katz.
Basically nothing I didn't already know. He gives very specific examples of NGO's and the assistance they thought was needed (post earthquake) and how not listening to or respecting their Haitian counterparts led to less than stellar results. That said I take exception on too much "rah rah" one-sidedness. Corruption is rampant in Haiti within their own government (not that this is unique to Haitians as the CEO in my county was just indicted on racketeering.) Sadly good intentions don't always produce good results and he gives several well documented cases of project failure. An interesting read if you are curious about "where did my donation go and why are they still living in squalor."

That said I think empowering and micro-funding women owned small business and listening to what *they* say is needed will go a long way. Haiti produces some of the best vanilla in the world and Barbancourt rum is outstanding. As well the Progressive Women of Leogane were promoting cane harvesting and reforestation well before the earthquake. They were also micro-lending amongst themselves long before it became popular.

2. "Gift From the Sea"by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. This is a re-read for me as I take it out every couple of years just to center myself a bit more when all the flotsam and jetsam of life seems to overwhelm. I like the messages of simplicity, self-care not being self-ish, and recognizing our outward environment and habits have a ripple effect on our inward peace of mind and wholeness. A nice little book to slowly read a short chapter each morning to begin the day.

Katniss~~

I'm reading The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell.

will love for crumbs: a memoir, by jonna ivin

they came to bagdad, by agatha christie

Great reads!!!
 

Angie recommended Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. It is a fascinating read of human pathology that makes ones hair stand on end. Not my usual cup of tea but it was well done and very engrossing.

what am I Reading
 

The butchcock thread. I can imagine several of those stories being published.

Also I am reading Masters Manual..Handbook of Erotic Dominance. Jack Rinella

and then this book that I think is going to offer something very interesting.

Many Lives
Many Masters

True story of a prominent Psychiatrist, his young patient, and Past Life Therapy That Changed Both Their Lives.