What are you reading?

[aishah]

just finished the 19th wife by david ebershoff, and it was amazing. i think it doesn't present a full picture of mormon polygamy (it's historical fiction and it's very negative on the subject) but it is really beautifully crafted and i couldn't put it down.

currently reading:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Open-Mind-Heart-Contemplative-Dimension/dp/0826406963"]open mind, open heart[/ame] by thomas keating
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Francis-Assisi-Revolutionary-Adrian-House/dp/1587680270/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347898481&sr=1-1&keywords=francis+of+assisi%3A+a+revolutionary+li fe"]francis of assisi: a revolutionary life[/ame] by adrian house

just picked up a bunch of books on poetry from the library so they'll be next. i'm especially excited to finally read june jordan's [ame="http://www.amazon.com/June-Jordans-Poetry-People-Revolutionary/dp/0415911680/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347898545&sr=1-1&keywords=poetry+for+the+people"]poetry for the people[/ame].

[Bleu]

Although I have seven books lined up, I can say the only thing I am reading right now are posts from threads and entire threads right here on our very own Planet. Thanks!

[Kätzchen]

*Well...*,

I have had a change of heart about keeping the de Botton's book, Religion for Atheists. I decided to create some highly developed field notes by citing several examples of passages for future reference material as a way to illustrate why it's a good thing to read particular books like this.

Instead, what I am going to do today is take a stack of books I am not keeping and go down to Powell's bookstore before work and wander the stacks in search of something to read. I may end up with a fictional account. It's been awhile since I've given fiction a chance to occupy my mind.

Which reminds me, Tawse? what have you been reading lately? You said once that you like all your 'trauma' to happen in the world of fiction. I've never forgotten what you said; you said that so perfectly.

[justanolecowboy]

(3) Books going right now:

Team of Rivals: Doris Kearns Goodwin
The Whiskey Rebels: David Liss
Foucault's Pendulum: Umberto Eco

At Home, a Short History of Private Life - Bill Bryson
Shakespeare on Toast - Ben Crystal
Recovery's a Bitch - Jacqui Brown
Living Clean - the approval draft
The Etymologican - Mark Forsyth

[femmeInterrupted]

Madness and Civilization:
A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason
Michel Foucault

Other Kingdoms
Richard Matheson

The Wretched of the Earth
Frantz Fanon

[nycfem]

I hope you'll write us some brief reviews if time permits. These all sound like interesting reads.

Originally Posted by Daktari

At Home, a Short History of Private Life - Bill Bryson
Shakespeare on Toast - Ben Crystal
Recovery's a Bitch - Jacqui Brown
Living Clean - the approval draft
The Etymologican - Mark Forsyth

[MegBluEyz]

This Time I Dance! By Tama J. Kieves.

It is about the passion inside in expressing it to the world in what one does as in purpose.

Originally Posted by nycfembbw

I hope you'll write us some brief reviews if time permits. These all sound like interesting reads.

I really like hearing what folks think about what they're reading or have read too.

Just started the Bryson today but always enjoy his wonderfully understated, wry style of writing.

Shakespeare on Toast (non fiction) is wonderful thus far; I'm about two thirds through; It's made me laugh out loud and imparted new knowledge too...bonus! Not finished it but highly recommend to those who like language, literature, Shakespeare and theatre study.

Recovery's a Bitch was not what I expected sadly mainly because I was a numpty and didn't read the Amazon synopsis, just went on the title alone. Doh! However, it's funny, hilarious in parts and I'm glad I got it...it's very much a 'dipper' though. The author is a woman who was dealing with her daughter's addictions and destructive behaviours concurrently with her own menopausal symptoms. I had been looking for info about dealing with man-o-pause in recovery

Living Clean is the newly approved NA book and it's awesome! I could critique how it's written but won't, just because in this context, it wouldn't be helpful. Not finished it yet; enjoying reading it in chunks along with others at the meeting I currently chair. Everyone is loving reading/hearing it because it's not something we've already heard endlessly - although sometimes, endlessly is what it takes

The Etymologicon is another dipper; A bathroom book if you will
It is, as you might imagine, a book about where words come from. There's much more to it than that though. If you like words, etymology and language you might really enjoy this book. Not read enough to critque properly yet.

[TheMerryFairy]

Next on my list is Chicken Soup for the traveler's soul

[always2late]

Originally Posted by Daktari

Shakespeare on Toast (non fiction) is wonderful thus far; I'm about two thirds through; It's made me laugh out loud and imparted new knowledge too...bonus! Not finished it but highly recommend to those who like language, literature, Shakespeare and theatre study.

Thanks for posting this...the books sounds really interesting and is now on my "to read" list.

[justanolecowboy]

Originally Posted by Daktari

At Home, a Short History of Private Life - Bill Bryson
Shakespeare on Toast - Ben Crystal
Recovery's a Bitch - Jacqui Brown
Living Clean - the approval draft
The Etymologican - Mark Forsyth

Have read the Bill Bryson - i liked it - i enjoy most of his writing.

[Kobi]

Tomorrow....adventures in an uncertain world by Bradley Trevor Greive

One of those cute little (100 pages) books of wisdom. The wildlife photos that accompany the thoughts are priceless.

[Cid]

Right now...posts. That's about it.

[cinnamongrrl]

Originally Posted by justanolecowboy

Have read the Bill Bryson - i liked it - i enjoy most of his writing.

I also enjoy Bill Bryson's writing. I have read A Walk in the Woods, it inspired me (partly, but largely) to want to hike the AT.

[cinnamongrrl]

I am reading Wilderness Essays by John Muir.... Excellent book Even the introduction was good, and I typically just skim them

[Anomaly]

So for years everyone has been trying to get me to read Harry Potter and Twilight and stuff, and I'm like "Hmmm, no. How about I read some Mian Mian or Dostoyevsky or Michelle Tea because I'm a grown-up, no thank you." I'm pretty embarrassed about it, but I'm kinda super into the Hunger Games now. I had to buy the third book in hard copy, and I wanted to wear sunglasses and a trench coat to the juvenile fiction section. But I guess I don't care... I love those books.

[Soon]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Whore-Diaries-Adventures-Independent-ebook/dp/B00BR0YBDO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365507159&sr=8-1&keywords=whore+diaries"]Whore Diaries II: Adventures in Independent Escorting[/ame]

Each chapter details one night/one customer...fascinating. Read in one soak in the bath.

"There is something open and honest about the words written in this book. I always feel a little more bare, a little more vulnerable after reading something so raw. Even if you think that this book isn't for you, I would encourage you to read it anyways. You might be surprised at what you learn about yourself in the process." - Chelsie Perkins

[Kobi]

Travels with Epicurus : a journey to a Greek island in search of a fulfilled life /

Daniel Klein

Klein (Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar, 2008, among others) returned to the Greek island of Hydra at age 73. His return had a new and specific purpose: I want to figure out the most satisfying way to live this stage of my life. Prior experience with the island led to conclude that the old folks of Hydra have always struck me as uncommonly content with their stage in life. But just observing and absorbing what the people had to show and tell him didn't seem like quite enough. To augment his on-site learning, he took with him a stack of philosophy books by ancient Greeks as well as some modern writers. It's an interesting formula, resulting in a lovely little book with both heart and punch, an argument against the forever young syndrome so prevalent in contemporary American society. His contemplative time spent observing the old men of Hydra while reading his small library of the great thinkers led him to an evolving philosophy of a good and authentic old age. --Hooper, Brad Copyright 2010 Booklist

[Hollylane]

Cross Fire, by James Patterson.

I'm also still struggling through The Book of Mormon.