http://www.amazon.com/Power-Faith-Fantasy-America-Present/dp/0393058263 Israeli ambassador to the US giving historical perspective of American involvement in the region since 1776. I picked it up the other day since I'm surrounded by retards 10 hours a day that can't point Saudi out on a map and needed something for my brain. Reads like a novel, but with academic footnotes. 700 pages though.
Yeah, I imagine so. This one does too, but its really quite readable for those of us out there with a passing knowledge of science that are really curious about...well, everything. Not light reading, but very much worth the effort: "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson. http://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Nearly-Everything/dp/076790818X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0 I read this book a few years ago, and had put it out of mind. I was watching the new series "Wormhole" on the Science Channel (awesome show, it really delves deep into the worlds of particle physics, string theory, theoretical physics, etc...I imagine its well over the heads of about 95% of the viewing public, but screw those morons) and some things on there jogged my memory and I thought of this thread.
You really are the most negative poster on TGG. Keep up the good work. The first 250 pages or so are just a completely amazing prequel.
I'm currently reading Stephen King's Under the Dome. I'm about 300 or so pages in and it's starting to get interesting. I am, however, getting tired of reading all the politics that King likes to throw into his novels.
About halfway through Michael Crichton's last book Pirate Latitudes. So far it's really good quick read, perfect for summer.
Yeah, I tore that one up. Great read. I even started calling booze "Kill Devil" after reading it! :beer:
Just finished Under the Dome. I have these books on my shelf, and I'm not sure which one to read next. I haven't read any of them previously, so any suggestions will be appreciated. I am Legend The Stand It Angels and Demons Carrie I think Carrie or I am Legend will be next. After reading Under The Dome, I think I am in the mood for a shorter read.
Carrie was awesome, and yes a fairly quick read (especially compared to Under the Dome!). Excluding I am Legend, since I've never read it -- The best book on that list is The Stand. I always tell people, If you read ONE Stephen King book, make it The Stand. I've read just about all of his books, and in my opinion, that is his Masterpiece.
Fox In Socks - Dr Suess. It has lots of characters and if you're a tard and have to read aloud then its also fun for everyone else.
I just finished "The Passage". I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it. I think my biggest complaint would be that for such a long book, I feel like I barely know the characters. I can't really figure out why. Clearly, Cronin was influenced by King (there are elements of "The Stand", "Firestarter" and "The Dark Tower" Series), but in King novels he has an amazing ability to get you invested in the characters. Here, I don't really care who lives or dies. I also found it to be a little slow in sections. However, I do really appreciate the epic scope of the novel. I will be interested to see if Cronin can keep the story fresh through two more novels or if it will just be 1,500 pages of more of the same.
I have no interest in reading anything praised by Naomi Klein. The economics in her book, if you want to call it that, are so far off it's an embarassment to economists everywhere.
I pointed this series out in the ASOIAF thread, but it continues to absolutely blow my mind, so I'm adding it here and practically begging you to give it a try: http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Summer-Long-Price-Quartet/dp/0765351870/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1 That's a link to the first book of "The Long Price Quartet". I have read so many fantasy series in the past 40 years, and I really have to put this in the very top. The key word here is consequences, both unintentional and foreseen. Once I read this first book, and was blown away by every page, I didn't think he could possibly top it. I'm halfway through the fourth and final book now, and I am still hanging on every page, wondering if the whole world will turn upside down again on the next page. I can't say much without giving away anything, but damn, you need to give it a try. Please. You won't regret it. And for all the GRRM fans, he has a man crush on Abraham, and admits he is the better writer. Look for yourself.
