Read any good books lately?

[TarHeelMark]

The New Years resolution thread reminded me to ask this, as I'm trying to spend less time watching TV and more leisure time reading. Lately I've been leaning more toward non-fiction, especially historical accounts, and biographies. But I'm definitely open to suggestions.

 

[coolwaterunc]

No.

 

[heelz2345]

I got a few books for Christmas, haven't had a chance to read them yet. One of the ones I received was Hamilton by Ron Chernow, it's the biography that Lin Manuel Miranda was reading when he got the inspiration for the musical. I'm really excited to read it, just haven't had the chance to dive into it yet. The last things that I've had the chance to read are the scripts for the plays I've been in.

 

[UNC71-00]

Reading Tools of the Titans by Tim Ferris right now.

Not really a book you read cover to cover but excellent nonetheless.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

 

[strummingram]

The World According To Garp by John Irving

I got this for Christmas... very, very cool

 

[grillheel]

I'm kind of in the middle of the Daniel Silva series of books that feature Gabriel Allon as the main character. I've read pretty much all of David Baldacci's stuff except "The Last Mile", but my wife just finished that and I'll probably get to it soon. A lot of you guys on the board might like Vince Flynn's books featuring Mitch Rapp, but a couple of other poasters definitely wouldn't. Flynn died a year or two ago and someone else has taken over the series now. Guess you can tell I like escapist fiction.

 

[gteeitup]

reading: why we run by bernd heinrich

next

scar tissue

 

[coryfly]

I just read 'The Bazaar of Dad Dreams' by King. Pretty good stuff. I'm a pretty avid SK reader though (and former collector).

 

[Blue2010]

Outside of reading to our kids at night, I haven't read a book since high school. So overrated.

 

[keysersosay#1]

Highly recommend WILD by Cheryl Strayed. The true story of a woman who hiked the Pacific Crest trail, over 1000 miles, alone.
It was made into a movie with Reese Witherspoon.

real page turner

 

[jcolucci]

I started the Richard Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell. Historical fiction placing the character in historically significant battles of the English army late 1700s early 1800s. Kind of a layman's Patrick O'Brian (which was most excellent if you were willing to study nautical terms such as the sails and riggings of an English fighting ship). Cornwell is much easier to read casually. Book one is called Sharpe's Tiger. I'm in Sharpe's Fortress now.

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

Undaunted Courage - Stephen Ambrose (the story of Lewis and Clark)
Destiny of the Republic - Candice Millard (it's about the very short term of James Garfield but surprisingly interesting)
The River of Doubt - Candice Millard (about Teddy Roosevelt's near-fatal journey to South America to explore an uncharted river.)
Appetite for America - Stephen Fried (the story of Fred Harvey, who built hotels and eating establishments along the rail lines during our westward expansion.)
Infamous Scribblers -- Eric Burns (perhaps the most timely book to read as it deals with "journalism" at the time our country was being constitutionally formed. It was certainly a time of propaganda and "alternative facts.")

Destiny of the Republic and Appetite for America are also interesting because they touch slightly on other things happening in the country at the time. If you want something to watch, PBS did a very good documentary on Garfield which basically summarizes Destiny of the Republic. It was called American Experience: Murder of a President.

 

[Blue2010]

I don't see how you guys do it. I've never been tested for it, but I've been told that I have some form of ADD / ADHD / BiPolar...whatever. But I literally cannot read more than a few pages without completely losing focus. I have tried, and just cannot do it. There are other examples, but on the topic of reading...it just doesn't happen.

 

[gteeitup]

I don't see how you guys do it. I've never been tested for it, but I've been told that I have some form of ADD / ADHD / BiPolar...whatever. But I literally cannot read more than a few pages without completely losing focus. I have tried, and just cannot do it. There are other examples, but on the topic of reading...it just doesn't happen.

i'm not a reader, at all...it has to be something i am all-in on...started running two years ago, so this book i'm reading was a no brainer for me.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I don't see how you guys do it. I've never been tested for it, but I've been told that I have some form of ADD / ADHD / BiPolar...whatever. But I literally cannot read more than a few pages without completely losing focus. I have tried, and just cannot do it. There are other examples, but on the topic of reading...it just doesn't happen.

For me, it's less about focus but more about our chronic fatigue you and I have discussed. I spend most of my day and resources trying to stay awake. If I read 4 pages of a book, I'm out like a light.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

I wish I could say I have. Of course my time for reading is limited to at best a chapter or two before bed these days, so I'm not getting through as many books as I'd like to.

Most recently I read an unremarkable sci-fi novel called Snowfall on Mars. Not terrible, not great, but I will say I noticed more blatant typos and grammatical errors in that book than any publisher/editor should let slip.

Before that I kind of skimmed through an unfinished Tolkien, the Story of Kullervo. It was interesting as an insight into his early development but a challenge to read on its own merits.

When Daughter 2 was born I had just started The Constant Gardener. That is a good book but it is not light reading. Combined with the chaos of newborn-plus-toddler it took me probably six months to finish that one up and move on.

 

[coolwaterunc]

Reading is something I've always wished I enjoyed, but I just don't. I'm sure sitting in a quiet room in a comfortable chair beside a fireplace or something reading a book would be very relaxing, but I can't do it. Like some have said, I just don't have the attention span for it. I spent high school and college completely BS'ing my Literature classes for a reason.

 

[grillheel]

A quick thought directed @TarHeelMark. Have you ever read any Pat Conroy? "Prince of Tides" and "Beach Music" are two of the best books I ever read.

 

[Archer2]

Just finished another book by Edward Rutherfurd, perhaps my favorite historical fiction author, along with Ken Follett. Follett began writing cold war novels, and is one of the best, but his historical fiction novels are unparelleled. "Pillars Of The Earth" is perhaps my favorite novel. I would highly reccomend any of their books. I've read every Daniel Silva book written, love his books. They have a great cast of regular charcters and deal with the Mossad and modern terrorism in a manor that is both inmformative and highly enlightening. "The Wanderer" by Gary Jennings is another historical fiction book about the adventures of Marco Polo which will teach you some history and entertain the shit out of you.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Yo, if anyone can direct me to some good historical fiction or non-fiction Civil War novels -- not Killer Angels because I already read that one -- I may consider reading a book again.

Legit, the last honest-to-God novel I read was probably 7 years ago. And I'm only 27.

 

[coryfly]

Back when I was single and smoked and drank a lot I would read all the time. Any night I wasn't out I would be on my deck reading (and smoking and drinking). It was great, haha. Now I don't smoke and have a wife and kids. I still read but it takes a lot longer to finish things.

 

[jcolucci]

Just finished another book by Edward Rutherfurd, perhaps my favorite historical fiction author, along with Ken Follett. Follett began writing cold war novels, and is one of the best, but his historical fiction novels are unparelleled. "Pillars Of The Earth" is perhaps my favorite novel. I would highly reccomend any of their books. I've read every Daniel Silva book written, love his books. They have a great cast of regular charcters and deal with the Mossad and modern terrorism in a manor that is both inmformative and highly enlightening. "The Wanderer" by Gary Jennings is another historical fiction book about the adventures of Marco Polo which will teach you some history and entertain the shit out of you.

"Pillars Of The Earth" is a great book.

 

[tarheel0910]

Back when I was single and smoked and drank a lot I would read all the time.

I don't think reading the label of the liquor bottle counts for the purpose of this thread.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I don't think reading the label of the liquor bottle counts for the purpose of this thread.

 

[Archer2]

"Pillars Of The Earth" is a great book.

Indeed, easily one of my top five favorites. History and historical fiction are my favorite genres. The sequel to Pillars, entitled World Without End, isn't quite as good but is well worth reading. If you liked Pillars..., I think you'd also enjoy reading Edward Rutherfurd. I highly recommend Sarum, Russka, or London. I'm gradually working my way through all of their books, getting ready to start Paris soon. There's just something about the way English writers turn a phrase that I love. And I like reading books that teach you about history while being highly entertaining at the same time.

 

[nctransplant]

Yo, if anyone can direct me to some good historical fiction or non-fiction Civil War novels -- not Killer Angels because I already read that one -- I may consider reading a book again.

Legit, the last honest-to-God novel I read was probably 7 years ago. And I'm only 27.

Bill O'Reilly's "Killing Lincoln" was very good I thought. I'm not much of a reader but I very much enjoyed that one as well as Killing Reagan, Killing Kennedy, and Killing Jesus.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Bill O'Reilly's "Killing Lincoln" was very good I thought. I'm not much of a reader but I very much enjoyed that one as well as Killing Reagan, Killing Kennedy, and Killing Jesus.

Seems happy

 

[nctransplant]

Seems happy

Now that I look at it, there is a lot of killing there. Still good books.

 

[nctransplant]

Do Playboy's count.....you know the articles and stuff?

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Do Playboy's count.....you know the articles and stuff?

There's this crazy thing called internet porn that I use instead of Playboy.

 

[TarHeelMark]

As @BillyL is fond of saying... there are a lot of good poasts in this thread. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely be adding some to my list.

 

[Archer2]

Yo, if anyone can direct me to some good historical fiction or non-fiction Civil War novels -- not Killer Angels because I already read that one -- I may consider reading a book again.

Legit, the last honest-to-God novel I read was probably 7 years ago. And I'm only 27.

I had to do so much reading in college that I didn't read much for pleasure for several years afterwards. But now that I'm semi-retired, I read a couple of hours every day.

If you enjoyed Killer Angels, I recommend the two sequels written by Michael Shaara's son, Jeffrey. They are titled Gods and Generals and The Last full Measure. I enjoyed all three books very much. Cold Mountain, the first novel by a NC writer named Charles Frazier, is another very good book about the aftermath of the Civil War. Everyone who reads it says they struggled to get through the first 60 pages but that it was very much worth the effort to do so. I agree and encourage you to read it.

Also Jeffrey wrote a trilogy about WWII which is outstanding. They are The Rising Tide, The Steel Wave, and No Less Than Victory. The first details the war in North Africa, the second the year leading up to D-Day and the invasion itself, and the third the culmination of the war. I've read the first two and plan to read the third. I can unequivocally say that The Steel Wave(about the D-Day invasion), is the best war novel I've ever read. Almost everything that could work against us did, but Eisenhower held the effort together and we miraculously pulled it off. You will have tremendous respect for that man after reading that book, if you already don't. Just a fantastic story.

 

[grillheel]

Yo, if anyone can direct me to some good historical fiction or non-fiction Civil War novels -- not Killer Angels because I already read that one -- I may consider reading a book again.

Legit, the last honest-to-God novel I read was probably 7 years ago. And I'm only 27.

My father liked reading about the Civil War and read a number of books by Bruce Catton. I've never read any of them, but I know he was a well-known Civil War historian.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Very little regular old fiction in this thread.

It's been a while, but I really loved Neil Gaiman's Stardust (ignore the awful movie version). Periodically I've tried to read some of his other stuff but haven't found anything that I enjoyed as much. Currently reading his short story collection, Trigger Warning. So far good but not great.

Also a fan of Asimov (such as the Foundation series) and Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game series). I try all kinds of stuff, but always come back to sci-fi/fantasy when I want a fun, easy read.

 

[Archer2]

My father liked reading about the Civil War and read a number of books by Bruce Catton. I've never read any of them, but I know he was a well-known Civil War historian.

Haven't read any of his books but I've heard they are good.

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

Very little regular old fiction in this thread.

It's been a while, but I really loved Neil Gaiman's Stardust (ignore the awful movie version). Periodically I've tried to read some of his other stuff but haven't found anything that I enjoyed as much. Currently reading his short story collection, Trigger Warning. So far good but not great.

Also a fan of Asimov (such as the Foundation series) and Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game series). I try all kinds of stuff, but always come back to sci-fi/fantasy when I want a fun, easy read.

Just reread the Foundation trilogy last year. It's still enjoyable.

 

[Archer2]

I'm kind of in the middle of the Daniel Silva series of books that feature Gabriel Allon as the main character. I've read pretty much all of David Baldacci's stuff except "The Last Mile", but my wife just finished that and I'll probably get to it soon. A lot of you guys on the board might like Vince Flynn's books featuring Mitch Rapp, but a couple of other poasters definitely wouldn't. Flynn died a year or two ago and someone else has taken over the series now. Guess you can tell I like escapist fiction.

Like you, I've read almost all of the Baldacci books, and several of Flynn's. But I like Silva better than both. I've read every single one of his books with Allon and his cast of Mossad assassins. He's one of my very favorite contemporary writers and I look forward to a new release, one of the few writers I can say that about.