Bibliopath ping.
As for me, picking up a DVD of "The War of the Worlds" is giving me the desire to give Wells another go (I've never made it through any of his books). And while I'm at it, I going to try some Jules Verne.
Currently, I'm reading 3001: The Final Odyssey, a not-for-sale readers' proof edition that I won at a charity book raffle. (There are some other books in that pile waiting to be read. I just finished a 50th anniversary Peanuts collection.)
On the nonfiction front: I finished Mark Levin's book, Men in Black and I'' probably head for the library soon to reserve a few other conservative books.
What are you looking forward to? Discuss.
TS
2. Next up: Henry Kissinger's "Diplomacy." Read it when I was a senior in high school. Flame away, but I think current US foreign policy needs to shift back to the realism advocated by Kissinger as opposed to the idealism put forth by the likes of Pearle.
3. Prescott's Conquest of Mexico and Conquest of Peru will likely conclude my summer reading.
So far, much better than the mess Morris made of Reagan's biography, Dutch although I disliked that book much less than I thought I might, given some of the critical scorn heaped on it.
I'm really looking forward to David Horowitz's new book, The End of Time. David is one of the most interesting characters on the Right today and I found his book, Radical Son to be a very moving and telling account of his political transformation.
Oh, and for lighter reading that comes in nice, manageable chapters, I highly recommend William F. Buckley's "literary autobiography" Miles Gone By.
Well Trained Mind and Well Educated Mind, George Schuyler's autobiography,etc.etc. I'll have to look at my desk :-)
I'm reading Harry Turtledove's alternate history books.
I just finished "Excelsior, You Fathead -- The Art and Enigma of Jean Shepherd" by Eugene Bergman. Not exactly a biography, but a detailed account of the work of the great radio broadcaster, storyteller, writer, and movie maker. (He's wrote and narrated "A Christmas Story.")
And for something completely different -- I just started "Witness to Hope -- The Biography of Pope John Paul 2." At 900+ pages, that should take care of me for the summer.
Both are excellent.
Miniatures and Morals
The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
Peter J. Leithart
198pp
"Not only are Austen’s novels still widely read, they continue to influence modern film and literature. In both their moral content and their focused, highly detailed, “miniaturist” execution, they reveal Austen’s mastery of the art of fiction and her concern for Christian virtues exercised within communities. She entertains, edifies, and challenges men and women readers alike.
From theological and literary angles, Leithart analyzes character and theme while summarizing each of Austen’s major works. Including helpful review and thought questions for each section, this book is an excellent introduction to Austen for students and for all who desire a richer appreciation of her enduring genius."
My uncle was a B/N in that squadron. The book really connected the dots on things I've heard him say over the years.
Right now I'm reading Quentins by Maeve Binchley. I love her books.
Next will probably be Flyboys.
Between Silk and Cyanide is on the shelf, about codebreakers and secret agents in WWII.
For fun and fiction, I've got a couple of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency mysteries.
Eg The Alchemist, Eleven Minutes, Veronika Must Die, By the River Piedra I sat Down and Wept, The Fifth Mountain, The Valkyries, The Pilgrimage, and wrap it up by going through the Warrior of Light.
Darn good writing.
bookmark
The Qu'uran.
Bibliopath ping.
Can I be added to this ping? I am having fun here
Been reading a lot this month:
Before We Get Started-Bret Lott, interesting thoughts about a writer's life
A Window Across the River-Brian Morton, a "New Yorker" kind of story, i.e. two people in love in New York THINK about being in love in New York, and nothing much happens, but well-written
So Many Books, So Little Time-Sara Nelson, a fun little book about the books one woman read in a year
Misunderestimated-Bill Sammon, some good anecdotes about post-9-11 GWB, but a lot of flab
Another Bull**** Night in Suck City-Nick Flynn, a memoir about a guy who worked in a Boston homeless shelter and what happened when his father showed up as a client
Green Shadows, White Whale-Ray Bradbury, about making the film of Moby Dick in Ireland; mostly about Ireland, not much about movie making
I AM Alive and You Are Dead-Emmanuel Carrere, about the sad life of writer Phillip K. Dick
Citizen Hughes-Michael Drosnin, about the last years of Howard Hughes.
The Painted Word-Tom Wolfe, excellent assassination of the New York art world
Tales From Development Hell-David Hughes, about how some movies don't get made
American Quest-Jack Barth, about several "quests" the writer makes, such as retracing the path of the heroes of "Easy Rider"
A Heritage of Stars" by CLifford Simak, excellent "rural" science fiction
In case you're wondering, I recently found so many books I'd bought but hadn't read that I have banned myself from buying anymore until I read all the unread ones; we're talking hundreds, so I have a lot to read!
Please add me to your ping list. I love to read.
Xzins, did you start a book thread years ago? I thought that was you who did that.
Heck,
Ping me baby one more time, once is never enough...
Thanks!
I've been meaning to read this for a long time.
Ping for further read...
Also reading "The Italian Renaissance" by J. H. Plumb.
Just started "Treason" by Ann Coulter as well.
I'm looking for a good book on WWI. I know very little about the time. I want to find a book that is not too technical with the details, but accurate about the causes and dynamics of the war; not a revisionist thing.