What are you reading?

Paul in Cannon Beach

We haven't done this in a while. So what book is on your nightstand right now?

I'm reading "The Lost City of Z" by David Grann. Its the true story of a doomed expidition into the Amazon to find the mythical city of El Dorado.

Paul in Cannon Beach

I just realized I past 4,000 posts but I dont remember when it happened. I hope it was special.

cnghr

I'm currently reading "Lost" by Gregory Macguire, the guy who wrote "Wicked". And no, it doesn't have anything to do with the t.v. series.

I just bought "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo", which was recommended to me by a friend, and "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", which I've been eyeing for some time because the premise of combining Jane Austen and zombies just sounds fun. I'll be starting that one on my lunch hour today.

Paul in Cannon Beach

I would agree that anything by Jane Austen would be better with zombies.

NaeNae55

Hah! Anything by Jane Austen is an outstanding story.

I am reading Harmonic Wealth (James Ray), Sense & Sensibility (Jane Austen), and hmmm...I got one of the mystery books with a letter that stands for something (like M is for Murder), but I haven't started it yet so I can't remember the title.

Paul in Cannon Beach

What is "Harmonic Wealth" about? I am not familiar with either?

joannie

[quote=Paul in Cannon Beach;717360]I just realized I past 4,000 posts but I dont remember when it happened. I hope it was special.[/quote]

[I]
Here you go, Paul. Your 4000 post.

She has to disclose expenses of over $100? How in the world is she supposed to have lunch? [/I]=D>

NaeNae55

[QUOTE=Paul in Cannon Beach;717369]What is "Harmonic Wealth" about? I am not familiar with either?[/QUOTE]

I always have at least one self improvement book (or some book about understanding the human condition) I am reading. This falls into that category. Though the author can be a little 'new wave' for me, he makes a lot of sense in many areas. The idea of Harmonic Wealth is to have harmony and success in 5 main areas of your life. Relationships, spirituality, health, finances, and mental strength.

I have read another book by James Ray (The Science of Success) which I found to be very interesting, though again, a little 'new wave.' My only real problem with him has been some of his beliefs about God. He believes in God, but for the son of a minister, he has some strange ideas about Him.

ACU Frank

I recently finished World War Z, in which the author meticulously documents past zombie outbreaks. I'm now working on Made To Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die. It's pretty good, but I think it would be better with zombies, as well.

Paul in Cannon Beach

For night time reading, I prefer page turners over anything serious or intellectual.

I prefer the same for daytime reading as well.

cnghr

[quote=ACU Frank;717373]I recently finished World War Z, in which the author meticulously documents past zombie outbreaks. I'm now working on Made To Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die. It's pretty good, but I think it would be better with zombies, as well.[/quote]

How was World War Z? I've seen it and thought it looked like it might be good, but I've never talked to anybody else who has read it.

So far Pride & Prejudice & Zombies is turning out to be pretty good....it's very faithful to the original story but the Bennett sisters are all trained in all sorts of weapons & fighting methods in order to fight the zombie plague that has broken out in England. It's a cross between 19th-century chick-lit and butt-kicking action hero stuff and the combination is very amusing.

Sharon McKnight SPHR

I'm reading Cathy Lamb's books. She has three so far, all set in Oregon. The first, [I]Julia's Chocolates[/I], was a great read. The second, [I]The Last Time I Was Me[/I], was a great read. I'm now in the middle of [I]Henry's Sisters[/I] which is also a great read. Before I camped out in the Cathy Lamb fest, I was reading a history book for a class I was taking this summer.

Life would be very boring without books. There would be fewer movies to go to and would there even be any libraries? Sad thought.

Sharon

Paul in Cannon Beach

Past zombie attacks?

ACU Frank

The level of detail in Max Brooks' zombie outbreak history is pretty good, similar to his "Survival Guide". I do take some issue with the sheer firepower he expects people to carry. I can lug a sniper rifle, machete and sidearm, but I think Brooks needs to actually pick up 500-800 rounds of ammo to get a feel for how difficult that would be. I will probably skip the sniper rifle. Especially since I don't own one yet.

Paul in Cannon Beach

That's an interesting book to read right before you go to sleep, Frank.

ACU Frank

Sleep? Who sleeps?

NaeNae55

[QUOTE=ACU Frank;717386]Sleep? Who sleeps?[/QUOTE]

Ahhh...so many things are now explained. O:)

Paul in Cannon Beach

The "Lost City of Z" has been a good read. Full of intrigue, insect bites, cannibals, and stout British imperialists. One wonders why anyone would want to endure a trek through the Amazon but it seems to be a hellish experience that somehow makes a person want to go back.

Personally, I draw the line at going anywhere they shoot arrows at you.

plynnl

I guess I am not as adventurous in my reading. I stick to detective and murder mysteries for fun reading. I am reading J.D Robb's Vengence in Death. I have read quite a few in the "Death" series.

Paul in Cannon Beach

What are those like? I have read alot of Dean Koontz novels and a few murder/mystery novels.

plynnl

They are set in New York in the 2040 year range with a New York female detective. It reads like any detective novel except for references to changes you might have in that time period.

They still have cars, but the cars can travel both on a street and pick up and glide in the air. There are other references to what we might see in the future in the way of food and housing. It doesn't overpower the book just adds an interesting element.

Sharon McKnight SPHR

Well, I finished [I]Henry's Sisters[/I]. What a tearjerker! I could hardly read for the water works. Used about a half box of tissues. I hate when that happens. Her other books had happy endings. I was robbed.

Now, I'm reading [I]Antony and Cleopatra[/I] by Colleeen McCullough. It's the 7th or 8th book in her series on ancient Rome. Really good books but really hard to get started on the first one in the series. Took me about five tries before it finally got interesting enough to make me want to go further. Now, umpteen volumes later, Cleo.

Soon will be Maragret Atwood's newest, due to come out in September. Can't wait for that one. It's a sequel to [I]Oryx and Crake[/I].

Sharon

cnghr

[quote=Sharon McKnight SPHR;717419]Well, I finished [I]Henry's Sisters[/I]. What a tearjerker! I could hardly read for the water works. Used about a half box of tissues. I hate when that happens. Her other books had happy endings. I was robbed.

Sharon[/quote]

I don't very often read books that could be described as tear-jerkers, but the ones that are really bad are the ones that sneak up on you...I was on a plane a couple of years ago reading a book that was very funny most of the way through and all of a sudden the main character died. I don't cry easily, but it was so unexpected I found myself wiping away tears. My husband couldn't figure out what was going on; he thought I'd lost it completely, to be sitting there chuckling one minute and the next to have tears running down my face. (He doesn't read for pleasure anyway, so I doubt if he understood it even when I explained it to him.)

Sharon McKnight SPHR

[quote=cnghr;717422]I don't very often read books that could be described as tear-jerkers, but the ones that are really bad are the ones that sneak up on you...I was on a plane a couple of years ago reading a book that was very funny most of the way through and all of a sudden the main character died. I don't cry easily, but it was so unexpected I found myself wiping away tears. My husband couldn't figure out what was going on; he thought I'd lost it completely, to be sitting there chuckling one minute and the next to have tears running down my face. (He doesn't read for pleasure anyway, so I doubt if he understood it even when I explained it to him.)[/quote]

That sounds so much like [I]Henry's Sisters[/I]. Laughing one minute and then crying your heart out the next. Fortunately, i was at home, but one of my two cats was very upset about me being upset. She kept jumping up in my lap trying to get me to pet her and trying to sit on the book when I wouldn't. All three of Cathy Lamb's books are a combination of happy and sad, but this one was just too sad for me.

Sharon

NaeNae55

You guys reminded me of an experience I had when I read Alien 30 years ago. I didn't cry, but the book really had me going when the 'thing' first appeared. I was very pregnant, and the baby spent a lot of time up under my ribs. It was very painful, and so reading the dinner scene after the first victim awoke was a real nightmare for me. My husband was watching tv, and there I was reading, exclaiming, "OMG!", tossing the book down, and then seconds later picking it up and repeating... picking it up and repeating, ....picking it up and repeating... My poor hubby kept say, "What?" but I would only look at him in horror and pick the book back up. One second I couldn't stand to read another word, and the next second I couldn't stand not knowing what was happeing. I believe that was the last 'horror' book I read. I'm not sure if I even saw the movie. I identified too much with the characters. O:) Though I stay away from horror stories now, I can't help but laugh when I think of my poor husbands concern and exasperation when I just kept exclaiming and then picking the book back up.

Paul in Cannon Beach

Wait, Nae, are you comparing "Alien" to being pregnant?

I finished "Relentless" by Dean Koontz. Not a bad page turner but the ending was implausible and left me feeling a bit cheated.

Now I am on to "Meet You In Hell" the story of the bitter partnership between steel baron Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick. So far its been very interesting and informative. The author of this book also wrote "Schindlers List".

bethk

I love to read true stories, autobiographies, etc.

If I tell you guys what I'm reading now, promise me you won't think I'm weird..

I'm reading "What is Reformed Theology" by RC Sproul and a book on backyard birding. Quite a contrast!

NaeNae55

Uh..Beth? You forgot to wait for the promises.

But being HR people we are sensitive and won't point out that you are obviously wei..uh..different.

bethk

I know.......thought of that, but I knew you guys wouldn't make fun of me, you being sensitive and all.

Paul in Cannon Beach

I dont think you can out-wierd Frank's zombie books. That sounds like a good book. I admire you for reading something that is spiritually edifying. Meanwhile, i am learning to become a ruthless Titan of Capitalism!

ACU Frank

If it helps, just imagine Ayn Rand as a zombie.