Just thought I would post an update...

Typical of me, I have read Eragon twice, but still haven't seen the movie!

I have also read the next book in the series Eldest so now I am just waiting for the final one to come out. Well not come out - come out, just come out. LOL

Anyone read anything over the last few months that is worth mentioning?

-Lew

A few thoughts that are long coming in reply...

Haven't seen or read Eragon yet, though it looks like the sort of thing my sons and I would enjoy.

I like the idea of a book specific forum. Sort of a reading club for dads?

And Vince, you'll have to look at Tim's Irish Cooking book and see if it's authentic. Nothing like smelling rashers and soda bread and coffee in the morning in my Vince and his David's Irish Kitchen... sigh... miss you guys soooo much!

I just read two Stephen King's that are bound to be classics-- Delores Claiborne and Gerald's game. Good, lord! And usually I only read King these days when I'm trying to keep up with my 16 year old (as if that's truly possible...) But I highly recommend those two books.

I also read a few by the glitzy James Patterson. Not usually my style, but I bought Maximum Ride for my 13 year old. And was disappointed to read an earlier VERY similar-almost-the-same-damned-novel by him from back in the 90's called When the Wind Blows. I hate when an author capitalized on his previous work just by sprucing it up and changing a few characters and story line... I suppose it's understandable, but I felt cheated somehow. Just my humble feelings on the matter...

Recently read Inkheart buy Cornelia Funke and I can't wait to read the sequal Inspell. Wonderful story!

Of course, now that Jo is done with the last Harry Potter book, I am reading it too. Please, no spoilers here!

But my favorite recent read was when we went to Florida in June. I read a little known gem by Arthur Rosenfeld. It was magic-- not the Harry Potter kind, but the kind that does touch a reader's soul and imagination. It's called A Cure for Gravity, and you simply must read it.

Read Page One and see if you won't have to continue and meet all the characters...

I just read, Mother of Sorrows by Richard McCann. Michael Cunningham described it as 'almost unbearably beautiful'....and I get what he means. I also finally finished The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst....I don't know why I took so long to finish it, but it is really quite excellent.

I never read Catch 22, which I am now listening to, on my IPOD. I am glad that I am, it is really quite funny, but I don't think I would never have sat down and read it. I think Trevour White is reading it, and I love his accent, tone intonation etc, just the ticket for when I am out doing a long run.

I have even got my fella reading Einstien's Dreams, which I will re-read once he is finished with it...David our founding father encouraged me to read it a couple of years ago...it is a little gem!

So what's next....Tolkien's new one..lol ...kinda..The Children of Hurin, or something by Armistead Maupin (I have never read any of his)..maybe Michael Tolliver lives?? what would you say guys.

Cheerio for now...Vincent...xx

I've started reading Seamus Heaney lately for inspiration. I don't know much about him or if what his political slant was, but I like his poems. Still Yeats, I keep coming back to Yeats and his drinking song or the Wilde Swans at Coole. That should be inspiring for you.

Okay, so I am also reading a book with the study group called Queeries, Gays and Lesbians Ask Questions About God. I think that's the full title. And the Last Lecture, rediscovering your childhood dreams.

Also in my "reading room" (bathroom for those who don't know me) are the books from the Spiderwick Chronicles. The boys read them and we saw the movie, so now I'm hooked. And a great little birding book full of tidbits and humor called Good Birders Don't Wear White.

As far as fiction, I just finished Steven King's Blaze. I gave up on Annie Proulx's Ace in the Hole. I love Annie, but I'm sorry the book was boring me and I just didn't care how it ended. That NEVER happens with me. Once I pick up a book, I'm usually committed to it. But hey, life is getting short, why waste it reading what you are not enjoying. I still recommend A.P.'s The Shipping News as one of the best reads ever.

Another book I gave up on was a true crime sort of book which at first looked interesting, but later proved to be just voyeuristically (not really a word?) disappointing was The Rabi and the Hitman.

I am becoming a tough critic in my old age.

Lololol...I forgot to mention, in Mother of Sorrows,he talks about childhood trips on vacation to Lumber Run PA, and travelling through Harrisburg, across the Susquehanna River on through Sunbury...Dewart, Larryville and Avis to Lumber Run! I have spent some time vacationing with our Founding Father, David here in GF.com and our repsective families on the that same river and area, infact the screen saver on my PC is a photo taken while on the river with the sun setting in the direction of Sunbury...sighs

Cheerio for now...Vincent..xx

ps. Catch 22...interesting, but grows ever bizarre towards the end, with leaps of fantasy making me think the author was getting tired of the whole idea..and a poor ending!

I have just discovered James Baldwin....I know, everyone else and their gran has read his stuff. Giovanni's Room is a gem. Has anyone read any of his other titles...or poetry, and which one should I consider next?

Cheerio for now..Vincent...xx

Ok guys? Any reading updates? Anyone want to pick a book with me? Let's pick a genre then a title and give ourselves a month to read it. At the end of the month, we can post about it and compare notes. We can rotate through the different genres. Any takers?

-Lew

Hi All,

Steven Saylor is an excellent author. I just read a Novel by him called, "ROMA". It's historical fiction about Rome. It was excellent read.....I highly recommend.

Currently re-reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Persig and Poet's Corner by John Lithgow.

Oh, and poetry from everywhere...

More on this thread for me later. Remember? I'm supposed to be hauntifying my porch.

I am currently reading two books....

Gay by God written by Rev Michael Piazza (He is Dean of Cathedral of Hope in Dallas and President of Hope for Peace and Justice)

The Death of Innocents by Sister Helen Prejean (She is a Catholic Nun who wrote Dead Man Walking) This a book about eyewitness accounts of wrongful execution.

Half way through book and just starting book two. Takes me a long time to read a book but given a goal of one month I think I can do it.

So I am game....
Alex

I've recently read three books by, I believe, Joe Keenan. He was associated with the US sitcom Frazier. Bob turned me on to them and they are flat out hysterical. They've been around for awhile, so maybe I'm the only one who has never heard of them before.

All three involve a gay man and his musical theatre writing female compatriot... and his less than ethical former lover.

They are over the top, ridiculously hysterical... I would literally laugh out loud while reading them.

One was titled My Blue Heaven but I don't remember the titles of the other two... but, they were great escapist type humor... I would recommend them to anyone!!

All the best,

Smokey