"Overstory" by Richard Powers. Brilliant but definitely not a fast mover. I need to savor many paragraphs more than once. But if you love trees, you'll love this book ‼️
I'm a big Andy Weir fan -- absolutely loved 'The Martian.' There's another movie coming out based on one of his books, right? (I have to check out R.F. Kuang, by the way -- I've read about her, but haven't yet picked up one of her books.)
I love threads like these! Currently I'm reading "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa (I've been reading this for a while as it's quite a long book" and "Tender is the Night" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Over the past year I've reread "The Great Gatsby" for the first time since high school and I'm discovering all his other books as well.
You know, that's so funny you say that because, even though I was an English major, I've actually *never* read The Great Gatsby. I've got to, got to read it someday! And I definitely want to check out 'Musashi' -- just googled it and it sounds amazing!
Love that book! It really inspired me when I was an English major (way back in college!). The new book by Nicholas Thompson, 'The Running Ground,' looks excellent -- I haven't read it yet, but I intend to soon.
Lonesome Dove—and next up, This is Happiness….(because I’d like a little happiness)—and since I’m contemplating the difference between decency and morality, someone recently suggested I read Plato’s Republic. (I may need a mystery thrown in there to balance things out. 😁)
Have you read 'The Silent Patient'? It's AMAZING. So, so suspenseful. And I absolutely love 'Lonesome Dove' -- I started it a few years ago, but I still haven't finished it yet. (It's a doorstopper!) I need to pick it up again.
I ADORED The Silent Patient! I thought it was so well executed. I need something like that—a sophisticated mystery….I’m listening to Lonesome Dove—because it’s so long I needed to multi-task—ie. Listen to it on a run or a long walk. The narration is SPECTACULAR.
Loved Overstory & love Powell’s. I’m emersed in Mick Herron’s Slow Horses series. Great spy novels following a bunch of failed British intelligence officers and laugh out loud humor.
I’m reading “Sounds Wild and Broken: Sonic Marvels, Evolution’s Creativity, and the Crisis of Sensory Extinction” by David George Haskell. The writing is poetic and I’m learning so much about our planet’s evolution.
I’ve returned to the mystery writer Helen MacInnes who began her writing career as Hitler rose to power. Her writing style evolved over the decades however her thrilling and true to life plots never fail to engage me. Well worth the time to seek out her books, especially the earlier ones set (and written) during WWII such as “The Salzburg Connection,” Assignment in Brittany,” or “Above Suspicion.”
A young man whose path I crossed at my local coffee shop recommended the book to me. Having recently graduated with a Masters degree in biology, he had read the book as part of his course work and said it was one of his favorite.
I’m reading Bad, Bad Girl, a memoir by Gish Jen, who’s writing about her mother’s upbringing in Shanghai. Also just finished a novel by Adam Thirlwell, The Future Future, which is set in the French Revolution, but with wonderfully anachronistic dialogue that could be pulled from TikTok for an intriguing effect!
Currently working on a trilogy by Peter Carrick-Adams (a British military historian) on WWII. Sand and Steel (about D-Day; very detailed and fascinating - my oldest brother was there!); Snow and Steel (about the winter Battle of the Bulge - my cousin served under Patton in that foray); and Fide and Steel (about the end of the war in the West. Also rereading The Power Broker by Robert Moses -I read it in 1975 when it first came out, so after your comments I decided to read it again.
He would never comment on the war. He did, however, not to long before he passed, briefly tell his daughter about the landing and that each soldier was given only three bullets. When they questioned that, the response was -".. don't worry, you'll find plenty on the beach!" Carrick-Adams repeats that comment in "Sand and Steel"
"These Truths," . Read this. I agree.. an excellent read.
"Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High," by Joseph Grenny, I'd also recommend. Great tips on how to act and interact with different persons and in difficult situations.
In the Fiction category, just finished "I'm Too Old for This," by Samantha Downing. Great Murder Mystery book (no real mystery though, we are let in on the first chapter whodunnit. What makes interesting is that this septagenarian not did it, but does it repeatedly; likes doing it, and that she's pretty good at it.
You are so good to read all kinds of books. I’m a mystery reader and love a good mystery! I do teach English in high school though, so I read all kinds of things with the kids. That’s work though! 😜
"Overstory" by Richard Powers. Brilliant but definitely not a fast mover. I need to savor many paragraphs more than once. But if you love trees, you'll love this book ‼️
A gorgeous book—I loved spending so much time thinking about trees and their feelings!
If I lived near Powell's I'd never leave... Been there once. My precious wife let me roam and browse for hours. What a kick...
Just bought this book at Powell’s a couple of weeks ago and I’m looking forward to reading it.
Currently reading Artemis by Andy Weir.
Recent reads I would recommend: The Devils - Joe Abercrombie, Katabasis - R.F. Kuang, The Frozen People - Elly Griffiths
I'm a big Andy Weir fan -- absolutely loved 'The Martian.' There's another movie coming out based on one of his books, right? (I have to check out R.F. Kuang, by the way -- I've read about her, but haven't yet picked up one of her books.)
Yes, Project Hail Mary -- which is a book I also enjoyed.
The blurb I read for Katabasis was "Dante’s Inferno meets Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi," and I was sold.
I love threads like these! Currently I'm reading "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa (I've been reading this for a while as it's quite a long book" and "Tender is the Night" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Over the past year I've reread "The Great Gatsby" for the first time since high school and I'm discovering all his other books as well.
You know, that's so funny you say that because, even though I was an English major, I've actually *never* read The Great Gatsby. I've got to, got to read it someday! And I definitely want to check out 'Musashi' -- just googled it and it sounds amazing!
I'm about 1/4 of the way through "Mozart's Starling" by Lyanda Lynn Haupt. Delightful read so far!
So I hadn't heard of this one but just googled it and wow, what a fascinating topic for a book. I've gotta pick this one up too!
Current book, On Writing Well by William Zinsser. Following the thread in case someone has ideas on a running book, memoir or fiction.
Love that book! It really inspired me when I was an English major (way back in college!). The new book by Nicholas Thompson, 'The Running Ground,' looks excellent -- I haven't read it yet, but I intend to soon.
Thanks, I’ll check it out.
I just got the book On Writing Well! For running memoir I always recommend Haruki Murakami's "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running"
Thanks. I’ll haven’t read that one yet.
Lonesome Dove—and next up, This is Happiness….(because I’d like a little happiness)—and since I’m contemplating the difference between decency and morality, someone recently suggested I read Plato’s Republic. (I may need a mystery thrown in there to balance things out. 😁)
Have you read 'The Silent Patient'? It's AMAZING. So, so suspenseful. And I absolutely love 'Lonesome Dove' -- I started it a few years ago, but I still haven't finished it yet. (It's a doorstopper!) I need to pick it up again.
I ADORED The Silent Patient! I thought it was so well executed. I need something like that—a sophisticated mystery….I’m listening to Lonesome Dove—because it’s so long I needed to multi-task—ie. Listen to it on a run or a long walk. The narration is SPECTACULAR.
Circle of Days, Ken Follet
That's a new one, right? (I know he's been writing a long time.)
yes, a little thick, but it was a great read for me
Loved Overstory & love Powell’s. I’m emersed in Mick Herron’s Slow Horses series. Great spy novels following a bunch of failed British intelligence officers and laugh out loud humor.
I’m reading “Sounds Wild and Broken: Sonic Marvels, Evolution’s Creativity, and the Crisis of Sensory Extinction” by David George Haskell. The writing is poetic and I’m learning so much about our planet’s evolution.
I’ve returned to the mystery writer Helen MacInnes who began her writing career as Hitler rose to power. Her writing style evolved over the decades however her thrilling and true to life plots never fail to engage me. Well worth the time to seek out her books, especially the earlier ones set (and written) during WWII such as “The Salzburg Connection,” Assignment in Brittany,” or “Above Suspicion.”
All of these sound absolutely fascinating, Christine -- especially the first one by David George Haskell. I've got to check that out.
A young man whose path I crossed at my local coffee shop recommended the book to me. Having recently graduated with a Masters degree in biology, he had read the book as part of his course work and said it was one of his favorite.
Currently reading Clanlands: Whiskey, Warfare and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other to get excited for a trip to Scotland next fall.
I’m reading Bad, Bad Girl, a memoir by Gish Jen, who’s writing about her mother’s upbringing in Shanghai. Also just finished a novel by Adam Thirlwell, The Future Future, which is set in the French Revolution, but with wonderfully anachronistic dialogue that could be pulled from TikTok for an intriguing effect!
Currently working on a trilogy by Peter Carrick-Adams (a British military historian) on WWII. Sand and Steel (about D-Day; very detailed and fascinating - my oldest brother was there!); Snow and Steel (about the winter Battle of the Bulge - my cousin served under Patton in that foray); and Fide and Steel (about the end of the war in the West. Also rereading The Power Broker by Robert Moses -I read it in 1975 when it first came out, so after your comments I decided to read it again.
Ken, that's amazing! (And all these books sound fantastic, btw.) What did/has your brother told you over the years about being there that day?
He would never comment on the war. He did, however, not to long before he passed, briefly tell his daughter about the landing and that each soldier was given only three bullets. When they questioned that, the response was -".. don't worry, you'll find plenty on the beach!" Carrick-Adams repeats that comment in "Sand and Steel"
"These Truths," . Read this. I agree.. an excellent read.
"Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High," by Joseph Grenny, I'd also recommend. Great tips on how to act and interact with different persons and in difficult situations.
In the Fiction category, just finished "I'm Too Old for This," by Samantha Downing. Great Murder Mystery book (no real mystery though, we are let in on the first chapter whodunnit. What makes interesting is that this septagenarian not did it, but does it repeatedly; likes doing it, and that she's pretty good at it.
You are so good to read all kinds of books. I’m a mystery reader and love a good mystery! I do teach English in high school though, so I read all kinds of things with the kids. That’s work though! 😜
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