What Are You Reading?

Crap, it's October already. Same deal as last month, boys and girls. What's on the shelf, what have you just finished?

Just finished:

• Making Money, another book in the excellent and hilarious Discworld series by Terry Pratchett
• Not That You Asked, Steve Almond
• No Dominion, Charlie Huston
• Rant, Chuck Palahniuk. Although, really more abandoned than finished. Just didn't hook me the way some of his other stuff did, and the oral history form really does not do the book any favors.
• Songbook, Nick Hornby. Steve, you would really enjoy this. It's like an hour at the bar with... well, you, actually.
• Polity Agent, Neal Asher. The latest chapter in the Agent Cormac series from Neal Asher, another Brit. I seem to be reading mostly Brits, watching mostly BBC TV. Maybe it's prep for our trip to England next week.
• Casino Royale, Ian Fleming. I've never actually read any of the books before, so I thought I'd give this a shot. And I was impressed at the actual quality of the prose, the well-delivered lines. But Fleming really did not like women. At all. "The sweet tang of rape"? The hell, man?
• The Ruins, Scott Smith. Really great, tightly plotted horror novel. Thank you, Lisa B., for the suggestion.

In process:

• The Messenger, Daniel Silva. Pretty standard spy stuff, although it has picked up since page 169.
• Looking Forward To It, Stephen Elliott. Elliott, one of the McSweeney's crowd, abandons his job and financial security to cover the 2004 presidential election. Some great writing, but it's bringing back unpleasant memories, especially since I know the bad guys win in the end.

Next up:

• Falling Man, Don DeLillo. Been on the shelf for a while, but I've been saving it for the plane ride to London. Which may not be the wisest choice, actually.
• Moby-Dick, Herman Melville. In my high school, we got credit for watching the movie. I decided to finally remedy that.
• Baltimore, or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and The Vampire, Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden. New gothic horror from the creator of Hellboy.
• Halting State, Charles Stross. In the near-future, a virtual heist triggers all kinds of bad real-world implications.

There will also probably be another run to the bookstore before the combined 24-hour plane ride.
So. What are you reading?

Comments

[Chris]

Gnat --

I really enjoyed "Odd Thomas." It's probably my favorite of Dean Koontz's work; if you liked it, you should try "The Face," also by Koontz.

Stephanie --

I will probably pick "Rant" up again -- sometimes Pahlaniuk takes me two or three tries.

[Stephanie]

I'm actually reading RANT right now. I started it a couple months ago and like you, didn't get hooked, but have since revived interest. I'm about halfway through and although it's slow, I'm digging it a lot more now.

[Gnat of Glass]

Seeing how I hammered that book. Try out "Odd Tomas" I think you would like it.

Gnat.
.

[Gnat of Glass]

Man I really hated "The Ruins". Ok hate is a strong word...but yes hated it.

It was interesting, but left me very unhappy about how he dovetailed into the ending. It was just a cop out.

Gnat.
.

[Eric Almendral]

Currently reading: "Vroom with a View," a memoir by Australian travel writer Peter Moore. Shortly before turning 40, he bought a '61 Vespa on Italian eBay, flew to Milan, and rode the backroads of Italy down to Rome. Sure, I've dreamed of doing Italy by Vespa for a couple decades, but the book is surprisingly witty and well-written. And since Brill now has her motorcycle license... vroom.

[Brill Bundy]

Regarding "The Ruins": I also think the plants and the Mayans had come to some sort of understanding. A, "if you let us keep whatever wanders up here we'll leave your village alone" sort of deal. I too wondered about the fire aspect, but then decided if they tried that the vines would just reach out and grab them and hold them down so they'd die either way and at that point it was about prolonging their last hours, no matter how horrific.

[Lisa Bee]

Killing Pablo - that's in my "to read" stack. Little embarrassed to admit I have been reading magazines and ain't read no books for, like, a month at least. Let's check in next month, mmmkay? My book club chose Atlas Shrugged and I am totally playing hooky with THAT one.

[Chris]

I had some of the same questions about The Ruins -- also, if they could start a fire, why not just use the tequila as molotov cocktails and burn their way out? -- but I think it's a testament to the pacing of the book that you don't stop reading, even after you think of that stuff.

Also, I think the Mayans had a worshipful relationship to the plants, and clearly, no cable or satellite TV, so this is probably their entertainment: watch the tourists get eaten.

Will have to pick up The World Without Us.

[Bryon F.]

Currently reading: The World Without Us by Alan Weisman. Interesting in concept, but depressing so far. I’m hoping for a happy ending and trying to figure out how to never use plastics again.

Just finished: The Ruins by Scott Smith. Picked it up based on the recommendations. Pretty fun and quick, but (SPOILER) I couldn't get over the fact that it's a plant. A plant that can talk, think, and plan, yet is somehow stymied by throwing salt on dirt. And if the Mayan villagers didn't want people going up the hill, why not put up a "danger" sign outside of the plant's reach? Or perhaps spray some Roundup? Seems a lot easier than sitting around the edge of a hill for days on end waiting for everyone to die/be eaten or needing to kill them. This is probably why I stick to nonfiction.

[glenn]

because i am a completist on at least a few things, bought today "the gum thief," new douglas coupland book

[Leslie]

Life Eaters, comic book trade paperback. Norse gods side with Nazis during WWII, screw up world. And there's necromancy!

Mouse Guard! Just finished the first set, bound in hardback, gift from husband after a bad week. Let me tell you, those mice can rumble. They carry little toothpick swords and wear little capes and they are fearless. Highly recommend.

Comics: Crossing Midnight, Faker, both by Mike Carey. My favorite comic book writer behind ... what's his name, the one I'm sleeping with.

Ruby in the Smoke. Just started it via Audiobook. Hooked already. Pip pip and all that. Just may be better than Golden Compass. I hope it is.

Einstein biography. Supposed to be a genius of a book. Right now it's a biography.

In the queue: The Ladies of Grace Adieu.

[Chris]

Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA

That sounds really cool. Will have to check it out.

[LisaTodo]

Wow. No hope of hanging in the same league. I've given up trying to even face the pile of New Yorkers staring at me, taunting me in David Remnick's voice.

On the nightstand:
Out of Africa, Isak Dinesen
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

The only one I'm reading:
Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA

Lurking in the background:
Killing Pablo by Mark Bowden -- and not just because I have a little crush on Bowden. Maybe.

But hey, I know all about Britney Spears' trials and tribulations, so that must be worth something, right? Oh.

Come East and be a good influence on us!

[Chris]

I have not been sleeping as much. Also, I don't have to commute. But I actually read more when I'm stressed.

I do have, to my shame, six months worth of New Yorkers piled up.

[rick]

Seriously, man -- do you, like, not sleep? Is this why you leave parties at 9?

I was happy to have finally caught up on Sports Illustrated last week. I am shamed.