Lite summer reading

The Limits of Power
Andrew  Bacevich

Anyone else reading anything good?

[FlGuy]

Several years ago I decided that I was going to read all the books that were required for my kids' required summer reading and other books through the school year.  Read The Glass Menagerie this weekend. Recently, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Odessey.  Coming up, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is next.  Some of the lists are good reading and some are good re-reads.  Best part; keeps the kids honest.  "Yeah, Dad I read today".  "That's good Honey,  what did you think of Amanda's reaction to Tom's decision?"

[mikesimon]

The Reluctant Spy - John Kiriakou

[newleaf09]

Finishing the Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest but honestly, the first 2 books in the trilogy were better.  Heard an NPR book story today and they recommended Larry McMurtry book,something with Cheyenne in the title and raved about a vampire book, The Passage by Cronin.   They swore that it was not a typical dumb vampire book and at 700 pages should last a good bit of the summer.  

[frijole]

Hi Eric

Sumer reading lists

Having read The Kite Runner a few years ago and seeing the movie, I had wanted to read 1000 Splendid Suns byt the same author , a native of Afganistan.  I recommend it.  It is all dated and the parallels between life in the US and the lives of the two female lead characters  in Afganistan beginning in the 70s are striking.

Another good read - Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy CHevalier.  It is a fictionalized story  about a 15th centrury Dutch painter.  She does extensive research and the insights into Dutch life in the 1600s are great.

Right now I am reading a book an Andersonville and it is a slow go so far.  Another fictionalized history book = guess I like my history in story form.


frijole

[frijole]

mike, that book looks interesting -- I googled it and read the intro.  I may try it myself

fl - I like your idea on keeping your kids honest.  Of course, they may be using dad for the Cliff notes.

new leaf - I love just about anything by McMurtry.  Have you ever read the Buffalo Girls?  have you read any of the Nevada Barr mysteries?  Every one is set in a national park and Anna Pigeon is a ranger who solves the murder mystery every time.  I love her stuff

frijole

[jelise]

I am reading Men of Men by Wilbur Smith.  

If you like historical fiction, he's THE MAN ha ha.  This is not one of my favorites from him, but they are all good.  He really does his research and is very accurate about life in Africa (he's from there).  His books range from the 1600's to the late 1900's, and he even has a series of books set in ancient Egypt (which are awesome).  

He is the reason I've always wanted to go to Africa  :)

[FlGuy]

Although the kids have learned to play me like a fiddle, I've also learned how to pose discussion without leading too much.

Many of the school-assigned books I've read over the last few years are those which I should have paid better attention to back in those days.  I have a greater appreciation for them now.  However, some of the reading the schools assign are a little too dry to capture anyone's attention.

[Diane12855]

I'm jealous! I've been trying to read "Women Food & God" by Geneen Roth which I think is a great book, but I find that by the time I read 2 pages I start feeling this super fuzzy brained feeling and then get this strong "I can't do this" from my brain and I have to quit. I guess it's just the effects of tx. Are all of you guys done now?

[frijole]

Yeah, I do like the historical fiction.

Although I said I might read the one Mike posted, I may have to wait 10 years until someone turns it into historical fiction.  Same with Eric's(desrt) choice.  Maybe too deep for me until it is fictionized.

[Diane12855]

I did read Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" just before starting tx. Very interesting philosophy.

[orphanedhawk]

Thanks. I neded some new authors to check out.
I recently finished 'Sea of Poppies'  by Amitov Ghoush ( or is it Ghoush Amitov? I'm so bad with names.)
Its about the opium trade in British controlled India but ties in China, Britain and Mauritius while telling a cool story with the slave trade, sea voyages and romance thrown in. I'm told its the first of a trilogy.

[IMstacie]

I just finished a couple books -  Storm of Shadows by Christina Dodd, starting on "still Alice" (forgot the author - left it in the car).

[merryBe]

too funny....makes me wish someone would write one called 'THINK hard and grow a pair"

giggle....

summer project is to tackle ayn rand...atlas shrugged,,,,OMG, and I thought I was longwinded!!!

[gauf]

"The Overton Window" by Glenn Beck

[desrt]

Newly released. Currently only available in hardcover.

'Washington Rules'
Ret. Col. Andrew Bacevich

[spectda]

I am reading Shantaram, really enjoying it so far:

a 2003 novel by Gregory David Roberts, a convicted Australian bank robber and heroin addict who escaped from Pentridge Prison and fled to India where he lived for 10 years. While partially based on Roberts' own experiences, Roberts himself has clarified that the story and its incidents are largely fictional.