What are you reading?

[dhuff]

A fantasy novel called Alpha and Omega by the king of alternate history authors, Harry Turtledove. Plot is basically, "What would happen if the ancient prophecy of the End of Days came true?" (and no, Turtledove is not a writer of "Christian" books, just mainstream SF&F).

And in case it needs to be said, please - this is not an invitation for religious debates . I'm simply reading it for entertainment

 

[Morgana]

Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora. He is a famous poet (? I think) now, but when he was 9 y.o. he migrated, much of the way on foot, from El Salvador to the United States -- without any family members, and the family friend who was supposed to look out for him ditched him partway through the trip. One of the most impressive things about the book is the way it describes total strangers coming together to create a temporary chosen-family on the route. A stress like that seems to bring out the best and the worst in people.

There's so much chest-thumping by outsiders in both the pro- and anti-migrant literature; it was really good to read something by someone who's actually been through the experience and can speak for himself.

 

[vanbrat]

I'm a SUCKER for old cookbooks using old methods and foods... The picture below is only half of 1 set of shelves out 2 sets I keep my collection in. The ones I treasure most are several very old books on Vermont and New England cooking that belonged to my Great Grandmother (b 1875) who was from Swanton Vt. The OTHER thing I'm a sucker for is BBQ. Which I'm ALSO doing today!

Cheers!

Me too! Though I am trying to not buy as many new/old ones right now since I have really run out of shelf space....
I found one from the 1890's and it was a good read. Included some first aide stuff like wrap a sock with bacon grease around the neck of a patient with a sore throat. My fav is one about regional cooking from around the USA from the 40's great stuff in there. I use it often. Best applesauce cake recipe is in that one. I have a couple good old crock pot books too from back in the 70's. Lots of cans of soup and stuff in them..

I am just finishing up a good fiction book Called 'Small World' don't remember the author. it was a bit different than most I read as it was a study of characters of a train wreck but also about their ancestors from the 1850's era and how they were all connected. Well written, but different.

 

[GotSmart]

I just received an advance copy of Bodacious Creed and the San Francisco Syndicate. The final book in the Steampunk Zombie Western trilogy by Jonathan Fesmire. It is hard to put down! Just 99 cents in ebook form right now.

 

[dreamrunnerjt]

Whatever domestic suspense/thrillers I can find on Kindle Unlimited. I miss the real library so much.

I don’t know if anyone has already suggested this but there is an app called Libby that will allow you to checkout audiobooks and e-books from the library. You must have at least one library card to use it. It connects to public libraries including many schools. When I first started using it, it was called Overdrive. Now I mostly listen to audiobooks while I am cleaNing or doing other hobbies.

 

[eDJ_]

"Myth America: Historians Take On the Biggest Legends and Lies About Our Past" by Kevin M. Krause & Julian E. Zelzer.

This book tells you who these American historians are, where they work, what they do, with citations & index. Kruse & Zeller are editors of this 20 chapter collection of busted myths dating back to the founding fathers. The book gets very good reviews in this age of disinformation.

Contributors to this book have taken aim at the lies that are the lifeblood of the myths that today control culture & politics of the USA. This has led one Washington DC Newspaper to create a data base of over 30,000 lies from one source alone.

I once saw a book at an Anarchist Bookstore titled, "Everything you know is false". I laughed at it then after looking thru it thinking some crackpot had written it. (more than 20 years ago) But on reading in this book, "Myth America" it's given me pause to reconsider my earler conclusion about the accuracy of what we/I have believed.

 

[bullfrog]

Mrs. Taylor was a history teacher at Putnam Junior High School across the river from you. She used to insist every “fact” brought forth in class be debated and have at least 3 reliable sources presented when presented to the class. That was in early 1960 when you had to use books out of the library! A good education is a lot of work!

 

[user 22017]

"Myth America: Historians Take On the Biggest Legends and Lies About Our Past" by Kevin M. Krause & Julian E. Zelzer.

This book tells you who these American historians are, where they work, what they do, with citations & index. Kruse & Zeller are editors of this 20 chapter collection of busted myths dating back to the founding fathers. The book gets very good reviews in this age of disinformation.

Contributors to this book have taken aim at the lies that are the lifeblood of the myths that today control culture & politics of the USA. This has led one Washington DC Newspaper to create a data base of over 30,000 lies from one source alone.

I once saw a book at an Anarchist Bookstore titled, "Everything you know is false". I laughed at it then after looking thru it thinking some crackpot had written it. (more than 20 years ago) But on reading in this book, "Myth America" it's given me pause to reconsider my earler conclusion about the accuracy of what we/I have believed.

What does Myth America say about Howard Zinn?

 

[Morgana]

Carla618 asked,

What does Myth America say about Howard Zinn?

Howard Zinn doesn't appear to be one of the contributors.
The book gives the background for each contributor.
Each chapter focuses on a popular idea (myth), not a historian. From a quick look, none of the chapters seems to have cited or discussed Zinn.

When a book offers an Amazon preview, you can enter the preview and then search for a particular name or phrase. The search should show you all the mentions in the book, whether or not the page is visible in the preview.

 

[user 22017]

Howard Zinn doesn't appear to be one of the contributors.
The book gives the background for each contributor.
Each chapter focuses on a popular idea (myth), not a historian. From a quick look, none of the chapters seems to have cited or discussed Zinn.

When a book offers an Amazon preview, you can enter the preview and then search for a particular name or phrase. The search should show you all the mentions in the book, whether or not the page is visible in the preview.

Thanks. I misread the post.

I didn't know that about previews on Amazon. Good to know.

 

[vanbrat]

My son just gave me 2 books to read totally out of my normal reads. It is a graphic novel series called Castle Waiting. I just finished the first one and not totally sure I want to read the second. It is a fun story and the characters are fun and interesting. My only 'problem' is the text is so small I have a hard time reading it. And I am not used to the words being scattered around the pages. Now I am really telling about how OLD I am...
Like I said good story and such. We agreed we would read from each others more liked books because we are both book nuts. He has to read White Witch. For him it might be more of a chore just to find books I say to read because I don't buy new books either library or thrift stores.

 

[Gr8ful]

The Van Living Forum at the moment. Sorry I just couldn't resist!

 

[maki2]

I don’t know if anyone has already suggested this but there is an app called Libby that will allow you to checkout audiobooks and e-books from the library. You must have at least one library card to use it. It connects to public libraries including many schools. When I first started using it, it was called Overdrive. Now I mostly listen to audiobooks while I am cleaNing or doing other hobbies.

As a Nomad I now belong to a number of public libraries. The one in my official location of residence and so far two more in Southern Arizona which are county library systems. I just check out the materials on all of them using Libby. But I can check out physical materials as well, books, magazines, DVDs and music CDs.
Unfortunately the public library in Yuma charges a monthly fee for a non resident library so I have not obtained a card there.

Libby does work for multiple library accounts. They even let you know when you put a book on hold, which library on your membership list has it available the soonest.

 

[eDJ_]

"Breaking the Grid" by Dan Martin.
How To Buy Noting, Make Everything, and Live Sustainably.

Breaking the Grid

Martin and his wife have impressive credentials. Just find a copy of this book and read the intro & bio of these people.

I found this in the new book section of the Library and I haven't seen anything quite like it since "The Last Whole Earth Catalog". (it's a bit different in it's structure however) Still every Nomad & Boondocker should know about it especially if they are into minimalist living and self reliance.

 

[user 22017]

Map of where 1001 novels took place in the U.S.:

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-05-28/american-novels-1001-literary-geography-map-states

 

[maki2]

I am reading some of the C.J. Box books this week. I have found a few that were not part of his series sets that I have not yet read.

 

[vanbrat]

I just started the Game of Thrones series, but I am not sure I am starting at the right place/book. maybe I will start over. I am having a hard time right now finding a series that I want to keep reading, which is weird for me I usually read everything I set my eyes on....
My mom even has noticed the difference in my reading... She commented that I put a book down halfway through and took it back to the library unfinished. Life is a real struggle right now but reading has always been a good escape hopefully it will be again soon as I find the right book.

 

[Morgana]

@vanbrat have you had your eyes tested recently? I know that's only 1 of 100 possible explanations, but it might be worth ruling that out.

For me the reading<-->stress ratio is unpredictable. Usually reading is a good escape but sometimes it's just too hard to concentrate. Sorry it's not working for you right now.

Two authors that have really helped me take my mind off things are Janet Evanovich (especially the ones with numbers in the titles) and Mick Herron (especially the Slough House series). They're as different as chalk and cheese, but both combine action/adventure with humor in a very engaging way. It's kind of fun to read them in order but you don't have to.

Luck!

PS maybe temporarily switch out to audiobooks ... or graphic novels?

PPS free advice, sometimes you'd pay not to have to listen to it LOL. you weren't exactly asking for advice. ignore anything that doesn't fit.

 

[jacqueg]

I just started the Game of Thrones series, but I am not sure I am starting at the right place/book. maybe I will start over. I am having a hard time right now finding a series that I want to keep reading, which is weird for me I usually read everything I set my eyes on....
My mom even has noticed the difference in my reading... She commented that I put a book down halfway through and took it back to the library unfinished. Life is a real struggle right now but reading has always been a good escape hopefully it will be again soon as I find the right book.

Game of Thrones is a dense series, lots of back stories and side trips. I am as dedicated a reader as anyone, and I could only make it partway through the third book. Don't feel bad! Lots of books in the world, you're never going to read them all no matter what you do. So just read something different.

 

[RonDean]

I just started the Game of Thrones series, but I am not sure I am starting at the right place/book. maybe I will start over. I am having a hard time right now finding a series that I want to keep reading, which is weird for me I usually read everything I set my eyes on....
My mom even has noticed the difference in my reading... She commented that I put a book down halfway through and took it back to the library unfinished. Life is a real struggle right now but reading has always been a good escape hopefully it will be again soon as I find the right book.

Interesting...
I am finding myself giving up on books part way through a lot more often than I used to. For me it is not my eyesight, though that is starting to have issues too.

No, I believe it is because I gave up on printed books when I went mobile. There used to be an editor and a proofreader involved before publication. Now that I have gone 100% digital, usually Kindle, I am finding that with fewer hurdles between the writer and the readers, the quality has also suffered. The plot too often fades or the proofing errors mount until I find myself asking if this is really worth my time? This from someone that would read cereal boxes at breakfast if there was nothing else to read.