Rate the last book you read

[daschoo]

just finished a book my girlfriends dad gave me "the boy captives" clinton smith and to a lesser extent his little brother jeffs true account of being kidnapped by comanche and apache indians in texas and raised among them for over five years. was a very interesting book and obviously i learned a lot about what life was like for the native americans. they never shy away from the more brutal aspects of it and talk candidly about battles, thieving and murdering.
would definately recomend it.

 

[vta]

No, you didn't ruin it for me. I read Connelly's books for what they are. Detective crime mysteries with some plot twists, not much more. But he has become notorious for his unsatisfying endings or just a lack of consistency and momentum in the second half of most of his books. This is particularly true in his later novels. It seems he is more interested in churning out quantity than quality.

I will still read The Poet but I won't expect much.

Right now I'm about to start reading 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho.

I'd never even heard of him until I found that book. It's ironic the way you put it, because that's how it went. In the beginning it was interesting (or maybe I was just biased because parts of it took place in where I had been just before reading it), then it kind of degenerated overall as it moved along. The first few chapters are like a different novel from the rest of the book.

 

[Chief]

just finished a book my girlfriends dad gave me "the boy captives" clinton smith and to a lesser extent his little brother jeffs true account of being kidnapped by comanche and apache indians in texas and raised among them for over five years. was a very interesting book and obviously i learned a lot about what life was like for the native americans. they never shy away from the more brutal aspects of it and talk candidly about battles, thieving and murdering.
would definately recomend it.

That looks good.

For anyone interested in reading a great book that mixes the Old West and sports, I would highly recommend "The Real All Americans," by Sally Jenkins.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Two recent books:
The Poet - Michael Connelly. 0/10
I don't even know how this tripe got into my house, I know I didn't buy it. I found it in my armoire and decided to read it. Awful, dismal waste.

If Stephen King recommends a book, avoid it.
I'm going to go read an Anthony Burgess novel to wash it from my memory.

London Blues - Anothony Frewin. 6.5/10
Interesting UK based fiction about the early days of Soho porn, with some factual references. I wonder how much is based on the truth.

Couldn't disagree with you more about The Poet. That was the first Connelly book I read and it hooked me on his stuff right away. I thought it was a very well done story, given the genre it's going for, and I really enjoyed it.

It's my second favorite book of his behind the Concrete Blond. It's because of the Poet that I own every single book of his so far (he's got another coming out this year I believe) and I've read over half of them already.

Sorry you didn't like it but I couldn't disagree more with you about it.

I'm disappointed to hear that. I recently read The Narrows, The Overlook, and The Scarecrow by Connelly and I wanted to read The Poet since a couple of the books I've read make references to the 'Poet's' case. I actually looked for it at the book store a couple of days ago but they didn't have it.

That's too bad.

Read it. If you liked any of those Connelly books, especially the Narrows, you'll like The Poet. It's a shame that you read the Narrows first though since it's ruined for you the ending of the The Poet but that's how it goes sometimes.

One thing you'll find though is that, unlike The Narrows, Harry Bosch, his main character, is not in the book. The Poet was the first book he wrote without using his signature character and I still think, out of the 12 or so of his books I've read, it's his second best book behind The Concrete Blond.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Sorry.

I read that book too and was disappointed. His work ranges from creative and interesting (Koko and Ghost Story), to atrocious (Floating Dragon) to flat out boring, (In the Night Room; Lost Boy, Lost Girl).

Koko and Ghost story were both pretty good. Have not read the other three you listed.
I liked his first book with King...The Talisman but hated the follow up to it...The black house.

I have also read The Hellfire Club by him and thought it was a tad slow and boring however the villian in it was very interesting.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Sorry.

I read that book too and was disappointed. His work ranges from creative and interesting (Koko and Ghost Story), to atrocious (Floating Dragon) to flat out boring, (In the Night Room; Lost Boy, Lost Girl).

It's no problem. I wasn't cursing your name as I read it. I always appreciate getting recommendations.

I'll try Koko and Ghost Story.

By the end of Lost Boy, Lost Girl, my only emotion was anger over the Lost Boy's inability to employ decent grammar and spelling in his emails.

 

[vta]

Koko and Ghost story were both pretty good. Have not read the other three you listed.
I liked his first book with King...The Talisman but hated the follow up to it...The black house.

I have also read The Hellfire Club by him and thought it was a tad slow and boring however the villian in it was very interesting.

The measuring stick for me is if I want to reread it again. Koko and Ghost Story I've reread. I love Straub's characters- when he's good he fills them up and makes them real. I can always do without the supernatural stuff, but if it has good characters, I can get over it. Mr X is like that: supernatural frou frou but interesting characters and story telling. I've read it more than once, because of the characters.

I did like The Hellfire Club, but read it a long time ago, and haven't reread it. I have it around somewhere and will probably have to give it another read now that you brought it up.

 

[vta]

It's no problem. I wasn't cursing your name as I read it. I always appreciate getting recommendations.

I'll try Koko and Ghost Story.

By the end of Lost Boy, Lost Girl, my only emotion was anger over the Lost Boy's inability to employ decent grammar and spelling in his emails.

Thank God, no VTA voodoo doll.

In LBLG, I got the feeling of an old guy trying to communicate like a kid and it kind of irked me too.

If you're going to take my recommendations, I'd say definitely read Anthony Burgess. I can't get enough of his work and I do reread them regularly. The guy is a magician with language.

The Doctor Is Sick
A Clockwork Orange
Tremor of Intent
The Long Day Wanes
The Wanting Seed

I couldn't pick a favorite out of those books.

I recently read One Hand Clapping and Honey For the Bears. They weren't as good as the books I just listed, but they weren't bad. There's a lot more of his work I have to get my hands on.

 

[ethiostar]

The most recent one i finished reading is "State of Fear" by Michael Crichton.

Its an intriguing book. A very unusual novel with footnotes and citations and I might add, very selective in what the author chose to back up his opinion. Some think that the references take away from the suspense of the book, bogging it down with 'facts' that support the authors opinion. To me, it was actually somewhat refreshing that Crichton actually supplies the sources of his argument. Although, he misinterprets some of his sources or at times ignores parts of the arguments in those sources.

It is a very one-sided take on the issue and piles on the environmentalist activists. Ironically he seems to do exactly what he accuses the environmentalist zealots doing.

Overall, although i don't agree with his take 100%, i enjoyed reading it and there are lots of wisdom to take from it, things to consider and look into further.

While researching for reading materials on Chaos and Complexity theories, I found this link where Crichoton (I believe it is from a lecture he had given) talks about how he came to have a very strong stance regarding environmental management and the environmental movement as a whole.

It very much parallels the book 'State of Fear'. In fact, if you don't want to read 600+ pages that is his novel you can read the link and get the same bottom line argument.

http://www.michaelcrichton.net/speech-complexity.html

 

[Maikeru-sama]

The Warren Buffet Way
8/10

Very good biography about Warren Buffett and the core principles he uses as a guide to investing.

I didn't give it a 10 because in some portions of the book, it is extremely technical and somewhat difficult to follow for a layman.

 

[ethiostar]

I just finished reading 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho. If you like reading allegorical novels/fables its a good one to read. Its not for everyone, it can be a slow read at times and perhaps a bit repetitive but there is some wisdom in this little book as well (Its only 167 pages).

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I just finished reading 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho. If you like reading allegorical novels/fables its a good one to read. Its not for everyone, it can be a slow read at times and perhaps a bit repetitive but there is some wisdom in this little book as well (Its only 167 pages).

wow, I could finish that in an hour

 

[ethiostar]

wow, I could finish that in an hour

Yeah, its a short book. I knew it had received universal acclaim but according to wiki (which is correct btw)...... "The Alchemist was originally written in Portuguese and has since been translated into 67 languages, winning the Guinness World Record for most translated book by a living author. It has sold more than 65 million copies in more than 150 countries, becoming one of the best-selling books in history."

Although I like it and enjoyed reading it, I didn't realize it had gotten so much rave reviews around the globe. But I do understand the appeal globally because the plot does fit very well with various folktales and pearls of wisdom many cultures strive to instill in their children.

 

[ethiostar]

Digital Fortress by Dan Brown.

Obviously not as good as the Da Vinci Code but it was still a very good read. Definitely better than Deception Point thought. I read a lot of mystery/suspense so i'm usually not surprised by a lot of plots and twists in these types of books. I have to say that this book had me once or twice which was a pleasant surprise. It also maintains its momentum through out the book and actually builds up to the end. I would have no problem recommending this book.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Even though it was proven not to be a true story as first professed by the author, I'd say A Million Little Pieces was probably one of my most intriguing reads of the year.

First off, the way it is written is fascinating. What is even more fascinating is why the author made it up and then claimed it was true, knowing full well that he made claims of a true story that would end up being unverifiable facts or outright falsehoods.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Also Elizabeth Costello.. 9 of 10.

 

[masomenos]

Also Elizabeth Costello.. 9 of 10.

Coetzee is so good. If you just read Elizabeth Costello, then you should read Slow Man next, she makes a very curious appearance in that as well. Also, if you haven't read Disgrace or Foe, then check those out. The latter was one of the best books that I had to read in college and the former is one of the best books I've read, period.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Coetzee is so good. If you just read Elizabeth Costello, then you should read Slow Man next, she makes a very curious appearance in that as well. Also, if you haven't read Disgrace or Foe, then check those out. The latter was one of the best books that I had to read in college and the former is one of the best books I've read, period.

Coetzee is very outside the box and very clever. I will. I gave Coetzee's books to my cousin who is attending UT as a Plan II student next year. He loved them.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Here are a couple for you that I just finished reading. I've read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Phillip K Dick twice. If you like sci-fi, this book is a 10. It's the book that Blade Runner was loosely based off of.

Another good one, if you're looking for a good marriage book is, Communication: Key to your Marriage by H. Norman Wright.

My wife knows someone who knows him and we got a free, signed copy of it and so we both read it. Both of us thought it was better than expected.

 

[Chief]

I have it. Great book.

I also have another book about the USS Indianapolis.

It sucks that Charles McVay has a felony listed on his record...still, because of the incident.

Agree on McVay. How tragic.

Hey Bob, I assume you read "Flyboys." Did you like it?