We’ve had a lot of fun the last few months with our iPod inspection feature — I always get a gajillion ideas for new songs to download — and over the weekend, I wondered why we hadn’t tried the same idea with books. So without further delay, let’s get the party started: What’s currently on your nightstand (or, you know, wherever you keep your reading material)? I just started Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl, and also sitting next to the bed is the recently completed (and pretty terrific) The Chatham School Affair by Thomas H. Cook, which hasn’t yet found a spot on one of my brutally overcrowded bookshelves.
Okay, your turn…
Slezak – You are going to LOVE “Special Topics”! Read it last year and still pops into my head at random intervals for no particular reason. Lately I’ve been on a Richard Matheson bender.
Currently:
* Atonement
* Watchmen
* Rumpole and the Reign of Terror
Good morning! Right now I have:
-The Ruins
-The Angry Black Woman’s Guide to Life
Just started – “The Maltese Falcoln”
Just finished – “A Death in the Family.”
Just finished “A Confederacy of Dunces,” so good by the way, and now I’m on “Vanity Fair.” It’s so massive, but, so far, also so entertaining!
Just Started:
Jesus for President-Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw
Working On:
Blessed Unrest-Richard Hawken
I would suggest any of Sarah Vowell’s books: Assassination Vacation; The Partly Cloud Patriot; Take the Cannoli; and Radio On were all very enjoyable. If EW wants to send me “The Wordy Shipmates” for an advanced review by a fan, I’m in!
Just finished “The Big Over Easy” and “The Fourth Bear”, both by Jasper Fforde both very good.
Will start “The Titan´s Curse” by Rick Riordan.
For me, it should probably be “Toilet Tank Inspection,” but that sad admission aside, I’m currently working on:
Freakonomics
Totally Useless History of the World (fascinating read…did you know that a woman masquerading as a man was elected Pope in the Middle Ages, and was executed when her true identity was revealed because…she was pregnant?!)
On my nightstand:
- With The Old Breed by Eugene Sledge — best WW2 memoir ever.
- Christ the Lord: Road to Cana by Anne Rice — started interesting, lost steam, but Jesus’ takedown of Satan at the temptation was classic.
–Jumper: Griffin’s Story by Stephen Gould — Hollywood changed his books for the movie, then hired him to write this “prequel” to the changed universe. YA-level.
I just finished a reread of “Sense and Sensibility” by Jane Austen and am currently working on “The Pig Did It” by Joseph Caldwell. I plan to pick up “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin when I’m done with that.
Elizabeth – I’m glad I’m not the only Sarah Vowell fan! I just went out of town and listened to “Assassination Vacation” on CD while driving to my destination. I’ve almost worn the CD out I’ve listened to it so many times. “Partly Cloudy Patriot” is another fav.
Rereading one of my favorites – Size of the World by Jeff Greenwald – a 40th birthday trip around the world while not leaving the ground. Written in 1993 on an OmniBook (stolen) and then on a Powerbook – truly a WONDERFUL book. The photo of 5 guys standing on the engine comparment of a taxi while the engine sits in the sand in Monrovia – priceless. And In the Woods by Tana French – best mystery I have read in years…bar none.
Just finished reading “My life as prime minister” by Jean Chrétien. Although a Canadian perspective, it has great moments during the great years of having Clinton in office, vs the terrible years of Bush in office. Great read for a different perspective on the American government.
Just reread “Thunderstruck” by Eric Larson (also my bus book) and “The Thirteenth Tale” by Diane Setterfield
Now borrowing “The Narrows” by Michael Connelly
About to start “Trail of Crumbs: Hunger, Love, and the Search for Home” by Kim Sunee for April book club
To E – if you have not read The Poet by Michael Connelly – you must – it is harrowing and wonderful!