Nightstand Inspection! (Vol. 2)

dan Wed, May 7, 2008 at 01:55 PM EST

Currently reading Book of the Dead by Preston & Child.

Just bought House of Leaves.
Really looking forward to Fat Hoochie Prom Queen by NICO MEDINA. I mean, come on: FAT HOOCHIE PROM QUEEN.

Who can resist that title?

Nicole Tue, May 6, 2008 at 04:55 PM EST

I'm glad i finally scrolled down to the people that read Post-Birthday World. It is amazing!! I may need to reread. I will always trust EW's book reviews from now on. I am currently reading Forever by Pete Hamill. It seems pretty good so far. I was also thinking of starting 100 Years of Solitude. P.S. does anyone have suggestions for good short story reads...besides David Sedaris (not that I don't like him...I've read them all!).

Tue, May 6, 2008 at 03:26 PM EST

"The Gospel According to Biff"-Christopher Moore. It is one of the funniest books I have read in a long time.

Tue, May 6, 2008 at 03:23 PM EST

Just finished "Lullabies for Little Criminals", by Heather O'Neill. Great book! Just starting "Middlesex" now.

Tue, May 6, 2008 at 03:21 PM EST

Currently reading "Late Nights on Air", by Elizabeth Hay. She's a great Canadian writer. So far it has kept my attention!

MrKitty Tue, May 6, 2008 at 02:04 PM EST

To CindyMSM - you must never have read any Rick Bragg - All Over But the Shouting and Ava's Man are two terrific memoirs....from the Yellowhammer state!

shelly Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:01 PM EST

Currently re-reading Pillars of the Earth...one of my favorites...so that I can read World Without End.

Jill Tue, May 6, 2008 at 12:56 PM EST

A lamp, an alarm clock, a baby monitor, TV remote, pictures of kids & husband, and dust.

Chris Tue, May 6, 2008 at 12:55 PM EST

I also read Fellow Travelers. Beautifully done. Touching. A friend of mine gave me the galley to Miami Manhunt, about a movie critic and TV reporter in Miami looking for the right guy to date. It's pretty fun so far. Lots of popculture references.

CindyMSM Tue, May 6, 2008 at 12:53 PM EST

I just finished The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson (it was great) and I am now half way through One Mississippi, by Mark Childress. It's good, not great. I'm a huge fan of novels based on southern characters.

NJ2NYC commuter Tue, May 6, 2008 at 12:46 PM EST

I picked up Breakfast at Tiffany's in the bargain bin and am thoroughly enjoying it. It's a good movie, of course, but I'm finding that it's a better novella.

Jessie Tue, May 6, 2008 at 12:26 PM EST

Honeymoon with my Brother.

My sister recommended it, and I've been bits and piecing it for about 2 weeks now. I used to average 3 books a week in college, now I'm averaging 1 every to weeks. Sad.

GingerCat Tue, May 6, 2008 at 12:13 PM EST

Awesome. I'm late to this party, but I'm chiming in anyway. On my nightstand: "The McSweeney's Joke Book of Book Jokes," "Finding Your Own North Star" by Martha Beck, and "The Fiction Class," a novel by Susan Breen.

aaa Tue, May 6, 2008 at 11:48 AM EST

Currently reading 'The Forsyte Saga' by James Galsworthy. After that I can turn my brain off for some trashy summer reads without feeling too guilty.

Beth Tue, May 6, 2008 at 11:08 AM EST

Last night, I finished up "Julie and Julia" by Julie Powell, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Now, I'm starting "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory. Plus, I've got "The Monsters of Templeton" and "The Pirate's Daughter" on standby if Boleyn doesn't pan out for me. And I'm reading a self help book too embarrassing to name.

MuffinLiz Tue, May 6, 2008 at 09:52 AM EST

Currently working on 'The Good Fairies of New York' by Martin Millar--totally awesome read. Also: "All Creatures Great and Small" by James Herriot, and "The Blind Assassin" by Margaret Atwood.

RedAngel Tue, May 6, 2008 at 09:27 AM EST

Right now, I'm alternating between "Bacchus and Me" by Jay McInerney and "Miss Dennis School of Writing" by Alice Steinbach. Both are great essay collections, and essays these days are my saviours...I'm short on time, but I can always make time for a few pages of quality stuff :)

Melissa Tue, May 6, 2008 at 09:05 AM EST

Currently re-reading "Prince Caspian" to prepare for its movie awesomeness, also in the middle of "Met At Arms" by Terry Pratchett. Narnia and Discworld are two of my favorite Other Worlds.

RayT Tue, May 6, 2008 at 08:48 AM EST

Just started up "Atonement." I know the ending, of course, thanks to the movie but I just got sick of everyone raving about how incredible the book is and had to see for myself.

Annabelle Tue, May 6, 2008 at 08:24 AM EST

Currently reading Neil LaBute's short story collection, Seconds of Pleasure. Definitely twisted.

Nancy Tue, May 6, 2008 at 08:17 AM EST

Swallow The Ocean by Laura Flynn - a memoir about the author's childhood with her schizo momma. It's pretty good. Just finished Special Topics myself - not bad, but I wanted more answers - and Love is a Mix Tape (liked it a lot). Those last two titles were culled from the last Nightstand Inspection. Next up, I'm thinking Steve Martin's autobiography. I love his writing. I need to get on the library website and put a few more books on hold. Love this topic, Slezak!!

emby Tue, May 6, 2008 at 08:06 AM EST

The Omnivore's Dilemma, Neil Gaiman's American Gods, an issue of Jughead from the grocery store check-out aisle, and a stack of saved articles and recipes from random magazines.

Alyson Tue, May 6, 2008 at 07:36 AM EST

Man Walks Into A Room, by Nicole Krauss, which is so, so good. Just finished Unaccustomed Earth, which was terrific. Check 'em out!

TSD Tue, May 6, 2008 at 07:21 AM EST

I'm currently reading Seen it all and Done the Rest by Pearl Cleage. She's one of my fave authors. I'm still making my way through the other Boelyn girl by Phillipa Gregory.

Em Tue, May 6, 2008 at 07:15 AM EST

Finished Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips- good one. Unless you have nothing but time, skip Sophie Kinsella's Remember Me and pick up Can You Keep a Secret instead. Now rereading Lovely Bones.

On a side note/PSA: Please borrow your books from the library or donate books you've purchased and already read. Keep the system going!

flick Tue, May 6, 2008 at 07:13 AM EST

"Lamb, or The Gospel According to Biff" by Christopher Moore. Fantastically funny book!

Celimene Tue, May 6, 2008 at 06:18 AM EST

Re-reading "Slaughterhouse-Five" by the Almighty and Powerful Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. He never gets old. And I lose all geek-cred with this, but I'm reading "The Fellowship of the Ring" for the first time, at age 28. My dad told me it sucked when I was growing up, so instead of reading it as a well-deserved teenage rite of passage, I was reading political theory and histories of the American Revolution. Better late than never, I suppose.

Tracie Tue, May 6, 2008 at 04:52 AM EST

I finally started reading "Abundance - a novel about Marie Antoinette" that my sister lent to me a year ago. After I finish that, I'm thinking of "The Host" by Stephanie Meyer. I really need to go get a library card, I'm spending too much!

Kurt Mon, May 5, 2008 at 10:38 PM EST

Right now I'm rereading Jack London's "Call of the Wild". I did just finish "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond, and it was really great.

julia Mon, May 5, 2008 at 10:25 PM EST

Great Recs On my nightstand (OK, somewhere in my bed) "Christine Falls" by Benjamin Black which reads like a 50s noir movie set in Ireland playing my head. On deck - "Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer" which I have to finish and get back to my brother and a smutty romance - I don't remember thwe title. The cover is red and smutty-looking, but in a good way.

Nix Mon, May 5, 2008 at 10:04 PM EST

But without self-indulgent cleverness all of contemporary literary fiction would just end.

"Fellow Travelers" sounds interesting. Now, by McCarthy-era, does the good Senator actually show up, or are you just saying, the Fifties?

I am reading "The Thin Red Line."

Sara Mon, May 5, 2008 at 09:51 PM EST

"A Simple Plan" by Scott Smith. I read "The Ruins" first, but "A Simple Plan" is much better in my opinion. It's chilling. I have 100 pages left and I think I'll finish it before the night is up.

Carrie Mon, May 5, 2008 at 09:35 PM EST

Cabinet of Curiosities by Lincoln Child & Douglas Preston. It's the first one of their books I've picked up and I love it. But I'm mad that I didn't realize it's connected to a bunch of their other books that I haven't yet read!

Just finished Saving the World... and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson, as well.

harmonix Mon, May 5, 2008 at 09:33 PM EST

rereading Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy & trying to muster up the energy for The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy

Meghan Mon, May 5, 2008 at 09:21 PM EST

I'm currently reading Harry Potter 7 for a book club and My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I'm also going to start A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray soon for a different book club.

kats Mon, May 5, 2008 at 09:14 PM EST

Trying to get into "Twilight". Just recently finished re-reading Harry Potter's 7, 1 & 2 in that order. Prisoner of Azkaban is up next.

Geo Mon, May 5, 2008 at 08:44 PM EST

I just finished Split...A Memoir of Divorce by Suzanne Finnamore. If you've ever been through a bad divorce or break-up that smahses you and your heart, this book will speak to you.

Next up, The Ten Cent Plague about the comics scare/hysteria of the Fifties. And I always have to recommend Yes Man by Danny Wallace. Don't be fooled by the likely crappy movie they're making out of it. That book can change your life. It did mine and the 20 or so people I bought copies for in my one-man quest to make it a best seller.

Kai- Mon, May 5, 2008 at 08:32 PM EST

Well the good news is that the two books I mentioned for the last nightstand check were recently finished. Now I have two more....
"People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks and my guilty pleasure, "Innocent as Sin" by Elizabeth Lowell.

Pamela Mon, May 5, 2008 at 07:31 PM EST

"Blindness" - Jose Saramago. I borrowed this from the library following a mention it got here on Popwatch (on the release of a trailer for the film of the same name). A difficult read, literally, because the lack of punctuation. Very intriguing though.

"Bones to Ashes" - Kathy Reichs. This, I confess, appeared on my last/first PWatch Nightstand list, but almost halfway through it now.

"Tied to the Tracks" - Sara Donati. A birthday gift (back in March) I have yet to start.

I look forward to working my way through the posts here for more ideas.

Viva la reading!

cimagato Mon, May 5, 2008 at 07:11 PM EST

I'm not a literary type, more of a genre reader, so here's the 3 on my nightstand now: Remember Me - Sophie Kinsella; Operation Familia - Donna Del Oro; Dust - Martha Grimes.

Dixie Mon, May 5, 2008 at 07:04 PM EST

Calling Home by Jenna McMahan. I'm about 75 pages in. It's kind of slow going at this point, but 3 of my favorite authors (Anne Rivers Siddons, Silas House and Lee Smith) had blurbs on the cover so I'm going to push on with it.

Martha Mon, May 5, 2008 at 06:58 PM EST

Thanks, everyone, for the great suggestions. On my nightstand:
Ghost, by Alan Lightman (plodding through it, haven't gotten hooked yet)
Gods Behaving Badly, by Marie Phillips (great read - if you want a fun, salty love story that refreshes your Greek mythology, this is the book for you)
Writing to Deadline: The Journalist at Work (this was on my nightstand the last time Slezak did an inspection; still not finished)
The Two-Year Bible (this will stay on my nightstand, reminding me that I'm neglecting my daily religion study - again, sorry, God)

Becca Mon, May 5, 2008 at 06:48 PM EST

wolf hunting by jane lindskold, and a slightly smutty romance novel called dark dreams by cory daniells

escargot Mon, May 5, 2008 at 06:26 PM EST

Rats - I still have a few that I picked up from the last nightstand check and already have written down some more titles! I managed a bunch during the writer's strike, thank goodness. I've just started The Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes.

Julie Mon, May 5, 2008 at 05:01 PM EST

Michael Gruber's "The Book of Air and Shadows." So far it's really good!

Melissa Mon, May 5, 2008 at 04:53 PM EST

John Adams by David McCollugh. Sorry if I mispelled his name. I'm reading it thanks to HBO.

palais Mon, May 5, 2008 at 04:51 PM EST

1001 Albums You Must Listen To Before You Die.
That is the book I am currently enjoying. It's the companion book to the last one I read, 1001 movies You Must see Before You Die.
I had seen 458 of those movies. I'm still counting the albums, seeing as I'm only at 1983.

brandi Mon, May 5, 2008 at 04:44 PM EST

I just finished "Middlesex" for my bookclub. It started off slow, but then they threw in too much in the last 75 pages or so then didn't wrap it up at the end. It made for some good discussion though.
Am currently reading "Certain Girls" by Jennifer Weiner. Waiting in the wings are "Girls in Trucks" by Katie Crouch and "Souvenir" by Therese Fowler. I am anxiously waiting for the new Emily Giffin and Lauren Weisberger books to be released later this month!

Moo Mon, May 5, 2008 at 04:43 PM EST

The first two Harry Potter books and Sew U. I just got Sew U for my birthday and I can't wait to buy some fabric for the western shirt pattern. I'm re-reading the Potter books but not sure if I want to read the series again or just stop at #2.

Anjeliki Mon, May 5, 2008 at 04:39 PM EST

Snarf and Adrienne - Good call on the Christopher Moore books. I'd recommend them all to anyone who doesn't take life too seriously and enjoys a good laugh while reading.

Colleen Mon, May 5, 2008 at 04:31 PM EST

I'm currently reading "Me Talk Pretty One Day," by David Sedaris, and I would definitely recommend it! I also just finished "Water for Elephants," by Sara Gruen that was great, too.

Marci Mon, May 5, 2008 at 04:30 PM EST

Right now I'm reading "The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath." I love Sylvia, so I'm really enjoying it. Before that I was reading "In Cold Blood." I don't know what I'm gonna read next. It might be a while before I move on to another book though, Sylvia's journals are like 600 pages long.

Christa Mon, May 5, 2008 at 04:25 PM EST

Just started The Time Travelers Wife. Not far enough in to tell if I'm going to like it yet!

Sarah A Mon, May 5, 2008 at 04:10 PM EST

Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Laclos.

I'm actually enjoying it more then the 1988 movie. I love the style of writing letters throughout rather then a straightforward narrative :)

bbc Mon, May 5, 2008 at 04:07 PM EST

I am re-reading the Secret History by Donna Tartt (top 5 all time fave) with Into the Wild to follow

Steph Mon, May 5, 2008 at 04:06 PM EST

Oh my god guys - after the whole shakedown in Texas with the Fundamentalist churches and polygamy scandals, I started reading "Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer (he wrote Into the Wild) and can I just say WOW! This book will certainly stir up the emotions in ANYONE it is so intense - and hard to comprehend that in the year 2008 its still happening....

Anna Mon, May 5, 2008 at 04:00 PM EST

Pride and Predjudice... I'm almost done

Amy Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:50 PM EST

The Ringworld Engineers by Larry Niven, sequel to the classic sci-fi novel Ringworld.

Ames Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:47 PM EST

Wow, you all read popular books. None of these titles are available in the entire county's library system. I have a good request list going though. Thanx!

MrKitty Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:40 PM EST

Am also reading Best Short Stories of 2007 and it was a great year.....

MrKitty Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:39 PM EST

To shawshank - quit before you waste anymore time - the premise is so unbelievable and it never gets any better....your time is worth more than this book.

Joan Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:39 PM EST

I just finished Birds of America by Lorrie Moore and I loved it. My absolute favorite short story collection, though, is Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson. I lose my breath when I read parts of "Emergency."

I also am a sucker for biographies or memoirs or autobiographies of media figures. I really look forward to finally picking up Dark at the Roots by Sarah Thyre.

Meghan Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:38 PM EST

I just finished "House of Sand and Fog" a couple of weeks ago. It took me a while to get through, and it was so depressing, but very good. I'm currently working on "Bitter is the New Black" by Jen Lancaster and then it's on to "The Other Boleyn Girl."

Amy Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:36 PM EST

Not Yet Drown'd by Peg Kingman. I'm nearly finished and I've enjoyed it. I like period novels.

Sara Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:31 PM EST

Well, I haven't made much progress since the last check (grad school & magazine have impeded my progress--but Vogue can be quite lengthy, in my defense) but I did read Sex, Drugs & Cocoa Puffs and liked it immensely. I am also paging through "My Last Supper" which is a coffee-table book about what great chefs would want for their last meals--it's fun for a foodie like me! Hope to get to "In Defense of Food" next--it's been waiting far too long!

shawshank Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:28 PM EST

I thought "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" would be a quick easy read. Not so. It just hasn't gripped me yet and I have had the thought on multiple nights whether I should just give up on it. Before that was "The Spear" by Louis de Wohl. THAT was really good.

BrandonK Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:26 PM EST

"Here's What We'll Say" by Reichen Lehmkuhl. It's part autobiography and part manifesto against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the prohibition of gays in the military. I support his cause, but the story is just not that interesting for the most part, and his writing is amateurish and sometimes preachy. I give it a C+.

Kristen Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:15 PM EST

I'd love to give you a suggestion, but I generally read "Beach Books"- something I can escape into for a couple of hours without having to ponder the meaning of life, liberty and the pursuit of happeness. I read an average of a book a week, mostly romance novels. I think the only book I've read that was ever reviewed by EW was "Remember Me" by Sophie Kinsella- if you're looking for a book to make you laugh, I'd recommend that one.

Ames Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:15 PM EST

"1421: The year China discovered America" is sitting there, but I have yet to crack it open. I think I need a cheesy novel to neutralize my palette between historical non-fiction. Anyone know of a good one?

Adrienne Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:11 PM EST

I'm currently re-reading 'The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal' by Christopher Moore. It's quite possibly the funniest book I have ever read. It's a very funny version of what Jesus was like growing up from the 13th apostle we never heard of. Even if you're not religious, you should give it try. My best friend is an Athiest and she loved it. Christopher Moore is a twisted, but funny, man.

Kristina Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:08 PM EST

To jen: How do you like it so far? I tell everyone I know to pick up The Post-Birthday World.

MrKitty Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:06 PM EST

To GG - you are not wrong at all...Ignatius is a jerk - it was so hard to finish that book - I saw an LSU MFA production as a play and it was a hoot - but it is a hard read.

jen Mon, May 5, 2008 at 03:04 PM EST

I'm reading The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver (thanks, EW!); and fwiw, I couldn't get through Confederacy of Dunces either--I hated Ignatius too.

Missy Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:58 PM EST

Thomas Hardy's "Far From the Madding Crowd." I picked it up at last year's library book sale, and figured I should probably read it before this year's library book sale (in June).

GG Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:58 PM EST

I'm currently reading "Confederacy of Dunces" Having a hard time getting through it, not because it's not not written well or not funny (it is both) but because I utterly dis-like Ignatiaus Reily. I find him so irritating that I don't want to know more about him. Does he have any redeeming qualities?

Katie Kruger Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:57 PM EST

I"m jumping back and forth betwee a few things. Including:
-America's Constitution: A Biography by Akhil Amar
-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K Rowling
-The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

I just finished grad school so basically I"m reading my favorites all over again!

Dominique L. Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:56 PM EST

Watching "The Jane Austen Book Club" this weekend finally got me to pick up my "Complete Novels of Jane Austen." I started with Emma. I'm also reading "My First Movie," a great book of interviews with various film directors (Coen Bros., Kevin Smith, Neil Jordan, Ang Lee, and many more) about their first films. Both are great (if different) fun!

Robyn Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:56 PM EST

I just finished 'Certain Girls' by Jennifer Weiner - the sequel to 2001's 'Good in Bed' - and it was great.

Snarf Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:55 PM EST

"Island of the Sequined Love-Nun" by Christopher Moore

A. Campbell Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:55 PM EST

Special Topics was the most fun I've had reading (literary) fiction in probably 10 years. Far from excess, I found the references and inclusions revealing of both the character and the author, and in the final sum they also contributed toward the book's themes— nothing is as it seems, and try as we might, the things we cling to don't make us who we are.

I could tell how much fun Ms. Pessl was having, and I was so glad that she wasn't, ultimately, using her characters' likes & dislikes as indicators of their status. Can't wait for her next.

Sasha Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:54 PM EST

Just finished "The Wild Trees," which is an excellent nonfiction read. You'll never look at trees the same way again. Now I'm starting "In Defense of Food," which I suspect will change the way I look at food forever. So far really interesting!

Auriana Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:52 PM EST

I'm currently reading "Sepulchre" by Kate Mosse, "Red River" Volume 21 and "Queen's Knight" Volume 10. Trying to hold myself over until a bunch of releases that are slated in the next couple of months from my favorite authors.

Anyone have any fantasy and/or historical fiction recommendations?

JoAnne Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:50 PM EST

I just finished Love Walked In and it's follow-up, Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos - both good, but the first better, IMHO. Also really liked Jennie Shortridge's Love & Biology at the Center of the Universe. I guess I was in the mood for family/relationship stories - my next book is a British mystery that's been on the shelf for a few years....

Gretchen Weiners Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:49 PM EST

Right now I am reading Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. I read it when I was in high school. I recently heard some friends talking about it so I decided to give it another go.

Anjeliki Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:47 PM EST

The Good Guy by Dean Koontz. Never pass up a Koontz!

Lynn Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:45 PM EST

Just finished "Songs Without Words" by Ann Packer. I give it a 3/5. Also finished "The Jane Austin Book Club." Can't wait for the movie.

Grace Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:44 PM EST

Special Topics in Calamity Physics made me ill. It was nothing but an exercise in pretentiousness. (And speaking of pretentiousness, I'm currently reading "An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England" by Brock Clarke.)

jcarla Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:40 PM EST

I haven't put it back on the bookshelf, but I finished the John Adams bio the HBO mini-series was based. So much much of the dialogue came straight from the letters people wrote and how the more things change, the more things stay the same (press, greedy pols, 'unessessary war').

Kristina Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:39 PM EST

I actually just started We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver last night. I read The Post-Birthday World after the great review EW gave it and I absolutely loved it. I really like Shriver's writing style and this book is already proving to be a good read. Thanks EW for introducing me to this great author. I can't wait to read more of her books.

Al Fredo Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:31 PM EST

Reading the Disney bio that came out last year (now in paperback). I am a sucker for bios of prominent historical figures.

E Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:30 PM EST

Just finished my way through the fourth book in Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series and now I am reading Leif Enger's follow up to Peace Like a River (one of my favs). This one is called So Brave, Young and Handsome. I just bought the latest No. 1 Ladies Detective series book, The Miracle at Speedy Motors, so that's in the queue.

alison Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:27 PM EST

I'm currently reading Stephen Gould's "Jumper" to see if it's better than the movie (so far, the answer is yes.)

Jess Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:23 PM EST

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare... it's young adult "urban fantasy" in the same vein as Buffy.

Amanda Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:22 PM EST

I'm reading "Confessions Of A Jane Austen Addict" by Laurie Rigler, I'm about half way done and it's quite good so far.

ZaxOmega Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:19 PM EST

Lush Life by Richard Price. Not as emotionally resonant as Clockers or even Freedomland, but still very good.

Also, I completely agree about Special Topics in Calamity Physics. I couldn't even finish the book, it wore on my nerves so badly.

Jen Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:18 PM EST

Michael,
Thank you for the editor comment on Calamity. I completely agree and wonder why this book has received so much praise. It's fine, but not great, and far too long.

meredith Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:18 PM EST

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. Definitely different from anything I've ever read. I'm finally almost done too!

Elizabeth Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:16 PM EST

I just finished Loving Frank which I thought was good. Love the historical fiction. I just started The Plot Against America by Philip Roth.

Mel Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:14 PM EST

Just finished The Innocent Man by John Grisham. I wasn't looking forward to a non-fiction by him, but after reading it, I suggest everyone does. It's an eye opener into the judicial system and all that can, and does, go wrong sometimes. You'll find yourself shaking your head as you read.

Josh Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:13 PM EST

I'm trying to make it through the first two Narnia books before "Prince Caspian" opens next week. After that, I'll either finish the series or start "Dreams From My Father" by Barack Obama.

MrKitty Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:12 PM EST

Seduced by Madness - Carol Pogash - true crime - best one I have read in years - seduced by her therapist - married him at 21 - stabbed him to death 20 years later - AND was her own freakin attorney - crazy as a loon - but fascinating.

Verity Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:11 PM EST

I'm currently reading "Tom Jones" by Henry Fielding. Not really sure why I allowed myself to live this long without reading it but at least I finally came to my senses and picked it up. It's hilarious!

I've also gotten into reading essays in the morning while I'm eating breakfast (I figure if I finish one essay a morning it's a small victory that makes me feel good all day). So I'm currently reading a collection titled "I Was Told There'd Be Cake" by Sloane Crowley. She has an essay all about the old computer game "Oregon Trail" so already I'm giving it five stars.

Not a Meyers fan Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:08 PM EST

I swear to God, if this board gets clogged with Stephanie Meyers crud, I will just give up....get a life.

Oola Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:08 PM EST

My Booky Wook by Russell Brand. In-freaking-credible.

Jennifer Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:08 PM EST

I just finished The Pact by Jodi Picoult. I went on a total Jodi Picoult kick a few weeks ago, bought almost every one of her 15 books I think. Gotta love that Barnes & Nobel membership.

Jon Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:03 PM EST

Oh lord..

I'm reading "Sing the Four Quarters" by Tanya Huff, some random fantasy novel I bought on a whim.

Meghan Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:03 PM EST

Vanishing Act by Jodi Picoult...pretty good so far.

Jenny Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:00 PM EST

I love you, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle. It's fairly humorous.

CMU Mon, May 5, 2008 at 02:00 PM EST

Armageddon Averted: The Soviet Collapse 1970-2000 by Stephen Kotin. Not exactly a light read. I really don't recommend taking 20th Century Russian history...downright depressing.

ML Mon, May 5, 2008 at 01:58 PM EST

I am reading "Interred With Their Bones" by Jennifer Lee Carrell. It's awesome.
I'm hoping to pick up Stephenie Meyer's new book this week.

Cece Mon, May 5, 2008 at 01:58 PM EST

Right now I'm reading Lipstick Jungle. It was on sale at Barnes & Noble for $6 as hardback. I couldn't pass it up. Did I mention I've been reading it for three weeks and still haven't gotten past page 50. I'm not a big chick lit fan, but it was on SALE!!! I need another book. Any suggestions?

Patty Mon, May 5, 2008 at 01:58 PM EST

Just picked up The Calling by Inger Ash Wolfe - a pseudonym of someone too fancy to write mysteries. Also just finishing the Demon of Dakar by Kjell Eriksson - I love the Nordic mystery writers. I can't get enough of Sweden, Norway, and Iceland.

idigress Mon, May 5, 2008 at 01:57 PM EST

I am late to this bandwagon, but I have "Twilight" on my nightstand and I am going to start it tonight. I understand that it is a quick, good read about a vampire and that I can let my daughter read it without potential embarassment. I will let you know!

GeeMoney Mon, May 5, 2008 at 01:55 PM EST

The Taking by Dean Koontz.... it's good so far!