What Are You Reading?

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

How are you liking "John Adams"? I just downloaded the abridged version from iTunes to listen to during my 2.5 hour daily roundtrip commutes. I'm only an hour into it so far, but it's pretty good.

I'm just about done. Only 30 pages left. I actually bought the book 3 or so years ago, long before I knew anything about HBO's miniseries. I lost interest in it, but seeing it played out on HBO really left me thirsting for more details. So I picked it back up -- it's actually a tedious read in parts. The way John and Abigail wrote to each other, the way those people talked back then, you just really have to be on your toes. Not exactly the type of book you want to read in bed when you're tired. For me, it required a sharp mental state.

Overall, a great story. And one that makes you appreciate the contributions of what many consider to be an overlooked founding father.

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I'm just about done. Only 30 pages left. I actually bought the book 3 or so years ago, long before I knew anything about HBO's miniseries. I lost interest in it, but seeing it played out on HBO really left me thirsting for more details. So I picked it back up -- it's actually a tedious read in parts. The way John and Abigail wrote to each other, the way those people talked back then, you just really have to be on your toes. Not exactly the type of book you want to read in bed when you're tired. For me, it required a sharp mental state.

Overall, a great story. And one that makes you appreciate the contributions of what many consider to be an overlooked founding father.

Speaking of overlooked founders, I would continue to urge everyone to read "Burr" by Gore Vidal. Burr and Hamilton didn't end up in that New Jersey field shooting at each other for no reason. It's great story. And Burr lived on for like 30 years. This would be a great mini-series.

[SmootSmack]

Finished "John Adams" Great book, I have a new found respect and appreciation for him and his fellow statesmen, not to mention Abigail Adams.

Now I've moved onto Union 1812

I was planning on reading about Andrew Jackson next, but I may jump back and read this Burr book 70Chip is recommending. I'm basically trying to read history books in chronological order, starting with the revolutionary war era

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Finished "John Adams" Great book, I have a new found respect and appreciation for him and his fellow statesmen, not to mention Abigail Adams.

Now I've moved onto Union 1812

I was planning on reading about Andrew Jackson next, but I may jump back and read this Burr book 70Chip is recommending. I'm basically trying to read history books in chronological order, starting with the revolutionary war era

You shant regret it. After you finish Burr, you will want to read, in order

Lincoln
1876
Empire
Hollywood
Washington D.C.

[jdlea]

I just bought Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets by David Simon (creator of Homicide and The Wire)

[That Guy]

homicide had 5 good seasons, and that's a great book. local too.

i liked empire too.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

You shant regret it. After you finish Burr, you will want to read, in order

Lincoln
1876
Empire
Hollywood
Washington D.C.

I'm trying to read up on subjects that have tended to fall under my radar. Hence John Adams, War of 1812...upcoming for me

Aaron Burr (perhaps)
Andrew Jackson
Pre-Civil War (Pierce/Buchanan eras)
Doris Kearns Goodwin's "Team of Rivals"
US Grant's Memoir
Spanish-American War
Titan (I think that's the name of the book)
Panama Canal

that should do for now

[Beemnseven]

Just curious, how fast do you guys read?

I've never been a speed-reader by any means. Sometimes it takes me forever to get through a book. Have you ever read a book in one sitting? The fastest books I ever got through were "The Deep" by Peter Benchley, and Michael Crichton's "Sphere" and "Congo". I got finished with those in about 3 or 4 days.

These days, with a 4-year old, a 12-month old, and another one on the way, the times when I could waste the day away on a book are long gone.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Just curious, how fast do you guys read?

I've never been a speed-reader by any means. Sometimes it takes me forever to get through a book. Have you ever read a book in one sitting? The fastest books I ever got through were "The Deep" by Peter Benchley, and Michael Crichton's "Sphere" and "Congo". I got finished with those in about 3 or 4 days.

These days, with a 4-year old, a 12-month old, and another one on the way, the times when I could waste the day away on a book are long gone.

Well my whole thing now is books on tape, with my vicious daily commute.

[onlydarksets]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Just curious, how fast do you guys read?

I've never been a speed-reader by any means. Sometimes it takes me forever to get through a book. Have you ever read a book in one sitting? The fastest books I ever got through were "The Deep" by Peter Benchley, and Michael Crichton's "Sphere" and "Congo". I got finished with those in about 3 or 4 days.

These days, with a 4-year old, a 12-month old, and another one on the way, the times when I could waste the day away on a book are long gone.

I was about to post the exact same thing. I haven't read a book in ages.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Just curious, how fast do you guys read?

I've never been a speed-reader by any means. Sometimes it takes me forever to get through a book. Have you ever read a book in one sitting? The fastest books I ever got through were "The Deep" by Peter Benchley, and Michael Crichton's "Sphere" and "Congo". I got finished with those in about 3 or 4 days.

These days, with a 4-year old, a 12-month old, and another one on the way, the times when I could waste the day away on a book are long gone.

It depends, recently it seems like I've had ADD. (I can't even get myself to beat Assassin's Creed, wtf?!) But right around a book a week, depending on the book. I started the 1200 page monster that is The Stand in the winter and didn't finish it because of the semester. (I don't read books other than school books during the semester)

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by jdlea

It depends, recently it seems like I've had ADD. (I can't even get myself to beat Assassin's Creed, wtf?!) But right around a book a week, depending on the book. I started the 1200 page monster that is The Stand in the winter and didn't finish it because of the semester. (I don't read books other than school books during the semester)

Has The Stand been good? I think I want to try to tackle that even though I have a couple of unfinished books currently sitting on my nightstand.
I do love a good post-apocalyptic yarn, so I feel like it could be right up my alley.

[mredskins]

A 600 pager takes me about a month now with a wife and a three month old. I have never left a book unfinished, even it sucks I feel to guilty. Weird.

[12thMan]

Anybody read Fight Club, Chuck Palahnuik.

He's one helluva writer. The book is very entertaining.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Anybody read Fight Club, Chuck Palahnuik.

He's one helluva writer. The book is very entertaining.

Fight Club is the book that turned me into a reader. I've read all his books up until Rant, his newest, which I was about 100 pages into when I moved last summer. I think that I need to start that one over.

I really liked them all, but Fight Club, Diary, and Lullaby really stood out to me. Also, the movie version of Choke is coming out this August and it looks pretty interesting.