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On a history note, I'm about done with The Quartet by Joseph Ellis. It's basically about the development of the Constitution -- especially the role that Washington, Jay, Madison and Hamilton played in bringing it about. Not groundbreaking but interesting.
In case you're wondering about the pace, about 2000 miles in a car in the last couple of weeks.
To be completely honest, I hadn't ever heard of Quannah Parker before. I found this book super interesting and educating.Quote:
Originally Posted by PawDawg
I'm trying to bounce back and forth between fiction and non-fiction. I'm moving onto some fantasy.
Brandon Sanderson - Elantris
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All my family is from Texas. Two of my Great Grand Parents were from Mexia/Limestone County. We visited family there when I was growing up and went to Ft Parker.Quote:
Originally Posted by ITdrummer
I heard Joe Rogan mention the book on his podcast a while back and he actually did an episode with the author.Quote:
Originally Posted by PawDawg
Kinda along the same vein, he recently recommended this book that I think I will try for my next non-fiction:
A Land So Strange by Andrés Reséndez
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I heard him say that. It is a hot book right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by ITdrummer
Confessions of X was fine. Didn't change my world or anything, just fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by inudesu
Working hard on that Iliad. Read the first (really short) chapter of Anna Karenina. Haven't yet re-opened The Storm Tossed Family (but it's on the bedside table).Quote:
Originally Posted by inudesu
I did order the sequel to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (which I love) but I haven't started it yet. And I read a novella called The Angel Knew Papa and the Dog which I liked. And 2 (very different) graphic novels I recommend very much (one a recommendation from the daughter, the other I ordered for the older of my boys who loved it). When Stars are Scattered (the former) is an account of life in a refugee camp for a young Somali boy. The very much lighter tone of The Dragon Lord saga is blurbed as Lord of the Rings meets Calvin and Hobbes (which is about as on the nose as you could get for my middle kid's tastes) and was pretty good. I just wish it resolved a whole story within the collection. If you're going to package a graphic novel, you can have a cliff-hanger, but I'd like a beginning, middle, and end as well please.
I guess while I'm linking to the Rabbit Room website, I'll recommend something I should have mentioned before Mother's Day (I gave it to my Mom a year ago and she loved it).
Every Moment Holy is a book of prayers for everyday kinds of things. A Liturgy for the Ritual of Morning Coffee. A Liturgy for the Preparation of a Meal. A Liturgy Before Beginning a Book. That kind of thing. The prayers (and art) are really well done. Makes a great gift (sorry for not posting a month ago). But you know, a lot of Dads would like it too.
Finished that sucker this week! I've only mentioned it a dozen times in this thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by inudesu
Reading a collection of Gene Wolfe short stories. Very good so far.Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Dawg
Still trying to strike a balance between the books already on the shelf that need to be read and all the bright shiny books in my library wish list.
Just read two history stories. Rick Atkinson's An Army at Dawn is about the American army fighting in N. Africa. Interesting story that I wasn't all that aware of (other than playing Allied General). Only problem for me was that it seemed deep in the details. That might appeal to some, but I'm not that big of a military details nut. The book is actually the first in a series of three. I haven't made up my mind if I'm going to read the other two.
The book I liked better was Band of Brothers. I found that a bit surprising since I'd watched the HBO series and knew a lot of what happened. Still, Ambrose is a good story-teller. He seems to get the level of detail about right, imo. Even if you've watched the series, I would tend to recommend this one. Probably going to try at least some of the rest of his stuff.
The VRBO we’re in has a copy of To Kill A Mockingbird. Haven’t been able to put it down…shamefully realizing I didn’t actually read it when it was assigned in High School.
I pretty much only read non-fiction history. Not to say I won't again pick up a novel, but right now with limited time for reading I focus on my favorite genre. After completing the mammoth 1,500-page volumes on Napoleon I needed a bit of a rest, so am just reading articles in Military Heritage Magazine right now. Just finished an interesting article on the Marines in WWI. After Belleau Wood they took a ridge from the Germans the French had tried for 3 years to capture. Good stuff!
Cliff's Notes saved my entire educational career. :laugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnylightnin
I think we read that in 8th grade. Need to read it again.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnylightnin
I finished Elantris by Sanderson and loved it. I'm moving onto the Mistborn series.
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