Books

frontrangeclone

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I take after my hero Stephen Colbert... I don't read books because they're full of facts... I'm the kinda guy who goes with my gut instincts. Just kidding... I try to read as much as possible and am currently finishing Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"... upon finishing it I plan to slam a screwdriver into my temple or jump off a nearby cliff. Read it and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Another book I read in the last few months that some of you might find interesting is "Power, Faith, and Fantasy, America in the Middle East, 1776-present" by Michael Oren... it basically talks about the involvement of the US in that part of the world from the birth of the nation all the way thru 9/11.
 
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drum1306

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Sep 17, 2007
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I recently reread "The Phantom Tollbooth" - it's a kid's book, but it's fantastic. Very witty.

Nice! I haven't read that in a long time. Really enjoyed it though.

Right now I'm reading a collection of essays "Why I Am Not a Christian" by Bertrand Russell. Last book I finished was Cat's Cradle.
 

Kyle

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Mar 30, 2006
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Here's how I view non-fiction and fiction:

Non-Fiction: Informational material

Fiction: Reflections on society

This is heavily biased through the lenses of lit. theory though. Both types are fun for me to read though.
This makes sense. I personally feel like my "time spent to reflection value" ratio is often better served through viewing shows and movies though. I can watch like 6 thought-provoking episodes of Star Trek in the time it would take me to read one book. :yes:

I really want to read one book by an atheist that tries to denounce God, and a diadactic book that discusses the "age of skepticism" about faith.
Are you looking to learn about good arguments relating to the existence of God, or more of a biography that tells a more personal story of an individual? I'm not sure it will be easy to find both in the same book.
 

Cyclone62

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Feb 1, 2007
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Nice! I haven't read that in a long time. Really enjoyed it though.

Right now I'm reading a collection of essays "Why I Am Not a Christian" by Bertrand Russell. Last book I finished was Cat's Cradle.
You mean Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle? I love that book. "The religion of Bokonon"
 

Rogue52

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In preparation for the new James Bond novel coming out, I'm reading all of Ian Flemming's Bond novels. Currently reading Diamonds are Forever.

If there are any Bond fans of the movies out there that haven't read the actual novels by Flemming, I would strongly consider it. They are much different. Much more thought provoking, even offer some political angles from the Cold-War era.
 

Cyclone62

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Feb 1, 2007
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In preparation for the new James Bond novel coming out, I'm reading all of Ian Flemming's Bond novels. Currently reading Diamonds are Forever.

If there are any Bond fans of the movies out there that haven't read the actual novels by Flemming, I would strongly consider it. They are much different. Much more thought provoking, even offer some political angles from the Cold-War era.
You say that like the movies don't have it. What do the books have on the subject?
 

weR138

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Feb 20, 2008
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Just finished The Fountainhead for the second time. It should be required reading for architecture students and I'm disappointed by how many haven't read it. It is a true classic and it's packed with great quotes like, "A building has integrity, just like a man, and just as rare."
 

dosry5

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Nov 28, 2006
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Do the articles in Penthouse count?

Just kidding--I've actually never bought a Playboy or Penthouse in my life, too embarrassed to do so.

Some of you people make me feel dumb with your books with big words and all that---I like to read fiction novels at night before bed just to unwind. Easy reading, but entertaining. I'm working through all the John Sanford "Prey" novels right now and loving all of them.
 

CyGal

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Mar 1, 2006
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The only thing I'm reading right now is The Next Level by David Cottrell. It's a book about being a leader, something I got from the HR department at my company. I've had it since October and I think I'm on page 20.
What I'd rather be reading is any of the 50+ books at home that I haven't read yet (not kidding, it's definately 50+). I'm a huge fan of Dean Koontz, James Patterson, Lee Child, and John Grisham, among others. I also enjoy reading books about different cultures, and even some non-fiction. My favorite are the (fiction) books where I'm still thinking/wondering about the characters weeks to months after I've finished the books. Koontz has more than a couple that have done that to me.
 

cycloneG

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Mar 7, 2007
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Anything thing by Jim Butcher. Dragonlance, RA Salvatore and Forgotten Relms, Terry Brooks, Tolkien, Frank Herbert, Tad Williams, Grisham, James Patterson, John Sanford, Tom Clancy, Anne Rice, CS Lewis, George RR Martin, and several more. I'm always reading something. I can't imagine not being in the middle of a book.

Words are awesome!
 
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mfelske

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Mar 20, 2006
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I will admit my full dorkness and say I love fantasy. I just finished reading Robin Hobb's Tawny Man series. If you love fantasy and are sick of waiting for GRR Martin to finish his latest, pick up Hobb's Assassin series and then the Tawny Man. Great stuff.

I am currently reading Paul Shirley's book. Not a bad read.
 
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isugcs

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I usually just watched tv and surfed the net. I've just recently started again, and feel a lot better about myself when I read during the evening instead of watching tv. Not that there aren't nights (such as this one) where I still watch tv and surf the net!

I'm the exact same way. I have never been a big reader (partially because I believe I have mild dyslexia), but now when I do read I feel a lot better about myself. However, when you're reading books all the time its hard to justify purchasing a PS3!! So there's a conflict of interest.
 

CyTom

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Mar 30, 2006
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I get my books from the library.

Just picked up and getting ready to start "The Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs" by Irvine Welsh.

James Frey's "Bright Shiny Morning" comes out today and Chuck Palahniuk's "Snuff" next week. Plan on reading these in the near future.
 

bos

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The Relic - Movie sucked but the book is tremendously awesome

Into The Wild - read this a few months back. Excellent book.
 

Ms3r4ISU

Me: Mea culpa. Also me: Sine cura sis.
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When I was an undergrad, I used to go to Parks Library every once in a while and check out books (fiction) just to read. Friends looked at me like I was nuts. I've always liked to read, and would rather check out books from libraries than buy then unless I "really" liked it and thought I'd want to keep it. I don't have any going now, but yesterday got a recommendation to read "It's Your Ship" from someone who doesn't like motivational books. If the library has it today, I'm checking it out.
 

C.John

Pondering Phobophobia
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The Relic - Movie sucked but the book is tremendously awesome

Have you read the other Agent Pendergast novels from Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child? Such as Cabinet of Curiosities or Still Life with Crows?
 

Cutlass

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I read a lot, mostly speculative fiction. Which is just a less dorky way of saying sci fi/fantasy. My favorite authors are George RR Martin, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Jack Vance, JV Jones, Sean Russel, Steven Erickson and Robin Hobb. I just finished The Secret History of Moskow by Ekaterina Sedia last night. It was very Gaimanesk and worth the read if you like Neil Gaiman.
 

Phaedrus

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Do the articles in Penthouse count?

Just kidding--I've actually never bought a Playboy or Penthouse in my life, too embarrassed to do so.

Some of you people make me feel dumb with your books with big words and all that---I like to read fiction novels at night before bed just to unwind. Easy reading, but entertaining. I'm working through all the John Sanford "Prey" novels right now and loving all of them.

John Sanford is "the heat". The best thing about him is his upper-midwest angle of the "Prey" series.

Night Crew ain't bad, either...
 

bos

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Have you read the other Agent Pendergast novels from Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child? Such as Cabinet of Curiosities or Still Life with Crows?

Not yet, I have Reliquary sitting on my shelf. I still have to read that one first since its a sequel of sorts. Ill have to check out those other two as well. These guys have a talent for writing dark moody and scary books.
 

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