What Are You Reading Now?

[Clark Addison]

As usual, I am a few years behind everyone. I liked Nathaniel Philbrick's "Last Stand" which I read a few years back, and am now making my way through his Revolutionary War books. I liked "Bunker HIll", but thought it dragged at times. I just finished the second, "Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution" I liked this one more than the first. Partly because I love reading about Washington, a man who really grew into greatness, and partly because I have never really dug into Benedict Arnold, and found his story very interesting.

One of the parts I enjoyed was the "WW Phelps-esque" letter from Thomas Conway to Washington. Conway had been instrumental in the "Conway Cabal" which sought for some time to replace Washington with Horatio Gates. In July, 1778 he thought (erroneously) that he was dying at wrote Washington a letter, in which he said:

my carreer will soon be over, therefore justice and truth prompt me to Declare my Last sentiments. you are in my eyes the great and the good Man. May you Long enjoy the Love, Veneration and Esteem of these states whose Libertys you have asserted by your Virtues

The cynical side of me thinks that Conway is the type who would write that, and then the next day write congress complaining about Washington, but I will try to push that part of me aside, as I think it is a great description of Washington and his legacy.

Looking forward to reading the next book.

[BigPiney]

I started reading Wellness a month or so ago, but managed to lose my kindle in hospital transfers. I feel like I lost an appendage. My reading has stopped.

I still do listen to lots of books during my 9 hour weekly commute.

[Clark Addison]

Seven years late, but I just finished The Nix, in preparation of getting Wellness (started 79th in line, now up to 60th). Overall, I liked it a lot. A couple of notes (may give away plot points if you haven't read it yet). I tried to look up comments in this thread but 3-letter titles don't work well in search.

Overall I really liked it. One of the things I liked was that it, in some ways, mirrored one of my favorite books, Catch-22. Both are very funny, both move around in time a lot (Although nothing moves around like Catch-22), but the thing that really reminded me of Heller is that in both books, the first 98% takes a very jaundiced view of the world they are set in, roaming into cynicism at some points, but both also somewhat suddenly end on a note of hope. Not in a Hallmark channel style of "Everything is great after all", but more of a "Yes, things are f'ed up, yet..." kind of way.

One of the other things I thought about was the difficulty in making an "Everyman" protagonist who isn't boring. This was actually one of the few things I struggled with, just a bit. I get why you want an Everyman, but as I was going through the book, there were a bunch of characters who were great. Not great as in likeable, but compelling. Bishop, Guy Periwinkle, Laura, and Pwnage were all great characters, and there were a couple of times where I thought "I want to read this book from Periwinkle's POV". I warmed to Samuel a bit over time, but for the first half of the book, my internal review was "Great book around a boring character". Maybe I just don't like Everyman protagonists. I have the same reaction in mystery books where some normal schlub solves the crime. I want to read about people who are competent and good at what they do! Or at least are peculiar or quirky.

Overall, a big thumbs up from me, in case anyone has been waiting for my review before reading it. I'm looking forward to Wellness in another couple of months.

[Northwestcoug]

As I mentioned in another thread, I wasn’t going to read McKay Coppins’ Romney—A Reckoning, but Trump’s predictably imbecilic attack on Romney and the book impelled me to buy it. It’s MUCH better and more interesting than I expected. The first third is interesting, but things get juicy as the 2016 campaign nears. Romney is more self-aware and self-critical than I had assumed and the contrast between his view of America and life generally is starkly different from Trump’s or, for that matter, many others' among the politically elite. The book contains several surprises and, two-thirds the way in, a lot of depressing revelations about the direction the country is moving.

Good to hear. A concerned son sent his Mom this book last week. Here's hoping it opens her eyes.

[PaloAltoCougar]

As I mentioned in another thread, I wasn’t going to read McKay Coppins’ Romney—A Reckoning, but Trump’s predictably imbecilic attack on Romney and the book impelled me to buy it. It’s MUCH better and more interesting than I expected. The first third is interesting, but things get juicy as the 2016 campaign nears. Romney is more self-aware and self-critical than I had assumed and the contrast between his view of America and life generally is starkly different from Trump’s or, for that matter, many others' among the politically elite. The book contains several surprises and, two-thirds the way in, a lot of depressing revelations about the direction the country is moving.

[SteelBlue]

I finished Flights and continue to highly recommend it. I haven't connected with a book like that in a while. Definitely not for everyone but if it's right for you, it hits hard.

[SteelBlue]

If you're a John le Carre fan, The Pigeon Tunnel on Apple TV+ is excellent. Posting here in case some readers skip the streamer threads.

[Northwestcoug]

"The House in the Cerulean Sea", by TJ Kline. A Harry Potter-esque stand alone book that is a fun read. One of the few books that I could 'hear' the way the characters talked when I read their lines. One reviewer called it a “like being wrapped in a big gay blanket." And that is about right. There are allusions galore to acceptance, protecting the outcast, and what is family. But it's written well enough and the story breezes by that I didn't mind being showered by rainbows. A few LOL moments and some very touching scenes. If you're looking for a quick YA fantasy read it'll do you well. If you're a certain fan, this other review might pique your interest: "This inclusive fantasy is quite possibly the greatest feel-good story ever to involve the anti-Christ."

[falafel]

If I recall correctly, the first book was the toughest with all the jumping sound and introducing characters.

Finished this. I enjoyed it and I'll read the next one. I'm also interested in the Apple TV+ series.

[SteelBlue]

Flights by Nobel winner Olga Tokarczuk. Highly recommend.

[bluegoose]

The Nix is one of my favorite books. Can't wait to get to Wellness.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I am #6 on The Nix and #78 on Wellness, based on recommendations here. I will be ready to discuss sometime in January!

[Clark Addison]

I am #6 on The Nix and #78 on Wellness, based on recommendations here. I will be ready to discuss sometime in January!

[BigPiney]

I am 49th on the waitlist for the audiobook from my local library. That narrator is again the excellent Ari Fliakos, so I will wait for the audiobook.

I am 179th at my library.

[falafel]

Wellness didn’t disappoint and I’d love to discuss several of the book’s subplots and sidebars, including how we tend to overanalyze our parenting (author Hill cites many dozens of childrearing studies one of the key characters reads while trying to be a better parent to her troubled child); the other main character’s hilarious introduction to porn at the dawn of the internet age; a fascinating review of social media algorithms; how lousy parenting can cause so much pain many years later; and many more fascinating passages. Hill may overuse flashbacks and the back story device a bit, but it’s still fun to have a lot of “so that’s why he/she behaves that way” moments. A very attention-grabbing and moving read.

I am 49th on the waitlist for the audiobook from my local library. That narrator is again the excellent Ari Fliakos, so I will wait for the audiobook.