The MR Book Thread

by **Don Wishon** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:37 am

Currently reading "Comfortably Numb - The Inside Story of Pink Floyd" by Mark Blake.

by **AlteredDNA** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:38 am

bluejeangirl76 wrote:
brywool wrote:The way to 'read' the Dark Tower is via Audio Book. That was just too long. I remember liking it though. I just finished "Under the Dome". It was ok. Not horror in the least, but I do like King's characters... I've read a lot of his books. Seen a lot of his movies. The movies, nearly always, suck. Dead Zone was a great book and a great movie. The rest of the movies didn't do anything for me, including The Shining.

I've considered the audio book for the same reason - too long (and I NEVER do audiobooks)...
I've read almost everything King, but never touched the DT series.

Currently I'm reading King's "Under the Dome". Pretty good so far but I just started.

As for The Shining... see the TV mini-series version. It's SO much better than that Nicholson piece of crap.

I had stayed away from DT as well, but finally jumped into it. I took my time, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is massive, but it touches on and incorporates so many of his other books. I did take a break and read something else between the 4th and 5th books though...

My favorite of the series was Song of Susannah...

by **brywool** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:39 am

bluejeangirl76 wrote:
brywool wrote:The way to 'read' the Dark Tower is via Audio Book. That was just too long. I remember liking it though. I just finished "Under the Dome". It was ok. Not horror in the least, but I do like King's characters... I've read a lot of his books. Seen a lot of his movies. The movies, nearly always, suck. Dead Zone was a great book and a great movie. The rest of the movies didn't do anything for me, including The Shining.

I've considered the audio book for the same reason - too long (and I NEVER do audiobooks)...
I've read almost everything King, but never touched the DT series.

Currently I'm reading King's "Under the Dome". Pretty good so far but I just started.

As for The Shining... see the TV mini-series version. It's SO much better than that Nicholson piece of crap.

Yeah, as much as I like Jack, Shelly Duvall will ALWAYS ALWAYS be Olive Oil. Can't freakin stand her. HOW did she get to be a major actress?
Under the Dome's okay. A bit predictable and even kind of Spielberg-ish (blech!) in some ways. I don't wanna ruin it for you or anything, so I won't say why. I never do audio books either, but the DT series was something I always wanted to check out, but they were all huge and knowing how SK usually ruins the endings of his books, I was kind of not ready to invest a lot of time. I downloaded them from somewhere and used to listen at work.

Speaking of King, his son's (Joe Hill) book "Heart Shaped Box" was pretty good and much more creepy than King's stuff.

by **Ehwmatt** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:45 am

For all you folks reading The Lovely Bones: I haven't read the book, but from what I gather, it is chillingly similar to one of the most notorious cold cases in Cleveland history. In 1989, just 6 months before my family was to move from Toledo to Cleveland, an 11-year-old girl named Amy Mihalejvic was lured to a shopping plaza after school, abducted, and turned up stabbed in the neck 3 months later in a wheat field in rural Ashland, Ohio 54 miles away. To this day, no one knows who did it. She was taken from Bay Village, a well-to-do suburb where stuff like this simply does not happen. The only other famous event in Bay history is the murder of Marilyn Sheppard and the trial, conviction, and overturned conviction of her husband, Dr. Sam Sheppard, the story that both the TV show and Harrison Ford movie The Fugitive were largely based off of.

We were moving to a town that is literally 5 minutes from Bay, and needless to say, I was 3, my sister was a newborn, and my parents were pretty shaken up considering they (and everyone else) thought this area was very safe.

Anyway, a local author named James Renner was Amy's age at the time of the abduction and has invigorated interest in this chilling case with a book and a blog. The blog in itself is chilling, and the book is good reading as well.

http://amymihaljevic.blogspot.com

The book: http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Secrets-Suspe ... 1598510193

If you read Lovely Bones, you really should check both of these out. It's crazy. I'd love to see the scumbag who did it apprehended someday.

by **brywool** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:13 am

Hi Matt- yeah, unfortunately, these types of stories are all too common EVERYWHERE.
What the Hell is wrong with humans? Seriously, something is horribly wrong with the people.
There are a few cases up here where kids just vanish. Nobody sees anything. Nobody knows anything.
sad.

by **Don** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:50 am

Final Exam: A Surgeon's Reflections on Mortality

Wonderful book by Pauline Chen which deals with what Doctors endure in end of life situations and recounts her own experiences from her early days as as a student, her first experience with the death of a patient up to the point where she has found the ability to criticize herself for not being there for dying patients and loved ones emotionally and the subsequent journey of bringing herself back from the depersonalization of death that is required in medical school to the ability of actually allowing herself to feel human when suffering the loss of a patient.

by **ohsherrie** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:57 am

John Sanford
Michael Connelly
Patricia Cornwell
Sue Grafton
Stephen King
Dean Koontz
Anne Perry
John Grisham
J.R.R. Tolkien
J.B. Robb
Anne Rice
John Kellerman
J.K. Rowling
James Patterson

I know I'm leaving some out but when you've read as many books as I have it's hard to remember everyone.

(Andrew, if you like John Sanford you really should check out Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series.)

by **Deb** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:01 am

Don Wishon wrote:Currently reading "Comfortably Numb - The Inside Story of Pink Floyd" by Mark Blake.

Is it good? I've been on a Rock biography reading kick lately. Motley's "The Dirt", Sixx's "Heroin Diaries", and one of my all-time fave bassists, Rudy Sarzo's book "Off The Rails" about his friendship with Randy Rhoads and his time touring with Ozzy, Sharon, Randy, etc. during the Blizzard of Oz tour, good read. Talks a little about it here.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeuP-QH5Ri4 And am now reading, Guns 'n Roses "Watch You Bleed".

Just finished reading The Girl Who Played With Fire. Didn't know until I was half way through the book that it is from a trilogy, and this is the 2nd one.

Next up; Eat, Pray, Love. Heard it was a good book and saw a preview of the coming movie with Julia Roberts......looks like a good movie.

by **parfait** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:03 am

Don wrote:Final Exam: A Surgeon's Reflections on Mortality

Wonderful book by Pauline Chen which deals with what Doctors endure in end of life situations and recounts her own experiences from her early days as as a student, her first experience with the death of a patient up to the point where she has found the ability to criticize herself for not being there for dying patients and loved ones emotionally and the subsequent journey of bringing herself back from the depersonalization of death that is required in medical school to the ability of actually allowing herself to feel human when suffering the loss of a patient.

Woah, I might check that one out. Thanks, man.

by **bluejeangirl76** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:06 am

ohsherrie wrote:John Sanford
Michael Connelly
Patricia Cornwell
Sue Grafton
Stephen King
Dean Koontz
Anne Perry
John Grisham
J.R.R. Tolkien
J.B. Robb
Anne Rice
John Kellerman
J.K. Rowling
James Patterson

Lots on that list I love. John Grisham, awesome.... Dean Koontz's "Dragon Tears" - I need to read that again, it's been awhile. Loved it. James Patterson... great writer. Love the Alex Cross series.

I have to mention David Sedaris - his personal narratives are amazing and hilarious. He's usually found under "Essays" in the bookstore. Holidays on Ice (featuring 'the Santaland Diaries' and 'Dinah the Christmas Whore') is a must.

by **brywool** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:12 am

Deb wrote:
Don Wishon wrote:Currently reading "Comfortably Numb - The Inside Story of Pink Floyd" by Mark Blake.

Is it good? I've been on a Rock biography reading kick lately. Motley's "The Dirt", Sixx's "Heroin Diaries", and one of my all-time fave bassists, Rudy Sarzo's book "Off The Rails" about his friendship with Randy Rhoads and his time touring with Ozzy, Sharon, Randy, etc. during the Blizzard of Oz tour, good read. Talks a little about it here.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeuP-QH5Ri4 And am now reading, Guns 'n Roses "Watch You Bleed".

Just finished reading The Girl Who Played With Fire. Didn't know until I was half way through the book that it is from a trilogy, and this is the 2nd one. Next up; Eat, Pray, Love. Heard it was a good book and saw a preview of the coming movie with Julia Roberts......looks like a good movie.

Julia Roberts=Afghan dog. Blech...

The Heroin Diaries was an interesting read. Vanity was sure a wackjob! Okay, they all were wackjobs.

by **brywool** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:14 am

bluejeangirl76 wrote:
ohsherrie wrote:John Sanford
Michael Connelly
Patricia Cornwell
Sue Grafton
Stephen King
Dean Koontz
Anne Perry
John Grisham
J.R.R. Tolkien
J.B. Robb
Anne Rice
John Kellerman
J.K. Rowling
James Patterson

Lots on that list I love. John Grisham, awesome.... Dean Koontz's "Dragon Tears" - I need to read that again, it's been awhile. Loved it. James Patterson... great writer. Love the Alex Cross series.

I have to mention David Sedaris - his personal narratives are amazing and hilarious. He's usually found under "Essays" in the bookstore. Holidays on Ice (featuring 'the Santaland Diaries' and 'Dinah the Christmas Whore') is a must.

I read a couple of Grisham's books. Decent, but also kind of dull. Dean Koontz's books all seem so similar.

Some kind of Supernatural happening.
Wonder at the Supernatural happening.
A Chase.
The End.

But still fun to read sometimes.

by **Don** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:25 am

George R.R. Martin

'A Song of Ice and Fire' Series

1. A Game of Thrones (1996)
2. A Clash of Kings (1998)
3. A Storm of Swords (2000)
4. A Feast for Crows (2005)
5. A Dance with Dragons (2008)
6.??
7.??

Take the War of the Roses and mix in a little swords and sorcery and you'll get the idea. The great thing with the fantasy aspect of it is that Martin leaves just enough play in the line where everything that seems magical or supernatural might not really be that, as it could be the ignorance of the characters trying to interpret unexplainable things to the best of their ability.

by **lights1961** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:26 am

brywool wrote:
bluejeangirl76 wrote:
ohsherrie wrote:John Sanford
Michael Connelly
Patricia Cornwell
Sue Grafton
Stephen King
Dean Koontz
Anne Perry
John Grisham
J.R.R. Tolkien
J.B. Robb
Anne Rice
John Kellerman
J.K. Rowling
James Patterson

Lots on that list I love. John Grisham, awesome.... Dean Koontz's "Dragon Tears" - I need to read that again, it's been awhile. Loved it. James Patterson... great writer. Love the Alex Cross series.

I have to mention David Sedaris - his personal narratives are amazing and hilarious. He's usually found under "Essays" in the bookstore. Holidays on Ice (featuring 'the Santaland Diaries' and 'Dinah the Christmas Whore') is a must.

I read a couple of Grisham's books. Decent, but also kind of dull. Dean Koontz's books all seem so similar.

Some kind of Supernatural happening.
Wonder at the Supernatural happening.
A Chase.
The End.

But still fun to read sometimes.

early grisham ROCKS... FIRM and Pelican Brief and the Client were great reads...

by **bluejeangirl76** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:27 am

brywool wrote:
I read a couple of Grisham's books. Decent, but also kind of dull.

It's a lot of the same stuff, same law theme over and over, of course.

My favorite of Grisham's is A Painted House - nothing to do with his usual lawyers and judges and all that.
Very different and very good!

by **Angel** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:48 am

lights1961 wrote:
brywool wrote:
bluejeangirl76 wrote:
ohsherrie wrote:John Sanford
Michael Connelly
Patricia Cornwell
Sue Grafton
Stephen King
Dean Koontz
Anne Perry
John Grisham
J.R.R. Tolkien
J.B. Robb
Anne Rice
John Kellerman
J.K. Rowling
James Patterson

Lots on that list I love. John Grisham, awesome.... Dean Koontz's "Dragon Tears" - I need to read that again, it's been awhile. Loved it. James Patterson... great writer. Love the Alex Cross series.

I have to mention David Sedaris - his personal narratives are amazing and hilarious. He's usually found under "Essays" in the bookstore. Holidays on Ice (featuring 'the Santaland Diaries' and 'Dinah the Christmas Whore') is a must.

I read a couple of Grisham's books. Decent, but also kind of dull. Dean Koontz's books all seem so similar.

Some kind of Supernatural happening.
Wonder at the Supernatural happening.
A Chase.
The End.

But still fun to read sometimes.

early grisham ROCKS... FIRM and Pelican Brief and the Client were great reads...

I just finished The Street Lawyer-it was pretty good.

by **Angel** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:49 am

bluejeangirl76 wrote:
brywool wrote:
I read a couple of Grisham's books. Decent, but also kind of dull.

It's a lot of the same stuff, same law theme over and over, of course.

My favorite of Grisham's is A Painted House - nothing to do with his usual lawyers and judges and all that.
Very different and very good!

He also wrote Skipping Christmas which was totally different from his usual.

by **ohsherrie** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:51 am

bluejeangirl76 wrote:
ohsherrie wrote:John Sanford
Michael Connelly
Patricia Cornwell
Sue Grafton
Stephen King
Dean Koontz
Anne Perry
John Grisham
J.R.R. Tolkien
J.B. Robb
Anne Rice
John Kellerman
J.K. Rowling
James Patterson

Lots on that list I love. John Grisham, awesome.... Dean Koontz's "Dragon Tears" - I need to read that again, it's been awhile. Loved it. James Patterson... great writer. Love the Alex Cross series.

I have to mention David Sedaris - his personal narratives are amazing and hilarious. He's usually found under "Essays" in the bookstore. Holidays on Ice (featuring 'the Santaland Diaries' and 'Dinah the Christmas Whore') is a must.

Yes, Dragon Tears was great. Thanks for reminding me so I can read it again. I just recently read Lightning for about the third time. That's also a favorite of mine. Right now I'm working on his Intensity and it's falling a little short of what I've come to expect of him.

Whenever I get in to a particular series by an author I go back to the very beginning and follow the character all the way through. With Sanford it's Lucas Davenport, Connelly has Harry Bosch, Patterson's Alex Cross, Cornwell's Scarpetta and Grafton's Milhone of course.

I also agree that John Grishams best work was in his earlier books but the very last one that I read, The Appeal, should have been a political eye opener for many. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/books ... brill.html

Have you read King's The Dark Tower series? What about Rice's Vampire Chronicles?

by **brywool** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:53 am

lights1961 wrote:
early grisham ROCKS... FIRM and Pelican Brief and the Client were great reads...

Those are the 3 I read. Didn't finish the Client.

by **Ehwmatt** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:55 am

I'm a huge fan of the law, but frankly, I've never read a Grisham book that satisfied me. I always feel like he builds a great story and then just rushes the ending. I've read about 10 of his books and each one of them totally lost steam at the end.

by **lights1961** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:59 am

brywool wrote:
lights1961 wrote:
early grisham ROCKS... FIRM and Pelican Brief and the Client were great reads...

Those are the 3 I read. Didn't finish the Client.

watch the movie... ;-)

thats one that I love the movie more than the book, but the book was still really good.

by **Don** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:01 am

I like Robert R. McCammon's books. He brings a bit of that southern gothic to his writing.

Some of his novels;

Baal (1978)
They Thirst (1981)
Mystery Walk (1983)
Swan Song (1987)
Stinger (1988)
Wolf's Hour, the (1989)
Boy's Life (1990)
Mine (1990)
Gone South (1992)
Speaks the Nightbird (2002)

Not as dark as Clive Barker but a lot of similarities.

by **donnaplease** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:16 am

The Left Behind Series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. GREAT series! It is a fictional account of what is generally the book of Revelation. A neat connection to MR is that the series is mostly set in the Chicago suburbs, so to read you guys talk about Des Plaines, Kankakee, and others makes me think of the books. Kirk Cameron starred in the movie adaptation of the first couple of books, but it didn't do justice to them so it never really took off. This series is suggested to be one reason that some folks compare Pres. Obama to the anti-christ, although the authors refute that assertion (and the books were out long before BO was on anyone's radar).

Even if you don't believe in the 'end times' philosophy, I think you would still enjoy the books.

by **Michigan Girl** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:22 am

donnaplease wrote:The Left Behind Series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. GREAT series! It is a fictional account of what is generally the book of Revelation. A neat connection to MR is that the series is mostly set in the Chicago suburbs, so to read you guys talk about Des Plaines, Kankakee, and others makes me think of the books. Kirk Cameron starred in the movie adaptation of the first couple of books, but it didn't do justice to them so it never really took off. This series is suggested to be one reason that some folks compare Pres. Obama to the anti-christ, although the authors refute that assertion (and the books were out long before BO was on anyone's radar).

Even if you don't believe in the 'end times' philosophy, I think you would still enjoy the books.

I could barely wait for each book to come out ...awesome, awesome series!!!
There were about 30 of us passing those books around from one to another ...it was insane!! :wink:

by **Lula** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:24 am

are you kidding me? some people compare obama to the anti christ? that is insane.

by **Michigan Girl** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:27 am

Lula wrote:are you kidding me? some people compare obama to the anti christ? that is insane.

When I read that series I had never heard of Obama.

by **brywool** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:28 am

Lula wrote:are you kidding me? some people compare obama to the anti christ? that is insane.

The "Left Behind" series holds absolutely no interest for me. If Kirk Cameron's endorsing it, forget it.

by **ohsherrie** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:43 am

brywool wrote:
Lula wrote:are you kidding me? some people compare obama to the anti christ? that is insane.

The "Left Behind" series holds absolutely no interest for me. If Kirk Cameron's endorsing it, forget it.

Me either. I want my fiction to be either realistic or fantasy escapism, not fantasy trying to pass itself off as realistically possible. I'm no fan of book banning or burning but I'd consider it for that series especially if it's being insinuated into public school libraries.

by **Ehwmatt** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:48 am

ohsherrie wrote:
brywool wrote:
Lula wrote:are you kidding me? some people compare obama to the anti christ? that is insane.

The "Left Behind" series holds absolutely no interest for me. If Kirk Cameron's endorsing it, forget it.

I'm no fan of book banning or burning but I'd consider it for that series especially if it's being insinuated into public school libraries.

Disgusting sentiment.

by **Don** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:58 am

I'm what I consider an agnostic but can't see why any one would want to ban those books from a school library. We've got plenty of other stuff on the shelves like books about UFOs and Bigfoot which try to present themselves as realistic which I think are garbage. Doesn't mean we need to pull it off the shelves? Censoring certain religious literature in the public libraries would be the same as what the church has been accused of trying to do regarding books on evolution and Devil warship.
It would be hypocritical to employ their tactics on things we don't happen to like also.

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