The MR Book Thread

[Andrew]

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.

LOL

[Andrew]

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

SCARY reading that....horrifying even.

King Of Torts is another WTF wild ride.

[Andrew]

Wow! Some people will take any topic and turn it into an anti-religion rant I guess...

I agree there...let's keep it on "pleasent" topic please

[donnaplease]

Do you have ANY idea what has been going on in schools from about 4th grade through graduate level education in this country for the last 25~30 years? Total leftist agenda 99% of the time.

Examples please?

I'm not Matt, but sex ed is one of the things I would cite.

Uh, how is sex ed leftist?

The topics being taught are more liberal than ever, and if the left had their way, I'm not sure any topic would be off limits. It was a hot topic in the last election, and has been in the news recently as well. Teaching about homosexuality, STDs, and sexual acts to children who aren't really able to understand completely enough to comprehend the nature of it is concerning to me. It's why we don't teach calculus to first graders. They need to learn to add and subtract first. It is my personal opinion that giving too much specific information at too young an age puts an emotional strain on the kids that they don't need. I know they see things on TV, in music videos, etc that they can get info from, and I honestly don't have an answer to that.

Don't wanna stray too far from the boss man's desire to stay 'pleasant', just wanted to let you know where I'm coming from with my views. As a former school nurse and a parent, I have some perspective to draw from as well.

[donnaplease]

Also... Anne Rice is now writing books on Christ and *oh gasp!* religious topics. Better ban her, she might indoctrinate someone.

That she does & is still good.

The Road to Cana was really good. I'm looking forward to reading the Angel Time series, I just haven't gotten there yet.

[ohsherrie]

Wow! Some people will take any topic and turn it into an anti-religion rant I guess...

And some will find a way to insinuate religion into any topic and then set back and play innocent after they get their desired result.

[ohsherrie]

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

SCARY reading that....horrifying even.

King Of Torts is another WTF wild ride.

I know I've read that one but I can't remember what it was about right now. That would be another good re-read.

[donnaplease]

Wow! Some people will take any topic and turn it into an anti-religion rant I guess...

And some will find a way to insinuate religion into any topic and then set back and play innocent after they get their desired result.

Whatever, dude.

[ohsherrie]

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

That was another one that I really liked. It was a little different from some of the rest.

[ohsherrie]

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

I have several. I forgot about Mike. Lincoln Lawyer is another great read.

And you should check out Michael Kelly...

Yeah, Lincoln Lawyer was the last Connelly I read. I will try Michael Kelly. I've been having trouble finding an good new mystery author that is up to the standards of Sanford and Connelly. Thanks

[Ehwmatt]

To Kill The Irishman: The War That Crippled The Mafia: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/096625 ... d_i=507846 - This book is about the long history of the mob in Cleveland, one of the mob hotbeds, and their 1970s war with an Irish gangster named Danny Greene that culminated in the bombing death of Greene. The fallout from that bombing, in combination with the RICO law, witness protection, and other factors, helped bring down the mob on a national level. This is written by a Cleveland police chief, and I found it poorly edited and written in some places, but a great story is a great story. Highly recommended for mob-heads. It's currently in movie production.

The Dirty Dozen: How 12 Supreme Court Cases Radically Expanded Government and Eroded Freedom: http://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Dozen-Radic ... 574&sr=1-1 - This should be required reading for all people who think that constitutional law simply boils down to political social issues like abortion. In reality, both the right and left-wing sects of the Court have issued decisions that profoundly threaten our individual liberties in a multitude of ways.

Term Limits: http://www.amazon.com/Term-Limits-Vince ... 688&sr=1-1 - A compelling political thriller in the vein of Tom Clancy. I couldn't put it down. Especially prescient for these times.

On my short list:

The Book of Basketball: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Basketball-N ... 745&sr=1-1 - Bill Simmons's purportedly epic historic tome of basketball... love his writing on ESPN and I definitely want to read this.

[Moon Beam]

I really enjoyed this one....

[donnaplease]

I really enjoyed this one....

OMG!!! I was just watching his biography on Bio last night. I love MeatLoaf! He's awesome!!! It seems like he did go 'to hell and back' in his career.

Great to see you here, G!!!

[ohsherrie]

If this has already been discussed I apologize but I haven't had time to read the whole thread.

Has anybody else read King's Dark Tower series?

How about The Talisman and Black House by King and Peter Straub?

[bluejeangirl76]

If this has already been discussed I apologize but I haven't had time to read the whole thread.

Has anybody else read King's Dark Tower series?

How about The Talisman and Black House by King and Peter Straub?

It was on page 1 or 2 I think... I've not yet conjured up the energy to launch into Dark Tower.
I wish I'd done it 11-12 years ago when I was fully into my King phase (read the majority of his stuff in one summer).
Back then there were only 4 DT books, would have been easier to keep up...lol... I don't even know how many there are now.

King favorites of mine:

Insomnia, Rose Madder, The Long Walk (written as Bachman), Pet Sematary, Four Past Midnight (all four novellas are amazing), The Body.

Insomnia has to be my favorite. Read it twice and couldn't put it down either time!

The movies never compare to books, and are usually kind of lame, but seriously, Pet Sematary is THE ONE movie in the world that still scares the shit out of me.

[ohsherrie]

If this has already been discussed I apologize but I haven't had time to read the whole thread.

Has anybody else read King's Dark Tower series?

How about The Talisman and Black House by King and Peter Straub?

It was on page 1 or 2 I think... I've not yet conjured up the energy to launch into Dark Tower.
I wish I'd done it 11-12 years ago when I was fully into my King phase (read the majority of his stuff in one summer).
Back then there were only 4 DT books, would have been easier to keep up...lol... I don't even know how many there are now.

King favorites of mine:

Insomnia, Rose Madder, The Long Walk (written as Bachman), Pet Sematary, Four Past Midnight (all four novellas are amazing), The Body.

Insomnia has to be my favorite. Read it twice and couldn't put it down either time!

The movies never compare to books, and are usually kind of lame, but seriously, Pet Sematary is THE ONE movie in the world that still scares the shit out of me.

I couldn't get into Pet Semetary. I really didn't care much for a lot of King's earlier work. It was the Dark Tower that got me reading his work. The Dark Tower has seven books: The Gunslinger, The Drawing of the Three, The Wastelands, Wizard and Glass, Wolves of the Calla, Song of Suzanna and The Dark Tower. Inigma, like Hearts in Atlantis, tie into the Dark Tower story. So do the two by King and Straub.

I like his collections of short stories and novellas better than some of his novels and The Body is one of my favorites. That became the movie Stand By Me. Rose Madder is another of my favorites.

[AlteredDNA]

If this has already been discussed I apologize but I haven't had time to read the whole thread.

Has anybody else read King's Dark Tower series?

How about The Talisman and Black House by King and Peter Straub?

It was on page 1 or 2 I think... I've not yet conjured up the energy to launch into Dark Tower.
I wish I'd done it 11-12 years ago when I was fully into my King phase (read the majority of his stuff in one summer).
Back then there were only 4 DT books, would have been easier to keep up...lol... I don't even know how many there are now.

King favorites of mine:

Insomnia, Rose Madder, The Long Walk (written as Bachman), Pet Sematary, Four Past Midnight (all four novellas are amazing), The Body.

Insomnia has to be my favorite. Read it twice and couldn't put it down either time!

The movies never compare to books, and are usually kind of lame, but seriously, Pet Sematary is THE ONE movie in the world that still scares the shit out of me.

Insomnia and Rose Madder are tied in heavily with the Dark Tower, as well as The Stand and several others.

As ohsherrie said, there are seven books, but there are rumblings that an 8th one might be in the works. Of the seven, Song of Susannah was my favorite, but the whole series is such an incredible ride...

King has said that Pet Sematary was his most horrific book to write - he couldn't even finish it for a while. I agree - scared me like no other one had...

[bluejeangirl76]

King has said that Pet Sematary was his most horrific book to write - he couldn't even finish it for a while. I agree - scared me like no other one had...

A few years back, I decided to read that one a 2nd time. I was laying on the sofa reading, and I was at the part where he's alone in the house and Church the cat had recently returned from the dead, and was lurking around, staring, and being weird... I got a weird feeling and I turned around, and one of my damn cats was behind me, sitting in the middle of the room, just... staring at me. Big wide eyes, ice cold cat stare, and he sat there still as stone.

I put the book down and did not return to it that evening.

[AlteredDNA]

King has said that Pet Sematary was his most horrific book to write - he couldn't even finish it for a while. I agree - scared me like no other one had...

A few years back, I decided to read that one a 2nd time. I was laying on the sofa reading, and I was at the part where he's alone in the house and Church the cat had recently returned from the dead, and was lurking around, staring, and being weird... I got a weird feeling and I turned around, and one of my damn cats was behind me, sitting in the middle of the room, just... staring at me. Big wide eyes, ice cold cat stare, and he sat there still as stone.

I put the book down and did not return to it that evening.

Yikes! I think I would have jumped out of my skin...

OT Story - After watching The Ring (the American version), I wasn't too freaked out - decent movie with a few chills, I decided to watch the "video" on the DVD extras. I swear, the instant that it ended, my phone rang! I think I may have simultaneously shrieked and whimpered...

...and it was a wrong number...

[Lula]

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

Have you seriously never heard that, Lula? Yes, it is thought by some that he could be/is the anti-christ. I think it's the fact that he came from seemingly nowhere to be the leader of the free world, he talked so much about a 'world community', etc. There are some parallels, but there are differences too and even the authors of the books are quick to tell people not to try to make him fit that role.

I think it's like reading about a disease process. If you read too much into it, you can find symptoms that you've had and all of a sudden you feel sick.

I like the books because although it is a fictional account of end times, it is easier to read and understand than actually reading the book of Revelation and trying to understand it. It breaks down the symbolism of the bible (all the judgements, etc) into real-world events. Since you're reading the bible now, it might be something that would interest you. (Also, I don't know what version of the bible you're reading, but I really like the New Revised Standard Version - it's very easy to understand).

my issue with the production of a fictional work of the bible is the producer's interpretation is what you get. fine for entertainment, but i take it with a grain of salt. i saw one of the left behind videos years ago.... no opinion.

i've read several versions of the bible, including the one my mother gave me at 12 years old. i enjoy reading the bible, studying and discussing interpretations with small groups. i am reading a version (new revised standard) my aunt gave me while in new york and am ordering a NIV for church.

the comparison to the anti christ seems to be another one of the right wing'S scare tactics. seems the right wing needs to remember the teachings of Jesus and admit Jesus was a liberal.

[ohsherrie]

Insomnia and Rose Madder are tied in heavily with the Dark Tower, as well as The Stand and several others.

As ohsherrie said, there are seven books, but there are rumblings that an 8th one might be in the works. Of the seven, Song of Susannah was my favorite, but the whole series is such an incredible ride...

King has said that Pet Sematary was his most horrific book to write - he couldn't even finish it for a while. I agree - scared me like no other one had...

I'm hoping there will be an eighth and that they will bring Jack Sawyer in from Talisman and Black House. The one thing I was disappointed about with Dark Tower was that he brought Patrick from Insomnia, Ted from Hearts in Atlantis, Callahan from 'Salem's Lot, but left out Jack.

Oh yes, Captain Tripps, Randal Flagg and the crows in the Stand, how could I have forgotten that, another of my all time favorite books and also the movie.

[AlteredDNA]

Insomnia and Rose Madder are tied in heavily with the Dark Tower, as well as The Stand and several others.

As ohsherrie said, there are seven books, but there are rumblings that an 8th one might be in the works. Of the seven, Song of Susannah was my favorite, but the whole series is such an incredible ride...

King has said that Pet Sematary was his most horrific book to write - he couldn't even finish it for a while. I agree - scared me like no other one had...

I'm hoping there will be an eighth and that they will bring Jack Sawyer in from Talisman and Black House. The one thing I was disappointed about with Dark Tower was that he brought Patrick from Insomnia, Ted from Hearts in Atlantis, Callahan from 'Salem's Lot, but left out Jack.

Oh yes, Captain Tripps, Randal Flagg and the crows in the Stand, how could I have forgotten that, another of my all time favorite books and also the movie.

Giving away all of the DT secrets to BJG...

I've heard the new book is supposed to take place after the events in Song of Susannah, after Roland returns to Gilead...

[ohsherrie]

Giving away all of the DT secrets to BJG...

I've heard the new book is supposed to take place after the events in Song of Susannah, after Roland returns to Gilead...

Oops, well maybe it'll just make it more tantalizing, LOL.

Do you mean this eighth book will have taken place between Song of Suzanna and The Dark Tower?

[Don Wishon]

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.

Yes, very good so far...I am up to 1973 and Dark Side of the Moon. There are many books/stories/articles written on Syd...and this book does a very good job in telling the story.

I have read books by Alice Cooper, Don Felder, Richie Furay...

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

This is what I read when I want to be intelleckshuall


Beetle Bailey
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1848 ... 80SHMS0DNY

The Complete Peanuts
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Peanut ... 496&sr=1-1

Blondie
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blondie-1931-19 ... 64&sr=1-11

Hagear the horrible
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hagar-Horrible- ... 596&sr=1-1

calvin and hobbes
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Calvin ... 648&sr=1-1

[Don Wishon]

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!

I have read that...enjoyed it.

[AlteredDNA]

Giving away all of the DT secrets to BJG...

I've heard the new book is supposed to take place after the events in Song of Susannah, after Roland returns to Gilead...

Oops, well maybe it'll just make it more tantalizing, LOL.

Do you mean this eighth book will have taken place between Song of Suzanna and The Dark Tower?

That's my understanding - I believe it was to be primarily about Roland and Cuthbert...

[ohsherrie]

Giving away all of the DT secrets to BJG...

I've heard the new book is supposed to take place after the events in Song of Susannah, after Roland returns to Gilead...

Oops, well maybe it'll just make it more tantalizing, LOL.

Do you mean this eighth book will have taken place between Song of Suzanna and The Dark Tower?

That's my understanding - I believe it was to be primarily about Roland and Cuthbert...

So, that would have to be before Song of Suzanna because Cuthbert was killed at Jerihco Hill fighting Farson's army before Wizard and Glass. But then again, with such things as todash anything is possible in a Dark Tower book.

[AlteredDNA]

Giving away all of the DT secrets to BJG...

I've heard the new book is supposed to take place after the events in Song of Susannah, after Roland returns to Gilead...

Oops, well maybe it'll just make it more tantalizing, LOL.

Do you mean this eighth book will have taken place between Song of Suzanna and The Dark Tower?

That's my understanding - I believe it was to be primarily about Roland and Cuthbert...

So, that would have to be before Song of Suzanna because Cuthbert was killed at Jerihco Hill fighting Farson's army before Wizard and Glass. But then again, with such things as todash anything is possible in a Dark Tower book.

Here's what I had remembered reading:


The Wind Through the Keyhole

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wind_T ... he_Keyhole

Stephen King confirmed this during his TimesTalk event at The TimesCenter in New York City on November 10, 2009, and the next day King's official site posted the information that King will begin working on this novel in about eight months, with a tentative title being The Wind Through the Keyhole. King noted that this novel should be set between the fourth and the fifth books of the series.

I mentioned two potential projects while I was on the road, one a new Mid-World book (not directly about Roland Deschain, but yes, he and his friend Cuthbert are in it, hunting a skin-man, which are what werewolves are called in that lost kingdom)

Of course, until it's actually written and published (if), who knows...

[ohsherrie]

Giving away all of the DT secrets to BJG...

I've heard the new book is supposed to take place after the events in Song of Susannah, after Roland returns to Gilead...

Oops, well maybe it'll just make it more tantalizing, LOL.

Do you mean this eighth book will have taken place between Song of Suzanna and The Dark Tower?

That's my understanding - I believe it was to be primarily about Roland and Cuthbert...

So, that would have to be before Song of Suzanna because Cuthbert was killed at Jerihco Hill fighting Farson's army before Wizard and Glass. But then again, with such things as todash anything is possible in a Dark Tower book.

Here's what I had remembered reading:


The Wind Through the Keyhole

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wind_T ... he_Keyhole

Stephen King confirmed this during his TimesTalk event at The TimesCenter in New York City on November 10, 2009, and the next day King's official site posted the information that King will begin working on this novel in about eight months, with a tentative title being The Wind Through the Keyhole. King noted that this novel should be set between the fourth and the fifth books of the series.

I mentioned two potential projects while I was on the road, one a new Mid-World book (not directly about Roland Deschain, but yes, he and his friend Cuthbert are in it, hunting a skin-man, which are what werewolves are called in that lost kingdom)

Of course, until it's actually written and published (if), who knows...

Okay, that makes more sense then because Wizard and Glass was the fourth book and it's the one that goes back in time as Roland is telling Jake, Eddie and Suzanna about his time with Cuthbert, Alain and Susan in Mejis as teenagers.