I'm running out of books. What have you read lately that you love? Here a few I've enjoyed lately:
Chasing the Red White and Blue by David Cohen: a revisitation of the writing and travels of Alexis de Toqueville. It's depressing me.
Under the Banner of Heaven by John Krakauer: a history of the Mormon church and its radical fundamentalist splinter groups.
All Over Creation by Ruth Ozeki: several personal story line dovetailing by the end, set in the heritage seed community.
Apex Hides the Hurt by Colson Whitehead: Uh, an adman's racial alienation from white America (that was a tough one).
What are you reading???


(Message edited by barbara_GIBSON on September 11, 2006)

Well, my taste is all over the board but the two books I've read most recently and enjoyed were:
Bangkok 8
Bleachy Haired Honky B*tch (not what it sounds like, it's a collection of short, sarcastic, very funny stories)

Oh, goodie, I'm starting a list!

Gee whiz Barbara- you are operating on a much higher plain than I!! I thought that I was doing well to finally be able to get to the paperback biography of John Adams (David is it McCullen?) I hadn't realized that he was published 'way back in the 60's with his Johnstown Flood book that was published in the readers digest condensed. That was one of the first non-fiction 'adult' books that I ever read (I really thought that I was sneaking something good out of the bookcase) and I loved it so much- it gave me nightmares! I loved his Truman biography and never though to look backwards. (Now, who wrote "Garp")- One of his latest "Until I see You Again' (has anyone else noticed that all his books seem to follow the same theme. I don't read them in hardback anymore- I can wait until they are out in paper.) I confess- I am also in love with Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum series- now THERE is a dessert book!! You don't have to think to read it but its a lot of fun!

OK, my brain hurts after reading your book titles Barbara...I feel stupid...lol!

I love Christopher Moore books. He has a warped sense of humor but makes for a very entertaining fictional read.

For the diver/fish lovers in all of us:
Fluke: Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings (It's a tale of whale researchers living in Hawaii).

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff (Biff, Jesus' best friend tells all the stuff he and Jesus did as kids)

The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror (those raised from the dead like to eat brains and want to go shopping at Ikea-and that is just a small part of the story)

The one I just ordered and will begin reading soon:

Island of the Sequined Love Nun - something about Tucker (who is also in the Stupidest Angel) and Mary Kay Cosmetics...

NOTE/Dislcaimer: All of the above are fiction and you really need a sense of humor to enjoy them.

I read the God Makers years ago...pretty interesting book.

And to prove that I really do read serious books...Theodore Rex - a lively biography of the president

Tuesdays With Morie - An Old Man, A Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lessons (have tissues ready)

I don't even know any of the books you all mentioned! I am into reading a bit lighter when I read, like all the Doc Ford novels and all the books from Randy Wayne White is my speed, can't come close to anything really serious, life is serious enough for me, I like to escape from all that.

Then Jon Coon has some diving books I read, Blackwolf and Thief of the Deep that were pretty good. Another dive book was The Last Dive by Bernie Chowdhury that I enjoyed reading. Love books about diving and the sea.

A really fun book I know of is called: A Trip to the Beach by Melinda and Robert Blanchard - Now this book is about a true story that involves a husband and wife who follow their dream to leave their home and start a restaurant in an island paradise. This all takes place on Anguilla.

Sorry, no really serious reading books from me.

Don't stop the Carnival is another one.

More! More! I can hardly wait to go to the book store.
I'm going to make money now, can't wait to see what's here when I get back!

I too have wide range of tastes in books. I read hundreds of them while we we on the road. I read a lot of "New Age" things, but my very favorite are the books by Neale Donald Walsch. The Kryon books are also good.
Also love anything by Nicholas Sparks (tissues a must). The man sure knows how to write a love story without making it a romance novel. Romance novels bore me to tears - same plot line with variations over and over.
I LOVE Stephen King and have read everything the man has ever written. He is sooooo warped.
Also for non-fiction I sure like Peter Capstick books. Death in the Long Grass is especially good. He writes about his experiences as a big game hunter. I'm not much on hunting, but the experiences he has are very entertaining and harrowing.
Let's see....... Dean Koontz, John D. McDonald, John Sanford ("Prey" books), James Patterson - all writers of substance for fiction in my opinion.
Reading is wonderful! Expands or contracts your universe and your mind.

I'm an escapist reader - mystery, fantasy, sci fi and historical fiction. Helps me de-stress.

Elizabeth Peters - Amelia Peabody heroine 1900's Egypt/Archaeology. Absolutely a hoot. (mystery/historical fiction)

Ellis Peters - Brother Cadfael character - midevil England (mystery/historical fiction)

Neal Stephenson -
The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer (futuristic/technology) He's a great writer.

Clive Cussler for me.

Time Travelers Wife
#1 Ladies Detective Agency
A trilogy by Andrianna Trigianni (they all mention places nearby here in Northeast TN and Southwest, VA (they talk about going to big city of Kingsport - HAHAHA)

Those are the ones I've read recently

Best things I've read in the last 12 months are Capt'n Dons Yarns & Tales in the Diving Bonaire section of BT, especially his Sea Trauma Novel !!

I'll second Debbie's Randy Wayne White, love his books, enjoyed fishing in SW Fl and Diving the Isla Pines, Cuba (1979) with Randy...super great guy!

Timmmmmy, Have you seen his new book (now in hardback) called "Dead of Night"? I got it as a gift and am saving it for my trip in November to Bonaire.

Wow, Kris... I could have written your post, except for the new age part.

I also love Dana Stabenow (she has 2 mystery series that take place in Alaska) and Sue Henry (another mystery series set in Alaska). Jan Burke and Iris Johansen are 2 more great mystery writers.

Submerged: Adventures of America's most elite underwater archeology Team is an awesome read... I wanted to quit my day job

My other favorite author is Diana Gabaldon... she writes a series of books that can only be described as unique (ok - how about historical romantic science fiction... involves time travel).

Oh yeah, I almost forgot... Bill Bryson is the most hysterical travel writer I have ever read. I especially enjoyed "In a Sunburned Country" about his visit to Australia, but "The lost continent" and "A Walk in the Woods" are laugh out loud funny, also.

(Message edited by morgans4me on September 11, 2006)

The Doctor's Wife was the most recent book I've read, one of 5 I read in Bonaire, but by far one of the best.

Oh, this is really good, you guys. I've heard of some of these and others not at all. I'm printing this stuff off and going to the bookstore. Yay! Thanks! All other suggestions very welcome.

Barbara, don't buy any of mine (just in case) I can bring them to you and you can have them I just started The Best American Short Stories by Michael Chabon..if I'm done with it by then I'll bring it...oh wait, we can have a book exchange!

Right now on my sideboard I have the book "The practical handbook of useless knowledge" by a german writer.

Just a collection of facts nobody really needs, but funny to know about.

The last couple I read were The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight, by Thom Hartmann

Sacred Origins of Profound Things - by Charles Panati

I am fascinated with learning about the world around me. I am always reading books that teach me something about the world, my place in it and how to make it better for the next generation.

Happy reading!!

Mara - I agree, Time Travellers Wife is a great book.

Debbie - Have not seen Dead of Night in the book store yet...

Becky - Bill Bryson is awesome...walk in the woods is one of my favorites.

oh yes- loved Time Travelers wife- AND I love the Gabaldon series- I can't believe that she said that she wasn't going to write anymore- she left room for another!!
Lots of great travel writing out there- if I can't BE there then the next best thing is reading about it!!

Glad you started this subject. Now I have new books/authors on my list too!

Cynde, I'll haul the books I'm done with to Santa Barbara too, although I have to admit there are some I just can't part with. The 2006 West Coast Bonaire Talk Wine Tasting, Diving, Barbecue, Full Moon Sail Bookswap. Whew! I'm gonna need a nap by the end of that weekend.
Kris, Timmmy, "A Walk in the Woods" is indeed a scream.
Rosanne, for have you read any Cintra Wilson or David Scederis? For funny sarcastic reads, they are hard to beat.
I have to add anything by Ann Pachett, and A. J. Liebling to my list.
I have to stop...I'll go on all day. Reading is major recreation in our house. Thanks, guys. I'm still writing them down!

Barbara, the David Scederis book is the one that got me going on the Bleachy-Haired one written by Hollis Gillespie. They are both similar and I find their sarcasm very funny. I think they both have met my family because some of their stories mirror events in my life! LOL.
I like the book exchange idea for the SB mini meet, I'll pack a bunch up to bring. Are you driving down, the airfare seems a bit high for such a short flight.

Roseanne, I think we will drive. The hotel is expensive enough that flying and renting a car make the whole thing pretty pricey otherwise. And if we drive, I can dive and pack my car with books! Can you drag your husband along? Eric is Computer Guy, and I'm betting Ravi is, too. They could say things to each other that we (I, at least) don't understand.
Oh, Harry Crews, Carl Hiaasen, Ann Lamott (the early stuff) Barbara Kingsolver, ...I'm going to make myself stop...

Barbara, Ravi is staying home so he can coach and Rianna can play on that Saturday. He didn't want me to miss this even though he too is sometimes worried that I have become part of the BT "cult". LOL I am driving which will be nice, I like the drive and I may even take the sports car! I have to drive the mom-mobile everyday so once in a while I like to feel cool. Ravi is a computer guy and I hate to admit this, I am a computer gal. Yes, I'm a closet geek. I have this darn electrical engineering degree that proves it. We met on the job when living in New York. Since becoming a mom I have denied any knowledge of said degree.heehe.I'm so excited about meeting everyone, I feel like it's prom or something.

"Marly and Me" is great for those animal lovers out there. You will find yourself laughing out loud and crying!

I'm still copying, folks, keep 'em coming.
Rosanne, I suspected you were on tech patrol too. God, they have to give me a paper and a crayon at their company party; I have no idea what they're doing. My master's is in English...great preparation for the world of high earnings.
Oh, PHILIP K DICK!!!

John reads John le Carre novels; just waiting for another book. I like medical mysteries. I'm bringing Dee Scarr's books to Bonaire for fun reading; Touch the Sea, The Gentle Sea etc.

I just finished "The Dog Whisperer" already loaned it out - loved it.
Also, a fun short read - "The Undomestic Goddess" sort of a Bridget Jones-ish affair.

Now, I've started "Lovely Bones" on the recommendation of my Sis-in-law. Pretty interesting read so far.

Rosanne & Barbara - we had such a nice drive this past weekend, I'll keep my fingers crossed for the same for you both

I love adventure and historical fiction and you get plenty of both in any book by Wilbur Smith. I particularly enjoyed "Elephant Song" about elephant poaching in Africa and "River God" about ancient Egypt. Also " The Seventh Scroll" set in modern day Egypt. He also writes a lot about diamond mining in Africa. Good stuff! Lots of adventure and a little romance , an easy way to get in a little history with out it hurting too much!

Margarite - those sound fabulous - I'll look for them next