OT: What are you reading?
It was pretty solid -- a lot of Catholic and Italian history interwoven. I actually preferred "Lust for Life" by the same author; it's a fictionalized bio of Van Gogh if you're into the artist bios.
I just discovered Grace Paley. Characters with distinctive voices (including "The Loudest Voice"), and stories I read immediately a second time, which I've never done before
And Jim Harrison, the Elmore Leonard of backwoods writing.
Just finished Killer Angels by Jeff Shaara and am now starting The Last Full Measure also by Jeff Shaara. Im a bit of a Civil War buff.
Just finished Catch-22 again. I've lost track of how many times I've read it - maybe 7 or 8 times. It was the first American Classic novel I imbibed as a high schooler, and it was truly a life-changing experience that I never dreamed literature could provide. I'll probably read it again in another 5 or so years when I get the itch.
"John Quincy Adams; Militant Spirit", James Traub.... And "Play it Loud; a history of the Style, Sound, & Revolution of the Electric Guitar", Brad Tolinski & Alan DiPerna.... Caps are mine, the entire title(s) are in all caps, sooooo....
I just started it a week or so ago, so I'm only on the second book, but I'm really enjoying it so far.
The Great Black Hope by Richard Bak
"Stamped from the Beginning," a history of racism in America, by Ibram X. Kendi
Currently reading the Hap and Leonard novels by Joe R. lansdale, great mystery/ noir novels, extremely entertaining and an interesting visit back to the early 80's.
I've been reading some sci-fi shorts.
The last one was "The Things", by Peter Watts, giving the perspective of the creature from the 1982/2011 movies. http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/watts_01_10/ Great read, if you've seen the film(s).
Next is "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" by Harlan Ellison, but my understanding is that there's a video game I ought to play first. http://www.mikedidonato.com/images/2009/04/harlan-ellison-i-hav-no-mout…
Currently on The Obsidian Chamber by Preston & Child.
I am also in the middle of the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne, which is growing on me. I'm a big Jim Butcher fan and have been looking for similar stuff since I am all caught up on his books.
Also recently read The First Law trilogy and felt very meh about it.
The standalones following the First Law trilogy are all much better in my opinion and are focused on smaller events, but the characters are just as good, even if I wish the world created was not so unrelentingly awful.
Iron Druid books are a lot of fun, but once he goes to multiple POV's per book they lose their thrust and frankly I have given up on them, but the first few are fun. This is why I like The Dresden Files, Butcher keeps it focused on the ONE POV and while there is an ever growing cast of characters he keeps the voice narrating it focused and I think it's a creative decision that pays off well.
The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power
With today politcal climate...the book makes clearer the politcal climate this nation find itself in.
Come out yet?