Now reading...

[BruceH]

Just finished The Westerners by Dee Brown. I've become more interested in the history of this period of as I've become more interested in the Hollywood movies about this time. I plan to read Brown's I Buried My Heart at Wounded Knee in the near future.

My book group will be reading Garry Wills's Lincoln at Gettysburg for our next meeting, so I thought I'd finally read James McPherson's one-volume Civil War history Battle Cry of Freedom for background. So far, it lives up to advance billing.

I love Battle Cry of Freedom, though I must admit it's been a heck of a long time since I read it. Glad to hear that you're digging it.

[Matthew]

Just finished Philip Dick's The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch , and maybe it's just me, but I thought it was a very weak novel, and the ideas were a mess. Sorry, but I'm very underwhelmed by the book.

[ghost of miles]

Richard Yates, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD.

[AndrewHill]

Right now: Organissimo, what else?

In August:

Aristotle's Metaphysics

[jazzbo]

Just finished Philip Dick's The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch , and maybe it's just me, but I thought it was a very weak novel, and the ideas were a mess. Sorry, but I'm very underwhelmed by the book.

I've only read this one four times. The second time I had broken up with a woman with whom I had shared my life for a few years, and that was when that book most connected with me.

But overall I'd disagree, I think it's a strong novel, and I really like what I see as gnostic elements in the novel, and the way in which seeking pleasure or escaping pain can bring ruin and litereally opens the door to evil.

[paul secor]

M.F.K. Fisher's essay "About Looking Alone at a Place" from As They Were

[T.D.]

The Lincoln Lawyer--Michael Connelly

Has anybody read any of Connelly's stuff? If so, would you consider his books pulp fiction? I'm fascinated as much by his writing, the technical/mechanics of how he keeps my attention as I am the story. The story is about a high powered defense attorney and how he handles clients from a business perspective, preparations and laying groundwork for going to trial.

I've read a 1/2 doz or so of his works, this is the first where a lawyer is the main character. IMO, an excellent read.

I'd rate Connelly's books higher than "pulp fiction", though he's definitely very commercial. I've read most if not all of his Harry Bosch novels, and was also very impressed by The Lincoln Lawyer.

If you haven't heard of Robert Crais, he's a somewhat similar author, LA-based, whose work you might also like (I think he and Connelly are friends, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a novel where Connelly's Bosch and Crais's Cole or Pike team up to some extent).

I've been reading more of Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen mysteries, most recently A Long Finish. These novels are Italian-based, with a high degree of cynicism. Recommended if you like, say, Bill James's Harpur and Iles books.

Recently finished Michael Chabon's Yiddish Policemen's Union, and was slightly disappointed.

Edited August 7, 2007 by T.D.

[Tom Storer]

Proust. I'm about halfway through. I've started it many times and always got side-tracked somewhere in the first two to four volumes, so this year my mission is to read it from start to finish. Quite a feast. No indigestion yet, though.

[7/4]

Just finished Philip Dick's The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch , and maybe it's just me, but I thought it was a very weak novel, and the ideas were a mess. Sorry, but I'm very underwhelmed by the book.

I've only read this one four times. The second time I had broken up with a woman with whom I had shared my life for a few years, and that was when that book most connected with me.

But overall I'd disagree, I think it's a strong novel, and I really like what I see as gnostic elements in the novel, and the way in which seeking pleasure or escaping pain can bring ruin and litereally opens the door to evil.

I thought it lost it's momentum towards the end.

[BruceH]

Intelligent Thought: Science versus the Intelligent Design Movement

[Eloe Omoe]

The Lincoln Lawyer--Michael Connelly

Has anybody read any of Connelly's stuff? If so, would you consider his books pulp fiction? I'm fascinated as much by his writing, the technical/mechanics of how he keeps my attention as I am the story. The story is about a high powered defense attorney and how he handles clients from a business perspective, preparations and laying groundwork for going to trial.

I've read a 1/2 doz or so of his works, this is the first where a lawyer is the main character. IMO, an excellent read.

Excellent, indeed. One of his better novels, in my opinion (and I've read them all). Last year's "Echo Park" was quite good, too.

[Eloe Omoe]

I've been reading more of Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen mysteries, most recently A Long Finish. These novels are Italian-based, with a high degree of cynicism.

You know, living in Italy I am very familiar with Dibdin's settings and cynicism (he lived here for quite a while, too). I met him more than once: he was a very interesting guy. His recent death was a shocking surprise to me.

[TheMusicalMarine]

Recently read Democracy (Henry Adams) and The Stranger (Camus), both authors whose works I hadn't read before. The first was alright but I was glad to finish it. The second was a quick, good read and left me bleakly amused.

[T.D.]

[You know, living in Italy I am very familiar with Dibdin's settings and cynicism (he lived here for quite a while, too). I met him more than once: he was a very interesting guy. His recent death was a shocking surprise to me.

A shock to me too... I only began reading the novels this year, and this is the first I heard of his death. Thanks for the (sad) information.

[Eloe Omoe]

A shock to me too... I only began reading the novels this year, and this is the first I heard of his death. Thanks for the (sad) information.

Dibdin's Obituary from The Guardian

[Eloe Omoe]

[Shawn]

George Carlin - When Will Jesus Bring The Pork Chops?

With a title this good, I knew this would be some seriously funny shit.

Edited August 10, 2007 by Shawn

[Uncle Skid]

That Carlin book is pretty funny, but I remember thinking in a few sections.

Just starting "Forces in Motion: The Music and Thoughts of Anthony Braxton", by Graham Lock.

[7/4]

That Carlin book is pretty funny, but I remember thinking in a few sections.

Just starting "Forces in Motion: The Music and Thoughts of Anthony Braxton", by Graham Lock.

I should take a look at that again, it was very inspiring.

[Kalo]

Richard Yates, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD.

Been meaning to get to that one. I read his short stories a few years ago and was blown away.

[montg]

Just starting: Ross Macdonald--Ivory Grin. Mulligan/Baker (Lullaby of the Leaves) make a nice background while reading this ...early 50s LA detective story. Great stuff!

[jlhoots]

Ana Castillo: The Guardians

[paul secor]

Recently read John Berendt's The City of Falling Angels. An entertaining read (including a short section from Ezra Pound's daughter's autobiography with an illuminating letter from Pound advising her how to write). Every review I looked at after I read it compared it unfavorably to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The first book is better, but this one has its moments. Part of the problem is that the weirdos he encountered in Savannah are stranger than the ones he found in Venice. Also, it appears that Venetians play their eccentricities a bit closer to the vest, while Savannahnans tend to flaunt theirs.

[Van Basten II]

George Carlin - When Will Jesus Bring The Pork Chops?

With a title this good, I knew this would be some seriously funny shit.

His previous ones were better, especially braindroppings. title is great though

[Van Basten II]