OT: What are you reading (not for school!)?

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Oh I also finished Water for Elephants not to long ago upon a friends persistent bugging that I had to read it.
I think my favorite Sci-fi book has to be Shade's Children.
 
I have a Kindle, as well! I purchased it with my tax returns over spring break. I've had it a little less than a month, and it definitely makes it easier to read more!
 
I have the sony reader pocket edition and love it! Its so small and light it fits in a purse but still very readable. It doesn't, however have internet (so you can't download a book w/o a computer) but I haven't had this be an issue. But it does work with library digital lending programs.
My mom has an older edition sony reader. So even when I go to London we'll still be able to share books. Its also really great for vacation.
 
Pelagia said:
OMG Yessss! I really want to go into zoo med now in part because of this book! I loved every story in there, and am really excited that two of the authors (Lewbart and Stoskopf) are profs at my school! Yay!
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That is exciting! In the few interactions that I've had with them, Dr. Lewbart and Dr. Stoskopf have been incredibly interesting individuals and I'm sure their stories are equally as interesting. I've never heard of this book, but I'm definitely going to look it up now!

I'm currently reading The Hot Zone by Richard Preston. It's about ebola. I also am almost done with The Demon in the Freezer by the same author. It's mostly about smallpox with some ebola and anthrax thrown in.
 
Got a Kindle for xmas - before I got one I thought that I wouldn't like an 'e-reader' but now I cant put it down! I graduated in December also so I'm only working and have a ton of free time so I've been racing through my 'to read' list... working on classics now, just finished the invisible man and moving on to the iliad! I'm sure its been said (I was too lazy to read the whole thread) but a MUST read for vet students and basically anyone alive is 'Tell me where it hurts' by Nick Trout> I let my mom read it after I got done, that was a year ago, she's been passing it around to all of her friends.
 
Curerntly half way through "The picture of Dorian Grey" at librivox.org.
 
AHorseOffCourse said:
Curerntly half way through "The picture of Dorian Grey" at librivox.org.
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My youngest cat is named Dorian Gray. 😀 Cause I choose literary names. When I get to name kittens at the clinic, I pick literary ones - we had a whole Jane Austen themed litter this summer! My boyfriend named "his" kitten Eva, from Wall-E.
 
I name my pets after literary characters too! I'm currently having a naming contest for my new puppy on my blog and that was one of the requirements.....that it be literary.
 
bbeventer said:
Oh I also finished Water for Elephants not to long ago upon a friends persistent bugging that I had to read it.
I think my favorite Sci-fi book has to be Shade's Children.
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bbeventer if you like garth nix...have you read 'Sabriel'? it is the first in his old kingdom trilogy and i remember loving it. its been a while since i read it and its on my reread list.

a must read is the Monster Blood Tattoo trilogy by d.m. cornish. i just finished reading 'Lamplighter' and the ending was intense! young adult fiction rocks!
 
Enginarian said:
bbeventer if you like garth nix...have you read 'Sabriel'? it is the first in his old kingdom trilogy and i remember loving it. its been a while since i read it and its on my reread list.
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I loved the Abhorsen triology as a kid. I don't tend to reread books, but I read these over and over.
 
I got a Kindle for xmas and bday and can not put it down. I read the City of bones series. Now onto Clockwork Angel. I am also waiting for the rest of Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series from my uncle. I kinda like a lil fantasy =)

I also LOVE Margaret Atwood and Barbara Kingsolver
 
Cautionary Tail said:
I'm just starting The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (story of the woman they obtained HeLa cells from), and am halfway through C.J. Peters' Virus Hunter. Not as thrilled with the latter as I'd hoped... I want more Ebola and less personal anecdotes regarding the author's academic/romantic endeavors. :laugh: Excessive romance kills a book for me. Female species FAIL. 😛

I love to read, but find that I don't do it much while I'm taking classes. I tend to like autobiographical stuff or medical and/or forensic fiction.
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Try reading 'Vaccinated' and 'Your Inner Fish'... they are pretty fantastic, best books I have read in awhile
 
Okay, so I am going to break the rules and suggest a book I am reading for school. Survival in Auschwitz by Primo Levi. There are no words to describe it, but I think everyone should read this book.
 
Well then, since we're throwing caution to the wind and breaking all the rules, I'll also recommend a book I was made to read: Hiroshima by John Hersey. Really interesting book written from the perspective of someone who experienced, and survived, the bomb first hand.

While we're at it, a fun fact: The song We All Become Silhouettes by The Postal Service is about a post-nuclear environment. Not too many seem to take note of that.
 
Just finishing The Vitamin D Revolution and How to Pick a Peach. Next are two books about probiotics...
 
HopefulAg said:
Well then, since we're throwing caution to the wind and breaking all the rules, I'll also recommend a book I was made to read: Hiroshima by John Hersey. Really interesting book written from the perspective of someone who experienced, and survived, the bomb first hand.

While we're at it, a fun fact: The song We All Become Silhouettes by The Postal Service is about a post-nuclear environment. Not too many seem to take note of that.
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What on earth else could it be about? How do people hear a song but ignore the lyrics completely?

I wanted to walk through the empty streets
And feel something constant under my feet,
But all the news reports recommended that
I stay indoors
Because the air outside will make our cells
Divide at an alarming rate until our shells
Simply cannot hold all our insides in,
And that's when we'll explode
(and it won't be a pretty sight)

And we'll become silhouettes when our bodies finally go
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I heard it (just the intro, no words) on a car commercial at some point... I suppose it sounded fine, but if you knew the song, it was pretty ironic to play at the beginning of an ad for an 'environmentally friendly' car.
 
I'm not a lyrics person. I don't listen to them and often never try to understand what the song writers are trying to say. I much prefer the song's sound over the message...
 
What on earth else could it be about? How do people hear a song but ignore the lyrics completely?
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I dunno. I mean I guess it could be a bit ambiguous if you don't really listen to it but it pretty much describes radiation poisoning. Even the title of the song is descriptive of an atomic/nuclear bomb since the flash leaves silhouettes/shadows of the people on walls behind them, even though the person vaporized.

Incidentally that's what drew me to The Postal Service. Was browsing YouTube once and saw a song titled "And We'll Become Silhouettes" and went "huh...wonder if that's about...yup! Neat, wonder what else they got?"
 
Pelagia said:
The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood: a dystopia/post-apocalyptic novel in which over zealous genetic manipulation in humans left them vulnerable to a disease which wiped out most of the population. The story follows the survivors, with flashbacks of how the world fell apart.
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I love dystopias too. Have you read Oryx and Crake? The Year of the Flood is kind of a companion/sequel to that book. You could read them separately, but it's nice to know the backstory. Plus, Oryx and Crake is amazing.
 
goldnretrivrgrl said:
Water For Elephants was amazing! 🙂
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SWells2178 said:
And if you have not read it "The art of racing in the rain" - amazing book and any dog person should read it
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these are the two books that i was going to suggest I listened to them on my drive across the country, another one was Dear John, sad/ slightly depressing but still really good.
a few months ago i read While you're here, Doc : farmyard adventures of a Maine veterinarian by Bradford brown a great book especially if you like country medicine or large animal med. also Tell me where it hurts : a day of humor, healing and hope in my life as an animal surgeon / Nick Trout.

a book that was recommended to me but i haven't been able to find yet is Is there a doctor in the Barn im not sure who its by.

the 2 horse books by Sarah Gruen are also really good, riding lessons and Flying changes
 
I've had The Zookeeper's Wife for a long time and have not finished it. If you like history and zoos then this is the book for you!
 
A few people suggested the Hunger Games trilogy, which I had never heard of. Thank you thank you thank you! I picked them up and I swear I didn't stop reading until I was through all three of them. Great suggestions! My book club is actually now reading the first one and I can't wait for the discussion this month 🙂
 
Tator17 said:
A few people suggested the Hunger Games trilogy, which I had never heard of. Thank you thank you thank you! I picked them up and I swear I didn't stop reading until I was through all three of them. Great suggestions! My book club is actually now reading the first one and I can't wait for the discussion this month 🙂
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If you liked The Hunger Games, try Unwind (by Neal Shusterman) - same type of post-civilization/dystopian world theme.
 
Currently reading Hen's Teeth and Horse's Toes by Gould and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Definite plans to pick up some of Gould's other books of essays.
 
HopefulAg said:
She has another one called Oryx and Crake which I believe is in that same genre and is (supposedly) very good. Haven't read it yet.

Also 'The Road' is another good post-apocalyptic book by Cormac McCarthy. As is 'On the Beach' (Nevil Shute), 'Alas, Babylon' (Pat Frank), 'The Postman' (David Brin), 'Eternity Road' (Jack McDevitt), 'A Canticle for Leibowitz (Walter Miller), and 'The Day of the Triffids' (John Windham).

Guess what one of my favorite genres is. 😀
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I can't believe I missed this thread before!! Post-apocalyptic books are definitely one of my fav genres. I'm currently reading 'Alas, Babylon' and read 'The Road' just before it. You didn't mention 'Lucifer's Hammer'... if you like this genre and haven't read it I strongly suggest it - great book!

Also, I read the George R.R. Martin books about 5 years ago and have been waiting for book 5 ever since. And I get to PICK IT UP TODAY!! I'm just counting down the hours of work left...

My fav authors of all time are Neil Gaiman (I've read all of his books 😍), Stephen King (I've actually read ALL of his, as well...), and, of course, George R.R. Martin.
 
jjohnston said:
I can't believe I missed this thread before!! Post-apocalyptic books are definitely one of my fav genres. I'm currently reading 'Alas, Babylon' and read 'The Road' just before it. You didn't mention 'Lucifer's Hammer'... if you like this genre and haven't read it I strongly suggest it - great book!

Also, I read the George R.R. Martin books about 5 years ago and have been waiting for book 5 ever since. And I get to PICK IT UP TODAY!! I'm just counting down the hours of work left...

My fav authors of all time are Neil Gaiman (I've read all of his books 😍), Stephen King (I've actually read ALL of his, as well...), and, of course, George R.R. Martin.
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Lucifer's Hammer is awesome! And speaking of Stephen King, "The Stand" is on my to-read list for this summer (after I finish rereading all the Harry Potter books to prepare for the last movie 😀)
 
rubygirl said:
a few months ago i read While you're here, Doc : farmyard adventures of a Maine veterinarian by Bradford brown a great book especially if you like country medicine or large animal med. also Tell me where it hurts : a day of humor, healing and hope in my life as an animal surgeon / Nick Trout.

Both of these were excellent! The art of racing in the rain will make you cry but was also a wonderful book.

I just finished the 3rd of the Paolini books and am anxiously waiting for November.:soexcited:
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Ah I loved the Abhorsen trilogy!! I bought Shade's Children but haven't had time to read it yet, hopefully soon!

I am currently reading "Don't Turn Your Back In The Barn" which is written by a vet who opened a practice in Creston, BC.

I was also reading "Shantaram" which is a really long book about a guy who escapes from prison and ends up living in Bombay. But then I lost the book with less than 100 pages left! (well I was moving houses and traveling a lot the last couple months so it is most likely in a box somewhere...) Need to find it before the end of summer so I can see how it ends!
 
I am an absolute diehard mythology fan.

If you're talking classics, I'd say Ovid's Metamorphoses.
If you want all encompassing, Bulfinch's Mythology.
Anything Laurell K. Hamilton. Very racy stuff but the Merry Gentry series has a lot of Irish/British Isle myths that are severely underserved in mainstream mythology books.

SciFic would be Time Travelers Wife, lovedddd it.

And Gone With the Wind is great for civil war historical fic 😀
 
New Foundland said:
reading A Clash of Kings 👍
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Same here! Also on my to-read list: reread the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and read Stephen King's The Dead Zone.

Earlier this summer I re-read Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis. Still haven't watched the movie though!
 
reading A Clash of Kings 👍
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I started re-reading all the Song of Ice and Fire books in preparation of the release of Dance with Dragons (released yesterday!) and am halfway through Storm of Swords currently. Clash of Kings is awesome, but if you've not read SoS yet, you're in for a treat. It's my favorite of the four.
 
"The Price of Life" by Nigel Brennan- just finished it a couple days ago.

Has anyone read "The Swarm" by Frank Schätzing? Its probably one of THE most interesting, action packed books I've ever read... Highly highly recommend it for any science/sci fi nerds out there. I'm super picky with books and loose interest after the first couple pages, but I just could not put this one down.

Also, for a really good chick book, easy reading: "Remember Me?" by the girl who wrote the shopaholic series.
 
I love all of the Kindle addicts on here!!! I got mine for my birthday last year and I read it a ridiculous amount. Since graduating, I have read about 20 books. LOL. I'm in the middle of The Count of Monte Cristo right now as well as The Case for Faith (by Lee Strobel). Both are fantastic, but they're on hold until I head off on my travels again. Stupid application is taking over my life right now!

Oh, and my shameful book addiction? Sophie Kinsella's shopaholic series... I bought the whole set in denmark.
 
I'm on the 4th book of a series called The Emmigrants. It's about a groups of Swedes who decide to leave Sweden for America in 1850. Pretty good series. While I was on book three, I learned that my great-great grandfather came from the same parish in Sweden as the characters in the book, but about 30 years after they. Since the book has an accelerated timeline (Swedes were heading to IL and IA in 1850), it seems reasonable to assume that MN wasn't much different at the time of my family's arrival as that described in the book. I would say it's a must read if you have Swedish heritage.
 
I love this thread! I just finished Stephen King's Dreamcatcher which I loved. Among my other favorites of his are The Stand, Desperation, Firestarter, Insomnia, and The Shining. I also really like Thomas Harris's Hannibal Lecter series. Emily Giffin writes good summer, relaxing by the pool books like Something Borrowed. Jodi Picoult is another of my favorite authors. Everyone's heard of My Sister's Keeper but I loved Plain Truth and Harvesting the Heart
 
I'm reading "The Hot Zone" about an outbreak of Ebola in D.C. It was recommended by a coworker without her even knowing that this is the kind of thing I want to do with my DVM. I'm loving it so much.
 
the art of racing in the rain by garth stein.

i recently read it, one of my favorites by far. 👍
must be a dog lover 😉
 
I just finished reading "The Help" and I really liked it. My friend wanted me to read it before the movie comes out. The movie trailers and the back of the book description weren't that impressive, but it was a good book.

I am now reading "The Hunger Games" and it's a quick, interesting book.

My best friend's mom told me I HAD to read "The Art of Racing in the Rain" because it was so good. It definitely made me tear up at parts and it was easy to get through, but I didn't love it the way every one else seems to.
 
Bearby said:
I'm reading "The Hot Zone" about an outbreak of Ebola in D.C. It was recommended by a coworker without her even knowing that this is the kind of thing I want to do with my DVM. I'm loving it so much.
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👍 that's a good one. I've always loved Ebola...my fiance works with it here at Penn. Jealous.

I read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand earlier this summer and I just finished Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton. Now I have to find another book to read.

But my favorite books have been Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follat, Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, and Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
 
goldielocks137 said:
I am now reading "The Hunger Games" and it's a quick, interesting book.
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Stop reading after the 1st book! I really liked the first one, but the second and third annoyed the crap out of me. Grr.
 
I just finished re-reading Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials Trilogy, which I adore and read at least once a year. Then took a break with some Terry Pratchett. I read a Patricia McKillip book last weekend (yes, two days) called The Tower at Stony Wood. She's very classic high fantasy, and incredibly obtuse, but if you like that sort of thing she's amazing. I love her books. This one wasn't my favorite, but I like the mythology and references in it. Then again, I'm obsessed with fairy tales and mythology and the way stories affect and inform and influence other stories. /lit nerd.

Next up, I think I'll re-read the George RR Martin books so I can catch up and read the new (and final!) one of the series. But I think I need some more Terry Pratchett first. He's like a palette cleanser for me between serious, sad, intense thinking books.
 
Finished the Steven Erikson "Malazan Books of the Fallen" series...10 books each roughly 700-1000 pages...Awesome series...it's dark, it's gritty, it's human, it's poetic, and oddly enough it's fantasy...Best fantasy series out there today...and might i say my favorite ever...Also currently finishing up Ray Kurzweil's "The Singularity is Near"...the book discusses evolution and the transcendency of humans from their biological constraints with the advent of AI(Artificial Intelligence)...goes over alot of statistics and trend analysis...really informative and really over the top but an awesome read...Also finishing "DMT: The Spirit Molecule" by Richard Stassman...just look it up online...its ridiculous...Not sure what I'll plan on reading next, maybe the next Ian C. Esselmont book which is a take off of the Malazan world created by both the aforementioned Erikson and Esselmont...And my horror favorite, Graham Masterton!
 
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