What are you currently reading?

[Leo Lakio]

Over the course of two days, I recently zipped through a pre-release copy of Dan Kennedy's memoir of working in the record industry (specifically Atlantic Records) right after its glory days, and just as it was sinking into the toilet, "Rock On (http://rockonthebook.com/)." (Kennedy & I have many mutual acquaintenances, from his days in Seattle radio.)

Just started a book I've wanted to read for well over a year, "This Is Your Brain On Music (http://www.yourbrainonmusic.com/)," by Daniel J. Levitin. He's a rock musician, audio engineer, record producer and neuroscientist, who ties these worlds together in a book that deals with how the music of human beings evolved alongside the changes in our brains over the millennia, and what each teaches us about the other.

[Vanguard]

All the Shah's Men
(http://www.amazon.com/All-Shahs-Men-American-Middle/dp/047018549X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202858825&sr=8-1)

[Leo Lakio]

"In The Company Of Crows And Ravens" (http://yalepress.yale.edu/book.asp?isbn=9780300100761) by John M. Marzluff and Tony Angell. Fascinating reflections and studies of the smartest of all birds, and their evolving relationship to humans over time.

[U'ilani]

I just finished Mere Christianity (http://www.amazon.com/Mere-Christianity-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652926/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204405591&sr=8-2)by CS Lewis. I had tried to read it over 10 years ago but found it very boring, and my mind kept drifting. This time I listened to it on audiobook and loved it--also, having lived longer and had a lot more experiences to reflect on, and having a greater desire now to be better and do better, I think it made the book seem more relevant to me. There is so much wisdom and humility in what he has to say about Christianity.

[U'ilani]

I just started this audiobook: Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character) (http://www.amazon.com/Surely-Feynman-Adventures-Curious-Character/dp/0393316041/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204405705&sr=1-1)

Here's one summary I read on it:

In this phenomenal national bestseller, the Nobel Prize­winning physicist Richard P. Feynman recounts in his inimitable voice his adventures trading ideas on atomic physics with Einstein and Bohr and ideas on gambling with Nick the Greek, painting a naked female toreador, accompanying a ballet on his bongo drums and much else of an eyebrow-raising and hilarious nature.
Doesn't it look great?! :)

[salmoned]

Anyone read the book 'Ishmael' (1992) by D. Quinn? A friend says I must, so I'm on the library's waiting list. Apparently, there's a bit of a cult following. I searched the forum and found no references to it.

[Leo Lakio]

I just started this audiobook: Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character) (http://www.amazon.com/Surely-Feynman-Adventures-Curious-Character/dp/0393316041/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204405705&sr=1-1)
Oh, you'll dig it. Feynman was an amazingly complex human being. He's a prime reason that some of us have ever heard of Tuvan throat singing, you know.

[U'ilani]

Oh, you'll dig it. Feynman was an amazingly complex human being. He's a prime reason that some of us have ever heard of Tuvan throat singing, you know.I'm looking forward to hearing about this Tuvan throat singing. I looked it up on Youtube and found this video (http://youtube.com/watch?v=DY1pcEtHI_w&feature=related). Interesting!

[Leo Lakio]

U`ilani, I was just about to mention that you missed the Tuvan group Huun Huur Tu that just performed in Hawai`i ... then I remembered that you're also here in Seattle. They didn't come here on this tour, but they have before and (I hope) will do so again.

[anapuni808]

I read "The Other Boleyn Girl" last week. I'm reading it again as I felt I may have missed some details. I went on the net for details about Mary Boleyn - very interesting story and very interesting historical details. The book was fairly close to what I read on the internet. How it matches up to the movie I don't know. I don't plan on seeing the movie anyway until it comes out on DVD.

[sinjin]

I finished "Children of Men". Whatever happened to the "Book Club"?

I'm reading Somerset's "The Painted Veil" now.

[U'ilani]

I haven't read Painted Veil but I did see the movie--and it was excellent.

[sinjin]

I haven't read Painted Veil but I did see the movie--and it was excellent.I enjoyed it too. I think you'd also like the novel. Maughm delves into the human condition with compassion. The splashes of Eastern mysticism have always attracted me. "The Razor's Edge" is one of my all-time favorites.

[Leo Lakio]

"The Razor's Edge" is one of my all-time favorites.Wonderful book - did you ever see the film version with Bill Murray? One of his first major non-comedic performances; I was prepared to dislike it, because I didn't think he'd be able to carry the role, but I was pleasantly surprised.

[sinjin]

Wonderful book - did you ever see the film version with Bill Murray? One of his first major non-comedic performances; I was prepared to dislike it, because I didn't think he'd be able to carry the role, but I was pleasantly surprised.Likewise. I doubted he(Murray) could pull it off. But as it turned out, I really liked what his comedic sensibility brought to the part.

Are you by chance a Herman Hesse fan as well?

[Kalei99]

The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham. I'm about 1/2 way through...an interesting story but it does jump around a bit. I love true-crime books.

[Leo Lakio]

Are you by chance a Herman Hesse fan as well?Not a fan, per se. I read "Siddhartha" when I was about 12 or 13 - (I was already exploring Eastern mystical philosophy & culture back then - read the Upanishads & Tibetan Book of the Dead by then, too), but I've not tackled any other Hesse since. I should revisit that one, thank you.

[Jake's Ohana]

I just started Michael Crichton's, Next. So far it seems interesting. It starts off with some suspense and thrills. I'm getting hooked in :)

[Leo Lakio]

Expecting this week to start "A Dirty Job" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Dirty_Job) by Christopher Moore. I enjoyed his novel, "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal."

[Sharilyn]

I'm almost finished with Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler

[timkona]

Finished (finally) the Lombardi biography. Title of the book was "When Pride Still Mattered". What a fitting title in this day and age ala the St Louis thread, and the erosion of discipline as per a certain side of the political coin.

Now I'm going back to finishing the Belichek biography. Only 20 pages left.

[Albert]

Meanwhile, I again would also like to know, What are you currently reading?

Grief. It has been so long since I last finished a book. There are six languishing on a table in my room right now with Garrison Keillor's "Pontoon" about half finished.

I blush to admit that I have become an utter addict of the Game Boy. [Yep, blush].

[salmoned]

Just finished 'My Ishmael' by D. Quinn. Loads of fun. Quinn presents an interesting take on prehistory as guidance for the future.

[Leo Lakio]

I'm halfway through "May It Please The Court" (http://www.thenewpress.com/index.php?option=com_title&task=view_title&metaproductid=1150) - transcripts of oral arguments in landmark cases before the Supreme Court. (I was doing post-production on the tapes that accompany the book, and got drawn in.)

[Adri]

Just finished Her Last Death

http://www.amazon.com/Her-Last-Death-Susanna-Sonnenberg/dp/0743291085/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207359670&sr=1-1

Not a comfortable book to read but I think it was well written.

Now I am reading The Death of Vishnu

http://www.amazon.com/Death-Vishnu-Novel-Manil-Suri/dp/006000438X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207359732&sr=1-1

I enjoy the way people and events are described in this book. Not that everything is beautiful but the descriptions ring true and I can easily imagine what's being described in the book.

[T. M. Kawika]

I'm currently reading Hawaii's Story By Hawaii's Queen

[achow]

I am currently reading three books that I borrowed from Honolulu Community College, there are Hawaiian Folklores.


One Paddle, Two Paddle: Hawaiian Teenage Mystery and Suspense Stories by Miriam E. Rappolt
The Legend of Lai'eikawai by Dietrich Varez
Talking Story with Nona Beamer: Stories of a Hawaiian Family by Winona Desha Beamer

[Jim75]

Likewise. I doubted he(Murray) could pull it off. But as it turned out, I really liked what his comedic sensibility brought to the part.

Are you by chance a Herman Hesse fan as well?I'm a huge Herman Hesse fan. Steppenwolf; Siddhartha; The Glass Bead Game; Narcissus and Goldmund; Beneath the Wheel; Damien

I've got a dvd of the movie Steppenwolf with Max Von Sydow as Haller. I think they did an exceptional job. I understand there's apparently a respectable film version of Siddhartha, too. I know it's a hair off-topic, but has anyone seen it?

[sinjin]

I'm a huge Herman Hesse fan. Steppenwolf; Siddhartha; The Glass Bead Game; Narcissus and Goldmund; Beneath the Wheel; Damien

I've got a dvd of the movie Steppenwolf with Max Von Sydow as Haller. I think they did an exceptional job. I understand there's apparently a respectable film version of Siddhartha, too. I know it's a hair off-topic, but has anyone seen it?I just finished "The Glass Bead Game" a couple of days ago. I think I saw "Siddhartha" some years ago. May have to rewatch. FWIW I think "Narcissus and Goldmund" to be his best novel.

While we're at it, do you know Kahlil Gibran?

http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Heart-Kahlil-Gibran/dp/080650062X

This is one of my all-time favorite books.

[Jim75]

I just finished "The Glass Bead Game" a couple of days ago. I think I saw "Siddhartha" some years ago. May have to rewatch. FWIW I think "Narcissus and Goldmund" to be his best novel.

While we're at it, do you know Kahlil Gibran?

http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Heart-Kahlil-Gibran/dp/080650062X

This is one of my all-time favorite books.I've read Gibran's 'The Prophet' about 3 times and it's one of my favorites. Amazingly, I hadn't even thought about what other books he might have written. I'll have to check it out.

[salmoned]

I find 'Narcissus and Goldmund' to be among his least successful efforts. The storyline/message is good, but it drags in a repetitive fashion and has literary shortcomings (I thought better of it when teen-aged).

[Kleo]

I am currently reading "The Other Boleyn Girl", I have watched a movie and I liked it so much-I decided to read a book! It's great! I love history based books!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467200/

[timkona]

Elbert Hubbard's Scrapbook

A collection of snippets and quotes from his lifetime of reading condensed into a single book. I will start to use some of them in my signature.

[Sharilyn]

I just started reading Angels and Demons, by Dan Brown.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

A Nation of Wimps: the High Cost of Invasive Parenting (http://www.amazon.com/Nation-Wimps-High-Invasive-Parenting/dp/0767924037/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209151922&sr=8-1)

brilliant book.

[Leo Lakio]

Currently between books, so catching up on the two most recent issues of National Geographic, plus about three weeks' worth of daily newspapers (between entertaining visitors and being busy with many activities, I have a lot of catching up to do).

[cyleet99]

O`ahu's Hidden History by William Dorrance. We went to the Arizona Memorial and to the gift shop recently, and this was my acquisition. DS got a coloring book of State Parks.

[salmoned]

"After Dachau", Daniel Quinn

[Leo Lakio]

Following a very quick read of Susanna Moore's "I Myself Have Seen It" (http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/1701.html) (a National Geographic book of Hawaiian "history" and "myths," as seen by a woman who knows she grew up with the perspective of a privileged haole), I am starting "The Cloudspotter's Guide," (http://www.cloudappreciationsociety.org/cloudspotters-guide/) a book about the beauty of clouds, in all their shapes, styles and types, by Gavin Pretor-Pinney.

[Jim75]

Native American Postcolonial Psychology by Eduardo Duran and Bonnie Duran

[Kalalau]

I am into book 2 of Na Kai Ewalu which the U of H in Hilo sent me a few weeks ago. Book 1 was mainly review but very helpful. I doubt if I could have understood it without some grounding in Hawaiian from the Zellie Sherwood book and computer chat room sessions with another student in Japan. In book 2 I think I am making some real headway in understanding the language. Why is this so much fun? I totally enjoy learning Hawaiian. I haven't opened book 3 yet but I hope I can handle it.

[Sharilyn]

Just started reading A Thousand Splendid Suns... love it so far.

I did not read nor see The Kite Runner yet.

[sinjin]

"How to Lose Friends & Alienate People" by Toby Young. Soon to be released motion picture. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455538/

[Sharilyn]

I just finished reading Birthright by Nora Roberts. What a snore. I can't believe I read the whole thing.

I just started My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Pretty good so far.

[Leo Lakio]

Nearly done with Norman Lebrecht's "The Life & Death of Classical Music (http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400096589)." Lebrecht is a music reviewer in England, and the book has three parts:
1) An overview of how classical music (and its performers, promoters and personalities) was responsible for building the international recording industry for the better part of the 20th Century, but has all but died off recently;
2) Brief reviews of Lebrecht's choices for the 100 most influential classical recordings of all time;
3) More reviews of 20 classical recordings that Lebrecht's calls "the worst."

[Ron Whitfield]

Geesh, I get a dizzying headache just reading what you guy's are reading!
I'm doing good if I make it thru the monthly issue of Vintage Guitar.

I now have a pair of reading glasses and have a renewed enjoyment of print!
I can once again read Non-Sequitur in the Sunday funnies, yea!

[Leo Lakio]

I now have a pair of reading glasses and have a renewed enjoyment of print!Ah - welcome, friend, to a little world I like to call "Aging." As my sweetie says, when I complain about its effects --- it beats the alternative!

[HaoleWrites]

Right now I'm reading

Interstitial (http://www.amazon.com/Interstitial/dp/B001892DTI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212545711&sr=8-1) by Ann Somerville - great novella, space opera with gay characters

Also reading:

Honolulu Then And Now (http://www.amazon.com/Honolulu-Then-Now-Thunder-Bay/dp/159223786X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212545747&sr=1-1)
Hawai'i Looking Back (http://www.amazon.com/Hawaii-Looking-Back-Glen-Grant/dp/1566473470/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212545827&sr=1-1)
Images of America: Waikiki (http://www.amazon.com/Waikiki-Images-America-Kai-White/dp/0738548804/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212545872&sr=1-1)

[Leo Lakio]

"The Producer (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=28352)" by Dunstan Prial - biography of John Hammond, producer/"discoverer" of artists (including Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Charlie Christian, Benny Goodman, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughan) for Columbia Records.

[Sharilyn]

I just started The Woods by Harlan Coben.

[anapuni808]

"A Question of Character: A Life of John F. Kennedy" by Thomas C. Reeves. I've had the book for a long time but never got around to reading it.

[Ron Whitfield]

Picked it hoping there would be something about the original AC band, and it turns out there is plenty, and I'm only at the point of them heading to Detroit, circa 1970. So far, this has been a VERY interesting and absolutely hillarious read. A true snurkle-fest.
Anybody into that era's rock history should tear thru this book ASAP.
Alice is a great writer, naturally funny, has lots of incredible facts about those times and what the band (that I was/am totally into) had to put up with all-the-while having a great time.

Highly suggested.

[achow]

I am currently reading the book or my 'ukulele book entitled "Discovering the 'Ukulele" written by Herb Ohta, Jr. and Daniel Ho because Herb Jr. is my 'ukulele teacher and I had my first lesson with him this past Friday.

[turtlegirl]

Half Asleep In Frog Pajamas, by Tom Robbins. Almost finished!

[Adri]

Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression by Mildred Armstrong Kalish

[Sharilyn]

24 Hours by Greg Iles. Eh, not so great.

[asuhoru]

Currently 1/2 way through 'Digital SLR Cameras and Photography for Dummies'.

:) Aloha

[Sharilyn]

In the middle of Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz

[timkona]

Just finished Horns, Hogs, & Nixon's Coming by Terry Frei. It was the story of the last NCAA football championship game in America, without a single black player on either team. The year was 1969.

Now starting The Best of Plimpton by George Plimpton. Vignettes and excerpts from a variety of his prolific writings.

[U'ilani]

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

[Ron Whitfield]

All For A Few Perfect Waves: The Audacious Life And Legend Of Rebel Surfer, Miki Dora.

I don't like the author's gait, but there's lot's of quotes and side stories by friends and enemies alike that add a better quality to the overall read.
An incredible time and personality. Miki was just a few years behind 'his' time.

[jdub]

Just started "Armageddon in Retrospect," a collection of previously unpublished writings by Kurt Vonnegut. The introduction was written by his son, Mark. I'm only about 40 pages in, and my already enormous love and respect for Vonnegut's work has grown exponentially.

[lavagal]

"Little Stalker" by Jennifer Belle.

[Sharilyn]

Shiver by Lisa Jackson

[turtlegirl]

"Full Spectrum Disorder - The Military in the New American Century" by Stan Goff.
Recommended by a fellow HT'er. I LOVE it so far! Should finish it by tomorrow morning. Review to follow...

[MyopicJoe]

I LOVE it so far! Should finish it by tomorrow morning. Review to follow...

Ahh. I was wondering which book you chose :)

"Rock throwing is the ultimate asymmetric warfare."

[anapuni808]

"The Content of Our Character" by Shelby Steele. Published around 1990, an extended essay on race relations. The title is part of a quote by Martin Luther King that says he hopes that someday "we will not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character". I believe it was part of his "I have a Dream" speech but I could be wrong about that.

[Adri]

The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones. It's a great novel for foodies but also covers inter-cultural relations with a touch of romance :)

[sinjin]

"Out" by Natsuo Kirino. So far, gritty. I love seeing the Japanese underbelly.

Recently finished "The Matarese Circle" by R. Ludlum. Soon to be a major motion picture starring Denzel.

[matapule]

"The Russian Revolution" by Alan Moorehead. Tedious reading, but puts it all into perspective.

Ofa 'atu
Mui Houma

[Ron Whitfield]

It's an older book, but Hilo Hattie is timeless. They don't make em' like her any more.

[Honoruru]

Just finished The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (http://www.amazon.com/Brief-Wondrous-Life-Oscar-Wao/dp/1594489580/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215401048&sr=8-2) by Junot Díaz, one of the best American novels I’ve read in a long time.

I like his mix of street-smart English heavily interspersed with Spanish/Spanglish, along with references everywhere to sci-fi and fantasy books and movies, comics, role-playing games, and anime. It’s the perfect narrative voice for the story of a “ghetto nerd” like Oscar and the other immigrants from the Dominican Republic.

[anapuni808]

I got the sudden urge to read "The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring". It's even better the 2nd time.

[mel]

Huh! I started for the first time ever reading "The Hobbit". Never read the trilogy yet, but I figured since I never saw any movie about "The Hobbit" it's best I start there and then go to the trilogy. Not to mention I bought all of the books at Friends of the Library for less than a dollar fifty each. Bilbo Baggins, dwarves, trolls and Gandalf so far...

Also reading John Stossel's "Give Me a Break!"

[Ron Whitfield]

...lemmeno what you thought of 'The Producer'. I was considering that one myself.
You'd think the guy coulda done better...

[cyleet99]

Phillippa Gregory historical novels. Am reading Virgin Earth--story line is jumping around a lot to the New World and England in the 1600's. I really liked the more modern novel she wrote titled The Little House--very unexpected ending.

I was reading her Wideacre series and had to stop and take them back. The stories were disturbing; it took me a book and a half to decide that the story was the problem.

Now the Boleyn series doesn't seem to bother me as much. That I find interesting and fun to read.

[jdub]

Kurt Vonnegut's "Palm Sunday." Again.

[Leo Lakio]

Finishing up "The Producer" (as noted in an earlier post) today; moving on to Stan Freberg's out-of-print biography from 1988, "It Only Hurts When I Laugh."

[leashlaws]

"Time Bandit" by Andy & Johnathan Hillstrand of the "Deadliest Catch" and abandoning "Walking in Circles Before Lying Down" by Merrill Markoe, got about 2/3 the way through and I just can't seem to keep interest.
Also "Nobu - the Cookbook" really interesting background information on his life/career and the development of his cuisine through recipes.

[Kalalau]

I have started vol. 3 of Na- Kai Ewalu. Book 1 was helpful review, book 2 cleared up a lot of questions about the Hawaiian language, and book 3 is...some of it is so easy its amazing, but some is virtually unintelligible. I must persevere, keep going over and over and over it til I get it. People continue to ask me why I am learning Hawaiian and I have no answer except that I like it. But I wish vol. 3 had been written a bit more user friendly-ly.

The story about Keoua v. Kamehameha is surprising, its not in any of the tourist books. Does oki mean to totally sever or just to injure?

[Sharilyn]

In the middle of Fear Nothing by Dean Koontz

[Leo Lakio]

People continue to ask me why I am learning Hawaiian and I have no answer except that I like it.Just look 'em in the eye and say, "why aren't you?" Or I suppose you could simply say, "why not?"

[U'ilani]

I'm still reading Stephenie Meyer's The Host (http://www.amazon.com/Host-Novel-Stephenie-Meyer/dp/0316068047/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216418307&sr=8-1). It's taking me forever to get through all 650 or so pages because, frankly, it's boring. But I am determined to finish it if it's the last thing I do. I keep getting off track, though, by picking up some really worthless romance novel at the library to read, and then finally returning to The Host (which might be romance but isn't worthless seeing as how Ms. Meyer got a $600k advance on this book :p).

[Ron Whitfield]

...how was The Producer?

[U'ilani]

Just finished today The Richest Season (http://www.amazon.com/Richest-Season-Maryann-Abromitis-Mcfadden/dp/1593303823)by Maryann McFadden. This is one of those "women's books" that's meant to be along the vein of Jodi Picoult or Sue Miller. I found it to be just so-so perhaps because I could not relate at all to the protagonist, a corporate housewife. However, it's gotten excellent reviews on Amazon, so some of you might really enjoy it.

[Leo Lakio]

...how was The Producer?Heavy on the earlier jazz years of his career, largely to emphasize his efforts to break the color barriers in the music scene during the Big Band era. His later work with Dylan, Springsteen & Stevie Ray Vaughan were sailed through a little faster.

But any books that have insight on the inner workings of musicians, producers and the industry will intrigue me - everyone brings their own formulas to the table, and comparing how it used to be done with how it gets done now is fascinating.

Also on the "soon to read" stack: Ashley Kahn's history of Impulse Records, "The House That TRANE Built."

[Ron Whitfield]

Thanx, both sound like good reads.

[leashlaws]

Heavy on the earlier jazz years of his career, largely to emphasize his efforts to break the color barriers in the music scene during the Big Band era. His later work with Dylan, Springsteen & Stevie Ray Vaughan were sailed through a little faster.

But any books that have insight on the inner workings of musicians, producers and the industry will intrigue me - everyone brings their own formulas to the table, and comparing how it used to be done with how it gets done now is fascinating.

Also on the "soon to read" stack: Ashley Kahn's history of Impulse Records, "The House That TRANE Built."
Leo - I hope I may address you as that for this message. If you've not read "Lush Life " a biography of Billy Strayhorn I highly recommend it. I just blazed through it as i chronicled his career and working with Duke Ellington and unfortunately his sad life. It's very very good.
Author is David Hajdu published 1996

[Leo Lakio]

Leo - I hope I may address you as that for this message. If you've not read "Lush Life " a biography of Billy Strayhorn I highly recommend it. I just blazed through it as i chronicled his career and working with Duke Ellington and unfortunately his sad life. It's very very good.
Author is David Hajdu published 1996I haven't read it yet, but it's definitely one I want to. I've read Hajdu's "Positively 4th Street," about the early days of the Greenwich Village folk scene, with emphasis on Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Mimi Baez Farina & Richard Farina. Thanks for the reminder.

[leashlaws]

I haven't read it yet, but it's definitely one I want to. I've read Hajdu's "Positively 4th Street," about the early days of the Greenwich Village folk scene, with emphasis on Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Mimi Baez Farina & Richard Farina. Thanks for the reminder.

I just thumbed through my ancient paperback of this and saw a note I'd written "chromatic modulation" I bet I didn't know what that meant and was going to look it up also "parallel 9" - do you know what these mean?

[Leo Lakio]

I just thumbed through my ancient paperback of this and saw a note I'd written "chromatic modulation" I bet I didn't know what that meant and was going to look it up also "parallel 9" - do you know what these mean?Yeah - but I don't think I could do justice in explaining them. In really basic terms, the first involves modulation without the perception of a "pivot" chord; the latter would, I assume, be about parallel ninth intervals.

[leashlaws]

Thanks I'm not musically technical.......My only attempt was to play a viola
and I did well for a year just listening and then playing back,: I never learned how to read music and freaked out when our little elementary school orchestra was supposed to participate in a regional concert. When they handed out the
music I almost died and subsequently quit.:eek:

[Leo Lakio]

My musical training is largely informal - mostly self-taught, can play a number of instruments by ear, absorb a lot from other musicians who explain theory, etc. I grasp a lot of theoretical concepts in the gut, but not so much in the head.

BTW, the Freberg bio is a fast read; I'm more than halfway through, and I generally get only a half-hour of reading time in each day. Tutusue - have you ever read it? Your life and experience would probably lead you to shake your head in agreement with some of his anecdotes.

[leashlaws]

O.K. I'll get back to topic. I've been re-reading "Conversations with Wilder"
by Cameron Crowe (1999). I so love Billy Wilder's movies and can practically recite many of them by heart. This is an amazing collection of the conversations Crowe had with Billy beginning in 1995. The photos, anecdotes and stories of the great films is just riveting and keeps you mesmerized.
I thought I'd lost it in the past years and suddenly found it again in one of
my book areas. Definitely a must for the film buff.:D

[Honoruru]

I am currently in the middle of The Bad Girl by Mario Vargas Llosa. This is turning out to be one of his better novels. In part, it is about obsessive love (is there any other kind?) that spans decades and continents, beginning in the 1950s and (at the half-way point, where I’m now at) through the 1980s.

[Ron Whitfield]

This large frame book is probably the best overall view of The Doors, one of the greatest and important bands in history, to date.
Included are superb, and big, pictures from beginning to end, with tons of introspective text, many of both appearing in publication for the first time.
The timeline layout of quotes is excellant, ranging from everybody in and involved with the band, including Jim, his family members, and studio personel.
The stories are priceless, giving a complete perspective on the times prior to the band, the earliest moments of it's inception, and throughout, including the feel of the times (the '60s) themselves.

Torres knocked this one out of the park.

It can be had at Borders, in the sale bins, for only $10.00!

[U'ilani]

Daughter & I are currently reading Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, the final book in the Twilight series. Unfortunately, so far I don't see any growth in her writing or storytelling abilities.

[Ron Whitfield]

PoPsie - Popular Music Through The Lens of William 'PoPsie' Randolph

Focusing mainly on the jazzers of the 40/50/60s, but some cool shots of early rockers too, like a stunning shot of Wilson Pickett, with an extremely dapper Jimi Hendrix backing him in '66.

[timkona]

Bump & Run by Mike Lupica

Sarcasticly, funny look at the NFL from the eyes of the son of an owner. Lots of behind the scenes narrative couched cleverly in a novel format. Names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Sharilyn]

I just started Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.

[sinjin]

"A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole.

I am rereading this after many years. I can't recommend this novel too highly.
IMO possibly the best American novel every written. And hilarious.

A must read.

[U'ilani]

Leaving Home by Anita Brookner

I'm in the mood for elegant prose and interior drama. Heaven help me. :D

[Sharilyn]

I just finished The Husband by Dean Koontz. Snore.

Tonight I'll start New Moon by Stephenie Meyer.

[U'ilani]

Tonight I'll start New Moon by Stephenie Meyer.What did you think of Twilight?

The Anita Brookner book was absolutely dreadful. Elegant prose be damned!

I'm just starting The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. He's going to be at a nearby library next month talking about this book, so I'm excited about that.

I've also just begun Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro on audiobook.

Edit: Go here (http://www.one-book-redmond.blogspot.com/)to hear Alexie's acceptance of the National Book Award last year.

[Sharilyn]

What did you think of Twilight?

I loved it. :) I guess it's been awhile since I've read fantasy-young adult fiction.

Little things bug me, tho... like Bella. Her whole existence is an obsession over a vampire. She has no extracurricular activities, no interest in furthering her eduction, and no real friends. She could do charity work, travel, or work with her Dad at the police station instead of that stupid sports shop. But then, there'd be no story. :rolleyes:

Oh, I hate to nitpick while I'm reading, tho. It spoils my enjoyment.

[Honoruru]

I just began reading William Gibson’s Pattern Recognition (http://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Recognition-William-Gibson/dp/0425198685/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219036214&sr=1-1). I must say, I like this much better than Neuromancer (http://www.amazon.com/Neuromancer-William-Gibson/dp/0441012035/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219036293&sr=1-1), which didn’t impress me as much as it did other people.

One interesting spur in the narrative involves the mysterious appearances of video footage on the web (segments of a completed movie? a work-in-progress? who knows?) and the fascination and speculation these appearances incur world-wide, so much so that websites spring up to discuss their significance, including one forum the protagonist is addicted to, and is a regular poster. I think it really captures the world of forums. Kind of reminds me of Hawaii Threads when discussing the latest episode of Lost, or what to expect in the upcoming episode, or what it all means. :)

[Leo Lakio]

Also on the "soon to read" stack: Ashley Kahn's history of Impulse Records, "The House That TRANE Built."Just finished it last weekend. Great collection of anecdotes and details about the life of this influential jazz record label, the artists who were recorded, and the people behind the scenes. As a jazz DJ in the late '70s, Impulse was a major part of my playlists, as well as my personal listening.

Taking a brief break from books now, again to catch up on three months' worth of National Geographic magazines. Not sure which book will jump into my hands next, but I may finally get to David McCullough's biography of John Adams.

[Sharilyn]

Started reading Jodi Picoult's Plain Truth. My second Picoult book... don't really care for her writing style.

[Sharilyn]

In the middle of Dirty Play by Sandra Brown. A friend recommended it... wow, pretty junk so far.

[Leo Lakio]

don't really care for her writing style.
... wow, pretty junk so far.How come you waste time on stuff you don't seem to like? Drop 'em, and go after the stuff that you will enjoy; reading time in this life is limited.

[U'ilani]

I'm currently on vacation and was able to download from my wonderful library 2 Adobe PDF ebooks:

The Gargoyle (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385524943/ref=amb_link_7400102_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=auto-sparkle&pf_rd_r=0DN8EF3VW9MNPY0WWKGW&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=433214201&pf_rd_i=the%20gargoyle) by Andrew Davidson
-and-
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (go here (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92934202) to read the interesting background of how this book came to be and an excerpt from Chapter 1)

[Leo Lakio]

I need a break for some fiction, something I rarely read. Think I'll head off into Garrison Keillor territory, starting with his "WLT: A Radio Romance" from 1991.

[U'ilani]

I just want to report that I am really enjoying The Gargoyle by Davidson. His writing is very accessible and the story is intriguing.

Your Hawaii Public Library Sytem has ebooks too that you can download to read or listen to from your computer.

[salmoned]

Anyone else ever read 'The Continuum Concept' by Jean Liedloff? It's supposedly a classic in child development. I'm just starting into it.

[Leo Lakio]

I need a break for some fiction, something I rarely read. Think I'll head off into Garrison Keillor territory, starting with his "WLT: A Radio Romance" from 1991.Finished yesterday, then started on his "The Book Of Guys." I think I have about five more of his books ahead, if I read them in order of publication. If they all read this fast, I'll likely stay with him all the way through to the most recent, "Pontoon" (just out in paperback) and "Liberty" (just released in hardback).

[Honoruru]

I’m a third of the way into Real World by Natsuo Kirino, translated by Philip Gabriel. I’m liking it. As with Out and Grotesque, her two previous novels translated into English, it gives us a look at the darker side of modern Japanese society.

It mystifies me that Kirino’s books are classified as mystery novels. She’s really more of a psychological writer, more like Dostoevski than Sherlock Holmes. From the very beginning we know whodunit, so there’s no mystery there. She’s more interested in the backdrop of a crime, the internal secrets of the heart, the societal reality that breeds the environment that made the crime possible.

[timkona]

Just finished John Grisham's "Bleachers". About a great coach from a small football town who dies, and how the town and all the former players deal with it. Short, fun, read. Way off of Grisham's norm.

Gotta go to the bookstore. I'm out. :eek:

[surlygirly]

Just finished "Love the One You're With" by Emily Giffin. I wasn't too impressed. My father just send us all the crystal I inherited and included all of the Baby-Sitters Club books I had as a kid, so I've been re-reading some just for fun. :p

But I need to load up at Half Price Books before the Big Move to Oahu (6 weeks) so I'll have some good airplane/beach reading. Because I will be at the beach for the first two straight weeks. I'm so over this 100 degree weather here in Dallas.

Hey- is there a Half Price Books on the island? Or an equivlant?

[U'ilani]

Just finished "Love the One You're With" by Emily Giffin. I wasn't too impressed. My father just send us all the crystal I inherited and included all of the Baby-Sitters Club books I had as a kid, so I've been re-reading some just for fun. :p

But I need to load up at Half Price Books before the Big Move to Oahu (6 weeks) so I'll have some good airplane/beach reading. Because I will be at the beach for the first two straight weeks. I'm so over this 100 degree weather here in Dallas.

Hey- is there a Half Price Books on the island? Or an equivlant?I'm not much into chick lit, but two audiobooks that were amazingly entertaining that I'd recommend (as audio or book form) are: The Undomestic Goddess and Can You Keep a Secret, both by Sophie Kinsella. She also wrote Confessions of a Shopaholic; but I'm such a penny pincher that I could not relate to the adventures the woman got into at all.

The last time we were back home in Hawaii (last year) they didn't have a Half Price Books yet.

[Leo Lakio]

The last time we were back home in Hawaii (last year) they didn't have a Half Price Books yet.They don't have any Hawai`i locations listed on their website, either.

As of Friday, on to yet another Keillor volume, "Wobegon Boy." These are fast reads for me.

[cyleet99]

Just finished "The Good Carbohydrate Revolution" by Terry Shintani (bought brown rice last week :D, but cannot stand stevia or xylitol. Am trying agave nectar. I like honey better.)

Started "Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West" by Stephen Ambrose. So far it's an interesting read!

[Leo Lakio]

Started "Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West" by Stephen Ambrose. So far it's an interesting read!Possibly the best book I have ever read on this subject - enjoy.

[cyleet99]

I have always liked Stephen Ambrose. When I read the intro, he stated the reason he was so successful was that he was married to an English major. Now I know why I like him so much. :p

[sinjin]

http://www.amazon.com/Our-Kind-Where-Came-Going/dp/0060919906

[jkpescador]

Anyone tried reading Neal Stephenson?

[U'ilani]

Never read a Neal Stephenson book yet. Which one do you recommend? I see he's got a new one just out called Anathem which looks like it might interest my daughter.

[Honoruru]

Anyone tried reading Neal Stephenson?

I read Cryptonomicon, probably his best-known work. It's kind of a wild ride--part sci-fi, part adventure story, part historical fiction. It revolves around 4 or 5 seemingly unrelated story lines from different time periods, but somehow it works in the end, at least it did for me. But be aware, it is a long book (900+ pages) and it requires your attention (lots of mathematics and cryptology).

Stephenson reminds me of William Gibson in a way (just finished Gibson's Pattern Recognition--a bit disappointing, despite an interesting start). I think I like Stephenson better. I haven't read any of Stephenson's other books, but I intend to. I also want to re-read Cryptonomicon whenever I have a large block of free time, like if I ever find myself bedridden (heaven forbids :().

[surlygirly]

Started reading Jodi Picoult's Plain Truth. My second Picoult book... don't really care for her writing style.

Good to know. I keep seeing her stuff everywhere, but I haven't picked any of it up yet. I'm still out of books, which is unusual for me, but hopefully I can wrangle a trip out to the huge Half Price Books tomorrow....:D

[kanahina]

went to Border's yesterday and bought Marley & Me by John Grogan to read on the plane when we go to Florida in a couple weeks.

http://www.marleyandme.com/

[Enamorada]

Just finished Cold Fire and now I'm reading The Husband. Both Dean Koontz books. I will probably read a few more of his books until I'm bored with his style and then move on.

Oh! - but I'd really like to read The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood..hmm wonder if the library has it. :)

[timkona]

The Age of Faith

world history from 325 - 1400....basically the fall of the Roman Empire and the ensuing dark and middle ages, while Persia flourished and invented modern mathematics.

[Adri]

http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-White-Women-Journals/dp/0312199430/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223255502&sr=1-1

One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus

[Honoruru]

I’m three-quarters of the way into Watchmen, a graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. This is new grounds for me.

Though I was an avid comic-book reader as a kid (I collected boxes and boxes of them), I stopped reading them when I entered high school. I’ve not read any comics (or manga or graphic novels for that matter) since then. The books I’ve been reading since then are mostly “literary.” But in the last three or four years, whenever I went into Borders or Barnes & Nobles, I’ve noticed a large group of young people (and young-at-hearts) gathered around the manga/graphic novel section, which seems to be growing larger and larger every year. They were all throughly absorbed in these books. And I was curious.

Then with all the attention that the upcoming Watchmen movie has been getting, and Time Magazine calling it one of the 100 best English-language novels since 1923 (I wonder what happened in 1922), I decided it’s as good a time as any to revisit the land of comics, albeit a very long comic book.

Verdict: it’s much more complex and compelling than the comics I remember from childhood. It also felt as if I were reading a movie; you can’t help but think “cinematic” when reading it. However, I don’t think it’s one of the best 100 English-language novels since 1923.

[Vanguard]

NTC's Dictionary of Japan's Cultural Code Words (http://www.amazon.com/NTCs-Dictionary-Japans-Cultural-Words/dp/0844283150/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223854758&sr=8-4)

[Seeking Penance]

The painted Bird by Jerzy Kosinski (second edition)

Didn't realize halfway through the second edition there was a first edition.

I would recommend it to anyone.

First and Second edition.

Mahalo

[Honoruru]

The painted Bird by Jerzy Kosinski (second edition)

Didn't realize halfway through the second edition there was a first edition.

I would recommend it to anyone.

First and Second edition.

Mahalo

Generally, a first edition is the first print run (or the printing of the first setting of type, no matter how many runs). Second edition is just that, the second printing, and most definitely the second typesetting, which probably includes corrections, and may include updates or additions. For collectors, first edition is definitely the first print run (typos included) and is the more desirable. If you had a first edition of The Painted Bird, it would probably be rare, maybe even valuable. BTW, if you like The Painted Bird, you’ll also like Steps by Kosinski.

As for me, I just started Prey by Michael Crichton, which I bought at this year’s Friends of the Library Book Sale for $2.00. It’s a first edition hardback, but it is not valuable by any means. It is another of Crichton’s science-documentary-turned-fiction production. The subject matter this time: nanotechnology gone amok. Crichton is one of my guilty pleasures. I have many.

[cyleet99]

Got a couple of books for my birthday:

Shore fishes of Hawai`i by John Randall (my family feels sorry for me that my favorite North American bird field guide is shelved, so they are trying to help....)

and Chicken Soup for a Mother's Soul. I read a couple of the stories every few days, then have to take a break. They work on my heart.

I like the local birds, I do. I just miss the ones on the mainland. Oops, that was the other thread. :rolleyes:

[Seeking Penance]

BTW, if you like The Painted Bird, you’ll also like Steps by Kosinski.



Thanks Honoruru

[Kouko]

I recomend anything by Carl Hiaason. Mostly about Florida and the Environment. Light fiction and one of the few Authors who make me laugh out loud while reading:rolleyes:

[Honoruru]

It’s been perfect reading weather these last couple of days--rainy, misty, cool, and grey. I’ve just begun The Road (http://www.amazon.com/Road-Movie-Tie-Cormac-Mccarthy/dp/0307472124/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225081604&sr=1-1) by Cormac McCarthy (soon to be a movie). I’m enjoying it immensely, a book to be read slowly, carefully, a book to be savored. I am also struck by how much McCarthy (at least in this book) reminds me of Hemingway.

[elayne]

I am reading "House of Many Gods" by Kiana Davenport
I have really enjoyed her style of writing. It has so many Hawaiian traditions and beliefs as well as being very informative about Russian life. It is a novel and weaves a rich tapestry of cultures. Couldn't put it down.:)

[elayne]

I am reading "House of Many Gods" by Kiana Davenport
I have really enjoyed her style of writing. It has so many Hawaiian traditions and beliefs as well as being very informative about Russian life. It is a novel and weaves a rich tapestry of cultures. Couldn't put it down.:)

" The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls."
Picasso

[elayne]

Sorry, I forgot to update my website - it is now
http://elayne.imagekind.com

Thanks for understanding.:o

[Seeking Penance]

"The Mysterious Affair at Styles: A Detective Story" by Agatha Christie

It's a 1920 mystery classic.

[U'ilani]

The Girl With No Shadow
by Joanne Harris

(This is a sequel to Chocolat.)

[Leo Lakio]

I need a break for some fiction, something I rarely read. Think I'll head off into Garrison Keillor territory, starting with his "WLT: A Radio Romance" from 1991.Finished yesterday, then started on his "The Book Of Guys." I think I have about five more of his books ahead, if I read them in order of publication. If they all read this fast, I'll likely stay with him all the way through to the most recent, "Pontoon" (just out in paperback) and "Liberty" (just released in hardback).As of Friday, on to yet another Keillor volume, "Wobegon Boy." These are fast reads for me.Just started the last (and latest) one, "Liberty," last week. I'm giving 'em all to my mother when I finish.

[Kalalau]

I was rummaging around in the garage the other day and came across an old copy of "Hawaii" by James Michener and made the mistake of sitting down and starting to read it again, and it captivated me so I am getting reacquainted with Teroro, Malama, Captain Hoxworth, and all the other characters of Michener's book. My first time visiting the Bishop Museum I could picture Michener strolling through and saying to himself..."Hey, this would be a really good book!"

He was a superb author though some people find him long winded. A look at Afghanistan is provided in "Caravans" and the history of the 3 western religions and of the Middle East in "The Source". Those and "Hawaii" are my favorites by him.

[legal_secretary_in_mtl]

I don't read alot but when I do it's usually crime novels by Patricia Cornwell. She ROCKS !!! :D

[Vanguard]

Dreams From My Father (http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-My-Father-Story-Inheritance/dp/0739321005/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226349892&sr=8-1) by Barack Obama (audiobook)

It's made my commute much easier. :)

[Leo Lakio]

Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama (audiobook)Is listening to an audiobook the same as "reading"? Vanguard, to balance this out, you will now have to read some music. :D

[craigwatanabe]

I don't think so developmentally wise. A toddler that is read to is more likely to develop his/her brain more effectively than one that is planted in front of the TV set all day.

[Vanguard]

Is listening to an audiobook the same as "reading"? Vanguard, to balance this out, you will now have to read some music. :D

Haha! Maybe I'll buy this (http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Stevie-Wonder-Collection-Sheet-Music-Songbook_W0QQitemZ150308889138QQihZ005QQcategoryZ3 8105QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) to balance it out. I'll listen to an audiobook while reading sheet music!

This reminds me of the time in grade school when I kept writing book reports on film novelizations until they made a rule against it! :p

[Leo Lakio]

This reminds me of the time in grade school when I kept writing book reports on film novelizations until they made a rule against it! :pOh, you need to read this (http://www.gocomics.com/stonesoup/2008/11/05/) comic strip (and this (http://www.gocomics.com/stonesoup/2008/11/06/) one, and finally this (http://www.gocomics.com/stonesoup/2008/11/07/) one).

[Vanguard]

Oh, you need to read this (http://www.gocomics.com/stonesoup/2008/11/05/) comic strip (and this (http://www.gocomics.com/stonesoup/2008/11/06/) one, and finally this (http://www.gocomics.com/stonesoup/2008/11/07/) one).

Nice. I suppose a lot of kids thought it was a great idea! :D

[mamapuleta]

This is a very good book report. I don't read fantasy myself, but I'm going to recommend my ol man read this one, just because I think from your description, he'd like it. Thanks.

[mamapuleta]

The Active Side of Infinity, but I'll probably end up reading all the Carlos Castaneda books again.

[Honoruru]

I’m 200 pages into 2666 (http://www.amazon.com/2666-Novel-Roberto-Bolano/dp/0374100144/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228102417&sr=8-1) by Roberto Bolano, translated by Natasha Wimmer. Only 700 more pages to go!

I’ve been waiting a long time for this book to come out. When Bolano died in 2003 at the age of 50 (amid international tribute and acclaim), none of his works had been translated and published in the U.S. It wasn’t until six months after his death that the first of his books began to appear in the U.S., beginning with By Night in Chile. Since then, six more translated works have come out, including last year’s The Savage Detectives, which blew me away when I first read it.

[Jake's Ohana]

I just picked up The Purpose Driven Life , by Rick Warren. I'm going to settle in a cozy bed and dig in :D

[Leo Lakio]

"Live From Cape Canaveral" (http://www.amazon.com/Live-Cape-Canaveral-Covering-Sputnik/dp/0061233935/) by NBC newsman Jay Barbree - the only journalist to have covered over 150 launches from the Cape, from the beginning of the space program to the present day.

[jdub]

Foucault's Pendulum, Umberto Eco. Dense and ornate, but interesting. I've been reading it for weeks, a few pages at a time with a smoke on the patio.