tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post5878658259614641879..comments2024-03-14T03:43:02.583-04:00Comments on EPBOT: Book Review: Packing for MarsJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11888187687405622408noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-23495031538132483592012-05-02T22:23:20.095-04:002012-05-02T22:23:20.095-04:00I very much enjoyed Stiff. Granted, it's a li...I very much enjoyed Stiff. Granted, it's a little gory, but it's very informative. I read it in the seventh grade and recently bought a copy (I'm in grad school now, to give you a time reference!) all for myself. I love her writing, so I'll take your endorsement and head over to the local library!Sabsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-2078211315119800202011-03-19T02:40:14.227-04:002011-03-19T02:40:14.227-04:00Very late to the party, I know..sorry.
So many g...Very late to the party, I know..sorry. <br /><br />So many good recommendations on this thread I knew I had to come back and take another look when I had time! I've read many of them and second the recommendations for Mary Roach, Bill Bryson, <i>Three Cups of Tea</i>, <i>The Help</i>, Jack Finney's <i>Time and Again</i>, anything by Christopher Moore, and everything by Brian Jacques (sadly, no more new Redwall books)....and the Harry Potter & Hunger Games books.<br /><br />Just started reading Patrica Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles & the first one was a lot of fun - Cimorene is a princess who doesn't like any of the traditional princess things...so she runs off to voluntarily become the princess of the dragon Kazul.<br /><br />I also love <a href="http://www.georgerrmartin.com/" rel="nofollow">George R.R. Martin's</a> Song of Ice and Fire series even if it's a long wait between books.<br /><br />If you can find <a href="http://www.michaeldelarrabeiti.com/" rel="nofollow">Michael de Larrabeiti's</a> Borrible books set in London, you might like them - Borribles aren't quite kids - they were once, but now they're something a bit wilder....and thinking of the Borribles leads me to China Mieville's <a href="http://www.sfreviews.net/unlundun.html" rel="nofollow">Un Lun Dun</a> which is simply amazing.<br /><br /><i>Little Brother</i> by Cory Doctorow is available as a <a href="http://craphound.com/littlebrother/download/" rel="nofollow">free download</a> from the author's website: Scott Westerfeld (haven't actually read him yet) calls it "a rousing tale of techno-geek rebellion" and I found it fascinating if not exactly reassuring.<br /><br />Jen, this one is probably a bit too gory for you, but some of your other readers might enjoy <a href="http://www.miragrant.com/" rel="nofollow">Mira Grant's</a> <i>Feed</i> which is about a team of bloggers covering a presidential campaign in a world where zombies are a fact of life - excellent and I'll be looking for the next book in the series.<br /><br />Can you tell I'm a total book nut? Ask me about <a href="http://www.bookcrossing.com/" rel="nofollow">BookCrossing</a> - we read & share books worldwide.<br /><br />Oh, and I was a sophomore in college in 1986. So I'm at least medium ancient. :shyphen8noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-21657117038310468582011-02-16T18:27:31.906-05:002011-02-16T18:27:31.906-05:00I'm from Central Florida :) And I was about th...I'm from Central Florida :) And I was about the same age when it happened. It's amazing how that moment is etched in the minds of our generation. That and the Berlin wall.<br /><br />Great post!<br /><br />This looks quite good and I love the cover.Tales of Whimsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10938494589922620170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-50335987706886952022011-02-11T11:49:19.220-05:002011-02-11T11:49:19.220-05:00My top 4:
The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir...My top 4:<br />The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur By Daoud Hari “You cannot be a human being and remain unmoved.” So starts the second paragraph in this book and sums up this book in a nutshell. During the last presidential race, America was polled on who they’d pick for a partner on a road trip. Daoud Hari is my choice, hands down. In a single book, he smartly sums up the politics of genocide, gives you a bumpy eyewitness ride through the horrors of Darfur, and gives you his desert island book list. Warning: He’ll make you want a camel. Read it and be the smartest one in the room.<br />Causing a Scene: Extraordinary Pranks in Ordinary Places with Improv Everywhere: Charlie Todd, Alex Scordelis You will attract stares, not for your cakewreck t-shirt, but for laughing out loud at sweet victimless pranks that build community ties. Get lost with Todd at a ballgame, try out for the summer Olympic synchronized swim team in a park fountain and play Where’s Waldo in Target.<br />Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith Ann Lamott Remember the famous Simpsons episode where Homer asks "I wonder why stories of degradation and humiliation make you more popular?" "I dunno. They just do." Moe replies. Don't be put off by the title, Ann LaMott’s collected stories of true-life humiliation and human frailty is your summer must read. (you'll need tissues) You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll attend "Dance Class", and be rescued by "Ski Patrol". It's a book, a hug and a firm pat on the back when you need it.<br />Created in Darkness by Troubled Americans: The Best of McSweeney's Humor Category by Dave Eggers Even if you’re a walking ad for Short Attention Span Theater, you can get through McSweeney’s Humor collection. Short humor stories interspersed with hilarious lists “Not-good titles for romantic films,” “Actual academic journals which could be Broadway shows if they had exclamation points added!” and “Bad names for professional wrestlers.” Warning, this book generates sudden, uncontrollable, snorting laugher.<br />Happy reading!Sue Swytnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-40046737442993379052011-02-07T18:26:47.218-05:002011-02-07T18:26:47.218-05:00Stiff is an amazing book. I read it at the suggest...Stiff is an amazing book. I read it at the suggestion of my anatomy teacher. It really gives you a different perspective of the corpses, especially the ones you're dealing with in class.<br /><br />I must pick up Packing for Mars, soon.LizzyBeannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-5195083713628144082011-02-05T15:28:30.170-05:002011-02-05T15:28:30.170-05:00Hi. I've just finished Bill Bryson's Home...Hi. I've just finished Bill Bryson's Home. Like all of his other books, it's a wonderful slightly (only) structured romp through history and science using the rooms of his house as a starting point. Highly Recommend it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-24280718525655758332011-02-04T01:35:24.648-05:002011-02-04T01:35:24.648-05:00I just finished rereading my favorite book for the...I just finished rereading my favorite book for the sixth time. It's The Name of the Wind by Pat Rothfuss, and it's amazing. The sequel (part two of the Kingkiller Chronicle, which will be a trilogy) comes out March 1, and I'm ridiculously excited. I somehow get the feeling you might be vaguely interested in fantasy... you should read it. It's fantastic :DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-65274920360655000972011-02-03T10:25:42.356-05:002011-02-03T10:25:42.356-05:00readers after my own heart! I waited a few days, ...readers after my own heart! I waited a few days, got out a pen and notebook -- two pages later, I have my book list for the year! Thank you for having such amazing followers Jen!<br /><br />My favorite book right now is "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. I'm also currently reading "The Immortal Life of Hennrietta Lacks". It's very interesting.hartmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00215542671128119228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-26158987804021629212011-02-02T19:33:39.668-05:002011-02-02T19:33:39.668-05:00As the niece of a former member of mission control...As the niece of a former member of mission control and an astronaut from the early shuttle program, I really enjoyed seeing this on here. My uncle passed away in August reading and hearing about his life really increased my interest in the space program and my appreciation for everyone involved.Justinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13970445657741071852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-19577485095646698032011-02-02T04:45:33.476-05:002011-02-02T04:45:33.476-05:00I am currently reading (actually re-reading) THREE...I am currently reading (actually re-reading) THREE books. At the same time. This is actually unusual for me as I'm usually reading 5 plus. (My current personal record is 16 books in 14 days. And they weren't small books.........). I'm rereading as these are books I've managed to replace from the QLD floods. I lost all of my books and everything else I own so as soon as I rebought these, I had to read them.<br /><br />One of these books is The Princess Bride. It is seriously as good, if not better than the movie. It is so incredibly enjoyable, and funny, and dramatic etc etc. Soooo good.<br /><br />The second is called Phantom by Susan Kay and it is the story of Erik (the phantom from the musical and book Phantom of the Opera). It follows him from birth through to death and is possibly my most favourite book of all time. It is incredibly well-written and the pain you feel for poor Erik is so tangible. I ADORE it.<br /><br />The third is Sarek, my favourite Star Trek book. It's the story of Spock's father and you get all kinds of lovely insights into how Spock's parents met, how Spock was born, their relationship with each other etc etc. I read this book quite often so it was the first book I bought after the floods.<br /><br />Now, to try and replace my babylon 5 script books and novels. *sigh*MissRonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15037268961320809313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-2013849941262304872011-02-01T23:47:18.332-05:002011-02-01T23:47:18.332-05:00I am currently reading Angels & Demons by Dan ...I am currently reading Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. Next on my list...the Harry Potter books. I didn't read them when they first came out and now I have a goal to read all of them before the movie Deathly Hallows Part 2 is out in theaters.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12304682385841152721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-6225271616871875482011-02-01T22:10:52.949-05:002011-02-01T22:10:52.949-05:00Mr. Timothy. A take on what Tiny Tim's adult ...Mr. Timothy. A take on what Tiny Tim's adult life was like at age 23. This is not A Christmas Carol story to be read to the children!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00443595457531977281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-29622473404687790512011-02-01T20:33:22.377-05:002011-02-01T20:33:22.377-05:00I'm on a massive Tamora Pierce kick- young adu...I'm on a massive Tamora Pierce kick- young adult, fantasy novels with girl heroes! I've read about 5 of them out of, I believe roughly 30, in the last month or so and they are amazing!marisaclockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09400865908691884532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-52276091878146226622011-02-01T19:32:43.441-05:002011-02-01T19:32:43.441-05:00i just put packing for mars on reserve in the libr...i just put packing for mars on reserve in the library! i am reading a few books right now, mainly the 10th wheel of time novel, and i just finished an andrew vachss novel, shella. SUPER dark, but if you like him then you'll like it.Analisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10647899170847087265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-81730801632963501102011-02-01T14:31:56.762-05:002011-02-01T14:31:56.762-05:00More love for Mary Roach's work from me - I...More love for Mary Roach's work from me - I've enjoyed all four of her books so far and will be on the watch for her next one! [I see some mentions of Sarah Vowell; her work's great as well. Both of them do funny/informative with some nicely twisted edges...]<br /><br />At the moment I'm reading Carol Drinkwater's <i>The Olive Farm</i>, a memoir about her attempts to acquire and settle down in an abandoned olive farm in France with her new lover. Very enjoyable so far. <br /><br />For those who enjoy offbeat non-fiction/memoir combinations, I recommend the work of Bill Hayes; his books <i>Sleep Demons</i> (about insomnia), <i>Five Quarts</i> (about blood), and <i>The Anatomist</i> (about <i>Gray's Anatomy</i> - the anatomy text, not the TV series {wry grin}) are wonderful blends of science, history, personal experience, and (VERY personal) memoirs. <br /><br />And for some fiction, I recommend Steve Kluger's <i>Last Days of Summer</i>, a charming, funny epistolary novel about a lonely, wise-cracking kid who strikes up a friendship with a Major League ball player in the late 1930's.<br /><br />Oh, and to get even more offbeat: I recently discovered a manga series called <i>Oishinbo</i>, which is a food-themed graphic novel series. Some of the individual stories come off like episodes of "Iron Chef", while others feature ways in which food and drink can unite families, break down barriers between people, or otherwise cure what ails you...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-16131898279474496592011-02-01T13:46:49.911-05:002011-02-01T13:46:49.911-05:00I'm re-reading Karen Marie Moning's "...I'm re-reading Karen Marie Moning's "Fever" books; I can't remember enough of the details to dive into book 5, which just came out. Just finished Ken Follett's "Fall of Giants," which was wonderful, and thinking about re-reading "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." We're reading it to my son, and my husband read a lot to him while I was busy, so of course I have to go back and read the whole thing. For the bazillionth time.Deirdrenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-36462736880656108132011-02-01T13:10:10.390-05:002011-02-01T13:10:10.390-05:00I have to say the only non-fiction I read is "...I have to say the only non-fiction I read is "Entertainment Weekly" and it's veracity could be argued.<br /><br />I am a reader of romance novels. There, I admit it. I am currently trapped by ice in a hotel room and my current companions are books by Laura Lee Guhrke and Julia Quinn. And I buy the books so everyone can see what what I'm reading (I don't hide them on an e-book). <br />I also love the YA novels that my boys are reading, especially those by Rick Riordan (totally addicting!). <br />The Mary Roach books do sound like fun, though. I'll have to check them out. :-)lisadhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01680270109965535296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-679708131287458952011-02-01T11:06:30.799-05:002011-02-01T11:06:30.799-05:00My comment isn't about the book because, altho...My comment isn't about the book because, although I'm sure it's wonderful, what really got me today is the link to the photos from the Depression - they are fantastic! I'm going to see about getting some as prints if it's possible, just very very beautiful and awe inspiring. Thanks!schmaimznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-65183839084615104622011-02-01T10:03:08.020-05:002011-02-01T10:03:08.020-05:00I've been reading "High Tech Heretic"...I've been reading "High Tech Heretic" by Clifford Stoll and highly recommend it. The author digs deeply in to the troubling, cavalier, and often aimless practice of computerizing the classroom. Along similar lines, I urge everyone to read the whitepaper <a href="http://www.allianceforchildhood.org/sites/allianceforchildhood.org/files/file/pdf/projects/computers/pdf_files/tech_tonic.pdf" rel="nofollow">Tech Tonic: Towards a New Literacy of Technology</a> from the Alliance for Childhood to explore this troubling issue further.<br /><br />And I've just begun Amanda Ripley's "The Unthinkable - Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why." A little dry at first, but still interesting.<br /><br />I've got Charles C. Mann's "1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus" on the backburner. It'll seriously rattle your notions about native American Indians. But while it is definitely a very intriguing book, it's also dense and information-packed read.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02101289328294242999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-79380333700105629062011-02-01T09:44:35.505-05:002011-02-01T09:44:35.505-05:00Thanks for all of the recommendations - I couldn&#...Thanks for all of the recommendations - I couldn't write them down fast enough! <br /><br />I agree that Suzanne Collins, Christopher Moore and Lev Grossman are geniuses - as well as Mary Roach! <br /><br />The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson is one of my new faves and would probably be enjoyed by most of the posters, since it seems we all have the same tastes! <br /><br />My new favorite comic has to be Chew by John Layman and Rob Guillory - check it out, very funny and full of surprises! <br /><br />Thanks for the AWESOME blog, Jen! I am a HUGE fan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-33500863666795475942011-02-01T08:26:37.343-05:002011-02-01T08:26:37.343-05:00The Dragon Queen & The Raven Warrior by Alice ...The Dragon Queen & The Raven Warrior by Alice Borchardt...<br />a writer who, in my opinion, was much better than her more famous sister, Anne Rice.Satanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08924927495555847410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-78920068225532283162011-02-01T07:41:28.140-05:002011-02-01T07:41:28.140-05:00I am a big fantasy reader, and here are the books ...I am a big fantasy reader, and here are the books I have been reading lately:<br /><br />Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series (werewolves, vamps, pixies, fairies, demons, and witches, oh my)<br /><br />Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series (about a lady mechanic who happens to be able to shapeshift into a coyote, and her relationship with the other supernatural creatures in her area)<br /><br />Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series (wizarding in a mostly real world)<br /><br />The above are not kid friendly, by the way, but good reads.<br /><br />I also love the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. They are set in Egypt in the 1900's. The main character is an independent woman who decides to go off and dig at the pyramid sites, and the mysteries she just can't seem to keep out of. The author has a degree in Egyptology, and the books are well researched and fun to read.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-85079545150526815882011-02-01T00:34:29.682-05:002011-02-01T00:34:29.682-05:00I watched the WESH "Challenger:25 years later...I watched the WESH "Challenger:25 years later" special; very moving. I never knew so many facts of the day till watching the show; like the astronauts still being alive after the shuttle fell apart.<br />**Central Florida dweller, here.**<br /><br />Current, a Gregory Maguire reader. Love the added story to much told tales.ElectricKikihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05715756139296796964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-84480061017190381352011-01-31T23:28:16.766-05:002011-01-31T23:28:16.766-05:00I'm currently reading "Decision Points&qu...I'm currently reading "Decision Points" by GWB. I must say, I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I have. It's certainly opened my eyes to what was behind each of the decisions he's made. While I can't say that I agreed with every decision he made, given the situations that he was placed in and the background he has as well as the information he was given, I can't say that I would have made different choices in every one I've disagreed with. It's really fascinating, and I highly recommend it.Jedijsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02121643617796118971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-52517701145372373642011-01-31T23:15:29.487-05:002011-01-31T23:15:29.487-05:00I LOVED Roach's "Stiff!" It was jus...I LOVED Roach's "Stiff!" It was just as you describe this book--funny and at the same time incredibly informative. I'll have to look at this one too!<br /><br />It's a kids' series, but right now I'm really enjoying the Pals in Peril series, which begins with "Whales on Stilts!" They're well-written, easy reads, and the premise is crazy and hilarious.Rachelnoreply@blogger.com