Author Topic: book recommendations (Read 335889 times)

Sandstone Outcropping · « **Reply #2275 on:** May 06, 2024, 11:41:23 AM »

Finished the audiobook for _Beyond the Wall_ by Katya Hoyer. Brief but fascinating history of East Germany.

Kat Kid · « **Reply #2276 on:** May 06, 2024, 01:34:58 PM »

Quote from: Sandstone Outcropping on May 06, 2024, 11:40:13 AM

https://x.com/VanDiemen_/status/1787491589948076444

I am going to re-read this summer. What a book.

DQ12 · « **Reply #2277 on:** May 06, 2024, 02:02:21 PM »

finished the count of monte cristo last week. wow what a book!

Pete · « **Reply #2278 on:** May 06, 2024, 03:21:01 PM »

Quote from: DQ12 on May 06, 2024, 02:02:21 PM

finished the count of monte cristo last week. wow what a book!

I loved reading it in HS with a good teacher who led fun discussions about it. Really inspired my love of reading.

Stupid Fitz · « **Reply #2279 on:** May 06, 2024, 04:37:53 PM »

Started Sapiens on vacation and am pretty gripped. Pretty fascinating. Getting a bit too drunk to really dive in but will prob devour off vacation.

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Cire · « **Reply #2280 on:** May 06, 2024, 06:55:12 PM »

Listening to The summer 1876 the weaves together a bunch of very memorable events. Non fiction but light with interesting stories

Wild Bill
Wyatt Earp
Jesse James
Sitting Bull
Crazy horse
Custer
Etc etc

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ben ji · « **Reply #2281 on:** June 09, 2024, 09:47:40 PM »

This was a really good read

TLDR: In the 80's a bunch of mathematics dorks started sorting through all the historical data on commodities and currency trading and realized there were certain trends (If wheat goes up 2 days in a row it has a 55% chance of going up the 3rd day etc). They programmed computers to analyze all this and tell them when to buy/sell and made a lot of money and expanded into equities etc.

Sandstone Outcropping · « **Reply #2282 on:** June 10, 2024, 10:41:47 AM »

Just finished _A Walk in the Woods_ by Bill Bryson. Watched the movie a few years ago. The book is much better.

michigancat · « **Reply #2283 on:** June 10, 2024, 10:43:03 AM »

Quote from: Sandstone Outcropping on June 10, 2024, 10:41:47 AM

Just finished _A Walk in the Woods_ by Bill Bryson. Watched the movie a few years ago. The book is much better.

I was just talking with someone about that book last night. Bryson seems like a real jerk and hiking the Appalachian trail seems like it really sucks.

Sandstone Outcropping · « **Reply #2284 on:** June 10, 2024, 01:07:57 PM »

Quote from: michigancat on June 10, 2024, 10:43:03 AM

Quote from: Sandstone Outcropping on June 10, 2024, 10:41:47 AM
Just finished _A Walk in the Woods_ by Bill Bryson. Watched the movie a few years ago. The book is much better.

I was just talking with someone about that book last night. Bryson seems like a real jerk and hiking the Appalachian trail seems like it really sucks.

I have no idea what the first statement means. I agree that the AT would not be high on my list of trails for thru-hiking.

michigancat · « **Reply #2285 on:** June 10, 2024, 01:31:54 PM »

Quote from: Sandstone Outcropping on June 10, 2024, 01:07:57 PM

Quote from: michigancat on June 10, 2024, 10:43:03 AM
Quote from: Sandstone Outcropping on June 10, 2024, 10:41:47 AM
Just finished _A Walk in the Woods_ by Bill Bryson. Watched the movie a few years ago. The book is much better.

I was just talking with someone about that book last night. Bryson seems like a real jerk and hiking the Appalachian trail seems like it really sucks.
I have no idea what the first statement means. I agree that the AT would not be high on my list of trails for thru-hiking.

I didn't like the way he viewed/described people who he perceived as lower class. In particular I remember him being a jerk to a security guard doing his job which seems especially terrible but there were a few other instances. I also didn't get the sense he cared much about his friend relapsing into alcoholism, he was more worried about finishing the trail.

Cire · « **Reply #2286 on:** June 10, 2024, 02:18:04 PM »

I cannot stand Bill Bryson

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Stupid Fitz · « **Reply #2287 on:** June 11, 2024, 08:27:41 AM »

Quote from: ben ji on June 09, 2024, 09:47:40 PM

This was a really good read

TLDR: In the 80's a bunch of mathematics dorks started sorting through all the historical data on commodities and currency trading and realized there were certain trends (If wheat goes up 2 days in a row it has a 55% chance of going up the 3rd day etc). They programmed computers to analyze all this and tell them when to buy/sell and made a lot of money and expanded into equities etc.

Just bought, thanks Ben ji. Sapians has been a bit of a struggle to get through and I'm not sure i'm going to make it. Very interesting, but also a bit text booky. This seems like something that i'll fly through.

Cire · « **Reply #2288 on:** June 11, 2024, 04:04:04 PM »

Quote from: Stupid Fitz on June 11, 2024, 08:27:41 AM

Quote from: ben ji on June 09, 2024, 09:47:40 PM
This was a really good read

TLDR: In the 80's a bunch of mathematics dorks started sorting through all the historical data on commodities and currency trading and realized there were certain trends (If wheat goes up 2 days in a row it has a 55% chance of going up the 3rd day etc). They programmed computers to analyze all this and tell them when to buy/sell and made a lot of money and expanded into equities etc.

Just bought, thanks Ben ji. Sapians has been a bit of a struggle to get through and I'm not sure i'm going to make it. Very interesting, but also a bit text booky. This seems like something that i'll fly through.

Yeah unless you are really into that stuff Sapians doesn’t cast a wide net imo

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Stupid Fitz · « **Reply #2289 on:** June 11, 2024, 04:19:18 PM »

Quote from: Cire on June 11, 2024, 04:04:04 PM

Quote from: Stupid Fitz on June 11, 2024, 08:27:41 AM
Quote from: ben ji on June 09, 2024, 09:47:40 PM
This was a really good read

TLDR: In the 80's a bunch of mathematics dorks started sorting through all the historical data on commodities and currency trading and realized there were certain trends (If wheat goes up 2 days in a row it has a 55% chance of going up the 3rd day etc). They programmed computers to analyze all this and tell them when to buy/sell and made a lot of money and expanded into equities etc.

Just bought, thanks Ben ji. Sapians has been a bit of a struggle to get through and I'm not sure i'm going to make it. Very interesting, but also a bit text booky. This seems like something that i'll fly through.
Yeah unless you are really into that stuff Sapians doesn’t cast a wide net imo

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Some of the sections are super fascinating while others just slog along. I think I'll prob just try and burn through those sections. I hate not finishing a book.

DQ12 · « **Reply #2290 on:** July 24, 2024, 10:23:33 AM »

Finished the grapes of wrath. Very good. I understand why Steinbeck is revered. Interested in reading East of Eden here before long.

In the meantime, I'm dipping my toe into Faulkner. Going to get through AS I LAY DYING. Kind of a jarring narrative structure, but should be interesting.

CNS · « **Reply #2291 on:** July 24, 2024, 12:42:17 PM »

I enjoyed East of Eden more than Grapes. I really enjoyed Grapes too.

Have you read any other Steinbeck? I really enjoyed Winter of our Discontent as well.

DQ12 · « **Reply #2292 on:** July 24, 2024, 05:36:33 PM »

Quote from: CNS on July 24, 2024, 12:42:17 PM

I enjoyed East of Eden more than Grapes. I really enjoyed Grapes too.

Have you read any other Steinbeck? I really enjoyed Winter of our Discontent as well.

They made us read the red pony back in grade school and I remembered hating it, but I was also an idiot sixth grader.

steve dave · « **Reply #2293 on:** July 24, 2024, 06:37:36 PM »

Grapes of Wrath in HS and the M. Night twist(er) ending had us shook

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Cartierfor3 · « **Reply #2294 on:** July 24, 2024, 07:25:16 PM »

Enjoying Surrender by Bono. Going back and forth between audio and physical book.

DQ12 · « **Reply #2295 on:** July 24, 2024, 08:36:53 PM »

Quote from: steve dave on July 24, 2024, 06:37:36 PM

Grapes of Wrath in HS and the M. Night twist(er) ending had us shook

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Yeah I wasn’t really ready for that

steve dave · « **Reply #2296 on:** July 24, 2024, 10:47:28 PM »

Quote from: DQ12 on July 24, 2024, 08:36:53 PM

Quote from: steve dave on July 24, 2024, 06:37:36 PM
Grapes of Wrath in HS and the M. Night twist(er) ending had us shook

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Yeah I wasn’t really ready for that

TOO SOON!

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DQ12 · « **Reply #2297 on:** July 25, 2024, 06:30:20 AM »

Just to be clear, we’re talking about Rosasharn suckling the rando starving guy, right?

steve dave · « **Reply #2298 on:** July 25, 2024, 08:18:07 AM »

Quote from: DQ12 on July 25, 2024, 06:30:20 AM

Just to be clear, we’re talking about Rosasharn suckling the rando starving guy, right?

I mean, I am

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Sandstone Outcropping · « **Reply #2299 on:** August 26, 2024, 10:13:14 PM »

Just finished the audiobook of _Killshot_ by Elmore Leonard. I had watched the movie adaptation of _3:10 to Yuma_ several years ago but never read any of his books. Awesome crime novel. Crackling dialogue, with a great mix of suspense and dark comedy.