Anyone read Ender's Game series? One of our engineers at work raved about it to me yesterday while we were all drinking at the end of the day.
What book is on your nightstand? Readers!
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Yeah, moderately ok, but serious religious overtones.
I read the first few, can't remember how far I went, maybe 3 or 4 titles. I loved the first two and the third was good, but as they went on they became easier to put down. Probably why I never realized how many books are in the series... wow. Maybe I'll try some of the later ones and see how they are. The first two, for me, were unforgettable. They were written well enough that I refuse to see the movie which I fear would just ruin my memory of the books. It's just a great story with enough of metaphysical/moral emphasis to give the characters some depth.
Card is a deeply religious writer, which I don't mind at all, but by the time I hit the 3rd or 4th book it seemed kind of forced and I felt like I was stumbling over that emphasis to keep track of the story emphasis.
But again, the first two at least are great SciFi and certainly worth the read.
I think I read all 5, and although I'd probably think myself sensitive to overt religious overtones, don't remember anything irking me.
This is a first hand account of how gruesome, frightening, exhausting and savage combat is. I've read a number of historical books about WWII but none from the direct perspective of a Marine on the front lines. Very moving and humbling.
Fascinating. I had no idea how important salt has been throughout history.
I just finished "Caging Skies" which is the book Jojo Rabbit is based on. The little nazi kid doesn't have any of the redeeming features he does in the movie. Great read.
I would suggest checking out "Helmet for My Pillow" by Robert Leckie, a very good first hand account of World War II as well.
Does anyone have any recommendations for books of schematics, in particular looking for some RF circuit inspirations. "RF Circuit Design" by Christopher Bowick looks pretty good, and is available on the Kindle.
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I have books here, but there is a lot of very good Youtubers out there. Many of them are Ham radio operators with an electronics background. Some real hands-on stuff there. I’m doing some RF design right now. Nothing more illuminating than getting a VNA and hooking it up to various antennas and circuits.
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Coming back to a pretty old love of classical history, including the great series my the popular historian Michael Grant. Currently, finishing up a re-read of Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic by Tom Holland. A nice tight little work covering a pretty sweeping time.
That, and as I'm back in the water (covering 4200 yards daily now, 5-6 days/week - plan is to increase total daily by 10% week by week; and increasing my tolerance for threshold, intensive interval and speed training throughout), I read and loved Kate Ledecky's autobiography, Just Add Water. Also reading excellent work by the 5' 2", Olympic Gold champion, World Triathlon Champion, and pentathlon Olympian Sheila Taormina. Changing my freestyle stroke after 40 years, and her book (Freestyle) Swim Speed Secrets is excellent. Michael Phelps' autobiography No Limits is on deck.
That, and as I'm back in the water (covering 4200 yards daily now, 5-6 days/week - plan is to increase total daily by 10% week by week; and increasing my tolerance for threshold, intensive interval and speed training throughout), I read and loved Kate Ledecky's autobiography, Just Add Water. Also reading excellent work by the 5' 2", Olympic Gold champion, World Triathlon Champion, and pentathlon Olympian Sheila Taormina. Changing my freestyle stroke after 40 years, and her book (Freestyle) Swim Speed Secrets is excellent. Michael Phelps' autobiography No Limits is on deck.
I've been watching a lot of Youtube on the subject as well. I'm trying to build a super het FM radio broadcast receiver, and eventually a 2 meter transceiver. For years I wasn't messing with electronics too much, I was so focused on learning to code so I could get a job doing it. Now I'm waiting on some PCBs from China, so was looking for some stuff to read in the mean time. Planning to order a scope in the next couple of weeks as well, maybe get a spectrum analyzer soon too.
I have nothing to report to the thread for books I've read lately, my completion for the past few weeks is a big fat goose egg.
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This one is a pageturner. No, not literature. The book keeps telling you it's not jurassic park, but it is. I like it a lot, great book for travel for sure. Almost finished with it.
https://a.co/d/24dFILr
Currently reading this one. I'm normally not a fan of celebrity autobiographies, even celebrities I admire. Too self-indulgent. But after reading some reviews, this seemed different so I ordered it from Amazon. I'm a big Rush fan, but you don't have to be to enjoy this book. It starts off about Geddy's early life, and the experiences his parents endured during the Holocaust. Then on to his musical adventures and the band's rise to fame.
I'm a RUSH fan. I have read all of Neil Peart's books and just yesterday I was looking at this book from Geddy. Thanks for the nudge!
I read Ghost Rider several years ago. Helped get me through a rough patch after I lost my parents in the same year.
Hope you enjoy My Effin' Life.
I have read Ghost Rider several times, I can relate. Sorry for your loss.
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My dad (still alive, 65) listen to 60-80s rock and he was big into the southern rock movement so eagles, Lenard, CCR, rainbow, & ZZtop were his jam, but he always loved rush. The rush documentary on Netflix was something we watched together and it was a beautiful thing so see his nostalgia while we watch.
I live that every day, same music. Glad you can enjoy your dad . . . . but he's younger than me.
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Instagram: bantam_brews
Thanks! We have a pretty cool connection to music. My dad owns a flower nursery in Woodstock NY. He shares a property line with the late Levon helm wnd we were lucky enough to get to know him and his daughter Amy pretty well. My uncle Perry became a member of his stage crew for his rambles and I got in for free as a kid (which looking back now is wild lol.
Thanks for the rec... Also a Rush fan so I just picked it up on Kindle.
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This one was a page-turner. Fast read. Def not the same quality of story as some of his others, but if you're yearnin for an end of the world book, this will do for a couple of days.
We need more end of the world entertainment.
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“Reagan: His Life and Legend” by Max Boot.
Never was much of a Reagan fan, but this tome by WAPO columnist Max Boot is an engaging, straight down the middle bio of the Gipper from his boyhood days through Hollywood to Sacramento to finally D.C. It is exceptionally well researched and exposes the warts (many), the accomplishments (many I didn’t recall), and the confounding contradictions (so many to try to explain).
Boot is a conservative, though not an ideologue, and not a trumpist. His writing is quite complex for a journalist for whom words are usually chosen for their brevity. It took me a half hour to get through 12 pages of the well written prologue and introduction.
At 839 pages, this one is going to be a slog, but I feel like it’s necessary to hopefully find some answers as to how we started with “sunrise in America” and ended up with ‘nightmare on Pennsylvania Avenue.’
Never was much of a Reagan fan, but this tome by WAPO columnist Max Boot is an engaging, straight down the middle bio of the Gipper from his boyhood days through Hollywood to Sacramento to finally D.C. It is exceptionally well researched and exposes the warts (many), the accomplishments (many I didn’t recall), and the confounding contradictions (so many to try to explain).
Boot is a conservative, though not an ideologue, and not a trumpist. His writing is quite complex for a journalist for whom words are usually chosen for their brevity. It took me a half hour to get through 12 pages of the well written prologue and introduction.
At 839 pages, this one is going to be a slog, but I feel like it’s necessary to hopefully find some answers as to how we started with “sunrise in America” and ended up with ‘nightmare on Pennsylvania Avenue.’
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I do like them. Maybe not for everyone. Some of them have "happy" endings. Some (The Road) do not.
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Well. You will not find a finer written book than this. I read one of hers LONG time ago, possibly her first. This one is just incredible. Prepare for onslaught of ugly.
I bought this over a year ago and started it several times. Seemed so depressing (it is). But it's such a good read, and with its positive moments.
I've said (above) that I enjoy the dystopian novels. This one did not disappoint. Wow.
I bought this over a year ago and started it several times. Seemed so depressing (it is). But it's such a good read, and with its positive moments.
I've said (above) that I enjoy the dystopian novels. This one did not disappoint. Wow.
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Just got Geddy Lee's book, My Effin Life.
Read that last month, neat story. Not your typical rock star tales of excesses.
I then moved to Neil Peart's Ghost Rider. I finished that one today, the autobiographical story of Neil's solo, 4-month motorcycle trip around North America he took after losing his daughter and wife. Not a self-help grief book, but a story of how he coped with the shiatty hand he was dealt.
Now I just cracked open a new one, Seveneves, by Neal Stephenson. Apocalyptic sci-fi. The moon suddenly blows up into 7 pieces, and how humanity has to react to that, as it rains chunks onto Earth. It's ~850 pages, so will keep me occupied a while. I think I'll have to find something upbeat after this one.
I thick I mentioned, I have read Ghost Rider several times. Neil was such a great writer. I have read most of his books and still enjoy rereading them.Read that last month, neat story. Not your typical rock star tales of excesses.
I then moved to Neil Peart's Ghost Rider. I finished that one today, the autobiographical story of Neil's solo, 4-month motorcycle trip around North America he took after losing his daughter and wife. Not a self-help grief book, but a story of how he coped with the shiatty hand he was dealt.
Now I just cracked open a new one, Seveneves, by Neal Stephenson. Apocalyptic sci-fi. The moon suddenly blows up into 7 pieces, and how humanity has to react to that, as it rains chunks onto Earth. It's ~850 pages, so will keep me occupied a while. I think I'll have to find something upbeat after this one.
Been to busy to start Geddy's book other than reading the last chapter where he talks about Neil. Couldn't help reading his comments.
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Currently reading "A Most Remarkable Creature" by Jonathan Mieburg. It is mostly about a species South American Cara Cara birds, which are smart and gregarious like crows or even parrots, but more closely related to falcons. Interesting and amusing critters, not sure I'd want a flock hanging out in my yard.
The book is kind rambling in a relaxing way, kind of like one of John McPhee's books, with some history, science, geography and observation.
The book is kind rambling in a relaxing way, kind of like one of John McPhee's books, with some history, science, geography and observation.
Just finished Neal Stephenson's Seveneves, really enjoyed it. If you like hard sci-fi, I highly recommend it. Very dense book--lots of characters, intrigue and plot twists, and...science. There are 3 sections and the 3rd one is very slow going for a while, but don't give up, as it all ties together.
Now I need to find another book or two to hold me until the new Gray Man novel comes out.
Now I need to find another book or two to hold me until the new Gray Man novel comes out.
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I'm in the middle of it right now. When the spacex crew capsule pieces were raining down on the Caribbean I was having flashbacks from the story I was reading
Currently reading this, I'm enjoying it quite a bit. Love hearing the southern slang and euphemisms in it, such familiar sounding speech, makes me miss my grandpa. I never placed any value on having a southern accent, or getting to hear it, until I moved to OKC. My youngest daughter moved here when she was 4, and she doesn't have a southern accent, kind of heart breaking for me.
Reading this for about the 4th time. I get more out of it every time
Just started this one, a fictional account of a massive earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. I've finished the prologue, where a 10th Century indigenous city got wiped out. Now onto the present time... This could be a wild ride.
After Neil Peart's Ghost Rider, then Seveneves, now this. I seem to be on a streak of dark stories. Might have to dig out my copy of Brew Like a Monk for a lighter followup.
After Neil Peart's Ghost Rider, then Seveneves, now this. I seem to be on a streak of dark stories. Might have to dig out my copy of Brew Like a Monk for a lighter followup.
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