AARoads Forum

Well, I did a quick search and didn't see a thread devoted to this.  I know a lot of members here enjoy reading, and I suspect a few might even enjoy reading books that aren't about roads, transportation, or infrastructure.

What book are you currently reading?  Why did you pick it?  Do you like it?  Would you recommend it to others?  Are you reading it in print, on a Kindle, or what?  Etc.?

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I recently started reading The Brothers Karamazov (abridged edition), the final novel by Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, published in series in 1879-80.  Recently, I had a hankering to get into a book, but I never know what kind of book to get from the library.  Never having read a Russian novel before, I decided to check one out.  Not wanting to read a book as long as War and Peace, I looked for something more manageable, and The Brothers Karamazov seemed like one I might at least halfway enjoy.

So far, I'm about 30 pages in, out of about 720 (it's only about 6 inches tall), and I'm not sure what I think yet.  It seems that I'm still in the introductory part of the story–telling the characters' back-stories before getting to meat of the story.  But, not being at all familiar with the book, I don't yet know what to expect–say–100 pages from now.  It's certainly a different type of story-telling than I'm used to, with quite a bit of narrator-perspective commentary about the characters.  Thumbing through the pages to come, however, it appears to be much more conversation-driven later on in the book.  So I guess I don't know yet if I like the book or not.  Time will tell.

Quote from: kphoger on February 15, 2020, 07:54:46 PM
Well, I did a quick search and didn't see a thread devoted to this.  I know a lot of members here enjoy reading, and I suspect a few might even enjoy reading books that aren't about roads, transportation, or infrastructure.

What book are you currently reading?  Why did you pick it?  Do you like it?  Would you recommend it to others?  Are you reading it in print, on a Kindle, or what?  Etc.?

---

I recently started reading The Brothers Karamazov (abridged edition), the final novel by Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, published in series in 1879-80.  Recently, I had a hankering to get into a book, but I never know what kind of book to get from the library.  Never having read a Russian novel before, I decided to check one out.  Not wanting to read a book as long as War and Peace, I looked for something more manageable, and The Brothers Karamazov seemed like one I might at least halfway enjoy.

So far, I'm about 30 pages in, out of about 720 (it's only about 6 inches tall), and I'm not sure what I think yet.  It seems that I'm still in the introductory part of the story–telling the characters' back-stories before getting to meat of the story.  But, not being at all familiar with the book, I don't yet know what to expect–say–100 pages from now.  It's certainly a different type of story-telling than I'm used to, with quite a bit of narrator-perspective commentary about the characters.  Thumbing through the pages to come, however, it appears to be much more conversation-driven later on in the book.  So I guess I don't know yet if I like the book or not.  Time will tell.

Homestuck and let me tell you about it LOL

I'm presently reading Harrison Scott's book on the Ridge Route.  While the old photos and infrastructure development is great I kind of feel like there are a couple things that are missing.  The Stockton-Los Angeles Road and El Camino Viejo are larger glossed over or omitted which is a huge omission..  But to that end I tend to think the Ridge Route is very much overblown in terms of it's importance, it was replaced shortly after it was built. 

Not reading anything now, but the last book I read was an e-borrowed copy of "Hillbilly Elegy" on the Libby app on my iPad. I wanted to read it because the author's family is from my area, and the book was so polarizing to so many people. I enjoyed it; I didn't find it to be an indictment of a culture or a region as so many people did, but rather the story of one person's family and his grandparents' life in eastern Kentucky, and his family's subsequent migration to Ohio (as did many from this area seeking factory work back decades ago).

I wish I had more time to read. Between work and home obligations and sleep, I don't see how people find time to read as much as they do.

Quote from: hbelkins on February 15, 2020, 08:39:27 PM
I wish I had more time to read. Between work and home obligations and sleep, I don't see how people find time to read as much as they do.

I've decided that, if I have enough time to watch a dozen videos on YouTube, then I have enough time to read a book.

I have also read Hillbilly Elegy.

I read a lot of detective fiction.  At the moment I'm working my way through C.J. Box's Joe Pickett books, where the investigator character is a game warden in north-central Wyoming.  I'm also in the middle of research for a project, so I've been either reading or heavily skimming books on Afghanistan, women's prisons, combat handgunnery, and self-defense techniques.

As for how people manage to read so many books a year, some rely on audiobooks (useful for long commutes) while others carry around books (or an e-reader) to take advantage of lunch hours and other small chunks of free time.  Publishers' current word count standards for genre fiction are fairly low--a romance novel can be as short as 40,000 words, while 80,000-110,000 words is about the limit for detective novels--and that makes a difference.  Classic novels from the 19th century tend to be a lot longer.

About 90%-95% of the books I read in a given year are print copies.  The rest are ebooks.  I have an old gray-screen Kindle, but typically use e-reader apps on my phone or tablet.  Of the ebooks I read, about 80%-90% of them are in Kindle format, though I have read several in Adobe ePub.

The last physical book I read was How the States Got Their Shapes.  It's exactly what it says in the title, and is naturally a blend of history and geography.

Not an actual book, but still literature, I'm currently reading the online serial Ward, the sequel to Worm (https://parahumans.wordpress.com/).  Here's the official description:

Quote
An introverted teenage girl with an unconventional superpower, Taylor goes out in costume to find escape from a deeply unhappy and frustrated civilian life. Her first attempt at taking down a supervillain sees her mistaken for one, thrusting her into the midst of the local "˜cape' scene's politics, unwritten rules, and ambiguous morals. As she risks life and limb, Taylor faces the dilemma of having to do the wrong things for the right reasons.

I can't recommend the series enough.  If you like a series with lots of worldbuilding and details to analyze, Worm and Ward have a lot of that.  The author is also very good with characterization.  There are very few characters (even antagonists) who you don't feel sympathetic for when you read their interludes (the story is mostly first person narration from the protagonist, with periodic interlude chapters in third person limited narration following a specific character).  I should warn anyone interesting in reading, however, that both Worm and Ward can get quite dark (seriously, I mean darker than the Netflix series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina - which I also highly recommend).  They're also quite long, at approximately three times as long as War and Peace.  Each.  And Ward isn't finished yet, as far as I know (still only through chapter 14.3 as I post this).

Quote from: J N Winkler on February 15, 2020, 09:50:41 PM
About 90%-95% of the books I read in a given year are print copies.  The rest are ebooks.  I have an old gray-screen Kindle, but typically use e-reader apps on my phone or tablet.  Of the ebooks I read, about 80%-90% of them are in Kindle format, though I have read several in Adobe ePub.

I have an older Kindle, but I'm switching back to paper books, which, while they do take up shelf space, are nicer to read and easy to skim to re-read one's favorite passages from.  I'm actually in the process of replacing my favorite books that I got for my Kindle with print copies.

Quote from: vdeane on February 15, 2020, 10:04:15 PM
The last physical book I read was How the States Got Their Shapes.  It's exactly what it says in the title, and is naturally a blend of history and geography.

I just happened to pick up that same book yesterday at B&N (it was on clearance for $5).

Quote from: kphoger on February 15, 2020, 07:54:46 PM

[...]

I recently started reading The Brothers Karamazov (abridged edition), the final novel by Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, published in series in 1879-80.  Recently, I had a hankering to get into a book, but I never know what kind of book to get from the library.  Never having read a Russian novel before, I decided to check one out.  Not wanting to read a book as long as War and Peace, I looked for something more manageable, and The Brothers Karamazov seemed like one I might at least halfway enjoy.

[...]

I recently started one of Dostoevsky's first books, Notes from the Underground. I'm trying to like it, but it's very dry, heavy, and rich with ideas. A lot of mid-19th century European literature tends to be the same way. Ultimately, it comes off as cold and aloof, much like the country it was written in and about. The book could use a little more charm and personality.

For a class that I am taking --

Major Bible Themes: 52 Vital Doctrines of the Scripture Simplified and Explained, 1974, by John F. Walvoord (Author), Lewis Sperry Chafer (Author)

Amazon description --
In an age characterized by skepticism and ignorance of the Holy Scriptures, this timely volume clearly sets forth the biblical truths and teachings that long have been cherished by Christians.  Virtually a classic for this century, Major Bible Themes includes chapters on doctrines that merit particular attention in the contemporary religious scene, such as the Holy Spirit, the nature of the Church, and the second coming of Christ.  Designed for group and individual study, for pastors, laymen, and students, Major Bible Themes is an indispensable tool, providing the biblical basis for fifty-two doctrines, complete with topical and Scripture indexes.  Questions for discussion and review follow each chapter.  Whether your purpose is to explore Bible doctrines as a new Christian, to erase confusion stemming from conflicting views in the contemporary church, or to establish a stronger basis for witnessing to your beliefs, Major Bible Themes is essential for study and reference.

Lewis Sperry Chafer was the founding chancellor of the Dallas Theological Seminary, and he wrote the original version of this book in 1926.

Last book I read was a soon-to-be published script of a friend of mine.  Basically talks about the nature of work, how to develop a work ethic and how lazy kids are today.  Stuff boomers will eat up.

"Ecological Urbanism" by Moshen Mostafavi and several other contributors.  It's big, but the chapters tend to be short.  I should have read it a long time ago, but I remember it being more expensive in the past.  Some of the ideas are fascinating, but it kind of feels like a mixed bag.

How the States Got Their Shapes was very interesting, and I recommend that for any American roadgeek here.

I'm reading this right now (very slowly)

(https://i.imgur.com/1EGBGBu.jpg)

but I'll rep the previous book instead: Lovecraft Country by Mark Ruff. It's the tale of a black science-fiction author in Jim Crow America. There are cosmic horrors and plain old human evil. There's a TV series coming up, with Jordan Peele and JJ Abrams involved.

Very, very gradually working on Ulysses by James Joyce. One of those books you have to read aloud to even understand, much less understand the plot. I'm on page 13 of 430 (or so); all I know is that the main characters are preparing breakfast and having their morning routine.

Also planning on reading Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix manga soon - apparently that's considered his masterpiece.

A side thought, how much does everyone actually read presently?  Right now I might read two to four books a year.  When I was younger I would read at least twenty no problem either out of obligation or boredom. 

I read far fewer books than I used to.  I rarely even read books anymore.

I actually tack this up to the amount of reading I do on the Internet.

I probably average about 5 books per month.  I read while I'm eating lunch, and again before bed.  Sometimes I get to read for a couple hours on the weekends.

I recently read a C J Box book in the Cassie Dewall series.  Yesterday I finished one James Patterson book and am beginning another.

I don't have reliable numbers for books read per year before 2013, because until 2012, I used to record books I had read in a Word file without notating the dates I had finished them.  Now I have a recording method that automatically timestamps every new book entry, and although I don't necessarily record a book on the same day I finish it, I do try to log it within the same month.

Books read per year 2013-2019 inclusive have fluctuated from a high of 127 in 2013 to a low of 93 in 2014.  In 2015-2019 inclusive I read more than 100 books annually, ranging from a low of 101 in 2016 to a high of 113 in 2018.

I have found myself trying not to fall under 100 books read per year, but I don't try to read many more per year because that leads to me falling behind on a New Yorker subscription.  I would be prepared to accept annual totals under 100 if a substantial proportion of the books read were doorstop classics from the 19th century (not just the Russian greats like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, but also a lot of Dickens, Thackeray, Trollope, Eliot, Hardy, as well as Melville's Moby Dick), but those can be really slow going.

I am a fairly slow reader, but watch very little TV at present.

"The Last Innocents" by Michael Leahy is the current read over here.  It is about the Dodgers in LA during the time stars like Drysdale, Koufax, Maury and such were rising with the backdrop being the societal changes taking place in the early 60's which portended what was to come (integration, the Free Speech movement, free agency in baseball).  If sports plus our national culture are of interest, then by all means read the book!

Rick

As a school assignment, I am reading Nineteen-Eighty-Four. I am near the end of the second part of the book (which is about half-way through the book). I picked up the book shortly after reading Animal Farm, as they are similar in that it shares Orwell's hatred of Stalinist Communism. I had a choice of several books to read other than 1984, including Brave New World and Lord of the Flies.

I don't read a whole lot of books outside of school, as I spend too much time either doing other schoolwork or playing video games.

100+ books per year?  I'm not sure what my total is, but probably in the 10 to 20 range per year.

Amazon gives access to finding long out-of-print books, and I have found some treasures there; probably half of my readings.

Quote from: ozarkman417 on February 16, 2020, 01:47:09 PM
As a school assignment, I am reading Nineteen-Eighty-Four. I am near the end of the second part of the book (which is about half-way through the book). I picked up the book shortly after reading Animal Farm, as they are similar in that it shares Orwell's hatred of Stalinist Communism. I had a choice of several books to read other than 1984, including Brave New World and Lord of the Flies.

I don't read a whole lot of books outside of school, as I spend too much time either doing other schoolwork or playing video games.

Here is a good animated video made by the guy who runs Alternate History Hub, which explores the world of "1984".  It will cost you 15 minutes and some seconds of your life to see it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQxOKXEff4I&t=2s

Rick

Quote from: nexus73 on February 16, 2020, 05:14:14 PM

Quote from: ozarkman417 on February 16, 2020, 01:47:09 PM
As a school assignment, I am reading Nineteen-Eighty-Four. I am near the end of the second part of the book (which is about half-way through the book). I picked up the book shortly after reading Animal Farm, as they are similar in that it shares Orwell's hatred of Stalinist Communism. I had a choice of several books to read other than 1984, including Brave New World and Lord of the Flies.

I don't read a whole lot of books outside of school, as I spend too much time either doing other schoolwork or playing video games.

Here is a good animated video made by the guy who runs Alternate History Hub, which explores the world of "1984".  It will cost you 15 minutes and some seconds of your life to see it...

(snipped)

Rick

I started to watch the video, but I figured I would at least finish the book first. Spoilers, and all.

Quote from: kurumi on February 16, 2020, 12:15:39 AM
How the States Got Their Shapes was very interesting, and I recommend that for any American roadgeek here.

Didn't that get turned in to a short-lived TV show of some sort?

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on February 16, 2020, 01:05:45 AM
A side thought, how much does everyone actually read presently?  Right now I might read two to four books a year.  When I was younger I would read at least twenty no problem either out of obligation or boredom. 

My reading has dropped bigtime in the last two months now that I have a new job and am no longer commuting on the subway.

The Only Plane in the Sky and Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver as print books. Blowout as an audio book. Go, Flight: The Unsung Heroes of Mission Control, and the Mistborn trilogy as ebooks. 

I read a lot, mostly for pleasure (or at least interest). Brian Sanderson (Mistborn) writes enthralling fiction, and the rest are all holding my interest.

Print books will always be my preference in general; I like audiobooks or at least the spoken word while driving while a tablet (dim, dark, red-shifted settings) works well for me to read in bed. So, as strange as it sounds to younger me, older me has settled into this pattern of having several books going at once.

Quote from: kphoger on February 15, 2020, 09:33:14 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on February 15, 2020, 08:39:27 PM
I wish I had more time to read. Between work and home obligations and sleep, I don't see how people find time to read as much as they do.

I've decided that, if I have enough time to watch a dozen videos on YouTube, then I have enough time to read a book.

This is true, but I'm one of those who hates videos when the written word will do. So I don't watch YouTube videos, unless I call up some music and have it on while I'm doing something else. I see links posted frequently on social media about something that interests me, and get excited to read the story, and then get aggravated when I see it's a link to a video. I read faster than a lot of people do, so why do I want to sit and watch a 10-minute video about something when I could read the transcript of the video in about three minutes? I'm a throwback. Video has far less appeal than text.

That's another reason I prefer written words to audiobooks. And I only subscribe to one podcast, which I speed up to 1.5x but often slow back down to 1x if there's something I don't want to miss. A friend of mine keeps a list of books she reads each year, and I don't know how she finds time to do them all. I think she listens to some of them as audiobooks, but I still can't find the time to do that.

Quote from: ozarkman417 on February 16, 2020, 05:22:33 PM
Didn't that get turned in to a short-lived TV show of some sort?

Yep.  It started with a two hour special that covered some of the more interesting items, then a season of hour long episodes covering general themes, and then a second season of half-hour episodes that didn't cover anything new but turned it into a game show.

So I get an email at work today with the subject, "Message from Secretary Jim Gray."

What's in the video? A five-minute YouTube video. Grrr. I'd rather have his written statement that I could read in a minute vs. having spent five minutes watching the video.

I had read every book in the house (well, maybe not quite...) by age 11 or 12 and pretty much stopped reading for pleasure at that point.

I learned to read quite young, and now I pretty much read in paragraphs instead of individual words. I can't remember the last time I read something that took me more than 2 hours, much less had to be spread out over multiple days. So, this thread is at least quite enlightening for me.

I'm currently enjoying the Keith Richards autobiography "Life".

Not knowing what the COVID library status is where everyone lives, I recommend checking out the book shown below if and when you can make it to the library.


I read it just last year, and I enjoyed it quite a lot.  It's a post-apocalyptic book that takes place in Ontario and Michigan, while and after a highly contagious strain of the flu decimates the world population.  It's not super nerdy, and I think it would have broad appeal to both men and women, both young and old alike.

Quote from: kphoger on February 15, 2020, 07:54:46 PM
I recently started reading The Brothers Karamazov (abridged edition), the final novel by Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, published in series in 1879-80.  Recently, I had a hankering to get into a book, but I never know what kind of book to get from the library.  Never having read a Russian novel before, I decided to check one out.  Not wanting to read a book as long as War and Peace, I looked for something more manageable, and The Brothers Karamazov seemed like one I might at least halfway enjoy.

So far, I'm about 30 pages in, out of about 720 (it's only about 6 inches tall), and I'm not sure what I think yet.  It seems that I'm still in the introductory part of the story–telling the characters' back-stories before getting to meat of the story.  But, not being at all familiar with the book, I don't yet know what to expect–say–100 pages from now.  It's certainly a different type of story-telling than I'm used to, with quite a bit of narrator-perspective commentary about the characters.  Thumbing through the pages to come, however, it appears to be much more conversation-driven later on in the book.  So I guess I don't know yet if I like the book or not.  Time will tell.

Just yesterday evening, I checked out my second Dostoevsky book.  This time, it's The Idiot.

As for The Brothers Karamazov, I'd say it took about half the book to get the plot really going.  It was a gradual ramping-up that lasted pretty much the entire book.  The increase in drama was almost unnoticeable page-by-page but, by the time I was in the last fourth of the book, it was starting to get pretty dramatic, and it was a wild ride toward the end of the book.  Certainly a different type of reading experience than I was used to.

Most recently, I read The Promise Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards.  It's about a doctor who, in the 1960s, delivers his wife's twins, sees that one of them has Down syndrome, and instructs his nurse to take child and put her in a home–before his wife wakes up from the anesthesia.  The nurse doesn't go through with it, and then the novel alternates between the lives of all the affected parties.  It explores how that decision affects not just the people who know what happened, but also how it affects various relationships.

Basically, it's a chick book.  But it's also quite engaging for a man to read as well.  I did enjoy it, and I was very happy to have had such mild spring weather here allowing me to read multiple chapters at a time on the front porch.

I just finished Brandon Sanderson's Rhythm of War (book four of his Stormlight Archive series). Took me most of four months to read it because it's over 1200 pages (I read it on a Kindle). Good series, a lot going on. I won't call it as sprawling as the Wheel of Time, at least not yet, but it's close. Not as many characters to keep straight in your mind, which helps when the story is this long. So far none of the four books has been under a thousand pages.

After finishing that, I wanted something much lighter, so I've just started The California Golden Seals: A Tale of White Skates, Red Ink, and One of the NHL's Most Outlandish Teams. As the name implies, it's about the failed hockey franchise. About as far from epic fantasy as you can get!

Just finished my second reading of Hillbilly Elegy. Since Vance's grandparents are from an adjacent county (the one where I work) I am quite familiar with much of the book's setting. I still don't understand why it upsets the left so much. It's a pretty accurate portrayal not only of life for Appalachian migrants to the industrial midwest, but of those who stayed in the hills.

Quote from: kphoger on July 27, 2021, 04:16:45 PM
Just yesterday evening, I checked out my second Dostoevsky book.  This time, it's The Idiot.

Well, I didn't finish The Idiot before I ran out of renewals at the library.  However, a couple of months ago, I decided to check the book out all over again, and so I picked up where I'd left off.  I'm almost to the end, with just three chapters to go.

This may well be my last Dostoevsky book.  It's hard for me to keep the characters straight (it doesn't help that they all go by three different names), but it's also hard for me to form a connection to them.  At least in this novel, I feel some connection to the main character–but not to anyone else.  There's also too much family and social intrigue for my liking.  I realize that this last point is probably a mark of the author's genius, in capturing the nuances of complicated social structures, but I guess it's just not for me.

Just finished Maus I. Maus II is sitting on my nightstand now.

I didn't know How the States Got Their Shapes was a book. I enjoyed the TV series and recommend watching them if you get the chance. I also recommend using a DVR to fast-forward as some of the History Channel commercials can be a bit much. It's perfect for watching on those nasty weather days where any outdoor activity is worth postponing.

Quote from: skluth on May 26, 2022, 06:32:33 PM
Just finished Maus I. Maus II is sitting on my nightstand now.

I didn't know How the States Got Their Shapes was a book. I enjoyed the TV series and recommend watching them if you get the chance. I also recommend using a DVR to fast-forward as some of the History Channel commercials can be a bit much. It's perfect for watching on those nasty weather days where any outdoor activity is worth postponing.

I have the How the States Got Their Shapes book. It's definitely worth a read. I still remember binge watching the episodes.

I'm concurrently reading two books: When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It! by Yogi Berra, a humorous read that talks about some of his famous Yogiisms and meanings behind them, and The Puppy Handbook, because I have a new four-legged baby arriving in a month or so.

Most recently (in the past few weeks) I finished reading Debbie Harry's memoir Face It, which was a very good and engaging read.

I read a good bit in elementary school, but my recreational reading largely tapered off as the compulsory reading picked up in middle school and high school. The only non-school book I really read during those years was The OCD Workbook (something I definitely needed to read, and credit with helping me manage my OCD over the years, along with medication and cognitive behavioral therapy). However, ironically, I got back into reading at the start of college while doing my assigned reading for my history classes. Being a history major (then), I knew I was going to have to read a lot, so I got into the groove and was enthusiastic about the assigned reading. I'll take reading over mindless busy work any day, so it was a breath of fresh air compared to high school. Once having the spare time, this spilled over into recreation as I actually started reading books for fun again for the first time in over half a decade. My reading pace, however, is pitifully slow. This means I haven't actually read that many books since then. However, I have spent time reading, and thus far I have usually either been reading memoirs (usually of musicians I am a fan of) and history books. Although, I could probably stand to expand my scope, and with that said I have taken some suggestions of some of the books mentioned in this thread that sound very interesting. Since I got back into reading, one of my favorite places to read is outside on a nice day. Spending more time outside is another thing I had a new-found appreciation of in recent years, particularly during the height of the pandemic where sitting on the back patio was a safe and relaxing way to get outside.

Quote from: adventurernumber1 on June 03, 2022, 12:09:00 AM
Since I got back into reading, one of my favorite places to read is outside on a nice day. Spending more time outside is another thing I had a new-found appreciation of in recent years, particularly during the height of the pandemic where sitting on the back patio was a safe and relaxing way to get outside.

Even before the pandemic, I started reading on the front porch.  One additional benefit is that the sunlight makes it easier on my eyes, whereas I sometimes strain to read indoors.

I just finished my second Dostoevsky book, and I'm guessing it'll be my last by him.  We went to the library to drop it off and to check out some books for my youngest son, but I didn't get another book to read.  I've decided not to get another book until I've gone to the eye doctor for a new prescription.

I've started in on Men in Black by Mark Levin, which is a critical look at Supreme Court activism.

Once that's done, I plan to read Slouching Towards Gomorrah by Robert Bork, which seems to be especially relevant today.

The last book I read was a re-read of Hillbilly Elegy, which is very relevant to me since I have worked for years in the county from which J.D. Vance's family originated. In fact, I was working there the year he was born, so I'm very familiar with the Kentucky territory of which he writes. Nothing he penned is inaccurate, so I don't understand why that book has been criticized the way it has been.

Quote from: kphoger on June 03, 2022, 09:09:20 AMEven before the pandemic, I started reading on the front porch.  One additional benefit is that the sunlight makes it easier on my eyes, whereas I sometimes strain to read indoors.

What kind of light have you been using indoors?  Next to my reading chair, I have a floor lamp that shines directly on book pages, giving me anywhere between 200 and 500 lux (measured using a smartphone light meter app).  I have found it's pretty hard to break 50 lux with a table lamp next to an armchair, even if it is fitted with a 100 W bulb (or a CFL/LED with equivalent lumen output), and I don't consider that adequate for comfortable reading.

I've long suspected that part of the popularity of ebooks (especially on devices with their own screen illumination) comes from unresolved lighting problems.

Quote from: kphoger on June 03, 2022, 09:09:20 AMI just finished my second Dostoevsky book, and I'm guessing it'll be my last by him.  We went to the library to drop it off and to check out some books for my youngest son, but I didn't get another book to read.  I've decided not to get another book until I've gone to the eye doctor for a new prescription.

I'm nearsighted and wear glasses now, having worn contacts in the past.  I suspect I am now also mildly presbyopic.  I don't even try to read books while wearing glasses--I just take them off.  When I was still wearing contacts, I routinely wore reading glasses.

Quote from: J N Winkler on June 03, 2022, 01:17:43 PM
What kind of light have you been using indoors?

? Whatever the lamps put out ?

Quote from: kphoger on June 03, 2022, 01:55:39 PM? Whatever the lamps put out ?

That's just it--lamp type, positioning, bulb/light source output, etc. all matter in terms of illumination.  If it's noticeably easier to read outside with the sun as your light source, that suggests to me you're not getting enough light on book pages indoors.

Quote from: J N Winkler on June 03, 2022, 06:18:08 PM

Quote from: kphoger on June 03, 2022, 01:55:39 PM
? Whatever the lamps put out ?

That's just it--lamp type, positioning, bulb/light source output, etc. all matter in terms of illumination.  If it's noticeably easier to read outside with the sun as your light source, that suggests to me you're not getting enough light on book pages indoors.

Well, obviously I'm not getting enough light on book pages indoors.  That's precisely the problem.  But it can be greatly mitigated by getting a new prescription.

I went about a dozen years without glasses.  I broke a pair, realized I could see OK without them, didn't want to pay for a new pair anyway, and just did without.  But, a few years ago, I started having to really strain to read, especially in dim lighting.  So I went to the eye doctor.  My eyesight had gotten so bad that we had to quit the eye exam partway through because my brain stopped being able to focus my eyes on the chart correctly.  After getting my glasses, reading suddenly became clear again.  I have no doubt that a new prescription will make it similarly easier.

Quote from: hbelkins on February 16, 2020, 06:57:30 PM

Quote from: kphoger on February 15, 2020, 09:33:14 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on February 15, 2020, 08:39:27 PM
I wish I had more time to read. Between work and home obligations and sleep, I don't see how people find time to read as much as they do.

I've decided that, if I have enough time to watch a dozen videos on YouTube, then I have enough time to read a book.

This is true, but I'm one of those who hates videos when the written word will do. So I don't watch YouTube videos, unless I call up some music and have it on while I'm doing something else. I see links posted frequently on social media about something that interests me, and get excited to read the story, and then get aggravated when I see it's a link to a video. I read faster than a lot of people do, so why do I want to sit and watch a 10-minute video about something when I could read the transcript of the video in about three minutes? I'm a throwback. Video has far less appeal than text.

That's another reason I prefer written words to audiobooks. And I only subscribe to one podcast, which I speed up to 1.5x but often slow back down to 1x if there's something I don't want to miss. A friend of mine keeps a list of books she reads each year, and I don't know how she finds time to do them all. I think she listens to some of them as audiobooks, but I still can't find the time to do that.

I agree about videos.  I would much rather read text than watch a video about, unless there's something particularly compelling about the video format, which there usually isn't.  Yes, reading is faster than watching a video, but it's also about eye strain.  I can read a printed book for 10 hours and not get as much eye strain as I do from an hour at the computer.

My husband loves to read outdoors, and this summer, he arranged a place for himself in parents' garden. He bought a chair and watched a thousand videos about what lighting he would need. The only thing he didn't consider was the bugs, which gladly joined his reading every evening. I wanted to play a trick on him and bought Lord of the Flies as a gift, but he did not appreciate the joke for some reason. Now I think The Metamorphosis fits better :D

Sorry for being a little off topic.

Currently I am reading Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie. I have already read Murder on the Orient Express and Ten Little Indians (published today as And Then There Were None).

I am reading Wrath of the Sun, the sixth and final book in the "Lords of Alekka" series by A.E. Rayne. The series is the sequel to the same author's "Furyck Saga," another six-book series I read a year or two ago. Fast-moving and entertaining stuff, though some people might feel there is too much violence. The author says she is fascinated by the Vikings (although she lives in New Zealand), and that's apparent from how many of the characters have Norse-looking names.

I'm at a loss for what I'll read next.

I'm just about a dozen pages or so from finishing "The True History of The Black Adder" - Always have been a big fan of the series (except the first "series"/iteration).  I had no idea this book existed until I stumbled on it in a trip to Half-Price Books.  I've found enjoyable, and very informative

(https://archive.org/services/img/truehistoryofbla0000robe/full/pct:200/0/default.jpg)

A recent one is 14, by Peter Clines (no relation to the "Ready Player One" author). Single guy around 30yo moves into an apartment building that's quite strange; but the rent is really cheap and it's an intriguing set of puzzles to solve.

It's a fun science fiction / cosmic horror read, with a deliberate, analytical tone. One issue is the author's male gaze. If he meant that to stick to the protagonist or narrator instead, it didn't quite work.

"The Fold" is a similar book, same author, also fun, and I'd prefer not to spoil anything about it.

Teach Yourself Afrikaans. It's my fiancée's native language and phone apps aren't doing the job.

A couple of weeks ago I finished a book called Rock 'n' Roll Soccer, a history of the old North American Soccer League many of us remember from the 1970s and early 1980s. I'm now reading Brandon Sanderson's The Lost Metal, the seventh of his "Mistborn" books (the fourth one featuring protagonists Wax and Wayne).

"Granite Mountain" by Brendan McDonough. So far have only thumbed through it but seems to be a very raw and frank account of his experiences.

**EDIT** Getting about 2/3 of the way through, and Eric Marsh according to Brendan is way kinder and way less cocky than the movie "Only The Brave" made him out to be. Seems like the read is going to be much tougher to get through than the movie, and that says a lot considering that the movie is one of the few things in the world that brings me to tears every time.

The Holy Bible

Quote from: Rothman on July 13, 2023, 11:50:33 PM
The Holy Bible

critque?

Quote from: Big John on July 14, 2023, 12:02:16 AM

Quote from: Rothman on July 13, 2023, 11:50:33 PM
The Holy Bible

critque?

Well, 2 Samuel 21 does refer to God approving of human sacrifice to end a famine, so maybe every word shouldn't be taken literally.

I'm currently reading the online serial Heretical Edge (https://ceruleanscrawling.wordpress.com/2015/10/03/orientation-1-01/).  From the about page:

Quote
Most easily classified as an urban fantasy/detective/action, Heretical Edge revolves around Felicity 'Flick' Chambers, a teenage girl who is brought into the hidden world of the supernatural when she is accepted as a student at Crossroads Academy, a place where humans known as Heretics train to hunt and kill the creatures known as Strangers, monsters from mythology who secretly prey upon humanity. Heretics fight these Strangers using a combination of fighting prowess and a unique blend of magic and technology.

Soon, Flick learns that not everything at this school, or her own past is as it appears to be. Questions continue to mount, as Flick and her new classmates struggle to survive in this dangerous new world, while discovering the truth about the connection between Heretics and Strangers.

I feel like I've finally found something new to scratch the urban fantasy itch I've had since I finished watching Motherland: Fort Salem last year.

I've long been a fan of Jack Reacher, but I have a nagging sense of "unclothed emperor" as Lee Child hands the reins over to his younger brother.

Right now I have a stack of books checked out of the public library to bed me in for the Christmas holidays.  James Ellroy (The Enchanters) has been reliable for me, as has Don Winslow (Satori, a sequel to Trevanian's Shibumi that he was commissioned to write).  I've finished the first volume in Daniel Abraham's Dagger and Coin high fantasy series and have the second (The King's Blood) on the pile.  In the back matter he mentions being inspired by the history of the Medicis as bankers to kings during the Renaissance, as well as Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond books, and I can certainly see how that is so, though his stuff is definitely more accessible than the latter.

I also have several books out by authors new to me to see whether I like their stuff:  Megan O'Keefe (The Blighted Stars, first volume in a planned space-opera trilogy), Charles Cumming (Kennedy 35, second in a spy thriller series--he's being marketed as the heir to John le Carré), and Luke McCallin (The Man from Berlin, part of a series of historical mysteries set in Nazi Germany that is similar in concept if not necessarily approach to Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther books).

The sole nonfiction book in the pile, which I'm looking forward to, is Liza Mundy's The Sisterhood, about the evolving role of women at the CIA.  I've already dipped into it and seen a wealth of fascinating detail from the OSS days onward, though the last quarter or so seems oriented toward redeeming the reputation of Jennifer Matthews, who led the team that was wiped out in the Camp Chapman attack (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Chapman_attack) in 2009 and who was subsequently portrayed as out of her depth.

Quote from: stanwoods on December 20, 2023, 09:30:56 AM

Quote from: vdeane on November 28, 2023, 08:52:08 PMI'm currently reading the online serial Heretical Edge (https://ceruleanscrawling.wordpress.com/2015/10/03/orientation-1-01/).  From the about page:

QuoteMost easily classified as an urban fantasy/detective/action, Heretical Edge revolves around Felicity 'Flick' Chambers, a teenage girl who is brought into the hidden world of the supernatural when she is accepted as a student at Crossroads Academy, a place where humans known as Heretics train to hunt and kill the creatures known as Strangers, monsters from mythology who secretly prey upon humanity. Heretics fight these Strangers using a combination of fighting prowess and a unique blend of magic and technology.

Soon, Flick learns that not everything at this school, or her own past is as it appears to be. Questions continue to mount, as Flick and her new classmates struggle to survive in this dangerous new world, while discovering the truth about the connection between Heretics and Strangers.

I feel like I've finally found something new to scratch the urban fantasy itch I've had since I finished watching Motherland: Fort Salem last year.

Oh, I've heard about it but haven't read it yet.
Now I'm reading this. Because reading this book is a part of my final paper. And I need not only to read it but also to write a review of it. I have some parts ready, but now I face some difficulties and the deadline is coming. I think I'll use some help from https://edubirdie.com/write-my-essay-for-me (https://edubirdie.com/write-my-essay-for-me) because that service has never let me down yet, and I'm sure it's the best option to finish my writing.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/8120ygsitNL._SL1500_.jpg)

Excellent choice!

Currently reading (well, listening to the audiobook) The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Making-of-Another-Major-Motion-Picture-Masterpiece-Audiobook/B0BFBYQVQM) by Tom Hanks. Interesting book. I'm in Part 4: Prep, so I can't give a good judgement of it yet. I'm also listening to, with my mother, Fact or Fiction: Science Tackles 58 Popular Myths (https://www.audible.com/pd/Fact-or-Fiction-Audiobook/1094075221) by Scientific America.

Other books that I've listed to this year:

• Betty White's Pearls of Wisdom: Life Lessons from a Beloved American Treasure (https://www.audible.com/pd/Bear-in-the-Back-Seat-Audiobook/B00NUBP9G6%5D%5Bi%5DBear%20in%20the%20Back%20Seat:%20Adventures%20of%20a%20Wildlife%20Ranger%20in%20the%20Great%20Smoky%20Mountains%20National%20Park%20-%20Volume%201%5B/i%5D%5B/url%5D%20by%20Kim%20DeLozier%20and%20Carolyn%20Jourdan%20-%20This%20was%20with%20my%20mother%20while%20we%20were%20driving.%20A%20good%20collection%20of%20stories%20from%20a%20former%20wild%20life%20manager%20involving%20bears%20and%20other%20wildlike%20in%20the%20park.%5B/li%5D%5Bli%5D%5Burl="https://www.audible.com/pd/Betty-Whites-Pearls-of-Wisdom-Audiobook/B0BPTHCGCV) by Patty Sullivan - Great recollection of experienced by the Sullivans with Betty White, listened with my mother
• Esther Diamond, Book 1: Disappearing Nightly (https://www.audible.com/pd/Disappearing-Nightly-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/1648793886) by Laura Resnick - A dramatization, and was pretty good.
• Esther Diamond, Book 2: Doppelgangster (https://www.audible.com/pd/Doppelgangster-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/1648793908) by Laura Resnick - Enjoyable little dramatization, but a bit long.
• If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't) (https://www.audible.com/pd/If-You-Ask-Me-Audiobook/B004XJDIOO) by Betty White - Excellent recollection book read by that Golden Girl, listened with my mother
• Space: 1969 (https://www.audible.com/pd/Space-1969-Audiobook/B0B1RQWWBK) by Bill Oakley - Completely whacked alternative history comedy that is narriated by "Richard Nixon"
• Elizabeth II: Life of a Monarch (https://www.audible.com/podcast/Elizabeth-II-Life-of-a-Monarch/B08DDF4QQ1) by Ruth Cowen - Interesting history of a well-liked monarch, listened with my mother
• Several Car Talk collections

Quote from: ZLoth on June 06, 2024, 07:01:18 PMCurrently reading (well, listening to the audiobook) The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Making-of-Another-Major-Motion-Picture-Masterpiece-Audiobook/B0BFBYQVQM) by Tom Hanks. Interesting book. I'm in Part 4: Prep, so I can't give a good judgement of it yet.

However, what was a nice kick is that part of the book is set in Sacramento, so it was a kick to hear mentions of streets and places which I know about. Although they refer to the airport as a "metro" airport instead of a "international" airport. Now, the ITA code is SMF which is short for Sacramento Metropolitan Field, and the airport itself opened in 1967. International service didn't begin until 2002 with nonstops to Guadalajara. If you look at the flights from SMF (https://markholtz.info/flightsfromsmf), there is a single Canadian non-stop (Vancouver (YVR)) and three Mexico non-stops (San Jose Cabo (SJD), Guadalajara (GDL), Leon/Guanajuato (BJX)). Mexico City is listed as a non-stop destination, but there are currently no flights scheduled.

Quote from: ZLoth on June 08, 2024, 11:21:01 AMHowever, what was a nice kick is that part of the book is set in Sacramento, so it was a kick to hear mentions of streets and places which I know about. Although they refer to the airport as a "metro" airport instead of a "international" airport. Now, the ITA code is SMF which is short for Sacramento Metropolitan Field, and the airport itself opened in 1967. International service didn't begin until 2002 with nonstops to Guadalajara. If you look at the flights from SMF (https://markholtz.info/flightsfromsmf), there is a single Canadian non-stop (Vancouver (YVR)) and three Mexico non-stops (San Jose Cabo (SJD), Guadalajara (GDL), Leon/Guanajuato (BJX)). Mexico City is listed as a non-stop destination, but there are currently no flights scheduled.

I skimmed this post at first and was momentarily wondering why the forum software had flights.

Finished The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Making-of-Another-Major-Motion-Picture-Masterpiece-Audiobook/B0BFBYQVQM). I can see how Tom Hanks wrote the book the way he did, but it could have used some editing to tighten up some portions. A decent read.

My mother and I are now listening to the first Now I know (https://www.audible.com/pd/Now-I-Know-Audiobook/B00GI0WN2O) in the car, while I'm now listening to Esther Diamond, Book 3: Unsympathetic Magic (https://www.audible.com/pd/Unsympathetic-Magic-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/1648793924).

I've been reading Political Savvy: Systematic Approaches to Leadership Behind-the-Scenes by Joel R. DeLuca, Ph.D. after a manager at work retired and left a few books behind, including this.  It's a very interesting explanation of office politics, how it works, why it isn't inherently unethical, and how to maneuver through it.

Quote from: vdeane on June 26, 2024, 12:58:44 PMI've been reading Political Savvy: Systematic Approaches to Leadership Behind-the-Scenes (https://amzn.to/3XEWJdO) by Joel R. DeLuca, Ph.D. after a manager at work retired and left a few books behind, including this.  It's a very interesting explanation of office politics, how it works, why it isn't inherently unethical, and how to maneuver through it.

No comment on the content (although it sounds interesting), but if Amazon is any indication, it's out of print with a used hardback copy going for at least $41 and paperback for $53.  :-o

Quote from: ZLoth on June 26, 2024, 01:15:37 PM

Quote from: vdeane on June 26, 2024, 12:58:44 PMI've been reading Political Savvy: Systematic Approaches to Leadership Behind-the-Scenes (https://amzn.to/3XEWJdO) by Joel R. DeLuca, Ph.D. after a manager at work retired and left a few books behind, including this.  It's a very interesting explanation of office politics, how it works, why it isn't inherently unethical, and how to maneuver through it.

No comment on the content (although it sounds interesting), but if Amazon is any indication, it's out of print with a used hardback copy going for at least $41 and paperback for $53.  :-o

Not surprised.  The copy I'm reading is the second edition, published in 1999.  The first edition dates back to 1992 IIRC (I don't have it in front of me right now).

Finished  Esther Diamond, Book 3: Unsympathetic Magic (https://www.audible.com/pd/Unsympathetic-Magic-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/1648793924), and just started on Moonraker: James Bond, Book 3 (Celebrity Performance) narrated by Bill Nighy released in 2014 which is surprisingly out of print at Audible.

Finished Moonraker: James Bond, Book 3 (Celebrity Performance), and to say the book is much better than the movie  that was released 24 years after the book was originally published is an understatement. Even the plot between the book and the movie bear little resemblance save for the main villain's name.

Quote from: ZLoth on July 06, 2024, 10:02:41 PMFinished Moonraker: James Bond, Book 3 (Celebrity Performance), and to say the book is much better than the movie  that was released 24 years after the book was originally published is an understatement. Even the plot between the book and the movie bear little resemblance save for the main villain's name.

That's really true of most of the James Bond books, especially the later into the series you go. Goldfinger is close enough to the movie, so I randomly checked out You Only Live Twice from a library expecting them to be as episodic as the movies are. Nope. There's a whole plot that plays out over a few of the books involving Bond getting brainwashed into losing his memory and temporarily getting drummed out of the service that never made it into any of the movies. I had a hell of a time figure out what was going on since that book was smack dab in the middle of that arc.

Quote from: Scott5114 on July 07, 2024, 07:58:48 AM

Quote from: ZLoth on July 06, 2024, 10:02:41 PMFinished Moonraker: James Bond, Book 3 (Celebrity Performance), and to say the book is much better than the movie  that was released 24 years after the book was originally published is an understatement. Even the plot between the book and the movie bear little resemblance save for the main villain's name.

That's really true of most of the James Bond books, especially the later into the series you go. Goldfinger is close enough to the movie, so I randomly checked out You Only Live Twice from a library expecting them to be as episodic as the movies are. Nope. There's a whole plot that plays out over a few of the books involving Bond getting brainwashed into losing his memory and temporarily getting drummed out of the service that never made it into any of the movies. I had a hell of a time figure out what was going on since that book was smack dab in the middle of that arc.

I'm going through the James Bond series in book order, and Moonraker is the third book. The first two books, Casino Royale and Live and Let Die, have a significant resemblance to the actual movie although, as you have noted, significant omissions as well. Moonraker, on the other hand, lacks that. Also, all of the James Bond novels came out between 1953 to 1966, while only the first four James Bond movies (and the Casino Royale TV episode) came out during that time period, and thus the significant time jump.

I also went in with the assumption that what I was about to "read" (listen to) was going to be significantly different than what I saw in the films.

My brother clued me in to a $2.99 Amazon download of My Effin' Life by Geddy Lee, and I've downloaded it onto my phone, but haven't started reading it yet. I've been a Rush fan since about 1978 or so (except for the last half of the '80s).

My mother and I finished Now I Know: The Revealing Stories Behind the World's Most Interesting Facts (https://www.audible.com/pd/Now-I-Know-Audiobook/B00GI0WN2O) and are now on Bear in the Back Seat, Book 2: Adventures of a Wildlife Ranger in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (https://www.audible.com/pd/Bear-in-the-Back-Seat-Book-2-Audiobook/B071JC1FNQ) in the car for long drives. Meanwhile, I've digitally "borrowed" The Midnight Library (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Midnight-Library-Audiobook/059334023X) and am listening to it now by myself.

Bear in the Back Seat, Book 2: Adventures of a Wildlife Ranger in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (https://www.audible.com/pd/Bear-in-the-Back-Seat-Book-2-Audiobook/B071JC1FNQ) was completed a day or so ago, and now my mother and I are listening to Disaster! A History of Earthquakes, Floods, Plagues, and Other Catastrophes (https://www.audible.com/pd/Disaster-Audiobook/B07F1WLS2L). It's going to be a LONG listen with a runtime of around 18 hours.

In case you are wondering... my mother is 83 years old, and has not been allowed to drive for the past two years. Guess who gets to chauffer her around?

I put my reading of Geddy Lee's book on hold because I got a notice that my digital download of a library book loan on which I'd placed a hold was ready. I read the first few pages last night and I have 21 days to read the whole thing before I either have to "return" the book or renew the loan.

The Democrat Party Hates America by Mark Levin.

And no, I'm not intentionally trying to get the thread locked. That's the name of the book.

Quote from: ZLoth on July 07, 2024, 08:48:46 AMI'm going through the James Bond series in book order, and Moonraker is the third book. The first two books, Casino Royale and Live and Let Die, have a significant resemblance to the actual movie although, as you have noted, significant omissions as well. Moonraker, on the other hand, lacks that. Also, all of the James Bond novels came out between 1953 to 1966, while only the first four James Bond movies (and the Casino Royale TV episode) came out during that time period, and thus the significant time jump.

I also went in with the assumption that what I was about to "read" (listen to) was going to be significantly different than what I saw in the films.

From Collider:

Every James Bond Novel by Ian Fleming, Ranked According to Goodreads

QuoteIan Fleming is the most influential writer of spy fiction. His signature creation, James Bond, is the archetype of the fictional secret agent: suave, sharp, armed with high-tech gadgets, and deadly with a gun. 007's adventures tend to be larger-than-life and even a little ridiculous, but Fleming manages to ground them in reality, perhaps because of his experiences as a naval intelligence officer during World War II. His approach resonated with readers: Bond quickly became a hit and, later, a cultural icon.

Despite being a product of the 1950s and 1960s, with the Cold War in full swing and World War II in recent memory, the character has proved itself to have impressive staying power, continuing to charm audiences today. Indeed, there is must speculation over who will be chosen as the next actor to take on the secret agent's mantle. Those waiting impatiently for the next Bond film could do worse than to check out some of the books. Here are all of the Fleming Bond novels, ranked by the users of the book review site Goodreads.

FULL ARTICLE HERE (https://markholtz.info/2v8)

FWIW.... Moonraker is listed as the fifth best book, while Live and Let Die is ranked as the eleventh best book (out of fourteen). Live and Let Die is certainly a book of 1954, and has elements which would be considered inappropriate today.

Quote from: 1995hoo on January 23, 2023, 03:29:14 PMI am reading Wrath of the Sun, the sixth and final book in the "Lords of Alekka" series by A.E. Rayne. The series is the sequel to the same author's "Furyck Saga," another six-book series I read a year or two ago. Fast-moving and entertaining stuff, though some people might feel there is too much violence. The author says she is fascinated by the Vikings (although she lives in New Zealand), and that's apparent from how many of the characters have Norse-looking names.

I'm at a loss for what I'll read next.

I posted the above in early 2023. Ms. Rayne now has another sequel series, "Fate of the Furycks," and I'm currently reading the third book in that series (I don't know how many books she has planned). This one focuses on the characters from her original six books, the Furyck Saga, and I'm kind of wondering whether at some point she'll tie the two stories together in more than a passing manner.

I'm about to start on Chap Petersen's book.

I finished The Midnight Library (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Midnight-Library-Audiobook/059334023X) a few days ago. It has a big of a Quantum Leap feel to it. Now, I'm listening to Esther Diamond, Book 4: Vamparazzi (https://www.audible.com/pd/Vamparazzi-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/1648793940).

Unfortunately, my mother and I punted Disaster! A History of Earthquakes, Floods, Plagues, and Other Catastrophes (https://www.audible.com/pd/Disaster-Audiobook/B07F1WLS2L), and instead listened to Bear Bloopers (https://www.audible.com/pd/Bear-Bloopers-Audiobook/B074TTH84M) which is a companion book to the two Bear in the Back Seat books while driving to West, Texas and back. Now, we're on Now I Know More: The Revealing Stories Behind Even More of the World's Most Interesting Facts (https://www.audible.com/pd/Now-I-Know-More-Audiobook/B00OZY41BQ).

I personally completed Esther Diamond, Book 4: Vamparazzi (https://www.audible.com/pd/Vamparazzi-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/1648793940) and am now on Play by Play - Inside the NFL's Greatest Moments (https://www.audible.com/pd/Play-by-Play-Audiobook/B0D9QZ7S7B) which was released yesterday. And it's short.

Completed Play by Play - Inside the NFL's Greatest Moments (https://www.audible.com/pd/Play-by-Play-Audiobook/B0D9QZ7S7B)... recommended if you are a NFL fan and some insight on some famous plays including "The Catch".... ironically now between the two teams I'm geographically close to.... San Francisco 49ers (from where I lived in Sacramento) and the Dallas Cowboys (where I live now). What gets forgotten is that there was one minute left to play and Dallas could have scored. There was that pass to Dallas's Pearson that was brought down by 49er's Wright, but I could swear that was a horse collar that is now considered a personal foul as of 2005.


This was followed by Car Talk Classics: Four Perfectly Good Hours (https://www.audible.com/pd/Car-Talk-Classics-Four-Perfectly-Good-Hours-Audiobook/B015RYOPWC). Then, A Spy's Guide to Thinking (https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Spys-Guide-to-Thinking-Audiobook/B015GDAVHW) a pretty good if short listen.

I finished Chap Petersen's book.

My mother and I finished Now I Know More: The Revealing Stories Behind Even More of the World's Most Interesting Facts (https://www.audible.com/pd/Now-I-Know-More-Audiobook/B00OZY41BQ) on Monday, and have moved on to The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Secret-Life-of-Groceries-Audiobook/109418005X). Meanwhile, I have started on the celebrity performance of Ian Flemmings' Diamonds are Forever.

I finished the celebrity performance of Ian Flemmings' Diamonds are Forever. Unlike the movie, the diamond smuggling operation is the major plot point, with no satellites to be spoken of.

Another short book completed: Esther Diamond, Book 5: Polterheist (https://www.audible.com/pd/Polterheist-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/1648793967). Okay book.

Meanwhile, my mother and I are working through The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Secret-Life-of-Groceries-Audiobook/109418005X). This is an interesting book about the grocery store.

Now listening to Storm Kings: The Untold History of America's First Tornado Chasers (https://www.audible.com/pd/Storm-Kings-Audiobook/B00BWUAEP8). Interesting listen, although I'm still in the mid-1800s in the book progress.

I just finished reading Killed by a Traffic Engineer by Wes Marshall (https://www.amazon.com/Killed-Traffic-Engineer-Shattering-Transportation/dp/1642833304).  I'm surprised I haven't found any mention of it in this forum yet.  It provides a great amount of clarity regarding bad choices many traffic engineers have made over the decades, leading to poor safety outcomes, especially for the most vulnerable road users (pedestrians)--and how we need to revise old practices and so-called "standards" in order to provide better safety outcomes.  This book really makes me want to get serious about learning what makes good, safety-focused traffic engineering for all road users (not just cars).  I also found it somewhat more focused and optimistic than Charles Marohn's book, Confessions of a Recovering Engineer, which deals with many of the same topics. 

I wonder how many young engineers get that cherished job at a consulting firm only to realize that transportation projects have public and elected official input and fiscal constraints which affect the scopes of the projects; and then realize that the sponsor or state call the shots as to what the project will entail and the firm is only to deliver the intended project. :D

Just finished

Storm Kings: The Untold History of America's First Tornado Chasers (https://www.audible.com/pd/Storm-Kings-Audiobook/B00BWUAEP8). This really covered the early years of weather forcasting from colonial times, the establishment of the Army Signal Corps as weather providers, the transfer to civilian authorities and the resulting problems, to the establishment of the F scale for tornadoes, and the key people being some of the tornado debates. The "modern" storm chasers are only covered in the book's epilogue.

Next up... Bond: Behind the Iron Curtain (https://www.audible.com/pd/Bond-Audiobook/B0CJT6FSST). This should be a short yet interesting listen.

QuoteThe Book Collector presents Bond: Behind the Iron Curtain, written and read by James Fleming. The story starts with the full-page attack on James Bond, Ian Fleming and the film of Dr No that appeared in the Russian daily paper, Izvestiya, even before the film had been released.

"Who is Mr Ian Fleming, the creator of this—to put it mildly—rubbish?" The whole Bond phenomenon is attacked as pornography, capitalist filth and anti-socialist poison. Here, translated into English for the first time, you will also hear the long Russian critique of the Bond films by Maja Turovskaya published in 1966, and the extremely interesting account that appeared in Prague the following year of Sean Connery's rise to fame. A bonus is the Bulgarian attempt to publish a novel in which Bond was killed.

If you want to know about the "bourgeois inferiority complex" that was the standard party line to mock anyone who enjoyed the adventures of James Bond, this is the audiobook for you.

[/list]

I just "borrowed" It's Hard For Me to Live With Me, the memoir written by Rex Chapman.

Chapman was always my least-favorite Kentucky basketball player, and his social media presence is equally obnoxious. I wanted to read the book to see what he was prattling on about, but I refused to pay good money for it, so I borrowed a digital copy from the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives.

From what I've read so far, he confirms why I never did care for him, and I'm only to the point in the book where he has enrolled at UK.

Quote from: hbelkins on September 10, 2024, 12:13:27 PMI borrowed a digital copy from the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives.

What's wrong with borrowing a digital copy? I know that Hoopla which is available through libraries and schools has a digital book lending problem.

Meanwhile, I did complete Bond: Behind the Iron Curtain (https://www.audible.com/pd/Bond-Audiobook/B0CJT6FSST) which was a short (3 hour) listen. It was what about I expected.... negative reviews from the soviet bloc about that double-oh fictional spy. Only a die-hard bond fan should read this book, and for $5, I didn't lose much money.

Quote from: ZLoth on September 11, 2024, 08:28:16 AM

Quote from: hbelkins on September 10, 2024, 12:13:27 PMI borrowed a digital copy from the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives.

What's wrong with borrowing a digital copy? I know that Hoopla which is available through libraries and schools has a digital book lending problem.

Nothing's wrong with it. It enables me to read a book that I don't want to pay good money for and don't want to keep for my collection. Someone else has already paid for it so I don't have to.

Completed Esther Diamond: The Misfortune Cookie (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Misfortune-Cookie-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/1648793983) and listening to Car Talk: Field Guide to the North American Wacko (https://www.audible.com/pd/Car-Talk-Field-Guide-to-the-North-American-Wacko-Audiobook/B015EPHFQW). I'm still trying to get the full titles and air dates of the four shows, and all I can figure out was that disc 4 is "The Dispersion Principle: Male Answer Syndrome Strikes Again — August 2007"

Addendum: So, I figured out the show dates... as they are part of the end credits. But, not the CD titles assigned to the first three shows...

• July 21, 2007: Show #0729
• July 28, 2007: Show #0730
• August 4, 2007: Show #0731
• The Dispersion Principle: Male Answer Syndrome Strikes Again — August 11, 2007

Just finished Blood Money: The story of life, death, and profit inside America's blood industry by Kathleen McLaughlin, and More than I imagined: What a black man discovered about the white mother he never knew by John Blake.

Quote from: ZLoth on September 15, 2024, 07:08:32 AMCompleted Esther Diamond: The Misfortune Cookie (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Misfortune-Cookie-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/1648793983) and listening to Car Talk: Field Guide to the North American Wacko (https://www.audible.com/pd/Car-Talk-Field-Guide-to-the-North-American-Wacko-Audiobook/B015EPHFQW). I'm still trying to get the full titles and air dates of the four shows, and all I can figure out was that disc 4 is "The Dispersion Principle: Male Answer Syndrome Strikes Again — August 2007"

Addendum: So, I figured out the show dates... as they are part of the end credits. But, not the CD titles assigned to the first three shows...

• July 21, 2007: Show #0729
• July 28, 2007: Show #0730
• August 4, 2007: Show #0731
• The Dispersion Principle: Male Answer Syndrome Strikes Again — August 11, 2007

The list of CDs are, courtesy of Highbridge Audio:

• Remember That Time Your Car Blew Up, Dad? — July 21, 2007
• Dave From Bemidji: Best. Roadtrip. Ever. — July 28, 2007
• Death Valley Dinesh and Other Hot Tales. — August 4, 2007
• The Dispersion Principle: Male Answer Syndrome Strikes Again — August 11, 2007

Anyways, I listened to Esther Diamond: Abracadaver (https://www.audible.com/pd/Abracadaver-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/1648794009) which completed out the series as it was originally published November 25, 2014.

As for my mother and myself, we finished off The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Secret-Life-of-Groceries-Audiobook/109418005X) today. It's one of those "How the sausage is made, and it's dirty secrets" involving the food and grocery industry.

My mother and I took a road trip on Wednesday, and after blasting through NPR Road Trips: National Park Adventures (https://www.audible.com/pd/NPR-Road-Trips-National-Park-Adventures-Audiobook/B00AQ3WFJ0) which is just a 67 minute compilation of NPR reports involving national parks, we are now halfway through Now I Know: The Soviets Invaded Wisconsin?! ...And 99 More Interesting Facts, Plus the Amazing Stories Behind Them (https://www.audible.com/pd/Now-I-Know-The-Soviets-Invaded-Wisconsin-Audiobook/B0822ZS271).

Meanwhile, I just started on the celebrity performance (reading) of From Russia With Love, this time with Toby Stephens.

Another good book lately is 'The COVID Consensus' by Toby Green and Thomas Fazi.

Just finished From Russia With Love. The first third of the book is titled "The Plan" and involves planning to kill bond which is just the beginning of the actual film version.

Just finished The Spy with No Name (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Spy-with-No-Name-Audiobook/B06Y3MCFGD), a two hour listen involving espionage and a false identity made from a real orphan. Also, a true story.

And, I have started The Big Roads: The Untold Story of the Engineers, Visionaries, and Trailblazers Who Created the American Superhighways (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Big-Roads-Audiobook/B006OBVH0G).

My mother and I completed Now I Know: The Soviets Invaded Wisconsin?! ...And 99 More Interesting Facts, Plus the Amazing Stories Behind Them (https://www.audible.com/pd/Now-I-Know-The-Soviets-Invaded-Wisconsin-Audiobook/B0822ZS271) and are now on Hey Ranger! True Tales of Humor and Misadventure from America's National Parks (https://www.audible.com/pd/Hey-Ranger-Audiobook/1705252702).

Meanwhile, I just completed The Big Roads: The Untold Story of the Engineers, Visionaries, and Trailblazers Who Created the American Superhighways (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Big-Roads-Audiobook/B006OBVH0G) which provides a good history of the highway system including the challenges of building urban Interstates. Baltimore is highlighted in this book. A worthwhile listen (or read) for the participants of this forum.

Just completed Dr. No (Celebrity Performance). This book was used as the basis for the first James Bond film, and because it was low budget affair, some elements of the book were changed in the film. There are references back to the previous book From Russia With Love which actually served as the film's sequel.

Just finished The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency by David M. Rubenstein.

Just "wasted four perfectly good hours" on Car Talk Classics: The Pinkwater Files (https://www.audible.com/pd/Car-Talk-Classics-The-Pinkwater-Files-Audiobook/B015ELUZ86). Now onto a book that I just picked up this morning... The Asteroid Hunter: A Scientist's Journey to the Dawn of Our Solar System (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Asteroid-Hunter-Audiobook/B0CB1VTC6Q).

Just finished The Asteroid Hunter: A Scientist's Journey to the Dawn of Our Solar System (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Asteroid-Hunter-Audiobook/B0CB1VTC6Q). A good book about the OSIRIS-REx expedition to the asteroid Bennu including Dr. Dante Lauretta's career as well as the challenges in getting the project approved and clearing milestones as well as some of the leadership challenges. Dante clearing is a science fiction geek, and one of the movies that I want to view now is Hayabusa (2011) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1915563/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_6_nm_2_in_0_q_Hayabusa%2520(2011)).

The only annoying part of this book is the Interludes which interrupt the book about a half-dozen times.

Now listening to Evil Eye (https://www.audible.com/pd/Evil-Eye-Audiobook/B07QP1X8B7) which is 1 hr and 38 mins long and is dramatized.

I read Sharon McMahon's The Small and the Mighty: Twelve unsung Americans who changed the course of history, from the Founding to the Civil Rights movement yesterday - when I was supposed to be doing laundry.

Quote from: elsmere241 on October 20, 2024, 03:00:24 PMI read Sharon McMahon's The Small and the Mighty: Twelve unsung Americans who changed the course of history, from the Founding to the Civil Rights movement yesterday - when I was supposed to be doing laundry.

That's why I'm an audiobook listener instead of a book reader... multitasking.

Here is a recent Auidible commercial:

Just finished Evil Eye (https://www.audible.com/pd/Evil-Eye-Audiobook/B07QP1X8B7) . It's told mostly in phone conversations and voice mails, but, yeah, it takes a dark twist.

I've started On Freedom by Timothy Snyder.

Quote from: elsmere241 on October 23, 2024, 09:41:44 PMI've started On Freedom by Timothy Snyder.

And I just finished it, because I put it down for a few days.  One of the books I read during that time was Bob Woodward's War.

My mother and I are in the final chapter of Hey Ranger! True Tales of Humor and Misadventure from America's National Parks (https://www.audible.com/pd/Hey-Ranger-Audiobook/1705252702). Some funny stories, but just isn't as good as the Bear in the Back Seat: Adventures of a Wildlife Ranger in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (https://www.audible.com/series/Bear-in-the-Back-Seat-Adventures-of-a-Wildlife-Ranger-in-the-Great-Smoky-Mountains-National-Park-Audiobooks/B071ZTSRQ5) series.

Just finished Attack from Within: How disinformation is sabotaging America by Barbara McQuade.

Just completed Goldfinger (Celebrity Performance) read by Hugh Bonneville. Definitely a good Bond book even with some notable differences between the book and the movie, including some additional details missing from the movie. I can understand the changes that were made.

Ah well, off to listen to Fan Fiction: A Mem-Noir: Inspired by True Events (https://www.audible.com/pd/Fan-Fiction-Audiobook/1250821398).

Halfway through Fan Fiction: A Mem-Noir: Inspired by True Events (https://www.audible.com/pd/Fan-Fiction-Audiobook/1250821398) already. Did I mention that this is written by Brent Spiner and Jeanne Darst, with narrations by most of the STTNG cast?

Meanwhile, my mother and I completed NPR Road Trips #2: Postcards from Around the Globe (https://www.audible.com/pd/NPR-Road-Trips-Postcards-from-Around-the-Globe-Audiobook/B00AQ3XMB0) which was a little over an hour worth of listening. We've started listening to Harry: A Biography of a Prince (https://www.audible.com/pd/Harry-Audiobook/B07CNXYDRR).

From The Autopian:

Complex Audiobooks Are More Dangerous For Drivers: Study

QuoteWe all have our own preferences for what we listen to when driving. Some of us like to rock niche EDM tracks, others get around pumping only the most soulful Norwegian black metal. Others still prefer audiobooks for a more literary driving experience. As it turns out though, your choices could have a very real impact on driving safety.

FULL ARTICLE HERE (https://markholtz.info/2we)

Just finished Fan Fiction: A Mem-Noir: Inspired by True Events (https://www.audible.com/pd/Fan-Fiction-Audiobook/1250821398). This is definitely for the hard core Star Trek: The Next Generation fan, but was definitely fun to listen to.


Of course, there is another book, Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas (https://www.audible.com/pd/Redshirts-Audiobook/B007SP2LPM), that I would recommend. It's by John Scarzi and narriated by Wil Wheaton. I listened to it years ago, and enjoyed it.

Currently listening to Car Talk: 25 Years of Lousy Car Advice (https://www.audible.com/pd/Car-Talk-25-Years-of-Lousy-Car-Advice-Audiobook/B015RYOOXW)... or rather skipping through most of this audiobook. All of the Car Talk books are clips from the previous shows, and since most of the clips have been heard before in previous audiobooks, there is a lot of repetition that I'm skipping through. I did listen to the "My Government Vehicle Shakes at 17,500 MPH" clip again... it's a classic!

Now listening to Don't Hang Up (https://www.audible.com/pd/Dont-Hang-Up-Audiobook/B0C69ZLKB3) which should be a short (3 hrs and 8 mins) thriller listen.

Don't Hang Up (https://www.audible.com/pd/Dont-Hang-Up-Audiobook/B0C69ZLKB3) turned into a pretty good listen with a nice, twist ending.

So yeah, I wasted several more perfectly good hours listening to these Car Talk titles:

• No Factory Recalls. So Far. (https://www.audible.com/pd/Car-Talk-Classics-No-Factory-Recalls-So-Far-Audiobook/B015ELT9XS)
• MIT Wants Its Diplomas Back (https://www.audible.com/pd/Car-Talk-Science-MIT-Wants-Its-Diplomas-Back-Audiobook/B01KN1K456)
• The Puzzler's Greatest Hits (https://www.audible.com/pd/Car-Talk-The-Puzzlers-Greatest-Hits-Audiobook/B075KP9WV7)

And, that ends the series.

Now on For Your Eyes Only, and Other Stories (James Bond) which consists of five short stories. I'm not expecting them to be anything like the movies by their titles.

Meanwhile, my mother and I aren't making much progress on Harry: A Biography of a Prince (https://www.audible.com/pd/Harry-Audiobook/B07CNXYDRR) because we haven't had any car trips.

Finished For Your Eyes Only, and Other Stories (James Bond). Interesting set of short stories.

Now listening to The Day of the Triffids. I initially tried the Kingsley Ben-Adir (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Day-of-the-Triffids-Audiobook/B09MG5QB37) released in 2021, but found the narration a bit harsh. I'm now listening to the Graeme Malcolm version which was released in 2009 which is a bit better on my ears, but is now "out-of-print".

I finished The Day of the Triffids. My interest in the book was originally the 1963 film which showed up on television right when I only caught the beginning. It is available on streaming (https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-day-of-the-triffids), but a proper physical release has been impossible due to rights issues. The book is a post-apocalyptic survival tale with the Triffids serving as the book's MacGuffin.

I'm now listening to the celebrity performance of Thunderball.

From Variety:

Amazon Music Unlimited Adds Access to Audible's Entire Catalog of 1 Million Audiobooks — but You Can Listen to Only One Title per Month

QuoteAmazon Music is bolting on a new benefit for unlimited-plan subscribers: They can now access the 1 million-plus catalog of audiobooks in the U.S. from Amazon-owned Audible. The catch? You can listen to just one book per month at a time.

Starting Tuesday, Amazon Music Unlimited customers in the U.S., U.K. and Canada can listen to one book monthly (of any length) from Audible, in addition to having unlimited access to more than 100 million songs in HD audio and hundreds of thousands of podcasts ad-free (including the entire slate of Wondery's shows).

FULL ARTICLE HERE (https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/amazon-music-unlimited-audible-audiobooks-1236213258/)

From How-To Geek:

Malicious Site Links Are All Over Amazon Music and Audible

QuoteAmazon, Amazon Music, and the Amazon-owned Audible audiobook and podcast service are being used to lure people to various illicit sites that promote suspicious schemes.

The news comes soon after a report revealed that threat actors have been exploiting Spotify to distribute pirated software, game cheats, and spam links. Now, Amazon's music and podcast services are being abused to urge people to follow external links, leading them to dubious sites and Telegram channels. There, victims are encouraged to participate in suspicious "forex trading" schemes and even download pirated software via a bunch of links to "warez" sites.

FULL ARTICLE HERE (https://www.howtogeek.com/amazon-music-audible-listings-malicious-sites/)

Finished Thunderball, it is a pretty good Bond book.

Now listening to Mr. Lincoln's T-Mails: How Abraham Lincoln Used the Telegraph to Win the Civil War (https://www.audible.com/pd/Mr-Lincolns-T-Mails-Audiobook/1705212441).

Quote from: ZLoth on November 24, 2024, 10:45:28 AMFinished Thunderball, it is a pretty good Bond book.

Now listening to Mr. Lincoln's T-Mails: How Abraham Lincoln Used the Telegraph to Win the Civil War (https://www.audible.com/pd/Mr-Lincolns-T-Mails-Audiobook/1705212441).

That's a good one.

I just finished On Tyranny: Twenty lessons from the twentieth century by Timothy Snyder.

Completed Mr. Lincoln's T-Mails: How Abraham Lincoln Used the Telegraph to Win the Civil War (https://www.audible.com/pd/Mr-Lincolns-T-Mails-Audiobook/1705212441). This book shows that Abe Lincoln was an early adopter of then-new technology (the telegraph) and how he used it to manager (or, in some cases, micromanage) the Union troops during the Civil War.

Now listening to Tower 57 (https://www.audible.com/podcast/Tower-57/B08LGMBL9H).

My mother and I completed Harry: A Biography of a Prince (https://www.audible.com/pd/Harry-Audiobook/B07CNXYDRR) which is a pretty interest biography of Prince Harry up until the books publishing in 2018. Obviously, things have changed since then. We then listened to NPR Road Trips: Roadside Attractions (https://www.audible.com/pd/NPR-Road-Trips-Roadside-Attractions-Audiobook/B00AQ4FC6W) which is a compiliation of previous NPR reports, and are now listening to When to Rob a Bank...And 131 More Warped Suggestions and Well-Intended Rants (https://www.audible.com/pd/When-to-Rob-a-Bank-Audiobook/B00UZ8BK4W).

Meanwhile, I completed Tower 57 (https://www.audible.com/podcast/Tower-57/B08LGMBL9H) which is a pretty good Science Fiction dramatization including radio, and start St. Nick (https://www.audible.com/pd/St-Nick-Audiobook/B00IA42M04).. a crime novel with each chapter being a title of a Christmas song.

Finished St. Nick (https://www.audible.com/pd/St-Nick-Audiobook/B00IA42M04), It's a bit of a redemption story involving a suspended cop who ends up working as a undercover Santa with mall security who rediscovers Christmas. At the end, it feels like a Hallmark feel-good movie. I got a laugh out of the football team name... the San Diego Sea Lions.

Right now I'm in the middle of Edison's Ghosts: The untold weirdness of history's greatest geniuses by Katie Spalding.  I just wish she wouldn't use so much profanity.

Currently listening to the Celebrity Performance of The Spy Who Loved Me as performed by Rosamund Pike. This is considered the worst Ian Flemming James Bond book to the point when the author only allowed the title to me used in the movies. I can see why... 007 doesn't appear until part three of the book.

Quote from: elsmere241 on December 05, 2024, 10:54:50 PMRight now I'm in the middle of Edison's Ghosts: The untold weirdness of history's greatest geniuses by Katie Spalding.  I just wish she wouldn't use so much profanity.

And that's about as far as I got with it.  The crude humor and profanity were just too much.

I finished The Spy Who Loved Me as performed by Rosamund Pike and I can see where Ian Flemming was going with this book with a different perspective. From my perspective, it isn't a bad book, but it isn't a great book either.

I've just started the non-dramatized version of It's Superman! (https://www.audible.com/pd/Its-Superman-Audiobook/B002V1NPZI)

From Good EReader:

Hoopla Reveals Most Borrowed e-Book and Audiobook Titles in 2024

QuoteHoopla revealed via a press release the digital titles that were borrowed the most in the US this year. The library platform said it used data gathered from more than 10,000 public libraries to comes across the titles that were most in demand. The company categorized the information into various segments which includes e-books, audiobooks, and comics, among others.

"At the end of each year, it's always fun to reflect on our most popular titles and what content patrons gravitated towards most over the course of the year," said Jeff Jankowski, founder of Hoopla Digital. "These reflections also help ensure we're providing the best content possible to public libraries and their patrons. Having a variety of formats and an extensive catalog allows patrons to immediately explore all kinds of content and genres – without having to wait out extensive hold times."

FULL ARTICLE HERE (https://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/hoopla-reveals-most-borrowed-e-book-and-audiobook-titles-in-2024)

I reached back a bit and read The Fourth Grade Wizards and Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You by Barthe DeClements.

It's Superman! (https://www.audible.com/pd/Its-Superman-Audiobook/B002V1NPZI) was a pretty good listen involving Superman's origin story.

The new online serial by Wildbow (J.C. McCrae), SEEK, began a few weeks ago.  It's proving to be an interesting sci-fi setting that's both utopian and dystopian.  It looks like we're wrapping up the first arc and we now have banner art for the three main characters.

QuoteDespite our best efforts, few survived faster than light travel.  None survived the trip back.  So we took a different approach altogether.  We started bringing the universe to us.

There's no point.  What hasn't changed in the last four hundred years won't change in our lifetimes.

There's no point.  We've solved it.  Everything humanity needs, it has.  We've reached the finish line.

There's no point.  Turn off the lights, close your eyes, and cover your ears, nightmares come manifest.

Three storylines from three individuals, worlds and eras apart.

The serial's first chapter can be found here (https://seekwebserial.wordpress.com/2024/10/18/0-1-0-hack/).

The Fear Index by Robert Harris.

My mother and I listened to the following books while driving yesterday:

• A Brief History of Holiday Music (Out of print) - Discover the fascinating journey of Christmas music through the centuries, led by world-renowned music historian Robert Greenberg. Christmas music has had an immensely rich history, heavily influenced by the church, cultural traditions like the Germanic Yuletide, and even drinking songs. Hear some of the first Christmas music ever composed and gain new insight into the beloved Christmas classics we still sing today.
• NPR Road Trips: Family Vacations (https://www.audible.com/pd/NPR-Road-Trips-Family-Vacations-Audiobook/B00AQ3VPFU)
• How Chefs Holiday (https://www.audible.com/pd/How-Chefs-Holiday-Audiobook/B07YYKJW55)

I got the entire Chronicles of the Avatar series for Christmas, so today I started The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee.

Just finished the celebrity performance of On Her Majesty's Secret Service as read by David Tennant.

Now listening to Faster: How a Jewish Driver, an American Heiress, and a Legendary Car Beat Hitler's Best (https://www.audible.com/pd/Faster-Audiobook/1980006830). I'm about 28% through now with the setup information.

From The Guardian:

Listen up! Why 2024 was the year of the audiobook
With download figures at a high, all-star Hollywood voice casts and Spotify's entry into the audiobook streaming business, the format is enjoying a surge in popularity
FULL ARTICLE HERE (https://markholtz.info/2wp)

From The Indian Express:

Best of books: The year I switched to audiobooks and why you should too
Now that it's been established that audiobooks are, in fact, 'real' books, why not take advantage of the little gaps in your day to listen to one
FULL ARTICLE HERE (https://markholtz.info/2wq)

My mother and I listened to the following books today:

• Jingle Bell Pop (https://www.audible.com/pd/Jingle-Bell-Pop-Audiobook/B07KMH577G)
• NPR Road Trips: Fairs and Festivals (https://www.audible.com/pd/NPR-Road-Trips-Fairs-and-Festivals-Audiobook/B00AQ4FFLE)
• Hi Bob! (Out Of Print) - You heard "Hi Bob!" 256 times as characters greeted him on The Bob Newhart Show. Get ready to hear it again - from real-life comedy all-stars! This Audible Original production pairs the paragon of comedy with six of the funniest famous people he's inspired: Will Ferrell, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow, Conan O'Brien, Judd Apatow, and Sarah Silverman. Bob Newhart matches wits with a handpicked cast of entertainment luminaries as they exchange never-before-heard personal anecdotes and, yes, jokes. Using his trademark deadpan and signature charm, Bob banters with his celebrated guests, drawing out their most interesting stories and telling his own. Listening is such a kick - you'll understand why Bob has been a wellspring for contemporary comedy talent.

I finished Faster: How a Jewish Driver, an American Heiress, and a Legendary Car Beat Hitler's Best (https://www.audible.com/pd/Faster-Audiobook/1980006830) just before midnight, making it the last book I listened to in 2024. This book mainly covers European automotive racing in the 1920s and 1930 and some of the key figures, including Adolf Hitler's efforts in turning the auto racing into a political one with every German victory into a source of German national pride.

Now, I'm onto the twelfth James Bond book You Only Live Twice (Celebrity Performance) to kick off 2025.

Almost completed You Only Live Twice (Celebrity Performance). This is not only a dark James Bond novel, but only has minor resemblance to the actual movie. This book follows the events of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, but the movie precedes it. No wonder one of the screenwriters, Roald Dahl, called the book "rubbish". Yes, that Roald Dahl.

Currently listening to The Walls Have Ears: The Greatest Intelligence Operation of World War II (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Walls-Have-Ears-Audiobook/0593169174).

Just finished The Walls Have Ears: The Greatest Intelligence Operation of World War II (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Walls-Have-Ears-Audiobook/0593169174). This is a fascinating insight into a long-classified WW2 operation where German POWs were "interrogated", but their rooms were "bugged" and their conversations in their rooms were monitored for comments that proved valuable in the allied operations.

On to the celebrity performance of The Man with the Golden Gun.

Just finished The Man with the Golden Gun, and it's one of the weakest Ian Fleming 007 novels. It was completed prior to his death in August 1964 and released the following April. It is supposed to come after You Only Live Twice, and while it has a good opening, it fails to deliver. Not surprisingly, the book doesn't closely resemble the book, and the movie wasn't that great either. I'm pushing ahead with Octopussy and The Living Daylights, and Other Stories which is the final Fleming book.

Just finished Octopussy and The Living Daylights, and Other Stories. This completed the Ian Flemming 007 books. of the short stories, The Living Daylights short story was used as the beginning of the actual film with some differences. Again, I went into the book series expecting a different book Bond than the movie Bonds.

Now, to tackle a new series.... Fourth Wing (https://www.audible.com/pd/Fourth-Wing-Audiobook/B0BVD25SYT) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ). The first two books are currently available, with the third coming out January 21st.

This thread seems to have a lot of answers for "what book are you reading?" and few for "what do you think of it?"

Quote from: Scott5114 on January 15, 2025, 02:30:31 AMThis thread seems to have a lot of answers for "what book are you reading?" and few for "what do you think of it?"

"Book you are reading" is factual; "What do you think of it" means sticking your head above the parapet.

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Quote from: ZLoth on January 13, 2025, 12:36:56 PMNow, to tackle a new series.... Fourth Wing (https://www.audible.com/pd/Fourth-Wing-Audiobook/B0BVD25SYT) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ). The first two books are currently available, with the third coming out January 21st.

I have had Onyx Storm, the third in the trilogy, on my library hold list since December 7.  Audience response to the Empyrean books tends to be polarized.  I liked the first two, though I was not blind to opportunities for editorial improvement, but I've seen comments in my local reading group along the lines of "I'm not a prude, but . . ."

I recently started reading The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius (in the 520s), as translated by Victor Watts.  I haven't actually started in on the text yet, because the foreword is quite substantial and rather dense.  I had asked for the book for Christmas.

Last Christmas, I asked for and received Columbus and the Quest for Jerusalem:  How religion drove the voyages that led to America by Carol Delaney, and I read it during the summer.  This is a well-researched non-fiction book that avoids the now-popular broad-stroke demonization of Columbus.  I think the author's main thrust is correct, even if the book occasionally fills some gaps in the supporting evidence with 'one can only imagine that' type of stuff.  The footnotes are robust and, between them and the text itself, I found myself quite convinced of the book's thesis.  I highly recommend it.

For Christmas, my mother gave me a book called A Place Called Ilda. It's about a late-1800s neighborhood here in Fairfax County that was near the intersection of Little River Turnpike (what is now VA-236) and Guinea Road. I grew up (and my mother still lives) not far from that intersection. I just started reading the book last night and while my initial impression is that the author has a little too much of a left-wing style to his writing, it's an interesting read primarily because it's about an area that's so familiar to me. Ilda was established by freedmen after the War Between the States but became a mixed-race neighborhood. It no longer exists other than an historical marker next to Route 236 and a neighborhood pool named the Ilda Pool (https://maps.app.goo.gl/qWpm1MyShXrrWGUS9). I haven't read far enough yet to learn what led to the neighborhood's demise, but I assume it was a combination of racism and the land becoming too valuable for the residents to continue living there.

This isn't the type of book I normally read, but it's interesting to me because of the geographic focus.

Quote from: J N Winkler on January 16, 2025, 02:04:23 PM

Quote from: ZLoth on January 13, 2025, 12:36:56 PMNow, to tackle a new series.... Fourth Wing (https://www.audible.com/pd/Fourth-Wing-Audiobook/B0BVD25SYT) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ). The first two books are currently available, with the third coming out January 21st.

I have had Onyx Storm, the third in the trilogy, on my library hold list since December 7.  Audience response to the Empyrean books tends to be polarized.  I liked the first two, though I was not blind to opportunities for editorial improvement, but I've seen comments in my local reading group along the lines of "I'm not a prude, but . . ."

I'm about 5 hours and 35 minutes into this 21 and a half hour audiobook, so my decision is still out. It's clearly a dystopian society, but different from the Song of Ice and Fire book series.

Quote from: Scott5114 on January 15, 2025, 02:30:31 AMThis thread seems to have a lot of answers for "what book are you reading?" and few for "what do you think of it?"

It's a bit hard when there isn't active feedback on the posts. And, I was pushing to finish the Fleming 007 series which I completely expecting to be different from the film versions and are, unfortunately, a product of their time.

Quote from: ZLoth on January 16, 2025, 04:48:52 PMI'm about 5 hours and 35 minutes into this 21 and a half hour audiobook, so my decision is still out. It's clearly a dystopian society, but different from the Song of Ice and Fire book series.

As this is the canonical example du jour of romantasy (romance + fantasy), the focus is going to be on the central love relationship.  This is very much not the same kind of fantasy as, say, Song of Ice and Fire, Wheel of Time, or Lord of the Rings.

Before Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros was known as an author of military romances, consisting of the Flight and Glory series focusing on Army helicopter pilots, as well as a couple of standalones featuring veterans recently separated from the military.  (Her husband apparently flew helicopters in the Army for about 22 years and was seriously wounded in Iraq; in acknowledgments she has alluded to his being posted at Fort Rucker in Alabama, and I suspect they decided to settle in Colorado after another posting to Fort Carson.)  The academy in Fourth Wing strikes me as West Point with dragons.

The thing I like best about her books is that she sustains narrative tension well.

Quote from: ZLoth on January 16, 2025, 04:52:34 PMAnd, I was pushing to finish the Fleming 007 series which I completely expecting to be different from the film versions and are, unfortunately, a product of their time.

I tried to start on one of Fleming's Bond novels long ago and had to give up within a few dozen pages--it just wasn't pulling me in.  I've always felt the Bond franchise worked better on celluloid than in print.

In terms of spy fiction, my tastes run much more toward John le Carré's Smiley books (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) and Jason Matthews' Red Sparrow trilogy.  They offer taut storytelling in combination with psychological realism, texture, and depth.

Quote from: J N Winkler on January 16, 2025, 05:36:14 PM

Quote from: ZLoth on January 16, 2025, 04:52:34 PMAnd, I was pushing to finish the Fleming 007 series which I completely expecting to be different from the film versions and are, unfortunately, a product of their time.

I tried to start on one of Fleming's Bond novels long ago and had to give up within a few dozen pages--it just wasn't pulling me in.  I've always felt the Bond franchise worked better on celluloid than in print.

I feel it's best to treat the film Bond and the book Bond as two completely separate universes and as two seperate people, and in some cases, the film bares little resemblance to the books. The books were released between 1953 and 1966, which was a different world than one which we live in now. From Russia With Love is considered one of the best books in the series, so I would start with that even though it's the fifth book in the series. 

Would I recommend the James Bond books? Good question. The answer would be "No unless you put aside your pre-conceived notions based upon the films."

Quote from: J N Winkler on January 16, 2025, 05:36:14 PMIn terms of spy fiction, my tastes run much more toward John le Carré's Smiley books (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) and Jason Matthews' Red Sparrow trilogy.  They offer taut storytelling in combination with psychological realism, texture, and depth.

The first Red Sparrow book is on my wish list, and John le Carré's Call for the Dead is in my library thanks to a sale last November.

I was reading The Bridge at Andau not that long ago, I only have a little bit left to finish. Interesting on how many people behind the Iron Curtain still identified as socialists in spite of their government's abuses. And it makes it especially sad with how Hungary seems to be turning to authoritarianism again.

Quote from: index on January 17, 2025, 12:06:25 PMAnd it makes it especially sad with how Hungary seems to be turning to authoritarianism again.

Perhaps Hungarians' moral depravity has been increasing, and they hear James Madison's words ringing true?

Quote from: The Federalist Papers:  No. 55As there is a degree of depravity in mankind which requires a certain degree of circumspection and distrust, so there are other qualities in human nature which justify a certain portion of esteem and confidence. Republican government presupposes the existence of these qualities in a higher degree than any other form. Were the pictures which have been drawn by the political jealousy of some among us faithful likenesses of the human character, the inference would be, that there is not sufficient virtue among men for self-government; and that nothing less than the chains of despotism can restrain them from destroying and devouring one another.

Quote from: kphoger on January 17, 2025, 12:21:28 PM

Quote from: index on January 17, 2025, 12:06:25 PMAnd it makes it especially sad with how Hungary seems to be turning to authoritarianism again.

Perhaps Hungarians' moral depravity has been increasing, and they hear James Madison's words ringing true?

Quote from: The Federalist Papers:  No. 55As there is a degree of depravity in mankind which requires a certain degree of circumspection and distrust, so there are other qualities in human nature which justify a certain portion of esteem and confidence. Republican government presupposes the existence of these qualities in a higher degree than any other form. Were the pictures which have been drawn by the political jealousy of some among us faithful likenesses of the human character, the inference would be, that there is not sufficient virtue among men for self-government; and that nothing less than the chains of despotism can restrain them from destroying and devouring one another.

Can you expand on what you mean by this a little? I understand the quote, but what specifically are you applying it to when it comes to current issues in Hungary?

Quote from: index on January 17, 2025, 12:44:27 PMCan you expand on what you mean by this a little? I understand the quote, but what specifically are you applying it to when it comes to current issues in Hungary?

I was just wondering if conservatives in Hungary were wishing for a more authoritarian government because they see certain moral decay in their society and see no way of slowing or stopping it without a strong-armed government.  I don't know if that's true or not.  But it's something I've sensed among Trump-era conservatives in the USA, so it seemed like a reasonable possibility.

We should probably stop the political talk, though.  Sorry for heading down that road.

Quote from: index on January 17, 2025, 12:06:25 PMI was reading The Bridge at Andau not that long ago, I only have a little bit left to finish. Interesting on how many people behind the Iron Curtain still identified as socialists in spite of their government's abuses. And it makes it especially sad with how Hungary seems to be turning to authoritarianism again.

Sounds interesting. I will add it to my wish list.

Quote from: kphoger on January 17, 2025, 12:50:29 PM

Quote from: index on January 17, 2025, 12:44:27 PMCan you expand on what you mean by this a little? I understand the quote, but what specifically are you applying it to when it comes to current issues in Hungary?

I was just wondering if conservatives in Hungary were wishing for a more authoritarian government because they see certain moral decay in their society and see no way of slowing or stopping it without a strong-armed government.  I don't know if that's true or not.  But it's something I've sensed among Trump-era conservatives in the USA, so it seemed like a reasonable possibility.

We should probably stop the political talk, though.  Sorry for heading down that road.

Things don't need to be heated. As a general analysis of the topic (Not to address anyone in particular) (I have too much time on my hands today):

What we're seeing is indeed sad. If you ask me, the moral problems, the moral decay in society lies with mistrust and fear of groups that might be perceived as "immoral." And when a society loses the virtue of mutual respect and respecting the individual freedom of others, when they start lumping people up into groups that are doing/have done XYZ bad thing, when they become fearful of others and bitter about the past, that is a virtue that leads into more authoritarian governance, since liberal government relies on mutual trust to stay free. By betraying western ideals of individualism, live-and-let-live, and mutual respect, that's how we get to this point. The one fundamental moral is the golden rule. And notably, the golden rule does not say "treat others as you have been treated," because today, it seems we have a politics of retaliation, regardless of whether that retaliation is towards real or imagined grievances. What we get here thanks to that is a breakdown of societal cohesion and freedoms.

To keep it more philosophical/analytical and less politically opinionated - this can go both ways.  We see this with Hungary and the current extolling of "family values" as an antidote to LGBT topics. We have seen some problems with "political correctness" having similar effects on the way people feel in society. Certainly, we've seen unfair derision of groups among the likes of "white/christian people did x bad thing" or "gay/trans people are doing y bad thing." Most people, with their rationality, don't think this way of course. But the loudest voices in the room saying these things often dictate the dialogue for everyone else, and we all get roped in whether we like it or not. A lot of this derision comes from one side saying something negative about what they see as "the other side."

Take the example of someone who is more extreme saying, 'white people did this to us.' While this sentiment might come from legit grievances, like the mistreatment of black people and its lasting societal impacts, it's misguided. No demographic group acts collectively or has collective guilt, only individuals and movements do, even if they're dominated by a certain demographic. Similarly, the response from another extreme person, 'they hate you for being white,' arises from feeling unfairly targeted for something beyond individual control. But it's also flawed because it also feeds into an us-versus-them mentality, and it snowballs from there. And it is just as guilty since it assigns collective blame on a "them." What we have right now all across the West, from Hungary to the US, is a hijacking by those that are selfish and greedy, of legitimate concerns and sincere feelings about things to push insane ideological narratives that distract us from real issues. It isn't a mystery that culture wars and moral panic are often accompanied by economic trouble.

In order to preserve the values and freedoms of republican government that Madison preaches, the only solution is to chill out, talk, and trust one another, i.e. to put the positive aspects of human nature first. People should stop listening to what politicians are saying and focus on seeing others as humans with needs and wants and concerns. People ought to focus not on the garbage they see on the internet and TV but what they and their neighbor are struggling with. No rational person should want to stop people from having a nuclear family and going to church every Sunday, or to stop people from dressing and presenting a certain way. I would only hope it doesn't get to the point where that starts happening, I certainly don't want people taking action against my freedom to marry because they've been radicalized into thinking all LGBT people are pedophiles. And I want people to keep being Christian and straight and going to church as much as they want, because part of the social contract is individualism and mutual respect. That should go without saying, and it almost sounds like virtue signaling for the other side of things, but in our current political climate, that might need to be emphasized.

This might be a little fence-sitty, wishy-washy, whatever someone might want to call it. You get a lot of "well they started it" thrown around. Could one "side" be more guilty than "the other side?" Maybe. But it would be best to abandon viewing it righteously like that and to start thinking practically, to focus on being the bigger person. With those that are in power now, for the opposition, regardless of how wrong the other side is or how wrong they might seem, it wouldn't hurt to try and extend an olive branch to the angry and indignant. Is someone concerned about "wokeness" in response to current movements? Are they concerned about their rights, their faith, etc? If you're legit and truly care about freedom, it wouldn't hurt to acknowledge how they feel and try to lower the temperature. Feelings, opinions, and concerns come from real places. This certainly goes for the other side too, although someone has to go first. Saying this is a lot easier than anything actually being fixed though.

And I should emphasize, a lot of this should have to happen in the real world. The internet is kind of a cesspit. To speak on my own perspective, I spend a lot of time in very conservative, red areas. I've talked to a lot of people from there, for most of my life I've lived in those areas. And to a lot of other people, it would come as an absolute shock that I, as an LGBT, non-white person, who is not exactly red, get along absolutely fine if politics ever comes up, and it does a lot today. A lot of people would be surprised at how much we end up agreeing on.

I won't deny that this won't work on everyone. Some people are nuts and will always be, nothing we can do about that. You probably won't get far with someone who yells insults from their car covered in crazy bumper stickers, or with someone who condones violence against the innocent. But in general, for this to work and for things to heal, which will not happen overnight, you need to trust that most people are good-natured, or if they seem nuts to you, that they have a human side that someone just needs to reach. You have to be less afraid of "them." Surprisingly, when you treat people as human, the temperature in the room lowers.

I really am going to avoid getting political.  Except to say...

Quote from: index on January 17, 2025, 03:16:35 PMWe have seen some problems with "political correctness" having similar effects on the way people feel in society. Certainly, we've seen unfair derision of groups among the likes of "white/christian people did x bad thing" or "gay/trans people are doing y bad thing." Most people, with their rationality, don't think this way of course. But the loudest voices in the room saying these things often dictate the dialogue for everyone else, and we all get roped in whether we like it or not. A lot of this derision comes from one side saying something negative about what they see as "the other side."

I think most/many people really do think that way, but to a much smaller degree than the loudest voices in the room.  They really have lumped people into groups and have a bone to pick with some group or another, but they're actually quite willing to tolerate and at least superficially respect 'the other side'.

Quote from: index on January 17, 2025, 03:16:35 PMIn order to preserve the values and freedoms of republican government that Madison preaches, the only solution is to chill out, talk, and trust one another ... stop listening to what politicians are saying ... focus not on the garbage they see on the internet and TV but what they and their neighbor are struggling with.

It's amazing how your respect for someone's position can increase, if only you stop and actually listen to what they're saying—and not just to what someone else tells you their position is, or what you assume their position is.

Quote from: index on January 17, 2025, 03:16:35 PMThis might be a little fence-sitty, wishy-washy, whatever someone might want to call it. ... But it would be best to abandon viewing it righteously like that and to start thinking practically, to focus on being the bigger person. ... Is someone concerned about "wokeness" in response to current movements? Are they concerned about their rights, their faith, etc? If you're legit and truly care about freedom, it wouldn't hurt to acknowledge how they feel and try to lower the temperature. Feelings, opinions, and concerns come from real places. This certainly goes for the other side too, although someone has to go first.

You are giving voice to what I've been thinking for a few years now.  I find myself in the Center a lot (rather than the far Right or far Left), because I strive to actually understand each side's position and reasoning.  I don't write off someone who disagrees with me as stupid or evil, but instead I assume their position has grown out of a good value they hold, and probably a value we hold in common, but that their hierarchy of values has led them in a different direction than mine.  And I've generally found that every American values liberty, life, responsibility, the equitable treatment of others, etc.  And it's really discouraging and frustrating when others vilify someone on 'the other side', whether I'm on that side or not.

Quote from: index on January 17, 2025, 03:16:35 PMThe internet is kind of a cesspit

Yep.  I've been known to unfriend family members on Facebook, just because I want to avoid the political muck they throw.  It's also half the reason I ditched my smartphone several years ago:  too much of my YouTube consumption was political, and it was turning me into someone I didn't want to become.

Quote from: index on January 17, 2025, 03:16:35 PMTo speak on my own perspective, I spend a lot of time in very conservative, red areas. I've talked to a lot of people from there, for most of my life I've lived in those areas. And to a lot of other people, it would come as an absolute shock that I, as an LGBT, non-white person, who is not exactly red, get along absolutely fine if politics ever comes up, and it does a lot today. A lot of people would be surprised at how much we end up agreeing on.

Same here.  I am generally a conservative, but I've found that it's actually the 'not exactly red' folk whose opinions I often respect the most.  Or rather, I often can't stand what people on 'my own side' say, even if their final position aligns with mine.  I really wish this country could get back to striving for compromise.  Did that use to be a thing?  I seem to recall that it did.  We really do, most of us, have a lot that we agree on, but so many of us simply refuse to believe that for some reason.

Quote from: 1995hoo on January 16, 2025, 03:30:59 PMFor Christmas, my mother gave me a book called A Place Called Ilda. It's about a late-1800s neighborhood here in Fairfax County that was near the intersection of Little River Turnpike (what is now VA-236) and Guinea Road. I grew up (and my mother still lives) not far from that intersection. I just started reading the book last night and while my initial impression is that the author has a little too much of a left-wing style to his writing, it's an interesting read primarily because it's about an area that's so familiar to me. Ilda was established by freedmen after the War Between the States but became a mixed-race neighborhood. It no longer exists other than an historical marker next to Route 236 and a neighborhood pool named the Ilda Pool (https://maps.app.goo.gl/qWpm1MyShXrrWGUS9). I haven't read far enough yet to learn what led to the neighborhood's demise, but I assume it was a combination of racism and the land becoming too valuable for the residents to continue living there.

This isn't the type of book I normally read, but it's interesting to me because of the geographic focus.

>Complains about left wing
>Calls it the war between the states

Uh huh.

The problem with chasing after "moral decline" as a society is that not everyone has the same morals.

At the grocery store that I go to, there are a large number of customers who, rather than put their cart back in the corral where it goes, will just lift it up over the curb and leave it in the landscaping. That makes unnecessary work for the employees. Also, since the employees seem to rarely have time to actually collect these stray carts, the sand often gets in the wheels and makes them pull to one side. This is a huge pain whenever I'm buying a five-gallon jug of drinking water, as I get an upper-arm workout keeping the cart from running into shelves or other customers. (I have to imagine my wife wouldn't be able to push the cart at all.) So, yep, these people are saving a few seconds of their own time by not putting the cart up and causing a lot more aggravation to everyone else who comes after them—that's immoral in my book.

You'll never see anyone advocating for morality police to make arrests at the Summerlin WinCo, though.

Quote from: kphoger on January 17, 2025, 06:12:57 PMYep.  I've been known to unfriend family members on Facebook, just because I want to avoid the political muck they throw.  It's also half the reason I ditched my smartphone several years ago:  too much of my YouTube consumption was political, and it was turning me into someone I didn't want to become.

There should be an option on someone's post to mute them from your feed, either temporarily or permanently, without going as far as a block or unfriending.  Or at least there used to be.

Quote from: Scott5114 on January 17, 2025, 09:03:23 PMThe problem with chasing after "moral decline" as a society is that not everyone has the same morals.

I think the existence of a moral decline is probably one of the few things everyone can agree on, but yeah, people don't agree on which morals, hence why things are so heated in the world right now.

^^ On FB, snooze to stop reading their posts for 30 days. Unfollowing stops their posts on your feed without unfriending nor blocking.

Quote from: NE2 on January 17, 2025, 08:58:09 PM>Complains about left wing
>Calls it the war between the states

Uh huh.

Well, if I had called it the Late Unpleasantness, a fair number of people wouldn't have known what I meant.

Quote from: Scott5114 on January 17, 2025, 09:03:23 PMThe problem with chasing after "moral decline" as a society is that not everyone has the same morals.

At the grocery store that I go to, there are a large number of customers who, rather than put their cart back in the corral where it goes, will just lift it up over the curb and leave it in the landscaping. That makes unnecessary work for the employees. Also, since the employees seem to rarely have time to actually collect these stray carts, the sand often gets in the wheels and makes them pull to one side. This is a huge pain whenever I'm buying a five-gallon jug of drinking water, as I get an upper-arm workout keeping the cart from running into shelves or other customers. (I have to imagine my wife wouldn't be able to push the cart at all.) So, yep, these people are saving a few seconds of their own time by not putting the cart up and causing a lot more aggravation to everyone else who comes after them—that's immoral in my book.

You'll never see anyone advocating for morality police to make arrests at the Summerlin WinCo, though.

As someone whose first job was pushing shopping carts full-time at a Target in soccer-mom suburban Chicago...  I kind of like the idea of shopping cart morality policing.

(FWIW, I always straighten up the cart corral whenever I put mine away.  I separate the regular ones from the smaller ones, each into its own row.  I make sure none are likely to roll away in a wind gust.)

Quote from: vdeane on January 17, 2025, 09:57:23 PMThere should be an option on someone's post to mute them from your feed, either temporarily or permanently, without going as far as a block or unfriending.  Or at least there used to be.

Quote from: Big John on January 17, 2025, 10:04:31 PM^^ On FB, snooze to stop reading their posts for 30 days. Unfollowing stops their posts on your feed without unfriending nor blocking.

Forgive me, but what would be the point?  The only reason I'm friends with anyone on Facebook is to see their posts.  Isn't that the whole point of Facebook?  What would be the point of blocking their posts but not un-friending them?

Quote from: vdeane on January 17, 2025, 09:57:23 PMI think the existence of a moral decline is probably one of the few things everyone can agree on, but yeah, people don't agree on which morals, hence why things are so heated in the world right now.

That's a very insightful comment.

Quote from: kphoger on January 18, 2025, 10:08:54 AMForgive me, but what would be the point?  The only reason I'm friends with anyone on Facebook is to see their posts.  Isn't that the whole point of Facebook?  What would be the point of blocking their posts but not un-friending them?

I mean, you'd avoid any social fallout over unfriending them and you'd still be able to manually view their profile if you knew they posted photos.  They'd also still be able to see your posts and like/comment.  And I'm guessing you don't use the messenger part, but that would still be available as well.

Quote from: vdeane on January 18, 2025, 03:29:11 PM

Quote from: kphoger on January 18, 2025, 10:08:54 AMForgive me, but what would be the point?  The only reason I'm friends with anyone on Facebook is to see their posts.  Isn't that the whole point of Facebook?  What would be the point of blocking their posts but not un-friending them?

I mean, you'd avoid any social fallout over unfriending them and you'd still be able to manually view their profile if you knew they posted photos.  They'd also still be able to see your posts and like/comment.  And I'm guessing you don't use the messenger part, but that would still be available as well.

Plus a mute can be used as a means of blocking out posts about a specific event or heated topic for a set amount of time. Sometimes I will utilize mutes even when I agree with what the person is saying because I simply don't want to hear about a topic or read comments, either until I know a sufficient amount of facts or until the person I have muted hasn't posted about that topic for a while.

Quote from: ZLoth on January 13, 2025, 12:36:56 PMNow, to tackle a new series.... Fourth Wing (https://www.audible.com/pd/Fourth-Wing-Audiobook/B0BVD25SYT) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ). The first two books are currently available, with the third coming out January 21st.

I'm almost halfway through this book. It is holding my attention and is interesting. Problem is, I can't say too much because of spoilers. This is also my longest listen in some time as it has been several years since I listened to the Song of Ice and Fire books.

Will I have listened to both books when the third one drops on Tuesday? Nope. But, when I'm listening to a series, I try to insert some non-related books.

Quote from: kphoger on January 18, 2025, 10:08:54 AMForgive me, but what would be the point?  The only reason I'm friends with anyone on Facebook is to see their posts.  Isn't that the whole point of Facebook?  What would be the point of blocking their posts but not un-friending them?

Others have explained reasons it is typically preferable to unfollow rather than de-friend.  (Blocking is a separate and more extreme action:  it sets things up so that not only do you not see the blocked profile, its owner also cannot see yours.)  I'd just add that Facebook makes algorithmic curation of your feed difficult enough to avoid that being friends with someone is no guarantee that you will see their posts.  The only way to be reasonably certain of doing so is actually to go to their profile, and it does not apply to posts that are marked as viewable by specific groups unless your friend has added you to one of those groups.

(Actually going to someone's profile to see their posts is now considered "Facebook stalking."  I don't agree it deserves such opprobrium, but I have had to be circumspect about admitting to it.)

Quote from: ZLoth on January 18, 2025, 04:52:31 PMWill I have listened to both books when the third one drops on Tuesday? Nope. But, when I'm listening to a series, I try to insert some non-related books.

I'm sort of curious whether there will be any release-day events like there used to be with Harry Potter, but not enough to find out in time to go.  Polaris (the Wichita Public Library's integrated library system (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_library_system)) reports that there are currently 58 holds for 11 copies, and I am 23rd in the hold queue, so I expect to pick up a copy to read about a month after the library accessions the 11 copies (queue position of 23 divided by 11 copies multiplied by new-book loan period of two weeks).  Moreover, I'll be very surprised if they arrive at the library bang on publication date.  Books are marketed separately to lending institutions, and ours often has to wait for the City of Wichita to release funding before it can lodge orders.

I also gather Fourth Wing has evolved from a trilogy to a five-book series, so we'll be waiting for the fourth and fifth installments no matter what.  (This also happened to the follow-up to Pierce Brown's Red Rising trilogy--the second trilogy originally projected has turned into a tetralogy.)

Quote from: J N Winkler on January 19, 2025, 12:00:43 AM(Actually going to someone's profile to see their posts is now considered "Facebook stalking."  I don't agree it deserves such opprobrium, but I have had to be circumspect about admitting to it.)

Seriously?  Especially given how the algorithm is.  I open profiles to find posts I had previously seen (or that Facebook yanked in one of their auto-refreshes) decently often.  I could see a public profile of someone you don't know, but someone you're friends with?

Quote from: vdeane on January 19, 2025, 03:24:21 PM

Quote from: J N Winkler on January 19, 2025, 12:00:43 AM(Actually going to someone's profile to see their posts is now considered "Facebook stalking."  I don't agree it deserves such opprobrium, but I have had to be circumspect about admitting to it.)

Seriously?  Especially given how the algorithm is.  I open profiles to find posts I had previously seen (or that Facebook yanked in one of their auto-refreshes) decently often.  I could see a public profile of someone you don't know, but someone you're friends with?

Yup.  Sorry to say.

Quote from: J N Winkler on January 19, 2025, 08:14:43 PM

Quote from: vdeane on January 19, 2025, 03:24:21 PM

Quote from: J N Winkler on January 19, 2025, 12:00:43 AM(Actually going to someone's profile to see their posts is now considered "Facebook stalking."  I don't agree it deserves such opprobrium, but I have had to be circumspect about admitting to it.)

Seriously?  Especially given how the algorithm is.  I open profiles to find posts I had previously seen (or that Facebook yanked in one of their auto-refreshes) decently often.  I could see a public profile of someone you don't know, but someone you're friends with?

Yup.  Sorry to say.

*shrug*

Haven't been accused of stalking myself.  When meeting up with friends, their posts just help with getting conversations going.

Quote from: J N Winkler on January 16, 2025, 02:04:23 PMI have had Onyx Storm, the third in the trilogy, on my library hold list since December 7.  Audience response to the Empyrean books tends to be polarized.  I liked the first two, though I was not blind to opportunities for editorial improvement, but I've seen comments in my local reading group along the lines of "I'm not a prude, but . . ."

Ah, chapter 30?

Quote from: J N Winkler on January 19, 2025, 12:00:43 AMFacebook makes algorithmic curation of your feed difficult enough to avoid

You deserve the Understatement of the Month award.

FWIW, keeping a short friends list does help some.

Just finished listening to Hi Bob! from Audible with my mother. Because it is out of print....

QuoteYou heard "Hi Bob!" 256 times as characters greeted him on The Bob Newhart Show. Get ready to hear it again - from real-life comedy all-stars! This Audible Original production pairs the paragon of comedy with six of the funniest famous people he's inspired: Will Ferrell, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow, Conan O'Brien, Judd Apatow, and Sarah Silverman. Bob Newhart matches wits with a handpicked cast of entertainment luminaries as they exchange never-before-heard personal anecdotes and, yes, jokes. Using his trademark deadpan and signature charm, Bob banters with his celebrated guests, drawing out their most interesting stories and telling his own. Listening is such a kick - you'll understand why Bob has been a wellspring for contemporary comedy talent.

Some good interviews and exchanging of stories.

Just finished Fourth Wing (https://www.audible.com/pd/Fourth-Wing-Audiobook/B0BVD25SYT) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ). I can see the appeal of the book, but I wonder how many people are also fans of the Song of Ice and Fire (which I listened to a few years ago) and/or grew up with the Harry Potter series. Yes, there are plenty of twist and turns that are, unfortunately, spoiler material.

Meanwhile, my mother and I are listening to Dangerous Beauty: Stories from the Wilds of Yellowstone (https://www.audible.com/pd/Dangerous-Beauty-Audiobook/B072KPHZJ4) which is more National Park stories, but this involves Yellowstone National Park.

I went with a short book (1 hr and 16 mins) that was released last week called Denali (https://www.audible.com/pd/Denali-Audiobook/B0DR9FYKZK). It's more of an audio dramatization with the mixing of the past events and the present events, and the ending left a few hanging threads. But it allows me to go on to Iron Flame (https://www.audible.com/pd/Iron-Flame-Audiobook/B0C9V5SLQQ) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ). I am amused by one line in the description...

QuoteThe Empyrean series is best enjoyed in order.

Quote from: ZLoth on January 27, 2025, 08:35:09 AMreleased last week called Denali (https://www.audible.com/pd/Denali-Audiobook/B0DR9FYKZK).

Good thing they got it out on time. This week it would be McKinley.

Just finished listening to Part One of Iron Flame (https://www.audible.com/pd/Iron-Flame-Audiobook/B0C9V5SLQQ) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ) series. 15 hours and 22 minutes down, 12 hours and 54 minutes to go.

And, with the release of Audiobookshelf 2.19 (https://markholtz.info/audiobookshelf) comes HTML descriptions. Now, to update all of my books in my collection.

Quote from: ZLoth on January 25, 2025, 08:53:30 PMJust finished Fourth Wing (https://www.audible.com/pd/Fourth-Wing-Audiobook/B0BVD25SYT) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ). I can see the appeal of the book, but I wonder how many people are also fans of the Song of Ice and Fire (which I listened to a few years ago) and/or grew up with the Harry Potter series. Yes, there are plenty of twist and turns that are, unfortunately, spoiler material.

In terms of fandom overlap, I would expect a bit more with, say, Harry Potter, Twilight, and Outlander than Song of Ice and Fire, which I put in the same mental bucket as Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings--epic fantasy where the "thinking big" comes with beaucoup pacing issues.

Quote from: ZLoth on February 03, 2025, 02:12:05 PMJust finished listening to Part One of Iron Flame (https://www.audible.com/pd/Iron-Flame-Audiobook/B0C9V5SLQQ) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ) series. 15 hours and 22 minutes down, 12 hours and 54 minutes to go.

As of noon today, my library account manager script tells me I am 5th out of 68 in line for Onyx Storm, so I think there is a good chance it will be ready for pickup later this week.  Last week I finished Variation by the same author, which is a romance between a ballerina and a Coast Guard rescue swimmer.  It sustains tension well, but the plot becomes noticeably less coherent in the last 100 pages or so.  (I often have the sense these books are written on deadline.)

Right now I'm reading Pro Bono, Thomas Perry's latest.

Quote from: J N Winkler on February 03, 2025, 02:57:57 PM

Quote from: ZLoth on January 25, 2025, 08:53:30 PMJust finished Fourth Wing (https://www.audible.com/pd/Fourth-Wing-Audiobook/B0BVD25SYT) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ). I can see the appeal of the book, but I wonder how many people are also fans of the Song of Ice and Fire (which I listened to a few years ago) and/or grew up with the Harry Potter series. Yes, there are plenty of twist and turns that are, unfortunately, spoiler material.

In terms of fandom overlap, I would expect a bit more with, say, Harry Potter, Twilight, and Outlander than Song of Ice and Fire, which I put in the same mental bucket as Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings--epic fantasy where the "thinking big" comes with beaucoup pacing issues.

Good points. I had forgotten about Twilight (not on my list) and Outlander (definitely on my list). The first Harry Potter book was released in 1997 with the first film being released four years later. So, it is possible that someone could have grown up with Harry Potter, got into the other SF media, and is now attracted to the Empyrean. Again, there are some chapters (some of them quite steamy) which makes these books appropriate only for an adult audience, and questionable for teenagers.

Meanwhile, I took a break from the second book to listen to the Criminal Network: Cybercrime, Espionage, and the Cold War 2.0 (https://www.audible.com/podcast/Criminal-Network/B0BRBW2J5V). Quite interesting. I'm familiar with some of the material already, and how cyberthreats from overseas (Russia) can affect United States systems, especially with Russia turning a blind eye.

My mother and I completed Dangerous Beauty: Stories from the Wilds of Yellowstone (https://www.audible.com/pd/Dangerous-Beauty-Audiobook/B072KPHZJ4) yesterday which is a compilation of stores from Yellowstone National Park involving bears, bision, park visitors, and extreme weather. It concluded with a reason why you need to inform people of your plans prior to going to the backwoods, especially if you are going alone.

We then starting listening to Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World (https://www.audible.com/pd/Prisoners-of-Geography-Audiobook/B01MFBS0ZZ). This book was updated in 2016, and explains some of the political decisions based upon geography. Thanks to being stuck in traffic yesterday (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=26000.msg2967750#msg2967750), we are at 41% completion, although stopped after completing Chapter 4: Western Europe to stream some music from my server.

Quote from: ZLoth on February 09, 2025, 09:24:40 AMMy mother and I completed
//snip//
We then starting listening to

Was this during the long traffic jam? At least you had something to do.

Quote from: GaryV on February 09, 2025, 01:08:29 PM

Quote from: ZLoth on February 09, 2025, 09:24:40 AMMy mother and I completed
//snip//
We then starting listening to

Was this during the long traffic jam? At least you had something to do.

We had completed all but 15 minutes of Dangerous Beauty on the way out to Mineola, Texas, and started Prisoners of Geography on the drive back. But, it made for good listening.

I read Forrest Gump by Winston Groom yesterday.  It was much better than the movie, not that the movie was all that great.  I've placed a hold for its sequel Gump & Co..

I have another book waiting for me at the library, The house of my mother: A daughter's quest for freedom by Shari Franke.  I'll try to pick it up tomorrow before the snow hits.

Just finished Iron Flame (https://www.audible.com/pd/Iron-Flame-Audiobook/B0C9V5SLQQ) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ). The second part kept me hooked. Since I need a break, I started on The Mercy of the Sky: The Story of a Tornado (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Mercy-of-the-Sky-Audiobook/B00WVG6LDQ).

Quote from: ZLoth on February 03, 2025, 02:12:05 PMAnd, with the release of Audiobookshelf 2.19 (https://markholtz.info/audiobookshelf) comes HTML descriptions. Now, to update all of my books in my collection.

And, almost two weeks later, I completed the migration.

I finished The Mercy of the Sky: The Story of a Tornado (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Mercy-of-the-Sky-Audiobook/B00WVG6LDQ) which covers the May 20, 2013 EF-5 tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma. I recognized the Interstates in that area as I had driven them once or twice during Covid. At the beginning, the books does slow down in chapters 4 through 6 as it introduces some of the key players including famed Oklahoma City Television Meteorologist Gary England as his television competition. After that, the book picks up as it covers the tornado from around 2:40 PM just before the tornado hits Moore and the following hour of devastation plus the aftermath. What is notable is that a tornado hit the same area in May, 1999. Well written with plenty of notable accounts.

I did a check, and here are the watches/warning issues for that devastating day:

• Tornado Watch - Issued 1:10 PM CDT (https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/event/2013-O-NEW-KOUN-TO-A-0191)
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning - Issued 2:12 PM CDT (https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/event/2013-O-NEW-KOUN-SV-W-0316)
• Tornado Warning - Issued 2:40 PM CDT (https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/event/2013-O-NEW-KOUN-TO-W-0024)
• Tornado Warning - Issued 3:01 PM CDT (https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/event/2013-O-NEW-KOUN-TO-W-0026) - The term "Tornado Emergency" is used here.
• Tornado Warning - Issued 3:40 PM CDT (https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/event/2013-O-NEW-KOUN-TO-W-0029)
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning - Issued 3:59 PM CDT (https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/event/2013-O-NEW-KOUN-SV-W-0324)
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning - Issued 4:49 PM CDT (https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/event/2013-O-NEW-KOUN-SV-W-0327)

Now on to Onyx Storm (https://www.audible.com/pd/Onyx-Storm-Audiobook/B0CZFKLZ9M) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ).

Quote from: ZLoth on February 18, 2025, 09:15:51 PMI finished The Mercy of the Sky: The Story of a Tornado (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Mercy-of-the-Sky-Audiobook/B00WVG6LDQ) which covers the May 20, 2013 EF-5 tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma. I recognized the Interstates in that area as I had driven them once or twice during Covid. At the beginning, the books does slow down in chapters 4 through 6 as it introduces some of the key players including famed Oklahoma City Television Meteorologist Gary England as his television competition. After that, the book picks up as it covers the tornado from around 2:40 PM just before the tornado hits Moore and the following hour of devastation plus the aftermath.

Gary England's coverage from 2:56 PM to 3:36 PM is available on YouTube:

My mother and I completed Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World (https://www.audible.com/pd/Prisoners-of-Geography-Audiobook/B01MFBS0ZZ) yesterday evening. Interesting book on how the various geographic features can contribute to a region's success as well as some of the geopolitical issues.

Meanwhile, I'm about 55% of my way through Onyx Storm (https://www.audible.com/pd/Onyx-Storm-Audiobook/B0CZFKLZ9M) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ) with about 10 hours and 46 minutes remaining.

My mother and I just started listening to A Short History of Coffee (https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Short-History-of-Coffee-Audiobook/1004048904).

Quote from: kphoger on January 16, 2025, 02:57:03 PMI recently started reading The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius (in the 520s), as translated by Victor Watts.  I haven't actually started in on the text yet, because the foreword is quite substantial and rather dense.  I had asked for the book for Christmas.

I had stopped reading for a while, for no real reason.  But with the recent warm weather, I got back into reading on the front porch after work.  I just finished Book II of The Consolation of Philosophy, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.  Not knowing very much about Greek philosophy and mythology hasn't been too much of a hinderance, fortunately.

There has been debate in modern times about whether Boethius was truly a Christian or not:  this book, which he wrote while awaiting his impending execution by Theodoric the Great, seems to suggest he found pagan philosophy more of a comfort than the tenets of the Christian faith.  But he also lived in an age in which many prominent thinkers believed that, when properly understood, secular philosophy was complementary to and even supportive of Christian theology.  This view of philosophy and religion comes through, especially in Book II, and it has been an interesting exercise to try and figure out if certain passages (a) represent Christianity as seen through the veil of Greek philosophy or (b) represent a merely theist worldview that isn't necessarily Christian.  I have also already detected Neoplatonist/Gnostic influence, especially as it relates to the division of mind and body, which I suppose isn't all that surprising.

Anyway, it has been enjoyable to read.  As the personified Philosophy seeks to answer Boethius' complaints, it has been fun to sift her answers through my own Christian filter, to anticipate Boethius' possible counterarguments, and then to ponder whether my modern mind would benefit from integrating the endorsed truths into its own worldview.  Hopefully, Books III through V will be just as enjoyable.

My mother and I completed A Short History of Coffee (https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Short-History-of-Coffee-Audiobook/1004048904). Not only did it cover the development of coffee as a drink, but also some of the social impacts of the beverage including the various times the drink was attempted to be banned, the rise and fall of the coffee houses as social gathering places, and some of the challenges in brewing the drink. An appendix chapter briefly covered the some notable inventions in brewing coffee. I'm going to go next with the The Lufthansa Heist: Behind the Six-million Dollar Cash Haul That Shook the World (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Lufthansa-Heist-Audiobook/B012AR5PRS).

In addition, I also completed Onyx Storm (https://www.audible.com/pd/Onyx-Storm-Audiobook/B0CZFKLZ9M) from the The Empyrean (https://www.audible.com/series/Empyrean-Audiobooks/B0CB11LYGJ). Talk about a series of novels with some twists and turns. Technically speaking, I'm at the end of the series, as the next book hasn't been written yet. Was it worth the 49½ hours of listening? Yes, even though parts of it is a steamy romance novel. I'm taking a break from long books and going with Zombified: Real-World Lessons from Fictional Apocalypses (https://www.audible.com/pd/Zombified-Real-World-Lessons-from-Fictional-Apocalypses-Audiobook/B0CJMXB4NL).

I finished Zombified: Real-World Lessons from Fictional Apocalypses (https://www.audible.com/pd/Zombified-Real-World-Lessons-from-Fictional-Apocalypses-Audiobook/B0CJMXB4NL). While I agree that the dead coming back to live is very fantastical, the author looks at zombies from a different perspective: "the control of one entity by another". This was a interesting view from that perspective as it does occur in nature, plus how many times have someone been obsessed with what is being passed on social media (thanks to some of the personalization algorithms) not to mention certain medical conditions. A short but interesting read.

Now onto another short book: Stranger (https://www.audible.com/pd/Stranger-Audiobook/B0C9R8VVVS)

Finished Stranger (https://www.audible.com/pd/Stranger-Audiobook/B0C9R8VVVS) which has some of it's origins based on the book Strangers On A Train (https://www.audible.com/pd/Strangers-on-a-Train-Audiobook/B0106CJXQ8) (and yes, I have seen both versions of the Alfred Hitchcock Movie (https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=306351)). The twist is the development of a app called "Stranger", with a interesting twist ending that I didn't see coming, but didn't feel unexpected. I felt it was a so-so book. One of the issues I have is with the narriator. When he voiced the (annoying) programmer, it was MUCH LOUDER than the regular speaking voice.

I'm now on Eruption: The Untold Story of Mount St. Helens (https://www.audible.com/pd/Eruption-Audiobook/B01C65D3BE) which covers the eruption of Mount St. Helens from 1980.

I had to punt out of listening to The Lufthansa Heist: Behind the Six-million Dollar Cash Haul That Shook the World (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Lufthansa-Heist-Audiobook/B012AR5PRS) with my mom. My mother had trouble understanding the narriator, so I decided to move onto another book while I put this on my own reading list.

The substitution book was The Skies Belong to Us: Love and Terror in the Golden Age of Hijacking (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Skies-Belong-to-Us-Audiobook/B00CMQSJ2G)[/url]. I had previously purchased this book and listened to it in 2013, but I thought it did a pretty good job of covering the airline hijackings that occurred from 1968 until 1973. Flying on a airline was dramatically difference (not to mention more expensive) during that era, and there were no security checkpoints between the curb and the airplane, and the hijackers certainly exploited that. Yet, the airlines were hesitant to put in additional security measures.

Since the forum was offline, I also completed Eruption: The Untold Story of Mount St. Helens (https://www.audible.com/pd/Eruption-Audiobook/B01C65D3BE). While not a bad book, I felt that the book concentrated too much on the background and history of Weyerhaeuser and it's key players and not enough on Mount St. Helens and the eruption itself.

From The Conversation:

Why You Should Revisit the Classics, Even if You Didn't Like Them at School
School can turn classic books into a chore. Rereading Austen or Shakespeare as adults, we can see how we have grown.
FULL ARTICLE HERE (https://markholtz.info/2ws)

I completed The Lufthansa Heist: Behind the Six-million Dollar Cash Haul That Shook the World (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Lufthansa-Heist-Audiobook/B012AR5PRS) this afternoon. This book is told in a "Narriative Non-Fiction" format that goes beyond the 1978 Lufthansa Heist (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lufthansa_heist), but covers other criminal acts as well including an act involving the fixing of college basketball games so that they were under the spread. There is a full Wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lufthansa_Heist) on this book.

Now, I'm off to another universe with the first audio dramatization of the Tangent Knights (https://www.audible.com/series/Tangent-Knights-Audiobooks/B09G9PZKSK) trilogy Caprice of Fate (https://www.audible.com/pd/Caprice-of-Fate-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/B09G8MNZNH). This has serious Tokusatsu vibes.

Quote from: kphoger on January 16, 2025, 02:57:03 PMI recently started reading The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius (in the 520s), as translated by Victor Watts.  I haven't actually started in on the text yet, because the foreword is quite substantial and rather dense.  I had asked for the book for Christmas.

Quote from: kphoger on February 26, 2025, 10:41:17 AMI had stopped reading for a while, for no real reason.  But with the recent warm weather, I got back into reading on the front porch after work.  I just finished Book II of The Consolation of Philosophy, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.  Not knowing very much about Greek philosophy and mythology hasn't been too much of a hinderance, fortunately.

There has been debate in modern times about whether Boethius was truly a Christian or not:  this book, which he wrote while awaiting his impending execution by Theodoric the Great, seems to suggest he found pagan philosophy more of a comfort than the tenets of the Christian faith.  But he also lived in an age in which many prominent thinkers believed that, when properly understood, secular philosophy was complementary to and even supportive of Christian theology.  This view of philosophy and religion comes through, especially in Book II, and it has been an interesting exercise to try and figure out if certain passages (a) represent Christianity as seen through the veil of Greek philosophy or (b) represent a merely theist worldview that isn't necessarily Christian.  I have also already detected Neoplatonist/Gnostic influence, especially as it relates to the division of mind and body, which I suppose isn't all that surprising.

Anyway, it has been enjoyable to read.  As the personified Philosophy seeks to answer Boethius' complaints, it has been fun to sift her answers through my own Christian filter, to anticipate Boethius' possible counterarguments, and then to ponder whether my modern mind would benefit from integrating the endorsed truths into its own worldview.  Hopefully, Books III through V will be just as enjoyable.

I finally finished reading The Consolation of Philosophy.  While I do consider it worthwhile to have read, that was quite a bit more Plato, Aristotle, and Greek mythology than I was prepared for.  Thank goodness for well-written footnotes!  I didn't feel like the book came to much of a resolution, and I especially expected it to come back to the particular issue of Boethius' unfair suffering.  But that's probably a product of my modern mind being used to novels and movies.  One of the most meaningful parts to me was, in fact, the very end, wherein Philosophy resolves the paradox of God's foreknowledge on the one hand and man's free will on the other.

My mother and I finished The Skies Belong to Us: Love and Terror in the Golden Age of Hijacking (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Skies-Belong-to-Us-Audiobook/B00CMQSJ2G) (also Wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Skies_Belong_to_Us)). As stated previously, this book covers the airline hijackings that occurred from 1968 until 1973. The big hijacking focus is the Western Airlines flight 701 hijacking that took place on June 2, 1972 by Willie Roger Holder and Catherine Marie Kerkow where the flight ended up in Algeria and it's aftermath. However, other highjackings were also touched upon, along with the airlines resistance  on additional security measures because it would add inconvenience. Quite a good listen.

The next book we listened to was Stephen Fry's English Delight a four-part humorous series on the English language covering Puns, Metaphors, Quotations, and Cliché.

The next book is to be determined.

As for me, I finished the the first book of Tangent Knights (https://www.audible.com/series/Tangent-Knights-Audiobooks/B09G9PZKSK) trilogy Caprice of Fate (https://www.audible.com/pd/Caprice-of-Fate-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/B09G8MNZNH). It is a fun, escapist book, but I'm not going to recommend it to others under most circumstances unless they are familiar with the material that this book series is based upon. I'm now listening to The Zimmermann Telegram (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Zimmermann-Telegram-Audiobook/B003D7G9FW) which has been on my book list for quite a while. This telegram was only briefly touched on in history class, and I wanted to know more.

Quote from: ZLoth on March 26, 2025, 09:01:01 AMI'm now listening to The Zimmermann Telegram (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Zimmermann-Telegram-Audiobook/B003D7G9FW) which has been on my book list for quite a while. This telegram was only briefly touched on in history class, and I wanted to know more.

Which is odd, considering that it's the reason we entered World War I in the first place, not the much more famous Lusitania - which happened years earlier.

My mother and I had to do a trip today, so we ended up listening to The Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Wicked-Wit-of-Queen-Elizabeth-II-Audiobook/B07BQZQK55). Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to the title as it covered more of the royal family than the Queen herself, and provided more insights into the royal family than actual laugh-out-loud moments, although a couple were a chuckle.

Quote from: vdeane on March 26, 2025, 12:49:42 PM

Quote from: ZLoth on March 26, 2025, 09:01:01 AMI'm now listening to The Zimmermann Telegram (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Zimmermann-Telegram-Audiobook/B003D7G9FW) which has been on my book list for quite a while. This telegram was only briefly touched on in history class, and I wanted to know more.

Which is odd, considering that it's the reason we entered World War I in the first place, not the much more famous Lusitania - which happened years earlier.

My memories of high school history class was from the 1980s, while college history class was the 1990s. My memories of those is a bit fuzzy. The audiobooks are effectively a way for me to go back and get more details.

Quote from: ZLoth on March 27, 2025, 11:22:44 AM

Quote from: vdeane on March 26, 2025, 12:49:42 PM

Quote from: ZLoth on March 26, 2025, 09:01:01 AMI'm now listening to The Zimmermann Telegram (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Zimmermann-Telegram-Audiobook/B003D7G9FW) which has been on my book list for quite a while. This telegram was only briefly touched on in history class, and I wanted to know more.

Which is odd, considering that it's the reason we entered World War I in the first place, not the much more famous Lusitania - which happened years earlier.

My memories of high school history class was from the 1980s, while college history class was the 1990s. My memories of those is a bit fuzzy. The audiobooks are effectively a way for me to go back and get more details.

In process of completing the book The Zimmermann Telegram (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Zimmermann-Telegram-Audiobook/B003D7G9FW). As noted, the sinking of the RMS Lusitania on May 7, 1915, while the Zimmerman telegram was transmitted on January 17, 1917 and released to the American public in February. The book highlighted more of the details of the German efforts to turn Mexico against the United States as well as have Japan switch sides as well as more details on the key players. Needless to say, I learned more facts than I knew privously.

Just finished Tangent Knights (https://www.audible.com/series/Tangent-Knights-Audiobooks/B09G9PZKSK) trilogy Tempest Tossed (https://www.audible.com/pd/Tempest-Tossed-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/B0B7CP486D). Same as before... if you aren't familiar with the source material (e.g. Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, Ultraman, etc), then give this book a skip. I'm now listening to Truth, Lies, and O-Rings: Inside the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster (https://www.audible.com/pd/Truth-Lies-and-O-Rings-Audiobook/B07FPM49XC).

Meanwhile, my mother and I are listening to Printer's Error: Irreverent Stories from Book History (https://www.audible.com/pd/Printers-Error-Audiobook/B06XDKC2GQ). So far, it's interesting on some of the history revolving around printing and some books that were printed centuries ago.

I raided the bookshelves this afternoon after work, decided to start reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin.  I've never read anything like it before, although I've seen the movie a few times.  I only made it partway through the editor's introduction so far, though.

Any thoughts, if you've read it before?

I'm late to the Fourth Wing party. I just got to that scene. All I can say is, wouldn't being a Navarrian meteorologist be the worst job ever?

Quote from: Scott5114 on April 08, 2025, 06:32:21 PMAll I can say is, wouldn't being a Navarrian meteorologist be the worst job ever?

Yup.

Quote from: kphoger on April 07, 2025, 10:28:45 PMI raided the bookshelves this afternoon after work, decided to start reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin.  I've never read anything like it before, although I've seen the movie a few times.  I only made it partway through the editor's introduction so far, though.

Any thoughts, if you've read it before?

The film adaptations (but not the sublime BBC TV series) tend to smoosh over a lot of the more interesting features in favour of the main romance plot - perhaps due to having little Pride in the source material, perhaps due to trying to meet people's Prejudice, mostly due to run time.

The book is rather different to the moody* Keira Knightly film, with a lot of really funny stuff. The focus in the book is a lot more on the funny side characters and societal comment with tons of side-eye and bantz from Lizzy than the ennui of that film (that would be French and terrible in Regency Britain!). Austen is a satirist first-and-foremost and she is amazing at creating characters that stand out.

She's also incredibly funny. You can read P&P and without much care about whether Darcy is the one for Lizzy or not.

*Despite trying to cling to Austenmania a decade after 1995 with Firth's wet shirt, Clueless, and Emma Thompson's Oscar winning Sense and Sensibility, the vibe of that film seems much more Bronte.

Quote from: ZLoth on March 14, 2025, 11:22:11 AMFrom The Conversation:

Why You Should Revisit the Classics, Even if You Didn't Like Them at School
School can turn classic books into a chore. Rereading Austen or Shakespeare as adults, we can see how we have grown.
FULL ARTICLE HERE (https://markholtz.info/2ws)

I'm very glad I ignored my teacher tell us not to read on in Of Mice and Men because finishing it that night meant I learnt it was enjoyable, as we proceeded to take weeks to read it in class as we sapped the life out of it while playing the game of 'literature'. TBF, we had big important exams and it was our novel that we had to write essays on at the end of two years (Macbeth, War Poetry, and some surprise stuff were the other texts we had essays on).

I was a very avid and varied reader of books until school sapped the life out of them in my mid-teens. I got back to it, until the internet distracted me. But yes, English Literature at school has had as much of a negative effect on my book reading as the internet has.

Go back and read the classics you read at school - because they were written for adults, not teens. And, typically, they were written for the pleasure of reading, rather than study (though I'm sure some classics were written for people to study and go 'look how smart this person is' - normally the ones where they don't make TV adaptations of the book, but have 'allusions to' so critics/reviewers can feel smart if they've seen it).

I'm listening to Elevation by Stephen King, read by the author.  It's fairly interesting so far; not at all a horror novel.  His voice is not at all the deep baritone I thought it might be.

Quote from: wanderer2575 on April 09, 2025, 10:47:06 PMI'm listening to Elevation by Stephen King, read by the author.  It's fairly interesting so far; not at all a horror novel.  His voice is not at all the deep baritone I thought it might be.

While I have several Stephen King novels in my "to be read" stack, the only one I have completed is The Running Man by his alter-ego Richard Bachman years ago. As expected, it is massively different from the 1987 film, although Richard Dawson and Arnold Schwarzenegger both steal the show. 

As for Elevation (https://www.audible.com/pd/Elevation-Audiobook/B07BSX5DML), it was $8.52 including tax, so an easy purchase.

I'm not sure this really fits the thread, but I couldn't think of a better place to put it.

During my morning Bible reading time lately, I worked my way through the Apocalypse of John (Revelation), along with a commentary of sorts.  I finished this morning and then, because it's the last book in the Bible and I had a few minutes to spare, I flipped ahead through the supplemental material in the back—you know, that stuff that the editorial staff probably worked really hard on but nobody ever really looks at.  Anyway, I've had this copy of the NJB translation (New Jerusalem Bible) since the late 1990s, but today was the first time I noticed a half-page section recognizing the contributions of what it called the 'original collaborators' on the first edition of the earlier JB translation (Jerusalem Bible).  Besides the editor's name, I counted 27 others, but one name immediately jumped out at me:  J.R.R. Tolkien.

I had no idea before today that Tolkien had had a part in translating the Bible.  Since then I've learned that, by his own admission, he only finished translating the book of Jonah before resigning from the rest of what was assigned for him to translate.  And of course, his translation was edited plenty before publication.  So he considered being mentioned in that short list of 'collaborators' as an undeserved gesture.  But still.  Learn something new every day!

I completed the audiobook Truth, Lies, and O-Rings: Inside the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster (https://www.audible.com/pd/B07FPM49XC) which was written by Allan J. McDonald who was one of the executives from Morton Thiokol. Since he was an involved party, I expected bias in his presentation, but it was very detailed in the events leading up to the disaster, how he was against the launch, how he testified in the Presidential Commission investigating the accident, and the redesign of the rocket boosters. From his perspective, it was NASA and the Marshall Space Center that pushed for the launch despite the low temperatures and the rough seas of the recovery vehicles. Because it is very detailed, it is also a bit technical.

Quote from: ZLoth on April 06, 2025, 10:34:13 PMJust finished Tangent Knights (https://www.audible.com/series/Tangent-Knights-Audiobooks/B09G9PZKSK) trilogy Tempest Tossed (https://www.audible.com/pd/Tempest-Tossed-Dramatized-Adaptation-Audiobook/B0B7CP486D). Same as before... if you aren't familiar with the source material (e.g. Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, Ultraman, etc), then give this book a skip.

Just finished Gemini Ascendant (https://www.audible.com/pd/B0BNJVX9QV) of the Tangent Knights. Opinion still unchanged about this series.

Quote from: english si on April 09, 2025, 05:52:24 PMThe film adaptations (but not the sublime BBC TV series) tend to smoosh over a lot of the more interesting features in favour of the main romance plot - perhaps due to having little Pride in the source material, perhaps due to trying to meet people's Prejudice, mostly due to run time.

The book is rather different to the moody* Keira Knightly film, with a lot of really funny stuff. The focus in the book is a lot more on the funny side characters and societal comment with tons of side-eye and bantz from Lizzy than the ennui of that film (that would be French and terrible in Regency Britain!). Austen is a satirist first-and-foremost and she is amazing at creating characters that stand out.

She's also incredibly funny. You can read P&P and without much care about whether Darcy is the one for Lizzy or not.

*Despite trying to cling to Austenmania a decade after 1995 with Firth's wet shirt, Clueless, and Emma Thompson's Oscar winning Sense and Sensibility, the vibe of that film seems much more Bronte.

I'm still working my way through the editor's foreword.  And it actually goes into some of what you're saying, and not necessarily even criticizing the adaptations—but rather using them as an example of how different sorts of people in different time periods might enjoy the book for different reasons.

I just finished Queen of Cuba: An FBI Agent's Insider Account of the Spy Who Evaded Detection for 17 Years (https://www.audible.com/pd/B0CBCV6PN5). This covered the spy case of Ana Montes who was nicknamed "the Queen of Cuba" within the Defense Intelligence Agency... but also was providing information to Cuba. There were some interesting things... she only did it because she felt it was the right thing to do, and both her bother and sister also worked for the FBI. Very interesting listen.

Now onto The Martian (https://www.audible.com/pd/B00B5HZGUG) read by R. C. Bray. Funny thing is... I haven't seen the movie yet.

Bridging the Dutch Landscape - My sister thought I would like it. Some interesting points and stuff you would not see in America.

Just finished The Martian (https://www.audible.com/pd/B082BHJMFF) as narrated by R.C. Bray then the extra material read by Wil Weaton. I'm coming from the perspective of "I've heard the movie, have both versions on my media server, but haven't watched it yet." Yes, I'm a geeky engineer type, so this Apollo 13 meets MacGyver-type story really appealed to me. A little bit of a language issue, but this book did keep me engaged.

Next up... The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work (https://www.audible.com/pd/B0041NZRDC).

My mother and finally completed Printer's Error: Irreverent Stories from Book History (https://www.audible.com/pd/B06XDKC2GQ). This is a nice look back at some of the most interesting periods of history involving printing told in a fun manner. Funny how little we know about Johannes Gutenberg who is recognized as the father of Western printing. Plus, some of the fun twist and tales of the printing business. My mother and I are now listening to Tradition! The Highly Improbable, Ultimately Triumphant Broadway-to-Hollywood Story of Fiddler on the Roof, the World's Most Beloved Musical (https://www.audible.com/pd/B01D3OHWE6). Funny how my mother commented how I found this "interesting channel", and I had to explain to her that I was streaming the book from my home server.

As for me, I decided to try a short dramatization of Christmas Eve, 1914 (https://www.audible.com/pd/B00QQQSMZM) which is a 75 minute dramatization of the Christmas truce during the first World War. It was pretty good.

I'm just started to listen to The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work (https://www.audible.com/pd/B0041NZRDC).

Just finished Squeezed: Why our families can't afford America by Alissa Quart.

Printer's Error, I'll be reading next.

So, since it's been a while...

For myself: I've completed The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work (https://www.audible.com/pd/B0041NZRDC). It was a worthwhile listen, and I was working on some of those principles already. I really hope that my (former) manager gets to read that book.

I've almost completed The Six (https://www.audible.com/pd/1774246155), and have about two hours left in my listen. This one has a few twists and turns.

For my mother: We completed Tradition! The Highly Improbable, Ultimately Triumphant Broadway-to-Hollywood Story of Fiddler on the Roof, the World's Most Beloved Musical (https://www.audible.com/pd/B01D3OHWE6). This book covers the creation of this beloved musical, some of the challenges in bringing it on to the stage, and the outstanding reception it received, plus some behind the scenes stories. It then talks about the challenges in filming that musical, and the box office success. This is followed by the post-Broadway successes, including how the musical has been performed in schools, and it's legacy.

We are now listening to Eruption: The Untold Story of Mount St. Helens (https://www.audible.com/pd/B01C65D3BE). This is a repeat listen for me.

I completed The Six (https://www.audible.com/pd/1774246155) yesterday. This is indeed a dark thriller with some dark twists. I enjoyed it.

Now, I'm listening to Seven Dirty Words: The Life and Crimes of George Carlin (https://www.audible.com/pd/B003ODSA20).

I'm rereading A Day in the Life of The New York Times by Ruth Adler.  I read it years ago when I saw it in my local library, but I came across a used copy at an independent bookstore and bought it.  It details a 24-hour period, 3:00am Friday 02/28/1969 (when that day's final edition was locked up) to the following 3:00am (when the final edition of the Saturday 03/01/1969 paper was locked up).  The day was randomly picked not too far in advance.  It's interesting to read about the multiple production elements, but really interesting to consider how much things have changed since then.  In particular, there's a good amount of discussion about the efforts and frustrations in sending stories from across the country and across the world to the New York newsroom in a time before faxes, cellphones, and the Internet.

I completed Seven Dirty Words: The Life and Crimes of George Carlin (https://www.audible.com/pd/B003ODSA20) over the weekend. This biography covers the life of Carlin, and gave me some additional insight including the fact that the comedian actually testified in the US Supreme Court on obscene language in the FCC v. Pacifica Foundation (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FCC_v._Pacifica_Foundation) case. I did enjoy his role as Rufus in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures and as the voice of Fillmore in Cars, and I had previously listed to Carlin in the audiobook George Carlin Reads to You: An Audio Collection Including Grammy Winners 'Braindroppings' and 'Napalm & Silly Putty' (https://www.audible.com/pd/B006C2UJSS). I'm now listening to Alita: Battle Angel - Iron City (https://www.audible.com/pd/B07HHHK7NG).

As for listening with my mother, we just completed Eruption: The Untold Story of Mount St. Helens (https://www.audible.com/pd/B01C65D3BE), and listened to CFI! The Book (https://www.audible.com/pd/B07NLGTJP6). This is the story of a flight instructor who is trying to get in their flight hours to move on to another job at the shadiest flight school in Florida run by the sleeziest owner with students who should not be behind the controls of an airplane.

I've been reading Brandon Sanderson's Wind and Truth, book five of his Stormlight Archive series, for the past two or three months. It's 1330 pages long and my Kindle says I'm on page 1285, so I should finish it tonight. This is a massive, sprawling series and he has another five books planned. On the plus side, he's more consistent in finishing his books than George R.R. Martin is! I still had to go online for a refresher on the events of the previous book before starting this one just because of how long all the books are (they've all been 1000+ pages). This has been a really good series with a complex storyline.

Normally after I finish a book of this length I might take a short break from reading for a week or two, but I have a short upcoming business trip, so I suppose I will be reading something else in transit. I think it's time for something much lighter-weight.

From Psychology Today:

Can We Just "Read" Audiobooks Instead?
Audiobooks are great for entertainment, but not as great for learning.

QuoteAudiobooks have become my constant companions, whether I'm commuting, doing dishes, or juggling daycare drop-offs. As a parent, it's often the only way I "read." But as an educational psychologist who studies how people understand text, I've been wondering: am I actually learning anything? The short answer is: It depends.

FULL ARTICLE HERE (https://markholtz.info/2wx)

I have never gotten into the idea of audiobooks, especially when driving (which seems to be when most people I know listen to them). I tend to get engrossed in the books I read, to the point where I can sometimes be semi-oblivious to what's going on around me (not totally, of course; I never miss my stop on the subway or the Acela). I don't particularly like not getting somewhat engrossed in a book. And that feels fundamentally incompatible with driving to me because my attention should be on the road and not on the story. Maybe it would work better with nonfiction books, but most of what I read is fiction.

I find it way easier to just listen to audiobooks at 1.5x speed nowadays.  Commuting time is a pretty empty void for me and one of the few times I have the energy to get engrossed into a story.

From Book Riot:

More Than 50% of Americans Have Listened to An Audiobook: Latest Data on Audiobook Trends

QuoteThe Audio Publishers Association (APA) released the findings of their latest survey on audiobook sales and listenership in the past year. The numbers are mind-boggling. In 2024, audiobook sales revenue reached $2.22 billion–a 13% increase from the previous year. Much of this increase in sales is attributed to the growth of digital audiobooks, which now comprise 99% of revenue.

APA's Consumer Survey found that more than half of Americans age 18 and older–51%– have listened to an audiobook. There's also been an increase in the number of Americans who state they're interested in trying out an audiobook, 38% in 2025 as compared to 32% the previous year. Americans indicating they're "very interested" in trying an audiobook has gone from 10% in 2024 to 18% in 2025.

FULL ARTICLE HERE (https://markholtz.info/2wy)

I recently finished Fight: inside the wildest battle for the White House by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes.  Next up is Uncharted: how Trump beat Biden, Harris, and the odds in the wildest campaign in history by Chris Whipple.  (Those two books are all I'm going to indulge for the election for a while.)

For our trip west in July and August, I've requested 1,000 places to see in the United States and Canada before you die by Patricia Schultz.  I've read it before, but since this may be the last road trip we do for a while, my wife wants us to take our time going to central Washington and back - this hopefully will give us some ideas about where to stop.

Just read American Crucifixion: The murder of Joseph Smith and the fate of the Mormon Church by Alex Beam.  Interesting perspective.

I've completed two audiobooks. The first book completed is Alita: Battle Angel - Iron City (https://www.audible.com/pd/B07HHHK7NG). This is the prequel to the book/film Alita: Battle Angel (https://www.audible.com/pd/B07HHJPKMJ), and has several characters from that movie including Doctor Ido and Hugo. The "superchip" is the MacGuffin of this story, and is used to delve deeper into the characters and the setting of the dystopian Iron City.

The other book is Talk of the Devil - The Collected Writings of Ian Fleming (https://www.audible.com/pd/B0DFZXCS18). Beyond the two early stories by Ian Flemming, this book covers the journalism and other writings of the famous 007 author. Only one chapter, "The Guns of James Bond", is outright James Bond and how the chapter of Major Boothsby aka "Q" came to be because of the real-life expertise of a fan of the books. In other writings, only 007 is slightly referenced writings contain no reference to James Bond at all. However, I do see some of the ideas and origins from his writings which later on made it into the novels and then the films. Pretty good if dated (we are talking post World War II here), and makes me want to pursue the two other Ian Fleming non-fiction books as well. I know they are in my library.

Most recent book I finished was Star Wars Reign of the Empire, Mask of Fear. It is quite a heavy book dealing with the politics/morality of the universe in the weeks/months right after Revenge of the Sith.

On the side I'm currently reading through the Initial D manga re-releases, currently on Volume 4.

Just started Hope: the Autobiography by Pope Francis.  This is going to take me a little while.

Quote from: elsmere241 on June 19, 2025, 03:56:21 PMJust started Hope: the Autobiography by Pope Francis.  This is going to take me a little while.

And I've finished it.  Lots of good stuff there.

Quote from: elsmere241 on June 19, 2025, 03:56:21 PMJust started Hope: the Autobiography by Pope Francis.  This is going to take me a little while.

Quote from: elsmere241 on June 19, 2025, 05:55:15 PM

Quote from: elsmere241 on June 19, 2025, 03:56:21 PMJust started Hope: the Autobiography by Pope Francis.  This is going to take me a little while.

And I've finished it.  Lots of good stuff there.

"This is going to take me a little while"

Two hours later: "I've finished it"

Indeed.  Something about today being a holiday for me.  At least it isn't kicking around the bedroom unread, like it had for about a month.

I've been working through Robert Caro's legendary biography of Lyndon Johnson.

The first volume is The Path to Power, which covers LBJ's childhood years, his time as a Congressional aide and his first several years as Congressman from the Texas 10th, and ends with his defeat in his first run for Senate in the special election of 1941.  Just completed:  the second volume, Means of Ascent, which covers his "service" (if you can call it that) in WWII, but is mostly devoted to the infamous 1948 Senate election.

I'm not sure anyone's life is worth four volumes and something like 3000 pages.  Caro's work is incredibly detailed and honestly sometimes bogs down in the minutiae; he takes four pages to discuss a point that seems like it could be covered in three paragraphs.  So it goes slowly at times.  I did particularly enjoy, however, the deep dive into the theft of the 1948 election in Means of Ascent.  In the present day we have politicians who scream about "stolen elections" without providing any proof.  Caro narrates this story like it's a crime thriller with all the detail, and I loved those 300 pages or so.

So now I've spent the last 2+ months reading about LBJ, pre-Senate career, and still have two volumes to go with the Senate, Vice Presidency and "Hey, Hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?" Presidential era.  I don't like LBJ very much after reading these first two books and doubt my impression will improve with the post-1948 volumes, but we'll see.

I'll come back to LBJ later in the year; can't really read four consecutive books about the same person without a break.  On topic, sitting here next up is Henry Grabar's Paved Paradise:  How Parking Explains the World, which should be a bit lighter fare.

Quote from: elsmere241 on June 19, 2025, 03:56:21 PMJust started Hope: the Autobiography by Pope Francis.  This is going to take me a little while.

Quote from: elsmere241 on June 19, 2025, 05:55:15 PMAnd I've finished it.  Lots of good stuff there.

Quote from: vdeane on June 19, 2025, 08:55:38 PM"This is going to take me a little while"

Two hours later: "I've finished it"

Definition checks out.  :-D

Quote from: Merriam Webster Dictionarywhile

noun

1 :  a period of time especially when short and marked by the occurrence of an action or a condition : time

Quote from: gonealookin on June 19, 2025, 10:27:14 PMSo now I've spent the last 2+ months reading about LBJ, pre-Senate career, and still have two volumes to go with the Senate, Vice Presidency and "Hey, Hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?" Presidential era.  I don't like LBJ very much after reading these first two books and doubt my impression will improve with the post-1948 volumes, but we'll see.

I have not read the series you speak of, but I would imagine your opinion might change somewhat with the next volume—it's often stated that LBJ was one of the most effective Senators in US history (as in, he developed a masterful command of both hard and soft power, as well as the rules of the Senate, to make what he wanted to happen in the Senate happen). Whether you agree with his positions or not, and though his behavior is absolutely atrocious when viewed through present-day eyes, it's hard not to have at least a grudging respect for someone with that kind of aptitude (as much as it pains me to admit it because of how little I like his positions, I have a similar feeling toward Mitch McConnell, who has much the same skill set as LBJ did.)

One of the books I recently "read" (it's mostly maps) is called North America for curious minds: 100 new ways to see the continent by Matthew Bucklan and Victor Cizek.

I've completed several books....

The first is The Emissary: A First Contact Novel (https://www.audible.com/pd/B0BDJ4MN9T). This book takes place in a slightly dystopian future, and concentrates on the protagonist Holly Burton who is a very flawed person. Somehow, through events, she ends up being an alien emissary who is there to help save humanity from a planet-killing event by colonizing other planets. Of course, we have to have an antagonist. It's not a bad novel for a first-timer.

The second book is Hunting Eichmann: Chasing Down the World's Most Notorious Nazi (https://www.audible.com/pd/B002V1LBNG). This was a captivating novel that covered not only the history of Adolf Eichmann and how he escaped Germany, but also the search for his whereabouts as he disappeared to Argentina and the planning to snatch him by Mossad and return him to Isreal for trial. Very detailed, good listen.

The third book is Hauling Checks: A Satirical Aviation Comedy (https://www.audible.com/pd/B07STG7CPK) is a short follow-up novel to CFI! The Book: A Satirical Aviation Comedy (https://www.audible.com/pd/B07NLGTJP6). Here, we have the same protagonist stuck working at a shady check-hauling service which is slowly going downhill as the banks are adapting electronic transfers. All the good pilots were let go, and the aviation industry is going through turbulent times as no airline, either passenger or freight, is hiting. I was laughing at some of the situations.

I'm now halfway through Project Hail Mary (https://www.audible.com/pd/B08G9PRS1K). This book was moved up in my reading list because of the movie release in March, 2026.

I completed the book Project Hail Mary (https://www.audible.com/pd/B08G9PRS1K). If you watched or read The Martian (https://www.audible.com/pd/B082BHJMFF), you get a sense of the type of character the protagonist is with the problem-solving and the "science is COOL!". The book opens with a trope that is common in computer games... the protagonist has amnesia and has to learn who they are. And, we have the twist of Robinson Crusoe on Mars thrown in as well. Good book. I pushed it up to the top of the reading list when the release of the movie was announced.

My mother and I completed The Diamond Smugglers: The True Story of an International Crime Ring and Its Downfall, Told by the Creator of James Bond (https://www.audible.com/pd/B0CNJ6ZHRY). This book, released in 1957, was based upon a series of interviews that Ian Flemming conducted after the 1956 release of Diamonds are Forever (https://www.audible.com/pd/B0B487BFWQ) with Sir Percy Sillitoe, an ex-MI-5 operative who was hired on by De Beers to combat the diamond smuggling that took place. Some of the real-life tales are more extraordinary because they took place in real life rather than fiction, and I suspect a character that is talked about in the final chapter was the inspiration for Auric Goldfinger in the 1959 book Goldfinger (https://www.audible.com/pd/B0C2W2BPMK).

I am now halfway through Once upon Atari: How I Made History by Killing an Industry (https://www.audible.com/pd/ASIN).

My mother and I have started Wild Rescues: A Paramedic's Extreme Adventures in Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton (https://www.audible.com/pd/1799961508).

Right now I'm in the middle of What cartooning really is: The major interviews with Charles M. Schulz.

I finished Once upon Atari: How I Made History by Killing an Industry (https://www.audible.com/pd/ASIN) this afternoon. This book is written and narrated by Howard Scott Warshaw (HSW) who created three Atari games: Yar's Revenge, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the infamous ET. The book switches from the New Mexico excavation on April 26, 2014 and the HSW's history with Atari. We also get insights on the HSW's first two games which had several months of development time verses ET's five week development cycle. I liked how HSW changed his voice when he gives notes and explanations to the non-nerd.

One of the challenges is that the Atari 2600 was a now-aging platform having been released in September, 1977 with known technical limitations.

Currently listening to How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps (https://www.audible.com/pd/B086R2N27Y). It's LitRPG... enough said.

Audible release dates for the Harry Potter Full Cast Edition (https://adbl.co/puremagic) books:

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - November 4th
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - December 16th
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - January 13th
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - February 10th
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - March 10th
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - April 14th
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - May 12th

Runtime is "Not Yet Known"