What are you READING these days?

[DirtRagArt]

So noticing how popular the "what are you listening to" thread is, I thought I would ask what people here are reading these days. I'm about 15 pages to the end of The Jungle (http://www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=0553212451) at the moment, and still reading about some of the bands in
Our Band Could Be Your Life (http://www.twbookmark.com/books/40/0316787531/index.html).

[hairygrump]

Awesome question.

I'm currently reading The Man With the Golden Arm (http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=7-0140045236-1) by Nelson Algren. It's that kind of post-war novel that was written by veterans who were a little disappointed in the country they'd defended when they returned home to lives of poverty and addiction. It's really, really well written and sad, but it fails to judge the characters (which I like to see). Genius. Recommended to me by a Dillinger Four lyric.

I'm also taking a group of budding technical writers through "Writing for the Technical Professions." Doesn't that sound like fun? How to write a memo in 14 easy steps...

Plus my beloved Internet, which counts for those of you that weren't sure.

http://www.cryptome.org
reason.com (http://www.reason.com)

[riderx]

"Closing Time" by Joseph Heller. It's the sequel to "Catch-22", one of the funniest books ever. Unfortunately, "Closing Time" isn't nearly as good, but it has a lot to live up to.

[Xteife]

I'm terrible. The first real book I've even picked up (probably since college) is Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation
by Joseph J. Ellis, but haven't had much time to read it since my daughter was born 2 months ago. Right now, I'm just trying to get through the magazines I subscribe to, before they sit around too long and my wife throws them out! It's still reading though, so here they are: This Old House, Old House Journal, Dirt Rag (of course), Bike, Countryside, FourWheeler and Maximum PC.

HairyGrump's right. The internet is reading. I frequent quite a few forums. Not for the BS factor, but to learn new stuff and share what I know...

- G

[wooglin]

Just finished "Yellow Fever, the dark heart of the Tour de France". Good read. Covers the 98 race (Festina Affair, etc.). A little weird since the author (Jeremy Whittle I think--a reporter at the race) had his head firmly planted in the sand at the outset, but it does a good job of documenting his transition from incredulity when Willie Voet was arrested to bludgeoned submission at the extent of doping in the pro ranks by the end of the race. Pantani still won, though, so that was a bummer. :)

[leapfrog]

i stopped reading a book called "life at the bottom". i thought it was a book about the upper class needing the lower class to exist, but it was basically this upper class elitist baselessly demonizing the lower class based on tattoos, fashion, and behavior. it was absurd. before that was Fast Food Nation, and before that was The Culture of Make Believe by Derrick Jensen. that book destroyed me...in a good way.

[Scott G.]

I have re-read Frank Herbert's Dune series from Dune to Chapeterhouse, and then followed up by reading his son's prequels on the Butlerian Jihad, and the three books on the major houses.

I am now catching up on the Clive Cussler books I have not read with the next one being his new Fire Ice book.:D

[The Rose]

its hard for me to find a book that holds my interest, so once again i find myself re-re-re-rereading the dragon series from christopher rowley. if you like heroic fantasy this guy has it dead to rites. " in my day TV was called books"

[steevee]

The Da Vinci Code-- by Dan Brown
Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix-- JK Rowling
Internetworking Cisco Network Devices-- Cisco Press

steevee;)

[emmfan]

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. I'm finding that even though I have a stack of books yet unread on my shelf, I prefer to read everything in e-book format.

[Blatz]

I`m reading your mind right now, but I keep getting a blank.

[hairygrump]

Zing!

[i8urbrain]

Again I find myself reading about Dirk Gently. I just finished American Gods. What a great read!!!! If you like the Hitchhiker books, or Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, Read American Gods, and Good Omens. It will cause you to pee in your pants. Only if you like British humor tho.

[stumpy]

I'm a nerd who reads all the time. I am currently reading the new Harry Potter book. I started it last Monday and am on page 772 of the 870 page book. I would be finish with it if I didn't have to go to work everyday. :)

The next book I will read as soon as I am done with this is Chasing the Devil's Tail by David Fulmer. He is a local author and is a friend of a friend. I get to meet him next week so I plan to have his book read before I meet him.

I read all the time. Not sure why......kind of an escape of sorts. I started reading passionately about 10 years ago when my mother died. It was the only way I was able to clear my mind so that I could sleep at night. I developed the habit and am now addicted.

I like mysteries and just good stories but don't really care for the really gory stuff. Anyone have any new authors to suggest.

[quazar76]

The autobiography of Johnny Cash. It's my second time reading it. It is pretty damn good even if you are not a fan. There are quite a few crazy stories that he tells and he just seems like such a decent human being.

There are also plenty of stories that he tells about other rock-a-billy/country stars of the time too, like crazy stuff they did and how they died. There's some good ones about Elvis, Carl and Luther Perkins, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc. But Johnny Cash was definitely the craziest one of all.

I bet you didn't know that he has never been to jail and that he has lived in Jamaica for like the last 15 years of his life.

[quazar76]

His daughter, Rosseanne is playing at Heartwood in a couple weeks.

And while I'm on the subject I might as well mention that there is a very special guest playing there this weekend also. It is Bluegrass. Some of you might have heard one of his songs in " Oh brother where art thou."

[Subscription Guy]

"You Can't be Neutral on a Moving Train," by Howard Zinn. I think anybody who want/hopes to make a difference in this world will find this autobiography inspirational. Last time I checked, his website was down, but here's the url anyway: http://www.howardzinn.org/

"Salvos from the Baffler," a collection of essays from The Baffler magazine. Top notch anti-mass-culture writing. http://www.thebaffler.org/

There's more, but those are the most recent...

[DirtRagArt]

So I finished The Jungle and was kinda disappointed with the end of the book... too much socialism ranting and dialog in the form of quoted political speeches. The book was enlightening and riviting, however, for the most part.

Now I'm on to Bike Cult (http://www.bikecult.com) by David Perry. I've read most of it before, but I just got my own copy from the website (signed copies are only $25 ppd) and aim to read it cover to cover.

[DirtRagArt]

So I finished The Jungle and was kinda disappointed with the end of the book... too much socialism ranting and dialog in the form of quoted political speeches. The book was enlightening and riviting, however, for the most part.

Now I'm on to Bike Cult (http://www.bikecult.com) by David Perry. I've read most of it before, but I just got my own copy from the website (signed copies are only $25 ppd) and aim to read it cover to cover.

[Nash]

I read the Johhny Cash book and can say it was some good readin. I am now reading the Neil Young book Shakey....it was hard startin but is getting better as the pages turn.

Highly recomend Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club. Extremely interesting and all about the brotherhood of riders. Something we can relate to.

[Kim D]

I just finished "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey. It is his heartwrenching,somewhat disturbing, and brutally honest account of his recovery from a horrendous drug addiction.A ruthless book that I could not put it down. I made my mom,best friend, and husband read it.

[Zinger]

It's a history of the allied forces in the north Africa campaign in 1942-43. More twists and setbacks than I'd ever imagined. About halfway done.

Before that, Bernard Lewis's "What Went Wrong?", a brief history of the Moslem world. Indispensable reading to anyone wanting a feeling for what drives nations like Syria and men like Bin Laden.

Whew, time to lighten up. Next in the pile, Harry Potter #5!

[Divscotty]

Reading a series and the 4th is Drums of Autumn and probably the best so far of the series. The author is Diana Gabaldon.

Historial Fiction - time travel.

Divscotty

[lngnmn]

I just finished Travis Hugh Culley's The Immortal Class Biek Messengers and the Cult of Human Power . I really dug it. I am curious if anyone has read the Rebecca Reilly book Nerves of Steel : Bike Messengers in the US. It seems it's out of print and I can't find a used copy anywhere. I like reading about messing. Since i live in a small midwestern town it's a profession I don't ever see but it would probably be better than schleppin guitars for a livin.

[clboss302]

Over priced college books... Mixed in with spy thrillers (Bourne Id. the book was alot better than the movie) and some other fasted paced thrillers. After I finish the Bourne trio I am thinking about reading 'Under the Black Flag' (any info) and some other pirate related books. Nothing to fancy really

[LoneBiker]

The second to last book i read was Alice in wonderland and Through the looking glass, the book i just finished, since ive had plenty of time to read being sick for a whole week, is Catch 22, this is a crazy book that will likely make you a little more crazy yourself. At any rate it teaches you how to be a little more entertaining during conversations, well, atleast to yourself

[IcemanSS454]

Slaugherhouse Five -- Kurt Vonnegut right now

I also recommend 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote. I had a hard time putting it down when I read it.

[Mauriceman]

Jeff; Can you still eat meat after reading the Jungle? It kind of made me sick and I started turning vegetarian, but I still manage too force it down. Yum. Cow tastes good.

[DirtRagArt]

Yep, Maurice, I still eat meat after reading the Jungle. I've read other equally stomache-turning articles against the meat industry, as well. What sent me into my vegetarin stint back in the day was my experience working at McDonald's in high school. Subsequently, working at a Pittsburgh pizza shop kept me from eating meat for the duration of art school. Once removed from the food service industry, the lure of bacon drew me in, though I do eat a mostly vegetarian diet, to this day.

Iceman, I'm glad you mentioned Slaughterhouse Five... that book rules. Be sure to read The Sirens of Titan (then you'll understand the main character's fantasy world). I also really dug Welcome to the Monkey House, a collection of short stories.

[ABNMTBFNG]

I just finished reading "Gettysburg" by Newt Gingrich, if you like military history this is a great (and realistic) look at an alternative scenario. Also finished "The Da Vinci Code". I'm reading the new Franklin bio and rereading "A Pirate Looks at 50" by Jimmy Buffett.

andy

[MrTB]

I am seeking reviews on a book called The Drink Beer Get Thin Diet by Bob Skilnik. Anyone?

[Blatz]

I`m reading Shaky, Neil Young's Biography. I thing someone on this thread recommended it. It`s great. I`m a big Neil Young fan way back to the early 70s. Over 700 pages but very interesting. I`ll give one part away. He actually played with Rick James` band in Motown ( imagine that) until the cops hauled James away for draft dodging during a recording session. It`s full of great stories like that, and I`m only on page 250. You see, my parents could`nt afford the hooked on phonics program, so I read slow

[hairygrump]

Originally posted by MrTB
I am seeking reviews on a book called The Drink Beer Get Thin Diet by Bob Skilnik. Anyone?

This sounds like the biggest and cruelest lie ever perpretrated against mankind. Even if it's possible, I think the thing you sacrifice is "Stay Healthy."

If you want to shape up, check this guy out:
http://www.mattfurey.com/

He has a book called "Combat Conditioning" that's pretty focused at grapplers and other Ultimate Fighting types, but they're cool exercises that feel good, strengthen useful muscles and can all be done with just your bodyweight for the first couple years that you do it.

I just started with this stuff and I think it's cool. I'm not a workout guy at all, but I like to do what makes me feel good, and this is it... like yoga kind of, but without the classes and spiritual baggage.

[polly]

I've just started reading blast from the past by Ben Elton... I do enjoy his novels... dead famous is a really cynical (and funny) take on the whole 'big brother' phenomenon

I agree with whoever made the comment about the catch 22 sequel... I have struggled through that one too...

- oh and i have an interesting book on race car aerodynamics too...

;0)

[ixion1963]

I've just read Neil Gaimans Neverwhere. Good book very weird worth reading though. Looking for books to take on vacation for a week any thoughts?

[davis]

If you liked The DaVinci Code you'll probably enjoy Dan Brown's previous effort, Angels & Demons. Currently reading Can't Be Satisfied - The Life and Times of Muddy Waters by Robert Gordon. I think any fan of Muddy's music, or the blues in general, would enjoy this book.

[dds]

...Just finished Dirt Rag #102

I dig that Cash bio...found it hardcover for $4.99.

I just finished "The Immortal Class - Bike Messengers and the Cult of Human Power" by Travis Hugh Culley. It was an excellent book on the Chicago messenger scene and being a messenger in general. Highly recommended.

I'm reading Tim Cahill's "Pass the Butterworms" currently. I've been on a Cahill kick lately. I want to read the new Jon Krakauer and Bill Bryson but I'll wait for softcover or look for them used.

dave

[Meredith]

I really enjoyed:

"Shopgirl" by Steve Martin. SUPER good. Not a humor book. It's actually about a depressed, lonely young woman. It's an evening read. LOVE the dialogue. S.M. acts, he jokes, he plays banjo, he writes books & plays, he's amazing! Wonder what he could do on a bike?

"The Secret History," by Donna Tartt. I wish it never ended -- I felt like I was teleporting to all sorts of weird places and feelings whenever I was reading it.

"Prodigal Summer," by Barbara Kingsolver. Loved it. Didn't love "Poisonwood Bible," but loved this one of hers.

[Clark Kent]

It may sound a bit wack but right now I'm reading throught the "Book of Knowledge" series.. Circa 1920's. Its interesting to see the "scientific explanations" concerning everything from " why do we have differnt colored eyes?" to " Does the earth bump into things?" The wild thing about it is the certainty in which they speak... Sounds the same as it does now when someone spits out an explanation about "why this" or "why that" now. There hasnt been a generation on this earth that wasnt sure that their ideas, hypothises, and explanations were not spot on! Yet a sure thing is the way past ideas or the such are looked at as ideas full of naivete! Think of what the folks in the future will think of our ideas ......

Before that I read "Blue Latitudes" Cant remember the authors name... He retraces several of the voyages Captain Cook made.

[adam1]

i am not enjoying fundamentals of pyhsics 6th edt and quantitative chemical analysis also a 6th edtion as well as calculus conepts and contexts. fun stuff on a more recreational note i was reading DR# 103 and 100

[adguy]

Recently been turned on to Grisham. Read The Runaway Jury before I knew it was coming to the big screen. Read it before seeing it, great story. Also by Grisham, The Painted House. Starts off a little slow, but this autobiographical novel will reel you in. A master writer, fot sure. And I got a copy of Clive Barker's Hollywood ghost story Coldheart Canyon, since I knew he would be at Interbike with Primal Wear promotinghis new jerseys. Coldheart is an interesting read, but you better have an open mind!

[MrTB]

Started reading Marla Strebs' Downhill Gravity Godess yesterday. Excellent read so far.

[Pedalmedic]

Great Expectations, Dickens.
Wanted to read a classic for the want of it.
Anything Ambrose and WW2 history.
The Greatest Generation was very good IMO

[hairygrump]

Been reading stuff by Paul Auster lately, who's a New Yorker-type snooty literary critic that has some super interesting things to say about writers and why they bother doing what they do. I gave up literary study as a career because I got sick of reading essays where people get by on pretentiousness rather than actual insight, but this guy has some really deep, deep insight. Heavy stuff, but definitely worthwhile if you've got any patience for this kind of thing.

If you like to read snooty New Yorker-type essays about literature that say interesting things, check out The Art of Hunger. If you want to read really similar things only discussed in the form of detective stories as might have been written by Franz Kafka, you should read The New York Trilogy.

[Clark Kent]

Just got "The Gangs of New York" by Herb Asbury ( no comments ppppplease...) Got good reviews by friends... It'l do for a few nites... BTW...if'n ya get tired of fiction, ANYTHING by the late great Carl Sagen is excelent! Try "Brocca's Brain" for starters.

[Pedalmedic]

As fat would have it, after reading how many are reading Harry Potter here on the forum.
I go to work and on the dashboard of the ambulance is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Man what a cool book. My 9 yo wants it after me now.

[mudfly]

I just finished reading "River Horse " by William Moon. Not nearly as good as his classic "Blue Highways" In 1982 I read "Blue Highways" ,then quit my job and went camping around the USA for 13 months in ragged Volvo with a freaky girl named Judi.
"River Horse" didn't inspire me to do it again by boat.

[l'il andy]

It's good to see people reading. Here at Fox Chapel, we are trying to instill into our students a lifetime love of the written word. I am even the co-chair of a committee looking into ways to improve reading skills. If anyone has any suggestions, throw em my way. I am currently reading Stiller by Max Frisch (the Swiss author)

[l'il andy]

It's good to see people reading. Here at Fox Chapel, we are trying to instill into our students a lifetime love of the written word. I am even the co-chair of a committee looking into ways to improve reading skills. If anyone has any suggestions, throw em my way. I am currently reading Stiller by Max Frisch (the Swiss author)

[l'il andy]

It's good to see people reading. Here at Fox Chapel, we are trying to instill into our students a lifetime love of the written word. I am even the co-chair of a committee looking into ways to improve reading skills. If anyone has any suggestions, throw em my way. I am currently reading Stiller by Max Frisch (the Swiss author)

[Subscription Guy]

OK, one of my pet peeves is was that, back in the 70's, when I was in high school the program was to force us to read "classic" literature. Probably the most uninteresting possible choice for teenagers, in my opinion. To heck with trying to teach kids culture at that age, better to get them phyched on reading by letting them read some contemporary stuff that they can relate to. Hopefully, yinz Foxes are clever like, er, foxes, and have already figured this out.
:D

[Goride]

Yup, I'm with Karl. I'm only five years out of high school and all the English program there did was turn me off from reading. Endless overanalysis of so called classics sucked any and all enjoyment of reading from me. Luckily after a year or tow of college I snapped out of it and started reading contemporary, mainly politically minded, literature.

Stick to books written in our current vernacular, dealing with issues that students face today or have grown up with and you'll end up with students who see some value in reading. Force them to read the Scarlet Letter and debate the significance of the red bush outside of the gate for a class period or two and you'll have a lot of kids swearing off reading forever.

-brad

[hairygrump]

How do you get a kid to start digging into reading? I suppose it's different for every kid, but for me it was a combination of those Dragonlance pulp fantasy books and anything at all that was banned. The pulp got me in the HABIT of reading books and the banned ones got me motivated to look in libraries and used stores for good ones.

[l'il andy]

First of all, sorry for accidentally posting 3x. Obviously, I'm a little slow with the high tech. Thanks for yinzes input; we are working on such strategies. It is difficult to get kids wanting to read, in my opinion, when they have so many options other than reading. I have also been reading a lot from East German authors, since the anniversary of the Berlin Wall is this Sunday.

[American_Lesion]

I've been reading Socrates: Five Dialogues by Plato, Martin Heidegger "Being and Time", Brian Herbert's "Dune: The Butlerian Jihad", "No Exit" and other plays by Jean Paul Sartre, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick, "Light all Night" by Richard Robinson ( a friend of mine and former co-worker from Fairbanks, Alaska) and "Junky" by William S. Burroughs.

Also I've been browsing "McClane's Fishing Encyclopedia"

I'm an odd one, I know. Mountain bikes. Philosophy. Girls ten years my junior. Fishing for salmon and trout. Alaska. Punk and Ska music. Peace. What the hell is wrong with me?

[DirtRagArt]

Well, I finished Lies My Teacher Told Me (http://www.uvm.edu/~jloewen/liesmyteachertoldme/liesmyteacher.html) (thanks for the recommendation, Tom Brown) and now I've moved on to Heart of Darkness (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0553212141/103-1731771-1243823?v=glance) by Joseph Conrad (the book which Francis Ford Coppola based the movie Apocalypse Now (http://www.filmsite.org/apoc.html) on). I can't wait to finish the book and watch the movie again.

[Goride]

Currently I'm making my way through Peoples History of the United States. JeffG reccommended, and my now ex-girlfriend picked it up for me for my birthday early in the summer. I've also been picking my way through the 100th anniversary Tour de France book, along with Bike Cult.

On the docket is a book that Karl loaned be about Nat Turners slave rebellion of 1831... Did you know that Nat Turner was hanged on this date, Veterans Day, in 1831? Trivia for the day...

-brad

[quazar76]

I recently got my grubby hands on quite a collection of vintage dirtrags. Issues 50 through 57, and 70 through 85. Good stuff, whether at the breakfast table or on the throne.

I have noticed that the older issues seem to be a lot more humerous than the ones since I have been a subscriber. issue 84, I think.

I also just finished a book called the Booze Battle, which is designed to help people who live with alcaholics. I am the alcaholic and it was quite insightful.

[American_Lesion]

Hey DirtRagArt,

Lies My Teacher Told Me is an outstanding book! Professor Joseph Crosky, at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville uses it as one of the texts in his African Studies course (to add to Joe's cool-factor, he's one of the few African Americans in my backwards little redneck town and he shreds the singletrack!). Heart of Darkness was made into a movie back on the early 90's and starred John Malkovich as the missionary-turned self -declared diety in the swampy, tropic madness of the Congo.

Li' Andy might be interested in Brest-Litovsk, Spring 1918: The Forgotten Peace a book about the Russia's end to the War to End All Wars ( I hate to admit this, but its also a text at Pitt--Dr. Richard Mulchahey uses it in his History of Soviet Russia course.

Needless to say, I have a lot of time on my hands (the next few weeks are set aside to heal), and I'll be doing alot of reading (and sleeping). Mountain bikers with a degree of literary taste...damn...who'd a thunk it?

[mudfly]

If anyone is a fan of classic early 20th century writers, check out HG Wells, he was an avid cyclist and included cycling in many of his books.
"Wheels of Chance - A Bicycling Idyll" was a book he wrote during his younger years about a fictional bicycle trip around England( if I remember correctly), It was a mixture of humor and social commentary.

[SteveO]

Just finished two books so here's a little review:

Lance Armstrong: Every Second Counts
Very similar to the first book. Some interesting insight into Lance's struggles with fame and how it affected his marriage and family. There are a few nuggets about team strategy in the Tour.

Reymundo Sanchez: My Bloody Life - The making of a Latin King
A good read about life in a street gang written by a guy who lived it. Very sad as many of the characters get shot or hooked on drugs. It is a pretty interesting and very realistic "street" view of gang life.

[davkatreb]

Been kind of busy lately. but a few that I can recommend.

In the Land of Fear-Harlan Ellison. Sci-fi and social comment.

Venus on the Half Shell- Kilgore Trout. In the vein of Hitchhiker's Guite to the Universe.

The Martian Chronicles; Farenheit 451-both by Bradbury.

Anything by Heinlen, but especially Stranger in a Strange Land. The book just has so much heart in it.

Oh yeah, Lance's first book. Wasn't bad.

[Clark Kent]

Eat yur greens and...


Read more ASIMOV.

[RandomV]

Well. I just found a copy of "The Immortal Class" in Half Price Books yesterday, and I'm reading it again.

You all know what it's about... But I'd just like to say that it's an amazing read.

[stumpy]

Originally posted by MrTB
Started reading Marla Strebs' Downhill Gravity Godess yesterday. Excellent read so far.

EXCELLENT BOOK!!!!! Just finished it. I want to be Marla Streb when I grow up!! She is awesome.

[kittenfur23]

I'm reading the Disinfo series "You Are Being Lied To", "Everything You Know Is Wrong", and " Disinformation: The Interviews." They all seem to be really good books, and "The Interviews" has some really wicked art and photos in it- Highly recommended.

[Zinger]

"The Crisis of Islam: Holy War & Uholy Terror"
Another by Bernard Lewis. If you're the sort who bothers to vote, add it to your list. It's only 150 pages.

"Rancho Costa Nada"
A book by a guy who said "fsck this!" and moved out to a patch of wasteland to homestead it. His parting chapter: "Don't do it." Sage advice, but yes, you really could. Wonderfully cathartic reading.

"Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix" (#5)
Good, but sad.

Next up:
"What Every American Should Know About the Rest of the World"
from a back-cover review: "...buy two and send one to the President." With a reccomendation like that, there was no way I could pass this one up.

[model3224]

last book i finished was sick puppy, by carl hiassen. i've also been reading the marla streb book, and i think i want to start reading the foundation series by asimov the next time i lose internet access.

after that, maybe the hell's angels book hunter s thompson did, and anything by bret easton ellis.

[Zinger]

duh, one more I forgot: Basket Case, yet another good romp from Carl Hiassan.

[stump ss]

best new author on my bookshelf: Dave Eggers. total irony freak, he thinks like i think most of the time based on his memoir "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" and his new one "You Shall Know Our Velocity!".

I totally recommendo both of them, though neither has any bicycles - a shame. The first is a memoir unlike any I've read before, the second is a plotline and .... well I'll just say it is a totally unique novel. It isn't a "Crying Game" twist but something that does really mess with your head.

Michael Chabon also very good.

Oh yeah! I just read Walden for the first time since it was forced down my throat in high school. And now I GET it! F'in A!

[DirtRagArt]

I finished Heart of Darkness the other night and since I couldn't sleep last night I read the entire second story included in the book, The Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad (http://members.tripod.com/~JTKNK/aboutjcf.htm). Turns out tomorrow is (or rather, would be) Conrad's birthday. What's really cool about Conrad's work is that it's pretty much autobiographical...or at least heavily based on his life experiences.

I think the next thing on the radar is The Bicycle Wheel (http://www.avocet.com/wheelbook/wheelbook.html) by Jobst Brandt (which was recommended in Bike Cult).

[DirtRagArt]

You people gotta get on the reading kick...I shouldn't be making two consecutive posts....

The Bicycle Wheel was good, but it's pretty limited...Jobst only believes in the 36-spoke, three-cross wheel. The book does, however, teach you the basics of wheelbuilding. Check out this review (http://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=855) for a spot on description.

A more inclusive book is The Art of Wheelbuilding (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0964983532/102-0557231-0856938?v=glance) by Gerd Schraner. It covers pretty much everything except for aluminum spokes...and perhaps for good reason.

On a non-cycling tip, I really dug The Things They Carried (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0767902890/102-0557231-0856938?v=glance) by Tim O'Brien. Like most all of the books Browne hands to me, this book was nothing shy of amazing. For an excerpt, click here (http://www.nku.edu/~peers/thethingstheycarried.htm).

[hairygrump]

Originally posted by DirtRagArt
I really dug The Things They Carried (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0767902890/102-0557231-0856938?v=glance) by Tim O'Brien. Like most all of the books Browne hands to me, this book was nothing shy of amazing. For an excerpt, click here (http://www.nku.edu/~peers/thethingstheycarried.htm).

If you like that, I suggest O'Brien's other novel In the Lake of the Woods . this one has the same kind of human mystery and pain in it, but it's a little bit more experimental in structure. It's kind of a murder mystery, but writing that out I feel like I'm cheating it.

I've been recommending this thing to people for years and nobody's told me I was wrong yet.

[hairygrump]

I also read books. Just finished Inside Terrorism (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0231114699/qid=1071548750//ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i0_xgl14/104-8694235-6840723?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) which isn't a bad political science take on what exactly terrorism is and what exactly it's used for. I'm sure a lot of people here can appreciate how overused that word is these days and how meaningless it's becoming, so it's refreshing to get something like this that treats it as what it is, not just as some word to make people afraid.

That said, it's not as sound in its theory as it is in its history, but it's well written and the historical work is great. Something you can chew on.

[DirtRagArt]

Originally posted by hairygrump
If you like that, I suggest O'Brien's other novel In the Lake of the Woods.

That's funny you should mention that, because Browne recommended I read it, as well! I think I will once I chug through the book of Hemmingway short stories I just got into, The Snows of Kilimanjaro (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0684804441/104-6887352-2511152?v=glance).

[randymar]

The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure (The 'Good Parts' Version) -- by William Goldman

After reading the original novels of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Wizard of Oz", I was glad to find one that was BETTER than the movie.

I must say the "DirtRag" folks are much more erudite than "Hcor"

[DirtRagArt]

I have to admit, that I put down the Hemmingway...it just didn't do it for me. Instead, Browne suggested A Walk In The Woods (http://www.randomhouse.com/boldtype/0598/bryson/) by Bill Bryson, which was an awesome read. It's generally about hiking the Appalachian Trail, but also encompasses a whole lot more including the history of the trail and surrounding areas, the troubles surrounding conservation and the like, and just an immense amount of humorous self discovery. Bryson isn't afraid to rip into the forestry service, American culture, the ills of society, and (at times) himself...let alone his overweight, recovering alcoholic friend that accompanies him throughout most of the journey. Highly recommended.

[denali1]

Hey Jeff, try The Sun Also Rises, short book or long story but an excellent introduction to Papa, You need to give it a shot!!!! Good Luck

[hairygrump]

I'm re-reading my new copy of Nick Cave's (who you may know from the Birthday Party and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds) novel And the Ass Saw the Angel. It's a very twisted allegory about a mute raised in a cane-farming enclave in the 1930s by a drunk mother and a father obsessed with maiming trapped animals and making them fight each other to the death.

So, yeah, it's very dark, but the gift this guy has for language is absolutely heartbreaking. It's just been reprinted by 2.13.61 books and is easy to get a hold of in the US for the first time ever. You should all buy it and become afraid.

[vladamir]

right now Sylvia Plaths "The Bell Jar", Richard Brautigan (everything), A Skirdas "Facing The Enemy, a history of anarchist organization" available at .AK Press (http://www.akpress.com/)

[philleonhardt]

In the last year or so - was turned on to "You Are Being Lied To" by a review in D.R. Very thought provoking. Right now, about 1/4 the way through "People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn - all the history you weren't taught in school. Loved "Poisonwood Bible" by Kingsolver (a totally right-on women). Then picked up "Congo Cables" for more background on the assassination of Patrice Lumumba (didn't finish - party line blather but some history). Kingsolver got it right - a U.S. ordered murder of a democratically elected leader. If you like this kinda stuff try "War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning" by Michael Hedges. This book is a must for anyone trying to understand the insanity of war.

[mudfly]

Tahir Shah (Author of "Sorcerer's Apprentice") goes to Peru in search of the legendary birdmen. I just started reading the book last night but from the reviews I've read it should be as bizarre,humorous and macabre. as Sorcerer's Apprentice

[SteveM]

The Bike Path by someone who's name escapes me (sorry), it a series of short stories about this guy used a bike to change his life, very uplifting and at times funny.

[Browne]

Wayne Lankford...

[SteveM]

thanks Micheal

[Browne]

I'm glad someone found his work fun to read. I didn't get it-- found it to be disjointed and... well, I'm just glad he's found an audience.

[SteveM]

but am prepared to let that go in the cause of someone speaking from the heart, mind I ain't the best writer I know !

[DirtRagArt]

Well, based on the encouragement of forum poster Denali1, I went back and finished the book of Hemingway short stories The Snows of Kilimanjaro (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0684804441/104-6887352-2511152?v=glance). Once I finished the first story (which the collection is named for) I really got into the book. I highly recommend it.

[X-rider]

I am a huge fan of fantasy novels. I am currently reading "The Wheel of Time" series by Robert Jordan. So far as I know, there are 10 books in the series now and probably more to come. I am on # 7. If you read "The Lord of The Rings" and liked it, you will love this!

"The Wheel of Time [is] rapidly becoming the definitive American fantasy saga. It is a fantasy tale seldom equaled and still less often surpassed in English." ---- Chicago Sun-Times

[davkatreb]

"Flyboys", by James Brady. Lots of WW II history, government coverups, etc. Positively riveting.

"Every Second Counts", by Lance Armstrong. Pretty indifferent read, but narratives of the TdF made it almost worthwhile.

Oh yeah, just remembered-ANYTHING by Hienlien. Don't care if you're a big sci-fi fan or not, the guy is brilliant. Here's a little taste I stumbled upon from 63cx, that I posted in another thread...

[http://www.63xc.com/willm/mtbrah.htm]

[Dean-O]

Just read
Bobke II, by Bob "Bobke" Roll.
He is the man! Covers both his time on road and the dirt. Hunter S. Thomson on bike. :cool:

Every Second Counts, by Lance not so good.
except for the end talking about No. 5.
I Love hearing what goes on inside the peleton.

Saw someone back there read Closing Time, man that book was dissapointing. It made you hate Yossarian. I LOVED Catch 22, but closing time was a struggle like no other

[Zinger]

davkatreb linked to (on the preceeding page):
>>
[http://www.63xc.com/willm/mtbrah.htm] <<

Yeah, the prospectors' bikes seem awfully familiar. If you read "Tunnel in the Sky", you'll recognize Camelbaks used by some of the characters.

Just finished "For Us, The Living" last week. Not a good for someone new to Heinlein's works, but having read almost everything he'd published, it was fun digging to find the seeds of later works in this rediscovered "dusty manuscript found in somebody's garage" first novel.

[hairygrump]

I try to reread some of Dr. King's papers (what I can get a hold of) on King day.

A Letter From a Birmingham Jail (http://liberationcommunity.stanford.edu/TopicPages/letter_birmingham.html)

[DirtRagArt]

Browne recently handed me Three Easy Pieces (http://www.blacksparrowbooks.com/titles/0876859236.html) by Wright Morris. I just finished the first of the three short novels contained within the book, and I’m anxious to get started on the next.

The book was published by the now defunct Black Sparrow Press (http://theholdnovember2003.tripod.com/issue73/blacksparrowpress.html) which was best known for publishing Charles Bukowski. I would say that there are some similarities in the two authors' prose, but will venture to make this distinction; if reading Bukowski is like drinking whiskey, then reading Morris is like drinking milk. Milk, however, that has been discreetly laced with LSD.

[riderx]

Originally posted by Dean-O
Saw someone back there read Closing Time, man that book was dissapointing. It made you hate Yossarian. I LOVED Catch 22, but closing time was a struggle like no other I'm a huge Catch 22 fan, read it many times but have had the same problem w/ Closing Time. At times it's good, other times it's a real struggle. This is my 3rd attempt! 3/4 through this time put haven't picked it up in 2 months. Disappointing to say the least.

[riderx]

Originally posted by riderx
I'm a huge Catch 22 fan, read it many times but have had the same problem w/ Closing Time. At times it's good, other times it's a real struggle. This is my 3rd attempt! 3/4 through this time put haven't picked it up in 2 months. Disappointing to say the least. I think I'm repeating myself!

This is your brain. This is your brain on...um, what was I saying? :D

[DirtRagArt]

I just finished Dude, Where's My Country (http://www.michaelmoore.com/books-films/dudewheresmycountry/) and it was pretty entertaining. There's something about Michael Moore, though, that sort of irritates me. It's like he thinks he's god or something. When he got preacy about 2/3 of the way through Stupid White Men I almost put it down, but I'm glad I didn't.

Though I agree with most everything he says and trust that he's done his research, but I also know he's a master of spin and very highly opinionated. I guess if you go into it recognizing that he's first and foremost a comedian it's all good.

I reckon I'll probably read his next book, as well, but for serious political reading I think I would rather stick with Howard Zinn (http://www.geocities.com/howardzinnfans/).

[trekophile]

reading "The First Battle of the Somme", by Martin Middlebrook. A British perspective. I'm not one to like WWI history, but this guy can write. Otherwise, I'm reading stuff related to Russian revolution history.

[drmemory666]

textbooks mostly: statistics, world history of the 20th century, HTML. for fun, an biography of lou reed. what a sick mother...

[strong dog]

along with "fax from sarajevo" by joe kubert, which is a graphic novel, but a real account of the beginning of the 1992 seige of Bosnia.

[surlysimon]

i am taking a break from the patrick o'brian aubry and maturin series (the books "master and comander" was based on) i started my break with fatherland by robert harris ( a murder mystery set in a germany that won the war)
then on to bikie by charlie wood (one man"s story of club riding in england)
now i am reading earthly delights by local (melbourne australia) author kerry greenwood ( a murder mystery with a baker as the detective0
there is no greater pleasure than reading. i am a regular blood plasma donor and i love sitting there reading doing something for my fellow man (blood donors don't get paid here)
now i am off in search of the da vinci code and bike cult

[wigger thomas]

Recently read 'Downhill' by Marla Streb in spite of the fact that she repeatedly refers to herself as a goddess.Pretty good but the chronology is weird.Almost seems like she ran out of time for her deadline and threw things together at the end.
Marla used the adjective Homeric enough times to get me to pick up
my Fitzgerald translation of 'The Iliad'.Lot's of good anatomy descriptions in the battle scenes which is cool because I am a paramedic.
This translation has been recommended by Michio Kushi and Ram Das

[trekophile]

Originally posted by surlysimon
i am taking a break from the patrick o'brian aubry and maturin series (the books "master and comander" was based on) i started my break with fatherland by robert harris ( a murder mystery set in a germany that won the war)
then on to bikie by charlie wood (one man"s story of club riding in england)
now i am reading earthly delights by local (melbourne australia) author kerry greenwood ( a murder mystery with a baker as the detective0
there is no greater pleasure than reading. i am a regular blood plasma donor and i love sitting there reading doing something for my fellow man (blood donors don't get paid here)
now i am off in search of the da vinci code and bike cult

reading is the one of the great pleasures. It's cool that you donate plasma regardless that you receive nothing in return.

[Drewdane]

I'm currently working my way through the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. Seriously hilarious, sly satire disguised as pulp fantasy.

[American_Lesion]

Brotherhood of Murder--by Tom Martinez,

Some D.H. Lawrence, McClane's Fishing Encyclopedia

Lots of Martin Heidegger (philosophy)

The Crimson Stain, by Jim Fisher

I'd reccomend 'em all.

[kmarzahl]

Just finished J.M. Coetzee's "The Lives of Animals," mostly with an eye toward teaching it.
Also: "Critical Mass: Bicycling's Defiant Celebration," ed. Chris Carlsson
(I think the essay by Sarah Boothroyd was especially good)

Working on Joanna Macy's "Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory" and Niklas Luhmann's "The Reality of the Mass Media"

--Kevin

[Mister Chow]

Presently rereading Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch.

A great memoir about his obsession with soccer (football) and his team Arsenal. I'm getting back in the mood as the Premiership begins to heat up in England. And Arsenal is leading Man U. in the tables...

Anyway the best thing about the book is switch cycling for football and you have a peek into the obsessive workings of the mind of a sports fanatic. True, funny and sad...

[brickisred]

Cool thread!
Lots of stuff I need to check out.
I most recently finished "Fire" by Sebastian Junger. Pretty cool. It's basically a book of short journalistic essays documenting his travel and such The best story invoves American and European travelers near the India/Pakistan border. Of course the two nations don't get along, and well, these poor folks just get caught in the middle.

I'm also well into a somewhat historical book on pirates, "Under the Black Flag" It's very interesting, but a bit dry as it was written by a historian. The most notable detail I've picked up so far is the existence of a kind of "health insurance" for contributing pirates. Not what you're thinking... Basically, if you lose an appendage (or suffer some other injury) while doing battle, you get extra gold... I've been reading it for too long though.Can't seem to finish more than a chapter of it before I drift off, dreaming of pirates...

[Mister Chow]

Hey brickisred,

If you like historical stuff you'll probably love "King Leopold's Ghost." It's about Belgium colonizing the Congo around the turn of the century. Joseph Conrad used those events in writing "Heart of Darkness" which of course begat Apocalypse Now.

Some neat stuff about the birth of modern human rights movement and political spin doctoring way before radio or TV. Compelling, alas you can still see the damage today.

[brickisred]

Originally posted by Mister Chow
Hey brickisred,

If you like historical stuff you'll probably love "King Leopold's Ghost." It's about Belgium colonizing the Congo around the turn of the century. Joseph Conrad used those events in writing "Heart of Darkness" which of course begat Apocalypse Now.

Some neat stuff about the birth of modern human rights movement and political spin doctoring way before radio or TV. Compelling, alas you can still see the damage today.

Hey that sounds interesting. I'll check that out. It's amazing that humans are still thriving today, after all the fu#*ed up stuff we've done to each other throughout history. I love the fact that you can get a really in-depth study on a subject, (good and bad) with a well written historical paperback. They tend to skim over all the bad stuff in school, wouldn't you say?

[Mister Chow]

It's a shame that those things that we take as truth are often filtered though the eyes of the "establishment." Natives are savages that need our savior or heros that are explorers not coquerers. Not that you shouldn't be suspecious of revisionsists too, but I'm always asking myself: "But what REALLY happened?"

But it's good to know that bikes will eventually save humanity. :D

[Style 10/6]

I just finished reading:
Need for the Bike which was written by Paul Fournel and translated from french by Allan Stoekl. This book is composed of a series of short essays, musings, and reflections on the bicycle and the plesures (and pain) of cycling. Despite the fact that this book is more focused on road riding than mountain biking I still found it enjoyable, though brief.

The Cliff Walk by Don J. Snyder. This book follows the author's transition from Colgate University English professor through job loss and depression to his new life as a manual laborer. Mr. Snyder's personal journey is made all the more compelling as the reader witnesses his views about society and the working class shift as the book progresses. IMO, this book is well written, unflinchingly honest, and open. Excellent read.

"Dirt Rag # 92" I have recently taken delivery of about 10 back issues and have been having a field day going through each of them.

I am currently readings two books; I'm a Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson, and the anthology The Power of Nonviolence: Writings By Advocates of Peace with an introduction by Howard Zinn. I've read works by both Zinn and Bryson before and am anxious to see what these two books have to offer.

[Style 10/6]

I just blazed through Travis Culley's The Immortal Class - I simply could not put it down. Excellent read.

[Mr. Relaxo]

"Backstage Passes and Backstabbing Bastards" by Al Kooper. If you don't know, Kooper had a couple of seminal whitey blues albums with the incomparable Mike Bloomfield and also came up with the "1/8th note behind the rest of the band" organ playing on Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone". His retelling of how it came to be is klassic Kooper katastrophe.

I also liked Peter Fonda's bio "Don't Tell Dad". It's a looong read but worth the effort. I'm currently going thru Hunter S. Thompson's "Gonzo Letters Vol. Two". One of these daze I'm going to reread Lewis' "The Great Divorce". It only takes a couple of hours to get thru but near as I can recall it was time well spent.

[Baltotat]

I've read 'The Immortal Class" a few times now and I like it more everytime. I am currently reading ," It's not about the bike" as well as.."Wake Up To Your Life".. a Buddhist-sort -of book who's author I can't remember right now...
And you can never go wrong with Harry Crews, Carl hiassen, Thom Jones, Charles Bukowski,ahhhhhh, it's late and I have to get up early for a nice ride......................... bill

[hophead]

I am currently reading "Benjamin Franklin an American life". It's a good book if you're into American history like me. I personally think that Ben Franklin was one greatest Americans that ever lived. Actually, if not for Ben, there may not be an America (united states of), just colonies. Next is the DiVinci code. My wift just read it and said it''s great and then John Stossel's book "Give me a break". I think he is one of the most objective reporters of our day. He is not afraid to say or print the truth even if it goes against popular beliefs or pisses off his own network. Did any of you see the lies & myths special he did? It was awesome. If not and it comes back on, I highly recommend watching it. There is not a hell of a lot good on the tube these days, but that was an hour well spent.

I guess I got a little off the subject. Oh well. I think I'll go for a ride. It's actually gonna be in the 50's today. Whoopeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

[pghjon]

Finished "One More Horizon: Ohio to Hong Kong the Long Way" by Scott Zamek
a little while ago. Incredible bike/travel book. check it out!

http://www.castellatedpress.com/

[DirtRagArt]

I'm not quite finished reading it, and I reckon I'll be writing a Recommendo on this one soon, but I'll post it here anyway...Traffic Life Passionate Tales and Exit Strategies (http://www.trafficlife.com), an anti-car, pro-cycling, pro-pedestrian anthology.

Since you can read almost the entire book online, maybe some of you will care to email your opinions of the writing to me?

[meltman]

Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged . These 2 are philosophy style fiction about objectivism and capitalism, The fountainhead is kind of a primer to Atlas Shrugged each of them are pretty fat reads w/ tiny as lettering i think the Fountainhead is about 700 pages and Atlas Shrugged is 1200 i reccommend Fountainhead before A.S. if your interested.

[riderx]

Just got finished reading Ask the Dust (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0876854439/qid=1078282511/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-5716058-6459340?v=glance&s=books) by John Fante. The man can tell a lot with few words. He was a major influence on Bukowski, so if you are a fan of Chuck, you'll probably dig this.

[konastab]

The Island of Kauai is where my wife and I plan to live at some point and time so, I have been reading up on everything about the Garden Island. We were there 3 years ago and should not have left. The mountain biking is wet and technical as well as extremely scenic. If you can, check out Kaui. It rocks!

[hairygrump]

Programming PHP by Lerdorf and Tatros. Mmmm. Work is fun.

Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, and Software by Steve Johnson. Mmmm. Liesure is WAY MORE FUN.

[Browne]

"Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, and Software by Steve Johnson. Mmmm. Liesure is WAY MORE FUN."


So have you seen Fast, Cheap and Out of Control?

An absolutely fascinating documentary. Although I hesitate to use the word because it makes me sound so pretentious, but the cinematography is outstanding. Great colors, footage, interviews... weaving together the lives and stories of a wild animal trainer, an expert on mole rats, a robotic engineer and a gardener who creates and maintains the world's largest collection of shrubbery shaped like animals.

I highly recommend it.

[hairygrump]

Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control... sounds like our Saturday night/Sunday morning rides through town. The emergent adaptive properties of our ride tend to have more to do with ways of dealing with police or building fires, but it's emergent and adaptive, so it counts.

That's on my list now though. I hadn't seen it.

[THE Toecutter]

The Death of Right and Wrong by Tammy Bruce.

[pghjon]

thanks for the fast and cheap recommendation, going to check it out...

if you haven't seen Koyannisqatsi, it is great - check imbd's review

"A movie with no conventional plot: merely a collection of expertly photographed scenes. Subject matter has a highly environmental theme."

http://imdb.com/title/tt0085809/

Godfrey Reggio rules.

check out his others as well:
Naqoyqatsi (2002)
Anima Mundi (1992)
Powaqqatsi (1988)

[roleur]

1. A Game of Thrones (Book 1 of The Song of Ice and Fire, by G.R.R. Martin).

2. Looking Around (essays on architecture by Witold Rybczynski).

3. Velonews (the most recent issue with the Pantani on the cover...it just came today).

I never seem to have less than three things going at once.

[DirtRagArt]

I'm just about finished with Bill Bryson's The Lost Continent (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060920084/102-2984225-4909769?v=glance). It's getting me excited about my upcoming road trips as well as reminding me of numerous places I've been. Good stuff.

[American_Lesion]

Doin' some research, so I'm reading Andrew MacDonald's The Turner Diaries. Its sick, sick,sick. But I need to get some insight into the beliefs of the nutcases, so I'm reading it. By the way, for those that don't know, the book outlines what Timothy MacVeigh tried to make a reality. Its white-supremecist tripe at its worst.

Know thy enemy.

Also, what state do you suppose has the most active hate groups?


Pennsylvania. No foolin'.

[surlysimon]

if you want a laugh try readingPride and Promiscuity the lost sex scenes of Jane austen it is very funny and is making want to read the original novels

[DirtRagArt]

Nobrow : The Culture of Marketing, the Marketing of Culture (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0375704515/103-5717748-3459043?v=glance) by John Seabrook.

[aluminiumsucks]

Just finished reading "The Earth is Enough" by Harry Middleton. Teaches an interesting lesson on teaching yourself impermanence through trout fishing. It's a damn fine read, one of those books that's only as heady as you make it. Started reading "Of Time and the River" from Thomas Wolfe (NOT Tom Wolfe). His concept of 'No Door' that permeates throughout his work is just cool if you ask me. It'd make a good tattoo. Hmmm....

[Browne]

Wilderness and the American Mind (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0300091222/002-5331018-8871219?v=glance) by Roderick Nash.

Recommended by Philip Keyes.

I'm reading it because it supposedly has helped set a lot of the current controversial California Wilderness policy. Since their policy decisions will set a precedent for the rest of the country, I thought it would be interesting to get the full from-the-start scoop.

So far, the most interesting thing is the idea that romantic ideals surrounding nature are born in the cities.

[DanLees]

Reading "Touching the Void" by Joe Simpson and "Love all the People" by Bill Hicks.

Both Reccomended.

[hairygrump]

Interface Culture by... uh... I forget. It's not terribly good.

Also, The Invisible Computer by Donald Norman. He's a cognitive psychologist that looks at industrial and interface design.

Kind of work reading, but it's actually interesting by itself if you like computey things. And I do.

[dangerousdave]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by I Drink Blatz
I`m reading your mind right now, but I keep getting a blank.

Its because the flatulence iinduced by the special hops that Blatz uses has overpressurized your cranial cavity.... boyles law.

I am reading Master and Commander, prior it was Into the wild, J.Krackauer) Under the banner of Heaven, (JK again) and intermittantly has been a 'History of the Sword...' HOWever, I find the posts and respoonses by Vlad, Randomass,Wigger, American lesson, and others to be equally, nay, more entertaining by far. NOT to forget educational as well.

[dangerousdave]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hairygrump
[B]This sounds like the biggest and cruelest lie ever perpretrated against mankind. Even if it's possible, I think the thing you sacrifice is "Stay Healthy."

If you want to shape up, check this guy out:
http://www.mattfurey.com/

Hey, Grumpy, were or are you a grappler? Fureys stuff is good. Tried Bas Rutten?

[hairygrump]

Originally posted by dangerousdave

Hey, Grumpy, were or are you a grappler? Fureys stuff is good. Tried Bas Rutten?

Never have been and wouldn't be very good at it. I just got the workout book from aluminiumsucks, who's into weirdo workout routines. Stuff that combines flexibility, strength training and NOT EVER GOING TO A GYM is really appealing to me.

If Bas Rutten is like that, maybe I should look into it. Link? Title?

[dangerousdave]

there's a whole slough of guys that'll take you through the paces, I mentioned Bas Rutten more out of memory than use... He's a combat trainer well known in the UFC type worlds. I think that Matt F's work incorporates alot of the practicality of, and other martial arts masters tech's from a strengthening basis, with out the need to explain future uses... I'll check some stuff along these lines and get back to ya...
ps; I used to live off of Woodale Ave. and hwy. 100 !

[dangerousdave]

Yo Hairygrump... this list is from "Grapplearts.com" I've found some neat stuff for all sorts of trainning in here, esp. crossfit. and strength lab.


Strength, Fitness and Conditioning Sites for Martial Artists
Also see our extensive collection of articles on this and other topics

Strength & Conditioning

Other Sites of Interest

Bodybuilding.com
Bodybuilding Resources
Cable/Bar Site
Crossfit
Dolfzine Online Fitness
Dr Squat Article Archive
Fit 4 Martial Arts
Fitness Advice NEW LINK (Feb)
Get Big
Master Trainer
Natural Strength
Ripped - Clarence Bass
Sandow Plus
Strength Laboratory
Strength Online
Stretching and Flexibility
Stumptuous
Testosterone
The Facts About Fitness
SRAPPER Bodyweight Conditioning
US Navy Seals PT Program
Ve

[American_Lesion]

NOAM

CHOMSKY.

[DirtRagArt]

Cycling magazines...I just got a boatload of them. I just got the new issue of The Outcast (http://www.yesweareontheweb.com/), the two newest issues of What Mountain Bike (http://www.whatmtb.co.uk/), Wire Donkey, the I.M.B.A. Newsletter (http://www.imba.com/), Flow (http://flowxxx.com/), Bike - Le Magazine Du Velo Tout Terrain (a French one that I can't really read) and...the brand spankin' new issue of Dirt Rag!

[roaddog]

Only reading I can fit in is Twentysix, Decline... oh and Dirtrag. Guess I ain't too edjucated. Oh, but I have finally caught up on my Time issues. Maybe someday I will learn to spell "educated".

[geckoman]

Just like to add my 2cents on the Jungle. It's an even better book if you look at ity from the angle that it's not one story. At different points in the book you may think you know the ending and those false endings are what make it great. If you thought at one point that the whole family would die, or that a single character would end up doing this or that in reality those suppositions were probably true for many real people in that time and place. It's the sense of time and place of this novel that motivates your creativity and makes it a truly great work. You see this in many great authors, Dickens, Twain, Wilde, Poe, too many to mention.
Lies my teacher told me is an indispensable book. If you enjoyed it then you really should read The Conquest of America by Hans Koning and/or Behind the Trail of Broken Treaties by Vine DeLoria Jr. You may find that many of the places you ride aren't even legal U.S. territory. These are not fringe authors but serious academics who tell the real story. It may also give you a new reason to "leave only waffle prints", as in reality we are not always riding on our own lands even though we control them. On a brighter note Winnie the Pooh is always a good 2nd read especially if you have a child to share it with.

[DirtRagArt]

Beyond 1991: A Dirt Rider's Trek Epic . . . and other dreams. (http://www.vva2020.com/products/bo-beyon.html) by Victor Vincente of America.

[trekophile]

Rereading "To Kill a Mockingbird".

[hairygrump]

I'm reading "Free Culture: How Big Media Uses Technology and the Law to Lock Down Culture and Control Creativity"

It's by Lawrence Lessig, who writes exciting books about the law. I mean, Christ, have you ever read those before?

The whole book is under a creative commons license, so you don't have to pay the $25.00 to buy it if you don't want to. You can just go here:
http://www.free-culture.cc/freecontent/
and read the whole thing for free.

[minkhiller]

I am reading the History of Dirt Rag Magazine published in 2010, yes I took a ride with Dr. Emmett Brown and his dog Einstien, Biff tried to steal it also.

[Style 10/6]

Let's see ... I've finished Bill Bryson's I'm a Stranger Here Myself and was throughly amused. This is an easy and relaxing read that made me laugh outloud on more than one occaision.

Out of Gas: The End of the Age of Oil by David Goodstein. This book chronicles our dependancy on oil and makes a prediction that sometime in the next 10 years or so we will have reached the point where the worldwide demand for oil will begin to surpass the available supply. (even if we do something stupid like drilling in ANWAR) This, quite naturally, will cause the price of a gallon of gas to jump (even higher than it is now) and be the start of a world wide crisis unless alternate sources of energy are found. He also predictes that within the next hundred years our way of life will change due to the loss of this resource. Quite interesting, and informative although a little too technological for my taste at times.

Curently working on Life is so Good by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman and Divorce Your Car by Katie Alvord. Oh ... and Dirt Rag # 106 for about the third time.

[roaddog]

been reading them bike magazines, but just bought One Mile At A Time, by Dwight R. Smith. About a man's bike journey around the United States, after the death of his wife and two sons.

[American_Lesion]

Dharma Bums....umm...Luis J. Rodriguez's "Always Running", and Morris Dees' "A Rising Storm"....because I'm a liberal woosie.

[hophead]

Steven Hawking's "The Universe in a Nutshell". Good book, but makes my brain hurt.

And AL, I think they called you a "wussy" not a "woosie". Woosie is what you get when you ingest some of those hangover cures that you recommended. Thanks, by the way. I didn't take your advice, but it's the thought that counts.

[halfinch]

an engineers approach to thermodynamics, and ish 106...

[DirtRagArt]

The new issue of Singletrack...and it's got a picture of me in it, whoo hoo!

[stump ss]

Dharma Bums is great, and (to cross posts) the band Pretty Girls Makes Graves is also great (read the book for the reference to the band name).

I've recently read both of Steve Martin's novellas. Shopgirl is a little girly but a great story. The Pleasure of My Company is probably as good character development as you can get. Very entertaining, that guy is totally talented.

[American_Lesion]

If Dharma Bums appealed to ya, try William S. Burrough's "Junkie" or "The Naked Lunch"....the first one will help out if you do decide to try my hangover cures.

[Pedalmedic]

The Things They Carried. Tim O'Brien. A very good book.

[DirtRagArt]

The Things They Carried. Tim O'Brien. A very good book.

I definitely agree... I can't remember, though, did the book mention anywhere that it's entirely fiction?

[brews]

P.G. Wodehouse. Right Ho Dirt Rag!

[dangerousdave]

thought he did time, pre-fame of course and not in Folsum, guess I just was mis-informed?! I love his music.
I currently am reading Angels and Demons, the prelude to DaVinci code... reads a bit like a Micheal Crighton novel with a very nice mix of science-tech, art history and political adventure. Actually this book expresses alot of religious portent that I happen to agree with, just didn't know it...READ IT

[BEARD]

read these two books this summer and they will blow your mind, Angels and Demons in the prequel to the Davinci code, Davinci code has been the number one seller on the new york times list for like 58 weeks or something absurd like that. Its an amazing book and can spur so much conversation with friends and fellow readers of the book. Really makes you think about things, both books are full of amazing facts and info as well as a great adventure story. All of you bettew read them both!

[dangerousdave]

Some time ago I posted a statement refering to the intellectual properties/opportunities that are afforded throughout this site which make it so appealing to me, browsing through the list of reccomended books, you people, your persannalities and of course the consequential sects of idealisms is the best damn thing that ever happened to me at work... I thank all of you.
Yeah right f-in on to the conversationalism that can get bent around that Dan Brown duo!!! Too bad for me I have to work with a majority of dolts.
And, I'm almost finished with Angels and Demons.

[Pedalmedic]

"The Things they Carried" By Tim O'Brien
"Blood Meridian or the Evening Redness in the West" by Cormac McCarthy

[ilakano]

Finishing the last book of the Border Trilogy by Cormac McCarthy. I liked it a lot. Even learned a little Spanish. Before that, it was the 4 books in the Lonesome Dove Series by McMurtry.

[velarca]

"Outdoors in western Mexico" by Jhon Pint.
"Blow fly" by Patricia Cornwell.
"Vivir para contarla" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Just finished "Ideas and Opinions" by Albert Einstein, It was written by Einstein as a recompilation of his less technical essays and non scientific work, from human rigths to religion... it´s pretty good,

[onegear]

scott (leapfrog) turned me onto three excellent books so i visited the indy library to check them out.

"The Immortal Class" by Travis Hugh Culley, "The Corporation" by Joel Bakan, and
"Asphalt Nation" by Jane Holtz Kay. man, talk about opening my eyes...........

after reading "Asphalt Nation" and "The Corporation", i now have a completely new outlook on america and corporations.

after reading those last two books, i needed something to cheer me up so i read two books by Joe Kurmaskie, "Metal Cowboy" and "Riding Outside the Lines". two GREAT books! here's someone that can find the good in everything. highly recommended.

-chad

[SanDiego81]

How To Build A Time Machine - cool science for non scientists
Critical Mass: Bicycling's Defiant Celebration - Biketivism
Annapurna - mountains are cool

and Dirt Rag of course . . .

[American_Lesion]

"The People's Almanac Volumes One and Two"

Why? I have no idea....probably because I'm somewhat of an insomniac. Also, I've reread "The Machine Crusade" by Brian Herbert and some other dude...and "The Penkovskey Papers"

Maybe I'll give "Night of the Tornados" a read...its non-fiction, and my dad is a character in the book. The book is about the 1985 tornados in Forest, Warren, Erie, and Crawford Counties here in Pennsylvania that thrashed Albion, Tidioute, and locales around Tionesta.

I remember that night...I'm gettin' old.

[Fook...I'm Dave]

Our Band Could Be Your Life
Lone Wolf and Cub Vol. 2

[nwvang]

Anthem by Ayn Rand...really good.

From Hell by Alan Moore

[OTBSkinloss]

Just finished Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson, for the second time. I got no problem with deciding an inheritence by designation on a cartisian plane. Makes perfect sense to me. What can I say? I'm a phreak. :) The Bicycle annology of the Enigma machine is spot on! Well worth the time. It aint no Snow Crash, but who's counting?

[American_Lesion]

Brian Herbert's new Dune book, "The Battle of Corrinth" is due out later this month!

In the meantime? Darwin: The Biography of a Tormented Evolutionist.

[onegear]

I just finished, "What We've Lost" by Graydon Carter. As a matter of fact, I just dropped it in the return box at the Library this morning. This book really opened my eyes!

[mudskipper]

"Amarillo slim: Tales of the worlds greatest Gambler"

so far its a pretty cool little book

[MrTB]

Miles from Nowhere by Barbara Savage............Great book so far, It's an around the world bicycle adventure from the late seventies

[Lorien]

Best book I've read all year: Motherless Brooklyn. An orphan with tourettes grows up in a wise-guy world to see his chilhood hero killed while he eats Whitecastles in a Plymouth. the man taps, has mental bursts of Zing-zangy commpulsion, and is generally great for all its madcap amatuer sleuth issues.

Just like me, but not in New York, way more focused, and in print, rather than real life.

[SerottaK]

The Crying of Lot 49-- Thomas Pynchon
The War of the Worlds-- H.G. Wells
The Sun Also Rises-- Earnest Hemmingway

[dangerousdave]

Brian Herbert's new Dune book, "The Battle of Corrinth" is due out later this month!

In the meantime? Darwin: The Biography of a Tormented Evolutionist.

Hey, Lesion who wrote the biography? and whats it like?

[squirrl_poker]

The Millinium- Upton Sinclair
A Walk in the Woods -Bill Bryson
History of the Telescope- Arthur C. King
-this one is a tad textbookish so it is an ongoing read:)


Just got a copy of Tim Krabbé's The Rider!

[Nash]

I also just read A Walk In The Woods.....thought it was pretty humorous and easy to read.

[American_Lesion]

Darwin: The Life of a Tormented Evolutionist
by Adrian Desmond, James Moore

The book ties in Darwin's research with Malthus, Lyell, Lamarck, and other evolutionists that came before...and his piers and proteges. He was far from alone--and may not have come up with what is accepted as "Darwinian Evolution" all by himself! It seems Wallace really may have contributed much to Darwins works...but don't think Wallace was stolen from or snubbed. Wallace respected & supported Darwin until his own death prior to WWI. A great book. The torment refers to his own personal loss (he lost several children, thus his faith in God, and he knew full well what the theological reaction to his theories would be--hence, he delayed publication).

During my covalescence I've digested The Battle of Corrinth, Jon Stewart's America (the photos of nude Supreme Court Justices really make the book), and a few of Frank Herbert's short stories.

I seem to spend a lot of time locked away in the bedroom, reading lots of non-fiction and watching the history channel (between doctors' appointments). Hopefully by spring, I'll be back on the bike and will actually have LESS time to read.

[DirtRagArt]

Hmmm...I forgot to post the past couple books AND I've been slacking, but the winter is here. Recently the Polish Hammer lent me his copy of Hell's Angels, which is taking a bit to really get into, but Dr. Thompson's got a good track record in my book...

[onespeedesq]

Just finished "Founding Brothers", Joseph Ellis. A great exploration of the relationships between the Founding Fathers. It is very anecdotal, fun to read and puts a great personal context to the actions of the revolutionary generation and the "facts" we learned in school. He won that Pulitzer thing for it.

Just got "A River Running West; The Life of John Wesley Powell" by Donald Worster as an Xmas present. I'm pumped. But, 600 pp. is going to take me a while.

[EBasil]

I bought and read Michael Crighton's "State of Fear", yesterday. It's an adventure novel set in an intrigue over global warming, the ELF and Climate Change. Crighton loads it up with footnotes, graphs and references to scientific journals, including a large appendix A, plus an appendix of his views on the subject.

One of the primary plot features is a large tsunami, created by intentional triggering of underwater landslides that registers as an earthquake on sensors.

[EBasil]

It's not like this guy is a great author, but we were in the bookstore last night and I saw Michael Crighton's previous book, "Prey" for $5, so I bought it and read it. This one is an adventure story with the characters immersed in intrigue and disaster related to nano-genetic technology that runs amok.

[squirrl_poker]

I've read a few of Michael's books, Prey being one of them. They sort of feel like TV drama's with some minor Sci-Fi action. They are fairly suspenseful though. His earliest books are under the pseudonym John Lange.

I probably enjoyed Timeline the most.

I read Prey while taking a Computer Science class and while I could see some interesting connections, I always find myself wanting more science from these books.

Anybody have Sci-Fi author recommendations? I've never read Asimov but I'd wager that he's a good bet.

[hairygrump]

Anybody have Sci-Fi author recommendations? I've never read Asimov but I'd wager that he's a good bet.

I don't so much go in for the atomic age or space opera stuff, so for my money you can't beat the holy trinity of Cyberpunk: William Gibson, Bruce Sterling, and Neal Stephenson. Those three account for a larger percentage of my favorite novels than any other three authors.

Gunfights, math, and social science. Those guys got everything.

[happyfat]

I don't so much go in for the atomic age or space opera stuff, so for my money you can't beat the holy trinity of Cyberpunk: William Gibson, Bruce Sterling, and Neal Stephenson. Those three account for a larger percentage of my favorite novels than any other three authors.

Gunfights, math, and social science. Those guys got everything.

I have to agree with you as far as more recent stuff in Sci-Fi goes but you should also check out Philip. K. Dick great books and a fascinating person.

[OTBSkinloss]

Does anybody here read Spider Robinson? Dude rawks. Always leaves you with a good feeling. :D

[Socr8sJohnson]

Does anybody here read Spider Robinson? Dude rawks. Always leaves you with a good feeling. :D


Robinson is genius. I've read The bulk of the Callahan stuff, though I couldn't get through the ones after Mike died. His other stuff is good as well. I liked DeathKiller and User Friendly quite well.

Tried Heinlein? Glory Road and Starship Troopers might be my faves of his.

[xcaliber]

I'm currently reading Ordinary Wolves by Seth Kantner. Although this is a novel it is based on this guy's life and his story is really incredible. He was born and raised in northwest Alaska, a white kid living with the Innuit, and had a damn hard time of it! But his family raised him to be totally self sufficient. He lived in a sod hut, his transportation was a dog sled, he hunted and trapped most of his food, etc.. Kantner is also a photographer, you can sheck out his stuff on the web.

[OTBSkinloss]

Xcal, I read that about a month ago. Good stuff! A fictionalized acount of the same lifestyle can be had in "The Eskimo Twins" circa 1930. Also a good acount of the arctic life.
Call me weird, but I love to read about other peoples every day life. :)

[onespeedesq]

Just finished Vernon God Little . One review called it Huck Fin written by the creators of South Park. It's not as good as that would be. But, it is entertaining, if crude and derogatory. If you like to laugh at fat Texans, you'll love it! :p

[EBasil]

I just read Tony Hillerman's Skeleton Man, which I believe is the latest in his series of southwestern detective novels featuring Navajo Tribal Police detectives Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee.

It's been several years since I read one, but I think this must be shorter/thinner than earlier works. I tend to read quickly, but it went by fasterer than I expectitized it would. The imagery still works to get me wanting to hop in the Jeep and head down there.

[PutAwayWet]

I finally picked up Chomsky on MisEducation. I definitely identify with what he's saying...... I think it's a must read for anyone who has ever wondred why American society is the way it is.

[philleonhardt]

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
by John Perkins

Please read this book, request it from your library, tell your friends about it, generally spread the word. To quote from the cover, "A bombshell. One of those rare instances in which someone deeply entrenched in our government/coporate imperialist structure has come forward to reveal in unequivocal terms its inner workings." I heard John Perkins interviewed on "Democracy Now" (great program) and knew I had to read the book. Check out the interview (google search) if you can't find the book. If this book doesn't make you get off your butt and work for change, nothing will.

[Manji]

Democracy Now! rocks. I've been posting flyers on my campus in the hopes that more people tune in!

The American Empire Project books are must reads. I just finished Hegemony or Survival by Noam Chomsky, Sorrows of Empire by Chalmers Johnson (excellent evaluation of the effects of American militarism), and Excemption to the Rulers by Amy and David Goodman.

Sure they're fairly depressing (especially when you read them back to back like me...), but it's crucial knowledge.

Damn, now I have to pick up Confessions of an Economic Hitman too.

[OTBSkinloss]

I'm currently reading a biography of Leo Tolstoy, by some dude named Warren Peece.
:D

[jazz000013]

besides the usual flurry of magazines.. I just purchased a book called "Bicycle love". it is a collection of short stories from various people about tales of being on a bike etc. Its great to hear stories from when people were younger and introduced to a bicycle and see the similarities we all have. Itrs also nice to know your not the only crazy one in the world.. great, quick reading

[velociped jones]

So noticing how popular the "what are you listening to" thread is, I thought I would ask what people here are reading these days. I'm about 15 pages to the end of The Jungle (http://www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=0553212451) at the moment, and still reading about some of the bands in
Our Band Could Be Your Life (http://www.twbookmark.com/books/40/0316787531/index.html).

alice munro: hateship, courtship, loveship, marriage.

[Happy Turtle]

Last number of note:

Confessions of an EHM (in summary: I was a jerk and screwed up the world a bunch when others were too honest to, so now you go get fired up to fix it)

1000 miles in 12 days (1994 Tour DuPont - quite a hoot with pix of post-prime Lemond and pre-fame Armstrong)

Art Dog (autographed by the author) It made me miss Tom Cat Spray's alleyway work (you hoosiers may have heard of him)

Better Off (skipped the middle) - good pointers on simple living & the author now makes a living pedaling a rickshaw in St Louis

Playing with Trains (some hobbies make bike obsession look like child's play)

Democracy Now! is good, but be aware that Amy doesn't always know what she's talking about. However, even if she's right 10% of the time, Uncle Sam ain't nearly as grand as he'd have you believe. The one thing I miss (or enjoy?) biking to work is I don't then listen to her on my way home.

I love living within walking distance of a library!

[adguy]

Just finished Boy's Life by Robert McCallum. Great coming of age read from a 11-12 y.o perspective, complete with playground bullies, bikes, dogs, monsters both real and imagined, prejudice and social change. Takes place in a small Alabama town in the early 60s.

Also read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Want a good look into daily life in Afghanistan from the 60s to today? This delves into that and more, but it's more about a boy's relationship with his father, deep family secrets, love, betrayal, et. al.
I just read a piece on the NYT last week about the kite festival held in Pakistan. It sounds like a real slice of life and makes the people in these countries you see nightly on the news very real.

Just started The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. She has such and excellent casual writing style, it's hard not to like her.

[Lorien]

That Michael Chabon sure knows how to write 'em. A good read by any standard, even more fun for all y'all pittsburghians. Woo!

[Lorien]

"Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, and Software by Steve Johnson. Mmmm. Liesure is WAY MORE FUN."


I looked at that, but got spooked that it was too technical for my overheating brain. Plus, part of me believes I already know all that stuff, about how everything is just like everything else, so I can relax and read about monocoque stays in DR.

[Cyclenaut]

I just picked up a great book called "For Tibet, With Love" by Isabel Losada.

She decides that she wants to do something to contribute with the Free Tibet movement. It's a great read, and I've emailed the author who seems to be a genuinely nice human being.

[Treysteruk]

Singletrack (U.K. MTBike mag'.) Issue 19.
The one with the visit to the Dirt Rag mansion

'Eleanor Rigby' - Douglas Coupland

'A Brief History of the Future' - John Naugton

'HTML 4.01 Programmers Reference' - Conway, Damscen et al.

aj the architects journal (U.K. archtects mag'.)

New York City - Rough Guides (Travel guide.)

And today's copy of The Times

[Treysteruk]

Sorry for the typo's on the last post I'm a bit drunk!
'ave been on the laughin sauce for Valentines day.

Happy Valentines every1. If you're alone, it's ok, invite
Pamela and her five sisters over. Or, if you're a lass,
make like Jack and flick the magic pink bean!

Peace oot!

[dbisers311]

got the monkey wrench gang from a friend, she said don't get any ideas. Needless to say this book was attributed to starting Earth First!. A Pattern Language illustrates the individual similar patterns that occur in every well designed house and city. It is written for the layperson to use to build a well thought out house.

[OTBSkinloss]

The Monkey Wrench Gang. He He. Hayduke still kills me. "if you're going to drive drunk, drive drunk fast!". Words to live by. :D

If you like Ed Abbey, you might like Carl Hiaasen. Desert, swamp. Same thing. :)

[Marticus1]

Under the Banner of Heaven by John Krakauer.

An action-packed roller-coaster ride through the last century and a half with those zany, murderous, ploygamous, self-serving fundamentalist Mormons! To paraphrase Cozmo, if you find yourself at a cocktail party with a murderous, ploygamous, self-serving fundamentalist Mormon, just park yourself next to them and don't move a muscle, because, man, they've got, like, a million stories ... and they all end the same way: "...And so it came to pass that I, the one mighty and strong, didst wash myself clean in the blood of gentiles!" Those kooky, crazy welfare-abusing scamps!

[dangerousdave]

Under the Banner of Heaven by John Krakauer.

An action-packed roller-coaster ride through the last century and a half with those zany, murderous, ploygamous, self-serving fundamentalist Mormons! To paraphrase Cozmo, if you find yourself at a cocktail party with a murderous, ploygamous, self-serving fundamentalist Mormon, just park yourself next to them and don't move a muscle, because, man, they've got, like, a million stories ... and they all end the same way: "...And so it came to pass that I, the one mighty and strong, didst wash myself clean in the blood of gentiles!" Those kooky, crazy welfare-abusing scamps!

Ohh ya, read that last year during christmas with relatives in the house . I amazed them with reading aloud excerpts and portions. I live in frickin Morman country and the falseness, the hypocrisy and sick twisted beliefs are barely concealed by the non-fundys. On a diff. note, Marticus, try readin "The Secrets of the Code" I think you'll enjoy the history and facts presented and explained that are so entertaining in the Davinci Code and in A and D. later, DD.

[ilakano]

1. Just finished A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean
2. Joe Morgan's autobiography (he banks where my wife works and gave us an autograph for the book) Real nice guy.
3. Got my latest Dirt Rag, read it last night
4. The book of Woodworking (Tauton Press)

[Spatafore]

The only things I read these days besides DR is whatever I can get my hands on while sitting on the bucket; A shampoo bottle, kleenex box, the tag off the shower curtain.

[szgxsvi]

I just completed "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown and found it thoroughly pleasing and accurate to my own knowledge. But I would enjoy hearing others thoughts on this particular books points of interests!
By the way...What language was the tablet on Sinai written in?

[onegear]

9-11 by Noam Chomsky. very good book. i highly recommend it.

[Treysteruk]

Since my last post..

I'm now reading..

'Blown to Bits' - Evans and Wurster.
'Industrial Design A-Z' - Charlotte & Peter Fiell.
'In Gifu' - Kazuyo Sejima.
aj - The Architects Journal (U.K. architects mag'.)
WIRED - April 2005 - Go Hybrid!

All good stuff, knowledge is power and all of that :)

[Lorien]

thanks for all the great ideas. My library card gets a workout every time I check this thread. Literate bike monkeys are the best bike monkeys!

[DirtRagArt]

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (http://www1.dragonet.es/users/markbcki/wolfe.htm) by Tom Wolfe. I guess I'm going to have to go and read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, now...

Another recent read was Salad Days (http://www.laymanbooks.com/salad.htm), which was a pretty cool piece of punk rock fiction. It won't appeal to most people, and some might criticize the writing as amateurish, but the story and characters are very believable and if you've ever played in a band, you'll definitely relate.

[Nick Verstain]

I'm reading "Mastering Mountain Bike Skills" by Brian Lopes and Lee McCormack. Before you pee all over the concept of reading a book to learn mtb skills, consider the source of this tome. Lopes is, in my humble opinion, the best overall rider in cycling. More DH, DS and MTBX championships than I have teeth, plus he's outsprinted Lance on a road bike and done some huge adventure rides with Hans Rey. So when Lo-Pez says to try it his way, you ought to pay attention. Reading the book made me search through all my cheesy mtb videos to see how he does it in reel life. This book has made me change how I read the trail in ways that make me go faster with a lot more confidence. I'm not a naturally gifted athlete, but Lopes shows you how to use your entire body to pump speed out of your bike and clear obstacles with ease. And this isn't just for racers, as we all want to shine when we ride with our buds.

[polly]

i really enjoyed Da vinci code.... it brought to the fore lots of things my dad had said to me about the advent of the bible, when i was a kid. Just started Angels and Demons - hoping it's as enjoyable.

Pol

[brickisred]

Man, I need to read the DaVinci Code. Seems interesting. I'm reading Tolkien's The Silmarillion right now and it's blowing me away. The scope of this world is freaking insane.

Also just finished a good book about survival, called Deep Survival (go figure :rolleyes: ) really good book about the psychology, luck and skill of survivors in various F-ed up real situations... One idea proposed is that accidents don't just happen, they are systematically "assembled" by numerous controlled variables...

[Xmike13X]

I'm new to this thread, so maybe these haven't been posted;

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole is far and away the best book i've ever read. it's fairly long, and the beginning is love it or hate, but once your into the book i promise you will love it. It'll make you want to name your child Ignatius.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a great, very short read. one afternoon kind of read.

Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk is also a good short one. It's about the only surviving member of a suicide cult.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck is too good to have been on Oprah's book club.

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. Seriously, everybody go get this book right now.

Those are my favorites.






Read A Confederacy of Dunces
over and out

[brickisred]

It'll make you want to name your