December 2010: What are you reading?

Kasthu · Post by **Kasthu** » Fri December 3rd, 2010, 10:15 pm

I got about halfway through The Anatomy of Ghosts before giving it up now reading The Hidden Shore, by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles--a good comfort read on a very cold day here.

Lauryn · Post by **Lauryn** » Fri December 3rd, 2010, 10:27 pm

I'm technically supposed to be head & shoulders into my practice report for my credentials, but a girl's got to change the mental scenery sometime!

So, in addition to the dry-as-dust course material, I'm reading James Morrow's The Philosopher's Apprentice. So far, it is appallingly un-put-downable.

The premise is that a bunch of ECE people, psychologists and a philosophy grad are (unbeknownst to one another) drafted to tutor some rich woman's kid who has fallen on her head and achieved amnesia and a total clearing of the ethical slate; only to discover that the kid in question isn't the only one, and is a genetic experiment. Things go from weird to weirder to worse, and I desperately want to be done with this book, but I find myself musing on "what next" instead of doing my homework. In terms of plot twists, this book strongly resembles a corkscrew, but the nice thing is, I no longer can see around any of his corners.

Does anyone else have experience with this author?

Perdita · Post by **Perdita** » Sat December 4th, 2010, 10:18 am

Just about to start Remarkable Creatures by Tracey Chevalier and hoping I enjoy it more than Burning Bright

fljustice · Post by **fljustice** » Sat December 4th, 2010, 4:59 pm

[quote=""Lauryn""]
Does anyone else have experience with this author?[/quote]

James Morrow is one of my favorite authors! I've read everything he's written except the Philosopher's Apprentice, his latest. He's a brilliant satirist best known in the SF/F community where he's won most of their awards. He did a HF book The Last Witchfinder a few years ago which I really enjoyed. I did an extensive interview with him several years ago, just after the third book in his Godhead Trilogy came out. You can read the whole thing at my website (http://faithljustice.com/writers-resources.htm) --author shortcuts are on the right--if you're interested.

As to what I'm reading...finished Hypatia of Alexandria: Mathematician and Martyr, biography by math professor Michael A. B. Deakin. Review coming soon. The World Without Us a nonfiction book about what would happen to the world if humans suddenly disappeared off the face of the earth. Still working on Antony and Cleopatra by Colleen McCullough. Started it last month, but put it down when I went on vacation and didn't want to haul a chunky hardback. Is it time for a Kindle?

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Sat December 4th, 2010, 10:42 pm

Love and War by John Jakes

Perdita · Post by **Perdita** » Sat December 4th, 2010, 11:41 pm

[quote=""SonjaMarie""]I've finished "Elizabeth's Women: Friends, Rivals, and Foes Who Shaped the Virgin Queen" by Tracy Borman (437pgs, 2009).* A really interesting and excellent book, well written and insightful. It confirmed my belief that Elizabeth was quite the bitca, especially when it came to her women and female "heirs" to the throne. I highly recommend this book.

SM[/quote]

I read this in summer and I agree with you, she sounds like an overbearing madam. There was one part where she stabbed her lady in waiting's hand for being clumsy and the poor girl had to make up a cover story for why her hand was in bandage. It seems Elizabeth was not above a bit of domestic violence.

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Sun December 5th, 2010, 2:11 am

Been reading Doonesbury Retrospective (well, it is forty years of history, in comics

Just picked up Crooked Letter Crooked Letter, which isn't really HF, but got rave reviews from friends of mine.

I've decided I must get the new Cleopatra bio - the author was amazing on the Daily Show, and I usually love books that Stewart is that enthusiastic about.

javagirl · Post by **javagirl** » Sun December 5th, 2010, 5:00 am

I finished Costain's The Black Rose and enjoyed it very much.

Now I'm on to my first James Lee Burke book, The Neon Rain, since my father has been recommending them to me for years now. Enjoying it so far and now I see why people are always talking about his "lyrical prose". He does give very creative descriptions to everything.

LoobyG · Post by **LoobyG** » Sun December 5th, 2010, 8:40 am

Finished 'Angelique and the Sultan' by Sergeanne Golon and now reading 'Definitely Dead' by Charlaine Harris

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sun December 5th, 2010, 11:33 am

I'm still reading The Night Watch by Sarah Waters. The author seems to have a fixation about the word 'lavatory' as it's mentioned every other page!!! I know it's the correct word but I do so hate it!! I'm also starting to wonder if there's a reason why it's mentioned so much........