What have you been reading lately?

pickledpepperRN · Mar 26, 2006, 12:45 AM

My favorite author was Octavia Butler. Waiting years between books. Her "Parable" series that began in 1992 is about a disaster in my area, Southern California when there is no help and people become refugees.
Much like what happened in Louisiana last year and continues.

http://www.powells.com/s?kw=Octavia+Butler&x=38&y=10

It was years before her latest "Fledgling", a vampire fantasy, came out this year.
Here is one of her essays - http://www.npr.org/programs/specials...tleressay.html
She died last month from a head injury after slipping in front of her home in the rain. What I miss most is the books she would have written if she had lived.

I really like Vonda Ms Intyre too:
http://www.sff.net/people/Vonda/

Isaac Asimov is my all time favorite. He was so prolific I doubt anyone has read all he published.

LeahJet · Mar 26, 2006, 04:23 AM

I read the book "Freakonomics" by Stephen Levitt a while back and I thought it was very interesting. Especially the studies they did on the connection between legalized abortion (early 70's) and the drop in crime rates in the late 90's.

RaggedyRN · Mar 26, 2006, 07:17 AM

Sue B,

Try www.bookfinder.com

They have a copy available.

*WickedRedRN* · Mar 26, 2006, 08:32 AM

Roy..

Both of those you posted look incredible! I will have to add those to my ever growing list of things to read. I am just finishing We Band of Angels, the story of the nurses taken POW in Manilla during WWII and I am really interested in reading more on the the Phillipines conflict after reading this one.

THanks!

fergus51 · Mar 26, 2006, 09:08 AM

I just finished Conversations with the fat girL and it was a nice light read, pretty funny too.

ZASHAGALKA · Mar 26, 2006, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by LeahJet

I read the book "Freakonomics" by Stephen Levitt a while back and I thought it was very interesting. Especially the studies they did on the connection between legalized abortion (early 70's) and the drop in crime rates in the late 90's.

That was the book that William Bennett got into so much trouble for discussing.

I believe that he was discussing that to argue in favor of using abortion to 'improve' society, you risk the availability of abortion being used to 'improve' it in ways you don't approve.

~faith,
Timothy.

bethin · Mar 26, 2006, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by LeahJet

I read the book "Freakonomics" by Stephen Levitt a while back and I thought it was very interesting. Especially the studies they did on the connection between legalized abortion (early 70's) and the drop in crime rates in the late 90's.

You just sold me. I must read this book. Must see how he connects legalized abortion and the drop in crime rates.

*aimeee* · Mar 29, 2006, 05:03 PM

Just finished Passing for Thin: Losing Half My Weight and Finding Myself by Frances Kuffel. She writes candidly about her heartbreaking experiences in obesity and then moves into the surprises that occur as the pounds are shed. Things that folks who have always been a more "normal" weight take for granted are marvels to her (such as being able to fit into a booth at a restaurant, crossing her legs, etc) She finds herself so different and the world she lives in to be so different she likens it to a different planet.

*WickedRedRN* · Mar 29, 2006, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by aimeee

Just finished Passing for Thin: Losing Half My Weight and Finding Myself by Frances Kuffel. She writes candidly about her heartbreaking experiences in obesity and then moves into the surprises that occur as the pounds are shed. Things that folks who have always been a more "normal" weight take for granted are marvels to her (such as being able to fit into a booth at a restaurant, crossing her legs, etc) She finds herself so different and the world she lives in to be so different she likens it to a different planet.

I loved that one! Such an honest raw portrait of her journey. I have read it a couple of times and I am sure I will do so again. I can relate to the things she goes through and discovers about herself.