What are you reading

Dog Star (Phil) · #1 17-01-2009, 02:53 AM

Another forum that I belong to (Hawkwind Forum - for fans of the space rock band, Hawkwind) has a thread of this title running that has now reached 15 pages.
Members post as often as they finish a book (fact or fiction) and start a new one and the posts are banal, surprisingly literate, and straight out bizzare.
Many download an image of the cover.
It's not a thread about your favorite book, nor about a book that you read 6 months ago. It's about the book, or books that you are currently reading.
Reviews or critical evaluations are kept to a potted minimum, and no one criticises another members literary tastes. It's not a discussion of books per se, although a little of that goes on, eg. "wow, man! I've read The Old Man and the Sea and thought it was awesome!"
The result is a refreshing and surprising peek into the various fields that members stray into.
Anyone care to join in?
I'll start the ball rolling by saying that I'm usually reading at least 2 books at once.
Currently - The Backyard Astronomers Guide by Dickinson and Davey
and Enochian Vision Magick by Lon Milo Du Quette.
Would be most interested to read other members responses.

Clarry (Clayton) · #2 17-01-2009, 04:06 AM

Like you Phill, I always have several going at the one time. Beside my bed is "The rise & rise of Kerry Packer - Uncut" by Paul Barry, at work is "Darkness before Dawn" forget the author and in my bike top box is "Letters from a Big Country" by Bill Bryson.

iceman (Mike) · #3 17-01-2009, 06:51 AM

Great thread!

Currently reading:

- "Absolute War" about the "Great Patriotic War" between Russia and Germany
- "Digital Photography Masterclass"

DJDD · #4 17-01-2009, 08:22 AM

Two:

- "The Dispossessed" by Ursula le Guin, which I read years ago but takes on new meaning during the current 'global financial crisis'

- "My Name is Red" by Orhan Pamuk, a "murder mystery" set in the 1590's. Just started that on recommendation from my wife, who is more "Cultured" and well read than me; whereas I am "Kultured".

Kevnool (Kev) · #5 17-01-2009, 09:17 AM

I am reading this thread

Sorry i could,nt help myself.

Cheers Kev.

TrevorW · #6 17-01-2009, 10:08 AM

"Temporal Dream" 1st in trilogy by Peter Hamilton

taminga16 (Greg) · #7 17-01-2009, 10:12 AM

I have been on my back for a few weeks, hence the list.

The Dig Tree. Sara Murgatroyd. A great read.

Oxford Australian Theatre. Backstage with Graeme Blundell.

In Search Of Frank Hurley. Leonard Bickel.

The Almost Complete Gough. Barry Cohen.

The Australian Miracle. An innovative nation revisited. Thomas Barlow.

And the list goes on and will for about another six to eight weeks so all suggestions will be taken on board.

Greg.

spacezebra (Petra) · #8 17-01-2009, 10:18 AM

Hi all

Currently reading "The Elegant Universe" Brian Greene. "The Dobsonian Telescope" Kriege/Berry. "Digital Macro Photography" Ross Hoddinott (Crissy Prezzie).

Cheers Petra d.

taminga16 (Greg) · #9 17-01-2009, 10:20 AM

I forgot ,

Fred Hoyle. A Life Of Science. Simon Mitton. Another great read.

Greg.

erick (Eric) · #10 17-01-2009, 10:50 AM

Just finished - "Leo 'Rumpole' McKern" by George Whaley and have started on "Bad Astronomy" by Philip Plait. The first has made me go out on ebay and buy the MEGA DVD set of Rumpole. Now to find out which of my DVD players will play Region 1?

rogerg (Roger) · #11 17-01-2009, 01:06 PM

It is very rare that I read a book, so while I am I had better reply to this thread!

I am currently reading "The sky is your laboratory - Advanced Astronomy Projects for Amateurs" by Robert K Buchheim.

I am using it to broaden my knowledge of opportunities, and learn more detail about what I do now and I already know. It's great. It's helping me choose my next project after photographing all the NGC object.

It's the only book of its kind I know, I don't know of any others that focus on amateur research projects.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #12 17-01-2009, 01:07 PM

Sorry, nothing deep and interesting here.
I'm on the last pages of Jane Austens "Mansfield Park".

MrB (Simon) · #13 17-01-2009, 01:11 PM

I'm reading "Last Chance to See" for the umteenth time.
By Douglas Adams, of Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy fame... this one though is non-fiction, about travelling the world and seeing endangered species before they disappear forever. Typical Douglas Adams humour throughout.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Chance_to_See

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #14 17-01-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerg

It's the only book of its kind I know, I don't know of any others that focus on amateur research projects.

Try "Real Astronomy with Small Telescopes. Step by step activities for discovery" by Michael K Gainer.

jungle11 (Greg) · #15 17-01-2009, 01:41 PM

Hey guys

Im reading 'The Neutronium Alchemist' by Peter F Hamilton

It's the second in the Night's Dawn trilogy.

Good mix of sci-fi and fantasy.

cheers

PCH (Paul) · #16 17-01-2009, 02:57 PM

Great thread, and interesting to see what interests other people have.

I'm currently reading "Why the Jews" which tries to explain why these people have 'copped it' over the centuries.

Also reading 'Agincourt' which is an in-depth and right in the nitty gritty account of this great Anglo-French battle.

Hey JJJ, there's nothing wrong with reading a classic. Those books will be around long after most modern books have bitten the dust. I try to include classics in my routine, - just not at this precise moment.

Cheers,

AlexN · #17 17-01-2009, 03:10 PM

Im reading 2 books at the moment...

Quantum - By Majin Kumor (spelling on that may be wrong)
Gravity from The Ground Up

Both are very very educational on the topics of quantum mechanics / ideas of a quantum theory of gravity and a bit of info on astrophysics.. Very very entertaining to me.

gman (Grant) · #18 17-01-2009, 04:07 PM

I have started reading "Gallipoli - Untold stories from war correspondent Charles Bean and the front line Anzacs"

The book tells the real stories through the private diaries and news reports of Charles Bean, war correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald. It includes rarely seen photographs from the Age photographer Phillip Schuler.

Put together by Jonathon King & Michael Bowers

leinad (Dan) · #19 17-01-2009, 05:17 PM

The Brain that Changes Itself - by Norman Doidge, M.D
Cosmos - by Carl Sagan

snowyskiesau · #20 17-01-2009, 05:46 PM

Anything with words on it!
I got my first pair of reading glasses yesterday and the novelty of clear print has not yet worn off

Solidworks for Dummies is open as I type. (Trying to learn CAD for other hobbies)