Recommend Books

Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs/Sox, & general discussion

Moderator: wab

Post Reply
User avatar
mmmc_35
Hall of Famer
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2012 12:25 am
Has thanked: 105 times
Been thanked: 98 times

I need book recommendations. I read/listen to a lot of literary works. With apps like audible I am able to "read" books I never had time for. I listen to a lot podcasts or books. I also like actual reading, but time has made that less of a reality. I recently listened to "thinking fast and slow". Its not a page Turner but the science behind though it great.

My recommendations for others.

My favorite book

Catch 22
It's a fantastic book. Seriously read it. War and peace, Count of Monte Cristo, dont touch Catch 22 in my opinion. I really think highly of the dark humor and the great characters. I cant state how great the book is.

The book I read the fastest

A long way gone memoirs of a boy soldier
Good easy read of war in Africa. Vice did a documentary about General Butt Naked a while ago. This is a story of similar child soldiers. I didn't put the book down
User avatar
dplank
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12025
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 9:19 am
Has thanked: 1201 times
Been thanked: 2137 times

Endurance by Alfred Lansing - amazing.

The Good War by Studs Terkel also

Something more contemporary - Rise of the Warrior Cop by Radley Balko was fascinating

A quickie and all time fav of mine, Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway - on the off chance you haven't read it you really should you won't regret it.
User avatar
Boris13c
Hall of Famer
Posts: 15958
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 11:30 am
Location: The Bear Nebula
Has thanked: 38 times
Been thanked: 103 times

Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo

essentially an anti-war novel written in the 30's relating to soldiers and the horrors of war ... you can change the dates and locations and it captures the essence of the fates of the modern day disposable soldier as well
"Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things."
George Carlin
User avatar
UOK
Site Admin
Posts: 25147
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:07 am
Location: Champaign, IL
Has thanked: 108 times
Been thanked: 926 times

I read a lot of historical fiction and piles and piles of one-off books from BookBub kindle discounts.

Read the first two books of the Earth's Children series by Jean M. Auel and they were pretty good. Might delve further, but I hear they don't improve in quality. We'll see.

Shogun by James Clavell is excellent. It's a huge book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Made me want to learn Japanese.

If you're into fantasy, I definitely recommend the Kingkiller Chronicle books by Patrick Rothfuss, which are great if you want to love the first two books only to realize he will absolutely never finish the third and final book.

The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb was very good, but if you get into it there are probably a dozen other books set in that world. I chose to stop after these three.

There's a lot of great action westerns out there, but I found some "dollar store" ones on Kindle that I really enjoyed and are a mindless, pleasant read. "Rogue Lawman" series by Peter Brandvold is great. This Brandvold guy churns out like 30 action western books a year with various characters; no idea how he does it. The Rogue Lawman one is my favorite of the three or four I've read.
Image
User avatar
wab
Mod
Posts: 29805
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:49 pm
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 1956 times

I have made myself a promise that I'm going to read more in 2021. I was an avid reader about 8 years ago and I just kind of trailed off.
User avatar
Otis Day
Hall of Famer
Posts: 8061
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:43 pm
Location: Armpit of IL.
Has thanked: 120 times
Been thanked: 306 times

Damn, I wish I had the desire to read books. I have read here and there but not consistent at all. I just read, "The Side Hustle, From Idea to Income In 27 Days". I realized the shit I do, that might necessarily work.

I read magazine articles. I guess they are shorter and I can finish faster. I have a reading comprehension problem. I usually have to read a page, in a book, twice to make sure I am getting what they are writing about. That frustrates me and kind of keeps me away from books.

What I have read and enjoyed are books about musicians/bands. I really enjoyed Don Felder's book, "Heaven and Hell: My Life In The Eagles."

The "Jesus Family Tomb" was also interesting.

Good for you guys that read regularly, I admire that.
User avatar
mmmc_35
Hall of Famer
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2012 12:25 am
Has thanked: 105 times
Been thanked: 98 times

I lately use audible and skip turning pages. I can work on a car, exercise, or hid from the family all while "reading" a book.

I personally cant get into the fantasy genre. I have tried eith the lord of the rings and game of thrones. Not my thing I cant get into the movies either.

I have read quite a few books, I tried to read "the classics" on a few deployments. I currently rotate non fiction, "a learning book", and fiction. I make sure to get a smart person book when I can.

I'll download some of the above.
RichH55
Hall of Famer
Posts: 7942
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 4:23 pm
Has thanked: 511 times
Been thanked: 598 times

wab wrote: Mon Dec 21, 2020 10:05 am I have made myself a promise that I'm going to read more in 2021. I was an avid reader about 8 years ago and I just kind of trailed off.
Might I suggest

Leno - Story of a Hero by Charles Leno
User avatar
UOK
Site Admin
Posts: 25147
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:07 am
Location: Champaign, IL
Has thanked: 108 times
Been thanked: 926 times

If you’re a kindle user, bookbub is a site that mails you daily discounts for ebooks based on categories you curate. The highest amount is $2.99, but the majority are either $1.99 or free. There’s rarely a bestseller legend in there, but it’s not bad. I read probably 20+ books a year, so it’s nice to have a daily feed of possibilities, even if 50% are books I read a chapter of before realizing it’s probably crap.

For what it’s worth, I never saw myself as a kindle person, always preferring a proper book, but it’s been a revelation. No more unnecessary light when my wife is trying to sleep or drive, no more awkwardly large or small books taking up space in a bag. Hundreds of books all in a nice little gizmo.
Image
User avatar
dplank
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12025
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 9:19 am
Has thanked: 1201 times
Been thanked: 2137 times

UOK wrote: Fri Dec 25, 2020 6:44 am If you’re a kindle user, bookbub is a site that mails you daily discounts for ebooks based on categories you curate. The highest amount is $2.99, but the majority are either $1.99 or free. There’s rarely a bestseller legend in there, but it’s not bad. I read probably 20+ books a year, so it’s nice to have a daily feed of possibilities, even if 50% are books I read a chapter of before realizing it’s probably crap.

For what it’s worth, I never saw myself as a kindle person, always preferring a proper book, but it’s been a revelation. No more unnecessary light when my wife is trying to sleep or drive, no more awkwardly large or small books taking up space in a bag. Hundreds of books all in a nice little gizmo.
Been thinking about buying a Kindle. Also prefer the paper but I just don't buy books often and a Kindle might open me back up to reading more since I can just download them. And reading on my iPad SUX.
User avatar
UOK
Site Admin
Posts: 25147
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:07 am
Location: Champaign, IL
Has thanked: 108 times
Been thanked: 926 times

dplank wrote: Mon Dec 28, 2020 4:09 pm
UOK wrote: Fri Dec 25, 2020 6:44 am If you’re a kindle user, bookbub is a site that mails you daily discounts for ebooks based on categories you curate. The highest amount is $2.99, but the majority are either $1.99 or free. There’s rarely a bestseller legend in there, but it’s not bad. I read probably 20+ books a year, so it’s nice to have a daily feed of possibilities, even if 50% are books I read a chapter of before realizing it’s probably crap.

For what it’s worth, I never saw myself as a kindle person, always preferring a proper book, but it’s been a revelation. No more unnecessary light when my wife is trying to sleep or drive, no more awkwardly large or small books taking up space in a bag. Hundreds of books all in a nice little gizmo.
Been thinking about buying a Kindle. Also prefer the paper but I just don't buy books often and a Kindle might open me back up to reading more since I can just download them. And reading on my iPad SUX.
It's different. The Kindle is "e-ink" which is, for all intents and purposes, just like reading a book. It hits your eyes much differently.

Get a case with a flap for it and you can hold it like a book.
Image
User avatar
Grizzled
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5552
Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2019 3:55 pm
Has thanked: 605 times
Been thanked: 485 times

I've always been a big book guy but bought a Nook a couple of years back. Lightweight, stores thousands of books if you want to buy that many, can read in bed with the built-in backlight without bothering the wife. With the pandemic, it's very convenient and safe to download books over the Internet. You can do it even if out of town. Been reading the Jack Reacher series (over 20 published), it ain't brain surgery but they're enjoyable. Tom Cruise playing Reacher is a bit of a joke, he's 6'5" 250+ lbs in the book. Re-read a lot of Ray Bradbury in the past few months, the man was a wordsmith. "Something Wicked This Way Comes", "The Illustrated Man", "The Martian Chronicles". His writings are both somewhat dated in that many stories are of a time gone by 100 years ago. Then others are somewhat futuristic with inventions such as a playroom for kids which is like the Holodeck in Star Trek but was described in the '40s. I enjoyed The Camel Club the Memory Man series by David Baldacci. Never was much of a mystery reader until I got the ereader, I guess there's a lot of mysteries available in libraries.
Drafts are like snowflakes, no two are alike.
User avatar
mmmc_35
Hall of Famer
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2012 12:25 am
Has thanked: 105 times
Been thanked: 98 times

Anyone ever read "The Gulag Archipelago"? Thinking of making it my next real book I buy.
User avatar
Grizzled
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5552
Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2019 3:55 pm
Has thanked: 605 times
Been thanked: 485 times

Just started 'Rage' by Bob Woodward. Oh boy....
Drafts are like snowflakes, no two are alike.
Fumblebuck
MVP
Posts: 1083
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:22 am

Nothing better then a great book.

Two of my favs
A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry. Once past the first 100 pages of character intro, etc it is amazing.
The Power of One - Bryce Courtney
User avatar
Grizzled
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5552
Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2019 3:55 pm
Has thanked: 605 times
Been thanked: 485 times

Robopocalypse and Robogenesis by Daniel H. Wilson. You'll get rid of all your "intelligent" devices after reading it.
Drafts are like snowflakes, no two are alike.
User avatar
o-pus #40 in B major
Head Coach
Posts: 2777
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:27 pm
Location: Earth
Has thanked: 2412 times
Been thanked: 245 times

"Peter the Great, His Life and World" by Robert K. Massie.

I learned as much from this biography as any history course I ever took. It's a fascinating read that is not for the faint-of-heart. From youth to death, nothing about his life was sugar-coated and the book does reflect that.

Maybe GOAT of all the Russian rulers, if there could be such a thing?
User avatar
mmmc_35
Hall of Famer
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2012 12:25 am
Has thanked: 105 times
Been thanked: 98 times

That will get put on the list pus.

Info the Gulag Archipelago by Solzhenitsyn is fantastic. It's long, but a pretty easy read/listen.
User avatar
o-pus #40 in B major
Head Coach
Posts: 2777
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:27 pm
Location: Earth
Has thanked: 2412 times
Been thanked: 245 times

I have not read the Gulag Archipelago. I will put it on my list.
User avatar
Rockbear99
Assistant Coach
Posts: 520
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 5:00 pm
Location: North Dakota

Title: Playing with the Enemy
Author: Gary W. Moore
Publication: First Published in 2006
Genre: Sports/War

About a baseball catcher who was a stud player and was going to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers but ended up going to war, got hurt , and tried a comeback. Good Read in my opinion.
Image
User avatar
mmmc_35
Hall of Famer
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2012 12:25 am
Has thanked: 105 times
Been thanked: 98 times

The Jack Carr books are good. It's like modern Tom Clancy.
User avatar
UOK
Site Admin
Posts: 25147
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:07 am
Location: Champaign, IL
Has thanked: 108 times
Been thanked: 926 times

Just finished the American Gods novel. I loved Sandman, so if you're into that then American Gods might be your jam, too. Haven't watched the series.
Image
User avatar
wab
Mod
Posts: 29805
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:49 pm
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 1956 times

I know this thread is about books... but I just finished season one of American Gods. It was weird, but I have enjoyed it so far.
User avatar
Mikefive
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5189
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2016 9:33 pm
Location: Valparaiso, IN, USA
Has thanked: 340 times
Been thanked: 278 times

I've heard that Gulag Archipelago is a fantastic book. When I reactivate my audible account, it's my first listen.

I found The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution to be interesting and enlightening.

I got a hold of a sci-fi fiction audible called "Snow Crash" and found that extremely entertaining. Listened to it twice.
Mikefive's theory: The only time you KNOW that a sports team player, coach or management member is being 100% honest is when they're NOT reciting "the company line".

Go back to leather helmets, NFL.
User avatar
mmmc_35
Hall of Famer
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2012 12:25 am
Has thanked: 105 times
Been thanked: 98 times

The book : Peak performance

Not great not bad. Basic common sense with some additional info.
User avatar
The Marshall Plan
Hall of Famer
Posts: 8411
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 11:47 am
Location: Parts Unknown
Has thanked: 909 times
Been thanked: 1277 times

I'm always reading a book.

Here are some of the better ones I've read lately (I get most of these ideas from JRE.):

Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O'Neil

Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins

America Before by Graham Hancock

I'm reading a book about TWA 800 now and in the on deck circle is The Final Girl Support Group.
Image
User avatar
mmmc_35
Hall of Famer
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2012 12:25 am
Has thanked: 105 times
Been thanked: 98 times

I personally domt like Dacid Goggins something about him runs me the wrong way, but I understand why people do.

Did you like the Manson book? I might throw that on my list.
User avatar
The Marshall Plan
Hall of Famer
Posts: 8411
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 11:47 am
Location: Parts Unknown
Has thanked: 909 times
Been thanked: 1277 times

mmmc_35 wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 9:10 pm I personally domt like Dacid Goggins something about him runs me the wrong way, but I understand why people do.

Did you like the Manson book? I might throw that on my list.
The Manson book was fantastic.

The author did an interview on Joe Rogan. You might want to check that out before reading the book.
Image
User avatar
mmmc_35
Hall of Famer
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2012 12:25 am
Has thanked: 105 times
Been thanked: 98 times

The Marshall Plan wrote: Tue Aug 10, 2021 2:51 pm
mmmc_35 wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 9:10 pm I personally domt like Dacid Goggins something about him runs me the wrong way, but I understand why people do.

Did you like the Manson book? I might throw that on my list.
The Manson book was fantastic.

The author did an interview on Joe Rogan. You might want to check that out before reading the book.
I may have already listened to it. I have fallen off Rogan a touch in the last year or so because a lot of it's the same thing, and huge sales pitches. I'll double check though.
User avatar
Otis Day
Hall of Famer
Posts: 8061
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:43 pm
Location: Armpit of IL.
Has thanked: 120 times
Been thanked: 306 times

Not much of a book reader, unfortunately but tend to read some things that I can relate to. I have done true crime stuff in the past but the book I am currently reading, ""I Grew Up Listening to You": Stories From Behind the Mic" by Tommy Edwards. I was a big WLS fan in my youth and he was a part of it. He (Lil Tommy) was more famous for Animal Stories with Larry Lujack. For Christmas I got the WLS Radio book. It is a picture essay type of book. More pictures and the stories about those pics.
Post Reply