Current book being read/just finished

[Gaucho]

Opinions on Michael Connelly?

[dodint]

I want to start off by reading Jurassic Park but I have read that about five times (it is the adult book I have read the most) and should really read something else, haha.

Crichton wrote a ton of diverse stuff, including The Lost World which is another JP novel. Virus breakout (Andromeda Strain), heist (The Great Train Robbery), industrial engineering espionage (Airframe), whatever the hell was going on in Sphere, medieval time travel (Timeline), pirates (Pirate Latitudes), legal thriller (Disclosure) and a ton of other stuff. His travel memoir Travels was good too.

If you want Dan Brown, I'd go with Angels and Demons. It's the best of them and since the plot is the same in every book you might as well pick a winner. Another guy in that realm is Jeffery Deaver, the gentleman who wrote The Bone Collector. There is a series of books based on that detective and he wrote some other stuff. I think all three of those authors are a step above James Patterson* for pop fiction.

*James Patterson is a brand, imo. Most of his stuff is ghost written.

[SolidSnake]

Been reading Dark Mission. Interesting stuff so far concerning NASA doesn't mean you have to believe it

[meecrofilm]

Around halfway through The Bend of the World. Relatively new book that takes place in Pittsburgh (written by a native). It's a pretty funny and entertaining read. I'd recommend it based on what I've read so far.

[CBear3]

I want to start off by reading Jurassic Park but I have read that about five times (it is the adult book I have read the most) and should really read something else, haha.

If you want Dan Brown, I'd go with Angels and Demons. It's the best of them and since the plot is the same in every book you might as well pick a winner. Another guy in that realm is Jeffery Deaver, the gentleman who wrote The Bone Collector. There is a series of books based on that detective and he wrote some other stuff. I think all three of those authors are a step above James Patterson* for pop fiction.

*James Patterson is a brand, imo. Most of his stuff is ghost written.

Dan Brown's non Langdon stuff wasn't too bad, either. I binged my first trip to Sweden and read Deception Point, Digital Fortress and Angels & Demons as soon as I landed (after reading DaVinci Code on the plane).

I'd agree with Angels & Demons being the best, but Deception Point is a close second.

I'm also partial to Steve Berry and James Rollins's Sigma Force novels (plus he's a Mizzou grad).

[dodint]

Digital Fortress is decent writing but the tech is dated to the point it should be enjoyed as historical fiction.

[CBear3]

Digital Fortress is decent writing but the tech is dated to the point it should be enjoyed as historical fiction.

Is that a nice way of calling me old? At least I didn't program in Fortran.

[Dickie Dunn]

Opinions on Michael Connelly?

I love Michael Connelly. I like detective novels/police procedurals, enjoy his writing style, and think he's an excellent storyteller. Every time I read one of his books I get an edge of my seat, can't put the book down experience and that's really all I'm looking for.

Also can't wait for the new episodes of Bosch on Amazon Prime.

[dodint]

Digital Fortress is decent writing but the tech is dated to the point it should be enjoyed as historical fiction.

Is that a nice way of calling me old? At least I didn't program in Fortran.

Nah. And I took a COBOL and an RPGIV class at one point.

[Shyster]

Just finished reading Black Noon: The Year They Stopped the Indy 500 by Art Garner. This book covers the 1964 Indy 500, at which Dave MacDonald and Eddie Sachs both lost their lives in a horrific fiery accident. But 1964 was more than a big accident. It was a transition year for racing technology, and '64 would be the last 500 won by the front-engine roadsters that had dominated Indy for decades. MacDonald's fatal accident was also the first time the 500 was red-flagged for anything other than rain. This book is detailed, respectful, and a really great read. The level of detail included by Garner reminds me of the excellent naval-history books of James D. Hornfischer.

[Gaucho]

Opinions on Michael Connelly?

I love Michael Connelly. I like detective novels/police procedurals, enjoy his writing style, and think he's an excellent storyteller. Every time I read one of his books I get an edge of my seat, can't put the book down experience and that's really all I'm looking for.

Also can't wait for the new episodes of Bosch on Amazon Prime.

Sounds good, thanks! I'll check him out.

[canaan]

Mr. Pusskins and Little Whiskers. This graphic novella builds an in-depth opening act that transitions into a cacophony of tension in the middles stages. I don't want to waste the plot, but the dénouement of this tale will leave you questioning your own existence. 10/10 would read again. It also up's the intensity when your 21 month old is meowing at the top of her lungs the whole time.

[eddysnake]

finishing up my book last night and with what should have been about 30 pages left at page 215, the next page went back to 185 and duplicated what I just read up to 215. So I have no idea how the book ends because of this printing error. I don't usually sit down and read a book in 2 sittings, but this was the rare one and I was really into it, now I have to seek out another copy. Very strange and frustrating.

[Digitalgypsy66]

finishing up my book last night and with what should have been about 30 pages left at page 215, the next page went back to 185 and duplicated what I just read up to 215. So I have no idea how the book ends because of this printing error. I don't usually sit down and read a book in 2 sittings, but this was the rare one and I was really into it, now I have to seek out another copy. Very strange and frustrating.

Did you look on Google Books? You might get enough of a preview to finish those last 30 pages or so.

[eddysnake]

finishing up my book last night and with what should have been about 30 pages left at page 215, the next page went back to 185 and duplicated what I just read up to 215. So I have no idea how the book ends because of this printing error. I don't usually sit down and read a book in 2 sittings, but this was the rare one and I was really into it, now I have to seek out another copy. Very strange and frustrating.

Did you look on Google Books? You might get enough of a preview to finish those last 30 pages or so.

10 pages short with google books... I'm going to call the library and see if they can get another copy in.

[pens9192]

I want to start off by reading Jurassic Park but I have read that about five times (it is the adult book I have read the most) and should really read something else, haha.

Crichton wrote a ton of diverse stuff, including The Lost World which is another JP novel. Virus breakout (Andromeda Strain), heist (The Great Train Robbery), industrial engineering espionage (Airframe), whatever the hell was going on in Sphere, medieval time travel (Timeline), pirates (Pirate Latitudes), legal thriller (Disclosure) and a ton of other stuff. His travel memoir Travels was good too.

If you want Dan Brown, I'd go with Angels and Demons. It's the best of them and since the plot is the same in every book you might as well pick a winner. Another guy in that realm is Jeffery Deaver, the gentleman who wrote The Bone Collector. There is a series of books based on that detective and he wrote some other stuff. I think all three of those authors are a step above James Patterson* for pop fiction.

*James Patterson is a brand, imo. Most of his stuff is ghost written.

I've read all of Crichton's novels. He is my favorite author. I didn't really care for Timeline, Next, or State of Fear. I loved Airframe, Disclosure, Rising Sun, Congo, Sphere, and Andromeda Strain. JP, Lost World, and Airframe are the only novels of his that I have more than once though. Regarding Timeline, I like time travel stuff but I just couldn't get into it.

Thanks for the recommendations regarding Dan Brown.

[CBear3]

Just finished reading Black Noon: The Year They Stopped the Indy 500 by Art Garner. This book covers the 1964 Indy 500, at which Dave MacDonald and Eddie Sachs both lost their lives in a horrific fiery accident. But 1964 was more than a big accident. It was a transition year for racing technology, and '64 would be the last 500 won by the front-engine roadsters that had dominated Indy for decades. MacDonald's fatal accident was also the first time the 500 was red-flagged for anything other than rain. This book is detailed, respectful, and a really great read. The level of detail included by Garner reminds me of the excellent naval-history books of James D. Hornfischer.

Read that on the drive to the 500 this year. Very well written, and contains a lot of non-accident drama as well. Didn't know nearly as much about MacDonald as I did about Sachs going in. Really gained a respect for both of them on and off the track throughout the book.

[CBear3]

Mr. Pusskins and Little Whiskers. This graphic novella builds an in-depth opening act that transitions into a cacophony of tension in the middles stages. I don't want to waste the plot, but the dénouement of this tale will leave you questioning your own existence. 10/10 would read again. It also up's the intensity when your 21 month old is meowing at the top of her lungs the whole time.

Nearly spit out my drink. Pete the Cat is the hot ticket around here right now.

[shafnutz05]

I just finished reading an outstanding book I got from the local library, One Second After, by William Forstchen. The book explores the aftermath of a coordinated nuclear strike on the United States and several other countries. Not a ground strike, mind you, but an EMP strike, several hundred miles above the surface, which sends out a destructive EMP pulse that takes out the entire country's electrical system. Equal parts fascinating and terrifying, I couldn't put it down.

[LeopardLetang]

Mr. Pusskins and Little Whiskers. This graphic novella builds an in-depth opening act that transitions into a cacophony of tension in the middles stages. I don't want to waste the plot, but the dénouement of this tale will leave you questioning your own existence. 10/10 would read again. It also up's the intensity when your 21 month old is meowing at the top of her lungs the whole time.

Nearly spit out my drink. Pete the Cat is the hot ticket around here right now.

Wait a minute. Canaan's description was so tantalizing I made a mental note to look for it next week. Your response though makes me feel had and maybe ignorant that it's a simple children's book.

[LeopardLetang]

I surprisingly loved Crichton's memoir "travels"

His seance that relieved him of demons he could actually visualize which then affected him after arguments with his wife often comes into my mind. I do believe we have ingrained auto behaviors during conflict of one kind or another that deeply meditated upon can be vanquished. I don't believe it's actually some demon if that has to be said. But he said I believe that after the "seance" if you'll allow it, he'd find himself reacting in a new way after an argument with his wife. Instead of trumping off to his room to read or write and lose himself in that he'd wander aimlessly like he'd found himself aware again in a new emotional part of life that he'd previously squashed from his existence. He now had a renewed chance to deal differently with his emotions. A new chance to choose a more mature reaction. At least that's what I got from it

I also have read Jurassic park more than any other novel. Three and a half times

[dodint]

I surprisingly loved Crichton's memoir "travels"

I liked it as well, but took little from the spiritual parts. I most enjoyed him talking about med school and then about climbing Kilimanjaro.

[LeopardLetang]

Thoroughly enjoyed both of those sections as well. Now that you remind me of that I have to say I found that book outstanding

[dodint]

I wasn't trying to take away what you found in the rest of the book, sorry if it came off that way. I was listening to a podcast the other day with Sinbad, and they started talking about astral projection and it reminded me of Travels and brought a lot of that back. The other thing I remember well from that book was him talking to the cactus. I'll probably make it a point to reread it every 10 years or so.

[LeopardLetang]

It didn't come off that way at all.

Though I'd be surprised if most readers didn't find those parts alienating. I found it connected with me at a basic level if I looked past the specifics of his experience such as the personification of his repressions as actual spirits