reading ‘the warhol economy’ by elizabeth currid for a couple of reasons. one, I know elizabeth. two, I want to interview her for curbed. three, its a really interesting look at how creative economies bolster the overall economy of cities. of course, it’s taking me FOREVER, but perhaps the writers strike will push me to read more.

Reading Jewtopia: The Chosen Book for the Chosen People. It’s funny as hell. Recently finished The Road, hated it despite its critical acclaim.

I just finished reading Unheard: A Memoir of Deafness and Africa. It was really good, and nice, quick read.

What I’ve read (short list since I moved and am in the process of having my kitchen gutted and remodeled, a 3-month affair that will likely be the death of me):

Ethan Frome (by Edith Wharton) — enjoyed it a lot and now have all sorts of other Edith Wharton on my “To Read” list

Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter (by Phoebe Damrosch) — it wasn’t unputdownable but it was entertaining. And it made me hungry.

On my “To Read” list, if the kitchen lets me live:

Into the Wild (Jon Krakauer)
The Almost Moon (Alice Sebold)
Water for Elephants
A Backward Glance (Edith Wharton autobiography)
House of Mirth, Age of Innocence, Hudson River Bracketed (Edith Wharton)

Has anyone read any of the above?

Haynes Manuals. They are for do-it-yourselfer car repairs. Mine are for Toyota Corolla and Saturn S-Series. They really don’t count, do they?

My parents gave me a book on the rise of capitalism in post-Soviet Eastern Europe, but I haven’t read a lot of it yet.

Dawn, AGE OF INNOCENCE is one of my most favorite books!

OK, H, now it’s made it to the TOP of my list. I’m going to get it this week, I hope, since I’m feeling literature withdrawal symptoms.

OK, one of my recent favorites:

The Know It All by A J Jacobs, and his follow up (very good, not quite as funny but I sure learned a lot) The year of living bibilically.

Also just read Jane Greene, Second Chance, loved it, not as chick lit as some

And Jodi Picoult, on mini run with her, just read the 10th circle (liked it, not loved it like some others) and a book that I do not remember the name but dealt with domestic abuse…loved it.

I am reading The Road right now and am extremely disturbed by it.

Also, Dawn…I really like Water For Elephants. Haven’t read Into The Wild, but the movie was excellent. Also by John Krakauer is Under The Banner of Heaven which was very interesting.

Julie, I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to even put Water for Elephants on my list. It was the circus theme, I think, that threw me off.

I heard that Into the Wild was a perfect movie made from a perfect book. I can’t wait! And I’ll look into that other John Krakauer one too — thanks!

And happy belated birthday!

the men who stare at goats by jon ronson - fascinating and very funny non-fiction about the us military’s dabblings into the supernatural world.

I started What is the What (Dave Eggers) last night. I’m not very far but so far, so good…

I just finished the Gossip Girl pre-quel (classy!) and am now moving on to my backlog of New Yorkers.

Just finished Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert. I must admit I really like it. It was a quick read and uplifting, which works for me right now.

I’m on to 100 years of Solitude now, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

After that, I’m reading a John Irving book, Until I Find You.

new alexis de tocqueville biography. and rereading “cat who” murder mystery.

I just read Aaron Burr: Fallen Founder - very long, but ultimately interesting book about his life. As a break in the book, I also read the most recent Stephie Plum (#13) by Janet Evanovitch.

Next up: the last of the Harry Potter books, equally as thick as the Aaron Burr book, but I know it will read much faster! (I’ve been waiting to read it until I was done, as an incentive to finish the other one.)

Hi all:
Just finished “Exile,” by Richard North Patterson. It is fiction based on facts regarding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Richard North Patterson always writes politically-motivating novels and this is his best to date….in my opinion. I learned a lot about the Palestinian side of the problem. The book is dedicated to Alan Dershowitz and Tom Zogby. Thriller, suicide bombings, politics, love, etc: ingredients for a great book.
I am reading “the Yiddish Policemen’s Union,” by MIchael Chabon. LOVE Michael Chabon…hating this book. He wrote Wonder Boys and Kavalier and Klay, both fantastic!! I am finding this book tedious, at best. It received a fabulous review from the New York Times…but, alas, even the NY Times can be wrong!!! Very disapointing book. I have heard Water for Elephants is superb. I have ordered it.

MOM

Oh Mom, say it ain’t so. I finally ordered The Yiddush Policeman’s Unit, today on Amazon. It has been in my cart forever. I hope our taste is not the same.

Just finished Little Children by Tom Perrotta (had a very long subway ride to and from a meeting) and finished the book in one day. I didn’t “like” any of the characters but was enthralled with the story. Thinking of purchasing his newest: The Abstinence Teacher.

I am also a big fan of The Know It All, which someone mentioned above and am considering buying Jacob’s newest.

I would recommend both How to Talk to a Widower, and anything by Patti Callahan Henry.

I’m reading The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton. It’s fiction about a bookmobile in Africa that delivers books to remote nomadic tribes. It’s unusual and interesting.