Good Reads for the Season

[PedalUma]

I spotted a used book and am giving it a try. It is the type of book that @Catalyzt would like. Instead of Jurassic Park with Cats, it is Jurassic Park with AI Self-regenerative Killer Nano-bots that can quickly evolve and have escaped into the wild. All the AI stuff is very topical these days. AI's ethics, philosophy, and parameters are delved into. It is called 'Prey,' by Michael Crichton. One thing that I like is that the SiFi is not just hidden in black box with a shrug. The tech is laid out in the open. It is a thriller. Another thing that I like is that the main character's flaws, relationships, domestic problems, and motivations are also out in the open, which is so much more compelling than with a one dimensional super hero. So on this rainy day I am back to the page turner. I just thought of this: Wouldn't Paige Turner be a great name for an author?

 

[scrambler]

There was a TV series made on that subject, I can't remember its name, but wonder if it came from the book...

 

[PedalUma]

There was a TV series made on that subject, I can't remember its name, but wonder if it came from the book...

I just read about Michael Crichton. Wow! Here are a few of his quotes. I think the first one applies to the NH primary Tuesday.

• Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled.
• They are focused on whether they can do something. They never think whether they should do something.
• Human beings never think for themselves; they find it too uncomfortable. For the most part, members of our species simply repeat what they are told - and become upset if they are exposed to any different view.
• The characteristic human trait is not awareness but conformity, and the characteristic result is religious warfare. Other animals fight for territory or food; but, uniquely in the animal kingdom, human beings fight for their 'beliefs.'
• We are stubborn, self-destructive conformists. Any other view of our species is just a self-congratulatory delusion.

 

[PedalUma]

I just stumbled on Crichton's 'Prey'. And am glad I did. It is very scary and has elements from Joseph Campbell's 'Hero's Journey'. The biggest hero is a petite and quiet Asian America woman named Mae. She is so courageous and innovative. The action where I am now is taking place in a underground cave. I classic literature and myths such a Beowulf, the subterranean stands for subconscious. A Campbell thing is to fight your monsters there and then to return with knowledge to the surface, like Luke's battle in the cave in Star Wars.

 

[PedalUma]

In that book 'Prey' Mae makes an assent on the final page. We don't know what her smile holds. Knowledge of victory or of her conversion to the now inevitable winning side. I just started 'Killers of the Flower Moon'. It is historical fact yet reads like crime fiction with compelling characters in a unique setting and is about how the FBI began. The (wild) flower moon is April. May kills them. The first murder is May 21st. I know, it is too many Mae's and Mays for one paragraph!

 

[PatriciaK]

In that book 'Prey' Mae makes an assent on the final page. We don't know what her smile holds. Knowledge of victory or of her conversion to the now inevitable winning side. I just started 'Killers of the Flower Moon'. It is historical fact yet reads like crime fiction with compelling characters in a unique setting and is about how the FBI began. The (wild) flower moon is April. May kills them. The first murder is May 21st. I know, it is too many Mae's and Mays for one paragraph!

"Killers of the Flower Moon" was excellent!

 

[Rome]

I read national geographic I like reading about bears and gorillas stuff like that now days and it comes with very nice pictures of places.
When I was working for the State waiting in the cab of my State issue Freightliner truck to be loaded i read James Michener's Hawaii, Alaska, Texas, Chesapeake Bay.. I liked reading Larry McMurthy for funny kind things. I forgotten what title it was but there was a part when they were shooting frogs at a pond with high powered rifles but not directly at the frogs they were shooting into the mud under the frogs. I even read Shogun.
New National Geographic I received a week ago.

 

[RandallS]

I stopped reading for a while because of eyesight problems (since rectified) and got into audiobooks, which is now my preferred method of enjoying books.
For quite a while, when detailing my rides here, I would mention the book I was listening to.
I haven't been riding much, as I'm waiting on some orthopedic intervention on a knee that's finally given up - but I still enjoy a good read or listen..

Here's just a few of my favorites - and note that I am referring to the audiobook version as the narrator is a big part of the experience.
But a bad narrator also can't fix bad writing so the novels themselves are a worthwhile read:

• Definitely a must - Philip Kerr's "Bernie Gunther: historical novels. The main character is a Berlin detective and follows him from the 30's through the war and beyond.
• Robert Galbraith's (JK Rowling) "Cormoran Strike" books are a fun listen with excellent narration by Robert Glenister.
  The TV series was good - but the audiobooks are better.
  The latest is my next in the queue
• Richard Osmon's "Thursday Murder Club" series is fun and fluffy. (Just finished his latest)
• Some gritty, hard boiled stuff from Richard Stark - particularly his "Parker" novels. Yeah - very, very misogynistic and often cruel, but a good look in the mirror historically.
  Not for everyone - but there's many books and they are quick reads/listens. I listened to them all in sequence, mostly while riding or driving.
• Someone else mentioned Mick Herron's "Slough House" series - just magic! Also Adrian McKinty and his "Sean Duffy" books - also a really good look set during the "Troubles".
• "Dep't Q" novels from Jussi Adler-Olsen - some interesting Scandi Police Procedural.
• Peter May's "Lewis Trilogy" - great books.
• and finally - good luck finding copies of this series and definitely not for everyone.
  Paul Johnston wrote a dystopian series set in the near future (when they were written anyways) in Scotland.
  His main character is an anti-hero named Quintillian Dalrympole - an ex policeman turned PI.
  I have all but the last books and go back them from time to time.

As you can see - I favour mystery and police procedurals.
Not everyone's cup of tea of course.

Hope some of the above piques someone's interest and provides some enjoyment.

 

[Bubba zanetti]

A 10 day sojourn across America in the 1950’s on mere dreams, hopes and prayers with a great cast of interesting characters and places. Great read.

 

[PatriciaK]

View attachment 170211
A 10 day sojourn across America in the 1950’s on mere dreams, hopes and prayers with a great cast of interesting characters and places. Great read.

Also, by the same author, "A Gentleman In Moscow"

 

[RandallS]

Which narrator is your favorite?

There are many.
I get audiobooks from my local library through a service called "Libby" but also have had an Audible account for quite a while and have a very extensive library of audiobooks.

My suggestion is go to Audible.com (I don't think that you need a membership to do this) or try the Libby app and you can listen to samples of books that interest you.
The library App is great as it's free but you can't always get books when you want them.
Gerard Doyle, John Lee, Robert Glenister and Rory Kinnear are just a few of my favorites, but my tastes are usually UK oriented for novels..

For something more US based, some James Lee Burke books are narrated by Will Patton and it really works well - just not to everyone's taste.
Also the latest Harry Bosch books are narrated by Titus Welliver - the actor who plays him on the TV shows.

In my previous post I missed one really good series.
It's also by Philip Kerr and is about a football coach (UK football that is) who in the first book "January Window" ends up having to solve a murder.

Hope that helps.

 

[PedalUma]

I thought this thread just vanished. I am glad to see it is back.

I just read a super steamy book from a female perspective that is full of sex and musical references called, 'This Bird Has Flown.' That is the subtitle for the song 'Norwegian Wood.' It takes place in LA, Vegas, London, and Oxford, culminating in a rock concert at Albert hall and one in Paris.

Reading books from different perspectives deepens our abilities to connect with other minds and to be a better friend, says David Brooks in his latest, 'How To Know A Person.' It is filled with many hundreds of connections to lit., studies, psychology, and personal and age development with many experts and personal stories from people. It is really about how to be a better friend. Knowing more about one's self in inter-relation and that looking at others with compassion can cause a positive shift with growth. I am 4/5th's of the way through and enjoying the journey even though it brings out pain in my own failings. Okay, so now I have a better idea of what to work on. What we hold sacred is a big tell, worth exploring.

 

[PedalUma]

no country for old men

It looks really good. Sort of like Breaking Bad. It starts when guy out hunting runs across a spot in the badlands where there has been a huge shootout in a drug deal gone South and finds millions of dollars in one car and a trunk full of H in the other. The one mortally wounded survivor wants water and he does not have any to give. That intro is fraught with dilemmas.

 

[PedalUma]

I just read a gothic novel. It is not the sort of thing I would normally pick-up. It was very good. It take places in an ever so slightly alternate universe that is slightly more magical than ours and mostly by the sea in a place like 1840's Scotland. It has mythical creatures, murders, and some practical magic, along with triumph, and betrayal. Again, it is a worthy read for a rainy night or two this Spring. It is called 'All The Murmuring Bones.' It also has a road trip adventure and some ghosts. Did I say mermaids? The main character is a young woman who runs from an arranged marriage at a decaying castle to find herself.

 

[PedalUma]

I am reading a truly great new novel. It is called Ministry of Time.

 

[PedalUma]

I finished my best book so far in a year. It is called The Ministry of Time. British spies capture a time travel portal from the future and pull several people from the past who were documented as about to die. The main character is to assimilate her assigned person, a polar explorer, from the past to the present. So, the book can explore all sorts of current social issues from another perspective, explaining them such as modern gender roles and immigration. It has friendships, family issues, love, and murders. And some really bad folks from the dystopian polluted future. It morphs into a thriller with unexpected plot twists.

 

[dodgeman]

I tend to latch onto an author and read a lot of their books. Lately it’s been CJ Box. I read a lot of Lee Childs-Reacher books but they are growing a little old since his brother started. I’ve also read a lot of classics, like DaFoe (Robinson Crusoe), Jack London (White Fang), Herman Melville (Moby Dick), Hawthorn (The Scarlet Letter) and some others I’m probably forgetting. I think people often forget about the classics and think they will be boring.

 

[watsonwallace]

There are many.
I get audiobooks from my local library through a service called "Libby" but also have had an Audible account for quite a while and have a very extensive library of audiobooks.

My suggestion is go to Audible.com (I don't think that you need a membership to do this) or try the Libby app and you can listen to samples of books that interest you.
The library App is great as it's free but you can't always get books when you want them.
Gerard Doyle, John Lee, Robert Glenister and Rory Kinnear are just a few of my favorites, but my tastes are usually UK oriented for novels..

For something more US based, some James Lee Burke books are narrated by Will Patton and it really works well - just not to everyone's taste.
Also the latest Harry Bosch books are narrated by Titus Welliver - the actor who plays him on the TV shows.

In my previous post I missed one really good series.
It's also by Philip Kerr and is about a football coach (UK football that is) who in the first book "January Window" ends up having to solve a murder.

Hope that helps. As we gear up for some good reads this season, it's always exciting to find books that match our interests, whether it's in cooking, biking, or any other hobby. It reminds me how valuable it is to have the right resources when you’re deep into a subject, just like nursing students who need support for their academic work. Websites like nursingpaper.com discounts can really make a difference in helping manage workload and costs. What books are you planning to dive into this season?

I’d recommend "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert M. Pirsig. While it’s not directly about e-bikes, it dives into the philosophy of quality and the joy of the journey, which resonates with the experience of riding. It's one of those books that really makes you think about how you approach life and could add a deeper perspective to your rides.

 

[Bill G]

I also have an Audible account, and I've tried to listen to audiobooks a few times, but I just can't concentrate. I listen, then I understand that I missed something because I was in my thoughts. Maybe I'm not ready yet, so I stick to physical books for now.
And I wish I had more time to read, because in 2024 I've finished just 6 books, and it's not many.
Now I'm reading The Stranger by Albert Camus. It's good, but I need to read more to understand more.

Libby is a fine app. I'm too cheap to use Audible (he says after spending thousands on an e-bike). Only downside of Libby is selection from local library might be somewhat limited by the collection, especially when you click the "available now" filter.

 

[Brian-s]

Libby is a fine app. I'm too cheap to use Audible (he says after spending thousands on an e-bike). Only downside of Libby is selection from local library might be somewhat limited by the collection, especially when you click the "available now" filter.

This may be true for local library, but you may find that larger library networks in your state, even in the country, offer cheap or free access to their online catalog.

I have accounts in my town, Cleveland, Columbus, and my. Libby works just fine with multiple libraries