Looking for a few books to read...

[🏀]

Vacation in December, what do you guys got?

FYI - Already read the Hunger Games, like, a billion times.

[warriorchick]

Vacation in December, what do you guys got?

FYI - Already read the Hunger Games, like, a billion times.

What do you like to read?

[Coleman]

At the risk of sounding like an old woman, I love reading Agatha Christie novels on vacation. They are a quick read, great mystery stories, and very fast moving. I can usually get through one in 3 or 4 days. "And Then There Were None" or "Murder on the Orient Express" are great ones to start with.

[reinko]

Vacation in December, what do you guys got?

FYI - Already read the Hunger Games, like, a billion times.

Read both Magary books over the summer, Someone Could Get Hurt about him being a dad...and his sci book The Postmortal...both fun and easy reads.

Also finished the first book in the Wayward Pines trilogy, that was fun...read Lone Survivor this summer, which was awesome

[jficke13]

Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire is the "series" name) is a solid option that will chew up some time.

[🏀]

Read Margary's books already. Postmortal is really good.

[🏀]

I stay away from GoT and what have you. Never got into those fantasies.

I don't mind a good non-fiction either.

[MU B2002]

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/clash-of-clans-game-guide-josh-abbott/1117954840?cm_mmc=google+product+search-_-q000000633-_-9781494874742pla-_-book_5to14-_-q000000633-_-9781494874742&ean=9781494874742&isbn=9781494874742&kpid=9781494874742&r=1

[mu-rara]

If you're looking for strictly leisure, fun, quick reads and like spy / mystery stories look at Vince Flynn, Brad Thor or Daniel Silva.

[warriorchick]

"Pint Man" or "Road Swing" by Steve Rushin.

Entertaining, easy reads, and he's a Marquette grad.

[reinko]

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/clash-of-clans-game-guide-josh-abbott/1117954840?cm_mmc=google+product+search-_-q000000633-_-9781494874742pla-_-book_5to14-_-q000000633-_-9781494874742&ean=9781494874742&isbn=9781494874742&kpid=9781494874742&r=1

+10,000

[warriorchick]

Also, I know I am a huge fangirl, but I read a lot of autobiographies, and "Sum It Up" by Pat Summit is one of the best I have ever read.  I promise that you won't even mind that it is about a woman.

[Chili]

Kitchen Confidential or Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain. Medium Raw is a better book but Kitchen Confidential started his career outside of the kitchen.

[warriorchick]

Kitchen Confidential or Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain. Medium Raw is a better book but Kitchen Confidential started his career outside of the kitchen.

Kitchen Confidential is a good read, but pass on it if you don't really want to know what happens to your food in a restaurant kitchen.

[GooooMarquette]

"A Brief History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson.  Entertaining and educational at the same time.

[swoopem]

Dirt: The Story of Motley Crue. I don't like their music, but holy hell were those guys insane.

[jficke13]

Without Remorse - Tom Clancy, his finest work IMHO

Bourne Identity (and the others) - Robert Ludlum, which has only the existence of an spy named Jason Bourne in common with the movies.

[jficke13]

Kitchen Confidential or Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain. Medium Raw is a better book but Kitchen Confidential started his career outside of the kitchen.

On the food angle:

Good Stock: Life on a Slow Simmer - Sandy D'Amato, one of America's finest chefs and one time owner of Sanford, Milwaukee's finest restaurant.

[reinko]

On the food angle:

Good Stock: Life on a Slow Simmer - Sandy D'Amato, one of America's finest chefs and one time owner of Sanford, Milwaukee's finest restaurant.

Another good one on the food angle.

Heat by Bill Buford.  An amateur interns @ a Batoelli restaurant...

http://www.amazon.com/Heat-Adventures-Pasta-Maker-Apprentice-Dante-Quoting/dp/1400034477

[🏀]

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/clash-of-clans-game-guide-josh-abbott/1117954840?cm_mmc=google+product+search-_-q000000633-_-9781494874742pla-_-book_5to14-_-q000000633-_-9781494874742&ean=9781494874742&isbn=9781494874742&kpid=9781494874742&r=1

Is that a dig?

[CTWarrior]

For easy and enjoyable vacation reading, anything by Michael Crichton, Michael Connelly, Lee Child or James Patterson (but avoid everything where Patterson is the co-author, though.  That guy will put his name on anything).  Earlier books for all of these authors tend to be better, as they crank them out too fast now.

If you are a true crime buff, the baseball writer Bill James wrote a book called "Popular Crime" which is a look at famous tabloid crimes over the past 100+ years or so.  It is easy and fun reading, with anywhere from 3-20 pages about various crimes which makes it easy to pick up and put down (ideal bathroom reading).  I've recommended/lent it to a few people, and they all liked it.

[MU B2002]

Is that a dig?

Nah.

[reinko]

Is that a dig?

Shots fired.

[brandx]

"A Brief History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson.  Entertaining and educational at the same time.

I was going to recommend this one as well. Also "One Summer, America 1927" by Bryson is really outstanding.

[brandx]

Shots fired.

You must have googled "average American gun owner" for that.

[GooooMarquette]

I was going to recommend this one as well. Also "One Summer, America 1927" by Bryson is really outstanding.

I've read most of Bryson's work, but not that one.  I'll check it out - thanks!

[warriorchick]

You must have googled "average American gun owner" for that.

Who is trying to turn a thread political now?

[GOO]

A book about NYC real estate moguls (centered around the GM building) that I will be reading soon The Liars Ball, looks good.  I've read the free excerpt that they give you in ibooks already and it seems interesting, with big characters who just happen to be real pieces of work:

http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1118295315.html

I'm reading a Grisham book now, Sycamore Row and it is typical Grisham by which I mean interesting/entertaining, not too deep.

[Ari Gold]

I'd second the Game of Thrones Song of Ice and Fire suggestion.

Been reading a lot of source material myself so if you're in to House Of Cards, I'd recommend the trilogy by Dobbs: House of Cards, To Play the King and The Final Cut.

Regardless of the hype around the movie, American Sniper by Chris Kyle is a great read.

[Henry Sugar]

The Bible and Atlas Shrugged.

[Ari Gold]

The Bible and Atlas Shrugged.

Same difference?

[brandx]

Who is trying to turn a thread political now?

I didn't think I needed teal. I always consider the teal to be implied when a comment is way over the top.

But then I see a lot of times where people respond to comments that I thought were obviously said tongue-in-cheek.

I guess it can be hard to know when something is only seen in black and white and without context.

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

Same difference?

I got a good laugh at work out of this. 

[drewm88]

Just started The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. It's told from the perspective of an autistic child as he tries to solve the mystery of a murdered dog. Very straightforward and interesting so far, which are my main two requirements for a vacation book.

[chapman]

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett   

I stay away from GoT and what have you. Never got into those fantasies.

It's not the typical "fantasy"...I think the normal fantasy stuff is about the lamest thing there is, but I'm a total GoT/Song of Ice and Fire nerd. 

"A Brief History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson.  Entertaining and educational at the same time.

Liked this one.

[Dr. Blackheart]

What's a book?

[jficke13]

What's a book?

Whoa there UNC alum...

(also just to infuriate our commie friends from the west: whoa there Ron Dayne.)

[Dr. Blackheart]

Whoa there UNC alum...

(also just to infuriate our commie friends from the west: whoa there Ron Dayne.)

"Save a tree...."

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Anything by Ken Bruen or Ian Rankin if you like detective mysteries. Both have the Celtic melancholy, capture the Scottish and Irish atmosphere. Bruen's staccato prose and irreverence is most enjoyable as his lapsed Catholic de-badged ex Guarda protagonist stumbles his way through the rougher parts of Galway town.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I just finished Dan Brown's latest book Inferno.  A good quick entertaining read with plenty of symbology and Dante references that makes me want to actually check out Dante's Inferno.

[MU B2002]

I am somewhat ashamed to admit it, but the Divergent books were a good read.

[jficke13]

I just finished Dan Brown's latest book Inferno.  A good quick entertaining read with plenty of symbology and Dante references that makes me want to actually check out Dante's Inferno.

...please... symbolism... not symbology... urge to murder Dan Brown rising...

[Coleman]

I just finished Dan Brown's latest book Inferno.  A good quick entertaining read with plenty of symbology and Dante references that makes me want to actually check out Dante's Inferno.

It is a great work. But it doesn't read like a Dan Brown novel. Epic poetry is a different animal. But still worth a read. Read all 3 of the Divine Comedy if you can.

[drewm88]

I am somewhat ashamed to admit it, but the Divergent books were a good read.

I am also somewhat ashamed to admit I read them, but my excuse is that it was over spring break during grad school, and I was looking for a literary palate cleanser. The first was interesting. From there, it got gradually worse to the point of awful, but if you're looking for the longest ever descriptions of kisses and light physical touches, you can't go wrong. It's like literary pornography for 13 year old girls.

[chapman]

...please... symbolism... not symbology... urge to murder Dan Brown rising...

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I am somewhat ashamed to admit it, but the Divergent books were a good read.

My kids tell me they loved the entire series until they got to the last chapter of the third book and it ruined everything.  Whatever that means.

[ttheisen]

I like spy mystery type books when I travel:

John Le Carre
John MacDonald (the Travis McGee books are a favorite)

[Coleman]

Has anyone read the original James Bond novels?

Was thinking about reading those.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Has anyone read the original James Bond novels?

Was thinking about reading those.

I've read them all.  If you want to read them in order, you need to start with Casino Royale, but the best is Moonraker, IMO.

If you want to just test the water, For Your Eyes Only is actually a collection of three or four, shorter Bond stories.

[Spotcheck Billy]

just about anything from John Grisham or Steve Martini

[mu-rara]

If your looking for a review of Jesuit principles read The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything.  James Miller, SJ.  Not too heavy with lessons that apply to many aspects of life.

[ttheisen]

If your looking for a review of Jesuit principles read The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything.  James Miller, SJ.  Not to heavy with lessons that apply to many aspects of life.

That's a good read.
 

[warriorchick]

That's a good read.
 

Reading it on the plane to Vegas as we speak.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/clash-of-clans-game-guide-josh-abbott/1117954840?cm_mmc=google+product+search-_-q000000633-_-9781494874742pla-_-book_5to14-_-q000000633-_-9781494874742&ean=9781494874742&isbn=9781494874742&kpid=9781494874742&r=1

lmao

[Eldon]

A couple of awesome books off the top of my head
*A random walk down wall street
*Nicomachean Ethics

And for a joking answer

http://www.amazon.com/Earn-Your-MBA-Toilet-Unlimited/dp/1607744244/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416018397&sr=8-1&keywords=mba+from+the+toilet

^I never read this book, but the cover and title are hilarious.

[mu-rara]

Reading it on the plane to Vegas as we speak.

I must have missed Fr. Miller's chapter on winning in Vegas, but he is a Jesuit.

[drewm88]

If your looking for a review of Jesuit principles read The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything.  James Miller, SJ.  Not too heavy with lessons that apply to many aspects of life.

Martin, not Miller. Good book, and I highly recommend seeing him speak in person if you ever get the chance. Hilarious.

[Benny B]

The Book of Bunny Suicides and Return of the Bunny Suicides are a good, light read when you're looking to power down for the night.

[wildbill sb]

Oldie but very goodie:  THE THINGS THEY CARRIED by Tim O'Brien.  40 something narrator revisiting/remembering his life up to and including his combat experiences in 'Nam.  Haunting.

[Coleman]

If your looking for a review of Jesuit principles read The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything.  James Miller, SJ.  Not too heavy with lessons that apply to many aspects of life.

Its James Martin. But yeah, great read.

[mu-rara]

Martin, not Miller. Good book, and I highly recommend seeing him speak in person if you ever get the chance. Hilarious.

You are correct sir.

[brandx]

Oldie but very goodie:  THE THINGS THEY CARRIED by Tim O'Brien.  40 something narrator revisiting/remembering his life up to and including his combat experiences in 'Nam.  Haunting.

Another outstanding book.

[2TimeWarrior]

DWade's book, A Father First, is an option if you're looking for a MUBB connection.\

[Lennys Tap]

Oldie but very goodie:  THE THINGS THEY CARRIED by Tim O'Brien.  40 something narrator revisiting/remembering his life up to and including his combat experiences in 'Nam.  Haunting.

O'Brien is one of my favorite writers. "Going After Cacciato" "July, July" "In The Lake Of The Woods" and, of course, "The Things They Carried". Phenomenal, insightful stuff that captures the actual Viet Nam War, its aftermath and the human fallout like no one else. If you can only read one, "The Things They Carried" is at the top of the list - but if you do read one you'll want to read more by this guy.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I just started to read this book. 

The Last Battle: When U.S. and German Soldiers Joined Forces in the Waning Hours of World War II in Europe
http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Battle-German-Soldiers/dp/0306822962

From Wikipedia:
The Battle for Castle Itter, the Austrian village of Itter in the North Tyrol, was fought in the final days of World War II in Europe, five days after the death of Adolf Hitler. Troops of the 23rd Tank Battalion of the US 12th Armored Division led by Lieutenant John C. "Jack" Lee, Jr., anti-Nazi German Army soldiers, and imprisoned French VIPs defended the castle against a small force from the 17th Waffen-SS Panzer Grenadier Division. The French prisoners included former prime ministers, generals, and a tennis star. It may have been the only battle in the war in which Americans and Germans fought as allies. Popular accounts of the battle have called it the "strangest" battle of World War II.[2]

[Benny B]

Another Amazon favorite:

How to Avoid Huge Ships by Captain John W. Trimmer

[reinko]

Another Amazon favorite:

How to Avoid Huge Ships by Captain John W. Trimmer

$165 for a paperback book???         

[Blackhat]

Latest fiction recs?