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**Sarah in SC** · 06-01-2009, 10:15 AM

That is House written from the perspective of a contractor building someone's dream home? I remember that--I bought it from a thrift store just before we started building our house five years ago. A very good read and a thoughtful book.
Reminds me of another book I enjoyed unexpectedly, called Uncommon Carriers, by John McPhee. Vocational literature, I guess would be what you'd call these, and quite interesting.
Nice to recall it.

Meadbh · 06-01-2009, 05:50 PM

Jill Bolte Taylor's My Stroke of Insight. A neuroscientist has a major stroke aged 37 due to a previously undetected blood vessel malformation in her head. She recovers fully over 8 years. She describes the entire event as she experienced it, knowing not only what was happening but where in her brain. Throws a whole new perspective on how to communicate with, and treat, patients who have had a stroke. It's beautifully written for the general public, complete with diagrams, but I think it should also be required reading for every medical or nursing student, as well as for family members of people who have had a stroke, or might have one. Magnificent read. Get it.

clifp · 06-01-2009, 05:50 PM

I am on a Middle East kick

Three cups of Tea, an inspiring account of a former mountaineer, who builds school houses for villages in the Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Recently won Pakistan highest honor, and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee.

Fiasco and the Gamble. Tom Ricks, the former military correspondent, for WSJ and the Washington Post, account of the war in Iraq from 2004 to late last year. In case you didn't think that Gen. Petrasus was an incredible man these two books will convince you.

Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, From the Soviet invasion to Sept 10,2001. By the managing editor of the Washington Post. Half way through great background.

And just for fun Foundation Fear. A sequel to Asimov's classic Sci Fi.

clifp · 06-01-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh

Jill Bolte Taylor's My Stroke of Insight. A neuroscientist has a major stroke aged 37 due to a previously undetected blood vessel malformation in her head. She recovers fully over 8 years. She describes the entire event as she experienced it, knowing not only what was happening but where in her brain. Throws a whole new perspective on how to communicate with, and treat, patients who have had a stroke. It's beautifully written for the general public, complete with diagrams, but I think it should also be required reading for every medical or nursing student, as well as for family members of people who have had a stroke, or might have one. Magnificent read. Get it.

I've seen her interviewed several times, remarkably articulate. It maybe a perfect book for my sister.

freebird5825 · 06-01-2009, 06:03 PM

I have "reader's block".

I devoured books when I first FIREd, now I'm on sabattical.

Ever since I opened and read a little bit of Enough last fall, I put it down and have only read magazines and stuff online since then. I'll wait for the fall to get back to reading again.

lsbcal · 06-01-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebird5825

I have "reader's block".

I devoured books when I first FIREd, now I'm on sabattical.

...

Some activities like reading and my art, I find a time off to be a good investment. I come back to the activity somehow more keenly aware. Generally though, with fiction reading I find that it makes my other experiences seem a little richer. So I don't seem to go more then a few months before needing another fix.

Moemg · 06-01-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh

Jill Bolte Taylor's My Stroke of Insight. A neuroscientist has a major stroke aged 37 due to a previously undetected blood vessel malformation in her head. She recovers fully over 8 years. She describes the entire event as she experienced it, knowing not only what was happening but where in her brain. Throws a whole new perspective on how to communicate with, and treat, patients who have had a stroke. It's beautifully written for the general public, complete with diagrams, but I think it should also be required reading for every medical or nursing student, as well as for family members of people who have had a stroke, or might have one. Magnificent read. Get it.

I read the reviews on that and it looks like a great read ! Thanks for reminding me about it !

Moemg · 06-01-2009, 08:50 PM

Just got and I'm almost finished with Elizabeth Berg's "Home Safe " . Her books are a little sappy but good .

NW-Bound · 06-01-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah in SC

That is House written from the perspective of a contractor building someone's dream home? I remember that--I bought it from a thrift store just before we started building our house five years ago. A very good read and a thoughtful book.
Reminds me of another book I enjoyed unexpectedly, called Uncommon Carriers, by John McPhee. Vocational literature, I guess would be what you'd call these, and quite interesting.
Nice to recall it.

To jog your memory, in House Tracy Kidder interviewed the participants, and described the home building process from the eyes of the home owners, the architect, the contractor, the carpenters, etc... It is a good read. It is similar to The Soul of a New Machine, but the latter dealt with computer hardware and would bore the heck out of non-nerds.

I will add Uncommon Carriers to my list. Thanks.

lsbcal · 06-23-2009, 01:14 PM

My wife suggested this author and I really liked his first book Dissolution (by C.J. Sansom). Combines a mystery with historical fiction writing. Henry VIII is closing monasteries (hence the title) during the early 1500's. London lawyer Shardlake goes to a monastery as commissionar for Cromwell to investigate a murder. Very compelling writing and offers insights into the history of those times. P.D. James is quoted on the cover recommending this book. It's a nice way to get a little history lesson.

Moemg · 06-23-2009, 03:25 PM

Just finished " The Scarecrow " by Michael Conelly , "Sail " by Patterson and "Rough Weather " by Robert Parker . All decent mysteries "Sail " was probably the best .

vicente solano · 06-23-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg

Just finished " The Scarecrow " by Michael Conelly , "Sail " by Patterson and "Rough Weather " by Robert Parker . All decent mysteries "Sail " was probably the best .

Better than Michael Connelly´s?

Moemg · 06-23-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicente solano

Better than Michael Connelly´s?

Not better but maybe equal . I had a hard time putting either of them down and finished them in a few hours .

Notmuchlonger · 06-23-2009, 05:54 PM

I just finished re-reading Biggest Brother The life of Major Dick Winters. Great stuff.

Radiophilejapan · 06-26-2009, 11:40 PM

I'm a third into A Random Walk Down Wall Street. Easy to read and so far very good material.

vicente solano · 06-27-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg

Not better but maybe equal . I had a hard time putting either of them down and finished them in a few hours .

Just finished Connelly´s A Darkness More Than Night. I liked it.
If you think so high of Sail, I´ll give it a try.

FUEGO · 06-27-2009, 12:34 PM

Here's a neat list of good personal finance and investing books that vanguard just put out, if anyone is interested. I have read a number of them myself, and many are frequently recommended by other posters here.

redduck · 06-27-2009, 10:28 PM

For some reason I've gone back to books that I read as a student:

Catcher in the Rye: loved it the first time around, not so much last week.

I'm rereading "Sometimes a Great Notion." Still a terrific read.

I do enjoy books by David Sedaris: quick, easy, funny and often insightful.