What are you reading right now?

[sneakypete]

Ordered a book with four L'Amour books, and it has Hondo.  For whatever reason, many of the lots on Ebay, etc do not have Hondo, so I thought I would order this book with three of the first four books By L'Amour.

I am also bidding on one of the leatherette lots at a reasonable price for me.  Will know tomorrow if I get it.

Some of these folks want an arm and a leg.

@jafo2010

He was a VERY popular author. Several of the books you will read,including Hondo,were made into movies,and The Sacketts were turned into a mini-series on broadcast teebee.

Because he was so popular,there were several "collectors editions" and "collector series" sets of his book for sale new at one time,and lots of people bought them up.

The good news is most of us are more readers than collectors,and there are tons of used paperbacks for sale.

[jafo2010]

Sneakypete...like I said, I prefer hardback only because the print is a hair larger and easier to read.  And I prefer books versus electronic reading.

I haven't checked yet, but I would imagine I could download all of L'Amour from    www.bookfi    for free.  I literally have hundreds of electronic books from there.  I just prefer books.

[sneakypete]

Sneakypete...like I said, I prefer hardback only because the print is a hair larger and easier to read.  And I prefer books versus electronic reading.

@jafo2010

Same here,but for years,if I wanted to read,and I did,economics dominated,and it was paperbacks. I have TWO kindles,and only use them when the power is out. They are better and easier to use that books,but they ain't books. I want to feel and smell the paper.

I haven't checked yet, but I would imagine I could download all of L'Amour from    www.bookfi    for free.  I literally have hundreds of electronic books from there.

Believe it or not,but that had never even occurred to me.

I just prefer books.

Yeah!

[Polly Ticks]

Got my Audible yearly stats, and as it turns out being on STD for a couple of months really increases a gal's listening time.

[Gefn]

I just ordered the latest book by Marie Benedict from my library.

I have to recommend her. She writes historical fiction. Wrote a book on Andrew Carnegie’s maid which put her on the map.

The other Einstein- 2016

Carnegie’s Maid- 2018

The Only Woman in the Room- 2019

Lady Clementine-2020

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie- 2020 (this week)

[bigheadfred]

I'll finish book 81 for the year tonite.

[mountaineer]

Before Christmas, I picked up a copy of Bill O’Reilly’s Legends and Lies; The Civil War, a companion book to a FOX historical docudrama of which I was unaware. The actual author is David Fisher. I got it at Ollie's discount store for only $4.25, and figured I had nothing to lose.

This actually is a good book for a Civil War novice, say, a young person never taught actual, true American history in the public schools. It provides a good overview of some of the events leading to the war, e.g., John Brown's activities in Kansas and Harpers Ferry, and profiles of the key battles and military figures, like Lee, Grant, Sherman, Jackson, etc. It explains emancipation and goes through the surrender and Lincoln's assassination. It isn't a book, perhaps, for one who has studied the subject extensively and can recite the precise maneuvers of the 2nd Vermont Brigade on July 2, 1863, or Gen. Hooker's tactics at Fredericksburg, but the narrative and many illustrations might pique the interest of someone who hasn't had that exposure. Recommended.

[thackney]

...]Bill O’Reilly’s Legends and Lies; The Civil War, a companion book to a FOX historical docudrama of which I was unaware. The actual author is David Fisher....

This actually is a good book for a Civil War novice, say, a young person never taught actual, true American history in the public schools....Recommended.

Thank you!

[Polly Ticks]

I'll finish book 81 for the year tonite.

Do you track those / keep count manually or do you use Goodreads or something like that? I have no idea how many books I've read; I only know how many I listened to because Audible keeps track for me and sends me an email at the end of the year.

[sneakypete]

Do you track those / keep count manually or do you use Goodreads or something like that? I have no idea how many books I've read; I only know how many I listened to because Audible keeps track for me and sends me an email at the end of the year.

@Polly Ticks

Is Audible a on-line book recording service?

I am thinking about oral books because I have had so much trouble concentrating lately. I think maybe books I hear over a headset might be easier to follow.

Do you have any spoken book URL's?

What do they cost per book,and is there a good selection of older as well as newer books?

[Polly Ticks]

@Polly Ticks

Is Audible a on-line book recording service?

I am thinking about oral books because I have had so much trouble concentrating lately. I think maybe books I hear over a headset might be easier to follow.

Do you have any spoken book URL's?

What do they cost per book,and is there a good selection of older as well as newer books?

@sneakypete

Audible is an Amazon-owned company for audiobooks.  There are different memberships available, but the gist of it is that your membership gives you one or more credits that can be used to purchase any audiobook they sell -- one credit = one audiobook.  The basic plan is $14.95 for one credit per month. Those books you purchase are yours to keep even if you cancel the membership. They do have a good selection of both older and newer books, yes, although I understand the recording quality sometimes isn't as good on some of the older books. 

They've recently started offering a new benefit with your membership that is called Audible Plus. Audible Plus operates more like Netflix ... you can listen to the book, but you don' t get to keep it and the catalog of titles offered changes from time to time.  (Side note: I just did a quick search of the Audible Plus catalog out of curiosity, and it currently contains 34 of the Louis L'Amour titles.)  If that rental model is more your preference, you are able to purchase a membership that only provides access to the Plus catalog without any credits for $7.95 per month.

They have other membership benefits like a Daily Deal discounted audiobook of the day and they have 2-books-for-1-credit sales fairly frequently, too.  Here's the link if you want more info:
https://www.audible.com/ep/audible-member-benefit?pf_rd_p=8b6553b9-a061-4b02-9d16-7947e3a80b89&pf_rd_r=NR295PZT61HAQWR6SNEZ

As far as other URLs, I'm not really sure what else might be out there.  You'd think there would be something for audiobooks like Gutenberg does for ebooks, but I don't really know. 

[bigheadfred]

Do you track those / keep count manually or do you use Goodreads or something like that? I have no idea how many books I've read; I only know how many I listened to because Audible keeps track for me and sends me an email at the end of the year.

I go by how many I return with Kindle Unlimited. These are easy read sci fi or fantasy. 275-350 pages each. I am a quarter through 82 now. I can finish it today if I just go do it. Like I said. I don't watch tv.

[Polly Ticks]

I go by how many I return with Kindle Unlimited. These are easy read sci fi or fantasy. 275-350 pages each. I am a quarter through 82 now. I can finish it today if I just go do it. Like I said. I don't watch tv.

Gotcha.  I did KU for a while at the first of the year when I was off work on short-term disability, and that's where I found Will Wight's Cradle series. Good entertainment!

[bigheadfred]

Gotcha.  I did KU for a while at the first of the year when I was off work on short-term disability, and that's where I found Will Wight's Cradle series. Good entertainment!

I'll check him out. Always trying new authors. I did reread a compilation of Arthur C Clarke's short stories this year. About 1200 pages worth.

[Polly Ticks]

I'll check him out. Always trying new authors. I did reread a compilation of Arthur C Clarke's short stories this year. About 1200 pages worth.

It's a basic progression fantasy ... each book is a 'level-up' for the protagonist.  (But not Lit-RPG.  I don't really care much for those.)  Let me know what you think if you try it out!

I haven't read short story compilations in a long time.  Maybe I'll try one of those this coming year.
 

[sneakypete]

@sneakypete

Audible is an Amazon-owned company for audiobooks.  There are different memberships available, but the gist of it is that your membership gives you one or more credits that can be used to purchase any audiobook they sell -- one credit = one audiobook.  The basic plan is $14.95 for one credit per month. Those books you purchase are yours to keep even if you cancel the membership. They do have a good selection of both older and newer books, yes, although I understand the recording quality sometimes isn't as good on some of the older books. 

They've recently started offering a new benefit with your membership that is called Audible Plus. Audible Plus operates more like Netflix ... you can listen to the book, but you don' t get to keep it and the catalog of titles offered changes from time to time.  (Side note: I just did a quick search of the Audible Plus catalog out of curiosity, and it currently contains 34 of the Louis L'Amour titles.)  If that rental model is more your preference, you are able to purchase a membership that only provides access to the Plus catalog without any credits for $7.95 per month.

They have other membership benefits like a Daily Deal discounted audiobook of the day and they have 2-books-for-1-credit sales fairly frequently, too.  Here's the link if you want more info:
https://www.audible.com/ep/audible-member-benefit?pf_rd_p=8b6553b9-a061-4b02-9d16-7947e3a80b89&pf_rd_r=NR295PZT61HAQWR6SNEZ

As far as other URLs, I'm not really sure what else might be out there.  You'd think there would be something for audiobooks like Gutenberg does for ebooks, but I don't really know.

@Polly Ticks

Thank you!

[Fishrrman]

Sneakypete asked:
"Is Audible a on-line book recording service?"

Want more audiobooks than you'll ever be able to listen to?
Just open a browser (I recommend the Epic privacy browser) and enter:
"torrent xxxx audiobook"
... with xxxx representing the name of the book, author, etc.

(As Butch said to Sundance after he placed the dynamite)
"That oughta do it..."

[roamer_1]

Audible is an Amazon-owned company for audiobooks.  There are different memberships available, but the gist of it is that your membership gives you one or more credits that can be used to purchase any audiobook they sell -- one credit = one audiobook. 

You know, I have tried like crazy to get into audibles... I just can't. It don't work for me, and I can't tell you why.

It is strange to me, because you are talking to the guy who, back in the day, modified industrial earmuffs to receive speakers harvested from walkman earphones so I could listen to Limbaugh and talk radio all day while I was riding around on a garden tractor and running string trimmers and such when I was in lawn and landscaping.

Maybe it's just because I can't soak it in - It's that way now with yoottoob - There have been vids playing all day long while I was sitting here in Command Central, and I couldn't tell you what any of them were. 

Books are an entertainment to me - a distraction - A way to step out of my day to day... But when I am working I am too focused to be entertained. I just don't hear it as anything other than white noise.
Maybe I ought to try it before bed... I don't know.

[Polly Ticks]

Sneakypete asked:
"Is Audible a on-line book recording service?"

Want more audiobooks than you'll ever be able to listen to?
Just open a browser (I recommend the Epic privacy browser) and enter:
"torrent xxxx audiobook"
... with xxxx representing the name of the book, author, etc.

(As Butch said to Sundance after he placed the dynamite)
"That oughta do it..."

Oh yeah, I guess that would be another option.

[bigheadfred]

You know, I have tried like crazy to get into audibles... I just can't. It don't work for me, and I can't tell you why.

It is strange to me, because you are talking to the guy who, back in the day, modified industrial earmuffs to receive speakers harvested from walkman earphones so I could listen to Limbaugh and talk radio all day while I was riding around on a garden tractor and running string trimmers and such when I was in lawn and landscaping.

Maybe it's just because I can't soak it in - It's that way now with yoottoob - There have been vids playing all day long while I was sitting here in Command Central, and I couldn't tell you what any of them were. 

Books are an entertainment to me - a distraction - A way to step out of my day to day... But when I am working I am too focused to be entertained. I just don't hear it as anything other than white noise.
Maybe I ought to try it before bed... I don't know.

You just like to listen to yourself talk. 

[Polly Ticks]

You know, I have tried like crazy to get into audibles... I just can't. It don't work for me, and I can't tell you why.

It is strange to me, because you are talking to the guy who, back in the day, modified industrial earmuffs to receive speakers harvested from walkman earphones so I could listen to Limbaugh and talk radio all day while I was riding around on a garden tractor and running string trimmers and such when I was in lawn and landscaping.

Maybe it's just because I can't soak it in - It's that way now with yoottoob - There have been vids playing all day long while I was sitting here in Command Central, and I couldn't tell you what any of them were. 

Books are an entertainment to me - a distraction - A way to step out of my day to day... But when I am working I am too focused to be entertained. I just don't hear it as anything other than white noise.
Maybe I ought to try it before bed... I don't know.

Yeah, I can't do audiobooks when I'm working, either, or doing anything that requires any kind of brain effort.  I mainly listen when I'm working out, doing mindless chores, or some other activity that I do on autopilot like needlepoint and such.  Oh, and sometimes I will listen in the car rather than turning on the radio.

[roamer_1]

You just like to listen to yourself talk. 

I used to sing in the shower... But the game wardens would always show up wondering why a bull elk was so close to town... 

[bigheadfred]

It's a basic progression fantasy ... each book is a 'level-up' for the protagonist.  (But not Lit-RPG.  I don't really care much for those.)  Let me know what you think if you try it out!

I haven't read short story compilations in a long time.  Maybe I'll try one of those this coming year.
 

I just did a recount. I am on book 92. 

I downloaded book 1 of Wight's Cradle.

[verga]

I'll check him out. Always trying new authors. I did reread a compilation of Arthur C Clarke's short stories this year. About 1200 pages worth.

Did you ever read the "Rama" series. Enthralled me in High school and college. I would literally wait at the book store for the last two to come out.

[Cyber Liberty]

Did you ever read the "Rama" series. Enthralled me in High school and college. I would literally wait at the book store for the last two to come out.

I only read the first one...

[mountaineer]

Books Mary Shelley read in 1821:


source:https://twitter.com/pastnow_/status/1344827035525505026/photo/2

[verga]

I only read the first one...

If you get a chance add the others.The final one "Rama Revealed" was worth the wait. It is one of those stories that is a slow continuous build to the end.

[bigheadfred]

If you get a chance add the others.The final one "Rama Revealed" was worth the wait. It is one of those stories that is a slow continuous build to the end.

I had the set.

[Cyber Liberty]

I had the set.

I have the set on my Kindle now.

[bigheadfred]

I have the set on my Kindle now.

Enjoy.

[mountaineer]

A friend of Mr. M's gave him some books he'd already read, and so I am diving in. Last night I finished "Killing Patton" by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. Our friend also gave us "Killing Reagan" and "Killing England."

The Patton book suggests that the general was the victim of a murder plot, that the traffic "accident" that paralyzed him was no accident at all. O'Reilly and Dugard are not the only ones to think so; I've just come upon this 2012 article in The American Thinker on the same topic. Interesting.

As an aside, a great-great-grandfather on my father's side served under Patton's grandfather, Col. George Patton, during the Civil War.

The book summarizes the Third Army's activities from late 1944 to the end of the war, e.g., Battle of the Bulge, and Patton's disagreements with Eisenhower, Bradley, et al., in the context of the approach of the Soviets, the liberation of Auschwitz and other events at the end of the war.

[Bigun]

A friend of Mr. M's gave him some books he'd already read, and so I am diving in. Last night I finished "Killing Patton" by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. Our friend also gave us "Killing Reagan" and "Killing England."

The Patton book suggests that the general was the victim of a murder plot, that the traffic "accident" that paralyzed him was no accident at all. O'Reilly and Dugard are not the only ones to think so; I've just come upon this 2012 article in The American Thinker on the same topic. Interesting.

As an aside, a great-great-grandfather on my father's side served under Patton's grandfather, Col. George Patton, during the Civil War.

The book summarizes the Third Army's activities from late 1944 to the end of the war, e.g., Battle of the Bulge, and Patton's disagreements with Eisenhower, Bradley, et al., in the context of the approach of the Soviets, the liberation of Auschwitz and other events at the end of the war.

And I would be among those in the highlighted part.  By 1945 there were already a great number of committed communists entrenched in the United States Department of State and they definitely were not fond of Patton's ideas on how to deal with eh Soviet Union.

[Bigun]

Several months ago I purchased a copy of this book:



https://www.amazon.com/Judicial-Fortitude-Chance-Administrative-State/dp/1641770082/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AYAT2W1IU4JD&dchild=1&keywords=judicial+fortitude+wallison&qid=1609636063&sprefix=Judicial+For%2Caps%2C210&sr=8-1

intending to read it as soon as possible.  By the time it had worked it's way to the top of the list, I was no longer sure I wanted to waste the time necessary to read it as recent events had shown me that what it proposes is never going to happen.

[thackney]

I've just started reading a book about Fort Knox...

but I'm finding it really hard to get into!!..

[bigheadfred]

I've just started reading a book about Fort Knox...

but I'm finding it really hard to get into!!..

 

[jafo2010]

Waiting for my first lot of L'Amour books to arrive.  I bought a second lot with about 90 books and the seller after I paid reneged and decided not to sell it to me.  So, I am waiting for my near $300 to return from the idiot.

[Cyber Liberty]

I just finished re-reading Rendezvous With Rama.  I first read it when it came out in 1973 (around the time I read Childhood's End) when I was in High School.  I picked up some details I had forgotten (but who could forget the last sentence in the book?  The Ramans did everything in threes.).

Rama II came out 15 years later, when I was immersed in things like work and a family.  I had no idea three more books had been published.

Fresh from RWR, I'm digging in to RII....

[sneakypete]

https://www.wilbursmithbooks.com/

If you have ANY fondness at all for historical fiction,with just a taste of fiction and a hard base of history,you HAVE to read his books about the origins of South Africa. The tale begins with the first white settlers moving into a vast land populated ONLY by a very small tribe of roaming pygmies,and takes it right up to the communist takeover my Mandella and the rest of the posers,whose ancestors were NOT from South Africa.

IIRC,his great-grandfather headed up one of those original settler families.

I don't know what your experience will be with these books because it all depends on your political and historic view of the world,but I had a hard time putting any of them down before finishing them.

BTW,to date I have only read the Courtney series,so naturally these are the ones I recommend you start with,and I recommend you read them in order. Here is the order and everything else you need to know about this series.

https://www.howtoread.me/the-courtney-series-in-order/

[mountaineer]

A friend of Mr. M's gave him some books he'd already read, and so I am diving in. Last night I finished "Killing Patton" by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. Our friend also gave us "Killing Reagan" and "Killing England."

Finished "Killing Reagan" this morning. Good background on Ron and Nancy, pre-political years, their strengths and failings, the assassination attempt and on his decline.

[jafo2010]

O'Reilly's books are interesting, but they are suspect for the truth!  He still stands by the moronic notion that Lee Harvey Oswald shot and killed JFK.  Nothing could be further from the truth!!

[sneakypete]

BTW,Bernard Cromwell is another author I strongly recommend.

http://www.bernardcornwell.net/series/the-last-kingdom-series/

[mountaineer]

O'Reilly's books are interesting, but they are suspect for the truth!  He still stands by the moronic notion that Lee Harvey Oswald shot and killed JFK.  Nothing could be further from the truth!!

They're kind of like "history lite," which might inspire the reader to delve deeper.

[bigheadfred]

Gotcha.  I did KU for a while at the first of the year when I was off work on short-term disability, and that's where I found Will Wight's Cradle series. Good entertainment!

I have read the first two Cradle books and downloaded three and four.

[Polly Ticks]

I have read the first two Cradle books and downloaded three and four.

I guess that probably means you're enjoying them.   

[libertybele]

It has finally arrived.  I've been waiting for quite awhile for Ted Cruz's new book "One Vote Away How a Single Supreme Court Seat Can Change History".  The book is also signed!  I am thrilled.  His last book "A Time for Truth" was supposed to be signed and it arrived without his John Hancock.

"The book is dedicated to William Hubbs Rehnquist, the sixteenth Chief Justice of the United States and my friend."

I am excited to start reading it; especially since our SCOTUS just failed miserably and didn't do their jobs.

With Ted's involvement in the recent objections to the election, I anticipate that he has ample material for another book.

IMHO he is an excellent writer!! 

[sneakypete]

IMHO he is an excellent writer!!

@libertybele

And an even better actor when he needs votes.

[verga]

Just started reading Clive Cussler "The Titanic Secret" Set in 1911, it is the follow up to "Raise the Titanic" So far I am not seeing the usual predictable story flow. This is about Isaac Bell who is a detective working for the Van Dorn Security agency. It is the 11th one in the series. I went back and bought 1-3 in the series.

[BassWrangler]

Just started:

The Moscow Rules: The Secret CIA Tactics That Helped America Win the Cold War" by Antonio J. Mendez, Jonna Mendez.

Start reading it for free: https://a.co/fLqr4Qx

Am a little put off by some propaganda about Russian election interference that was in the books forward, but it doesn't appear the rest of the book would touch on that since it's about the cold war.

[godblessRonaldReagan]

I'm reading "Raised On Radio", a history of old-time radio. Enjoyable, if a little biased towards the author's favorite shows.

Also reading "A Tale of Two Cities". Figured I need to work on some of the classics I've never read before they're all banned by the snowflakes.

[BassWrangler]

This thread is worth bookmarking.