Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse

The New Coffee Room

  1. TNCR
  2. General Discussion
  3. What are you reading now?

What are you reading now?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General Discussion
907 Posts 31 Posters 59.4k Views
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • George KG George K

    That was typical Connelly. Good story, and perhaps a bit more involved than his other tales.

    (This is not a "Bosch" book, by the way).

    Having read "All The Old Knives" and being disappointed by it, I really wanted to give Steinhauer another shot. He's written a series of books based on one character. So, I started this today.

    "Milo Weaver used to be a “tourist” for the CIA—an undercover agent with no home, no identity—but he’s since retired from the field to become a middle-level manager at the CIA’s New York headquarters. He’s acquired a wife, a daughter, and a brownstone in Brooklyn, and he’s tried to leave his old life of secrets and lies behind.

    But when the arrest of a long-sought-after assassin sets off an investigation into one of Milo’s oldest colleagues and exposes new layers of intrigue in his old cases, he has no choice but to go back undercover and find out who’s holding the strings once and for all."

    bigTouristcover.jpg

    George KG Offline
    George KG Offline
    George K
    wrote on last edited by
    #593

    @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

    bigTouristcover.jpg

    Though this was a "meh" book, I thought the concept and world that Steinhauer described was interesting. So, being curious, I thought I'd pick up the first of 3 sequels.

    image.jpeg

    About ¼ of the way through it, and so far, it's a much better book, and a much tighter story. The events of "The Tourist" set up the situation in "The Nearest Exit," but the story isn't really dependent upon it.

    "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

    The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

    George KG 1 Reply Last reply
    • Catseye3C Offline
      Catseye3C Offline
      Catseye3
      wrote on last edited by
      #594

      34263b85-d32b-4f0b-8c3b-9be521a013ff-image.png

      Amazon: "But despite the odds, these underwater warriors accounted for almost 60 percent of Japanese shipping losses, and were a major factor in winning the war. 16 U.S. submarines - and one German U-Boat - that saw action during WWII are now open to the public. Most have been restored and authentically equipped.

      Final Patrol takes a fascinating look at these subs and the personal stories of the brave sailors who lived, fought, and often died in them. Now, visitors can climb into these cramped steel cylinders, peer through their torpedo tubes, and imagine diving under the sea - perhaps for the last time - to stalk a fanatical enemy who threatened our nation's freedom."

      4.5 stars, 68 ratings. $1.99.

      https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IATDEM?_bbid=90553873&tag=bookbubemail1-20

      Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace. – Mike Ditka

      RenaudaR 1 Reply Last reply
      • Catseye3C Catseye3

        34263b85-d32b-4f0b-8c3b-9be521a013ff-image.png

        Amazon: "But despite the odds, these underwater warriors accounted for almost 60 percent of Japanese shipping losses, and were a major factor in winning the war. 16 U.S. submarines - and one German U-Boat - that saw action during WWII are now open to the public. Most have been restored and authentically equipped.

        Final Patrol takes a fascinating look at these subs and the personal stories of the brave sailors who lived, fought, and often died in them. Now, visitors can climb into these cramped steel cylinders, peer through their torpedo tubes, and imagine diving under the sea - perhaps for the last time - to stalk a fanatical enemy who threatened our nation's freedom."

        4.5 stars, 68 ratings. $1.99.

        https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IATDEM?_bbid=90553873&tag=bookbubemail1-20

        RenaudaR Offline
        RenaudaR Offline
        Renauda
        wrote on last edited by
        #595

        @Catseye3

        Looks interesting. Submariners are a whole t’other breed of warrior.

        Elbows up!

        1 Reply Last reply
        • Catseye3C Offline
          Catseye3C Offline
          Catseye3
          wrote on last edited by
          #596

          000e4ce1-3441-449d-be5f-c75bf4885676-image.png

          "From breaking wild horses in Colorado to fighting the Red Baron's squadrons in the skies over France, here in his own words is the true story of a forgotten American hero: the cowboy who became our first ace and the first pilot to fly the American colors over enemy lines."

          $1.99. 638 ratings at 4.5 stars.
          https://www.amazon.com/Horses-Dont-Fly-Memoir-Cowboy-ebook/dp/B01DRX7UNQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8YD4RP4DLZ36&keywords=Horses+don't+fly&qid=1666624938&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjkzIiwicXNhIjoiMS43MiIsInFzcCI6IjEuODAifQ%3D%3D&s=digital-text&sprefix=horses+don't+fly%2Cdigital-text%2C143&sr=1-1

          Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace. – Mike Ditka

          1 Reply Last reply
          • George KG George K

            @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

            bigTouristcover.jpg

            Though this was a "meh" book, I thought the concept and world that Steinhauer described was interesting. So, being curious, I thought I'd pick up the first of 3 sequels.

            image.jpeg

            About ¼ of the way through it, and so far, it's a much better book, and a much tighter story. The events of "The Tourist" set up the situation in "The Nearest Exit," but the story isn't really dependent upon it.

            George KG Offline
            George KG Offline
            George K
            wrote on last edited by
            #597

            @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

            About ¼ of the way through it, and so far, it's a much better book, and a much tighter story. The events of "The Tourist" set up the situation in "The Nearest Exit," but the story isn't really dependent upon it.

            See, I'm the type of person who likes the whole goddamned story.

            "Nearest Exit" was a much better book than "The Tourist." More satisfying, less obscure, and the characters were really fleshed out well.

            The ending was good, but left enough threads in the air that I was hankering for more.

            So the other day, I started #3 in the "Milo Weaver" series. It's gotten so-so reviews because some found it confusing and difficult to follow.

            If you're going to find spy stories convoluted, stay away from Steinhauer (and LeCarre).

            Yeah, this is convoluted, and I find it difficult to keep track of all the Chinese names. But, the overall arc has been good, and Steinhauer's trying to tie up the loose ends of "The Nearest Exit."

            I find myself getting into a rhythm of his books, and I'll probably continue with the fourth, and final, book in the "Weaver" stories.

            image.jpeg

            "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

            The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

            1 Reply Last reply
            • George KG Offline
              George KG Offline
              George K
              wrote on last edited by George K
              #598

              Unfortunately, "An American Spy" was not what I was hoping for. There's a lot of edge-of-your-seat action, and lots of suspense, double-crosses, etc.

              But...it's nothing more than a vehicle to set up the fourth, and final, book of the Milo Weaver story.

              I found all of the Chinese characters' names confusing, and the wheels-within-wheels story was just a bit too complicated for its own good. It's like "All The Old Knives" on steroids.

              So, someone recommended more Alastair Reynolds. This is a standalone book. I'm only about 10% into it, and it's typical Reyonlds. It has a totally new take on a far-flung future. Humanity is no longer what it was. The protagonist, an "angel" pathologist named Quinllan, has to leave his home.

              Why? Who's put him in danger?

              Typical Reynolds. Mind-boggling imagination and wholly unique worlds.

              image.jpeg

              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_World

              "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

              The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

              1 Reply Last reply
              • kluursK Offline
                kluursK Offline
                kluurs
                wrote on last edited by
                #599

                c0eb1b86-52a1-41c9-964c-743fa6cda7a9-image.png

                I haven't finished this one - but it is excellent. I'll have to read his lates book Cell next.

                George KG 1 Reply Last reply
                • kluursK kluurs

                  c0eb1b86-52a1-41c9-964c-743fa6cda7a9-image.png

                  I haven't finished this one - but it is excellent. I'll have to read his lates book Cell next.

                  George KG Offline
                  George KG Offline
                  George K
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #600

                  @kluurs said in What are you reading now?:

                  c0eb1b86-52a1-41c9-964c-743fa6cda7a9-image.png

                  I haven't finished this one - but it is excellent. I'll have to read his lates book Cell next.

                  @bachophile recommended "The Emperor of All Maladies" to me a long time ago.

                  Still haven't gotten around to it.

                  "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                  The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                  bachophileB jon-nycJ George KG 3 Replies Last reply
                  • George KG George K

                    @kluurs said in What are you reading now?:

                    c0eb1b86-52a1-41c9-964c-743fa6cda7a9-image.png

                    I haven't finished this one - but it is excellent. I'll have to read his lates book Cell next.

                    @bachophile recommended "The Emperor of All Maladies" to me a long time ago.

                    Still haven't gotten around to it.

                    bachophileB Offline
                    bachophileB Offline
                    bachophile
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #601

                    @George-K still do

                    havent yet got to this one

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    • bachophileB Offline
                      bachophileB Offline
                      bachophile
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #602

                      35eef64c-f0ba-4359-840d-1853b6920736-image.png

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      • Aqua LetiferA Offline
                        Aqua LetiferA Offline
                        Aqua Letifer
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #603

                        @George-K You read any of these? I'm in the last bits of this one:

                        CB4AC420-F2E3-4C82-885F-4E622B759E0F.jpeg

                        Please love yourself.

                        George KG 1 Reply Last reply
                        • Aqua LetiferA Aqua Letifer

                          @George-K You read any of these? I'm in the last bits of this one:

                          CB4AC420-F2E3-4C82-885F-4E622B759E0F.jpeg

                          George KG Offline
                          George KG Offline
                          George K
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #604

                          @Aqua-Letifer no, I haven't. I might pick up a Ballard book just to see how it dovetails with the Bosch books.

                          Still plowing through Interview with the Vampire - getting boring, I might add.

                          "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                          The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                          Aqua LetiferA 1 Reply Last reply
                          • George KG George K

                            @Aqua-Letifer no, I haven't. I might pick up a Ballard book just to see how it dovetails with the Bosch books.

                            Still plowing through Interview with the Vampire - getting boring, I might add.

                            Aqua LetiferA Offline
                            Aqua LetiferA Offline
                            Aqua Letifer
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #605

                            @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                            @Aqua-Letifer no, I haven't. I might pick up a Ballard book just to see how it dovetails with the Bosch books.

                            If they're anything like these, they're 50/50 with every other chapter written from Bosch or Ballard's perspective. Other than that, pretty much more of the same so if you like the other books, these are good, too.

                            Please love yourself.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            • MikM Away
                              MikM Away
                              Mik
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #606

                              82173B7A-502E-42AD-976F-1A3828FDE00D.jpeg

                              “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                              Doctor PhibesD 1 Reply Last reply
                              • MikM Away
                                MikM Away
                                Mik
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #607

                                Also

                                alt text

                                “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                • Catseye3C Offline
                                  Catseye3C Offline
                                  Catseye3
                                  wrote on last edited by Catseye3
                                  #608

                                  I just bought this. New writer for me.

                                  Amazon: "In 1954, at the start of the Cold War, the Soviet military offered four political prisoners their freedom if they participated in an experiment requiring them to remain awake for fourteen days while under the influence of a powerful stimulant gas. The prisoners ultimately reverted to murder, self-mutilation, and madness.

                                  None survived.

                                  In 2018, Dr. Roy Wallis, an esteemed psychology professor at UC Berkeley, is attempting to recreate the same experiment during the summer break in a soon-to-be demolished building on campus. He and two student assistants share an eight-hour rotational schedule to observe their young Australian test subjects around the clock.

                                  What begins innocently enough, however, morphs into a nightmare beyond description that no one could have imagined—with, perhaps, the exception of Dr. Roy Wallis himself."

                                  When it comes to horror I love slow gradual escalation peppered with small shivery surprises, a la King.

                                  6be42a59-e260-4ed5-88b6-adba5a769167-image.png

                                  Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace. – Mike Ditka

                                  George KG 1 Reply Last reply
                                  • Catseye3C Catseye3

                                    I just bought this. New writer for me.

                                    Amazon: "In 1954, at the start of the Cold War, the Soviet military offered four political prisoners their freedom if they participated in an experiment requiring them to remain awake for fourteen days while under the influence of a powerful stimulant gas. The prisoners ultimately reverted to murder, self-mutilation, and madness.

                                    None survived.

                                    In 2018, Dr. Roy Wallis, an esteemed psychology professor at UC Berkeley, is attempting to recreate the same experiment during the summer break in a soon-to-be demolished building on campus. He and two student assistants share an eight-hour rotational schedule to observe their young Australian test subjects around the clock.

                                    What begins innocently enough, however, morphs into a nightmare beyond description that no one could have imagined—with, perhaps, the exception of Dr. Roy Wallis himself."

                                    When it comes to horror I love slow gradual escalation peppered with small shivery surprises, a la King.

                                    6be42a59-e260-4ed5-88b6-adba5a769167-image.png

                                    George KG Offline
                                    George KG Offline
                                    George K
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #609

                                    @Catseye3 ooh. that looks like fun.

                                    "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                                    The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    • MikM Mik

                                      82173B7A-502E-42AD-976F-1A3828FDE00D.jpeg

                                      Doctor PhibesD Online
                                      Doctor PhibesD Online
                                      Doctor Phibes
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #610

                                      @Mik how was the Dave Grohl book?

                                      I was only joking

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      • George KG George K

                                        @kluurs said in What are you reading now?:

                                        c0eb1b86-52a1-41c9-964c-743fa6cda7a9-image.png

                                        I haven't finished this one - but it is excellent. I'll have to read his lates book Cell next.

                                        @bachophile recommended "The Emperor of All Maladies" to me a long time ago.

                                        Still haven't gotten around to it.

                                        jon-nycJ Online
                                        jon-nycJ Online
                                        jon-nyc
                                        wrote on last edited by jon-nyc
                                        #611

                                        @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                                        @bachophile recommended "The Emperor of All Maladies" to me a long time ago.

                                        Still haven't gotten around to it.

                                        I’m actually re-listening to it now. You’ll love it. Great history. Not just of the medicine but public policy.

                                        Only non-witches get due process.

                                        • Cotton Mather, Salem Massachusetts, 1692
                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        • taiwan_girlT Offline
                                          taiwan_girlT Offline
                                          taiwan_girl
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #612

                                          alt text

                                          The story of the writing of the Oxford English Dictionary. One of the biggest volunteers to the project was actually a US guy in a English criminal insane asylum. (He was there for murder)

                                          Actually, it was quite an interesting book. Really enjoyed it and did not know the history behind the writing of the book.

                                          CopperC 1 Reply Last reply
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups