What are you reading?
- Thread starter Tonyblack
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For our local book club I'm reading Little Heathens, a non-fiction book about one family's experience living through the Great Depression. This group has a history of choosing uplifting and cheerful subjects. 
Actually, it's surprisingly good so far, but I'm sure something horribly depressing is just a few chapters away. I've decided to make them read a DW book on my next turn to choose! :twisted: This group needs to lighten up! Although I'll bet most won't read it if I do.
Actually, it's surprisingly good so far, but I'm sure something horribly depressing is just a few chapters away. I've decided to make them read a DW book on my next turn to choose! :twisted: This group needs to lighten up! Although I'll bet most won't read it if I do. 
Susanne, Going Postal worked really well as the first DW book we getm the library group to read in Tucson. There's not too much weird stuff going on in there to put first time Pratchett readers of. Plus you can show them the stamps and that really impresses.
I'm currently reading a novel by a friend of ours from Phoenix, Arizona. The book is called 'If I Die in Juarez' by Stella Pope Duarte. Although the book is fiction it is based on the fact that hundreds of women have been brutally murdered and their bodies dumped in the Mexican border town of Ciudad Juarez. The police there have done little or notghing to solve these horrible crimes.
Stella recently won a South West Writers prize for this book. She's a lovely person and a really talented story teller.
I'm currently reading a novel by a friend of ours from Phoenix, Arizona. The book is called 'If I Die in Juarez' by Stella Pope Duarte. Although the book is fiction it is based on the fact that hundreds of women have been brutally murdered and their bodies dumped in the Mexican border town of Ciudad Juarez. The police there have done little or notghing to solve these horrible crimes.
Stella recently won a South West Writers prize for this book. She's a lovely person and a really talented story teller.
Have just finished read Crossing the Yard; Thirty Years as a Prison Volunteer by Richard Shelton (the author of Going Back to Bisbee). This is a must read for every American citizen. Not only is Shelton's writing a joy to read - his interest in and artistry in the use of language--is so clear, as is his commitment to Prison Reform. The US has more prisoners incarcerated than any other country in the world. We have now surpassed Russia, which previously held that place with 690 incarceration per 100,000. We have now reached (and perhaps surpassed since the book came out) at least 700 per 100,000. A special panel of federal judges tentatively ruled Monday that California must release tens of thousands of inmates to relieve overcrowding. The judges said no other solution will improve conditions so poor that inmates die regularly of suicides or lack of proper care.
Shelton has taught creative writing to prison inmates throughout 30 years in spite of lack of support and sometimes outright harassment by the authorities. A number of his students (such as Ken Lamberton and Jimmy Santiago Baca) have made names for themselves as writers. He writes about the transformative power of writing, but he does more. He offers an intelligent solution to a situation that has gotten inhumane, ineffective and fiscally draining. Since 1978 spending for corrections has increased dramatically, and spending for education has decreased. What we are doing is educating more and more "criminals" instead of making some attempt at rehabilitation or treatment of the mentally ill.
The book was published by the University of Arizona Press in 2007--in a trade paperback (large) size. I'm thinking of sending a copy to Obama's Organizing America - because this offers solutions to many problems facing this country at this crucial time. This is a MUST READ!
Shelton has taught creative writing to prison inmates throughout 30 years in spite of lack of support and sometimes outright harassment by the authorities. A number of his students (such as Ken Lamberton and Jimmy Santiago Baca) have made names for themselves as writers. He writes about the transformative power of writing, but he does more. He offers an intelligent solution to a situation that has gotten inhumane, ineffective and fiscally draining. Since 1978 spending for corrections has increased dramatically, and spending for education has decreased. What we are doing is educating more and more "criminals" instead of making some attempt at rehabilitation or treatment of the mentally ill.
The book was published by the University of Arizona Press in 2007--in a trade paperback (large) size. I'm thinking of sending a copy to Obama's Organizing America - because this offers solutions to many problems facing this country at this crucial time. This is a MUST READ!
I recently picked up a first edition hardback of a book called The Man Who Was Magic, by Paul Gallico. This one was written in the 60s and so far is really good.
You might know Gallico from such books as The Poseidon Adventure and The Snow Goose, but if you ever get the chance, get his wonderful book, The Silent Miaow, which is a book translated by Gallico from the original manuscript by a cat. It is a book giving kittens and other cats advice on how to properly train humans and is hysterical - especially if you have a cat.
You might know Gallico from such books as The Poseidon Adventure and The Snow Goose, but if you ever get the chance, get his wonderful book, The Silent Miaow, which is a book translated by Gallico from the original manuscript by a cat. It is a book giving kittens and other cats advice on how to properly train humans and is hysterical - especially if you have a cat.
I'm getting back into my stack of Patrick O'Brien books. I got almost the whole set from a charity shop some time ago and am working my way through them in order.
Currently reading Mauritius Command. O'Brien's books are a little hard to get into at first but well worth the effort. The historical facts are excellent and they are often laugh out loud funny.
Currently reading Mauritius Command. O'Brien's books are a little hard to get into at first but well worth the effort. The historical facts are excellent and they are often laugh out loud funny.
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