Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

hermetic

(8,614 posts)
Sun Sep 11, 2016, 12:56 PM Sep 2016

What are you reading this week of September 11, 2016?

For me: The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill.

This is the first book of the Dr. Siri forensic mysteries. Back when co-host scarletwoman was recommending this series she did advise me to start with the first one and then read them in order as much as possible, so that is my plan.

Here is the Wiki Plot Summary:

Despite a total lack of training, an utter dearth of experience and a complete absence of inclination, Dr. Siri Paiboun has just been appointed state coroner for the Lao People's Democratic Republic. It's 1976, the royal family has been deposed, the professional classes have fled and the communists have taken over. And 72-year-old Siri - a communist for convenience and a wry old reprobate by nature - has got the coroner's job because he's the only doctor left in Laos.

But when the wife of a Party leader is wheeled into the morgue and the bodies of tortured Vietnamese soldiers start bobbing to the surface of a Laotian lake, all eyes turn to the new coroner. Faced with official cover-ups and an emerging international crisis, Siri will be forced to enlist old friends, tribal shamans, forensic deduction, spiritual acumen and some good old-fashioned sleuthing before he can discover quite what's going on.


I enjoyed listening to James Patterson's 3rd Degree, a tale of terrorism in America. I liked that it had music and sound effects. Reminded me of listening to old radio shows.

Now I'm listening to A Voice from the Field by Neal Griffin, just out this year. I grabbed this CD because I liked the cover photo. Turns out it's a pretty decent suspense story. White supremacists and human traffickers in Wisconsin being hunted down by Detective Tia Suarez.

What are you hunting down to read this week?

Wishing you all a peaceful day.
15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
What are you reading this week of September 11, 2016? (Original Post) hermetic Sep 2016 OP
The Year of the Flood - Margaret Atwood GoDawgs Sep 2016 #1
I don't have Sirius hermetic Sep 2016 #3
Just finished "The Girl on the Train". Not worth my time. Paper Roses Sep 2016 #2
Are you sure you read the right one? hermetic Sep 2016 #4
Don't have 'The Water knife'. Recommended? Paper Roses Sep 2016 #5
A few people here hermetic Sep 2016 #11
I got nothing. TexasProgresive Sep 2016 #6
Horrors!! hermetic Sep 2016 #12
I picked out an ebook from the library TexasProgresive Sep 2016 #13
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides Goblinmonger Sep 2016 #7
Cool hermetic Sep 2016 #9
The Inheritance Trilogy by NK Jemison getting old in mke Sep 2016 #8
Nice hermetic Sep 2016 #10
Still reading the same book, but haven't made much progress. Been japple Sep 2016 #14
Been re-reading Hula Popper Sep 2016 #15

GoDawgs

(267 posts)
1. The Year of the Flood - Margaret Atwood
Sun Sep 11, 2016, 01:58 PM
Sep 2016

Although purists probably classify it more science fiction subcategory than fiction. It's the sequel to Oryx & Crake

You mentioned old radio shows- Sirius XM has channel that is all old radio serials from 30's, 40's & 50's. My Grandma used to listen to it & she said they were the authentic shows.

hermetic

(8,614 posts)
3. I don't have Sirius
Sun Sep 11, 2016, 02:32 PM
Sep 2016

But if I did I would sure be checking that out. In the late 40s, then 50s, I listened to as many of those as I could find. Then along came TV, and you know the rest of the story.

I love Atwood and The Year of the Flood wasn't an easy read, but it was worth it because then comes MaddAddam which I thought was just terrific. What an imagination she has!

Paper Roses

(7,504 posts)
2. Just finished "The Girl on the Train". Not worth my time.
Sun Sep 11, 2016, 02:09 PM
Sep 2016

Since so many of my friends have read the book, I borrowed a copy. When you are used to reading good stuff, this one will put you to sleep. I passed it on, I have even forgotten the author. Hope I never bump into another one of these.
Now reading "A Rage of Order" by Robert Worth. Hope I enjoy this. Just started it.

I need the new "Reacher" by Lee Child. 2 months to go until release.

It's not that I have nothing to read. Have about a 200 book backlog. Would you believe I'm trying to sell about 50 great books on my local 'garage sale' site. All for 15 dollars Current, great authors. No replies. Don't people read any more? Forget the Kindle, there is nothing as good as a 'book in hand'.

hermetic

(8,614 posts)
4. Are you sure you read the right one?
Sun Sep 11, 2016, 02:38 PM
Sep 2016

I only ask because I had read there were 2 books with a similar title. I haven't read either but I think the "good" one involved a lot of drinking. Whatever, I decided some time ago to give it a miss, there are just too many other really good books out there, calling to me.

Hope you enjoy your latest selection.

Say, you wouldn't happen to have a copy of The Water Knife in your collection there, would ya?

Paper Roses

(7,504 posts)
5. Don't have 'The Water knife'. Recommended?
Sun Sep 11, 2016, 03:17 PM
Sep 2016

Last edited Sun Sep 11, 2016, 03:56 PM - Edit history (1)

The books I have in my 'read again' selection that I'm trying to sell: Coben, Sheldon, Patterson, Parker, Buckley, Baldacci, Roberts, Conror, McCullough, Coulter, Robb, Flynn, Deaver, Cromwell, Hiassen, ...the list continues. Good reads. I bought many of my books from a used book store near me. The store has gone out of business and now I am checking titles on eBay and other on-line sites.

Frequently I find that books that might be popular in my neck of the woods are not to my liking. Since I read a lot, I'm finding this on-line buying is getting expensive. I like to have a hands on look at the book. A quick check and I'll know if I've read it before. I admit, I don't tend to remember titles. Must quickly scan content. Perhaps I am naive but I think that with all these good authors someone would want good group of "to read" books. (no wonder the store closed. Now up to 47 books for $15.00. Less than the cost of 2 new paperbacks.)

Not sure about which "The Girl..." you are referring to but the main character drank a lot and her drinking was a main factor in the whole story. I really did not like it.
Give me a good Flynn, Child, Parker, Coulter (et al) book any day!

PS, Edited to add: The author of "The Girl..." I just read was Paula Hawkins.

hermetic

(8,614 posts)
11. A few people here
Tue Sep 13, 2016, 01:28 PM
Sep 2016

have read The Water Knife and everyone really likes the story. Opinions about the ending vary, though. I plan to read it when I find a used copy somewhere. Gook luck with your sale. Sounds like you have plenty of good reads there.

TexasProgresive

(12,280 posts)
6. I got nothing.
Mon Sep 12, 2016, 08:59 AM
Sep 2016

Finished Elizabeth George's A Banquet of Consequences. It was a very good read. I scanned my book shelves but there was nothing new and I wasn't interested in rereading at this time. So I am bookless. Maybe I will peruse my library's e-book collection for something.

hermetic

(8,614 posts)
12. Horrors!!
Tue Sep 13, 2016, 01:35 PM
Sep 2016


.
.
.
.
.
.

JK

I would freak out if I didn't have something to read at night. It's been a very long time since that happened. I once read the entire 5 volume V C Andews Dollanganger series because it was all I could get my hands on at the time. It was ghastly! Flowers in the Attic had a lot going for it but after that it went downhill in a hurry.

Hope you've found something worthwhile to peruse.

TexasProgresive

(12,280 posts)
13. I picked out an ebook from the library
Tue Sep 13, 2016, 02:49 PM
Sep 2016

BBBBUT they had a block on me. If you don't use your card every 3 or 4 months the disable the account. I will have to drive into town to get reinstated. and

I have a prime Amazon account that allows the free down load of 1 ebook per month. I never heard of most of the authors except Lee Child and I wanted to give Jack Reacher a rest. so I settled on Murder on the East Coast by Dianne Harman. Her dialog is better than what I can craft but is not great. As Granny used to say, "Beggers can't be choosers."

 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
7. The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
Mon Sep 12, 2016, 12:01 PM
Sep 2016
Middlesex is one of my all time favorites and I haven't read this from Eugenides yet. So far I'm really liking it. Though it's all English major stuff, so that probably helps.

getting old in mke

(813 posts)
8. The Inheritance Trilogy by NK Jemison
Mon Sep 12, 2016, 01:30 PM
Sep 2016

On the second one, The Broken Kingdoms. Interesting milieu of gods and humans and frailties in both. When questioned about a lack of of ethics/nobility/knowledge in their action, why they don't do better than a human, by one of the human characters, the god replies, "Does this surprise you? We made you in our image, after all."

NK Jemison is an author who's bloomed in the last five years. Enjoying it.

Also, it amuses me to think of what the Sad/Rabid Puppies faces must have looked like when Jemison, a woman of color, won the Hugo award this year...

And how can you not love an author who puts up a joyous blog post of HOLY FUCKING SHIT I WON A HUGO instead of, "I have the honor of being award a Hugo award"

japple

(10,305 posts)
14. Still reading the same book, but haven't made much progress. Been
Wed Sep 14, 2016, 10:16 AM
Sep 2016

too busy transporting cats and kittens during the day and falling to sleep too early at night. When I did get in a bit the other night, I had to go back and re-read several page to refresh my memory. The book is A Man Called Ove and it's very good.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Fiction»What are you reading this...