Axis Mundi X discussion

I know, it is a crazy notion, to speak of such things on a book website. I am currently reading a series by Dan Simmons “Hyperion”

When I get home next week I’m going to start “Fleeced” by Dick Morris and an un-known book by Neal Stephenson (author of Cryptonomicon) It isn’t actually hitting the streets for a few more months but it is a perk of having a wife in the book industry Woot!

I'm currently have a couple of books on the go:-

Different Seasons - Stephen King
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
At-Swin-Two-Birds - Flann O'Brien

I should receive The Stand by Stephen King this weekend so I'll be embarking on that this weekend as well.

Nick you bastard! You're getting the Stephenson book 3 months ahead of the publishing date, that's not fair. It's Anathem, or something like that, right? I've already got it on hold at the libes. And how are you liking the Hyperion series - are you reading all 4 of them?

I've finished Unaccustomed Earth, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep? (so very different than Blade Runner), Two Prisoners thanks to Sally, and I'm just starting on Donna's highly recommended Bridge of Birds.

Sarah, I started The Savage Detectives, wasn't the right time - I needed a lighter read at the time, I plan on getting back to it.

I will be finishing The Face of a Stranger in the next couple of days. Then I will begin The Cater Street Hangman both by Anne Perry.

Dammit - no! Well the cinches it, it's going back on the top of my to-read list!

Soooo, is this a book that makes you wet?

Oh that I knew! It's not an easy read, either.

Meanwhile, us parents are tearing our hair out, cause now we're the ones stuck with the kids all day! Bless the teachers, you deserve the summer off.

Yes, I get it well before the "others" Maybe I should keep my mouth shut about when I get books... it might be illegal.

Trade usually gets advance copies, not to worry.

then I'm in the clear. I also recieved the Hary Potter book about 3 weeks before the street date.

Oh I forgot to say, Yes I am reading the whole series. I will admit at first I didn't really care for it, But it is starting to grow on me.

Man, I've heard a lot about that Savage Detectives book lately...but I agree with Lori in that there seem to be certain "times" for certain books. I tried to read Emma earlier this month and I was almost relieved when "Atmospheric Disturbances" came into the library from the reserve list. I'm digging it so far...great Borges/Murakami feel...

I also loved "Snow Crash" and "Cryptomicon" (sp?), Lori and Nick...that huge ass first book from that series from Stephenson is still sitting on my shelf, though...

It can be intimidating.

RA, my disappointment is immeasurable...:(

Nick, there are only three more days to this month, and as I just finished Inkspell night before last I doubt I'll finish another. (I haven't bought book three yet, or I'd have started it that night and been up until two in the morning!)

I have two books in front of me as we speak, the second book to Twilight (New Moon), and A Confederacy of Dunces. I have read the forward to each...can't decide which one to start. Maybe neither, but I was running late this morning and I didn't have time to peruse the "to read" shelves at home. I just grabbed the two I had out.

Oh, I started The Man in the High Castle, but didn't finish it. I will, it wasn't that I didn't like it...I get distracted by other books, newer books, books that just start sending signals to me like a beacon, because they want to be read right now! Who am I to resist?

Nick, you callous bastard! I've been trying to get a copy of the new Stephenson, Anathem, for weeks now. You will have to taunt me with descriptions of its grandeur once you finish it.

Good call on the Hyperion series too, have you read his Ilium and Olympos books? A futuristic recreation of the Iliad with a healthy dose of The Tempest thrown in for flavor? Two of the best scifi books I've read in ages.

Sarah M., I tried being a teacher once. I taught beginning Spanish to 5th and 6th graders. After a year, however, I realized that I had to quit or give in to the constant thoughts of vasectomy. I chose the former. But to those who can be a teacher, I salute you.

I'm reading Harlan Ellison's
Watching

which is a collection of his movie reviews.

I just finished reading Don't Call Me Ishmael by Michael Gerard Bauer, which was a pretty good teen guy from Australia.

Amelia, I'll go back to it! I think it was just the wrong time.

I loved Confederacy of Dunces, by the way.

I also loved teaching sixth graders...they're a fun grade, in the right scenario:)

Someone told me to read it, so I bought a copy when Car (see Charissa, I've made you Car, rather than Char...so no one mistakes that you are C-ha-rissa, not Ch-a-rissa!!) and I went to Powell's last week.

Who told me to read it? Anyone remember?

The Monster of Florence. Fascinating.

Lori... 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep' is such a great book! I envy your getting to read it for the first time.

I'm slogging through 'The Lost Years' about the recent Intifada in Israel. I don't know why I torture myself with this stuff. I'm obsessed. But I must say, it's fascinating to have a look (a tiny peek) at the inner workings of Israeli politics. Most of that stuff never makes the news here.

I'm picking up 'The Road' again today to finish it. This smoke is putting me in the mood for apocalypse. Go figure.

I'm also in the middle of 'American Fascists'. It's pretty shocking actually. I figured I should balance out my rabid anti-Islamism with some scrutiny aimed at Christian Extremists. Just to be fair.

I think I can safely say my summer reading is ridiculously serious. What a stick in the mud I've become. ha!

Confederacy of Dunces rocks. Ow, my valve!

Thanks Amelia love... now I'm an automobile. Can I please be a '66 Mustang fastback?

Charissa, I think I can safely say that you are not, nor will you EVER be, a stick in the mud!

You certainly may!!

Ha ha ha ha... thanks Jackie.

Oh goodie... Amelia says I can be a Mustang. :::whinnies and gallops around:::::

The Man in the High Castle was decent; I enjoyed its function as an alternate-history type book, but it had a hard time holding my interest if there were other books to be read.

Right now I'm reading Jude the Obscure, Through a Glass Darkly (a recommended YA book), and trying to finally finish Blood Meridian.

I am reading Seeing by Jose Saramago, its a follow up or sorts of Blindness, which I finished reading a couple of days ago ... so far its very good!