BajaNomad

March 21, 2020 What are you reading?

BajaBlanca - 3-21-2020 at 08:42 AM

Since we are spending so much time at home, I am guessing most of us are reading a lot. I go thru a book about every three days and my favorite author, for quite a while now, is James Patterson.

I own a small collection of his books and last Christmas Mom gave me at least 10 that I did not own. I am old school, I can do kindle but I love the feel of a book in my hands.

I just finished reading TICK TOCK, published in 2011, so not a new one. Very enjoyable and the best part, one suffers and suffers while the action unfolds but the endings are positive. Me gusta, for sure!

He is best, in my opinion, when he writes alone, but he has taken to adding co-writers. Some change the tone in a good way, some not so much.

Today, I started THE BIG BAD WOLF. Russian mafia mixed with sex slavery of prominent white women.

What are you reading amigos and amigas? And who is your favorite author and why?

[Edited on 3-21-2020 by BajaBlanca]

David K - 3-21-2020 at 09:00 AM

Reading 'Vintage Baja', again right now...




The author relates her travel stories from Baja that date back to the 1930s.
So many of the stories are from the times of my travels beginning in 1965.
Published in 1993.


[Edited on 3-21-2020 by David K]

Best thread yet!!

thebajarunner - 3-21-2020 at 11:51 AM

Now you are on my favorite subject
In 2018, just for fun, I kept track of all the books I read, total for the year was 154..

Currently reading "Our 50 state border crisis" by Howard Buffett
essential reading for nomads!!

Also reading "American Dirt" controversial but good reading
The latest "Gray Man" book - trash, but good trash
"Race of Aces" great true story of WWII pilots

Here is a cut/paste of an email I sent to a fellow book lover last week....

Books, books, books

Let’s start with non-fiction
I am currently reading Steve Inskeep’s “Imperfect Union” about John Fremont
Inskeep recently wrote “Jacksonland” about the Indians and Pres Jackson

Also reading “ Every drop of blood” by Achorn about Lincoln’s second inauguration

“Race of Aces” by Bruning, about P38 pilots in WW2

Paul Theroux “On the plain of snakes” a travel through Mexico

3 books by Candace Millard are really great:
“Hero of the empire” Churchill in SaAfrica Boer prison
“Destiny of the republic” How Garfield’s quack doc killed him
“River of doubt” Teddy Roosevelt ordeal in the Amazon

“Without Precedent” The story of chief justice Marshall by Joel Paul


And finally, trying to keep calm and reading a Psalm each day,
Read the "Sermon on the Mount" from Matthew this week.
"Encounters with Jesus" by Tim Keller is a very affirming read.


And final final.... sorry about your fixation on James Patterson.
He is such a formula crank/out dude. A book a month? Spare me!!!

fiction…..

“Winter soldier” by Mason

“City of thieves” by Benioff

Don Winslow is one of my favorite authors
Try the Border Trilogy starting with “Power of the Dog” amazing stuff
Also read his books on the Mafia and NYCity cops

If you have not yet read James Lee Burke you are missing one of the best fiction writers ever. Very lyrical writing, and great stories
Start with “House of the Rising Sun”

My other favorite macho writers///// Lee Child, Robert Crais, Nelson DeMille, John Sanford, Jeffrey Deaver, Greg Iles “Natchez Burning” 4 books…

David K - 3-21-2020 at 12:27 PM

The last book I finished... and I will review it in the Baja Nomad Literature forum... is Herman Hill's Second Edition of Baja's Hidden Gold, published in 2014 by the late Roger Stillman of the Villa Bahía Hotel...



Like the first edition, a very entertaining read... only now with more stories added.

pauldavidmena - 3-21-2020 at 01:09 PM

I am reading Fantasy Island, Colonialism, Exploitation, and the Betrayal of Puerto Rico, because I'm not angry enough about the uncanny ability of our government to exploit a vulnerable population to enrich corporations.

So far it's pretty heavy-handed, written from a Puerto Rican Nationalist point of view, which doesn't necessarily represent the sentiment of most islanders. It is enlightening to read the history of the relationship between the mainland and its unincorporated territory over the decades, but I'm going to need a few cheap rum c-cktails to get through it.

Biography

MrBillM - 3-21-2020 at 01:25 PM

Theobald Wolfe Tone (1763-1798), A Life (Henry Boylan)

paranewbi - 3-21-2020 at 01:30 PM

Paul within Judaism, Mark D. Nanos

pauldavidmena - 3-21-2020 at 02:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  
I am reading Fantasy Island, Colonialism, Exploitation, and the Betrayal of Puerto Rico, because I'm not angry enough about the uncanny ability of our government to exploit a vulnerable population to enrich corporations.

So far it's pretty heavy-handed, written from a Puerto Rican Nationalist point of view, which doesn't necessarily represent the sentiment of most islanders. It is enlightening to read the history of the relationship between the mainland and its unincorporated territory over the decades, but I'm going to need a few cheap rum c-cktails to get through it.


When I'm reading a weighty book, I often try to balance things out by reading a shorter, more lighthearted book at the same time, switching between the two. For that reason I'm also reading Talk Dirty Spanish by Alexis Munier and Laura Martinez. It's a tasty paella of Spanish and Latin American slang.

Floatflyer - 3-21-2020 at 05:14 PM

Now reading "Fear-Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward, lead reporter for 2 Pulitzer Prize Awards.

Next will be Full Disclosure by S. Daniels

RocketJSquirrel - 3-21-2020 at 05:20 PM

The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century
by George Friedman.

https://www.amazon.com/Next-100-Years-Forecast-Century/dp/07...

Geo political view of the next 100 years - written about 2008-09 - pretty good prediction and well thought out overall theory.

Didn't read much past the 2050s as just too far out timewise.

He didn't predict the virus. But still a very interesting book written in a readable style.

John Harper - 3-21-2020 at 05:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Now you are on my favorite subject

Steve Inskeep’s “Imperfect Union” about John Fremont
Inskeep recently wrote “Jacksonland” about the Indians and Pres Jackson

“Race of Aces” by Bruning, about P38 pilots in WW2

“River of doubt” Teddy Roosevelt ordeal in the Amazon

“Without Precedent” The story of chief justice Marshall by Joel Paul


Those all look very interesting to me, love good history stories. I need to find long and detailed books or I just burn through them too fast. I have subscriptions to the NYT, LAT, and WSJ and devour them daily.

Just finished: "Stillwell: The American Experience in China" by Tuchman

Now reading, for the third or fourth time:"Vietnam, A History" by Karnow

Next up: "The 7 Pillars" by T.E. Lawrence, and "Guns of August" by Tuchman.

John

[Edited on 3-22-2020 by John Harper]

thebajarunner - 3-21-2020 at 06:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Now you are on my favorite subject

Steve Inskeep’s “Imperfect Union” about John Fremont
Inskeep recently wrote “Jacksonland” about the Indians and Pres Jackson

“Race of Aces” by Bruning, about P38 pilots in WW2

“River of doubt” Teddy Roosevelt ordeal in the Amazon

“Without Precedent” The story of chief justice Marshall by Joel Paul


Those all look very interesting to me, love good history stories. I need to find long and detailed books or I just burn through them too fast. I have subscriptions to the NYT, LAT, and WSJ and devour them daily.

Just finished: "Stillwell: The American Experience in China" by Tuchman

Now reading, for the third or fourth time:"Vietnam, A History" by Karnow

Next up: "The 7 Pillars" by T.E. Lawrence, and "Guns of August" by Tuchman.

John

[Edited on 3-22-2020 by John Harper]


Thanks John, I was afraid this thread was gone way south

History....
I have found that just working my way through the US presidents was helpful
I guess my two favorites were John Quincy Adams, possibly even more diversely talented than Jefferson (and one of the first abolitionists) and Polk, who shamelessly stole Mexico and more land than any other.

"These Truths" by Jill Leipore…. a one volume history of the US
excellent!!

Ron Chernow has done great work on Adams #1, US Grant and Hamilton.

Sort of lightweight history, but still good, the series by Brian Kilmeade. I am currently reading "Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers."

Even though it is fiction, the Border Trilogy by Don Winslow is amazing insight into the cartels and current related bad stuff. Start with the first one "Gone for Soldiers"

Final note.
Anyone who has a library card can get on your library website and sign onto free ebooks. Ours is CL (Cloud Library) and I use it extensively. Also has free audio books

Here is a happy tip.... California residents can get a library card in any California county. 53 counties- 53 cards. You just have to sign up in person (not much help during the current shutdown, but all you need is your card number and away you go)

Good reading folks.....

Paco Facullo - 3-21-2020 at 06:35 PM

War and peace,,,,, That auta last me through this virus thingy.....

tbnoble - 3-21-2020 at 06:56 PM

Finally a good thread.

Currently reading "Holy Envy" Barbara Brown Taylor exploring world religions

"Bridging Infinity" Jonathan Strahan sci fi collection

and since I teach economics

"Good Economics for Hard Times" Abhijit Banerjee seems currently appropriate though I started it in February

"Narrative Economics: How stories go viral and drive major economic events" Robert J Shiller looks at economics from the stories that drive economics

"A Good Provider is One Who Leaves" Jason DeParle examines the economics and culture of economic migrants primarily from the Philippines

War I Fare

MrBillM - 3-21-2020 at 07:04 PM

The Guns of August is superb. The Zimmerman Telegram by Barbara Tuchman is another great insight into our involvement.

If WWI is a favored subject, The First World War by John Keegan (available on Kindle) is a great read for both the events leading into the "accidental war" and the war itself.

John Harper - 3-21-2020 at 07:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  

History....
I have found that just working my way through the US presidents was helpful
I guess my two favorites were John Quincy Adams, possibly even more diversely talented than Jefferson (and one of the first abolitionists) and Polk, who shamelessly stole Mexico and more land than any other.

"These Truths" by Jill Leipore…. a one volume history of the US
excellent!!

Ron Chernow has done great work on Adams #1, US Grant and Hamilton.

Final note.
Anyone who has a library card can get on your library website and sign onto free ebooks. Ours is CL (Cloud Library) and I use it extensively. Also has free audio books

Here is a happy tip.... California residents can get a library card in any California county. 53 counties- 53 cards. You just have to sign up in person (not much help during the current shutdown, but all you need is your card number and away you go)

Good reading folks.....


Yes, I was looking at Chernow's books as well. My sister is sending me an older iPad and I'm linked to the local library for ebooks. One of the contributing reasons I came home from Wyoming this summer was that I had nothing to read, it was horrible. Picked up anything I could find, right wing, left wing, real estate catalogs (Jackson), etc. I realiized I needed to do something for this summer's trip, and my sis said she's send me the iPad so I would not have to carry books. Although I still think a physical book is much better.

Yes, I have library cards for Mammoth and Lone Pine in addition to my local card.

John

[Edited on 3-22-2020 by John Harper]

John Harper - 3-21-2020 at 07:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by MrBillM  
The Guns of August is superb. The Zimmerman Telegram by Barbara Tuchman is another great insight into our involvement.

If WWI is a favored subject, The First World War by John Keegan (available on Kindle) is a great read for both the events leading into the "accidental war" and the war itself.


Thanks for the recommendations. Zimmerman was on my list as well. I'll look into Keegan's book.

My dad was more into Civil War, maybe since I'm the next generation my interest lies in later conflicts. I've also read extensively on the Korean War and early Cold War. Especially aerospace development.

John

Skipjack Joe - 3-21-2020 at 07:59 PM

Gore Vidal's BURR

BajaBill74 - 3-21-2020 at 09:04 PM

I love light humerus novels. My favorite author is Stuart Woods.

His primary series is "Stone Barrington"

There is also a "Teddy Fay" series from a character in the Stone Barrington series.

[Edited on 3-22-2020 by BajaBill74]

John Harper - 3-22-2020 at 04:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe  
Gore Vidal's BURR


I've read it, it's very good.

John

Santiago - 3-22-2020 at 06:47 AM

"Earth Abides" by George Stewart. Very timely, to say the least.

rogbag - 3-22-2020 at 07:49 AM

Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series (for the second time) as well as his Saxon/Last Kingdom series. I like to be entertained.

Marc - 3-22-2020 at 08:06 AM

wilderone - 3-22-2020 at 08:25 AM

Marilyn Monroe: Crypt 33 Gregory and Speriglio
The Devils Punchbowl Greg Iles
The Wrong Side of Goodbye Michael Connelly
Chasing the Dime Michael Connelly
To Die For Kathy Braidhill
The Hypnotists Love Story Liane Moriarty
Beautiful Day Elin Hilderbrand
The Pacific Alone Snively (re-read 2nd time)
Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon Myers
Something in the Water

chuckie - 3-22-2020 at 08:27 AM

How the Scots invented the modern world....The True story of how Western Europe's poorest nation created our world, and everything in it..

Hook - 3-22-2020 at 12:44 PM

I find I can't pull myself away from reading the headlines, about every hour or so.

Bit of a horror story, which is not my favorite genre..............

AKgringo - 3-22-2020 at 02:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
I find I can't pull myself away from reading the headlines, about every hour or so.

Bit of a horror story, which is not my favorite genre..............


Guilty of the same.....and it is so tough when so much of the political establishment, and news industry has credibility issues!

bajaric - 3-23-2020 at 10:57 AM

My reading material comes out of stuff that I buy at self storage auctions (like the TV show Storage Wars) Books are one of the most common things that are found in abandoned storage; I have an endless supply of other people's reading material, like a river of books flowing past, I only need to reach out and pluck what I want to read from the stream. I will read almost anything, except the self help / get rich quick stuff. Not a fan of horror, either.

I get a lot of textbooks for literature classes, Steinbeck, most recently, also Diary of Anne Frank. While in context this is worse than anything Stephen King could come up with it is beautifully written, and almost soothing in its banality, fell asleep more than once reading it.

Recently I got a whole collection of Nora Roberts novels! How many of those can you read? So far about seven, and that is enough! Basically steamy romance novels disguised as narrative works, but surprisingly readable. Yeah, I know..... She has sold 280 million books so must be doing something right.

For bawdy adventure with a taste of history, Wilber Smith.

I like turn of the century English literature; Of Human Bondage, etc.
A few recent standouts out of the hundreds of books I have read:
Mediaeval and Modern Europe, Davis, 1914 Written just prior to WWI. Sink your teeth into this one. if that is a little obscure and you want a great history that takes a while read:
European Discovery of North America, vol. 2 Morison
other recent great reads:
Spain in Our Hearts, Hochschild, 2016 Americans in the Spanish Civil War
Nunaga, Ten years of Eskimo Life, Pryde, 1971 Life in Northern Canada
Sailing Alone Around the World, Slocum. For the sailors
Other authors; John Grisham, Elmore Leanord,
so many. Basically I will read almost anything from the great to the awful. Teen fiction, you name it. A couple of Baja books:
Baja Adventure Books, Walt Peterson. A bit dated but great detailed maps of some of the more remote areas of Baja and a little information for rock hounds.
History of Lower California, Martinez. Poorly translated but gives perspective of a native of Baja History. Viva Cantu!
Someone you know drinking too much? The Natural History of Alcoholism, Vaillant, Graduate level reading. No, you can't drink in moderation..
Can't forget Land of Missions, Kier. Good reference.
And of course my book, The Weekend Storage Warrior, Storage Auctions for Fun and Profit, under my pen name Jens Tobias







[Edited on 3-23-2020 by bajaric]

[Edited on 3-23-2020 by bajaric]

[Edited on 3-23-2020 by bajaric]

David K - 3-23-2020 at 12:22 PM

That's 'Baja California Land of Missions' ;)

chippy - 3-23-2020 at 01:12 PM

Razor Girl by Carl Hiaasen.

jwheel1970 - 3-25-2020 at 11:07 AM

Ernest Hemingway "The Old Man and the Sea" - An easy read, one day, maybe two.

pauldavidmena - 3-25-2020 at 03:21 PM

Haiku poetry is a particular weakness of mine, so I've added Bushfire Moon to the list. Ron Moss is a superb poet, and also a volunteer firefighter from Tasmania. It's a quick read that is as beautiful as it is harrowing.

BajaBlanca - 3-26-2020 at 08:55 AM

This thread is FUN!

Sideways but as you can see, I have 3 shelves of Patterson. Helpful when you want to turn off the craziness of news.



booksA.jpg - 67kB

BajaBlanca - 3-26-2020 at 09:08 AM

I should also mention that I have 7 bookshelves here at home, full of all different genres. Plus I gave so many to our local library that they turned down the last batch LOL

Remember that we (bajanomads and I) gave quite a few books to the middle school along with all the bookshelves we had at the bnb. Actually, one of my favorite memories was seeing kids immediately pick up books and start reading the day I dropped them off!

The high school has books, books, books.

Way back in the day, possibly 2013, someone here donated and dropped off dictionaries and all the scholarship students got them. Thanks again for that!

Regarding Patterson, he writes for kids and his goal is to make the books so, so entertaining that they even the most reluctant reader will be engaged. I am a fan.

Have a good day escaping into whatever book you are reading!

thebajarunner - 3-26-2020 at 09:51 AM

"Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers"

Finished it last night.
Some very bad decisions by El Presidente Santa Anna.
History could have been quite different had he not been so into his ego
(Maybe that is a theme that resonates today)

AKgringo - 3-26-2020 at 10:05 AM

Blanca, I am not familiar with James Patterson's work, but your reference to his ability to draw younger readers to pick up a book remind me of J. K. Rowling!

Her imagination, and ability to paint an image with words in the Harry Potter series, is not just for the kids!

Am I the only adult on this board to have read them all?

C. S. Forester

bajaguy - 3-26-2020 at 10:58 AM

The Good Shepherd, to be released as a movie in June titled The Greyhound

[Edited on 3-26-2020 by bajaguy]

Santiago - 3-26-2020 at 11:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  
Haiku poetry is a particular weakness of mine, so I've added Bushfire Moon to the list. Ron Moss is a superb poet, and also a volunteer firefighter from Tasmania. It's a quick read that is as beautiful as it is harrowing.


Juan takes me fishing,
Shares his burritos and beers,
Next time I'm tipping