OT: What did you read this summer?

Submitted by mm92. on August 20th, 2019 at 6:09 PM

This is typically an OT topic that comes out every summer, but I don't remember seeing it this year. 

I'm currently reading The Brothers Karamazov for the very first time. 

I read:

The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson which was very... eh. An Eric Larson book I would recommend is In the Garden of Beasts. 

The New Right by Michael Malice. I thoroughly enjoyed this book but won't delve into since it's politics. 

When Pride Still Mattered: A Life Of Vince Lombardi by David Maraniss. This is one of my favorite biographies/football books I've read. Lombardi is truly brought to life in this book; I found him to be a fascinating person and not just because of his football successes. The football content is still very good as well. 

What did you read this summer? 

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Bill Brasky

August 20th, 2019 at 6:14 PM ^

This blog.

Actually, I tend to watch movie versions of books. Even though I probably agree the books lead to more creativity and imagination, I don’t have time to read vs watching a 90 minute movie with the jist of the book. I’m probably a little lazy and very limited on free time.

Joined: 06/28/2018

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ijohnb

August 20th, 2019 at 6:50 PM ^

I don’t necessarily agree with the common sentiment that books are better than movies.  There many adaptations (TV and movie) that I find as good or better than the source material.  

Joined: 09/21/2009

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Hotel Putingrad

August 20th, 2019 at 6:15 PM ^

The Soul of America: The Battle for our Better Angels, by Jon Meacham.

Also, Black Flags: the Rise of ISIS, by Joby Warrick.

It is wise to study the ways of one's adversary, don't you think?

Joined: 12/10/2014

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Eli

August 20th, 2019 at 6:22 PM ^

Hot Sex by Emily Morse. 

Thanks for letting us know which side of politics you thoroughly enjoy. We were all dying to know and so shocked you couldn’t keep it to yourself. 

Joined: 11/23/2018

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mm92.

August 20th, 2019 at 6:37 PM ^

I don't know if you know this or not, but it's actually possible to thoroughly enjoy reading about a subject even if you don't personally subscribe to that subject. Also, I simply stated that I read the book and enjoyed it and said nothing else about it; clearly, I was unable to restrain myself. 

Joined: 10/10/2012

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ijohnb

August 20th, 2019 at 6:24 PM ^

Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson

Fascism - a Warning, by Madelline Albright

We Need to Talk About Kevin, by Lionel Shriver

The Leftovers, by Tom Perrota

 

Joined: 09/21/2009

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ijohnb

August 20th, 2019 at 8:37 PM ^

You’re not kidding.  I didn’t know much about it, I’m a parent, thought it would be kind of after-school specialish but worth a read.  I had no idea how raw and disturbing it would be.  Undeniably powerful.  Had trouble finishing it though - really did not know what good could come of it.

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evenyoubrutus

August 20th, 2019 at 6:24 PM ^

Gone Girl - loved the nihilism. I really liked Amy's character and how she used her psychopathy to keep her husband chained up. 

The Road - I feel that as a Michigan fan, we can all relate to wandering in an apocalyptic wasteland where, no matter how smart we are and how carefully we act, we will ultimately die like everyone else. 

The Troop - not much to say here. I can relate to the characters and their eventual fates.

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ijohnb

August 20th, 2019 at 6:33 PM ^

The Road was just so incredibly incisive as to the “human condition.”  That the will and desire to live is inherent in living itself and not based on “superficialities,” or at least asking that question more potently than I’ve ever considered it.

Joined: 09/21/2009

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ijohnb

August 20th, 2019 at 6:36 PM ^

The Road is a far, far better book than a movie.  It was ambitious to try to even bring it to screen.  Not a bad movie, but not indicative of the quality of the book.  No Country was a great movie, book is great too, but very different.

Joined: 09/21/2009

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Commie_High96

August 20th, 2019 at 8:08 PM ^

Reading for complaining Americans? that even 14 years after Luttrel’s mission, 3 Presidents, and 50 different strategic changes our government still has no clue what to do about the Stan?  

It should be required reading for shitty politicians about how not to devalue the lives of soldiers.

Joined: 02/10/2012

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Craptain Crunch

August 20th, 2019 at 6:24 PM ^

Mitch Rapp novels by Vince Flynn (RIP). Great fiction. Great Character. Great story lines. Too bad they messed up the movie. I would have loved to seen more of them but one can never really trust Hollywood to properly translate a book into a movie.

Joined: 05/20/2016

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UESWolverine

August 20th, 2019 at 6:28 PM ^

I'm in the middle of My Riot: Agnostic Front, Grit, Guts & Glory by Roger Miret. It's a pretty wild book with so much insight on NYHC. 

I've got the Beastie Boys book and the Howard Stern book lined up next. Probably going to jump on the Beastie Boys book next since they were mentioned a few times in the book I'm reading now.

 

Also just ordered the new John U Bacon book.

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Blue Haze

August 20th, 2019 at 6:30 PM ^

Quick comment for the OP: I can't think of a book that depicts as many flavors of subclinical mental illness as you'll find in The Brothers Karamazov. Of course, it's brilliant for many other reasons.

Joined: 03/18/2017

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Don

August 20th, 2019 at 6:55 PM ^

Reading now: The Great Influenza by John Barry

Recently finished: American Eclipse by David Baron; Beyond Glory by David Margolick

In halting progress: Empire of Cotton: A Global History by Sven Beckert; Milk by Mark Kurlansky; Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater by Rick Perlstein

Starting soon: Hidden Figures by Margo Shetterly; Hank Greenberg by Mark Kurlansky

Joined: 06/30/2008

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Winchester Wolverine

August 20th, 2019 at 7:00 PM ^

The Shining and Doctor Sleep. I know I'm late to the party, but damn those are some good books.

I also read American Predator, which is a true crime story about Israel Keyes, a serial killer I personally never heard of. Great book.

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bluebloggin

August 20th, 2019 at 7:14 PM ^

I’m rereading the Dresden files in prep for the next book Butcher just finished. About a book a week and just started the fifth. 

Also re-read The Brothers K by David James Duncan. Favorite book of all time.  Book about a family over the course of a couple decades  

John Gwynne’s faithful and the fallen series as well.  Been a summer of reading out at the pool  

 

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Eng1980

August 20th, 2019 at 7:17 PM ^

Presidents of War

A Pope and a President

I strongly recommend both.

Oh yeah, jumped back to my grade school days and read "The Shy Stegasaurus of Indian Springs"

Currently reading "Death Traps"

I loved "When Pride Still Mattered"  I got it for Christmas when it came out.

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ToDefyTheFrizzleFry

August 20th, 2019 at 7:19 PM ^

Most of my summer was dedicated to studying for the bar, so I read outlines repeatedly. But now that that nonsense is out of the way I'm reading The Fabric of the Cosmos by Bill Greene. Absolutely fascinating read. Next up will be Underworld by Don DeLillo.

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