Do yall read (Books)

[Western]

I used to read ALLOT when I was 8-14 years old. We didn't have video games, computers and the like, heck we didn't have a TV until I was around 10 and we could only watch it on Sunday night when Wild Kingdom was on.

Its been allot of years since I have read because I wanted to. If you Live in Texas and /or have a huge fascination with Indians as I do here is a super book I am almost through reading.

Indian Depredations In Texas. Published in 1889, 672 pages. available at Amazon.

Indians have been a life long fascination for me, I have found artifacts and arrowheads in many states, and often as a kid wished I "was there" to see it first hand.

This book contains story's compiled by the author from 1st hand knowledge and second hand trusted sources. He is obviously biased, as of the time (1800's) and the advantage he had of witnessing things only left now to the imagination, explains some what why things are "as they are" in history. It also shows the tenacity of the settlers in Texas, most from "back East". It is written in the language of the time.

If your into frontier life dealing with the Texas Indians, this is a super book.

 

[dave1949]

Western

I was wondering if a thread on reading would be of interest to others too.
Maybe if people chime in with books they have enjoyed, we can find some good winter reading.

'Reading The Forested Landscape, A Natural History Of New England'; 1997; by Tom Wessels is a good book. He covers the time period beginning with the arrival of European settlers through the near present.

Since I am a New England transplant, it helped me understand how this area became the way it is today. I learned a lot and it cleared up some mysteries that I had wondered about on my own land. About 200 hundred pages and moves right along.


The best periodical I know of specific to the Northeast is the 'Northern Woodlands' magazine. Six issues per year. Covers everything from logging and lumber prices to wildlife and forest management and a lot in between. The articles by Virginia Barlow are super.

Dave.

 

[Bird]

My family got our first TV when I was 14, and since we were not near the TV stations, reception wasn't too good. So from the time I started to read in the first grade, my mother used to take me to the little city library to pick out books I wanted to read. And I read The Reader's Digest cover to cover every month from the time I was about 10 years old until I retired. When we became full time RVers, I cancelled my subscription, but still bought a copy each month at the store. I probably only read about half of them now. Of course getting through college meant reading a lot of books, and then there was a long list of books that I had to study for promotional exams. And now . . . I rarely read a book. But if Patrick F. McManus comes out with a new one, I'll probably buy it. I only have 8 of his books.

 

[charlz]

But if Patrick F. McManus comes out with a new one, I'll probably buy it. I only have 8 of his books.

I think I have only read 4 or 5 of his books. Seemed the humor dropped off a bit in later books.... maybe due to running out of material. Some seriously funny stuff though.

Growing up in rural Montana I was a voracious reader. While we did have TV there were only two channels My mom had been a subscriber to Readers Digest Condensed books and we had a whole wall of them. One winter I went through and read all the stories that were interesting to me. The next winter I went through and read everything else I am a fan of SciFi and had an Aunt who was as well, every now and then she would ship me an entire box of books... those were good days We had a used book store in a nearby town that would do 3 for 2 book exchanges so I would go there with boxes of books and load up for winter.

I am a very fast reader with a good memory so I would go through books fast and I could never read a book more than once. Even today just reading the first paragraph is enough for me to know if I have already read a book.

Now I pretty much only buy a book if I am traveling for business or vacation. I do read a lot of news etc. online every day though and retain quite a bit. I'm the guys that's always saying "Hey, I was reading this article the other day...."

If you like old books there are lots on Project Gutenberg (Main Page - Gutenberg) for free. Many can be downloaded to various formats or ebook readers. You can also help put more books online at Distributed Proofreaders (DP: Welcome) ... something to do on those cold winter nights

 

[Western]

American history, to me is fascinating, all the misconceptions and lore. I like the 1800's probably the most, through ww11.

Had several opportunities when I was young to go to the Smithsonian Museum when we lived in Hagerstown MD for a spell. This place should be a "must see" for everyone. Civil war history is interesting and I have been fortunate to have visited allot of battlefields.

I think the most interesting thing is if you can find the history of your area, especially if your able to go to the exact spots, it is almost a religious experience.
Of course if your over 45 yoa, then you probably have a better sense of imagination since that's what you needed to keep occupied.

Funny I remember the 1st "color" tv i saw, figured we would be living on the moon by now. that was incredible, and I'm only 47..

 

[Bird]

I think I have only read 4 or 5 of his books. Seemed the humor dropped off a bit in later books

I guess the first time I never heard of McManus was when a friend told me about a book called "A Fine and Pleasant Misery" about 30 years ago, so I borrowed it at the library. I later bought a paperback copy. But I sat in the den reading that book in the evening and laughed until tears ran down my cheeks. My wife and daughters thought I'd lost my mind (maybe they were right). I've enjoyed his other books and found much to laugh about, but never as much as that first one.

American history, to me is fascinating

Me, too, and I love reading it. However, history was one of the toughest courses for me in school. I can remember what happened but have trouble with the who and when. Remembering names and dates was tough for me for some reason. Unlike many, if not most, people, I also read lots of books, but seldom remembered the authors' names.

One fascinating book, to me, is Glacier Pilot by Beth Day, a biography of Bob Reeve, that my mother gave to me in 1966 when he was still alive and running an airline in Alaska.

 

[charlz]

I think the most interesting thing is if you can find the history of your area, especially if your able to go to the exact spots, it is almost a religious experience.

I've had some recent experience with that. I always knew my Great Grandfather was from Idaho but nobody knew much past that. Thanks to the internet and the various genealogy sites earlier this year I learned that not only did my Great Grandfather live here before moving to Canada/Montana but my Great Great Grandfather supposedly lived and died in/near a mining ghost town that we have been riding our dirtbikes into for a few years I have since become quite interested in that counties history and trying to locate his grave in all the various cemeteries. So far no luck and all have many 'unknown' graves Also have been tracking where my Great Great Grandmother and the rest of their children went after he died. One is buried near an old town that was submerged when they built a dam and flooded a canyon in the 1920's not far from here in Eastern Oregon. Supposedly the only way in to visit the grave now is by boat but it looks like you also might make it there on a dirtbike or ATV.... that is on my list to explore/visit.

 

[blueriver]

BOOKS .... I barely have time to read a new chapter of TBN !!!

Actually, History is of interest to me... and all my owners manual's.

 

[Western]

I've had some recent experience with that. I always knew my Great Grandfather was from Idaho but nobody knew much past that. Thanks to the internet and the various genealogy sites earlier this year I learned that not only did my Great Grandfather live here before moving to Canada/Montana but my Great Great Grandfather supposedly lived and died in/near a mining ghost town that we have been riding our dirtbikes into for a few years I have since become quite interested in that counties history and trying to locate his grave in all the various cemeteries. So far no luck and all have many 'unknown' graves Also have been tracking where my Great Great Grandmother and the rest of their children went after he died. One is buried near an old town that was submerged when they built a dam and flooded a canyon in the 1920's not far from here in Eastern Oregon. Supposedly the only way in to visit the grave now is by boat but it looks like you also might make it there on a dirtbike or ATV.... that is on my list to explore/visit.

That kind of stuff makes the world seem smaller, gives you a new frontier to discover.

 

[Egon]

Reading eh! Just about anything and everything for my whole life. One of my favorite pastimes.

Mostly use the library but in the small town here there is limited choice. Especially of the non fiction kind. But all is not lost as the INTERNET has lots of interesting information.

Only real problem I got is my aging eye sight. After an afternoons reading the darned lettering gets blurry and I got to stop.

Usually at least 4 or 5 books a week.

 

[LBrown59]

I used to read ALLOT when I was 8-14 years old. We didn't have video games, computers and the like, heck we didn't have a TV until I was around 10 and we could only watch it on Sunday night when Wild Kingdom was on.

Its been allot of years since I have read because I wanted to. If you Live in Texas and /or have a huge fascination with Indians as I do here is a super book I am almost through reading.

Indian Depredations In Texas. Published in 1889, 672 pages. available at Amazon.

Indians have been a life long fascination for me, I have found artifacts and arrowheads in many states, and often as a kid wished I "was there" to see it first hand.

This book contains story's compiled by the author from 1st hand knowledge and second hand trusted sources. He is obviously biased, as of the time (1800's) and the advantage he had of witnessing things only left now to the imagination, explains some what why things are "as they are" in history. It also shows the tenacity of the settlers in Texas, most from "back East". It is written in the language of the time.

If your into frontier life dealing with the Texas Indians, this is a super book.

About how many?

 

[Travelover]

I discovered books on tape (now CD) at our local library and never looked back. It is a great use of driving time, doesn't strain your eyes and it is free.

Our library now has a deal where you can down load books on MP3 from a large data base. I just plug my MP3 player into a little FM transmitter that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket and listen to the books on the radio. If you have one of those fancy cars, you plug the MP3 player straight into the radio.

The beauty of it is that you never have to go to the library to pick it up, nor return the "book".

I download podcasts, too, especially when I fly and need something to keep me occupied.

 

[NuBota]

I have always liked to read - genres have changed over the years and I have started exploring others. As a kid really liked sci-fi fantasy, then I got into Clancy type suspense/combat stuff, now I am trying the classics that I "cliff-noted" in high school and some history

BUT - I don't read much anymore - because I become so engaged, I basically have to read straight through and finish. Then I have guilt that I sat for that length of time when I could be getting seat time or working around the house. Reading a book over the course of a couple of weeks just doesn't work. It's like dealing with commercials during a movie

 

[MikeInEburg]

I discovered books on tape (now CD) at our local library and never looked back. It is a great use of driving time, doesn't strain your eyes and it is free.

Our library now has a deal where you can down load books on MP3 from a large data base. I just plug my MP3 player into a little FM transmitter that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket and listen to the books on the radio. If you have one of those fancy cars, you plug the MP3 player straight into the radio.

The beauty of it is that you never have to go to the library to pick it up, nor return the "book".

I download podcasts, too, especially when I fly and need something to keep me occupied.

I've done this same thing for the past fifteen years. I spend a LOT of time driving and have probably listened to some 300 books. Best part is listening to books that I never would have read. Classics like "Double Indemnity" and "The Postman Always Rings Twice" are great stories. Tony Hillerman writes novels that include the ways of tribal Navajo in New Mexico. Rick Riordan writes mysteries that include the flavor of Texas. Dick Francis mysteries always revolve around the British Horseracing arena. Best book recently read was "The Help" - a fictional story that fairly accurately described the relationships between southern ladies and their paid help. My wife and I listened to it all of the way to Atlanta and back - some 23 hours on the road.

These work great when mowing or other tasks - turns mindless into enjoyable. HIGHLY recommended.
Mike

 

[ToadHill]

I read a lot. Right now at the farm I'm reading a 2 book compelation of the American Revolutionary war. At home I'm reading a James Patterson novel. I also read all the different series by W.E.B. Griffen. I probably read at least a book a week. The local library is only 2 blocks away.

 

[Alan L.]

I love to read and don't do near as much reading as I used to, and wish I still did. Most of my reading over the years has been at bedtime for maybe 30 mins to an hour before going to sleep. However this crazu internet thingy seems to keep me up later and I don't get to read as much.

Have always been a light reader, I enjoy fiction, have read very little non-fiction at all. It takes me a long time to read a book, not because I am a slow reader, but because of the little time I spend, and I tend to savor the prose and not get in any hurry.

I love Louis Lamour westerns novels and short stories. Have read pretty much all of them, some twice and a few 3 times. I can tell when I've read a book before, but I usually don't remember everything, and Louis Lamour's books are just enjoyable to read rather than to get to final solution. They are classic good guy vs bad buy, and the good guy always wins. And LL's prose is very pleasing to me. There is no profanity or *** in these books, just good clean killin'

I also like Tony Hillerman mysteries, westerns by Elmer Kelton and the Zane Grey, have read most of the earlier Tom Clancy novels (before they becoming to complicated), almost all of the Stephen King novels (this guy is sick). Read a few James Michener, Dale Brown, the Wagons West series by Dana Fuller Ross (these got pretty boring after the first 10 or so). Also read the Clan of the Cave Bear series by Jean M. Auel. Enjoyed those very much.

I also enjoy books on tape in the car, as my commute is more than an hour each way. My brother picks them up at the library and gives to me before he returns them.

 

[Western]

About how many?

about 33 now, like Bird I had to read for school and career classes, but out of personal interest it has been almost non-existent. I do read allot on the internet and find a huge amount of interesting stuff.

My brother swears by the audio tapes, been hard for me, since while reading a book with an area description or location, I will usually stop and look the place up on a map, sick isn't it.

Alan.. allot of "injun" warfare history in Grayson Co..

Sci fi has always been hard for me to read, don't know why. I don't mind it as a movie though.

 

[RobertN]

My son, wife, and I all like to read. My son was reading Tolkien when he was 8; those Lord of the Rings books are pretty involved.

I always have read. I like a wide range of reading.

Recently, I reread the books on USMC Gunnery Sargent Carlos Hathcock. Also read about 5th Marine snipers in Vietnam, and about Gene Coughlin in Iraq.

One of my favorites is still Tom Sawyer.

I get a real kick out of reading Roger Welsch' old tractor books.

Someone mentioned Native American's. "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" was a very powerful book. It is very definitve about the plight of the Native Americans.

I read Stanto's "In Harms Way" about the USS Indainapolis during the Christmas/New Years a couple years ago. That was a good book, but not a nice book for the holidays. Would definitely recomend it though.

I live right in the heart of the California gould rush area, less than 15 minutes from Coloma where John Marshall discovered the gold that triggered the gold rush. There are lots of book about that.

 

['Bota Fan]

Don't get to read nearly as much as I would like. I keep a list of books that sound appealing so when I can get to the library again, I'm ready. The list is longer after reading this thread.

"Rhett Butler's People" is a parallel to "Gone With The Wind" by Donald McCaig. Excellent writer with a rich turn of phrase. "Jacob's Ladder" is set in Virginia during the Civil War, and the story continues in "Canaan". McCaig has lots of titles to his credit, and I intend to read more of them.

I've read all of John Grisham's books. Some are better than others, but he generally keeps you on the edge of your seat. He'll give you whiplash the way he makes a plot turn and twist.

The very last book I read was "Uncle Tom's Cabin". Don't know how I missed it as assigned reading in high school and college, but I decided it was time. Interesting reading.

Great thread. Thanks for starting it. Hope it continues.

 

[Alan L.]

I also read "Uncle Tom's Cabin" a couple of years ago, and several of the Grisham books. Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn maybe 10 years ago. Read them as a kid, enjoyed them much more as an adult.