rsbohn 2009 reading list

My wife is in the 999 group, but I think 75 is a better fit for me.

The Thirty-Nine Steps John Buchan
The Long Walk Slavomir Rawicz

Africa: Biography of the Continent John Reader
Well, I didn't set out read the whole book, just sections that interested me. I enjoyed the writing style and read a lot more than I thought I would.

The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet Neil deGrasse Tyson
Enjoyed this one also. Dr. Tyson is a very engaging writer, and I now understand the whole 'Pluto' thing better. It got a little repetitive towards the end.

The Maze of Bones
One False Note
The Sword Thief
After 39 steps I thought I would try 39 clues. The books are short and fun to read, and the whole online tie-in makes it even more fun. These give me something to talk about with my wife and my twelve-year-old son.

The Pale Horse Agatha Christie
Haven't read much Christie. I wasn't able to finish The ABC Murders (but I enjoyed watching it on TV). My wife's review of this book intrigued me so I gave it a try.

The Last Lecture Randy Pausch
Read this a second time through when my father was dying in the hospital. It helped me make it through a rough time. I need to remember this when I find brick walls in my life.

Welcome! Nice list!

10: The Hogfather Terry Pratchett
Odd, in a very fun kind of way.

Thanks dr!

I loved The Pluto Files - very funny. and I loved The Long Walk too!

My husband and I have been reading the 39 Clues books as well, and I'm convinced they're excellent books for young boys (especially considering the online tie-in)... heavens, my own husband eagerly puts the cards into our 'account' online and tries to solve the puzzles!!! LOL. I enjoy them too, I appreciate how fast-paced they are, and I think it's a really interesting idea to have different authors write each book. What an excellent way to introduce kids to a whole bunch of authors so they can read more from their favorites!

Welcome to the group!

11: Dark Lord of Derkholm Diana Wynne Jones
This was my second time reading this book. The first time it took me about a week, but it only took three days. A big book but easy to read.

See also Tough Guide to Fantasyland.

Thanks for making me feel welcome in this group!

12: Bound for Glory America in Color Paul Hendrickson, FSA/WOI Photographers

Wow, color pictures from the Farm Services Administration. I thought they only worked in black and white! My favorite is on page 160, but can also be found on Flickr.com:

In the Roundhouse...

(touchstone tweaking)

13: The Meaning of It All Richard P. Feynman

Three lectures by Richard Feynman. A good, quick read.

#9: I read Feynman's Six Easy Pieces last year, but have not yet read that one by him. I will look for it. Thanks for the recommendation!

#1 & #5: I've added The 39 Steps to my wish list. I think my son may like it.

Thanks for the rec. and welcome to the group.

Book 14: The White Plague Frank Herbert
This book is creepy in so many ways.

Carmenere: 39 Steps or 39 Clues?
#10: This was my first Feynman book, but hopefully not the last.

Book 15: Bozo Sapiens Michael Kaplan
I read this book and imagined that Steve Inskeep was the voice. Interesting.

Book 16: The Worst Hard Time Timothy Egan
Very interesting. I don't know much about the Great Depression and nothing about the Dust Bowl. Now I'd like to find a copy of 'The Plow That Broke The Plains'. My first book for the local library's summer reading program!

#14: Sounds like your summer reading program is off to a good start. I have heard very good things about The Worst Hard Time.

Book 17: Making Things Talk Tom Igoe
I've had this on my bookshelf for too long and I finally decided to go ahead and read it. This book is cool and I'm sure I'll be building some of the projects in it.

Book 18: Beyond The Grave Jude Watson
The 39 Clues Book 4
Amy and Dan are in Egypt, following the clues. They get into some real tough spots this time out.

Book 20: Red Planet Robert Heinlein
Book 21: First Lessons In Beekeeping C. P. Dadant

My neighbor took me to work on one of his hives. We swapped out two frames that were full of honey and checked on the brood. The new queen wasn't doing too well, so that hive may be in line for a new one. It was fun, I hope I can help with other hives.

Book 22: Backyard Beekeeper Kim Flottum

Yes, another bee book. I like the idea of making holiday ornaments using beeswax. I might have to give that a try. I don't think I have what it takes to be a beekeeper, but I could be an occasional assistant.

Book 23: Libro de Arena Jorge Luis Borges

Read in spanish. Some good, some not so good, some I didn't really understand. ¿De que significa, leer sin entender?

#19: I don't think I have what it takes to be a beekeeper, but I could be an occasional assistant.

I know I do not have what it takes to be a beekeeper (I am deathly allergic to bee stings), but I still find the subject fascinating.

Book 23: Mr. Campion Criminologist Margery Allingham

I didn't know that the Case of the Late Pig was a short story. This was a fun collection of shorts. I think I've worked with Peter's relatives from time to time...

(Skipped book 19 so I'm making up with two 23's)

alcottacre: Yes, the bees are fascinating. I'll probably get a chance to work the bees again later this summer.

Book 24: Moon Shot Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton

Parts of the book were overly self-congratulatory, but the stories of man's early steps into space were fascinating.

Life's been crazy of late, not enough time for reading.

At least you're still cute!

Wow, thanks!

Book 25: My Man Jeeves
Book 26: Stiff Upper Lip Jeeves (Audiobook)

A little Wodehouse is good for the soul.

Amen to that.

Book 27: Fighter Battle of Britain
Book 28: Harold and William Battle for England

These books cover the same ground, only about 880 years apart.

Book 29: Power of Small
Book 30: Tom Sawyer

Yeah, I did the Big Read this year (first time, actually)

#27: Sorry, but I do not know what the Big Read is?

The Big Read is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. They work with communities to promote reading. This year my local library picked Tom Sawyer for the Big Read book. I thought the reading selection was nationwide, but apparently each community can choose what they will read. The Orem Public Library picked "My Antonia" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" in past years. They provide free copies of the selected book and lots of related activities throughout the community.

Ah, OK, thanks for the explanation. My local library does not participate evidently. I am in there often enough (at least twice a week every week) to know!

Book 31: Time Detectives Brian Fagan

Really enjoyed this book. It made me wish I were an archaeologist. Now I need to find more books about the Mayans. Do they still do inter-library loans?

#31: Brian Fagan has several books on archaeology if you are interested, not the least of which is The Oxford Companion to Archaeology.

#32 I read Fish on Friday last year and really enjoyed it.

Book 32: Breaking the Maya Code Michael Coe
Wow, those Mayans were so creepy.

#33: I have not read Fish on Friday. I will have to give that one a try.

Breaking the Maya Code is one of the books I hope to get to next year.