Friday morning questions

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. What was the last good book of fiction, written in the last two years, that you've read?

2. Why do you think it was a good book?

3. What kind of jewelery do you prefer? (ring versus necklace, for instance; gold versus silver versus platinum, for instance)

4. What was the last good book of non-fiction, written in the last year, that you've read?

5. Why do you think it was good?

[ulysses]

1. well, I'd answer 1, 2, 4 and 5

but everything I'm reading now is older than two years. Recently finished Ha Jin's War Trash and Dava Sobel's Galileo's Daughter, though, both recommended. I don't do much in the way of jewelry, just a plain gold wedding band.

[reyd reid reed]

2. Hmmmm...

1. What was the last good book of fiction, written in the last two years, that you've read? I'm not sure it was written within the last two years, but I enjoyed "The Mermaid Chair" very much.

2. Why do you think it was a good book? Outstanding, vivid and very real characterization.

3. What kind of jewelery do you prefer? (ring versus necklace, for instance; gold versus silver versus platinum, for instance) I prefer rings. And white gold or platinum.

4. What was the last good book of non-fiction, written in the last year, that you've read? "Crazy '08".

5. Why do you think it was good? A lot of fascinating detail.

[trof]

3. 1. The Hot Kid

2. I found out about Elmore Leonard about 20 years ago.
He writes the best 'street' dialog ever.
3. White gold wedding band.
Sometimes a silver ID bracelet with my Air Force wings on it.
My wife gave it to me almost 40 years ago.
Around the house, no jewelry.
4. Bay of Bigs, the Untold Story.
5. I knew and flew with some of the guys involved. The inside look at the CIA and how it operates (back then, and still) is both fascinating and frightening.

[skygazer]

4. I'll see what I can come up with

1. I don't read a lot of fiction and I'm blank. I know I've read some new books in the last two years but can't think of a one.

2. N/A

3. I like earrings and necklaces and I'm partial to silver.

4. Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic by Chalmers Johnson

5. Johnson has an excellent grasp of history and puts the actions of the US in their historical context. He also points out what has historically been the fate of empires and makes some predictions as to what will be the fate of ours. Clear and compelling writer.

[SteppingRazor]

5. Answers

1. What was the last good book of fiction, written in the last two years, that you've read?
Fiction? Que es eso? I'm sure I've read some good fiction in the last two years, but I can't recall. I read nonfiction almost exclusively these days.

2. Why do you think it was a good book?
See above.

3. What kind of jewelery do you prefer? (ring versus necklace, for instance; gold versus silver versus platinum, for instance)
Don't wear any. Used to wear a couple earrings, though.

4. What was the last good book of non-fiction, written in the last year, that you've read?
Hmmm ... Either Deer Hunting With Jesus by Joe Bageant, A Man Without a Country by Kurt Vonnegut, or 35 Years of Newspaper Work by H.L. Mencken — I just finished all three, and read them more or less concurrently.

5. Why do you think it was good?
This particular Mencken work is really only interesting if you're in the business. The Vonnegut work is interesting, but definitely not one of his greatest accomplishments. If you're going to check out any of the three, make it Bageant. Awesome stuff. Fairly gonzo, lots of fun.

[pagerbear]

6. Unconventional answers

1. What was the last good book of fiction, written in the last two years, that you've read?

I usually don't read contemporary fiction. My taste in fiction is definitely toward the 19th & very early 20th century British variety. The last book I read written after 1950 was Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which I just got around to recently.

2. Why do you think it was a good book?

MitGoGaE? I liked the story very much, and the writing did capture me, but I'm not sure I'd call it a classic.

3. What kind of jewelery do you prefer? (ring versus necklace, for instance; gold versus silver versus platinum, for instance)

Generally speaking, simple and gold. Actually, the only jewelry I wear is the ring that signifies my commitment to the Pagercub, which is white gold. I don't even wear watches.

4. What was the last good book of non-fiction, written in the last year, that you've read?

I don't think I've read any works of non-fiction that recent in quite some time. I did recently read an autobiography of Wendy Richards, the British actress, but it was published in 2001.

5. Why do you think it was good?

What made it good was the fact I so enjoy this actress's work, and her story is quite interesting and in many ways touching. The writing was not especially good, however, even with an acknowledged "helper" in the writing department. I think the editing department must have been out that week, or editing cost extra? I dunno.

[Inchworm]

7. Answers

1. What was the last good book of fiction, written in the last two years, that you've read?

I have not read a contemporary book of fiction ever

2. Why do you think it was a good book?

n/a

3. What kind of jewelery do you prefer? (ring versus necklace, for instance; gold versus silver versus platinum, for instance)

none

4. What was the last good book of non-fiction, written in the last year, that you've read?

These questions are slanted

5. Why do you think it was good?

I give up


:hide:

[Deep13]

8. responses

"1. What was the last good book of fiction, written in the last two years, that you've read?"
I have never read a fictional book during its first two years of printing.

"2. Why do you think it was a good book?"
See #1

"3. What kind of jewelery do you prefer? (ring versus necklace, for instance; gold versus silver versus platinum, for instance)"
The ring worn by Green Lantern because it gives super powers. Otherwise I wear a watch and that is it.

"4. What was the last good book of non-fiction, written in the last year, that you've read?"
I don't keep that specific track of when NF books are printed. I just heard The God Delusion on audio.

"5. Why do you think it was good?"
I enjoyed hearing it.

[Zavulon]

9. .

1.) I read a lot, but not new fiction very often. I refuse to pay $30 for a novel, so I have no answer to this.

2.) N/A

3.) Nothing but a watch. Overwhelmingly prefer silver.

4.) N/A

5.) N/A

[redqueen]

10. ...

1. haven't read any contemporary fiction, but the most recent fiction i enjoyed reading was the golden compass by pullman.

2. the characters are interesting, the pace is good, and the story is engaging

3. i don't wear jewelry

4. again, not contemporary, but the last non-fiction i enjoyed was don't know much about the civil war by davis.

5. i learned lots of interesting details about the civil war

[SoxFan]

11. Friday Afternoon Answers

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (actually, I'm about half way through it)

2. I love the quirky magical paralell world that Jo Rowling has created.

3. All I wear is my wedding band (gold with engraved claddagh) and perhaps a lapel pin (Irish shamrock, NH flag, or, yes, the Blue Dog Democrats logo)

4. "The Compassionate Community", by Jonathan Miller

5. It's a refreshing discussion about how the values that arise from our religious faith can be translated into a compassionate, progressive political vision. That and because Jonathan is a friend of mine.

[1gobluedem]

12. Let's see

1. What was the last good book of fiction, written in the last two years, that you've read? I'm not much for current fiction; I guess I'd have to say HENRIETTA SNOW even though I think that was written in 2004.

2. Why do you think it was a good book? It's a continuation of a series I began reading in the 1970s (began with a coming-of-age book called THE CHEERLEADER about the 1950s); I've always been a "but-what-happened-next?" kind of person and I have made friends with the author in the last three years. The fourth in the series is due out this fall.

3. What kind of jewelery do you prefer? (ring versus necklace, for instance; gold versus silver versus platinum, for instance) I'm a ring person -- love 'em -- and I prefer yellow gold but my SO usually buys me white gold for reasons unknown. Aside from that, he's got great taste in jewelry.

4. What was the last good book of non-fiction, written in the last year, that you've read? Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowells.

Why do you think it was good? It's slighty goofy and irreverent (my favorite style of writing) but packed with interesting pieces of information about the Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley assassinations. I highly recommend it.

[femmocrat]

13. Friday afternoon answers....

1. What was the last good book of fiction, written in the last two years, that you've read? Not sure when it was written, but I read it last year: The Secret Life of Bees.

2. Why do you think it was a good book? I don't read much fiction, but this one was entertaining and informative. I just enjoyed the story and characters.

3. What kind of jewelery do you prefer? (ring versus necklace, for instance; gold versus silver versus platinum, for instance) I like southwestern jewelry. Earrings and necklaces mostly.

4. What was the last good book of non-fiction, written in the last year, that you've read? Armed Madhouse.

5. Why do you think it was good? Greg Palast has a great investigative team. I am amazed at the information he uncovers. It shed light on the 2004 election in states other than OH, and that was new to me.


Thanks for the questions, Rabrrrrrr!

[BarenakedLady]

14. Ok

1. What was the last good book of fiction, written in the last two years, that you've read?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2. Why do you think it was a good book?

While not a literary masterpiece, it was engaging and well paced.

3. What kind of jewelery do you prefer? (ring versus necklace, for instance; gold versus silver versus platinum, for instance)

I only wear rings and studs in my ears. All are gold.

4. What was the last good book of non-fiction, written in the last year, that you've read?

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

5. Why do you think it was good?

Funny and well-written

[YankeyMCC]

15. Ok

1. What was the last good book of fiction, written in the last two years, that you've read? I've read a few very good ones but I think I'll pick "Learning the World" by Ken MacLeod

2. Why do you think it was a good book? Well developed characters both alien and human, great underlying story of cultural contact, great development of inter-relationships and how they affected the underlying story of cultural contact, excellent science speculation (no Faster than Light, transporters, etc...)

3. What kind of jewelery do you prefer? (ring versus necklace, for instance; gold versus silver versus platinum, for instance) - I'm not much on jewelery, but recently I started wearing a necklace, a natural fiber string with a chip of buffalo bone with a stylized bear paw 'scrimshawed' on to it.

4. What was the last good book of non-fiction, written in the last year, that you've read? Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick

5. Why do you think it was good? A fresh look at the coming together of two cultures (hey I just realized there's a common thread here in my two choices :) ), it had to do with the part of the world I live in and its history, and it was well written, the historical figures and the kind of lives they lived, the kind of communities they built, really came to life for me.

[TOhioLiberal]

16. Answers:

1. What was the last good book of fiction, written in the last two years, that you've read?
Haven't read any new fiction. I suppose I'll read the Potter book eventually.

2. Why do you think it was a good book?
N/A

3. What kind of jewelery do you prefer? (ring versus necklace, for instance; gold versus silver versus platinum, for instance)
I'm partial to delicate looking gold necklaces.

4. What was the last good book of non-fiction, written in the last year, that you've read?
Assault on Reason by Al Gore.

5. Why do you think it was good?
It described in a way I have been unable to, just what is wrong with the level of discourse today. And I highly recommend it.