Books

[Elessar]

I started reading Contact in the airport in St. Louis and by the time we got to Idaho, I was 130 pages into it. It's great so far, I'm loving it. A few differences from the book, but not too many.

What I REALLY liked about it was the way they show Ellie growing up and learning things about math and science and engineering and the way they walk you through her reasoning and her curiosity, because it reminded me EXACTLY of how I remember questioning things and looking things up. But I wasn't ballsy enough to 'wonder' about pi when I was in like 3rd grade and go look it up and learn the calculus behind the proof that pi is transcendental. She does that! At like 11! It's pretty cool.

[evcake]

Just finished Science of the Discworld, which was mostly about planetology and geology. On to Science of the Discworld II: The Globe, which promises to be about biology and anthropology.

[Reanok]

I'm reading The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. I also got a new Astronomy book as a Christmas gift I haven't had time to read yet.I've beenToo busy shoveling snow and taking care of my outside kitties to have time to read books .

[Linda]

I am reading a novel "Mars" by Ben Bova, about a first human manned mission to Mars. It is a bit dated, but interesting, especially the international politics behind the mission. While reading it, I am also paging through a recent non-fiction book on Mars with lots of photos from the Mars unmanned exploration missions. The photos sure give the fiction book a real sense of being there. Sigh, maybe now this will stimulate me to finish my TNG story on the strike of the Brotherhood of Shipwrights while building the Enterprise D at Utopia Planetia.

[Asso]

I am reading a novel "Mars" by Ben Bova, about a first human manned mission to Mars. It is a bit dated, but interesting, especially the international politics behind the mission.

I too have read it. And I agree with you.

[justTripn]

In that Ben Bova book, is one of the astronauts a Native American? If I recall correctly, it was a pretty decent book.

Oh that Science of the Discworld looks interesting, Evcake. I googled it. And what astronomy book did you get Reanok? That's my specialty (hobby).

[Reanok]

It's a book about the Solar system with updated information from the Mars Rovers, The magellian mission to Venus. and Cassini that has some really fantastic pictures of Saturn and it's rings and it's moonsIt's a really nice book.

[evcake]

Anybody read this one?:
http://www.amazon.com/Way-Kolinahr-Vulc ... 912&sr=8-2

[Asso]

I didn't.
Who knows how is it?

[Chris]

Rereading: Rigil's Endeavour Series.
Reading: Peter Robinson's A Necessary End (Chief Inspector Alan Banks #3)

[Reanok]

I've been wanting to re-read Rigil's Endeavour series but I haven't had time yet also Dinah' s the Thorn and the rose.

[Linda]

Reread? Gosh, I haven't been able to even read the stories I promised myself I would read! I feel guilty about not getting to all those of the fan fic writers here - especially Rigil, since I even printed off a stack of his stories that sit on a table at home accussing me of non-attention. Maybe when I retire I can get to them - in about four to five years! But fighting a series of winter colds, getting through a forty hour work week...and gosh - I almost forgot the youngest grandchild's first birthday party tonight... oops, guess this belongs in the complaint threat not the book thread

Uh, I am slowing still working my way through Ben Bova's Mars - about the first manned expedition to the red planet. I liked the description of the meteor shower that punctured the grouind team's dome tent. Much of the political underpinning sounds like what might go on, but a couple of things felt off about that. The book is a bit dated - did not mention the international space station, but there are interesting things mentioned like Mars lack of magnetic field, though I believe there really is a weak magnetic field on Mars? Anyway, an entertaining read. If anyone else has read the book, please comment.

[Reanok]

I just finished reading Niketee's story Repairs it's really good and PenMom's A Woman in his life. Linda I hope you'll feel better soon. Also reading the StarTrek The Amazing stories short story anthology.I really liked the TNG stories so far they're really good stories so far.

[evcake]

That Nikitee story is in my top ten, I think. There's just something about it...

[evcake]

Reading: Charles Stross' new book Halting State. I'm not sure why I like cyberpunk, but I do. Gaming figures largely.
Looking forward to getting my hands on William Gibson's new book.
Making: earrings - maybe I can make a couple of bucks next week...