Nominations for December's Book - Page 2

Mary Eman · October 24th, 2005, 10:42 PM

"I nominate The History Of Almost Everything by Bill Bryson. Non-fiction explanation of all the Big Scientific Discoveries/Ideas explained with humour, clarity and in layman's terms. Lots of 'wow, I never knew that' moments and a really good summary of our knowledge to date of the big and small scientific breakthroughs/ideas. Sounds boring, but REALLY interesting and enjoyable"

Newbie here, and thrilled to find a book group! If this Bill Bryson book is as good as many of his others, then it gets my vote. And, again, it's so great to find a book group!

BlueEyesCryin · October 30th, 2005, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mary Eman

Newbie here, and thrilled to find a book group! If this Bill Bryson book is as good as many of his others, then it gets my vote. And, again, it's so great to find a book group!

Gossip Rocks - your one-stop shopping headquarters!

sputnik · October 30th, 2005, 09:50 AM

Reina, i agree, 'the queen of the south' is brilliant. but my favourite perez-reverte is 'the dumas club', which was made into a (crappy) film by roman polanski, the ninth gate.

for december's book, why not something by zadie smith or salman rushdie?

Mary Eman · October 31st, 2005, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueEyesCryin

Gossip Rocks - your one-stop shopping headquarters!

Not being much of a shopper (unless it's books), one-stop shopping is always appreciated.....

sixfeetunderfan · November 1st, 2005, 01:22 AM

Bryson's book sounds good... but for another suggestion, how about 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote, in honour of the new film about his life starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman? Although, I have to admit I've already started it, but it's truly a fascinating approach in writing true crime!

buttmunch · November 1st, 2005, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Bryson's book sounds good... but for another suggestion, how about 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote, in honour of the new film about his life starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman? Although, I have to admit I've already started it, but it's truly a fascinating approach in writing true crime!

I'll second that, although maybe we could try his long-lost novel, which is just being released? Summer Crossing is the name. I love Truman Capote. Seems Bill Bryson is winning so far for December, which is fine with me.

SVZ · November 15th, 2005, 05:37 PM

So what's December's book? I'd like to read next month hehe.

A*O · November 15th, 2005, 05:56 PM

OK - it seems like we have a general concensus so let's say December's book is A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson (published by Doubleday).

Bill Bryson has written several informative and very funny travel books, (Down Under about Australia, A Walk In the Woods about the Appalacian Trail, Notes From A Small Island about the UK) plus a couple of more 'scholarly' works about the evolution of American culture and language.

A Short History of Nearly Everything is a fascinating explanation, in non-nerd language, about the Big scientific ideas and discoveries in history in areas like astronomy, geology, evolution, physics, biology, etc. He writes with a very accessible, humourous (without being facecious or patronising), light style and can convey some very complex theory in terms even the most non-tekky idiot (like me) can understand. There's a "Wow, I never knew that" moment on virtually every page. His explanation of the sheer size of the universe and how it came into being will blow you away.

Don't be put off by the apparent size of the book. A good chunk of it is the comprehensive Index and Notes section at the back!

As you can tell, I'm a HUGE Bryson fan but I'd be interested to see if you like him too.

buttmunch · November 16th, 2005, 10:47 AM

Bill it is, then. I had better order my copy now.

Glasgow53 · November 16th, 2005, 12:45 PM

Sounds good. Bryson it is.

**NoDayButToday** · November 19th, 2005, 12:54 AM

Looks like I'm out this month. University library doesn't have this one

A*O · December 7th, 2005, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoDayButToday

Looks like I'm out this month. University library doesn't have this one

What?!?!? It's been published for 2-3 years and was on the best seller list for a while. Oh well [walks away mumbling 'fucking universities, what do they know']. Hope you can find a copy somewhere NoDay, it's worth it.

Glasgow53 · January 24th, 2006, 09:13 AM

Is anyone else reading this? I am trying to, but finding it very hard going. I think it might be too Left Brain for me. The author writes well, I am just having trouble with all the science stuff.

zebracakes · February 3rd, 2006, 03:54 PM

Is the book club still going? I've been away from the board awhile, but I love this section.

Glasgow53 · February 14th, 2006, 01:39 PM

I hope so, but no one has posted much about it lately.