Week 30: What are you reading?

[Liz]

Sorry to be a couple days late this week! I was out of town and had lots to catch on when returning. I haven't had any time to read lately, so I don't have anything to update. But I want to hear all about your great reads!

What are you reading this week?

[Chris]

I finished , and have moved on to as my audio book. I have also started actually reading which is an interesting non-fiction book about the history of mankind's fascination with flight and our humble beginnings to how we finally arrived at modern flight.

[Jodie]

I am trying to finish "Water for Elephants," that I think I started 1 1/2 years ago! Also reading "The boy in the striped pajamas." I brought it home for my son to read and end up reading it myself. I am still trying to finish the books on my night table. :)

[Joanna]

Welcome back, Liz! Hope you had a good trip.

Just finished Kraken: The Curious, Exciting, and Slightly Disturbing Science of Squid . It was definitely an interesting read but I was mildly disappointed as it was less about the natural history of squid and more about their research applications.

Now working on How to Make a Zombie and Girl of Nightmares .

[Liz]

Joanna, you always manage to find such interesting books! I want to learn how to make a zombie, so long as it doesn't involve anything totally icky!

Chris, I'm about halfway through Armada and am sure I'll need to talk to someone when I'm done with it. How did you like it overall? From what I've read, the ending leaves a lot to be desired. I'm enjoying the book thus far, but it definitely doesn't feel as polished as RPO.

Jodie, I loved Water for Elephants. I really hope you get a chance to finish it! The movie wasn't bad either.

[Julie]

I finished reading The Night Circus, and ya'll were right, it was quite enjoyable! I also read Clockwork, which was a short read, but an interesting little tale.

Then I listened to My Little Town, which was nice for the ride to and from work, especially since it was just snippets.

Now I've started reading The Martian and I'm a little over halfway through. So far I'm REALLY enjoying it.

Also, that puts me only one book behind schedule now! So I'm almost caught up, yippee!

[Joanna]

Liz wrote: "Joanna, you always manage to find such interesting books! I want to learn how to make a zombie, so long as it doesn't involve anything totally icky!"

Thank. It's because my reading habits are totally eclectic. Lol.

I do recommend How to Make a Zombie . It is an intriguing look at the history of trying to make zombies, bring people back from the dead, etc. I have come to the conclusion, though, that the best way to make a zombie will be to figure out how some wasps, parasites, and viruses usurp their host's body and then apply that to humans. But some viruses are already great contenders for zombieism- like rabies. Rabies somehow takes control of the host and compels them to bite people as this is how the rabies virus survives. If that's not a form of zombieism, I don't know what is. Fascinating stuff.

And if this post is too gruesome, let me know and I'll delete it. Lol

[Liz]

Joanna wrote: "It is an intriguing look at the history of trying to make zombies, bring people back from the dead, etc."

I have always been fascinated by zombie books, movies, etc. as well. I think it is definitely possible for some type of virus or parasite to take over a human's body and turn it into a raging monster, or something similar. I doubt it will ever happen at the level that most apocalyptic zombie novels/movies show, but nonetheless, it's kind of fun (and scary) to think about!