Let's talk books

wsp_scott · Wednesday at 8:32 PM

I just finished a couple books that I think a lot of people would like/find interesting.

I picked up Rough-Hewn Land (https://www.amazon.com/Rough-Hewn-Land-Geologic-California-Mountains/dp/0520275772) from the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center outside of Lone Pine CA a year ago and finally got around to reading it this summer. The subtitle describes it well "A Geologic Journey from California to the Rocky Mountains". My first thought is "this guy is ripping off John McPhee" but it is better to think of this a complement to "Annals of the Former World". The focus is on geology from a geologist's perspective with lots of illustrations of the science. If you are interested at all in geology or just sort of wonder about some mountain range in the western US, then you should probably check this out.

I liked his writing enough that I ordered his first book "Hard Road West" (https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Road-West-History-Geology/dp/0226519600) before I finished Rough-Hewn Land. This is interesting because he ties the geology of the west into the history of the trail to California during the gold rush days. He mixes geology lessons with excerpts from immigrants' journals and he does it very well. There is a little overlap from a geology point of view between the two books, but they both are worth reading.

I read this a couple years ago, but, if you haven't read it, you should find "Annals of the Former World" (https://www.amazon.com/Annals-Former-World-John-McPhee/dp/0374518734) mixes history, travel, and geology into a weird and awesome book. It won the Pulitzer prize for a reason. The only thing it is missing is illustrations to make some of the geology more clear. But that is what Rough-Hewn Land does really well for the western US.

Doesn't have to be history or geology or anything specific, just a good book. So, read any good books lately?

futurafree · Friday at 7:04 AM

I added "Annals" to my cart, but I'm most excited to read the trip report from your off-trail Yellowstone trip. Unreliable narrators, hidden plot twists, etc.

I'm still just listening to middle-brow fiction audiobooks to help make all the exercise and multi-day drives out West tolerable.

Jackson · 2026-09-20T14:12:47-0600

Going to add these to my list! Thank you!

I'm currently reading and enjoying The Overstory, which is fictional. A bunch of vignettes that are all tied together by their relations to trees and nature. Another Pulitzer winner. It's been really great so far.

wsp_scott · 2026-09-20T14:54:23-0600

futurafree said:
I added "Annals" to my cart, but I'm most excited to read the trip report from your off-trail Yellowstone trip. Unreliable narrators, hidden plot twists, etc.

I'm still just listening to middle-brow fiction audiobooks to help make all the exercise and multi-day drives out West tolerable.

I think I have the photos edited, but need to write up everything. It is the hidden plot twists that will probably take the longest.

wsp_scott · 2026-09-20T14:57:12-0600

Jackson said:
Going to add these to my list! Thank you!

I'm currently reading and enjoying The Overstory, which is fictional. A bunch of vignettes that are all tied together by their relations to trees and nature. Another Pulitzer winner. It's been really great so far.

That sounds very interesting, I think I just found a Christmas present for my wife and then I will get to read it also. Win Win

https://www.amazon.com/Overstory-Novel-Richard-Powers/dp/039335668X

SteveR · 2026-09-20T18:38:38-0600

There was once another book thread here that pointed me at some great reads, so it's good to see a new one!
Two books that I recently enjoyed:

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punkwood · 2026-09-20T20:00:34-0600

Those books sound interesting indeed. I will add them to my list and look into them further. Thank you.

I'm an avid reader and collector of books.

- Philosophy: Largely in the realm of socialist, anarchist, existentialist and so forth. Of late I have been more interested in critiques of various modern technologies (AI, social media, centralized internet, smartphones, surveillance etc) and a look at historical revolts against technology (such as the Luddites in England). Lots of good writing is naturally coming out on this topic of late.
- History: All kinds of history, but radical histories from around the world interest me the most). For a long time it was Japanese history, having gotten a degree in East Asia Studies and lived in Japan. Lately Latin America has become a focus. And of course Southwest history given my location.
- Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Speculative Fiction: Ursula K. Le Guin (The Dispossessed, Left Hand of Darkness, Wizard of Earthsea), Frank Herbert (Dune), Michael Moorcock (Elric), Robert E. Howard (Conan), Jack Vance (Dying Earth), Poul Anderson (The Broken Sword) are some favorites. The early-mid 20th century pulp stories are obviously big for me.
- Art and Photography Books: I collect these in a big way and have a particularly large collection of Japanese art books.
- Books on Vintage Bicycles, Bike Touring and Backpacking/Camping: Particularly those with lots of photography involved.
- My current interests are leaning quite esoteric. I have been listening to and reading a lot of interviews and pieces on the occult, mysticism, various spiritual, magical and religious practices. Endlessly interesting. Will start diving into larger books on the topic when I have a list together of what I want to tackle.

I am a sucker for special editions, hardcovers, rare printings, beautifully crafted books, large formats and so on.

I visit various used bookstores weekly, of which we have a handful of very good ones, including two that are on par with Powell's if you've been there. Here are some from a recent haul: