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Dave Gaston

Dave Gaston

has 122 followers and is following 125 people

I'll tell you why I read. It's been said that our reading memory retention is less than 10% (to be honest, mine might be closer to 5%). Still, in defense of what appears to be a negative, I offer the following quote, "Now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it becomes part of me." (W. Somerset... more »
  • Great City of Chicago, IL, USA
  • member since March 21, 2007

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Public Notes

  • Sagecoveredhills

    Sagecoveredhills says

    Been a while since I've been active here. Looks like you're still reading!

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Tess

    Tess says

    I hope you enjoy Born to Run as much as I did!

    posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Judy S

    Judy S says

    Hi Dave, Long time no see. Hope you're enjoying Labor Day weekend. Judy

    posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Gunter Nitsch

    Gunter Nitsch says

    Through some diabolical glitch at Shelfari I ended up with TWO accounts and could only sign in to the newly created one. So I've had to transfer all of my books and, more or less, start from scratch. In the process I've also lost all of my "friends" and "followers". I've tried to get Shelfari to correct the situation to no avail. They keep referring me to Amazon and the Amazon "help" people claim never to have heard of Shelfari. Hope you'll continue to "follow" me at my new location. Gunter

    posted 7 months ago. ( send a note )
  • jeff j

    jeff j says

    Im wondering how your enjoying last lion? I would think your finding it as great as I did. What format are you useing? I found the audible version great!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • john b

    john b says

    Hi:
    I have published three books on Amazon Kindle, Smashwords, B&N, etc., and would be delighted if you would add one or more of these books to your TBR list. If you could also write a review, that would be super.

    The titles and links for the books are as follows:
    The Ghost Of A Flea - Murder in the Big Apple
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WQBD96
    https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/20838
    Quarantine – A sci-fi thriller set in East Africa
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZSHNUO
    https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/21720
    The Watcher – An occult horror thriller set in New England
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043GX1C6
    https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/24837

    Thank you for taking the time to consider my request.
    Have a great day.
    John Brinling, author

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Gunter Nitsch

    Gunter Nitsch says

    Thanks, Dave. At your suggestion I've put in my application for an author page on goodreads.com. I see that they have me listed as the author of a book on the German meat industry (which I did NOT write by the way) and I've asked them to add STRETCH: Coming of Age in Post-War Germany. Is your German au pair a member of the Chicago German Meet-Up Group? They meet monthly and most members are substantially younger than my wife and me!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Gunter Nitsch

    Gunter Nitsch says

    Hello Chicago neighbor! Hope you're bearing up under this Arctic weather. I'm glad you'll be reading STRETCH: Coming of Age in Post-War Germany. When you do, please let me know if you have any questions or comments. Feedback is always welcome. All the best, Gunter

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Gunter Nitsch

    Gunter Nitsch says

    Hi!
    I thought you'd be interested to know that "STRETCH: Coming of Age in Post-War Germany", the sequel to "Weeds Like Us" has just been published! You can find details on my website:www.weedslikeus.com as well as on amazon.com and bn.com. Happy reading! (Oh, by the way, barring the unforeseen, a German-language version of my first book "Weeds Like Us" will be published in Hamburg in Spring 2011.) Best holiday wishes! Gunter

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Judy S

    Judy S says

    Thanks Dave, I'm looking forward to reading it. Right now I am really enjoying Travels in Siberia by Ian Frazier. Great book so far! Trust little Gracie is healthy and happy. Enjoying beautiful Fall weather after a horribly hot summer. Judy

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Reiziger

    Reiziger says

    How did I miss Great Bridge? I love McCullough and will add that book to my must-read list. Thanks.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • jeff j

    jeff j says

    Well! I'm certainly not going to compeate with the previous post lol. I'm just here to give you a couple books to highly consider after your recent rash of bummers. First off -Miracle in the andes- Ya youve read alive! as I did but this book was writen by the survivor that saved them all. He waited all these years before telling the story from his point of view. WOW. What kept going through my mind was-I cant believe how well this is writen.I give it 5 stars. to be continued.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • jeff j

    jeff j says

    I tried the widget thing but I guess I'm not savy enough to figure it out, BUT Im finding it more constructive to search by grouping like "science" for instance. Wow -do they have a lot of titles! at goodreads. I suppose they have more than usuall because they also list the out of print titles,( thats my guess) I'm finding alot of very interesting titles that Ive never heard of, which is bloating my "to read" list all out of proportion. SO many books I want to read. I wish I could just inhale them or something. Its so time consuming. Anyways Ive got more titles you should like..Nixon and Mao..I dont know if youve got your nixon fix with nixonland but this one is good. SWITCHING TIME an unbelievable true story. Unbelievably good too! About a woman that had 17 personalities.It was written by her shrink making it multifaceted.Be warned though-very graphic child abuse scenes. Well there's more but Ive got to attend to my 11yr old son and get something done.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • jeff j

    jeff j says

    THANKS! you just save me hours of drudgery

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • jeff j

    jeff j says

    Sorry that I have to break up my posts. If I write to long it vanishes. Anyways...I took your advice and signed up on goodreads, looks good. Thanks for the pointer- and of course your recomendations. I also belong to audiobookcommunity.com a new site for audible books (of course) It hasnt built up a head of steam yet but considering I listen to about 90% of my books I think I should support It. well I guess Ill see you on goodreads soon. Im not looking forward to re-doing my shelf over there, I havnt finished this one yet lol but It will be worth it.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • jeff j

    jeff j says

    I think the Great Bridge is my favorite mccullough book, with John addams a close second. It was Mccullough that got me hooked on reading. the ENDURANCE is to much! Its hard to believe its all true. AMERICAN CAESER was so great. I read it because of his (manchesters) bio on churchill the last lion. I think manchester is like Mccullough- they can do no wrong. Manchesters THE GLORY AND THE DREAM was very enjoyable. Its a narrative of life in the us between the 30's and 70's. I dont know if your a cival war fan, even if your not, I cant rate shellby footes THE CIVAL WAR highly enough. Its 3 huge volumes, but damn good. In fact I would say its my favorite book of all time. Ya Im willing to say that. The writting is superb! Its not just about the war. Its written in a very humanistic style. Great in depth portrails of the charachters. Trust me on this one.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • jeff j

    jeff j says

    continuation... Ive been thinking strongly about no ordinary time. with your thumbs up Ill get it.
    I dont think youve read island at the center of the world. Its pretty good.worthy and up our alley.
    Im surprised you havnt read william manchesters masterpiece..The last lion. his 2 book bio on churchill.Your gonna love it! He died before putting out the 3rd volume (I was crushed) but I just found out it is going to be released next year.oh ya. Ive read them 3 times. Robert Caro's last volume on lyndon johnson is going to be released in 2012 (thats what I heard anyways) Well nice exchange of info. later jeff.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • jeff j

    jeff j says

    hey dave. I have glass castle,started it along time ago but put it aside for more tempting fare.Ill have to reboot it for another go.
    You know its SO ironic! Just yesterday I was perusing the johnson tapes on audible and was considering it credit worthy,especially since they are the actual tapes of him.. Did you read the books (reaching for glory)or listen to the actual tapes of him on audible?
    I pegged confeds in the attic a couple of years ago but I havnt come across it yet, -I thought it would be a hoot.
    How did I miss brave companions? I was sure I read everything he wrote. mccullough's the one that really pulled me into reading. Im thrilled theres one left I havnt read! Ill be getting that asap! thanks

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • jeff j

    jeff j says

    WOW we have 64 books in common! Not only that- wait till I post my picture, we look like brothers, when I first saw your pic I thought it was me for a second (well...a younger me. lol ). Well its great to meet someone who's tastes are so similar, kind of exciting. I look forward to getting to know you. Ill post again once Ive compleatly perused your shelf.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Sea-Era

    Sea-Era says

    ~GASP!~ ... How could you give 'Memoirs Of A Geisha' only 1 star? You just broke my heart....lmao

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )