C17itzme@aol.com
For the last year I have been a volunteer at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, here in Fayetteville NC. I have been studying nothing but history this past year and have had very little time for my fiction favorites. Now that I have settled down a little and turned off the TV (well most of it), I am reading "A Bend in the Road" by Sparks and hope to take my mind off of the real world for a change. I have a high respect for history and the men and women that are taking action to restore our freedoms. I after all was patriotic before patriotic was cool.

ElizaJane202@aol.com
I am trying to read more romances, I don't want to read any horror or mysteries right now. I believe there is enough of that going around.

YMuso@aol.com
I am reading short stories from Granta and Glimmer Train. They always have excellent articles and short stories. And of course I read my science fiction stories --- it takes my mind off the even stranger happenings in the USA.

Rjsambuco@aol.com
Yes, I am reading more History stories and the autobiographies of the Revolutionary soldiers,  including  G. Washington, B. Franklin,. J. Adams, T. Jefferson.  I thought I should know more about my country.

Charrlygrl@aol.com
I find that I am reading something different, Colin Powell's autobiography, "My American Journey". Not only is it satisfying my urge to read something patriotic, it is truly inspiring. Colin Powell's life actually personifies the American dream. I find in myself a whole new respect for the man, and a thankfulness that he is there to advise the current administration. His determination, confidence, and loyalty sparks in me a new, less cynical view of our military and our  government. Even though this book is something that I would not normally read, I find myself learning a lot and enjoying it very much.

Lernr730@aol.com
I find that I'm sticking to tried and true favorite genres.  I'm a "comfort" reader.  I get comfort from escaping the world through books and in this stressful time I'm sticking to what I like best: romances, mysteries and fantasy.

enterprs@email.msn.com
Yes, I tend to not be able to concentrate on fiction since 9/11. I usually read one fiction book per week. It took me a month to finish one I started before the attacks. I'm reading short things now -- almost exclusively nonfiction.

DBM6126@aol.com
Since I've always loved history, that part hasn't changed.  Depending on my mood I read three or four different types of books...all the time. I do find myself reading more News magazines than ever before.   

KPRSTARZ@aol.com
I am going to make it a point to read what I can find, fiction or non-fiction, about terrorism.  I would also like to read up on the Middle East to understand the conflict regarding Afghanistan and Pakistan better.

MCennamo@aol.com
Yes, I find myself only drawn to fiction that's not about reality - mysteries, fantasy.  I can't read books with domestic angst or actions.  And the mysteries can't be hardboiled, they have to be English drawing room, you barely know there's a dead person everything is so genteel, type mysteries.   

Limn@aol.com
I find myself wanting to be warmed by familiarity--nostalgic re-connections to times and settings that resonate for me in my remembered, more innocent life. I also seek some wisdom in the re-visiting of more authentic religious/spiritual texts. The only deviation from seeking new insights from work that has depth that requires thoughtful recall or review is often found in the distilled, economic collections that are taken from some larger body of work --- e.g. Journey into Healing. That has managed to sort out the most insightful, least ponderous expressions from Chopra books.

JMccorm817@aol.com
No, my reading hasn't changed. I am getting all the info I need from TV, radio, and the internet. I find myself needing a diversion from all of this and my reading gives me that. I cherish the hours I can lose myself in my old familiar world.

songoden@earthlink.net
No, I'm not reading anything particularly different.  If anything, I gravitated immediately after September 11, to the literature that most sustains me year round, Poetry.  I was fortunate to have a literary event in town on September 15 which included poetry readings all day.  I had the opportunity that morning to listen to several local poets read/recite not only from their own work but also from such as W. H. Auden.  I am always an eclectic reader, mixing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays.  If there is any noticable change in my future reading preparations, it is that I've been looking for something that would complement James Michener's Caravans, which I just read for the first time around the end of last year.

DThomas201@aol.com
I'm still reading everything I can that I enjoy - that includes Stephen King to Clive Cussler - whatever makes a good read and, yes, it also includes Black Hawk Down.

Vuksie@aol.com
I'm finding myself reading mystery fiction...losing myself in a story, trying to disassociate myself from the reality of the day-to-day news.  However, I am finding myself turning on the TV in the morning before work to hear the news, and I had, previously, NEVER turned on the TV in the morning......being 3 hours later than the East Coast, there is usually something breaking these days......which, in itself, is sad!
God Bless America!  We ARE the greatest!

Cairo1953@aol.com
My reading has "slowed down" since the tragic events of September 11.  I often find myself distracted by world events and therefore are more apt to read magazines, newspapers and various news articles.  I think it's time to visit the library and select the funniest book that I can possibly find.  An uplifting book that could tickle a funny-bone or two, may help to chase the blues away.

Sheila5199@aol.com
Just before this happened I was reading A Lion's Game by Nelson DeMille. The book turned out to be strangely prophetic in a way (It is about an Arab terrorist operating in the United States). I found this coincidence chilling. Although I don't think I'll be seeking out any special genre, I do think that, for awhile, I'll be avoiding books of this type.

RAVEN0555@aol.com
I am now reading Jessica Stern's "The Ultimate Terrorists". This is definitely not something I would have picked up a couple of months ago...

BenZJR@aol.com
No.  We are reading "Cuba" which seems very timely but in a different location.

PNormart@aol.com
I recently bought War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars, edited by Andrew Carroll. Although I'm not well read in military history, I've lately found myself thinking a lot about our men and women now overseas (I live near the Willow Grove Naval Air Station outside Philadelphia), defending our freedom and way of life. I think I'll get a better understanding of war through the voices of the generations of soldiers who have fought for our country .

Helena1010@aol.com
Yes, I do find that I am not reading as many mysteries, and am reading kinder, gentler type books.

Lankford0714@aol.com
No, not really.

Wannabefireidiot@aol.com
Yes, I am reading different things of late. I put down Clive Cussler to study. To try and figure out what's going on in this crazy fool world of ours. I have started a book I think everyone in the White House should read. It is titled: Islam Will Conquer All Other Religions and American Power Will Diminish: read how Allah's (God's) prediction will soon come to pass. Written by: Mohamed Azad and Bibi Amina. I am also working on Understanding Islam  An Introduction to the Muslim World, Second revised edition by Thomas W. Lippman.

larraine@erols.com
Absolutely not - with "All Anthrax All the Time" coupled with "America Strikes Back," etc., I, for one, am ready for escapism.  Right now I am reading Robert Parker's latest because it's due back at the library. Good guys always win - how's that for escapism? After that I'm going to finish Capt. Corelli's Mandolin.  Also just finished the latest Hamish McBeth mystery. Now that's escapism!  Take me away!!

Bengtabks@aol.com
Oddly enough, I am reading two books about New England in 1670s, The Red King's Rebellion by Russell Bourne, and American Captivity Narratives, The Hostage Taking of Mary Rowlandson, edited by Gordon M. Sayre, and the situation between the British settlers and the Native Americans is eerily not unlike the current US-Afgan conflict.

LongSuz@aol.com
No, I'm not reading books related to today's events.  Instead, I find myself looking for the escapism I believe was popular in the '30's and '40's.  I taught history and geography for many years and try to stay informed about current events.  Actually, I didn't take the time to respond to last week's question about children's classics and have just read the responses you received.  It was a delightful few minutes and brought back many memories ... Secret Garden, Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, Alice in Wonderland, My Friend Flicka, and a set of Anderson's Grimms' Fairy Tales which my father bought for me in a college used book store when I was about 4 years old.  Add to this list my new favorites of The Polar Express and Harry Potter and The Last Acorn.  I'm reading about good outdistancing evil. Thanks for the enjoyable time I have each week reading your news!

sjohnson@slco.lib.ut.us
Yes, I am also reading more non-fiction. I find a hunger for facts that seems to be insatiable. I recommend the juvenile novel "The Breadwinner" by Deborah Ellis, because it gives a day to day life in Afghanistan under the Taliban. Also the book the Lexus and the Olive Tree discusses globalization.

Mamjo57@aol.com
Churches by Judith Dupre is inspiring.

VickyRD@aol.com
The book I turned to is Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear's "The Visitant", a mystery about the Anasazi Indians.  I normally read everything from fiction by and about women to medical thrillers.  I felt a change would be good to move to another time and place.

Kyarkin@aol.com
With all that's going on, I'm finding it difficult to read much of anything. It's hard to focus.

VALAITISH@aol.com
I'm still reading the same kinds of stuff I always read -- a mixture of fiction and nonfiction. My reading habits and choices have not changed.

mentha@modempool.com
No, I find that I am reading more of the same (more than usual). I need to think that my life hasn't changed that much, altho I know it has.

MHooker104@aol.com
I AM READING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT MATERIAL THAN BEFORE. I JUST BOUGHT "GERMS" BY JUDITH MILLER, ETC.  ALSO WOULD LIKE TO READ ABOUT ISLAM AS I REALLY DO NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE RELIGION.

Kreckmd1@aol.com
I carry a book, in the car while the wife shops, by my bedside, waiting for sleeptime, by my chair, waiting for supper, by my swing, waiting for the grass to grow.  Just keep it handy and you will find time to read.

mama@hovac.com
I have been reading Salman Rushdie's "Satanic Verses". I feel like I am on an acid Trip. However with all that has been going on, the book is very well written and I have always wanted to know why it ticked off the Shah of Iran years ago.
Rushdie writes beautifully, sometimes though my brain hurts from reading it.

grudolph@ixi.net
I am reading " Why Bad Things Happen To Good People" that was being given to people for free by Harper Collins to help people cope with the 9-11 tragedy.  I haven't found out why, yet.

FaithAnnD@aol.com
I  was not able to concentrate on a novel for a few weeks. Now I am back reading the same books as before Sept. 11th.  I now need the diversion from the newspapers, radio and TV reports.

Brakedrum@aol.com
I normally read mysteries and thrillers, but recently found I was drawn to reading true stories.  People going thru a crisis, physical type, like ship wrecked or surviving a hurricane.  I am not interested in emotional crisis, like the family coping with divorce or losing their business.  Last book which I read, which made me feel better, was Ghost Soldiers.  It's about the newly formed Army Rangers rescuing American POWs in the Philippines.  

Campturf@aol.com
My priorities and enlightened view points have definately changed.  I am studying the Bible more than ever, the roots of Islam, and History and watching and keeping up with the current events.  We must be aware and know the signs of the times.

RWLWS@aol.com
Not really new necessarily.  I usually read Tom Clancy's stuff, but I find his views increasingly prescient.  I'm almost done with Bear and Dragon.  I'm sure he wrote that at least 3 years ago, and he seems almost prophetic at times in terms of the swing of world events.

Caroline@swtexas.com
Everything going on lately has not changed my reading habits.  It has raised my interest in learning more about Afghanistan, but as of yet I have not made it a point to go out and purchase these types of books.

FIRE195O@aol.com
I'm having a very hard time concentrating w/my reading. I am a voracious reader and have had to drop nonfiction and read only quick reads such as detective novels, etc because of inability to concentrate.  I put JOHN ADAMS on hold until I can focus again. Can't sleep either, nightmares.  9/11 lives with me.

bluhrig@inct.net
Although most of my reading is still in the science fiction, horror, fantasy realm, I have checked out Islam: The Straight Path from my local library.  I looked for a copy of the Koran at Half Price Books, but they had only a book of prayers which looked very similar to such books for Christians and Jews.

Linpeace1@aol.com
I am continuing to read excellent fiction to escape the horrific condition of the political world.

Christine.Frank@jacobs.com
no


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