What are you reading?

[Michael]

Inquiring minds want to know! Tell us what you are reading, what you've recently read or are planning to read in the future.

[Dominick]

I was reading un abdridged The Descent of Man by Charles Darwin, yes, that Darwin.
And I've discovered why most editions are abridged. With his proto-scientific hat on, Darwin is a meticulous researcher and a fact collector to a degree I suspect him of Obsessive-Compulsive disorder (contrary to popular belief).
But in the sections that are usually omitted from abridged editions, which are sections wher he puts on his philosophical-sociological hat, boy oh boy, he goes out of the bend in no small way. In that capacity he's an extreme class bigot. Combined with the mishap here I couldn't stomach it anymore and switched to the umpteenth visit to Beleriand in Tolkien's Silmarillion. I'm in the chapter where Maeglin makes it to Gondolin presently ;)

[Americano]

On the fiction side I just finished Michael Connelly's 'The Brass Verdict'. As a long time fan of Connelly's Harry Bosch series who also enjoyed 'The Lincoln Lawyer' (same primary lead character as Brass Verdict) I was very disappointed with the what I considered pathetic attempt to merge both characters.

[Donkey]

I'm about to start that de Waal book on primates and morality. :)

[Michael]

I'm about to start that de Waal book on primates and morality. :)
We anxiously await your review of such... morality is a topic that is near and dear to many here... :)

[The Sister]

On the fiction side I just finished Michael Connelly's 'The Brass Verdict'. As a long time fan of Connelly's Harry Bosch series who also enjoyed 'The Lincoln Lawyer' (same primary lead character as Brass Verdict) I was very disappointed with the what I considered pathetic attempt to merge both characters.
I am disappointed to hear that, I am a fan of Harry Bosch and thought the Lincoln Lawyer was OK. I am still waiting to read The Brass Verdict from the library.
Have you read the new Ian Rankin? I haven't read it nor have I heard anything about it except it is not Rebus nor Siobahn!

[Americano]

I am disappointed to hear that, I am a fan of Harry Bosch and thought the Lincoln Lawyer was OK. I am still waiting to read The Brass Verdict from the library.
Have you read the new Ian Rankin? I haven't read it nor have I heard anything about it except it is not Rebus nor Siobahn!

You might like it, very clever and informative on the lawyer side, but not nearly enough Bosch for my taste. He definitely leaves the door open for something better with the two characters.

Haven't read Rankin's new one. I keep hoping he'll resurrect Rebus as a member of the retired special group but he could just be burned out on the characters. IMO Siobahn is somewhat bland, without the personal character flaws that drove Rebus, and it would be difficult to recast her.

[The Sister]

IMO Siobahn is somewhat bland, without the personal character flaws that drove Rebus, and it would be difficult to recast her.
I agree with you no way he could do a series with her - you're right - not enough character flaws.
I highly recommend you try out Peter Robinson, a Brit living in Toronto, writing about Chief Inspector Banks in the Midlands UK. I have seen Rankin, Robinson and Connelly on tour together and they are three of a kind with Robinson being the least dark and his hero CI Banks being the least damaged.

[Americano]

I agree with you no way he could do a series with her - you're right - not enough character flaws.
I highly recommend you try out Peter Robinson, a Brit living in Toronto, writing about Chief Inspector Banks in the Midlands UK. I have seen Rankin, Robinson and Connelly on tour together and they are three of a kind with Robinson being the least dark and his hero CI Banks being the least damaged.

Thanks, I'll try a few, though I'm more inclined to believe the abnormal cop characters present a more colorful storyline as in 'it takes one to know one' pursuit of criminals.

[The Sister]

Thanks, I'll try a few, though I'm more inclined to believe the abnormal cop characters present a more colorful storyline as in 'it takes one to know one' pursuit of criminals.
Don't get me wrong, Banks is no example of standard cop, he like Rebus and Bosch just piss off the higher ups, Banks has a broken marriage and his favourite cop types are coroners - it's just that he is a little less dark or damaged than the other two. And the villians aren't less dark and damaged but murderers, they aren't usually gang members, more average people gone wrong.

[drgoodtrips]

I'm reading The Sound and the Fury.

Although, I think I might be reading other books as well. I tend to pick up whatever is sitting around when I feel like reading :)

[wphelan]

No doubt inspired by the "Who are you thread?" in this little forum here, I read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland today on what was a rainy afternoon (which is my only time off this time of year). Although I've seen small-screen adaptations in years past, I'd never actually read the book. It was a nice read with a few laugh out loud moments. I especially enjoyed the scene with the Mad Hatter and the March Hare. I think I'll give Through the Looking Glass a read the next time a storm rolls through.

In addition to that, I've started working my way through some economic texts recently. I'm reading Von Mises' Theory of Money and Credit right now. Are there any suggestions for reading about economics?

[dilettante]

Today I have The Peasants of Languedoc, by Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie (the English translation) to read through. The methodological concept ("total history" or the "Annales school") is pretty interesting. Ladurie looks at Languedoc from the 15th century through the 19th, but rather than creating a narrative of events he attempts to define a socio-economic organism, complete with its own cycles and rhythems which form the over-arching boundaries of historic action. He looks primarily at local tax and notary records and claims to "perceive the immense respiration of a social structure." (pg 4).

While the methodology is something I haven't worked with before, and therefore interesting, I'm now half-way through and really pretty bored with the content. One can only read about so many records of crop prices, harvest yeilds, and wage rates. And, to be honest, with the exception of some stuff in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century, I'm not terribly interested in French history.

[Dominick]

I'm still in Beleriand. From the Silmarillion to The Unfinished Tales.

[partofme]

Since I'm rarely home without my two kids I haven't read too many books in a while due to constant distraction but I do probably read as much as I ever have when it comes to newspapers and magazines mainly online. Slate, The Economist, The New York Times, The Atlantic, Scientific American, The Financial Times, and articles linked to The Cheat Sheet at The Daily Beast among other things. I'm a current events and news junkie.

[Michael]

I'm still rereading Popper's Conjectures and Refutations. It is a slow read (rather dry I might add).

For pleasure, I keep being drawn back to reading one of my medieval reference books. I have quite a few scholarly compendiums on feudalism, medieval towns and castle-building and these topics fascenate me no end. I just keep re-reading them till I have them almost memorized. :shrug:

[Michael]

No doubt inspired by the "Who are you thread?" in this little forum here, I read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland today on what was a rainy afternoon (which is my only time off this time of year). Although I've seen small-screen adaptations in years past, I'd never actually read the book. It was a nice read with a few laugh out loud moments. I especially enjoyed the scene with the Mad Hatter and the March Hare. I think I'll give Through the Looking Glass a read the next time a storm rolls through.
They are delightful and colorful books loaded with multiple meanings & interpretations.

In addition to that, I've started working my way through some economic texts recently. I'm reading Von Mises' Theory of Money and Credit right now. Are there any suggestions for reading about economics?
Yes - don't! :D

Actually, one of the most informative books I've read on the topic of money was a History of the Spice Trade (I can't find my copy at the moment, so that title might not be accurate). It was extremely interesting discourse that I found particularly enlightening about the rise of capitalism.

When it comes to economics, I like reading the old stuff. The history of money is also a good topic. There is all kinds of core economic theory information buried in these topics.

I've also read a great biography on the Medici Family business that was very interesting since it showed that the most important way to maintain/expand/protect a private fortune was through politics. The Medici were just another middling Italian merchant family until they discovered how profitable politics can be.

[bug]

Starting tonight, reading The History of McCarthyism--a subject near and dear to my heart. I wish there was a commie smiley.

[Americano]

They are delightful and colorful books loaded with multiple meanings & interpretations.


Yes - don't! :D

Excellent advice and the primary basis for the saying 'put 100 economists in a room and you'll have 100 different economic interpretations'.

Actually, one of the most informative books I've read on the topic of money was a History of the Spice Trade (I can't find my copy at the moment, so that title might not be accurate). It was extremely interesting discourse that I found particularly enlightening about the rise of capitalism.

When it comes to economics, I like reading the old stuff. The history of money is also a good topic. There is all kinds of core economic theory information buried in these topics.

I've also read a great biography on the Medici Family business that was very interesting since it showed that the most important way to maintain/expand/protect a private fortune was through politics. The Medici were just another middling Italian merchant family until they discovered how profitable politics can be.

[Dominick]

Starting tonight, reading The History of McCarthyism--a subject near and dear to my heart. I wish there was a commie smiley.
bug is a :commie: bug is a :commie:

;)

****
I've been ill-ish (no "sniffles" though) and brainless and switched to the 1,462,763th re-read of The Lord of the Rings.

[Helene]

I've been ill-ish (no "sniffles" though) and brainless and switched to the 1,462,763th re-read of The Lord of the Rings.

Did you know the Dutch translation is in some ways actually better than the original? This doesn't happen often, but in this case it's actually true.

[Michael]

Did you know the Dutch translation is in some ways actually better than the original? This doesn't happen often, but in this case it's actually true.
How can a 'foreign' translation be better than the original language of composition?

I'm just curious about what basis you are making for the assertion.

[Dominick]

Did you know the Dutch translation is in some ways actually better than the original? This doesn't happen often, but in this case it's actually true.
I must admit I don't understand it either. How can a translation be better than the original ? I'm just guessing here but do you mean that the vocabulary of the Dutch translation is less archaic than that of Tolkien ? (I've read Dutch translations but it's too long ago to remember).

It's just me of course, but I actually prefer archaic styles, especially that of the 19th century to which Tolkien, in many ways, actually belongs. And I usually go out of my way to read books in their original form, including language.

[Helene]

How can a 'foreign' translation be better than the original language of composition?

I'm just curious about what basis you are making for the assertion.

With increasing quality of a text, it'll be increasingly complicated to make a translation better than the original. But that does not mean it's impossible, regardless of the quality of the text. I often create better translations than the original text I'm working with. Admittedly, in my case that's no hard feat, but my point is made.

Obviously Lord of the Rings is a great series. And whether or not the Dutch translation is better is obviously subjective. Some people will agree with me, others won't. The translator did win a prize for the quality of his work, but that does not automatically mean it's also better than the original. So my assertion is based on how I think/what I feel about it.
I first read the series when I was 13 in Dutch (my parents had it at home). I read it 4 times in a row. When later I tried to read it in English, I simply could not manage to get through it.

And believe me when I tell you I'm a fervent adherer to the notion that books should be read in their original language, if at all possible. And if that's not an option (because I just can't read all those languages), I'll take an English translation over a Dutch one any day.

[bug]

bug is a :commie: bug is a :commie:



Lol!!!!! You are as resourceful as you are accommidating

[JHC]

The Quark and the Jaguar: Adventures in the Simple and the Complex: Murray Gell-Mann

I got on this kick of reading books authored by scientists and mathematicians. It is strangely fun. I had to borrow the above book from the public library twice to get through it but thats OK because my page marker was still in it.

This is not an indication that the book is all that complicated. In fact, it was a fairly easy read and really interesting.
Very cool.

[Malvolio]

Nassim Nicholas Taleb - The Black Swan

[Michael]

Nassim Nicholas Taleb - The Black Swan
Very interesting choice! :D

I am very much in with the 'skeptical' tradition of epistemology. :)

[Dominick]

Finished all from Tolkien, the last being the Narn I Chîn Hùrin.
Still in no shape/mood for heavy stuff so started a re-read of Les Misérables.

[Donkey]

Reading selections from Machiavelli's Discourses.

[Sucre]

I am TRYING to read something at the moment.:shrug:

Just posting in order to keep up-dated.

[JHC]

God Created the Integers; Hawking
The Stuff of Thought; Pinker
Euclid's Window, from Parallel Lines to Hyperspace; Mlodinow
Randomness, Bennett

Vogue Knitting, Very Easy Knits :o

[Americano]

Thanks to Sister's recommendation, I'm well into Peter Robinson's police procedure fiction series (mass murder investigation, Banks separated from wife pregnant by another man and son becoming a pop star stage) and as I progress his growth as a writer is impressive.

I'm beginning to compare it to Ian Rankin's Rebus series in an English/Scotch context with comparable characters. Excellent contemporary can't put it down fiction and worth plowing through the early efforts to follow the story.

[Dominick]

The Quark and the Jaguar: Adventures in the Simple and the Complex: Murray Gell-Mann

God Created the Integers; Hawking
Euclid's Window, from Parallel Lines to Hyperspace; Mlodinow
Randomness, Bennett
Some fine stuff there. Getting all mathematical, are you ? ;)

[Greendruid]

Food, Sex and Salmonella: Why Our Food Is Making Us Sick by David Waltner-Toews.

Saw him speak at a conference I was at recently. Veterinarian and Epidemiologist by trade. Straightforward writer and makes this stuff a really interesting read. Besides, he was signing books at the conference so I got him to sign my newly purchased copies and he wrote "Wishing you great food and sex and not much salmonella" - how can you not be interested in picking up this book now. Okay, still need convincing?!? He was born a Mennonite!

[JHC]

Some fine stuff there. Getting all mathematical, are you ? ;)

Yes. It is something in which I wish I'd been interested while in school. :rolleyes: It is my current kick. Six months from now I won't remember any of it.

[Sucre]

Food, Sex and Salmonella: Why Our Food Is Making Us Sick by David Waltner-Toews.

Saw him speak at a conference I was at recently. Veterinarian and Epidemiologist by trade. Straightforward writer and makes this stuff a really interesting read. Besides, he was signing books at the conference so I got him to sign my newly purchased copies and he wrote "Wishing you great food and sex and not much salmonella" - how can you not be interested in picking up this book now. Okay, still need convincing?!? He was born a Mennonite!
Oh my god ... What a reading ... Can you still enjoy food after that ?

[SMadsen]

Food, Sex and Salmonella: Why Our Food Is Making Us Sick by David Waltner-Toews.

Saw him speak at a conference I was at recently. Veterinarian and Epidemiologist by trade. Straightforward writer and makes this stuff a really interesting read. Besides, he was signing books at the conference so I got him to sign my newly purchased copies and he wrote "Wishing you great food and sex and not much salmonella" - how can you not be interested in picking up this book now. Okay, still need convincing?!? He was born a Mennonite!
Even more convincing needed now. Skin color, yes, a big gunther, yes, but I didn't know people could be born a religious nomination.


Anyhow, found a paperback copy of The World Without Us by Alan Weisman lying in the train the other day. Thought I'd give that a try.

[Michael]

... but I didn't know people could be born a religious nomination.
According to Judaism, the only way to be a Jew is to be born of a Jewish woman.

And the religion of one's parents generally co-relates very highly with the religion of offspring.

Thus, it is indeed quite reasonable to say that one is 'born' to any given religion. That is a sociological fact.

[Americano]

According to Judaism, the only way to be a Jew is to be born of a Jewish woman.

Correct. There are no exceptions.

And the religion of one's parents generally co-relates very highly with the religion of offspring.

Thus, it is indeed quite reasonable to say that one is 'born' to any given religion. That is a sociological fact.

[SMadsen]

According to Judaism, the only way to be a Jew is to be born of a Jewish woman.

And the religion of one's parents generally co-relates very highly with the religion of offspring.

Thus, it is indeed quite reasonable to say that one is 'born' to any given religion. That is a sociological fact.
It is indeed reasonable as far as identifying the religious nomination of one or more of the parents but it makes no sense whatsoever as far as identifying a religious nomination of the newborn. Thus, it is inherently unreasonable to say that a person is born a religious nomination.

[Americano]

It is indeed reasonable as far as identifying the religious nomination of one or more of the parents but it makes no sense whatsoever as far as identifying a religious nomination of the newborn. Thus, it is inherently unreasonable to say that a person is born a religious nomination.

A Jew may never follow Judaism, may convert to another belief system but in the eyes of other Jews that person is still a Jew. Ethnoreligious communities define their identity neither exclusively by ancestral heritage nor simply by religious affiliation, but often through a combination of both.

[SMadsen]

A Jew may never follow Judaism, may convert to another belief system but in the eyes of other Jews that person is still a Jew. Ethnoreligious communities define their identity neither exclusively by ancestral heritage nor simply by religious affiliation, but often through a combination of both.
Indeed, "in the eyes of other Jews" is about the beholders, not the beholded.

I'm of course very aware of how it works, Americano. It's a tribal projection. It's not exclusive to religious affiliation but often also includes things like social duties (through caste, for example), professional heritage and other mindset projections. But it's still not reasonable.

Fortunately for us all, though, "reasonable" is a highly subjective term :)

[JHC]

Food, Sex and Salmonella: Why Our Food Is Making Us Sick by David Waltner-Toews.

Saw him speak at a conference I was at recently. Veterinarian and Epidemiologist by trade. Straightforward writer and makes this stuff a really interesting read. Besides, he was signing books at the conference so I got him to sign my newly purchased copies and he wrote "Wishing you great food and sex and not much salmonella" - how can you not be interested in picking up this book now. Okay, still need convincing?!? He was born a Mennonite!
This sounds really interesting. I read one a while back that you might like. It is called The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan.

[Americano]

I just finished Peter Robinson's series of DI Banks books and am in the market for another author who does that same police procedural story line so well, Connolly and Rankin being prime examples.

Any suggestions?

[Sucre]

Am I allowed to post what I am NOT reading.

After trying and really trying and although the book had been warmly recommended by two friends of mine, I put aside "Nachtzug nach Lissabon" of Pascal Mercier, a Swiss author.

Wow, boring to the point of falling asleep.

It sounds interresting : On a sudden inspiration, Prof. Soandso abruptly leaves his orderly life and takes a night train to Lisboa (Lisbon) on the track of a Portuguese Author and his Wisdoms on life and the meaning of life etc.

The problem is :
1) Most of the book does not make sense
(For instance, Prof. Soandso learns reading Portuguese overnight but can not order a coffee !)
2) The writing of the Portuguese author is really boring
3) In fact most of the book is boring

I hate to put books aside. But I am aware that keeping trying prevents me from reading more interresting stuff.

Sucre
ps. I also need to check out with my friends why they loved the book so much.

[Sucre]

Oh ! And this book was a bestseller. I wanted to add this.

So much for bestsellers. :cool:

[The Sister]

I just finished Peter Robinson's series of DI Banks books and am in the market for another author who does that same police procedural story line so well, Connolly and Rankin being prime examples.

Any suggestions?

Given that I personally think Robinson is the best, some of my also ran's are: a Canadian - Giles Blunt (Inspector John Cardinal works out of Northern Ontario), an Amercian - CJ Box (fresh discovery, his sleuth is the governor of Wyoming's go to guy), an old standby Lee Child (not a cop but ex special forces just rambling around the country finding dire circumstances (I think a good but uneven series)and an old series by J.J.Jance - JP Beaumont (she finished this series a while ago it's set in the 80's and 90's).
Three writers I would recommend are not strictly police procedurals but close - professional but not strictly police Marica Mueller (Sharon McCone series) and Julia Spencer Fleming - her sleuth is a female minister and the sheriff in town - sounds cutesy but is really quite good and S.J.Rozen - she has both a female chinese cop series and a white male p.i. series both are good.

I am glad you enjoyed Peter Robinson, I went a reading of his last week of the new book 'All the colours of darkness' - did you read it too?
I read the new non-Rebus Rankin and didn't like it at all. It is written from the villians point of view.

I hope you enjoy one or all of these writers. Cheers.

[Americano]

Given that I personally think Robinson is the best, some of my also ran's are: a Canadian - Giles Blunt (Inspector John Cardinal works out of Northern Ontario), an Amercian - CJ Box (fresh discovery, his sleuth is the governor of Wyoming's go to guy), an old standby Lee Child (not a cop but ex special forces just rambling around the country finding dire circumstances (I think a good but uneven series)and an old series by J.J.Jance - JP Beaumont (she finished this series a while ago it's set in the 80's and 90's).
Three writers I would recommend are not strictly police procedurals but close - professional but not strictly police Marica Mueller (Sharon McCone series) and Julia Spencer Fleming - her sleuth is a female minister and the sheriff in town - sounds cutesy but is really quite good and S.J.Rozen - she has both a female chinese cop series and a white male p.i. series both are good.

I am glad you enjoyed Peter Robinson, I went a reading of his last week of the new book 'All the colours of darkness' - did you read it too?
I read the new non-Rebus Rankin and didn't like it at all. It is written from the villians point of view.

I hope you enjoy one or all of these writers. Cheers.

Haven't read the latest Robinson book. I'm a little burned out on him at this point but as Robinson's skills progressed so did his characters and I'm looking forward to it.

Read the Blunt, Box and Childs books. I'll pass on the Jance series if it stops in the '90s as I find the lack of technology painful reading.

Thanks again.

[chickenpox]

right now im listening to part 2 of "six wives" about the wives of henry the 8th and reading "hobo"

[The Sister]

Haven't read the latest Robinson book. I'm a little burned out on him at this point but as Robinson's skills progressed so did his characters and I'm looking forward to it.

Read the Blunt, Box and Childs books. I'll pass on the Jance series if it stops in the '90s as I find the lack of technology painful reading.

Thanks again.

Well you are well mystery read - I should be asking you for recommendations!

Have you heard of Bouchercon? It is a mystery writers/fans convention/awards held annually in different North American cities. I have been twice and find it's a great place to hear/meet/find new writers as well as old. Even before the convention you can read all the books and stories nominated and vote in each category - the awards are decided by the readers not an expert panel.
Most of the workshops are panel discussions by published authors. But some are specialty talks like coroners, forensic scientists, publishers or other experts and some are interviews between two well known authors. And there are massive bookstalls run by crime fiction speciality bookstores from all over the continent - new, old, first editions, signed etc. In the bar (there is always a bar) you are as likely to meet professional writers like Ian Rankin as an amateur writer or a fan.
In all a little spot of heaven for book lovers - crime fiction/mystery book lovers.

Check out the website for next year - www.bouchercon2009.com (http://www.bouchercon2009.com)

[Michael]

right now im listening to part 2 of "six wives" about the wives of henry the 8th and reading "hobo"
Yes, a very colorful marital history for Henry. :)

I'm actually watching season II of the The Tudors right now. Awesome series.

[Dominick]

Alex Guinness' anecdotal autobiography-but-not-really Blessings in Disguise.
Just a little booky that wandered my way.
Next up, to Michael's mixed joy and dread, is Kuhns The structure of Scientific Revolutions.

[Americano]

Alex Guinness' anecdotal autobiography-but-not-really Blessings in Disguise.
Just a little booky that wandered my way.
Next up, to Michael's mixed joy and dread, is Kuhns The structure of Scientific Revolutions.

Are you being punished?

[Dominick]

Are you being punished?
:lol:
Actually I read a few chapters already a few months ago and it annoyed the crap out of me. I'm not looking forward to it but it's necessary to settle an age old dispute between Michael and me (:eek::sneaky:)

[Multiplum]

Fear and Loathing done.

Started for real on Tihkal now.

[Michael]

Fear and Loathing done.
What a coincidence! Dominick is just starting his! :D

[Multiplum]

What a coincidence! Dominick is just starting his! :D

The movie adaption is surprisingly good, imo.

So many hilarious bits in that book. I loved the drug conference.

[Dominick]

For reasons hinted at elsewhere I'm going for the ease of Rudyard Kipling's Plain Tales from the Hills before tackling Kuhn.

Funny, this is one of those books I stumble upon in my library and don't have a clue where or when I ever got it.

[Michael]

For reasons hinted at elsewhere I'm going for the ease of Rudyard Kipling's Plain Tales from the Hills before tackling Kuhn.

Funny, this is one of those books I stumble upon in my library and don't have a clue where or when I ever got it.
I've not read that particular title, but I'm certain that Kipling's idealization of the colonial model (the white man's burden) will annoy you enormously! :D

Personally, I'm still slogging through Popper's Conjectures & Refutations, and inadvertently re-reading a Social History of England and England Under the Tudors - seeking a the origin of the hat-trick!

[partofme]

The movie adaption is surprisingly good, imo.

So many hilarious bits in that book. I loved the drug conference.

I actually saw the movie before reading the book. When I saw it on film I had no idea what it could be like in book form but yeah it was a very well done adaptation actually. One thing I loved about the movie in the first place is that you can watch it ten times and always notice something new. It's also a great movie to quote.

[Donkey]

I was displeased with the amount of fiction I've been reading lately (i.e. none) so I picked up my roommate's Satanic Verses last night. Not much read so far.

[Multiplum]

I actually saw the movie before reading the book. When I saw it on film I had no idea what it could be like in book form but yeah it was a very well done adaptation actually. One thing I loved about the movie in the first place is that you can watch it ten times and always notice something new. It's also a great movie to quote.

Yeah, you never get tired of that movie.


Currently reading Diary of a Bad Year by Coetzee. It's a bit weird, but enjoyable.

[Donkey]

I think I'm going to read Twilight.

And then write a paper on the misogyny rampant in it.

[Sucre]

Just finished a biography of Simone Weill.

http://rivertext.com/weil.html (http://rivertext.com/weil.html)

I was curious to know something about her philosophy, so started a biography.

Born in 1909, an anarchist, a pacifist, a school teacher and factory worker, a resistant fighter and a philosopher, she let herself die of hunger in 1943 at the age of 34 in rainy Ashford, England.

What a strange woman. Completely crazy, completely aloof. Fascinating in a way but it's difficult to like her. And mysticism is nothing of my taste.

After all, I am not interested in her philosophy.

[Dominick]

Santa brought me a book set called "Russian Masterpieces" including Tolstoy's Kreuzer Sonata, Maximov's In Quarantaine, Gorki's My Childhood, Chekhov's The Bride and other Stories, Pushkin's The Queen of Spades and other Stories, Turgenev's The Three Portraits a.o.S., Gogol's Dead Souls, and Dostoyevski's Crime and Punishment, so poor Mr. Kuhn will have to wait yet again.
Oh, I also read Dumas' The Count of Monte Christo in a hurry. I saw the Hollywood adaptation thereof a few days ago.... It's an utter abomination, a mindless violation, a disgusting aberration, a ludicrous travesty of the book. :angel:

[Sucre]

Nice readings you have planned.

Santa Claus also brought me a very nice piece of literature, but I will drop a line once I am done with the 900 pages (at the moment 99 read ...)

[bug]

Oh, Crime and Punishment is my favorite book! Hermit crab Rasky is the best character ever portrayed in literature. I would say in my opinion, but no really, he's the best- most interesting, most believable, most complex. If you've never read it, I hope you enjoy it!!

[Michael]

Oh, Crime and Punishment is my favorite book! Hermit crab Rasky is the best character ever portrayed in literature. I would say in my opinion, but no really, he's the best- most interesting, most believable, most complex. If you've never read it, I hope you enjoy it!!
Yes, an excellent book. Though, when it comes to Dostoyevsky, I prefer Brothers Karamazov myself.

Dostoyevsky is too much of a Christian-escapist for my tastes though. I can't agree that becoming a monk is the only solution to the ugliness of the world.

Indeed, when it comes to Russians, I like Gogol best of all! :)

[Sucre]

I am reading a wonderful book
http://www.suhrkamp.de/titel/titel.cfm?bestellnr=42020

It was my wish for Christmas to receive it and I am delighted.

In fact it received the Prize der deutschen Buchhandels this year - and IMHO deserves it.

It is a book for those who like authors like Marcel Proust or Thomas Mann. It is a lot about personal psychology, interactions between people, details of everyday life and conveying the atmosphere of times that have gone.

When will it be translated into English ?

It tells the story of a number of people living in this small district of Dresden and the seven last years of the GDR. It tells about living and growing up in a totalitatian State, the pressure and yet the adaptation to the System, in small or larger ways ... There is so much I understand "from the inside" by reading this book.

But is anything different in our system ??? We are swamped with Ideology, but in a more subtle way. The cowards adapt to it, the rebels fight against it. I've always had a theory that it is the personality and the personal history that determine the political stand. (Not "arguments" ...) The Communist of yesterday is the Capitalist of today, burning his money in the stock exchange, more importantly blindly following and not questionning the system in which he lives !

A book of approx. 1,000 pages is too much that I can read in one time. Besides I cannot take it in my bag to read it on the bus to work. I therefore interrupt with other books.
The other one I read recently is on a very different topic.
It's called "Der Crash kommt" (The Crash is coming), author Prof. Max Otte at Princeton University, and tells everything you know by now about the "Crisis" except that it was written three years ago and this is what makes the book fascinating.
http://www.goldseiten.de/shop/buch.php?b_id=169

[Dominick]

^^
Sounds interesting. It might give that a go soooooome day (after Proust ;)). Sounds like a good chance for a much needed brush up on my German.

[Sucre]

^^
Sounds interesting. It might give that a go soooooome day (after Proust ;)). Sounds like a good chance for a much needed brush up on my German.
By the time you finish Proust, the book will have been it its fifth edition in English and you will not need to brush up your German. :)

[partofme]

I'm reading A Brief History Of Time by Stephen Hawking. I always heard that most people that get it never finish it because it's just too hard to understand but I'm not having all that much trouble for the most part although I haven't gotten too far since I'm only reading a chapter here and there. I think much of that has to do with me reading several articles about the same subjects and being a regular viewer of Nova and other science programs. If I had to read a more in depth scientific overview of it's material with more specific details it would probably be a different story. I think he does a really good job at explaining complex material.

[Michael]

I'm reading A Brief History Of Time by Stephen Hawking. I always heard that most people that get it never finish it because it's just too hard to understand...

I repeatedly heard that about this book and it is one of the most absurd things I've ever heard. The book is remarkably brief, simple and straight forward (and very easy to read) - and highly recommended! :)

[partofme]

I repeatedly heard that about this book and it is one of the most absurd things I've ever heard. The book is remarkably brief, simple and straight forward (and very easy to read) - and highly recommended! :)

So far I think it's great. It's the 10th anniversary updated and expanded edition. It probably could be updated again but I'm not sure if he is going to do that or not. New discoveries are being made constantly.

[partofme]

I just started Foundation by Asimov. I'll likely to through at least the first three books since they make the original trilogy.

[Dominick]

Oh, Crime and Punishment is my favorite book! Hermit crab Rasky is the best character ever portrayed in literature. I would say in my opinion, but no really, he's the best- most interesting, most believable, most complex. If you've never read it, I hope you enjoy it!!
Just finished it. I did read it before, but that doesn't mean anything with me as I remember nothing anyway. :lol:
LOL @ "Hermit Crab Rasky".

I just started Foundation by Asimov. I'll likely to through at least the first three books since they make the original trilogy.
I must've read those five or six times I think. The trilogy is definitely the best part. I'm not very fond of Asimov's style though. Not literary enough for my Euro-snobbishly taste :D

[partofme]

Just finished it. I did read it before, but that doesn't mean anything with me as I remember nothing anyway. :lol:
LOL @ "Hermit Crab Rasky".


I must've read those five or six times I think. The trilogy is definitely the best part. I'm not very fond of Asimov's style though. Not literary enough for my Euro-snobbishly taste :D

I wanted to get the trilogy in one volume instead of getting them separately and I couldn't find any newer copies. I ended up ordering a used one from the 50s that is in pretty rough shape.

[dilettante]

I just started Foundation by Asimov. I'll likely to through at least the first three books since they make the original trilogy.

I really enjoyed that trilogy, but the follow up fourth book that came after it was simply terrible, IMO.

[Michael]

I also enjoyed Asimov's Foundation trilogy, but that's it for his novels. I also really liked some of Asimov's 'poli-sci-fi' short stories. Some of those are very good. :)

Oh, Crime and Punishment is my favorite book! Hermit crab Rasky is the best character ever portrayed in literature. I would say in my opinion, but no really, he's the best- most interesting, most believable, most complex. If you've never read it, I hope you enjoy it!!
Methinks bug ought to read Gogol! Highly recommended too. :)

[Dominick]

I wanted to get the trilogy in one volume instead of getting them separately and I couldn't find any newer copies. I ended up ordering a used one from the 50s that is in pretty rough shape.
The book business appears to be in bad shape. The edition I got of those Russians is badly translated; it's like a German with poor knowledge of both Russian and Dutch that did the work; it's riddled with expressions that don't exist in either of those but do in German. It's also clearly not proofread; it's full of silly things such as 'ais' for 'als', 'l8' instead of '18' and so on.

[partofme]

The book business appears to be in bad shape. The edition I got of those Russians is badly translated; it's like a German with poor knowledge of both Russian and Dutch that did the work; it's riddled with expressions that don't exist in either of those but do in German. It's also clearly not proofread; it's full of silly things such as 'ais' for 'als', 'l8' instead of '18' and so on.

Maybe it's good I got a old copy then.

[Dominick]

Maybe it's good I got a old copy then.
Did you check whether it's not a 1st edition ? :eek:

[partofme]

Did you check whether it's not a 1st edition ? :eek:

It doesn't say oddly enough. Copyright 1951 though.

It's for the three books together so I'm not sure it would be as big of a deal.

[Dominick]

It doesn't say oddly enough. Copyright 1951 though.
They may very well be then. Edit : are they by Gnome Press ?


It's for the three books together so I'm not sure it would be as big of a deal.
Maybe in 50 years. Patience, patience :)

[partofme]

They may very well be then. Edit : are they by Gnome Press ?


Maybe in 50 years. Patience, patience :)

It's Doubleday.

[Dominick]

It's Doubleday.
That would appear to have been the distributor for Gnome. I would do some further research into this if I were you. Or if you could post a picture of the book and/or any cataloguing number it has, I'd be happy to do that.

[partofme]

That would appear to have been the distributor for Gnome. I would do some further research into this if I were you. Or if you could post a picture of the book and/or any cataloguing number it has, I'd be happy to do that.

My wife has the camera so I'll get it later but it has almost no info. The only thing in it other than the actual novels is the following:

Copyright 1951 by Isaac Asimov

FOUNDATION is based upon published material originally copyrighted by Street and Smith Publications, Inc.

All Rights Reserved

Only short passages from this book for editorial usage may be reporoduced without prior permissions.

Printed in the United States of America

Then in one other spot it just says : Doubleday & Company, Inc.
Garden City, New York

[Dominick]

Simultaneously reading Dutch (or rather German-corrupted dumbass-edited pseudo-Dutch*) and French (yes, Sucre, we're talking Proust here) and English (other books and forums) has one big drawback. I've never had to look up so many English words.

* :rant: The previously mentioned translation is driving me nuts. In one of Turgenev's stories, an Italian family plays a prominent role and part of the dialogues are in Italian. One of the characters often refers to an aristocratic connection of his as 'principe xyz'. OF COURSE that is Italian for prince (see also Machiavelli). But the translator leaves it unchanged and takes it for the Dutch word 'principe'. But that means what 'principle' means in English. Thus one gets idiotic phrases that in English would read : The principle xyz went to Petersburg'.

:dumbass: translator.

[Malvolio]

My last two books:

Sebastian Haffner, Von Bismarck zu Hitler
http://www.amazon.de/Von-Bismarck-Hitler-Ein-R%C3%BCckblick/dp/3426775891/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235239735&sr=8-6

Helmut Schmidt, Ausser Dienst - Eine Bilanz
http://www.amazon.de/Ausser-Dienst-Bilanz-Helmut-Schmidt/dp/3886808637/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235240083&sr=1-1

Both are probably only available in German I'm afraid. But they are a really interesting read if you are interested in German history/politics.

[Sucre]

My last two books:

Sebastian Haffner, Von Bismarck zu Hitler
http://www.amazon.de/Von-Bismarck-Hitler-Ein-R%C3%BCckblick/dp/3426775891/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235239735&sr=8-6

Helmut Schmidt, Ausser Dienst - Eine Bilanz
http://www.amazon.de/Ausser-Dienst-Bilanz-Helmut-Schmidt/dp/3886808637/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235240083&sr=1-1

Both are probably only available in German I'm afraid. But they are a really interesting read if you are interested in German history/politics.


I am a big big fan of Sebastian Haffner. I read his "Anmerkungen zu Hitler" several times (it's a quick read and by FAR the best book available on Hitler - It has been translated in English http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Meaning_of_Hitler)

Also his memories are absolutely fascinating.

[Multiplum]

Finished Derren Brown, which encouraged me to get some books on human communication. Not sure where to go from there. The things you don't consider, like for instance how you place your arms may affect how people relate to you is something I'd like to learn more about.

Anyway. Think I'll start reading Dawkins' Blind Watchmaker now. Kind of started, and just stuck with Brown's book instead.

[Sucre]

Just received from a friend in the US by post :
The Secret Papers of Madame Olivetti
and
An Italian Affair

Sounds like good readings for quiet evenings, a bit of dream in this dull world and something else to think about than the world economy crashing.:tresbon:

[Donkey]

Going to try to read Dune over break.

[partofme]

I was thinking about reading it. Would any of you suggest going ahead and buying the whole series in a set or should I just pick up the first book?

[Americano]

I was thinking about reading it. Would any of you suggest going ahead and buying the whole series in a set or should I just pick up the first book?

When I become interested in (to me) a new author I use eBay to buy what they've published. I read contemporary authors and prefer starting at beginning efforts to enjoy their skill progression. Buy the series, you'll enjoy Herbert.

[partofme]

When I become interested in (to me) a new author I use eBay to buy what they've published. I read contemporary authors and prefer starting at beginning efforts to enjoy their skill progression. Buy the series, you'll enjoy Herbert.

I'll probably go ahead and order the others but I found one on Ebay for 99 cents for just the first one and I couldn't turn that down.

[Michael]

I'll probably go ahead and order the others but I found one on Ebay for 99 cents for just the first one and I couldn't turn that down.
The series is fairly old and thus is usually available on eBay or in used book stores.

The first three books form a trilogy (and highly enjoyable read) and I think the 4th book is the masterpiece of the series (God Emperor). There are mixed opinions about the 5th and 6th books.

[Margot]

I'm rereading some of my favorite works by Percy Bysshe Shelley-- he's become my feel-good touchstone.

I also just finished a course on the works of Queen Elizabeth I (and those who wrote about her) through a literary perspective (I was mislead by the course title, which seemed to imply your generic Shakespeare and Donne survey class). It was actually an interesting complement to generic Tudor history.

[Donkey]

Now that I'm finally (almost) done with my undergrad, I'm going to see if I can't pick up the reading habit again (at least until I'm gainfully employed).

I have been reading Russel Brand's autobiography when I'm at my girlfriend's house though.

[partofme]

The series is fairly old and thus is usually available on eBay or in used book stores.

The first three books form a trilogy (and highly enjoyable read) and I think the 4th book is the masterpiece of the series (God Emperor). There are mixed opinions about the 5th and 6th books.

I forgot to ever post what I thought of Dune. I really enjoyed it. It isn't what I expected though. It is a science fiction setting but really it's more like fantasy and really well written fantasy at that. I plan on started the second book of the series after a while but I'm half way through reading It. I started it out of boredom one day. After reading a post by Dominick about Insomnia I figured I would give it a try. I read The Stand years ago and loved it other than the ending which comes out of nowhere and doesn't fit with the book at all. Later The Drunk Guy turned me on to The Dark Tower series and I loved it and thought I would give King another chance and picked up It. I never committed to starting it though since it's 1100 pages long and put it off. So far I'm enjoying it but yeah his editor should have been more aggressive. Too many main characters with their whole life stories told throughout.

[The Drunk Guy]

Too many main characters with their whole life stories told throughout.
But that stuffs really important!

:shrug:

Maybe he had just bought a really good book about character development.

Speaking of which...I'm developing characters right now. I have a good list and plan to expand when I get deeper into the plot. I have a picture of a sweeping epic, but it's gonna take a lot of work to get it fleshed out. I think book one is gonna be small, book two is going to open up a bit and book three is going to be this huge bastard of a story.

[partofme]

But that stuffs really important!

:shrug:

Maybe he had just bought a really good book about character development.

Speaking of which...I'm developing characters right now. I have a good list and plan to expand when I get deeper into the plot. I have a picture of a sweeping epic, but it's gonna take a lot of work to get it fleshed out. I think book one is gonna be small, book two is going to open up a bit and book three is going to be this huge bastard of a story.

Keep a posting.

[Dominick]

(at least until I'm gainfully employed).
It's :offtopic: so feel free to reply elsewhere but how are your prospects there ? IIRC you wanted something meaningful. Do you have any success there in this day and age ?

[Dominick]

But that stuffs really important!
I agree. The more the better even if that means a book expands to a hydro-electric dam-like size.

[Donkey]

It's :offtopic: so feel free to reply elsewhere but how are your prospects there ? IIRC you wanted something meaningful. Do you have any success there in this day and age ?
Well, I've found a few that I'm applying for.

There are always people in a worse off situation... the trick is to get somebody to pay you for helping them.

[partofme]

I agree. The more the better even if that means a book expands to a hydro-electric dam-like size.

I think that depends. A few of the main characters are both interesting and important to the main story. Others are just there in order for the book to go off on a long tangent that just distracts and takes away from the main story. It's like watching a really good movie with a twenty minute episode of some random boring sitcom thrown in the middle that happens to take place in the same town.

[partofme]

I just finished Dune Messiah and honestly I like the first book much better although it was definitely worth picking up. I plan on reading Children of Dune later but first I'm giving iRobot a shot. I know it seems like quite a bit of science fiction but I do like other things. I also have a copy of Carrie lying around I plan on getting around to.

I took so long because I read IT by Stephen King which I had lying around and was reminded of when Dominick said he was reading Insomnia. It was the first King book outside of The Dark Tower Series I actually liked although almost 1200 pages was a little unnecessary.

[The Drunk Girl]

Chuck Palahniuk's Snuff. I started reading it before finals and never got to finish it, but I needed something to get me away from all the document readers for History class. Plus, I love how Palahniuk makes me feel better about myself and my own deep, dark, fucked up thoughts.

Ah! Which reminds me...In another class we read Primo Levi's Survival in Aushwitz, which I found surprisingly good, and Diamond's Collapse.

[partofme]

Chuck Palahniuk's Snuff. I started reading it before finals and never got to finish it, but I needed something to get me away from all the document readers for History class. Plus, I love how Palahniuk makes me feel better about myself and my own deep, dark, fucked up thoughts.

Ah! Which reminds me...In another class we read Primo Levi's Survival in Aushwitz, which I found surprisingly good, and Diamond's Collapse.

I love Palahniuk's older work but I haven't read anything else since Haunted which I thought was awful.

[The Drunk Girl]

I love Palahniuk's older work but I haven't read anything else since Haunted which I thought was awful.

Lullaby was the first book of his I read and I fell in love. I don't believe I made it through Haunted. Is that the one with the short stories in it? (The one where the boy has his intestines sucked out while jerking off in the swimming pool?!) Choke was wonderful as well as Survivor. In Rant he took a different spin. It wound up he had time traveled and slept with his own mother which resulted in him being his own father (maybe I should bring that up in the Incest thread:lol:)

[partofme]

Lullaby was the first book of his I read and I fell in love. I don't believe I made it through Haunted. Is that the one with the short stories in it? (The one where the boy has his intestines sucked out while jerking off in the swimming pool?!) Choke was wonderful as well as Survivor. In Rant he took a different spin. It wound up he had time traveled and slept with his own mother which resulted in him being his own father (maybe I should bring that up in the Incest thread:lol:)

Survivor is my absolute favorite of his.

[The Drunk Girl]

Survivor is my absolute favorite of his.

Yeah, I got that good warm feeling in my stomach after I read it.:lol: That's when you know something is good. Now, I'll have to go check it out at the library and read it again. Thanks!

Is anyone here a Jane Austin fan?

[The Drunk Guy]

Yeah, I got that good warm feeling in my stomach after I read it.:lol: That's when you know something is good. Now, I'll have to go check it out at the library and read it again. Thanks!

Is anyone here a Jane Austin fan?
I own that, don't I?

Lullaby was my favorite. If I had a superpower, I want it to be the ability to kill with a thought. I would use it. A lot. And his new one, Pygmy, sounds interesting. I may check it out.

I've thought about writing a Bukoski/Palahniuk-style book. Sort of a streaming observation commenting on all the idiots of the world as the narrator walks through. I could write it much faster than I am The Ascension. ;)

[Donkey]

I just bought my girlfriend the Ancestor's Tale, but she's gone until Monday, so I might just do a quick little re-read. :)

[bug]

Yeah, I got that good warm feeling in my stomach after I read it.:lol: That's when you know something is good. Now, I'll have to go check it out at the library and read it again. Thanks!

Is anyone here a Jane Austin fan?

I think she's a good author, though it's teeth gnashing to overlook the standard submissive woman role of Victorian era. If you like her, I can tell ya a bunch of good books in the same vein (just finished George Eliot's Middlemarch--fantastic)

[Dominick]

^
I've got Middlemarch too. Good read. I probably have one or more Jane Austen's too but I'm too lazy to check right now. :p

After reading 'lesser' stuff for a few months, the last being Mitchener's Centennial -go figure- I finally got the urge back to delve into my backlog of brainy stuff. I just started 'Die Kleine Weltgeschichte der Philosophie' by H.J. Störig, which translates as The history of Philosophy and appears to be a standard work everywhere except in the English speaking countries. It starts of with the Veda which is nice because I have a soft spot for those.

[The Drunk Girl]

I own that, don't I?

Lullaby was my favorite. If I had a superpower, I want it to be the ability to kill with a thought. I would use it. A lot. And his new one, Pygmy, sounds interesting. I may check it out.

I've thought about writing a Bukoski/Palahniuk-style book. Sort of a streaming observation commenting on all the idiots of the world as the narrator walks through. I could write it much faster than I am The Ascension. ;)

Ah! Yes, you do. You let me borrow it. I swear those damn people at the home are rubbing off on me:lol:

[Americano]

I just finished reading Michael Connelly's latest novel 'The Scarecrow'. While I do think he's a fine author and always enjoy his offerings, what fascinated me more than anything in this book was the how the villains, a serial killer and his 'protege', used the Internet to evaluate, select, manipulate and locate their victims. This book points out the simple fact that if one uses the Internet, be it individual, business or government, we are in an era of zero privacy. A 'can't put it down' thriller.

[Sucre]

Is anyone here a Jane Austin fan?
I am. I read all Jane Austen's books and two of them twice.

[Sucre]

Are Jane Austin and Jane Austen the same ?

[Donkey]

I'm reading Love in the Time of Cholera at my girlfriend's house, in Spanish so it may take me a minute, and the Omnivore's Dilemma at my house.

[Margot]

oh. my. god.
My grandma just came out and handed me a first edition copy of The Open Mind by my hero, J. Robert Oppenheimer.

I nearly cried.

I can't wait to crack it open (but not too quickly, it's in excellent condition)!!!!

[Michael]

Are Jane Austin and Jane Austen the same ?

Jane Austin is that famous novelist from Texas isn't she? :D

[wphelan]

Nothing at the moment. It's been pretty bad the last month or two. I haven't finished reading anything. I've started a few books, but haven't made much progress. The last book I read was The Myth of Sisyphus and right before that it was The Stranger. Fortunately, the busy season is winding down, so I should get back on track soon.

[partofme]

Finished iRobot and I must say I liked it better than any of The Foundation books. I'm about to start Carrie and then read Children of Dune to finish up the trilogy. I'll probably read the next Dune book after if I don't end up running across something else in between.

[Baron Von Esslingen]

Nixon and Kissinger, Partners in Power
by Dallek

It reminds me of what a complete fucker that Nixon was and why I hated this guy so much.

[Michael]

Nixon and Kissinger, Partners in Power
by Dallek

It reminds me of what a complete fucker that Nixon was and why I hated this guy so much.
I hate Kissinger so much more.

Nixon was just a run of the mill, entirely typical politician. Nasty, corrupt, egotistical, vindictive and petty - but a rather clever fellow.

Kissinger on the other hand, he's symbolic of everything that is wrong with US foreign policy.

[andrewl]

Just getting into the Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver. (what an odd last name she has....)

Also, im reading What We Leave Behind, Derrick Jensen and Aric McBay.It's all about shit, our changing conceptions of it over time, and how our view of "waste" affects how we treat the world.

Andrew

[Margot]

Just getting into the Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver. (what an odd last name she has....)

Also, im reading What We Leave Behind, Derrick Jensen and Aric McBay.It's all about shit, our changing conceptions of it over time, and how our view of "waste" affects how we treat the world.

Andrew

I just read The Poisonwood Bible for a required English course. I had to write a paper on ~some aspect of the book~ and chose the roll of male characters in the novel. Let me tell ya, you think about it enough and that book is depressing in than just in plot.

[Baron Von Esslingen]

I hate Kissinger so much more.

Nixon was just a run of the mill, entirely typical politician. Nasty, corrupt, egotistical, vindictive and petty - but a rather clever fellow.

Kissinger on the other hand, he's symbolic of everything that is wrong with US foreign policy.

There are only two people in the world that I would walk up and smash in the face upon just seeing them for no other reason than the fact that they deserve it. Newt Gingrich is one. Kissinger is the other. The devil already took Nixon so the list is down to two.

This book certifies my sentiments about Kissinger.

[partofme]

I must say Carrie is the first Stephen King book that I actually wished was longer.

[Baron Von Esslingen]

I don't feel bad about taking two months to read my book. I just saw a report on President Obama still reading the same book for three months now.

[partofme]

I don't feel bad about taking two months to read my book. I just saw a report on President Obama still reading the same book for three months now.

I always wondered how presidents have the time to read. He also works out every day. What I want to know is how much he gets to sleep.

[Americano]

I always wondered how presidents have the time to read. He also works out every day. What I want to know is how much he gets to sleep.

At his age with his responsibilities he shouldn't need more than 5-6 hours with periodic vacations.

[partofme]

At his age with his responsibilities he shouldn't need more than 5-6 hours with periodic vacations.

I've never been able to function well on less than 8 hours for more than a couple days. I can do it one night or two and just feel like shit but after that it just isn't bearable. I've always needed more sleep than most though. I always fantasized about having the ability to not require any and have all that free time for other things.

[Americano]

I've never been able to function well on less than 8 hours for more than a couple days. I can do it one night or two and just feel like shit but after that it just isn't bearable. I've always needed more sleep than most though. I always fantasized about having the ability to not require any and have all that free time for other things.

I used to enjoy the edge provided by not enough sleep and caffeine as it eliminated my patience for listening to a lot of BS.

[Leprechaun]

I think I'm reading about twenty books at the moment but I haven'treallygot the time because of exams et al. The last book I finished was Judas Unchained but currently I am reading a biography of James Connolly (I'm about halfway through that), The Day Watch, Matter, The Dreaming Void, Blaze and Tree of Smoke. (although I won't be properly reading them till near enough the end of June.)

[Non Sequitur]

currently reading the book of Concord for Seminary.

[Michael]

currently reading the book of Concord for Seminary.
I didn't realize you were in a Seminary. That's very interesting. I'm not familiar with that title though. I'll have to google it. ;)

[Michael]

I think I'm reading about twenty books at the moment but I haven'treallygot the time because of exams et al. The last book I finished was Judas Unchained but currently I am reading a biography of James Connolly (I'm about halfway through that), The Day Watch, Matter, The Dreaming Void, Blaze and Tree of Smoke. (although I won't be properly reading them till near enough the end of June.)
Dominick is the resident expert here on the art of reading 20-30 books similtaneously. :D

I read only non-fiction - and one at a time. :)

[Dominick]

Dominick is the resident expert here on the art of reading 20-30 books similtaneously. :D

I'm actually monogamous at the moment. This (http://www.discussionworldforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9428&postcount=117) is pretty good. But I've found little time recently to read and I am still only at Plato.

[partofme]

The only way I could read more than two or three books at a time was if they where all nonfiction and the chapters where not dependent on each other too much. If it was fiction I could do it but I probably wouldn't stay as interested. If I really enjoy something I want to stick with it.

[Michael]

But I've found little time recently to read and I am still only at Plato.

I'm thinking we really ought to have a Plato thread/discussion around here sometime. A life without Plato just isn't worth living.

[drgoodtrips]

I just finished reading Atlas Shrugged (except for a 40 page monologue which was just Rand's dumbass Objectivism laid out in excrutiatingly boring detail - I just couldn't stomach more than a couple of pages, so I skipped it), which I'd never read before.

I've done some moonlighting writing novels (and hope to again when my life settles down in a few years), so I pay attention to books not just from an enjoyment perspective, but also with some "professional" interest. Please note that I'm not self-aggrandizing here (I don't actually consider myself "professional"), but trying to explain an angle of consideration.

Anyway, the single most interesting thing that I took from this was that I thought she did an excellent job of explaining an evolving (devolving) situation spanning a continent and over the course of many years. The pace was fast enough to make a point, but not fast enough to be absurd. The comparable evolution in the characters and their attitudes/perceptions was also well done.

I enjoyed the story line and plot, but I didn't really like it, for the most part, when the characters talked. Ayn Rand seems to be narcissistic to the point of being unable to develop sympathetic characters without all of them just seeming to be her talking. They're all the same. They all talk the same - if it weren't for the explanatory dialog, I could easily imagine any of them talking to be any other one of them talking (including scenes where Ayn Rand unintentionally has the mutual admiration of two of the prominent men in the book become almost sexual in its intensity - that is, you could swap in either character's romance interest, and the dialog would still make sense :ummm: ). The only characters with distinct personalities seem to be the "evil" characters. These were consequently the ones I found the most interesting (although these were generally preposterous milquetoasts and caricatures). The only morally ambiguous character in the novel was also interesting, notwithstanding the fact that Rand wanted to paint him as the most evil, presumably because of that ambiguity (I won't name names for the sake of not spoiling anything).

Final thought: whenever Ayn Rand awkwardly worked the idea of "objective" versus "subjective" into the dialog of the characters, I had to struggle not to roll my eyes and put down the book in favor of going to do something else. :sneaky:

[The Drunk Guy]

I enjoyed the story line and plot, but I didn't really like it, for the most part, when the characters talked. Ayn Rand seems to be narcissistic to the point of being unable to develop sympathetic characters without all of them just seeming to be her talking. They're all the same. They all talk the same - if it weren't for the explanatory dialog, I could easily imagine any of them talking to be any other one of them talking (including scenes where Ayn Rand unintentionally has the mutual admiration of two of the prominent men in the book become almost sexual in its intensity - that is, you could swap in either character's romance interest, and the dialog would still make sense :ummm: ). The only characters with distinct personalities seem to be the "evil" characters. These were consequently the ones I found the most interesting (although these were generally preposterous milquetoasts and caricatures). The only morally ambiguous character in the novel was also interesting, notwithstanding the fact that Rand wanted to paint him as the most evil, presumably because of that ambiguity (I won't name names for the sake of not spoiling anything).


I have yet to tackle Atlas Shrugged, but I enjoyed The Fountainhead and her other fiction works. And I agree that the villains are the complicated, identifiable creations of her fiction. I simply can't get over the cut-and-dry principles. Ridiculous, but still better than any other writers I can think of because of the philosophical tint.

[wphelan]

I just finished reading Atlas Shrugged (except for a 40 page monologue which was just Rand's dumbass Objectivism laid out in excrutiatingly boring detail - I just couldn't stomach more than a couple of pages, so I skipped it), which I'd never read before.

I've done some moonlighting writing novels (and hope to again when my life settles down in a few years), so I pay attention to books not just from an enjoyment perspective, but also with some "professional" interest. Please note that I'm not self-aggrandizing here (I don't actually consider myself "professional"), but trying to explain an angle of consideration.

Anyway, the single most interesting thing that I took from this was that I thought she did an excellent job of explaining an evolving (devolving) situation spanning a continent and over the course of many years. The pace was fast enough to make a point, but not fast enough to be absurd. The comparable evolution in the characters and their attitudes/perceptions was also well done.

I enjoyed the story line and plot, but I didn't really like it, for the most part, when the characters talked. Ayn Rand seems to be narcissistic to the point of being unable to develop sympathetic characters without all of them just seeming to be her talking. They're all the same. They all talk the same - if it weren't for the explanatory dialog, I could easily imagine any of them talking to be any other one of them talking (including scenes where Ayn Rand unintentionally has the mutual admiration of two of the prominent men in the book become almost sexual in its intensity - that is, you could swap in either character's romance interest, and the dialog would still make sense :ummm: ). The only characters with distinct personalities seem to be the "evil" characters. These were consequently the ones I found the most interesting (although these were generally preposterous milquetoasts and caricatures). The only morally ambiguous character in the novel was also interesting, notwithstanding the fact that Rand wanted to paint him as the most evil, presumably because of that ambiguity (I won't name names for the sake of not spoiling anything).

Final thought: whenever Ayn Rand awkwardly worked the idea of "objective" versus "subjective" into the dialog of the characters, I had to struggle not to roll my eyes and put down the book in favor of going to do something else. :sneaky:

The 100 page soliloquy, or whatever it was, was absolutely ridiculous. I think I read through the first ten pages of it before I started flipping ahead to see where the hell it would end. It's totally unnecessary and self-indulgent. It's not a bad book, though it could have been better. I think I liked The Fountainhead more. It's shorter, and more to the point.

[Lily]

I've just finished Fareed Zakaria's The Post-American World (hardback 2008).Fascinating and a little scary, honestly. His thesis is that the U.S. must find a way to lead in a world where "the rise of the rest," including China, India and others, will continue to gain more economic and political power at a time where the U.S. seems to out of touch with the rapid development of the growing middle classes of other nations. The paperback has just come out and includes new sections. I'm going to buy it to see Mr. Zakaria's take on the situation now that we have Barack Obama as President.

[Michael]

I've just finished Fareed Zakaria's The Post-American World (hardback 2008).Fascinating and a little scary, honestly. His thesis is that the U.S. must find a way to lead in a world where "the rise of the rest," including China, India and others, will continue to gain more economic and political power at a time where the U.S. seems to out of touch with the rapid development of the growing middle classes of other nations. The paperback has just come out and includes new sections. I'm going to buy it to see Mr. Zakaria's take on the situation now that we have Barack Obama as President.
I find Zakaria annoying the way he seems so rational and reasonable on a variety of issues, but then throws these pro-MIC/rightwing curveballs at you.

What Fareed Zakaria (and others like him) never fully explain is why the US must need to lead the world in the first place?

Defending American interests is one thing, but leading the world? Why does the world need to be led? And why is it so necessary that America be the one to lead it? No one ever talks about this part - they just seem to 'assume' it and go from there.

[Michael]

I just finished reading Atlas Shrugged (except for a 40 page monologue which was just Rand's dumbass Objectivism laid out in excrutiatingly boring detail - I just couldn't stomach more than a couple of pages, so I skipped it), which I'd never read before.
I admit that I had a real tough time reading Atlas Shrugged. I found it way too long and boring. I read Fountainhead first and it was an excellent novel that I enjoyed so much that I had to read the rest of her stuff - most of which was a disappointment, though some of her essays were good.

I enjoyed the story line and plot, but I didn't really like it, for the most part, when the characters talked. Ayn Rand seems to be narcissistic to the point of being unable to develop sympathetic characters without all of them just seeming to be her talking. They're all the same.
Not only that, the same main characters appear in Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged - with the same initials. Hank Reardon & Howard Roarke on the one hand and Dagny and Dominique on the other. These characters are almost all the same.

The only characters with distinct personalities seem to be the "evil" characters.
Isn't this a remarkably common phenomenum? Seems to be the most interesting fictional characters are the nasty ones.

Final thought: whenever Ayn Rand awkwardly worked the idea of "objective" versus "subjective" into the dialog of the characters, I had to struggle not to roll my eyes and put down the book in favor of going to do something else. :sneaky:
Yes, the repetitive and long winded 'woe is me' soliloquies in Atlas Shrugged got very tiresome after the first few dozen instances. :D

[Lily]

I find Zakaria annoying the way he seems so rational and reasonable on a variety of issues, but then throws these pro-MIC/rightwing curveballs at you.

What Fareed Zakaria (and others like him) never fully explain is why the US must need to lead the world in the first place?

Defending American interests is one thing, but leading the world? Why does the world need to be led? And why is it so necessary that America be the one to lead it? No one ever talks about this part - they just seem to 'assume' it and go from there.


Interesting. I'll have to try and find passages in the book to support my claim, but I think with Zakaria, like many immigrants, America has long held the promise of "better," whatever that may mean to the individual. I assume that having some kind of leader is not just a western construct, but a human one; therefore, looking to a leader to lead (whether an individual or a nation) is not so unusual, wouldn't you agree?

In Thomas Friedman's book, Hot, Flat and Crowded, which I'm just beginning to read, the author says the problem with countries such as China is that it is following America's lead, with disasterous results. China is fast become a mammoth nation of consumers of goods and producers of waste, copying the American concepts of private enterprise and the rise of the middle class right down to choking polution and wasteful energy use. I've not read too far into this book, but by the subtitle, "Why we need a green revolution and how it can renew America," I'll assume Friedman harbors the same sentiments as Zakaria, that America must take the lead on the world stage.

I don't know, perhaps it is protectionism; after all, as China, India and "the rest" begin to consume finite resources in increasingly larger amounts, where does that leave the U.S.?

[Michael]

Interesting. I'll have to try and find passages in the book to support my claim, but I think with Zakaria, like many immigrants, America has long held the promise of "better," whatever that may mean to the individual.
Yes, immigrants come to America seeking a better life.

How does the US military spending more than all the militaries in the world added together, or the US military occupying small countries contribute to that?

I assume that having some kind of leader is not just a western construct, but a human one; therefore, looking to a leader to lead (whether an individual or a nation) is not so unusual, wouldn't you agree?
I'll agree that humans certainly do like having a leader, but I'm not aware of any data showing that groups of nations need leaders - or that such 'leadership' does anything beneficial for anyone. As far as I can see, 'leaders' amongst nations just tend to start wars and make demands on others.

In Thomas Friedman's book, Hot, Flat and Crowded, which I'm just beginning to read, the author says the problem with countries such as China is that it is following America's lead, with disasterous results. China is fast become a mammoth nation of consumers of goods and producers of waste, copying the American concepts of private enterprise and the rise of the middle class right down to choking polution and wasteful energy use. I've not read too far into this book, but by the subtitle, "Why we need a green revolution and how it can renew America," I'll assume Friedman harbors the same sentiments as Zakaria, that America must take the lead on the world stage.

I don't know, perhaps it is protectionism; after all, as China, India and "the rest" begin to consume finite resources in increasingly larger amounts, where does that leave the U.S.?
Natural resources are traded in 'free markets' internationally.

If USA is the richest nation, it should have no trouble at all guarenteeing its access to resources - which always go to the highest bidder.

US military can't make natural resources cheap and plentiful for Americans except perhaps by forcefully eliminating competitors. Btw, the US military itself tends to be one of the largest resource hogs in the USA, which shows the circularity of this game.

[Leprechaun]

Yes, immigrants come to America seeking a better life.

How does the US military spending more than all the militaries in the world added together, or the US military occupying small countries contribute to that?


It doesn't. However in places like Eastern Europe the pro-American sentiment is strong as the fear of Russia is great. So we tend to see Eastern Europeans being supportive of American imperialism. (I think the last word before these parentheses betrays my opinion)

[Americano]

Yes, immigrants come to America seeking a better life.

How does the US military spending more than all the militaries in the world added together, or the US military occupying small countries contribute to that?


I'll agree that humans certainly do like having a leader, but I'm not aware of any data showing that groups of nations need leaders - or that such 'leadership' does anything beneficial for anyone. As far as I can see, 'leaders' amongst nations just tend to start wars and make demands on others.


Natural resources are traded in 'free markets' internationally.

If USA is the richest nation, it should have no trouble at all guarenteeing its access to resources - which always go to the highest bidder.

Seems there are some problems in that scenario with the US now consuming far more than it produces.

US military can't make natural resources cheap and plentiful for Americans except perhaps by forcefully eliminating competitors. Btw, the US military itself tends to be one of the largest resource hogs in the USA, which shows the circularity of this game.

As I recall the US military is the single largest consumer of petroleum products for fuel in the US, the US itself being by far the largest consumer country of oil.

[Michael]

As I recall the US military is the single largest consumer of petroleum products for fuel in the US, the US itself being by far the largest consumer country of oil.

Since this is the "What are you reading?" thread, this issue reminds me of the Dune series by Frank Herbert - where 'spice' is a euphemism for oil - highly addictive, highly desired and comes from one big desert in one unique place.

The rise of the religious fanatics that are empowered by control of the physical place where spice comes from is also notable here. I'd say our international private oil companies represent the Guild, not CHOAM. :D

[Americano]

Since this is the "What are you reading?" thread, this issue reminds me of the Dune series by Frank Herbert - where 'spice' is a euphemism for oil - highly addictive, highly desired and comes from one big desert in one unique place.

The rise of the religious fanatics that are empowered by control of the physical place where spice comes from is also notable here. I'd say our international private oil companies represent the Guild, not CHOAM. :D


You're correct. Been so many years since I read that series I'd forgotten about the similarities. Lots of what was considered at the time 'futurism' in science fiction writing has become reality.

[Malvolio]

Currently in progress:

Mario Puzo - The Godfather

First impression. It's a great story, but better watch the movies. ;)

[partofme]

Currently in progress:

Mario Puzo - The Godfather

First impression. It's a great story, but better watch the movies. ;)

I read that a few years back. I absolutely love the movies (even the third one is good although to a lesser extent) but I was not disappointed by the book either. It also has an extra story not in the movies that is pretty interesting.

I thought about starting Needful Things but I just don't know if I'm going to have the free time to devote to it from this point on.

[Lily]

I've been nostalgic for my English Lit days lately. I'm currently reading a collection of Flannery O'Connor short stories and To Kill a Mockingbird, for about the gazillionth time. Good summer reading, and I just love rag-cut, hardcover novels. I don't know, just the heft of them in your hands, the smell of the paper... it's total book nerdiness.

[Michael]

I've been nostalgic for my English Lit days lately. I'm currently reading a collection of Flannery O'Connor short stories and To Kill a Mockingbird, for about the gazillionth time. Good summer reading, and I just love rag-cut, hardcover novels. I don't know, just the heft of them in your hands, the smell of the paper... it's total book nerdiness.

I've got a collection of quite a few 'rag-cut' hardcover books (mostly history - Toynbee & Winston Churchill's stuff). And yes, the smell and the feel of them is quite a sensory experience.

[Lasher]

Inquiring minds want to know! Tell us what you are reading, what you've recently read or are planning to read in the future.
"The Death of the West," by Patrick J. Buchanan.

[Donkey]

Just finished Watership Down for the third or fourth time. Still one of my all time favorites.

[bug]

I just polished off Karen Horney's (it's pronounced Horn-eye, but she's dead, so feel free to take liberties--I do) Self-Analysis and Neurosis and Human Growth for a research paper. I take psychology with a tablespoon of salt, but she is very, very fun. Anyone familiar with her? She felt neurosis (a term she uses pretty broadly to describe mental "unhealth") came from basic problem developed in childhood--a prevailing feeling that the little future neurotic was all alone and defenseless in a world that was potentially hostile. To fix this, lil' neuro comes up with one of three solutions to make things more manageable: move away from people (disengage), move toward people (cling to and need others, and delight in martyrdom), or to move against (power, glory, manipulation). I thought it was interesting that, for all the different mentally screwed people I know (that I assumed were mentally screwed in different ways), and for the 297 disorders that are now in the DSM-IV, she could sort them all into 3 categories--and they all fit perfectly. And the more details I read as she these types, the more they seem to fit. Too bad she doesn't really have much of a solution for it. Of course, if you could fix neurosis, who would be left to entertain me?

[Lily]

I've just recently started reading, for a second time, Paradise by Toni Morrison. This novel has a most intriguing opening line: "They shoot the white girl first."

Morrison won both a Nobel Prize for Literature and a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

[The Drunk Girl]

I have been reading 1984 when I have the time.

[Michael]

I have been reading 1984 when I have the time.

That book is famous for being famous, not necessarily because it is a good book to read.

I actually think the book itself is quite lame. The ideas behind it are brilliant, but the book/novel itself seems rather boring in fiction format.

[Non Sequitur]

I've been reading Dante's Divine Comedy in my breaks from work.

[Michael]

I just gave up on my fourth attempt to read Children of Hurin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Children_of_H%C3%BArin).

I get about halfway through the first chapter and my eyes glaze over. This novel is so badly written it is unreadable. The first two paragraphs on the first page introduces no less than a dozen character names. I counted abut thirty names introduced in the first three pages. It makes for a jumbled mess.

Everyone named includes their father's name and their mother's kin name and tribal name. After the first dozen I just can't even bother to try to remember who's who.

I got the book given to me for xmas about a half-dozen years ago.

[Margot]

I've just recently started reading, for a second time, Paradise by Toni Morrison. This novel has a most intriguing opening line: "They shoot the white girl first."

Morrison won both a Nobel Prize for Literature and a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Toni Morrison is really, really fun. I usually hate race-relations literature. It always strikes me as too contrived. Morrison actually takes the time to write well, and not just racially. One of my favorite short stories is her "Recitatif." It is about two little girls grow up and interact with the world, and you're never told who is black and who is white.

[dilettante]

I'm in the midst of reading a large collection of books on the American Revolution, the Confederation, and the Early Republic.

This morning's reading was particularly good, so I thought I'd recommend it and share my brief write-up of the book (I try to crank these out for each book I read so I can quickly remind myself what it's about later). If you're interested in an enjoyable and clever analysis of the origins of the American Constitution that steers a course between the idealists and the economic-determinists, this is a good candidate.


Holton, Woody. Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution (http://www.amazon.com/Unruly-Americans-Origins-Constitution-Holton/dp/0809016435/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263571635&sr=8-1). New York: Hill & Wang, 2007.

Holton explores the makings of the Constitution, particularly the motives of the Framers and the ways in which the protestations of 'unruly' lower order Americans (e.g. small farmers and debtors) forced the Framers to alter their original plans, most notably by accepting the addition of the Bill of Rights. Thus, Holton argues, it was the unruly Americans who opposed the Constitution, not the Framers in Philadelphia, who were responsible for some of the nation's most cherished liberties.

Holton frames the debate between two perspectives of the "critical period" between Confederation and Constitution, both of which saw the Articles of Confederation as failing. On the one hand were the elite Framers (such as Madison), who bewailed the "excesses of democracy" that made the state assemblies too responsive to the popular will. They lamented the willingness of the states to hand out tax relief, suspend courts, print paper money, and drag their feet in raising continental funds. On the other hand were the debtors themselves, men like Daniel Shays, who perceived the burden of taxation as crushing and found tremendous difficulties in obtaining any sort of currency with which to pay their debts. They believed the state legislatures were not sufficiently responsive to the people and that the troubles in the land stemmed from the misrule of the elite.

When the debtors and farmers could not obtain their ends through the state legislatures, they escalated the confrontation through 'rebellion', refusing to pay taxes, shutting down courts, and assaulting officials. When Madison and the Framers were unable to achieve their objectives under the existing system, they took the fight to the national level and sought to create a Constitution that could do what the state assemblies would not, a federal government that would be more insulated from popular opinion and less democratic.

In seeking out the motivations of the Framers, Holton acknowledges but rejects Charles Beard's argument (The Economic Origins of the Constitution of the United States) that they were driven primarily by their own self-interest as creditors and the holders of government bonds. While some of the supporters of the Constitution certainly fit that category, other prominent figures (such as Madison and Hamilton) do not. Holton also acknowledges the competing ideological claim (Gordon Wood, The Creation of the American Republic), that the Framers were holding to their revolutionary Republican views that called for a virtuous populace willing to sacrifice for the good of the many, and feared that self-interested demagogues had taken over the state governments and would destroy the nation. In looking at the context of the debate and the writings of the Framers, however, Holton finds "a still more pressing motive": the fear that "unless the federal government was thoroughly overhauled, the American economy would never be able to attract capital." (23) Their overriding goal was to make the new nation economically viable: by empowering the federal government to pay its debts (both foreign and domestic), to secure the sanctity of contracts, to remove native Americans from Western land which could then be surveyed and sold, to enforce treaty agreements that the various states were violating, and to collect taxes on imported and exported goods. These methods, it was believed would decrease the tax burden on small farmers and encouraged capital investment. And indeed the Constitution did achieve these goals.

Yet, Holton notes in concluding, however much the Constitution may have benefited (and been meant to benefit) the general populace, "what [the Framers] meant to give the ordinary citizen was prosperity, not power." (277) Holton's analysis strongly implies that the Constitutional approach was one solution to the Confederation's economic and social troubles; but it may not have been the only one. The state's strenuous efforts to collect taxes and enforce contracts ended up creating some of the very problems the Constitution was created to solve (rebellion, inflation, and debt relief); the alternative approach, lessening taxation and increasing the money supply in order to increase the prosperity of the middle and lower orders, was not truly attempted. In his final pages, Holton again reflects on the irony that the Constitution's most cherished liberties (enshrined in the Bill of Rights) are primarily attributable to the men who opposed the Constitution itself.

An example of Holton's nuanced approach to economic causes:
Holton suggests that, pace Beard, elite securities speculators did not directly bring about the Constitution's clauses on taxation in order to secure repayment; they lacked the influence for this. Rather, they put pressure on the state governments, which in turned put pressure on their tax base, which in turn demanded relief. The states responded to these demands by issuing paper money and interfering with the collection of debts, and it was this, as much as anything, that encouraged men like Hamilton and Madison (who were not speculators themselves) to take steps to terminate such relief in order to secure America's good credit. (64)

[Mind's Eye]

I recently picked up two somewhat related titles from Scientific American:

Denialism
and
The Science of Fear

Haven't begun reading either.

My bookshelves are overflowing with plenty of interest but lack of time.

[partofme]

I recently picked up two somewhat related titles from Scientific American:

Denialism
and
The Science of Fear

Haven't begun reading either.

My bookshelves are overflowing with plenty of interest but lack of time.

Same here. I was reading on a regular basis but right now I barely have time to spend with my kids after getting home from work.

[wphelan]

I'm reading Modern Hydronic Heating For Residential and Light Commercial Buildings.

I bought an old, repossessed, cheap house a couple months ago and have been doing a lot of work on it. I've replaced the old boiler and I expect to finally have the heat working within the week. It's been a long process. The book is fantastic though.

[Michael]

Yes, it does seem to be a challenge to find the time for reading sometimes!

Anyway, I've just read The Battle of the St. Lawrence, a historical account of WW2 inside Canadian waters. Nothing particularly noteworthy.

Prior to that, I read Kings in the North, a military/political history of Northumberland (Northern England).

[NativeSon]

I'm in the middle of reading The Morning Breaks by Bettina Aptheker. It's about the trial of Angela Davis and the social current both before and during the trial.

She had quite a few strikes against her in America, what with being a Black female for one, a true intellectual for another, and a Communist to top it off. She struck out with the American White supremacist system whenever she dared arm Black youths who were constantly being targeted by White authority.

Interesting read. :)

[The Drunk Girl]

Selected chapters from The Fundamentals of Nursing 7th ed (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0323067840/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0130455296&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=16NMSF51V8VBB9XH2Q84)

[Non Sequitur]

currently splitting my time between Moral Man And Immoral Society by Reinhold Niebuhr and What are They Saying about Acts by Mark Allan Powell

[Donkey]

My old friend, One Hundred Years of Solitude, which I think will be where my next tattoo will come.

[wphelan]

Just finished reading Gang Leader For A Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes To The Streets. It's a fascinating read for anyone interested inner city gangs, housing projects, and urban poverty. Sudhir Venkatesh spent the better part of a decade in the Robert Taylor housing project in Chicago. Early on, he met a leader of the Black Kings who gave him access to the inner workings of his life and his work as a gang leader. I definitely recommend it.

I'm on to Time and Money: The Macroeconomics of Capital Structure by Roger W. Garrison.

[Michael]

Here's my reading list while I was on vacation...

First off, is France in Modern Times, by Gordon Wright of Sanford University. The book covers the period of 1750 to 1980, and although I must say that the book seems rather weak tea on the post-1945 period, the 1750 to 1945 period is covered in exhaustive detail and well nuanced, albeit very dry reading. This is very much a traditional style history text, almost entirely focused on large-scale politics, institutions and socio-cultural elements. I had to take this one with me to finish it because it has been laying around three-quarters-finished for many months. In all, it took me a year to slog through this very boring albeit interesting book.

Then I spent the rest of the week savoring these two beauties by Hayek:

The Road to Serfdom, by Friedrich Hayek, originally published in 1944. This book is an enormously influential text that constitutes the definitive liberal argument against collectivism - that central-planned economies lead to abject tyranny and serfdom of the citzenry. I was previously familiar with this book and its theme, but I had only read particular excerpts from it. Given my increasing interest in 20th century political theory, this one was top of my list of long-overdue classics to read. This is a brilliant book that established Hayek as the most important liberal thinker of the 20th century. If anyone is even slightly confused about the difference between liberalism and socialism, this book is the definitive statement of that fact.

The Constitution of Liberty, by Friedrich Hayek, originally published in 1960. This book is a far less influential and famous as Hayek's earlier work, but from the perspective of political philosophy, it is far more interesting and important. Hayek's famous essay "Why I am not a conservative" is included as an appendix to this book. To put it simply, and in context with the first book, if anyone is even slightly confused about the differences btween liberalism, libertarianism and conservativism, this book is the definitive statement of that fact.

One interesting thing is the way 'neoliberals' and 'neoconservatives' both usually have high praise for Hayek - despite his avowed enmity with their positions. I suspect that Hayek is thus more often praised for his name, reputation and book-titles rather than from people actually reading his work (reminds me of Allan Bloom's, Closing of the American Mind - famously asserted to be the least-read 'bestseller' of all time!). ;)

I was also very much amused to find out that Hayek, like myself, toyed with resurrecting the old term of "whig" to describe his adherence to classical liberal principles and rejection of both laissez-faire libertarianism as well as his rejection of socialist principles. Indeed, Hayek, like myself, took great pride in the fact that classical liberalism has always been so powerful and popular that its enemy on the right (conservatives and anarchic-capitalists) have needed to steal all of their most popular ideas from classical liberalism, while the enemy on the left (socialists) have tried to steal the name of liberalism itself.

Indeed, the centrality of the ideas of classical liberalism as the reference point for all contemporary political ideologies just underscores the whole point - that classical liberalism really is the ground floor of political rationalism. Deviations from the principles of classical liberalism are thus always suspect for the agenda of the plutocratic-corporatist, the religious-theist, the patriotic-nationalist or the crusading moralist of enforced equality - all of them are authoritarians hiding behind pseudo-liberal words. Indeed, it seems that the only really effective attack the right and the left have made against classical liberalism over the years has been against the word itself - while needing to use a veneer of liberalism to achieve what popularity they have. :shrug:

[Michael]

On a lighter note, I just finished reading a delightful little book my mother gave me for xmas, entitled "Only in Canada, You Say - A Treasury of Canadian Language". It is by Katherine Barber - apparently she writes some syndicated column about words. Anyway, fun and interesting book filled with odd tidbits I never knew. :)

All you cakes and hosers oot and aboot! :lol:

[The Drunk Guy]

On a lighter note, I just finished reading a delightful little book my mother gave me for xmas, entitled "Only in Canada, You Say - A Treasury of Canadian Language". It is by Katherine Barber - apparently she writes some syndicated column about words. Anyway, fun and interesting book filled with odd tidbits I never knew. :)

All you cakes and hosers oot and aboot! :lol:
Reminds me of American Dad from last night. Stan reveals his deal with the CIA to become a cyborg upon his death when, low and behold, his future-cyborg self appears. He has a crazy accent that is a mix of Mexican and Canadian and is the result of both Mexico and Canada conquering the US in the future. It was pretty comical just to listen to him speak such lines as "What's this all aboot, homes?" and "This es loco, eh!"

[Michael]

Mexican-Canadian isn't exactly a common culture mix! :lol:

Lord tundering Jesus bye, we don't get too many of dem dare hispanic immigrants out dare on da Rock kissin' da cod, now do we? :shrug:

(they have a rather colorful way of speaking in Newfoundland)

[The Drunk Guy]

Mexican-Canadian isn't exactly a common culture mix! :lol:

Lord tundering Jesus bye, we don't get too many of dem dare hispanic immigrants out dare on da Rock kissin' da cod, now do we? :shrug:

(they have a rather colorful way of speaking in Newfoundland)
Scandinavian influence?

[Michael]

Scandinavian influence?

Newfies are Irish. Nova Scotia has the Scots. That's why the strange lingo.

Canada is very simple ethnic base: Irish & Scots in the Atlantic provinces, Quebec is French, Ontario is American Empire Loyalists and the western provinces were settled by Eastern Europeans.

Add large dose of 20th century immigrants into large urban centers (Toronto and Montreal mostly) and you have Canada! :)

[Lily]

I just got the March issue of the Atlantic in the mail. Haven't had a chance to read it, but "Management Secrets of the Grateful Dead" looks interesting. :ummm:

[Multiplum]

Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel.

Cool that I'm taking a course where this is required reading. An absolute joy, thoroughly examining the ultimate reasons behind the current state of the world, and examining the past 13,000 years of human history. Everyone should read this book. I can not understand how one could hold on to good old-fashioned racist or ethnocentric beliefs after reading it.

[Michael]

Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel.

Cool that I'm taking a course where this is required reading. An absolute joy, thoroughly examining the ultimate reasons behind the current state of the world, and examining the past 13,000 years of human history. Everyone should read this book. I can not understand how one could hold on to good old-fashioned racist or ethnocentric beliefs after reading it.

Yes, an excellent book that all who are interested in history ought to read. :)

[The Drunk Girl]

Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel.

Cool that I'm taking a course where this is required reading. An absolute joy, thoroughly examining the ultimate reasons behind the current state of the world, and examining the past 13,000 years of human history. Everyone should read this book. I can not understand how one could hold on to good old-fashioned racist or ethnocentric beliefs after reading it.

Collapse was a required reading for a class I had last year. It was definitely enlightening

[Multiplum]

Collapse was a required reading for a class I had last year. It was definitely enlightening

Oh, that too, but this one's up first. We also have The Little Ice Age, and one more I can't remember the name of. This is low-level stuff, really relaxing with some history/anthropology for a change.

[The Drunk Girl]

Oh, that too, but this one's up first. We also have The Little Ice Age, and one more I can't remember the name of. This is low-level stuff, really relaxing with some history/anthropology for a change.

Tis a shame you don't live closer or I could give you the book for free!

[Multiplum]

Tis a shame you don't live closer or I could give you the book for free!

For ten dollas I get that new book smell. Also, Kentucky is like the last state I would pop by. Coincidentally, I might be ordering tickets to the US within a week. Won't be visiting Kentucky, though. :p

[Michael]

For ten dollas I get that new book smell. Also, Kentucky is like the last state I would pop by. Coincidentally, I might be ordering tickets to the US within a week. Won't be visiting Kentucky, though. :p
It is the thought that counts though! :)

[Donkey]

I recently took "Why Christianity Must Change or Die" by John Shelby Spong up to the bedroom. I haven't started reading it yet, but I will shortly. I started it just before I left for my study abroad a few years back, which is why I didn't finish it. At the time I thought it would be the saving grace of my faith. It wasn't, needless to say, but I still enjoy some progressive Christian philosophy.

[Non Sequitur]

I recently took "Why Christianity Must Change or Die" by John Shelby Spong up to the bedroom. I haven't started reading it yet, but I will shortly. I started it just before I left for my study abroad a few years back, which is why I didn't finish it. At the time I thought it would be the saving grace of my faith. It wasn't, needless to say, but I still enjoy some progressive Christian philosophy.

DON'T READ SPONG!!!!

the man is a heretic.

[Donkey]

DON'T READ SPONG!!!!

the man is a heretic.
:shrug: So am I.

[Michael]

DON'T READ SPONG!!!!

the man is a heretic.
To paraphrase Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now, accusing people of heresy around here is like giving out speeding tickets at the Indy 500! :lol:

[The Drunk Girl]

For ten dollas I get that new book smell. Also, Kentucky is like the last state I would pop by. Coincidentally, I might be ordering tickets to the US within a week. Won't be visiting Kentucky, though. :p

:lol:

Can't say that I blame you. If I didn't live in Kentucky, I would say the exact same thing. Hell, when people move from states other than Ohio, Indiana, or Tennessee I ask them what in the hell brought them here. I hear interesting stories, but that is about it. I used to despise this state, but as I have gotten older I have come to really appreciate the state and its natural beauty.

[Non Sequitur]

To paraphrase Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now, accusing people of heresy around here is like giving out speeding tickets at the Indy 500! :lol:

alright, got me there... I just disagree with the man.

Speaking of liberal (albeit orthodox ;)) theologians, I just re-read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis again. I never get tired of that series.

[Donkey]

Speaking of liberal (albeit orthodox ;)) theologians, I just re-read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis again. I never get tired of that series.
Can't fault you there! It's books like those that make me excited to have children.

[Americano]

"Teaming with Microbes: The Organic Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web"

Soil science.

[Medora]

I am almost done reading John H. Wuorinen's A History of Finland. I am sad that this book is not for sale by the library, as it is not as readily available online as I hoped.

In any case, I just got through the chapter about Finland's involvement in the Second Great War. What was particularly saddening about that chapter was the immense debt placed upon that nation by the Allies, as if it had been the aggressor. I was glad to read about Finland's remarkable recovery, though.

[Michael]

I am almost done reading John H. Wuorinen's A History of Finland. I am sad that this book is not for sale by the library, as it is not as readily available online as I hoped.

In any case, I just got through the chapter about Finland's involvement in the Second Great War. What was particularly saddening about that chapter was the immense debt placed upon that nation by the Allies, as if it had been the aggressor. I was glad to read about Finland's remarkable recovery, though.
Finland was allied with Nazi Germany and joined in with Germany's unprovoked attack on the USSR. That made Finland guilty of engaging in a war of aggression by definition (same for Hungary and Romania).

[Michael]

"Teaming with Microbes: The Organic Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web"

Soil science.

And I thought my "History of Salt" sounded dry and boring... :D

[Americano]

And I thought my "History of Salt" sounded dry and boring... :D

My motivation was an interest in producing superior organic plants.

[Medora]

Finland was allied with Nazi Germany and joined in with Germany's unprovoked attack on the USSR. That made Finland guilty of engaging in a war of aggression by definition (same for Hungary and Romania).
Yeah, the author went into great detail about the peculiar position Finland found itself in during the war, especially during its fight alongside the Germans against the Russians. However, there are many things about this that I think make this a more complicated issue. For example, Russia started an unprovoked attack against Finland using the fabricated story about Finnish artillery pounding a Russian village. However, the scale of the Russian attack indicated that said country had been preparing for a full-scale invasion well before hand. It is odd to me that Russia in particular would be owed so much in reparations when it was the aggressor against Finland, which was steadfastly and consistently neutral before being forced to either fight Russia or surrender. It is also strange that Russia would support a communistic government headed by the outset leaders of the insurgents of Finland's disastrous 1918 war as the rightful leaders seeking to "free" Finland if Russia actually intended only to halt unfair aggression, rather than a premeditated attempt to turn Finland into a puppet state.

[Michael]

Yeah, the author went into great detail about the peculiar position Finland found itself in during the war, especially during its fight alongside the Germans against the Russians. However, there are many things about this that I think make this a more complicated issue. For example, Russia started an unprovoked attack against Finland using the fabricated story about Finnish artillery pounding a Russian village. However, the scale of the Russian attack indicated that said country had been preparing for a full-scale invasion well before hand. It is odd to me that Russia in particular would be owed so much in reparations when it was the aggressor against Finland, which was steadfastly and consistently neutral before being forced to either fight Russia or surrender. It is also strange that Russia would support a communistic government headed by the outset leaders of the insurgents of Finland's disastrous 1918 war as the rightful leaders seeking to "free" Finland if Russia actually intended only to halt unfair aggression, rather than a premeditated attempt to turn Finland into a puppet state.
To the victors go the spoils - and the right to write history.

History is rarely fair about such matters.

Speaking of which the Germans had to pay such 'reparations' in 1918 to the French, when most historians will now agree that it was French and Russian intransience in July 1914 that actually triggered the First World War.

[Medora]

Speaking of which the Germans had to pay such 'reparations' in 1918 to the French, when most historians will now agree that it was French and Russian intransience in July 1914 that actually triggered the First World War.
Oh, yeah, much has definitely been said about the less than noble motives behind the victors of the first Great War, and how, according to some, they share greatly in the responsibility for the Second Great War. By extension, the Marshall Plan would have been a good idea in 1918 (instead of waiting until 1947, when the program started), and American membership in the League of Nations may have served to make it meaningful in regard to its ability to arbitrate. Ironically (in regard to the latter), Woodrow Wilson may consequently have felt that his eagerness to throw American men into a foreign war better paid off, if only Congress didn't turn on him after hostilities ceased.

[Zarquon]

The Canon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Canon:_A_Whirligig_Tour_of_the_Beautiful_Basic s_of_Science) by Natalie Angier

[Michael]

Oh, yeah, much has definitely been said about the less than noble motives behind the victors of the first Great War, and how, according to some, they share greatly in the responsibility for the Second Great War. By extension, the Marshall Plan would have been a good idea in 1918 (instead of waiting until 1947, when the program started), and American membership in the League of Nations may have served to make it meaningful in regard to its ability to arbitrate. Ironically (in regard to the latter), Woodrow Wilson may consequently have felt that his eagerness to throw American men into a foreign war better paid off, if only Congress didn't turn on him after hostilities ceased.
I'm not so sure a Marshall Plan would have been financially possible in 1918 - or needed.

Sure the death and destruction of WW1 was huge, but the geographical area of destruction was comparatively small compared to WW2. The greatest damage was the loss of almost a whole generation of French, German and British young men (amongst many others). Fact is, German and French industry and economies weren't wiped out in WW1 the way those of Germany and Japan were in WW2.

And most importantly, America in 1918 was not the industrial and financial powerhouse it was in 1945.

Indeed, the Marshall Plan was passed by Congress because the US Government believed it needed the help of a 'quick recovered' Germany and Japan to oppose the USSR in WW3. That's the real reason the Marshall Plan came to be. It wasn't a big charity game.

[Michael]

The Canon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Canon:_A_Whirligig_Tour_of_the_Beautiful_Basic s_of_Science) by Natalie Angier

Sounds interesting! We will expect a cursory review at the very least.

Btw, I strongly recommend Hawking's Brief History of Time (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Brief_History_of_Time), if you haven't already read it. It certainly had a powerful effect on my thinking.

[Medora]

Good points.

In regard to the motivation behind the Marshall Plan, however: I did not mean to suggest I believed it was due to benevolence.

Also, I am not so sure that at least a similar (if not as large scale) recovery plan for Germany would not have helped, as it is my assumption that the economic depression of the German populace greatly aided the cause of the extremist elements.

[Michael]

Good points.

In regard to the motivation behind the Marshall Plan, however: I did not mean to suggest I believed it was due to benevolence.

I assure you my comment about 'charity' (or benevolence) was entirely impersonal. I was just trying to convey maximum information with minimum words about how/why America adopted the Marshall Plan at that time. My point being that those kind of conditions weren't there at all in 1918/1920 (from an American perspective anyways - there was lots of fear in Europe of the newly revolutionary USSR).

Also, I am not so sure that at least a similar (if not as large scale) recovery plan for Germany would not have helped, as it is my assumption that the economic depression of the German populace greatly aided the cause of the extremist elements.
Well it is true about the depression aiding German extremism certainly, but the timeframes I think are off a bit. The Nazis didn't really rise to power until 1930 following the Crash of 1929 and the beginning of the Great Depression of the 1930's.

The run-away inflation problem in Germany was several years earlier in the early-mid 1920's and was 'caused' by the paying of the huge reparations bill to France with a printing press on over-drive which all occured before the rise of the Nazis. This very much contributed to the failure of the Weimar Regime, but there isn't much of a direct link between German hyperinflation of the 1920's and the specific rise of the Nazis.

Speaking of which, by the time the actual 'great depression' hit Germany, it was hitting everyone else just as hard, making international relief impossible anyway. If anything, Germany was one country that got out of the 1930's depression comparatively easy/quick (perhaps due to Nazi re-armament policy as pre-Keynesian stimulus).

[Margot]

We Have Always Lived In The Castle (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143039970/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0140071075&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0P87JR180WACAFT2ETRZ) by Shirley Jackson.

This is one of the best books I've ever read. Jackson is like a surgeon with her words. I'm enjoying it very much.

[Michael]

I just finished reading The 120 Days of Sodom & Other Writings, by Marquis de Sade.

Not for the faint of heart, the squeemish or prudes. :lol:

It is a horrible book, written by a pathetic man. I can't think of anything positive to say about it. :shrug:

[The Drunk Guy]

I just finished reading The 120 Days of Sodom & Other Writings, by Marquis de Sade.

Not for the faint of heart, the squeemish or prudes. :lol:

It is a horrible book, written by a pathetic man. I can't think of anything positive to say about it. :shrug:
No meaning behind it, in your opinion?

I've been interested in reading some de Sade for a long while now, but not enough to actually do it. I'm curious as to a) if he is really observing on the cruelty of that era in French history and b) if the outrageous nature of his writing is resembled in contemporary authors.

[Medora]

Now that I'm done reading Mr. Wourinen's book, I started on Jared Diamond's Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed.

[Michael]

No meaning behind it, in your opinion?

I've been interested in reading some de Sade for a long while now, but not enough to actually do it. I'm curious as to a) if he is really observing on the cruelty of that era in French history and b) if the outrageous nature of his writing is resembled in contemporary authors.

No, I didn't pickup any serious themes to his writing at all. Seems like just a sad lonely man (spent most of his life in jail) writing about his fantasies and memories if only for something to do. Doesn't seem to have any redeeming literary quality to it other than a testament to the principle of free speech. It is certainly pornographic, quite repetative and very difficult to follow since there isn't much of a coherent plot or storyline. He does spend lots of effort describing situations and settings though and his plans for various torture scenarios (described in great detail).

[Donkey]

Plodding my way through Los Funerales de la Mama Grande (The funerals of the Big Mama). I need to brush up on my Spanish. Garcia Marquez is tough in the best of times, so it's slow going.

When I go back upstairs I'll probably read something in English.... maybe Primates and Philosophers by this dude de Waal, about the evolution of morality. I was supposed to read it for class a couple of years ago...

[Greendruid]

Franz de Waal is an awesome primatologist and I love his articles! Highly recommended, though I've actually never read his popular stuff.

I'm working my way through the Harry Potter series again after our long discussion here about the new movie. I'm 3/4 of the way through Year 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I started last week and have been reading at night when the baby is asleep instead of marking exams :sneaky:

[Donkey]

Franz de Waal is an awesome primatologist and I love his articles! Highly recommended, though I've actually never read his popular stuff.

I'm working my way through the Harry Potter series again after our long discussion here about the new movie. I'm 3/4 of the way through Year 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I started last week and have been reading at night when the baby is asleep instead of marking exams :sneaky:

I seem to remember you remarking something similar back when I was first supposed to read it. If I recall correctly, the second half of the book is other people's commentary/criticism of his article which is the first half.

Of the HP, the second one is possibly my least favorite of the books (with the fifth being the other contender). I just couldn't ever love it, not sure what it was.

[findingNemo25]

I am planning to read “I'll Tell Your Mother” by Billy Brown.

[Michael]

I am planning to read “I'll Tell Your Mother” by Billy Brown.

The brief summary I read makes it seem like a 20th century version of Tom Brown's Schooldays (a masterpiece of British lit).

(that comment is designed to bait my dear Margot!) :D

[Margot]

I've been reading lots of Thomas Harris lately. It took me forever to get through Red Dragon, but now I've flown through Silence of the Lambs. They're not very good, but they do suit my mood lately. Plus, Clarice Starling is a neat character in the books. I never understood her persona in the movie.

[Americano]

I've been reading lots of Thomas Harris lately. It took me forever to get through Red Dragon, but now I've flown through Silence of the Lambs. They're not very good, but they do suit my mood lately. Plus, Clarice Starling is a neat character in the books. I never understood her persona in the movie.

Screen writers adapting stories from books are limited by movie production and finished product time, which forces them to omit much of the character background and plot nuances. As a fiction reader I tend to avoid movie adaptions.

[JHC]

I've been reading lots of Thomas Harris lately. It took me forever to get through Red Dragon, but now I've flown through Silence of the Lambs. They're not very good, but they do suit my mood lately. Plus, Clarice Starling is a neat character in the books. I never understood her persona in the movie.

Suit your mood? uh oh. I'm sleeping with my eyes open.

[JHC]

Hidden Attraction; The Mystery and History of Magnetism
Electromagnetism: Principles and Applications
and an old Calculus text.

Hidden Attraction isn't very well written - the author gets side tracked complaining about what religion has done to hinder progress in the area. Although, he is absolutely right that in the beginning, every scientific breakthrough met with back lash from the church that set the world back several hundred years.

The history is fascinating and I needed a refresher coarse to argue about Global Warming. LOL. Figure out how that's relevant!

[JHC]

I just finished reading The 120 Days of Sodom & Other Writings, by Marquis de Sade.

Not for the faint of heart, the squeemish or prudes. :lol:

It is a horrible book, written by a pathetic man. I can't think of anything positive to say about it. :shrug:

That dude was something else! He makes me cringe.

[Margot]

That dude was something else! He makes me cringe.

No worse than the average Redditor.

[The Drunk Guy]

No, I didn't pickup any serious themes to his writing at all. Seems like just a sad lonely man (spent most of his life in jail) writing about his fantasies and memories if only for something to do. Doesn't seem to have any redeeming literary quality to it other than a testament to the principle of free speech. It is certainly pornographic, quite repetative and very difficult to follow since there isn't much of a coherent plot or storyline. He does spend lots of effort describing situations and settings though and his plans for various torture scenarios (described in great detail).
I forgot to mention this, but I read Justine back in January. I understand your point now. He's the voice of sociopaths and others who deserve no voice.

Random thought: why don't they have kids read this in high school? :rofl:

[Non Sequitur]

The book of Concord (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Concord)

It's for class.

[nanacat]

Two things, depending on my level of concentration at the moment: The Problem of Pain, by C.S. Lewis, and Between Summer's Longing and Winter's End, by Leif G. W. Persson. (I am nothing if not eclectic!):rolleyes:

[JHC]

Some mystery my mother picked up from the book exchange, The Private Patient by some English broad. :)

It's fine.

[Non Sequitur]

Two things, depending on my level of concentration at the moment: The Problem of Pain, by C.S. Lewis, and Between Summer's Longing and Winter's End, by Leif G. W. Persson. (I am nothing if not eclectic!):rolleyes:

Lewis is awesome and The Problem of Pain is a pretty good read.

[Donkey]

Lewis is awesome and The Problem of Pain is a pretty good read.

Just brought the Screwtape Letters and the Chronicles of Narnia (and a bunch of other books) home from my folk's house.

[KateWills]

At the moment I am reading a really exotic book called Kiss of snow. It’s a paranormal romance story by Nalini Singh. It’s absolutely amazing, I recommend this book.

[pramjockey]

Picked up volume one of the complete Sherlock Holmes (in order of publishing). I haven't read any mystery-related writings since I was a kid. So far, if nothing else, it's interesting just from the historical perspective.

[Leah11]

Right now I have started reading “The sixth man” by David Baldacci.

[JHC]

I haven't actually received this book yet but I just ordered:
The Cosmic Landscape: String Theory and the Illusion of Intelligent Design

It was recommended in a physics video I was watching on Youtube. I had no idea of the second title. I wonder why they didn't mention it? Will let you all know if it's any good.

[nanacat]

Just brought the Screwtape Letters and the Chronicles of Narnia (and a bunch of other books) home from my folk's house.


Have you started The Screwtape Letters yet? I've never been particularly interested in it--satire isn't my strong suit--but I'm on a Lewis roll now and wonder if it's worth looking into.

[Donkey]

Have you started The Screwtape Letters yet? I've never been particularly interested in it--satire isn't my strong suit--but I'm on a Lewis roll now and wonder if it's worth looking into.

I'm not reading it right now, it's just sitting on my shelf, but I read it years ago. I (think) I was still religious when I read it, but I would bet I'd like it now as well. I don't know if I would call it satire, but either way, give it a shot! :)


Btw, if you are on a CS Lewis kick, have you read his sci-fi trilogy? Talk about fucking weird books. Out of the Silent Planet was pretty good and interesting, but Perelandra and That Hideous Strength... odd ducks.

[Non Sequitur]

Have you started The Screwtape Letters yet? I've never been particularly interested in it--satire isn't my strong suit--but I'm on a Lewis roll now and wonder if it's worth looking into.

Lewis is awesome!! The Screwtape letters are great, but his best book is The Great Divorce.

[Non Sequitur]

I'm not reading it right now, it's just sitting on my shelf, but I read it years ago. I (think) I was still religious when I read it, but I would bet I'd like it now as well. I don't know if I would call it satire, but either way, give it a shot! :)


Btw, if you are on a CS Lewis kick, have you read his sci-fi trilogy? Talk about fucking weird books. Out of the Silent Planet was pretty good and interesting, but Perelandra and That Hideous Strength... odd ducks.

well, you got to keep in mind that the other two books are allegories for scriptural themes. It makes them less strange if you try not to read them as legit stories on their own.

[Donkey]

well, you got to keep in mind that the other two books are allegories for scriptural themes. It makes them less strange if you try not to read them as legit stories on their own.

No, I absolutely understood that. The Chronicles of Narnia are also explicit allegories, but I found them less bizarre. It's not a knock on Lewis when I say that they are strange... I just view them as sort of a failed experiment. No matter how brilliant you are (and I think that's an appropriate term for Lewis), not everything you write is going to work.

[Non Sequitur]

No, I absolutely understood that. The Chronicles of Narnia are also explicit allegories, but I found them less bizarre. It's not a knock on Lewis when I say that they are strange... I just view them as sort of a failed experiment. No matter how brilliant you are (and I think that's an appropriate term for Lewis), not everything you write is going to work.

True enough. I kind of liked Perelandra but even I will admit That Hideous Strength is a pretty weird book. However, the title alone is a great description of evil. Also the theme of people earth being "bent" instead of broken is great.

[Donkey]

True enough. I kind of liked Perelandra but even I will admit That Hideous Strength is a pretty weird book. However, the title alone is a great description of evil. Also the theme of people earth being "bent" instead of broken is great.

It's been a long time since I read them, so I don't remember the specifics as much as the general sense of weirdness.

I do wish it was better, though, because That Hideous Strength is possibly the greatest book title of all time.

[Non Sequitur]

It's been a long time since I read them, so I don't remember the specifics as much as the general sense of weirdness.

I do wish it was better, though, because That Hideous Strength is possibly the greatest book title of all time.

Funny enough George Orwell hated That Hideous Strength because good wins over evil with the help of supernatural aid. It was pretty funny to read the review.

[Donkey]

Funny enough George Orwell hated That Hideous Strength because good wins over evil with the help of supernatural aid. It was pretty funny to read the review.

:lol:

-----------

Just started reading Johnny Got His Gun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Got_His_Gun). One chapter in. There are two introductions (well one and an addendum) by the author himself. One is written after the Korean war, and the other is written in the twilight of Vietnam. What is most interesting is that the book itself was written during the brief, tenuous peace between World Wars I and II. His views on the second war are not the same as his views on the first...

[nanacat]

I'm not reading it right now, it's just sitting on my shelf, but I read it years ago. I (think) I was still religious when I read it, but I would bet I'd like it now as well. I don't know if I would call it satire, but either way, give it a shot! :)


Btw, if you are on a CS Lewis kick, have you read his sci-fi trilogy? Talk about fucking weird books. Out of the Silent Planet was pretty good and interesting, but Perelandra and That Hideous Strength... odd ducks.

I haven't read his sci-fi, but I got a book from the library called The Visionary Christian, different readings, mainly from his science fiction. I noticed Perelandra and the Hideous Strength among them. I'll give it a go.

And Non-Sequitur--sorry I don't know how to quote two different posts in my one post!--I bought The Joyful Christian--again readings, but more on theology. I saw The Great Divorce in B&N, that's the one where he dreams he's on a bus ride, huh?

[Donkey]

Nan, next to the quote button there is an "HQ" button. If you click it, it will turn orange, and show up when you go to reply later or quote another post.