What book(s) are you reading?

[Rox]

I just finished American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson and started Every Woman Should Go To Law School or Read This Book -- which I should be done with in a few days' time.

Next in the queue is Scandalmonger by William Safire.

What's everyone else reading? Got any recommendations?

Any other bibliophiles on the board? My idea of heaven is a house in the woods with a giant library -- and time to read to my heart's content.

Also, agree or disagree: Listening to audio books is as educational as reading "the old fashioned way."

I disagree, but I'll withhold my arguments for future posts.

[baddog]

I just picked up Homer's Odyssey and decided to read it again. Tough to read in the original translation, but a helluva story.

Last time I read it, was 20 years ago when I read it to my daughter while she was still in her mother's womb. I wonder if that is why she is so smart today.

[spudnik]

I'm reading Pushkin's Eugene Onegin at the moment.

I just finished A Cook's Tour: In Search of the Perfect Meal by Anthony Bourdain and The Soul of a Chef: The Journey Toward Perfection by Michael Ruhlman. The latter was much more enjoyable than the former, but both were quite good. I love to read and I love to cook, so I tend to read about cooking a lot.

I'm a total bibliophile and always have been. I drove my mom nuts by reading under the covers with a flashlight when I was little. She couldn't really get mad, though, because I usually picked "good" books. She pretty much stopped nagging when I was about 10, after she found me reading Gone with the Wind. It took forever and I didn't understand all of it, but it was still a good read.

Am I the only person that loves Jane Austen? I've read all of her books, but Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion are my favorites.

I used to love audio books as a child, but only when I could read along with the tape. I suppose they work for some people, but I get so much more from reading.

-Spudnik

[modF]

Right now, I am working on Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Stephen King's Dreamcatcher.

I mostly read to help unplug every now and then. Sadlly that is not often.

[XxXotic]

"Brain Droppings" by George Carlin

[Funbrunette]

Anything to do with pregnancy...lol

But I usually always read one of those true crime books....I've always wanted to be a ciminal profiler, so I try and read as much true crime stories as I can! And then I get nightmares...lol

[modF]

Originally posted by XxXotic
"Brain Droppings" by George Carlin

I have "Napalm & Silly Putty" here on my shelf collecting dust. If you want to check it out I'll send it.

I never have time to read books. Last one I read is because I made time for it, Black Hawk Down. I loved the movie so much I had to read the book.

[Evil Chris]

When I do have the time and inclination to read, I like to read non-fiction political essays... I know it sounds boring, but I like Canadian and American political history.

[emmanuelle]

Faith Popcorn's newest, EVEolution

It's a great perspective on marketing to women, and also to "communities".

[Horg]

Since I am a real geek I love fantasy and science-fiction novels

I just finished the last book of The Farser Trilogy by Robin Hobb and I loved them all ! I couldn't stop reading and wanted to know what would happen next, something that is very unusual of me hehe.

I read a very very science-fiction book the other day, Perdido Street Station, by China Mieville. It's hard to explain what's it all about shorty, but I can guarantee that if you like science-fiction and science you will love that book (oh and it deals with fantasy as well a little).

Last but not the least, another fantasy book. Well it's more of a historical book than a fantasy book. It takes place in a modified Byzantine Empire from Europe's fifth century. The first book is the story of a mosaist from a small city who has been called by the emperor to reach Sarantine, the empire's biggest city, in order to create the biggest mosaic ever in the new Sarantine sanctuary. It might sound boring at first (in fact the 50 first pages are rather long as the author describes the political world they live in), but once you reach the actual story you can't stop ! I made my girlfriend read it (and she never read fantasy before) and she just loved it. She gave it to her sister (who's not a fantasy fan either) and her sister cried at the end of the second book hehe. Anyway these 2 books are in my all-time top list for a long time I'm sure ! The author is Guy Gavriel Kay and the books are :
- Sailing to Sarantium (Sarantine Mosaic, Book 1)
- Lord of Emperors (Sarantine Mosaic, Book 2)

And right now I take a break from reading big novels so I read the BDs (or Bande Dessinées or European comic books) that I brought back from France this summer

[Rox]

Originally posted by Evil Chris
When I do have the time and inclination to read, I like to read non-fiction political essays... I know it sounds boring, but I like Canadian and American political history.

Not boring at all! It's really too bad more people aren't interested in law and politics (especially now, with all the shit going down in the US). Knowledge is power, baby!

My not-so-guilty pleasure is historical romances. I've probably read tens of thousands in the past 30 years. In a pinch, I'll read ANYTHING I can find. In every room of my house, literally, you'll find at least one book, magazine or newspaper (usually a small pile of them); I've even got reading material in my car. The downside is that they take up a lot of room, so I have to periodically throw or give stuff away. It's really difficult for me to give away books, but I force myself to only keep the ones that I simply loved, or want to hang onto so that my daughter can read them in a couple years (the romances, especially!). I always have a box that I put the non-keeper romances into, and when it's full, I ship it to one of my mom's friends, who's addicted to them too.

My beef with audio books applies primarily to people who use them as a substitute for actual reading. Case in point: my husband. He works with his hands, at a bench pretty much all day long. His company keeps a library of audio books, so he listens to the CDs while he's working. Every now & then in group conversation, he'll talk about how good a certain book was, or say how he's "read" x number of books over the past month. Now, I live with this man, so I happen to know that the books he's had in his hands are limited to comic books (oh, excuse me, graphic novels), toy industry magazines (that's what he does for a living, works for a company that makes toys) and a Dark Age of Camelot game manual.

So I protest, saying that audio books don't count as reading, since listening to someone else read isn't nearly as useful or educational as turning the pages and having your brain process what your eyes see. For example hearing the word, "rapport" will not teach you how to spell it (which is how I illustrated my point, by asking him to spell the word). Maybe I'm just old-fashioned or something, but I think it's really important for people to be able to express themselves clearly in writing, and without a substantial foundation that can only be gained in reading a variety of text, it's impossible reach the level of literacy required.

I also find the younger generation's extensive use of bastardized shorthand ("r u going to break up with ur bf?") annoying and almost a sacrilege. When you can use "ur" in place of "your" and "you're," why bother learning which word is appropriate in any given context? But that's another rant altogether.

[Rox]

Originally posted by luke
I never have time to read books. Last one I read is because I made time for it, Black Hawk Down. I loved the movie so much I had to read the book.

If you have time to take a dump, you've got time to read! Around here, the bathroom is known as "the library," and has the largest number of books & magazines in one place outside of the bookshelves (which are in every other room except the kitchen!).

[emmanuelle]

I own a % of a 2nd hand book store. When I go there, it is pure bliss. There is nothing like the feel of a book in your hands! I equate it to red wine. You can drink it out of a paper bag if you'd like, but in the correct setting, it's an experience in itself!

Getting lost in a book is like no other activity. I am a firm believer that while technology changes, nothing will ever replace the sensation of a book in your hands, turning pages, admiring the quality of the paper, print and publishing.

There is of course a time & place for audiobooks. While they dont offer the same creature comforts that a tome does, and are certainly no comparable substitute, an audiobook is far better than other listening alternatives. I listen to them in the car during long trips to make the time pass more enjoyably, although I admit to preferring cheezy novels in the car, and more substantive reading in my hands.

[spudnik]

My not-so-guilty pleasure is historical romances. I've probably read tens of thousands in the past 30 years.

I've got tons of these around the house and I burn through them like mad. Once I've started a romance novel, I simply can't put it down and I have to read straight through to the end.

My best friend is an addict as well. She's in Boston and I'm in Montreal, so we don't see each other that often, but when we do get together we always trade at least a few large boxes full of books.

I also find the younger generation's extensive use of bastardized shorthand ("r u going to break up with ur bf?") annoying and almost a sacrilege.

There's an ever-increasing (but already large) number of older folks extensively over-using bad net slang (especially those that are new to the net and trying to fit with the "in crowd").

This misuse of language drives me crazy as well. I'll often use certain acronyms (e.g. LOL, ROTFL, IMO), but rarely -if ever- will I use something like "ur" or "str8." Generally speaking though, I'm very much a language purist. My co-workers call me the "Grammar Nazi" because I'm somewhat anal-retentive about grammar- and spell-checking our sites and advertising materials. They just don't see the need for the semi-colon in porn...

[baddog]

you girls remind me of my g/f. Last May I had to pack a u-haul truck for her to move, and I spent over 6 hours just loading boxes of books! half of her collection was already stored at her parents house. and she is only 27.

I talked to her last night when she informed me that she finally broke down and get a library card, and currently has 20 books checked out.

I just hope San Jose has a big library to keep her occupied for a while. If not, San Francisco is not that far away I guess

[XxXotic]

Originally posted by modF


I have "Napalm & Silly Putty" here on my shelf collecting dust. If you want to check it out I'll send it.

appreciate it but i can just nab it from any one of the 40 book stores within 2 minutes walk to my house (living near LSU's campus has SOME perks)

[baddog]

Originally posted by spudnik


There's an ever-increasing (but already large) number of older folks extensively over-using bad net slang (especially those that are new to the net and trying to fit with the "in crowd").

hey, I am probably the oldest one here, and I don't use net slang to try and fit in, I do it because my time is valuable, and I am typing in the dark most of the time, so rather than risk a typo, I will throw in a g/f or other such thing just so I know I will be alive long enough to hit the submit button

[Evil Chris]

This might be a silly question, but did you ever pick up a book with the intention of reading it through, and then quit...

I tried reading War & Peace about 3 times... I got fed up every time!

[baddog]

Originally posted by Evil Chris
This might be a silly question, but did you ever pick up a book with the intention of reading it through, and then quit...

I tried reading War & Peace about 3 times... I got fed up every time!

yes, the phone book

[Funbrunette]

Originally posted by baddog


yes, the phone book

Good one! LMAO!!!!!!!!!!

[cyberpimp]

BOOK????? What's a book???

Just kidding how about this, The Lord of The Rings for the 14th time!!

Just can't get enough

CyberPimp

[Rox]

Originally posted by spudnik
This misuse of language drives me crazy as well. I'll often use certain acronyms (e.g. LOL, ROTFL, IMO), but rarely -if ever- will I use something like "ur" or "str8." Generally speaking though, I'm very much a language purist. My co-workers call me the "Grammar Nazi" because I'm somewhat anal-retentive about grammar- and spell-checking our sites and advertising materials. They just don't see the need for the semi-colon in porn...

Bless you, bless you! There are a few of us out there, and personally, I think it's unwise to assume that people don't care about spelling and grammar when it comes to porn. The way I see it, if a company doesn't pay attention to details as basic as spell-checking and having someone with a grasp of the language proof-read their marketing materials, I have to assume that they're not concerned with other details, like customer service. I've seen ads in the webmaster magazines, and banner ads for sponsors that contain errors an eighth-grader would have caught; and I decide right then & there that those folks will not get any of my business, no matter how good their reputation might be or how slick their sites are. I simply believe that if you expect to get paid for your product or service, you need to present yourself in a professional manner, which includes paying attention to things like proper use of the language.

Originally posted by emmanuelle
I own a % of a 2nd hand book store.

I'm SO jealous! Ever since I was a little kid, I've wanted to own a bookstore (what better business for bibliophiles?). Hopefully one day that dream will come true.

Originally posted by emmanuelle
There is of course a time & place for audiobooks. While they dont offer the same creature comforts that a tome does, and are certainly no comparable substitute, an audiobook is far better than other listening alternatives. I listen to them in the car during long trips to make the time pass more enjoyably, although I admit to preferring cheezy novels in the car, and more substantive reading in my hands.

Listening to an audiobook in the car is definitely ok. In fact, here in Los Angeles where many people have long commutes (and where drive-time radio, with the notable exception of Public Radio, totally SUCKS!), it's a freakin' godsend!

Almost finished with Every Woman... The author offers some truly excellent advice and information as well as many resources. The book is definitely a must-have -- for women AND men.

[RMS]

my current fav's are "Hop on Pop" and "Yertle the Turtle", quite possibly the greatest book ever written on turtle stacking, as quoted from Lisa Simpson.


Someday, I want to get "The Lorax", but the dark undertones of the moral decay of society and corporate greed are a little frightening.

[spudnik]

Originally posted by Rox
I simply believe that if you expect to get paid for your product or service, you need to present yourself in a professional manner, which includes paying attention to things like proper use of the language.

Exactly!! Well-written and articulate copy should be a given in ANY industry. While the absence of grammatical or spelling errors won't necessarily generate sales, it's highly unlikely to lose them.

I can accept - to a point - grammatical errors, because I realize that not everybody has had the same rigorous grammar lessons that I was subjected to by the ruler-wielding, mustachioed nuns at my Catholic elementary school. Spelling errors are another matter, though. It is so easy to run a spell check these days that there's simply no excuse for them in professional writing.

Just my $.03 CDN.

[erika]

Well I started to reread Jean Aeuls Clan of the Cave Bear series. I've
been itching to go out and buy the new one Shelters of Stone, Ive only been waiting 6 years for this one to come out. As well as I have an assortment of Sci fi/fanatasy novels-dragonrealms, forgotten realms and then I have almost the complete set of John Norman's Gor series. I havent read those ones in years.

[Vid Vicious]

ok you Guys are gonna think this is fucked up, but my ex GF from 14 years ago gave it to a few weeks back, I actually finnished it while flying back for a recent trip to Vegas ...

"The Celestine Prophecy" by James Redfield

Iit was ok but a little far fetched .. the only thing I s that I have actually started to see peoples energy around them ... or maybe it's just the weed talkin'.

If you have read this book let me know your thoughts on it