[OT] What are you reading?
Ian Rastall
the Music of Time". It's by Anthony Powell, and is a twelve-novel
cycle. Actually, I just have volume one right now, which is the first
three novels. Very interesting reading. Kind of a dry comedy about
life in a boarding school in England some time in the 20s. The only
thing I'm not sure about is how the author goes out of his way to talk
in flowery language. I like the language, and I like his style, but I
was taught (from Strunk's) that it's always best to get your point
across in the simplest language.
Anyway, what are the rest of yiz reading? Anything good?
Ian
--
http://sundry.ws/
bluewind
I have always loved reading: classic lit, pulp, history, and about
anything else I may find interesting.
I have slowly been working my way through "From Dawn to Decadence" by
Jacques Barzun. It's a cultural
history beginning in the year 1500 (just prior to the reformation) to
the present. It focuses on European and American History; why the
USA became the great country it did and why we're going down the
tubes-- very rich and rewarding. Professor Barzun doesn't miss much.
I am also reading a book also about world culture and geography. It's
very interesting and opened my eyes to
many of the worlds problems and there direct causes.
Always nice to read a good book with a favorite pipe and a beverage.
Blue
Ngo Dinh Diem
Hi Ian, good topic. I am currently reading "A Land without a people"
by Nur Masalha, fascinating reading, mostly about the ethnic cleansing
operations undertaken by the Israelis since 1948 and the various
attempts made to either 'incite' the native population to leave (for
good) or otherwise forcibly deport them. It is rather despairing but
important, good to have you back with us,
Peter.
Bill
really funny book called Man: the book. I have a long list of books I
want to read and am slowly getting through them.
Bill D.
Joe
> Anyway, what are the rest of yiz reading? Anything good?
"The Innocent Man" by John Grisham... Non-Fictional account of a man
that spent a long time in prison for a murder he didn't commit...
--
Joe - Linux User #449481/Ubuntu User #19733
joe at hits - buffalo dot com
"Hate is baggage, life is too short to go around pissed off all the
time..." - Danny, American History X
buck12ga
I'm reading another one by J.A. Jance. Can't remember the name of it
right now. A few weeks ago I read Ken Follett's sequel to Pillars of
the Earth called World Without End, I really liked that.
Buck
KIM KOCHER
titled Zarafa [about the first giraffe brought to Paris in the 1820's], I
started Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential. I'm 3/4 of the way through
that. I've enjoyed each and every one. The first is a bleak classic by a
master. The second is a charming tale of French/Egyptian history and the
quadraped's trip up the Nile, across the Med and her walk from Marseilles to
Paris. Bourdain's book is an irreverent, raucas, ribald romp about the
inside scoop on the goings-on in restaurant kitchens.
Kim
"Ian Rastall" <rasta...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:2no1t3hgoca8n77df...@4ax.com...
Ed Duncan
*********************
finishing up AndyRooney "Years of Minutes", collection of Andy's
"60Minutes" rants over the years. Also, have latest MotorTrend &
Playboy handy. On the shelf for future "An Unfinished Life" - JFK ...&
"the Heels"..pro rassling's worst of the worst "bad guys". Obviously
not into "deep" reading here.
Ed Duncan, Batavia, NY
pipe since '62, brain addled/mindless forever
edsmithson
edsmithson
A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe. What an exceptional writer, its just too
bad his work is so formulaic. Still an excellent writer.
CW
recently I discovered a veritable treasure trove of reading material
@
http://books.google.com/ (books>showing>full view)
dig it:
http://books.google.com/books?id=NiQAAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA161&dq=latakia&as_brr=1
buck12ga
Jari T
Excellent find (Google Book Search *and* the article)! Thx!
I found this tidbit:
from:
"The dictionary of daily wants"
by Robert Kemp Philp, 1861
PIPE, SMOKING.
-The advisability of smoking tobacco in any form has long been a vexed
question. If, however, the practice be permitted, the smoking tobacco
through a pipe is held to be less injurious than indulging in cigars.
The quantity which may be ventured on without injury, has been limited
by an eminent authority to two pipes per night. In smoking tobacco
pipes, persons should be cautious not to use pipes which have already
been smoked from by others, and when a new pipe ie employed, the
extremity of the stem should be slightly coated with sealing wax to
prevent the new clay from causing injury to the mouth, which it
otherwise would.
Tom Troughton
Hi all,
Right now I'm finishing up "Indian Yell, The Heart of an American
Insurgency" by Michael Blake (Dances With Wolves), a non-fiction
detailing 12 significant conflicts/atrocities of the Indian wars. Next
up, "Open Up and Bleed", a biography of Iggy Pop by Paul Trynka. Don't
do much fiction, although a follow-up to "Pillars of the Earth" sounds
intriguing. Nice topic!
Tom
Jari T
One more!
LETTER XII.
RICHARD ASHFORD TO EDWARD ASHFORD.
<snip>
.....You may ask where my money goes, to
which I reply, that nominally I live on two hundred dollars
a year, but actually on one hundred dollars. I expend
something on books, music, and tobacco, three departments
I value beyond clothes, food, and physic. But then, my
tobacco only costs me three dollars a year, and as I buy
cigars by the bushel, and pipe-tobacco by the barrel, I get
as much as I want for a series of years for a five dollar bill.
I pay no poll-tax, no minister's-tax, no school-tax, and no
fiddler's-tax, because I migrate from Doughnut to Pulten-
ham, according to the visits of the tax-gatherer, and am
thus a citizen of no place, and belong generally.
Your uncle, DICK.
http://books.google.com/books?id=VnsAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA281&dq=%22pipe+tobacco%22
--
Jari T in Helsinki
Becks
Hi Ian, Fellows,
SHERMAN, FIGHTING PROPHET by Lloyd Lewis--written in the early 1932
and still considered by most scholars the definitive Sherman
biography. Lewis believed that non-fiction should read like a novel
and capture the reader's imagination. This book certainly does.
Also, SHERMAN'S CIVIL WAR SELECTED CORRESPONDENCE 1860 - 1865. What's
fun about this is that, after reading about 50 pages, you begin to
hear the sound of his voice as if he were talking to you. Finally,
RELUCTANT WITNESSES: CHILDREN'S VOICES FROM THE CIVIL WAR by Emmy E.
Werner; a scholarly book, but very interesting in that you get a
glimpse into the mindset of young--sometimes very young--people North,
South and slave. Finally, for my small dose of fiction I've gone back
to Hemingway's A MOVEABLE FEAST which has one of my very favorite
passages...
"A girl came in the café and sat by herself at a table near the
window. She was very pretty with a face fresh as a newly minted coin
if they minted coins in smooth flesh with rain-freshened skin, and her
hair was black as a crow's wing and cut sharply and diagonally across
her cheek.
I looked at her and she disturbed me and made me very excited. I
wished I could put her in the story, or anywhere, but she had placed
herself so she could watch the street and the entry and I knew she was
waiting for someone. So I went on writing.
The story was writing itself and I was having a hard time keeping up
with it. I ordered another rum St. James and I watched the girl
whenever I looked up, or when I sharpened the pencil with a pencil
sharpener with the shavings curling into the saucer under my drink.
I've seen you, beauty, and you belong to me now, whoever you are
waiting for and if I never see you again, I thought. You belong to me
and all Paris belongs to me and I belong to this notebook and this
pencil."
And, yes, for all who haven't tried it books.google.com is marvelous.
When I'm researching I go to the search bar and type in what I'm
looking for and usually find an entire book ready to be read on the
subject.
Happy Friday,
Michael
Larry LaMere
Do Casper then Little Lulu next.
Then Baby Huey if I can find them.
Nah not really just the E E Smith Lensman series.
Smokin' generic english in a PRO Cauldron.
MajorMaduro
"Ian Rastall" <rasta...@gmail.com> skrev i en meddelelse
news:2no1t3hgoca8n77df...@4ax.com...
I just began reading The Children of Hurin by Tolkien and liking it so far.
- Kenny (HOtW in a Parks Canadian)
JtN©
I just finished reading that Knoxville Cigar's bulletin board and it
looks like there website as well is going to be no longer ... it was
what I would consider to be a very very short story.
JtN ©2008
Briarroot
>
> Anyway, what are the rest of yiz reading? Anything good?
>
I just finished "Ike: An American Hero" by Michael Korda
Avoid this book like the plague! I can accept some hyperbole in a
title, I mean they're often intended to 'sell' the contents, but this
book is an appalling compendium of outright "hero" worship! Ugh. The
author apparently thinks Eisenhower was among the greatest geniuses that
ever lived; that no problem ever vexed him, no difficulty was ever too
formidable for him to overcome, nothing ever surprised him and nothing
ever interfered with his dedication to work. The book not only abounds
in factual errors,(*) but the author tends to gloss over still hotly
debated controversies as if they did not even exist!. According to
Korda, Ike wasn't even surprised by the German attack known today as The
Battle of the Bulge! I could go on and on, but you get the idea. Don't
get me wrong; I think Eisenhower did an outstanding job running the
Allied coalition and that his efforts were vital to the eventual victory
in Europe, but this book is simply *way* over the top in its praise.
(*) One remarkable example should suffice. When discussing Ike's post
WW1 career and his interest in tanks, the author credits him with
<cough> "ambitious and unconventional" theories on the proper uses of
tanks in combat and how they would come to dominate future battlefields.
In this section, Korda claims, among other things, that Erwin Rommel
wrote "a highly controversial and influential book on the subject."
Umm, nope. Rommel's only published book was a memoir of his exploits as
an infantryman in WW1. That book is justly famous, and it's been said
that Hitler himself was enthralled by it and kept his eye on Rommel
thereafter. However, there was no mention at all of tanks in that book.
It was only long *after* WW2 that some notes made by Rommel were
discovered among his papers, and it was learned that he was considering
writing a treatise on the proper role of tanks. WW2 began, however,
before he could even begin to write the work. Those notes are
documented in a book entiteld "The Rommel Papers" which was first
published in 1953 and was edited by B.H. Liddell Hart, one man who *did*
write extensively between the wars on the future uses of tanks. Rommel
did not - period. Need I point out that an unwritten unpublished book
cannot be possibly be "highly controversial and influential?" I suppose
I could be charitable and suggest that perhaps Korda meant Heinz
Guderian, another famous German officer. Guderian wrote a very
significant book entitled "Achtung Panzer!" in the mid-30s, but Korda
mistakenly refers to Rommel's book *twice* and ignores Guderian altogether!
I'm a WW2 buff and I have an extensive library of literature on all
aspects of the war, and Korda's slipshod approach to the war makes me
wonder about the quality of his research in those areas with which I'm
*not* so familiar. Did I tell you to avoid this book? Ok, you've
hereby been warned! ;-)
Regards,
Tim Parker ... McClelland's "Blakeney's Best" Tawny Flake in a basket
billiard
--
"Back in the thirties we were told we must collectivize the nation
because the people were so poor. Now we are told we must collectivize
the nation because the people are so rich." - William F. Buckley, Jr.
Casey
Hiya Ian,
Sounds like some good reading you got there.
I don't have nearly as much free time for recreational reading as I'd
like to, (school books take up most of my time) but I'm always in the
process of reading something or other.
Right now, I'm in the middle of "The War I Always Wanted" by Brandon
Friedman. Friedman is from Shreveport, as am I, so I am particularly
interested in this book. I love war memoirs all around, but this one is
very good so far.
Friedman was an infantry officer in the 101st Airborne. This book is his
memoir of the time he spent in Iraq and Afghanistan shortly after 9/11,
and how different and naive his illusion of war was.
I was lucky enough to get a signed copy ;)
Casey
Casey
time to read it. I've heard great things about it, and I loved the movie
version of "No Country for Old Men", another of McCarthy's novels.
Casey
Casey
Ah, and I recently finished Life of Pi by Yann Martel. I thoroughly
enjoyed it, though it was a bit slow in the beginning. I would suggest
it to anyone.
Casey
Yoseph
i'm reading the autobiography of Slash, the guitarist for Guns and
Roses. Surprisingly well written and very entertaining. I give it an 8
out of 10 and a must read for Guns' fans.
Yoseph
are you gloating? just because you were banned from their forum?
that's not very nice of you.
anyways, is an internet forum the closest you've ever been to reading
a book? well, it's a start, i'll give you that. but i'm totally not
surprised.
Vagabond
> Anyway, what are the rest of yiz reading? Anything good?
Water Supply, by Twort, Ratnayaka & Brandt (and a thrilling read it
certainly isn't).
I've found something that may interest the gentlemen of this newsgroup -
at least those who don't object to ebooks - it's this:
http://www.mobipocket.com/en/eBooks/eBookDetails.asp?BookID=67572
The complete Sherlock Holmes collection for $2.99. It requires the
Mobipocket ebook reader, but that's free.
--
Beoð ge gesunde.
Mark -
Donnie
>
> - Show quoted text -
I just started the lord of the rings series. I am only about a fifth
of the way done with the Hobbit, but it already looks like i am going
to have many days of great reading ahead of me.
(okay, with the way i read, maybe "many days" is an over statement. Im
going to devour these things.)
~Donnie
JtN©
Yoseph ... you are aware that I was back on that forum as within days
of being banned for the umpteenth time but decided to just use another
sign on name that I had also had was far easier to use until I got
sick of the same 6 or 8 users all talking the same crap over and over
and over again.
It is sad that a place like that has bitten the dust and just goes to
show that those who make them what they are today is now getting the
shaft.
JtN ©2008
terr...@suddenlink.net
> I checked out a book from the library the other day called "A Dance to
> the Music of Time". It's by Anthony Powell, and is a twelve-novel
> cycle. Actually, I just have volume one right now, which is the first
> three novels. Very interesting reading. Kind of a dry comedy about
> life in a boarding school in England some time in the 20s. The only
> thing I'm not sure about is how the author goes out of his way to talk
> in flowery language. I like the language, and I like his style, but I
> was taught (from Strunk's) that it's always best to get your point
> across in the simplest language.
>
> Anyway, what are the rest of yiz reading? Anything good?
>
> Ian
> --http://sundry.ws/
Currently reading "The Stuff of Thought" by Pinker. Just finishing up
"Moon in a Dew Drop" by Dogen, and finished "From London to Elista" a
couple weeks ago. I have a hard time reading only one book at a time
since I lack focus.
TerryJ
Bob Landry
>
> Anyway, what are the rest of yiz reading? Anything good?
>
> Ian
As someone else said, glad to have you back!
Just finished Steven King's latest, "Duma Key". As a friend of mine said,
predictable, but fun.
Have been reading political stuff, "Crashing the Gate", "The Republican
NOise Machine", some other stuff about progressive, bi-partisan politics,
gonna start Obama's "The Audacity of Hope" next.
--
Just another nice, basic flake.
yose...@gmail.com
>
> - Show quoted text -
you give too much importance to forums, JtN. there just places to kill
time, really, nothing more. their relevance in the real world is
insignificant.
so really, if they dissapear or thrive, who cares? obviously you do. I
don't. there are much more important things in life to care about,
like enjoying it. so enjoy life, and have a great weekend. and read
books instead of forums, or in addition to.
Bob Landry
I'll jump in and say that "The Road" is a real departure for McCarthy, in
that it is what I call "speculative fiction". Rather than a present day
or semi-historical setting, as in his other works, he takes a look at a
bleak, but largely undescribed future. "Undescribed" as in no answer to
"What the hell happened?"
Read it, you won't be disappointed. Actually, read anything by him and
you won't be disappointed.
Casey
Thanks for the input, Bob. I'm looking forward to reading The Road. I've
got a couple books to get through before I start it, but this gives me
incentive to make more time for rec. reading!
Casey
randyw
finished one by Cussler called, Trojan Odyssey. Now reading another
one of Cussler's called, Black Wind. Clive Cussler is the author of,
Raise The Titanic. If you're into Sci-Fi, read anything by Alan Dean
Foster. He's a very under-rated author...
P.S. EBay is a good source for current books, especially hardcover
books...
Bert Olton
> I checked out a book from the library the other day called "A Dance to
> the Music of Time". It's by Anthony Powell, and is a twelve-novel
> cycle. Actually, I just have volume one right now, which is the first
> three novels. Very interesting reading. Kind of a dry comedy about
> life in a boarding school in England some time in the 20s. The only
> thing I'm not sure about is how the author goes out of his way to talk
> in flowery language. I like the language, and I like his style, but I
> was taught (from Strunk's) that it's always best to get your point
> across in the simplest language.
>
> Anyway, what are the rest of yiz reading? Anything good?
>
> Ian
Hey Ian - Good to see you posting again! Holy Cow, a twelve novel
cycle, eh? Last time I got hooked on something like that was the
"Thomas Covenant" sci-fi/fantasy series a couple of decades ago and
there were only six of them!
Anyway, just finished Thomas Gold's "The Deep Hot Biosphere: The Myth of
Fossil Fuels". Gold was not a great writer, but he was a fantastic
scientist and thinker. He makes mince meat of the nonsense of petroleum
depletion and etc. Great stuff on a par with fighting the Geo-Centric
theory of the universe.
Currently half way through "Liberal Fascism" by Jonah Goldberg [hey,
this Gold/author thing seems to be an inadvertant theme...]. So far,
this text looks like the ultimate in obviating the fact that America has
not paid attention to the old saying, "learn from your history or repeat
it." We're on a slide towards Socialism/Communism/Fascism...if you
wonder where it all came from, this book will give you the salient
historical context.
Another web site you might get a kick out of is:
Bert
--
To all who have served or are serving the cause of freedom, from
whatever country, whether in peace or in war, at home or abroad, thank you.
"Let's roll", Todd Beamer, United Airlines Flight 93, 09/11/01.
brian
is the fourth book in his "Saxon Stories." This guy
writes some great action novels. He's best know for
his Sharpe series, but his historical novels are great.
Brian
Richard A. Magri Jr.
> the Music of Time". It's by Anthony Powell, and is a twelve-novel
> cycle. Actually, I just have volume one right now, which is the first
> three novels. Very interesting reading. Kind of a dry comedy about
> life in a boarding school in England some time in the 20s. The only
> thing I'm not sure about is how the author goes out of his way to talk
> in flowery language. I like the language, and I like his style, but I
> was taught (from Strunk's) that it's always best to get your point
> across in the simplest language.
>
> Anyway, what are the rest of yiz reading? Anything good?
>
> Ian
> http://sundry.ws/
To The Last Man by Jeff Shaara.
Rick
--
"You know there are only two things as beautiful as a good gun, a Swiss
watch or a woman from anywhere. You ever have a Swiss watch?" Cherry Valance
to Matthew Garth -- Red River
AnsuK.
wrote:
>On Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:11:13 -0600, Casey wrote:
>
>> Kim, how was The Road? I have it on my shelf, waiting for me to have
>> time to read it. I've heard great things about it, and I loved the movie
>> version of "No Country for Old Men", another of McCarthy's novels.
>>
>> Casey
>>
>>
>> KIM KOCHER wrote:
>>> After finishing Cormack McCarthy's The Road
-snip-
>>>
>>> Kim
>>>
>>> "Ian Rastall" <rasta...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:2no1t3hgoca8n77df...@4ax.com...
>>>> I checked out a book from the library the other day called "A Dance to
>>>> the Music of Time". It's by Anthony Powell,
-snip-
>>>>
>>>> Anyway, what are the rest of yiz reading? Anything good?
>>>>
>>>> Ian
>>>> --
>>>> http://sundry.ws/
>>>
>>>
>
>I'll jump in and say that "The Road" is a real departure for McCarthy, in
>that it is what I call "speculative fiction". Rather than a present day
>or semi-historical setting, as in his other works, he takes a look at a
>bleak, but largely undescribed future. "Undescribed" as in no answer to
>"What the hell happened?"
>Read it, you won't be disappointed. Actually, read anything by him and
>you won't be disappointed.
Hello guys!
Like you mentioned, The Road is fantastic and awesome reading by
Cormac, agreed!
I just love McCarthy's novels. I have read lately _No Country for Old
Men_, _All the Beautiful Horses_, _The Crossing_ and am waiting to get
read everything he has written. To me he is one of the greatest
American authors. He brings Faulkner and Hemingway in my mind. Haven't
seen the movie versions of his books yet.
Antti from Finland
*presently puffing GH Broen Flake (Unscented) in sb. panel liverpool
Ceppo*
buck12ga
> Just finished Steven King's latest, "Duma Key". As a friend of mine said,
> predictable, but fun.
> Have been reading political stuff, "Crashing the Gate", "The Republican
> NOise Machine", some other stuff about progressive, bi-partisan politics,
> gonna start Obama's "The Audacity of Hope" next.
>
> --
> Just another nice, basic flake.
Looking forward to Duna Key.
Buck
Sagiter
moved on to all of Anne McCaffrey's Pern series.
Neil
--
Neil Flancbaum
Craftsman
Home of the Ultimate Pipe Bag
http://www.smokinholsters.com
"Ian Rastall" <rasta...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:2no1t3hgoca8n77df...@4ax.com...
>I checked out a book from the library the other day called "A Dance to
> the Music of Time". It's by Anthony Powell, and is a twelve-novel
> cycle. Actually, I just have volume one right now, which is the first
> three novels. Very interesting reading. Kind of a dry comedy about
> life in a boarding school in England some time in the 20s. The only
> thing I'm not sure about is how the author goes out of his way to talk
> in flowery language. I like the language, and I like his style, but I
> was taught (from Strunk's) that it's always best to get your point
> across in the simplest language.
>
Miss Elaine Eos
Ian Rastall <rasta...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Anyway, what are the rest of yiz reading? Anything good?
We're currently just finishing up the last Harry Potter book. However,
prior to that, we REALLY liked (ang highly recommend) _Ideas: The
History Of Thought And Invention From Fire To Freud_
Way-fun stuff.
--
Please take off your pants or I won't read your e-mail.
I will not, no matter how "good" the deal, patronise any business which sends
unsolicited commercial e-mail or that advertises in discussion newsgroups.
Ian Rastall
<Mi...@your-pants.PlayNaked.com> wrote:
>We're currently just finishing up the last Harry Potter book.
I just read that the other day. It was slow-going in the middle, but
it speeds up at the end. My mom is obsessed with the Harry Potter
series. She's read each book about twenty or thirty times. (It helps
that she's a speed reader.) Now she's revisiting another obsession,
the Jean Auel books.
Ian
--
http://sundry.ws/
Miss Elaine Eos
Ian Rastall <rasta...@gmail.com> wrote:
> My mom is obsessed with the Harry Potter
> series. She's read each book about twenty or thirty times.
Mrs. Misc is like that with the Pratchett books. Potter too, I guess.
All that "Summer reading" stuff -- she uses it to unwind after a hard
day of work.
Ian Rastall
<Mi...@your-pants.PlayNaked.com> wrote:
>All that "Summer reading" stuff -- she uses it to unwind after a hard
>day of work.
I can understand that. I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum. I'm on
disability, so I have nothing but time, and tend to read things that
double as educational. It feels like I'm using my time more
effectively. I actually found the Potter books a hard slog, because
they didn't stimulate me. This Anthony Powell book, even though it's a
monster, is turning out to be very enjoyable.
Ian
--
http://sundry.ws/
Larry LaMere
Yep, just finished rereading the series last week. I miss waiting for the next book
to come out. "sigh" No more Harry Potter.
I'll get flambe'd for this but I tried to re-read The Hobbit and found it too lame to
read. Harry Potter is much better.
Generic full english in a KBriar bent apple.
KIM KOCHER
McCarthy, at least in the sense that Bob means. It's also typical of his
work in other ways, including it's bleak and brooding tone. I'm a huge fan
of his work and think, thus far , that Blood Meridian is my favorite. The
Road ranks right up there too, for me. I read somewhere that it too is going
to be made into a movie. In 2009, if memory serves. His recent dialogue [he
calls it 'a novel in dramatic form'], the Sunset Limited, is also worth a
read.
Kim
"Casey" <casey...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:JOSdneaq7vypGEza...@comcast.com...
Jari T
>
> Anyway, what are the rest of yiz reading? Anything good?
>
> Ian
Hai,
I have two books open.
Pynchon's "Gravity's Rainbow" and
"Textpattern Solutions
- PHP-based content management made easy."
I understand that you humans appriciate these two books over any other
data that is avilable on your planet you hold so dear. I will be pleased
to see you soon and making your acquaintance.
Love,
--
Jari T in Helsinki
Bill
which I'm not generally a fan of, great lat line though. I saw it as
a great way to begin the LOTR series. I read fast when it is by
myself but my girlfriend and I read some books together. A nice
practice but it makes them take much longer then they should
otherwise. I read the entire Hitchhikers guide series to her and it
took nearly a year. She can't stay awake much longer than sundown so
we only get about half a chapter on some nights. We will get through
the Series though.
Happy Puffing,
Bill D.
Mouse
One of the funniest things I have ever read is Pynchons rant in that book
about English candy, well, the whole book is remarkable, but that section
still brings me a smile in recollection after all these years....
Testpattern Solutions, ehh, not so funny.
Mouse
Miss Elaine Eos
Larry LaMere <ljla...@acd.net> wrote:
> I'll get flambe'd for this but I tried to re-read The Hobbit and found it too
> lame to read. Harry Potter is much better.
Heresy!
Misc "consider yourself flamed."
Briarroot
Suggestion: Those of you folks interested in reading the LOTR books for
the first time, should read "The Silmarillion" first. It will provide
the background history and mythology underpinning the Tolkien universe
and make your first reading of The Hobbit and the trilogy that much more
enjoyable. You might also consider picking up a copy of Karen Wynn
Fonstad's "The Atlas of Middle Earth" which is a marvelous collection of
maps for all the places in the Tolkien books from Silmarillion right up
through the conclusion of "The Return of the King." It contains many
more maps with much better detail than those included in the Tolkien
books, yet they're done in a style highly reminiscent of Tolkien's own
creations and thus won't spoil the mood. Good stuff! ;-)
PS: Bill, you're correct that "The Hobbit" was intended for children.
Tolkien wrote it to be read aloud to his young nieces and nephews. It
was only later, at the urging of his literary circle, that he offered it
for publication.
Regards,
Tim Parker ... Gawith-Hoggarth Scotch Flake in a basket billiard
--
"It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or
the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to
their own interest." - Adam Smith
Bill
follow. What was recommended to me was to read the hobbit, then the
LOTR then the Sil then the Histories. Then go back and read the LOTR
series again. That's a lot of reading but that's okay, they are good
books. I do already have the atlas you mentioned as well as a poster
sized map of Middle Earth.
Bill D.
Briarroot
I gave my 87 year-old mother the complete set of Tolkien books along
with the Atlas for Christmas 2006, even though she usually approaches
fantasy with a barely concealed disdain. (She's a member of the Jane
Austen Society! <g>) I recommended The Silmarillion as the first step
and much to my astonishment, she not only followed my advice, but
thoroughly enjoyed all the books as well! She also remarked how useful
the Atlas was in particular. I can't remember when my mother was so
enthusiastic about books I've given her. She always expresses
appreciation for the gifts of course, but her tastes in literature and
mine seldom overlap. (She was a librarian with an MA in Library Science
and always looked down her nose at the SF and Fantasy stuff I used to
read in high school.)
I personally don't think the stories in the Silmarillion are hard to
follow, especially with the Atlas by your side, but whatever works for
you. ;-)
Regards,
Tim Parker ... Iwan Ries 3-Star Blue in an Edwards bulldog
--
"The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the
blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of
misery." - Winston Churchill
Bill
me is getting her Masters degree in Library science right now. She is
a big sci-fi fantasy fan though. The Atlas and the map have been very
useful. I hung the map on the wall next to the bed where I read so I
can reference it if need be and for more detailed needs I turn to the
atlas. It has all sorts fo cool stuff in there that really helps. I
wish I had it when I read the Hobbit.
Briarroot
> That's such a coincidence. The friend that recommended that order to
> me is getting her Masters degree in Library science right now. She is
> a big sci-fi fantasy fan though.
>
What a clear manifestation of generational differences! Back when my
mother was taking her degree, SciFi was considered "pulp" material,
never to be thought of as 'serious' literature. Fantasy enjoyed a
somewhat better reputation. My, but how times have changed! ;-)
> The Atlas and the map have been very
> useful. I hung the map on the wall next to the bed where I read so I
> can reference it if need be and for more detailed needs I turn to the
> atlas. It has all sorts fo cool stuff in there that really helps. I
> wish I had it when I read the Hobbit.
>
Sounds like fun!
Regards,
Tim Parker ... GL Pease Barbary Coast in a basket billiard
--
"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of
his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare others who have not
exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first
principle of association: the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of
his industry and the fruits acquired by it." - Thomas Jefferson.
Juan in Andalucía
> On Mar 6, 11:41 pm, Ian Rastall <rastall...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I checked out a book from the library the other day called "A Dance to
> > the Music of Time". It's by Anthony Powell, and is a twelve-novel
> > cycle. Actually, I just have volume one right now, which is the first
> > three novels. Very interesting reading. Kind of a dry comedy about
> > life in a boarding school in England some time in the 20s. The only
> > thing I'm not sure about is how the author goes out of his way to talk
> > in flowery language. I like the language, and I like his style, but I
> > was taught (from Strunk's) that it's always best to get your point
> > across in the simplest language.
>
>
> > Ian
>
> i'm reading the autobiography of Slash, the guitarist for Guns and
> Roses. Surprisingly well written and very entertaining. I give it an 8
> out of 10 and a must read for Guns' fans.
Hi Yoseph, u mean Slash can actually remember what he did in his G&R
days?
I saw G&R in Seville, although I went to see Soundgarden and Faith no
More. I enjoyed the gunners concert too. It was after Izzy and Matt
left the band.
I'm reading The Diary of Anna Frank and the last volume of the
Alatriste series. I have Shogun and A Clockwork Orange on deck.
I'm also rereading Tintin comicbooks. I used to have all of them, but
some were borrowed and never returned and others were falling into
pieces after 30 years or so of constant rereading. My girlfriend
bought them to me for last St. Ballantine's. I babysit my almost 4
years old nephew, and he's already a Tintin nuts.
http://flickr.com/photos/7774369@N03/2059647937/
http://flickr.com/photos/7774369@N03/2049817947/
I think I'm a bad influence for him.
Juan in Andalucía
Bill
> mother was taking her degree, SciFi was considered "pulp" material,
> never to be thought of as 'serious' literature. Fantasy enjoyed a
> somewhat better reputation. My, but how times have changed! ;-)
No kidding, but I think that sci-fi has come a long way since then
too. It's no longer a campy look at what the future might bring
technologically. The Science and techno stuff should all really just
fade into the background. Enders Game by Orson Scott Card did a good
job of that as well. I highly recommend that book. I don't usually
consider myself a sci-fi fan but they do have some very good books in
the genre these days.
All this book talk is making want to get through the LOTR series much
faster to get onto the Silmarillion.
Bill D.
Luke Oberley
I'll second the recommendation for Ender's Game. Card is an excellent
author, IMO, and the other two books in the trilogy are great reads as
well.
Luke
Bill
> well.
>
> Luke
Absolutely. There are a bunch of others he wrote about the same
series but I never read any of them. I hear Enders Shadow was really
good.
Ian Rastall
<obiw...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>I'll second the recommendation for Ender's Game.
I enjoyed Ender's Game, back when I read it many years ago. Right now
I'm slogging through Red Mars, by Kim Stanley Robinson, which is very
good, but far too left-brained for the likes of me.
Ian
--
http://sundry.ws/
Briarroot
>> What a clear manifestation of generational differences! Back when my
>> mother was taking her degree, SciFi was considered "pulp" material,
>> never to be thought of as 'serious' literature. Fantasy enjoyed a
>> somewhat better reputation. My, but how times have changed! ;-)
>
> No kidding, but I think that sci-fi has come a long way since then
> too. It's no longer a campy look at what the future might bring
> technologically. The Science and techno stuff should all really just
> fade into the background. Enders Game by Orson Scott Card did a good
> job of that as well. I highly recommend that book. I don't usually
> consider myself a sci-fi fan but they do have some very good books in
> the genre these days.
>
I read almost nothing *but* SF during high school and college, and very
much enjoyed Orson Scott Card's stories, especially the Ender's series.
I generally preferred "hard" SF from such authors as John Brunner,
John Varley, Fred Pohl, Robert L. Forward, etc. I still have hundreds
of SF paperbacks stored in boxes in my basement. IMO, SF literature can
be as 'good' or 'valuable' as any other genre, it's just that I've no
more room on my shelves!
> All this book talk is making want to get through the LOTR series much
> faster to get onto the Silmarillion.
>
Heh! ;-)
Regards,
Tim Parker ... Gawith-Hoggarth Scotch Flake in a basket billiard
--
"Man will always be Man. We tried so hard to create a society that was
equal, where there'd be nothing to envy your neighbor. But there's
always something to envy: a smile; a friendship; something you don't
have and want to appropriate. In this world, even a Soviet one, there
will always be rich and poor; rich in gifts - poor in gifts, rich in
love - poor in love." - Comrade Commissar Danilov in "Enemy at the Gates"
Yoseph
>
> - Show quoted text -
ahh...Tintin...thanx for the pics, they brought back childhood
memories.
as for the Slash bio, yes, he does have quite a vivid memory of his
gnr days ,although a lot of the stories he tells are about the
countless times he was passed out on heroin or totally wasted. it's so
well written that you can read it real quick. most of the book i was
chuckling and laughing at the way he almost seemed to glorify drugs
and alcohol. he's quite a character and i wish i could meet him one
day, he seems a very down to earth guy.
i've also been to guns concerts, one where the concert started at
midnite when it was supposed to start at 8.00 pm, the set was trashed
and all wet with beer and piss from the fans and by the time axl came
out he went berzerk and cursed at everyone but still the concert went
well.
i have fond memories of my gnr days.
cheers
YE
Larry LaMere
I suppose it is generational, I think Sci-Fi died after the death of John W Campbell.
The only authors I can think of right offhand that I've consistantly liked since then
are Anne McCaffrey and Alan Dean Foster. and not all of their stuff.
I find myself rereading books and short stories from the '30's through 1970 or so.
Generif full english in a Grabow Freehand.