Book Lovers: What are you reading now?

[momopi]

Finishing Madame Bovary (Gustave Flaubert).

Planning to read L'étranger (Albert Camus) next.

And you?

[pianoplayer88]

Just finished The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, and am planning to read The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka. I think that's the author's name.

[momopi]

that kafka book is good!!! i read it 5 years ago.

[rc]

I'm just cracking into Thoreau's 'Walden'.  Why?  Because I've heard he was a contemporary of Ralph Waldo Emerson, whose essays I enjoy, and I've heard Thoreau's name around here and there, so I figure it's probably good.

[general disarray]

I'm just cracking into Thoreau's 'Walden'.  Why?  Because I've heard he was a contemporary of Ralph Waldo Emerson, whose essays I enjoy, and I've heard Thoreau's name around here and there, so I figure it's probably good.

If you like Emerson and Thoreau  (I love them both) and all those great American Transcendentalists, you'd love Robert D. Richardson's bio of Emerson, "The Mind on Fire."  Truly, it's one of the most amazing books I've ever read.  Right up there with Henri Troyat's bio of Tolstoy, entitled cleverly enough, "Tolstoy."

Enjoy!

p.s. rereading some of Alice Munro's short stories.  This Canadian writer is the Chekhov of our time.  O! Canada! 

[db05]

Only light reading right now, because we have recitals, and then exams soon. Rereading By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paulo Coelho. I know... I know... 

After this, I'd reread either a certain website on research on pitch training or a certain book on piano practice or this entire forum. Wish me luck.

[elspeth]

Just started Jeffrey Richards' biography of Sir Henry Irving. And have just finished reading a biography of Wilson Barrett... it's all work related.

For a change I'm also reading Ellis Peters' 'A Nice Derangement of Epitaphs' - she wrote some lesser-known books (now mostly out of print - ah the joys of second-hand bookshops) besides Cadfael and her language is beautiful.

[arensky]

Finally finished C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy. Amazing.

Also Mother Night by Vonnegut and reread The Dead Zone by Stephen King, followed by The Underdogs by Mariano Azuela.

Currently reading The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan, a fascinating history of the Dust Bowl of the 1930's. Waiting in line, Conrad's Heart of Darkness.

[kelly_kelly]

I don't have much time to read, so unless you count the several Terry Pratchett books that I read before bed (I practically have them memorized), I'm only reading The Sword of Poncomby by David Mosey. It's part of a series called the Cruickshank chronicles which is absolutely hilarious . I haven't met many people familiar with these books, but I highly recommend them.

[morningstar]

I'm reading Harlequin/Vagabond by Bernard Cornwell. If anyone's confuse it's two books in one

[pianochick93]

Currently reading The Host by Stephenie Meyer, it's not as good as the Twilight series.
Next in line is Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. My friend really enjoyed it so it should be good.

[momopi]

Nonfiction but helpful esp if you want to go beyond your usual way of reading books and watching films:

Story and Discourse : Seymore Chatman
Russian Formalism , Four Essays : Various Authors
Cinema, Censorship, and the State: The Writings of Nagisa Oshima : Nagisa Oshima

I'm just cracking into Thoreau's 'Walden'.  Why?  Because I've heard he was a contemporary of Ralph Waldo Emerson, whose essays I enjoy, and I've heard Thoreau's name around here and there, so I figure it's probably good.

A fan of Anglo-American literature eh? I've yet to discover that. 

Only light reading right now, because we have recitals, and then exams soon. Rereading By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paulo Coelho. I know... I know... 

After this, I'd reread either a certain website on research on pitch training or a certain book on piano practice or this entire forum. Wish me luck.

That book is only good up until the middle. From that point onwards - it just, well, fizzled to redundant preaching about love and this and that.

Good luck and I hope you find that book that would be helpful for your studies. 

I don't have much time to read, so unless you count the several Terry Pratchett books that I read before bed (I practically have them memorized), I'm only reading The Sword of Poncomby by David Mosey. It's part of a series called the Cruickshank chronicles which is absolutely hilarious . I haven't met many people familiar with these books, but I highly recommend them.

Not familiar with these. One of my friends read Pratchett though... 

[db05]

I'd rather not read anything serious for a few years, I get engrossed so much that I might want to change my major. I once considered taking Literature or Creative Writing.

For the same reason, I'd rather not collect/ read manga or start another hobby.

[momopi]

^No worries sweetie. You have all your life to experience a good read. No need to hurry. 

[aewanko]

Although not in my current possession, I'm going to start again on the book "Elements of Public Speaking" Ed. 1986. One thing that I learned there is that if no one is listening to your speech, it is your fault.

[rc]

If you like Emerson and Thoreau  (I love them both) and all those great American Transcendentalists, you'd love Robert D. Richardson's bio of Emerson, "The Mind on Fire."  Truly, it's one of the most amazing books I've ever read.  Right up there with Henri Troyat's bio of Tolstoy, entitled cleverly enough, "Tolstoy."

Enjoy!

They have 'Mind on Fire' at the public library, 2 blocks from where I live.  War and Peace is probably my alltime favorite book, I never knew a book could be so good, so I'll definitely be giving these bio's a read - thanks!

Though, maybe after a little break on some fiction first.  I've got a collection of short stories I could roam.

[concerto_love]

nyaah...  Can I eat those books.... yawn!

[rc]

A fan of Anglo-American literature eh? I've yet to discover that. 

It's a recent discovery for me that America has produced literature   Strange mentality but it's true, and common, a lot of people look for things far from home.  Friends go far and wide to see a sight, when we live right by the Rocky Mountains.  Even walking through the city, there are spots that make me think paradise was never lost.

Although not in my current possession, I'm going to start again on the book "Elements of Public Speaking" Ed. 1986. One thing that I learned there is that if no one is listening to your speech, it is your fault.

Plan on doing some public speaking?

My only experience is giving presentations to the class in highschool.  One day I decided rather than to shirk it I would give the best presentation I could.  Somehow I made the topic interesting to me and got right into it, it was pretty fun actually!

[pianochick93]

Currently reading The Gifts of the Magi - and other short stories by O. Henry. They are quite short - not my usual style at all, but quite good.

[cai hong]

Currently wishes to read some Chinese literature...

and some Paul Coelho? ((I ran off something to read <.<))

[healdie]

I can read numerous books at once
I have nearly finished "Hard times" by Charles Dickens
Then i am going to read "Crime and punishment" Fyodor Dostoyevsky
And i an also reading "Nuremberg infamy on trial" by Joseph E. Perisco which is a fictional account of the Nuremberg trials

[arensky]

I have nearly finished "Hard times" by Charles Dickens

My favorite Dickens after A Tale of Two Cities. Hard Times is a neglected masterpiece, a beautiful book.

[momopi]

It's a recent discovery for me that America has produced literature   Strange mentality but it's true, and common, a lot of people look for things far from home.  Friends go far and wide to see a sight, when we live right by the Rocky Mountains.  Even walking through the city, there are spots that make me think paradise was never lost.

Oh c'mon... you're kidding me! 
*Realizes she's actually a bit familiar with American Lit* 

I like Hemingway and Henry Miller. But I consider them "expat" lit (if such thing exists), and not purely American lit so...

Currently wishes to read some Chinese literature...

and some Paul Coelho? ((I ran off something to read <.<))

Chinese women's lit is interesting! *hearts* I like both mainland and emigres Chinese women writers.

Not into Paulo Coelho though...

I can read numerous books at once
I have nearly finished "Hard times" by Charles Dickens
Then i am going to read "Crime and punishment" Fyodor Dostoyevsky
And i an also reading "Nuremberg infamy on trial" by Joseph E. Perisco which is a fictional account of the Nuremberg trials

Quite a lucky guy we have here, eh? I was never good at multitasking. Lucky you! 
Tell me about Crime and Punishment when you're finished. I've been always interested in Russian lit but found it intimidating...

[rc]

Oh c'mon... you're kidding me! 
*Realizes she's actually a bit familiar with American Lit* 

I like Hemingway and Henry Miller. But I consider them "expat" lit (if such thing exists), and not purely American lit so...

I've read a few short stories of Hemingways and enjoyed them.  Oh, and The Great Gatsby was one helluva book too!  Gatsby reminded me of an old friend, the sort that lives too long with a dream, and completely ruins himself for women.

Quite a lucky guy we have here, eh? I was never good at multitasking. Lucky you! 
Tell me about Crime and Punishment when you're finished. I've been always interested in Russian lit but found it intimidating...

Oh, THAT was a good book! I went through a Russian literature phase after reading Crime and Punishment.  The last 150 pages were read in a sitting, I couldn't put it down.  Dostoyevsky's such an intense author!  It takes a bit to get used to the style, it's fairly dense, maybe that depends on the translator, but after that it's absorbing...  The psychological webs, and some excellent imagery, phew.  Gonna hafta read that one again someday.

[minor9th]

I just started Caleb Carr's Angel of Darkness. So far, it's not as gripping as his The Alienist, but I'm not very far into it.

[elspeth]

I remember liking Caleb Carr's books - haven't read them for ages though, they're lurking in a corner of my bookshelves somewhere.

If you like his books you may get on well with Susan Hill's recent detective novels. As an ardent fan of her ghost stories (I still can only read Woman in Black when I've got company!) it took me a little effort to enjoy her detective books but once I got over that they're absorbing. There aren't many detective authors who really write well - besides plotting well - but she is definitely one of the good ones.

[franzliszt2]

Spinoza. I am currently obsessed with his writing. It's really mind opening and has taught me a lot.

I am also reading Twenty years after (for about the 4th time), by Alexander Dumas. I love Dumas. The count of Monte Cristo is one of my favourite books.

I love literature,I don't know how people can live without it! I think I probably read more than I practice! 

[momopi]

Lol, reading Spinoza in French gives me a complete mindf**k. (I read only excerpts, since I'm still not super good in French).

I do like his theory about desire though. It is very different from the usual continental thinking that desire can be a destructive and uncontrollable force. (Of course, this is just a rough estimation - too lazy to elaborate) For him, Le désir -c'est la puissance de l'homme - le moteur de l'ętre. Desire as the strength of man - the one that drives his being. Quite nice right?

I like 20th century philosophy. Foucault, Derrida, Lyotard. Ever tried reading them? But I want to read them in French, so I really have to make an effort to read (like newspapers, short stories) everyday, to improve my reading comprehension skills and vocabulary. Because it's tiring to look at the dictionary all the time. So, maybe I have to wait for some time (maybe years!) to get to that point. But no worries, there's lots of reading material I can enjoy.

---------

Caleb Carr? Never heard of him. When I get to see one of his books, I'll try to read. Sounds interesting.

[db05]

Finished the Coelho book already. Am sick and don't feel like reading anymore. I've run out of books to reread and new ones don't excite me.

Wish I didn't leave Temple of the Golden Pavilion in the States. That is my favorite. I don't like philosophy by itself, but in context of a story with a good plot.

[morningstar]

I'm reading Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child now.

[concerto_love]

*burn those books, and drink the water*

[momopi]

hahahahaha!!! a book-burner!!! 

[concerto_love]

It's an old story in my country. Burn the books, mix the ashes with the waters, then drink it. U will memorized all the book's words...

[morningstar]

It's an old story in my country. Burn the books, mix the ashes with the waters, then drink it. U will memorized all the book's words...

Interesting.

[cai hong]

Empress Orchid by Anchee Min
Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata
The Royal Diaries series (yeah I know...O_O but I'm just a girl...)

and some samkok although I haven't finished it but I have to return it back to the library lol

[db05]

Empress Orchid by Anchee Min

I have Red Azalea by the same author. Might it be the same book? The titles are eerily similar.

[cai hong]

I have Red Azalea by the same author. Might it be the same book? The titles are eerily similar.

Well I never read Red Azalea before.I also heard about a book about Madame Tchiang Kai Shek called 'Madame Mao' by the same author too.Well Empress Orchid is about Empress Tzu Hsi (her name sounds like Empress Ci Xi no?) who ruled over her under-age child name Tung Chih on Ch'ing Dynasty...

[db05]

Well I never read Red Azalea before.I also heard about a book about Madame Tchiang Kai Shek called 'Madame Mao' by the same author too.Well Empress Orchid is about Empress Tzu Hsi (her name sounds like Empress Ci Xi no?) who ruled over her under-age child name Tung Chih on Ch'ing Dynasty...

Ah it's different. Are those novels? The author just loves girls and flowers.

Red Azalea is her autobiography. Though I doubt it. It reads just like a novel.

[cai hong]

Ah it's different. Are those novels? The author just loves girls and flowers.

Red Azalea is her autobiography. Though I doubt it. It reads just like a novel.

well they are novels...and uhhh the author just loves girls and flowers?

[0range]

I've been on a George RR Martin and Neil Gaiman kick recently. As far as short stories are concerned, there aren't many better.

I probably read more than I practice!

There's nothing better than a day spent practicing and reading!

[franzliszt2]

I read The Sorrows of young Werther by Goethe today. I spent all day in the garden reading it. It's really great, but very depressing 

[pianoplayer88]

Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.

[momopi]

Wow! you guys read fast!!!   



Oh well... I'm writing a paper about what I'm reading, so I need read it fast, then slowly then read it again and again... Yeah, a headache but I like it. I wouldn't understand it this deep if I just read it leisurely.

[morningstar]

Battle of Corrin by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

[concerto_love]

eeeeeeek!!!    Why I can't read those books!!! *burn them*

[pianochick93]

No! Don't burn the books!

They keep me going.

[morningstar]

I don't care how good they smell or taste, you can't burn them! I have a whole library here!

[pianochick93]

I have a whole library here!

*wants*

Counters: well, I get Matthew Reilly coming to my school!

[pianoplayer88]

eeeeeeek!!!    Why I can't read those books!!! *burn them*

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love books! We pretty much have a library in our house....We have a LOT of books.

[momopi]

The book burner is gonna burn our private libraries! 

Pacify her!



*feeds concerto_love some chocolates*

 

Feel better? Don't burn the books. I love them.