No, though it covers a lot of the same ground. I see now the link was censored. :rolleyes: The domain name is "books-l-u-t.com" without the dashes ...
Printable View
No, though it covers a lot of the same ground. I see now the link was censored. :rolleyes: The domain name is "books-l-u-t.com" without the dashes ...
Which of course brings up this article that's gotten so much play in the last few days.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pax
I'd always been skeptical of Leonard Shlain's scholarship in The Alphabet vs. the Goddess - as appealing to me as many of his ideas are - but this latest research kind of reinforces it in a sideways fashion.
My attention isn't what it used to be, but I'd attributed that to other things. To reference the other thread ... might be a good reason to go back to reading on the Kindle and not having all the distractions quite so close to hand ...
That's a really fascinating article.
I've been doing a lot of testing this year on the computer, it's the direction high stakes testing is going. But a few of the tests the students did paper pencil in class first. Their paper pencil grades were almost always better than those on the computer.
The testing the students have to do is crazy. Fifth graders - 10 and 11 year olds - watch a video on a topic and take notes on the computer, read two articles on the computer about the same topic and then compose an essay. The practice tests are available here. Check out the ELA performance test. It's ridiculous!
Veronica
Thanks, Salsa, both for the encouragement and the recommendation for The House Next Door -- that's one I haven't read. I put it on my "want to read" list.Quote:
Originally Posted by salsabike
By the way, I don't know how many on this thread are members of goodreads.com, but I find it a great place to read reviews, review and mark what I've read (so I don't forget - ha!), and get recommendations on other books I might like. It's a really fun site if you enjoy books.
And it's ELEGANTLY written--just beautifully, quietly done. Let me know what you think whenever you get to it!
I've started Gaim's "Neverwhere" and am very impressed. I recently read "American Gods" which I thought well written and very creative. "Neverwhere" might actually be better - and just as creative with a very different worldview. I love well written creative fantasy that isn't dependent on an attempt to recreate Tolkien. I do love Tolkien, btw, but too many have tried to recreate him rather than to find their own unique voice. I do like GOOD sword and sorcery fantasy, but there is so little out there is actually worth taking minutes from my life to read. "Neverwhere" is far from sword and sorcery, well developed characters, and the premise is quite creative.
This makes me even more inclined to start checking out all of his published works!
"House Next Door" sounds intriguing, I will check it out.
I really like my Nook (no glowlight, all I can connect to is the Nook store via WiFi). I prefer actual books for NON-fiction for some reason, but for fiction/relaxation/escape reading I almost prefer the Nook. While the kettlebell training appears to be helping my arthritic hands, the Nook is more comfortable to my hands than holding a book for long periods of time. I read more with it :D
I am on Good Reads as well. Isn't it possible to start a list there that multiple users can interact with? It might be very interesting to see a "TE Recommendations" list. I will check this out in the next day or so.
I'm pretty sure there is a ton of us on Goodreads. Are a ton of us?
Will do! I love ARS' writing.Quote:
Originally Posted by salsabike
I'm on Goodreads.
"Neverwhere" was my first Gaiman and I have to say it ruined me for everything else. I think it's his best book. Not that the other one's aren't but Neverwhere is just a class of its own.
I'm currently catching up on all the things I didn't read way back when, but should've. So at the moment I'm burning through some Margaret Atwoods. And I keep wondering why I never made a point of reading all these books on my list.
I'm on Goodreads too, if anyone's interested. I promise I'll be better about updating my reading list ;)
"Neverwhere" currently goes everywhere with me in case I've a few minutes to read even a few paragraphis, it is that good! I've been on Goodreads for a long time but haven't been consistent with it. I will get better at updating my reading/wanting to read lists :)Quote:
Originally Posted by finnporter
I still haven't checked on a multi-user reading list, and that probably won't happen until Sunday evening but I promise that I will do it.
I've read Predictably Irrational this week which I found quite fascinating. I just finished the first book in the series Irulan suggested. I found it very hard to put down and have the second one loaded to begin reading. :D
Veronica
Glad you liked my rec!
Witthim - thanks for the recommendation for The Bellringers Quite a good book, and I am not usually one for political thrillers that aren't set in current times.
I did look at Goodreads, and there IS an option to start up a group. I could do that if there is enough interest, but that is probably overly complicated since we have this thread.
Curious what people are reading right now.
I went to the library today and walked out with quite the eclectic collection:
Terry Pratchett's Raising Steam
Virgil's Aeneid (translated by Robert Fagles)
J.R.R. Tolkein's version of The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun
Thankfully these books can be renewed, and will need to be - especially the second two. It's been years since I've gotten into epic verse however, and I've not read the Aeneid before. I figure since I am challenging my body as I've already begun training/preparing for GS (kettlebell sport) competition that it is a good time to also challenge my brain. Epic verse is almost like another language. It is captivating in a different way than prose when it is done well. I really want to read Tolkein's translation of Beowulf but my library still has it on order. Pratchett is for lunch-time reading :-)
I also checked out a CD version of Pratchett & Gaim's Good Omen. I spend 30 minutes in the car every morning and evening and am so tired of the local radio stations and the repetitive content on NPR. I've not listened to a book for a long time.
Just finished the latest Harry Dresden novel and am reading Benedict Jacka's Chosen. Looking forward to the latest Meredith Gentry novel that comes out Tuesday.
I admire those that read to learn and exercise the brain, but I only read for entertainment.
I didn't say it wasn't entertaining :-) I love what captivates my little pea brain, and the old massive epic poems DO if they are translated well. They open up a very different world, very enjoyable - that is why I like them. Of course, Dostoevsky is my favorite all-time author so that probably says something.Quote:
Originally Posted by thekarens
I've read some of the Harry Dresden novels and enjoyed them, that is another author I want to read more of. I am really looking forward to the combination of Pratchett and Gaim, two of my favorite more modern authors. I recently read Gaim's "Neverwhere" and found it, well, astoundingly good!
I am also finishing up Barbara Cleverly's Bright Hair About the Bone, the second of the Leatitia Talbot Mysteries. Enjoyable, and there is always a bit of tie into history in her books, at least the ones I've so far read.
If it's entertaining then that's even more awesome. You work the brain and get some entertainment to boot, awesome combo!Quote:
Originally Posted by Catrin
Recently finished Junot Diaz' The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which was amazing--read his other two books right afterwards. Now starting the latest Harry Dresden.
Wow, I don't challenge myself with that kind of reading, Catrin! Too much like school. My reading is strictly for pleasure or informational/professional.
I am in the process of reading Maeve Binchy's last book. It was published after she died. It's actually a collection of very short stories, all based on characters on Chestnut St. in Dublin, called Chestnut Street. I generally don't read too many short story collections, and this reminds me I should. I skipped May's selection of the Woman's Adventure Book Club, but I did download the June one, which is Miles From Nowhere, and it's about a cycling trip, I think in the seventies?
Miles from Nowhere is still my all-time favorite cycling trip book! I didn't realize it was available in an e-reader version, thanks!
Crankin, I guess that is just an indication of subconscious masochistic tendencies because it IS for pleasure ;-) Then again, it takes some of that to even consider training for kettlebell sport so it probably isn't a surprise!
All of you keep getting me interested in Harry Dresden - once I've completed my current Terry Pratchett book (lunch time reading), I will see what my library has for Harry Dresden. I also have other Gaim books to read on my list.
One of my birthday gifts to dearie in a few weeks, is a book I bought for him which I'm sneaking in my read: By the Canadian astronaut who played guitar in space, Chris Hadfield: An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth.
I really recommend it: it's his autobiography not only about how astronauts train, more about life lessons the humbling experience of training hard to fly for space but in the end, most astronauts, don't get selected to fly. So it's all about the journey, in the moment, instead of the goal itself.
Also there's a piece about training for a one's own death, in case an astronaut die should accidentally on a space mission.
Here's a great quote (p. 35): "See a funny thing happened on the way to space: I learned how to live better and more happily, here on Earth".
And for experienced cyclists here, we all know for difficult rides, it's all about enjoying the journey, not just the destination/goal itself
I adore Cmmdr Hadfield. His twitter feed and facebook page are awesome.
I've been reading The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer. The biology is a little simplistic, but I can forgive it for that. It's an interesting read.
I'm in the middle of Chris Hadfield's book and also started reading the free Kindle version of Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi recently. I'm enjoying both.
My first Kindle read was another free book, A Rogue's Life by Wilkie Collins. It was amusing, except for a huge bit of anti-Semitism in one chapter that I did not like.
So far my strategy of buying a Kindle to make reading more convenient is paying off. I've downloaded more than 20 free books. Most are pretty obscure, like writings by Teddy Roosevelt and memoirs by unfamous men who fought in World War I or the Civil War. But there's no risk if I don't like them, since they were free, and they might turn out to be interesting.
BTW Chris Hadfield is working on another book, a compilation of the photos he took from while on the ISS.
Hey, nybiker--my husband bought a thumb drive from American Science and Surplus for $13---called the "e-library" in their catalog. It has over 3000 public access Kindle books. Plenty of classics, including Jane Austen. Plenty of obscure stuff too, but lots and lots of interesting books for darn near nothing. He's been sharing them out with friends, too.
I'm switching back and forth between two short story collections right now. One classic - The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie - and one new, Kabu Kabu by Nnedi Okorafor. Each collection by itself is pretty incredible but the combination is just mindblowing!
You got me curious about this man Irulan, I've not heard of him. Very interesting indeed!Quote:
Originally Posted by Irulan
I was getting those daily on my twitter feed. Those photos are what got me onto Twitter, actually. He's done some really cool things in terms of bring the space program truly into the new century. His videos on YouTube are a hoot - everything from how astronauts brush their teeth to why you need music in space. Love that guy!Quote:
Originally Posted by ny biker
E books - lots of free and cheap down loads off off Book Bub. They offer new realeases and publishers specials at a huge discount.
I'm enjoying his book..which I'm trying to finish in 2 wks. because I have to wrap up this birthday gift. :) He would be a fabulous speaker because there were so many life lessons he learned in his training and space walks.
Frankly I didn't have a tv nor was I paying attention when he was in space.
Admittedly a lot of Canadians probably see him as Chris Hatfield, instead of Commander...though that was his formal title.
By coincidence the Canadarm that was described...I think version 1 or 2 was being built in huge lab in building where my brother-in-law had his faculty office --north end of Toronto (Downsview), University of Toronto. There is an Institute for Aerospace Studies --aerospace engineering. I did see the huge arm....behind glass viewing window.
I'm finally reading The Book Thief and really enjoying it.
I've got the third book in the Saxon series, Bel Canto, and Dangerous Women on my tablet. I think I'm also going to get the Chris Hadfield book and All the Light We Cannot See. It's a ten hour flight to Ecuador, plus time on the ground. Internet access will be spotty, so I want to have them before we go. I love summer vacation because I can read adult books. :D I did just plow through the first three books in the 7 Wonders series by Peter Lerangis. Like Rick Riordan did with Roman, Greek and Egyptian gods, he's taken what could be a tired topic and made it into a fascinating adventure series for 10 year olds.
Veronica
I forgot, I also read Pi in the Sky by Wendy Mass. She is one of my favorite children's authors. Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life and A Mango Shaped Space were both amazing reads.
Veronica
Just finished The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent -- a beautifully written book. If you're interested in the Salem witch trials, check it out: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...tic-s-daughter
Now reading a very lightweight James Patterson mystery, The 9th Judgment.
Reading Start the Conversation again. Having a rough go right now dealing with my moms death and that book has helped me immensely in the past.
(((Pax))). Thanks for that recommendation. I'd never heard of that book but it sounds like something that might be useful to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pax
Pam, it's a good book to read a little, then sit and think about what you read. Honestly it took away my fear of death when I read it the first time. Very helpful.Quote:
Originally Posted by PamNY
I've been listening to "Good Omens" in my car (by Pratchett and Gaiman) and having a great time listening to it. I suspect I will then have to read it :-)
Diana Gabaldon's latest book in the Outlander series came out today: "Written in My Own Heart's Blood." Downloaded it to my Kindle app late last night and plan to spend a lot of my free time the next few weeks reading all 848 pages!
I started that one today as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by BikeDutchess