What are you reading?

[uc pseudonym]

Between the random capitalization, mispelling of the word mispelling (as well as a few other words), creative use of the apostrophe, bad grammar, and needless repetition of the word of, I would guess that you are making a point.

Have you read the original version of Robinson Crusoe? It's like this all the time. My version even has footnotes pointing out where he made corrections in later editions. Apparently they decided that leaving in the original spelling added authenticity or some such. Dafoe also liked to invent his own contractions, such as "t" for "ed" or just adding an apostrophe when he didn't want to write some of the letters.

Currently reading "1984" by George Orwell. Personally I am not really impressed.

How far are you? While I found certain parts of the book dull (and the middle third essentially unnecessary), I think the overall scope of the dystopia is interesting. What is it you find unimpressive?

[ich1990]

How far are you? While I found certain parts of the book dull (and the middle third essentially unnecessary), I think the overall scope of the dystopia is interesting. What is it you find unimpressive?

I am currently about half way through it, so I am probably smack dab in the middle of the unneccessary 1/3rd. I am impressed by the amount of thought that went into creating this alternate reality, but, after you get past the initial "new culture shock" part, the book seems quite drab.

I really like the way he created newspeak and describes the constant paranoia, but after he allows you to get fully immersed in this grimy new world, it seems like not much happens. I am hoping that it will get better once I get further into it.

Perhaps it would have been more accurate to say that I am impressed but not engaged.

[uc pseudonym]

Love and Sex with Robots by David Levy

I saw the author featured on the Colbert Report some time ago, so when a friend had this lying around I gave it a second glance. Right now I've skimmed much of it and that is about all I'll do. It's a funny book, but not in an intentional way. Also, he doesn't even try to come off as anything other than a sad, lonely man.

He makes a case that people will continue to have sex with inanimate objects, but that's nothing new. What interested me, and where he utterly fails to convince, is the idea that programs could eventually become complex enough to develop something that could realistically be called a personality.

I really like the way he created newspeak and describes the constant paranoia, but after he allows you to get fully immersed in this grimy new world, it seems like not much happens. I am hoping that it will get better once I get further into it.

An event will soon happen that improves things, in my opinion. It's not exactly new material, but it develops certain aspects and is fairly interesting.

[NekoChan_C]

Right now I am reading a few books... I am finishing up "Saving your marriage before it starts" by Les and Leslie Parrot (great book for the engaged or newlywed couple! ^_^), When God Doesn't Make Sense by Dr. James Dobson (who is the Man when it comes to family issues) and... American Gods, by Neil Gaiman. Strong language and subject matter, not something I'd let my preteen read, but still VERY good so far... I just finished "When the Wind Blows" by James Patterson, who is a master of criminal suspense reads. Yay, me! ^_^

[Htom Sirveaux]

Closing in on the end of Terry Pratchett's "Pyramids." Can't seem to stop reading Discworld novels. In fact, there's a book sale at the library today and I found "Interesting Times," "Soul Music" and "Thud" for a total of $1.50. Oh, and a decent-sized hardcover Poe collection for $1.

[yukoxholic]

Finished Good Morning Midnight today and started: Be With You by Takuji Ichikawa which I'll most likely finish by the end of this weekend. ^__^

[GhostontheNet]

Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N.T. Wright

[uc pseudonym]

Twilight of the Idols by Friedrich Nietzsche

This is my first extended reading of Nietzsche. So far I am a bit disappointed, as I was expecting more nihilism and thought that in some ways reflects mine. For the moment I am attempting to withhold judgment until I finish the complete work.

[rocklobster]

Just finished Dean Koontz's The Darkest Evening of the Year. I will be starting Duma Key by Stephen King tomorrow.

[ich1990]

Just finished "1984" by George Orwell.

UC was right, it does get a lot better towards the end. However, just to warn you, it is not a normal book. Rather than follow one main story line through to the end, it seems to jump onto random tangents. It follows these tangents just long enough to find another tangent and so on. The end result is that the story wanders its way to the conclusion, therefore, some sections of the book are more or less interesting than others. Nonetheless, it was a fairly involving book when you consider the whole.

Next up, "Surprised by Joy" by C.S. Lewis.

[mysngoeshere56]

Right now... As far as non-manga fiction goes....

1. New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
2. A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
3. Prince Caspian - CS Lewis
4. Violet Dawn - Brandilyn Collins

[bigsleepj]

Past Master by R.A. Lafferty

Its the story of Thomas More (the man for all seasons) who is plucked out of the past to save a imploding Utopia. Its a rather interesting philosophical science fiction story, thus far.

[KeybladeWarrior]

Reading my textbooks for school. XP

[Maledicte]

Reading Le Morte d'Arthur for school (in its original form! It's taking me forever to read! "Sir, by your avyse I woll let cry a turnemente..." >_<)

Also reading Dearly Devoted Dexter, and being horrified and laughing out loud at the same time.

[mitsuki lover]

Boogiepop And Others by Kouhei Kadono illutrations by Kouji Ogata.This was the book that started the entire Boogiepop Phenomena including the
anime series.
The Philosopher And The Druids by Philip Freeman.Around 90 B.C. the Greek philosopher Poisodonus took a trip into the heart of Celtic Gaul and wrote what he found there.The book is based on what little is known about
Posidonus and his writings.

[uc pseudonym]

What Causes War? by Greg Cashman

Basic sociological theory, though this is more a survey of the scholarship. It started out simplistic enough to make me worry, but fortunately has a steep difficulty curve.

[Amzi Live]

Voice of the Martyrs Martyrs, by DC Talk,and Voice of the Martys

[uc pseudonym]

"The Humanism of Existentialism" by Jean-Paul Sartre

Interesting essay. I like Sartre as a philosopher; he thinks clearly and rationally. But despite my enjoyment of his writing and thought, I think I profoundly disagree with his conclusions concerning the meaning of an existentialist world.

[Alice]

Worlds of the Imperium, by Keith Laumer (early steampunk)

The Miracle at Speedy Motors, by Alexander McCall Smith (mystery)

The Great Divorce, by C. S. Lewis (really, really good!)

A Princess of Mars, by Edgar Rice Burroughs

[Sae-chan]

I just finished reading Blink, by Ted Dekker. It was really, really good - basically, Seth, a college student with an IQ of 195, is granted with an amazing gift. The gift to see possible futures. Miriam, an renegade ex-princess of Saudi Arabia, meets up with him. Unfortunately, Miriam's father, adopted father, and supposed-to-be-father-in-law send people after her... but Seth manages to save them both more than a couple of times.

Throughout the book Seth wonders at the existence of God. In the beginning of the book, he believes in God, but is more of a deist. Then, when he receives his gift, he begins to doubt all gods, becoming more like an agnostic or atheist. By his reasoning, God is supposed to know the future, because He's all-seeing. But if there are possible futures, then God must not know the future, which conflicts with his previous reasoning - that God is all-seeing...

Anyway, it was a very good book, and I recommend it.

[the_wolfs_howl]

Today I have begun the privilege of reading The Hobbit to my little sisters. I'm so excited; Tolkien is the master, and even reading a book that is more whimsical and cheerful than LotR reminds me of the years where I practically lived for Lord of the Rings. I really hope that, in time, my sisters will come to love it too.

[uc pseudonym]

The Physics of Superheroes by James Kakalios

It probably would have been better to read this before I took any physics classes, but a refresher doesn't hurt. The main reason I'm reading is because I'm curious how physics operates at superhuman levels.

[Manillien]

Just finished "The Faith" - The History of Christianity by Brian Moynahan. I think it really helped to flesh out my identity as a Christian a bit. I would recommend it to any Christian. Don't know if Moynahan himself is a Christian, but he presents everything very diplomatically.

[eternalprincess]

I just finished Black by Ted Dekker this morning.

I am currently reading Dragon by Clive Cussler as of this afternoon. XD ^.^

[GeneD]

This thread is amazingly depressing when I haven't been reading anything besides textbooks for what seems like forever!

[uc pseudonym]

Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky

I have been meaning to read some Dostoevsky for quite a while now, so I'm glad I have an excuse. Though it took me a little while to get into the novel, I'm enjoying the unreliable narrator. It's definitely the kind of book that I don't want to respond to until the end, though.

This thread is amazingly depressing when I haven't been reading anything besides textbooks for what seems like forever!

Nothing's stopping you from listing your textbooks... though I must admit as an English/Bible major my textbooks are a bit more appropriate to this thread than for someone with a specialization in, say, math.

[GeneD]

Try biochemistry. I officially have a textbook from hell though. It's really awful! Oh, and most of my "textbooks" are in the form of lecture notes.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

[font="palatino Linotype"]Great Expectations.

...yeah. Oh how "great" they are...[/sarcasm][/font]

[bigsleepj]

Notes from the Underground was an excellent book. But like Crime and Punishment it took me a long time to work through it. Its a difficult book, but very rewarding.

[yukoxholic]

The Private Journals of Edvard Munch: We Are Flames Which Pour Out of the Earth by Edvard Munch.

All I can say so far is....Wow.