Double Bass DB forum "what books are you reading" thread

[Treyzer]

I've been reading for enjoyment not necessarily intellectual stimulation. For me, reading is almost always more enjoyable than watching TV. Being a history buff, I reread the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey-Maturin series this last year. Since it's an historical fiction, actual recorded engagements and sea battles are vividly described. At some point in my touring days I took a tour through HMS Victory. That tour somehow brought the period to life. The film, Master and Commander, in addition to being a great yarn, had some fine music pieces from the Napoleonic era.

Another era that's fascinating is the medieval period during the 100 years war. Barbara Tuchman wrote a scholarly tome called "A Distant Mirror". That book lead me to a few historical fiction novels based on an historical knight named Sir William Gold. How people lived and died during the middle ages is quite a leap from how we live our lives in this modern era. Large scale engagements like Poitiers, Crecy, Agincourt and the Crusades seem almost incomprehensible viewed from our very comfortable modern perspective.

 

[Lee Moses]

Per Chris's recommendation, I have begun

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

One of the best books I have read recently is a little gem called “The Uncontrollability of the World” by German sociologist Hartmut Rosa. It’s pithy and to the point, and describes much of what I believe is wrong with our current culture without getting overtly political, which is nice - it’s one level up from that, speaking about the issues it describes on a level of human nature.

 

[Sam Sherry]

Just finished re-reading John Scalzi's "Redshirts."

There are almost no bad Hugo winners.
There is no bad Scalzi.

Nuanced, moving without pandering, "meta" as hell.
IMO this is what Speculative Fiction was invented for.

 

[unbrokenchain]

I asked my neighbor what he studied back in college, he said he was an English Lit/History guy, so I asked for a book recommendation. Among his suggestions was Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. To be honest I've never been much a novel reader, usually it's biography or philosophical kinds of things for me, but I have to say I see what the fuss is about with BK. I read that one, Prodigal Summer, and just finished Lacuna. Each is as different from the next as one Beatles album to another. Recommend

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

This was an incredibly sobering read, but excellent. I’ve been on a bit of a roll with books of this sort this year, and it has been useful in everyday life by way of serving as a reminder to get sucked into the morass of stupidity less often. In a nutshell, the term “McWorld” is used as a cultural shortcut to depict much of our consumerist culture with fast food, which I never eat. Empty calories are empty calories in either arena, but it’s too easy to forget that when we are surrounded by them on all sides.

 

[Lee Moses]

I recently finished reading

A quick, easy read, but thought-provoking.

 

[mooseonbass]

a good read

 

[turf3]

I asked my neighbor what he studied back in college, he said he was an English Lit/History guy, so I asked for a book recommendation. Among his suggestions was Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. To be honest I've never been much a novel reader, usually it's biography or philosophical kinds of things for me, but I have to say I see what the fuss is about with BK. I read that one, Prodigal Summer, and just finished Lacuna. Each is as different from the next as one Beatles album to another. Recommend

The problem with Kingsolver is her fanatical PC.

 

[unbrokenchain]

The problem with Kingsolver is her fanatical PC.

People are people everywhere I've been. I liked the three novels I read though. Lacuna does a cool thing with illustrating wwII-era Asheville.

 

[Jazzdogg]

I've decided to re-read "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl; it made a huge impression when I read it 55 years ago, and attended a lecture by Frankl.

On the way to reserve it in Libby, I came across another work by Frankl, never before released: "Yes To Life" written in the mid-forties. So far, so good.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Have been on a streak of psychology/sociology/philosophy/brain science books lately.

Two highlights come to mind:

 

[jthisdell]

Have been on a streak of psychology/sociology/philosophy/brain science books lately.

Two highlights come to mind:

You should check out Hidden Brain, on NPR and also as a podcast.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

You should check out Hidden Brain, on NPR and also as a podcast.

It’s a long time favorite! I’m even a subscriber to Hidden Brain +

 

[Treyzer]

I'm wondering/musing if bassists are just inherently and/or naturally drawn to the philosophical and metaphysical realms.

 

[jthisdell]

I'm wondering/musing if bassists are just inherently and/or naturally drawn to the philosophical and metaphysical realms.

There is more time to think between notes.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Mistakes Were Made (but Not by Me)
Carol Tavris

This book is eye-opening. It's something I wish I'd read decades ago because understanding the core concepts has done more to clear-up misguided expectations than almost anything I've read.

It is a masterful study of Cognitive Dissonance.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Mistakes Were Made (but Not by Me)
Carol Tavris

This book is eye-opening. It's something I wish I'd read decades ago because understanding the core concepts has done more to clear-up misguided expectations than almost anything I've read.

It is a masterful study of Cognitive Dissonance.

This looks really interesting and right up my alley. I put it on the “want to read” list. Thanks for the heads up!

On another note, how many participants of this thread are on Goodreads? I use it mostly to scan reviews and keep a list of things I’d like to read but have never really understood the social aspect of it.

 

[Jazzdogg]

This looks really interesting and right up my alley. I put it on the “want to read” list. Thanks for the heads up!

On another note, how many participants of this thread are on Goodreads? I use it mostly to scan reviews and keep a list of things I’d like to read but have never really understood the social aspect of it.

I keep a list of books recommended by others. I also follow up on suggestions from Bill Gates, Ryan Holiday, and a few others. Since we've become full-time RVers, we've done most of our reading using the Libby app. I miss having books around, but their bulk and weight makes all but a few a luxury we simply can't afford. When we finally decide to settle down, I envision a room filled with books, basses, and my collection of recorded music.