We like plenty of "not serious" books in my household. I really enjoyed The Expanse series, and my wife is currently working through the Rivers of London books.
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What are you reading Chapter 4
- Thread starter slobake
- Start date
I'm hit and miss. Lately, more hit and miss. Plenty of sci-fi and fantasy, but it's been more Medieval literature these days. When it's a "hit", I can typically read a few books a week. When it's a "miss", I may go months without reading a thing. Typically, it's either plenty of bass/reading/movies, and a little of the others mixed in. Reading has been #1 the past few months, but bass has been creeping in more. Always something!
Every flagging spirit gets a gurnsey, a Participation Trophy.
It may get a bit messy. Art's like that, but not always. Singling one — or a small, ineffectual number — out doesn't make a great deal of sense. (Have some pity for all the others
) Everyone's a winner, baby.
Tonight I read Tolkien's "The Monsters and the Critics", as well as a new-to-me translation of Beowulf by Kevin Crossley-Holland. This translation one was a rather accessible version seemingly aimed at a younger crowd - perhaps those in middle school? Regardless, it was a good take on the story, simplifying much of the details, including a few illustrations, and giving it a slightly different point of view. I could see it being a good introduction to the story for a younger audience. Tolkien's essay about Beowulf was quite a good essay (which I say being HUGELY biased in my feelings towards both Beowulf AND Tolkien) about how Beowulf is worthy of study not just as a historical document, but as a work of poetry. For somebody like me, who has nearly 20 different translations/adaptations of Beowulf, he's preaching to the choir. Still, I learned a good amount while reading his essay!
Tomorrow, I'll probably chill a bit and watch a sci-fi take on Beowulf - the movie "Outlander" starring Jim Caviezel. I watched it about 6 months ago, and while it's clearly NOT faithful to the text, it IS an enjoyable take on the story, and may be one of my favorites in that regard. Not necessarily serious or scholarly, but it is a fun movie to just watch and enjoy. As far as sci-fi adaptations go, it's better than Van Damme's Beowulf, for sure. It's also a sci-fi take on the story, but not executed as well.
Tomorrow, I'll probably chill a bit and watch a sci-fi take on Beowulf - the movie "Outlander" starring Jim Caviezel. I watched it about 6 months ago, and while it's clearly NOT faithful to the text, it IS an enjoyable take on the story, and may be one of my favorites in that regard. Not necessarily serious or scholarly, but it is a fun movie to just watch and enjoy. As far as sci-fi adaptations go, it's better than Van Damme's Beowulf, for sure. It's also a sci-fi take on the story, but not executed as well.
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Finished Doppelgänger by Naomi Klein.
Might read Operation Shylock next, or All About Love by Bell Hooks.
Might read Operation Shylock next, or All About Love by Bell Hooks.
I read "Finn and Hengest" today. It's by Tolkien (mostly), but edited by Alan Bliss. It's basically Tolkien's attempts to make sense of some historical figures that are mentioned in Beowulf and other related works. Pretty fascinating if it's your thing, but incredibly dense. I'm enjoying it, but I am a self-proclaimed uber-nerd. Way up my alley. Will try a Philip K. Dick novel tomorrow since a friend is loaning it to me.
Kent Hartman - The Wrecking Crew: The Inside Story of Rock and Roll's Best-Kept Secret
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I haven't read that, but i did see the movie.
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Well I tried reading the autobiography of Joan Baez. Two, actually.
I read them in an attempt to understand her point of view, as well as those who think like she does.
I was just left feeling more confused than anything. I don't understand what motivates her. She seemed to have a lot of misguided anger or something. It just doesn't make sense.
I read them in an attempt to understand her point of view, as well as those who think like she does.
I was just left feeling more confused than anything. I don't understand what motivates her. She seemed to have a lot of misguided anger or something. It just doesn't make sense.
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Took a brief reprieve from reading (at least at my previous pace) and have been enjoying catching up on some old TV shows. And I mean old. Like Black Adder from the BBC in the mid-to-late 80's and a modern adult swim show that ended over a decade ago (but just got a movie, hence my re-watching the series).
I did read a kid's illustrated version of Beowulf (Invalid Link Removed) where Grendel is an adult with a magical "adultifying" touch - can't be killing children in a children's book, I suppose... Anyway, it kept the poetic tone quite well, and has all sorts of nods to the original in more than just basic plot and all that. You can tell that the author knows his stuff. It's rather entertaining, and now my son wants to read it as his bed time story, so that's what we've been doing. He loves it! I think some time this week, I'll read "Martian Time-Slip" by Philip K. Dick. It's a new one to me, and a friend lent it to me, so I feel I should read it quickly.
I did read a kid's illustrated version of Beowulf (Invalid Link Removed) where Grendel is an adult with a magical "adultifying" touch - can't be killing children in a children's book, I suppose... Anyway, it kept the poetic tone quite well, and has all sorts of nods to the original in more than just basic plot and all that. You can tell that the author knows his stuff. It's rather entertaining, and now my son wants to read it as his bed time story, so that's what we've been doing. He loves it! I think some time this week, I'll read "Martian Time-Slip" by Philip K. Dick. It's a new one to me, and a friend lent it to me, so I feel I should read it quickly.
Thanks for the tip on Martian Time Slip. Philip K. Dick is one of the best authors from that Golden Age of sci fi, IMO. Gonna see if my library carries it.
Another great story from that genre worth checking out is Brain Wave by Poul Anderson. I think it's his best, IMO. It's so ironic how that story would be applicable in any age.
For me, it's worth a re-read, so count that as my current book in hand.
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