what are you reading?

[Neb Maro]

I'll have to check it out. I'm a fairly avid reader, so I am always in search of new material. Original Poster, thank you for opening this thread.

 

[BassManPatsFan]

Doctor Zhivago
-Alex

 

[Ben Lesser]

I'll have to check it out. I'm a fairly avid reader, so I am always in search of new material. Original Poster, thank you for opening this thread.

Excellent.

If you do, let me know what you think. I'll be the first to admit that the first book isn't his best, but the others won't make a great deal of sense without it. It's not bad... just not as good as the ones that come after.

 

[Jason Carota]

The Hobbit in the collector's editions

Very nice.

I have also been toying with the idea of a solo bass interpretation of the Uruk-Hai theme from the soundtrack. LOTR geeks unite.

 

[Jiggybass]

Ayn Rand can write a mean story. The problem is that when you read her stuff you come away thinking that because she writes such a great story, the moral system imbedded in it must be correct.

Do yourself a favor and read something that totally opposes her view after you finish Atlas Shrugged. Everyone (including myself and all of my friends) who has read Ayn Rand becomes a Randroid for a few months after because one gets tricked into thinking that what she spouts is correct. This is promptly cures (or at least challenged - I mean, if you really think that Objectivism explains the world, that's your prerogative) any Randianism after you finish it. If you're philosophically inclined, try reading Kant's The Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals after.

But also don't forget to read The Fountainhead, which to me is the pinnacle of her storytelling.

Long post short - Ayn Rand's Objectivism seems correct at the time of reading, but it isn't a very tenable world-view. When you finish reading her and enjoying her stories, read something opposed to it, and learn. If you come out thinking Objectivism is correct, at least you'll have some ammo to back you up (and you'll need it).

EDIT: Forgot to say what I'm reading:

Rereading Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain, which is my second-favorite novel.
Trudging through Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus in an attempt to understand how Kierkegaard's writings influenced Wittgenstein.

PS - I'm a philosophy major.

Very true, it's important to always read different books after each one. I read Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy during Anthem, pretty different books, and stuff. Still though, I just love the way she writes, it really keeps you going ti'll the end.

I'm going to read Fountainhead as soon as I finnish Brave new World

 

[PDubs]

I don't mean to dig up an old thread, but I didn't think this post deserved its own.

I just read Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseni. I loved it. If you haven't read it, it's a great piece of fiction.

Can anyone that has read Kite Runner recommend something along those lines??

 

[Foamy]

Forever Odd - Dean Koontz

 

[embellisher]

The Second Book of Lost Swords: Sightblinder's Story - Fred Saberhagen

 

[embellisher]

Every couple years I read 'em straight through, but it's been a long time since I ventured in The Silmarillion or Unfinished Tales.

Good stuff indeed...

Hey, The Silmarillion is the best one of all. I wish somebody would make it into a 12 hour miniseries. I have to read it at least every couple of years, and then I invariably wind up reading the rest of them.

 

[Floating teetH]

My two favorites have been

ahem.....
\

A Scanner Darkly, by Philip K. Dick (though I expect little of the film)

and

1984 by George Orwell.

Nobody forced me to read it, baybe that's why I liked it.

 

[Floating teetH]

Oh yeah, plus my own work.

My latest epic tale begins,

Steve is a scientist who works in the rainforset sudying the penises and vaginas of tiny insects...

I know, brilian, isn't it? Worship me......

 

[chaotick]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I'm an occultist so it's a pretty interesting read, but even if I wasn't, still pretty crazy.

It's a non-fict about a rocket-scientist that was obsessed with magick. He even corresponded with Crowley.

 

[The BurgerMeister]

Devil in the white city.

ooo! good one!


i just finished reading "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" trilogy (all 5 books ).

moving on to this next:

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/159420120X/ref=s9_asin_image_1/103-9739219-1465453


Thomas Pynchon is one of my favorite authors. actually, i think he's my favorite ever. i've read all his other published works (all of it amazing to me). this is his first novel in 10 years or so. i'm excited!

 

[Baryonyx]

I'm reading a mammoth tome, FHM's "Biggest ever" joke book. It's got some crackers in it!

 

[gkbass13]

currently im reading bob woodward's 3rd book about the bush presidency. its pretty good thus far.

i recomend to anyone who hasnt read them:

naked by david sedaris
angelas ashes by frank mccourt
a heartbreaking work of staggering genius by david eggers
straight man by richard russo

those are some of my current fav's

 

[DigMe]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

bc

 

[bigtexashonk]

"Ghost Rider" - Neil Peart

 

[Dave Siff]

"Ghost Rider" - Neil Peart

What a great book. I felt cleansed after reading it, and I haven't gone through anything remotely close to the personal horrors Neil experienced.
I just finished "Roadshow".. another very entertaining read.

 

[Adam Barkley]

Nevermind the Pollacks - Neil Pollack. A crude, offensive book where a single music critic singlehandedly takes credit for every rock and roll trend for the last 50 odd years. Not for children or sensitive minds.

I, Lucifer - Glen Duncan. Satan comes back in to Earth in the body of a man an offensive, hilarious, behavior ensues.

That's about it recently.

 

[Jeff Martinez]

Invalid Link Removed