Anybody read a good book lately?

[Diomedes]

If reading is a chore, you're reading the wrong stuff.  That or you're a goddamned idiot who should die sooner than later.

[hbionic]

I dont read because I dont make the time for it...but Dio, what would you consider the right stuff to read?

[Diomedes]

Jesus, that's a hell of a question.

It's most important to read something, anything, I suppose.  Between not reading and reading garbage like Dan Brown, reading is better.

But I think it's important to read great books, important books, books that challenge.

By great I mean a timeless book, one that speaks beyond it's era and subject.  The Iliad.  Shakespeare.  etc.  I don't think you can know a book is great if it has only been around a few decades.   The newest American fiction I would consider great is Faulkner, Hemingway, etc.  And who knows, in 100 years people may no longer give a damn about them.  But they'll still be reading Milton and Machiavelli, we know that.

Any great book is important, but there are important books that are not great.  All the Kings Men, for example.  It's not something people all of the world should read; it doesn't speak to all times and eras.  But it is a very important book for our culture and time, and it has influence lots of writers.

And challenging, I try to read books that take a little work.  Of course, I also want to enjoy myself so I'm not consuming a steady diet of Heidegger and Mann, but I do put more difficult books into the mix.

Finally, never ever read criticism unless you are a fleshpopsucking professional academic unwilling to live with your own intrepetation of what you have read without propping it up on the crutches of other academic dick suckers.

[ice grillin you]

read the hot zone bionic....its incredibly scary and its amazing

[rjs246]

There is no way to answer hbionic's question. Different shtein speaks to different people. But Dio is spot on about one thing. Reading something, anything, is incredibly important. It's the seed of intellect and understanding and the ability to understand perspectives outside of your own. Without reading all we know are the things that we have experienced directly in our lives. What a narrow and pathetic plot that would be.

To use an IGYism, MA doesn't read. Unless you count the bible.

(Speaking of which, I just retrieved a bible from my parents' house and am planning on reading it. See what all the hubbub is about.)

[Diomedes]

Good luck with that, it's pretty lousy reading.

[ice grillin you]

i hate books and its fabulous...ive read less than ten books in my life and ive read the hot zone twice

[rjs246]

Good luck with that, it's pretty lousy reading.

It absolutely can not be any more difficult to get through than Gravity's Rainbow.

[Diomedes]

Let us know how you make out.

[rjs246]

Well GR took me about 5 months to read so when factoring in all of the other shtein I'm reading I assume it will be a while before you have your update.

[hbionic]

Thanks Dio....

Thats pretty much what I thought...only after my recent English class in college did my horizons open up a bit more regarding reading, poetry, shakespeare, etc. I agree reading is as important as eating and breathing. Actually A Farewell to arms is one that has been recommended to me. The only important books I can sadly say I have read are 1984 and Animal Farm. I have a lot of work to do. Believe it or not I actually love reading when I actually make the time.

IGY, Ill look into that book this year...I'll post my review by the end of 09...Allah willing.

[Geowhizzer]

Hbionic,

I agree with Dio that great and important books should be included in your reading list.  Personally, Shakespeare is a chore to read, but I try to digest one from time to time.

But, to kickstart, find something in your interest zone.  Like spy movies?  Perhaps a good spy novel will whet your appetite for reading.  Maybe a biography on an Eagle, or a book on team history.  Not every moment reading needs to be "heady."  My personal tastes runs to history books rather than novels.

My last three books include two history books, An Imperfect God (George Washington) and David McCullough's Truman, which I am finishing, with Devil May Care (latest James Bond novel) wedged in between. 

One more piece of advice:  Read now, while you can.  Once you start your family, your time for everything, including reading, will evaporate.  I usually end up with about 15 minutes to read, on a good day.

[Rome]

Good luck with that, it's pretty lousy reading.

It absolutely can not be any more difficult to get through than Gravity's Rainbow.

Breathtaking?


And I just finished Clarke's 3001: The Final Odyssey.  Pretty cool science fiction and definitely superior to 2010.

[hbionic]

One of the first books that I read was Red Storm Rising.....by Tom Clancy...I think I read another one of his...regarding the North Koreans...I actually read one by Dean Koontz....False Memory...recommened by PG early on in this thread.

I'll take your advice as well Geo....Isn't McCullough the historian? Damn...15 minutes? Time to log off the net. Thanks.

[rjs246]

Good luck with that, it's pretty lousy reading.

It absolutely can not be any more difficult to get through than Gravity's Rainbow.

Breathtaking?

Pretty sure that we were talking about The Road when you whipped out that gem.