Now Reading & Books

How about The Independent? I'd be looking for a paper that isn't outwardly on the left or the right side, preferably a bit of both worlds would be useful.

Are there generally good moderate papers on both sides of the spectrum in the world? Something slightly liberal and also something slightly conservative, differing enough in views to stand apart, but not radical to the point of disallowing any discussions with the points made?

Tried to back in the day, but switched it off.
It was truly, truly terrible.
Awful production values, acting way below par.
Honestly, not even fun as 'guilty pleasure'.

Took up reading pace again lately. This is what I read over the past weeks.

THE BOY IN STRIPED PYJAMAS | john boyne
Beautiful and touching. I like the perspective from where the story is told. I haven't seen the film. [spoiler]The ending is a bit rushed but it certainly breaks your heart[/spoiler].

LIFE OF PI | yann martel
Read this also after being recommended it by some here (James (?) and Marie-Lise). It started off very good, until there was a bit too much religion involved, but then when the move to Canada began, my interest was back again. Fascinating that more than half of the story takes place on a simple boat and that the author keeps it interesting. I don't understand the fuss about the end, it certainly wouldn't make me want to believe in a god. Instead, it just shows the human spirit more than anything else.


Finally found this book in a second hand shop. I agree with everything you said. Very interesting and all entertaining and often humourously written. A LOT of names of scientists and discoverers are mentioned so it sometimes is a bit of an overflow, but it's fascinating that all these people helped advancing the world.

After weeks of not reading anything I'm reading some Lucretius (On the Nature of Things). Puts a smile on my face.

But I miss reading fiction... and I just searched my book cases for Mary Stewarts The Crystal Cave (thanks, Volker!) because I was pretty sure I bought that from the library once... but I also remember throwing a bunch of library books away (after buying them of course) because they look so ugly. I think I threw it away then......

Oh well, the trilogy is available as ebook and not that expensive. But I prefer books, so I'll have to ask my library to order them. They don't have the books right now (because they sold them... to me...).

Because of my search I discovered books I had forgotten about. My books are double parked, so there's a secret back row. A lot of crap there, so it appears. Should sell them or give/throw away. They're spider houses now.

Oh, a friend recommended The Eight (Katherine Neville) to me, because we were talking about music and math. Anyone here familiar with this book?

I agree. It's like the argument: I believe in heaven because I hope there is one.
That's not an argument at all. I hear it quite often.
This story does plead for power of imagination though. Which is a good thing. So I tell myself this book is about imagination because I hope it is about imagination and it's think it's more beautiful when it is about imagination.

To be honest, I found Life Of Pi (the book) mindnumbingly boring.
I actually prefered the film (albeit purely on an aesthetic level. It looked gorgeous).

Here's an article about his upcoming travel book
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksb … ill-bryson

I didn't knew he wrote so many travel books. I also discovered that after 'A History of Nearly Everything' he wrote a book about the history after each house appliance or tool. Has anyone read that one?


I'm now reading A LITTLE HISTORY OF THE WORLD by E.H. Gombrich.

Saw it very cheap in a book store in Gent and thought it was interesting. Unlike 'A Short History of Nearly Everything', it focuses not only on science but on what we learn at school. It's also a lot more simple and written in an almost childlike language, since the original book was aimed for youth. It was written by a doctor in history in 1935, and expanded over his life time. It's nice to have an overview again of what was one of my favourite subjects at school. However, I feel it is very Europe minded and perhaps too simple.

I like history books that focus on history of Europe, like In Europa by Geert Mak. In fact, I love travelling and reading in Europe anyway. Any other recommendations?

^ Very disappointing that one. Sure, those novelizations have always been a rather light affair, but you always got a certain surplus. Sometimes scenes were used, that were cut from the film. Something that gave you a little more insight in the narrative universe and the character's motivations. This is hardly more than the screenplay. A dry read.

Now reading:

Matter by Ian M. Banks

A classic adventure story. A young man catapulted out of his life and send on a quest that will make him a man. Treason, loyalty, a bit of steam punk. Banks crafts a universe within his Cultureverse. The world is build in such detail, the literary means are so enjoyable: Banks ranks with the greatest of the genre. A pity he died so soon.

Volker

Check out the fine score for the mini series "Gormenghast" by Richard Rodney Bennett. The series itself isn't bad either.

Volker

Me too. At the same time I don't want something that catches my ear and is too distracting so rather than busy music I'll go for mood setting more "ambient" sounding works.

You nailed it. It very much depends on what type of book you're reading.

I also tend to listen to some ambient background music while reading. Anything symphonic is too distracting.

Since I have some stress work wise currently (students taking their exams) I have chosen some light reading: An English language omnibus edition of the original Indiana Jones novelizations (Campbell Black, James Kahn and Rob MacGregor.) I read these in German translations decades ago when I was still sitting on the other side of the teacher's desk.

Those novelizations were much better written back then than they are today.

Volker

My writing is pretty much confined to my website these days.

Oopsy -- I searched the word "books" and came up with that thread and assumed that was it.

I took the occasion to edit the thread title.