WHAT ARE YOU READING
than the Travis McGee series by John D
McDonald?
Quote: RigondeauxHer and Borges are my short story Mount Rushmore. It only has two people for whatever reason.
I'd add Raymond Carver and Edgar Allen Poe.
Prufrock is an old, nerdy guy looking at what little remains of his life - some might consider it depressing - but it's amazing the way Eliot makes the words crash together
Eliot was a master poet
this is the first stanza:
"Let us go then, you and I,
When the evening is spread out against the sky
Like a patient etherized upon a table;
Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets,
The muttering retreats
Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels
And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells:
Streets that follow like a tedious argument
Of insidious intent
To lead you to an overwhelming question ...
Oh, do not ask, “What is it?”
Let us go and make our visit."
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/44212/the-love-song-of-j-alfred-prufrock
at first you think it's a poem about beautiful nature - then he hits you with this - boom : "like a patient etherized upon a table"
Quote: EvenBobFor pure escapism is there anything better
than the Travis McGee series by John D
McDonald?
That would be a no.
Nothing better.
irritates me. I was dating a woman in the
late 70's in Santa Barbara, who read all
the time. She was 5 years older than
me, and had a horrible W Texas drawl.
I kept seeing her because the sex was
good, she wanted to do it 4-5 times
a week. Which is flattering at first
but shortly becomes irritating as hell.
Anyway, she read all the time. In the car,
when we watched TV, even is a restaurant
at dinner. She took a box of books to the
used book store and traded them for
another box and some cash. She was a
book addict.
The thing that bugged me was, she couldn't
remember any of what she read. She would
finish a book in front of me and when I
asked what it was about, she couldn't say
exactly. If I pushed it she got furious so
I would drop it.
Wtf. What's the purpose of reading if you
can't remember it. The whole point is to
learn and compare and contemplate. If
she picked up a book and realized a third
of the way in that she'd read it before, she
would be so angry at herself. She never
ever read a book twice. One of life's joys
is rereading good books over and over.
But not for her.
In the sounds thread, somebody said
a woman you're with having an orgasm
is a good sound. I said sometimes it's
not, depends on the woman. I was
thinking about this person. She would
always get off 2-3 times during sex, and it
was great for about 2 months. Then it
became more and more irritating, I
came to resent it. I finally broke it off
when I realized I was too young for her
and she was only using me for sex
because I was young and could keep
up with her.
But her reading habits, never seen anything
like it. Was just like a drug for her. She
was very bright which had a lot to do with
it, had a lot of higher education.
About elderly RV travelers struggling to make ends meet and still working
"The humane man uses his wealth as a means to distinction, the inhumane becomes a mere harness, an accessory to his takings."
"The real man has to look his heart in the eye when he is alone."
the main character, Rabbit, was a former high school basketball star
I played high school basketball
Rabbit is now in his 30s - all that he and his friends want to talk about is what happened in high school basketball games
it's most of what he thinks about and talks about
it's as if nothing in his life could ever be as important as high school basketball - of course there are other big events in the book
what a trip that book was for me
Quote: lilredroosterRabbit Run by John Updike
An oldie but a goodie. That book
is 60 years old..
Quote: EvenBobAn oldie but a goodie. That book
is 60 years old..
IMHO the truly great books don't really age or become irrelevant
book about him traveling around the country
in the late 80's. It's reminiscent of Steinbeck's
book Travels With Charley in 1960. With one
big difference. Steinbeck made his book up,
it's fiction that he published as non fiction.
He started out with good intentions but
soon realized, hey, this is totally uncomfortable
sleeping in the pickup truck camper, and the
people I'm seeing are boring as hell. So he
stayed in hotels and wrote the book from
there. On weekends he would get a room in
the best hotel in town, his wife would fly
in, and they would wine and dine and see
shows. And he would fake the book.
We had to read it in HS, it won awards and
was a huge best seller. All made up by the
author, a complete fiction. That didn't come out
till he's been dead for decades. I've been looking
at my 40 year old copy and it's very good.
But Bryson never met people half as interesting
on his journey because his were real, and not
a bunch of lies.
I was a supervisor at Borders Books when Amazon beat them up
there are a few small niche bookstores doing well in the U.S. now
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/08/books/watersones-barnes-and-noble-james-daunt.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
Quote: EvenBobI checked it out at Amazon, read reviews
and looked inside a coupe. Just ordered
11 of them from Ebay, $20, free shipping.
Got these today and some others.
Looking forward to diving in tonight.
Quote: lilredroosterA Brit who has been very successful with Waterstones books in England is coming here to try and save Barnes and Noble who appears to be on its last legs
I was a supervisor at Borders Books when Amazon beat them up
there are a few small niche bookstores doing well in the U.S. now
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/08/books/watersones-barnes-and-noble-james-daunt.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
Wow, people still buy books. How stupid can you be. What a waste of money. Only morons buy books.
I love to read
Haven't bought a book in years. Why spend extra money on books when you are already buying a ton of books with your tax dollars.
I have my kindle hooked up to my local library that I support with my tax dollars.
I literally have a gazillion choices.
Use an app called overdrive to borrow books from my library and downloaded on my kindle
Quote: terapinedWow, people still buy books. How stupid can you be. What a waste of money. Only morons buy books.
Seriously? Insult all the book
buyers because you like Kindle?
I loathe Kindle, eye strain galore.
And I love the sight of books
filling my shelves. One of my
fave authors went on and on
in an interview on how he hates
Kindle.
I also recently found out that the LA public library has a free streaming service with some pretty good selections.
However, if I'm at home I strongly prefer a real book to kindle. Kindle is just for traveling, or occasionally a very boring poker table.
Currently I'm reading The Mueller Report. After this, it's on to Carl Sagan's The Demon Haunted World.
Quote: terapinedWow, people still buy books. How stupid can you be. What a waste of money. Only morons buy books.
I love to read
Haven't bought a book in years. Why spend extra money on books when you are already buying a ton of books with your tax dollars.
I have my kindle hooked up to my local library that I support with my tax dollars.
I literally have a gazillion choices.
Use an app called overdrive to borrow books from my library and downloaded on my kindle
I'm going to ASSUME, given that you were responding to a report about B&N trying to save their Brick and Mortar business, that you were not directing this at many of the people who like real books in this thread. I'm one of them, and I found it pretty rude as a "moron" who finds staring at backlit screens very hard on my old, weak eyes.
I support my library with tax dollars, book drives, and donations. I had Overdrive for a couple years and found it ponderous and irritating, though some of that is from bizzaro licensing agreements on ebooks.
Babs, the new Kindle Paperwhites are frontlit not backlit so much easier on the eyes. Just FYI.
Quote: unJonThis is a great thread. I’m constantly reading at least one book. Mix of historical fiction, speculative fiction, pop sci and biography. Some great books mentioned in this thread already.
Babs, the new Kindle Paperwhites are frontlit not backlit so much easier on the eyes. Just FYI.
Thanks, unJon. I might look into something like that. I have an original Nook, which has no light , and still love it. I haven't tried to upgrade because of the eyestrain issue.
Quote: unJonnot backlit so much easier on the eyes. Just FYI.
It's all crap when compared to
books. You light a book with
the light that's comfortable
for you. A reading device is
a light source itself that you're
staring at, there will always
be eye strain involved. I can
read a book for 2 hours and
am fine. I won't last 20 min
on any device.
Quote: terapined
I have my kindle hooked up to my local library that I support with my tax dollars.
I literally have a gazillion choices.
believe me - if the book you're looking for falls below a certain level of popularity - and many high quality books do - you won't be able to get it from your library
I have access to the biggest public library in the world - New York Public Library - and I have access to other New York libraries and libraries in another state - and there are many books I can't get through them
maybe in the future you will be able to - but not right now
also, people will buy physical books because they want them - not because they need them
a fact of life in the sales of goods- wants are more powerful than needs
from the article dated 2017:
"According to The Wall Street Journal, sales of traditional print books rose by 5 percent in the US last year, while sales of ebooks plunged by 17 percent. "
https://www.inc.com/glenn-leibowitz/heres-why-an-ebook-can-never-live-up-to-joy-of-reading-an-old-fashioned-hardcover.html
Quote: lilredroosterbelieve me - if the book you're looking for falls below a certain level of popularity - and many high quality books do - you won't be able to get it from your library
I have access to the biggest public library in the world - New York Public Library - and I have access to other New York libraries and libraries in another state - and there are many books I can't get through them
maybe in the future you will be able to - but not right now
also, people will buy physical books because they want them - not because they need them
a fact of life in the sales of goods- wants are more powerful than needs
My library buys kindle books based on suggestions
I plan on retiring in an RV. Books are out of the question.
Quote: terapinedMy library buys kindle books based on suggestions
I plan on retiring in an RV. Books are out of the question.
Even in my house physical books wouldn't be an option without disposing of the majority of them. My wife alone reads three or four books per week, My 3200 square foot house would be filled.
Quote: EvenBobIt's all crap when compared to
books. You light a book with
the light that's comfortable
for you. A reading device is
a light source itself that you're
staring at, there will always
be eye strain involved. I can
read a book for 2 hours and
am fine. I won't last 20 min
on any device.
Not true of e-ink or frontlit devices. It’s doesnt have the feel or smell of a book, but there’s no additional eye strain.
Quote: unJonNot true of e-ink or frontlit devices. It’s doesnt have the feel or smell of a book, but there’s no additional eye strain.
For you. How old are your eyes.
Quote: lilredrooster
"According to The Wall Street Journal, sales of traditional print books rose by 5 percent in the US last year, while sales of ebooks plunged by 17 percent.
Totally believe it. I was really enthusiastic
when Kindle came out, then I found
out it sucks. Apparently so have a lot
of other people.
books in the mail. It must have started
when I was 10 and got a kids book
of the month club for Xmas. The books
were wonderful, full sized hard bound
with hugely colorful covers. Tarzan,
Robinson Caruso, Kidnapped, I read
them all.
Then in 1961 I got a Sci/Fi of Month
for a gift. Changed my life. I was
reading books by Heinlein, Asimov,
Simak, Bradbury, that are classics
now, when they were actually being
written. When I opened the package
and it was Phillip K Dick, I was thrilled.
My parents had no idea how much sex
was in sci/fi in those days, lol. These
titles are like old friends.
Quote: EvenBobFor you. How old are your eyes.
Mid 40s years young and going fast.
Quote: unJonMid 40s years young and going fast.
I've had to wear glasses all my life
for driving. My sight has improved
so much in the last 20 years I
passed the vision test for my DL last
month without glasses.
When I was a kid I couldn't read the
blackboard, but thought nobody
could. I didn't get glasses till 5th
grade, but it was too late. I was
totally into books by then and hated
school.
In 6th grade they tested us and I was
reading at college level. Only because
I'd had lots of practice..
Quote: EvenBobSeriously? Insult all the book
buyers because you like Kindle?
I loathe Kindle, eye strain galore.
And I love the sight of books
filling my shelves. One of my
fave authors went on and on
in an interview on how he hates
Kindle.
On the other hand Stephen King was an early adopter of digital publishing, and has several Kindle-only stories. I've had a kindle for about ten years now. The convenience of being stuck somewhere unexpectedly and just being able to open the app on my phone and read, can not be denied. Plus I had to free up shelving for my record collection, so all the books went to the VFW.
Hope you enjoy the O'Brian books.
Quote: jmillsThe convenience of being stuck somewhere unexpectedly
I'm sure it's convenient for travel.
But for everyday use, forget it.
And King may be a good author,
but he's biggest author/whore
for money there ever was. He'll
do anything to make a buck,
endorse anything, put his name
on anything. He even wrote a
book for contributions a few
years ago, anything to keep the
cash flow going. And he's worth
over $400 million, like he needs
the money.
So even this good-natured subject attracts self-righteous individuals who need to insult anyone who does not like they do!Quote: terapinedWow, people still buy books. How stupid can you be. What a waste of money. Only morons buy books.
And how counter factual ! Actually, the people who own books are generally —no, scrap that: are definitely less stupid than the rest of morons out there. Ever tried to read math on an electronic reader?
Actually, you don’t « buy » electronic versions (of books, of music, of films...). You pay for a limited personal use. The day your provider goes bust, you are left with nothing. You cannot share it, lend it, offer it. What a sad individual is content with that?
I wish I were a reader like that. I’ve never been able to finish a Hemingway book (by the second half I’m just quickly skimming pages for something interesting)Quote: EvenBobI've always been a big reader. I only got
thru HS because I was reading all the time.
At least two teachers told me I passed
their class not on merit, but because I
read all the time they knew I wasn't an
idiot.
I read 5-7 books at once, which I understand
many people do. Hemingway had a book
going in the living room, bedroom, bathroom,
patio, and on his boat. I have four in my
bedroom, one on the front porch and one
on the back deck. I always have a book arriving
any day now from Amazon.
I discovered Bill Bryson a few months ago and
ordered 10 of his books. Mostly he travels
and writes about it, very funny stuff. I'm
reading two of his books right now. Also
Hemingway's Boat, which is great. I have
75 books on Hemingway and this might
be the best one.
I'm rereading The Stand by Stephen King for
the 4th time. Tried to read Tina Fey's book
Bossy Pants and can't do it. I can only take
so much whining about how unfair the world is
to women, and how hard balancing a family
and career are. Plus it's poorly written for
a person who's career is writing.
On the deck I'm rereading Bourdain's
Kitchen Confidential. On the porch it's
The Paris Wife, a fictional account of
Hemingway's first marriage.
I don't expect this thread to get much
traction, I suspect many here haven't
read a book in decades. Just a hunch.
Currently reading The Panther by Nelson Demille. Unfortunately this is one of the only book types that will keep my attention.
May I ask why you reread books, especially ones like Kitchen Confidential? I was unable to read it once
what a masterpiece
a fictionalized history of Hawaii from the time of the first contact of the natives with Europeans and Americans
many Caucasians saw the natives as savages but others fell in love and married native women and raised mixed race families
Stephen King has written that Robert Goddard is one of his favorite authors. I agree, he is one of my favorites as well.
Robert Goddard has the same name as the pioneer rocker scientist, so you need to google "Robert Goddard novelist."
Quote: kubikulannSo even this good-natured subject attracts self-righteous individuals who need to insult anyone who does not like they do!
And how counter factual ! Actually, the people who own books are generally —no, scrap that: are definitely less stupid than the rest of morons out there. Ever tried to read math on an electronic reader?
Actually, you don’t « buy » electronic versions (of books, of music, of films...). You pay for a limited personal use. The day your provider goes bust, you are left with nothing. You cannot share it, lend it, offer it. What a sad individual is content with that?
This is a huge issue with me, actually. What does happen to my 1000+ Nook books if B&N goes down? My library with them is largely stored in their cloud. I'm guessing I'm going to have to DL all my content to a hard drive in my house and somehow access it, or DL to a series of mini SDs and do the awkward memory changeout each time I want to read something.
Needs to be looked at before I lose access. Not sure what my options are.
Quote: EvenBob
And King may be a good author,
but he's biggest author/whore
for money there ever was.
Doesn't he sell the movie rights to a lot of his books for $1?
Quote: beachbumbabsThis is a huge issue with me, actually. What does happen to my 1000+ Nook books if B&N goes down? My library with them is largely stored in their cloud. I'm guessing I'm going to have to DL all my content to a hard drive in my house and somehow access it, or DL to a series of mini SDs and do the awkward memory changeout each time I want to read something.
Needs to be looked at before I lose access. Not sure what my options are.
Can you download ebooks? I don’t think you can with Kindle. At least Amazon isn’t going anywhere in my lifetime.
Before my cataract surgery I preferred hard copies. Since then, it is easier to read on a screen. I use an iPad. I had several Kindles, but having only one device is best, for me.
Quote: kubikulannActually, the people who own books are generally —no, scrap that: are definitely less stupid than the rest of morons out there.
Nope
Simply owning books is not a mark of intelligence
Reading books is the mark of intelligence
Quote: kubikulann
Actually, you don’t « buy » electronic versions (of books, of music, of films...). You pay for a limited personal use. The day your provider goes bust, you are left with nothing. You cannot share it, lend it, offer it. What a sad individual is content with that?
Limited personal use???? If I want to read it again I can. I can borrow it again and again and again. Unlimited personal use. Its like a book on a shelf except its digital in the virtual world that can be accessed no mater where I am on the planet. Having a book on a shelf is not easily accessible. I'm going on vacation soon, hundreds of miles from home therefore no access to anything on a shelf at home but through kindle attached to my library, a gazillion books at my fingertips
I can share a book. Hey buddy, this book is fantastic, I recommend you borrow it for free from the library onto your kindle.
I've copied and pasted passages to friends.
My provider goes bust?????????
I am confident my library will exist for the next hundred years, well after my death. No worries there.
Quote: Ace2
May I ask why you reread books, especially ones like Kitchen Confidential? I was unable to read it once
Huge fan of Tony Bourdain. And at one
time I wanted to be a chef, went to
culinary school for a year in San Francisco.
Too much work, cooking for other people.
Just got another of Bourdain's books
yesterday.
Quote: lilredrooster"Hawaii" by James Michener
what a masterpiece
Read this 50 years ago and it still
sticks with me. What a horrible
thing the Catholic church did
to indigenous people all over
the world. They trashed their
cultures and their history all
in the name of some stupid
non existent god. They literally
burned the written history
of the Mayan's because they
couldn't read it and that means
the devil wrote it. Good grief.
Quote: ams288Doesn't he sell the movie rights to a lot of his books for $1?
Yup, to students. He'll sell the rights of
short stories as long as the movie is
never offered to the public or anything
outside of film festivals. You got a
problem with that? He does it for the
publicity, and most of it was done in
the 80's.
"Author King retains all rights and merely grants the permission to the filmmaker to make a non-commercial adaptation. His rather unorthodox arrangement is the reason the films cannot be commercially released nor can the filmmakers garner any profit from the works."
Staring at screens is mildly agitating while reading and handling a book is relaxing. You're in the real world, connected. Like doing something vs playing a video game.
But, I wondered about this and I found an article about some studies on the matter.
Students overwhelming preferred to read digitally.
Reading was significantly faster online than in print.
Students judged their comprehension as better online than in print.
Paradoxically, overall comprehension was better for print versus digital reading.
The medium didn't matter for general questions (like understanding the main idea of the text).
This is consistent with my experience. If I am just looking something up, or reading an article, screens are fine. For something requiring deep engagement, paper is better.
https://www.businessinsider.com/students-learning-education-print-textbooks-screens-study-2017-10
Quote: Rigondeauxoverall comprehension was better for print versus digital reading.
And there you have it. The reason
students prefer screens is, they're
forced to pay less attention and
comprehend less. It's just a form
of mental masturbation, you
aren't really accomplishing anything.
I've tried ebooks many times and
they just don't hold my attention.
Quote: Rigondeaux. For something requiring deep engagement, paper is better.
I disagree
At work, I'm on the computer all day looking at a screen that requires deep engagement.
I’m also a fan of his and had high expectations for that book. If you went to culinary school then the book’s details would be more interesting to you.Quote: EvenBobHuge fan of Tony Bourdain. And at one
time I wanted to be a chef, went to
culinary school for a year in San Francisco.
Too much work, cooking for other people.
Just got another of Bourdain's books
yesterday.
Quote: Ace2I’m also a fan of his and had high expectations for that book. If you went to culinary school then the book’s details would be more interesting to you.
It was on the NYT bestseller list, it's
a great book for anybody to read.
He's very open and honest about
who he was.
Quote: terapinedI disagree
At work, I'm on the computer all day looking at a screen that requires deep engagement.
'Deep engagement' has a different
meaning than you think it does.
