Comments | extra_aram: Books I have been reading

extra_aram

Books I have been reading - part I?

Jun 22, 2005 23:10

So, there have been a few books I have alternately reading over the past few months, plus what I read on vacation:

Cormac McCarthy The Crossing
David Schnarch - Passionate Marriage
John Updike - Couples
On vacation I read The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, by Adams (for the 1st time in my life, can you believe that shite? I mean, really, I ( Read more... )

Comments 31

the_hedonist June 23 2005, 03:56:47 UTC

I'm in the middle of Madame Bovary and liking it, though I find the protagonist not very admirable or sympathetic (not that I'm supposed to, but still). I'm also plowing through Starkey's biography of the wives of Henry VIII (the Cowboy pointed out, pointedly, that I own two such biographies, but when I protested that while this was true, I didn't own the Starkey, he just chuckled indulgently. This is what he expects of, and gets for, being with a history wonk).

I appreciated the reviews; I'll find that marriage book -- it sounds great! I'm not married now, but in a committed monogamous relationship, so I'll probably get a lot out of it.

I have to admit I really didn't like The Mists of Avalon, but that's because I am, as I might have mentioned, a major history wonk. Its syncretistic view of religion is, frankly, off-putting, and its constant insistence on how paganism and Catholicism are really the same thing felt forced -- not to mention historically inaccurate, given that it was the Catholics pushing that idea, not the pagans. ( ... )

Wicca and revisionist History? extra_aram June 23 2005, 13:54:35 UTC

I appreciated the reviews; I'll find that marriage book -- it sounds great! I'm not married now, but in a committed monogamous relationship, so I'll probably get a lot out of it.

Yes, do so. I heartily recommend this book to anyone on my list who wishes to know herself a lot better and be able to "see" how she may wish to grow to bring greater depth and meaning to her life and love.

And I am glad to have your opinion on Mists That will actually be helpful for me to read it with a more critical eye, based upon possible historical inaccuracies and possibly Bradley's bias.

Plus, you forced me to go to http://www.dictionary.com to look up a word I had never heard of: "syncretistic." That does not happen that often, unless I am reading published works, but then again, you are a Professional writer And that is intended as a compliment.

Thank you for the book recommendations about Wicca and Wiccans: Triumph of the MoonNow, I have some follow-up questions as well on that topic ( ... )

Re: Wicca and revisionist History? the_hedonist June 24 2005, 14:02:22 UTC

I always like our interactions; there's a lot of meat to your questions ( ... )

And a funny story just because. the_hedonist June 24 2005, 14:02:42 UTC

As a final note, I'll tell a story about my ex, who is probably one of the best-read people I know
regarding Wicca: One day we were at this huge bookstore, prowling the philosophy section. Behind us were two little celtigoths, about 16-17 years old -- she in prosti-tot Britneywear and a pentacle big enough to swing a parrot off of, he in a long black trenchcoat and a hard-on. They were staring at the tarot card display on the opposite side of the philosophy aisle. The young man told the girl, in an intense voice, "I could never use these."

"Oooh, why not?" she said, all kitten-eyed.

"They've been touched, handled."

My ex was reading Plato, and said, without looking up, his voice just loud enough to carry, "Gerald Gardner once wrote that the best sword is an old sword."

It was immediately clear that a) the celtigoths had never heard of Gerald Gardner, and b) that my ex had just cockblocked this little twit without even trying. They left without another word.

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janezanaddict June 23 2005, 04:29:03 UTC

You are like me...reading several books at once! I am obsessed with Henry Miller and own 20 of his books so I always have one going...right now it is Crazy Cock. I am also reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip Dick and one of my all time faves Anthem by Ayn Rand. (all while being a stay at home mom to a 14mo old!) WHEW! You have just given me a new book list, thanks!

extra_aram June 23 2005, 13:59:30 UTC

Yes, I am always, always reading at least 2 books at one time. I have a very, very hard time narrowing and focusing my attention on any one topic. There are just too many interest I have constantly competing for attention.

I have never read any Philip K. Dick, though, I have been sorely tempted to pick up that book and others of his at my local Borders.

What do you think of Ayn Rand? She has been recommended to me as a very good writer of modern philosophy. Would you recommed a particular book to start.

And please explain your attraction to and Henry Miller's work? And are there any books you particularly recommend.

Oh, and I can't tell you how excited I am (thrilled to death) that I actually have a good post going with some great feedback/replies regarding books, novels. It just gets me so incredibly excited and jazzed up! I mean, I have been dying to have people to talk books with for a long, long time now.

janezanaddict June 23 2005, 14:48:23 UTC

Pick up the Philip Dick next time, it's awesome. They based Blade Runner on the one I am reading now. I usually don't like sci-fi, so it is saying a lot for me to recommend this book. As far as Ayn Rand, start with Anthem. It is only about 115 pages long (you should eat it in one sitting) and it gives you a good basic idea of her philosophy which is called objectivism. I have often compared Anthem to Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Kind of the same concept going, but completely different books. Henry Miller...ahhhh....Henry Miller....I am attracted to him because he writes with his OWN voice....pure, raw, true. He is someone that has to be studied because a lot of the names in his books vary from book to book but he is talking about the same people. Mainly his second wife and muse June, also known as Mara, Mona, Hildred and others. My first read was The Tropic of Cancer. That was 5 yrs ago at the age of 20. It had the word cunt in it 500 times I swear, but even at that age I recognized it as his form of literature. Other than his ( ... )

my appreciation extra_aram June 23 2005, 14:59:53 UTC

First, thank you so much for your recommendations and your reply. Such things are greatly appreciated in my world.

Pick up the Philip Dick next time, it's awesome.
Wonderful. I will add this to my list.

Also, I will add Henry Miller's The Tropic of Cancer and The Air Conditioned Nightmare to my list as well. And, further, your recommendation of Rand's Anthem has been noted for the purpose of the list.

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Dahling... kristenred June 23 2005, 17:55:48 UTC

I've missed you today!

Thanks for the scoopage on Hitchhiker's--that's one I've never read, and CAN'T believe I missed. I'm going to have to pick that one up...

Have you read Pat Conroy? Because if not, I am making him number one with a bullet on your list.

P.S....been reading your stuff off and on all day. I am REALLY enjoying it, and will be commenting sooooooon!

Re: Dahling... extra_aram June 23 2005, 18:32:42 UTC

I am always online. And I am often on Yahoo IM (like right now). UserName=sjaram. I can't chat for too long, as I am at work. But, I can chat, at times.

I have not read any Pat Conroy. Anything in particular I should be looking for. What is Conroy's writing like.

P.S....been reading your stuff off and on all day. I am REALLY enjoying it, and will be commenting sooooooon!

OK. Good..

Re: Dahling... kristenred June 23 2005, 19:51:30 UTC

Pat Conroy: The Prince of Tides. DO NOT watch the movie. Under any circumstances ( ... )

Re: Dahling... extra_aram June 23 2005, 20:05:07 UTC

It looks promising. I will add it.

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Summer beach reading goodgothgirl June 23 2005, 19:31:47 UTC

If you want more fun British humor, read Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. VERY funny! I swear, there is a type of humor that only the Brits can do, and they do it very well.

Re: Summer beach reading extra_aram June 23 2005, 19:36:28 UTC

Oh, so thank you, for the suggestion.

How are you? I talked with K., btw. She said that she would be happy to talk with you sometime over the next few days, although she felt that your Union Rep./Union lawyer would most likely be more helpful. But, you should have seen the look on her face as I told her the story at dinner the other night. She thought it was bizarre to say the least.

She did say that she would be OK talking with you though, just not sure how helpful she would be.

Re: Summer beach reading goodgothgirl June 24 2005, 00:18:04 UTC

Well, I'm glad to hear that she thinks it's bizarre. That makes me feel better. My union rep said that our HR department is essentially worthless, something I've heard ever since I got here, so I don't exactly trust them to make a good decision on whether what has been done is legal. I keep going back to the fact that I was told to write letters of apology for the incident, told to seek counseling AND suspended for something else all in the same meeting. If the suspension had nothing to do with anything else, that's all that should have been discussed.

Another employee who fought the company for her job was gone for two or three years. I don't really understand how she felt OK with coming back to work after that, because I would hate it. I'm not really sure what my options are at this point.

bella_peligrosa June 27 2005, 16:05:10 UTC

I've been in the middle of Mists for some time now. I ended up putting it down when we moved into the new house and then didn't find it again until recently. I'm waiting to finish...something before I move back to it. I like it :)

extra_aram June 27 2005, 18:28:05 UTC

You don't have to answer this if it is too private.

But, now, I am curious (and always curious when it comes to reading material, what one reads says so much about someone), what are you finishing before you move back into Mists?

extra_aram June 27 2005, 18:32:58 UTC

If you wish, you can answer in one of my other protected posts.

bella_peligrosa June 27 2005, 19:21:16 UTC

Oh, I'm pretty open about everything...

...Right now, I'm reading Stranger in a Strange Land, sent to be by lazaruslong2004. When others send me books, I like to try to put priority on those first. And I'm usually reading two fiction and one non-fiction (mostly because I lose things or if I come to particularly difficult passage, I need to be able to walk away for a bit to process it all). So over the weekend, I made a big Stranger push and went from page 137 to 307 and I'm at a part that is personally just difficult for me to truly grasp.

I'm also reading Seductress (the author escapes me) and also The Dirty Girls Social Club which I can't wait to get back to. But now that I'm as far into Stranger, I'll likely continue exclusively with it until I finish it.

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