What is everyone reading?

[Asteriktos]

I'm taking a class on Dostoevsky next semester with this reading list

No Notes From Underground? Is outrage!

 

[dantxny]

Currently Reading,
Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz

It's a very interesting book.  Although, I think the author sometimes underines the viewpoint of some of the pro-Southern people (which I am sympathetic to) it is an entertaining book and interesting to read how people remember the War between the States.

 

[DerekMK]

No Notes From Underground?

I don't get all the fuss over Notes from the Underground.  I enjoyed reading it, but I much preferred what I've read of the mentioned novels.  I understand its importance as one of the founding documents of existentialism...but still. 

 

[Asteriktos]

I dunno, it's one of my favorite books (not just by Dostoevsky, but generally). I thought The Idiot was a bit of a soap opera, and didn't really get the attraction of the Brothers K either (even though I was Orthodox when I read it). Besides, Notes is a small book (the online version I found was less than 45,000 words, which could be finished in one night's reading), so you get a lot of Dostoevsky bang in a short period. Ok, I guess I'm biased  ;D

 

[greekischristian]

Currently Reading,
Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz

It's a very interesting book.  Although, I think the author sometimes underines the viewpoint of some of the pro-Southern people (which I am sympathetic to) it is an entertaining book and interesting to read how people remember the War between the States.

It was a great book, and I thought Tony Horwitz to be more fair that I had initially expected. He generally keept the perspective as that of an outsider looking in, rarely being openly hostile to southern and confederate culture. Well, that's at least how I remember the book, though it's been years since I read it.

 

[dantxny]

It was a great book, and I thought Tony Horwitz to be more fair that I had initially expected. He generally keept the perspective as that of an outsider looking in, rarely being openly hostile to southern and confederate culture. Well, that's at least how I remember the book, though it's been years since I read it.

No you are definitly right, and it's hard to put it down.  I mean it is obvious he is a Unionist with said perspective, but he at least tries to understand.  I also found it interesting how he took the comparison to the Irish, Sebia, Palestine, etc.  Of course, I don't totally buy his conclusion, but he is afterall a Yank.

 

[Ebor]

Several things that I hadn't in a long time since we put up some more shelving and some stacks and boxes of books could be put on them. (and there's still more space and some standards and brackets to put up *more* so I'm hoping to get all the books shelved  mwa-ha-ha). Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart was one (an excellent story set in "A China that Never Was"), Isabella Bird's book on travelling in Japan in the late 1800's (as a lone English woman with guides) are among them.

Ebor

 

[aserb]

Just picked up Rasputin's Daughter

 

[Riddikulus]

Just picked up Rasputin's Daughter

Just finished "Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony"; an enjoyable read.

Now, I'm reading "Evolution" by Edward J. Larson. Only 41 pages into the book, but it's very interesting so far.

 

[aurelia]

In the last week I have re-read Eragon and Eldest, as well as Shogun

 

[TinaG]

In the last week I have re-read Eragon and Eldest, as well as Shogun

You read all 3 in one week!  I am having feelings of book envy right now.  What a luxury to have the time to read that much.  I am usually reading 4 or 5 books at one time but never seem to make much headway.  That's the problem with working - it just seems to get in the way of my personal life.  Reading bit-by-bit right now - The 2006 Best American Non-Required Reading Series; Here, Bullet (poetry); Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire (rereading the series before Book 7); City Lights Pocket Poets Anthology; and The Mountain of Silence.

A book I have been recommending to everyone I can is Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susannah Clarke.  Absolutely fabulous.  Magical realism/alternate history set during the Napoleonic Wars when two wizards try to revive the practice of English Magic. 

 

[Schultz]

Let's see.

I'm about halfway through "VampireSlayer: a Gotrek and Felix novel" by William King.  On deck from the public library are "The Prestige" by Christopher Priest (I never got to see the movie, so I'll read the book instead!), "Sharpe's Fury" by Bernard Cornwell, and "The Seventh Storey Mountain" by Thomas Merton.

Those are all on the backburner, though, as I read through the Ladder of Divine Ascent during Lent.  For the time being, they'll probably end up as "bathroom reading".

And I definitely have to get that Jonathan Strange novel, Tina.  You're the fourth or fifth person who has recommended it!

 

[aurelia]

You read all 3 in one week!  I am having feelings of book envy right now.  What a luxury to have the time to read that much. 

I was really sick with the flu... :-[

I will probably do the HP books again right before the release, I already have my copies on order.  I think I'll see if the library has that J Strange book too, sounds very interesting.

 

[Ebor]

Sisterhood of Spies: the Women of the OSS which a cousin gave me because her father is mentioned in it.  A fascinating book at a quite remarkable set of people.  (I need to look for a biography of Donovan who formed the OSS.); Modern poetry for a class I'm taking (Ferlinghetti is much better then Ginsberg imho); I just got a book on faith in Tolkien's works.  Now that I have more shelves put up, I'm able to get more books shelved so there's easy viewing and access. (heheheh)

Ebor

 

[TinaG]

I will probably do the HP books again right before the release, I already have my copies on order. 

I don't want to sound like a total geek, but I have never been so excited about a book release - ever.  I have this total plan already mapped out for the weekend that Harry Potter Book 7 is released.  Pick up book at midnight July 21st.  Do not begin reading it.  Wake up Saturday and drive 1 1/2 hours north of San Antonio to the little Hill Country German town of Fredericksburg (aka the Bed & Breakfast capital of Texas).  Check into the Hoffman Haus Inn, lock myself into the beautiful Ivy Cottage w/ sunken tub and private patio and read for 2 1/2 days, only emerging for  meals at a few local upscale restaurants and massages at a day spa.  No husband, no kids.  I repeat - no husband and no kids.  Just a good book.  Ahhhh, heaven on earth. 

 

[Donna Rose]

WOW Tina, that does sound like a kind of heaven-on-earth set-up for the HP7 release. I'm not exactly sure where I'll be when it comes out, except that I'll have a copy of it in my hands either at midnight or early the next morning, and I will devote my every free moment to it...HP6 I read from about 10am that Saturday until maybe midnight Saturday evening, taking breaks only for a little eating, Vigil, and bathroom. I was in a summer semester of undergrad at the time though, so I don't think I'll have that kinda free time this time around! My priest was at the All American Council in Canada that weekend, and had HP6 in his possession but purposefully didn't start reading until after the week-long event because he knew if he did he wouldn't have left his hotel room for any of the meetings or workshops! :-D

As for what I'm reading now: Orthodox Lent: Journey to Pascha by Fr. Alexander Shmemann, Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan (rereading, trying to get to Knife of Dreams)...that's actually it at the moment, surprisingly enough.

Donna

 

[aserb]

Finished Rasputin's Daughter  It was a gripping mystery novel which although fiction based on fact helped shed light on the last days of Rasputin as seen through his eldest daughter's eyes. At the end of the book it has an historical timeline of the last days of Czarist Russia and of Rasputin. COuld not put his one down.

I am moving on to The Collaborator of Bethlehem. Another fiction based on fact novel by Matt Benyon Rees.  Bought it after listening to an interview with the author on NPR.

 

[Krysostomos]

Still reading The Orthodox Way by Kallistos Ware. Pretty heavy stuff - but interesting.
Someone once said, that this book was the final reason for him to join the orthodox church...

 

[Asteriktos]

The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe Without Design, by Richard Dawkins
Why Darwin Matters: The Case Against Intelligent Design, by Michael Shermer

Just a coincidence that I'm reading two books on the same subject. We have sort of a small library here, so you take what you can get.

 

[aurelia]

Oh can I please come with you Tina?  That sounds fantastic.

Last release my kids and I went to pick it up at the mall, where they were having some fun things for the kids.  We got home, my oldest and I got our copies out and camped out reading until we couldn't keep our eyes open anymore.

 

[aserb]

Quotations From Chairman Mao TseTung


"Every Communist must grasp the truth, "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.""

 

[Justinian]

I am currently trying to complete the Radcliffe List so I may become a *new orleans accent* "literary man of the upmost refinement."

I just finshed "Lolita" by Nabokov,*shudders*, and now I am working through "The Great Gatsby" by Fitzgerald.

Radcliffe List: http://www.cnn.com/books/news/9807/22/radcliffe.list/list.html

 

[TinaG]

Oh can I please come with you Tina?  That sounds fantastic.

It's kinda funny because my mother is almost scandalized - she can't understand why I would want to go off for a weekend away and she keeps asking what my husband thinks of this.  I know it's not the right Christian attitude towards marriage, but after 23 years and never a girl's weekend away, I really don't care what he thinks of it!  I wish I'd started this tradition with the first Harry Potter book instead of the last. 

 

[Trudy]

This is a great thread!  ;D I can see I'll have to read all 26 pages to pick out some new things to read...after I read the pile that is beside my chair!

Currently I am reading We Shall See Him As He Is by Blessed Fr. Sophrony.  I just finished reading Herbert Hoover's The Challenge to Liberty.  I'm a history major.  (7 page paper is due tomorrow morning!)

On deck is St. Silouan the Athonite, also by Blessed Fr. Sophrony.

 

[Justinian]

This is a great thread!   ;D I can see I'll have to read all 26 pages to pick out some new things to read...after I read the pile that is beside my chair!

Currently I am reading We Shall See Him As He Is by Blessed Fr. Sophrony.  I just finished reading Herbert Hoover's The Challenge to Liberty.  I'm a history major.  (7 page paper is due tomorrow morning!)

On deck is St. Silouan the Athonite, also by Blessed Fr. Sophrony.

History major eh? Moi aussi! What are your research interests?

 

[dantxny]

Well, I just finished a book on current French culture, but the title has slipped my mind.

Now, I am jumping across the Channel and reading Persuasion by Jane Austen.  Very good so far.

 

[ozgeorge]

I'm reading Christ the Eternal Tao.
I thought it was about time I read it.
It seems to be one of those "everyone's read it" books in contemporary Orthodoxy.

 

[Justinian]

I'm reading Christ the Eternal Tao.
I thought it was about time I read it.
It seems to be one of those "everyone's read it" books in contemporary Orthodoxy.

George, that book is sooooooooooooo 1990's, you gotta get with the program...

 

[PeterTheAleut]

Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0:  Application Development Foundation Self-Paced Training Kit

What can I say?  I'm a GEEK! 

 

[ozgeorge]

George, that book is sooooooooooooo 1990's, you gotta get with the program...

LOL
The publishing info says: "First edition 1999"....Goodness! I'm reading a book from last century! It almost qualifies as an ancient Patristic work!

 

[Justinian]

LOL
The publishing info says: "First edition 1999"....Goodness! I'm reading a book from last century! It almost qualifies as an ancient Patristic work!

I correct myself.
SOOOOOO LATE 1990's, you gotta get with the program!

Actually I read it in 2005, but I'm allowed to be inconsistent...

 

[Elisha]

Defeating Jihad by Serge Trifkovic.  Great book.

 

[JSOrthodoxy]

I just finished reading Dostoevsky's "Brothers Karamozov."  Now, I am reading Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment" and Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World."

In my amateur opinion, the Brothers K. is the greatest novel that I have ever read.

Joe

 

[welkodox]

http://www.amazon.com/Civilization-Europe-Renaissance-John-Rigby/dp/0684803526

 

[Friul]

Norman Cantor's In the Wake of the Plague: The Black Death and the World It Made

 

[Schultz]

"Get in the Van" by Henry Rollins

 

[BJohnD]

The Historical Road of Eastern Orthodoxy, by Fr. Schmemann.  I recently re-read Crime and Punishment, which I enjoyed much, much more than I did when I read it for the first time about 15 years ago.  My priest opined that it's because I now get the "Orthodox liturgical mindset."

I have Gogol's Dead Souls next in the queue.  The little bio blurb at the front of my Penguin edition says he "came under the influence" of a Spiritual Father at the end of his life who told him to burn his works, as they were sinful.  He did so, including the second part of Dead Souls.  According to the same blurb, he died as the result of "severe fasting."

 

[Trudy]

History major eh? Moi aussi! What are your research interests?

Hi Justinian,

My research interests are primarily church history centered.  If I had nothing but free time on my hands, I would spend my time tracing the timeline and practical development of the Early Church in the first 200 years.  I also have an interest in the development of monasticism but have done no reading or research in that area.  My time has been spent just getting the required history courses for the BA completed.  I have thoroughly enjoyed all the European history courses I've taken, as well as the history of the Reformation.  The best course I've taken was "History and Theology of Eastern Orthodoxy."

I have not decided whether I shall pursue an MA once I'm done the undergrad.  I am pushing 50, so don't know if it would be worth it.  One of my profs suggested I push through to the Ph.D.  I mean...what in the world would I do with them?! 

I love learning for the sake of learning and have no agenda for the degree.  I hope to move onto a place where I can study Greek so that I might read the early texts in the original language.

Thanks for asking. 

What are your interests?

Athanasia

 

[Ebor]

Just finished C.J. Cherryh's "Deliverer" an SF book.

I have an interesting volume from the library on over 100 books that have been banned or challenged and some of the reasons why. 

"Sisterhood of Spies" - a look at the OSS and some of the woman who were vital to it's functioning in WWII.  Julia Child was one; there's a photo of her in the book.

"Brilliance of the Moon" by Lian Hearne an Alt-history in medieval Japan

and others.  ;D

Ebor

 

[Heorhij]

Fr. Schmemann's "Eucharist: The Sacrament of the Kingdom."

Before that, I re-read Flaubert's "Madame Bovary." What an amazing book, I almost literally cry every time I get to the end.

BJohnD, good luck in reading Gogol (actually, the correct spelling should be Hohol, soft "breathing" vocal "h," like in English "down the *H*ill," etc., like the sound transliterated by the Greek "gamma" - he was Ukrainian... Aggggggh, Russians perverted both the sound and the spelling of our Ukrainian names!!!! ). I never read him in English, can't even imagine reading him in any language other than Russian, same thing as Tolstoy. Dostoevskiy is a different story, his Russian is so weird that he might actually be received even better in translations.

George