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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 8 to 32 of 33. Go back in thread:
Posted by Tabitha on October 14, 2003, at 14:45:49
In reply to Re: What is everyone reading right now? » noa, posted by NikkiT2 on October 12, 2003, at 19:32:05
I'm reading "How To Be Alone" by Jonathan Franzen. It's a book of essays, many about books and reading, social commentary, and often laugh-out-loud funny. The guy has a dark sense of humor I love. Man, he can come up with some phrases that are just so original, dead-on accurate, and hilarious. It's making me want to read "The Corrections".
Posted by Penny on October 16, 2003, at 10:52:35
In reply to What is everyone reading right now?, posted by Searchlight on October 9, 2003, at 19:27:06
Right now I am 'reading' "30 Days to the GRE" - but you can't call that 'reading,' can you?
Some of the best books I've read recently:
"The Lovely Bones"
"Good in Bed"
"Bee Season""The Lovely Bones" was especially beautiful and moving to me. Just the *way* it was written - its rare these days to find books that truly *sound* beautiful - it's why I often read classics. I like the language. (BTW - my favorite book is "Jane Eyre")
P
Posted by Susan J on October 21, 2003, at 11:23:44
In reply to Re: What is everyone reading right now?, posted by NikkiT2 on October 10, 2003, at 8:42:20
Wow! The amount of stuff you are reading is amazing! I'm envious. :-) I used to be able to read bunches, but having trouble with it now....I could read a novel in 2 or 3 days, now, it takes me a couple of months!
Have you ever had trouble concentrating on reading, even for pleasure?
Susan
Posted by Susan J on October 21, 2003, at 11:26:25
In reply to Re: What is everyone reading right now?, posted by Penny on October 16, 2003, at 10:52:35
> "The Lovely Bones" was especially beautiful and moving to me. Just the *way* it was written - its rare these days to find books that truly *sound* beautiful - it's why I often read classics. I like the language. (BTW - my favorite book is "Jane Eyre")
<<INteresting. Everyone around here (my job, my family) thought "The Lovely Bones" was a bit odd, so I've avoided picking it up. But if you like Jane Eyre and this reminds you a bit of the style of prose, good enough for me, I'll get it Wednesday....I'm reading "Blessings" by Anna Quindlen. It's the first book I've been able to read in a couple of months...
Susan
>
> P
Posted by Penny on October 21, 2003, at 12:27:10
In reply to Jane Eyre Rocks! » Penny, posted by Susan J on October 21, 2003, at 11:26:25
"The Lovely Bones" *was* odd, I guess, just in terms of the subject matter (young dead girl speaking from heaven). But the way the story was told - and the lessons involved - it was just beautiful, I thought. Does require a bit of the 'willing suspension of disbelief', but, then again, that's what I enjoy most about reading. If everything we read and everything we watched were 100% true-to-life, what would be the point?
A friend of mine thought "The Lovely Bones" was strange too. Guess it all depends on what you like.
P
Posted by Susan J on October 21, 2003, at 12:32:41
In reply to Re: The Lovely Bones » Susan J, posted by Penny on October 21, 2003, at 12:27:10
>> Does require a bit of the 'willing suspension of disbelief',
<<That comes easily to me. :-)> A friend of mine thought "The Lovely Bones" was strange too. Guess it all depends on what you like.
<<Yeah, I guess I like the best: character analysis, a struggle at self-learning, in a plot that holds my attention with prose that's beautiful.Jane Eyre. :-)
Posted by Penny on October 21, 2003, at 13:12:36
In reply to Re: The Lovely Bones, posted by Susan J on October 21, 2003, at 12:32:41
You can't beat "Jane Eyre". Can't be done...
Speaking of which, have you read "The Eyre Affair"? Talk about 'willing suspension of disbelief'! It's the first in a series: the others are "Lost in a Good Book" and "The Well of Lost Plots" and they aren't in my usual genre, but they are fantastic fantasy/sci fi books. The first two are out in the US, the third was released this summer in the UK but won't be out in the US until next spring. So, I ordered mine from Amazon.uk.
P
Posted by NikkiT2 on October 21, 2003, at 15:21:13
In reply to Re: What is everyone reading right now?, posted by Penny on October 16, 2003, at 10:52:35
I went and bought Lovely Bones yesterday, on your reccomendation. I'd heard it talked about alot, but knew nothing about it.. but read the "back" yesterday in the book shop, and it sounds so beautiful.
Nearly finished "Wind Up Bird Chronicle" by Murakami, and will start on that one then!!
Thanks!
And if you haven't read it, let me reccomend "Life of Pi" to you, I adored that book and insist one veryone I know reading it!
Nikki x
Posted by NikkiT2 on October 21, 2003, at 15:32:19
In reply to Re: What is everyone reading right now? » NikkiT2, posted by Susan J on October 21, 2003, at 11:23:44
Reading is my big passion! There have been times I've not been able to concentrate so much on it, but as a rule, how ever bad things are in the rest of my life, I can always hide in my book and escape to where ever the book is set.. For me it is a drug I guess.. if I don't have a good book lined up to read, my mood really suffers.. and when I've read a good book, I often get low after finishing it.
I also, and this is quite silly, get really jealoous of people who haven't read a book that I adored.. Like, "His Dark Materials" trilogy by Phillip Pullman.. I loved those books so so so much.. really the best books I have read in years and years, definately in my top 3 best ever books. They're "teen" fiction, but blow Harry Potter out of the water in my opinion!
When i find someone that hasn't read them, I get so jealous that they have such wonderful enjoyment ahead of them!! *l* Silly aint it!Finding a new author I enjoy is one of the biggest thrills I can have!! Like, I;ve recently discovered Haruki Murakami, and he has loads of books out, so that should keep me happy for a while!!
I just wish I wasn't so poorely this week.. the author of another of my top 3 books ("Snow Crash"), Neal Stephenson, did a signing in town at lunchtime today.. I'd have loved to meet him. But my husband went along and got our books by him signed!
Crumbs.. I can really wibble on when it comes to books!!
Nikki xx
Posted by noa on October 21, 2003, at 23:16:50
In reply to Re: What is everyone reading right now? » NikkiT2, posted by Susan J on October 21, 2003, at 11:23:44
She is amazing, isn't she? I admire her.
Posted by noa on October 21, 2003, at 23:18:38
In reply to Jane Eyre Rocks! » Penny, posted by Susan J on October 21, 2003, at 11:26:25
Enjoy. I've had distinct periods of being able to concentrate and read, alternating with long periods of not being able to focus enough to understand more than a couple of sentences. It is frustrating.
Right now, when I can get myself to make quiet time to read, I am able to concentrate. The problem is making the time. I'm kind of in the middle of about 4 books. I'd like to finish at least one of them!
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 22, 2003, at 1:35:42
In reply to Jane Eyre Rocks! » Penny, posted by Susan J on October 21, 2003, at 11:26:25
> I'm reading "Blessings" by Anna Quindlen. It's the first book I've been able to read in a couple of months...
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by Penny on October 23, 2003, at 14:37:56
In reply to What is everyone reading right now?, posted by Searchlight on October 9, 2003, at 19:27:06
Another one that I can barely put down, even tho' I should be preparing for the GRE: "Innocence" by Karen Novak. It's a little strange (I like strange books) but good.
P
Posted by NikkiT2 on October 23, 2003, at 16:30:23
In reply to Re: What is everyone reading right now?, posted by Penny on October 23, 2003, at 14:37:56
And I love it already.. the prose style is wonderful.. Only at end of chapter 3, and I had to drag myself away from it.. I think its the sort of book I could read in one sitting!!
But I fear its going to make me cry at some point!
Nikki xx
Posted by Penny on October 24, 2003, at 7:48:55
In reply to Started Lovely Bones 40 mins ago, posted by NikkiT2 on October 23, 2003, at 16:30:23
> But I fear its going to make me cry at some point!
Yep - it probably will.
I need to read it again.
Glad you're enjoying it!
P
Posted by octopusprime on October 24, 2003, at 21:13:20
In reply to Re: What is everyone reading, posted by Tabitha on October 14, 2003, at 14:45:49
> I'm reading "How To Be Alone" by Jonathan Franzen. It's a book of essays, many about books and reading, social commentary, and often laugh-out-loud funny. The guy has a dark sense of humor I love. Man, he can come up with some phrases that are just so original, dead-on accurate, and hilarious. It's making me want to read "The Corrections".
ok, better late than never to reply, I'm just perusing the book boards for the first time. :)
Tabitha, I highly recommend "The Corrections". I just got this book last week, and it's super absorbing and engaging. I avoided it all this time after the Oprah froo-frah, but now it's being sold at deep discount so I had to pick up a copy. Great read.
I just finished "Idioglossia" by a British lady, Eleanor Bailiey (sp?). It's about a family with three or four generations of mental illness. Surprisingly uplifting for such a morbid topic. Lovely female characters that were well done.
I met Douglas Coupland last night, and he signed my copy of "Hey Nostradamus!" That book is a take-off on the Columbine shooting.
The recording of the radio show Douglas Coupland did will air soon, details here.
http://vancouver.cbc.ca/nxnw/
they post a lot of their past material on line for anybody to hear.NikkiT2, there is a chat with william gibson, see this page for details:
http://vancouver.cbc.ca/nxnw/past.html(look in the "Top Highlights" section)
the audio is in real audio format. hope you have a player!
Posted by mashogr8 on October 28, 2003, at 16:15:37
In reply to Started Lovely Bones 40 mins ago, posted by NikkiT2 on October 23, 2003, at 16:30:23
What did you think when you finished?
"Lovely Bones" is the only book I've been able to read straight through without several months going by.
MA
Posted by NikkiT2 on October 28, 2003, at 17:11:19
In reply to Re: Started Lovely Bones 40 mins ago, posted by mashogr8 on October 28, 2003, at 16:15:37
Finished it on the bus this afternoon!!
Yeah, I really enjoyed it. It was a nice easy read.. and i did have to stay reading to find out what happened!
Started "The world According to Garp" tonight!! A book I kept meaning to read.. so bought it in bookshop today (along with "The Impressionist" by Hari Kanzru), got home and found out that hubby already owned it!! So I have the fun of going back to the book shop and exchanging it!!
Nikki xx
Posted by noa on October 29, 2003, at 0:33:55
In reply to Re: Started Lovely Bones 40 mins ago » mashogr8, posted by NikkiT2 on October 28, 2003, at 17:11:19
John Irving is a great author. I really enjoyed Garp, as well as some of his other books. I found a lot of truth in it, brought out through what I can only describe as absurd illustrations. I have more to say, but will wait until you are further along or finished with it, Nikki.
Enjoy!
Posted by NikkiT2 on October 29, 2003, at 7:39:52
In reply to Re: J. Irving! » NikkiT2, posted by noa on October 29, 2003, at 0:33:55
I'm loving it, I'm really loving it.. Its a "I can't put it down book"!! I have a rule that I never read during the day (else I would getting *nothing* done, and I have to restrict how much I read for money reasons!!) but I can hear Garp calling me!! Garp.. Garp..
I'm going exchange my copy of Garp for "Cider House Rules" or "The Hotel New Hampshire"
It was this board that turned me onto Irving.. remember when "Prayer for Owen Meany" was our book of the month?!!
But then I discoered Ian McEwen, and went on a side track of reading his books.. and forgot to return to Irving.. but thats a good thing cos I have all those books of his to read now!! Yay!! I get so excited when I find an author I love, that writes books of a decent length (McEwens books tend to be a bit short for me!!), and has a nice back catalogue for me to work through!!
Will let you know when I finish it.. give me about a week or so!
Nikki xx
Posted by almondjoy on October 31, 2003, at 20:05:38
In reply to What is everyone reading right now?, posted by Searchlight on October 9, 2003, at 19:27:06
"The Inferno of Dante Alighieri" a new translation by Diaran Carson...I had to read it for class (a 100 level Western Civ=boring!) but this turned out to be the best we've read so far (out of Plato's "Symposium" and Marcus Aurelius' "Meditation" [supersuck!]) Its a new (2002) translation by an Irish poet, and though I haven't read any other translations, I heard it's one of the best.
Also, at the end of "Just Cause" by john katzenbach, and the beginning of "Cry the Beloved Country"" by Alan Paton, (I love to read books that have been made into movies way after I've seen them, instead of the book first, remember few images and the book is always better but the movie isn't ruined) and just finished a Richard Wright book.
Posted by NikkiT2 on November 4, 2003, at 15:29:38
In reply to Dante's Inferno, posted by almondjoy on October 31, 2003, at 20:05:38
I've started restricting my reading to make the book last longer as I'm enjoying reading it so much!! About half way now..
Went to the Lord of the Rings exhibition at Science Museum here in London today (http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/lordoftherings/default_flash.asp It was fantastic.. if it comes near you, I reccomend you going if you like the movies at all, or the books) and in their shop they had a huge Tolkien section.. and I found a book I'd never heard of before.. so I *had* to buy it!! Its "Roverandom" by J.R.R. Tolkien.. I'm so excited.. it says its a kids book, but its Tolkien, and the blurb on the back sounds wonderful!! Its tiny, which is such a shame, but I'm really looking forward to reading it!!
Thats todays book update!!
Nikki
Posted by EscherDementian on November 6, 2003, at 4:25:30
In reply to Dante's Inferno, posted by almondjoy on October 31, 2003, at 20:05:38
by Jane Jensen.
Kabbalah, physics, dimensions, mysticism, Torah code.....
It's a novel thriller.
Just started it.Just finished:
"Requiem" by Graham Joyce
...supernatural thriller that includes a very timely intrigue about Mary Magdaline.
It still haunts me.And
"DMT the Spirit Molecule"
Was fun.
Posted by SydBarrett on November 7, 2003, at 23:39:00
In reply to Dante's Inferno, posted by almondjoy on October 31, 2003, at 20:05:38
Cry the Beloved country is a great book, and i'm impressed with the number of young people who are into the Divino Comedico (dantes trilogy)
I'm a bit surprised you were not into Plato, Republic and Symposium are amazing books.
I'd recommend Thoreau, and Hawthorne, if you like cry the beloved. Scarlet Letter (hawthorne) and Walden, are two great american books. Also, Thoreaus Civil Disobedience essay is simply amazing. google it for the full text.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 10, 2003, at 1:26:21
In reply to Re: Dante's Inferno, posted by SydBarrett on November 7, 2003, at 23:39:00
> Cry the Beloved country is a great book...
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
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