What sorts of books or other material do you read?

zagor

I don’t think I have a particular style. In fact it changed through different stages of my life. As a kid I loved reading novels, which changed once I came into my teens, and I started developing interest in hard stuff of natural world, psychology, ancient cultures and mysteries. I’ve had whole library on druids, oracles and wizards, ancient Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Greece and Rome. Heck even had books on UFO, which faded over time. (Which, mind you, might have been instrumental why I ever developed interest in dub ideology at all) So when I became dub I had to get rid of most of it.

As I started breaking free from confines of WTBS imposed “mental prison” I was in. I started reading and studying hard stuff such as physics and astronomy. In fact, I still enjoy those books and follow what is happening in those fields. Which might be also a reason why eventually I changed one of my majors into Physics.

Through University and beyond I stared reading eastern philosophy books, which changed my outlook on so many things and made me understand, primarily myself, and helped me being able to conquer my own feelings and thoughts.

Today I’ve got lots of scientific books and books from one of my secret passions – Roman Empire. We owe so much to Romans yet few of us appreciate it. At different times I even studied languages. As dub I, believe it or not, even studied Hebrew, strangely enough I was regularly discouraged from doing that by “well meaning elders”. Now I’m learning Latin.

Another thing I’m fascinated by are basically numbers. So currently I’m reading book Nature’s Numbers by Ian Stewart which speaks of one of the enduring mysteries of this world – Fibonacci Sequence – strangely enough you can find them everywhere in nature. Lately many people especially in economy see that you can follow and effectively predict with reasonable accuracy market fluctuations and by extension what is likely to happen in our very human world. Anyway, that’s what I’m reading now.

How about you? What do you read?

gaiagirl

I've always liked science, so used to read a great deal of science fiction. Ray Bradbury is perhaps my favorite SF author, although I also read Wells, Doyle, Verne, Asimov, and many others. As I grew up, I began reading more real science - astronomy, geology, new physics, etc. In this field, Sagan excells. Other good writers include John Gribbin, Fred Alan Wolf, Gary Zukav, Fritjof Capra, etc. I think these are important writers because they explain aspects of the BIG picture, i.e. the Universe and humanities place in it, in a manner which is easily understood. Also have examined some texts on pagan beliefs by various authors. Eventually, I also began reading history told from the viewpoint of various cultures, which helps makes a lot of the mythologies which form the basis of Western culture much clearer. Most recent book read was a collection of short stories by Ray Bradbury, "The Toynbee Convector", mostly not SF, but still good reading.

serendipity

I've been a bookworm since I learned to read. I loved reading about history and other cultures. I wanted to be an Egyptologist when I was 9 or 10, so read a lot on ancient Egypt. I also had a fascination with India around that time as well, and read what few books I could find.
I also read biographies, especially of women and Nancy Drew mysteries. Reading about accomplished women led me to aspire to more in life than what my parents (or the WTS) presented as options.
As a teen, I started reading the classics for fun. I read all of Jane Austen's novels, some Charles Dickens and others. I enjoyed Taylor Caldwell's and Leon Uris works as well. Also read some tame romance novels (which I think should be banned.)
I also used my meager earnings to buy Cosmopolitan magazine and Self magazines. These introduced me to the world of careers, sex, self-help, and some alternative health ideas.
As I look at my bookcases now, I have books on career topics, computers/software development, starting a business, investing, health (mainly alternative), travel, cookbooks, philosophy, psychology/self help, relationships, parenting, business, gardening, home repair, interior design.
I buy very little fiction, usually borrowing it from the library. My favorite author is Alexander Mccall Smith.
In the past, I have subscribed to as many as 30 magazines, mirroring my interests above. Now, I'm down to 'only' 10 subscriptions.

avidbiblereader

The obvious, along with Greek and Hebrew dictionaries and the forum as my many posts in only a month testifies.

abr

Fleshybirdfodder

Anything I can get my filthy hands on. I rarely indulge in "fluff" novels... once in a while when my brain gets exhausted. I'm a big fan of contemporary literature, but also like the classics. I read a lot of history and science and keep up with current events through periodicals. And of course, the posts on this board by you fine people.

FBF

parakeet

"We owe so much to Romans yet few of us appreciate it."

Those old pagans knew a thing or two, eh? That's why I'm not put off when someone mentions the "pagan" origins of Christmas and other holidays. Far from detracting from the holidays, pagan associations enhance them. What would Christmas be like without the tree, gifts, and feasts? It would be like the Memorial, that's what! Let's hear it for the pagans!

My book selection is governed by author. If I find a good author, I will read all of his/her work, whether fiction or nonfiction. I'm getting older -- no time to waste on mediocre writers. My current favorites -- Jon Krakauer, Bill Bryson, Margaret Atwood, Alan Watts, Mary Renault, Isak Dineson, Truman Capote (just the short list; there are many more).

LittleToe

As a child it was detective stories, mainly Enid Blyton with some Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys thrown in.

As a teenager it was SciFi and I had a voracious appetite, reading a novel in an hour and then picking up the next one. I was a regular at the local library

I slowed down a bit after I got more and more responsibility with the WTS, until I had no time left to read.

After I left the JWs I began studying a lot of religious books and then stuff for my Management degree, and didn't have much time for fiction, but recently I've been reading more. Mostly it's Templar stuff, because it's the latest DaVinci fashion and it comes up in conversation.

I've got maybe a dozen books that I've bought, thinking I'd read them, and now have to get around to it. At least my speed of reading is increasing again, but it's nowhere near what it was. I'm also now able to read without falling asleep, again, which was a legacy of reading tomes of Management theory

I've regained the joy of reading, and I find that a pleasing thought

Maybe I should sign up for a UN Library card, as that seems to be de rigeur

JWdaughter

I used to have 'deeper' reading inclinations. Then I had kids. I just finished a JA JANCE novel, which is suspense and am starting on Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. I have been working on 1491 (?), which is a BIG book about whether the Chinese got here first or not. I am also reading a little British novel, kind of cosy, called Miss Read. Just a funny little homey story about a school teacher in early mid century England. I am reading In Search of Christian Freedom in little bits.

misanthropic

I love Fiction novels that are Horror and/or Science Fiction for reading around the house when I have time here or there, I can pick one up and read a bit. But I have a passion for reading autobiographies and lately especially anything written about Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy. There was a book I read a few years ago, I had borrowed from the library and i was unable to find it until recently.

zagor

Thanks guys. Well I'm building my library again. I still can't get over that I lost my first library, (actually I've lost it couple of more times) majority of those books I was never able to find again. So piece of advice, look after your books.

I remember this one time two 'elders' came to 'shaperding visit'. They've never been to my study room before, so I walked them in. When they saw my books they 'figured' I could not possibly have read all of these books. So one asked in derogatory tone, "did you actually read all those books?" I replied "no I just keep them to impress my many visitors here" as strange as it is they actually went "oh yeah"
Makes you wonder what kind of idiots lead those congregations. In fact, I've met very few elders who read anything outside of "WTBS Library"

What sorts of books or other material do you read?

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