What're Yall Reading?

by Frannie Banannie 75 Replies latest social entertainment

  • Frannie Banannie
    Frannie Banannie
    Neuromancer is actually a very good science fiction novel - one that Gibson wrote that helped define a new subgenre of sci-fi called cyberpunk (which is reflected in the Matrix series - without Gibson, no Matrix) My description of cyberpunk is that it uses vividly descriptive writing and spends little time or words elaborating on technology in the background - it just puts weird things in there and lets you figure out what they are. In other words, Gibson assumes the readers are smart. I had the pleasure of hearing Gibson do a reading at Powell's a few years back - really neat guy. His recent book, however, seems no weirder than the reality around me - maybe we have

    Phant, Neuromancer sounds like a "must have" for me...thanks I appreciate an author who doesn't assume I'm unable to figure some of the techie shtuff out myself....Glad you enjoyed Gibson's reading....sounds like a "winner"...."maybe we have" what?

    Ruled Britannia is an alternate history novel (a "what if?..." book) about the Spanish Armada succeeding in invading England in the early 1600's...and how the great bard of Stratford-upon-Avon's work changed and how a political play he penned and performed led to a restoration of Queen Elizabeth. Great speculation.

    Badger, it's strange how something like the invasion of one's country can change the outcome of so many people's endeavors....velly intellestink...

    Betrayal of America is a breakdown of the Supreme court descion to halt the Florida Recounts. Bugliosi was the prosecutor who locked up Manson. As the title suggests, he was opposed to it.

    Ah-HAH! I thought that's who Bugliosi was....I was opposed to the halting of the recounts, too, Badger....(thinks..."great minds, etc."....) (grin)

    The Devil's Dictionary is what it sounds like...A cynical book of definitions written by Bierce, a Civil War vet-turned-humorist. Example:

    Religion (n.): The daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining the nature of the Unknowable to the Unreachable

    Piracy (n.): Commerce without all its folly-swaddles, just as God intended.

    Debauchery (n.): To pursue pleasure to point of having the misfortune of overtaking it.

    Ohhhh, he's gooood, Badger....I'm definitely gonna hafta get that one....thanks for sharing the excerpts.

    Frannie B

  • logansrun
    logansrun

    Noam Chomsky...."Profit Over People"

    Paul Davies...."Other Worlds"

    B.

  • Frannie Banannie
    Frannie Banannie
    Noam Chomsky...."Profit Over People"

    Paul Davies...."Other Worlds"

    Bradley, I don't get to the bookstore much....which is why I posted this topic (grin)....so...tell me....what are those two books about?

    Frannie B

  • jgnat
    jgnat

    Frannie, these fish are like nothing you have seen before. Don't Think Aquarium!

    http://www.pikeplacefish.com/

    Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results
    by Stephen C. Lundin

    Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness by Peggy Noonan

    A speechwriter and insightful observer talks about the state of America. She rambles through her observations as if she were having coffee in your kitchen. The state of America is making her nervous. Which makes me nervous.

  • missylissy
    missylissy

    At Risk -Alice Hoffman. I love her books. Practical magic is my favorite.

    Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz

    read a little bit of that the other day in math class, borrowed it from smyler.

    and, well, today, i could be found reading the secret of family happiness, behind a harry potter book, so as not to be asked questions at school . haha.

    -missy

  • wannaexit
    wannaexit

    Nicholas Sparks

  • sens
    sens
    So...what're yall reading?

    my email

  • Frannie Banannie
    Frannie Banannie
    Frannie, these fish are like nothing you have seen before. Don't Think Aquarium!

    WOW, jgnat! I took a look at those fish...that's amazing! Thanks for the site and info...

    Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness by Peggy Noonan

    A speechwriter and insightful observer talks about the state of America. She rambles through her observations as if she were having coffee in your kitchen. The state of America is making her nervous. Which makes me nervous.

    Jgnat, I'm already nervous over the state of America...this should push me "over the top"...LOL!

    Frannie B

  • Frannie Banannie
    Frannie Banannie
    At Risk -Alice Hoffman. I love her books. Practical magic is my favorite.
    Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz

    read a little bit of that the other day in math class, borrowed it from smyler.

    and, well, today, i could be found reading the secret of family happiness, behind a harry potter book, so as not to be asked questions at school . haha.

    Great, Missy! I loved Practical Magic....thanks for the tip on "At Risk"...CoC is definitely a good pick.......LOL! I'd have been reading the Harry Potter book myself...heheheh

    So...what're yall reading?
    my email

    Lol, sens!

    Nicholas Sparks

    Wannaexit, what's that one about? Who wrote it?

    Frannie B

  • joannadandy
    joannadandy

    Well I just finished Animal Farm so I could teach it to my class...cool little book, when I finish what I am reading now I will have to pick up 1984.

    Right now I am reading The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell ... a bunch of essays about history, politics, and such. (She is one of my favorite authors so I sit and giggle for hours when I read her, she's very witty.)

    Also, The Austere Academy (book 5 in the Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket. They are kids books so they only take like an afternoon to read, but they are funny as hell! Very dark humor that never fails to tickle me.

    I am also finishing up Skipping Toward Gomorrah by Dan Savage. Oh my god he is funny as hell! *note all conservatives stay far from this book, it will mess with your sensibilities--However, if you want a good laugh at religious conservative views, and just our pinchy society in general--it's a must read. (Here is the whole book summed up in one of his opening paragraphs--

    The truly revolutionary promise of our nation's founding document is the freedom to pursue happiness-with-a-capital-H. Unfortunately, this promise is considered problematic by some Americans. The very pursuits that make some Americans happy (some very happy indeed) are considered downright sinful by social conservatives. By itself, this attitude wouldn't be a problem if these other Americans were content to avoid activities they regard as sinful, live their lives according to their convictions, and recognize the right of their fellow Americans to do the same. While some Americans might choose to lead a less than virtuous existence, at least in William J. Bennett's estimation, what skin is it off Bennett's ass? If we aren't free to pursue our own version of happiness, then the first two items on Jefferson's wish list are without meaning. Life and liberty do us no good if we can't employ them?or waste them?in the pursuit of those things that make us happy.


    And when I finish these I am going to tackle the Professor and the Madman, by Winchester--it's a history of the OED. Sounds really interesting...yes I am a nerd.

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