Author Topic: To Be Well Read (Read 1720 times)

eskimo2 · « **Reply #75 on:** May 31, 2007, 05:14:15 PM »

Sal's mom has got it going on!

Scherf · « **Reply #76 on:** May 31, 2007, 05:34:44 PM »

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Originally posted by lazs2
I have to admit to a fondness for the old drunks born in 1900 or so..

Fitzgerald is unbelievable.. I honestly do think that "the great gatsby" is the great American novel. I have read it 3 times in three different times in my life and got three different meanings out of it.

Hemingway is great in a completely different way..

lazs

Christ almighty, I agree with lazs.

tedrbr · « **Reply #77 on:** May 31, 2007, 05:43:35 PM »

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Originally posted by AWMac

"It's What's for Dinner..."

Mac

Were you a regular customer of "Loompanics Unlimited" there, AWMac, before they went under?
How about "Kitchen Improvised Explosives, Vol 1 and 2" or "Get Even"?

vorticon · « **Reply #78 on:** May 31, 2007, 07:08:40 PM »

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Originally posted by Vulcan
Dunno bout you guys but I've switched to audiobooks for the last few years. I read all day long at work (email, porn etc). Last thing I need is to bash my eyes some more.

if your going to cheap out like that you may as well download a bunch of the 30s-50s radio shows onto a mp3 player.

i also agree with eskimo, though i prefer at least young adult stuff, heinleins work is quite good.

Sikboy · « **Reply #79 on:** May 31, 2007, 07:27:03 PM »

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Originally posted by Maverick

The question I have is this, what is your goal for being "well read". Is it for casual conversation, impressing some girl at a party or because you want to experiance more of the literary world?

If it isn't the last one, you're wasting your time as spewing out titles of books you read really doesn't make much of an impression. Being able to understand differing view points because you read more can be helpful as well as seeing things from others perspective. Other than that, find a genre that you like and read for your own enjoyment.

It gives me the heebee jeebees when I agree with Mav, but he's spot on in this case.

Though school had nearly eliminated my outside reading, I did manage to find time for a book or two here and there. I remember starting a similar thread a few years back:

http://forums.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=144554&perpage=25&highlight=fall&pagenumber=1

Anyhow, getting back to what Mav was saying, it all depends on what you want out of a book. I've been reading the Jack Aubrey books on Summers, and they are fun and entertaining. I enjoy them. But often I'm looking for something with a bit more depth. Something that will help me see things from a different perspective, or answer a question I hadn't thought to ask. Theres room for all of those books in anyone's library, but whenever you ask for a recomendation, you have to let us know what it is you want out of the book. Though, there are enough recomndations across the board to meet anything you might want.

-Sik

Maverick · « **Reply #80 on:** May 31, 2007, 08:31:40 PM »

Sikboy,

I do believe you're being coy!

lazs2 · « **Reply #81 on:** June 01, 2007, 08:38:27 AM »

Everyone should read everything they get their hands on... The eggheads have given reading a bad rep... the guys that spend most of their lives in school.

People out living life look at the eggheads and their smug attitude about education and say "I don't want to be like that ahole"

As eskimo says.. some books are difficult for difficulties sake.. most poetry is phony in that way... read whatever comes your way... if you don't like it... you don't have to finish it.

Read what a trusted friend says he liked. read the classics that were popular. Hemingway and Fitzgerald (not as much) were like movie stars back then... people couldn't wait to read their stuff... and for good reason... it will take you to another time and place.

Read trashy stuff that is entertaining... a lot of guys learned to read in the joint... they had time and that was before TV's and computers in cells.. they read connan and louis lamour westerns... those are very entertaining books.

Don't be afraid to drop a book and put it back on the shelf.

I read at night before I go to sleep. I read in airports and waiting rooms and motels. I read after getting a project done in the morning and in the air conditioning out of the hot sun.

lazs

texasmom · « **Reply #82 on:** June 01, 2007, 09:08:14 AM »

jhook, here's a book game our family plays (usually takes an entire summer break).

Pick one topic that really interests you, and get a book on that topic; read the entire book. Pick one topic (event, person, etc.) from that book, then get a a book on that particular separate subject. Out of that book get the most interesting topic and get another book on the new topic... and so on & so on.

Usually the kids & I write down our book paths; which, now that I think of it, is pretty nerdy. Oh well; it's a real hoot... fun to see the topic evolution.

moot · « **Reply #83 on:** June 01, 2007, 10:07:28 AM »

I was going to say "read everything", but didn't have time to type all that needed to follow such an absolute.. thanks lazs..

A high shool world literature teacher gave me a list of a few dozen great books of litteraly all shapes and sizes. I'll try and post it if I find it.

Hap · « **Reply #84 on:** June 01, 2007, 10:31:29 AM »

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Originally posted by texasmom Usually the kids & I write down our book paths; which, now that I think of it, is pretty nerdy. [/B]

Doing so would never have been thought of as being "nerdy" long ago.

Big lesson there!

WTG TM!!

Regards,

hap