gardentraveler's comments
(member since Sep 03, 2007)
gardentraveler's comments from the SDMB - Straight Dope group.
(showing 1-20 of 41)
Awwwww. How unfair. Now that I think of it, I can't remember the last Christmas that I didn't get at least one book. I hope you've remedied this omission by going out to get yourself a book! :)
I'm not very good at reading challenges (witness my sad progress at the around-the-world challenge; I'll be really lucky if I'm even close to Shoshana's 2012 deadline), but I figure they push me to read books that I wouldn't otherwise consider. Even if I don't make all the goals, I like the mental stretching on the ones that I do.The goal that I started with last year are still there: read in a way that gives me a more detailed understanding of history (both literary and real-life). The around-the-world list is part of that.
That looks like an excellent book, Shoshana. Thanks for pointing it out. Also, Petra, the information you've provided has given me lots to think about.
I always have to look him up in order to spell his name correctly. He's excellent. (This was a reply to Julie....wish replies would be threaded here....)
I like the around-the-world shelf idea, too.
Does anyone actually like his drawings? I'll chuckle at one now and then...but like? Not so much.As others have said, this one is the exception. Good choice!
Since you mentioned mysteries, Julie: have you ever read anything by Janwillem van de Wetering? He was born in the Netherlands, but moved to the States at some point (and, having read his Wikipedia entry now, lived all over the place before moving to Maine). His Grijpstra and DeGier mysteries are really interesting and have a very definite sense of place (they're primarily set in Amsterdam). He also has some that are set in Japan (although I don't think I liked those as well). Hadn't thought about him in a long time, but heard he died recently.
Meant to post this earlier in the week: an article about literature available in English translation, and an on-line magazine recommendation. The article. The on-line magazine.(Thanks to Karen, who recommended the magazine to me earlier this year.) The magazine includes translated literature in all kinds of genres. Of more interest for this thread: book reviews.
I think this sounds really interesting too, Shoshana. I would participate in this type of thread, although I'm sure I won't be able to keep up with the pace.
I downloaded a 1001 books spreadsheet just to see what was in the list. I think I'd read 80-something of them, primarily because I was a German major and a fair number of books on the list were from the German canon.I was relieved to see that many of the books I haven't read are ones I'm not about to waste time on.
Ummm...perhaps there's a very good, albeit little-known sequel by the same name? Perhaps the 20th century moved?
Ummm....I'm out of guesses now.
I think I have that same reading disorder. What's worse is that I seem to have less time than ever to read books, which makes my progress even slower. Guess I need to reorganize, reprioritize, or otherwise overhaul parts of my life.
The one thing that cheers me up is that I'll never have a shortage of things I want to read. I never really have to wonder for long what I should read next, because I have this handy list....
I've been meaning to read A Thread of Grace for a while. Not sure how much time I'll have, but I'll give it a whirl.
I don't read pointless gore/violence/horror. I'm also with Dung on avoiding true crime. There's enough of that in the news without treating myself to the details. If the violence and unpleasantness is relatively minor part of a broader and meaningful story, I can generally deal with it, though.
I'm not doing as well as I'd like in reading books. I'm tracking and reviewing what I do read, but it's been difficult to really sit down and read any of those books on good ol' Mt. TBR (way too much work stress). On the brighter side, I'm making a little bit of headway organizing the books I've read and own. For the short term, it looks like I'll have to be happy with keeping up with my book group and maybe with a few discussions here and in the Constant Reader group.
And, to further confuse the question, I would posit that some fiction is true, while some non-fiction is false. But, yeah, non-fiction isn't a very satisfying label.
So, is this one officially on for March 1?
At the moment, it appears that the quicker the read, the more likely I am to be able to read it and discuss with the group. (My book group is next week and right now it's looking like I might not be able to finish my book. Which I selected. Work really gets in the way, sometimes. :(So, I'd be in favor of this one....
Heh. Glad you liked it; and now I'm trying to remember what I sent. I've never read any Stephen King, and thought I might start with this one since people seem to like it. I'm going to start going through books and will have some to give away soon, I hope. (I have overflowing shelves, too.)
PM in a moment.
OK...that one made me giggle. The only similar word that comes to mind is gazelle, but that really doesn't make more sense.
Dung, can you elaborate? What else did you expect?
