"Recent Reading"

[Feanor]

Basically I'm suggesting an Off-Topic subforum or sticky thread; other members might want to suggest more on other off-topic topics.

For my part, I'd like to see a "Recent Reading" forum, that is a place were people could mention books or other print materials they have recently read or highly recommend, regardless of topic.

I've noticed on other forums that topics like sports and 'What are You Eating/Drinking" are pretty popular -- and sometimes there's a political topics thread/subforum.

{edit} I'll be following up with some of my all-time favorite reads {/edit}

[bobsticks]

I think that's a great idea Bill. I too have noticed that this group seems to be a rather literate lot...and I would imagine the topic matter to be quite diverse as well. I can see that being a hi-traffic thread.

[Hyfi]

Good idea.

I am currently reading for the second time, Fractal Time, written by Gregg Braden.

[noddin0ff]

Always scouring for good reads myself...

Just finished "The Windup Girl" by Paolo Bacigalupi (wiki link). It got lots of recent awards from those that track Sci-Fi (Best Book by Hugo and Nebula). It's similar in some respects to classic cyberpunk like Neuromancer except that rather than computers electronic enhancements, the story takes place after the world has run out of fossil fuels and cheap power. In this future all is biologically driven and genetically engineered. Calorie companies have replaced the power States. Everything is lowtech-hightech. Anyway, it's a good yarn and an cool re-imagining of the future.

Currently half way through "Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart. (wiki link)
I read his previous "Absurdistan' and it was hilarious and touching at the same time. That one was a hyper traji-comedy of a overweight son of an oliogarch trying to get back to his true love in the Bronx by escaping the Soviet Union via a an ex-Soviet, (imaginary) oil rich state of Absurdistan. "Super Sad..." is so far equally touching and hyper language humorous. The US is turning into a corporate run police state, the hero works for a company selling eternal life and is in love with a younger child of the digital age. So far so good.

[Luvin Da Blues]

Currently, I'm reading "Life" by Keith Richards. Great X-mas gift.

[Feanor]

Twelve all-time favorites of mine:

History / Economics:

• John Kenneth Galbraith: The Affluent Society
• William H. McNeill: The Rise of the West: A History of the Human Community
• Jared Diamond: Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
• Jared Diamond: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed

Politics / Religion:

• Seymour Martin Lipset: Political Man
• Richard Dawkins: The God Delusion
• Norman G. Finkelstein: Beyond Chutzpah: On the Misuse of Anti-Semitism and the Abuse of History
• Chris Hedges: American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America

Sci-Fi / Fantasy:

• J.R.R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings
• Gene Wolfe: The Book of the New Sun
• Frank Herbert: Dune
• E.R. Eddison: The Worm Ouroboros

[jrhymeammo]

I have a tedency to pickup Bukowski when I'm bored. It never disappoints.

[atomicAdam]

How about I just move this one to Off Topic - and maybe similar to what's spinning - it will just have a life of it's own.

[Feanor]

How about I just move this one to Off Topic - and maybe similar to what's spinning - it will just have a life of it's own.

Going to Off-Topic sounds right, aA. But consider that this, and What's Spinning, perhaps ought to be "sticky" -- they're easier to find that way.

[bobsticks]

I have a tedency to pickup Bukowski when I'm bored. It never disappoints.

How could it disappoint? I read South of No North: Stories of the Buried Life last year...the last of a dying bread with the exception of yourself, Jayrha...

[jrhymeammo]

Hey there brother Mousy,

Maybe I wasn't clear enough, I wanted to say Bukowski entertains me.

[bobsticks]

Hey there brother Mousy,

Maybe I wasn't clear enough, I wanted to say Bukowski entertains me.

You were quite clea,r my friend...I simply suspect it of being a case of art informing life...

[jrhymeammo]

You were quite clea,r my friend...I simply suspect it of being a case of art informing life...

Ahhh... so kinda like this.

[Feanor]

Hey there brother Mousy,

Maybe I wasn't clear enough, I wanted to say Bukowski entertains me.

Bukowski ... hmmm. Haven't read anything by him but he does sound like an old sleaze -- just the sort to appeal to you and 'Sticks.

[bobsticks]

Frankly, I prefer my sleaze younger...and female...

...but he does provide an interesting perspective on the underbelly of America.

[LeRoy]

Good Idea Feanor, like the list of you 12 all timers. This one got my interest..

Richard Dawkins: The God Delusion

One of my favorite reads is The Basic Writings of John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, The Subjection of Women, & Utilitarianism.

Hey, based on the interest of quality of the quality of literature, art, and science which can be shared off this kind of sub-topic, would you also consider links to websites that would offer brain floss for the reader too?

[Feanor]

Good Idea Feanor, like the list of you 12 all timers. This one got my interest..

Richard Dawkins: The God Delusion

...

I strongly recommend this Dawkins book to eveybody except the rigidly pious, (whom it will p!ss off extremely).

Funny thing is there wasn't a major thought from Dawkin's that I hadn't thought of decades ago -- but it was great to hear another person speak them.

... Amazon.com

Another book in a similar vein but with a bit of a different emphasis is ...

Christopher Hitchens: God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything

... Amazon.com

[LeRoy]

Thanks Feanor. I will drop by my 1/2 price book store later today and see if they have either one in stock. Thanks for starting this thread and for the recommendation!

Have a nice day.

LeRoy

[Feanor]

Thanks Feanor. I will drop by my 1/2 price book store later today and see if they have either one in stock. Thanks for starting this thread and for the recommendation!

Have a nice day.

LeRoy

Nowadays I get most of my reading from the public library. Years ago I bought everything but today in my retirement, free is good.

[LeRoy]

I picked up the Dawkins book but could not find the Hitchens book on the shelf. I will start reading the Dawkins book tomorrow.

[Feanor]

I picked up the Dawkins book but could not find the Hitchens book on the shelf. I will start reading the Dawkins book tomorrow.

Let us know how you get on with it.

Dawkins and Hitchens no doubt agree with each other. However Dawkins' God Delusion deals with the religious faith as a philosophical/logical issue. Hitchens' God is Not Great tends much more to criticize institutional religion.

[LeRoy]

Let us know how you get on with it.

Dawkins and Hitchens no doubt agree with each other. However Dawkins' God Delusion deals with the religious faith as a philosophical/logical issue. Hitchens' God is Not Great tends much more to criticize institutional religion.

I'm the only Atheist that I've ever known and in my experiences it's difficult to speak to anyone of faith without coming across as abrasive. This book has got me to thinking about the psychological makeup and differences between those of faith and those of atheism.

I'm almost done with the second chapter but I do disagree with the author regarding when he called the president of the New Jersey Historical Society of being of intellectual and moral cowardice.

Feanor, I did not know of this book until you were so kind enough to share it with us on the forum. About 4 or 5 years ago I was pondering the faith -vs- atheism polarity and I came home chuckling and smirking...saying they faithful were delusional. So, it was much to my surprise that someone else also found the same description as I had. Now I'm not saying I'm on the same level as Dawkins but I wonder who else amongst us also arrived at the same conclusion.

Your thoughts, anyone?

LeRoy

[Feanor]

I'm the only Atheist that I've ever known and in my experiences it's difficult to speak to anyone of faith without coming across as abrasive. This book has got me to thinking about the psychological makeup and differences between those of faith and those of atheism.

I'm almost done with the second chapter but I do disagree with the author regarding when he called the president of the New Jersey Historical Society of being of intellectual and moral cowardice.

Feanor, I did not know of this book until you were so kind enough to share it with us on the forum. About 4 or 5 years ago I was pondering the faith -vs- atheism polarity and I came home chuckling and smirking...saying they faithful were delusional. So, it was much to my surprise that someone else also found the same description as I had. Now I'm not saying I'm on the same level as Dawkins but I wonder who else amongst us also arrived at the same conclusion.

Your thoughts, anyone?

LeRoy

Dawkins doesn't cut much slack for religionists. Nor does he for "agnostics" whom I think he feels are slightly disingenuous fence-sitters. There are times when he is gratuitously sarcastic and ridiculing.

Too bad about that but on an intellectual level I agree with Dawkins completely -- and, like I said, essentially all his arguments occurred to me decades ago. (I also agree with his assertion that the existence of God can't be disproven but that the rational person ought to accept God's non-existence based on the overwhelming balance of probability.)

You must life a sheltered life not knowing any atheists! I've know quite a few but everywhere we seem to be in the minority.

Let's remember, though, that there are quite a few places in the world where open disbelief is distinctly dangerous to you physical well-being. This is true in South Waziristan for example. There are a great many more places where it is merely bad for your business and social standing. This is true in Bible Belt, U.S.A. Accordingly very many people dissemble religious conviction, support their local church/mosque/temple, etc., despite a basic lack of faith. They are most often successful fooling other people and often fooling themselves too.

I'd be a billionaire if I had a nickel for everytime I heard some one say, "You've got to believe in something!". Personally all I really believe in is skepticism.

[bobsticks]

Dawkins doesn't cut much slack for religionists. Nor does he for "agnostics" whom I think he feels are slightly disingenuous fence-sitters. There are times when he is gratuitously sarcastic and ridiculing....

Clearly Dawkins has never had anything resembling a spiritual experience.

[Feanor]

I'm just getting to the end of this semi-classic. It was first published back in 1995 ...

James W. Loewen: Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong




Wherein the author examines twelve popular US high school history textbooks and debunks the flagrant mythology pandering and total lack of insighful analysis of real American history.

After 15+ years it ought to be old news, but judging by the wild ingnorance of the likes of Tea Party and Christian Right, the message has not sunk in.