What book are you reading? #2

[Mamselle_Duroc]

Here’s another who prefers honest-to-goodness real books. They have so much more individuality. They have their own character and feel and look. My grandpa always called his books his ‘friends,’ and liked to be surrounded by them. My books are my friends, too, and I don’t think I could feel the same fondness for them if they were on some cold electronic device.

My books have little histories of their own. Some of them were my grandfather’s, and he has his name inscribed inside. Some I picked up at second-hand stores and the inscribed names are unfamiliar, but it’s delightful to imagine what the previous owner was like.

Anyhow, sitting under the birch trees on a summer evening wouldn’t be nearly as romantic if one were reading from a Kindle.

And having Chesterton’s George Bernard Shaw on a Kindle might be more convenient, but I’ll take the first edition of that book signed by the author himself any day.

As for what I’m reading… I’m spending my last two months at home pretending I’m a little girl again, which means revisiting all of L.M. Montgomery’s books. I’m taking a bit of P.G. Wodehouse on the side, too.

 

[carmel_quail]

I just finished this novel by Portugese writer Jose Saramago. Belive me, it is not your typical “life of Christ” story. It is not for the faint of heart. I still don’t know how I feel about it. If anyone has read this, please let me know what you think. I’d love to dialolgue about it.

 

[KarenElissa]

Count me in as someone else who doesn’t want a Kindle. I’m young and do EVERYTHING on my computer, I’ve grown up using a computer for most of my life, but there is still just something about books. I love having books around. I don’t even use the library because I like to actually own the book.

Right now I’m reading “Sala’s Gift: My Mother’s Holocaust Story.” I’ve been into Holocaust books lately, so this is one of many on that theme that I’ve been reading.

I also just started reading “The Tale of Despereaux” to my kids at work since they are going to go see the movie next week. It is a really cute book!

 

[abort73catholic]

I am now reading Many Waters by Madeleine L’Engle.
Although I will always lovelove real books,

a Kindle does indeed sound intriguing.

I’m so glad Fahrenheit 451 isn’t real.

Good book. I loved the love story in there. But I have a weakness for a good love story…

I just finished reading The Shack by William P. Young. Interesting book (some things not necessarily in line with Catholic teaching) but it was still an intriguing, thought-provoking book. There were some things in there that I loved, some that I didn’t.

And now…I have no new books. I’m re-reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. In my opinion, one of the best books I’ve ever read (and that’s saying a lot…because I really love books!).

 

[abort73catholic]

Count me in as someone else who doesn’t want a Kindle. I’m young and do EVERYTHING on my computer, I’ve grown up using a computer for most of my life, but there is still just something about books. I love having books around. I don’t even use the library because I like to actually own the book.

**Right now I’m reading “Sala’s Gift: My Mother’s Holocaust Story.” I’ve been into Holocaust books lately, so this is one of many on that theme that I’ve been reading. **

I also just started reading “The Tale of Despereaux” to my kids at work since they are going to go see the movie next week. It is a really cute book!

I have that book. It’s very good…I have my own collection of Holocaust books (I read a lot about it). A whole shelf in my room is dedicated to Holocaust testimonies, history, etc. and it’s always growing!

Don’t ask me why I read about it so much, though. I don’t know. I just do.

 

[KarenElissa]

I have that book. It’s very good…I have my own collection of Holocaust books (I read a lot about it). A whole shelf in my room is dedicated to Holocaust testimonies, history, etc. and it’s always growing!

Don’t ask me why I read about it so much, though. I don’t know. I just do.

I’ve just started it, but so far I really like it too.

I just recently went on a book buying splurge and quite a few of those are Holocaust books. I don’t know why I’m obsessed either, but ya.

 

[mstone]

Classes just ended for the term, so now I have a nice pile that I keep skipping around in. It includes:
Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis
Why I Am Not A Christian: And Other Essays on Religion, by Bertrand Russell
The Man in the High Castle, by Philip K. Dick
Joel on Software, by Joel Spolsky
Shakespeare’s Comedies

So it looks like I have a fairly interesting few weeks ahead of me. If any of you have read any of them and have reviews or recommendations based on them, please let me know, either post in the thread or send me a PM. Thanks!

Recommendations for the summer:
East of Eden or Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck - classics. both of them. Steinbeck’s imagery is utterly beautiful.
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess - while controversial, this is an incredible novel that masterfully advocates for free will. I wrote a 12 page thesis on the conflicting ideas of Pelagianism and Augustinianism in the novel if anyone wants to have a super philosophical conversation with me about it. if you just want to have a regular conversation about it too, that’s awesome, this is one of my favorite books.
Shakespeare’s sonnets - Shakespeare is awesome, I just finished a theater class focused on speaking some of his works, and it was an amazing experience.
Trinity, by Leon Uris - a moving historical epic covering the events in Ireland between the Great Famine of the 1840s and the Easter Rising of 1916. a great book for anyone who loves history or the Irish culture. it also portrays a great conflict between Protestantism and Catholicism that doesn’t exist in today’s society, and nicely shows how the British politicians of the time were able to manipulate this conflict to their own ends.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Rise to Rebellion by Jeff Shaara

So far so very good.

God bless

 

[cthulhubryan]

Just starting House of Gold by Bud Macfarlane, Jr.

 

[Dandelion_Wine]

Last Things by Ralph McInerny

 

[Cracker_Mom]

Last Things by Ralph McInerny

He wrote some good detective stories, too.

 

[markeverett49]

I’m currently reading philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre. Yesterday I finished his “Three Rival Versions of Moral Enquiry.” Before that, I read his “After Virtue.” I’m awaiting (-via inter-library loan) his “Whose Justice? Which Rationality?” and “Dependent Rational Animals.” Since it’s the weekend, I’ll read some Shakespeare.

 

[mommyof4]

Ok, I am going to sound like a Luddite now, but here goes, anyway

I can understand the appeal of the Kindle or similar devices … convenience, ability to store multiple books, and etc as you’ve described.

But …

There’s just something about a book. A real, honest-to-goodness, old-fashioned book. The weight of it in your hand … the rasp of the pages turning … even the smell of books is a bit intoxicating.

I know, I know, I am a very sick woman. But, I’m curious if anyone else out there feels this way, or am I the last of a dying breed?

I am not opposed to trying a Kindle, but I am famous for loosing and misplacing items. A book can be easily replaced, but a $400 machine- whew!

 

[Dandelion_Wine]

He wrote some good detective stories, too.

I’ll have to check them out after I’ve finished the Father Dowling series

 

[Cracker_Mom]

I’ll have to check them out after I’ve finished the Father Dowling series

Sorry, that was actually the series I was thinking of.

 

[Morwenna]

I still prefer books. Real books. Books I can mark up (though I rarely do), re-sell, buy used, lose without crying for a week, drop into water without freaking out, read at the table or on an airplane, not have to worry about recharging, burn for warmth in desperate situations, compare side-by-side with other books, loan to a friend, fling across the room, use for a coaster, swat a fly with, and just plain enjoy.

Great post!

I like the printed page also. I like the feel of the paper, the heft of the book and turning pages. So, you are not alone. There are many of us out there.

Yay!

A real book is far preferable to me than to read it on a computer screen. I love to go to the library, or browse through bookstores. I used to ride my bike to the library every week (except during winter) and come home with my basket loaded with books.

I always feel like I have a bagful of treasures when I walk out of the library with a bagful of books … like the richest woman in the world! Gloria Vanderbilt has nothin’ on me, baby!

Oh, this is so funny!! because a co-worker of mine was just recently looking at a Kindle and explaining to me all its handy-dandy features. I maintained, though, that as a traditionalist, I will always prefer handling books rather than reading them on a portable device. Yet, I admit, I *am *running out of shelf space.

I ran out long ago. The shelves are groaning and I have stacks on top of the dresser, in the corners of the bedrooms, scattered here & there all over the house. Perhaps it’s time to admit that I have a problem?

Oh, it’s a library book. One that I can touch and smell and feel and even hear as I handle it.

:extrahappy:

Here’s another who prefers honest-to-goodness real books. They have so much more individuality. They have their own character and feel and look. My grandpa always called his books his ‘friends,’ and liked to be surrounded by them. My books are my friends, too, and I don’t think I could feel the same fondness for them if they were on some cold electronic device.

My books have little histories of their own. Some of them were my grandfather’s, and he has his name inscribed inside. Some I picked up at second-hand stores and the inscribed names are unfamiliar, but it’s delightful to imagine what the previous owner was like.

Anyhow, sitting under the birch trees on a summer evening wouldn’t be nearly as romantic if one were reading from a Kindle.

And having Chesterton’s George Bernard Shaw on a Kindle might be more convenient, but I’ll take the first edition of that book signed by the author himself any day.

Great post … I am really with you on the ‘histories’ of your books. The older ones, especially, really have ‘character,’ don’t they?

Count me in as someone else who doesn’t want a Kindle. I’m young and do EVERYTHING on my computer, I’ve grown up using a computer for most of my life, but there is still just something about books. I love having books around. I don’t even use the library because I like to actually own the book.

I like owning them, too (see above) but I also LOVE the library. Love it, love it, love it. With the overdue fines that I’ve paid over the years, I should probably have a whole wing named after me!

Thank you everyone, for letting me know that I am not, in fact, the last of a dying breed! :extrahappy:

Please forgive the derailment. I just finished an old favorite of mine, City of Illusions by Ursula K. LeGuin. Never fails to move me even after 20+ years of re-reads. Now I’m between books … got a few recommendations I’m mulling over, just not sure what I want next. I think it’s time for another trip to the library!

 

[Epistemes]

I am currently reading “The Life You Save May Be Your Own: An American Pilgrimage” (at home) and the short stories of Flannery O’Connor (at work, on lunch).

 

[Cracker_Mom]

I am currently reading “The Life You Save May Be Your Own: An American Pilgrimage” (at home) and the short stories of Flannery O’Connor (at work, on lunch).

I like her story “Revelation.” If you’ve ever spent any time in a country doctor’s waiting room, the conversation in the story is right on.

 

[Filius99993]

I just finished East of Eden by John Steinbeck, and it’s probably the best novel I’ve ever read. I highly recommend it.

Now reading:
The Grapes of Wrath (or the Wrath of Grapes or whatever) by Steinbeck
The Moviegoer by Walker Percy
Eva Luna by Isabel Allende

 

[jakobsprenger]

Have just finished “The Grand Inquisitor” graphic novel by John Zmirak, illustrated by Carla Millar. Very, thought rpovoking, thoroughly recommended.

Just started Spiritual Combat Revisted by Jonathon Robinson, looking good so far.

For fiction fun - “The Ultramarines Omnibus” by Graham McNeill