What Are You Reading Now?

[Jeff Lebowski]

Finally reading Moby Dick. One thing that has surprised me is how funny the first 100 pages were. Ishmael reminded me a lot of Ulysses Everett McGill in those sections.

I am reading this now. I read it once many years ago and thought it was long and boring. I figured that since I am more mature now I would appreciate it more. Furthermore, I have always been fascinated by the whaling industry.

Sadly, my conclusion hasn't changed too much. I think I am enjoying it more this time, but my goodness, that book could have used some editing.

[SteelBlue]

Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg. I really liked this one. A tragic event in a small town leaves many unanswered questions and the book is divided into short sections told from the perspective of different characters with some characters speaking multiple times. The puzzle comes together a little bit more with each subsequent narrator, but the reader has to do enough of the lifting that it's not just some passive reveal. And while the prose isn't anything particularly beautiful, there are a lot of profound thoughts and ideas that make this an enjoyable read.

medium.jpg

[SteelBlue]

I am reading this now. I read it once many years ago and thought it was long and boring. I figured that since I am more mature now I would appreciate it more. Furthermore, I have always been fascinated by the whaling industry.

Sadly, my conclusion hasn't changed too much. I think I am enjoying it more this time, but my goodness, that book could have used some editing.

I very much enjoyed it, but it was essentially two separate novels, and the thing that most perplexed me was the inclusion of the alternating chapters on the rote specifics of whaling. I was unable to find a deeper meaning in them, and someday (ha, right!) I will try and read some commentary to help me understand. Guys like Bloom consider it a nearly perfect novel, and I'd be curious to hear what further is to be had in those sections.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I very much enjoyed it, but it was essentially two separate novels, and the thing that most perplexed me was the inclusion of the alternating chapters on the rote specifics of whaling. I was unable to find a deeper meaning in them, and someday (ha, right!) I will try and read some commentary to help me understand. Guys like Bloom consider it a nearly perfect novel, and I'd be curious to hear what further is to be had in those sections.

That is what I am talking about. Endless series of chapters on the shape of a whale's head, where the ears are located, etc. I find them interesting but it surprises me how few of the chapters are actually dedicated to telling the story.

[Paperback Writer]

That is what I am talking about. Endless series of chapters on the shape of a whale's head, where the ears are located, etc. I find them interesting but it surprises me how few of the chapters are actually dedicated to telling the story.

I had to read Moby-Dick as part of English 351 (American Literature) that I was dumb enough to take for a GE requirement. I had read it previously and was expecting great insights into the novel by the professor but was left somewhat empty on any deeper meaning. I do remember being quizzed on whale and whaling trivia so the professor could punish the cliff notes only readers. It was not all a lost cause. Although I think the professor also whiffed on Faulkner, he did much better with Hemingway and Steinbeck.

[wuapinmon]

I started reading the Martian yesterday around 2:30PM; I finished it at 12:17AM. That's a fun read. Now I want to see the movie.

[creekster]

The back of my cereal box.

[Parrot Head]

With my now-much longer commute and following Steel's posts, I've been on a survey of African American literature. I read "Turner House" and followed it up with Coates' "Between the World and Me." I agree with the uncomfortable part of the latter and it really made me think a lot, but I also have qualms with his seemingly complete lack of acknowledgement of personal responsibility or moral agency. But it was worth the read. "Turner House" was interesting in a similar way, though not something I'd consider in my sweet spot, but it's good to branch out some.

I also recently finally made it through "Heart of Darkness." That required some effort and left me with a desire to watch "Apocalypse Now."

[SteelBlue]

With my now-much longer commute and following Steel's posts, I've been on a survey of African American literature. I read "Turner House" and followed it up with Coates' "Between the World and Me." I agree with the uncomfortable part of the latter and it really made me think a lot, but I also have qualms with his seemingly complete lack of acknowledgement of personal responsibility or moral agency. But it was worth the read. "Turner House" was interesting in a similar way, though not something I'd consider in my sweet spot, but it's good to branch out some.

Both are on the PEN Literary Award shortlist released a few days back.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Just finished McCullough's The Wright Brothers. It's not a great book, but it's still a fun, quick (at least by McCullough standards, weighing in at around 270 pages) and interesting read. It gives one a much stronger appreciation for the Wright Brothers--the Wright family, actually--and how unassuming they were despite their celebrity. Perhaps the greatest compliment I can give the book is that it makes me want to visit Dayton (I am not making this up) as there are a few things there I'd now like to see.

Really enjoying this one on audio. Highly recommended.

Would love to visit Dayton and Kitty Hawk now.

[Jeff Lebowski]

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer.

I have to read this to get it off my bucket list. Since it is 1600 pages and an old classic (pub. 1961) I kind of figured it would be rather dry. Thankfully, I was wrong. Really enjoying it so far.

[PaloAltoCougar]

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer.

I have to read this to get it off my bucket list. Since it is 1600 pages and an old classic (pub. 1961) I kind of figured it would be rather dry. Thankfully, I was wrong. Really enjoying it so far.

It's an outstanding book. I read the German translation of the book on my mission, a few miles from Hitler's birthplace. Not exactly on the approved reading list, but I felt it gave me a lot of insights into the local culture (rationalizing was another talent I developed on my mission).

[creekster]

It's an outstanding book. I read the German translation of the book on my mission, a few miles from Hitler's birthplace. Not exactly on the approved reading list, but I felt it gave me a lot of insights into the local culture (rationalizing was another talent I developed on my mission).

Thats hilarious. DId you boldly throw it on the table during scripture study or did you wrap it in a blue cover and pretend it was the book fo mormon?

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

It's an outstanding book. I read the German translation of the book on my mission, a few miles from Hitler's birthplace. Not exactly on the approved reading list, but I felt it gave me a lot of insights into the local culture (rationalizing was another talent I developed on my mission).

I feel like I am kind of PAC Light (or is it Lite?) whilst laboring amongst the great people of California I read Without a Doubt by Marcia Clark. I also once justified to the companion I was with that we were in the same state as the events and it made some sense to read it.

[Applejack]

I just finished Stegner's Recapitulation. Aside from being a proud Ute alum, Stegner is one of my favorite authors--probably because most of his fiction takes place in the West.

I really, really liked this book, but I can't tell how much of that is because of the story's plot: it's about a boy who grew up in SLC who comes back (for a funeral) after living outside of Utah for most of his adult life.