What Are You Reading Now?

[woot]

I also read Lost Symbol and am astonished at how retarded it is. I remember mostly enjoying A&D, and, to a lesser extent, DaVinci Code, but LS is just really, really stupid every step of the way. It could be that it's not that much worse and that my tolerance for cheap manipulation has decreased. Dan Brown is not a competent writer. I'd put him only just above Stephanie Meyer.

Now I'm reading Dawkins' latest, The Greatest Show on Earth, and so far it's been good.

[SeattleUte]

I'm reading Blood Meridian, as I was so impressed by McCarthy's The Road. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. On the one hand, I am in awe of McCarthy's ability to write and describe a scene. On the other hand, the scenes he describes are really not all that interesting to me--atrocities in the 19th Century American West just don't hold that much appeal. But I'll soldier on for now, if only to enjoy a writer who has truly mastered his craft.

I love Blood Meridian. I've read it twice. You might read Harold Bloom's intro to the hard cover version before reading on (I read it after I finished it the second time, but still loved it).

Why did I love such a seemingly unpleasant book? I've asked myself that many times. This book is the Real Heart of Darkness. I tend to really love complex fiction that really probes the darkest elements of human (or, more accurately) male psyche and predilections. I decided I quite liked The Kindly Ones. I love Blood Meridian because of 1) the judge's monologues, 2) the descriptions of nature, 3) the symbolism (primarily religious or mythical), 4) the humor, believe it or not, and 5) yes, actually, the depictions of violence. The violent scenes are so artfully rendered they redeem themselves. The Comanche attack is one of my favorite battle scenes in fiction.

This book is a lot better than the Road in my opinion.

But the Border Trilogy is can't miss. You really need to read the whole thing.

[RobinFinderson]

I'm reading Blood Meridian, as I was so impressed by McCarthy's The Road. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. On the one hand, I am in awe of McCarthy's ability to write and describe a scene. On the other hand, the scenes he describes are really not all that interesting to me--atrocities in the 19th Century American West just don't hold that much appeal. But I'll soldier on for now, if only to enjoy a writer who has truly mastered his craft.

It has been a long time since I have read Blood Meridian, but I remember loving it. I think there are some interesting parallels between BM and The Road. Both stories deal with young, nameless protagonists born into harsh worlds that continually threaten both physical and spiritual destruction. I think you have some nice perspective on BM, having already read The Road. Look for parallels in how the two youth struggle to maintain a semblance of their humanity midst the chaos and depravity. Many folks feel frustrated by the ending of both books (won't reveal here!), but I think you in a better position to understand both endings (or come to conclusions that are personally satisfying) having read both.

I'll second SU's appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of BM. The language alone is worth the price of admission.

[wuapinmon]

I finished reading One Hundred Years of Solitude again yesterday; that makes about six or seven times for me.

I love that book so much.

[Green Lantern]

I'll second SU's appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of BM. The language alone is worth the price of admission.

I agree with that sentiment as well. You know, they're finally making a movie of BLOOD MERIDIAN but I'm pretty certain it'll be doomed to mediocrity.

[wuapinmon]

I'm reading George Orwell's Homage to Catalonia because I'm teaching it in my Spain class right now, and I find his descriptions of the maddening aspects of war to be fascinating.

[BigPiney]

I started reading East of Eden last week. It is great. Makes me wonder why I have never read Steinbeck before.

[mUUser]

Agassi's autobiography "OPEN"


Wife just finished a book called "New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance." -- worst title ever.

[wuapinmon]

rereading Plenilunio by Antonio Muñoz Molina.

[SeattleUte]

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

[Viking]

Bloomberg news.

[Viking]

I also read Lost Symbol and am astonished at how retarded it is. I remember mostly enjoying A&D, and, to a lesser extent, DaVinci Code, but LS is just really, really stupid every step of the way. It could be that it's not that much worse and that my tolerance for cheap manipulation has decreased. Dan Brown is not a competent writer. I'd put him only just above Stephanie Meyer.

Now I'm reading Dawkins' latest, The Greatest Show on Earth, and so far it's been good.

Meyer is awful. Fantastic businesswomen. Horrible author.

[woot]

I'm just finishing up with "Greatest Show on Earth" and it's been really good. A couple of the chapters get a little bit bogged down in molecular evidence that probably wouldn't be too interesting to the lay person, but even those ones are wrapped up in really interesting and clear ways. The points that I teach and have learned from other sources are very accurate. Creating an air-tight case for evolution isn't difficult, but Dawkins has done a commendable job here keeping it easily readable. If anyone is on the fence about evolution or wants to know better how it works, I recommend it.

[MarkGrace]

Friday Night Lights

[Indy Coug]

The Lost Symbol -- perfect reading for business travel. Two-thirds through, it's been pretty enjoyable.