What are you reading?

[Duke]

Oh, just today I adopted a copy of The Great Gatsby. I'll start reading it...eventually.


Duke

Gatsby--- *bleah*

This was the very book where I concluded the "great classics" were often neither great, nor classic.

If a story is not readable, and does not have an actual plot - WHY is it a "classic"?  And who decided it was "great literature" anyway?

I did slog through it, though (and do I mean slog -- *bleah*! worse than Tolstoy. Only one of 2 people in my participatory english lit class to finish, out of 8 people total.  I only went 1/2 the time, and I was the only one who spoke.  I got an "A" in participation, even though I missed 50% of the classes - I suppose because I was the ONLY participant.  Double-*bleah* for dredging up that particular memory-fragment.  ) 

After that class, I finally let go the notion that once I started a book, no matter how bad, I must finish it.  Quite a list of "not finished" by now ...  Life's just too short to waste reading a book you don't identify with. At the very least, it should make you think, even if you don't like it much.  Otherwise, give it a miss... 

Well, I started to read it, and I enjoy it quite a bit. Maybe it's just my kind of book.


Duke

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

Well, I started to read it, and I enjoy it quite a bit. Maybe it's just my kind of book.


Duke

Obviously you have a more sophisticated "reading palate" than I do. 

I had to read quite a bit of O. Henry to get the taste of Falkenburg out of my mind after 'Gatsby.

I especially liked "The Ransom of Red Chief". But I still remember "The Gift of the Magi" as being my favorite.

(btw, those link to the complete short stories)

[Duke]

Well, I started to read it, and I enjoy it quite a bit. Maybe it's just my kind of book.


Duke

Obviously you have a more sophisticated "reading palate" than I do. 

I got it from my dad! I swear! That guy owns an entire library...downstairs.

Thanks for the links!


Duke

[goat starer]

I am currently reading a protracted thesis / business plan for the business led regeneration of an inner city area.

thrilling! I would prefer to be reading Gatsby 

[Aggie]

Night Watch 

and

Ginseng, the Divine Root: The Curious History of the Plant That Captivated the World - David Taylor

Atch... I better finish up Discworld soon. The winter non-fiction binge-itch is coming on.

[Scriblerus the Philosophe]

Nice.
I never liked Gatsby. My teacher last year had a thing to dramatic literature, and she dragged us all through it. >.<

Re-reading Belgarath the Sorcesser, and meandering through THe Human Comedy.

[Aggie]

Finished up Carpe Jugulum, and onto The Wee Free Men, and The Devil's Cup: a History of the World According to Coffee.

[Sibling Lambicus the Toluous]

I am currently reading a protracted thesis / business plan for the business led regeneration of an inner city area.

thrilling! I would prefer to be reading Gatsby 

I would rather be reading the thesis/business plan than what I'm reading right now.

My current reading is "Law for Professional Engineers" by D.L. Marston and the Professional Engineers Act.  But only for two more days; my exam's on Saturday.   

[Kiyoodle the Gambrinous]

At the moment I'm reading Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody by Michael Gerber.

Quite funny actually.

[DeadPoet]

I'm reading "Entscheidungen" by my former chancellor. It's quite funny, although he probably didn't intend that...

[Swatopluk]

Cabbage or Shredder? I am not much into the writings of former German executive heads (though I may make an exception for Otto v. B.).

[goat starer]

john Le Carre - Smileys people

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

The Colour of Magic, by Terry Pratchett

[Aggie]

Monstrous Regiment

[goat starer]

so thats your job but what are you reading?