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| Author: Posted: Nov. 17, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 3,840,060 |
Question of the Week: 103 - 3/17/2003 What Are You Reading? What was the last book(s) that you read or what favorite book would you recommend to others? When in the bookstore or library, which section do you head for first? Do you prefer fiction or non fiction? Do you read mostly for enjoyment/entertainment or for knowledge/information? What media besides books do you read? What is your literary skeleton in the bookcase (such as comics, fashion mags, tabloids, showbiz gossip, sports)? |
| Reponses: There are 95 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| Yay Books! | Mar 17th. at 1:47:25 pm EST |
| Amber Heathen (Cornelius Oregon) | Age: 22 - Email |
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The last book I read was The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold--very, *very* good book, ya'll have to read it. I haven't had time to pick up anything else lately. I'm thinking about re-reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck after I get it back from my brother (I loaned it to him like 5 months ago :-S ) Books I would recommend: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood 1984 by George Orwell Animal Farm by George Orwell The Stand by Stephen King Practical Magic (can't remember the authors name) --If you haven't seen the movie, don't bother, it sucks, read the book instead. Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck East of Eden by John Steinbeck Books I wouldn't recommend to my worst enemy: Anything by Anne Rice Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver :p I think I prefer fiction over non-fiction, I read more for fun--it passes the time on my way to work, and during lunch and cigarette breaks. |
| Reading... | Mar 17th. at 1:37:28 pm EST |
| Sara (MA) | Age: 41 - Email |
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My reading requirements are simple: for entertainment purposes: a good book, any genre, that captures my attention and holds it all the way through. My favorite fiction writer is Janet Evanovich - I love her Stephanie Plum series!!! For education/enlightenment: a well-written, believable tome which deals with a subject matter I'm interested in. My current favorite non-fiction book is Ellen Cannon Reed's "The Heart of Wicca". It seems to be "more sincere" (for want of a better way to put it) than some of the other books I've read on the subject (Scott Cunningham's "The Truth About Witchcraft Today", Laurie Cabot's "The Witch in Every Woman" (is that right?) and "The Power of the Witch", Starhawk's "Spiral Dance", Amber K's "True Magick A Beginner's Guide") . I've ordered a copy of "Drawing Down the Moon" as it's been recommended to me several times now. On a lighter note, my children & I enjoy "The Adventures of Professor Poopypants", Harry Potter and Ramona Quimby books, the "Unfortunate Incidents" series and sometimes just a book that has a neat cover... The first stop in a library/book store is usually the metaphysical section; followed by mystery and new releases (if my kids let me linger that long!!!) and finally, the children's section. My literary skeleton would be Ruth Bebe Hill's book "Hanta Yo". Even though I've heard that it's not very accurate historically, it was still a good novel and it opened my eyes, at the age of 18, to the sad, unchangeable fact that sooooooooo many cultures and religions have been destroyed for some reason or other over the centuries and that we need to respect each other's beliefs, not destroy and replace them with our own. If it weren't for that one book, I probably would not be on the path I am today. |
| History And Mythology | Mar 17th. at 1:14:25 pm EST |
| Hearthstone (Northern Michigan) | Age: 40 - Email |
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I'm currently reading Wotan: The Road to Valhalla by Kveldulf Gundarsson. It's an ebook, which I hate, but I got tired of waiting for it to come out in a civilized format! Favorite book: The Life and Loves of a She-Devil by Fay Weldon. Thought-provoking and entertaining fiction, gives a different perspective on transformation and will. In a bookstore I usually head straight for the history section; as a semi-reconstructionist I'm particularly fond of histories of pagan religions and wish there were more of them. I almost always prefer non-fiction to fiction (although I did read almost the entire Nero Wolfe corpus in about 6 months last year!) , and I usually find enjoyment and information in the same book. Learning *is* entertaining! Literary skeletons...I'm not sure I have any. Although I do have a shelf of old Llewellyn books, which served their purpose when I got them many years, but which I no longer find useful (and which I tend not to lend without providing a caveat or two :) ) . |
| Houseload Of Books | Mar 17th. at 1:00:50 pm EST |
| Dark Moon Panther (Rolling Hills of NJ) | Age: 40 - Email |
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I got a houseload of books, so many I can't even find shelf space for 'em all. Right now, I'mreading Mooney's "Myths of the Cherokee", which I recommend for ANYONE interested in Native American ethnography and/or mythology. Caveat: this was written in the late 1800's, so one must gloss over the "white man's burden" attitude. Also contains a comprehensive history of the tribe up to 1900 or so. Also reading current issues of Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine and Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. I'm getting ready to re-read "Lord of the Rings" for the (mumble-mumble-th) time. Have recently delved into P. Geyerl's "Master Book of Herbalism" again, and into J. Lust's "The Herb Book" (a remedial herbal) . As mentioned below, "His Dark Materials" trilogy is really good, especially if you've ever read Dante's "Inferno". It also contains one of the best descriptions of real-magick invisibility technique I've ever seen. My favorite books are legion, but to name a few: "The Lord of the Rings", Erdoes and Ortiz' massive tome on Native American Mythology, "The Broken Mirror" and "The Adonis Complex" by Phillips and crew in Providence, RI (these are lay-accessible books about Body Dysmorphic Disorder, the subject of my recent dissertation) , Jung's "Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious". Favorite skeletons: Anne McCaffrey's Pern books (I've read them all, multiple times) and Harry Potter (can't shake him, either) . As with checking to see if the stove is off, once is fine, a zillion times is problematic. At the bookstore, I head for the psychology section, then the metaphysical section, then the science fiction/fantasy section. Lately, I usually find myself disappointed with the selection, go home, and go to a big online bookstore and/or the one of the psychology online bookstores. |
| Everything I Can | Mar 17th. at 12:13:33 pm EST |
| SR (TC, MN) | Age: 21 - Email |
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I just finished college last May and so have found myself with all this free brain power to read that I previously had to dedicate to school books. So I have been reading like mad for a year. I started with books on finding a job. And have now moved on to much more enjoyable endevours. I am always reading several books at once. Currently reading: In the bedroom:Terry Pratchet (I believe I'm on the Color of Magic but I haven't read the series in order, never do) , Anias Nin, and a book I picked up called something like The Sorcer's Journey. In my backpack:Mysteries of the Dark Moon: The Healing Power of the Dark Goddess by Demetra George, and usually a handfull of stuff for work on mainstreet revitalization. In the bathroom:Spring Dawning (3rd in a series) In the livingroom: Schrodingers Kittens (there's more to the title but I can't remember the rest of it) , Advancing Witchcraft (the first book I've found that didn't say for novices and advanced, but just advanced, I'm hoping it'll be good) , Promethea (Yes it's a comic, but not a literary skeleton and it is on the reading list rather than the read list cause I haven't picked it up yet) , a book on herbs and medicines and mixing (and not) the two, and one more sciencey book that I can't think of the name of. In the kitchen: A candy making book, called I believe Candy Making When I workout: A book on Mayan myth and magic And believe it or not I have a fairly high turnover rate. It certianly seems mostly knowledge, but I prefer it be entertaining. My literary skeleton is Harry Potter. I read it once, no big deal. Not a problem. Problem is...Last winter I ignored all my school work and everything the weekend before finals when I was having lots of trouble, and I reread them. Harry Potter twice is a literary skeleton. |
| Bibliophile! ;) | Mar 17th. at 11:41:59 am EST |
| Wolf's Voice (Singapore) | Age: 28 - Email |
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*What was the last book (s) that you read or what favorite book would you recommend to others? When in the bookstore or library, which section do you head for first?* I have so many in mind. *chuckle* At the moment, I would recommend 'Holy War: The Crusades and Their Impact on Today's World' by Karen Armstrong. This is a good book, linking the Crusades with present-day issues in the Middle-East. Very thought-provoking and very powerful book. 'Dreaming The Dark' by Starhawk is another book I would recommend to people as well. Favorite books include: 'The Chronicles of Prydain' by Lloyd Alexander. 'The Chanur series' by C.J.Cherryh. 'The Dragonriders series' by Anne McCaffrey. 'The Mists of Avalon' by Marion Zimmer Bradley. 'The Once and Future King' by T.H.White. The books by Lois Bujold McMaster. The books on Goddess spirituality by Jean Shinoda Bolen. 'The Woman's Book of Dreams' by Connie Kaplan. 'The Spiral Dance' by Starhawk. 'Chivalry' by Maurice Keen. 'Joan of Arc' and 'Alone In All Her Sex' by Marina Warner. 'The Beast Within' by Adam Douglas. Material on the Middle Ages. Pagan magazines like 'Sagewoman' and 'PanGaia'. I would head for the science-fiction and fantasy section first. But these days, I would drop by the History section as well, followed by sci-fi/fantasy and esoteric/metaphysical studies. *Do you prefer fiction or non fiction? Do you read mostly for enjoyment/entertainment or for knowledge/information?* I prefer both fiction and non-fiction. I read mostly for enjoyment as well as knowledge/information. *What media besides books do you read? What is your literary skeleton in the bookcase (such as comics, fashion mags, tabloids, showbiz gossip, sports) ?* I also read - occasionally - Internet fiction or web comics. I do also read - at times - fashion magazines, just for the sake of pure entertainment, hehe. The literary skeleton in my bookcases is mainly academic-based or metaphysical. Cheers, Wolf's Voice |
| One Name... | Mar 17th. at 11:30:54 am EST |
| Evenstar (Ripon) | Age: 17 - Email |
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I have one name for you all... Robin Hobb. She is an absolutely amazing storyteller!!!!! I tend towards the fantasy/ sci fi/ horror area of things, so her books fall in there too. She has written two amazing trilogys, and two books of a third are out now. They all occur in the same world, and the first two follow the story of two different groups of people, the third trilogy is where they all start coming together. That's enough ramble from me.. oh yeah, they're called: 1/ The Liveship Trilogy 2/ The Assassin's Trilogy 3/ The Tawny Man Trilogy These aren't quite the real titles, but any booky person'll probably get it!!! |
| Books... | Mar 17th. at 11:12:38 am EST |
| Leander (Sheffield) | Age: 22 - Email |
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Ok, I tend to go through phases on books that I read, I like a lot of sci fi and fantasy style books, and recently finished re-reading Tolkens "The Lord Of The Rings" (I recommend that everyone read this book at least once in their lives.) Read all of Raymond E Fiests works (in order oer a period of about a month) and some of Anne Mcaffreys Dragons of Pern series (I don't have the complete set) Recently read Sun Tzu's Art of war in an online book... very interesting am looking into getting a few of the books recommended on this site.. will have to find some cash and somewherre that sells them first though lol Blessed Be The Leander |
| A Subject Near & Dear To My Heart | Mar 17th. at 10:58:07 am EST |
| Eclipse (Virginia) | Age: 25 - Email |
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I love to read, and I'm incapable of reading just one book at once. I always read in clumps. Right now, I'm working my way through Orson Scott Card's Alvin Maker series. Also, Allison Weir's books of English History. I'd be hard pressed to name a favorite book, but here are some that would definitely make the list: The Holmes & Russell Mystery series, by Laurie R. King The Westing Game Eleanor of Aquataine, by Allison Weir Quest for a Maid, by Frances McHenry The Tammarack Tree, by Patricia Clapp When I go to the library, the first section I hit is usually child and YA Lit. There are great stories to be had, and I am always on the look out for good books to recommend to my younger sister and little cousins. I also enjoy mysteries, sci-fi/fantasy, general fiction, and anything in the historical non-fiction line. My house is also a mess of magazines: Time, Newsweek, National Geographic, Equus, Biography, and, when I really need mindless entertainment, People and Cosmo. My personal vision of hell is being stuck at the DMV without a book. |
| Mmmmm... Books. | Mar 17th. at 10:56:05 am EST |
| Zenith (Linden, Michigan) | Age: 21 - Email - Web |
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What Are You Reading? Well currently, I'm reading "The Qabalah: Secret Tradition of the West" by Papus. I've hardly begun and I've already picked up several other books. *chuckles* In fact, I picked up Crowley's 777 at the same time! What was the last book (s) that you read or what favorite book would you recommend to others? The last book I was reading involved an indepth study of SuperString Theory, and I'm still muddling my way through it. Not to say that it is boring or poorly wrote. Quite the opposite, in fact. I've just so many books on my "To Read" list that I have to partition my time. If any of you have not read the "Bazil Broketail" series by Christopher Rowley and enjoy a good fantasy novel, I highly recomend it. His new series, which seems like a dark ages version of "Planet of the Apes" isn't quite so good. When in the bookstore or library, which section do you head for first? Metaphysical, followed by the reference section, and finally getting stuck in fantasy. *chuckles* Do you prefer fiction or non fiction? Depends. I prefer knowledge gained over time wasted, but I have read quite a few fiction novels that contained a wealth of information. I don't enjoy reading biographies unless it is essential to my research. So of course, I own a copy of Marie Rasputin's biography on her father. Do you read mostly for enjoyment/entertainment or for knowledge/information? If I can find the two melded in one book, all the better. Sadly, most books to not come in this variety. I usually choose knowledge until I can stand it no longer. Then I curl up, with a glass of wine and a fine cigar, and read Rowley, Lovecraft, Blake, Poe, etc... Anything that allows me to escape from reality for a moment and wind down. What media besides books do you read? Magazines, internet, anything in print really. I will also stoop to watching TV or playing video games, if I can find any intellectual content in it. Or not, if I'm winding down. What is your literary skeleton in the bookcase (such as comics, fashion mags, tabloids, showbiz gossip, sports) ? Ah... Now there is a question where I may piss a few people off. Please, anyone who is reading this next paragraph, understand that the following is my opinion on books. It in now way, shape, or form denotes my casting stones at anybody's beliefs or values. "The Satanic Bible" By Anton LaVay or however his last name is spelled. Absolute drivel, simply an essay against Christianity. The only reason I bought it was so I could have an educated opinion of his work. I will admit to only two good points: One, the enochian keys were an interesting addition. And two, his passion drove him from a mere carnival worker to found a religion with many loyal members who activly believe in his message. I do not bash Satanists here, but your bible left something of a bad taste in my mouth. Try writing a new one, and get rid of Anton's persausive essay against Christians. I'll buy it if you do, I still need an educated opinion. Silver RavenWolf's "To Ride a Sliver Broomstick". Fluffy pansy drivel. I put this one out of its misery quickly after I read it. While Siver has done an excellent job of giving Pagans a pretty mask of PR, her work itself is... I don't want to say worthless, but the valuable information in it could have been boiled down to a paragraph. A must miss for anyone beyond neophyte, and terribly misleading if you are just begining. I apologize for the above comments, I hold no ill will towards the authors nor their beliefs. I have simply found these books to be crap. |
| I'm All Over The Place With This One | Mar 17th. at 10:24:19 am EST |
| Etain (Ohio) | Age: 31 - Email |
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I love books and reading. I read everything...good, bad and indifferent. Here's what I've been into lately: my textbooks for school...too many to name The War On Freedom~~Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed A Chosen Faith~~John Buehrens & Forrest Church The Prince~~Niccolo Machiaveli Progress, Coexistence, and Intellectual Freedom~~Andrei Sakharov Jude's Herbal Rmedies~~Jude Williams The Family Guide to Homeopathy~~Alain Horvilleur Sage Woman (periodical) I also do light reading in the library...AKA the ladies room. ;) |
| Bookgeek | Mar 17th. at 9:40:39 am EST |
| Rose (Boston, MA) | Age: 25 - Email - Web |
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Well, this will be a long list Currently reading: King of the Celts/Jean Markale Guns, Germs, and Steel/Jared Diamond Carpe Jugulum/Terry Pratchett Ceremony/Leslie Marmon Silko The Goddess Companion/Patricia Monaghan Last book finished: Beloved/Toni Morrison Stargirl/Jerry Spinelli Next in line: The Challenge Box/Isobel Bird Celts/Jean Markale Favorite authors: Anne McCaffrey Neil Gaiman Terry Pratchett Francesca Lia Block Charles de Lint When I go to bookstores and libraries, I check out SF/Fantasy and Young Adult areas first. Some of the best stories can be found in those sections, stories that are more character driven than plot driven. I really love urban fantasy, where fantastical creatures, or events take place in major cities. I generally read for enjoyment, but I consider all my non-fiction reading enjoyable. I like learning, researching, discovering, so reading even thick, heavy books is fun. I read everything, including the back of the cereal box at breakfast! I love comic books, especially some of the newer ones published by Vertigo. I currently read Promethea/Alan Moore and Fables/BillWillingham. Sandman, Preacher, and Hitman are some of the best series I've read. I read all the magazines that come into my work (a high school library) , everything from the Economist to Sports Illustrated. I guess my "literary skeleton" would be fashion magazines. I love to look through Vogue, Marie Claire, Cosmo, etc. The last best book I read, and the one I am constantly recommending is His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. The three books are The Golden Compass (US title) /Northern Lights (UK title) , The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. These amazingly well-written books are classified as children's books, mainly because the protagonist is 12 years old. However, no child could fully grasp the religious and social overtones. The plot starts off with 12 year old Lyra going off to rescue her best friend Roger from the Gobbers. It ends with an attempt to overthrow the current religious order. Pullman definitely has anti-establishemnt tendencies. He manages to weave together Christian, Platonic and Chinese philosophy, Arctic exploration, and questions of life and death, love and loss, and produce an enjoyable, readable story. Children can easily grasp the basic plot, and adults can understand the religious and philosophical overtones. READ IT. |
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