Reading is Sexy: Books Part II

[corianderstem]

I usually just pop in to pick up the books I have on hold, although I did spend one afternoon there a few summers ago when I couldn't stand how hot my apartment was anymore.

 

[BonoIsMyMuse]

I started going to my local library back in January, and I love it. Every three to six weeks, I make a little "shopping list" of books and go get them. I'm moving in a few weeks, and one of the things I'm most excited about is that I'm going to be about two blocks from the library

I'm currently reading The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolano. As I just mentioned to a friend, it's sucked me in. It's not an easy read, since it's got a huge cast of characters and at least a dozen different points of view, but the language is lovely, and the main characters are compelling but mysterious. I'm a little over halfway through, and I've looked forward to reading more every day since I started it on Tuesday. I have a feeling that 600 pages is going to go by in a hurry.

 

[Zoobaby14]

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot

I did actually start this one yesterday, so it's not like I finished a book in the few hours since I made my last post. But it was a very quick read.

Yet another afternoon of fluffy fun with Meg Cabot and her (usually) delightful heroines. I've enjoyed this series.

I bought that book for my sister the other day, she loves Meg Cabots writting. I got her hooked from the books I read a few years ago.

 

[corianderstem]

I seem to be on a streak of not being able to put books down.

This Common Secret: My Journey As An Abortion Doctor by Susan Wicklund

The book is just as it sounds. By turns inspiring, heartbreaking, eductational and downright infuriating. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in women's reproductive rights.

 

[Carek1230]

I hanging around a lovely comfy library but not a dumpy one like the one nearest to me. I also love spending hours getting lost in books at Border's or Barnes & Noble. I put books I want on my Wish List on Amazon or Barnes & Noble and my wonderful sister visits those lists on occasion and will send me a book or 2 for no reason. Lovely surprises! I've also found some great deals on used books on Amazon.com

I reading, always have.

 

[onebloodonelife]

Finished Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs and Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story recently, both by Chuck Klosterman. I've read them both before, but enjoyed them again. It's interesting to go back to Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs knowing a bit more about cultural theory/cultural studies than I did when I first read it. Instead of blindly agreeing with his points, I had some bones to pick in a few of them. Still a highly recommended read.

Killing Yourself to Live is always a fun one to go back to, and this time around, I had a good time recognizing some of the specific places in Minneapolis he mentioned, since I've actually been to them and am a little more "in" on the joke, I guess.

And, even though I said I was starting this one awhile ago, I'm starting Infinite Jest for real now. I found infinitesummer.org, a summer book club/challenge to read it, so I figure it's now or never. I imagine I'll have some other books going on the side as well though, since it's kind of an endeavor to be completely focused on.

 

[beegee]

I hanging around a lovely comfy library but not a dumpy one like the one nearest to me.

Unfortunately, public libraries are at the mercy of their funding. Some can use all the help they can get. Private donations are always welcome. If you're concerned about the condition of your local library, a donation might be something to consider.

 

[corianderstem]

The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

This was one of those books where I got a little annoyed reading it because it's a bit of a puzzle of sorts, and it was making me confused as to the characters. Then when everything fell into place, I decided I loved it.

It reminded me quite a bit of both of Jonathan Safron (?) Foer's books, Everything Is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. The style, the subject matter ... then I found out that the two authors are married.

So there you go.

 

[cathalmc]

This a little bit of shameless self-promotion (and has been cleared in advance with Sicy).

I've written a book called 'Me and U2'. It's about me and it's about U2. Do you see what I did there?

It's basically a collection of memoirs about my life and all the times and ways that U2 have been in it over the last 26 years (without ever having met them). And there have been quite a few occasions, enough for a book!

I'm self-publishing it, so it's not available on Amazon or in any bookshops, but only through this website. (I made the site myself using a template I found online so it's a bit basic, and not fully complete yet.) But you can download a sample of the book there if you're curious to have a wee look.

So pardon the spam, but I'm obviously keen for some U2 fans to be aware of my wee magnum opus.

I'm heading off to Barcelona tomorrow evening to catch the start of the tour, so now may just be a good time to post this

 

[U2Girl1978]

This a little bit of shameless self-promotion (and has been cleared in advance with Sicy).

I've written a book called 'Me and U2'. It's about me and it's about U2. Do you see what I did there?

It's basically a collection of memoirs about my life and all the times and ways that U2 have been in it over the last 26 years (without ever having met them). And there have been quite a few occasions, enough for a book!

I'm self-publishing it, so it's not available on Amazon or in any bookshops, but only through this website. (I made the site myself using a template I found online so it's a bit basic, and not fully complete yet.) But you can download a sample of the book there if you're curious to have a wee look.

So pardon the spam, but I'm obviously keen for some U2 fans to be aware of my wee magnum opus.

I'm heading off to Barcelona tomorrow evening to catch the start of the tour, so now may just be a good time to post this

That's awesome! So you are going to every single show???

If you are going to Chicago, I definitely want to buy the book from you!

 

[cathalmc]

Not going to every show, because as big a fan as I am, I don't think I could handle that many concerts!

But I'll be in every city where there's a concert (except Cardiff, which is a little bit ironic cos I lived there for six years and saw U2 play there twice), including Chicago!

 

[beegee]

I just finished "Absinthe: Sip of Seduction" by Betina J. Wittels & Robert Hermesch.

From the introduction: "This book is intended to be more of a practical guide, written for both present imbibers and those curious souls who are wondering what absinthe is and if its reputation is as mysteriously powerful as the potent liquor has enticingly vowed."

Otherwise known as The Green Fairy, absinthe was virtually eliminated throughout the world from 1915 until the 1990's. One chapter covers artists such as van Gogh, Hemingway, and Toulouse-Lautrec who swore by the drink's powers of muse. Apparently, even Johnny Depp is an enthusiast. He was once quoted as saying, "If you drink too much absinthe, you suddenly understand why van Gogh cut his ear off." Another chapter covers collectibles like absinthe glasses and absinthe spoons designed to rest a sugar cube on and tiny holes to let the chilled water seep through.

I found the entire thing to be fascinating.

In 2007 Lucid Absinthe Superieure became the first genuine absinthe to be imported and distributed in the US in almost a century. Although, at 62% alcohol by volume (or, 124 proof) and even as curious as I am, I am not sure I would be brave enough to try it.

Or would I..?

 

[Earnie Shavers]

In 2007 Lucid Absinthe Superieure became the first genuine absinthe to be imported and distributed in the US in almost a century. Although, at 62% alcohol by volume (or, 124 proof) and even as curious as I am, I am not sure I would be brave enough to try it.

Or would I..?

It's pretty funny. Gives you a feeling/reaction that sits somewhere between drunk and high. My girlfriend and I re-arranged all the furniture in our hotel room and made a cubby house (which we then slept in). I was 27.

 

[onebloodonelife]

It's pretty funny. Gives you a feeling/reaction that sits somewhere between drunk and high. My girlfriend and I re-arranged all the furniture in our hotel room and made a cubby house (which we then slept in). I was 27.

That's about what my friend said it was like. He described it as all the good parts of being drunk along with being high and said it was an all-around good experience for him. I'll probably give it a try sometime when the opportunity presents itself. I'm guessing it's not something to just do at a party, more of a small gathering instead.

The book sounds really interesting though. I'm always fascinated by drug regulations and the cultures that surround those drugs, so I'll have to seek it out.

 

[corianderstem]

I've written a book called 'Me and U2'. It's about me and it's about U2. Do you see what I did there? UOTE]

Congrats, that's great! Over the past few months I'd been thinking about doing something similar. You beat me to it! Although I'm sure we're not the only two to have had that idea!

The Believers by Zoe Heller

This was pretty good, although the main character is damned unlikable. Audrey and Joel are aging leftist activists with three kids. After Joel is felled by a stroke, a secret comes to life, yada yada yada. The book is more about Audrey and her three kids than the secret. And Audrey is a giant, bitter bitch.

 

[corianderstem]

Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

I figured I'd finally get around to reading this before the movie comes out, because I might want to see it.

It was delightful! A lot funnier than I thought it would be.

 

[BonoIsMyMuse]

I've heard really mixed things about that book, so I was interested to find out what you thought about it. I saw the preview for the movie the other night and thought it looks pretty good, especially with Meryl Streep as Julia Child.

I finished Roberto Bolano's The Savage Detectives a few nights ago. It was really a mind-blowing book. Not for everybody, that's for sure, but if you're a reader who's okay with being confused sometimes and who's willing to trust that an author is taking you on a fantastic journey even if you get lost along the way, I highly recommend this. I've got a few other books checked out of the library right now, but I think Haruki Murakami's The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles is next.

 

[corianderstem]

It's not great literature or anything, but I thought it was a very entertaining read.

From the trailers for the flick, I thought there would be more about Julia Child in the book, but it's just brief bits here and there.

 

[Zoobaby14]

Went to the bookshop today.

My poor wallet.

Came out with:

Casino Royale - Ian Felming
Inkheart - Cornelia Funke I really liked the movie, hope the book is better like most cases it is.
the Luxe - Anna Godbersen.
It was the cover that intrested me.

 

[MacHat]

I'm currently reading Crime & Punishment, so far it's really good.

 

[corianderstem]

Chuck Klosterman IV by (duh) Chuck Klosterman

Man, I inhaled this book. I love his stuff. His fiction, slightly less so, which is why I skimmed the short fiction in the last 30 pages of the book.

But everything else was great.

 

[onebloodonelife]

Chuck Klosterman IV by (duh) Chuck Klosterman

Man, I inhaled this book. I love his stuff. His fiction, slightly less so, which is why I skimmed the short fiction in the last 30 pages of the book.

But everything else was great.

I'm just about to start reading through this again after going through Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs and Killing Yourself to Live (also again) this summer. Have you read Downtown Owl? I'm guessing by your reaction that you either have and didn't enjoy it, or you don't think you will based on the bit in Chuck Klosterman IV. I haven't gotten around to it and can't figure out if it will be worth it or not.

 

[corianderstem]

I read Downtown Owl and thought it was just okay.

 

[corianderstem]

Every Visible Thing by Lisa Carey

The Furey family hasn't been the same since their oldest son disappeared five years ago. Come observe their happy little family, with a teenaged daughter being a troubled teenager and a younger son having his own problems.

Despite the less-than-cheery subject matter, I did enjoy this book.

 

[RaceAgainstTime]

I just finished reading Bridget Jones's Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Pretty hillarious read, a lot better than the movie

 

[powerhour24]

I finished Roberto Bolano's The Savage Detectives a few nights ago. It was really a mind-blowing book. Not for everybody, that's for sure, but if you're a reader who's okay with being confused sometimes and who's willing to trust that an author is taking you on a fantastic journey even if you get lost along the way, I highly recommend this.

Interesting, I'd picked it up the other day and was going to slog through it, but I'd given it I dunno 100 pages, and there's just so much more on my plate that I felt I would move on to, I wasn't so much confused, as disappointingly not interested, does it take longer to get into the book or, is it just not my cup of tea?

 

[powerhour24]

Also, fellow interference readers, tell me about any experience you have with Henry James, I'd kind of forgotten all about him and today decided its time to read some, I know of his contributions to literary criticism, and his influence on 20th century writers, but I just haven't read any of his stuff. Shameful, but I'm bad when it comes to reading 19th century literature. I spent a lot of time exploring 20th century lit last summer, 21st century this past winter, maybe its time to go further back.

 

[onebloodonelife]

I read Downtown Owl and thought it was just okay.

Good to know. Eventually, I'm sure I'll get around to it as well.

 

[wenda]

I have a stack of books I still have to read at home. It's quite sickening that I keep buying more.

 

[RaceAgainstTime]

I have a stack of books I still have to read at home. It's quite sickening that I keep buying more.

I do the same thing