Whats everyone reading these days?

[JasonLB]

Ok here it is. Re-reading "The Lives of Illustrious Men" by Plutarch.

Plutarch's lives often get compiled differently, and under different titles, so I'm wondering if this is his complete parallel lives, or a selection of just a few? I've read most of his Roman lives, but only a few of the Greek.

[JohnWayneParr]

The Sacred Balance by David Suzuki

A good book full of references.

[RobCosimo]

just finished Cannery Row by Steinbeck, damn that's a good book!

[StevieB]

The Dark Tower series by Stephen King... on the 7th and final book now and its awesome!

[vixensdan]

Ok here it is. Re-reading "The Lives of Illustrious Men" by Plutarch.

Plutarch's lives often get compiled differently, and under different titles, so I'm wondering if this is his complete parallel lives, or a selection of just a few? I've read most of his Roman lives, but only a few of the Greek.

Hey Jason, I'm assuming it is the complete listing, both Greek and Roman. The book is so old, the second page has fallen out so I don't even know when it is published but it looks super old, yellowed pages, cardboard fabric cover. Got it while on the hunt at a used bookstore. I try to pick something up every once in a while that is really old (if nothing else) sometimes I hit gems and sometimes it is a clunker.
Since my job of 12 years went to Pakistan without me I have much free time, how's that for finding a silver lining.
Worse yet had to cancel gym membership so after August its running, pull-ups, and pushups for me.
take care

[Shoke]

apart from my school text books =(....I've started reading the Harry Potter series, they are surprisingly entertaining!

[vibragreen]

Currently reading:

Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Double by Dostoevsky as well, the two short stories came bundled in one book
Walden by Henry David Thoreau

I really like these threads on all the forums I frequent. They never cease to give me interesting reading recommendations.

[JasonLB]

Hey vibragreen, I just read Notes From the Underground a few weeks ago. It's definitely interesting... let me know what you think

[RobCosimo]

I love Dostoevsky

[TakeFive]

Just finishing up Columbine by Dave Cullen. It's been 10 years now and this author looks back at how the story was reported during the early days of this event, and compares it with what was later learned after reviewing thousands of pieces of evidence, including extensive writings and tapes left by the killers.

What was surprising to learn was that this was not planned as a school shooting. The guns were merely for use on the kids that might escape the massive bomb placed in the cafeteria, and the over 100 smaller explosives they had prepared.

Also interesting was the cover-up of evidence for nearly 5 years by a police force that still felt the stigma of the botched Jon Benet Ramsey investigation.

A very interesting read. My daughter, who will soon be entering high school, borrowed it while I was at work and has also nearly finished it. We’ve been having some useful discussions about school and human behavior.

http://www.amazon.com/Columbine-Dave-Cu ... 645&sr=8-1

[vibragreen]

I finished Notes from Underground a while ago. It scared me a bit. I found too much of myself in the Underground Man. More than I would like to admit. But I believe that was part of the reason Dostoevsky wrote the novel. Each of his novels gives a precise close up look at the raw human soul. Sometimes it's pleasant and sometimes not so pleasant. He is still my favourite author and I am a bit sad I am running out of his books.

Next up his Dubliners by James Joyce. I've read A Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man and pushed my way through Ulysses (my god what a mind fuck). Dubliners is of course much more pleasant and easy to read. All the themes pop out at you and the stories are enjoyable for their own sake. Maybe I'll be able to read Finnegans Wake one day. I doubt it.

[JasonLB]

I finished Notes from Underground a while ago. It scared me a bit. I found too much of myself in the Underground Man. More than I would like to admit. But I believe that was part of the reason Dostoevsky wrote the novel. Each of his novels gives a precise close up look at the raw human soul. Sometimes it's pleasant and sometimes not so pleasant. He is still my favourite author and I am a bit sad I am running out of his books.

I agree. That's why Dostoevsky is such a compelling author -- unlike any other author I've ever read, he makes you experience the inner lives of his characters to the point of discomfort. Have you read Crime and Punishment? There are a lot of parallels between Raskolnikov and the Underground Man and between the themes of the two works in general.

Next up his Dubliners by James Joyce.

Honestly, I found myself rather bored with Dubliners. I only made it about a third of the way through and then set it aside. I did enjoy An Encounter for some reason, but none of the other stories within the work captivated me at all. I hope it works out better for you.

[vibragreen]

I have a love/hate relationship with Joyce. If you aren't interested in Ireland and it's problems and struggles against the catholic church and England you probably won't like Dubliners. The themes of England and the church come up so much it almost gets sickening. I hold nothing against anyone who doesn't like Joyce, but Dostoevsky, well everyone likes some Dostoevsky.

[vibragreen]

Does anyone know any good books about motivation/keeping motivated and achieving goals? I wish mehdi were here as I know he'd have some good ones.

[rossi]

Culture Counts - Roger Scruton.
One of my most interesting reads ever.