What are you reading?

[Naturgesetz]

My "restaurant book"* at present is Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body in Simple Language, by Sam Torode, published by Philokalia Books. It takes the four series of talks JPII presented on the topic at his Wednesday general audiences and presents them in language you don't have to be a philosopher or theologian to understand and at a length that win't take a month of Sundays to slog through. (Others have written explanations, which may give more detail and still be comprehensible.)

Several years ago I was at a presentation by Christopher West on Theology of the Body and I was "blown away." West said that both John Paul II and Hugh Hefner rejected the "Puritan" (actually Manichæan) attitude that regarded sex as somehow dirty, which seems to have affected much of Christian popular thought. Hefner, says West, saw sex as beautiful, but merely natural, whereas John Paul saw it as a beautiful way in which husband and wife can become the physical image of God.

My other current book is Terror and Consent: The Wars for the Twenty-first Century, by Philip Bobbitt. He believes that the state is evolving into something he calls the "market state," and contemporary international terrorism is the natural form of opposition movement in the post-cold-war era. I'm not far enough along to know exactly what he proposes. But as the subtitle indicates, he is concerned that we need to deal with terrorism in a way which prevents the terrorists from undermining government by consent of the governed.

* restaurant book — a book I read when I'm dining alone at a restaurant. My previous restaurant book was The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch. The things that makes a book suitable for being a restaurant book are that it be small enough to handle easily at the table and, more importantly, that it be in short segments so that when the main course comes you don't lose the thread of a complicated argument and have to go back three pages to review while you're waiting for dessert. A restaurant book is useful so that you don't have to eavesdrop on nearby diners.

[Paulo]

At the moment I am reading Slash autobiography. No its not a horror killer type book, but Slash from Guns and Roses. I tend to mainly read autobiographies, and thought this would be interesting so gave it a go.

[KC]

William Kennedy The Flaming Corsage.

[Doug H]

Wingnuts: How the Lunatic Fringe is Hijacking America by John Avlon

A fun and unfortunately factual book on how this "Oppose at all costs" and "The other side's guy is the worst thing that ever happen to this country" mindsets are undermining democracy and democratic ideals in the USA.

I find both the Far Right and Far Left highly objectionable, and I find bashing (not criticizing, BASHING, there is a difference) the sitting President, irregardless of party, just as objectionable. I just hope more Americans than me are reading this book.

Doug H.

[D-TX]

I've just started re-reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Take Care & Live Life Bare,
David

[John P]

Boris Akunin's Sister Pelagia and the Red Cockerel. It's a bit weird.

Can this board say "Борис Акунин"? Hey, yes it can.

[NudeGuy]

Finally got my hands on the second book in James Ellroy's trilogy: American Tabloid (read), Cold Six Thousand, Blood's a Rover. They're tough going purely because of Ellroy's writing style.

In between I've read parts 1 & 2 of Stieg Larssen's trilogy: Girl With The Dragon Tattoo & Girl Who Played with Fire. I'll be getting onto the 3rd, The Girl who Kicked A Hornet's Nest, when I finish Ellroy's books. It's really sad that Larssen's no longer with us, these books are engaging and immersive. Much credit should be given to Reg Keeland who did the translation work.

I've also, for light relief, read some of Jeremy Clarkson books over the last couple of months.

[Talvi]

Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" english version.

There is something about old books. I have tried to read classic english literature because of the spoken (written) language is so interesting and 'subtle' i guess is the right term.
If I could only understand more languages I could read writers in their own languages.

[Earthling]

Debian/Fedora Linux textbooks here.

Been reading Debian off and on. Title is 'Learning DEBIAN GNU/LINUX by Bill McCarty. Its an old book and I've highlighted many areas. Now I study the book and use it for reference.

The other book is a fat book and I'm in the middle some where. 'Red Hat Linux FEDORA All-in-one Desk Reference for DUMMIES: 9 Books In 1 by Naba Barkakati

I need some time away from the technology books to have some fun for a change.

I want so much to finish 'The Fellowship of the Ring' by J. R. R Tolkien and start reading 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom' by T. E. Lawrence. ( I am fascinated with this warrior, poet, philosopher )

I will be reading more online too; to study some languages.

Side Note:
My studio apartment is so dark (landlord won't do the right thing ) that I read outdoors; or when I have a free moment at work. (its O. K. as long as my work assignment is done )

[Gymnos42]

I've picked back up the book, "The Tao of Inner Peace" by Diane Dreher.
~ Larry

[truro-n-free]

"As Bill Sees It" Bill Wilson's views on A.A. over 25 years.

[Petruchio]

Currently about a third of the way through "Unintended Consequences" by John Ross.

[Earthling]

'My "restaurant book" ' sounds like a great idea. I used to see people seated in restaurants and looking like they do their best reading in them; especially in the afternoon with sunshine coming through the window or the skylight above. I love the atmosphere of restaurant dining. Something about the energy felt while doing it.

My "restaurant book"* at present is Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body in Simple Language, by Sam Torode, published by Philokalia Books. It takes the four series of talks JPII presented on the topic at his Wednesday general audiences and presents them in language you don't have to be a philosopher or theologian to understand and at a length that win't take a month of Sundays to slog through. (Others have written explanations, which may give more detail and still be comprehensible.)

Several years ago I was at a presentation by Christopher West on Theology of the Body and I was "blown away." West said that both John Paul II and Hugh Hefner rejected the "Puritan" (actually Manichæan) attitude that regarded sex as somehow dirty, which seems to have affected much of Christian popular thought. Hefner, says West, saw sex as beautiful, but merely natural, whereas John Paul saw it as a beautiful way in which husband and wife can become the physical image of God.

My other current book is Terror and Consent: The Wars for the Twenty-first Century, by Philip Bobbitt. He believes that the state is evolving into something he calls the "market state," and contemporary international terrorism is the natural form of opposition movement in the post-cold-war era. I'm not far enough along to know exactly what he proposes. But as the subtitle indicates, he is concerned that we need to deal with terrorism in a way which prevents the terrorists from undermining government by consent of the governed.

* restaurant book — a book I read when I'm dining alone at a restaurant. My previous restaurant book was The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch. The things that makes a book suitable for being a restaurant book are that it be small enough to handle easily at the table and, more importantly, that it be in short segments so that when the main course comes you don't lose the thread of a complicated argument and have to go back three pages to review while you're waiting for dessert. A restaurant book is useful so that you don't have to eavesdrop on nearby diners.

[KC]

Joan Didion The Year of Magical Thinking.

[Earthling]

Found a book in my apartment that was missing 'Walden' by Henry David Thoreau. And to my dismay, 'Civil Disobedience' is not in the volume.

Fortunate for me that I have the Internet, I've been reading 'Civil Disobedience' offline on my pdf Adobe Reader both of which were downloaded for my convenience and enjoyment. I am reading a few paragraphs and/or pages each day. I do wish I had a hard copy though.

There had to be other people like Henry David Thoreau during his time. Walt Whitman comes to mind. Both of whom were against slavery, war and the sick political climate of their time.