Books - What are you reading?

I enjoyed Norwegian Wood a lot as it was the second Murakami ..... The pages pulped and shredded all over some sheets and a jumper. The jumper looked interesting with bits of pulped novel in its fibres so I wore it for a bit.

One of the few novels I've bought two copies of for myself.

Great story, if you like the Japanese stuff, I can heartily recommend Murakami - Spring Snow. It is the first of 4 books and in my opinion, by far the best of his "Sea of Fertility" series.

As for purchasing a number of books, I purchased 4 of "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris. I had no washing problems however.

Amazon.com: Genghis Khan: Conqueror of the World: Leo de Hartog: Books

Reading this beast at the moment, Pretty serious reading from all perspectives.

Researched Genghis Khan from 1941 (when the author was a POW) to 1989 (presumably book was first published then).

More of a accurate historic text and a bit heavy going, but it paints a very vivid of the Mongol Barbarian emperor, with the romanticism removed.

**
**

Bushido- Legacies of the Japanese Tattoo

In true samurai spirit

fantastic read

Santa opened his sack and gave me a literary facial in the form of:

Blink - Malcolm Gladwell
Sniper One - Sgt Dan Mills
Angry White Pajamas - Robert Twigger

Moderm Architecture - A Critical History
&
Sketch: Houses

I am reading 'The Google Story' a light light reading around my business degree - that Quantum Engima looks good - I love physics books - I guess that makes me a geek

If you haven't already you might want to read this;

[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boo-Hoo-Dot-com-Ernst-Malmsten/dp/0712672397"][/ame]

It's an interesting story of a dot com era failure.

PM me if you want to borrow my copy.

Great story, if you like the Japanese stuff, I can heartily recommend Murakami - Spring Snow. It is the first of 4 books and in my opinion, by far the best of his "Sea of Fertility" series.

Yukio Mishima wrote the Sea of Fertility series, not Murakami.

I'd recommend Mishima's Forbidden Colours, and Confessions of a Mask. But if you're talking about 'raw' Japanese literature, then surely you must start with The Tale of Genji? I guess if you're interested only in post-Westernised Japan then Akutagawa's Rashomon is the best starting point for modern Japanese literature.

I'm reading The Castle by Kafka right now (or have been for the last few months): having read the short stories some time ago, I decided on the novels next. The Castle is my least favourite Kafka story ever, I've really struggled with the futility in it (for some reason The Trial did not affect me so negatively).

I read Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake alongside it last week - excellent, and great as a companion to The Handmaid's Tale.

Am currently re-reading Yasunari Kawabata (in a French translation) and also Shozo Numa (Yapous, bétail humain - guess it should be something like "Yapoos, human cattle in English); otherwise, Borges always and always ... next one will be Jeff Noon, Vurt ... though I'm a bit intimidated to read it directly in English (and still far too lazy trying to improve it) ;)

The clue's in the title...

For years I've been reading books on globalisation, consumerism, fair trade, global politics, human rights and international relations - stuff by John Pilger, Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky - stuff like that. Those books really hit the spot - made me want to take action - find out more, protest, do something.

In recent years I haven't found much that's had that kind of impact. Maybe I'm getting tough, or am becoming cynical in my old age, but I need something to get me angry.

Any suggestions?

Am currently re-reading Yasunari Kawabata (in a French translation) and also Shozo Numa (Yapous, bétail humain - guess it should be something like "Yapoos, human cattle in English); otherwise, Borges always and always ... next one will be Jeff Noon, Vurt ... though I'm a bit intimidated to read it directly in English (and still far too lazy trying to improve it) ;)

Pseuds' Corner is yonder >>>>

The clue's in the title...

For years I've been reading books on globalisation, consumerism, fair trade, global politics, human rights and international relations - stuff by John Pilger, Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky - stuff like that. Those books really hit the spot - made me want to take action - find out more, protest, do something.

In recent years I haven't found much that's had that kind of impact. Maybe I'm getting tough, or am becoming cynical in my old age, but I need something to get me angry.

Any suggestions?

"Hegemony or Survival" by Chomsky? You probably read it.

"Culture of Complaint" by Robert Hughes? Bit dated now as sadly the American culture of complaint has become our very own - so as a result reading it will likely get you apoplectic.

Good, light read is Jon Ronson's "Them".. examines conspiracy theorists, religious crazies and political crackpots. Great stuff in the normal understated Ronson style.

course one of the best ways of getting angry is to read something that you completely disagree with and you think is bile. I can't steer you towards anything for certain but maybe something by Gordon Ramsey?

The clue's in the title...

For years I've been reading books on globalisation, consumerism, fair trade, global politics, human rights and international relations - stuff by John Pilger, Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky - stuff like that. Those books really hit the spot - made me want to take action - find out more, protest, do something.

In recent years I haven't found much that's had that kind of impact. Maybe I'm getting tough, or am becoming cynical in my old age, but I need something to get me angry.

Any suggestions?

I'm working my way through some of these

though I'm a bit intimidated to read it directly in English (and still far too lazy trying to improve it) ;)

I guess you're French or French-speaking regarding the intimidation? Hope you have a good translation of it.. but I don't get the second bit about being lazy trying to improve it.

Being a thicko I'd quite like a recomendation for some decent sci-fi if anyone has one?

I guess you're French or French-speaking regarding the intimidation? Hope you have a good translation of it.. but I don't get the second bit about being lazy trying to improve it.

I meant the English language ... I find it hard to grasp, the idiom gives me a lot of struggle. But I admit I never opened a grammar book neither practised exercises, hence the laziness ... so anyone who would like to correct my mistakes is especially welcome :)

I've been reading books on globalisation, consumerism, fair trade, global politics, human rights and international relations - Naomi Klein, stuff like that..

Klein
Wolf
Oreskes
Chazan

Why do I find prominent intellectuals called Naomi so damned hot?

I meant the English language ... I find it hard to grasp, the idiom gives me a lot of struggle. But I admit I never opened a grammar book neither practised exercises, hence the laziness ... so anyone who would like to correct my mistakes is especially welcome :)

Fluent English is all about the idioms, Ombre - keep at it dude.. not sure if you're living in England at the moment but you'll soak up those idioms in no time if you live here...! Spending all your time conversing in English is the only way man!

("to soak up" - to absorb like a sponge..;))

Fluent English is all about the idioms, Ombre - keep at it dude.. not sure if you're living in England at the moment but you'll soak up those idioms in no time if you live here...! Spending all your time conversing in English is the only way dude!

("to soak up" - to absorb like a sponge..;))

Thanks, and yes, I currently live in London but really miss all the conversation thing (I'm very reserved and find it difficult to engage myself in a chat, though I'm trying hard) ;)

one word really Ombre...........

..................

drinks.

Being a thicko I'd quite like a recomendation for some decent sci-fi if anyone has one?

classics:
heinlein - 'the moon is a harsh mistress', 'stranger in a strange land', 'the man who sold the moon' or 'the cat who walks through walls'. his short stories are fun too, but not anywhere near as good as the aforementioned.
asimov is (obviously) very good as well, foundation series is a must.
ender's game is another obvious one.
dune.

other orson scott card - worthing saga is pretty good, as is his earthfall series (but alot of his other stuff gets all mormony and stupid).

robert rankin (not really sci-fi, but along the same lines as pratchett, but i think much better)

sorry if that's a bit patronising (with all the classics), or you've read it all. but that's all the recent sci-fi i've been reading. and heinlein is brilliant.

Mooks; Greg Palast, if you don't know him already; mixes the horror with humour. Anna Politkovskaya for the truth about Putin and an example of what journalism can be.
Linda Polman "We did nothing" (penguin), another great female journalist.
On Rwanda; Romeo Dallaire "Shake hands with the devil" (Arrow) and Philip Gourevitch "We wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families" (Picador); more reasonms why Bill Clinton should burn in hell and why Kofi Annan should join him.

Maybe you should explore photojournalism too; I could give you a long list of books that will make your blood boil.

Klein
Wolf
Oreskes
Chazan

Why do I find prominent intellectuals called Naomi so damned hot?

From Amazon.co.uk:

Review by Mr P.Ajamas Real Name from London's Famous London

Naomi Schwevizerizawich tackles the difficult issue of maintaining a feminist discourse in the face of increased masculinity in the work environment. Schwevizerizawich's expose of the difficulties faced by modern women is accessible both to newcomers to the subject and experienced readers alike.

She's also got great norks. Just look at the picture of her on the cover - it's clear she's gagging for it. Out of ten, I'd give 'er one.

Woof.

"norks"..

superb. I really did laugh out loud just then..

Deep breath...

And now a serious post.

"Hegemony or Survival" by Chomsky? You probably read it.

"Culture of Complaint" by Robert Hughes? Bit dated now as sadly the American culture of complaint has become our very own - so as a result reading it will likely get you apoplectic.

Good, light read is Jon Ronson's "Them".. examines conspiracy theorists, religious crazies and political crackpots. Great stuff in the normal understated Ronson style.

course one of the best ways of getting angry is to read something that you completely disagree with and you think is bile. I can't steer you towards anything for certain but maybe something by Gordon Ramsey?

I've got 'Hegemony or Survival', but haven't read it. I may have to blow the dust off and het stuck in. I read 'Them' a few years ago and found it really interesting - I found myself checking halfway through reading that it wasn't fiction - then checking again three quarters of the way through...

'Culture of Complaint' sounds good though, especially as I'm an arse when it comes to complaining - I'll add it to my list.

I'm working my way through some of these

I'd like to read 'The Shock Doctrine', as I've always found Naomi Klein really accessible. I know a lot of people have suggested she's a bit 'pop-politics', but as far as I'm concerned if you've found a way to make some of these issues engaging and accessible then that's a plus. Lots of good stuff in there too - really enjoyed 'Female Chauvinist Pigs', as it's a really useful exploration of how modern interpretations of 'empowerment' are practically hyper-masculine. Interesting stuff - and lots of stuff to read on that list - thank you.

Mooks; Greg Palast, if you don't know him already; mixes the horror with humour. Anna Politkovskaya for the truth about Putin and an example of what journalism can be.
Linda Polman "We did nothing" (penguin), another great female journalist.
On Rwanda; Romeo Dallaire "Shake hands with the devil" (Arrow) and Philip Gourevitch "We wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families" (Picador); more reasonms why Bill Clinton should burn in hell and why Kofi Annan should join him.

Maybe you should explore photojournalism too; I could give you a long list of books that will make your blood boil.

Looks like this is going to be an expensive month - I haven't read any of those Will, although have heard of the Gourevitch book - I might have to put some time aside to properly do it justice. Photojournalism sounds good - I read a lot of non-fiction and a lot of photo books, so combining the two would suit me well!

Thanks for all these guys and gals - really appreciate it. I'll let you know how I get on.