What Are You Reading??

"The Yellow Emperor's Four Canons", Antonia Felix "Condi; The Condoleeza Rice Story", Polly Evans "On a Hoof and a Prayer; Around Argentina at a Gallop', Kalsang Norbu et al "Modern Oral Amdo Tan" and this week's "New Scientist" magazine.

I have something to read in most rooms of the apartment!

"Effective Methods of Teaching Business Education in the 21st Century" by Martha Radar. Sadly, this reads like a bad university text -- dry, dry, dry and not all that enlightening. As it's assigned for my class, though, I've no hope for escape until it's finished. "Teaching with Love and Logic" -- can't remember the authors at the moment, but it is a fantastic book for anyone looking for ideas on classroom management or needing to find a better way to communicate with one's own children. For the light reading, I'm re-reading Janet Evanovich's "Four to Score" and Terri Garey's "A Match Made in Hell."

.....For the light reading, I'm re-reading Janet Evanovich's "Four to Score" .....

Another Evanovich fan?  So's my Sis.  Did you know that Evanovich is up to book #14, now?

Yep, I devoured it in a couple hours The books are pure entertainment. I want Stephanie's life ... or at least her men. That would work for me

"The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters" by G.W.Dahlquist. One critc summed it up as a blen of Dickens, Sherlock Holmes and Rider Haggard. It is. Really an amazing book. And there is a sequel.

When I'm at the Bookworm I sneak a Ben Elton book off the shelves.  I'm currently chipping away at Past Mortem.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer.

And I remain comfortable with my manhood.



Now ordinarily I can't stomach classics or books you should read... I like pulp... but there's one I figured I'd better take a chop at.  I mean, I looked at the first paragraph and it's awful, but if I'm going to write anything it's going to come out all Objectivist too so I might as well check out what can be done with so austere a form first... thus... next teen sensation up in the PDF viewer...

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.

The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper....have ordered and should receive Peter Haining's bbok on "Spring-Heeled Jack" soon. That is another Jack, not to be confused with the Ripper.

Ayn Rand is a highly effective anti-Communist/ anti-socialist writer, who champions the rights and contribution of the genius.  The Fountainhead does a great job of spelling this out.  Then Atlas Shrugged goes into hysterical mode, essentially espousing Fascism without coming out and admitting it.

As to her "Objectivism", it labels the apparent attempt at a positive philosophy, but in the end delivers much less.  Its impact on American culture is profound: the top 1 percent are exalted, while labour is a pernicious parasite, and all things spiritual are Enemies of Society.

Well, that kind of spoils it.  But I heard at the end you find out "John Galt" is a much-repaired teddy bear stuffed with twenties glaring malevolently out at the world from the back of the closet, the one remaining black button eye pasted on with glue.

Twilight is... well, it's written for teen aged girls.  A 17-year-old girl moves from Phoenix to a small town in Seattle, falls electrically in love with a beautiful school mate, a vampire, naturally, and he falls for her too, and they do a long, long dance over, um, being "eaten".

I'm more than halfway through and willing to read on to the end, even as I know this is but book one of three.  Freely feely, emotion overwhelming, intuitions guiding action, touching and swooning, and beauty in stark over-abundance, and then going to class.  I must be getting clucky or something.

Inconceivable-Ben Elton. F**king funny 

Just read a book called Bad Traffic about a PRC copper who comes to the UK to find his missing daughter.  Manages to be both a great crime thriller, an excellent book about culture clashes (like a reverse backpacking book) and a serious commentary on a serious issue (people trafficking).  Highly recommended, as books which try to combine entertainment with serious stuff don't always succeed.  I read it in about 2 hours, it was that gripping.

Bad Traffic looks interesting unfortunately it's not being published in Canada until December. Maybe I'll order it once I'm back in the Big Silly.

Hey CD, I read that myself a while back and i thought it was great, really interesting the whole culture shock thing from another point of view, and a pretty good story to go with it.

I've just re-read Animal Farm - haven't read it for years, probably at least 20, i know its based on Russia, but it fits well with most totalitarian states. Really gave the book a lot more depth after studying some of the recent Chinese history.

Right now i'm reading an awesome book. 'Fidel Castro - My Life' what an interesting read, it's actually one long interview with him. The man has had an interesting life and he can tell a good story. It has given me a new perspective on a subject i knew very little about, but want to learn more now.

Callch, I'd recommend reading Ayn Rand.  Like her or not, her work has been a major influence on post-WW2 thought.