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NottaSackville
Doriath
Jun 7 2011, 2:53pm
Post #1 of 19
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Waiting for GDT...er PJ - What are you reading?
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For me, it's Fool Moon, the second of the Dresden books by Jim Butcher. I'm enjoying it. Book #5 arrived today, and 3, 4 & 6 are "in the mail".
I'm traveling on business tomorrow & Thursday, so "discuss amongst yourselves".
Notta
Happiness: money matters, but less than we think and not in the way that we think. Family is important and so are friends, while envy is toxic -- and so is excessive thinking. Beaches are optional. Trust is not. Neither is gratitude. - The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner as summarized by Lily Fairbairn.
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Elberbeth
Dor-Lomin
Jun 7 2011, 3:17pm
Post #2 of 19
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which is an attempt at explaining how and why some societies waxed and waned during history, some developing agriculture, technology, and conquest, and others not. Interesting, if a little dry.
I did get Game of Thrones because I just needed to to, but I haven't started it yet.
"There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark."
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RosieLass
Doriath
Jun 7 2011, 3:22pm
Post #3 of 19
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No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
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I picked up the latest volume in the series, The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party, and I’m enjoying it thoroughly.
Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni’s apprentice, Charlie, has apparently fathered twins by a girl he has now abandoned. Mma Precious Ramotswe and Mma Grace Makutsi have been hired by a frightened farmer to find out who has been cutting the tendons of his cattle during the night. And Mr. Phuti Radiphuti and Grace Makutsi continue to plan for their wedding.
I have never been to Botswana, or anywhere else in Africa, so I have no idea if the author, Alexander McCall Smith, presents the culture correctly, although he lived in Africa for many years, so one assumes he knows whereof he speaks.
He has the differences between women and men down cold, however, and apparently those differences cross cultural boundaries, too. Heh. The discusson on the different perceptions of shopping by men and women is classic. And hilarious. According to Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, shopping is when you go to the store and buy something you need, and then you take it home and use it. He simply does not understand that part of the joy of shopping is simply looking at the merchandise and wishing you could afford it.
It is always those with the fewest sensible things to say who make the loudest noise in saying them. --Precious Ramotswe (Alexander McCall Smith)
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Lily Fairbairn
Gondolin
Jun 7 2011, 3:29pm
Post #4 of 19
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I've been reading these out of order
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I've been picking up copies from the remainder tables at the local Barnes and Noble, which is a bit unfair to Mr. McCall Smith, since he gets no royalties off remainders. I enjoy the books enough I should buy them new, already!
Right now I'm a couple of chapters into The Miracle at Speedy Motors, which actually comes before Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, which I read several months ago.
And now there's another one! Cool!
I don't know, either, how accurate a representation the books are, and have one friend who thinks they're paternalistic and won't touch them. But I find them both charming and very wise. The mysteries are slight, yes, but don't involve serial killers and dismembered bodies and horrible things done to innocent people, so I'd much rather read these, thank you.
* * * * * * *
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?
A man may do both. For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!
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Lily Fairbairn
Gondolin
Jun 7 2011, 3:33pm
Post #5 of 19
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Weren't we just talking about the May issue? Time flies....
This one was, as usual, filled with interesting articles. I did end up skimming the one about the original Indianapolis car race, not because I don't care about car racing -- Smithsonian can make anything interesting -- but because I simply lost track of all the people and vehicles.
My favorite article was (predictably) the one about Agatha Christie and her house in Torquay. A mystery writer married to an archaeologist -- my sort of person!  It was a great article, with great photos, but I was shocked that it gives away the ending to one of her most famous mysteries. Yes, I know, the book's been out for decades, but there are always new readers, right?
* * * * * * *
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?
A man may do both. For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!
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NottaSackville
Doriath
Jun 7 2011, 3:48pm
Post #7 of 19
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One small correction to your post:
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He simply does not understands that part of the there is no joy of in the kind of shopping that is simply looking at the merchandise and wishing you could afford it.
There, fixed that for you. 
Happiness: money matters, but less than we think and not in the way that we think. Family is important and so are friends, while envy is toxic -- and so is excessive thinking. Beaches are optional. Trust is not. Neither is gratitude. - The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner as summarized by Lily Fairbairn.
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NottaSackville
Doriath
Jun 7 2011, 3:50pm
Post #8 of 19
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Too busy reading the Dresden Files.
Didn't we just have a debate about giving away the ending to one of her mysteries here a few weeks back?
Notta
Happiness: money matters, but less than we think and not in the way that we think. Family is important and so are friends, while envy is toxic -- and so is excessive thinking. Beaches are optional. Trust is not. Neither is gratitude. - The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner as summarized by Lily Fairbairn.
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NottaSackville
Doriath
Jun 7 2011, 3:51pm
Post #9 of 19
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Oh, that does sound interesting
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Does it say anything about ours? Or have we not waned enough for a post-mortem yet?
Notta
Happiness: money matters, but less than we think and not in the way that we think. Family is important and so are friends, while envy is toxic -- and so is excessive thinking. Beaches are optional. Trust is not. Neither is gratitude. - The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner as summarized by Lily Fairbairn.
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RosieLass
Doriath
Jun 7 2011, 3:52pm
Post #10 of 19
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As I said, he has the differences between the sexes down pat.
It is always those with the fewest sensible things to say who make the loudest noise in saying them. --Precious Ramotswe (Alexander McCall Smith)
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NottaSackville
Doriath
Jun 7 2011, 4:00pm
Post #11 of 19
(234 views)
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Happiness: money matters, but less than we think and not in the way that we think. Family is important and so are friends, while envy is toxic -- and so is excessive thinking. Beaches are optional. Trust is not. Neither is gratitude. - The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner as summarized by Lily Fairbairn.
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Luthien Rising
Menegroth
Jun 7 2011, 4:36pm
Post #12 of 19
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This is, I think, Rutherfurd's first huge historical novel, and he's definitely gotten better. I often feel like he's telling me history, not living it. Still, it's been months since I devoured a big historical novel and at times I'm enjoying this one. Plus it makes reinstalling software on a revamped computer go faster.
Lúthien Rising
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. / We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
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Aunt Dora Baggins
Elvenhome
Jun 7 2011, 7:27pm
Post #13 of 19
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I'm taking Terry Pratchett sooo out of order! I really should have read this one a long time ago, since it comes so early in the series, but it wasn't one of my daughter's favorites and I've been following her recommendations. I really loved this one, though. A little girl is born a wizard, which is unheard of. She trains with Granny Weatherwax for a while to be a witch, but it's clear she really needs to go to the Unseen University to become a wizard. Only women aren't allowed at the university, except as cleaning ladies and laundresses. Here's my favorite quote: "Hmmm. Granpone the White. He's going to be Granpone the Grey if he doesn't take better care of his laundry."
Spoiler: I wanted to read this one because the girl, Esk, makes a surprise appearance in Pratchett's latest novel, "I Shall Wear Midnight". People at amazon were commenting on it, and I realized I'd missed the joke.
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"For DORA BAGGINS in memory of a LONG correspondence, with love from Bilbo; on a large wastebasket. Dora was Drogo's sister, and the eldest surviving female relative of Bilbo and Frodo; she was ninety-nine, and had written reams of good advice for more than half a century."
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"A Chance Meeting at Rivendell" and other stories
leleni at hotmail dot com
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(This post was edited by Aunt Dora Baggins on Jun 7 2011, 7:31pm)
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weaver
Gondolin
Jun 7 2011, 8:33pm
Post #14 of 19
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I've skimmed it..and agree that the A. Christie article looks pretty neat. Does the place you do your writing look like that? What a great home!
Weaver
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Lily Fairbairn
Gondolin
Jun 8 2011, 2:14pm
Post #15 of 19
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Oh, if only I had such a lovely view from my office window! But no, while Bag End Texas is a wonderful place, it doesn't look anything like Christie's house. I describe it as a book-lined cloister cleverly disguised as a tract house. 
* * * * * * *
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?
A man may do both. For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!
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weaver
Gondolin
Jun 9 2011, 2:34am
Post #16 of 19
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ha...very nice house disguise!
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Much better than ours -- no matter what we do, it still looks like we bought it cheap from the Brady Bunch...
Weaver
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Lunamoth
Nargothrond
Jun 9 2011, 3:26pm
Post #17 of 19
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The Dharma Bums - Jack Kerouac
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A bit of a departure from what I normally read, but my dear husband read it and really wanted me to do as well. And since he's read books I've thrust upon him (he's loving Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys right now), I can at least do the same when he asks.
Dharma Bums follows a character (Ray) who travels around the US, hitching and jumping trains, being his own brand of Buddhist, in the mid-1950s. It follows after the events of On the Road, Kerouac's most famous novel.
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Ayla_me
Lindon
Jun 13 2011, 11:36am
Post #18 of 19
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I am re-reading the Earth's Children series by Jean M. Auel. She finally came out with the 6th, and supposedly, final book of the series, but I am hoping that she'll do something more with her richly descriptive and marvelous characters. It is a great read for anyone out there. This series, along with all of Tolkien's books, have always been my favorite books of all time. They are very different, but both offer so much to one's imagination!
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Elen
Registered User
Jun 14 2011, 9:00am
Post #19 of 19
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rereading Otherland by Tad Williams
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and having a go at Nadin Gordimer's Burger's Daughter
And Bhagavid Gita (not sure about spelling).
Oh and studying Dido and Aeneas script since I have to play and sing it in barely two weeks.
Anyone: what should I read in the spare time
(Yes I do have a job and family too)
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
J. R. R. Tolkien
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