What are you currently reading?

[Geo Dude]

That's the translation that helped me finally finish Don Quixote. A (very long) joy!

I know what you mean; my first step when delving into a translated book--a long one in particular--is to look around and see what information I can find on accuracy and readability.  Bad experiences with free and/or cheap Victorian translations has taught me that lesson well.  I considered Raffel's translation (Norton Critical) because it's supposed to be an easier read, but I'm finding that the jaunty tone found in this translation (resulting from more rigid standards of literalism if the reviewers are to be believed) helps bring across the humor well.  It gives off the feeling of being told an entertaining story by a smart ass, which I do believe is a good quality.

[Brian]

Just started John Gardner's On Moral Fiction. Seems like an ideal start to a GMG Book Club, if we ever had one; talks not so much about fiction as why we have art in general, and what art ought to do.

[Elgarian]

Just started John Gardner's On Moral Fiction. Seems like an ideal start to a GMG Book Club, if we ever had one ...

On first reading your post, Brian, I misread the title as On Moral Friction and thought sure, we have lots of that on GMG!

[DavidRoss]

Just started John Gardner's On Moral Fiction. Seems like an ideal start to a GMG Book Club, if we ever had one; talks not so much about fiction as why we have art in general, and what art ought to do.

A fine book. Helps perceptive readers understand why fine writers like Gardner and L'Heureux enjoy but a fraction of the commercial success of writers like King and Patterson.

[Gurn Blanston]

Since I got a Kindle at the beginning of the year, I decided to go back and reread some books that I hadn't read in many years, which are easily had for Kindle.

The first was a book that shaped my outlook on conservation and preservation of the wilderness; Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey. Better known for his eco-terrorism thoughts later on, especially towards Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona, this was Abbey's first book, and one that documents his first season as a US Parks Ranger in Canyonlands Park in Utah in the late 1960's. His relationship with the outdoors is compelling. Just finished it, may read it again.

And I have also a book that I read many times as a teen and even well after that. The Complete Sherlock Holmes, all 4 novels and 56 short stories, with the original illustrations. Just started A Study in Scarlet while at lunch today. Boy, that takes me back!   

[DavidRoss]

Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey.

Love it. Are there any cool dudes of our generation who weren't Abbey fans?

[Geo Dude]

Abbey heavily shaped my thoughts, too.  I picked up Desert Solitaire a few years ago and subsequently read nearly everything else he's written.  What a great book that is.

[Gurn Blanston]

Love it. Are there any cool dudes of our generation who weren't Abbey fans?

Not if they've ever been west of the Rockies. I discovered him on, like, my first day in Arizona.

Abbey heavily shaped my thoughts, too.  I picked up Desert Solitaire a few years ago and subsequently read nearly everything else he's written.  What a great book that is.

A lot of his futuristic bad feelings (I don't call them predictions) are coming to be now. Not a lot of desert left. I like how he compares the desert to Schoenberg.

[Geo Dude]

On a related note...

The Ballad of Edward Abbey

[Gold Knight]

 O. Henry--The Best Short Stories of O. Henry, edited by Bennet Cerf

[Henk]

Dostojevski - The Brothers Karamazov

[lisa needs braces]

Very, very fun!

[val]

ANTONIO DAMASIO:           "Looking for Spinoza - Joy, Sorrow and the feeling Brain"

The book is mostly about the description of how emotions and feelings are created by the brain, and why. The reference to Spinoza has to do with the passion of Mr. Damasio for the work of the Dutch philosopher.

To me, this is the most interesting book of Damasio I read until now.

[Geo Dude]

Haydn: His Life and Music by H.C. Robbins Landon.

[Bogey]

Second time:

[Parsifal]

Recently finished reading The Rescue by Joseph Conrad.

[Gold Knight]

George R.R. Martin--A Clash Of Kings

[Karl Henning]

Picked up a book for my Kindle. I'm now, the Kindle says, 70% finished - after starting it on the train ride to work this morning!



Unreasonably entertaining! Actually, given this story's narrator, I should say... shrewdly reasonably entertaining!

I've now bought the Kindle edition, and am re-reading it on my Droid!

Can't wait for to dial Emma!!

[Cato]

I've now bought the Kindle edition, and am re-reading it on my Droid!

Can't wait for to dial Emma!!

According to my agent, the Kindle version of Dial Emma for Murder is due to appear at any time!

He has been saying this for about 3 weeks!  (Typical)   

[Karl Henning]

Near the end of the August 6 entry, a subtle Prisoner allusion? ("That would be telling")