The 50 Book Challenge 2010
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bryan732
- Shredalicious
- Posts: 72
- Joined: 12 Jan 2010 09:12
- Location: Brick, New Jersey, United States
i dont read...
Footbag... A Lifetime Of Training For Just 10 Seconds. Because You Always Need To Thrive To Be Better Than What You Already Are.
bryans footbag log
http://modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=21014
Bryan Szablewski
bryans footbag log
http://modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=21014Bryan Szablewski
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Zac Miley
- Post Master General
- Posts: 5953
- Joined: 04 Jun 2006 12:11
- Location: Kansas City, MO
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1. Civilwarland in Bad Decline by George Saunders.
2. Anthem by Ayn Rand
I think it's easy to promote your own philosophy when you put it in the worst context possible. It was a good book, but I also feel that Rand is sort of an elitist and isn't presenting anything besides her own ideas. I guess it wouldn't have been as good that way, though.
I still enjoyed it and I plan on reading Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead.
2. Anthem by Ayn Rand
I think it's easy to promote your own philosophy when you put it in the worst context possible. It was a good book, but I also feel that Rand is sort of an elitist and isn't presenting anything besides her own ideas. I guess it wouldn't have been as good that way, though.
I still enjoyed it and I plan on reading Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead.
Jay (8:06:01 PM): Bu-bu-buu-buug--Looks up, and the feeling goes away like a sneeze-bu-buuuh-BULLLSHITTT
Jay (8:06:14 PM): *wipes bellybutton*
Jay (8:06:14 PM): *wipes bellybutton*
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Zac Miley
- Post Master General
- Posts: 5953
- Joined: 04 Jun 2006 12:11
- Location: Kansas City, MO
- Contact:
1. Civilwarland in Bad Decline by George Saunders.
2. Anthem by Ayn Rand
3. You Are Just A Little Bit Happier Than I Am by Tao Lin
Just a book of 'poems'. It felt like an attempt at being weird rather than something truly artistic.
I feel like I've been cheating at this. I'll read a real book next.
2. Anthem by Ayn Rand
3. You Are Just A Little Bit Happier Than I Am by Tao Lin
Just a book of 'poems'. It felt like an attempt at being weird rather than something truly artistic.
I feel like I've been cheating at this. I'll read a real book next.
Jay (8:06:01 PM): Bu-bu-buu-buug--Looks up, and the feeling goes away like a sneeze-bu-buuuh-BULLLSHITTT
Jay (8:06:14 PM): *wipes bellybutton*
Jay (8:06:14 PM): *wipes bellybutton*
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CIC flurry
- Amazingly Sexy Man-Beast
- Posts: 3426
- Joined: 28 May 2003 16:06
- Location: Chicago
1. Storms of my Grandchildren: The truth about the come climate catastrophe and our last chance to save humanity - James Hansen 277pg
Pretty epic start to the year. For those who don't know, Hansen is one of the world's leading climate scientists. Like James Lovelock he was an extraterrestrial atmospheric scientist who realised the impact of greenhouse gasses on other planets and move to studying Earth's changing atmosphere. He lost his job over his work on anthropogenic climate change in the early 80s and wrote a paper in '81 that essentially perfectly predicted both the changing climate up until today and the political response. Storms is pretty good for his first book. Definitely convincing and full of information as well as the odd emotional argument. I guess the thing that struck me is that he's described as an optimist and indeed is fairly optimistic in a way, but he pretty clearly states that the only way we can avoid positive feedback loops and runaway climate change is by eliminating coal by 2030, and in the developed world by 2020. Indeed it's interesting to note that many countries, including Australia, won't be able to meet the targets our leaders have set unless we do that. I guess I would say I am far from optimistic. Of course books like this, the only people who read them are the ones who don't need to. It did, however, convince me that nuclear power is a good thing and we should be investing heavily in it. I've been very unsure lately, but now we really have no choice - it's now or nothing matters.
Pretty epic start to the year. For those who don't know, Hansen is one of the world's leading climate scientists. Like James Lovelock he was an extraterrestrial atmospheric scientist who realised the impact of greenhouse gasses on other planets and move to studying Earth's changing atmosphere. He lost his job over his work on anthropogenic climate change in the early 80s and wrote a paper in '81 that essentially perfectly predicted both the changing climate up until today and the political response. Storms is pretty good for his first book. Definitely convincing and full of information as well as the odd emotional argument. I guess the thing that struck me is that he's described as an optimist and indeed is fairly optimistic in a way, but he pretty clearly states that the only way we can avoid positive feedback loops and runaway climate change is by eliminating coal by 2030, and in the developed world by 2020. Indeed it's interesting to note that many countries, including Australia, won't be able to meet the targets our leaders have set unless we do that. I guess I would say I am far from optimistic. Of course books like this, the only people who read them are the ones who don't need to. It did, however, convince me that nuclear power is a good thing and we should be investing heavily in it. I've been very unsure lately, but now we really have no choice - it's now or nothing matters.
1. One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey by Sam Keith 222pg
2. Ishi in Two Worlds: A Biography of the Last Wild Indian in North America by Theodora Kroeber 238pg
3. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown 449pg
4. Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson 230pg
Wow. Wow. Wow. This book started off slow and uninteresting but slowly and subtely turned into a clear masterpiece. It goes through talking about different people in the town and shows their lives and how they deal with it and the feelings they have. The way these people thought and the way Anderson portrayed it was pure poetry. However, most of the book was extremely depressing, literally ruining days when I read it by how lonely it made me feel. So many people in the book deal with crippling lonliness and confusion and it felt like a very bleak look on life, but somehow the ending was curiously optimistic. Amazing book.
2. Ishi in Two Worlds: A Biography of the Last Wild Indian in North America by Theodora Kroeber 238pg
3. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown 449pg
4. Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson 230pg
Wow. Wow. Wow. This book started off slow and uninteresting but slowly and subtely turned into a clear masterpiece. It goes through talking about different people in the town and shows their lives and how they deal with it and the feelings they have. The way these people thought and the way Anderson portrayed it was pure poetry. However, most of the book was extremely depressing, literally ruining days when I read it by how lonely it made me feel. So many people in the book deal with crippling lonliness and confusion and it felt like a very bleak look on life, but somehow the ending was curiously optimistic. Amazing book.
Danny P.
1. Lao She - Beneath the Red Banner 187p.
2. Martin Amis - The Second Plane 206p.
My first non-fiction book this year. As the title slightly indicates, this book is about the events before, on and after September 11th. It is a collection of eleven essays and two short stories all written after the incident. It was definitely interesting and very informative, but sometimes it was not easy to grasp the meaning, because the language is pretty advanced for others than native speakers. Still, I can recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn something about the motives of islamistic terrorism, its origins, its protagonists and the contemporary thoughts of an English author about the whole topic. Also, the book involves a travelreport of Martin Amis accompanying Tony Blair on several journeys to Belfast, Washington and Basra.
All in all it was a good read which has some pretty good thoughts in it and indicates what is going wrong in the Middle East, its surroundings and the behaviour of the Western states towards it.
2. Martin Amis - The Second Plane 206p.
My first non-fiction book this year. As the title slightly indicates, this book is about the events before, on and after September 11th. It is a collection of eleven essays and two short stories all written after the incident. It was definitely interesting and very informative, but sometimes it was not easy to grasp the meaning, because the language is pretty advanced for others than native speakers. Still, I can recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn something about the motives of islamistic terrorism, its origins, its protagonists and the contemporary thoughts of an English author about the whole topic. Also, the book involves a travelreport of Martin Amis accompanying Tony Blair on several journeys to Belfast, Washington and Basra.
All in all it was a good read which has some pretty good thoughts in it and indicates what is going wrong in the Middle East, its surroundings and the behaviour of the Western states towards it.
Simon Kittlaus aka å£å£«è
Martin Amis is really good. I read his essay The Age of Horrorism a few years ago. Maybe it's in your book.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/se ... andsociety
Definitely thought provoking. Actually I read this right at the time where I fairly dramatically changed my perspective on the so called "war on terror" and especially on the root causes of terrorism, although it's a far more complicated issue than you can adequately explain in a few hundred words, or even a 1500 page book.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/se ... andsociety
Definitely thought provoking. Actually I read this right at the time where I fairly dramatically changed my perspective on the so called "war on terror" and especially on the root causes of terrorism, although it's a far more complicated issue than you can adequately explain in a few hundred words, or even a 1500 page book.
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bigdirtyfoot
- Sloppy
- Posts: 3142
- Joined: 22 Apr 2002 12:30
- Location: NC
1. The Great Shark Hunt: Gonzo Papers, Volume 1, Hunter S. Thompson, 602 pg.
2. The Ballad of the Flim-Flam Man, Guy Owen, 277 pg.
An awesome book based in my home state of North Carolina. I had never heard of this before my folks gave me a copy for Christmas. It's a pretty quick read, and very entertaining. The writing is intelligent and accurate - even down to the Southern drawl. It's a story about two con artists who prey on greedy people. Highly recommend it for some light reading. You can read my review here.
2. The Ballad of the Flim-Flam Man, Guy Owen, 277 pg.
An awesome book based in my home state of North Carolina. I had never heard of this before my folks gave me a copy for Christmas. It's a pretty quick read, and very entertaining. The writing is intelligent and accurate - even down to the Southern drawl. It's a story about two con artists who prey on greedy people. Highly recommend it for some light reading. You can read my review here.
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Iron Clad Ben
- Superior Precision Bionics
- Posts: 2522
- Joined: 08 Jan 2006 19:11
- Location: La Habra, CA
- Contact:
1) Killer Poker Online: Crushing the Internet Game by John Vorhaus 278pp
Well most people probably don't care about online poker, but if you do play online this book is a decent read. It focuses less on actual poker strategy and tactics and more on ways to succeed online vs. brick & mortar. Things like eliminating distractions, mood management and keeping a book on your foes are the main tactics to make sure you are playing to the best of your capability. It's actually been pretty hard to implement everything on the book. It's so tempted to have a web browser open, playing a NES emulator between hands, etc. etc.
2) The 5 Love Languages by John Chapman 204pp
Kinda mushy but a really good read for people in relationships. It talks about how all people have different "love languages" and to strengthen your relationship you should express your love in your mate's primary and seconday love languages. The 5 languages are: words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, acts of service and quality time. The book explores what each of these are, ways to tell which ones are you and your mates primary languages and how to use that to strengthen your relationship. Actually pretty enlightening.
3) Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris 272pp
A very humorous autobiographical collection of short stories from Sedaris' childhood up through present (written in 2000). Very funny, a definite page turner. I found myself laughing out loud countless times. I finished this in one night, I coudln't put it down.
Well most people probably don't care about online poker, but if you do play online this book is a decent read. It focuses less on actual poker strategy and tactics and more on ways to succeed online vs. brick & mortar. Things like eliminating distractions, mood management and keeping a book on your foes are the main tactics to make sure you are playing to the best of your capability. It's actually been pretty hard to implement everything on the book. It's so tempted to have a web browser open, playing a NES emulator between hands, etc. etc.
2) The 5 Love Languages by John Chapman 204pp
Kinda mushy but a really good read for people in relationships. It talks about how all people have different "love languages" and to strengthen your relationship you should express your love in your mate's primary and seconday love languages. The 5 languages are: words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, acts of service and quality time. The book explores what each of these are, ways to tell which ones are you and your mates primary languages and how to use that to strengthen your relationship. Actually pretty enlightening.
3) Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris 272pp
A very humorous autobiographical collection of short stories from Sedaris' childhood up through present (written in 2000). Very funny, a definite page turner. I found myself laughing out loud countless times. I finished this in one night, I coudln't put it down.
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Runkstafari
- Shredalicious
- Posts: 114
- Joined: 30 Jan 2008 15:43
1. One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey by Sam Keith 222pg
2. Ishi in Two Worlds: A Biography of the Last Wild Indian in North America by Theodora Kroeber 238pg
3. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown 449pg
4. Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson 230pg
5. The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon 152pg
I don't think I'm ready to talk about this book. It was different from any book I've ever read. A real punch in the gut. I'm not sure whether I liked it or not, or whether I even understood it or not. This is one that's gotta be digested a bit I think?
I started Infinite Jest last night! Infinite Jest by itself is almost as many pages as the five books I've read this year so far combined... So I probably won't be done for some time.
2. Ishi in Two Worlds: A Biography of the Last Wild Indian in North America by Theodora Kroeber 238pg
3. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown 449pg
4. Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson 230pg
5. The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon 152pg
I don't think I'm ready to talk about this book. It was different from any book I've ever read. A real punch in the gut. I'm not sure whether I liked it or not, or whether I even understood it or not. This is one that's gotta be digested a bit I think?
I started Infinite Jest last night! Infinite Jest by itself is almost as many pages as the five books I've read this year so far combined... So I probably won't be done for some time.
Danny P.
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bigdirtyfoot
- Sloppy
- Posts: 3142
- Joined: 22 Apr 2002 12:30
- Location: NC
1. The Great Shark Hunt: Gonzo Papers, Volume 1, Hunter S. Thompson, 602 pg.
2. The Ballad of the Flim-Flam Man, Guy Owen, 277 pg.
3. Dancing Wu Li Masters, Gary Zukav, 376 pg.
Wasn't quite sure how I felt about this one. On the one hand, I enjoyed the topic - quantum physics mixed with Zen-Buddhist approaches. But on the other hand, it was very boring at times. Here's my review, if you'd like to take a look at it.
2. The Ballad of the Flim-Flam Man, Guy Owen, 277 pg.
3. Dancing Wu Li Masters, Gary Zukav, 376 pg.
Wasn't quite sure how I felt about this one. On the one hand, I enjoyed the topic - quantum physics mixed with Zen-Buddhist approaches. But on the other hand, it was very boring at times. Here's my review, if you'd like to take a look at it.
1. Lao She - Beneath the Red Banner 187p.
2. Martin Amis - The Second Plane 206p.
3. Kingsley Amis - The Alteration 208p.
This was an interesting read. The story is set in 1976 England, but it is a fictional England, where the Church has absolute power and the Pope is indeed the most powerful man of all. The Church has subjugated all inventors and scientiest and thus 1976 England seems like the middle age, while the scientists fled to New England where Christianity doesn't have absolute power. The story of the book surrounds young Hubert Anvil, who has a heavenly voice and must be altered to keep this voice when he reaches puberty. This is the Churches' opinion. In the course of book, the reader gets an insight of the workings of a society where Christendom has all power. Sometimes it had a light touch of 1984s haunting atmosphere, but, of course, without the highly technological aspect to it. I really liked the religious criticism Kingsley Amis offered here; it is a weird theme and one has to get into the book, but it's worth it. Read it
2. Martin Amis - The Second Plane 206p.
3. Kingsley Amis - The Alteration 208p.
This was an interesting read. The story is set in 1976 England, but it is a fictional England, where the Church has absolute power and the Pope is indeed the most powerful man of all. The Church has subjugated all inventors and scientiest and thus 1976 England seems like the middle age, while the scientists fled to New England where Christianity doesn't have absolute power. The story of the book surrounds young Hubert Anvil, who has a heavenly voice and must be altered to keep this voice when he reaches puberty. This is the Churches' opinion. In the course of book, the reader gets an insight of the workings of a society where Christendom has all power. Sometimes it had a light touch of 1984s haunting atmosphere, but, of course, without the highly technological aspect to it. I really liked the religious criticism Kingsley Amis offered here; it is a weird theme and one has to get into the book, but it's worth it. Read it
Simon Kittlaus aka å£å£«è
1. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery
2. Animal Farm by George Orwell
3. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
I really liked Catcher in the Rye. I'm not sure why it's so famous or why so many people like it, but I found that I could really relate to the main character. Maybe everybody else whose read it and liked it was a phony. Anyway, I think my favorite part was when the teacher was giving his speech to Holden about education, and he says something along the lines of "Don't think that you're the only person who has been disgusted with human behavior." That part struck me the hardest. But for the most part, I could really relate to everything that was going on in his head, and I found the book to be really funny, too.
2. Animal Farm by George Orwell
3. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
I really liked Catcher in the Rye. I'm not sure why it's so famous or why so many people like it, but I found that I could really relate to the main character. Maybe everybody else whose read it and liked it was a phony. Anyway, I think my favorite part was when the teacher was giving his speech to Holden about education, and he says something along the lines of "Don't think that you're the only person who has been disgusted with human behavior." That part struck me the hardest. But for the most part, I could really relate to everything that was going on in his head, and I found the book to be really funny, too.
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Zac Miley
- Post Master General
- Posts: 5953
- Joined: 04 Jun 2006 12:11
- Location: Kansas City, MO
- Contact:
Hey Danny - my girlfriend is currently reading Winesburg, Ohio. For the second time, I believe. Maybe I should read it?
1. Civilwarland in Bad Decline by George Saunders.
2. Anthem by Ayn Rand
3. You Are Just A Little Bit Happier Than I Am by Tao Lin
4. Night by Elie Wiesel
1. Civilwarland in Bad Decline by George Saunders.
2. Anthem by Ayn Rand
3. You Are Just A Little Bit Happier Than I Am by Tao Lin
4. Night by Elie Wiesel
Jay (8:06:01 PM): Bu-bu-buu-buug--Looks up, and the feeling goes away like a sneeze-bu-buuuh-BULLLSHITTT
Jay (8:06:14 PM): *wipes bellybutton*
Jay (8:06:14 PM): *wipes bellybutton*
1. Storms of my Grandchildren: The truth about the come climate catastrophe and our last chance to save humanity - James Hansen 277pg
2. Concrete Island - James Ballard 176pg
3. House of Meetings - Martin Amis 196pg
When I first started reading this my thoughts were; "oh no, not another Russian prison book." It is, and even though it's written by a Brit, it follows in the footsteps of the Russian literature that has inspired it in being tragic and depressing. Actually more depressing than most Russian literature that I've read. Despite this, it's very good. Clearly Amis deserves his reputation as being one of the best writers of literature of our times, however I really wasn't in the mood for something as bleak and depressing as this, and indeed usually aren't.
2. Concrete Island - James Ballard 176pg
3. House of Meetings - Martin Amis 196pg
When I first started reading this my thoughts were; "oh no, not another Russian prison book." It is, and even though it's written by a Brit, it follows in the footsteps of the Russian literature that has inspired it in being tragic and depressing. Actually more depressing than most Russian literature that I've read. Despite this, it's very good. Clearly Amis deserves his reputation as being one of the best writers of literature of our times, however I really wasn't in the mood for something as bleak and depressing as this, and indeed usually aren't.