What are you reading now?

[Ronja]

We just finished the (so far) last book in Cornelia Funke's Inkworld series (Inkheart, Inkspell, and Inkdeath). M has read them aloud to the family (the Swedish translation) since Xmas 2009. Be warned that the scary stuff and cruelty gets much worse fast in the second book and even worse in the third, so my guess is that our Younger Daughter (8 when we started, now 9) was barely old enough for Inkspell and Inkdeath. Other than that - fascinating books and a fascinating fantasy world.

[Animavore]

Just reading Virolution by Frank Ryan.
I just read the first three chapters. The book tells about how viruses play a part in the evolution of organisms, including humans. And how they form a symbiotic relationship.
According to Ryan, large chunks of our DNA are co-opted from viruses.
Related article http://www.sott.net/articles/show/20211 ... Half-human

[Gallstones]

Blek le Rat: Getting through the walls


About the work and philosophy of French street artist Blek le Rat, of whom Banksy once said, “Every time I think I’ve painted something original, I find out that Blek le Rat has done it as well, only 20 years earlier.”

The illustrations are great, but the text is a little bit sychophantic. It's still pretty interesting to hear the philosophy behind his work and opinions on graffiti, other forms of street art and their use publicly and comercially too.

I'd be interested in this one.

Banksy came immediately to mind.

[Gallstones]

At the library today I picked up Kay Redfield Jamison, Night Falls Fast.

I read another of hers and got a lot out of it.

[Gallstones]

Just started Michael Wood's "In Search of Shakespeare". Wood is an engaging historian with a gift for storytelling. You can't beat a bit of Wood.

• 

I like good, well researched and honest history.

[Sisifo]

Just reading Virolution by Frank Ryan.
I just read the first three chapters. The book tells about how viruses play a part in the evolution of organisms, including humans. And how they form a symbiotic relationship.
According to Ryan, large chunks of our DNA are co-opted from viruses.
Related article http://www.sott.net/articles/show/20211 ... Half-human

Thank you so much ani! You are answering something that I asked a while ago, and could not find the one that I was looking for. I had forgotten it, but you nailed it!

Oh, and I am putting my brain to hibernation and enjoying -to my surprise -:

[Sisifo]

After an agreeable escapist experience with Percy Jackson (sympathetic reading, as well as Harry Potter, in the right moments and dosages) I am starting this one, just from references of Pappa's posts:

[charlou]

Currently reading The Prodigy, by Hermann Hesse .. and Henry and June, by Anais Nin.

[Sisifo]

Well, following this recommendation

It's a solid fantasy series. The plot, characters, and setting are all well above average. I am a big fan of the politics and the intrigue that he constructs. Definitely one of the better fantasy series I have read. Hard to say much without spoilers, so:

Trigger Warning!!!1! :

The world he constructs differs greatly from a stock fantasy world. There isn't any real magic or fantastic creatures (at least to start out). There is an ubiquitous sense of rising action throughout the novels (although they can, as all fantasy can, become slow at times when exposition is lumped into a chunk). He has a tendency to kill off characters in a way I've never seen in any other fantasy series (realistically). His treatment of "good" and "evil" (common themes in the genre) is very interesting and pretty unique; grey to say the least.

The chapters jump around to different characters' perspectives. Most of the important events with regards to the overarching plot tend to have at least one of the narrative characters present at them. There is a lot going on in these books (many different plots) ranging from conducting wars, to maneuvering for power, to building a kingdom from the ground up, to the return of supernatural elements ... you get the idea.

Even with the spoiler warning up, I don't want to say too much.

Needless to say, it gets my recommendation.

I am starting this:

[Pappa]

I may start reading this shortly.... I found it in a box of free books this morning.

[Sisifo]

It's been a long time I don't read in Spanish, as it is unavailable here. But this book, I made someone bring it for me. I cannot recommend enough Arturo Perez Reverte. Most of his books are masterpieces of history mixed with action. He has developed a perfect style of putting crime plots into tense history times, or history investigations in modern times. I have to recommend so many of his books that I better suggest to buy and read them if you can find them translated into your languages. I am already this one, and with its 800 pages almost, it is gonna be a banquet of history, action and mistery. YumYum!

[JimC]

Dodgy.

What do you mean by "Dodgy"? I feel a big antipathy towards Sam Harris, so I haven't pushed myself to read his books, but if you recommend it, it is worth a downlo... errr a try.

Oh no. Don't download the audiobook read by the author himself. That wouldn't be right.



I mean his line of reasoning is a bit dodgy. It's assertion after assertion.

I read it too. Some contentions had merit, but he stretched his reasoning a little too far for me. He had an idea which may have a certain utility, at times, in certain situations, but he wants it to be a brilliant universal truth...

[Ronja]

Finished "The Selfish Gene" - the second time I read it since approx. 2007. Damn well written book, and surprisingly little dated.

[Geoff]

The sequel to the Paksenarrion trilogy, which I also enjoyed very much.

[Geoff]