Books

[manuel]

Do you buy and/or read books, too?
If so, post 'em here.

In the last weeks I bought a lot of books for my studies, mostly about the Chinese language, China, Japan, Taiwan, Linguistics and stuff. I won't post all these, though.

I'll post only the ones I buy/read for personal enjoyment.

Last month I read "Don't stand too close to a naked man" by Tim Allen. Very funny and a nice read. Surely recommended.

Last Friday I ordered a used copy of the book "Edda" in the German translation by Hans von Wolzogen. It's written in old German script ("Fraktur" <- link inside) and published around 1880. I also have a translation of the same text by Karl Simrock, published 1926.
Did I mention that I love old books?  Later I want to try to find a copy of the first impression of the text, which was published around 1812.
For those who aren't familiar with the term Edda, have a short look here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edda

The complete translation of the Edda can be found online here:
http://www.cybersamurai.net/Mythology/nordic_gods/LegendsSagas/Edda/PoeticEdda/Index.htm

My favourite chapter is the Völuspá.
http://www.cybersamurai.net/Mythology/nordic_gods/LegendsSagas/Edda/PoeticEdda/Voluspo.htm

Anybody else into Norse mythology eventually?

[vealchop]

I'm almost finished with Chuck Palahniuk's latest novel "RANT". It's excellent.

[Doc]

. Good topic!

LOVE books. One of my all time favorite stories is Flowers For Algernon...sad stuff.

I last read Perks of Being a Wallflower, which is a great book.

[Jedi Master Baiter]

Two of my favorite books:

The Giver by Lois Lowery
Holes by Louis Sachar

[kezja]

. Good topic!

LOVE books. One of my all time favorite stories is Flowers For Algernon...sad stuff.

I last read Perks of Being a Wallflower, which is a great book.

Flowers for Algernon is the book about the mouse and retarded guy right?  I read it and saw the movie.  Can't say it makes my favorite books list, but it is an interesting read nonetheless.

To be honest, I haven't read a book in a LONG time.  Plus, I don't have a job so I can't buy any books...  Borrowing books from the public library isn't appealing either cuz driving all the way across downtown isn't that fun.

The last book I read was "Hardball" by Chris Matthews for AP Government.  Hehe, that was a while back and school has been out for a month already for me.

[Doc]

Correct. I thought it was just such a beautiful work.

[manuel]

Finally amazon had the book in store I tried to buy for months.

Japan - Handbuch (Japan-handbook), by Hammitzsch. It's THE standard handbook in Germany for all you wanna know about Japan. Set me back 64 Euros, though. (approx. 86$) 

[manuel]

Bought another version of the Edda.

Now I ordered some Simpsons guides (2books for seasons 9-12) from the UK. I hope to get them this week.

[Profeta Yoshitake]

I'm reading two books.

One of them is really about building up my soul:

No Man is an Island - Thomas Merton

In this amazing book of reflections, this monk talks
about how much are we all humans connected.
I recommend this one for everyone, because it is
actually a masterpiece. Merton started this thought
after reading a poem from John Donne. Here goes
a quote:

No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death
diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind;
and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
it tolls for thee.

The other is about sociology, economics and religion:

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism - Max Weber

I think it is a classic... I'm reading the original after hearing
to many times about it.

[Doc]

I'm reading...nothing. I really have to find a book.

[manuel]

Yay, my Simpsons guides came today. 
Reading those I discovered that there are some episodes in seasons 11 and 12 I haven't seen yet!  I hope they release those DVDs fast.

[Jedi Master Baiter]

Anybody read Starship Troopers?  I heard it was really good & better than the movie.

[UglyJoe]

Anybody read Starship Troopers?  I heard it was really good & better than the movie.

Hrm...the book has mechas, but the movie has boobs...a difficult choice!

[manuel]

I'm now reading "wagahai wa neko de aru" (吾輩は猫である) (=I am a cat) by Natsume Soseki.
It's difficult, but I finally can appreciate reading it in Japanese.

[manuel]

A little bump for the new members.

I'm reading (... well, I try to...) a very old Japanese book that I bought the last time I was there. It's a schoolbook from 2 centuries ago. Interesting, but difficult.