[Weirdelves]

Got a good book on the go?

If you share then people will maybe take some advice and it could provoke interesting discussions. Or show us how intelligent you all are by your choice of literature.

I'm currently reading Dance, Dance, Dance by my favourite author, Haruki Murakami. It's not as good as some of his other stuff but it's still a thrilling, surreal, and wonderfully written book.

I'm also reading Letters to a Young poet by Rainier Maria Rilke. The German poet wrote this letters to an aspiring poet while he was in his late-twenties, and I've never read such good advice to a young writer.

[Riv]

Hi! I'm loving the new forum Right now, I'm reading 'The Confessions of Nat Turner' by William Styron.

[Ann]

I'm currently reading Dance, Dance, Dance by my favourite author, Haruki Murakami. It's not as good as some of his other stuff but it's still a thrilling, surreal, and wonderfully written book.

I've heard such good things about Murakami and I want so badly to read something ... but lately I've felt very odd about reading translations (I have this idea that every word is important, and it bothers me that the word I'm reading is not the same word the author wrote).

I'm reading To Kill A Mockingbird, which I read in high school, of course, but I hardly remember any of it. I'm surprised at what an enjoyable read it is.

[Weirdelves]

I'm currently reading Dance, Dance, Dance by my favourite author, Haruki Murakami. It's not as good as some of his other stuff but it's still a thrilling, surreal, and wonderfully written book.

I've heard such good things about Murakami and I want so badly to read something ... but lately I've felt very odd about reading translations (I have this idea that every word is important, and it bothers me that the word I'm reading is not the same word the author wrote)

Well he translates some of the books himself. I advise you to read Norwegian Wood. It's a great place to start with Murakami, and a beautiful book.

[ribbonbows]

oh i love murakami. dance dance dance is good, but you're right, it isn't his best. still very satisfying. i think i will re-visit the wind up bird chronicle this summer. me? i'm re-reading the bell jar. i'm in such a place where i need plath's lyrical prose.

[claire]

Well, speaking of Murakami, I'm reading Kafka on the Shore right now. My favorite creative writing professor in college recommended it to me and now, over two years later I'm finally getting around to reading it! I like it a lot so far.

[Ceres]

I'm also reading a Murakami right now. "A Wild Sheep Chase", not my first Murakami. Started with "Kafka On The Shore" and then I read several short stories. I love his short stories

[polliwog]

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A Heinlein
and
Gods and Heroes - Myths and Epics of Ancient Greece by Gustav Schwab

[Cosmia]

Dance Dance Dance was the first Murakami I read, working my way through his books now. Recently finished Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, which was wonderful.

I've been reading stupid amounts recently- for my first two terms at uni I read one book due to having NO TIME (and shitloads of bloody philosophy books to read), whereas I used to read at least a book a week. In the last 3 weeks I'm supposed to be revising, so I've been spending most of my time reading. Read My Cousin Rachel (I love me some De Maurier)- not as good as Rebecca but still brilliant.

A book called Up by Adam Roberts- the other half has been trying to get me into sci fi, but being a physicist the sciency descriptions are more of an annoyance to me as it's pretty much several pages of "science" that to me sounds ridiculous, so it cheapened what was otherwise a very good book.

erm, what else... oh, a Philippa Gregory book about the slave trade in Bristol, (wanted something light, I say that without irony after reading the above book), it was rubbish.

Finally got around to reading 1984, absolutely superb. Currently reading 'Remarkable Creatures' by Sean B. Carroll, book about the people who pioneered evolutionary theory and also about MASSIVE BUTTERFLIES, a great read.

In less enjoyable pursuits, I'm also dipping in and out of Mathematical Techniques by Jordan and Smith.

[spasticelastic]

Giovanni's Room -- James Baldwin

[Jordan~]

My Classics teacher's notes to Herodotus's Histories.

[Ludag]

I like Murakami too, but not the last books. Is starting to be repetitive and boring. What pity. Now I'm reading the "Genji Monogatari" of Murasaki, amazing!

[Colossus]

I'm really in to biography and autobiography at the moment. Currently reading 'Bitter Fame: A Life of Sylvia Plath' partly for pleasure and partly for my impending dissertation which I'm writing on her. She was a fantastically talented writer plagued by numerous neuroses and, arguably, intense psychological problems yet manages to come across as a woman riding a tide of talent before eventually being consumed by the breaking of the wave. Beautifully written and researched by Anna Stevenson - I'd definitely recommend it.

[ursulabear]

max payne

[lutwidge]

Just finished Derek Bailey's Improvisation: Its nature and practice in music. Interesting little read.

[milkisobel]

"the mysterious doctor Fu Manchu"

[milkisobel]

Just finished Derek Bailey's Improvisation: Its nature and practice in music. Interesting little read.

yeah it sounds good!

[numbeuphoria]

Currently reading The Fairytales of Herman Hesse. It is really enchanting, a very fitting accompaniment to the only thing I seem to be listening to at the moment - the first disc of Have One on Me,

I recommend anything he's written if you're into being confused in that enlightening way a very good book can make you.

I've just finished The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen which I view as one of the best things written this side of the century. Definitely the best to come from the States.

[Cosmia]

Tonight will be the last night I have to read anything academic for a good few months. As it is, I'm off to curl up in bed with a cup of camomile and Introduction to Philosophy of Science by James Ladyman (who's actually my lecturer for the same course).

Then perhaps ten minutes or so of The Fellowship of the Ring for some comfort reading.

[Ann]

I'm reading The Fountainhead.