Here are #39-42
Four more books checked off:
-Nation by Terry Pratchett;
-On Bullshit by Harry G. Frankfurt;
-American Tabloid by James Ellroy; and
-Infinite Circle: Teachings in Zen by Bernie Glassman
39. Nation by Terry Pratchett. Pratchett's latest is a moving, witty, and utterly enjoyable coming-of-age story. The story of Mau, a young boy on the cusp of becoming a manwhose entire island village is completely devastated by a rogue wave. The wave also brings to the island Daphne, a young girl who just happens to be the heiress to the British Crown, thanks to a pandemic of influenza. Together, Mau and Daphne help each other and several other stranded islanders rebuild their society, learn the secrets it still holds, and eventually become stronger and more resolute in the process, as usually happens in a story like this. The attempts at communication bring about some of the biggest laughs, as do Pratchett's jokes about about certain biological oddities. And for the most part, he has written one of his greatest works yet.
40. On Bullshit by Harry G. Frankfurt. A fun look into the the philosophical aspects of bullshit and its good and bad qualities, Frankfurt's insightful essay is well worth the time it takes to read it. And it's worth it to read a second or even third time as well.
41. American Tabloid by James Ellroy. I almost forgot how violent this book actually was. But, I was pleasantly surprised at how much it grabbed my attention and never once let go of it. Following three fictional characters, two FBI agents and an ex-cop, as they interact, schmooze with, and clash with the likes of Howard Hughes; Jimmy Hoffa and several other Mafiosos; J. Edgar Hoover; and John and Robert Kennedy, and take part in some of the big events that took place between 1958 and 1963, like the 1960 election and the Bay of Pigs. The book plays out almost like a literary version of the TV series Rome, except it takes place during the Kennedy era and has at least 25% less (or more, it's really hard to say) political intrigue than Rome does. (Note: If you haven't seen Rome yet, do so immediately.) Ellroy has written an intense, nail-biting neo-noir epic that does not disappoint.
42. Infinite Circle: Teachings in Zen by Bernie Glassman. Glassman's book is a good introduction to the realm of Zen Buddhism for the aspiring Buddhist and non-Buddhist alike. Some of his teachings can go over your head, but that's Zen for you. Still, it's an enjoyable text to study.
Now reading:
43. Going Postal: A Novel of Discworld by Terry Pratchett
44. Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea By Charles Seife
42 / 50 books. 84% done!
12698 / 15000 pages. 85% done!
x-posted to lambertmyth8, 50bookchallenge, & 15000pages
-Nation by Terry Pratchett;
-On Bullshit by Harry G. Frankfurt;
-American Tabloid by James Ellroy; and
-Infinite Circle: Teachings in Zen by Bernie Glassman
39. Nation by Terry Pratchett. Pratchett's latest is a moving, witty, and utterly enjoyable coming-of-age story. The story of Mau, a young boy on the cusp of becoming a manwhose entire island village is completely devastated by a rogue wave. The wave also brings to the island Daphne, a young girl who just happens to be the heiress to the British Crown, thanks to a pandemic of influenza. Together, Mau and Daphne help each other and several other stranded islanders rebuild their society, learn the secrets it still holds, and eventually become stronger and more resolute in the process, as usually happens in a story like this. The attempts at communication bring about some of the biggest laughs, as do Pratchett's jokes about about certain biological oddities. And for the most part, he has written one of his greatest works yet.
40. On Bullshit by Harry G. Frankfurt. A fun look into the the philosophical aspects of bullshit and its good and bad qualities, Frankfurt's insightful essay is well worth the time it takes to read it. And it's worth it to read a second or even third time as well.
41. American Tabloid by James Ellroy. I almost forgot how violent this book actually was. But, I was pleasantly surprised at how much it grabbed my attention and never once let go of it. Following three fictional characters, two FBI agents and an ex-cop, as they interact, schmooze with, and clash with the likes of Howard Hughes; Jimmy Hoffa and several other Mafiosos; J. Edgar Hoover; and John and Robert Kennedy, and take part in some of the big events that took place between 1958 and 1963, like the 1960 election and the Bay of Pigs. The book plays out almost like a literary version of the TV series Rome, except it takes place during the Kennedy era and has at least 25% less (or more, it's really hard to say) political intrigue than Rome does. (Note: If you haven't seen Rome yet, do so immediately.) Ellroy has written an intense, nail-biting neo-noir epic that does not disappoint.
42. Infinite Circle: Teachings in Zen by Bernie Glassman. Glassman's book is a good introduction to the realm of Zen Buddhism for the aspiring Buddhist and non-Buddhist alike. Some of his teachings can go over your head, but that's Zen for you. Still, it's an enjoyable text to study.
Now reading:
43. Going Postal: A Novel of Discworld by Terry Pratchett
44. Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea By Charles Seife
42 / 50 books. 84% done!
12698 / 15000 pages. 85% done!
x-posted to lambertmyth8, 50bookchallenge, & 15000pages