Books That I Am Reading...
Here's what is on my reading agenda right now:
I'm in the process of reading through the Bible for the year. Currently I am behind (of course), finding myself in the middle of the Book of Judges in the Old Testament, Luke in the New, and of course daily readings from Psalms and Proverbs. I download mp3's from The Daily Audio Bible and highly recommend Brian Hardin and his ministry.
For light reading- and let's be honest, most of my reading is light and simple, I'm moving through The Giant Book Of Jokes, by Dave Phillips. I'm marking the ones worth remembering. To me, a well-placed joke or story in a sermon quite effectively drives home a point. Plus, I like to laugh, and I'm not beyond irritating you guys with some of my bad humor.
I like to listen to audio books, and am a member of audible.com. Currently I am listening to The Portable Atheist, by Christopher Hitchens. It is read by the author, himself, and gives brief sketches of the history and views of notable atheists throughout history. Why would I bother with such a book? I benefit from my faith being challenged. Such does not threaten- “I know in whom I have believed...” Reading the likes of Hitchens helps me to consider why I believe. Besides, I think I should know well my enemy.
Also, in bits-and-pieces I am listening to When You Are Engulfed In Flames, by David Sedaris. He's funny, but quickly tiresome. And, enjoying Spook: Science Tackles The Afterlife, by Mary Roach. It is a chronicle of her search for proof of the afterlife. Roach is funny. Her best book is Stiff: The Curious Lives Of Human Cadavers, a macabre and addictive little read about all the things we do to human bodies after death. And even as I tell you about it, I know you likely think I am especially weird for enjoying such subjects.
Finally, I just ordered some books from Amazon.com, where I almost exclusively order used books. I ordered two books by Larry Gonick, The Cartoon History Of The United States and The Cartoon Guide To Sex. The latter is not porn, at least I do not think. Gonick is hilarious and insightful- I have his first two volumes of The Cartoon History Of The Universe. Finally, I ordered The Dead Guy Interviews: Conversations with 45 of the Most Accomplished, Notorious, and Deceased Personalities in History, by Michael A. Stusser. I saw it advertised in Mental Floss, and thought it to be worth the price of a used copy- one cent, plus $3.99 shipping.
So, there you have it, a window into my reading habits. Surely I'm not so strange?
08.21.08 (1:59 pm) [
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posted by:
Kurts Sis (
reply)
post date:
08.21.08 (12:54 pm)
OK, PD I'm a reader too and this may very well endure you to me. I'm a huge David Sedaris fan and am SHOCKED that you too read his books. Love it! I would attend a church where I knew the Pastor read Sedaris. He does get a bit tiresome at times. I tend to listen to his books on long car trips to visit my parents and it's a constant source of laughter on a veeeery boring ride.
You might also like Augusten Burroughs if you like Sedaris, but both are a little crass and Burroughs maybe a bit more so that Sedaris, consider yourself warned if you check him out (if you haven't already).
I too have read The Curious Lives Of Human Cadavers, it was interesting but I had a hard time getting through it and I don't recall finishing the entire book.
I'm not sure what you preferences are, but here a few a my most favorite books...
The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeanette Walls
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell (if you haven't read this at Kurt's urging you might like to read it, since you read about Atheism, you might enjoy Campbell's take on religion and mythology...again if you haven't already...if you have I'd love to hear your thoughts).
Those are just a few, off the top of my head...
Melody
posted by:
LoriSchuster (
reply)
post date:
08.21.08 (1:05 pm)
I like it that you have a wild side! :) I have not read any of those authors, although I have read three books by Augusten Burroughs who Melody brought up. "Running with Scissors" is my favorite. A little rough at times but I think that he is a genius with words.
posted by:
Melody (
reply)
post date:
08.21.08 (1:13 pm)
Reply to: LoriSchuster
If you haven't read his most recent one, "A Wolf at the Table : A Memoir of My Father" let me warn you, it's intense and it's hard to get through, but it explains some things about Augusten I think. I'm glad I read it, but I won't read it twice like I did "Dry" or "Running with Scissors"
BTW...did you see the movie for "Running with Scissors", I was so disappointed in that movie as I am with most movies made from books I love! :/
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.21.08 (1:59 pm)
Reply to: Kurts Sis
I just downloaded The Power Of Myth, Programs 1-6, from audible. It cost me a credit. Tomorrow I leave for a week of vacation, intentionally planned with lots of free time. So I'll give Campbell (and interviewer Bill Moyers) a listen. I at least understand that, when properly understood, "myth" is not a dirty word even when applied to the Bible.
posted by:
Melody (
reply)
post date:
08.21.08 (2:03 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
That's awesome. I'm going to look forward to your thoughts on the book when you return. I think you'll enjoy it. Campbell has a very appealing way about him and it's a great read for vacation. I think you'll find it worth the credit and the time :) If not, blame KURT! hehe
Have a great vacation!
posted by:
intricategirl (
reply)
post date:
08.21.08 (2:11 pm)
Very interesting choices. I'd join a book club if you picked the books. :D
I keep trying to get started on one called something like, "An Arsonist's Guide to Writer's Homes in New England". If any book was full of promise based on the title, it's that one.
There's an online site at wowio dot com (since they don't allow the URLs here). Free books to download, and a decent enough selection.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.21.08 (2:55 pm)
Reply to: A genius with words? Probably the best of compliment for a writer.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.21.08 (2:56 pm)
Reply to: LoriSchuster
A genius with words? Probably the best of compliment for a writer.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.21.08 (2:59 pm)
Reply to: intricategirl
That is quite a title for a book. And I'll check out the website for book downloads. I have an old Palm Tungsten E, onto which I will sometimes download a book in pdf or word file format. It does a decent enough job. I'm thinking, sometime in the near future, an electronic gadget will come along and become popular that will make print media obsolete. Oh, wait, in our semi-illiterate society, that device is the television.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.21.08 (3:08 pm)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
Campbell comes across as the nice, unassuming, grandfatherly type- seems I recall. And I know you think a lot of him. I remember, once-upon-a-time, you intended a series of posts to interact with his writings. I would still find such to be highly interesting. So I'll make the effort to learn more about what he has to say. Of course, reading and agreeing are not the same.
The Book Of Mormon. You know, a couple of times, I sat down with the intent to read through the book. It is short- no longer than the New Testament. But it is bad reading. Smith's mimicking of KJV English is hard to follow. The names, the made-up names, remind me of some of the names of the neighborhood kids who now frequent my church.
You do know, I imagine, those two little Mormon missionaries were not prepared to encounter you while making their evangelistic rounds! Their prized prospect, I'm convinced, is the Baptist who does not know his Bible and is not serious about his faith. They are programmed to win the debate and make the hard sell with any of the millions of such shallow-type Christians.
