Bookworms

[Beirut]

Not nearly as much as I used to. Meaning before kids.

My problem (amongst many) is that I'm a picky reader. I want what I want and don't want anything else. That means there are some big spaces between books for me until I can get my hands on what I'm looking for.

I'll try to read at least one a week this year. "See Jane throw the ball at Spot. See Dick yell at Jane. See Spot... "

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I've got three books on the go at the moment:

1) Bismarck and the German Empire - Erich Eyck
2) Blood and Iron: The Von Moltke Family's Impact On German History - Otto Friedrichs
3) Beyond The Crease - Martin Brodeur

[Innocentius]

I don't read too much, say one book a month. Twice as many if there's no school.

I've been stuck on classic Russian literature for about a year now, and I have to say it surely outclasses anything I read before it. I've worked my way through Dostoyevsky and Gogol, and I'm currently reading Bulgakov. I still have a few famous authors to read before I can continue with something else (mainly Tolstoy). I occassionally take a break from the Russians in favour of classic Swedish literature or just history books. Generally, I read to educate myself, and to learn about the studies of philosofy or history.

I used to read real crap, like fantasy stuff (Jordan, Tolkien, heck even Rowling) but I'm through with that phase of my life now. I hope to read som classic Victorian literature as well (mostly Wilde and de Quincey), but where I'll go from thereon, I don't know. Anyone know of any modern literature that isn't all crap?

[Rodion Romanovich]

I don't read too much, say one book a month. Twice as many if there's no school.

I've been stuck on classic Russian literature for about a year now, and I have to say it surely outclasses anything I read before it. I've worked my way through Dostoyevsky and Gogol, and I'm currently reading Bulgakov. I still have a few famous authors to read before I can continue with something else (mainly Tolstoy). I occassionally take a break from the Russians in favour of classic Swedish literature or just history books. Generally, I read to educate myself, and to learn about the studies of philosofy or history.

I used to read real crap, like fantasy stuff (Jordan, Tolkien, heck even Rowling) but I'm through with that phase of my life now. I hope to read som classic Victorian literature as well (mostly Wilde and de Quincey), but where I'll go from thereon, I don't know. Anyone know of any modern literature that isn't all crap?

Apart from Dostoevsky and Tolstoy which I have read, which authors and works would you recommend from Russian literature?

Ps. Tolkien is not crap Although the contents of the story don't seem too exciting in retrospect, the writing style is absolutely unmatched at creating an immersive atmosphere. A good adventure without much deep message is always nice every once in a while, to take a break from heavier works (but Dostoevsky can be quite entertaining as well - and Oscar Wilde is certainly going to give you a good laugh, especially "The importance of being Earnest", unfortunately he didn't write much)

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Ps. Tolkien is not crap Although the contents of the story don't seem too exciting in retrospect, the writing style is absolutely unmatched at creating an immersive atmosphere, and was well worth reading IMO.

Tolkien created a massive world beyond the scope of any other. He created languages, mythology, poems, the concept of the Middle Earth gods, a history which went back thousands of years, and many, many books. Tolkien was brilliant.

[The Stranger]

hey edyz, arent you supposed to be writing???

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

hey edyz, arent you supposed to be writing???

Hard drive failure, I think he lost most of his work.

[Innocentius]

Apart from Dostoevsky and Tolstoy which I have read, which authors and works would you recommend from Russian literature?

Ps. Tolkien is not crap Although the contents of the story don't seem too exciting in retrospect, the writing style is absolutely unmatched at creating an immersive atmosphere. A good adventure without much deep message is always nice every once in a while, to take a break from heavier works (but Dostoevsky can be quite entertaining as well - and Oscar Wilde is certainly going to give you a good laugh, especially "The importance of being Earnest", unfortunately he didn't write much)

Oh, Michail Bulgakov and Leonid Leonov definitely. Leonov is somewhat like old Fyodor, just in Soviet Russia instead of Tsarist Russia (good stuff, basically). Bulgakov is my favourite so far, I don't know how his language and writing style will translate into English however as I fear most English translations suffer from cultural and linguistic barriers (even in Swedish, many expressions, play on words and other stuff gets lost), but I'd recommend him to anyone who's interested in Russian literature. He's less philosophical than the others, but much more critical and satirical in return.

Leonov's The Thief and Bulgakov's The Mater and Margarita are probably the best titles to go for.

PS. Ok, Tolkien isn't all crap - he's very good with descriptions and has a very poetic style, it's just a little too banal for my taste. The Hobbit is definitely something to read for the kids in a distant future though.

[Viking]

I read through the eleven books in the Wheel of Time series in about 8-9 months or so. Now, several months after I finished the last book, I haven't touched any other. I got LOTR for christmas but still hasn't bothered to start reading it.

[Csargo]

I normally read a couple of books a month. Most of them are non-fiction history books.

[Beirut]

I've got three books on the go at the moment:

Care for a fourth? If you are interested in German history (or history at all), you must read The Arms of Krupp by William Manchester. It's an extraordinary book detailing the rise of German steel manufacturing, the evolution of cannon design, the international arms trade and it's influence on war and politics over the course of hundreds of years.

The first hundred or so pages that discuss the birth of the steel industry in Germany read like a techno-thriller.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Care for a fourth? If you are interested in German history (or history at all), you must read The Arms of Krupp by William Manchester. It's an extraordinary book detailing the rise of German steel manufacturing, the evolution of cannon design, the international arms trade and it's influence on war and politics over the course of hundreds of years.

The first hundred or so pages that discuss the birth of the steel industry in Germany read like a techno-thriller.

I've never read it, but I'll certainly add it to my to-buy list. Thanks.