What book(s) are you reading right now?

[kaatopp]

I was curious to see what people were reading right now, whether for leisure, school or work. Feel free to include recommendations, synopses, quotes, reviews, thrashings, critiques and any other form of opinion!

I am reading about fifty books for my last quarter of college right now but I just started reading Naomi Klein's book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism.

Most briefly stated, the book is thus far about the rise of Corporatism and how Milton Friedman (recently deceased and cherished as a ground-breaking economist) has infused Capitalism since the 1970s with his shock doctrine. This essentially means that, according to Friedman, in order for any significant change to occur in a country it must be in the wake of tragedy. People are sufficiently shocked and disoriented during these times that governments can privatize and impose "sweeping free-market programs" as they see fit.

Quoting Klein: "For more than three decades, Friedman and his powerful followers had been perfecting this very strategy: waiting for a major crisis, then selling off pieces of the state to private players while citizens were still reeling from the shock, then quickly making the "reforms" permanent." (page 6).

Klein uses the aftermath of September 11th and Hurricane Katrina as examples of crisis in which "shock treatment" was finally used in the United States to make reform (during the previous 30 years, shock treatment was used in other countries by dictators and various politicians who were students of Friedman's ideas). In the case of Katrina, following the tragedy, Friedman (94 years old at the time!) and his think-tank cronies went to the Bush Admin and secured vouchers to privatize schools in Baton Rouge and turned the public school system into charter schools, thus privately controlling education, cutting thousands of jobs and decreasing wages, only to name a few of the effects.

Much, much, MUCH more is discussed from there and that is only the introduction! It is definitely a charged topic, so I apologize for starting a thread about books and then immediately launching into a rather political topic but as a nearly graduated student of Political Science I find this stuff fascinating.

I recommended the book to all, whether you think its all garbage, the Lord's gospel or just interesting and educational! It will surely get me fired up because I am passionate about politics and public policy but I am mostly just excited to learn about another perspective on the current state of things.

With that aside, please share what you are reading, whether you think it is frivolous, educational or what have you. I am always interested to know what people are spending their time reading! So come one, come all, and share! ;D

[rukia888]

Thanks for starting this board, kaatopp! I am an avid reader myself (well, I try to be; there's just not much time nowadays for leisure reading). Anyway, I think I'll start off with recommendations:

1. On Chesil Beach - Ian McEwan: It's been a while since I've read this book, but I still re-read certain parts when I feel like depressing myself. It's a very short read, but it definitely stays with you.
2. The Painted Veil - W. Somerset Maugham: I read this after I saw the movie. It's quite different from the movie but still quite good and heart-wrenching.
3. The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger: Excellent read! It explores so many different themes: love, life, death, birth, etc. It's not your ordinary romance.
4. Atonement - Ian McEwan: Fantastic book to go along with a fantastic movie. Mr. McEwan's a genius, I say.
5. The Collector - John Fowles: Frederick Clegg is one creepy character, but you can't help but feel for him. It's a great insight on obsession. If anyone's seen the 1965 film adaptation, I would love to know how it is.
6. Mr. Maybe - Jane Green: Just a light, girly, fun read (like reading a romantic comedy). Reminiscent of Bridget Jones' Diary.

What I'm reading now: Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen. Eh, it's okay; it's a bit like reading a Lifetime movie. It has a good, strong female character though.

What's up next:
Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham
Choke by Chuck Palahniuk
Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
.
.
.
.
and any other recommendations will be appreciated!

[kaatopp]

Ah Rukia! I am still meaning to read On Chesil Beach .... I have about the equivalent of 3 books that I have to read every week right now (or at least, that is how it feels!!!), but as soon as the middle of June hits and I graduate university I am buying that book and exploring more of McEwan's genius!! I cannot wait and I promise to let you know what I think!

[quackattack]

Rukia, I've read Invisible Monsters and really liked it. Right now I'm reading the Aeneid (for school) and I was reading Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk, but I've been soooo busy with school, so I haven't read any of it in like...2 months.

[bookworm107]

Hahaha, this is the kind of thread I live for! Here is a fairly recent list as of a couple weeks ago...

1. "Children of the Mind"-Orson Scott Card
This book has really deeps insight into human relationships, the inner self and civilization as a whole. Although it is science fiction/fantasy, it forces the reader to think about human nature and the basic beliefs that govern society. It is #3 in the Ender's Game trilogy.

2. "Beloved"-Toni Morrison
If you don't read this book at some point in your life, you don't deserve the title of human being. Although it was writen less that 20 years ago, it has already taken a place among the greatest classical literature ever to shape the view of the world. It is set against the backdrop of slavery, but focuses on the way in which individuals commit self-murder, with the best intentions. I love the idea of rememory that Morrison introduces also. I read this book for my English class, but it is one of the best books I have and probably ever will read!

3. "1984" -George Orwell
Incredibly thought provoking and somewhat difficult tounderstand with the abstract concepts of thoughtcrime, and the book that explains the platfom of The Party. It was a great read and I definately reccommend it. It may take more than one reading to comprehend, and maybe true understanding will never come. But I think that was the point.

4. "Cat's Cradle" -Kurt Vonnegut
This book explores issues of science, technology and religion, while satrizing many other things on the way. Like "1984" this book provokes intense thought about the government and science, and the results of pursuing new achievements no matter what the cost (ie: the human race). This is my favorite of Vonnegut's works, but you can't go wrong with anything written by him.

5. "Romeo and Juliet"-William Shakespeare (duh!)
This is my most favoritest love story of all time, and yes I did just make up that word. I love Shakespeare in general, but I love the beauty of the verse in this play specifically; the romantic and whimsical nature woven with thoughtless passion and life. It really is a well known but oft overlooked masterpiece.

6. "Everything is Illuminated"-Jonathan Safron Foer
Much of the novel is narrated in broken english, as narrated by a foreigener. "A young man sets out to find the woman who might or might not have saved his grandfather from the Nazis. As the search moves back in time, the fantastical history moves forward, until reality collides with fiction in a heart-stopping scene of extraordinary power. An arresting blend of high comedy and great tragedy, this is a story about searching for people and places that no longer exist, for the hidden truths that haunt every family, and for the delicate but necessary tales that link past and future." I couldn't think of anything in my own words to describe why I like this so much, so I thought a brief summary could work.

7. "Middlesex"-Jeffrey Eugendes
This is a story about a Calliope who was born a girl but is a hermaphrodite. It has intelligence, unsettling insight and generous ammounts of humor. The balance between the female/male perrsonality is extraordinarily done so effortlessly, transcending the stereotypes of gender. I definately recommend rerading this book if you enjoyed BOP.

That is all I have right now, but I will contribute more. Thanks kaatop for this great thread!

[swimfan100]

Wow, bookworm! That is quite the list you have right there. I am assuming you live up to your name.

I am not much of a reader, as my life is consumed with dance and writing, but I do have a couple of favorites.

The Goose Girl-Shannon Hale
Spindle's End-Robin McKinnley
Persuasion-Jane Austin
The Gingerbread House-Robert Choover

I am greatful for any recommendations!

[rukia888]

Kaatopp, I do hope you'll like On Chesil Beach as much as I did whenever you get around to reading it. Let me know what you think whenever you do, and congratulations on almost graduating!

Quackattack, it's nice to know that you're a fan of Chuck Palahniuk. I haven't read any of his books yet; I only heard of him because of Fight Club. I really enjoyed the dark comedy and satire of the movie, so I'd thought that I would enjoy his books. The subjects of his books are really quite interesting and unique, to say the least.

[kaatopp]

Bookworm, WOW! You've got some great reads in there. 1984 and Cat's Cradle are marvelous books and so relevant to our time where science, religion, politics and constantly distorting human nature and values are able to intertwine in bizarre and often catastrophic ways.

It also sounds like I should really check out Beloved, I cannot wait to graduate university so that I finally have the time to read, read, READ! My brother loved Middlesex and tried recommending it to me but I just haven't had the time and there are so many other books on my list, I will have to keep it in mind though!

So, there has been a lot of mention of Chuck Palahniuk already but I have never read any of his work, I guess the closest I have gotten is by watching Fight Club, which is awesome, of course, but I don't know what he is all about, or why there is so much hype surrounding him. I am actually relatively put off by his fame and success among college students (and yes, I am one, haha) but I have to ask what it is about him that any of you like. How would you describe his style? What makes him worth the read? And what is his best book, do you think? This summer I will have to read him too, I cannot justify judging him without having read him any longer haha!

And thank you Rukia! I promise I will definitely tell you about my thoughts on On Chesil Beach, I have a feeling that I will really like it because I am pretty sure that I just LOVE McEwan as a writer, and also from what I remember you discussing of the book in its own thread.

[rukia888]

I didn't realize that there was such hype surrounding Chuck Palahniuk, kaatopp. I haven't read any of his works yet; but I will let you know how he is once I do. Have you read any of the overviews of what his books are about? They sound so incredibly amusing and interesting! Especially Choke...

And bookworm, I'm definitely adding Middlesex to my list of what to read next. Thanks!

[kaatopp]

Rukia, I have never read a synopsis of his book or anything. He is really big in Chicago, I don't know why. I see people reading him all the time on the trains and buses and loads of my friends and acquaintances think he is the cats pajamas. I have a problem with commodities of any form that become too popular, I assume they are crap. My opinion on lots of things are changed once I give these "commodities" my own personal attention, whether through viewing, or reading, etc, so that is bound to happen with Palahniuk.

I just have him lumped in the "hip" category and since I go to a really liberal and "hip" university, I get pretty tired of things that fall into this category and the people who espouse these things. It's all sort of nonsense and is really more of my own personal problem with judging things too quickly. That is why I am curious to hear what people think about him and what the content and style of his books are like. Without knowing anything I am assuming his books are quirky, funny, depressing, "ground breaking" (whatever that means) and fresh. Haha, I don't really know what those adjectives mean, but thats what I assume, and none of those adjectives are necessarily a bad thing.

Basically what I am trying to say (lol), is that I want to know why others think he is great so I can stop judging him and decide what book of his I should tackle first when I get a chance this summer.

[Kizuna]

Oooo, this looks like fun.

Kremlin Rising: Vladimir Putin's Russia and the End of Revolution by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser
If you thought America's politics were screwy, you haven't seen nothing yet till you've read this. It's a basic insight into how Russia, the politics, its foreign policies, and general life have changed ever since Putin, a former mid-level KGB officer, grew to power. It's a rather interesting read, IMO.

Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S. by Roland Kelts
I've always been a huge fan of Japanese culture and pop culture, and I really think Kelts hits the bullseye as to how and why things like anime, J-pop, and the general culture (geishas, samurais, etc) have become so popular in America as a mainstream thing. It also explains the origins of the thing known as tentacle rape hentai (shudders).

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
Bourdain is seriously my hero. I love his show on the Travel Channel, No Reservations, and his sarcastic witty humor always cracks me up. He just has some of the best philosphies of food (taking risks, try the weirdest thing possible, etc) that I just totally agree with.

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
After seeing the movie and totally loving it, I also checked out the book it was based on. It's definitely great. The movie did cut out certain things, but it's understandable why. But I love both versions of the story.

[bookworm107]

If you ever figure out a couple of his(Palahniuk) to read, let me know. I will read just about anything I can get my hands on!

[quackattack]

Of Palahniuk I've only read Fight Club, Invisible Monsters, and like a quarter of Survivor (thanks to school). Fight Club was almost exactly like the movie (with some subtle changes) and Invisible Monsters was just really...weird. But in a good way. Kaatopp, I'd say your adjectives describing him are pretty accurate. I don't find him to be preachy though (those things annoy me too). They're pretty much just easy, entertaining reads. I don't mean like stupid or short by easy. I just think his writing style makes me go through it much quicker than other books.

[bookworm107]

OOOHHH, I have another one to add. I havn't read it myself (yet), but my sister just finished it. It is "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini, the author og "kite runner". My sister absolutely loved it, and highly recommended it to me. I loved "Kite Runner" (and I am looking forward to the movie) and can't wait to read it. It is a story about two young muslim girls living in that culture in the late 60s-70s (i think) and the struggles of women in demeaning relationships with men. I think it may give insight into a culture that has become predominantly feared in America raise awareness of political and socioeconomical injustices that still exist today. I can't wait to read it myself.

[bookworm107]

I know it is frowned upon to double post, but I have more books to add. Previously I posted many of the critical authors/books that I think are relevant and thought provoking. But, I am a HUGE fan of science fiction/fantasy/thriller/horror genres also. Here are a couple of my top pics.

1. Orson Scott Card (author)-
You really can't go wrong with anything written by him. My all time favorites are the Ender Quartet: "Ender's Game", "Speaker for the Dead", "Xenocide", and "Children of the Mind". The 7th Son series is good also, but not my favorite. The somewhat mind bending proposals of physics and humanity in relation to existance are very interesting and insightful. I know I already put "CoM" in my other list, but I just had to add the whole series because I am so addicted to them.

2. "Twilight" series-Stephenie Meyer
*sigh*...enough said...haha but really, I love these books no matter how teenage and cheesy they may be. I have always had a thing for vampires, then you add in all the "edward-ness" in on top, and I am in one mushy heaven. How can you not love the most perfect man to ever...not...exist?

3. "Abhorsen Trirlogy"-Garth Nix
Another of my favorite authors, these three books (Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen) are interesting and unique in their plot. I have yet to find another series that comes close to immitating the strange mix of mythology and witchcraft-ish world. The constant clash of the "real world" with the "magical world" across the wall almost seems to symbolize the wall of youth and imagination that is always so fun to creep across now and again.

4. Clive Cussler (author)-
Probably my favorite author of all time. His construction of nearly possible historic explations mixed in with under-sea adventures is seriously addicting. I am a fan of historical fiction, but this takes on an entirely new dimmension. his "dirk pitt" adventures are my favorite, but anything he does is worth looking at.

5. "Night World" series-L. J. Smith
For all of you romantic vampire fans out there, this one is definately for you. The world of good and evil vampires, shapeshifters, werewolves, witches and humans is presented in a series of fairly short novels that I have read more times than I can count. If you liked Twilight, you will definately love this!

6. "Angels and Demons"-Dan Brown
I know that the DaVinci Code is his claim to fame, but I actually liked this book the best. It has alot of interesting art history information (for all those wierdos like me who are interested in that kind of stuff) and is exiting and suspenseful. I also really like the speesh given by the pope's helper guy (lol) near the last third of the story. It really struck me, and I even highlighted it in my book.

7. "The Chronicles of Narnia"- C.S. Lewis
I really believe that everyone should read this series at least once in their life. The individual books are short and easy to read. As classics and simply good books they have alot to offer the reader, whether they are seeking enjoyment or a thought provoking experience. For those who are religious, they will see and understand alot of the religious symbology, but I don't think it is overdone or offensive. I strongly suggest these!

8. "The Little Princess"-Frances Hodgson Burnett
Wow, this book brings back so many memories of my childhood. I read this for the first time when I was 8, and it has been my favorite book of all time since then. Maybe it has something to do with the princess being named Sarah...lol! It is a cute and well written story. I love it!

That is the end for now. Sorry again for the double post. I am working on a list of historical fiction, but till then...happy reading! ;D