Random books from Nickelini's library
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
And the Band Played on: Politics, People, and the Aids Epidemic by Randy Shilts
If on a Winter's Night a Traveler (Everyman's Library (Cloth)) by Italo Calvino
Buddhism Without Beliefs by Stephen Batchelor
Down and Out in Paris and London (Penguin Modern Classics) by George Orwell
Books, Banks, Buttons: And Other Inventions From The Middle Ages by Chiara Frugoni
Persuasion by Jane Austen
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Friends: alphaorder, amandameale, avaland, Cariola, christiguc, fannyprice, izzybee, judylou, juliette07, keren7, kiwidoc, media1001, merry10, mrstreme, Rozzie, SqueakyChu, teelgee, torontoc, txpam
Interesting libraries: Irisheyz77, jfetting, Joycepa, kiwidoc, lindsacl, margad, marvas, Phlox72, polutropos, wandering_star, whitewavedarling, whymaggiemay
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Nickelini's reviews
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Member: Nickelini
Library256 books — see library
Reviews28 reviews — see reviews
Cloudstag cloud, author cloud
Tags20th century (100), 1001 (63), 21st century (61), Non-fiction (43), 888 (39), University (38), British literature (34), Canadian literature (31), England (24), Literature (21) — see all tags
Groups1001 Books to read before you die, 18th-19th Century Britain, 888 Challenge, Atwoodians, Awful Lit., Book Clubs, Books Compared, Canadian Bookworms, Clarissa's Cottage, Girlybooks — show all groups
Favorite authorsJane Austen, Mark Frutkin, Katherine Mansfield, Ian McEwan, Salman Rushdie, Jane Urquhart, Virginia Woolf (Shared favorites)
Favorite bookstoresMosaic Books, Munro's Books
About me I find reading lists really fun, even though I usually don't follow them. I'm currently reading books from these lists:
1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
The Best of Canadian Literature
The Best of Sri Lankan Literature
Giller Prize Winners & Nominees
Booker Prize Winners & Nominees
All the Unread Books in My Closet
Read Around the World Challenge
Orange Prize Winners & Nominees
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Here is my university reading list for the autumn term 2008. Wish me luck--I think it looks both daunting and boring :-( And I'm usually so excited to start the term:
Humanities 101:
Antigone (Sophocles)
Survival in Auschwitz (Primo Levi)
Mencius (Confucius, I think)
The Prince, (Machiavelli) (I've read and written on this one already, and reviewed it last spring to cite in my essay on Shakespeare's The Tempest, so I'm totally comfy with this text)
Revelations of Divine Love (Julian of Norwich) (have done a titch on her before, and I believe she's a total nutbar. but I mean that in the nicest way)
Galileo (Bertolt Brecht)
Discourse on Method (Descartes)
Civilization and Its Discontents (Freud) (That title sounds FUN!)
Discourse on Origins of Inequality (Rousseau)
Oresteia (Aeschylus)
plus,
Cultural Criticism and Society (Theodor Adorno)
Letter from the Birmingham Jail (ML King)
Humanities 332: Women in Greek Mythology:
Two of the texts, Civilization and Its Discontents (Freud) and Antigone (Sophocles) are also in the Humanities 101 course, so I'm doubling up on my reading. The other books listed are:
In Spite of Plato, (Adriana Caverero)
Agamemnon (Aeschylus)
Medea (Euripides)
Helen in Egypt (HD)
Cassandra: A Novel and Four Essays (Christa Wolf)
and finally,
English 371
Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace
Whew!
About my library Here are the countries from my Read Around the World Challenge. In 2008 I will be focusing on British and Canadian literature, so this map probably won't change very much over the next little while.
create your own visited country map
I track my reading in two places at LibraryThing:
1. Everything I read goes to the 50 Book Challenge (I'll move to the 75 Book Challenge if I read more)
http://www.librarything.com/talktopic.ph...
Here is my list from 2007: http://www.librarything.com/talktopic.ph...
2. I'm also playing the 888 Challenge, which is just a different way of tracking my reading (although not everything I read shows up here). It's a good way to keep my reading plans on track and keep myself well-rounded, book wise.
http://www.librarything.com/talktopic.ph...
-----------------------------
Also on43Things, Lists of Bests
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LibraryThing Early Reviewers
LocationVancouver
Account typepublic, lifetime
Connection NewsConnection News
URLs
http://www.librarything.com/profile/Nickelini (profile)
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/Nickelini (library)
Member sinceMar 5, 2007
Most recent activity
 Nickelini rated:And the Band Played on: Politics, People, and the Aids Epidemic by Randy Shilts Stars:  NEW! |
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posted by jfetting at 7:45 pm (EST) on Sep 28, 2008
Just for fun I took your advice about contact the publisher. Here's the e-mail I sent. What do you think about my chances of getting an answer?
Dear Esteemed Customer Service Representative,
You are probably not the person to whom this inquiry should be addressed, but I couldn't find a suitable category matching the nature of my inquiry. Furthermore, even if you know the truthful answer to my question, you are probably not authorized to release truthful answers. Doing so simply would not be polite or politically efficacious. Unfortunately, you are it, since I could not find a category entitled Office of Propaganda and Disinformation.
But I digress. Recently, I have noted a disturbing development at this publishing establishment and that of two other of your esteemed competitors. Your scholarly books have quadrupled in price. What gives? I know the world economy is going to hell. I know I am American, and nobody likes Americans anymore. Hell, I do not like them much myself; nevertheless, Americans need access to good scholarship as much as the rest of the world (if not moreso given our obvious incompetence in running our own affairs, not to mention managing other countries' business). As an academic (currently lapsed), I have been a longtime supporter of that small niche market known as academic research. My bookshelves look like the backlist for Routledge. And yes, I know scholarly works have always cost more on relative scale than other books. Even in the recent past, I have cheerfully and without complaint laid out $40.00 (for paperbacks) and $65.00 (for hardbacks) for books hot off your own company's most hallowed and revered press. Twice, however, in the last several months, I have ventured forth to order a Routledge title, only to discover that it cost almost $200 (before shipping, handling, and any applicable taxes)! Given my loyalty to your company, I think a slight bit of peevishness (as well as indigestion) on my part is not uncalled for. Please explain yourselves. I did not buy "Gender and Narrative in the Mahabharata" the other day because $190.00 is an absurd price to pay. In short, I'm miffed . . . and with good reason. Alas, I fear, I will be ending what has been a long (20 years) relationship with Routledge unless you cease (and desist) charging extortionate prices for your books. Please do not tell me to go to the library. I won't. I like to linger over my books, write notes in them, read them while taking long leisurely hot baths and eating chocolate ice cream. Libraries frown on such practices. I would like an answer to my question. In the meantime, I bid you a fond adieu. The relationship was beautiful while it lasted.
Tearfully (in a miffed sort of way),
Mary Moss
Former Professor of English Literature
Current Lecturer at the Free Street University
posted by urania1 at 2:18 pm (EST) on Sep 24, 2008
posted by media1001 at 12:08 am (EST) on Sep 3, 2008
In other notes, your approach to reading really seems to mirror mine in some ways. I'm excited for you!
posted by lyzadanger at 6:23 pm (EST) on Sep 2, 2008
Being more in the position of setting readings now rather than following them, I'm always fascinated by lists. I miss my days at uni & try to set up workshops with my former lecturers for my current high school students as much as I can, just so I can imbibe the ambience of the hallowed halls of Sydney Uni once again. Sad, I know :)
Anyway, I loved Antigone & the Oresteia, Agamemnon and Medea, so imho you're in for a few treats there. Descartes wasn't too bad and Freud sounds... well, is entertaining a way to express it? :)
All the best!
posted by Miss-Owl at 6:31 pm (EST) on Aug 29, 2008
I read all the Greek plays and I LOVED them so maybe you will too.
I did a term paper on the Descartes and it wasn't bad to read if you like that kind of thing--I sometimes do and I enjoyed it (a long time ago--when I was in school. forgotten most of it now just remembered I had fun doing it.)
If you like poetry you should really enjoy Helen in Egypt I think. It's wonderful as I remember. Unfortunately I've lost my copy in one of the moves I've made since reading it--I think I will try to find another one and read it again, now that I'm reminded of it.
When you read Survival in Auschwitz I'd love to get your opinion. Lately I've been read some WWII non-fiction and I might want to try that one if you like it. I just finished Night by Wiesel and I have his Memoirs which I haven't started yet.
Good luck this term--happy reading!
posted by MusicMom41 at 12:16 pm (EST) on Aug 25, 2008
I suggest the entire Dashiell Hammett series: The Glass Key, The Maltese Falcon, The Thin Man and/or Red Harvest.
Wonderful writing.
-- M1001
posted by media1001 at 1:35 am (EST) on Aug 25, 2008
Thanks for the sweet enquiry but I am still alive. I have been frantically busy this past two months - work and house stuff and now a holiday on Vancouver Island which is half over. I am writing from a cafe as the place we are in has no internet, TV or modern techno devices (all designed by devious parents to lure their kids into the great outdoors!!!)
I will try and rehatch myself in September when the grind of school and homework and general routine starts again. I grab my holidays with great zeal as they seem so fleeting.
Happy reading, Joyce - I will return to haunt you soon!!!!
Cheers,
Karen
posted by kiwidoc at 2:53 am (EST) on Aug 23, 2008
bit moist on the final pages.. Yes, me too. What a fabulous book; so glad I read it!
posted by lindsacl at 8:41 am (EST) on Aug 21, 2008
posted by vhoeschler at 4:22 pm (EST) on Aug 7, 2008
Thank you for the feedback on my 888 Challenge page. Since reading is all about the experience, I love suggesting my books with a little "ambiance"! Out of curiosity, why didn't you like Shadow of the Wind?
posted by vhoeschler at 1:35 pm (EST) on Aug 5, 2008
Are you on Netflix? I can add you to my Netflix friends list if you are.
-- M1001.
posted by media1001 at 10:32 pm (EST) on Jul 28, 2008
Erewhon by Samuel Butler
News from Nowhere by William Morris
Have you read them?
-- M1001
posted by media1001 at 10:53 am (EST) on Jul 28, 2008
-- M1001
posted by media1001 at 5:46 pm (EST) on Jul 19, 2008
Thanks and keep writing honest and helpful reviews!! :)
Caity
posted by caitykarczewski at 1:16 pm (EST) on Jul 2, 2008
The weather is the pits, but I don't remember it being much better all these years. I remember when I first arrived, I thought to myself "How can anyone live in such a gloomy place?" I came here because I married a Canuck! I really wanted to go home after 2-3 years, but seem to have gotten used to it?
I spent most of my youth in sunny climes. Although born in London (UK), we lived in Cyprus, Malta and other sunny places until moving to NZ - which has also has a Medittearean climate. Came here aged 24 and now 49 so there you have it all!!!!
I also read an Elizabeth Bowen book - had similar difficulties with it, especially as I thought it would be a 'Nancy Mitford' style. That 1940s style was quite revolutionary but not easy. Great writer, but hard work, IMO.
Nice to hear from you! I hear that the sun is definitely ON ITs WAY!!!
Cheers,
Karen
posted by kiwidoc at 9:37 pm (EST) on Jun 11, 2008
I just reread it and all I can say is that I must have been fairly angry at wasting my time reading the story...the book *was* pretty bad, though.
And yeah, the pictures are amazing. I love those old, details drawings. Of course, my favorites are still the Alice In Wonderland, John Tenniel drawings. I even have the leather bound collection of Lewis Caroll's complete works. Great stuff.
Thanks for the comment.
-- M1001
posted by media1001 at 4:06 pm (EST) on Jun 1, 2008
Just wanted to thank you for recommending Mosquito - I'm 100 pages in and loving it. I'm torn between racing through it because I want to see what happens, and slowing right down because I don't want it to end!
Rachel
posted by rachbxl at 1:50 pm (EST) on May 21, 2008
I love children's lit myself, and some of my favorites are:
the Echo Falls mysteries by Peter Abraham (Down the Rabbit Hole is the first one, and a 13 year old girl is the heroine in these stories)
the Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley (Two girl heroines in these)
the Artemis Fowl books by Eoin Colfer (not girly, but really fun - not quite on the Harry Potter level, but what is?)
Gregor the Overlander books by Suzanne Collins
I saw that someone had suggested Twilight, and unless she's really mature, I would hold off on that one for a few years.
Anyway, I know that's a lot of input from a total stranger, but I hope it'll give you a few ideas.
Good Luck,
Traci
posted by virginiahomeschooler at 11:13 pm (EST) on May 17, 2008
posted by fannyprice at 8:25 pm (EST) on Apr 22, 2008
Thanks for the kind words, and I definitely recommend [Infidel], especially for Ali's remarks on the immigrant problem in Holland. I found her comments thought provoking. I'm currently reading [Foreskin's Lament] and [Honor Lost], but have barely scratched the surface of them, so way too soon to tell what I'll think of them.
I find it hard to recommend books to others because everyone's tastes are so individual. However, if you want recommendations from me, give me an idea of what you like to read (or are interested in reading) and I'd be happy to tell you what I found interesting and well written.
Maggie
posted by whymaggiemay at 8:51 pm (EST) on Apr 21, 2008
posted by avaland at 2:56 pm (EST) on Apr 21, 2008
I'm going to have to make a ticker for Middlemarch myself at some point.
posted by Irisheyz77 at 7:32 am (EST) on Apr 21, 2008
I know the Ambleside book store, and browse in there alot - I feel right at home in a bookstore and sometimes worry I will get locked in if late in the day!!!
not move around the store. It needed a real good clean out when he died a couple of years ago. It is fairly good, but lacks some variety and still needs a good clean-up. It was a true fire hazard before.
Good book hunting!!!
Cheers, Karen
posted by kiwidoc at 3:47 pm (EST) on Apr 20, 2008
Sounds like you had a good day book-shopping - I was in Brown's today (stopped on the way to work which made me late!). Got a good copy of Claire Keegan's short stories - 'Antarctica'.
I used to visit Kidsbooks almost weekly when my kids were little - it is a superb store. I harangued the store owner on 4th so much, I think she opened the Edgemount Village one just to get me off her back. However, since they are older (16 and 14) I don't go there much any more. They both read off my 'adult shelf' now they are teens.
Can you believe it was snowing this evening? I drove home from Burnaby in the slush, wondering how I could be thinking it was time to break out the gardening gear!
A few of us have been reading Fifth Business 'together' - so what seems like a coincidence is not really. I am not one for group reads, but this one seemed worthwhile!
Cheers and happy reading,
Karen
posted by kiwidoc at 2:07 am (EST) on Apr 19, 2008
I buy books from 32 Books more to support the business than anything else. It is really too small for a good browse.
Presently reading Fifth Business by Robertson Davies, and surprised to discover him. So far it is really very good.
So I see you are Italian - if only by marriage. I would live in Italy in a heart beat - it is such a beautiful country!!
Cheers,
Karen
posted by kiwidoc at 12:25 pm (EST) on Apr 15, 2008
posted by Cariola at 6:18 pm (EST) on Apr 14, 2008
I noted that you said that you were a 'map freak' on one of the reading globally threads. Are you familiar with Google Earth. I only ask on LT because I am accompanying my reading by putting placemarks on google earth maps so that I can physically see where my reads are taking place. I have not mentioned this in the Reading Globally group, but thought you may be interested in it as an idea.
Cheers,
Andy
posted by depressaholic at 12:14 pm (EST) on Apr 14, 2008
Vancouver disappoints me wrt to bookstores.
I am always amazed when I travel, how wonderful some bookstores can be. I love Munro's in Victoria and there are lots of second hand stores in Sidney. Browns is a co-op bookstore - and they recently added a women in print section (by the woman who used to own Hagar Books in Kerrisdale). So I managed to snaffle a few good titles there including a Patricia Grace (NZ writer) and a few other overseas authors that are usually hard to find. It is hit and miss.I mostly use the internet now.
Well done with your studies. I work fairly close to SFU!
Cheers,
Karen
posted by kiwidoc at 11:16 am (EST) on Apr 9, 2008
I don't know exactly how many of the books in my library are read, most of the initially posted ones, less of the more recently added. More than less.
I find it helpful to know what is in my library, even if unread, as it avoids me buying duplicates. I really love browsing book-stores, especially second-hand ones. Brown's bookstore on Hastings near Boundary is my latest haunt, and it happens to be on my way to work!!
The trouble with my LT obsession, it that it fuels the fire of more book acquisitions. I sometimes feel I just have to read/acquire a book after glowing recommendations from a respected fellow LTer!!!!
Cheers.
Karen
poste
posted by kiwidoc at 6:11 pm (EST) on Apr 7, 2008
Thanks for the note.
Yes I live in Greater Vancouver also - on the North Shore. Rather a compulsive bookie - my rather out of control library attests to this.
I started to realize that I could get a lot of 'reading' done if I listened to audios in the car commuting to Burnaby. Started on some novels last year and this year worked through an excellent English audio on Shakespeare plays. The four I listened to were the ones available at the library - I haven't seen any others yet in this excellent format. Very well done with seamless explanations between speeches. I actually really enjoyed them - although I am a keen participant at the Bard on the Beach every year.
I really enjoyed Twelfth Night - perhaps my favourite of the four so far (although R & J is also a big favourite).
Nice to meet you. I have noticed your comments around LT which are always very well thought out.
Karen
posted by kiwidoc at 12:16 am (EST) on Apr 7, 2008
posted by shootingstarr7 at 11:21 pm (EST) on Apr 2, 2008
posted by Irisheyz77 at 12:09 pm (EST) on Apr 2, 2008
posted by Irisheyz77 at 7:28 am (EST) on Apr 2, 2008
posted by Kplatypus at 3:10 am (EST) on Mar 12, 2008
I've just finished The Waves, and I loved it. It was amazingly poetic, but I was also really surprised about how relevant it seemed - all about the decisions people make about the way they construct their lives and their self-image.
Do let me know what you think of your annotated version. I stopped reading the footnotes in mine after the first few, because I thought they were pretty banal and sort of undermined the poetry of the book. And I'm quite glad that I just let it soak in slowly and thought about what parts made sense to me, rather than overlaying it with the analysis. But I'm also sure that there is a lot more in the book that I just didn't see, so next time it would be nice to have the extra information too.
I think your plan for how to read it is just right - there are so many lines in the book which express things so perfectly that you want to copy them out and share them with people and follow the line of thought...
posted by wandering_star at 6:45 am (EST) on Dec 23, 2007
posted by margad at 6:50 pm (EST) on Dec 19, 2007
posted by aemilys at 4:47 pm (EST) on Dec 14, 2007
posted by margad at 2:32 pm (EST) on Dec 2, 2007
posted by Bookful at 2:04 am (EST) on Dec 2, 2007
posted by margad at 5:32 pm (EST) on Nov 28, 2007
posted by wandering_star at 6:52 pm (EST) on Oct 1, 2007
posted by depressaholic at 10:11 am (EST) on Sep 4, 2007