What have you been reading?

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I'm just finishing up James Michener's POLAND. I enjoyed reading the book, though the horrors that the Polish people have had to endure over the centuries are painful even to hear about. I was a little disappointed that there was only 1 passing reference to mead.

I'm slowly working my way through his various novels (he was a prolific writer). For anyone that hasn't tried some of Michener's books, all I can say is give one a try. It is the most painless way to study history you'll ever find. Although his sweeping novels are fictions (the specific characters), he sets them in historical context, and the historical facts, wars, leaders and so forth that are presented are quite accurate. He would do extensive and meticulous research in the history, and culture of an area that he would incorporate into his novels making them superior to may non-fiction histories.

For someone wanting to learn some early American history, try Chesapeake.
 
I'm just finishing up James Michener's POLAND. I enjoyed reading the book, though the horrors that the Polish people have had to endure over the centuries are painful even to hear about.

Not to hijack the thread, but this reminds me of a conversation we were having in the office regarding global geo-politics. I made the mistake of refering to Winston Churchill as one of Britain's great leaders. This sparked a 20 minute rant from my boss, a Polish immigrant, on how much Churchill was a back stabbing, goat sucking, monkey. Perspective is everything.
 
PG Wodehouse
Jeeves: Joy in the Morning

The audiobook is definitely worth the price of admission as I'd never be able to call up the rapier dialog in my imagination that well...
 
Just finished completely re-reading Jim Butcher's "The Dresden Files" and am now running through L Frank Baum's original Land of Oz series. I have an e-reader and I love having books lined up in a row
 
Finally!
I have read a book recommended to me by one Paul (Muad'Dib?) some thirty plus years ago. Awesome.

Also read The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan.

Since I do most of my "reading" in the car, I'm a bit tired of the voice of Scott Brick...
 
I need to re-read Callahan's Crosstime Saloon by Spider Robinson... It's been like 10 years since I read it, and since the population of my bar loosly resembles some of the characters of the story, I'd like to review and make my bar even MORE like the story... Since there are sort of some other loose connections there that I hope to someday tell stories about...

(So if anyone actually KNOWS the man, please... Tell him that if he will come have a drink at the Knuckle Down Saloon, It'll be on the house - and if he comes at the right time of year, he can hear the man that HE took HIS nom-de-plume from play. Spider John Koerner just played on our stage last Saturday, and I can guarantee that he'll be back as often as he can make the trip...)

What I REALLY need though, is a hearth for that place... That would utterly rock.
 
You have all seen http://goodnightdune.com right? I've read it to my daughter many, many times...

Oh yes, I'm well familiar!

Hey, if you're THAT big of a Dune nut, check out www.jacurutu.com, it's the biggest (English speaking anyways) Dune discussion forum on the net, long history of great people, amazing discussion - just don't introduce yourself with something like "aren't the new books great?" and you'll have a blast. ;)

I'm on there as A Thing of Eternity. (Major bonus points if you know what that means)
 
The Fremen language is derivitive of arabic, I believe. Shai hulud in Arabic - not Fremen - means A Thing of Eternity. In Fremen it means Grandfather of the Desert, or somesuch.
 
The Fremen language is derivitive of arabic, I believe. Shai hulud in Arabic - not Fremen - means A Thing of Eternity. In Fremen it means Grandfather of the Desert, or somesuch.

Nicely done! In Fremen though it's never really given a direct translation, the "grandfather of the desert" (among other names, there's at least 5 that I can think of right now, old man of the desert being a similar one) are sort of just parrallel names for the worms, not really translations - because those names all refer directly to the worms, whereas "Shai Hulud" refers to God, the worms just being a physical manifestation of said. So it's safe to assume the a thing of eternity stands as an acceptable translation for Fremen as well.
 
Remember how some guy said the world was going to end in May of this year? Then when it didn't happen he changed his mind and said it would be October instead?

I decided to start my Rapture Bochet on Oct 23 in his honor...hopefully it will be quaffable by the real end-of-the world Winter Solstice 2012...

So just for grins I've taken the LaHaye/Jenkins first in a series Left Behind out of the library...to get myself in the mood...
 

That's a relative "oldie" these days, originally published back around the same time as Pamela Spence's "Mad About Mead," although I think it was compiled from info and notes that go back even farther into the past - almost back to when I started making mead for the first time! ;D It is a bit dated, but useful for historical perspective, I think.
 
hmmm maybe i wont buy it then, it looks pretty "pro". you guys know of any other good mead making/judging or any thing mead related books? Ive got most of the usual suspects mentioned on the site ;)
 
Just finished reading
The Wobbit: A Parody by Paul A Erickson

Even took the time to post an amazonbook review. That was easier than I thought. Maybe I'll do it again sometime.