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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 2:36 am
by MissLT
The Bonfire of the vanities by Tom Wolfe. I haven't seen the movie, but the book is worth reading. Twisted plot; interesting ways of discribing characters (he discribes characters' s fashion sense a lot) through clothings, behaving, thinking to emphasize their characteristics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bonfir ... e_Vanities

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:36 am
by skony
I've just read " Don't try this at home" by Katie Pearson.Very interesting book especially for married people. The book has got a great humour and also its own philosophy.

Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:37 pm
by Mina
violet wrote:I just finished The Little Prince. I had heard of it thousands of times, but this was the first time I read it. It is really a moving fairy tale! What a lovely boy the little prince is! What a sad story that he is bited by the snake and left earth! I think every girl likes to be the rose in little prince's planet...

I suggest you read it, if you haven't read it before.
:) thanks for your suggestion! I have heard of this book but I haven´t bought it yet.I guess I wasn´t so excited.Thanks a lot!
I am finishing reading " After the funeral" by Agatha Christie.The story is really good!
bye.

Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 2:59 pm
by serenella
Violet, I liked The Little Prince a lot and I often read it again.
I think that we should never forget its deepest message: appearance is not important, we should follow what we feel, what our heart suggests us...

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 4:20 am
by Lalee
Today I started reading another book written by Charles Dickens. It's going smoothly so far. :)
I'm planning to read a different book every week. Let's see how it goes.

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 5:38 pm
by MissLT
Lalee wrote:Today I started reading another book written by Charles Dickens. It's going smoothly so far. :)
I'm planning to read a different book every week. Let's see how it goes.
That's what I usually do in the summer. I write down all the books people have recommended me to read during the year or books on the best-sellers list. Then I borrow them at the library. At my area, we can keep a book for three weeks and we can borrow up till 40 books per week. Thus, in one summer I can read over 20 books.
If you read them in English, you will be amazed of how your English will be improved. Their style of writing will also influent yours. I think you're on a right track of becoming a good writer. Keep it up :wink: .

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:32 am
by Dixie
Lalee wrote:Today I started reading another book written by Charles Dickens.
You're reading Dickens? What book? Let me know what you think about it when you finish! ;)

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:32 am
by Lalee
Wow. 40 books is a lot. You are so lucky, Lennye. Wait, is it four or forty? :roll:
At the library where I usually borrow books, you have only two weeks to read them and just can borrow two books per week, that is. Of course you can always renew the book.

Thanks for the encouragement, by the way. I always try to read in English as much as possible. :D

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 6:14 pm
by MissLT
Lalee wrote:Wow. 40 books is a lot. You are so lucky, Lennye. Wait, is it four or forty? :roll:
40, four zero, cutie :wink: .

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 12:20 am
by Lalee
Dixie wrote:
Lalee wrote:Today I started reading another book written by Charles Dickens.
You're reading Dickens? What book? Let me know what you think about it when you finish! ;)
The title of the book is "Great Expectations."
Earlier I was catching up with my reading and I stopped when I was on page 40 or something.
The book is not big at all. As a matter of fact, it's pretty small. I think it's about 100 pages long.
Dix, I'll let you know about it as soon as I'm done with it. :wink:

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 12:31 am
by Lalee
LennyeTran wrote: 40, four zero, cutie :wink: .
:o 40 is a lot, Lennye. I wish there were a library like that here. Libraries here suck ass! :cry:

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 6:13 pm
by MissLT
Lalee wrote: :o 40 is a lot, Lennye. I wish there were a library like that here. Libraries here suck ass! :cry:
Yeah but amazingly enough, some people still complain about it. Last time I had to do a project about a culture, so I needed to find books of it. I came to the library at 9 something (it's open at 10), I was waiting outside and there were already bunch of people waiting at the door. They were talking so loud. I made a conversation with a group of college students (it was fun). We came to a point about how many books we could borrow at the library, and they were bitter because they could only borrow 40 books :roll: . So weird....

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:44 pm
by Dixie
Lalee wrote: The title of the book is "Great Expectations."
I have that book. I started reading it but didn't finish. It bored me to death!! I'm sorry to say that, master Dickens! Maybe I should try starting it again. Focus!!

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:46 pm
by serenella
I don't like Dickens, too. He was surely a great writer, but I don't like reading his books: besides being boring, I think they are too realistic, pessimistic, sad.

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:33 am
by Lalee
LennyeTran wrote: Yeah but amazingly enough, some people still complain about it. Last time I had to do a project about a culture, so I needed to find books of it. I came to the library at 9 something (it's open at 10), I was waiting outside and there were already bunch of people waiting at the door. They were talking so loud. I made a conversation with a group of college students (it was fun). We came to a point about how many books we could borrow at the library, and they were bitter because they could only borrow 40 books :roll: . So weird....
Ok Lennye, let me get this straight... the students were upset because they could "only" borrow 40 books?? *Gasp*
If they were bitter just for that, I wonder what they would do if they lived here...Hmm...I think they would destroy the libraries here showing their anger and disagreement.
Watch out Lima libraries! :wink:

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:48 am
by Lalee
Dixie wrote: I have that book. I started reading it but didn't finish. It bored me to death!! I'm sorry to say that, master Dickens! Maybe I should try starting it again. Focus!!
Well, what can I say...the book is not amusing but is not that bad. I'm about to finish it.
This is my first time that I read a Dickens' book so I can't say whether or not his books are all the same.

Come to think of it, I saw a movie similar to that book. Do you remember? Starring Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow. Yeah, it's the same story! :o

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 11:56 am
by Dixie
Lalee wrote: Come to think of it, I saw a movie similar to that book. Do you remember? Starring Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow. Yeah, it's the same story! :o
Did you notice everything was green in that movie?

Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 7:55 pm
by Lalee
Dixie wrote:
Did you notice everything was green in that movie?
Hmm...what do you mean with "green"? :roll:

Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 8:17 pm
by Dixie
Lalee wrote:
Hmm...what do you mean with "green"? :roll:
By "green" I mean green :D if you notice, everything in the movie is green: the house, the characters' outfits, the walls... Just watch it again! :D

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 6:06 am
by Lalee
Dixie wrote: By "green" I mean green :D if you notice, everything in the movie is green: the house, the characters' outfits, the walls... Just watch it again! :D
Hmm...I guess I'll have to see it again. It's been a long time since I watched that movie that's why I can't remember it.

When was the last time you saw it?

Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 12:36 pm
by Goronman
Hi everybody :!:
The latest book I've read is called "De vita beata" (<=> "Happy life" :? ) by Sénèque, who was a roman philosopher. It is quite astounding to read a book who was written almost 2000 years old ago ! (and it is not so old-fashioned :) ) In this work, he tries to tell us how to lead an happy and quiet life.
Has anybody read a book written by Sénèque ? I advise you this author, who's quite understandable...

Bye
Goronman

Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 2:54 pm
by Dixie
Lalee wrote: When was the last time you saw it?
I don't know, it was the last time that was showed on Spanish TV... months ago.

Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:01 pm
by Tankette
in process of "Strata" by Terry Pratchett.
the last finished was "The name of the Rose" (U.Eco).

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:24 am
by trinity19
the last book i've read is 1984 by george orwell and i have to say that, although the story didn't engage me a lot in some moments, it's very interesting because of the world that presents. it's curious how different we are in some things and how similar in others, like the influence of the media. the topics of mind manipulation, manipulation through language, etc. were very interesting too.
have someone read this kind of books? do you prefer others like farenheit or brave new world?

goronman, i think i'm gonna study sénèque next year so i hope i will be able to read something written by him :)

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:32 pm
by Goronman
trinity19 wrote:the last book i've read is 1984 by george orwell

I've read it too, not a long time ago ! :P Although it's science-fiction, it's quite funny to see how our modern world looks like, or rather begins to look like to Orwell's vision : the importance of media, disinformation, egoism, bachelorhood ( :cry: ) and also mass globalisation. Quite frightening...
I advise you, by George Orwell, Animal Farm (If you have not read it yet :wink: ). It's a deep critic or the USSR regim and Stalin's dictatory...

Good luck with stoics :wink:
BYE
Goronman

P:S Where do you come from Trinity19 ? ( :arrow: I'm just curious :mrgreen: )

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:15 pm
by trinity19
yeah, you're not the first one that advises me "animal farm" so i think i'm going to pick it up at the library :D i saw things that reminded me to the USSR regim in "1984" too.
i'm from barcelona. i haven't updated my profile yet, i'll do it now :wink:

Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:10 am
by quicksilver
My hobby is also books, but now i dont have much time to read it , cos the kind i like is fiction books,they are almost very long .
Now im reading Gone with the wind , an old fiction .
but i think it is very famous, so we should read it.
anyone read Anna Karenina by Lev Tonstoil?

Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 2:44 pm
by martazzz
The lastest book i've read is The Da vinci Code and Angels and Demons... Is there anyone has read them? I think they're so beautiful!! :lol:

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 10:11 am
by illusion
right now I am reading ''Crime and Punishment'' by a Russian writer called Dostoyevski..

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 10:22 am
by Dixie
illusion wrote:right now I am reading ''Crime and Punishment'' by a Russian writer called Dostoyevski..
That book is very popular here. But I must say I haven't read it.

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:13 am
by Francuzzo
I have read a Micheal Crichton book the book's name was Congo

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:18 am
by illusion
Dixie wrote:
illusion wrote:right now I am reading ''Crime and Punishment'' by a Russian writer called Dostoyevski..
That book is very popular here. But I must say I haven't read it.
I think you should give it a try, Dixie. It's a reflective story about a guy that murders two innocent women... I find it quite strange as I don't read many of books concering those issues but this one seems really good.

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:47 pm
by Dixie
illusion wrote:I think you should give it a try, Dixie. It's a reflective story about a guy that murders two innocent women... I find it quite strange as I don't read many of books concering those issues but this one seems really good.
Thank you! I will try to look it up.

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 12:48 am
by Marzieh
The latest book I read was Al-quimista by Pauolo Coelho. It was great and I strongly recommend it to every one.I also hope to read Harry Potter and Half-blooded Prince soon! :!:

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 2:11 pm
by serenella
Marzieh wrote:The latest book I read was Al-quimista by Pauolo Coelho.
Have you read the last book by Paulo Coelho 'The Zahir'?
It's one of the latest books I read and I think it's the best one among all those written by him.

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 3:27 pm
by illusion
serenella wrote:
Marzieh wrote:The latest book I read was Al-quimista by Pauolo Coelho.
Have you read the last book by Paulo Coelho 'The Zahir'?
It's one of the latest books I read and I think it's the best one among all those written by him.
Oh I read the Zahir!!! I even made a post about it earlier but no one never replied so I guess not many people apart from us read it. But to be honest it's not my favourite Coehlo's book. I love the one ''Demon and Miss Prym'' or something like that...

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 11:25 pm
by pob
illusion wrote: I love the one ''Demon and Miss Prym'' or something like that...
What makes you love that book? It was so boring for me... I can't understand your love :)

I have read several books by Paulo Cohelo and I don't find them very interesting. I don't think he deserves the success he has achieved in selling his books.
On the other hand, I find his work in non-literature based works very interesting. :wink:

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 11:34 pm
by pob
I bought "Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy" in Moscow... I can't read Russian books yet, but I bought some children books in Russian :D

So that's the book I'm reading now. A dictionary... but it's quite interesting, and I learn an average of 10 words a page.

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 3:31 am
by Pinay
I've just read "Thick Face, Black Heart". It explains a bit about how to apply Chinese Philisophy to our daily struggles with Life.
I appreciate the explanation about 'allowing your dharma to unfold...' Before reading this book, I was such a driven personality. I had to set out the plans, map out the strategy, and prepare for the next battle. That is how I viewed life... and my career. Now, I simply plant the seeds and watch them unfurl their leaves. I allow my dharma to reveal itself to me. But I'm still new to this way of thinking so I have to consciously tell myself to pause, walk or meander for a while. Meandering can be pleasant (I'm learning), especially when I'm having a cup of good coffee and puffing on my slim capri cigarette from the small balcony of my little house.

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 3:35 am
by Pinay
pob wrote:
illusion wrote: I love the one ''Demon and Miss Prym'' or something like that...
What makes you love that book? It was so boring for me... I can't understand your love :)

I have read several books by Paulo Cohelo and I don't find them very interesting. I don't think he deserves the success he has achieved in selling his books.
On the other hand, I find his work in non-literature based works very interesting. :wink:
I love the way he uses simplicity with words to illustrate the most profound truths in life. Take for example the "crystal shop owner' who dreams of going on a pilgrimage to Mecca but remains in his store from year to year. This from his cult classic "The Alchemist". Maybe you have to read Coelho again and deeply...this time.

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 8:46 am
by pob
Pinay wrote: I love the way he uses simplicity with words to illustrate the most profound truths in life. Take for example the "crystal shop owner' who dreams of going on a pilgrimage to Mecca but remains in his store from year to year. This from his cult classic "The Alchemist". Maybe you have to read Coelho again and deeply...this time.
The most profound truths in life are not so profound, they are very simple, like life is.
You people make them profound by closing your eyes to them and so you need to read books like those by Coelho to open your eyes. :evil:

There is no deeply reading of Coelho, there is no deeply reading of our lives, everything is simple, you only have to open your eyes.

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:00 am
by Pinay
If you don't like Coelho, then you don't. But "People like you, blah... blah...blah.." is a sweeping statement isn't it? And a bit hostile? This wasn't an attack on you at all. It was meant to inspire a pleasant discussion. Or debate.

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 7:03 pm
by pob
Pinay wrote:If you don't like Coelho, then you don't. But "People like you, blah... blah...blah.." is a sweeping statement isn't it? And a bit hostile? This wasn't an attack on you at all. It was meant to inspire a pleasant discussion. Or debate.
I like Coelho, I don't like his books.

I haven't said "People like you, ..." but something different... but, oh, I remember you are not good at reading, so you find something to be read in Coelho's books :)

It was no hostile, but this time I allow myself to be a bit sarcastic :wink: don't get angry please.


You want to debate? Tell me why do you see truths so profound... why? Truths are so simple...

On the other hand you can love the way he expresses ideas by writting, and I can agree with you or accept that opinion since I don't care very much about stiles...
but please, is there any deeply reading?? You can find deeply readings in other writters, but in Coelho... please!! :lol:

If Coelho is for deeply reading, then we need a skin-diver suit to read books like, for instance, "Those spoke Zaratustra".


But on the other hand I'm open to debate, if I can participate... it was long time ago that I read Coelho's books... :?

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:54 am
by Pinay
pob wrote:
Pinay wrote:If you don't like Coelho, then you don't. But "People like you, blah... blah...blah.." is a sweeping statement isn't it? And a bit hostile? This wasn't an attack on you at all. It was meant to inspire a pleasant discussion. Or debate.
I like Coelho, I don't like his books.

I haven't said "People like you, ..." but something different... but, oh, I remember you are not good at reading, so you find something to be read in Coelho's books :)

It was no hostile, but this time I allow myself to be a bit sarcastic :wink: don't get angry please.


You want to debate? Tell me why do you see truths so profound... why? Truths are so simple...

On the other hand you can love the way he expresses ideas by writting, and I can agree with you or accept that opinion since I don't care very much about stiles...
but please, is there any deeply reading?? You can find deeply readings in other writters, but in Coelho... please!! :lol:

If Coelho is for deeply reading, then we need a skin-diver suit to read books like, for instance, "Those spoke Zaratustra".


But on the other hand I'm open to debate, if I can participate... it was long time ago that I read Coelho's books... :?

I'm not angry. I don't think I know you well enough to be angry. But I accept that you don't like his style and that's the end of it I guess. And I agree that truths are profound in their simplicity.

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 6:23 am
by Pinay
You want to debate? Tell me why do you see truths so profound... why? Truths are so simple...

I was thinking about this for some time and I couldn't resist throwing this in for you to think about. I'm Asian...and for every perception there is always a cultural imperative... so to an Asian nothing is ever so simple, even simplicity itself. Take for example how a westerner would view an introspective Asian... he would think "shy or timid", perhaps(simple isn't it?). But to an Asian there are different degrees of stillness. I'm explaining reading Coelho from the point of view of an Asian and not preaching to you. So fire your sarcastic missiles! Fuego!

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 6:27 am
by Pinay
If Coelho is for deeply reading, then we need a skin-diver suit to read books like, for instance, "Those spoke Zaratustra".
I laughed out loud at this though, you are sarcastic...but funny, I have to admit.

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:52 pm
by pob
Pinay wrote: 1- I'm Asian...and for every perception there is always a cultural imperative...

2- Take for example how a westerner would view an introspective Asian...
1- I don't catch what do you mean, can you talk about that?

2- Nowadays, there is no so big difference between western people and Asian people... but still, that kind of topic is true many times.


I think a profound book could be for instance "Tao Te King". You can read it again and again, and reach different degrees of "understanding".

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:02 pm
by pob
Pinay wrote: 1- I don't think I know you well enough to be angry.

2- I agree that truths are profound in their simplicity.
1-Do you mean if you knew me well you could get angry? :)
I hope you don't, it's interesting talking with you. :wink:


2- And they are simple in their depth :) It's always a game of how you focus your mind...
...and I'd like to add that many people are not used to focus their minds (less in Asia than here) and so I meant about these people and not about "people like you" :wink:

Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:15 pm
by illusion
I think Coehlo is a controversial author because he has achieved success by writing stories about simple human feelings and that's so deep about him. not everyone can understand his books because they're not usual even if they speak about ordinary matters. I think I loved Demon and Miss Prym because of the topic of the book which was the constant fight between good and evil and in the end a human had to choose... The book had a huge impact on me and I am aware that many people find it boring whereas for me it's my favourite one by Paulo Coehlo. Anyway what I wanted to say is that I think he really deserves the whole popularity he has because there isn't any other novellist who writes so simply but so beautifully. it's a gift not everyone can have...