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Books
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funwithrage about books and writing, and came up with the idea of listing some "books that you really ought to read." So here is my list, sorted vaguely by category, and seen through the filter of "What I have read recently."
Chinese Classics:
Chuang Tzu (or Zhuangzi, for those enamored with pinyin) -- the *other* great work of Taoist philosophy. Zhuangzi is like the William S. Burroughs of Taoism. Read it if you are at all interested in issues of logic, truth, society, etc.
The Analects. I am shocked how many people have not read this book. It is worth the time.
The Dream of the Red Chamber, often called The Story of the Stone in English. This is a mammoth of a novel, the English version weighing in at nearly 2000 pages in five volumes. It is also really, really good, and not just in an English major ejaculating over the symbolism sort of way.
European Classics:
Beowulf. The new translation is great, and this is better than you remembered in high school.
The Divine Comedy. Also better than you remember from high school.
Science Fiction:
Stanislaw Lem, a Polish Author from the Grand Old Days. I have read "The Invincible" and "Solaris," both of which are cracking good books that make me think "Why aren't other science fiction books this good?"
Ursula Le Guin. Half of her books, at least. She wouldn't even be on the list, except for I just found out that a certain friend of mine, who will remain nameless, had never heard of her. Of particular note: The Left Hand of Darkness, the Dispossessed, Tales From Earthsea, The Wizard of Earthsea.
Fantasy:
David Duncan. "A Man of His Word" is a wonderful fantasy series that does all the things that a fantasy series is supposed to do whilst remaining fresh, interesting, and making a great deal of sense.
Random Mythological Texts:
Popul Vuh. It's Mayan, it features underworld blood gods, and there is a lot of background on medevial meso-american sports fandom. What's not to like?
The Egyptian Book of the Dead. Borrow the beautiful printed copy from Adam or Emily.
yrs--
--Ben
funwithrage about books and writing, and came up with the idea of listing some "books that you really ought to read." So here is my list, sorted vaguely by category, and seen through the filter of "What I have read recently."Chinese Classics:
Chuang Tzu (or Zhuangzi, for those enamored with pinyin) -- the *other* great work of Taoist philosophy. Zhuangzi is like the William S. Burroughs of Taoism. Read it if you are at all interested in issues of logic, truth, society, etc.
The Analects. I am shocked how many people have not read this book. It is worth the time.
The Dream of the Red Chamber, often called The Story of the Stone in English. This is a mammoth of a novel, the English version weighing in at nearly 2000 pages in five volumes. It is also really, really good, and not just in an English major ejaculating over the symbolism sort of way.
European Classics:
Beowulf. The new translation is great, and this is better than you remembered in high school.
The Divine Comedy. Also better than you remember from high school.
Science Fiction:
Stanislaw Lem, a Polish Author from the Grand Old Days. I have read "The Invincible" and "Solaris," both of which are cracking good books that make me think "Why aren't other science fiction books this good?"
Ursula Le Guin. Half of her books, at least. She wouldn't even be on the list, except for I just found out that a certain friend of mine, who will remain nameless, had never heard of her. Of particular note: The Left Hand of Darkness, the Dispossessed, Tales From Earthsea, The Wizard of Earthsea.
Fantasy:
David Duncan. "A Man of His Word" is a wonderful fantasy series that does all the things that a fantasy series is supposed to do whilst remaining fresh, interesting, and making a great deal of sense.
Random Mythological Texts:
Popul Vuh. It's Mayan, it features underworld blood gods, and there is a lot of background on medevial meso-american sports fandom. What's not to like?
The Egyptian Book of the Dead. Borrow the beautiful printed copy from Adam or Emily.
yrs--
--Ben
no subject
Well, perhaps it is Mike.
In any event, the Rockefeller Library has a copy. So do I, but it is here with me in California. Anyone who wants to borrow it is welcome to it, provided that they either pay postage or come visit.
no subject