Job Discussion Forums

yaramaz · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 11:34 am Post subject: Reading (or lack thereof)

I read a lot. I read a wide variety of books- currently ploughing through some Orhan Pamuk novels translated from Turkish into English, as well as the set of two books by VS Naipaul about Islm in the world. Reading is one of the things that keeps me sane here. However, it is not just my isolation that has spurred me to read-- I have always loved reading, and most of my family and friends are avid readers as well. This is why I was surprised to hear that fewer than 50% of people in the US and UK read for pleasure. Here in Turkey, no one seems to own books. You can buy bookshelves... but they are in the children's sections in the furniture stores (only kids read?).

So.... I want to know if I am just a freak or if anyone else out there enjoys reading as well?

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I always have a book or two or three lying around, and several on the waiting list. I don't read for very long in one sitting, though (with the except of Harry Potter--I flew through #5 in less than two days), mainly because my house is not bright enough for me to read comfortably for more than half an hour or so. (And I also find myself juggling my own reading, lesson planning, studying Japanese, hanging out here at Dave's, etc.)

Right now I'm working on the Iliad for about the fourth time, but I am about to give it a rest and take it back to the library. I love mythology, but I'm just moving too slowly through it. I've also got an Isabel Allende novel that I haven't started yet. And I'm hoping to borrow a friend's copy of Michael Moore's latest.

My school's library is well-stocked, so it's quite easy to find something to read here.

d

johnslat · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 11:59 am Post subject: Hooked on Books

Dear yaramaz,
Hmm, looks like my suggestion is being implemented - despite sidjameson's (probably valid) warning.
As denise does, I usually have 2 or 3 books going at the same time - a mixture of fiction and non-fiction. I like to alternate between the two categories. Right now, I'm reading Richard Russo's " The Risk Pool", "Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides, Michael Moore's "Dude, Where's My Country?" and "Against All Enemies" by Richard Clark.
It's wonderful to be back in the States where I can get books FREE from a library - although I must admit that Borders is also a frequent stop.
Regards,
John

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

In Canada, the question would be how many a week. Here, it's how many a month. I'm finding that I think of a good book as a meal to be truly savoured and well digested. It has taken me 2 weeks, but I'm almost through J Spence's _The Search For Modern China_, does that compare with the latest Clancy or Rowling?

Shaman · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Posts: 446 Location: Hammertown

My appetite for reading really grew to the extent of ravenous while I was in Japan. I boned up on a lot of the classics - War and Peace, Crime and Punishment etc.

I'm usually good for a book a week. It can prove a distraction to my writing though. Embarassed

A series I heartily recommend is The Warlord Trilogy by Bernard Cornwell. It is a historical revisitation to the Arthurian legend.

Here are the titles for anyone who is interested:

The Winter King
Enemy of God
Excalibur

Happy reading.

Shaman

Mark-O · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 12:56 pm Post subject:

To be on the side of caution I voted 'once a month', although the truth is that it depends on the book for me. I will ravage a good-excellent book in a couple of days. Poorer books I find it harder to gather the motivation to read and subsequently take longer - a week or two.

I've just finished reading 'How the Dead Live' (Will Self) and David Mitchell's new book, 'Cloud Atlas' - which HAS to be the Booker Prize winner this year! Simply brilliant.

I agree that people don't read enough these days. I think it is the most under-rated pastime and is crucial in a multitude of ways.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I've always enjoyed reading. However in the Gulf I read loads. The main reason is because of my job. I have to be on site for 8 hours a day. I don't have a class at the moment so at work I get loads of time to read Very Happy

Like others have said I also read 2 or 3 books at a time. At the moment I'm reading Orhan Pamuk's 'My name is Red', Charles Frazier's 'Cold Montain' and the Evaders by Leo Heaps. The last one is non fiction yet it is the most incredible out of the three.

yaramaz · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 1:27 pm Post subject:

dmb, I am reading My Name is Red as well! Quelle coincidence! I recommend we commence a reading club upon your arrival... at a fine pub somewhere in this fine country. Efes all around!

PatS · Joined: 17 Oct 2003 Posts: 25 Location: Northern California

I'm on Spring vacation right now, and plowing through a book a day! I love vacation for that reason.

I spent 12 years in the book business before teaching, and we always heard that 10% of the people purchased 90% of the books. I never bothered to actually do any research on the subject, but maybe someone out there knows?

Another question: Those of you who are "readers," have you always been? One of my sisters discovered the joy of reading in her 40s and now has stacks of books all over her house. Before that -- nada.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

Reading is great!

Long live the public library!

I'm currently reading Jonathan Kozol's "Death at an Early Age." Kozol writes that the disadvantaged students who can't read really enjoy it when he reads to them and are severely disappointed when they can't be in his special reading class that he offers after school.

Perhaps a tale of taking something for granted? Those who have something don't cherish it (literacy) and those who don't have something long for it.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Yaramaz, an excellent idea(especially the Efes).

Didn't the first line in the book get you hooked.

"I am nothing but a corpse now, a body at the bottom of a well"

Irish · Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 371

Reading posts about what books everyone is working on now is making me positively green with envy. As I try to survive the end of my degree program, I find that all of my reading time is devoted to textbooks and journal articles -- interesting stuff but it would be nice to pick up something for pure pleasure, not because I have to complete an assignment or prep for a class. I've always been an avid reader but being required to read something takes a little joy out of it, no matter how fascinating the material.

Then again, it's only another month before life goes back to normal (as normal as it ever gets). I've got a pile of books I'm dying to dive into.

Capergirl · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 5:25 pm Post subject:

I'd love to be able to read more but I just can't seem to find the time. Between teaching (and all the 'homework' that entails), looking after my little girl, and taking an adult ed. course, I am lucky to find a few spare minutes here and there throughout the day to do things like read and post on this forum.

I would love to find a copy of a book that I read part of years ago entitled 'Three Inch Golden Lilies'. Perhaps I'll take a vacation one of these days and read it. Wink

khmerhit · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 6:10 pm Post subject:

I'm reading a book called Patriots, by Sousa Jamba, about the war in Angola in the early 80s. The guy can write.

Also, i'm trying to read an astronmomy textbook.---very heavy going--aggh.

Mostly, I like to read to read my favourite posters on Daves ESL Cafe, they shall fremain NAMELESS, but one of them carries a broadsword....

as well, I peruse the stuff people send to my inbox. Like this silliness, for examplbe.