Books

[A Perfect Score]

Originally Posted by DeepThreat

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest.

Yeah, I just started Infinite Jest. Hopefully it proves... finite.

I've always wanted to read Infinite Jest, it's supposed to be one of the true contemporary classics. Maybe I'll check it out this summer.

Originally Posted by Cigaro

I've given up mentioning most books I read in this thread, but recently I read The Naked Lunch. Don't read The Naked Lunch. APS may have some thoughts on this, I know he's studying the Beat Generation to some extent, but that book is just, not right.

Burroughs is...interesting. He's probably the author I'm least familiar with as far as my studies go, but I've still read the majority of his canon and done a ton of academic research into him. An interesting figure and absolutely fundamental in progressing not just experimental literature but the postmodern mindset in America. Certainly not for everyone. Naked Lunch is pretty far out, it's early cut-up technique if I'm not mistaken. Some parts just don't make sense, but it's not unlike Thomas Pynchon in that in it's incoherent ramblings it actually offers a poignant (if heavily veiled) critique of the postwar condition.

As strange as Burroughs is, I can top him. I recently read House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski, and I can say confidently that I have never in my entire life read a text that so completely shattered my understanding of what a novel was. I'd recommend it to anyone with a taste for the weird, because it is indescribable in it's uniqueness.

[Dr. Gonzo]

You have reminded me APS that I need to read House of Leaves. I remember picking it up from the library way back in early high school but it looked so damn intimidating that I never actually read it. I have only ever heard amazing things about it so I really look forward to giving it a read.

[Brothgar]

Has anyone read The Elder Scrolls novels? Are they worth reading?

[Brent]

Originally Posted by A Perfect Score

As strange as Burroughs is, I can top him. I recently read House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski, and I can say confidently that I have never in my entire life read a text that so completely shattered my understanding of what a novel was. I'd recommend it to anyone with a taste for the weird, because it is indescribable in it's uniqueness.

I've read that 7 times. It's, honestly, my favorite book. So, I would also recommend this. But, I don't know if I would call it weird or indescribable.

Originally Posted by Dr. Gonzo

You have reminded me APS that I need to read House of Leaves. I remember picking it up from the library way back in early high school but it looked so damn intimidating that I never actually read it. I have only ever heard amazing things about it so I really look forward to giving it a read.

Do it. Right now. Stop whatever you are doing and read that book.

[Matthew Jones]

[jballa838]

Originally Posted by Dr. Gonzo

You have reminded me APS that I need to read House of Leaves. I remember picking it up from the library way back in early high school but it looked so damn intimidating that I never actually read it. I have only ever heard amazing things about it so I really look forward to giving it a read.

Brent told me to read it. I got about 100 pages in and I was confused, depressed, scared, scarred, and I just stopped. I should read it over break this week but I need to finish up "The Signal and the Noise"

[Brent]

reading How To Be Black and this **** is hilarious

[hobbes2053]

Finally got around to reading Born to Run and loved it (I studied exercise physiology in school). Will now read The Dude and The Zen Master.

[jrdrylie]

I read The Silver Linings Playbook this weekend. It was okay 3/5. I didn't really like the writing style. Moving on to The Two Towers now.

[hobbes2053]

HST's Hell's Angels is just great.

[Forenci]

I've been reading the Percy Jackson series for my English Education class. It's really good. I feel like it will be a great way to implement a lot of Greek lore/mythology into the classroom without having to subject high schoolers to the Iliad/Odyssey.

[Jvig43]

You would rather have your students read percy jackson than Iliad/Odyssey? Wut?

[Brent]

Originally Posted by Forenci

I've been reading the Percy Jackson series for my English Education class. It's really good. I feel like it will be a great way to implement a lot of Greek lore/mythology into the classroom without having to subject high schoolers to the Iliad/Odyssey.

Why not both?

Originally Posted by Jvig43

You would rather have your students read percy jackson than Iliad/Odyssey? Wut?

One could easily start with passages from Percy Jackson or have kids read that for entertainment before introducing them to the actual Odyssey, but no one actually teaches the whole thing anymore.

Hell, I just use a few of the stories because it's more about the moral lesson/ideas presented than the actual text.

[vidae]

My Aunt bought me really old versions of both books. I love em.

[Forenci]

Originally Posted by Jvig43

You would rather have your students read percy jackson than Iliad/Odyssey? Wut?

Originally Posted by Brent

Why not both?


One could easily start with passages from Percy Jackson or have kids read that for entertainment before introducing them to the actual Odyssey, but no one actually teaches the whole thing anymore.

Hell, I just use a few of the stories because it's more about the moral lesson/ideas presented than the actual text.

Pretty much what Brent said. You use an alternative or comparative text that students (typically) will find more interesting and pair it with a challenging or difficult read. You read both texts, or ideally mix and match bits from both.

For me in high school, Iliad/Odyssey was too challenging/boring and my teacher did not do a great job of explaining it. After I got to college and had a World Lit class with an insanely brilliant professor I finally understood it quite well but most high schoolers typically dislike or struggle with the Greek texts.

I think Percy Jackson is fantastic because you get a lot of genuine and historical Greek myth wrapped in a narrative students will understand better.

Most people brush off young adult lit as not being as "educational" or for the classroom but much of YAL has the same premise and ideas as the canonical works we're accustomed to. If you can implement the canonical piece and other YAL that students will be more interested in you can give students a much better chance at understanding and valuing the canonical piece.

[morrise18]

Originally Posted by hobbes2053

HST's Hell's Angels is just great.

Good to know, I bought it for 10 cents at a garage sale. Definitely going to read it now.

[hobbes2053]

Be warned that it's purely journalistic and definitely not Gonzo, but still a good read.

[Cigaro]

I'm perhaps biased towards Steinbeck, but damn is East of Eden good. Also been on a mini-Irish lit kick recently, reading The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Dubliners and The Picture of Dorian Gray. Joyce's stuff is quality and certainly worth the hype, but Dorian Gray I found particularly good.

[A Perfect Score]

I'm actually writing my last Masters paper on HST. Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail though, not Hell's Angels.

[Matthew Jones]

It's taking me forever to get through Lolita, but I'm really enjoying it. I just don't have the time to get really into books anymore, unfortunately. I think I'll read An Artist of the Floating World next.

[hobbes2053]

Flying through this right now.

[jrdrylie]

Any of you guys on Goodreads? It's a good way to keep track of everything you've read as well as find new books to read.

[Nalej]

Originally Posted by jrdrylie

Any of you guys on Goodreads? It's a good way to keep track of everything you've read as well as find new books to read.

Yeah, I am. Name is Nalej or ackNalej. Can't remember.

[Forenci]

I've used their site for some things, but I'm not a member of it. I may have to sign up for it though. As I get closer to teacher I've been reading a ton of Young Adult Lit. A lot of it is just bad ass.

I'm starting the Divergent series, which is apparently the next big thing. The third book should be out in the near future too. It's quite good.

[Damix]

Never heard of good reads before, but I just signed up and starting putting things I've read over the past year. Up to 70 books, but I know I'm missing a ton, wish I knew about this earlier.