What is the latest book you have read recently?
Moderator: EC
- Arale
- Rising Star
- Posts: 377
- Joined: Mon May 31, 2004 7:05 am
- Status: Learner of English
- Location: Vietnam
What is the latest book you have read recently?
What is the latest book you have read recently? Tell your friends here. I have just finished an "old" book but it is the latest book I have read. It is "Greek myth". Oh, it tooks me some weeks to read but I bet it is worth reading. I guess you read it already, didn't you? I am so impressed by the way Athena-Goddess of wisdom was born. She was born from her Dad-Zeus's HEAD. :o
_Arale_
_Arale_
Last edited by Arale on Fri Jul 08, 2005 4:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Member
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:25 am
- Location: Vietnam
Re: What is the latest book you have read recently?
i'm reading that Greek Myth desperately, too T_T i remember one deity was born from Zeus's thigh >"< unbelievable. marriage between mother and sons, siblings, father and daughter, etc. 8) nevertheless, that book is somehow interesting as it provides me some useful background knowledge.
ashes to ashes
dust to dust ...
dust to dust ...
Re: What is the latest book you have read recently?
:D since you two are reading this book and you both think it's good, I think I should give it a try then.crazyoddygal wrote:i'm reading that Greek Myth desperately, too T_T i remember one deity was born from Zeus's thigh >"< unbelievable. marriage between mother and sons, siblings, father and daughter, etc. 8) nevertheless, that book is somehow interesting as it provides me some useful background knowledge.Arale wrote:What is the latest book you read recently? Tell your friends here. I have just finished an "old" book but it is the latest book I have read. It is "Greek myth". Oh, it tooks me some weeks to read but I bet it is worth reading. I guess you read it already, didn't you? I am so impressed by the way Athena-Goddess of wisdom was born. She was born from her Dad-Zeus's HEAD.
_Arale_
-
- Member
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:14 am
- Location: indonesia
- luckygirl9
- Member
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2004 6:10 am
- Status: Learner of English
- Location: Shanghai,China
When will Jesus bring the pork chops? by George Carlin.
When I first saw the title of the book, I was, Meh, I don't see myself reading it. But then I kept bumping into it here and there. I thought it was a sign telling me I should give it a try. So I did. And I was reading it from its first page to the end nonstop. I could not stop myself from laughing and nodding, "Uh huh! That's right!" I laugh for his witty humor and I laugh for his extraordinary observation about surrounding life. If you would like how Americans think about America, try this book out. Conservative religious peeps, please don't read if you can't take jokes from the outsiders. People who are easily offended, please don't touch the book either.
This is a story that I quote from the book,
"The continuing story of Mary and Joseph: "It's a boy""
Mary: Joe, we're gonna have a baby.
Joe: What? That's impossible. All I ever do is put it between your thighs.
Mary: Well, I don't know. Something must've gone wrong.
Joe: Who says you're pregnant?
Mary: An angel appeared to me in the backyard and said so.
Joe: An angel?
Mary: An angel of God. His name was Gabriel. He had a trumpet and he appeared to me in the backyard.
Joe: He what?
Mary: He appeared to me.
Joe: Was he naked?
Mary: No. I think he had on a raincoat. I don't really know. He was glowing so brightly.
Joe: Mary, you're under a lot of stress. Why don't you take a few days off from the shop. The accounts can wait.
Mary: I'm telling you, Joe. This Angel Gabriel said that God wanted me to have his baby.
Joe: Did you ask for some sort of sign?
Mary: Of course I did. He said tomorrow morning I'd start getting sick.
Joe: But why should God want a kid?
Mary: Well, Gabriel said that according to Luke it's kind of an ego thing. Plus, he promised the Jews a long time ago; it's just that he never got around to it. But now he that he feels ready for children he doesn't want to just make them out of clay or dust. He wants to get humans involved.
Joe: Well, is he going to help toward raising the kid? God knows we can't do it alone. I could use a bigger shop, and maybe he could throw a couple of those nice crucifix contracts my way. The Romans are nailin' up everything that walks.
Mary: Honey, Gabriel said not to worry. The kid would be a real winner. A public speaker and good with miracles.
Joe: Well, that's a relief. Anyway, I guess now that you're officially pregnant I can start puttin' it inside you.
Mary: I'm sorry, honey. God wants it to be strictly a virgin birth.
Joe: I don't get it.
Mary: That's right, Joe.
Joe: Don't I get to do anything?
Mary: He wants you to come up with a name for the kid.
Joe: Jesus Christ!
Mary: Joe, you're so heavy."
Another one is, " WHAT HAPPENED? Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Adams, Hamilton, Things were going well. Then Ford, Quayle, Mondale, Agnew, Nixon, Clinton, Dole, Bush I, Bush II. What happened? "
That's all, if you want more, get the book.
When I first saw the title of the book, I was, Meh, I don't see myself reading it. But then I kept bumping into it here and there. I thought it was a sign telling me I should give it a try. So I did. And I was reading it from its first page to the end nonstop. I could not stop myself from laughing and nodding, "Uh huh! That's right!" I laugh for his witty humor and I laugh for his extraordinary observation about surrounding life. If you would like how Americans think about America, try this book out. Conservative religious peeps, please don't read if you can't take jokes from the outsiders. People who are easily offended, please don't touch the book either.
This is a story that I quote from the book,
"The continuing story of Mary and Joseph: "It's a boy""
Mary: Joe, we're gonna have a baby.
Joe: What? That's impossible. All I ever do is put it between your thighs.
Mary: Well, I don't know. Something must've gone wrong.
Joe: Who says you're pregnant?
Mary: An angel appeared to me in the backyard and said so.
Joe: An angel?
Mary: An angel of God. His name was Gabriel. He had a trumpet and he appeared to me in the backyard.
Joe: He what?
Mary: He appeared to me.
Joe: Was he naked?
Mary: No. I think he had on a raincoat. I don't really know. He was glowing so brightly.
Joe: Mary, you're under a lot of stress. Why don't you take a few days off from the shop. The accounts can wait.
Mary: I'm telling you, Joe. This Angel Gabriel said that God wanted me to have his baby.
Joe: Did you ask for some sort of sign?
Mary: Of course I did. He said tomorrow morning I'd start getting sick.
Joe: But why should God want a kid?
Mary: Well, Gabriel said that according to Luke it's kind of an ego thing. Plus, he promised the Jews a long time ago; it's just that he never got around to it. But now he that he feels ready for children he doesn't want to just make them out of clay or dust. He wants to get humans involved.
Joe: Well, is he going to help toward raising the kid? God knows we can't do it alone. I could use a bigger shop, and maybe he could throw a couple of those nice crucifix contracts my way. The Romans are nailin' up everything that walks.
Mary: Honey, Gabriel said not to worry. The kid would be a real winner. A public speaker and good with miracles.
Joe: Well, that's a relief. Anyway, I guess now that you're officially pregnant I can start puttin' it inside you.
Mary: I'm sorry, honey. God wants it to be strictly a virgin birth.
Joe: I don't get it.
Mary: That's right, Joe.
Joe: Don't I get to do anything?
Mary: He wants you to come up with a name for the kid.
Joe: Jesus Christ!
Mary: Joe, you're so heavy."
Another one is, " WHAT HAPPENED? Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Adams, Hamilton, Things were going well. Then Ford, Quayle, Mondale, Agnew, Nixon, Clinton, Dole, Bush I, Bush II. What happened? "
That's all, if you want more, get the book.
-
- Member
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 3:26 pm
- Location: next to my wife!!!
-
- Rising Star
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Wed May 04, 2005 3:28 pm
- Arale
- Rising Star
- Posts: 377
- Joined: Mon May 31, 2004 7:05 am
- Status: Learner of English
- Location: Vietnam
I have just finished All the rivers run by Nancy Cato. These are some wonderful passages in the story. I am trying to find the original but haven't found yet.
An individual human existance should be-take a river-small at first, narrowlly fast boulders and over waterfalls. Gradually, the river grows wider, the bank recedes, the waters flow more quietly, and the end, without any visable break, they become merged in the sea and painlessly lose, its individual being.
--
All the rivers are flowing into sea but sea is never full. The rivers always fall on the origin where they started. Human life is like these rivers, life comes and goes together with time. It always goes by but never stops renovating, always changes but stays the same all the time. There is no death as at the end is the start of a new bud...
Nothing lasts forever...
-
- Member
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2005 8:01 am
dream of the red chamber
i read Cao Xueqin`s masterpiece "dream of the red chamber" on these days.i as reading as listening to the music of "dream of the red chamber" .i feel that is the greatest.i can help you to find the book and the music if everyone who interest in it .it is one of fourth masterpiece in china.somebody said that i heard if you have read the book for four times,you will unknowing tears.i hope everyone have have chance to read it .also i am very pleased to share my recept of the book.i don`t think you will waste time for reading it.
- Dixie
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 3836
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2004 2:08 pm
- Status: Teacher of English
- Location: Catalunya
- Lalee
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:53 am
- Location: Peru
No, I don't even have money to get a library card.LennyeTran wrote:You can't borrow books at the library? :?Lalee wrote:I'm not reading any book because I don't have the money to afford one.
I have some old books on my shelf and I think I've read them hundred of times.
Guys, if you have an old book around, would you mind lending it to me?
I would really appreciate that!
- Lalee
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:53 am
- Location: Peru
Yes, my dear Dixie.Dixie wrote:You need to pay for a library card in Peru?Lalee wrote: I don't even have money to get a library card.
For instance, we have the National Library here which is quite big. You need to get a card to enter and everything. Also, you are not allowed to borrow a book. Yeah, it sucks, doesn't it?
There are also small libraries around Lima and I suppose they are free.
There is a library in my school and I need a card as well if I want to borrow a book. This card can be yours for 20 soles. I know it's not much but it's money, y'know?
Anyway, I usually go there in order to read something. Too bad I cannot borrow any books from there. Even though I'm a student.
Come to think of it, I used to borrow books from that library. Yeah, students were allowed to borrow books from a particular section. I don't know what happened since then. It seems that policies changed or something.
Dix, have mercy on this poor girl and and lend her an old book of yours, ok?
Last edited by Lalee on Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Dixie
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 3836
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2004 2:08 pm
- Status: Teacher of English
- Location: Catalunya
How come you can't borrow a book from a library? What kind of a library is that? I had never heard something like that before. So weird :? Why is that? Maybe they had bad experiences before, such as stealing or books disappearing and that's why they do not allow books to be borrowed? Anyway it's still weird...Lalee wrote:For instance, we have the National Library here which is quite big. You need to get a card to enter and everything. Also, you are not allowed to borrow a book. Yeah, it sucks, isn't it?
- MissLT
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 2530
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 3:05 pm
- Status: Other
Wow, I did not know that. I think my friend in Vietnam said they have to pay for the library cards, too. It's monthly or something, and it's quite expensive. Most of my cousins in Vietnam have never gone to a library, can you believe that?Lalee wrote:No, I don't even have money to get a library card.LennyeTran wrote:You can't borrow books at the library? :?Lalee wrote:I'm not reading any book because I don't have the money to afford one.
I have some old books on my shelf and I think I've read them hundred of times.
Guys, if you have an old book around, would you mind lending it to me?
I would really appreciate that!
- Lalee
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:53 am
- Location: Peru
I think that's the reason, Dix. Maybe they have had bad experiences when they used to lend books to people.Dixie wrote:How come you can't borrow a book from a library? What kind of a library is that? I had never heard something like that before. So weird :? Why is that? Maybe they had bad experiences before, such as stealing or books disappearing and that's why they do not allow books to be borrowed? Anyway it's still weird...Lalee wrote:For instance, we have the National Library here which is quite big. You need to get a card to enter and everything. Also, you are not allowed to borrow a book. Yeah, it sucks, doesn't it?
Last year, when I got the National library card, I thought I would be able to borrow some books. But I was so disappointed when I realized that it was not possible to take the books home.
Now people who have the card can just read al the books they want "there". :(
- Lalee
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:53 am
- Location: Peru
Monthly? :oLennyeTran wrote: Wow, I did not know that. I think my friend in Vietnam said they have to pay for the library cards, too. It's monthly or something, and it's quite expensive. Most of my cousins in Vietnam have never gone to a library, can you believe that?
Here's different. Library cards last for a whole year. And it's not too expensive. In fact, the price is reasonable. I'm just stingy.
I think I'll get the library card of my school the coming month. I'm tired of reading the same books over and over again.
Lennye, I really feel sorry for your cousins there in Vietnam. I believe that the best gifts for them would be books, don't you think?
- MissLT
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 2530
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 3:05 pm
- Status: Other
I'm not quite sure about this, though. My friend said monthly, but some said they can borrow books at school, just not taking home, the same thing like your case. And I can't ask my cousins because I think it kinda runs in the family-- we don't look for books. If someone recommends us to see some books because they're good, we'll give them a try. We don't normally go look for good books to read . Mostof the books I've read are either for my classes, my boyfriend makes me read, or people's recommendations.Lalee wrote:Monthly? :oLennyeTran wrote: Wow, I did not know that. I think my friend in Vietnam said they have to pay for the library cards, too. It's monthly or something, and it's quite expensive. Most of my cousins in Vietnam have never gone to a library, can you believe that?
Here's different. Library cards last for a whole year. And it's not too expensive. In fact, the price is reasonable. I'm just stingy.
I think I'll get the library card of my school the coming month. I'm tired of reading the same books over and over again.
Hehehehehehe... I've tried it once and they called me geeky. Oh no, not that, the other word. The bookish word. So disappointed! What's happened to it's the thought that counts.Lalee wrote:Lennye, I really feel sorry for your cousins there in Vietnam. I believe that the best gifts for them would be books, don't you think?
- MissLT
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 2530
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 3:05 pm
- Status: Other
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
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bonfir ... e_Vanities
- Mina
- Member
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:20 am
- Location: Brazil
:) 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!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.
I am finishing reading " After the funeral" by Agatha Christie.The story is really good!
bye.
- MissLT
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 2530
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 3:05 pm
- Status: Other
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.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.
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 .
- Lalee
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:53 am
- Location: Peru
Wow. 40 books is a lot. You are so lucky, Lennye. Wait, is it four or forty?
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
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
- Lalee
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:53 am
- Location: Peru
The title of the book is "Great Expectations."Dixie wrote:You're reading Dickens? What book? Let me know what you think about it when you finish! ;)Lalee wrote:Today I started reading another book written by Charles Dickens.
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.
Last edited by Lalee on Thu Aug 11, 2005 7:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- MissLT
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 2530
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 3:05 pm
- Status: Other
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 . So weird....Lalee wrote: :o 40 is a lot, Lennye. I wish there were a library like that here. Libraries here suck ass!
- Dixie
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 3836
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2004 2:08 pm
- Status: Teacher of English
- Location: Catalunya
- Lalee
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:53 am
- Location: Peru
Ok Lennye, let me get this straight... the students were upset because they could "only" borrow 40 books?? *Gasp*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 . So weird....
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!
- Lalee
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:53 am
- Location: Peru
Well, what can I say...the book is not amusing but is not that bad. I'm about to finish it.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!!
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
- Dixie
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 3836
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2004 2:08 pm
- Status: Teacher of English
- Location: Catalunya
- Dixie
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 3836
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2004 2:08 pm
- Status: Teacher of English
- Location: Catalunya