For those who are new ... we discuss books. I list what I'm reading, and people comment with what they're reading. Sometimes I post a special edition on a particular genre or topic.
Just the usual diary this week.
cfk has Bookflurries on Wednesday nights, with links to lots of other diaries about books and reading on daily Kos .
Just finished
I didn't finish any book this week - I've been busy! But I need to do more reading this week.
Now reading
Ideas: A history of thought and invention from fire to Freud by Peter Watson. We've started this book in Let's Read a Book Together. We are going through it one chapter per week, but the chapters can be read more or less independent. Come join us on Sundays.
Society without God by Phil Zuckerman. How life is lived in two of the least religious countries on Earth: Denmark and Sweden. The first chapter of this book demolishes the argument that societies without God would be hellish, crime-ridden or whatever. Later in the book, he has discussions, or interviews, with many ordinary people about their lives and the role of religion.
The Fellowship by John Gribbin. About the founding of the Royal Society and the scientific revolution. I am fascinated by this period, but am finding this rather slow going. I'll stick with it though. I wish I could find a better book on this. The fact that this book isn't holding my interest is not good.
Rereading Anathem by Neal Stephenson. An amazing book. Very hard to describe, but I reviewed it here.
Tournament of Shadows by Karl Meyer and Shareen Blair Brysac. Subtitled "The Great Game and the Race for Empire in Central Asia" this tells the story of the competition between Russia and Great Britain for control of an area the size of the USA east of the Mississippi, and one which has many of the modern world's hot spots. Just started it, but it's wonderfully written.
Young Miles by Lois McMaster Bujold. I got this at the recommendation of several people last week, and it's really good. Miles, scion of a noble family on Barryar, has washed out of the military because of bad bones. But now he's going to have adventures. Fun stuff.
And some technical books for work.