Who's reading what,when & the experience

sshekhar · Apr 22nd, 2006, 22:03

The man who knew infinity by Robert Kanigel. It is a biography of S Ramanujan, a brilliant mathematician around the late 1800s-early 1900s. A very poor orthodox brahmin from South India, pretty much a self made genius who collaborated with one of the most renowned mathematicians of his time (G H Hardy at Cambrige) to produce some of the most fascinating works in mathematics. It is probably the most romantic story about a geek

.

fromusawithluv · Apr 23rd, 2006, 10:03

Nick, yah, that Holden was! A lot of his thoughts and actions were disapproving! Nevertheless, it had a realistic sense of "teenager" spirit...and I enjoyed the slang of the language...a lot of cynicism, sarcasm, at points hilarity of human nature - how life is under such circumstances. Definitely thought provoking.

And I know...that it's not everyone's cup of tea.

sshekar - great recommendation. I heard they're making a movie too..not sure?!

imhere0905 · Apr 24th, 2006, 05:42

Just finished reading A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, it left me feeling sad, disturbed and unfortunately unable to sleep as I am a bedtime reader but a good book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Certainly not my usual chick lit fare but I love Jane Austen as well, can read it again and again and again.

I think I am moving onto an Anita Nair book next.

jivan · Apr 27th, 2006, 12:26

Reading the prequel of 'Da Vinci Code' Angels & Demons. Interesting to say the least.

Vibhu Jindal · Apr 27th, 2006, 12:47

The lost rebellion: Kashmir in nineties by Manoj Joshi........a disturbing but one giving true account of everything about the reasons and ground situation which led to start of all the mess in Kashmir.

this aint a book by some patriotic zealot or some human rights apologist but more of a true account giver. Intriguing and evocative, reminds me of "O! Jerusalem " by Dominique Lappiere and Larry Collins- amazing book

iwanttogoback · Apr 27th, 2006, 18:07

'weasel words' by don watson - a dictionary of words and phrases that are overused but have no real meaning eg "plausible deniability: the ability to lie or disclaim responsibility convincingly"; and "negative care outcome: death".

it's clever, funny, insightful and saddening in its demonstration of the stripping away of meaning from much of public language.

the expression weasel words is an analogy: in the same way that weasels suck the contents from an egg leaving only an empty shell, weasel words suck meaning from language.

thoroughly recommended, especially if you have an interest in the english language.

capt_mahajan · Apr 27th, 2006, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

A note of dissent on one of your books: Catcher in the Rye.

If anything could be more tedious than a self-obsessed teenager it is reading a whole book about a self-obsessed teenager!

i guess you got to be a little crazy to like salinger.

i really enjoy his writing. Read "a perfect day for bananafish".. short story, at least thats what i remember it being called.

Malkers · Apr 27th, 2006, 19:08

well I've just finished 'Is It Me' , the autobiography by Terry Wogan!

and a fine read it was too, to be sure, to be sure!

Just about to read Bangalored by some guy whos name I cant read or pronounce!

Cheers
Malc

Shiver me Timbers · Apr 27th, 2006, 19:18

Just started reading 'Pity the Nation' by Robert Fisk, about the Lebanese civil war.

anandi · Apr 27th, 2006, 19:48

I cannot say enough about Shantaram.... just read it read it read it!!! You will not be disappointed!

Sketchy · Apr 27th, 2006, 22:01

The Jungle Book - by Kipling - fantastic book.

Periscope · May 16th, 2006, 21:09

Just finished Shantaram. Overall I liked it though some parts do drag. I am looking forward to the movie and it's interesting to speculate on what they will drop and keep (perhaps I'll start a thread on it)

I am planning to start reading Naipaul's A House for Mr Biswas soon.

In between I am dipping into Norman Davies' wrist-breaking Europe:a history.

nadreg · May 16th, 2006, 21:33

I'm alternating between two books... The Art of War by Sun Tzu, and I Am That by by Nisargadatta Maharaj

anindya911 · May 16th, 2006, 21:56

Just finished reading Suketu Mehta's "Maximum City"...
Its a well researched book on Bombay, liked his style of narration with a subtle hint of his Gujrati origin.

Presently reading Rebecca Stephens's "On Top of the World", she is the first British woman to climb Mt Everest.

Anindya

PeakXV · May 24th, 2006, 06:57

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer - rereading it on the 10th Anniversary of the ordeal. If you haven't already done so - read it!

Apr 23rd, 2006, 10:03	#77
fromusawithluv desi_chic Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: US, but daydreaming in India Posts: 206	Nick, yah, that Holden was! A lot of his thoughts and actions were disapproving! Nevertheless, it had a realistic sense of "teenager" spirit...and I enjoyed the slang of the language...a lot of cynicism, sarcasm, at points hilarity of human nature - how life is under such circumstances. Definitely thought provoking. And I know...that it's not everyone's cup of tea. sshekar - great recommendation. I heard they're making a movie too..not sure?! __________________ Om Shanti

Apr 27th, 2006, 19:08	#83
Malkers Not So Bloody Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chipping Sodbury, UK (was Bangalore) Posts: 409	well I've just finished 'Is It Me' , the autobiography by Terry Wogan! and a fine read it was too, to be sure, to be sure! Just about to read Bangalored by some guy whos name I cant read or pronounce! Cheers Malc __________________ Indian Home Furnishings & Handicrafts in UK

Apr 27th, 2006, 19:18	#84
Shiver me Timbers Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,341	Just started reading 'Pity the Nation' by Robert Fisk, about the Lebanese civil war. __________________ Europe to India Overland Andaman's Tips Pakistan Tips

May 16th, 2006, 21:33	#88
nadreg Administrator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NY, USA Posts: 1,553	I'm alternating between two books... The Art of War by Sun Tzu, and I Am That by by Nisargadatta Maharaj __________________ In pursuit of the Only truth: I Am!

May 16th, 2006, 21:56	#89
anindya911 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 362	Just finished reading Suketu Mehta's "Maximum City"... Its a well researched book on Bombay, liked his style of narration with a subtle hint of his Gujrati origin. Presently reading Rebecca Stephens's "On Top of the World", she is the first British woman to climb Mt Everest. Anindya __________________ Let Your mind roam ... and the body will follow!

Apr 22nd, 2006, 22:03	#76
sshekhar Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 131	The man who knew infinity by Robert Kanigel. It is a biography of S Ramanujan, a brilliant mathematician around the late 1800s-early 1900s. A very poor orthodox brahmin from South India, pretty much a self made genius who collaborated with one of the most renowned mathematicians of his time (G H Hardy at Cambrige) to produce some of the most fascinating works in mathematics. It is probably the most romantic story about a geek .

Apr 24th, 2006, 05:42	#78
imhere0905 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 199	Just finished reading A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, it left me feeling sad, disturbed and unfortunately unable to sleep as I am a bedtime reader but a good book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Certainly not my usual chick lit fare but I love Jane Austen as well, can read it again and again and again. I think I am moving onto an Anita Nair book next.

Apr 27th, 2006, 12:26	#79
jivan Maha Guru Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 822	Reading the prequel of 'Da Vinci Code' Angels & Demons. Interesting to say the least.

Apr 27th, 2006, 12:47	#80
Vibhu Jindal Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 423	The lost rebellion: Kashmir in nineties by Manoj Joshi........a disturbing but one giving true account of everything about the reasons and ground situation which led to start of all the mess in Kashmir. this aint a book by some patriotic zealot or some human rights apologist but more of a true account giver. Intriguing and evocative, reminds me of "O! Jerusalem " by Dominique Lappiere and Larry Collins- amazing book

Apr 27th, 2006, 18:07	#81
iwanttogoback is sorry Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: perth Posts: 1,501	'weasel words' by don watson - a dictionary of words and phrases that are overused but have no real meaning eg "plausible deniability: the ability to lie or disclaim responsibility convincingly"; and "negative care outcome: death". it's clever, funny, insightful and saddening in its demonstration of the stripping away of meaning from much of public language. the expression weasel words is an analogy: in the same way that weasels suck the contents from an egg leaving only an empty shell, weasel words suck meaning from language. thoroughly recommended, especially if you have an interest in the english language.

Apr 27th, 2006, 19:48	#85
anandi Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: toronto Posts: 182	I cannot say enough about Shantaram.... just read it read it read it!!! You will not be disappointed!

Apr 27th, 2006, 22:01	#86
Sketchy Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: London Posts: 2	The Jungle Book - by Kipling - fantastic book.

May 16th, 2006, 21:09	#87
Periscope Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 60	Just finished Shantaram. Overall I liked it though some parts do drag. I am looking forward to the movie and it's interesting to speculate on what they will drop and keep (perhaps I'll start a thread on it) I am planning to start reading Naipaul's A House for Mr Biswas soon. In between I am dipping into Norman Davies' wrist-breaking Europe:a history.

May 24th, 2006, 06:57	#90
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 3,723	Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer - rereading it on the 10th Anniversary of the ordeal. If you haven't already done so - read it! __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

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