If I didn't miss any, which I may have, I believe my book total for 2009 was 54. I'm not sure if I am pleased with that number or not. It is higher than the "average" adult but probably nothing special for a self proclaimed "book eater".
More is not better as all of our reading speeds and comprehension varies, (especially based on type of book read) but I just wish I knew my average. I had only started to formally keep track as of last year, (e:theecarey,47667).
I read.. well, anything.
My book list from last year is the usual mix of good fiction, crappy fiction, memoirs, information books pertaining to health, business, sciences (especially quantum physics), politics and writing. Most fiction I "speed-read" through and most everything else I take more time to absorb.
I know last year there were stretches of time that I did not read from books but had focused working through a growing pile of magazine subscriptions (Scientific American, Scientific American Mind, Discover, Fast Company and Home Theater). Come to think of it, that will likely occur again as I have yet another pile of mags to catch up on.
I will have to use 2009 "data" as my "baseline", and see how 2010 will pan out against it.
In addition to book count, maybe I should keep track of pages read as well? Anyone else keep track of their reading habits or have a "goal"?
hmm, what can I say, I love to read.
metalpeter - 01/06/10 20:14 In Terms of your # question I wonder if there is some way to look that up? Somehow I doubt google would give the answer? You did bring up a good point though. What about Page count? The Best example I can think of I have heard The King James Bible (unabridged or something like that) is a huge book that would be much more reading then say I don't some smaller text. Then of course Difficultly is a factor also. I don't just mean like bigger words but I have heard some writers are tougher to read.
I agree that everyone should read just like I agree (didn't when I was a kid) should learn music. They are different learning styles and make learning other things easier. Reading at an early age is very helpful. I think most people who have trouble in school, it is because their level of reading ability hinders there learning. If you don't get what you are reading about a subject how can you ever learn it, or if it is tough kids just give up.
I know one of my problems is (I think this is common) is that as much as I do like books (mostly comics really) and reading, I learned early on that it is work. What I mean is that in school you are assigned a book to read. When you read you read to learn stuff for class. Some how I didn't get the entire reading for fun thing. Not sure how I missed that (yes I do like to read but never do it). I think there are a lot of kids who don't learn to read things for fun. Or maybe it is just a I need to read this so I don't have time to read the fun stuff not sure.
One Last thing I think that with so much use of computers at school, and home, and the internet and things like ipods. I think it is very important for parents or other family members to teach kids that reading is fun at a young age, and that learning is fun also. If these two things are put together more people would read more and enjoy it.
I know I often think things like Trueblood was a Book series man I wish I would have read those books and that is true of other things as well. I know I should read a lot more then I do. In terms of your # I say it is very High but I'm guessing for someone who enjoys it as much as you do your around Average. In terms of should you push your self to read more, um no and yes. If you push your self you can turn what is fun into something that isn't. But on the other side of that is you can turn it into a game and make it more fun, again the downside to that is. That if you make it a game you may go for results that then change how you read and what you read. The main thing is that you enjoy it.
jbeatty - 01/06/10 19:51 What particular area of quantum physics are you interested in? My limited experience with it has been frustrating. I found molecular orbital theory to be so much more confusing than VESPR to describe shapes of molecules. I do have an interest in physics but when it comes time to wind down and do some mindless reading I tend to stick to travel stories and food books.
theecarey - 01/06/10 19:37 I hear ya, Peter; I like your spin on it. "My point is everyone has multiple things they like to do for fun and how much you read # wise is based on what other things you are doing and how much you do them."
definitely!
That is why I wondered what the average amount of books read should be for someone who uses reading as the primary source of non active entertainment and edification. Basically, as a heavy reader, should I be pushing myself to cover more material then what I already am (assuming the variety of genre stays stable.)?
In general though, everyone should read something- a book, a magazine, an online article, playgirl, shampoo bottle, etc. I know people who just don't read, or wouldn't have if it weren't for the internet.
also had a friend who wouldn't read, and did could not read well (or spell or have much of a vocabulary), until I helped select books for her (she wanted my help and recommendation). These selections came out of the young adult section of the library, and although they were at a much lower reading level of where she should be at, it was the fact that this encouraged an interest in reading on a regular basis. How cool!?
Through time, her spelling and vocabulary improved, which was pretty great thing to see & hear.
Consider this comment as just adding to the conversation as totally don't know if I had a point and I certainly wasn't making a counter point! :)
metalpeter - 01/06/10 19:06 I have to put my spin on this post a bit. I can admit watching TV is Nothing like Reading. But there are some things that are the same. There is a story in both (yet different forms and such). It is a way to get away from the day to day. Some forms are purely for information or to learn new things. A TV example might be a travel show or some documentary that isn't really a political movement. I can admit that curling up to watch a movie is how you don't get about 20 minutes in and wake up pissed, argh What Happened what is this thing on now, argh!!!!!!!!!! So although they are a different media and tell stories differently other then one throws something on to veg out, some of the time they are enjoyed for the same reason. This Brings me to the # thing. The # is really relative to how busy you are outside of reading and is there something you would rather be doing. I'll use my self as an example. As much as I love my Simpson's and Animation Domination there is another part of me that wishes that I had No idea what was on TV. That instead of coming home after work and going on line and then seeing what to watch (some people this would be what to read). That I was out doing something, like maybe skiing or Dancing on some chick at a bar or something. I'll use myself as an example most of the reading I do is online, news, blogs and sometimes the paper. Everymonth I get Playboy and yes there are some great articles and they are also known for some of there fiction pieces or in the old days they where. But I never have time to read it. I used to get Fox also and they had mostly very graphic Pictures but also stuff about the industry and letters and I never had time to read that. Same was with ESPN magazine and Entrainment weekly. I would sit down start to read it and then the next one would show up. My point is everyone has multiple things they like to do for fun and how much you read # wise is based on what other things you are doing and how much you do them.
theecarey - 01/06/10 17:36 (e:heidi), I bookmarked that store link. Great prices! I'd love to operate a small brick and mortar book store/chill out spot and online store.
Yeh, when doing all of that school based reading, something "light" by comparison and entertaining is the way to go.
Butler is hard to put down! She was an amazing writer. I think I put everything in my life on hold when I was reading, "Kindred"- I just fell in love with the premise to that story.
I haven't read anything by Marion Zimmer Bradley, although after a quick wiki search, I'm intrigued! And hey, she was from Albany NY! :::link:::
My "crime drama" recommendation: "Criminal Minds". I recently found and enjoy that show. Can't go wrong with an FBI Behavioral Profiling drama. :::link:::
Love it! Lots of episodes to be seen on one of the basic cable channels: "ION" which is channel 18 in my area. I love their tag line, "ION television-- positively entertaining".
theecarey - 01/06/10 17:24 (e:oda), I concur with (e:tinypliny)-- Alice in Quantumland (Robert Gilmore) is great. I have a lot more to add to the list of recommended reading.
Actually, instead of here in a comment, I'm going to list them in a separate post right now, as this is something I would refer back to, myself.
tinypliny - 01/06/10 08:44 % best mind-expanding books on quantum physics
Try Alice in Quantumland. Its really fun and entertaining. :)
heidi - 01/06/10 00:41 My favorite source for good books: :::link::: I picked up five for $20 when I was in Columbia, Md.
heidi - 01/06/10 00:35 I kept track of my reading for several years and was usually around 50-55. I kept track in a Lotus Notes db that I built for tracking just about everything in my life but I haven't been doing Notes dev for.... sheesh... 8 years. Now my library lives at librarything.com but I don't track what I am reading/have read. Last school year I re-read my entire Marion Zimmer Bradley collection and started on Octavia Butler, finished Butler over the summer. My brain doesn't really want to absorb material with depth while reading for school, but it was soooo hard to put the Butler books down that I finally made myself stop until after finals. This semester I fluffed out on hulu and netflix (Doctor Who, Leverage, and stuff that M* and Lisa recommend. M* is all about the crime dramas) instead of reading. I'm going to try to refocus on reading, even if it's fluff, this semester.
oda - 01/06/10 00:14 i would love to know your recommendations for the best mind-expanding books on quantum physics. thanks!
01/03/2010 20:08 #50736
Restless Sunday
A recount of my big hour outside today, haha
Check this out.. Right outside my front door, oozing over the rooftop. Opening the front door to go out and do some shoveling, this was a crazy sight to see:
After shoveling, I made a quick run to the store for some pop and a few other little things. In no particular hurry, I spent a little bit of time socializing with the other locals who ventured out in this weather. That little bit of conversation helped put me in an chipper mood (that and the fresh air and/or lightly freezing my brain had a positive effect).
Driving through the snow covered streets in the village was visually quaint and fun to drive through. As I still had my camera in my old hoody pocket, I attempted a few pics while driving. With dying batteries, I snapped a few en route. I liked this one taken at the corner of Main and Lockport Street. This is the Ontario House, aka, "The Stone Jug"- a historical (an historical?) drinking establishment in the village:
I drove into the Fort, curious of how Lake Ontario looked in this blustery cold winter evening. Had it not been so windy, icy and almost pitch black, I would have wandered around on foot longer than I did.
Pulling up to the edge before the hill that goes down to the Lake:
Stepping out, attempting to capture a picture in the darkness; the waves are big tonight.:
Heading back to my car. the wind nearly pushing me over.
F#$K it is COLD out there!
Back in the car.. wind whipped and a little frozen in the face.
Although it is getting late, a walk through the snowy streets is very appealing to me right now. Depending on how windy it is, maybe that is a plan.
Otherwise, it is another evening of vegging out to a book or movie..
Stay warm, peeps!
metalpeter - 01/05/10 20:15 That Snow on your house is crazy, the lake doesn't look like a lake it looks like an ocean in that shot, glad you had fun out in the snow.
I would have joined you, but I'm still recovering from a chest cold and pretty much vegged out all day.
01/02/2010 22:47 #50728
glad to be home
Oh boy..
the weather really is frightful, tonight.
I headed into Buffalo to (e:pyrcedgrrls) place, where Dana, her daughter and myself planned to go to a movie together. We tried going to dinner at Red Pepper first (for some Pho, yo.) but it was crazy packed and we didn't have much time before needing to get out to the theater. So a quick stop at Moe's Southwest Grill fed us well. I had never been there.. I'd go again.
We caught, "Where the Wild Things Are" at the Movieland 8 cheap seats in Cheektowaga. It wasn't my choice for movie nor Danas, but that is what her daughter chose.
Gotta say... DID NOT LIKE.
I thought it was going to turn into a $3.50 nap.
But then Dana and I relied on our old "make this movie more entertaining" by providing new and improved commentary (in other words, make it a porno). yeh..
Then it turned into a very fun movie. $3.50 redeemed.
We didn't go anywhere else afterward as the weather was creating a mess of the streets more that what they were.
I picked up my car and headed home.
The long drive home..
the roads were so icky. They got worse the closer I got to home. I'm a confident driver, and I know when to take it extra careful. The last six miles were tricky. Working the car down a big old hill is NOT FUN when it is snowy and icy. Cars were crawling and there were some bumper car action going on. Then the snow just came down creating little visibility.
Alright.. so my point? It is SO good to be home.. warm and.. warm. I'll be hibernating, so call me in the spring, ok?
Seriously, stay inside tonight. Though, you were probably all smart enough to do that already, huh? haha
metalpeter - 01/03/10 09:56 I can Admit I'm a bit Jealous, I have only tried Moe's at a Bisons game and Have Heard the place is very good. In terms of "Where The Wild Things Are". It was very Dark and Very Angry. I was glad I saw it but the word like doesn't fit but neither does dislike. It was good but so angry I'm not sure what I felt like when leaving. The Part I don't get is that the kid in the begining starts the Snow Fight and Is Having fun but then gets pissed off when he loses and his fort gets crushed. It seems to me like all the kid wanted was some attention and he was put second in everyone's life. Maybe there is a message their someplace, put your kid first. That being said I did like how the kid becomes like the parent and sees how the monsters are out of control like he is. In any event glad you liked Moe's Man now I want some Mexican Food or maybe just some little Spanish Hottie, Ha.
01/04/2010 23:18 #50740
Monday Tacos (and books and movies)
Woke way too damn early, after just sleeping for a few hours, and saw that the snow was still coming down. I got up and had the energy to go out and shovel. Thankfully my step dad comes over and used the snowblower on my driveway, and then proceeds to do the neighbors. Shoveling can be fun, but not the length of my driveway and not the very end where the heaviest, dirtiest and most annoying of the snow piles up, due to plow trucks coming through.
Big scary drift over my front door is still there, as seen in previous post, (e:theecarey,50736)
Busy morning, but felt myself crashing after lunch. My lunch was awesome. A couple of "tacos" made from ground turkey, black beans, chopped red pepper and finely chopped spinach (and store bought taco seasoning packet) smooshed into a yellow corn tortilla shell with sharp cheddar cheese. Yum. Shortly after I was feeling weird from lack of sleep so I laid down and instantly fell asleep (that rarely happens). Didn't sleep long but I did sleep deep and woke up feeling like another day had passed. I'm still feeling confused!
After that little nap, I headed out to go out for a walk, to shake the sleep dust of my brain, if only I could find a spot that wasn't too icy. The Fort totally sucked for this as the winds were terrible. My face froze instantly, and even though I was bundled up, the experience wasn't making me feel happy. So I left and tried to find another area that did not have whipping winds to deal with. Easily found another area but I didn't make it very far, but it was still good to get out. I made a quick trip to the grocery store (for the hell of it, really) for a bag of ground coffee and flavored coffee creamer (I usually go black, but am in the mood for something extra tasty this week). I parked far away just to get a little extra "leg stretch". Roads got progressively worse by the time I was done in that store. Glad it was a short trip home.
meh. It isn't great. Was hoping for chocolate-mint.
Got home, went to go online and the web pages were "unavailable". I disabled my connection, re connected, which is usually enough, but my attempts were otiose. Checked router and found an issue there.
Without going into what all that entailed, I did have to go into my old Gateway computer to mess around with admin stuff. I pretty much never use this computer. Why would I? It is from 1998, Windows '98, 128 MB RAM, and a monitor that sits five feet deep and a tower case that resembles an alien monolith. Only old browsers versions are compatible (so think, early IE, Firefox and Netscape- no tabbed browsing either- how did we live?!), so naturally, pretty much all websites are a pain in the ass as there is excessive lag in the functions. FB about booted me right off of there. Jerks. A quick glance at the old school programs made me giggle (think, Encarta, Trip Planner, Bookshelf, etc). Anyway, got everything working again, and after a few more minutes browsing for the fun of it, I shut down the computer, which gets turned on maybe once a year. The old thing sputtered and moaned in pain during the whole start up and shut down process. Poor thing.
Dinner time was the same as lunch with the addition of brown rice and "succotash" (corn and lima beans-- I didn't know this until sometime this year, er, last year). A little cayenne pepper sprinkled on top was the extent of flavoring. Already I thought I was going to die from all the salt in the store bought taco seasoning. Lots of water to follow! Took a few pics for fun. I should probably get those on here..
Decided to pop in a movie with dinner. I had bought, Fanboys (2009) a few weeks back on DVD brand new for $6.00. I had wanted to see it last year, but it never came to the theaters around here and it took some time before it came out on video.
something look familiar?
Must not have done well anywhere.
I wasn't expecting much, had really low expectations, actually-- even though I didn't know much of what it was about. In short it about a group of guys, fans of Star Wars setting out to get the script of Episode 1 before the finished movie came to the theaters. This story was set to the year, 1998. The music was pretty true to the time (Chumbawamba, Presidents of the United States of America, for example). The dialogue was simple with some hilarious one liners. Most often this is really annoying to me, but it was all making me laugh, a lot. So I thought many of the lines were pretty great and there were so many little details to be appreciated. Some of the cast members were awesome to see (Carrie Fisher!). For sure, you have to be a bit of a Star Wars fan to even want to see the movie, so I was eager to watch it. The more tried and true fans likely have a lot of negativity about the flick, as this movie just didn't make it anywhere. To be fair, it isn't a well done movie. The characters lack depth as does any sort of interpersonal relations attempted to be depicted, but really, it is obvious that this movie is meant to be nerdy, silly, fluff. Get in touch with your inner 13 year old and laugh.
It is especially entertaining to me for its anti Star Trek sentiment (don't hate me). I was laughing so hard, it was great.
Speaking of Carrie Fisher, I am reading her memoir, "Wishful Drinking"
She has written a few novels, none of which I have read, so I don't know what her writing style is normally like. This memoir cracks me up for its honesty, simplicity and crazy stories. So far, a very quick and easy read. I will be certainly ready for something detailed, nerdy and engaging after this.
I've had Mark Danielewskis', "House of Leaves" in my reading queue (ok, big ass book pile) for several months.
Anyone read it?
I know this one will take me time as I want to follow it and experience it the best that I can muster. I'm looking forward to getting into it. I knew it would be best read in the winter on days that I have extra time to devote to reading which it will require. It is non traditional in appearance, as seen here:
And on that note, time to wind down the night and finish up that memoir.
Good night, stay warm!
metalpeter - 01/05/10 20:12 Lunch Looks good. That Movie sounds Interesting, I think I may have seen it listed on Cable but never watched since I didn't know what it was.
iriesara - 01/05/10 16:34 My mother was reading Wishful Drinking during my folks annual visit to the left coast in Sept....she's had her moments, and said it was hysterical...
tinypliny - 01/05/10 16:28 Your lunch looks fantastic!
tinypliny - 01/05/10 16:27 I Love that movie.. and I am not even a star-whatever fan. It was a laugh riot beginning to end!
01/01/2010 16:22 #50714
January 1, 2010
"two thousand ten"
"twenty ten"
I wonder which will stick.
It is January. wow.
A new year.*sigh*
I'm feeling the urge to re watch, "2010: The Year We Make Contact" (1984).
Although no comparison to "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968) with the awesome Hal 9000.
I love this movie. So well done, very creative and creepy. The music, the visuals; all part of a beautiful piece of work from 1968.
This scene gets to me.. Deconstructing Hal
I'm glad that I can generally amuse myself to no end, and that although I may get weary, I rarely get "bored". Philosophically, yes.Finding something to do, not often. There is always something to "do", so being "bored" will only happen if I let it.
That being said, I am at home, again, nowhere to go, really. Again, any free days due to the holiday last week and this week had to involve very little or no money. Really, too much $ went out this month. But there is always more to be made, so it is just a matter of time and being careful. It is the matter of "until then" that bites. Oh well, challenges happen and I can handle it.
Gotta say (again!) what a major bummer it was to turn around and come back home last night! I was looking forward to seeing all who was in attendance at the party. I'm confident that it was a really good time, and that someone will post pictures at some point, yes? Hope it was a safe and fun night for everyone. How is everyone doing/feeling today??
Anyway back to my little adventure. It rained all day and was still a little rainy when I left to head out last night. The temps had gone from 37 to 32, just enough of a drop to make everything slick. If it were snowy, no big deal. If it were a matter of visibly icy streets, not fun but not as big of deal as "black ice". Plus the earlier bad temperament of my car already left a strike against the evening. My car was just being pulled left and right while driving, then it fish tailed at even a little pressure on the brakes. Sort of fun, actually. Since there wasn't any traffic, I kept driving (and intentionally braking) just to see if I would drive out of it. I stopped at a busy convenience store where a cluster of youngish well dressed guys were chatting about the ice. I should have asked where they were headed or coming from.
Center street in Lewiston was all lit up and looked very festive and inviting.The street was replete with cars and all of the pubs lining the street were packed with well dressed people. I observed clusters of folks making their way into one establishment or another for an energetic night of conversation and debauchery. I had a momentary thought of stopping in myself for a few, check things out, see who's out, have a drink.. but I simply wasn't feeling it. Not all that surprising, there though.
Got home, let a few people in the area know about the craptastic road conditions and then proceeded to just chill out with the laptop. I didn't have any champagne, but I had an assortment of wine. So I poured myself a glass, then another, then another and then I tried to watch tv- I flipped through the various channels that had NYE programs, but I couldn't stomach it. I don't care (!!!!) that Eve/Eva Longoria (sp) has a restaurant now and was hosting NYE from it (or something) and was standing outside with a friend and their giant cocktail slurring while talking about... NOTHING. ie; " *giggle* I think I am drunk before the new year is even here!!! *giggle*".... and "omg! those nachos were soooo good. really. They are addicting. So many calories."
shut up.
UMMM..Thanks. I really wanted to end a decade and a bring in a new one with you.
seriously?
Further, I wasn't impressed with any of the other tv offerings, for much of the same reason, and it was bad enough that that little exchange burned into my memory braincells.
sorry for sharing. haha
(but when I look back on NYE, I will have it documented here. heh.)
Although I did catch a tail end glimpse of Dick Clark. What an icon. And a few moments with a local news channel just after the ball dropped downtown.
Various texts, IMs, & phone calls helped me feel a little connected to everyone. Thanks :)
and now today...
it is cold, snowing, streets are covered, and my broke ass is staying home unless some creative option comes up. I have good coffee, my heater cranked up, and I am settled in for an afternoon of writing. I have a job project to go out and do, but that will either be much later or tomorrow.
My door is always "open".
I'm the one holding a strong cup of coffee, wearing a Barbie hat and Happy Bunny sleep pants.
oh, and..
HAPPY NEW YEAR (and new decade!)
a good time to reflect on new beginnings..
metalpeter - 01/01/10 17:27 Happy New Year, hope it is a good year for you
but probably nothing special for a self proclaimed "book eater".
In Terms of your # question I wonder if there is some way to look that up? Somehow I doubt google would give the answer? You did bring up a good point though. What about Page count? The Best example I can think of I have heard The King James Bible (unabridged or something like that) is a huge book that would be much more reading then say I don't some smaller text. Then of course Difficultly is a factor also. I don't just mean like bigger words but I have heard some writers are tougher to read.
I agree that everyone should read just like I agree (didn't when I was a kid) should learn music. They are different learning styles and make learning other things easier. Reading at an early age is very helpful. I think most people who have trouble in school, it is because their level of reading ability hinders there learning. If you don't get what you are reading about a subject how can you ever learn it, or if it is tough kids just give up.
I know one of my problems is (I think this is common) is that as much as I do like books (mostly comics really) and reading, I learned early on that it is work. What I mean is that in school you are assigned a book to read. When you read you read to learn stuff for class. Some how I didn't get the entire reading for fun thing. Not sure how I missed that (yes I do like to read but never do it). I think there are a lot of kids who don't learn to read things for fun. Or maybe it is just a I need to read this so I don't have time to read the fun stuff not sure.
One Last thing I think that with so much use of computers at school, and home, and the internet and things like ipods. I think it is very important for parents or other family members to teach kids that reading is fun at a young age, and that learning is fun also. If these two things are put together more people would read more and enjoy it.
I know I often think things like Trueblood was a Book series man I wish I would have read those books and that is true of other things as well. I know I should read a lot more then I do. In terms of your # I say it is very High but I'm guessing for someone who enjoys it as much as you do your around Average. In terms of should you push your self to read more, um no and yes. If you push your self you can turn what is fun into something that isn't. But on the other side of that is you can turn it into a game and make it more fun, again the downside to that is. That if you make it a game you may go for results that then change how you read and what you read. The main thing is that you enjoy it.
What particular area of quantum physics are you interested in? My limited experience with it has been frustrating. I found molecular orbital theory to be so much more confusing than VESPR to describe shapes of molecules. I do have an interest in physics but when it comes time to wind down and do some mindless reading I tend to stick to travel stories and food books.
I hear ya, Peter; I like your spin on it. "My point is everyone has multiple things they like to do for fun and how much you read # wise is based on what other things you are doing and how much you do them."
definitely!
That is why I wondered what the average amount of books read should be for someone who uses reading as the primary source of non active entertainment and edification. Basically, as a heavy reader, should I be pushing myself to cover more material then what I already am (assuming the variety of genre stays stable.)?
In general though, everyone should read something- a book, a magazine, an online article, playgirl, shampoo bottle, etc. I know people who just don't read, or wouldn't have if it weren't for the internet.
also had a friend who wouldn't read, and did could not read well (or spell or have much of a vocabulary), until I helped select books for her (she wanted my help and recommendation). These selections came out of the young adult section of the library, and although they were at a much lower reading level of where she should be at, it was the fact that this encouraged an interest in reading on a regular basis. How cool!?
Through time, her spelling and vocabulary improved, which was pretty great thing to see & hear.
Consider this comment as just adding to the conversation as totally don't know if I had a point and I certainly wasn't making a counter point! :)
I have to put my spin on this post a bit. I can admit watching TV is Nothing like Reading. But there are some things that are the same. There is a story in both (yet different forms and such). It is a way to get away from the day to day. Some forms are purely for information or to learn new things. A TV example might be a travel show or some documentary that isn't really a political movement. I can admit that curling up to watch a movie is how you don't get about 20 minutes in and wake up pissed, argh What Happened what is this thing on now, argh!!!!!!!!!! So although they are a different media and tell stories differently other then one throws something on to veg out, some of the time they are enjoyed for the same reason. This Brings me to the # thing. The # is really relative to how busy you are outside of reading and is there something you would rather be doing. I'll use my self as an example. As much as I love my Simpson's and Animation Domination there is another part of me that wishes that I had No idea what was on TV. That instead of coming home after work and going on line and then seeing what to watch (some people this would be what to read). That I was out doing something, like maybe skiing or Dancing on some chick at a bar or something. I'll use myself as an example most of the reading I do is online, news, blogs and sometimes the paper. Everymonth I get Playboy and yes there are some great articles and they are also known for some of there fiction pieces or in the old days they where. But I never have time to read it. I used to get Fox also and they had mostly very graphic Pictures but also stuff about the industry and letters and I never had time to read that. Same was with ESPN magazine and Entrainment weekly. I would sit down start to read it and then the next one would show up. My point is everyone has multiple things they like to do for fun and how much you read # wise is based on what other things you are doing and how much you do them.
(e:heidi), I bookmarked that store link. Great prices! I'd love to operate a small brick and mortar book store/chill out spot and online store.
Yeh, when doing all of that school based reading, something "light" by comparison and entertaining is the way to go.
Butler is hard to put down! She was an amazing writer. I think I put everything in my life on hold when I was reading, "Kindred"- I just fell in love with the premise to that story.
I haven't read anything by Marion Zimmer Bradley, although after a quick wiki search, I'm intrigued! And hey, she was from Albany NY!
:::link:::
My "crime drama" recommendation: "Criminal Minds". I recently found and enjoy that show. Can't go wrong with an FBI Behavioral Profiling drama. :::link:::
Love it! Lots of episodes to be seen on one of the basic cable channels: "ION" which is channel 18 in my area. I love their tag line, "ION television-- positively entertaining".
(e:oda), I concur with (e:tinypliny)-- Alice in Quantumland (Robert Gilmore) is great. I have a lot more to add to the list of recommended reading.
Actually, instead of here in a comment, I'm going to list them in a separate post right now, as this is something I would refer back to, myself.
% best mind-expanding books on quantum physics
Try Alice in Quantumland. Its really fun and entertaining. :)
My favorite source for good books: :::link::: I picked up five for $20 when I was in Columbia, Md.
I kept track of my reading for several years and was usually around 50-55. I kept track in a Lotus Notes db that I built for tracking just about everything in my life but I haven't been doing Notes dev for.... sheesh... 8 years. Now my library lives at librarything.com but I don't track what I am reading/have read. Last school year I re-read my entire Marion Zimmer Bradley collection and started on Octavia Butler, finished Butler over the summer. My brain doesn't really want to absorb material with depth while reading for school, but it was soooo hard to put the Butler books down that I finally made myself stop until after finals. This semester I fluffed out on hulu and netflix (Doctor Who, Leverage, and stuff that M* and Lisa recommend. M* is all about the crime dramas) instead of reading. I'm going to try to refocus on reading, even if it's fluff, this semester.
i would love to know your recommendations for the best mind-expanding books on quantum physics. thanks!