What book's on your nightstand?

meguro · 06-19-2008, 02:22 AM

Summer's a good time to pick up a trashy novel to read at the beach. Travel's a good time pick up a spy novel and if you've got a kata date with Dent, something on joint locks.

I just finished "You Suck", by Chris Moore, which I enjoyed for its snappy dialogue. "Practical Chin Na" by Zhao Da Yuan has got several book marks in it. I'll be referring to it before my aforesaid date with Dent to plumb the depths of Yantsu. I just shelved Murakami's "After Dark" and am half done with Dawkins' "The God Delusion."

So, what've you got on your nightstand or tucked away on your carry-on?

Miguel · 06-19-2008, 02:46 AM

I recently finished ''Animal Farm'' by Orwell, and I'm currently reading ''the Portable Atheist'', which is a collection of essays and excerpts so there's no exact author, but Hitchens deserves a mention since he put it together, and wrote a piece himself; along with introductions for every essay and excerpt. Also re-reading ''god is not Great'' by Hitchens, and Pudd'nhead Wilson by, one of my heroes, Mr. Mark Twain.

Kris · 06-19-2008, 03:51 AM

The power of your subconscius mind by Joseph Murphy. A classic self help book about how you can achieve gools.

Dent · 06-19-2008, 05:13 AM

Osu!

I'm on a reread of Rashomon by Ryunosuke Akutagawa. There's something special about reading real literature from another culture. I know that sometimes the translations may miss certain nuances, but I still think that it's worth it.

Osu!

Nix · 06-19-2008, 07:25 AM

I just started book seven, 'A Crown of Roses', in the 'The Wheel of Time' series by Robert Jordan. It's a compelling universe, and his way of describing characters, places and other things is remarkable. Somehow he makes magic and metaphysics make perfect sense.

GJEChamberlain · 06-19-2008, 07:33 AM

Osu!

If anyone's about to put ******** (fill in karate book title here)

You really need to find yourself a girl and take some time off ......

Gary

vapor · 06-19-2008, 08:21 AM

As I travel as much as the wind does, I always have at least one book with me...

Currently reading Haruki Murakami's Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman an English translation of 24 short stories.

I have a stack of about 10-12 more books sitting on my shelf, just waiting for the next time I dash off to the airport. (It helps that the printing company I use also has a book publishing unit, so I am able to get my hands on a lot of the advance copies of books that this division checks. Helps on the wallet, that is for sure!)

vapor

**ksan** · 06-19-2008, 09:06 AM

I just Finished, "Uchi Desi in America" Its a story about a japanese man who after finishing college and loosing his girlfriend to the ratrace that comes after college (she choose`s job oppertunity over him) is persuaded by his father to go train as an uchi desi under Shihan Oyama (of World Oyama Karate) in America.

Its a nice read...

I can also recommend "Angry White Pyjamas"...

Osu

**jcc** · 06-19-2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksan

I just Finished, "Uchi Desi in America" Its a story about a japanese man who after finishing college and loosing his girlfriend to the ratrace that comes after college (she choose`s job oppertunity over him) is persuaded by his father to go train as an uchi desi under Shihan Oyama (of World Oyama Karate) in America.

Its a nice read...

I can also recommend "Angry White Pyjamas"...

Osu

Osu! ksan,

I wonder if you read Gary´s comment above..

I´ve just finished Bloody Margaret by Mark Lawson, a humorous(?) look back at the Thatcher years. Before that, a friend here lent me a Spanish version of My Traitors Heart by Rian Malan, which so impressed me, that I went and bought an original (English) copy off Amazon. Highly recommend this book.

Bloke · 06-19-2008, 09:33 AM

"Words in the Air" a translation by Derek Mahon of a selection of poems by Phillipe Jacotett. Just finished "The Riverbank Field" by Seamus Heaney and also just started "No Great Mischief" by Alastair MacLeod.

Once I get through those I have about another 200 books waiting to be read (and 7 more on the way from a publishing house).

**ksan** · 06-19-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcc

Osu! ksan,

I wonder if you read Gary´s comment above..

I did actually, but i think my fiancee would kick my ass if i did what he suggests

plus she is reading those book`s atm.....

niceguy · 06-19-2008, 10:32 AM

Musashi......a Japanese epic

. Great read!

Nix · 06-19-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niceguy

Musashi......a Japanese epic

. Great read!

Please elaborate. I was recommended a book called "Gaijin" once, and was promised epic battles between samurai and ninja. Turned out to be some cheesy lovestory, and didn't really give a picture on Japanese culture.

mary222 · 06-19-2008, 01:50 PM

lord of the fly by William Golding, it is a classic. i had to read it at some point trought high school. at the time i felt like it was just another home work but reading it now i discovered that it could be a really good analogy of the kyokushin world today.

eamoncramb · 06-19-2008, 02:06 PM

im on the book of 5 rings by miyamoto musashi

meguro · 06-19-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miguel

Also re-reading ''god is not Great'' by Hitchens, and Pudd'nhead Wilson by, one of my heroes, Mr. Mark Twain.

I had just finished reading "god is not Great" in the guest quarters of a close friend-the room was formerly a 200+year old chapel-when the door noisily creaked open and footsteps sped from the door and past. No one that I could see entered. I thought it quite ironic that my first thought and only explanation for that situation was a supernatural one.

Dent · 06-19-2008, 02:16 PM

Osu!

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Hamlet. Act 1, Scene 5.

I hope I'm not going to spark a painful debate here, but I believe that we will always question what we don't understand, and that is good. Coming to a conclusion with the same lack of understanding is not...

Osu!

**anaticula** · 06-19-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nix

I just started book seven, 'A Crown of Roses', in the 'The Wheel of Time' series by Robert Jordan. It's a compelling universe, and his way of describing characters, places and other things is remarkable. Somehow he makes magic and metaphysics make perfect sense.

I just finished the series (well 1-11 + New Spring). Some of them are a bit tedious, due to endless repetition of previously mentioned facts, but apart from that a great story

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJEChamberlain

If anyone's about to put ******** (fill in karate book title here)

You really need to find yourself a girl and take some time off ......

Aww, I just got a bunch of new karate books to read, after approx 9600 pages of fantasy (that's rather insane, when I think about it) I feel the need to get back to reality

Yes, on my nightstand right now is a book called "The Way to Black Belt" by Kane & Wilder. Haven't gotten too far in it yet, so I cannot really comment on the contents yet, but as I really enjoyed Wilder's book on Sanchin kata, I figured it would be worth buying.

When I'm done, I'll probably pick up Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" which I, of some obscure reason, never finished before (re)starting the Wheel of Time... As I think about it, I've started to accumulate books faster than I read them, I've got to lay off TV for a while!

Bloke · 06-19-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anaticula

As I think about it, I've started to accumulate books faster than I read them, I've got to lay off TV for a while!

Welcome to my world

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