crazyski 0 Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 CRYTONOMICON is beyond excellent. one of the most entertaining, complex reads I've had in awhile. I bonded with a guy in Niseko over it... Books are powerful, no? It's Mike Moore recently, though... (silly bush) Link to post Share on other sites
slow 0 Posted February 25, 2004 Share Posted February 25, 2004 "The practice of the wild" Gary snyder "Yoga Zen-dowa" Sahota Tsuruji Very interesting... Link to post Share on other sites
enderzero 0 Posted February 25, 2004 Share Posted February 25, 2004 Since "Cryptonomicon" I have read Stephenson's earlier "Snow Crash" and "Zodiac." Both very different than Crypto but both written in his excellent style. Both are considerably shorter as well. Now I'm looking forward to getting my hands on his new one, "Quicksilver." Link to post Share on other sites
veronica 2 Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 Just read the latest John Grisham, King of Torts. Always a very easy read, good for the train. Link to post Share on other sites
taguchi 0 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 Do anyone of you here read book in Japanese? Or maybe translation of Japanese into English? Link to post Share on other sites
Siren 0 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 I read a book (English translation) by Murakami Haruki long time ago. The author has a very interesting view on life. Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 I read 'Shonen H' in translation - excellent. Also some Kawabata and Mishima, some of which I liked and some disliked. I also read what was probably a very bad translation of Botchan (I get a bit tired of things Botchan here in Matsuyama. Build a new stadium - what to call it? Of course, Botchan was not about sports and athletics, but let's call it the Botchan Stadium anyway.) Link to post Share on other sites
nekobi 0 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 "the geography of thought: how asians and westerners thinkg differently.... and why" by richard nisbett ab fab!!! on so many levels asians and westerners view the world differently- westerners are more object/linear/logic focused whereas asians are more holistic/dialectic and concerned with relationships. his theories are backed up with research in cognition and culture. really insightful for why something things/people here just don't make sense to me. i definitely recommend it!!! Link to post Share on other sites
enderzero 0 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 There was a thread some time ago about a famous Japanese book translated into English that had some vague winter theme. Was that the Mishima book? What of his did you read? Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 That was Kawabata's "Snow Country". I can't remember much about that one apart from being bored. I liked the one about Shogi and the other one about Kyoto. I've read Mishima's short stories "Death in Midsummer". I also have a new avatar. Link to post Share on other sites
enderzero 0 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 I like that better then that creepy priest. Where the hell did that come from anyway? Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 Creepy indeed. He was done for molesting children and topped himself a while back. Makes a good avatar though. Link to post Share on other sites
MistaSparkle 0 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 Quote: Originally posted by Ocean11: I read 'Shonen H' in translation - excellent. Title sounds interesting... who's the author? what's it about? Link to post Share on other sites
slow 0 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 I love Kawabata's novel, he wrote very beautiful story and scenery. "Koto"(about Kyoto as Ocean said, I'm not sure English title) is my favorite. When he wrote this story, he resorted to using sleeping pills and he was feeling half awake according to his postface. That's why this story is beyond our imaginings. His end of life was very dismal. And "The sound of Mountain" is also beautiful story set in Kamakura. Nekobi's recommended book sounds very interesting. Can I find Japanese edition? Link to post Share on other sites
slow 0 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 "Shonen H" = Senoo Kappa I couldn't finish it... Link to post Share on other sites
nekobi 0 Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 hey slow- i doubt theres a j version of the book- it's kinda academic and i don't think it would be translated. you could try the english version.... Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Anyone know any good "horror" books? (Do they exist?) Link to post Share on other sites
bobby12 0 Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Maybe ocean11 meant the mishima book about kyoto, ie. 'The Temple of the Golden Pavillion' which is about the nutty manic depressive priest who burnt the temple to the ground. I'm reading it now, but its a little bit long and slow. Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 No, like slow said, I meant "Koto" - "The Old Capital" in English. nekobi, I had a look for your book in the library, but couldn't remember the damn title for a catalogue search... Good horror? M.R. James used to scare the crap out of me. After reading "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad", sleeping next to an empty bed has never been the same... Link to post Share on other sites
wendy-cake 0 Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 What are those great big Tom Clancy doorstops like? The size of the thing intimidates me... Link to post Share on other sites
kintaro 0 Posted March 3, 2004 Author Share Posted March 3, 2004 I've just started reading Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson. Link to post Share on other sites
LARD 0 Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 Any good recent airport easy readers? I'm off to the US next week and need something for the flight Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 Rogue Nation by Clyde Presotwitz would make a good read if you're going to the States. I'm enjoying it at the moment. Tom Clancy is to be avoided at all costs. Link to post Share on other sites
LARD 0 Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 Why? (The Tom Clancy bit) Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 It's just really geeky military hardware jerk-off bad writing. I'm actually interested in military hardware, but Tom is naff. A good review by Christopher Hitchens here . Link to post Share on other sites
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