When I took an undergraduate course called 'The American Novel', Moby-Dick was by far my favorite of the 13 or so, especially the Norton Critical Edition w./ essays at the end. Wildly in love with Melville's masterpiece.
Also one of my favorites from 'The American Novel' class, c. 1978 - I made a website about it, that has music and audio: www.dgitelman.com/grapesofwrath
Taking a class on Schopenhauer at St. John’s College right now, so I’m reading The World as Will and Representation. Thoughts are still mixed on his thesis, but it’s interesting, albeit hard reading at times.
I still wish I'd taken Schopenhauer in college, but it conflicted with another class required for my major. I used to sneak out to audit Schopenhauer once a week. The professor started with "On the Fourfold Root of the Principle of Sufficient Reason", and suggested we needed it to help us understand "World as Will and Representation". Despite enjoying the class, I was being overambitious, stopped attending Schopenhauer in the sixth week, and never picked him up again.
So I'm curious. How is "World As Will" going? Is it readable enough to tackle alone? Do you recommend it?
Schopenhauer is pretty adamant in the introduction that people need to read the fourfold root before reading the World as Will, and he references it a ton. With that being said, it’s comprehensible without it, but it’s a bit annoying because every time he stubbornly refuses to repeat what’s in his other books and constantly tells you to go read them. That being said, it’s a stimulating read all on its own
Read 'Karamazov' in college, and taught 'Crime and Punishment' to Turkish and Turkish Cypriot students at Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, 1996. Sometimes the books we selected did not work for our students, but this class of about 15 EMU student went crazy for it -- it was amazing, and the best teaching experience I had in my two years there.
He’s just out of fashion right now. Some of the Emily Wilson advocacy is zero-sum about Fagles. He’s not the most literal, but he’s a poet. And no, he’s not outdated.
The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius. I’m new to philosophy and really enjoying this book. The poems put in at the end of every section have been my favorite part.
Reading Li Qingzhao’s Complete Poetry, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, and The Divine Comedy by Dante for Catherine Project reading groups. Starting to break down The Anatomy of Melancholy for Fall reading group. Dipping into Libraries of the Mind by William Marx which is probably going to get me into reading Paul Valrey’s poetry and prose. :)
I am finishing up with The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion; in the middle of Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield and Trails: An Exploration by Robert Moor (audiobook); and I’m about to start The Remains of the Day!
Just finished Huckleberry Finn, which I'd somehow dodged during high school. Now I'm working my way through the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson and having a blast. Next up on the list after that is Confessions of A Mask by Yukio Mishima
I am currently reading Dune by Frank Herbert and Think by Simon Blackburn. Once I'm finished I'll be reading Philosopher-Kings: The Argument of Plato's Republic by C.D.C. Reeve.
In reading Think, I like how he explains the issue clearly and leaves it to the reader to work out the concepts. It has me wanting to read more of his works. I'll need to find some video and audio material from him.
I was reminded of this book when looking for books to supplement my reading list. It was being used in one of Oxford's classes as well as by some other universities. It's also something that life-long readers and non-academics would enjoy.
Moby Dick through the Catherine Project! I’m enjoying it way more than I thought I would. It’s funny!
It's the weirdest, coolest book. I think it is a masterpiece.
When I took an undergraduate course called 'The American Novel', Moby-Dick was by far my favorite of the 13 or so, especially the Norton Critical Edition w./ essays at the end. Wildly in love with Melville's masterpiece.
It is funny! It's messy! It's a wonderful book that I reread every 5 years and get surprised by the same sections that surprised me five years prior!
Enjoy the read! Glad you found a group to read it with.
I'm reading Grapes of Wrath and enjoying it even though it's a hard read due to the suffering.
I agree...the suffering and hard life they lived is difficult to imagine. I've seen the movie and that helped to make the book more readable.
Also one of my favorites from 'The American Novel' class, c. 1978 - I made a website about it, that has music and audio: www.dgitelman.com/grapesofwrath
Thanks so much I look forward to viewing it!
steinbeck goated.
But so well-written. Have you read "East of Eden"? Really beautiful, and not as much suffering.
No I haven’t but it is definitely in my tbr
I'm also reading The Grapes of Wrath and enjoying it too! The sense of injustice reminds me of George Orwell's non fiction.
I felt the same way while reading, but enjoyed learn in the perspective of the period.
Taking a class on Schopenhauer at St. John’s College right now, so I’m reading The World as Will and Representation. Thoughts are still mixed on his thesis, but it’s interesting, albeit hard reading at times.
At night, I’ve finally started Wheel of Time.
I still wish I'd taken Schopenhauer in college, but it conflicted with another class required for my major. I used to sneak out to audit Schopenhauer once a week. The professor started with "On the Fourfold Root of the Principle of Sufficient Reason", and suggested we needed it to help us understand "World as Will and Representation". Despite enjoying the class, I was being overambitious, stopped attending Schopenhauer in the sixth week, and never picked him up again.
So I'm curious. How is "World As Will" going? Is it readable enough to tackle alone? Do you recommend it?
Schopenhauer is pretty adamant in the introduction that people need to read the fourfold root before reading the World as Will, and he references it a ton. With that being said, it’s comprehensible without it, but it’s a bit annoying because every time he stubbornly refuses to repeat what’s in his other books and constantly tells you to go read them. That being said, it’s a stimulating read all on its own
Thanks for the info. I'll queue up the "Fourfold Root" in front of "World as Will" to start next month. Much appreciated!
Reading The Brothers Karamazov, and Meditations on first philosophy at the moment.
Read 'Karamazov' in college, and taught 'Crime and Punishment' to Turkish and Turkish Cypriot students at Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, 1996. Sometimes the books we selected did not work for our students, but this class of about 15 EMU student went crazy for it -- it was amazing, and the best teaching experience I had in my two years there.
Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle of course! It’s my first philosophical book and I’m excited to see where it takes me.
The Iliad
Me too! Reading it with my daughter (her idea). The Emily Wilson translation is excellent.
I’m reading Fagles translation, but I'll note Emily Wilson in the event I read again. Happy reading. 🙂
Fagles is good. He is getting flak ATM but it’s good.
Why is he getting flak? Do people believe his translation is outdated?
I'm enjoying his version. 🙂
He’s just out of fashion right now. Some of the Emily Wilson advocacy is zero-sum about Fagles. He’s not the most literal, but he’s a poet. And no, he’s not outdated.
Thanks. I have Emily Watson written down, in case I read the Iliad again.
My daughter is reading that version as well.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Simon Prebble's narration of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell was wonderful, IMO.
I also enjoyed Piranesi by Susanna Clarke.
One of the few novels written since 2000 that I unhesitatingly call a masterpiece! Fantastic book!
The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius. I’m new to philosophy and really enjoying this book. The poems put in at the end of every section have been my favorite part.
Reading Li Qingzhao’s Complete Poetry, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, and The Divine Comedy by Dante for Catherine Project reading groups. Starting to break down The Anatomy of Melancholy for Fall reading group. Dipping into Libraries of the Mind by William Marx which is probably going to get me into reading Paul Valrey’s poetry and prose. :)
Jaycel! Haven’t “seen” you since leaving Twitter. What a delight! (Melissa from the CP Moby-Dick reading group led by Zach)
Seeing this digital reunion warms my heart. It tells me I'm reaching the right people!
Totally! 💯
I’m back on Twitter, I couldn’t stay away. I hope you are well! Are you taking any groups this season or recently?
No CP groups but I am studying Nicomachean Ethics with someone I met through CP.
Damn! Li Qingzhao is a superb and rare choice
I am working through Pynchon's Mason and Dixon. New Pynchon dropping in October. Planning to read all of his major works by then.
I am finishing up with The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion; in the middle of Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield and Trails: An Exploration by Robert Moor (audiobook); and I’m about to start The Remains of the Day!
Pascal's "Pensées," a textbook each on logic and philosophy of religion, and "Children of Dune" by Frank Herbert.
Ripping into Houellebecq's The Map and the Territory, which I'm loving. Also poking and prodding at Guns, Germs, & Steel with an unwhittled stick.
The Once and Future King. I haven't read it since I was little and it's just as great as I remember.
Just finished Huckleberry Finn, which I'd somehow dodged during high school. Now I'm working my way through the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson and having a blast. Next up on the list after that is Confessions of A Mask by Yukio Mishima
Hemingway said 'Huckleberry Finn' was the greatest American novel.
I am currently reading Dune by Frank Herbert and Think by Simon Blackburn. Once I'm finished I'll be reading Philosopher-Kings: The Argument of Plato's Republic by C.D.C. Reeve.
I met Simon Blackburn at the University of Calgary when he came there to read some papers. That was great!
In reading Think, I like how he explains the issue clearly and leaves it to the reader to work out the concepts. It has me wanting to read more of his works. I'll need to find some video and audio material from him.
Think is a really good intro to philosophy textbook.
I was reminded of this book when looking for books to supplement my reading list. It was being used in one of Oxford's classes as well as by some other universities. It's also something that life-long readers and non-academics would enjoy.