What's Your Current Book, and What's Next on Your Reading List?

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses various books that participants are currently reading or plan to read next, encompassing a mix of fiction, non-fiction, textbooks, and personal reflections on the reading experience. The scope includes casual reading, academic texts, and recommendations for books with themes related to science and philosophy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant is reading "God in the Equation" by Powell and finds it acceptable after a long break from physics/cosmology books.
  • Another participant is intrigued by "Quincunx" but is unsure about its overall theme, having chosen it based on its cover.
  • Several participants mention reading textbooks due to time constraints, indicating a focus on academic material.
  • One participant enjoyed "Angels and Demons" but noted its inaccuracies.
  • Another is juggling multiple academic texts, including Lanau's Mechanics and Bohm's Quantum Theory, while struggling to find time for leisure reading.
  • One participant expresses enjoyment of "Men of Mathematics" while also reading "Frankenstein" for school.
  • Another mentions reading "Dune" and finds it good, while someone else is reading "The Second Sex" by Beauvoir.
  • Discussion includes various opinions on Dan Brown's works, with some participants defending their entertainment value while others question the originality of the plots.
  • One participant shares thoughts on "Moving Mars" by Greg Bear, highlighting its political themes and speculative advancements in quantum physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the books mentioned, with some enjoying Dan Brown's novels while others critique their literary value. There is no consensus on the quality or originality of Brown's work, and various preferences for reading material are evident.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention time constraints affecting their reading choices, and some express uncertainty about the themes or quality of the books they are reading.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in diverse book recommendations, particularly in the realms of fiction, science, philosophy, and academic texts, may find this discussion valuable.

  • #121
There was only one footnote...:confused:
 
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  • #122
Well the copy I have has a lot more than just one footnote :confused:

Unfortunately because they're there I have to read them...I don't know why, but I just can't help myself. So yeah, that was a major annoyance for me as a result.
 
Last edited:
  • #123
Not surprising. yomamma has the edition for 12 year olds.
 
  • #124
yomamma said:
There was only one footnote...:confused:
I had to go back and double check. You're right...no footnotes in my version (or very few since flipping through the pages didn't reveal them readily). I have read books with footnotes though, so it was easy to misremember that bit.

The footnotes must be something added by the editors/publishers...maybe under pressure from various groups to provide factual information? I've read other books where the publisher has done that, to fill in historical information to help explain the author's intent or whatnot. I do find it irritating...if I wanted commentary along with the story, I'd buy the Cliff's Notes for the book. :rolleyes:

Do you have a hardcover or paperback version? Mine's the hardcover version because I bought it before it was hyped by everyone, when it was still fairly new.
 
  • #125
Currently I'am reading:
The complete idoits guide for Caclus(not that I'am one but when your learning Caclus for fun your either a genius or your not)
Physics Demystified
 
  • #126
arildno said:
Not surprising. yomamma has the edition for 12 year olds.
1. I'm 14
2. It is not the edition for 12 year olds:cry:
 
  • #127
Okay, then. You and Moonbear have the same edition. :smile:
 
  • #128
yomamma said:
1. I'm 14
2. It is not the edition for 12 year olds:cry:
But you were 12 when you signed up for this site.
 
  • #129
but I was 14 when I got the book
 
  • #130
The one I have is a paperback version and it was given to me well after it became popular. I don't really know how the book distributions work, but maybe Australia has the footnote crazy books :smile:.
 
  • #131
yomamma said:
but I was 14 when I got the book
Are you sure:
Do do leap seconds, leap years, and calander inaccerises you could be 9 1/2
 
  • #132
bigman said:
I don't really know how the book distributions work, but maybe Australia has the footnote crazy books .
Probably that's it:
After all, what else can you do than read footnotes if you live in Tasmania or Alice Springs?
 
  • #133
arildno said:
Probably that's it:
After all, what else can you do than read footnotes if you live in Tasmania or Alice Springs?
Astronomy.
 
  • #134
turbo-1 said:
Astronomy.

Yep, the late Grote Reber went to Tasmania to practice radioastronomy
 
  • #135
turbo-1 said:
Astronomy.
Ah yes, and sheep herding and opossum hunting as well, probably.
Obviously, Australia is the place to live.
 
  • #136
just picked this one up:

5082319.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_V50356771_.jpg


it was ridiculously expensive for such a small book, but it's an easy read & I'm learning a lot.
 
  • #137
I think I saw this book at B&N, a few weeks ago. There isn't too much math, but just proze reading, afair, is it? How is it, do you like it?
 
  • #138
heartless said:
I think I saw this book at B&N, a few weeks ago. There isn't too much math, but just proze reading, afair, is it? How is it, do you like it?

yeah it's not a math book, it's a book ABOUT math :-p it's just a book about math & what mathematicians do. there are chapters on computers & math, unsolved problems, how mathematicians think, proofs, learning math, how the author almost became a lawyer, pure & applied math, teaching math & other stuff. it's not intended for math people but i think it's still pretty good so far.
 
  • #139
Okay, for anyone who likes suspense stories, I'm definitely recommending The Eleventh Commandment that I mentioned earlier in the thread (except for Franz, who needs to ponder deeper meaning and metaphor). I finished reading it earlier this evening, and it had some fantastic twists in the plot...I never saw the ending coming! Definitely not predictable, which is rare. And it's a nail-biter, from beginning to end! I also give it a one tissue box rating (i.e., definitely some tear-jerker chapters if you're susceptible to that :shy:).
 

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