So, What Are You Reading?

An Introduction to Second Temple Judaism. History and Religion of the Jews in the Time of Nehemiah, the Maccabees, Hillel and Jesus, by Lester L. Grabbe

 

A Child Called It - read it in one sitting. Wow.

 

A disturbing book, no?

 

Very. I haven't read the other two in the trilogy, but they're on my list.

 

There has been quite a bit of criticism of this book and its author. A lot of talk that some or all of it is made up. I have no idea re: any of the doubt.
One thing I do know with complete certainty: There is absolutely no limit to the cruelty some deranged parents will inflict on their children. No limit whatsoever. It goes beyond the bounds of what is human.

Everything described in this book certainly could have happened. Everything has - perhaps to Dave Pelzer, definitely to other unfortunate children. Too bad the parents are deceased. There should have been a trial.

J.

 

I'm not taking it as anything near Gospel, but I think this article is well-constructed. Dave Pelzer

In it, David Plotz asks, somewhat sarcastically "If Schadenfreude is joy at others' sorrow, what is joy at your own?"

I still have fond memories of German class, although it was over 55 years ago for me. I guessed that it might be "Selbstschadenfreude." Bingo. Coined and described here: Waldenswimmer: The origins of Selbst Schadenfreude

J.

 

Read Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. Read in one sitting. I had high expectations and was not disappointed.

J.

 

So, you think you've got a nice home library?

https://www.buzzfeed.com/tabathaleggett/home-libraries-that-will-give-you-serious-living-room-goals?utm_term=.gkR2QQ76lX#.yn3xGG74BE

 

The surroundings look great - all of them. One thing I'm sure of - I do have enough books - and nice ones, too. Not that it will stop me... :smile:

J.

 

Well, I am reading the game of thrones book- just wanna know the how it differs from the season/episodes.

 

Similarly, I just bought vol.1 of George R.R. Martin's Wild Cards series. I've heard it's quite good. It's either going to be or already is a TV series and I hope to stay ahead of the curve, reading the books before watching the shows.

 

Wow, my home library (possibly about 2,400 books) looks small in comparison to those featured in the linked article.

 

People of the Lie, by M. Scott Peck

 

Another week's haul from the Thrift Stores. Total cost about $4.50.

Linux in a Nutshell - Ellen Slever, O'Reilly Assoc.
Electronic Devices - Conventional Current Version - Thomas L. Floyd
Mastering HDR (High Dynamic Range) Photography - Michael Freeman
Illustrated History of Irish Songs and Music - Meaghan Ó Suilleabháin

Last but not least:

Beatrix Potter Giant Treasury - Beatrix Potter. Yes, Peter Rabbit and friends.

No gardening books this week.

J.

 

After You by Jojo Moyes. I can't wait for the movie!

 

I was snooping around my public library and found Putin Country - A Journey into the Real Russia by Anne Garrels, (2016 N.Y., Farrer, Strauss and Giroux.)

It's an account by a Russian-speaking American journalist who lived for months each year in 'middle Russia' far from Moscow, in Chelyabinsk during the Yeltsin and Putin years from the 1990's to recently. The book describes her experiences, the changes the city and region underwent after the collapse of communism, and the opinions and attitudes of the average Russians she met and befriended. (Also her rather scary encounters with the FSB.)

https://www.amazon.com/Putin-Country-Journey-into-Russia/dp/0374247722

 

Read Henry Clay Whitney's Life on the Circuit with Lincoln.

 

Reading Project # 4: Reconstruction in Florida

Canter Brown, Jr., Ossian Bingley Hart: Florida's Loyalist Reconstruction Governor
William Watson Davis, The Civil War and Reconstruction in Florida
Peter D. Klingman, Josiah Walls: Florida's Black Congressman of Reconstruction
Joe M. Richardson, The Negro in the Reconstruction of Florida 1865-1877
Jerrell H. Shofner, Nor Is It Over Yet: Florida in the Era of Reconstruction, 1863-1877
John Wallace, Carpetbag Rule in Florida

 

Current Reading:

Serious Reading: William Watson Davis' The Civil War and Reconstruction in Florida. This is a 700+ page doorstop of a book.

Light Reading: Alan Natali's Woody's Boys. This is a 500+ page doorstop of a book.