What are you reading in 2017?

[Soriambi]

Thanks for the input on the freebie.

Also, it looks like I need to learn more about my kindle.

The process of getting Kindle books from most libraries couldn't be much easier. Sometimes you have to wait and sometimes they won't have a book you want (especially if it's older or more obscure), but it's such an easy process.

[JL25and3]

No good? I thought Huxley supposedly was one of the greatest 20th century writers.

This looks interesting:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Doors_of_Perception

I don't think I know of anyone who's read any Huxley book other than Brave New World, and I don't think I've often heard of him cited as one of the greatest 20th-century writers. (Links unnecessary. I'm sure they exist, and they don't change what I said.)

He and C. S. Lewis were among the unluckiest writers of the 20th century in one way. Both died on November 22, 1963, so no one outside their families even noticed.

[freebubba]

I don't think I know of anyone who's read any Huxley book other than Brave New World, and I don't think I've often heard of him cited as one of the greatest 20th-century writers. (Links unnecessary. I'm sure they exist, and they don't change what I said.)

He and C. S. Lewis were among the unluckiest writers of the 20th century in one way. Both died on November 22, 1963, so no one outside their families even noticed.

Did not know that. I have also read The Doors of Perception (Jim Morrison's inspiration) & Heaven and Hell - not really for anybody who hasn't expanded their mind, if you know what I mean. The Devils of Loudon is actually an account of a true story about an entire convent falling under demonic possession in Loudon, France in the late 1800's and is a pretty compelling read.

I agree, he wasn't a "great writer," but he did write a couple of very good books.

[jlw1980]

I don't think I know of anyone who's read any Huxley book other than Brave New World, and I don't think I've often heard of him cited as one of the greatest 20th-century writers. (Links unnecessary. I'm sure they exist, and they don't change what I said.)

He and C. S. Lewis were among the unluckiest writers of the 20th century in one way. Both died on November 22, 1963, so no one outside their families even noticed.

He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in seven different years.[10]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldous_Huxley

Interesting fact about his and Lewis' deaths. Of course, I guess it didn't matter to them.

[theDurk]

Yep. Not surprised.

Have you read it, Tim?

On my own in grade school. I found my brother's copy lying around the house. I was more of an intellectual then than I am now, where I tend to prefer junk.

We studied Animal Farm in high school, not 1984.

[JL25and3]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldous_Huxley

Interesting fact about his and Lewis' deaths. Of course, I guess it didn't matter to them.

Being nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature isn't nearly as big a deal as you might think. You can poke around the nomination database and get an idea: http://www.nobelprize.org/nomination/archive/


From 1901 to 1966, there were 3104 nomination for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

[jlw1980]

Being nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature isn't nearly as big a deal as you might think. You can poke around the nomination database and get an idea: http://www.nobelprize.org/nomination/archive/

From 1901 to 1966, there were 3104 nomination for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Considering the many billions of people on this earth from his lifetime until now, I'd say that's still a rather elite list. Plus he was nominated 7 times.

[JL25and3]

Considering the many billions of people on this earth from his lifetime until now, I'd say that's still a rather elite list. Plus he was nominated 7 times.

I'm pretty sure a lot of people were nominated 7 times. Some of them even won.

Yes, 3104 out of billions is a small percentage. It still falls short of "one of the greatest writers." He wrote a very famous book that, I discovered, hasn't aged all that well. I've never heard him mentioned as one of the elite 20th-century writers.

[jlw1980]

I'm pretty sure a lot of people were nominated 7 times. Some of them even won.

Yes, 3104 out of billions is a small percentage. It still falls short of "one of the greatest writers." He wrote a very famous book that, I discovered, hasn't aged all that well. I've never heard him mentioned as one of the elite 20th-century writers.

You really are difficult. And you haven't aged all that well.

[JL25and3]

You really are difficult. And you haven't aged all that well.

I'm being difficult? You're insisting on making the case for the all-century greatness of an author you've never read.

And you haven't aged all that well, either. At least I'm not living in a retirement community.

[jlw1980]

I'm being difficult? You're insisting on making the case for the all-century greatness of an author you've never read.

And you haven't aged all that well, either. At least I'm not living in a retirement community.

That's where people age the best.

[fredgmuggs]

I'm being difficult? You're insisting on making the case for the all-century greatness of an author you've never read.

And you haven't aged all that well, either. At least I'm not living in a retirement community.

I think it's terrific that at your advanced age you still have your freedom.

[CptCrunch]

To tell you the truth, I'm pretty certain I was not assigned Fahrenheit 451, and I don't remember if I was assigned the others. I certainly read them all, though.

I was assigned 1984 and Brave New World but not Fahrenheit 451. I enjoyed 1984 but I couldn't get into Brave New World and ending up reading the Sparknotes for it.

[Hoodoo]

Sadly, I finished book #10, The Flame Bearer by Bernard Cornwell just last week. The whole series of 10 books was great. The author left a tidbit of hope for me in the last sentence, '...his story is also unfinished.'

[jlw1980]

I think it's terrific that at your advanced age you still have your freedom.

nice

[JL25and3]

nice

You are a bad person.

[Mr Coffee]

Thanks for the input on the freebie.

Also, it looks like I need to learn more about my kindle.

Check your library's website.

The info is usually there.

In my case, I just had to sign up using my library card number, and it's linked through another website to my Amazon account, where the books I've requested show up and I manage from there. The best part is you don't have to return anything.

[RhodyYanksFan]

Check your library's website.

The info is usually there.

In my case, I just had to sign up using my library card number, and it's linked through another website to my Amazon account, where the books I've requested show up and I manage from there. The best part is you don't have to return anything.

Do you mean they let you borrow it for as long as you want, or were you talking about how it's nice to not have to go to/from the library itself?

My library system has tons of kindle books, as well as audiobooks that play through an app called Overdrive. It's great.

[jcarey]

I liked Brave New World.

[Soriambi]

Do you mean they let you borrow it for as long as you want, or were you talking about how it's nice to not have to go to/from the library itself?

My library system has tons of kindle books, as well as audiobooks that play through an app called Overdrive. It's great.

I think Overdrive is used very widely. That's what we have here, too.

[fredgmuggs]

I think Overdrive is used very widely. That's what we have here, too.

same here

[Mr Coffee]

Do you mean they let you borrow it for as long as you want, or were you talking about how it's nice to not have to go to/from the library itself?

My library system has tons of kindle books, as well as audiobooks that play through an app called Overdrive. It's great.

I meant physically return, and that nothing is ever late.

[freebubba]

I liked Brave New World.

As did I and tens of thousands of others.

[jlw1980]

You are a bad person.

muggs said it. I just agreed.

I liked Brave New World.

As did I and tens of thousands of others.

Good to know.

[JL25and3]

As did I and tens of thousands of others.

So did I, when I was 13. Now, not so much.


Jenn will love it, if only to spite me.