341 posts tagged with books and reading. (View popular tags)
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I read way too many books by white dudes.

I'm looking for recommendations for contemporary(ish) literary fiction written by folks who are not white men. [more inside]
posted by shakespeherian on May 7, 2013 - 55 answers

 

What are some good books for quicker, disjointed reading sessions?

I commute to and from work, which involves busses and trains transfers and other general distractions, and while I really enjoy reading on this commute, I can't sink my teeth into heavier books that require a ton of concentration to comprehend and follow (I save those for the weekends). I have found that lighter books with shorter chapters and engaging storylines are easiest to read in this atmosphere. What are your recommendations? [more inside]
posted by wordsmith on May 3, 2013 - 20 answers

Non-fiction about the Great Outdoors

I've recently discovered that I love reading non-fiction about the Great Outdoors and the things that happen there. I'm talking about books like 'Touching the Void' by Joe Simpson, and Jon Krakauer's books 'Into Thin Air' and 'Into the Wild'. It doesn't necessarily have to be about disasters and tragedies: I really loved this recent FPP about the Alaskan Iditarod. I want to read (but haven't yet) 'Into the Silence: the Great War, Mallory and the Conquest of Everest'. Please recommend me other books in this vein?
posted by meronym on May 2, 2013 - 35 answers

E-books to get me through a long spell in the woods.

I am leaving for Africa in less than 12 hours. I will be spending the next three months doing fieldwork. I am bringing a Kindle. What reading material should I bring for entertainment? What's gotten you through some long spells away from civilization? Looking for recommendations for books that really make you think. [more inside]
posted by Scientist on May 1, 2013 - 33 answers

I need a culture fix!

If I were to choose 10 fiction and 10 non-fiction books to read within the next year to make me a better, more well-rounded conversationalist (for argument's sake, let's say within a college-educated professional audience), what books would give me the most bang for my buck? [more inside]
posted by dynamiiiite on Apr 23, 2013 - 37 answers

All the world's a book, and all the men and women merely characters

Recommend novels to help me learn more about the world! [more inside]
posted by therumsgone on Apr 16, 2013 - 29 answers

Looking for wonderful books I can read to my kids, one chapter at a time

My kids (a boy and a girl) are now five years old, and my wife or I read to them every night before bed. I'd like to start reading larger books to them which we can stretch out throughout a week or more, by reading them a chapter a night. Please help me put together a great reading list of age-appropriate books that will capture their imaginations and inspire happy dreams. [more inside]
posted by zarq on Apr 2, 2013 - 61 answers

Taking Suggestions for Library of Low Stakes Fiction

My taste for bleak fiction is making me miserable. Help me lighten it up. [more inside]
posted by murfed13 on Mar 18, 2013 - 19 answers

Crime, Insured!

Might you recommend crime fiction written by women? [more inside]
posted by Gin and Comics on Mar 16, 2013 - 14 answers

Looking for Books of the Ancients

So I'm jonesing for some science fiction of a particular nature. Specifically stories that deal in the Precursors trope. [more inside]
posted by SilverTail on Mar 3, 2013 - 16 answers

Suggest me some great (but not overt) combinations to read together.

Last week I read David Foster Wallace's "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again" (thanks to this FPP), while in the middle of reading Moby Dick. I found them resonating together so well: the high tragedy mixed with low comedy, the elaborate descriptive asides, the playing with formatting, the casual authorial self-hatred, the obsession with morality, to say nothing of the mechanics of the ship and the sea. All this without a single over reference back to Melville. What are some other great co-reads (or movies/TV/opera/album/etc.) to get that enriching resonance? Subtle is good: think tone, theme, shape more than plot or character. If you've caught Laurence Weschler's McSweeney's series of Convergences (published in book form here), that's more what I mean. The reader/viewer makes the connections without being led by the author (So, for instance, King Lear & Jane Smiley's A Thousand Acres are too overtly linked). Bonus points for something that goes well with Cloud Atlas (the book, not the movie).
posted by rikschell on Feb 18, 2013 - 17 answers

What publications give you an advantage in your line of work?

What publications give solid advantages in which lines of work when read regularly? A few examples might be McKinsey when read by HR managers, A List Apart when read by designers, Hacker News when read by programmers, and Poynter when read by journalists. What else is there in these fields and in others that puts a person ahead?
posted by michaelh on Feb 17, 2013 - 16 answers

Post-Valentine's Day Reading

Just too late for Valentine's Day, recommend me some awesome fantasy novels with satisfying romances. [more inside]
posted by WidgetAlley on Feb 15, 2013 - 18 answers

Books of my youth filter

Name that young adult fantasy novel: Two boys who are enemies at school are transported to some magical scenario where they have to work together. [more inside]
posted by latkes on Feb 13, 2013 - 4 answers

How to increase reading fluency?

An adult friend needs help becoming a faster reader. She's not interested in speed-reading classes because she doesn't want to learn how to skim: she wants to learn how to read more fluently. How does she learn to do that? [more inside]
posted by colfax on Feb 12, 2013 - 21 answers

What to read?

Seeking recommendations for fiction that features matriarchy / female led societies.
posted by travelwithcats on Feb 4, 2013 - 36 answers

we call it a women's college, not a girls' school

I'm looking for books like Anne of the Island and Daddy-Long-Legs. [more inside]
posted by chaiminda on Feb 1, 2013 - 15 answers

The Seven Bridges of Königsberg in 200 Words or Less

Can you recommend short, easy-to-understand math writing I can read before bed? [more inside]
posted by kristi on Jan 29, 2013 - 12 answers

Recommend Fiction Books for 8-yr old. As usual, special details inside

Help me find a decent set of books for an 8-yr old niece who is heavily into reading (touch wood). Harry Potter, The Hobbit and some other books are not for her at this point. [more inside]
posted by theobserver on Jan 24, 2013 - 68 answers

Toooo maaany booooks

How do you decide what books to read? Recommendations? Reviews? Go to the bookstore and read a chapter? I often find myself overwhelmed with the zillions of choices. How do you narrow it down?
posted by SampleSize on Jan 9, 2013 - 40 answers

Documentaries and other films about writers, libraries and books wanted!

I'm especially interested in films about writers of color and writers from the global south. Any kind of film is fine - need not be a documentary. But a progressive/radical/critical outlook is appreciated! Particularly looking for films that will appeal to an intelligent but not super-theorized audience - ie, that documentary about Derrida is not what we're looking for, and even the recent one about Zizek is an edge case. [more inside]
posted by Frowner on Jan 9, 2013 - 4 answers

Reading Aloud Allowed?

What are the legal rights and obligations of someone reading aloud in public from a published book? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 24, 2012 - 5 answers

Help me decide which Stephen King book to read first.

I want to get to know Stephen King! Which book should I read first? [more inside]
posted by bookmammal on Dec 16, 2012 - 42 answers

Help me find my Fringe Reading Companion

I just started watching Fringe. I'm only about three-quarters of the way through Season 2, so please no spoilers. What I'm looking for is companion reading material. [more inside]
posted by duckus on Dec 14, 2012 - 14 answers

Books about fighting.

Looking for good, critical books and resources on martial arts and fighting. I prefer them to be academic enough to have survived peer review, but will take what I can get. Anything martial arts related would do, I'm interested in understanding martial arts and fighting in a more general sense. [more inside]
posted by Stagger Lee on Dec 8, 2012 - 10 answers

High School Book Club Recommendations

I'm looking for specific book recommendations for high school exchange students. [more inside]
posted by trueluk on Dec 4, 2012 - 3 answers

Recommended reading

If you like Terry Pratchett, you'll love... ? (You are 10.) [more inside]
posted by latkes on Nov 22, 2012 - 65 answers

Any one know of a one handed book stand?

So, I would like to start reading some books lying down in my bed at night. The biggest problem I have with it is holding the book properly. I usually hold it in one hand using my fingers to constantly to hold the pages from collapsing or applying pressure to sides of the book to keep it open. It is super annoying as some of you traditional book readers must have faced. I am not sure if this is a problem for e-book readers but I can imagine it to be lot more convenient. So I am looking for a small light weight book stand that is operated with ONE HAND. Please suggest any. Thanks!
posted by SoltanG on Nov 20, 2012 - 13 answers

Can someone recommend me a good philosophy book please.

Can someone recommend me a good philosophy book please. [more inside]
posted by sockpim on Nov 5, 2012 - 14 answers

Beach reading for 2012

Beach reading. 2012 edition. Difficulty - Must be available for purchase for Kindle in Australia. [more inside]
posted by arha on Oct 28, 2012 - 15 answers

the reading rainbow

I used to like reading until about fourth grade. That's when books started getting more intricate with more characters and multiple plotlines etc. I'm pretty sure I have ADD and/or a terrible capacity for that kind of thing. What books might I enjoy now? (I'm 21/F) [more inside]
posted by lhude sing cuccu on Sep 28, 2012 - 34 answers

Exciting unpredictable thrillers with intelligent characters?

I just finished Gone Girl the other day and am looking for similar reads. Without spoiling anything this book features intelligent and unpredictable characters with twisty plotting, including a significant script flip halfway through. Would love similar page turners that keep you guessing without being too formulaic or lowest common denominator!
posted by yellowbinder on Sep 24, 2012 - 26 answers

Feed my Kindle

What are your favorite reads from, say, the last 30 years? [more inside]
posted by sprezzy on Sep 21, 2012 - 60 answers

What should my grandfather read?

Can you recommend books for my recently-widowed grandfather? [more inside]
posted by christinetheslp on Sep 7, 2012 - 17 answers

They thought they were just here to do something vaguely sciencey. UNTIL EVERYTHING WENT HORRIBLY WRONG. Also there's a hurricane or something.

In need of some guilty pleasure sci-fi thriller books à la Michael Crichton. [more inside]
posted by phunniemee on Aug 31, 2012 - 35 answers

My name is Christopher John Francis Boone

Please recommend books that are similar to 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' (not just ones about autism). [more inside]
posted by fix on Aug 29, 2012 - 22 answers

Looking for a book recommendation that combines art and philosophy

Students of art, lovers of philosophy, can you recommend a book I can buy as a gift for a friend? [more inside]
posted by Chichibio on Jul 25, 2012 - 17 answers

Standalone fantasy novels?

Looking for standalone fantasy novels or duologies. [more inside]
posted by jsturgill on Jul 24, 2012 - 29 answers

Historical Fiction

I need some historical fiction book recommendations. [more inside]
posted by Sassyfras on Jul 23, 2012 - 37 answers

Need good ideas for a Group Reading

Looking for ideas of Books that would be relatively fast reads and entertaining for group readings. I got the opportunity to participate in a reading of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas this past weekend in Aspen in celebration of the Good Doctor's 75th. It was a blast and would love to recreate that without doing the same book, but that book is perfect. A friend recommended my favorite book Confederacy of Dunces, but I think that book works because of the Character of Ignatius which may be hard to pull off in an aloud reading. But anyways, any ideas?
posted by kenaldo on Jul 18, 2012 - 11 answers

I need suggestions for library books

Help me pick out what books to check out from the library next. (Snowflake details inside.) [more inside]
posted by emilynoa on Jul 2, 2012 - 18 answers

I'm nonplussed by GoT, what now?

How to phrase my feelings about Game of Thrones? [more inside]
posted by knz on Jun 30, 2012 - 51 answers

If only literary inference was axiomatic...

How do I get better at reading literature? Looking for books, lectures, and your perspective. [more inside]
posted by dragonfruit on Jun 25, 2012 - 23 answers

Books to read in my hammock

Please help me find decently-written, really gripping books to read this summer in my hammock. [more inside]
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl on Jun 11, 2012 - 44 answers

Midlander-born and raised, former resident of Greater Appalachia and New Amsterdam, current resident of the Left Coast, seeks definitive historical theory to explain his life experiences

What are the major criticisms of Colin Woodard's book American Nations? [more inside]
posted by Afroblanco on Jun 6, 2012 - 1 answer

Of course, sir. I'll take care of it.

Help me find historical fiction starring the kinds of people described in this awesome comment. [more inside]
posted by The demon that lives in the air on Jun 1, 2012 - 8 answers

A week's worth of reading in one suitcase

Help me optimize my vacation reading! I’m headed out to the Outer Banks next month, and there’s nothing on the agenda but reading and relaxing. I’m having trouble coming up with a week’s worth of new reading material that won’t take up significant space in our truck, though. Can you recommend me lengthy or dense books--in other words, books that will give me maximum entertainment minutes per page--that are still fun vacation reading? [more inside]
posted by House of Leaves of Grass on May 4, 2012 - 34 answers

Akashic Books Noir Series. Which are your favorites?

Akashic Books Noir Series. Which are your favorites? Each book is an anthology of original short stories. It looks like they've published over fifty volumes. I find they differ greatly in style and overall quality of writing. It makes sense... each anthology has its own editor. I'd like to read the volumes that have the best quality writing, and are the most fun. Here's what I've read so far, in most favored order: [more inside]
posted by valannc on Apr 21, 2012 - 3 answers

"Beset by an aching but chaotic love that refused to focus in the conventional way."

Book recommendations please! I need fiction about difficult or complicated relationships. [more inside]
posted by gursky on Apr 17, 2012 - 38 answers

A Book To Remember

So if you were going to read one book on the Titanic, which one would it be? [more inside]
posted by fearfulsymmetry on Apr 10, 2012 - 20 answers

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