Years ago (years!) I recall a TV show with Carl Sagan wherein he was standing in a library and made the point that if he read
x books per week for
x number of years then he would have read a small fraction of the books that have ever been written. His point was that even a well-read person can only ingest a fraction of what is out there.
I've always like that quote and would like to find this scene on YouTube or another site...
Anyone?
posted by gilast
on Apr 7, 2013 -
3 answers
I run a once-a-week book club for 8 grade 7 girls. We likely have funding and time to read one more book and I'd really like to make it something special.
[more inside]
posted by iftheaccidentwill
on Feb 26, 2013 -
46 answers
While reading Infinite Jest, I looked up a word in the dictionary only to discover that the example sentence in the definition on my Kindle was exactly the same sentence I had just read in the book.
[more inside]
posted by :-)
on Feb 20, 2013 -
5 answers
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
I am a reader of fiction. I read a lot, and I read all sorts of fiction genres. I do not, however, read non-fiction because the couple of times I tried to I found them desperately dull. I am sure that can’t be the reality for all non-fiction books… right? Teach me something interesting and make me learn to like non-fiction please. Specific requests inside...
[more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson
on Dec 18, 2012 -
83 answers
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
Going to a retreat in Kerala in Jan 2013. What do i need to take with me so i'm not the ill-equipped and inappropriate lady everyone rolls their eyes at? (Daytime is yoga and ayuverda therapy, weekends off for sightseeing, eating out down the beach or in the local town in the evening)
Also, any recommendations of sightseeing and anything interesting to read beforehand?
[more inside]
posted by moreteaplease
on Dec 3, 2012 -
4 answers
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
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
Can you recommend something to read from the Kindle Owners' Lending Library? I have trawled through there for ages this month and last month and I'm having trouble finding something good that I haven't read before.
[more inside]
posted by dragonplayer
on Jul 5, 2012 -
18 answers
I have a week at my parent's cottage coming up, and I'd like to get some recommendations on some comprehensive introductions to the classics, mythology, psychology and a few other subjects.
[more inside]
posted by chrillsicka
on Jul 4, 2012 -
11 answers
A friend of mine is dyslexic and enjoys performing as part of an orchestra, but she finds sheet music very hard to read as it's very high contrast. She would ideally like it to be purple tinted. Any ideas how to practically achieve this?
[more inside]
posted by ElliotH
on May 27, 2012 -
16 answers
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
Does anyone have trouble with/feel intimidated by physical descriptions of unfamiliar landscapes (natural/urban/etc.), settings, costumes, etc. in books? I get bogged down by being unable to get a clear picture of what's going on that it's kept me from reading George R. R. Martin, Tolkien, Dickens (and come to think about it, a lot of books, like the beginning of
For Whom The Bell Tolls most recently). Did you get over it? Any suggestions?
posted by Busoni
on Apr 27, 2012 -
30 answers
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
I want a cheap e-reader for reading longform articles in bed. It must work with Readability or InstaPaper or the like. It does not need to do anything else like games or surfing the intertubes. I have an iPhone for that. Do I want a Kindle?
posted by desjardins
on Mar 23, 2012 -
17 answers
How did reading a biography learn you a valuable lesson, help you gain a crucial insight, change your worldview or impact you in some other, non-trivial way?
[more inside]
posted by Foci for Analysis
on Feb 14, 2012 -
13 answers
Please help me to find graphic novel/illustrated novel/comic strip novel/picture novella/comic book (whatever they're called) suggestions for my seven year old daughter? Preferences inside.
[more inside]
posted by peagood
on Oct 11, 2011 -
31 answers
Looking for thoughtful essays and/or screeds on the evils of "crowd-sourced" design contests, or design by committee in general?
[more inside]
posted by coolhappysteve
on Jul 19, 2011 -
8 answers
What is the best reading order for George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire? (no spoilers, please!)
[more inside]
posted by libraryhead
on Jul 15, 2011 -
19 answers
Seeking an article or blog post I read once about, er, nonlinear reading technique.
[more inside]
posted by stebulus
on Jul 10, 2011 -
5 answers
I am looking for one single book, perhaps a college-level read (not much higher), that explains the case for atheism. I'm not looking for any 'new atheist books', though I have enjoyed them -- especially Harris. I have read Bertrand Russell as well. I have a few atheist friends but do not want to talk to them about this as I am a Christian and don't want to give them the impression that I want to change them or judge them. I just want more exposure to it in a sincere and kind fashion without short bumper sticker like explanations. (BTW, I don't look at my friends as "Hey, here come my 'atheist' friends! But mainly here comes "Bob" and "Joe". I just don't think it is right to bug them about their positions or lack thereof. <--Not sure how to state that.) Thanks in advance for your book recommendation.
posted by snap_dragon
on Jul 3, 2011 -
33 answers
What is it really like to be in a band? Please recommend reading material!
[more inside]
posted by unsub
on Jun 22, 2011 -
38 answers
I need a mushy reading/video for the team meeting on my last day at work. Up to five minutes long.
[more inside]
posted by momus_window
on Jun 1, 2011 -
2 answers
Hi;
Does anyone remember those reading place cards form school?
They had a short story on one side,then questions about the story on the other.They all had a colour on the the right corner I think.
[more inside]
posted by WOLF101
on May 19, 2011 -
26 answers
I am about to embark on a massive technical book reading escapade. Please share your information retention methods.
[more inside]
posted by Sentus
on Mar 1, 2011 -
7 answers
Ton of books + unused corner in totally sweet loft = book harem! I'd like to put together a space for up to 4 people to hang out, read, write, meditate, or generally just relax. Help me design & accessorize it!
[more inside]
posted by susoka
on Feb 28, 2011 -
14 answers
BookFilter: I think the book takes place on Earth, and I think the book was written recently. A disaster of sorts happens and the only area of survival is a narrow strip of land, perhaps wrapping around the world, and perhaps powered/maintained by pipes. If people venture away from this strip, their worst fears/nightmares materialize and attack. I came across it somewhere on MetaFilter. Thanks in advance!
posted by Korou
on Jan 2, 2011 -
5 answers
Book-filter: My husband and I are expecting our first child in early May. He would like a book on parenting, especially along the everything-you-need-to-know-about-infants perspective, as he has never really been exposed to babies.
[more inside]
posted by questionsandanchors
on Dec 14, 2010 -
33 answers
I'm an Aunt who is utterly lost on what book would be good for her 10 year old nephew. He is just starting his first chapter books and I do not know what is good in tween? literature these days. Help?
[more inside]
posted by kanata
on Nov 28, 2010 -
53 answers
