Kathryn Report post Posted January 20, 2009 Don't Sleep, There are Snakes by Daniel Everett. An account of the authors 25 years spent living & working with an Amazonian tribe, who's language bears no resemblance to any other known language. They have no words for please, thankyou, hello, goodbye, sorry etc. They have no mythology, live entirely in the present, and believe nothing unless they can confirm it through their own experience. The authors job was to learn their language & then translate the Bible into it. Eventually, realising that they were the happiest people he had ever encountered, he started to question his own beliefs & is now an atheist. There was an article in one of the papers a few weeks ago about this man and his experiences. I'd very much like to read the book. I'm especially interested in his linguistic discoveries. As a result of his observations he concluded that this tribe lack some of the building blocks of language which have long been considered an inherent part of our species and universal to all languages. His findings have thrown linguistic theory into confusion - the equivalent of discovering that the earth is, after all, flat. I don't know how much the book focuses on the language aspect, but it sounds like a fascinating stroy all the same. K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted January 20, 2009 Theres a lot about linguistics, Kathryn, but I wasn't that interested so skim read most of those chapters. Think what he discovered contradicts Chomsky, universal grammar theory? Mr p heard it as book of the week on the radio first, he did linguistics as a student so it meant more to him. Very pragmatic language, very straightforward, they say exactly what they mean & they don't take offence easily. I'm guessing autistic peeps would have an easier time with a language like that, which begs the question, how many autistic difficulties are due to social conventions rather than autism per se? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) Finished Tony Hancock, The Definitive Biography. Not bad and better than When The Wind Changed but seemed to have a big build up to his death...and then finish very quickly. Would have been nice to have a bit more analysis, lasting impact of the event on society and comedy etc. Ho hum, some people are never happy. Next up, The Mad Science Book by Reto U. Schneider - '100 Amazing Experiments From The History of Science'. Read a bit and it seems pretty funny (and is scarily, actual experiments). Things like a genuine research to see if a horse can count (answer = yes) Edited January 24, 2009 by TheNeil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted January 24, 2009 Nella Last's Peace by, er, Nella Last. Read Nella Last's War years ago, then re-read it recently when it was dramatised for tv with Victoria Wood playing her. Then I noticed her post-war diaries in the library, only just been published. Just as interesting to read about austerity Britain. She was a gifted writer who never imagined she'd reach a wide audience. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted February 5, 2009 One Small Step? by Gerhard Wisnewski Did NASA really send a man to the moon? Did the Soviet Union try to send men into space before Yuri Gagarin? Has political gain and the need to hoodwink the public resulted in the whole 'space race' being a complete sham? Did both space agencies resort to murder to cover up their failings? So far I'm not convinced either way (about half way through) but the guy makes a really good argument and really does pick out some good 'evidence' Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oxgirl Report post Posted February 6, 2009 Just finished Harlan Coben's new one, 'Hold Tight', very good as always. ~ Mel ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Finished reading whether NASA sent a man to the moon (my conclusion? I don't actually care anymore)(although I am quite certain that no cows have ever been to the moon, and someone once sent rockets somewhere...probably ) Now reading Introducing Psychology by Nigel Benson. A beginner's guide to psychology...in pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Esty Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell I loved that one - so off the wall it made my brain hurt but loved it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kimdim Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Im reading Gloria Hunnifords follow up to Next to you called Facing life after loss its a good book but sad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted February 11, 2009 Rose Madder, Stephen King. I'm a bit mmmm about King; some I really enjoy, others I can't even get 'into'. So far, so good with this one, although early days! Bohjo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted February 12, 2009 Driving Miss Smith A memoir of Linda Smith the comedian who died a couple of years ago, written by her partner Warren Lakin. She was a similar age to me & I loved her deadpan, incisive humour on R4 progs like Just a Minute & the News Quiz, but I'd no idea of her background in Sheffield doing community theatre in the 80s & 90s, or that towards the end of her life she was president of the Humanist Association. I'm now going to order a compilation of her best stand up routines. I regret never seeing her on tour. You would enjoy this Kathryn, theres a whole chapter on the Edinburgh Festival Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted February 12, 2009 You would enjoy this Kathryn, theres a whole chapter on the Edinburgh Festival Ooh I must read it then, Pearl! I've read another book about her, but not that one. She was so funny and I miss her unique humour. I remember feeling quite sad and angry when she died and thinking "what a loss". K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted February 12, 2009 Yes, I avoided reading it for a while as I thought it would be so sad, but in fact it was a lovely celebration of her life, with loads of extracts from her routines that I kept reading out loud to mr p. Theres now a "friends of Linda Smith" organisation raising funds to research ovarian cancer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pookie170 Report post Posted February 12, 2009 I've never actually seen her doing her routine, but there was something about her that made me think I'd probably enjoy them....I shall have to give it a go! I've just finished Nation by Terry Pratchett, and DUma Key by Stephen King. Both were great reads, Nation especially is very thought provoking and insightful. Definitely would recommend it to anyone. Am now reading The Quest by Wilbur Smith, which I'm enjoying too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted February 12, 2009 I've just ordered the compilation from the library, its called I think the nurses are stealing my clothes & its also available as a CD. Keep meaning to get into Terry Pratchett. Even more so now I've seen what a very nice bloke he is on the Alzheimer programmes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted February 12, 2009 I've just ordered the compilation from the library, its called I think the nurses are stealing my clothes & its also available as a CD. That's the one I've read. K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted February 12, 2009 I love it when one book leads me to another. Just think, however old we get, we will never run out of good stuff to read Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted February 12, 2009 So much to read!!! So little time!!! I bought Double Fault by Lionel Shriver from a charity shop yesterday and it'll be my half term read. Never heard of it but I think LS is a good writer and it's set in the world of professional tennis, so I hope I'll enjoy it. And when I've finished , it can go back to the charity shop. We have way too many books in this house! K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pookie170 Report post Posted February 13, 2009 Oof. same here! Im liking the library, at least the books only clutter my house for a couple of weeks....but then I bring home a new cache and its clutter again!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted February 13, 2009 In the shadow of Lady Jane by Edward Charles, a novel about Lady Jane Grey as described by one of her servants. Finished it on the anniversary of her execution, what are the chances? Bit of a potboiler but I enjoyed it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted February 14, 2009 Morecambe and Wise Untold by William Cook, a compilation of untold stories, perspectives and anecdotes about a couple of total, total geniuses Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
southwalessunshine Report post Posted February 15, 2009 i'm a massive Stephen King fan, so i'm re reading the Gunslinger series, not like his usual horror stuff and I didn't think I would like it but it blew my mind. Lots of twists and turns. i love the way King incorporates people from his other books into his books. In the gunslinger books there's a rose which is core to the story and it pops up in another book he wrote ages ago. I re read Insomnia a few months back (one of my favourites and because Id read th gunslinger since the first tie I'd read it, i noticed loads of stuff from the gunslinger sneakily written into it. Sorry for being a Stephen King bore I'm also reading Slumdog Millionaire and it's flippin brill. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tally Report post Posted February 15, 2009 I'm reading High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. I keep giggling to myself. It's very good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted February 16, 2009 The A-Z of Classic Children's Television by Simon Sheridan. I know, I'm strange but any book with a whole section about Bod () has to be worth reading Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tally Report post Posted February 16, 2009 I was at school with a boy who looked like Bod. He also once fitted himself into a locker. His parents were naturists. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted February 16, 2009 I bought Double Fault by Lionel Shriver from a charity shop yesterday and it'll be my half term read. Never heard of it but I think LS is a good writer and it's set in the world of professional tennis, so I hope I'll enjoy it. I've started it and am enjoying it, despite the fact the the heroine is called "Willy". K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted February 16, 2009 I was at school with a boy who looked like Bod. He also once fitted himself into a locker. His parents were naturists. Thank God Bod wasn't a naturist - can't imagine the BBC would show that to kids Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted February 19, 2009 The Man Who Ran the Moon: James Webb, JFK and the Secret History of Project Apollo by Piers Bizony. Yet more poking about behind the scenes of 'mankind's greatest achievement' blah, blah, blah etc. etc. etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mumble Report post Posted February 19, 2009 I'm reading a million little pieces by James Frey. It's a really harrowing memoir of his life when, at just 23, he has been destroyed by alcoholism and drug-dependency and is an immediate danger to himself and is put into in-patient treatment. It doesn't sound like a very uplifting read and at times it isn't, yet I've found myself laughing at parts because what it shows is that, whatever the big problems, we're all humans with similar aspirations, wants, needs and desires. I'm also reading Being Happy! A Handbook to Greater Confidence and Security by Andrew Matthews. I know which book I prefer but hey between the two of them I might find some middle way and normality. :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted February 24, 2009 (edited) Bridge Across Forever Richard Bach. I first read this, together with Jonathan Livingstone Seagull, when I was 17 and I absolutely loved it, so I thought I would see what I think now! Boho Edited February 24, 2009 by bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScienceGeek Report post Posted February 24, 2009 Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted February 25, 2009 Well the film was fab Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScienceGeek Report post Posted February 25, 2009 Well the film was fab I really want to see the film but we both want to read the book before doing so. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted February 25, 2009 I prefer to do it the other way round cos I'm lazy, then I don't have to make up faces for the characters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mumble Report post Posted February 25, 2009 make up faces for the characters. Do people do this? Oops, might explain why I have so much trouble with fiction. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) Do people do this? Oops, might explain why I have so much trouble with fiction. I can't do this either, and I don't 'see' the story in my head either...apparently some (most??) people see a novel as a sort of unfolding film in their heads as they read! All I have are the words Boho Edited February 25, 2009 by bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted February 25, 2009 I find I have to give my characters an appearance, or I get them mixed up & can't follow the plot. I'll often put an actor in the role (David Tennant gets used a lot ) it depends what information I've been given about what the character looks like. It really annoys me when I've imagined someone different from how they are later described, ie. blonde hair rather than brown etc. I know, I'm weird Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mad cat lady Report post Posted February 25, 2009 I find I have to give my characters an appearance, or I get them mixed up & can't follow the plot. I'll often put an actor in the role (David Tennant gets used a lot ) it depends what information I've been given about what the character looks like. It really annoys me when I've imagined someone different from how they are later described, ie. blonde hair rather than brown etc. I know, I'm weird You are not weird, either that or I am (which is a distinct possibility). I have to have a visual representation of characters in my mind or I get completely lost at who everyone is. I become part of the story when I read it. Then when I see it on film I sit and tell anyone (hubby usually) that will listen, that they have used the wrong actor for whatever reason. ( He can get quite annoyed with me sometimes for doing this ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted February 25, 2009 You are not weird, either that or I am (which is a distinct possibility). No trust me, she is Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted March 6, 2009 Finished The Man Who Ran The Moon. The verdict? Don't waste your time unless you like reading about boring meetings and political maneouvering. Now reading Kenneth Williams Unseen: The Private Notes, Scripts and Photographs by Wes Butters and Russell Davies. TBH it's not great () but I'll stick with it until I can get to [insert name of high street bookstore here] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
