Sunday, April 1, 2012

Q1 Reading List

Here is a link to my book list for 2012 so far. The BG declined another contest, but I do have my 2011 number to aim at. I've also added short reviews within the space constraints of the "Note" field in Google Books. Best of the lot: Darkness Visible, 1493 and Guns, Germs and Steel, although I also want to call attention to Abundance and The Rational Optimist. People have always been predicting the demise of civilization and they have always been wrong. What exactly is different this time?
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6 comments:

  1. JoyApril 1, 2012 at 12:20 PM

    I need to pick up my pace, I am at 24 (It would be 48 if you let me count Magic Tree House books).

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  2. BigDApril 1, 2012 at 2:02 PM

    I think those books should count. You can see Holes, War Horse and Hunger Games on my list, which I read to be conversant with the Gs. Purists may disagree, but part of reading is about relationships. Besides, the fact that you might not necessarily be enjoying the reading makes it all the more noteworthy.

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  3. JoyApril 1, 2012 at 5:05 PM

    I was thinking I would count them at a 4 to 1 ratio, which works on two levels, because she writes them in 4 book arcs, and then it equal over 250 pages. Definitely get my enjoyment of them through Calvin, he really does get a lot out of them. I think both Holes and Hunger Games are worth reading based on their own merit (haven't read War Horse).

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  4. BigDApril 2, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    Abundance was more enjoyable than convincing, though persuasive in parts. It's hard to see the future, but the argument that we're on the second half of the chessboard seems right to me. I'll send it to you, if I can find it. I just checked and it's not where I expected it to be.

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  5. LoisApril 2, 2012 at 12:49 PM

    I'm at 22 since January 1, and I'm trying mightily to comment on each, but commenting is hard!

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  6. BigDApril 23, 2012 at 8:04 PM

    I think the key difference is the idea that there will be certain losers (Detroiters, fishermen, Easter Islanders), but a collective win. I think the books are consistent on this point.

    Greenland might be a powerful country now if better alternatives hadn't appeared.

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