Book Recs, ipods as an oracular tool
Sep. 27th, 2005 10:13 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
summer_jackelI don't read nearly as much as I once did, largely because I write and draw so much more now. (Speaking of writing, the other night I made the connection/revelation/whatever ya want to call it that will, I hope, let me write the crucial bit which will let me finish 'The Way You Are', that Storm/Sage romance I began but alas did not finish some time ago. I know that this bit of information will make at least two people who are reading this journal happier with me. And no, I am not telling what context in which this awareness came to me).
But, I do read a fair bit. And I've put down a couple really nice ones in the last month or so that I want to mention...
Anansi Boys, by Neil Gaiman. This book didn't rock me with its profundity as did American Gods, but it remains a lovely, brilliantly written confection which has silly moments and scary moments and ultimately makes the reader feel satisfied and good. Might sort of qualify as furry. Neil Gaiman has an impressive knowledge of mythology and puts it to good use here. Have I mentioned that I like this guy? Yeah? Read the book.
If anyone figures out the lime thing, though, tell me?
Monster of God, by David Quammen. Nonfiction, the author's account of four large predators, what is happening to them, and the people who live in intimate proximity with them. Given the topic, a necessarily depressing book, but an utterly beautiful and fascinating one. This man has an elegant and unflinching written voice, and weaves together politics, human and natural history, ecology and mythology into a fascinating and coherent whole. The four animals are the Indian lion, saltwater crocodile, brown bear and Amur tiger, and the human web which has surrounded each of them. 's good stuff.
Stiff, by Mary Roach. An account of what medical science uses human cadavers for and what happens to them. No, really. It is utterly hilarious. You'll learn about postmortem plastic surgery, human head transplants, why you didn't want to be operated on in the 1800's, dead men driving, and a whole lot more about the decay process than you probably wanted to, unless you are as sick as me. Sidesplitting. A quick and occasionally queasy read. I loved every word.
And on something completely different. I was particularly entertained by this meme, abstracted from![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
magoona, given a conversation I had with lythir this weekend regarding the potential oracular and/or scrying uses of the ipod. Here's the meme:
Go to your media player/mp3 player and put it all on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud, and after each one press play. Use the song title as the answer to the question.
What do you think of me, ipod?
Old Blind Dogs, Glen Kabul (it's a reel on bagpipes).
Will I have a happy life?
Aryeh Frankfurter, Scarborough faire/Christ Child Lullaby (these are mellow harp pieces).
What do my friends really think of me?
Slainte, Britches Full of Stitches (another reel) ((snicker))
Do people secretly lust after me?
Red West, Twenty-One. ((apparently. LOL. ))
How can I make myself happy?
Martin Hayes, Pat Canney's/Come along the West Road. (more reels. Go fig!!!)
What should I do with my life?
RHPS, Science Fiction Double Feature. ((ROTFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!))
Why must life be so full of pain?
Muddy Waters, Louisiana Blues
How can I maximize my pleasure during sex?
16 Horsepower, Wayfaring Stranger. ((WTF??? Ok, I do NOT want anything 16 Horsepower sings to apply to my sex life, much as I love this band in general and that cover in particular.))
Will I ever have children?
B-52s, Dance this Mess Around ((huh. Interesting. I suppose if you count the dogs, cats, birds, horses etc. I already have them. But if we're talkin' human? No FUCKING way EVER.))
Will I die happy?
Ani DiFranco, Dilate ((um, I guess not? 8( ))
Can you give me some advice?
Oingo Boingo, Violent Love
What do you think happiness is?
Tori Amos, Smells LIke Teen Spirit
There you have it. The oracle has spoken.
But, I do read a fair bit. And I've put down a couple really nice ones in the last month or so that I want to mention...
Anansi Boys, by Neil Gaiman. This book didn't rock me with its profundity as did American Gods, but it remains a lovely, brilliantly written confection which has silly moments and scary moments and ultimately makes the reader feel satisfied and good. Might sort of qualify as furry. Neil Gaiman has an impressive knowledge of mythology and puts it to good use here. Have I mentioned that I like this guy? Yeah? Read the book.
If anyone figures out the lime thing, though, tell me?
Monster of God, by David Quammen. Nonfiction, the author's account of four large predators, what is happening to them, and the people who live in intimate proximity with them. Given the topic, a necessarily depressing book, but an utterly beautiful and fascinating one. This man has an elegant and unflinching written voice, and weaves together politics, human and natural history, ecology and mythology into a fascinating and coherent whole. The four animals are the Indian lion, saltwater crocodile, brown bear and Amur tiger, and the human web which has surrounded each of them. 's good stuff.
Stiff, by Mary Roach. An account of what medical science uses human cadavers for and what happens to them. No, really. It is utterly hilarious. You'll learn about postmortem plastic surgery, human head transplants, why you didn't want to be operated on in the 1800's, dead men driving, and a whole lot more about the decay process than you probably wanted to, unless you are as sick as me. Sidesplitting. A quick and occasionally queasy read. I loved every word.
And on something completely different. I was particularly entertained by this meme, abstracted from
magoona, given a conversation I had with lythir this weekend regarding the potential oracular and/or scrying uses of the ipod. Here's the meme: Go to your media player/mp3 player and put it all on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud, and after each one press play. Use the song title as the answer to the question.
What do you think of me, ipod?
Old Blind Dogs, Glen Kabul (it's a reel on bagpipes).
Will I have a happy life?
Aryeh Frankfurter, Scarborough faire/Christ Child Lullaby (these are mellow harp pieces).
What do my friends really think of me?
Slainte, Britches Full of Stitches (another reel) ((snicker))
Do people secretly lust after me?
Red West, Twenty-One. ((apparently. LOL. ))
How can I make myself happy?
Martin Hayes, Pat Canney's/Come along the West Road. (more reels. Go fig!!!)
What should I do with my life?
RHPS, Science Fiction Double Feature. ((ROTFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!))
Why must life be so full of pain?
Muddy Waters, Louisiana Blues
How can I maximize my pleasure during sex?
16 Horsepower, Wayfaring Stranger. ((WTF??? Ok, I do NOT want anything 16 Horsepower sings to apply to my sex life, much as I love this band in general and that cover in particular.))
Will I ever have children?
B-52s, Dance this Mess Around ((huh. Interesting. I suppose if you count the dogs, cats, birds, horses etc. I already have them. But if we're talkin' human? No FUCKING way EVER.))
Will I die happy?
Ani DiFranco, Dilate ((um, I guess not? 8( ))
Can you give me some advice?
Oingo Boingo, Violent Love
What do you think happiness is?
Tori Amos, Smells LIke Teen Spirit
There you have it. The oracle has spoken.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-09-27 05:32 pm (UTC)Hahahahaha.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-27 05:40 pm (UTC)lets have your answers, then...
no subject
Date: 2005-09-27 05:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-27 05:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-27 06:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-27 06:10 pm (UTC)I hope you get a chance to read the e-books I gave you for your b-day. I really truly think you will enjoy them. :D
Oh, hey! There is going to be a sequel to Fistful of Sky by Nina Kiriki Hoffman!!! :D
*licks jackel onna nose*
mcx
no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 01:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 01:32 am (UTC)...but yes.... disturbing content aside, it's well written.