What are we reading ?

[meridiver]

Thanks all for some great suggestions. I'm another one of those who is still working so I don't get to read as much as I'd like to.

I'm currently in the middle of "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson. For those of us non-science types who barely scraped through high school physics and chemistry it is clear, easily readable, and written at the perfect level to get a basic understanding of such concepts as quantum physics and the current theories about the start of life.

I usually alternate between fiction and non-fic. I recently finished a great fiction book called Snow Flower and the Secret Fan about two girls in rural China in the 1800's. I couldn't put it down. Water for Elephants is up next, but I think I'm also going to pick up Atonement by McEwan as it has gotten so much buzz.

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meridiver I usually alternate between fiction and non-fic.

Variety is a good thing. I might be taking it to the extreme, since today I am engrossed in both The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing, and the Bible, and going back and forth from one to the other.

I re-read much of Genesis this morning, having just received the new Bible I ordered last week when the Bible thread inspired me to send off for one. Genesis is just PACKED with tidbits and does not lend itself to rushing through if one wants to think about anything. I think I'll probably go back and re-read and study it some.

Meanwhile I'm skipping back and forth to the Larimore et al. Bogleheads book, and have covered another 100 pages of it too. I really think it may be the best introduction to investing I have read to date.

Yes, I'm a Gemini, in case anyone believes in that stuff, and I suppose that today I am acting like one!

[TromboneAl]

Now reading Younger Next Year.

[Moemg]

I'm reading the four pillars of investing and Honeymoon with my brother .

[Meadbh]

Finished Atonement last night. Great read!
Before that, I read Man's Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. Very moving.

[RetireeRobert]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh Finished Atonement last night. Great read!

I keep seeing it on the front shelves of Border's. Is this a Chick Lit book?

[Meadbh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetireeRobert I keep seeing it on the front shelves of Border's. Is this a Chick Lit book?

No, there's plenty of blood and gore in it!

[Eagle43]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl Now reading Younger Next Year.

T-Al,
I've read this book and I liked it. It's written by an old guy and a young doctor. Basic premise is don't act your age. Spinning classes, extreme exercise are all recommended, and they especially recommend maintaining connections with other people as you get older. They even have a web site. Please let us know what you think about the book.

Younger Next Year - Turn Back Your Biological Clock

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle43 T-Al, I've read this book and I liked it. It's written by an old guy and a young doctor. Basic premise is don't act your age. Spinning classes, extreme exercise are all recommended, and they especially recommend maintaining connections with other people as you get older.

Heaven forbid if anyone enjoys peace, quiet, and solitude in retirement!

Oh well. I suppose SOME connections are important in order to avoid the "fallen and I can't get up" scenario. And, I'd rather not have my dead body found months after my eventual demise. But still, it does not sound very appealing to me to have someone who doesn't even know me recommend maintaining connections with other people in my old age. Sounds pushy.

[DangerMouse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh Finished Atonement last night. Great read! Before that, I read Man's Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. Very moving.

I tried to read Atonement and hated it so much I couldn't get past page 20, I never finished it. I hear the film has great review by critics, but everyone I know who has gone to see the movie hasn't liked it. It has been described as being like The English Patient but more boring.

[Zoocat]

"Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books," Azar Nafisi

[Zoocat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire Yes, I'm a Gemini, in case anyone believes in that stuff, and I suppose that today I am acting like one!

SO! That explains everything. Hello, fellow Gemini!

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldbabe SO! That explains everything. Hello, fellow Gemini!

Hi there!! Too bad this forum doesn't have a "waving hello" emoticon (oh well). June 8th here.

[Khan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire Heaven forbid if anyone enjoys peace, quiet, and solitude in retirement! Oh well. I suppose SOME connections are important in order to avoid the "fallen and I can't get up" scenario. And, I'd rather not have my dead body found months after my eventual demise. But still, it does not sound very appealing to me to have someone who doesn't even know me recommend maintaining connections with other people in my old age. Sounds pushy.

Written by extroverts who are afraid of being alone?

[Moemg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire Heaven forbid if anyone enjoys peace, quiet, and solitude in retirement! Oh well. I suppose SOME connections are important in order to avoid the "fallen and I can't get up" scenario. And, I'd rather not have my dead body found months after my eventual demise. But still, it does not sound very appealing to me to have someone who doesn't even know me recommend maintaining connections with other people in my old age. Sounds pushy.

Unless You & Frank break up I think you are safe from that fear !

[CuppaJoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerMouse I tried to read Atonement and hated it so much I couldn't get past page 20, I never finished it. I hear the film has great review by critics, but everyone I know who has gone to see the movie hasn't liked it. It has been described as being like The English Patient but more boring.

That's about how far I got with the book also. I thought the movie rang false.

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire Heaven forbid if anyone enjoys peace, quiet, and solitude in retirement! Oh well. I suppose SOME connections are important in order to avoid the "fallen and I can't get up" scenario. And, I'd rather not have my dead body found months after my eventual demise. But still, it does not sound very appealing to me to have someone who doesn't even know me recommend maintaining connections with other people in my old age. Sounds pushy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khan Written by extroverts who are afraid of being alone?

Probably! Pushy, domineering ones who feel defensive about their fear of solitude, too, and want EVERYBODY to share that fear whether they want to or not!.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg Unless You & Frank break up I think you are safe from that fear !

True. Even though we both appreciate the freedom to spend time alone (as well as other time that we spend together), I doubt that I would have to worry about my rotting corpse only being discovered by the city six months after I die. I really don't see much point in keeping up many other connections, though.

OK, today I am reading All About Asset Allocation by Richard A. ("Rick") Ferri who is also over at the Bogleheads forum. So far so good, though pul-eeze, I am already familiar with statistical correlation. But he makes some good points, like how you should WRITE DOWN your asset allocation once determined, and stick to it. One would think he was peering over my shoulder.

[SecondCor521]

I have eclectic reading habits. Currently I'm reading this:

Amazon.com: The Driver: My Dangerous Pursuit of Speed and Truth in the Outlaw Racing World: Books: Alexander Roy

2Cor521

[TromboneAl]

Quote:

T-Al, I've read this book and I liked it. It's written by an old guy and a young doctor. Basic premise is don't act your age. Spinning classes, extreme exercise are all recommended, and they especially recommend maintaining connections with other people as you get older. They even have a web site. Please let us know what you think about the book. Younger Next Year - Turn Back Your Biological Clock

Just finished it yesterday. I highly recommend it, although there are some things I don't completely agree with. I think Nords did a book review on it.

How it's changing my life:

• I'm trying to exercise 6 days per week instead of 4. Really don't want to, but they've got me convinced it will be worth it.
• Weight training.
• Have always eaten healthfully, but will make some changes.

Things they strongly recommend, but that I won't do

• Join a health club -- not practical or frugal, and it's not my kind of thing
• Buy a heart rate monitor -- I can measure my throat pulse even while running
• Join clubs and do lots of social stuff -- I don't swing that way
• Explore my spirituality -- no thanks
• Buy a new bicycle -- I've got a great bike which is not as efficient or light as the newer ones, but burning calories is the goal here
• Shave every morning -- no, sorry

[Eagle43]

Thanks Al. The takeaway I got was to exercise most days and push it a little. I don't use a heart rate monitor either, other than what the treadmill tells me. I've got an old bike and I sure as h*ll don't explore my spirituality. Anyway, thanks.

My cynical self warns me if the 73-year guy, Chris, drops dead anytime soon, well, I'm gonna be disappointed.