Do you read books?

[txrandom]

I realized the only reason I ever read books is for class. Of course, I'm not including textbooks, but I've have to read novels for Literature and History classes. The only (non-tech) book I've read outside school was a Amusing Ourselves to Death, which was given to me by a friend for Christmas.

The girl who gave me the book is really into reading, and we've had conversations about the importance of book reading. She thinks being well read is important and seems to sort of think less of people who don't know. I told her I think reading is important, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. Everyone has something they are good at and enjoy and mine just happens to be technology. Some people have intellect in fiction, some computers, some computers, why are some book readers pretentious about reading so many books?

This isn't mean to hate on book readers. I'm planning on reading some books since I start work and won't have homework to do. What are some books I should read?

 

[rudeguy]

I read books.

Has anyone ever looked into setting up an ATOT book exchange?

 

[JMapleton]

I enjoy reading old books and books about business. However I find I do not have much time in the day to do so, but I would read more if I had the time.

 

[IronWing]

Just the Bible, and only the good parts.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: NSFW
I read books.

Has anyone ever looked into setting up an ATOT book exchange?

Cheaper to go to the library. Shipping is expensive for books.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: NSFW
I read books.

Has anyone ever looked into setting up an ATOT book exchange?

Not that I know of, want to volunteer NSFW?

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: NSFW
I read books.

Has anyone ever looked into setting up an ATOT book exchange?

Cheaper to go to the library. Shipping is expensive for books.

USPS Media Mail!

 

[txrandom]

I forgot I read Mad Money by Kramer and In Defense of Food at the end of the summer. I was bored on the way back from Europe. I would be up for a book exchange. I don't have much to offer though.

 

[eplebnista]

Do you read books?

Yes, mostly fiction. I have been collecting Stephen King Hardback books since the 1980's. I have around 300 books at the moment, ranging from horror, sci-fi, and older classics. I would have a larger amount of books if I hadn't decided to trade in some 200 or so books back in the early 1990's. I still regret letting the Oxford Press' printing of Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan go.

 

[nageov3t]

I think I've always been reading a book since I've known how to read.

I primarily read for 15-20 minutes at night before bed as well as in the bathroom. I find it really hard to fall asleep without reading before going to bed.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: NSFW
I read books.

Has anyone ever looked into setting up an ATOT book exchange?

Cheaper to go to the library. Shipping is expensive for books.

USPS Media Mail!

<---Canadian


You guys don't use your library do you? You can reserve books from other branches and it gets diverted to your local branch...

What is the limit on USPS Media Mail and how much is it?

 

[Goosemaster]

With the prevalence of RSS feeds and so much aggregate data I find that I don't limit myself too much as long as the writer's intentions are genuine and they make a good argument. I have a thing for psychology [in the informal sense] where I love observing the formulation of arguments and such and also try to add variety in the subject matter. In that sense I read for the act of observing the author's creation, but I also like to read for the subject matter as well. SO much non-fiction fascinates me that I usually stick to that.

I was reading a pseudo cuban history tale last month and am reading one of Friedman's 'we're dying: go green' books this month' among the technical journals and textbooks that I buy for myself.

<--never gets bored with a book

 

[SlitheryDee]

Too many people get into the mindset that if they do any reading they have to be "getting something out of it". All too often I see this kind of person reading books for grades, books for being successful, books for feeling good about themselves, books for getting them in touch with God, books for making them money, or books for quitting habits. All I can think is that they've so completely missed the point that it's not funny. Read something that entertains you and when you're done with that, read something else that entertains you. If reading is such a chore to you that you need to be justifying it by telling yourself that you're "learning something" or "bettering yourself" then YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG. This isn't in response to anything specific in the OP. I just see this as a common error that "non-reader types" make. Read because you like what you're reading.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: sdifox

<---Canadian

You guys don't use your library do you? You can reserve books from other branches and it gets diverted to your local branch...

I personally don't sdifox since that would require a trip to my "local" library and it isn't the most convenient stop on my regular commute

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee
Too many people get into the mindset that if they do any reading they have to be "getting something out of it". All too often I see this kind of person reading books for grades, books for being successful, books for feeling good about themselves, books for getting them in touch with God, books for making them money, or books for quitting habits. All I can think is that they've so completely missed the point it's not funny. Read something that entertains you and when you're done with that, read something else that entertains you. If reading is such a chore to you that you need to be justifying it by telling yourself that you're "learning something" or "bettering yourself" the YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG. This isn't in response to anything specific in the OP. I just see this as a common error that "non-reader types" make. Read because you like what you're reading.

They bash this into our heads pretty badly though (what you are arguing against)

 

[sonambulo]

Yes, constantly.

 

[MotF Bane]

Not much anymore.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

I read for pleasure just about every day. Usually knock off about one novel a week just by reading a few chapters before bed.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
I read for pleasure just about every day. Usually knock off about one novel a week just by reading a few chapters before bed.

I wish I could do that....well I can just don't

hmmm.....*gets stupid idea*

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: sdifox

<---Canadian

You guys don't use your library do you? You can reserve books from other branches and it gets diverted to your local branch...

I personally don't sdifox since that would require a trip to my "local" library and it isn't the most convenient stop on my regular commute

one trip a week should be enough. It's not even my closest branch.

 

[djheater]

There are readers and non-readers. I work with people who hold the same position that I do that have admitted to never picking up a book, if they don't have to (no reading for pleasure). I read approx 35 books a year on top of my school work and don't consider that very many, there are many people I know who read considerably more.
I am happy that I married into a reading family and I'm kind of the literary outrider... I read a book and then it gets passed to my all four in-laws in turn.

Finished the Aubrey-Maturin books and Dark Tower series as well as some assorted psych books and am currently on book two of the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

Reading is certainly good for your brain and does good for your composition and conversational skills. It's not a bad habit to pick up IMO.

 

[Maleficus]

My rule for life has always been never go anywhere without a book, you'd be hard pressed not to find me with a small paperback in my pocket/backpack/car/somewhere. Anytime an unexpected delay comes up, whip out my book 10 minutes here, 15 there, adds up to me going through books very quickly.

 

[zinfamous]

yes.

I gots lots of them.

 

[yllus]

I read a lot. And as open-minded as I sometimes believe that I am, I automatically think a little less of people who don't read. I think even worse of people who don't read and are proud of the fact.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Maleficus
My rule for life has always been never go anywhere without a book, you'd be hard pressed not to find me with a small paperback in my pocket/backpack/car/somewhere. Anytime an unexpected delay comes up, whip out my book 10 minutes here, 15 there, adds up to me going through books very quickly.

that's kind of like me; except it's not my book that I whip out during a delay....