Bookie - a list by sciencegeek

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About this list:

I have a little book problem much as some people have a little heroin problem. Here's a short list of books I've enjoyed.

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Viewing 31-38 of 38 Items

Bruce Chatwin: The Songlines

First to recommend

Description

Chatwin is much of an enigma. His writing straddles the fence dividing fiction and non-fiction and leaves the reader confused as to how much to believe. He was a travel writer who did lovely spare things with language. Ostensibly The Songlines is about the mapping of Australia by the Aborigines through song. But Chatwin takes off on tangents and manages to wedge in his philosophy of life.

If you enjoy this book and find Chatwin as fascinating a character as I do, I would suggest reading Nicholas Shakespeare's biography of Chatwin. This biography is quite possibly one of the best I've read on any subject as it manages to convey the confusion and slippery-ness that is Chatwin's life.

Updated Dec 18, 2006

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I, Claudius

First to recommend

Description

Robert Graves is the only writer who can get me excited about military history. This book tells the story of Claudius from his inauspicious childhood until middle age. I've somehow never managed to take a course in ancient history, so much of what I've learned has been through reading on my own. Graves is an entirely enjoyable read and you might learn something.

Roman imperial history is such a soap opera. The book was made into a pretty good miniseries starring Derek Jacobi which will make you want to go out and get a silly haircut. (via my dad)

Updated Dec 18, 2006

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Stokes Guide to Bird Behavior, Volume 1

First to recommend

Description

Most birding books focus on identifying birds. While checking things off of a list can be fun, it is much more exciting to try to understand what the birds are doing. Why is that duck flipping water up on his back? Why is that pigeon puffing himself up and scraping his tail on the ground?

This book covers 25 different birds which are common in the US, and the sequel, Volume 2, covers an additional 25 birds.

A good book to put near the window which overlooks your birdfeeder.

Updated Dec 16, 2006

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The Story of Ferdinand

First to recommend

3 people recommended this item

Description

This was my dad's favorite book as a kid. The illustrations are wonderful and the story is funny. I have two copies of this book waiting for the right kid to come along so I can give it to him or her.

Ferdinand is a bull who lives peacefully in Spain until one day ...

Updated Dec 15, 2006

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The Pine Barrens

First to recommend

Description

Most people know McPhee from his writing on geology and conservationism, but they are missing out on his other work. McPhee spends time traveling in the New Jersey Pine Barrens in the 1970s and writes about this wilderness in the middle of a highly populated state. Most people associate New Jersey with the endless strip malls, suburbs and big hair. McPhee explains the history of this place, and will make you want to visit the Pine Barrens.

If you like The Pine Barrens, you might also want to take a look at Oranges, which deals growing oranges in the US. I know this sounds either too fact-filled or mundane, but McPhee is damn good at this writing.

Updated Aug 20, 2008

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Salman Rushdie: Midnight's Children

First to recommend

Description

Rushdie is an acrobat with words. He pulls language around like a contortionist, but unlike that creepy feeling of watching a contortionist, you can glory in his ability without being unsettled. There are a number of writers who have great facility with words and wordplay but lack Rushdie's ability to give it all a wonderful structure and plot.

Midnight's Children follows the life of Saleem Sinai who was born at the same moment as independent India. Rushdie gives the reader history through the strange lens of magical realism.

Updated Aug 20, 2008

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On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen

6 people recommended this item

Description

The BIBLE for anyone who wants to learn all the chemistry, biology, and physics behind cooking and baking. It's like learning how to fish - once you know how and why things cook and bake, you won't have to rely on following recipes to the letter anymore.

Updated Nov 25, 2007

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BILLY storage system

First to recommend

2 people recommended this item

Description

I think everyone has a love hate relationship with Ikea. I love the fact that I can afford furniture, but I deplore the fact that some of it is shoddy and that I can identify items as Ikea at first glance.

Billy bookcases are not shoddy, they are sturdy and easy to put together and best of all, their price is very reasonable. They come in enough colours that you can generally find something that works in your space. The little side units work nicely as CD storage.

I have a lot of books. I have a lot of Billy bookcases.

Updated Dec 14, 2006

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Lists

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Put it up on the wall

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Alphabet posters

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liquids

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Drinking.

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Floral

Updated Dec 9, 2008

Just felt like putting together a collection of floral recommendations.

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