What 📔book are you reading right now?

[Ashley]

All quiet on the western front

 

[Deimos]

All quiet on the western front

Are you reading this on your own "time" or is it a selection from a required lit assignment at school?
If it was assigned (chosen from a list) what oher choices have you made? and think you might make for future reading?
It was assigned when I read it ...we had choices of course, from a long list.
Still I do not know if I would have read it freely on on my own, not back then anyway.
For other picks I chose Lord of the Flies because I actually wanted to read that.
I totally steered clear of any Steinbeck. Also avoided Moby Dick, but I think I might read that now.
I wish they had offered the "other" Hawthorne novels: House of the Seven Gables and The Blithedale Romance; I would have preferred either of those to The Scarlet Letter. I didn't read SL until last year (tho' I knew the entire plot). I still think it is inferior to his other two novels I mentioned (both of which I have read twice... and "House..." maybe even a third time.)
I didn't care for either A Separate Peace or Catcher in the Rye.
Chose The Fountainhead and I liked it. But don't know if I'd like it now. "Time changes us."
I did very much like The Great Gatsby tho' .
Also 1984. And later on my own I read Brave New World .I think 1984 is the better story, but BNW predicted the future (our current times) more accurately.
Also chose The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451. (But I had read them previously when I was 13, so...that was easy reading)

 

[Ashley]

Are you reading this on your own "time" or is it a selection from a required lit assignment at school?
If it was assigned (chosen from a list) what oher choices have you made? and think you might make for future reading?
It was assigned when I read it ...we had choices of course, from a long list.
Still I do not know if I would have read it freely on on my own, not back then anyway.
For other picks I chose Lord of the Flies because I actually wanted to read that.
I totally steered clear of any Steinbeck. Also avoided Moby Dick, but I think I might read that now.
I wish they had offered the "other" Hawthorne novels: House of the Seven Gables and The Blithedale Romance; I would have preferred either of those to The Scarlet Letter. I didn't read SL until last year (tho' I knew the entire plot). I still think it is inferior to his other two novels I mentioned (both of which I have read twice... and "House..." maybe even a third time.)
I didn't care for either A Separate Peace or Catcher in the Rye.
Chose The Fountainhead and I liked it. But don't know if I'd like it now. "Time changes us."
I did very much like The Great Gatsby tho' .
Also 1984. And later on my own I read Brave New World .I think 1984 is the better story, but BNW predicted the future (our current times) more accurately.
Also chose The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451. (But I had read them previously when I was 13, so...that was easy reading)

I’m doing it on my own time. I’ve always been interested in WWI and my brother has recently been trying to get us to watch the movie, but of course the book must come first. Of the others you mentioned, I’ve read Lord of the Flies and Brave New World by myself, and read Scarlet Letter, Gatsby, and Fahrenheit 451 in school. I may have read The Martian Chronicles, but can’t quite remember if it was that or another Bradbury collection.

 

[Deimos]

I’m doing it on my own time. I’ve always been interested in WWI and my brother has recently been trying to get us to watch the movie, but of course the book must come first. ...

The 1930 Movie is superior to any versions made after that.

 

[Starbrow]

The Children of Hurin

 

[Erurávennë]

Patrick Henry by Moses Coit Tyler (1898)
(I am reading this on archive.org - absolutely one of the best websites ever. So many cool old books and all for free!)
Patrick Henry is quickly becoming a favorite founding father/ historical figure of mine! And this book is incredible. Everything is on point; Tyler refutes misconceptions about Henry, often from a previous writer on Henry named Wirt. Learning more about the founding fathers/founding era; it's good to know beyond 'Give me Liberty or Give me death' (Henry would not mind being known for this though, I don't doubt). Highly recommend this book if it is in your interests.

 

[WhitneyBrat]

His Children's Children by Arthur Train, which is practically family history around here. It's about a family with its roots in colonial New England and Gilded Age fortunes, and the ensuing generations who lose their position and wealth.

 

[Starbrow]

Daughter of Sun, Bride of Ice by H. L. Burke, aka Elgee. I recommend it.

 

[Idril Celebrindal]

Recently re-read the Odyssey, while also taking the Hillsdale online course on it. I'd say it was better the second time over, if that's possible. I'm about to start The Illiad while also doing the Hillsdale course on that.

Also reading The Great American Story: A Land of Hope and taking (you guessed it) the Hillsdale online course.

@Erurávennë , I'm still only halfway through Seven Pillars of Wisdom 😅. I'll take a break from it and finish some other things on my list first. Might also start it from the beginning again, and make notes and stuff to keep better track of what's going on. Right now I'm having trouble remembering who's fighting who and where everyone is going... It's like reading The Silmarillion again for the first time.

My loan on Grapes of Wrath expired, but I want to read that again once it's free.

Oh, and I'm also reading the Little House series with my younger sister. It's nice to return to it, I used to read it a lot when I was little.

 

[Erurávennë]

Recently re-read the Odyssey, while also taking the Hillsdale online course on it. I'd say it was better the second time over, if that's possible. I'm about to start The Illiad while also doing the Hillsdale course on that.

Also reading The Great American Story: A Land of Hope and taking (you guessed it) the Hillsdale online course.

@Erurávennë , I'm still only halfway through Seven Pillars of Wisdom 😅. I'll take a break from it and finish some other things on my list first. Might also start it from the beginning again, and make notes and stuff to keep better track of what's going on. Right now I'm having trouble remembering who's fighting who and where everyone is going... It's like reading The Silmarillion again for the first time.

My loan on Grapes of Wrath expired, but I want to read that again once it's free.

Oh, and I'm also reading the Little House series with my younger sister. It's nice to return to it, I used to read it a lot when I was little.

Wow, I love your readings!

Seven Pillars of Wisdom is definitely like the Silmarillion in that way. I found it difficult in:
1) places, people, names, etc... but also 2) the sort of philosophical parts I was constantly referencing the three maps in the book; if your copy doesn't have the maps you might want to get your hands on those.

Have you read The American Story: the Beginnings by Tim Barton and David Barton? It covers the roots of America to the Civil War. (I think there is a second book too) Lots of amazing stories besides the principles, ideas, 'golden thread' throughout American history. It sparked my interest to read more on Patrick Henry (so glad I did!), other people, and ideas such as the separation of church and state concept.
By the way, I love the reading deeper (and wider) concept. I have taken hold of it more and more. The American Story led me to Patrick Henry, which led me to exploring Henry's argument for why America needed a Bill of Rights (which connects to the Hillsdale Constitution course!) which led me to "Debates and other proceedings of the Convention of Virginia...in June 1788" to research the argument. So many rabbit trails when I read things. 😂 I love to see what people, books, ideas influenced great people, great books, etc...

I read the Little House series a few years ago; loved them!

I have nearly finished the Hillsdale Constitution 101 course; I keep finding topics within it I want to explore more. AKA rabbit trails...
I think I will follow some today and read some 'recommended reading' for the constitution course.

 

[Deimos]

Recently re-read the Odyssey, while also taking the Hillsdale online course on it. I'd say it was better the second time over, if that's possible. I'm about to start The Illiad while also doing the Hillsdale course on that.

Also reading The Great American Story: A Land of Hope and taking (you guessed it) the Hillsdale online course.

@Erurávennë , I'm still only halfway through Seven Pillars of Wisdom 😅. I'll take a break from it and finish some other things on my list first. Might also start it from the beginning again, and make notes and stuff to keep better track of what's going on. Right now I'm having trouble remembering who's fighting who and where everyone is going... It's like reading The Silmarillion again for the first time.

My loan on Grapes of Wrath expired, but I want to read that again once it's free.

Oh, and I'm also reading the Little House series with my younger sister. It's nice to return to it, I used to read it a lot when I was little.

Another Hillsdale-zien! 🙂
Whose translation is it? I prefer Lattimore for both epics..
Having the same translator (whoever it is) for both stories ensures continuity in descriptions. ... not necessary, but makes for a smooth transition between Odysseus' warrior life and his wanderer life.
For example: The dawn is always "the rosy fingered dawn", Athene is always "grey-eyed Athene", and Zeus is always "Zeus of the wide brows".

 

[Idril Celebrindal]

Wow, I love your readings!

Seven Pillars of Wisdom is definitely like the Silmarillion in that way. I found it difficult in:
1) places, people, names, etc... but also 2) the sort of philosophical parts I was constantly referencing the three maps in the book; if your copy doesn't have the maps you might want to get your hands on those.

Have you read The American Story: the Beginnings by Tim Barton and David Barton? It covers the roots of America to the Civil War. (I think there is a second book too) Lots of amazing stories besides the principles, ideas, 'golden thread' throughout American history. It sparked my interest to read more on Patrick Henry (so glad I did!), other people, and ideas such as the separation of church and state concept.
By the way, I love the reading deeper (and wider) concept. I have taken hold of it more and more. The American Story led me to Patrick Henry, which led me to exploring Henry's argument for why America needed a Bill of Rights (which connects to the Hillsdale Constitution course!) which led me to "Debates and other proceedings of the Convention of Virginia...in June 1788" to research the argument. So many rabbit trails when I read things. 😂 I love to see what people, books, ideas influenced great people, great books, etc...

I read the Little House series a few years ago; loved them!

I have nearly finished the Hillsdale Constitution 101 course; I keep finding topics within it I want to explore more. AKA rabbit trails...
I think I will follow some today and read some 'recommended reading' for the constitution course.

For Seven Pillars, I think my version had maps too, but I read on a Kindle so it's kind of difficult to jump between pages quickly. I think I'll print them and keep them next to me when I read, because so far I haven't been able to keep track of where Lawrence is actually going. Thanks for the advice on that!

I have not read The American Story; the Beginnings, but I'm pretty sure I've heard the name somewhere... Doesn't Hillsdale have a course on it too? If so I'll probably go for it once I finish Land of Hope. I'm really behind on U.S. History, the school curriculum I've been following focused a lot more on European history. I get to put together my own curriculum this year, though, so hopefully I can catch up through the Hillsdale courses.

I'm also doing the Constitution 101 course, and I really like the parts about the Bill of Rights, so I'll check out Henry's argument on that. Like you said, so many new things to read... Makes me wish I'd started learning about The Constitution and U.S. History earlier. But then I'm also kind of glad I didn't study it before because now I get to discover everything all at once.

Another Hillsdale-zien! 🙂
Whose translation is it? I prefer Lattimore for both epics..
Having the same translator (whoever it is) for both stories ensures continuity in descriptions. ... not necessary, but makes for a smooth transition between Odysseus' warrior life and his wanderer life.
For example: The dawn is always "the rosy fingered dawn", Athene is always "grey-eyed Athene", and Zeus is always "Zeus of the wide brows".

Yup, Hillsdale courses are making up the majority of my curriculum this year (so far, anyway). I still find it hard to believe that something can simultaneously be such high quality, not require a subscription, and also not have any ads.

I'm reading the Robert Fagles translation for The Illiad and The Odyssey, since that's the translation the Hillsdale courses follow. I like it a lot, although I do want to try other translations in the future, I've heard Fitzgerald's is very good, and also Lattimore's as you mentioned.. Sadly, the online library I use only has the Emily Wilson translation :/

 

[Deimos]

....
Yup, Hillsdale courses are making up the majority of my curriculum this year (so far, anyway). I still find it hard to believe that something can simultaneously be such high quality, not require a subscription, and also not have any ads.

I'm reading the Robert Fagles translation for The Illiad and The Odyssey, since that's the translation the Hillsdale courses follow. I like it a lot, although I do want to try other translations in the future, I've heard Fitzgerald's is very good, and also Lattimore's as you mentioned.. Sadly, the online library I use only has the Emily Wilson translation :/

haha...The reason for that, my dear, is because of donors such as moi who contribute to Hillsdale on a regular basis.
I have been supporting Hillsdale for over 25 years. (But I also take advantage of all those gratis online courses 😉)
Fagles is good, FItzgerald is good.
We used the Lattimore translation at ASU (many moons ago it was ) and the Mandelbaum translation of the Aeneid.
Stay far away from the Emily Wilson translation...it is inferior (and that is not just solely my opinion.)

 

[Erurávennë]

For Seven Pillars, I think my version had maps too, but I read on a Kindle so it's kind of difficult to jump between pages quickly. I think I'll print them and keep them next to me when I read, because so far I haven't been able to keep track of where Lawrence is actually going. Thanks for the advice on that!

I have not read The American Story; the Beginnings, but I'm pretty sure I've heard the name somewhere... Doesn't Hillsdale have a course on it too? If so I'll probably go for it once I finish Land of Hope. I'm really behind on U.S. History, the school curriculum I've been following focused a lot more on European history. I get to put together my own curriculum this year, though, so hopefully I can catch up through the Hillsdale courses.

I'm also doing the Constitution 101 course, and I really like the parts about the Bill of Rights, so I'll check out Henry's argument on that. Like you said, so many new things to read... Makes me wish I'd started learning about The Constitution and U.S. History earlier. But then I'm also kind of glad I didn't study it before because now I get to discover everything all at once.

The authors of The American Story have a foundation called Wallbuilders which you may know of; it is similar to Hillsdale in many areas. I don't think they have ever collaborated though; so not a course on the book from Hillsdale but Wallbuilders naturally has resources related to the book.

You get to put your own curriculum together? That's wonderful! Are you homeschooling? I am, always was, and find it best. I am doing a history course on compassclassroom.com (have you heard of them? Excellent. I am also doing Latin there with Dwane Thomas - the best.) on world history; but I am taking it lightly this year and can dig into Hillsdale, books, etc...

On the Bill of Rights argument, here is a snippet cited in Patrick Henry:

​

"This is the question. If you intend to reserve your unalienable rights, you must have the most express stipulation; for, if implication be allowed, you are ousted of those rights. If the people do not think it necessary to reserve them, they will be suppossed to be given up. ... If you give up these powers, without a bill of rights, you will exhibit the most absurd thing to mankind that ever the world saw, - a government that has abandoned all its powers, - the powers of direct taxation, the sword, and the purse. Again and again in response to his demand for an express assertion, in the instrument and of the states, he was told, that every one of those rights was secureed, since it was naturally and fairly implied. "Even say," he rejoined, "it is a natural implication, - why not give us a right...in express terms, in language that could not admit of evasions or subterfuges? If they can use implication for us, they can also use implication against use. We are giving power; they are getting power; judge, then, on which side the implication will be used. Impliction is dangerous, because it is unbounded; if it be admitted at all, and no limits prescribed, it admits of the utmost extension. The existence of powers is sufficently established. If we trust our dearest rights to implication, we shall be in a very unhappy situation." - Patrick Henry​

​

I found Chapters XVII and XVIII of Patrick Henry to be insightful. Can be found here:

Patrick Henry : Tyler, Moses Coit, 1835-1900 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

454 p. 23 cm

archive.org

Basically, it seems Patrick Henry and others were opposed to the Constitution at least at first because of a scheme of the Northern States which hurt the Southern states.

But he had problems with the constitution itself too and wanted a bill of rights and things. He said, "the dissoulutiion of the Union is most abhorrent to my mind. [However,] The first thing I have at heart is American liberty; the second thing is American Union." On the one hand, the Constitution 101 course presents Alexander Hamilton's words from Federalist 84 against a Bill of Rights (lesson 4, additional videos in particular) and it seems reasonable. But Hamilton leaned toward big government and monarchy and things, so not sure.
Of course, always examine the argument itself so I want to look into this more.
Tell me if you come to any conclusions.

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