What are you reading right now? (possible RotE spoilers)

[Mervi]

I just finished reading [[Meditations on Middle-earth]]. I had read some parts of it earlier (well, Robin's of course, and Terry Pratchett's and a couple of others) but now I read it from cover to cover. Some insightful writings, some quite emotional and a few that really did nothing for me. Not the greatest book about Tolkien ever, but a nice and a bit different POV than usual.

[Nuytsia]

Been readin' stuff about the question of God's existence for a paper - not that the subject isn't iteresting in itself, of course.

Ah you can use a quote from one of my friends at school that I always remember:
"I know you don't exist God, so you can stop pretending!"

[Farseer]

Definitely read Moreta before Beyond Between, or else it'll all but spoil the book for you. Coincidentally, I'm re-reading Moreta now.

Thanks, Manephelien . There are just so many of them and I could never work out which order I was to start reading them in...! Having read them a couple of times, what do you suggest - order of publication or chronological order of the story?

Been readin' stuff about the question of God's existence for a paper -

I can see why you've not had time for thePlenty, then! Wow! That would've been a remarkable paper when you were done (or are you still going?), though would definitely have taken some thought and sapped a lot out of you (not just something you could knock up overnight!)! It's one thing to read and ponder something, but quite another thing altogether to incorporate your findings and theories etc into a research paper...particularly a paper you would prefer to get a passing grade on!

I just finished reading [[Meditations on Middle-earth]].

It definitely deserves a closer look, thanks Mervi...not that I've even opened 'The Children of Hurin' yet! *sigh*

[Albertosaurus Rex]

I can see why you've not had time for thePlenty, then! Wow! That would've been a remarkable paper when you were done (or are you still going?), though would definitely have taken some thought and sapped a lot out of you (not just something you could knock up overnight!)! It's one thing to read and ponder something, but quite another thing altogether to incorporate your findings and theories etc into a research paper...particularly a paper you would prefer to get a passing grade on!

It's challenging. However, I have been studying philosophy for a few years now and I have slowly become more and more attuned to it. My beliefs have also slightly shifted around, especially with regards to religion.
I remember that when I just got started, The God Delusion came out and I was outraged. How dares he...? Now I have read it and although I don't agree with everything he says, he does make some good points. Although I didn't like his tone, especially when tackling Anselm's ontological argument.

[joost]

Thanks, Manephelien . There are just so many of them and I could never work out which order I was to start reading them in...! Having read them a couple of times, what do you suggest - order of publication or chronological order of the story?

Please note that I haven't read the more recent books (everything after The dolphins of Pern, except The skies of Pern), but the reading order that makes the most sense IMO:

Start with the first books:

• Dragonflight
  
• Dragonquest
  
• The white dragon
  

And now there are two paths, the first being the 'history part':

• Harper hall (Dragonsong, dragonsinger, dragondrums) [Some people think that this should be read before TWD, but that's just a matter of taste IMO]
  
• First fall, Dragonsdawn
  
• Moreta, Nerilka, Beyond dawn
  

The second path is the 'current path':

• The renegades of Pern
  
• All the weyrs of Pern
  
• The dolphins of Pern
  
• The skies of Pern
  

Spoiler

The 'history part' is mostly fantasy, the 'current path' is mostly science fiction. The first time I read Renegades I didn't like the inclusion of computers and technology that much, but the books have grown on me.

[Farseer]

joost - That's a real help, joost, thank you so much! The Pern books have been on my 'to-read' pile for such a long time now but you and Manephelien have definitely motivated me to finally get started on them. I didn't actually have 'Legends I' but I found a copy on eBay and purchased it since your mention of 'The Hedge Knight'.

Albertosaurus Rex - Yes, while most of us tend to/seem to stay essentially the same, it's still amazing how much we manage to transform our beliefs or broaden our viewpoints over the course of our lives (I know I've had an interesting journey in that regard!). I have never had any reason to formally study it but I do enjoy delving into the philosphy 'realm' for my own interest (I am sure the local librarian thinks I'm a little loopy though..it's generally not the sort of thing people around here do for kicks ).

What an amazingly talented group of people we have here on thePlenty...sure makes me feel like an Abomination amongst Elderlings at times!! Still, it is wonderful to come on here and be inspired - thankyou!

[Nuytsia]

Hey philosophy yay! I seriously thought about studying along those lines, but then I seriously consider studying quite a broad range of things ... gah! Not sure I could face going back to Uni ....... ug. Your mere mention of the word homework conjured up a lead weight above my head!

Farseer I love the fact our library has self checkout terminals. No-one can see my what books I'm taking out BWAHAHAHA!

Hehehe 'an Abomination amongst Elderlings' now THERE'S a saying that deserves to come into common usage!

[Albertosaurus Rex]

I think checkout terminals are freaky, at least the one at the university library is. You don't have to scan barcodes or anything, you just pile the books on a table and it sees what you're borrowing. How the heck does that work??

[Farseer]

I think checkout terminals are freaky, at least the one at the university library is. You don't have to scan barcodes or anything, you just pile the books on a table and it sees what you're borrowing. How the heck does that work??

I don't know but it sure sounds freaky to me, too ...not that I've ever seen a library with self checkout terminals either!

I'm afraid you more sophisticated folk would come to my local library and go . Hopefully nobody I know reads this (*gulp*!!) but I'm sure I'm one of only maybe five people who actually borrow books from there (and three of the remaining four are my kids )...the rest of the population tends to only use it as a place to go online.

[Nuytsia]

I think checkout terminals are freaky, at least the one at the university library is. You don't have to scan barcodes or anything, you just pile the books on a table and it sees what you're borrowing. How the heck does that work??

That sounds downright spooky!!!
Ours uses barcodes - you scan your library card then your books...... phew, understandable!

Hopefully nobody I know reads this (*gulp*!!) but I'm sure I'm one of only maybe five people who actually borrow books from there (and three of the remaining four are my kids )...the rest of the population tends to only use it as a place to go online.

Hehehee now you know why I won't post my picture!!!! (in case anyone I know comes here hehehee I can say anything I want YEAH!)
On a slightly related note to your locals not going to the library, I think Tasmania has the highest rate of adults who are illiterate. My boyfriend said he'd never had anyone come into the store he works at and ask for him to read something to them before we moved here and now it's happened many times!
But the libraries are certainly well used!