What are you reading?
- Thread starter Ah_Tibor
- Start date
I just finished reading Crime & Punishment and it's easily my favorite book now. It usually takes a while for me to get "roped into" a story and so I struggle to start new books but with this one- for the first time- I was roped in from the very first chapter. I know this is a book thread but I also wanted to add that the Russian film "Crime and Punishment" (1970) was very good. I watched that after finishing the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. They left out a few things and I probably would've felt lost if I hadn't read the book first but from what I've researched, it's the closest to the book out of all the different film adaptations. The casting choices were perfect.
Side note: yes, the film was made in the USSR but they didn't downplay the Christian parts of the book as much as I expected. Honestly, if Hollywood made their own adaptation today, they would've removed more. There were icons shown, God was discussed, people were shown crossing themselves, and a priest was shown giving last rites.
Does anyone have any recommendations for books similar to Crime and Punishment?
Side note: yes, the film was made in the USSR but they didn't downplay the Christian parts of the book as much as I expected. Honestly, if Hollywood made their own adaptation today, they would've removed more. There were icons shown, God was discussed, people were shown crossing themselves, and a priest was shown giving last rites.
Does anyone have any recommendations for books similar to Crime and Punishment?
Tempted to check out the novel while waiting here at the library. There is a book sale going on (a weakness of mine) and I came across the book “That Was Then This is Now.”
Has anyone read this book? It is a coming of age story with a brotherly relationship deteriorating over the years as one is sent to prison as a result of the other contacting the police about the crime. There is also a married female character who is intoxicated and has her long hair cut by guys.
How was the book? The title sounds interesting.
It was recommended to me by a priest. Absolutely amazing. Highly recommended. Also it is on audible, if you prefer audiobooks.
There was a resurgance of religion around that time and one workaround was by portraying "historical" things.
The 60s version of The Brothers Karamazov is pretty good, too. Way better than the American one with William Shatner.
I have that book. Back in 2017, I read The Outsiders and loved it so I purchased three other books by Hinton. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit I've never read that one and it's been collecting dust all this time so unfortunately I can't say whether it's good or not. I can say that in addition to The Outsiders, Rumblefish is a good book of hers as well. Now that I've been reminded of it I'll probably start reading TWTTIN tonight or tomorrow. If I do, I'll try to remember to post an update after a few chapters to let you know if it's any good.
I've read the first three chapters so far and find it to be an interesting story. The story is told from the perspective of Bryon, a 16 year old boy and Hinton does well in making it seem like he's the one telling the story, making it a very easy read.I have that book. Back in 2017, I read The Outsiders and loved it so I purchased three other books by Hinton. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit I've never read that one and it's been collecting dust all this time so unfortunately I can't say whether it's good or not. I can say that in addition to The Outsiders, Rumblefish is a good book of hers as well. Now that I've been reminded of it I'll probably start reading TWTTIN tonight or tomorrow. If I do, I'll try to remember to post an update after a few chapters to let you know if it's any good.
I do have a concern that this is going to have leftist themes in it because hippies are mentioned and so are the poor race relations in the town (the book was published in 1971, and likely takes place in Oklahoma.) It's written as though Bryon thinks the hippies are odd but that one shouldn't treat others poorly just because they're different (which is a fine message), I'm just concerned about that mindset and lifestyle being promoted later on in the book. As for the race relations, the blacks of the town are portrayed to be somewhat rightfully angry and resentful towards the whites of the town. While the whites (the youth, that is) are written to think poorly of the blacks and seek to jump one if they come across one. The blacks aren't written to be perpetual victims, however as there's a scene where a group of blacks nearly beat an innocent teenaged boy to death.
I plan to finish it but already owning it is a big reason why I'm willing to. If it's cheap enough I'd say buy it and give it a read but I wouldn't spend more than $5 on it.
Thank you for reminding me I had this book, otherwise I may have never read it.
Recipes I haven't even started cooking for the holidays and I'm already sick of it.
I haven't even started cooking for the holidays and I'm already sick of it.
I’m reading “Fairy Tale” by Steven King currently. I haven’t read any of his horror (and don’t really want to) but The Dark Tower is one of my absolute favorite book series. So far, I really like this story. Lots of literary allusions for the well read and cultural/literary “Easter eggs.” It’s a fun and enjoyable read so far.
Is that the one he wrote for his daughter? If so, I started it as a teenager, but never finished it. It creeped me out that he wrote the book for his daughter and then put sex in it.
This book just came out a little bit ago…
… unless you’re a time traveler
Edit: (It’s his latest Novel)
I looked it up just now. It was The Eyes of the Dragon. Pretty sure he wrote it for his daughter, who wanted a fairytale.This book just came out a little bit ago…
… unless you’re a time traveler
Edit: (It’s his latest Novel)
I’m not familiar with all his works. I’m actually only familiar with the few titles of his I like.
I do remember him speaking out very much against the “Twilight” books as being very hyper sexualized.
Anyway, I’m going to get back to reading…
The Eyes of the Dragon is the only one of his books I ever tried to read because I don't like horror but I have always liked fairytales. There wasn't a ton of sex in the part I read. It just creeped me out that there was any sex in a book he wrote for his daughter.
When I used to read romance novels with sex scenes, sometimes an author would dedicate a book to her children. That's gross. They ought to at least keep sex away from their kids. It makes you wonder about these people.
I've just about finished "Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future" by Fr. Seraphim Rose (I'm still in the epilogue.) It's shocking to me just how fitting it is for our times. You'd think Fr. Seraphim had written it yesterday.
I found the book very helpful in learning about the false religions plaguing our time, but it also helped me to have more compassion for the people caught up in these religions/cults- especially those caught up in Pentecostalism.
There were a number of other topics and issues discussed in the book but I don't want to write out a book report here, lol.
I found the book very helpful in learning about the false religions plaguing our time, but it also helped me to have more compassion for the people caught up in these religions/cults- especially those caught up in Pentecostalism.
There were a number of other topics and issues discussed in the book but I don't want to write out a book report here, lol.
Would be interested to hear your thoughts DeDe:
Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future reading group
Hey! I am making this thread as a reading group for Fr Seraphim Rose's Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future. Let me know if you're reading along! The short essays lend well to a digital format, but the book is also available for print from the monastery where it was authored, I believe...
I've read this and The Soul After Death many times. There's always something new that I notice, every time.
I’m reading:
-Sidetracked Home Executives 1977 edition: funny, relatable, and really helpful. I think the Flylady based her system off this? I’m almost done setting up my 3x5 cards. I like this system because I can have everything (homeschool/kids schedule, recipes, chores, feast days/important days, holiday planning) in one file box. Basic principles are to get totally dressed and ready before everyone else, make your bed first thing in the morning, and don’t leave the house until your daily chores are done. It sounds so simple, but growing up I was a single child with a fulltime working mother who didn’t have time for house-related things, and as a SAHM with many kids this is an area I still struggle with.
-Montessori From the Start 0-3:
40% useless drivel about how amazing humans are, the cosmos, etc and 60% useful child development information and how to apply it. If you can stop your eyes from rolling, there is some good stuff in here. My parenting style has always been independence-based/Montessori but I never actually looked into it. I am continually surprised by what children are capable of from an early age, and the importance of the mind/body connection in terms of brain development.
-Dirty Electricity:
A book about the dangers of EMF in our modern world and its health implications written as a memoir. Author is a well-credentialed doctor who worked in many prestigious public health roles. His parents were Orthodox Christians which is funny coincidence. I haven’t finished this one, not sure if I agree that EMF is the *sole* cause of many modern diseases, but definitely exacerbates them. Talks about his major research findings and case studies. Has a lot of additional resources at the end for further reading.
-Natural Chicken Keeping by Amy Fewell:
Foreword by Joel Salatin. Had a hard time finding natural/holistic methods of chicken keeping. This book has been really useful so far. Has a natural feed recipe, recipes for herbal tinctures and salves, basic care. Most worthwhile suggestion so far has been the EcoGlow heater. Uses radiant heat instead of the lamps, which cost more to use and the ones at Tractor Supply came with a lead warning.
Sorry if my descriptions are all over the place!
-Sidetracked Home Executives 1977 edition: funny, relatable, and really helpful. I think the Flylady based her system off this? I’m almost done setting up my 3x5 cards. I like this system because I can have everything (homeschool/kids schedule, recipes, chores, feast days/important days, holiday planning) in one file box. Basic principles are to get totally dressed and ready before everyone else, make your bed first thing in the morning, and don’t leave the house until your daily chores are done. It sounds so simple, but growing up I was a single child with a fulltime working mother who didn’t have time for house-related things, and as a SAHM with many kids this is an area I still struggle with.
-Montessori From the Start 0-3:
40% useless drivel about how amazing humans are, the cosmos, etc and 60% useful child development information and how to apply it. If you can stop your eyes from rolling, there is some good stuff in here. My parenting style has always been independence-based/Montessori but I never actually looked into it. I am continually surprised by what children are capable of from an early age, and the importance of the mind/body connection in terms of brain development.
-Dirty Electricity:
A book about the dangers of EMF in our modern world and its health implications written as a memoir. Author is a well-credentialed doctor who worked in many prestigious public health roles. His parents were Orthodox Christians which is funny coincidence. I haven’t finished this one, not sure if I agree that EMF is the *sole* cause of many modern diseases, but definitely exacerbates them. Talks about his major research findings and case studies. Has a lot of additional resources at the end for further reading.
-Natural Chicken Keeping by Amy Fewell:
Foreword by Joel Salatin. Had a hard time finding natural/holistic methods of chicken keeping. This book has been really useful so far. Has a natural feed recipe, recipes for herbal tinctures and salves, basic care. Most worthwhile suggestion so far has been the EcoGlow heater. Uses radiant heat instead of the lamps, which cost more to use and the ones at Tractor Supply came with a lead warning.
Sorry if my descriptions are all over the place!
Thoughts for each day of the year - According to the Daily Church Readings from the Word of God
St. Theophan the Recluse
It has been rewarding to read this book prior to Lent.
www.rooshvforum.com
St. Theophan the Recluse
It has been rewarding to read this book prior to Lent.
Russian Saint - Theophan the Recluse
A thread dedicated to the live and teachings of a Holy Father of nineteenth-century Russia. A few direct text quotes from a book titled, Thoughts for each day of the year - St. Theophan the Recluse*: To Bishop Theophan belongs an immense significance in the history of the moral development...
Last edited: