I need something to read too, but the problem is I don't know what I'm in the mood for. I have like $200 in Amazon gift cards and... completely lost. I probably should be reading books about babies, like What to Expect When You're Expecting, but I figure I'll just wing it. He can't turn out that badly, as long as I read to him. Any suggestions for reading to the unborn?
I love reading children's books. Particularly foreign ones. In Children's books there are all the values and ideals of a people in a nutshell, so that you get a very good insight in how people think and what they consider important. Atm I am reading Astrid Lindgren's "The Tomten" I love the pictures by Harald Wiberg [yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANgulkJBJVM[/yt]
No idea. I never had an unborn of my own. But, seriously, she's going to respond to your voice and your mood, not to the specific words, so I'd say anything that you enjoy and is somewhat upbeat. No zombies. If you want to get yourself in children's-books mode, maybe the earlier volumes of Harry Potter? I have to admit, I've always wanted an opportunity to read them aloud.
I can read reasonably well in French and German, so that could be fun. Or, maybe something Japanese (in translation, of course), for something really different. Maybe I should finish reading Le petit prince, I abandoned it halfway through a couple years ago. A family friend was in Germany recently and brought back what he thought was a children's book, because it was heavy on illustrations. Turned out to be jokes, but geared more toward adults - not in the vulgar sense, but about things like traffic and insurance claims. (My sister is a German language teacher so he had intended it for her boys.)
^ As for German children's books, I would highly recommend the works of Michael Ende, especially his two "Jim Knopf" books. There are also the works of Wilhelm Busch Speaking about children's books, I've just begun reading Alan Moore & Melinda Gebbie's "Lost Girls".
I'm kind of all over the place. I like SFF, but I don't like to get too out there with the high fantasy. I like medieval fantasy, the Lawhead books are some of my favorites. I do like media tie-ins, but I like really good media tie-ins... I just finished the Baxter and Reynolds, respectively, Dr. Who novels. I've started the Westerfeld WWI Clankers/Darwinists series, but I just wasn't ready to read the second book yet. I also like biographies... of US Presidents, classical or wind band related composers or conductors, and religious figures. As well as more "speculative" theology. I'm kind of a mess, which is why I read this entire thread looking for something.
i would recommend The River of Doubt by Candice Millard. its about Teddy Roosevelt's journey down the Amazon post Presidency. really great book. also by Millard, Destiny of the Republic. its about the short Presidency of Garfield. wonderful book.
Mari, if you're looking for the best German childrens books I recommend Ottfried Preussler's books, particularly the 3 volumes of The Robber Hotzenplotz (vol 1 is available in English). For older kids, Krabat might be a good read - it's the story of a young man who becomes apprentice of an evil wizard and falls in love with a village girl. Very thrilling but not suitable for children under 12 - they might get scared). And, as Kai said, Jim Knopf by Michael Ende is a classic, too (and very funny). And - but here I am very partial as he was my granduncle - the books by Eugen Oker are also a nice read. Babba, sagt der Maxl, is his only book for small children (and it's hilarious!!), but it's in Bavarian, hence it's difficult to understand for a foreigner. Also, it's full of local references. His other books target an adult audience or teenagers.
It's a shame vol 2 and 3 are so outrageousely expensive in English! When I have a little time, I'll try to translate both for you and turn them into an ebook. I love Preussler's books and still read them regularly. He invented bizarre characters that are fun both for kids and adults.
I've just started Anathem by Neal Stephenson. No, no, too much trouble. I'll buy them when I win the lottery. Yeah, The Robber Hotzenplotz had a really different feel to it.
Can't get into the Connie Willis diptych, 'Blackout/All Clear', thought I feel I should (Hugo & Nebula Award winner). Instead I've just finished 'Empire of Blue Water' about Sir Henry Morgan and a great overview of the pirate phase of the 1600s, and about to start on the new Discworld, 'Raising Steam'.
How far did you get into Blackout? It did take me a while to get hooked, but the ending is great. She honestly could have cut a good two-to-three hundred pages, though.
There's a Barnes & Noble at the local mall here. I went in one time and realized, I shoulda hit the men's room before I left home. I walked out of there only to face the giant Star Wars section they have right outside of it. Been reading the novels ever since.
I'm reading Mary Poppins, She Wrote, about the life of P.L. Travers. I'm learning two things- she was an interesting if a bit weird woman, and Walt Disney was a dick.
Just finished Redshirts, by John Scalzi. Very clever and tedious at the same time. And funny, but not nearly as funny as the blurbs on the dust jacket would have you believe.
I absolutely love Pendergast....I have read all the books in the series, althought there were a few that weren't as good as the beginning ones.