planetdan

Tuesday, June 27, 2006 :::

Phew - finished.

Holy crap. I feel like I've just finished running a marathon. Last night I sat down to read a few more pages of that seemingly never-ending science book that I talk incessantly about and that is making everybody hate me at dinner parties. From the looks of my bookmark in the binding, I had at least one hundred pages left to read, but when I finished the chapter I suddenly realized that the book had ended and that the rest of the paperback was filled with author notes, bibliographies, and an extensive index. It was a pleasant surprise to say the least. Not that I didn't love the book, mind you, as it taught me about many things indeed, such as:

• Atoms
• Whale Vomit Perfume
• Fossils
And much much more...

But it took me almost a year to read. Seriously. I'm lowering my sights for the next book, that's for sure. I probably should go for something with a monkey in it, less than a hundred pages, and illustrated, but I'm thinking about giving Lolita a shot instead. So if anyone want to join in on the planetdan book club, let me know. We can have meaningful revelatory discussions about Nabokov when I finish it, next year.

::: posted by dan at 2:05 PM :: [ link ] :: (19) comments

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19 previous comments:

So that is totally weird. I just borrowed my aunts copy of Lolita to start reading...

Did you know someone who has limitless knowledge of useless facts is called a spermologist?

I don't really tell many people that, but you deserve to know that.

By

the other sarah, at 3:44 PM

i don't totally stalk your blog by the way... i only check it like 3 times a day... oh man. i need a life...

By

the other sarah, at 3:46 PM

Maybe the next one (book) could have a man with a yellow hat in it?

By

elizabeth, at 4:31 PM

You need to start right over on the same book. I've read it 5 times.

It helps if you drink while reading.

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Another Dan, at 4:59 PM

I have that Bill Bryson book. I have started to read it 5 times. I can't get past the beginning. I feel dumb.

I did however, read Lolita in high school and was a little obsessed with it. Just a bit. Very good for high drama.

By

Biglug, at 8:14 PM

I love this book. I especially love the part about how Yellowstone park is just a gi-normous volcano that will soon kill us all.

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kate, at 9:43 PM

lolita's a quick read. you can finish it in 4 months, 5 tops. but if you want to read someone who is more contemporary and perhaps just as flashy as nabokov, i'm still recommending david mitchell. right now i'm reading Black Swan Green and i think it would be right up your alley.

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jeremy, at 2:09 AM

temporarily shelve your lolita plans..

read the thought gang by tibor fischer.. you will not be sorry..

one of the coolest living authors out there..

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Bahraini Rants, at 2:57 AM

Here's my vote for your next book ---> "She Comes First" by Ian Kerner. It's awesome, I'm finishing it right now... but I did put the Bryson book in my shopping cart for next time :)

Christina

By

Anonymous, at 7:48 AM

You want a book with a monkey in it? Try "Next of Kin: My Conversations with Chimpanzees"
A snippet from the About the Book blurb: "A voyage of scientific discovery and interspecies communication, this is a stirring tale of friendship, courage, and compassion that will change forever the way we view our biological—and spritual—next of kin." It's a fascinating read.

By

Heather, at 8:43 AM

Oh, and yes, I know, a chimpanzee isn't a "monkey".

By

Heather, at 8:44 AM

I fucking loved Lolita.

LOVED IT!

And I have the attention span of a fruit-fly.

By

Anonymous, at 11:25 AM

Oh, man. I've had that book for years. Whenever you think you're making progress they talk about even smaller, more confounding objects than the chapter before. I hope to finish it sometime this winter.

By

Anonymous, at 11:45 AM

Dan, you're soo cool! I can't believe you actually read that entire book of useless knowledge! But I like that. :-)

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Marshall, at 2:23 PM

yay! let's have a book club.For every intellectual, mind numbing selection we will off set it with my reccomendations * I am just finishing little earthquakes* I bet you'd love that...or what about the ten habits of naturally thin people...I bet you would think that was a page turner.

By

Stacy, at 3:04 PM

Read "Last Chance to See" by Douglas Adams....yes, THAT Douglas Adams....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345371984/qid=1151614805/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/103-1915235-4698225?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

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Claudia, at 4:05 PM

I suggest "A Walk in the Woods", same author. It is hilarious, informative and--you'll like this--a quick read.

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lola, at 2:44 PM

I recommend reading The Annotated Lolita. It's quite helpful, but then again I'm not that smart, so maybe you wouldn't need it.

If you're looking to give your brain a quick rest how 'bout The Pirates! An Adventure With Scientists? It has a Man-panzee in it!

By

yetanotherdan, at 5:52 PM

You might like "A Million Little Pieces." And hey, Minneapolis is featured.

By

Twinmama, at 2:14 AM

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