What are you Reading Right Now?

[NHB7]

And rate your experience of it so far from 0 (total garbage) to 10 (incredible).

I'm re-reading "Who Wrote The Bible" by Richard Friedman (no I'm not a religious nut, and if you read it you would see that as it is a very secular book). This is like the third time I've read it and I learn something new everytime as it makes a little more sense everytime.

I'd rate this an 8.5. This is a book written with the layman in mind, but is so well written that actual biblical scholars and archaeologist quote it often in their scholarly articles. Frankly it is probably the best book I have found on the topic of the origins and history of the development of the Bible. I don't give it a perfect 10 because I disagree with some of his conclusions, but I guess that's not fair. He can have different conclusions and support them well which he does. But I have trouble giving anyone a 10 or even a 9. I'd be a terrible Olympic judge.

 

[BisexualMMA]

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.

9.5.

Issacson is a masterful biographer.

 

[tehend]

Mentats of dune

 

[Zer]

This thread

0/10 until someone brings up Richard K Morgan

 

[Jesus Freak]

 

[Winnie The Foo]

Been reading this off and on for like a year now. Good book that provides good context on the changing concepts of god and how the major religions came to be.

 

[Sampsonsimpson]

This sherdog thread. I do all of my reading on sherdog. I think that's why all of my friends say I am so well red.

 

[Roxxo]

Neuromancer by William Gibson

 

[NHB7]

I'm reading that one too. A little dull and dry at times. But at other times I'm like "Damnnnn!!!"

For example, if you read Jeremiah it's sort of like, "great, I have to read another gigantic book of the Bible of a doomsday prophet pretty much repeating himself again and again."But then if you read about the actual history of the Babylonian siege and the exile it's like "oh snap!"

Two awesome archaeological finds are the Lacish letters, which are a series of military letters that are like overhearing a military walkie talkie today. It was basically the last military defense in Lachish (the Babylonians last stop before Jerusalem) letting Jerusalem know "We're screwed. This is it for us. Sorry Jerusalem." Also one of the letters is a guy trying to defend himself from a court Marshall. He was accused of reading top secret letters that weren't intended for him. From the context of the letters it seems he warned a prophet that he was going to be arrested and said prophet fled to Egypt. In Jeremiah we learn that Uriah fled to Egypt and was eventually arrested and killed. It is speculated this is the prophet alluded to in the Lachish letters.

The other cool find is the seal of Gemeriah son of Shaphan. Shaphan was the scribe famous for being involved in the "finding" of the book of law by Moses (probably Dueterononmy). Most scholars agree Shaphan actually probably wrote it, but the faithful of course believe he was only involved in the finding of it. Basically Hilkiah the priest (and father of Jeremiah) found it and gave it to Shaphan to show King Josiah. Anyway, Shaphans family was very powerful and Jeremiah seemed to only escape Uriahs fate due to their influence. After the fall of Jerusalem, Nebachnezzar (SP?) made a member of Shaphans family governor of Jerusalem. But he was killed by men still loyal to the throne. It was the final straw to Jeremiah who finally left Jerusalem for good and lived the rest of his days in exile in Egypt.

 

[Jesus Freak]

A little dull and dry at times.

Rest assured, though, that not a single Word is unintentionally placed within the Scriptures.

But, but...transcripts, interpretations, etc.

Don't fret...He's got this.

Also, I've experienced that what is one day "dull and dry" can easily blow my mind a week or a year later!

It's a Living Document...66 Books to be exact...written by everyone from Kings to sheep herders, and everyone in between, over the span of 1,500+ years, on three separate continents...

All in perfect harmony. Who, but a Loving, Merciful, Graceful Father can accomplish such a feat.

 

[Jesus Freak]

This sherdog thread. I do all of my reading on sherdog. I think that's why all of my friends say I am so well red.

I'm on this forum constantly, as well! Love reeding the wisecracks!

 

[NHB7]

Been reading this off and on for like a year now. Good book that provides good context on the changing concepts of god and how the major religions came to be.

I've read some of her work, but like you, off and on. Something about her writing style makes it hard to read for a sustained period of time. A little dense at times. But still good. I'd recommend: "The Evolution of God" by Robert Wright. It's much longer but much more reader friendly.

He does very well at summarizing the history of religion, but quotes a lot of Israel Finklestein during his discussion of the history of Israel. Don't get me wrong, I like Finklesteins work too "Unearthing The Bible." But it is controversial to say the least, and is the center of a lot of debate among Biblical Scholars. I tend to disagree with some, but not all of his conclusions.

 

[Gutter Chris]

Im reading me some Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag. I like shitty fiction

 

[Jkaylor]

I strictly read Sherdog. It's all a man really needs to stay healthy and prosper

 

[Lubaolong]

A Head Full of Ghosts. It's ok.

 

[odog]

I'm going to start reading The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie today. I've read a few of his other books so I expect toys will be pretty good.

 

[sh1tehawke]

I'm 70 pages into "The Right Stuff" by Tom Wolfe and its awesome stuff so far, solid 9/10. The first chapter from the perspective of the test pilots wives is as good as anything I've read in months. Also Chuck Yeager is one badass mofo.

 

[Iroh]

Sherdog, 2/10

 

[UVee]

9/10

 

[Fight To Win]

I'm reading Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill (Stephen King's son.) I've already read two of his books NOS4A2 and Horns. NOS4A2 was the first that I read and I was absolutely hooked by it. I could not put the book down.

It's really bizarre how similar that feeling is to how I was reading his dad's books for the first time. It's really cool to sort of have another Stephen King but in his prime, writing new books right now. It's crazy.

He has a book coming out in about a month called The Fireman that he calls his take on his dad's book The Stand. The premise of it sounds amazing and I can't wait for it.