What book are you reading?

23scidoo said:

OffSheGoes35 said:

Anybody else have the habit of skipping the Introduction in books?

OffSheGoes35 said:

Anybody else have the habit of skipping the Introduction in books?

static111 said:

brianlux said:

static111 said:

@brianlux I was wondering if you have read any Wendell Berry?  He seems like someone that is very aligned with your close to nature pro environment worldview.  He just came up on my radar, via his essay The Idea Of A Local Economy, and I was hoping you had some reccomendations? 

Hey static111 , sorry for the late response, just saw this.

Yes, I have read several books by Berry.  One of my very favorites is a collection of his stories called, The Wild Birds.  But one of my other favorite novels of his that I loved is Nathan Coulter and, in terms of his fiction, that would be a better place to start, partly because it is excellent, and partly because it gives you a good sense of some of the characters in Wild Birds like Uncle Burley. Remembering is also a fine shorter work.
For Berry's non fiction, I would definitely recommend The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture. It's probably his most widely recognized work and considered a classic in American letters.  That book lit a spark in me when I read it in 1988 that still resonates.  I keep a card file on all books I read and at the top of that card I listed it as "essential."
The 80's were a transitional time in my life, and ready people like Wendell Berry and Edward Abbey helped me hugely,  Many of those books were like a compass for my life.  I wrote to Mr. Berry and a few weeks later, received at rather lengthy hand typed letter in which he addressed some of my concerns. 
And the one day in (around) 2004 or so, I was given tickets to see Berry do a reading at the Crest Theater in Sacramento.  After the reading I met him very briefly and told him how grateful I was for his work and his guidance.  He looked at me sheepishly and said, "Thank you, I'm glad I did something right."  I thought, "Oh my God, you are Wendell Berry.  Of course you did!"  But of course I just smiled in embarrassment and said, "Oh yes!  Thank you so much!"
Also, about 5 years ago I was talking to Ken Sanders, a long time major book seller from Salt Lake City, and Ken told me stories about he and Wendell going fishing and camping together.  At one point he looked right at me and told me quite seriously, "I believe Wendell Berry is the greatest living American writer of today."  I nodded in agreement.

I hope you find some works of his to be enjoying.  I think you very likely will!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention his books of poetry.  Collected Poems 1957-1982 is excellent.   And, yes,  that's a fine essay you came across!

Thanks Brian.  My first purchase of his work is the April 2002 issue of harper's that feature's the essay The Idea of A local Economy.  I could only find a partial of the text online and wanted to check out the whole essay.  I was thinking of starting with The Unsettling of America and going from there.  I will definitely take your recommendations into consideration going forward. Just when I thought I had read all the life changing authors I would come across in my life! So many books so little time.

23scidoo said:

OffSheGoes35 said:

Anybody else have the habit of skipping the Introduction in books?

Only you W!!

OffSheGoes35 said:

23scidoo said:

OffSheGoes35 said:

Anybody else have the habit of skipping the Introduction in books?

Only you W!!

W, reading the intro is like going to a buffet and loading up at the salad bar, what the hell man? 

OffSheGoes35 said:

23scidoo said:

OffSheGoes35 said:

23scidoo said:

OffSheGoes35 said:

Anybody else have the habit of skipping the Introduction in books?

Only you W!!

W, reading the intro is like going to a buffet and loading up at the salad bar, what the hell man? 

What's wrong with the salad??..haha

I forgot my audience in this instance, even Greek salad is delicious. 😁

Pap said: