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steve_lee

anyone want:

1. martel - "life of pi"
2. dubner and levitt's "freakonomics"
3. mccarthy - the road

10 months, 3 weeks ago

dan

I have to give:

1. Saving Fish from Drowning - Amy Tan In my opinion this really isn't one of Tan's best. It follows the path of a woman who's already died as she watches as her friends visit Burma. Interesting idea but moves a bit slow.

2. Pride and Predjudice - Bronte Fluff, Victorian novel. Good for a bit of lazy reading as Bronte tends to be.

3. The People's Republic of Desire Written from the point of 5 Chinese women, one a returnee from the States. Writing is a bit simple but entertaining. Think Sex and the City for Beijing.

I would like to read 1. Devil Wears Prada

10 months, 3 weeks ago

dan

@ Steve: I'll take Life of Pi!

10 months, 3 weeks ago

steve_lee

done.

10 months, 3 weeks ago

jennwong

Looking for copy of Wrinkle in Time - Madeline L'Engle

Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which take three children on an epic adventure that requires them to planet hop and treat their universe with all the wonder and beauty and respect it deserves, eventually to fight evil and save their brilliant, scientist father. When I first read this as a middle school student, I was instantly hooked and it became one of my most beloved books for many years. Even now, it stands the test of time and remains one of the most popular Young Adult fiction books ever written, and some of us will remember a time when it was banned in public schools.

For those of you who haven't read it - it not only stands as a great coming of age novel for young awkward girls who don't really know where they fit in, but the story is compelling and strange and wonderful and thought provoking, which is everything young adults should be reading. A giant brain who charms anyone around it to give up their free will, the smog swirling around the planets that symbolize evil (the planet that their father is trapped in serves as Hell), a very brilliant and eccentric little boy who is thought to be an idiot by everyone around him except for his family.

If anyone has seen a copy of this anywhere in Beijing, please let me know! Otherwise, if you have a copy and wouldn't mind me borrowing it and photocopying it, email me or respond to this thread!

10 months, 3 weeks ago

emanresu

I have an mp3 copy of Madeleine L'Engle reading A Wrinkle in Time. Good (enough) sound quality (it's loud) and the story is unabridged.

I had a whole list of books that I was looking for -- I know that Douglas Coupland's JPod was on there -- but I've accidentally deleted the list, so I'll have to put it back together again. Ugh.

Anyway, the mp3s are yours but for the logistics of getting them to you (not difficult)... 8 parts at about 45 minutes each (I think) = ~6 hours / ~80MB ... be in touch. ;-)

10 months, 1 week ago

dan

An mp3? That sounds awesome! While it's nice to cuddle up with a paper book, I have a soft spot for audio books. The narrator is always the most important though.

A good book can be ruined by a cheesy narrator. Do you guys agree or disagree?

10 months, 1 week ago

emanresu

Yeah, I probably wouldn't have even mentioned it the book weren't actually read by the author. She sounds (somewhat surprisingly) not ancient, too.

I've listened to my share of audio books, from my days as a commuter. I used to get 'em out of the library or borrow from friends and family -- otherwise they're more expensive than the paper copy in many cases! The worst are abridged dramatizations of the book that stop short of being full 1930s radio show treatment -- although they often have sound effects and multiple actors (or maybe worse, a single person doing lots of different voices). A good book can definitely be made a chore by a bad reader.

A good reader, on the other hand, can make an otherwise borderline book into a classic. There's a book of short stories by Ethan Coen that fits this description -- the audio treatment has each story read by a different regular player from the Coen Brothers movies.

David Sedaris's comic timing and personality ensures that he regularly sells out concert halls with readings of his stories, and these belong in the audiobook hall of fame as well.

My favorite, though is The Kid Stays in the Picture, read by the been-there-and-back voice of Robert Evans. His voice makes it seem like he's confiding his whole fascinating life story to you late at night or something, and on a long-enough road trip one might listen to the whole thing straight through and still want more when it's over.Its awesomeness has justifiably inspired comment in a comedy routine of Patton Oswalt.

10 months, 1 week ago

raul_la

I'm looking to trade my Lonely Planet Bali/Lombok, Indonesia guide book for a Thailand edition since I am heading there next week for a few days. Anyone...??

9 months, 3 weeks ago

elli_2

I have a Thailand edition, but how old is your Bali/Lombok guide?

9 months, 3 weeks ago

funkdoctaspoc

Hi all, Hope you had a great Xmas. I'm also looking for an LP Thai book. Anyone have one the want to let go?

9 months, 2 weeks ago

tiramico

Does anyone have a book named "blue or another blue"?

9 months, 1 week ago

johnotoole

Hello all, I just bought the movie of Persepolis, but I've really been wanting to re-read the comix. Does anyone have a copy of part 1 or 2? I don't know if the movie covers the second part, but I'd really appreciate either volume.

I also have a small chunk of my own graphic novel collection here. I have both parts of Maus, the first five collections of Ex Machina (which is really terrific if you haven't read it or heard of it I highly recommend it) and some 100 Bullets.

Thanks guys! Let me know if you want to borrow anything or have those Persepolises.

9 months ago

johnotoole

Oh, real quick, I'm also dying to read The Yiddish Policemans Union if anyone has a copy, it was all sold out in Hong Kong. :(

9 months ago