
Re: Scrumfish has wandered in
That is a cool map, Chris! I put my pin in Portland (at least, I what I thought was Portland), though I will always think of myself as from North Dakota. That is partially because my family will always be there and partially because I have moved around so much since then. (insert here banal saying about can't take the farm out of the girl) Will I be able to change it when I move again? I suppose I shouldn't worry about that until I do.
I am hoping the library has Shermer's book since buying it is not in the budget this month. I would love to read along, especially since the subject is one I would definitely be able to relate to my life. I was raised in a very Christian family in an environment that did not forbid one to look at other options, but simply left no room to question. After I left home (I joined the Army instead of going to an in-state college like most I went to school with) I went through various 'stages' of Christianity, until I finally examined my beliefs and realized that I thought the whole thing was ridiculous (I in no way mean this or think this for other people, this is my conclusion for myself). In the last few years I have read a little bit here and there about various religions but the closest thing I've found to what I believe is my math book. I think the book would help me understand some of the difficulties I had shedding religion, and perhaps my parents, a bit better. There's a bit of background for y'all.
And Now for the question of what type of fiction I prefer... I will read just about anything, though I do tend to avoid horror. I have recently gone through a big fantasy kick because my ex-roommate has about 100 books of that genre. I hadn't read much fantasy until about a year ago but now I am breathlessly awaiting the next book of the Wheel of Time series (thank goodness I only started reading them last year or I would have keeled over by now). For mindless reading when my brain is tired from school I have a stack of 25 cent used romance novels. When I go to the library I usually grab at least one classic...I have a list that I will someday get through. Usually I pick books that have been referred to in a class I've taken or that I saw mentioned somewhere and wrote down. Many of the books I've read were left in lounge rooms of barracks for anyone to read. I will now stop rambling and list some of my favorites for anyone who is stuck on finding something to read.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Cry to Heaven by Anne Rice (no vampires)
anything by Tom Robbins
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
It' not a complete favorite list, or even the top four, but they all either completely absorbed my attention or made me laugh hysterically.