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Alan J

Alan J

has 12 followers and is following 7 people

A Wanna-be Renaissance Man, Currently a UW Student
Also into Reading, Soccer, Photography and Science
  • Kitchener- Waterloo, ON, Canada
  • member since June 26, 2010

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  • says

  • Laura Elizabeth

    Laura Elizabeth says

    Just random I'm afraid

    posted 6 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Lindsey

    Lindsey says

    I really just wanted to see if I could do it, noticed I was blowing through books because I got that extra eights hours. Could probably be considered cheating, since I listen for a big part of what I read. I don't answer phones, or work with customers, so no. If I didn't have headphones, I'd probably go crazy, I need noise or I'd probably pass out at my desk. Aren't you a college student? 100 books would be an achievement, when in the world would you have time.

    posted 6 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Lindsey

    Lindsey says

    Yes, mostly because I read a lot of nights when my daughter goes to bed, and I listen to my kindle read to me all day at work. So. I get a healthy twelve hours of reading a day, I'd say. That's why all my reading is done on weekdays.

    posted 6 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Joud A

    Joud A says

    why do you assume skydiving or hanging out with friends is more fun than reading a book? plus no one is saying you're doing this exclusively or that- you're not reading a book 24/7; you have time for more than one activity in your day. and "going through all this trouble of reading"? reading isn't "trouble", it's relaxing, entertaining, etc.
    yeah there's a time for reading nonfiction, yeah it provides you with knowledge and information, and i do occasionally read it, but to say nonfiction is better than fiction really makes no sense to me, they can't be compared, each is good for something. plus i do have some nonfiction on my shelf, but yeah none relates to science, because that's a field that doesn't really interest me. even when i do read nonfiction it's about social/political/philosophical/religious issues.
    i understand your point, that fiction doesn't really teach you any hard facts or give you actual knowledge so why waste time on it- but people have different motivations for reading, and thus are into different kinds of books. reading is not necessarily a "i need to stuff my brain with as much information as quickly as possible" thing for all people.

    posted 8 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Joud A

    Joud A says

    btw, i just saw my old posts on your wall here- we started a book club at AUS! :)

    posted 8 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Joud A

    Joud A says

    yo!
    fiction is definitely useful. it depends on the kind of course- some is just for fun, entertainment, or because it reads beautifully and poetically. other fiction does all or some of that plus discusses real issues from a different perspective- using metaphors, symbolism, etc. (which is especially helpful in societies where you can't say things outright). plus, fiction can take you places non fiction can't.

    posted 8 months ago. ( send a note )
  • bootsy

    bootsy says

    That's a good goal - I like it. Well, it's like this: I have Dish Latino on my TV so I can practice my Spanish. And there are a bunch of sports stations that broadcast soccer (futbol). I don't understand everything but it's a lot of fun. Maybe that only qualifies me as a wanna-be soccer fan?

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • bootsy

    bootsy says

    Ah....how cool, you've read Matilda! Why aren't you a Renaissance Man? Why only wanna-be?

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Joud A

    Joud A says

    oooh interesting, thanks!
    and this makes me realize i can't even remember the last book i actually picked up. ahhh!
    also, my book distribution kinda matches the general population's- i'm average, how bout that!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Joud A

    Joud A says

    ohh i just saw your last post, sorry!
    and where is that? i looked around but couldn't seem to find it, hmm.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Jesse Battle

    Jesse Battle says

    I would like to suggest reading THE ENDLESS HOUR- The True Story of a Haunted Soul.I completed publication
    in November 2010.

    Over eighteen years in the making,THE ENDLESS HOUR is about an illustration I created in 1988 that became
    reality two years later,which involves a spiritual death experience.

    This touching and terrifying true story is not only about me.It is also about... you.

    For more information go to theendlesshour.com. Once you enter the website you can watch the book video and
    read reviews. You may also want to visit amazon.com and read the first seven chapters of THE ENDLESS HOUR.

    Thanks,
    Jesse

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Paul B

    Paul B says

    I thought it was ok, he made some interesting points, but only backed them up with anecdotes.

    If you like Gladwell's writing, I think What the Dog Saw is a better book.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Joud A

    Joud A says

    sounds intriguing, thanks. no way i can watch it this week but maybe in the future sometime..

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Ahmad E

    Ahmad E says

    I think I need to read 10 books before I get the guts to show my face.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Joud A

    Joud A says

    well i think this thing would be kinda pointless here because people can borrow books from the library, it's not like we have a shortage of them, or we have to pay for them. in syria though, especially with english books, there is a huge shortage, which is why it would be great.
    and i don't necessarily think there would be no good books. i own a bunch of good books that i probably won't ever read again, so instead of having them on my shelf, others could make use of them.
    and plus, you don't keep the book, you return it in a month, so there would always be the chance of getting a good book later if none you want are currently available.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Joud A

    Joud A says

    http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/books-for-free-at-free-circulating-library-1.721735?localLinksEnabled=false&utm_source=Feeds&utm_medium=RSS&utm_term=Entertainment_RSS_feed&utm_content=1.721735&utm_campaign=Books_for_free_at_Free_Circulating_Lib

    this reminded me of your idea for a book club, sort of. also, turns out we already have an active book club at AUS.
    anyway, i want to start something like they describe in the link in syria, it would be amazing.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Neha M

    Neha M says

    Hey,
    I download my books online actually because I read from my ereader. before i had the ereader i usually bought my books from Chapters on Weber St, or Coles in Conestoga mall, and sometimes i'd order them from Amazon.ca (cheaper than chapters). if you want to borrow books then try the Waterloo Public Library or just the On-Campus one. The on-campus one is more convenient considering we're students there lol. what program are you in?
    also if you want to buy used textbooks for a decent price: uwsube.com is the best place for that!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Joud A

    Joud A says

    hmm, i don't think there is, no. it's an interesting idea, but may be difficult to get working since 1- people don't read 2- it might be difficult for all of us to have the same book at the same time 3- i've never been in one so i wouldn't know how to run it. but it is a good idea, actually, i should think about it.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Suheyla T

    Suheyla T says

    tee y :)

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )