It’s amazing just what goes through your head while covered in sickly sticky sauce. As the chocolate syrup dribbled down my beard and over my not-insignificant man-boobs, I got to thinking about my blog, and what direction to take it this month. And you know what? I realised I haven’t really talked about myself in a while. A long time ago I did a series of entries designed to educate and elucidate; a series of articles that outlined what makes me tick. And then they stopped. For no real reason either! I just found my thoughts being dragged in different direction, I guess.
I’m not great at talking about myself, you see. I mean, of course all of my entries say something about who I am, if you look close enough. You can deduce the kind of things that interest or perplex me. You even have a good idea of what I get up to: what — and who — I do. You know by now that organised religion irks me, that magic and technology amaze me. You might even have gathered, if you’re particularly astute, that I’m very patient and very deliberate, each and every one of my actions and movements measured to perfection. In fact, there is only one way to really piss me off: don’t you dare do something without thinking.
Think before you open your mouth. Think before you strike another man, mentally or physically. Think so that other people don’t have to think for you. I am so bored of having to deal with the laziness of other people. If you just stopped to think before you act, judge or speak. If everyone took responsibility for their own thoughts, actions or inactions before palming them off to someone else.
Ah… bliss. A utopian fantasy.
Anyway…
Today I’m going to introduce you to my virtual book shelf! I know what you’re thinking: Sebastian actually reads books?! How come he’s never mentioned it before? You probably thought I was illiterate or something. Wel im glad too say im not!!1
I read. Not a lot, compared to others — and I actually read quite slowly, apparently — but I do read. I read for an hour every night while my thoughts settle, usually between 4 and 5am. I don’t consider myself an authority on the subject of books, and I don’t think I could ever be so presumptuous as to review another author critically, but I do know the difference between a good and bad book. At the same time, I’m usually that sucker that sticks with books right to the very end, hoping it will get good. Time and time again I do it! I should just learn my lesson and quit after 100 pages if it hasn’t caught my attention.
They say you can learn a lot about someone by what they read so, going along with the whole ‘telling you more about myself’ thing, I thought I would show you my bookshelf — my virtual bookshelf anyway. In reality, my books are split between the disorganised library downstairs and towering stacks of books in my bedroom, but thanks to Goodreads I can pretend to have a beautifully-tidy bookshelf. This is not every book that I’ve read, but as many as I could enter before writing this blog post. I’ll keep adding to it later — it’s pretty tiring entering every book in your library by hand…
(There’s a chance this looks really bad in your RSS reader, in which case you should look at it on my blog… it’s very pretty.)
And even cooler, there’s a new Flash widget on the sidebar so you can see what I’ve recently read and reviewed and rated!
This is the bit where I ask if you have any questions about me and my book-reading habits. If anyone wants to ask me about my infatuation with Terry Pratchett’s Discworld… please do. Or perhaps the colour of my obi when I dressed up after reading Memoirs of a Geisha? Which hobbit do I most closely identify with? How come I’ve ready so few of the ‘classics’, or anything by the philosophers of yore?
If you don’t have any questions, come and be my friend on Goodreads. Suggest a nice, fluffy, happy book for me to read next, after I finish Silence of the Lambs…
mel
Oct 7, 2009
that sir is a quite respectable bookshelf you have there.. and is that Anansai boys i see there? I love neil gaiman… we’re involved although he doesn’t know it yet!
sebastian
Oct 7, 2009
Hah… yeah… the lack of Gaiman books that I’ve read is always a stickling point at family get-togethers…
But I’ve read Stardust too! And Neverwhere!
Amy
Oct 7, 2009
definitely not enough classics here! I’m not sure I have much in common with your taste in books – although i love Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.
sebastian
Oct 7, 2009
I know I know…
What classic should I read next?
Sebastian's mother
Oct 7, 2009
Ah, I wondered where ‘Angels and Demons’ had got to. You had it on your shelf all along!
pinkjellybaby
Oct 7, 2009
Wuthering Heights, Little Women and Anna Karenina for classics.
And you should read Steven King’s The Dark Tower series…. not fluffy and happy though..
Amy
Oct 7, 2009
I’m a big fan Evelyn Waugh – I love the Sword of Honour trilogy and Scoop best.
Albert Camus – The Plague is one of my faves. Brave New World by Huxley too. I love dystopian stories. Particularly Blindness by Jose Saramago and a few of Margaret Atwood’s books.
sebastian
Oct 7, 2009
They can’t be that classic Amy, if I’ve never heard of them — except for Waugh, of course
Dystopia is good.
I think I’ve read Wuthering Heights actually… need to add that! I think that list is only about 2/3rds complete, and only what I’ve read in the last 5-6 years I guess. I will have to think back to my school years…
I REALLY want to read some Stephen King. For some unknown reason I’m yet to read anything by him. I see a couple of his books in the library downstairs… I’ll give them a go
Ed Adams
Oct 7, 2009
Geez.
Ummm, do you have anything NOT by Pratchett or Clarkson.
Ha.
Good authors are hard to get away from.
You might try a little variety. Maybe throw in a Tolstoy, Grisham, even Dean Koontz.
Amy
Oct 7, 2009
You’ve never heart of Albert Camus and Aldous Huxley?! Oh dear, you really are demonstrating an embarrassing lack of literature knowledge!
sebastian
Oct 7, 2009
Did you miss the block of 10 Grisham books, Ed?
Koontz… sure *jots it down*
I have to admit… Clarkson and Pratchett probably have more of an influence on my writing style than is healthy… but hey, that’s not SO bad…
I need to work on my analogies; Clarkson’s still a lot better than me at those.
Yes Amy. This is one particular area that I am not so learned
Jossie Posie
Oct 7, 2009
When I saw your Goodreads invite yesterday my first reaction was, hmm Seb actually reads. It wasn’t really meant to be an insulting thought, you are always so chatty about your other hobbies, I just never thought this was one of them.
Your bookshelf was really interesting. I did mean to ask you about Pratchett (mostly because I had never heard of the books), you seem to really love them.
I agree with PJBaby’s classics recommendations, although I truly hate Wuthering Heights, I still think everyone should read it. If you ever need more recommendations mosey on over to my shelf and look around. I know there is a ton of crap there but I like to think its pretty diverse, maybe you’ll find a gem.
sebastian
Oct 7, 2009
Yeah! I like how it crawled my Gmail account and asked a bunch of people to be my friend. I think it even friended your friends… neat.
I’m adding some more now. I’ve actually read quite a lot. I’m surprised at how much I’ve read!
On my ‘to read’ list is: Catch 22, Pride and Prejudice, 1984, To Kill a Mockingbird.
They’re all over 4.0 average, so they should be safe bets. And I won’t feel quite so unlearned afterward…
re: Pratchett — we had a battered first edition of ‘Colour of Magic’ on a shelf downstairs. Apparently a guest left it at our house many, many years ago. I picked it up about 10 years ago, on some dark and boring night when I needed something to read. The rest is history I guess
AGD
Oct 7, 2009
You owe me some Heidegger. You owe yourself some Heidegger too.
sebastian
Oct 7, 2009
(My mother wants to point out that Hannibal looks awfully like me, with the chocolate sauce dripping off my gob…)
sebastian
Oct 7, 2009
Ah… but does Heidegger deserve to be the first philosopher that I read?!
Actually, that bit by Machiavelli was my first bit…
So… my SECOND?
floreta
Oct 7, 2009
wooohoo! we should be friends! and i should update my shelf..
Art
Oct 7, 2009
That’s exactly how I might have imagined your bookshelf, except maybe with a Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawkings or something
sebastian
Oct 7, 2009
Ahhh, I need to add more non-fiction books. I haven’t read Hawkings’ stuff, but I have read SOME non-fiction. Thanks for reminding me.
sebastian
Oct 7, 2009
Oooh, updated it to show 150 books now, instead of 100.
It’s so pretty.
sebastian
Oct 7, 2009
Hah. Jilly Cooper.
Thanks for reminding me, I need to add some of hers…
Mr. Apron
Oct 7, 2009
Please commence reading “The Ha Ha” by Dave King. At once, if you please.
AGD
Oct 7, 2009
I’m not sure Machiavelli counts as a philosopher really but as a political theorist. Maybe Heidegger would be a bit of a brutal start. Descartes? You can get through the Meditations in an evening even if you stop for regular snacks.
heather
Oct 7, 2009
I hate when people don’t think before they do things. Ugh, makes me want to shake them.
I used to read a lot of books but now I’m too busy watching TV to read
hardlyhearshimself
Oct 7, 2009
I’ll admit, before looking at the list I was thinking “Harry Potter better be on this list.” You didn’t let me down, man. I don’t read nearly as much as I should, and whenever I do it’s ALWAYS sci-fi/fantasy; it’s all that ever seems to hold my attention. Hell I’ve gone through damn near every single Star Wars book. I’ve also read the Hannibal books, which I hope you’ve read as well because they’re superb.
Also, I’d love to get your input on my latest post!
sebastian
Oct 7, 2009
*jots down ‘Dave King’* OK, Apron! Descartes… OK Adam!
I watch a lot of TV too Heather, which is why I only get to read when I travel, or in bed at night. I often think I’d get more out of books if I read during the day, when my mind is sharper! But sadly… I put other things first. Like this blog…
You’re in my RSS reader, Hardly, do not despair!
Not read the Star Wars or Star Trek books. I hear there are a lot of them… and some of them actually quite good! But I imagine lots of them are pretty bad too…
For the first 8 years or so I only read Fantasy — Tolkein, Eddings, Brooks, Pratchett. Been reading almost purely non-fiction mystery/thriller/whatever the last 5 years.
nicopolitan
Oct 7, 2009
I was wondering about your choice of picture until the end, thinking “So… he will murder people (and eat them) if they don’t think before they speak/act?”
If you’re up for a postmodernist challenge, and if you like your horror in the form of experimental literature, I’d pick up House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski if you haven’t already. You’ll do fine since I see you can handle Neil Gaiman.
sebastian
Oct 7, 2009
I thought Hannibal fit rather well for a variety of reasons…
I have no issues with Gaiman for obvious reasons. In fact, he’s quite light and breezy!
I’ve heard a lot about House of Leaves, I’ll add it to the list
Angie
Oct 7, 2009
Judging by the genre you like I recommend The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. Its fantasy and hands down the best books I’ve ever read, not even joking. I read the whole LotR series and I loved them but nothing compares SoT. I’ll have to get on that site and add you!
Hannibal is my favorite bad guy of all time, so brilliant and so nasty.
Hannah-Lane
Oct 7, 2009
I love looking at people’s bookshelves. gives you a whole new perspective of the person when you can see what they read. Though, I will say that I’m not terribly surprised by yours. It’s about what I would have expected.
sebastian
Oct 7, 2009
Ah, Terry Goodkind. I was actually due to read his books after I finished Feist’s Magician series, but I never got around to it — I got sidetracked by Discworld… and well, 30 books later, I’d forgotten all about Goodkind
Thank you for reminding me, Angie. It goes on the To Read list!
I’m glad I’m predictable, Hannah
Sebastian's mother
Oct 7, 2009
I see that no one has mentioned Jilly Cooper. I hate the lot of you.
Eleni
Oct 8, 2009
Your intro paragraphs have got me singing “You can’t just act. You have to listen! You can’t just act. You have to think!” etc.
Anyway, great list of books. Tsk tsk for not knowing Brave New World (the title comes from one of the works on your list, though!) and Camus. Even I have heard of them. I am shamefully undereducated in terms of literature. Perhaps illiterate by some standards. I need to read more. I’ve been four chapters into a Hemingway for… longer than I care to admit. Too many boring scientific papers to read. Plus all those TV shows to keep up with.
sebastian
Oct 8, 2009
By the way, I wanted to add (to Hannah, mostly), that I only read a lot of fantasy because my best friends at the time introduced me to it. Before I was given a copy of David Eddings’ Belgariad, or told to read Lord of the Rings, I had read very, very little.
I don’t read much fantasy now, other than Discworld.
Just wanted to explain — I’m not like some kind of… ‘fantasy nerd’. I prefer straight fiction really.
sebastian
Oct 8, 2009
Yup, scuppered by TV too. I do try to spend an hour or two in the sun, during the summer — I read more then. And it’s very pleasant.
I often worry that some people might consider me illiterate/unlearned too. Hopefully I prove otherwise on a fairly regular basis…
I shouldn’t be so worried about judgemental types I suppose
Melissa
Oct 8, 2009
Read Stephen King’s The Regulators. It’s by Richard Bachman, one of his pennames. It’s “Stephen King, but without a conscience” if I remember the dust jacket correctly.
Also, I bet you’d love the Amber series by Roger Zelazny. It’s like nothing else I’ve read. And I’ve read a LOT.
Anna
Oct 8, 2009
If you like LoR and Pratchett (whom I also absolutely love love love) you will probably enjoy Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series.
sebastian
Oct 8, 2009
Ah, WoT… that was a bit of a long-running joke between me and my friends. The same friends that introduced me to LotR/Eddings/Brooks — they tried to get me to read Jordan after that. I tried a bit of book one and laughed at the flowery prose. It just wasn’t to be.
Then, 10 years later, I was laughing at the fact that Jordan released the books so slowly that he DIED before he could finish them. I know it’s sad, but I warned them that he might do that… and that’s why I never started reading the series
(Though I hear it’s pretty good!)
King without a conscience… sounds like a wild ride. Will check it out. And Amber!
Kevin
Oct 8, 2009
I see you’ve read Ender’s Game, but have you read the books that follow it? And speaking of Ender’s Game, I really enjoyed Ender’s Shadow and the other “Shadow” books that follow. Shadow tells the same story as Game, but from Bean’s point of view. Very interesting. Also, if you enjoyed Monkey House, might I suggest Mother Night?
sebastian
Oct 8, 2009
I’ve heard that the first Shadow’s OK. But the last (third) one not so great?
Give me more Vonnegut! Certainly!
Chase
Oct 10, 2009
the one thing i got from this is that you read a lot of Grisham.
The ap looks great. I should giver a shot
sebastian
Oct 10, 2009
Well, I read in blocks/series! The actual reading order went something like this, with number of titles in parentheses:
LotR (3)
Eddings (16)
Brooks (10?)
Feist (6)
Discworld (30?)
Grisham (10ish)
The last couple of years I’ve done a lot of poking around tho’, more one-offs, more classics — just anything that catches my eye, or I’ve been told to read.
Chase
Oct 10, 2009
that’s very thorough of you, reading in series and all. Makes sense to me. I’ve been much more of a one-off reader. I’m sure my list would be embarrassing to some. Ahwell.
Zakk
Oct 17, 2009
I know that you said you only really read straight fiction now, but if you want to try some sci-fi, you should really try Isac Asmiov’s Foundation Trilogy, which is very very good, also a more modern author would be Ian M. Banks who is very good, try The Player of Games by him. And if anyone reccomends any old non english authors like Kafka etc. to you try to get new translations as the old ones really suffer from being badly translated and layed out.
sebastian
Oct 17, 2009
I’ve seen a lot of those Banks books around… they must be popular. Will add ‘em to the list
Wanted to read the Asimov stuff for ages. Was never sure if they were actually GOOD or just… deep/meaningful/etc.
Will check some reviews.
I just ordered a big bunch of ‘classics’, so I’ll be reading those for a bit
Melissa
Oct 17, 2009
Pretty much all of Asimov’s books are a very loved part of my collection. That being said, I have to admit I don’t think he’s that great of a writer. It’s more that he came up with really interesting stories, and his writing is okay. Decent, a little boring at times — but worth it to get to the stories he tells.
sebastian
Oct 18, 2009
Are they still ‘contemporary’? Or just fun from a historical point of view?
Melissa
Oct 18, 2009
Hmmm…. You can tell they weren’t written this decade. But a lot of times that doesn’t matter to the story. If you’ve read Atlas Shrugged, they’re kind of un-contemporary like that — you read it and go “nobody goes slogging around in trenchcoats and rides trains cross-country anymore!” but they’re not doing anything date-specific like struggling through the Great Depression. A lot of Asimov’s stuff is set in the not-so-distant-future. (Well, and the Foundation series is just a tooootally different time.)
Elle
Oct 20, 2009
Aah, I see what they mean by a lack of ‘classics’ – in all honesty though, classics are *mostly* over-rated!
Which others did you order then, other than Catch-22?
sebastian
Oct 20, 2009
Catch 22, Pride and Prejudice and To Kill a Mockingbird (though I’ve heard that one’s very overrated…)
I am most excited about Pride and Prejudice…!