For pleasure I am reading the Moroccan Letters of Cadalso, after which I will read his Lugubrious Nights. These books come from a strange and different world, I must say. To be able to read them is rather wonderful. Axé.
I have been meaning to do this for some time. I am not saying these are my favorite books or the ones I most recommend. I am saying they are the ones that were most influential in decisions I made, or most reflected realizations at which I had arrived. Adiós muchachos. Memoir of an ex-Sandinista. … More Reading for Pleasure Wednesday: 15 Books That Influenced Me
Madre nuestra, esta mañana me he corrido con las hiedras, al ver la azul caravana de las piedras, de las piedras, de las piedras… –C.V. In the tropics, the ants arrive quickly, furiously, and voraciously to each new event. That is why the last scion of the Buendía tribe is always already being eaten by … More Reading for Pleasure Wednesday: The Ants
People say professors lecture from ancient, yellowing notes, but mine lectured from drafts of their newest book manuscripts and invited their famous friends from other institutions to do the same. This is why, when I became a professor, the institutions I worked for seemed to me to be behind the times in terms of research … More On College Teaching, and on Paulo Freire
I liked this novel; I found it well done and well written. The characters have real mettle and depth and are serious, so I like them; I must be a serious or earnest person. Axé.
I am told that La Reina del Sur is a good novel but I find it artificial and rather stressful so far. There is a movie of it which could be better, and there is a corrido of it by Los Tigres del Norte which is worse — at least if you watch the video … More Reading for Pleasure? Wednesday: Arturo Pérez Reverte
Any time is a good time to read Mercè Rodoreda. The Nation‘s review article on her is worth reading, too. I have never really studied Rodoreda’s life and I have not read all of her books. Having read the review, however, I am re-fascinated. At one point the writer says: It’s curious that Rodoreda is … More Reading for Pleasure Wednesday: Mercè Rodoreda
Communicative Language Teaching in Action explains a great deal about what is now happening. It is not required reading for me, but it is most illuminating and so it is a true pleasure. Axé.
‘This old man,’ I said at length, ‘is the type and the genius of deep crime. He refuses to be alone. He is the man of the crowd. It will be in vain to follow; for I shall learn no more of him, nor of his deeds. The worst heart of the world is a … More Reading for Pleasure Wednesday: Edgar Allan Poe
On August 27, 2005, I talked to all my New Orleans people, and on August 28 they came here. Some stayed; others went on to Houston and Austin after lunch. Traffic was really heavy that morning. The people and the storm were inevitably coming, and I was concerned to see how long we might be … More For August 29: The ‘I’ of the Storm
coldhearted scientist وداد 