Whatcha readin?

[MASCARO at humnet.ucla.edu]

Hoping we're not all gonna try to outcool each other on what we've been 
reading/audioing.  Humbly, I submit: just finished TRISTRAM SHANDY for the 3rd time 
(read it every 5 yrs. or so)--too good for words, and even a little Pynchonian in combining 
bawdy, sentiment, subversion and humor in an exquisite mix.  Try it.
FOUCAULT'S PENDULUM, finished in November, was good, though not great.  Eco is 
one of those writers who creates *novels of ideas* (also said of Aldous Huxley, for 
example).  Not my fave, but solid--good lyrics, weak rhythm, give it an 85.
GREAT SHORT WORKS OF HERMAN MELVILLE--Melville's short stories don't get 
enough praise.  I strongly recommend *Cock-adoodle-doo* and the *Paradise of Bachelors 
and the Tartarus of Maids* but above all, *Benito Cereno*

Been listening to Frank Zappa--Jazz from Hell, Make a Jazz Noise Here (one of the best 
live albums ever recorded), and also got an Olivier Messien CD for xmas that's real outta 
sight.  And those lovely Beatles anthologies--Paul's broken a glass, Paul's broken a glass

Oh, and rereading GR for the GR, but just haven't gotten around to that INFINITE JEST 
yet.

john m



>> Humankind does not live by Pynchon alone, sad but true.
>
>How's this for a pc translation: One does what one must. vs A man's 
>gotta do what a man's gotta do.
>
>But one doesn't live by reading alone. What have y'all been listening 
>to?
>
>I've been listening lately to various blues, Coltrane, Ella, Chet 
>Baker, Little Axe, and the Brahms Piano Trio #2 in C major.
>
>My mother was of the sky... -- JL
>My mother is the war...
>Keep cool, but care. -- TRP
>Moderation in moderation. -- Husky Mariner
>Not having that, which having... :-|
>
>http://www.nicom.com/~gravity
>