Reading? What do you do that for?

Thanx a lot Bless, Cony, Rosi and Martin for your comments on the first entry. Now let's move on, shall we?

Well, some time ago I heard the question in the title from a student, when we were talking about hobbies. It just couldn't enter his mind that I read for pleasure. The wide gap, the huge distance that separated us in that moment made me at once sad and thoughtful.

I don't have a magical solution for that problem (which I think it is). The only solution I can think of is reading. You can give all the arguments against reading you like, but a great book makes you forget the world around you. Enough said.

So, the topic is quite simple really. Name the top 3 or 4 books (not necessarily in order) you'd recommend to anyone who may be interested in reading.

Here are mine:

Great essays and ideas! Great humour too! BORGES'S "Otras Inquisiciones"

Probably the greatest character in literature: HAMLET

The most sensitive book in the world: LIBRO DEL DESASOSIEGO by Fernando Pessoa

You can't go around without having read Kafka's novels or stories!

The Beginning

"IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD"
This phrase has been quoted ad nauseam, but it is exactly right to describe the spirit of this blog. Mind you, I only like this part of the quotation, not the rest of it. Or at least, I don't entirely agree with the rest of it, and it's open for discussion.
The idea for this first entry is to find a quotation, a song or a movie about 'beginnings'. If it's a quotation you agree with you can explain its meaning and why you chose it. Make sure you check the information about the author carefully, as on the internet there are many sites you can't really trust.
Well, here I go. This is my quotation: "What's well begun, is half done."

[Lat., Dimidium facti qui coepit habet.] Author: Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus)

I like this quotation because it makes you think about the importance of preparation before doing something. If you take your time to study, investigate, check and compare what your are about to do, then half the work is done and your chances to do it until the end increase.

This is my song: NEW BEGINNING by Tracy Chapman. You can watch and listen to her sing here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fNYEQYNjtg

And the movie that talks about beginning is JERRY MAGUIRE, a good example of how someaone can re-invent himself from the ashes. Watch a little part here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH64hzWqnFk

It's your turn now. Before I go, I leave you some sites to start looking for your favourite quote.
Peace, CU
Enzo


http://www.quotationspage.com/

http://www.worldofquotes.com/

http://www.wisdomquotes.com/

http://www.coolquotes.com/