1000 Books to Read Before You Die by James Mustich is a 2018 Workman Publishing Company publication.
I didn’t immediately grab this book when it was o1000 Books to Read Before You Die by James Mustich is a 2018 Workman Publishing Company publication.
I didn’t immediately grab this book when it was originally published- but I was curious about which books would make it onto the list. Knowing the books I tend to navigate towards, I figured this list probably wouldn’t appeal- or maybe apply to me, is a better way to say it, because I knew that no matter how badly someone tries to shame me, I'm not going to read books I know I will not understand or will bore me to tears.
But each year this book tends to make its way onto a library ‘suggestion’ board somewhere, as the new year often prompts people to make the standard resolution to ‘read more classics’ or branch out more.
Reading the blurb, this book promises to mingle in some popular books, some lighter fare, and would cover a wide range of subjects and genres, including poetry, plays, etc.
I was skeptical- but there was only one way to find out…
So, was the list as stuffy and highbrow as I feared?
Well, there were precious few mainstream or modern mysteries- only ONE Agatha Christie- and I’m struggling to remember ANY modern romances- at least not what I call romance, at any rate, and yes, it was heavy on ‘classics'.
To be fair, though, there was an interesting mix of genres, children’s books, poetry, and yes, a smattering of the dreaded ‘pleasure’ reads.
For me, personally, this book was like browsing through a gourmet cookbook. I love looking at all the fancy recipes, and the lovely presentation of the food, and respecting the time and energy it took to complete such a task. But I know that once I’ve finished flipping through the glossy pages and oohing and awing over those delectable, mouthwatering main courses and rich desserts, that I’m going to head straight to the kitchen and whip up some loaded cheese nachos- and those nachos are going to be heavenly!!
And that’s pretty much what happened with this book. I flipped through the alphabetical list- by author- not by book title, by the way, and enjoyed learning about these books, the authors, the plays and movies that were adapted from them, etc.
But, once I’d finished browsing through the book, I found that I’d added exactly one book to my TBR pile from this list-( I actually had read more of these books that I would have thought- though many of them were the children’s books- or required high school reading- but still), and then I’d promptly returned to my book in progress, which happened to be a tawdry psychological thriller that would have made a good Lifetime movie- but, like those heavenly nachos- it was absolutely delicious!!
Empty calories? Perhaps- but remember gourmet foods and rich desserts are often laden with calories, fat, salt and sugar- so- not necessarily healthy or nutricious... just sayin'.
Okay- while I’m being a little cheeky- the truth is- this is a very good reference book. It is well-organized, and thoughtful… and more than a little addictive. I was often surprised by how long I’d been browsing through it sometimes.
It is never a bad thing to broaden one’s reading experiences, to occasionally step outside one’s comfort zone, to take on a book you know will challenge you- and it is never too late to start. I do that from time to time- and read more serious books than I used to- I just didn't find many books listed here I felt an urgent need to read right away.
So- while the book did not change my life, as promised, and I did not feel the obligatory need to begin working my way through this list- instead preferring to spend my remaining days reading books I know I’ll enjoy- I will certainly refer to it again, over time.
I do feel Mustich was sincere and put a great deal of thought and work into this book. It sounded like a monumental task- and he did an amazing job putting the list together.
Fighting Misinformation: Digital Media Literacy by Tara Susman-Peña, Mehri Druckman, Nina Oduro is a 2020 Great Courses publication.
This Great CourseFighting Misinformation: Digital Media Literacy by Tara Susman-Peña, Mehri Druckman, Nina Oduro is a 2020 Great Courses publication.
This Great Courses series of lectures is the first one I’ve encountered that was a wee bit underwhelming. It’s a little catch-22 though, and I ended up with mixed feelings about it. Most of the information presented is simple basics that most people should be aware of by now.
On the other hand, if that was the case, we wouldn’t still be talking about the spread of misinformation.
So, here’s my advice on this one-
If you need guidance on how to spot manipulated images or video, or dubious sources, or would like to know what tools are available on the internet to guide you through fact checking of all types, this is a course you might find helpful.
If you are internet savvy or grew up using social media, this might be old news to you. Still, some of the advice is worth hearing again if you tend to react on impulse when a social media post provokes your sensitivities.
Keeping your emotions in check and using common sense will go a long way in curbing the spread of misinformation.
Check everything out thoroughly even if a post is shared by a trusted friend. Cross referencing is very important, even if it means going beyond the first page of your browser’s search results.
Be especially careful if the post has made you angry or is upsetting to you. Take a step back before responding. Be even more diligent if the post mirrors your personal beliefs, as we are more apt to share impulsively with without checking the validity of the information. Remember, opinions aren’t facts.
Overall, if you are already fact checking and running images and videos through various internet tools to check on the accuracy and authenticity of the content and have already researched ways to spot fakes and manipulations, you can skip this course.
On the other hand, if you have no idea how to research content before sharing or would like to know the best reference resources on spotting misinformation, this course will point you in the right direction and will give some good suggestions about how to avoid rashly sharing misinformation.
The best advice given in the course-
Disconnect and take a break from your screens on occasion- for several days at a time, if possible. It’s amazing how much better you will feel, and how your perspective will change if you unplug for a while....more
English Grammar Bootcamp is a 2016 Great Courses publication.
Dr. Anne Curzan is a member of the American Heritage Dictionary Usage Panel and is a profEnglish Grammar Bootcamp is a 2016 Great Courses publication.
Dr. Anne Curzan is a member of the American Heritage Dictionary Usage Panel and is a professor at the University of Michigan.
My parents, who are in their eighties, love to keep their minds sharp by taking classes from Great Courses. They ranted and raved about this course so often, I decided to see what all the fuss was about.
The first thing I need to mention is that the title might be a little misleading. This is not a tough, ‘Grammar Police’ exercise course. In fact, Dr. Curzan appears to be a bit touchy about such labels.
It is much more relaxed than the title suggests, and anyone, no matter what your level of grammar knowledge or skill might be, can learn from this course.
The most fascinating part of the course is the way the English language has evolved and continues to evolve. The difference in the way we speak and the way we write, is also a common thread, which was especially helpful to me.
I would never in a million years consider myself knowledgeable enough to call myself a grammar geek, and yes, there have been times when I felt a bit resentful of those who go about correcting my grammar; however, I still felt right at home in this grammar geek hangout.
I had fun discussing the class with my parents, who then presented me with an American Heritage Dictionary for Christmas. It weighs about ten pounds and I LOVE it. Only a grammar geek would enjoy reading a dictionary. So, if there is hope for me, there is hope for anyone else who has struggled with grammar and punctuation.
I recommend this course to anyone who thinks they are an aficionado, even if it is just to brush up on your grammar. But, this course might also help you to relax a little, too, which I assure you, is not a bad thing. ...more
Loading...
