[Video] Book Club

[towards_okeanos]

[The recording starts with extreme close up of a piece of wood. Iskandar's voice comes from a slight distance a bit muffled.]

Did it start? Should I put it like this? No? Why should I turn it around? Switch to front camera? What's a front camera? Oh, right! Oh right, I'll turn it around.

[The camera image shakes for a moment but when it finally stops it shows Iskandar sitting on a low ladder the type you usually find in libraries. There is a glimpse of Satya covering her face with both hands. The gesture is not unknown to any technically savvy person who ever tried to explain technology to an earnest relative with said relative having no idea how it works but insisting they know what they're doing - He's Lord of Asia! King of Conquerors! He knows what he's doing! - and failing miserably at it. But he's learning! Give him an hour! If he only had the patience to actually use that hour to learn before trying to use it. Hint: he doesn't.]

Greetings! For those few who don't know me yet I am Iskandar. It has come to my attention that the modern times have great selection of literature.

[You people have no idea how infinitesimally blessed you are! You should be forever grateful to the gods! That's roughly what his expressions says right now.]

Yet it is unfortunate that some of it is, mildly speaking, left wanting. That is why I am addressing all that would heed my call. What books would you recommend? For I greatly desire to read something worthy of my time.

Furthermore, if someone felt in mood of discussing great works of literature with me or even better a group I'm more than happy to organise the, how they call it? Ah, a book club! Should anyone be interested they may contact me here or leave a message at my temple.

[That's where recording ends.]

Comments

video

[creepface]

[ oh no he's hot rasu is blushing but thinks it's only polite to reply the same way everyone was contacted so... video? Yeah. it makes him very embarrassed though, because his blush is pretty prominent already. ] I, I'm interested i-in a b-book club. Um, wh-what genre of b-books are you int-interested in?

[Text]

[towards_okeanos]

[He still is not that comfortable with video so he would prefer to hit with a wall of text instead.]

Anything that's good? Not very helpful, I know.

Trouble is I don't have specifics for anything modern yet.

Things I already read were usually plays - I must say this. I love Euripides! He's got some great social commentary there! I read some history and philosophy. I won't say no to some good poetry. Of course nothing beats Homer ever. Illiad is my absolutely favorite. Still if you were to hand me anything on par with Sappho I would be most delighted.

From less ancient things I tried Marcus Aurelius Meditations but I don't know. While I admire clarity of his reason I just have not a clue what made him hate his life so much. It's difficult to read about someone suffering so much for no apparent reason. He did some spectacular things in his life. Shouldn't be that brooding.

[No fan of stoics here. Iskandar is all for epic stories and all the life's pleasures.]

From totally modern I got recommended "The hunt for Atlantis" but it was actually ... terrible. That's why I'm asking.

text

[creepface]

[ He's all too happy (and a little relieved) to simply text. He's a much better conversationalist that way, he thinks. Doesn't need to worry about stuttering or if he's blushing. ]

Oh no that's okay, it's totally okay!

I've read a lot of history but I don't know much about philosophy, but I've read a lot of medical books?

Don Quixote? Maybe? I don't know, please don't be mad at me if you don't like it, I don't know much about the books you've talked about. Fantasy or comedy books maybe? Or books with many parts like I guess Narnia?

Text: Ginia

[unlucky7]

A book club sounds like a great idea. I'd be interested in joining.

Are there any genres you're particularly interested in? I don't want to suggest something that would waste your time.

Re: Text: Ginia

[towards_okeanos]

Excellent! I'm happy you're interested!

There you see lies my problem with genres. While I do understand the words I just can't grasp what they intend to convey.
I mean I went looking for comedy, tragedy, philosophy... anything I actually know. Then I found Illiad in Classics section!
What is this classics genre anyway!


[His frustration is clear even through written word. So many books! But what to choose! What to choose! So... it won't be ... disaster. Yes, people actually write bad books!]

[unlucky7]

From what I've gathered, "Classics" are books of literary significance and considered exemplary examples of writing. I've read a few myself, though I admit I find some of them dry in terms of prose and subject.

video | Cú Chulainn

[futhark]

[ Contrary to the jock stereotype, Caster can and does read books. Although the choice of them is so daunting that he's mostly picking up what his shinki bring. ]

There's a whole huge series about a dude who travels across the world to find ancient treasures. There's so many of them he should have gotten old and wrinkly halfway through the adventures, but I'm convinced one of those artifacts gave him immortality and he didn't notice.

Not really a serious recommendation. But it's a fun read for a free evening. Travel the world, uncover the mystery and punch people in the face.

Re: video | Cú Chulainn

[towards_okeanos]

[The description applies perfectly to what Iskandar himself would call adventure. Even if he prefers having his adventures in person reading about it is second best.]

Ha! Caster! I knew I can count on you! I welcome fun read anytime! It does sound promising from your description. Thank you.

[futhark]

Yeah, it looks that there are so many stories around now, that they are grouped with common themes.

Sometimes the names of the classes will tell you the theme, - like "crime stories" will be about finding and bringing to justice those committing heinous crimes and such. "Adventure" is also obvious from a get-go! But it's not always the case, sometimes the classification is about what it's going to make you feel -like "horrors" and "thrillers" are supposed to fill you with a feeling of dread.

[ He knows only because his shinki spend a lot of time in the library. And then they buy the titles they like the most.

Half year later and he's integrated quite nicely into the modern world. ]

[boneofsword]

I do enjoy reading classics, that is classical works of literature. Myths and tales from all over the world and history of weapons as well. I'd like to join your book club.

[towards_okeanos]

Then you are most welcome! Be prepare I would question you on the matter of books about weapons for I am most curious!

[voice]

[irishfriskey]

A bookclub sounds like a grand idea.

...Ah, but maybe someone should come over and help show you how to use this thing?

Re: [voice]

[towards_okeanos]

Would you?
I'm afraid I have already embarrassed myself enough in front of my shinki. It's not that I cannot comprehend the workings of this device by myself. Yet it would probably take more time and may even lead to further embarrassment.
So any help would be appreciated.

video

[alchemists]

A book club? That would be fantastic, I was thinking of holding such a thing at my temple but I didn't know how it would work given everyone's different taste in books.

[text]

[towards_okeanos]

Why didn't you then? Well, it would be awfully boring if everyone had similar tastes. I, for one, am always interested in other people's favorites. You can tell a lot about a person from the books they read.

[alchemists]

That is very true, having different tastes in books can make a group more interesting. As for why I didn't make my own, I was trying to conduct research to solve some ways the heavens work so I was in my lab for all of the holiday season.

voice | from: Obi

[yasei]

[ Why is it that there are so many good looking people in the Far Shore? It's making it very hard on Obi. ]

I don't really have much experience with reading stuff and I can't really read Japanese very well yet so even though I'm interested in broadening my literary horizon I can't really do that yet, but I have poked around in the libraries a little bit. The things that I have read here might be a bit simplistic, and most of it is pretty bland.

[ That's because. He's reading children's books. But he can't do adult books yet, it's too advanced still. ]

[voice]

[towards_okeanos]

[Because they're immortals? It's a bit difficult to be immortalized by people's beliefs if you're particularly hideous. People are petty like this. Yet it did happen so not all is lost.]

I understand Japanese well enough to read so maybe I could be of help? We could also try to find something in your language. What languages do you speak?

[Helpful Iskandar is helpful. Actually, he does know a few foreign languages. Unfortunately, most of them are ancient. When it comes to modern literature the only usable ones are Japanese and English. Unless someone needs translation from ancient Greek. Or some truly basic pre-ptolemaic Egyptian.]

[voice]

[yasei]

That would be really nice of you. [ Muscly Immortal to the rescue! ] But. Uuummmmm.....

[ What languages does he speak? His native tongue is something like a little more old-fashioned English, but it's not like Obi is familiar with that word. ]

That's a good question that I don't really have an answer to.

video | from: Carl Adler

[smilingbullet]

A book club sounds like fun! Is it okay to participate if one prefers audio books over sitting down with a written copy?

[video]

[towards_okeanos]

By all means. I meant it more as an opportunity to share ideas and discuss. Whatever your preferred style of reading is.
However, I am not familiar with this audio book form. Care to explain what it is?

[video]

[smilingbullet]

Great! That's good news.

Audio books is when someone has been recorded while reading a book out loud. It's convenient for several reasons but for example if someone's blind or got poor vision, or don't have the time to sit down and read, yet want to be able to enjoy books despite that.

Video

[handsome_genius]

I'm surprised you haven't talked to Mr. Library himself yet - Lavi. He can find you any book in that messed up organization better than anyone else here, I bet.

[text]

[towards_okeanos]

Somehow I didn't have the pleasure. Yet, I would be most delighted to meet him.

Re: [text]

[handsome_genius]

You definitely should. I thought he was running a Book Club already and at least one class over at Hakkai's school.