Member: nirvanian

Oh! Ah! Oh my! Dickinson -- among the greatest poets in the English language, certainly among the greatest American poets. And who but she and Whitman in the Nineteenth century?

Paz and Neruda: romantic, passionate -- Aunt Elizabeth and I read these to each other in the early days of our relationship. I love those two!

Plath, also great, and painful.

French: dunno

Rimbaud: Goes well with your Baudelaire!

Enjoy!!

posted by stellarexplorer at 1:56 am (EST) on Jun 2, 2009

From the A Pearl of Wisdom and Enlightenment group:

"To realize that you do not understand is a virtue;
Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect."
- Lao Tzu, from the Tao Te Ching

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional"
--Zen Wisdom

(This one is good, but requires some understanding of how Buddhism differentiates the two)

posted by stellarexplorer at 12:53 pm (EST) on May 31, 2009

Please remind me if i forget to give you the Taoist book, Chronicles of Tao: The Secret Life of a Taoist Master by
Ming-dao Deng.

posted by stellarexplorer at 11:05 pm (EST) on May 29, 2009

Hi Sir Nirvanian!

I don't know Patricia Goodrich. The English Patient was lovely. Mrs. Dalloway is a classic, and everyone should read some Virginia Woolf; I can't guarantee you'll like it though. I like Adrienne Rich's poetry. Baudelaire: magnifique! e e cummings is also an excellent poet.

To me, the Tao Te Ching is in a whole different class, as a major piece of human culture, and the most accessible and well-known Taoist text. As I said, it would be nice to have a more aesthetically pleasing copy. If you like it, I have another book I love about a Taoist master during the dislocations of the Communist victory in China. It is quasi-fictional, I think, but purports to be true. In any case, it gives a penetrating insight into Taoism, its history and significance in China, and the attempt of one great master to live by its wisdom despite his new surroundings far from his roots. I have an extra copy, so let me know. I think it would be timely for you.

It is reminiscent of the story you told me of the Buddhists having tea.

posted by stellarexplorer at 2:10 am (EST) on May 28, 2009

Jhumpa Lahiri! Wow. I can't believe how fast you have grown up! Keep going -- there is much richness in store for you!

posted by stellarexplorer at 4:30 am (EST) on Apr 20, 2009

Thanks!

posted by stellarexplorer at 1:14 am (EST) on Apr 10, 2009

Birthday gifts? Happy birthday!! You're not A kid much longer!!

posted by stellarexplorer at 1:34 am (EST) on Feb 24, 2009

New architecture books, I see.

posted by stellarexplorer at 12:44 pm (EST) on Jan 31, 2009

Lost Horizon!! I just bought a beautiful hardcover copy. I like that book a lot! 140 books. You're getting close. if you're not there by the summer, your college books will put you over the top!

posted by stellarexplorer at 11:10 pm (EST) on Dec 15, 2008

Nice work with the quick entries! Hope you enjoy the books!

posted by stellarexplorer at 1:43 am (EST) on Dec 14, 2008

Ok. Let me know when you get close to 200. You are eligible for a free lifetime membership, courtesy of me.

posted by stellarexplorer at 11:18 pm (EST) on Oct 20, 2008

Excellent! I will keep checking on your progress. Do you have more than 200 books?

posted by stellarexplorer at 1:51 am (EST) on Oct 3, 2008

How did you get 116 books in between 7 PM 0ct 1 and 1 Am Oct 2?

Good work!

posted by stellarexplorer at 1:11 am (EST) on Oct 2, 2008