So now I have shipped out the books to be given away (except some to driusan who will be getting personal service. Not that kind -- minds out of gutter!) I have yet to dispose of the rest of the giveaway pile, but they sit in boxes for easy disposal.

But what made me keep those I'm keeping? You can see the list of ones I am keeping at my librarything.

Japanese Books

I'm keeping a selection of Japanese dictionaries, grammars and other reference text books. I chose not to keep my textbooks as they aren't really that great now and my skills refresh well enough that I don't per se need the textbooks -- just lots of practice. I likely won't ever be fluent in Japanese (I wouldn't choose to live in Japan for an extended period so this isn't really a loss), but it's nice to have the references around.

Language Books

I'm also keeping random language books: Latin, Arabic, Spanish dictionary, etc. Generally for reference, though Latin I hope to restart my studying of it.

Classics

Some are nostalgia, others are for reference, others I just want to re-read again (or sadly in some cases read for the first time). The Prince was very eye-opening when I read it in high school (especially as I ended up reading some history and some politics of the era). Others are obvious: Chaucer, Shakespeare, Homer. I also have the unabridged Gibbon's Decline, but am unlikely to read all of it (I've read an abridged version). It just pleases me a great deal.

Math Books

I kept most of my math books for three reasons: I will probably go back to school and take more math, nostalgia and they are good reference. Also, let me repeat: MATH.

Computer Books

I ditched all the "transient" books. Books on programming language X are obsoleted by references on the web or being versions two behind. Few "learn X language" books are really meaningful beyond just learning that language. I am keeping algorithms and such like books -- a bit more timeless really. I highly recommend this Introduction to Algorithms. And of course I kept the "technical" Schneier book I own that I like as a reference and to read -- Applied Cryptography.

Random Other Nonfiction

Others are either current or recent reading. Nostalgia. Or just random. Bit of history mostly. But I really tried to cull here as much of this is easily re-obtainable thru libraries.

Fiction

The few fiction books I decided to keep are probably the most interesting. There are all of 22. Some comments.

• A volume of Science Fiction classic stories. These are eminently re-readable (for instance, Flowers for Algernon is in there).
• Cry, the Beloved Country is one of those books that affected me greatly in high school.
• I, Claudius is a favorite book -- one that got me into history in general.
• A Wrinkle in Time and The Last Unicorn. All I can say is DUH.
• The Heinlein was hard to pare down. I really got into him and basically owned everything he'd ever written. I whittled it to four. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress and Stranger in a Strange Land are the two he is best known for and are themselves very good. I kept The Past Through Tomorrow as it is an anthology of all the "Future History" stories. Starship Troopers I kept because it is the book on the cusp of his "juveniles" and "adult" works. It is also (despite all the talk) nothing like that movie and actually a good book if you have an open mind. Also, I have no problem with cheering on "militarism" expressed as an enthusiastic philosophical belief in the moral appropriateness of the defense of one's home. (If I seem defensive about this one, it's because people have looked at me with horror when I express an appreciation of that book.)
• The Stephenson was easier to cull because he has written fewer books -- I kept just Cryptonomicon and Snow Crash. They are both in the "re-read way too frequently" pile. And Hiro is just awesome and Raven hawt. So there.
• I kept all my Wyndham (you know him because of The Day of the Triffids). They are partially nostalgia for my "disaster" fiction obsession, but they are also classics in science fiction.

Latin Study

So do we do this? If so, I suggest chapter 1 of Wheelock due in two weeks. We discuss it and check our work in #husi-latin on November 4th or 5th. Or we just do it by email. Suggestions on that front? Or do we do the check / discuss throughout the given time period?

Random Linkage

Just a few as I've forgotten most of the links I wanted to share.

This post by Hugo Schwyzer on internal development is spot on, for me. The fact that he talks about it in kind of an "this affects men more" way is somewhat silly as this is exactly my fear for myself. I don't know what I want, not empathetic, etc. Sometimes I notice and correct, sometimes I am horribly cruel (unintentionally) to people thru a lack of self-awareness. Sometimes I just never notice.

His posts don't always strike me so personally, but I still recommend Hugo Schwyzer in general. Very interesting articles most of the time (oh, excuse me -- "blog entries").

I may read The Lucifer Effect about Zimbardo and torture, based on this review by Martha Nussbaum. Probably will cover ground I've already covered, but may be good.

And shoot. I can't remember the other links. Well, go hang out in #husi for the previous 3-4 days and you will have seen them. No time machine? Tough cookies.

WWPotD

I Hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe
         and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off
         work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deck-
         hand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing
         as he stands,
The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morn-
         ing, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work,
         or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day--at night the party of young
         fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

I like this one a lot because it is a good example of something Whitman does a lot: exult in the differences of people all being themselves as individuals. And yet they are all the same as well (which falls into some of the poetry that talks about America in a more unified sense).

That's all the analysis you get. :)

Halloween Costume

I shall be attending one or more Halloween parties this year. I am crap at Halloween costumes (I did "gypsy" last year and I had to keep explaining). So suggestions? Right now, "punk fairy" is an option because I (a) can wear funky clothes, (b) gives me excuse to cut my hair short and spikey and dye it purple.