Melissa's comments

Melissa's comments from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die group.

Note: Melissa is no longer a member of this group.

yes i know about Dorothy Sayers on the list twice. I wrote that in my original post. :)

THANK YOU!

okay, that is the one I have printed out. But ANYONE can go in and change the list. I am suspicious b/c I don't remember Dorothy Sayers on the list TWICE?
That is something I should have easily remembered since I have read a few of her books!

Is there anywhere else we can get a list, that could NOT have changed?

OKay, I have finally printed out the original list. But there are some numbers that are blank! Also, I have noticed in the past it seems like people can go and alter the lists?

does anyone have the direct link or a copy of the list to email me so i can check it against the one I printed?

Henrik wrote: "Kristi,

Yes--HPL was by birth an American but at heart an Englishman (a so-called gentleman, even), so he spelled things the British way. Furthermore, he preferred the English of the 1700s, which ..."

Derrick wrote: "I'm not much of a horror film fan at all. So when I started opening this book I was a little worried that I would find it too scarey and not be able to finish it. So far I'm about halfway through..."

DERRICK,

I agree with everything you wrote here. There is something I couldn't put words around. I hated the book by the way. Yet it did follow me, not in dreams, but it did have some effect.

Wierd, it must be he knows how to affect a psychological aspect of the reader or something..so I doubt it was the comments from others..

i never heard about it til now.

mel

"if not now, when" Primo Levi

rich and good, very uplifting about that horror (the Holocaust)

HP Lovecraft's Mountains of Madness, listening to on CD, which I hate. I think it is so boring. Lots of well written detail of a boring landscape.

But this book had a strike against it before I even started it since I dislike the genre to begin with.

The other, about halfway through, Primo Levi "if not now when" is excellent and I would like to read more of this author. Of course, I pursue anything on the holocaust anyhow..

Have you read the first chapter of the Uglies? My son who is 15 read it, and my 10 yo daughter is now reading it. I think the premise is a lot better than what seems to be all that popular vampire/goth/witch book storylines going on for YA.
The premise that everyone needs to look the same PRETTY- or be an outcast is a good subject to address considering our culture's vanity.
Also the conforming thing.
I have only read a few chapters, but believe it to be an interesting story touching on these subjects without being preachy.

I'm new here. Is there a thread where we can talk about the books we are reading, off the cuff, like this one? but without the list?

If there is, maybe someone can post that info regularly so people realize.

regards, Mel

ps. My son frequently enjoys Science Fiction, Holocaust, books. I don't think he's typical of the average 15 year old (he's been reading Holocaust books for 2 years) , however, in context I have to believe that Uglies has something valuable to offer if he's given rave reviews to it.

okay Slayermel, I agree. the best thing I liked about that book was that it was a good old fashioned horror story. I admit I haven't read much of his other kind of work. After It, I think. Other than misery, before the movie.

I just want to add that when i married my husband he already was a single dad and had a practive of no tv channels. This means we do watch movies. but I can tell you that this way it is more of an intentional activity then a habit. I can't believe how much more creative we have all become, and I didn't watch that much tv to begin with!
I will admit though, when we travel and stay in hotels, I always look forward to watching Tv. And it reinforces why it should be a treat, because all we all watch are professional gambling tournaments, forensic stuff on what used to be court tv, fashion and the kids watch cartoons. ha ha ha.

I do find though we do miss a lot of cultural references and sometimes what people are talking about. Like when that thing with Janet Jackson's top, people were discussing it at the work meeting and elsewhere.
First I was totally clueless. Then I was disgusted and couldn't believe it was such a topic of conversation?? oh well.

But, when I have been in the mood, I've watched heroes and lost online. Plus old episodes of frasier.

We use the computer like others use the tv, so we are on a bit. But it does seem like even the just for fun stuff is more purposeful.

The best thing is, niether we nor our kids know all the influences we are missing that is so invisibly invasive in television. We choose what comes into our home.

hope you will share as it goes along !! mel

I KNOW. the thing is, it IS possible isn't it? I mean, really? We put off getting a cell phone until a few months ago, and still use it only for emergencies.

I thought it was funny that it stated Stephen King doesn't own a cell phone lol

mel

The Stand, and his newer one, Cell. EXCELLENT

I have kids and yes I do the audio book thing, as one other lady brought up. Even and especially when I am on the computer, or making something like beading, sewing etc. I would go insane without them!

I don't read on a schedule except I go to the library every week so I am probably reading at least a book a week, sometimes more.

not counting the audiobooks, which are great for "lite reading". There just isn't enough time to read the more serious/deep etc books AND some just for the fun of it.

If the books are non fiction which I read quite a few, I take notes. I also tend to read in groupings. Like a few books on one subject, then move to another subject. Although I do return to my fav subj regularly

mel