Lisa’s Comments (group member since Sep 23, 2009)

Lisa’s comments from the Should have read classics group.

This is a group/buddy read for January - March.

I find it ironic that we must censor Huck Finn, but some rapper can say it 10 times in a song and no one "offended". My other question is why Huck Finn? Why not all books that contain those words? Light in August was full of that, but it is not on the chopping block? Weird!

Welcome to you Anissa!

I would be interested! Maybe, as a buddy read or something. Might need some structure with that one, just to keep the discussion flowing. We can put it up and see if others want to join. How long and how far along are you?

I wish! I thought that she was stopping her bookclub though!

Hello Carolyn! Welcome to our group!

I read today about the newest edition of Huck The Adventures of Huckleberry Finnand they are taking out the "N" word and the word "injun". It created quite a stir on the web and I was wondering what everyone else thought about this.

Maybe we could do one short book every month and a longer book for two months? Maybe having the longer book more structured with "ugh" reading assignment days and then the shorter book is more lax? I'd like to have more than one choice for the books to currently read.

What is worse, the abrupt, forceful taking of one's liberty, or the gradual, incremental taking?

One of the constant aspects of this story is Big Brother. The term is almost overused in today's society. I'm sure that none of us can go through the day without some sort of survellance on us. I find it shocking to think about having "telescreens" in our house, watching, listening to everything that we do. Granted with technology today, it is easier to have this aspect come true, but how much of it is self-imposed? Between Facebook, Myspace, the online phonebooks, and (yes) Goodreads, it is almost impossible to stay hidden in today's world. Of course, the difference is that we have the choice to be "hooked up", but it is rather funny. This sounds rather harsh, sorry about that!

Just a word of caution-don't read to many of the reviews on Goodreads, some don't have spoiler alerts. Found out the end, darn it!

I must say that dystopian novels do tend to bring out interesting ideas and questions. What has struck me so far about this book, is the general lack of basic humanity among the Party people. It almost seems like the perfect Party member is one that acts, thinks, and becomes like a mindless zombie. Personal individuality is either frowned upon or forbidden. In fact, there is no individuality, except among the proles, and they are considered on par with animals. Even in The Hunger Games, there were times that individuals had laughter, family, and community spirit. It is scary to think that what makes us "human" is gone in the Party.
I was also thinking about how the history is rewritten at regular intervals. It seems so shocking, but really history is usually written by the victors of most struggles. It is an interesting thought that Winston had about does history really happen if only one person remembers it. Rather like a tree falling in the forest question.

Welcome Stephen

Does 2 months seem extremely long to read this one? It is 478 pages, and I want to give everyone time to read it.

I wanted to start a thread for people to suggest new books to read after Watership Down. We could list some suggestions and then at the beginning of February, maybe take a member poll to decide on the book.

This is the group read for February. I'm looking forward to this book after reading some of the reviews.

I had no idea to who that quote was attributed to. However, the sentiment in it is quite correct.

I forgot about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I really enjoyed that one also. It might be easier for me to put down the books that I did not like in 2010.:)

Welcome Robert!

Hello Tammy! Your picture is perfect for the season! Hope that you enjoy our group!