Comments on Best Books Ever - page 22

Given that anyone of average intelligence or greater must surely take religious texts as anthropologically interesting fiction (but fiction nonetheless), I have no problem with the Book of Mormon, the Bible, or the Qu'ran, being on this rather silly list.

The fact that the Book of Mormon is essentially a re-hash of the King James Version of the New Testament, including much of its internal incoherence and syntactical quirks, I think I would personally rate it much lower on grounds of plagiarism.

The Qu'ran has neither the lyricism of the Old Testament nor the stories of the New Testament, so really has no place being so highly rated.

lol. Mormons, the bible, Twilight, and Harry Potter in the top 100, but no Dark Tower? In fact unless I missed it, no Stephen King at all? Not even The Stand!?

...Wha?

Bruce wrote: "...The one that gets my goat is Twilight (number eleven at the time of this comment). Are you people kidding? Stephanie Meyer in a list of the Best Books Ever? Fut the Whack? It's the EMO of literature! It's pop garbage with no depth! It's above inarguable classics like Crime and Punishment! That's like arguing that My Chemical Romance is better music than Bach! This place is bonkers!"

LOL, I completely agree with you, Twilight should not be in this list, or at least not in the top 100. I can think of a lot of different books, at least 2-4 different series that are way better, and they deal with vampires, and are for young adults (Vampire Academy, the first 3 books of Vampire Diaries, and Cirque Du Freak anyone?). Seriously, Vampire Academy beats Twilight any day, and that would even be true if Vampire Academy had one hand tied behind its back and Twilight got some early hits in. Heck, even the first 3 books of Vampire Diaries is better written than all the Twilight books put together (Vampire Diaries tanks pretty hard after book 3 though), and that is even including the speculation that Meyer ripped off from Vampire Diaries (it was written about 10 years before Meyer's Twilight).

vampire academy series is a great read! it's way more interestin than twilight it should be up there!

This list is funny... I'm Mormon and I didn't see the Book of Mormon as being at what? Number four? -_- Severe misrepresentation. This is sampling bias. However, the Book of Mormon is nothing compared to Twilight... The BOM, LOTR, even that good old "Everybody Poops" book... Twilight I'll admit is creative, but I will not venture to say it is above $#@%@#!%$@$%@% It's above LES MIS?!?! 0.0 .... I'm going to put a stake through the next copy of Twilight that comes within a score...

I don't know why Twilight is on here or Jonathan Livingston Seagull.

Kendall wrote: "This list is funny... I'm Mormon and I didn't see the Book of Mormon as being at what? Number four? -_- Severe misrepresentation. This is sampling bias. However, the Book of Mormon is nothing ..."

I know! Les Mis is... I can't even attempt to describe it's pure morale and meaning!

Wow...I never thought Twilight would beat out Harry Potter. And by such a large margin, too. Wow.

how on earth can twilight be on this list?

Maninee wrote: "how on earth can twilight be on this list?"

It's got loads of fanbase, so I understand why it's there. That would also explain it being in, say, the Top 10 or something. I just can't fathom why HP fans aren't outnumbering Twilight fans here.

Alienne wrote: "Maninee wrote: "how on earth can twilight be on this list?"

It's got loads of fanbase, so I understand why it's there. That would also explain it being in, say, the Top 10 or something. I just can..."

yeah, i know. i mean people voted for it just because of edward cullen. i wish they would understand that HP has a better plot, language, and better characters.

Chelsea wrote: "Why is Twilight here and not Harry Potter? Harry Potter is definitely better"

i agree. harry potter is way better than twilight.
i have no idea how twilight ended up on this list in the first place

Crysta wrote: "i HATE twilight with a passion"

so do i!

Mandyo wrote: "Please people, can we do anything and everything to stop the spread of the Twilight virus???"

the twilight disease will stop soon.
once the movie of breaking dawn is out people will be tired of this. and thanks to the leaked out drafts, midnight sun will not be such a success either.

twilight is probably the worst book ever. how do people even like it?

Holy god.... I am utterly speechless (at least currently))...Twilight.... thats just wrong. Just wrong... in every way.

Dostevesky, Adams, Dumass, Tolkein...below twilight... Clearly there are some serious issues with humanity or at least with its methods of effective distribution of class and culture. Have you no taste? Can you seriously listen to Beethoven's 9th and say Beyonce is better
And to place the assumers in their proper rectum-constuctionary-based designation: I have read twilight. I have also heard things of more depth and value, things that were more intellectually stimulating, from a drunken hobo in between bites of a chicken salad sandwich and cigarette puffs.(Seriously, that happened once.)
I find it appalling that organisms with whom I share the same species designation, and resulting cranial capacity, could ever, ever, ever claim that such a easily-spotted short-lived fad could ever be justified in it's placement on this list.
Anyone who refutes this, refutes everything that striving to intellectually better oneself stands for. They are applauding wide-appealing mediocrity in exceptionality's stead. In fact, since the progression of intellect is pretty much what characterizes humanity, they refute what defines man.
I cant even speak to the indignation I feel on these amazing writers behalf. I just sincerely hope there isn't some neutral form of the afterlife that enables them to see the present.

It's just for fun and pretty interesting to see what's been voted on. Besides I know which books I love and which ones I hate so its all good for me!

Bob wrote: "Holy god.... I am utterly speechless (at least currently))...Twilight.... thats just wrong. Just wrong... in every way.

Dostevesky, Adams, Dumass, Tolkein...below twilight... Clearly there are som..."

Bob, it's people like you who drove me away from Goodreads. A friend sent me your diatribe in an email and I just had to sign up again to reply to you.
You are one of the Intellectual Snobs I spoke of. In fact you are the epitome of snobbery. Now, in some cases snobbery is a good thing. I have been called 'stuck up' for most of my life, but never a snob. In your case, you are a wannabee. You only wish you had the makings of the snob. You remind me of those with 'new money'. They go out of their way to impress, whereas 'old money' could buy & sell you many times over but would be cordial to the likes of you because they have 'class'. You sir, have no 'class' and wouldn't know how to acquire it.

Kendall wrote: "This list is funny... I'm Mormon and I didn't see the Book of Mormon as being at what? Number four? -_- Severe misrepresentation. This is sampling bias. However, the Book of Mormon is nothing ..."

LOLOL!!!! Completely agree

Who's with me? I'm doing a rallying cry to kick off Twilight series from the top 100, and replace it with Vampire Academy series . Either that or the Cirque Du Freak series . I'd be happy as long as Twilight isn't in the top 100 anymore.

Yeah! CHARGE!!! :) [blows bugle:] (little chuckle)

Ohmigod...for fuck's sake. Twilight? I can understand to some degree why people enjoy it, like thirteen year old lonely girls who like to imagine that edward cullen is real and is going to leave bella and marry them, but as an actual literary work it is worth less than nothing, less than i squared (...google that if you don't understand it).

Greg wrote: "Wow, some of these folks need to read more. Or age more. Or go to school, or something. I mean, really."

Agreed

I think classics are worth to be voted...

I think it's interesting that many people seem to be willing to let everyone have an opinion, but then go ahead and blast the books they like! I enjoyed Twilight very much, but I also love books like Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre and The Picture of Dorian Grey. Just because Twilight is on someone's list of "Best Books Ever" does not mean that they have low literary standards. It could mean that they enjoy a wide variety of book types. Besides, not everyone votes on these things.

Yes, there are some books that become classics and they deserve to be voted on. However, every ones taste is different and should not be derided. Reading, any type of reading, is good for the soul. There are some 13 year old girls whose taste is not our taste. Isn't that preferable to the fact that some 13 year old girls don't/can't read?
Quit trying to be a literature snob. Enfold every ones taste. Who among us has read EVERY classic or can NAME every classic. I will venture a guess, but you won't like it.

:) Please understand, I am all about reading for enjoyment AND enrichment and if you enjoy twilight that's great for you. You read it. I really don't care. Honestly, I read books that are assuredly not literature and i rarely read any classics other than the ones I'm genuinely interested in. Really, I'm just saddened by the slowly degrading standards of the general public. That's the only reason I was so vehement in my screed against twilight. It's great that the series gets kids to read, but most kids I know who've read it have read ONLY those books...and that's depressing.

I isn't in reading alone that standards have degraded. The general public as a whole has degraded themselves. Our Government has degraded us, our Churches have degraded us. In my opinion, the general public has done it's best to degrade me. My response has been to have little or nothing to do with said general public. It is only depressing if you consider the dumbing down of the US as depressing. Yes, if I allow myself, it depresses me as well. I spent 40 years trying to uplift, educate and bring political awareness to people. Being the slow learner that I am, it finally dawned on me that the general public doesn't want to be informed, educated or get involved for that will surely cut into bowling night. Now I just hope that it all falls apart so that it can be started anew.

To Kill a Mockingbird. Yes. Well, maybe. I have read that, but it certainly was not the best read, t'was good though. But Twilight!? Tsk!

I read Pop-splat and I have to say I was impressed. At times a bit shocking, it was highly entertaining (read it in two days) and also thoughtprovoking.

Reminded me of Chuck Palahniuk.

Another great SA read is Acid Alex by Al Lovejoy.

P.S. You can download Pop-splat from Smashwords for much less than buying it direct off the website.

Ann wrote: "I isn't in reading alone that standards have degraded. The general public as a whole has degraded themselves. Our Government has degraded us, our Churches have degraded us. In my opinion, the gener..."

Agreed

I never meant nor did I say that because Twilight was on someones list, that they had low standards. I just meant that most that would vote it as one of the best, are probably very young, and limited as to their literary experience. I'm sure in their opinion, it is one of the best books ever. Ever that they've been exposed to. Most are lured to books when movie trailers on TV, that are aimed at young people, and are said to be based on the bestselling novel, buy the book because they can't wait to see the movie. They then buy the next in the series based on the fact that they want to have said they read it before it comes out as a movie. That is commercialized influenced reading. I doubt that half as many people would have read the book, had a movie enticed them to. Just like Harry Potter. Once the first was out, it gained a good sized readership, but when the first movie came out, you couldn't find a copy in the bookstores. Some of the most famous literature in history, is about as exciting to read as watching grass grow. They are dreary reading, but the movie adaptations are tremendous and bring the characters to life. But I wouldn't say the books are any more appealing to read , just because the movie told the story in a more lively fashion. Most books I have deemed ,"Best", I thought were best because I loved them before and regardless of wether they were made into a movie or not. Some I even enjoyed reading better than watching the movie. I think that list should have been called, the books I enjoyed reading. The best books ever couldn't have a list that would fit on this site, to choose from. It would have to be so vast and diverse, that people would be forced to read them first before they decided. I myself, haven't read all the books I own yet, and one of those could be on that honored list. But I think ones enjoyment and one's critique, of books are two totally different rulers to measure by as to it's worthiness of best ever. Because I will be enjoying a different book almost every time I read one, hopefully, but I wouldnt' consider each one I enjoy, as being the best ever. Just part of a long list of books I've enjoyed reading over the years. But when you find yourself rereading a book several times over a 20 year period and are amazed each time you read it, like "Dandelion Wine-by Ray Bradbury, then you know it's one of the best. Good writing , like a rare gem , never loses it's sparkle. Fad readers list the best books written from a list of best ones they read most recently. Seasoned readers, would include books read throughout their lifetime. But let's face it,every list is true only to those of common opinion, so each person's list is honestly their best.
It's like trying to list the 10 best movies ever made and knowing there are at least a hundred you can't omit from that list. And knowing that you will cringe when the "Godfather trilogy will be at the forefront. Old Hollywood must be turning in it's grave. Some writers can write only one book in their lifetime and be one of the best, and another writer can be on the bestsellers list for years, and their books be boring as hell to read. So we read something we think is great and hope to find a book that is even greater. That's what's important in the scheme of things. That we never limit ourselves to one genre, to one author, to one voice, but expose ourselves to the wonder ,adventure, knowledge and joy of many voices who have taken up pen and put ink to paper, when they believed they had something worthy of sharing.

I agree with you there and most in your closing lines. As long as the book is taking me away from the mundane of everyday life and the things typical of the TV, as long as the book gives me an honest non-manipulative perspective of another individual, I am happy. I think books are very very different from movies. A movie has various aids at hand to interest/entice the viewer such as visuals, sound, background, story, sets, costumes etc. A book has to really work its way into your heart with just the words. There is absolutely no fair comparison between these two mediums. At times I have come across books which feel more like script of a TV show! I instantly choose to abandon those books. And why, because for me, books are supposed to provide a different type of experience. See when you are reading a book, you are devoting a separate time, not doing anything else at that particular time, and so, I want that bit of my time to be really worth the while. I want to read something good, something involving, enticing and (cliched way of putting it)enriching.

stop reading and do something with your life

I've watched this debate go back and forth, it's interesting. When I voted here my thought was that it was asking my opinion on what I thought "was the best book ever" (and oddly dated and possibly immature way of putting that if you think about it. I can just hear a young teen girl saying enthusiastically, "Wow, that was the best book ever!") I voted on it thinking, "the best...ever", I suppose everyone else did (as that phrase meets their understanding) also. The problem is that many people who have voted here have not been exposed to some of the world's great books. In many cases even their teachers haven't read the world's great books anymore. So, they vote what they know.

I'm not angry nor offended by the fact that the Twilight books show up on most of these lists...but I have no use for them myself. You mentioned Harry Potter. While I didn't vote for it (either) I do think the writing is excellent. Is it among "the best books ever"? Well, you have to consider which volume, or do you mean all of them as a whole? Give it twenty or more years and (if the world is still here) see if it sets on shelves beside The Wizard of Oz for the children of the children's children.

Just, I suppose pouring a little oil on the water. I agree that many of the books on the list are books I wouldn't put there. A lot of this simply depends on the books one has been exposed to. Maybe we actually should have a list titled "my best reading experience ever".

This looks more like a list of the most popular books in the world rather than the best books ever list.

jane austen is amazing! but this list sucks.

Anyone that thinks Twilight is a great book has obviously never read anything good, which is a crying shame.

haha their's maus and night on here lol.

Greg wrote: "Wow, some of these folks need to read more. Or age more. Or go to school, or something. I mean, really."

exactly ;lol haha

Kirsten wrote: "I'm annoyed with Twilight. Extremely

And where is The Shack?"

why?? twilight is awesome.

Hilarious that the abridged comedic version of Shakespeare is way higher than the actual Shakespeare! Says a lot about the world.

I'm sorry, people, but I refuse to believe that Twilight is the #3 best book ever....and miss Jazmine (post 49) loves Edward, has read 88 books, and given them each 5 stars...jesus christ.

Geniuswaitress wrote: "Hilarious that the abridged comedic version of Shakespeare is way higher than the actual Shakespeare! Says a lot about the world."

Haha, you're right! That's amusing, but also kind of sad. I wonder how old the average Goodreads user is? I feel like most people my age (teens) want stories spoon-fed to them with abridged editions or movie versions.

I LOVE ANNE THE BOOK

I can't believe u people... J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of The Rings Are the best books ever wats wrong with u?

hmm....weird I would even end up in the same group forum as so many mormons....weird....I thought I might learn something by taking a look at the list....I learned that I am not interested in these list anymore.

I don't know whether to be more appalled that The Book of Mormon is ranked fourth by voters on Goodreads' Best Books Ever list, or that Twilight edges it out for third.

WHERES KELLY ARMSTRONG- WOMEN OF THE OTHERWORLS!!!

Uhhh, you can add it......

It's really very simple. The author of Twilight is a Mormon! Get it now? Remember block voting? Voting for a book because of the religion of its author is really kind of sad.