Comments on Best Books Ever - page 3
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Jade: "Is there a moderator that could eliminate the vulgar comments as above?"Glad to see that the call for censorship is alive and well...even on a literature website.
As for the comments: opinionated? Of course. Vulgar? In the eye of the beholder. Open your mind, please.
omg the amber spyglass...best book ever
though the subtle knife wasn't that good
Connie wrote: "omg the amber spyglass...best book ever
though the subtle knife wasn't that good"
Thank you for bringing a different book to light here, personally, I loved Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
i luv it sooo much!!!it's my favourite ones...
We "Mormons" don't gang together and say too ourselves "Why don't we go get the BOok of Mormon on the top book list!" We believe that it is another testament of Jesus Christ. It is the record of the ancient people in the America, and when Christ visits them. Jesus Christ loves each and every one of his children, everywhere. I DO believe that the Book of Mormon is the best book written ever. I challenge you all to read this book, and gain a new perspective.
Not the best books, but favorite books. But then if you check the 100 Best Books of All Time (or whatever) composed by The New York Times (or whomever), you'll find a little of the same thing: bias. But how to remove bias from judging art? Or in this case, books people read? Some are actually works of art (Lolita, and my favorite--I am not immune---The Secret Magdalene), some great entertainment (Flashman series, etc.), some merely a passing fancy (Twilight, Harry Potter, etc.), some reflective of group belief (the Bible, the Mormons). I see every category here. Many of these books will be gone in a year or two. Some will always be here. And some which are not here, should be here. Lists are impossible but compelling. We all love lists. Even if only to laugh at them.
Okay, I understand that you are upset with the mass voting for the Book of Mormon. The fact that it is listed above the Bible makes it suspicious. What I am annoyed with are the whiners about the Bible. It is one of the masterpieces of all time. Yes, there is a lot of historical content and a lot of begetting but there are also some of the greatest poetic passages and classic stories as were ever penned by mortal hand. I am sorry (not really) if the Bible offends a lot of people because they are so incredibly intelligent but if you treat it as the fiction you think it is, you can learn to enjoy the emotion and the humanity therein. If I had to choose one book to survive over all others it would be the Bible. There are lots of great stories and there is the human condition and how others have dealt with it. I love books but there is no single author that can compete with the variety of reading that is in the Bible. And you can read the other books, too. Gee, folks.
Les Miserables is probably my favorite book of all time. What a story!!!
What a journey we make with the Joads. We are better people after reading this book.Recently re-read it after maybe 30 years or so-- absolutely loved it.
One of my best books of all time.Magnificent story, wonderfully told.
Yeah for Dickens!
Raywaits wrote: "Okay, I understand that you are upset with the mass voting for the Book of Mormon. The fact that it is listed above the Bible makes it suspicious. What I am annoyed with are the whiners about the B..."Very well written, thank you.
I loved all the Twilight books... and for all the people who hated them ... why didn't you quit reading them after the 1st or 2nd one?
"Best" can mean anything. Best for a book throwing contest? Stranger in a Strange Land comes to mind. Best for hiding your will in because you KNOW no one will ever actually read it? For non Mormons, that would be The Book of Mormon. For Mormons, perhaps the Koran. Best for one of those long boring plane rides to Papua New Guinea? The Pillars of the Earth, but only if you read on an 8th grade level. Best for curling up as Jane Eyre did in a window seat to get away from cruel relatives? Too many to list. Or best stylistically? Oh, Lolita. How about best in terms of meaning? For me that would be The Secret Magdalene. As George S. Kaufman once said: One man's Mede is another man's Persian.
Books aren't just good because of literary quality - they are a form of entertainment. It's nice to read a good piece of literature, but it's also nice to escape into a story - we're lucky if we can do both!
I have to admit I'm rather appalled at the comments on here. Biased? Isn't all opinion biased? Really! If Twilight is your favorite book, then there! It's your favorite book. Maybe you personally think it's stupid. That, again is simply your opinion. Has the Book of Mormon or Bible done the most for you in your life? Again, that is simply your opinion, or "bias" as people like to say here. Perhaps, like me, you have had so many books do so much for you, that you can't decide! What I'm saying here is that you can't expect this book list to be correct in a way a hundred or so English teachers would rate it. This list has been created by regular readers! Matthew J. Bruccoli said in the Preface of my edition of "The Great Gatsby," "Literature has staying power, but is subject to metamorphosis. Every reader's response to a work of fiction is determined by his or her presuppositional bias, belief, experience, and knowledge." So, why can't this book list just be for fun? I happen to think that all of these books are amazing to some degree, simply because they have been voted for! And yes, I happen to think that the Book of Mormon is pretty awesome, but I also love Jane Eyre, To Kill a Mockingbird, and so many others!
Hey, don't complain! This list isn't going to be perfect, but the only way to make it better is to actually go seek out your favourite books and give them a boost. If it matters that much to you, do it!
Alyshia wrote: "I loved all the Twilight books... and for all the people who hated them ... why didn't you quit reading them after the 1st or 2nd one?"
I sure agree Alyshia! If I don't like something I just try to ignore it as much as I can. There is even an I Hate Twilight group so they can all scream more!!!! Its beyond me! I think of that old Shakespeare quote that goes something like "Madame, Me thinkest Thou Doth Protest too much" meaning they really like it somehow and it makes them mad that they like it! Points to some type of psychological problem I am thinking.
I sure agree Alyshia! If I don't like something I just try to ignore it as much as I can. There is even an I Hate Twilight group so they can all scream more!!!! Its beyond me! I think of that old Shakespeare quote that goes something like "Madame, Me thinkest Thou Doth Protest too much" meaning they really like it somehow and it makes them mad that they like it! Points to some type of psychological problem I am thinking.
the 4 twilight books r the (twilight,new moon ,eclipse and,breaking dawn)r the bwt damn books i have ever read or ever will read i cant wait 4 the movie and 4 the 5th book
The Mormons didn't all congregate around a computer in church just to vote on the Book of Mormon. Like we don't have anything better to do then "beef" up a book list. It's on the Best Book list because we have actually READ it and it is the best book. You just want to whine because you've never picked it up (or you're afraid to pick it up) and read it.
Hurrah for JK Rowling and Stephanie Meyer for actually writing great teen and pre teen literature! It doesn't have to be earth moving to be good and fun to read. I say "READ READ READ", read your hearts out and enjoy everything!
Marla wrote: "this is the second list--worst books was the first--and i'm done. this is madness. i mean, how many mormons congregated to vote the book of mormon as a top 100 book? really?"Yes, but have you actually read it? If not, how would you know it shouldn't be in the top five?
I'm confused at the hostility. Lists of this nature demonstrate popular opinion amongst a limited group, it's obviously not a true testament to the best and worst books out there.A book you don't like being high on the list just means a lot of people don't agree with you, and nothing more. It doesn't mean they're uneducated, or don't read enough, or whatever other insult has been thrown out there. An educated or well read person can disagree with you, like it or not, it's called freedom of thought and the right to form ones own opinion. You're one voice, there's no reason you should count more than anyone else, as *that* would be an uneducated line of thought.
All of these books are wonderful. read and enjoy like me.
If you can get past the teenage love stuff and focus on the underlying story of what happens when you find your soulmate, the one you can't live without, and what you would do for that person, you will realize that there is much more to this series than just a high school romance. Take the time to read in between the lines and open your mind and heart, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what you see and feel. I love this series, I think Stefenie Meyer is an excellent arthur. Also, her book "The Host" is a definate read.
I am annoyed with your massage to popping up all the time!
Svetoslava wrote: "I have to read more, obviously....."Same here....
Marla wrote: "this is the second list--worst books was the first--and i'm done. this is madness. i mean, how many mormons congregated to vote the book of mormon as a top 100 book? really?"im a Mormon, and i voted for it just cuz, but i dont think were congregating here to vote for it...
Paul wrote: "The Book of Mormon? You gotta be kidding me. I'd put "Where the Wild Things Are" as being more "literature" than that book.
I agree, this list is loaded and biased.
"LOL! Paul I agree with you! I am wondering more and more about goodreads now.
I agree, this list is loaded and biased.
"LOL! Paul I agree with you! I am wondering more and more about goodreads now.
Molly wrote: "Ah the stupidity of lists. You'll notice the Best and Worst lists are almost identical. "Absolutely- and scrolling down, the no of voters gets less as the list goes on.Best book/literature the Book of Mormon , come ON!!!!!
"....the Book of Mormon....not one other book that's changed my life more significantly. Millions have read [it:] and will testify to the same thing. And literally hundreds have died because of that book. It's because of these facts that we who love that book place it above all others...."If a book came along that helped even more people transform their lives more significantly than any other book had and for which even more people have died, you would, by your own "logic" put that book above the Book of Mormon, right? Wait a minute, there is such a book--the Bible. Oh, my goodness, here's some more: the Talmud, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Koran, the Buddhist Sutras....
Steve I know Iknow... what is it about some people that religion makes them lose sight of all rationale and judgement( not to mention humanity for any who don't share their faith ) The Book of Mormon, fine, it changed their lives but as literature, pullleeesee!
Twilight series, Harry Potter, and Jane Austen books should be at the top. Where are the REALLY good books. Is this just the stuff that people who have no taste at all vote for? I mean seriously...The Kite Runner? Jane Eyre? they all suck! no offense to anyone who actually likes them. And I usually like anything that I read, so this tells you something.
Putting Harry Potter above Jane Eyre - and then saying you like anything you read- speaks for itself really. What with that , and all these ranting Mormons, I'm gone .
I am trying to be gone too Barbara! Its hard to quit these listopia things but I am trying again, thanks!
There are a lot of good books out there and I am not going to name one in particular, each persons opinion, and that's just what it is...opinion, matters to that person. This arguing about which books should be at the top and above other books is just pointless.
What does democratic have to do with anything?
Josef wrote: "Todd wrote: "Best and worst list are certainly not meant to be definitive. Best and worst are so subjective. They are merely meant to elicit conversation and thought which they obviously have don..."I agree...That book has changed the lives of many people...I'm not Mormon but I would certinly not like for someone to bash my religion
@Peter: The Book of Mormon is an awkward read in English, but when read by someone who understands the ancient middle-eastern context and language it came from, it's absolutely astonishing that someone as uneducated as Joseph Smith was could have just made it up. There were simply too many things he got right that weren't even known about by the general scholarly community until after he was murdered in Carthage, IL. Joseph's translation process did not include any reading back of previously translated parts. It was straight through from beginning to end. Also, the entire translation of what is now over 500 pages of English text was completed within eighty-five days, from 7 April to 30 June, with many interruptions not related to the translation.
If anyone's interested, there's more about this amazing book at AmericanTestament.
les miserables easily the best, shame someother there in the same list even...
people need to stop hating twilight is the best book ever and stephenie meyer rules but she need to finish midnight sun holla back if you LOVE TWILIGHT oh and EDWARD
It seems to me, these lists would be better named My Favorite Books and Books I Hated?
What about "A Fine Balance" R. Mistry. A life-changing book I feel...
Twilight is the worst book EVER written, period.
I need someone to explain to me how they can decide that Twilight is so amazing. I mean seriously, all there is that makes these girls so addicted to it is the over-used lines, such as lion fell in love with the lamb (Which has been used since the beginning of frikkin time to refer to vampire/human love), as well as the rest of Edward's melodramatic crap.Then there is of course, Edwards rock hard marble abs, marble ears, nose, muscles, hell, i'm sure even his eyes are marble.
Lets not forget Seraphic.
A youtube video on what Joseph Smith had to do to bring forth the Book of Mormon in its amazing way.