Comments on Best Books Ever - page 31

I don't get it. How is Twilight first on both the "Best Books Ever" list and the "Worst Books of All Time" list?

It's an existential thing.... :)

Jazmine wrote: "Twilight is the best book I've read in my entire life! It is awemazing! I love the whole saga and Edward Cullen!"

Jazmine, are you a 17 year old girl that's trying to hurdle herself into an uber abusive relationship? Because if that's the case, please, continue loving Edward Cullen.

Thank you Rachel for stating my exact thoughts on that matter.
But I don't think it'd because lots and lots of Twilighters voted up Twilight, it's because the Twilighters are the only fans delusional enough to make several accounts to vote the books to the top.

Twilight the top 3 books? Really?? This list is crap.

If the top books being the Twilight series is a sign that young people are reading, shouldn't the "adults" hold their peace? Or instead of criticizing, I don't know, maybe give these new readers an encouraging nudge in the right direction. When is the last time you took book suggestions (or any type of advice, for that matter) from someone who said, "Oh, you loved that? Well, that book [or insert any other topic] is crap. Here, try this better book[or insert objector's superior opinion on aforesaid topic] instead." ...probably not the best way to promote reading the REAL "best books ever". And lets face it, this list will never change until the best books ever written, become the best books they have ever read.

TWILIGHT SUCKS HUNGER GAMES SHOULD BE #1

Yes, I love an erudite observation.

:)

Since I am one of the "young people" I think I have plenty of room to speak about this :) Twilight is lackluster and its presence in the top 3 is a disservice to all of the truly great literature out there.

,

i see the twilight and harry poter are the best .

I believe we have a very young voting population here. :)

BLEH TWILIGHT

Which book should i read now?

The TWILIGHT SAGA AND THE HOST BY STEPHENIE MEYER are LISTED as a part of the BEST books ever? I think those went on the wrong category for me, because those books for me are the worst books that ever existed all MEYER books are a load of CRAP

Jazmine wrote: "Twilight is the best book I've read in my entire life! It is awemazing! I love the whole saga and Edward Cullen!"

i on the other hate the entire TWILIGHT CRAP

Bee wrote: "why are none of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy on here?"

I agree, that is a good series

Shelly wrote: "How is it possible that the twilight books and harry potter are better than Gone with the Wind???? It's just a popularily contest. It's the story they love not the writing."

Now this list is completely different to what mine would be but there's nothing wrong with loving a book for the story more than its writing. Good writing enhances a good story; good stories enhance good writing. Ideally you have both. Some books don't even really have stories but the style of their prose is breathtaking, whereas some books are thrilling reads with mediocre writing that barely does them justice (different strokes for different folks, etc.) And naturally you have amazing stories with writing so bad you can't even finish it, and vice versa. I'd argue that the story of Twilight is not particularly exciting at all and the woeful writing makes it all the harder to stomach, but that's not the point of this comment. ;)

The list is called Best Books Ever rather than Best Writing Ever! Though I have a most ominous suspicion that Meyer would still be sweeping the Best Writing Ever list, so I'll stop pondering that before the nausea overtakes me. :P

Edit: I'd like to provide two rather mismatched examples of what I mean (just taking them from my recent memory of books I've read). Kazuo Ishiguro has a consummate control of his prose and voice, though his stories meander and in the case of books like The Remains of the Day, it's not really about the story so much as the reveal. Meanwhile I recently read Stieg Larsson's crime thriller trilogy, starting with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The story was good, though Larsson's writing style left something to be desired in its painful recounting of every single detail, sparseness, repetitiveness, etc. but I found myself still thoroughly enjoying the book and not so much noticing the lacklustre prose.

this list is a joke. and a bad one.

Amber wrote: "This list is a joke!"

haha, we reached the same conclusion! I say, let's vote for a "Best Best Books Ever Joke List Ever" :p

Becca wrote: "And no one would argue with someone esteeming The Bible or The Quran..."

I agree. Perhaps the list should be about Best Fiction Ever.

then again, some people would still vote for the Bible and other religious texts...

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet me to

Why is the Book of Mormon not on this list anymore? Was the fact that it was the favorite book of so many goodreads users so offensive that it was taken off? It was at the top and now it's gone! That doesn't make any sense to me. But I will tell you this. The Book of Mormon is the greatest book on this planet, and it will bring more joy, peace, and understanding to your life than any other book you will ever read. I admonish you to give it a try. Perhaps then you'll understand why so many people voted it as the Best Book Ever!

Jazmine wrote: "Twilight is the best book I've read in my entire life! It is awemazing! I love the whole saga and Edward Cullen!"

Re you for real?! That for me is the worst book Ever O have read in my entire life

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

And where is The Shack?"

Agree Twilight is highly annoying and extremely over rated

While I dis agree with you about how great the book is Johnny, the last time someone asked that I checked. The Book of Mormon is still on the list it's just way down now. The list is long now and it just didn't have enough votes to stay high on the list.

Look, I disagree with most of the books on this list...but people look at the title Bets Books "Ever". The inclusion of the "Ever" makes it sound like a young persons list. I'd say...take it with a chuckle and hope the people who think Twilight is "The Best Book Ever" will someday move on to better things. I can remember when i though The Wizard of Oz was, "The Best Book Ever". I still think of it fondly, but don't exactly think it..."the Best Book Ever" anymore.

The list is not biased or loaded. The Book of Mormon
is a very big part of religious purposes, and deserves respect. What of all the people who hate the Bible? What do you say to them? "The Bible is true!", or at least something of the sort. So now, I will say the same to you for disrespecting a sacred book: "The Book of Mormon is true." And at least you should have the respect to capitalize it, as i know people have capped the Bible. I don't care what anyone's beliefs are, but The Book of Mormon deserves more respect than it is getting.

I love the Book of Mormon, and agree with Josef. It is a huge part of everyone's life. I grew up with it, but had I not, I can only imagine how different my life would be. Because of it, I am happy, I am nicer, and my life is sooooooo much better. The Book of Mormon definitely deserves this list.

If you're writing to me, I did capitalize it. i only said I didn't necessarily agree with Johnny as to it being the greatest book on the planet. And I told him I'd looked through the list and found the book still on it, it just isn't near the top now. Look at the number of ratings.... There are huge numbers on some of the top books are people finding ways to "stuff the ballot box?" I don't know. BUT I wasn't attacking anyone or the right to put any book on any list.

So, calm. I may disagree with you, but I will always defend your right to believe it and express what you believe.

Maybe I'm in the wrong frame of mind here, but when I think of best books I try to think of works that have had serious impact on our society and not necessarily what might be deemed as entertaining at the time. There is a reason that the classics have been claimed as such. That being said I don't know what I feel the best book is. There are so many to chose from. I'm saddened that Twilight is considered the best book ever on this list. I know it's biased, but I can't help but be disgusted by some of the titles on this list.

Does voting for a book mean it's added to your list?

I can vote for books I've read, yes, but this doesn't necessarily mean I have them in my possession right now (might have borrowed them from a school library, from a friend, might have lost 'em, sold 'em, and so on...).

(Sorry for my English)

This list is complete and utter crap. This needs to be completely revamped

Blasius wrote: "Does voting for a book mean it's added to your list?

I can vote for books I've read, yes, but this doesn't necessarily mean I have them in my possession right now (might have borrowed them from ..."

No it does not add the books to your read list unless you review them

Thanks.

twilight?!?!? am i getting this right???

am i supposed to accept the fact that most people here think that the best book ever written on earth, the highest achievement in world literature, the most precious piece of writing in human history is freaking TWILIGHT?!??!?!

seriously!?!?!?

man, that's sooooooooooooooo depressing...

I think it's just that a lot of people don't vote here...and frankly I sometimes suspect that we have people who have figured out how to vote multiple times...though why this means that much to someone is beyond me.

What ever happened to To Kill a Mockingbird? As I recall, it was number one for a long time. Now it seems to have dropped off the list completely, and disappeared from my list despite being number one as well. Hmmm.

I agree with you Rachael so i searched the list...To Kill a Mockingbird is at #225. Go figure. The vote numbers are skewed toward the Twilight type books. I question if the people who voted for Twilight as "The Best Book EVER" have read To Kill a Mockingbird.

It's just the way it is.

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

And where is The Shack?"

I've heard of "The Shack" and me thinks I might like to retire there for a bit. I'll add it to my "To Read" pile.

Jazmine wrote: "Twilight is the best book I've read in my entire life! It is awemazing! I love the whole saga and Edward Cullen!"
I won't yell at your tastes. I have no right. But please tell me (and many others) how Twilight is the best book you've ever read. Please.

Heather wrote: "Grant wrote: "Which 'Book of Mormon'??? There have been over 4,300 changes since the first book of Mormon."

There have been no changes since it was first translated. We believe the Bible to be..."

Actually, there have been some minor changes, like adding references, breaking it up into verses, punctuation, etc. But the book's religion is the same, the main characters are still prophets, etc.

OK everyone, I'll settle this once and for all with a question: How can Twilight, Mein Kompf, and the Book of Mormon all belong to the "Best Books Ever" list? Because the list is stupid!

Seriously though, this list consists of two qualifications: 1) best book 2) ever written. It is a moot point to argue that books are or are not written. But as we've seen it can become almost deadly to begin to say that such and such is the "best book ever!" This becomes as arbitrary as which chocolate bar is the best, which A Team member is the most essential, or whose got the better mom (I know there are many unlucky ones out there--hang in there kids!). It's completely subjective and that's all. There are no academic boats in this water.

And as a completely subjective lists go, we waste time arguing (if it becomes more than fun) because we have gone all sentimental and nostalgic. Why are we doing this? Because we are all sentimental fools when it comes to books.

"I love the Book of Mormon more than you love Twilight!"
From the beginning I am daring you to shut me down, to argue me to the ground, to call all of my tastes and histories and ex girlfriends into question. "This man, can't like serious literature" many would like to believe.

Now we are into mudslinging and eye gouging. But people are mixed bags. Take it from someone who, in the same breath loves MR. T, Frog and Toad, Football, Ibsen, timing my miles, the UFC, reading plays at Barnes and Nobles on Saturday nights, dreaming and working towards publication, writing fiction about "high minded low-lifes", dogs, feeding squirrels, etc.

None of us has the claws deep enough to penetrate a soul. Our claws are much too short. All we're doing is spreading infectious diseases. So let's stop the character assassinations, and the stabs at religious works or yes, even Vampiric works (no one ever said we had to agree, Edward).

If you want a serious discussion of books written and read then make new lists; for instance: The most depressing novel by an existential writer; The best novel typifying alien expression in the 20th Century, etc.

You get my point.

Alice wrote: "Shelly wrote: "How is it possible that the twilight books and harry potter are better than Gone with the Wind???? It's just a popularily contest. It's the story they love not the writing."

Now th..."

Very well put. I agree.

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "I agree with you Rachael so i searched the list...To Kill a Mockingbird is at #225. Go figure. The vote numbers are skewed toward the Twilight type books. I question if the people who v..."

I hate to say it, but I wonder if those who vote the Twilight series as the best books ever have read much of anything else, let alone Mockingbird.

I don't mind much though as it's just a list,but I do wish the craze would die down a bit!

i am now reading just listen by sarha dessen

If this list is any indicator, it appears that a lot of people on Goodreads don't read very serious literature. Plus, the Book of Mormon, come on, seriously, you might as well put Dianetics up there too.

Look, I'm not Mormon, but there's no reason to insult an entire group of people just because you disagree with them... If Twilight can be top book anything can be on the list, right? So, to each their own. The list is a popularity contest, don't take it so seriously.

How on Earth is the TWILIGHT saga on this list? Along with Harry Potter, just the sight of it reduces me to tears.

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

And where is The Shack?"

I TOTALLY agree with you on the Twilight thing; it doesn't deserve to be on the list! Nu-uh.

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Look, I'm not Mormon, but there's no reason to insult an entire group of people just because you disagree with them... If Twilight can be top book anything can be on the list, right? So, to each th..."

Yes, I couldn't agree more.