Comments on Best Books Ever - page 43

"It was the best of books, it was the worst of books."

Karl wrote: "Re "when you're older." Yes, totally irritating and patronizing (and it doesn't help matters any when it turns out to be right.) In my teaching, I've tried to say the same thing, but focus on the validity of current perception - something along the lines of "I see your point. You may find your views change - or they may not"

And that's the thing... they may not. I just don't like the argument being postponed 20-40 years before I can legitimately claim to not like a book.

Bill Wrote: "I guess there are things you can't really understand unless you go through them. ....It's not that you necessarily become wiser as you grow older (the world is full of 70-year-old morons) but as Karl said it's about acquiring perspective...
I often tell people who ask me about Watchmen that they can't understand it if they haven't lived during the cold war."

I would say that I agree with that, but I still there are lots of life experiences that I'll probably never have and as a result a number of stories that I'll probably never "get". Just to use Watchman and your thoughts on it as an example (I haven't read it so I don't really know if I'd feel the same way), how many people can live through the cold war now that the cold war's over? I can't... though maybe I could gain some something of the perspective needed by researching the cold war, talking to people who lived through it, or comparing it to current events in my time. Even so, if you needed to have the experience in order to "get" the story, that's a limited number of people who could "get" the story.

There are plenty of books that can be brilliant to a certain time period and a certain generation, but if you always need to have belonged to a certain time period or to have had certain life experiences in order to find them brilliant... isn't that a mark against their "brilliance"? I just don't think it's very logical to claim a book's greatness is infallible on the basis that if you don't agree, then you just don't "get" it.

Bill Wrote: "And feeling that you're mature enough to understand something that eluded you before can also be a very satisfying sensation. It took me pretty much nearly a decade to understand what 2001, A Space Odyssey was about. But when that "Eureka" moment arrived, I felt better both about myself and about that book/film which I used to hate and now admire."

I currently hate that movie. lol That's a pretty good example of something I'm constantly told that I just don't "get". Maybe I'll come back to it in ten years and understand what makes it so great... but I'm not certain that I will. As it is, I've watched it multiple times in an attempt to see what my science fiction geek parents and my college professors (I actually go to film school... if you believe it.) see in it. Yup. Still "don't get it".

Bill Wrote: "So, who knows, maybe in 20 years I'll have the courage to tackle those Twilight books!"

lol I'm thinking that maybe transforming into a teenage girl may help you "get" them better than twenty years will. But the experience of having been a teenage girl isn't really necessary for someone to enjoy them, as there are plenty of guys who like the books well enough... my 62 year old father included. Nor is it a guarantee, as there are plenty of teenage girls who despise Twilight quite throughly. Having (or not having) the experience doesn't really determine whether or not you'll see what others see in it.

Karl wrote: ""It was the best of books, it was the worst of books.""

lol

Oh, and a happy new year to you too, Bill!

I agree this list is not the best (especially Twilight) but at least the Hunger Games and Catching Fire are on it.

I really enjoy the way you're steering this discussion in a more palatable direction, friends. :)

Thank you, and make 2012 a happy, meaningful one!

Twilight? First one? REALLY?
... I thought people would have much better sense than that..

Corinna wrote: "How did twilight end up on that list? It doesn't belong there at all."

Agreed.

One possible answer for Twilight being in 1st place - it's "The Best Book Ever" for some people because it's the ONLY book they've read. (Only partly a joke - when I was teaching middle school, I overheard one boy say "I never read a book all the way through." He sounded proud.)

Karl wrote: "One possible answer for Twilight being in 1st place - it's "The Best Book Ever" for some people because it's the ONLY book they've read. (Only partly a joke - when I was teaching middle school..."

Ouch, not THAT discussion again! Maybe we should just agree to ignore Twilight this year?

I am so disgusted that Twilight is sitting at number 1...

Here is the thing when it comes to rating books like Twlight, they have a huge fan base so they will automatically be rated as "best ever" by sheer numbers. Unfortunately it is what is popular right now and the people assume that well if it is a #1 grossing movie well it has to be the best thing ever put on paper. Case and point I am big Matthew Reilly fan when it comes to his Scarecrow series, read them as soon as they come out and love every minute but I am under no illusions that they are the "best books ever" I personnaly think "The Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara is the best book ever and the Twlight Series can't hold a candle to it nor will any book in the series ever win the Pulitzer prize like "The Killer Angels" did...

Twilight? seriously? The best book ever? Sh**! I had no idea!

And The Gunslinger is 458? It's one of my favourite books of all time! And it's not even the best Dark Tower book, but its the highest on the list?

After reading the list and all the comments, I think it might be better to change the name of the list from “Best Books Ever” to “My Favourite Book Ever”. That would give a feel for what people like and are reading without causing hard feelings. I know that I am not even qualified to pick the best book ever written, but I know what I like.

There are a LOT of new supernatural-related books on here... I'm disappointed! I expected to see a flood of classics! But I suppose not. I'm heartbroken that the originals are being forgotten. Woot Jane Austen!

Eric wrote: "After reading the list and all the comments, I think it might be better to change the name of the list from “Best Books Ever” to “My Favourite Book Ever”.
Eric – let's start a club!

Rename this list! Rename! Rename!

:D

(I already did that with the corresponding list for Bulgarian all-time favourite books. With its creator's consent, of course.)

Twilight at the top? Oh, the humanity!

Kalin wrote: "Eric wrote: "After reading the list and all the comments, I think it might be better to change the name of the list from “Best Books Ever” to “My Favourite Book Ever”.
Eric – let's start a club!

..."

Personal taste is quite different from academic quality. There should be more discussion and less disagreement. It is one thing to discuss the quality of any particular book and quite another thing to say it is the best or worst, because that is a subjective comment based on your personal perspective of the world as you know it.
You go ahead and get that name changed!

Emily wrote: "There are a LOT of new supernatural-related books on here... I'm disappointed! I expected to see a flood of classics! But I suppose not. I'm heartbroken that the originals are being forgotten. Woot..."

You are right Emily. The masters are generally forgotten on lists like this. I think this is a personal taste list, and much of it is not to my or your personal liking. However, most people would look at my books and not read them either. To each thier own. I enjoy many kinds of books for different reasons, and always check the best seller lists to see what the rest of the world is reading.

u.s.a.

I think these lists are fun but why do alot of people take it so seriously?

Allison wrote: "Mia wrote: "I don't know what to say except that I can not be a part of of any group who would vote such as these into the top spots. It's the ever that's killing me ... above To Kill a Mockingbird..."

Hoped all would realize I wrote that tongue in cheek - I do agree, however, that there should be a favorite book ever & a best book ever.

Who the hell voted for Twilight, no offense but have you actually read any other book?

Alex Haley anyone? Roots?

Why is Twilight first? Harry potter is the best!

Eric wrote: "You go ahead and get that name changed!"
I did send a suggestion - but it's really up to the list's creator.

(The story unfolds over several pages of comments back. ;)

Thank you Kalin. Another reason for changing the name of the list to Favourite Books Ever besides the wide diversity in personal tastes would be the age range of readers. Young adult readers vary in personal taste greatly from older readers. Perhaps you could start a discussion thread. Thanks for your update!

What's with all the Mormon hate?! Geez, I thought people who read literature were educated...

The Fault in Our Stars
last year I would've said The Hunger Games, not that I don't love it anymore, but The Fault in Our Stars made me feel emotions I haven't felt in a really long time

Harry potter rokzzzzzzz

What a bunch of bullshit. Is there a real "best books" list?

Make one up with your choices

srsly? Twilight?

Boo to this list. It is insulting.

I'm rather very disappointed that Twighlight would be #1. Really?!

nicola wrote: "proof that the truth is not democratic =/

seriously, jane austen? errughhh."

what's wrong with jane austen?

this list should be retitled. Instead of Best Books, this should be read as the Most Popular Books at the moment. The books occupying the first ranks are undoubtedly the books of the moment. it is a popularity contest. sadly, it becomes the "norm" when people believe that the books are certainly the "best".
Therefore, i say, the title is misleading.

Seriously? Breaking Dawn is up there? That book was tragic even for a Twilight book. It was insanely long and had absolutely no content. Also anyone who didn't feel like vomiting during the "Super Romantic Honeymoon Sex OMG" had a much tougher stomach than me.

Renesmee? *shakes head slowly and wanders forlornly away*

Elen wrote: "this list should be retitled. Instead of Best Books, this should be read as the Most Popular Books at the moment. The books occupying the first ranks are undoubtedly the books of the moment. it is ..."

yes i agree if it was titled that i think it would fit. i totally agree very misleading.

nicola wrote: "proof that the truth is not democratic =/

seriously, jane austen? errughhh."

what's wrong with jane austen? she defines literature.

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

And where is The Shack?"

i think people shouldn't confuse their hatred for their actors and actress' poor performance to the story becasue if people think back hard, they'll realised the book was famous way before the film. not only are the mature, formal media accurate but the best evidence of its success is the fact that someone decided to make it into a film, 'because' the book had captuired many hearts... make what you want of that. i'm not arguing just saying what i just realised recently.

Jade wrote: "I agree with Becca and Elizabeth.

Endre:Is there a moderator that could eliminate the vulgar comments as above?

I don't see anything wrong with the Book of Mormon being in the list. I don't ..."

is second that. :)

Georgia wrote: "i agree the amber spyglass is awesome "

i read that when i was 12 and still love it!

Interesting how high Twiglight and Potter books are - sort of like a person who has driven a Pacer, Pinto and Jetta saying the Jetta is the most amazing car in the world (try a 'vette, Porsche, Caddy, BMW, Lambo, Lotus, etc!

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!"

Have you read over 50 books? 100? 200?

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

It IS funny! See my car analogy ...

I'm pretty saddened to see Twilight be the first book in this list. I'm pretty disappointed to see it in this list at ALL.

Something is wrong with this list: the Twilight Saga is on it. We need to fix that, guys! Personally, I'd root for "The Catcher in the Rye," because it made me think, unlike other books I've read.

Elen wrote: "this list should be retitled. Instead of Best Books, this should be read as the Most Popular Books at the moment. The books occupying the first ranks are undoubtedly the books of the moment. it is ..."

I totally agree!