Comments on Best Books Ever - page 48

OK, these look like according to the amount of ratings. So, the list is named very badly. If you look under it, it reads, "The best books ever, as voted on by the general Goodreads community." In other words, Twilight simply has the most reviews, whether or not the reviews are good or bad.

This is a very poorly named list.

I'm disappointed in humanity,

Twilight is number one on this list...

Seriously? Twilight is in first place? TWILIGHT! Good Lord, what has the world come to...

Laura wrote: "Seriously? Twilight is in first place? TWILIGHT! Good Lord, what has the world come to..." LOL!

Tastes hardly matter as long as the food is well cooked!

the first place is a joke. It MUST be. Seriously, Twilight??? Urgghhh..

I think there needs to be a new system of rating books. There are other rating websites that use the Bayesian average. IMDB, ratebeer and rateyourmusic all use this system and their "best of" lists are fantastic. It is becoming the standard of rating on the internet and goodreads needs to keep up. It doesn't just work by popularity, it focuses on an average of all books and consistently high ratings as well as many other variables. It's very accurate, it eliminates many factors that clearly influence this list.

How can Twilight be #1????? :O

Cameron wrote: "I think there needs to be a new system of rating books. There are other rating websites that use the Bayesian average. IMDB, ratebeer and rateyourmusic all use this system and their "best of" lists..."


This is not based on ratings but on the lists added by whomever wants to participate, so popularity counts a lot.

If this was based on ratings it would be probably very different.

Regardless of this list I think this listopia feature is really neat.

Kevin wrote: "OK, these look like according to the amount of ratings. So, the list is named very badly. If you look under it, it reads, "The best books ever, as voted on by the general Goodreads community." I..."

As I said above, it's not about ratings or reviews, it's about the taste of who wants to participate in this list.

I'd advise the ones who aren't happy with this to participate with their favorite books. I don't think it would dethrone Twilight but it could improve this a little bit.

Now really, how can you compile a list of books? It's endless. But I had fun for a while. :) Did I miss The Story of Edgar Sawtelle?

Differant strokes for differant folks as they say. Who is they anyway? Only the shadow knows...

It's #1 to those who are Mormon, not for those who are not. Freedom of religion what ever floats your boat.

It's a popular book contest, not a literary one. Oh what fun!

I think the inclusion of the word "Ever" at the end gives it away.

The Book of Mormon is an amazing book. It has impacted my life in a way that is indescribable. Many others that have read it and really studied it would be more than willing to tell you how amazing it is!!! Before you start to put down books, try reading them first!!!!

I don't believe anyone is really putting the book of Mormon down, they're just questioning the #1 part as there is a lot of good books out there floating around. It may be # 1 to the Mormon faith to others it may be the Holy Bible or many others out there with regards to faith.

twilight is n.1? god.. i don't even know what to say..
Harry Potter! Hunger Games! Dr.Seuss! Princess Bride! :))

Ya, I guess. I know how upset they may be, but really? Everyone has their own opinions and there is no reason to judge.

Al wrote: "This list is a bad joke of ill taste. Twilight has no business being on this list. It is a horrid disgusting book. What is Gone with the Wind doing so far down the list? I believe that msut be one ..."

I have to agree with you! "Gone With The Wind" is the best classic I've ever read......my favorite book and movie.

How can I describe the power, information and joy to be found between the covers of a book I have not read yet. I am never alone as and feel tremendous comfort in knowing a new book is in the huge tote bag. As a small child, I was treated abusively - as any of us have - and books brought such tremendous solace and the belief that somehow some whee the sun is shining and people are "living happily every after!

So what if the Book of Mormon is #1, or Twilight? What if those of you who have argued about those two being on there, put up your OWN recommendations, and then have someone tear those recommendations down? I mean this as politely as possible - grow up, and respect other's opinions. We all have a love of reading - does everyone like the same thing? No. We all have different tastes in our reading. Stop putting those choices down. They're not your cup of tea? Okay, accept it, move on.

Tericonnolly-jones wrote: "How can I describe the power, information and joy to be found between the covers of a book I have not read yet. I am never alone as and feel tremendous comfort in knowing a new book is in the huge..."

Excellently written.

Mollie wrote: "So what if the Book of Mormon is #1, or Twilight? What if those of you who have argued about those two being on there, put up your OWN recommendations, and then have someone tear those recommendati..."

Thanks. I assume you feel pretty much the same way. What types of books capture your imagination?

New to this forum, my comment was meant in response to message I received from Mollie. I'm techno challenged. What are ya going to do.

I highly recommend The Hunger Games series. Also I would recommend reading some books by Brian Selznick.

Haven't gotten into Hunger Games yet. However, looking for a good book? I am currently re-reading a book by Pearl S. Buck entitled Pavilion of Women. She is my favorite author. The Good Earth and her other books portray the true lives the women of the era and culture lived. Perhaps it's just me, but I feel she so clearly describes the dynamics between men and women to women. So clear I can literally "see" the inner Forbidden City. Just my opinion.

Back up here - as a new participate with tremendous enthusiasm for books, I neglected to read all the opinions being volled back and forth. Makes me feel I should keep my opinions to myself. To me it's quite simple, doesn't require the negative energy to respond to another person's opinion - every book is here for a reason - there is someone who gains from it. So what if I don't particularly agree? Not my place to trash an author's work. Don't mean to cause any controversy - really. Just think I'll be moving on.

Elisabeth wrote: "I think you people need to just relax!!! I think "you're just too high strung" and eventually the "strain will be more than you can bear.""

A Doc Holiday fan?

"I'll be your huckleberry..."

I wish there was a button i could push that would allow me to see the list without the votes of the teenage girls which right now dominate it..
Maybe if there was just a button that would disregard all votes from those who voted for twilight, that would probably help a lot too..

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

And where is The Shack?"

Annoyed with Twilight, too!

Bruce wrote: "I'm not going to argue with the Book of Mormon--either all religious texts are valid for a list like this, in which case it's merely interesting, or all religious texts should be off the list, in w..."


Right on, Pecan!

Wow. Fuck this list. Whoever made this list needs to go fuck them-self so hard their genitals erupt and they bleed out.

It seems the "Twi-Hards" and Mormons are the majority of Goodreads members, oh well, no big deal...

Furthermore, I would say that "Best Book" implies any book other than a scriptural book, usually fiction, no?

Twilight is number 1? I lost my faith in this site!

Lorena wrote: "I am rooting for "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."
I can understand how "The Book of Mormon," is on that list but before The Bible? No way..."

I agree that The Perks of Being a Wallflower should be on this list!

I am following this area no more!

Ugh. I hate Twilight.

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!"

the best out of all 5, huh? we are doomed.

Seriously? Twilight? This list has no sense.

"Twilight" is at the top of the list and "Moby Dick" at the bottom at 100? Seriously?

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

seriously, jane austen? errughhh."

Hey, I like Jane austen but that doesnt mean I like EVERY nook here.

Really? Twilight is on the top the list? whoever voted twilight as the best book ever written shouldn't be allowed to touch another book ever again!

Toria wrote: "The twilight books are some of the best books written in my opinion! But just because I said that doesn't mean there aren't other books out there that may be better....thought I seriously doubt it...."

I appreciate that you enjoyed the story of twilight. Though I am not one of the people who shares that opinion I applaud any novel that can get teenagers (or adults and children for that matter) to read. You can argue that twilight should be on this list because so many enjoy it. I can't agree with you saying it is the best book ever written though. Not only because I didn't enjoy it, but compared to some of the great novels out there, twilight isn't very well written. So though I do respect your opinion on that this book is obviously to the taste of a lot of people, i can also understand the confusion people feel in what should be considered a 'best read'. I think Twilight among some of the other novels should be more suited on 'most entertaining read' list. ;)

As of the moment I laid eyes on the first three books I will never trust a list on this site.

Chris wrote: "As of the moment I laid eyes on the first three books I will never trust a list on this site."

When I first saw that list, I had the same reaction. And it took months before I returned to the Goodreads.

However, I soon realised that the very title of the list 'best book ever' should have been an indication that the average age of person submitting to it must be around 12/13. Secondly, at least these youngsters are reading books and are inspired to read, whatever our opinion of the actual book. At 11/12, I was reading and loving books that now I would never put on a list (embarrassed to even admit I read and loved them), but they were the ones that kept me reading. I guarantee that my 'best book ever' list at 12, would be completely different to any similar list I would compile now, for starters I would never call it 'best book ever' ;)
Do try some of the other lists, maybe the ones more subject matter based and I'm sure you'll find many readers out there with tastes that match yours.

Jen wrote: "Chris wrote: "As of the moment I laid eyes on the first three books I will never trust a list on this site."

When I first saw that list, I had the same reaction. And it took months before I return..."

I really agree. While Twilight is literary garbage, it is very popular with young girls. I know a few kids who never read but have read Twilight. Anything that gets a kid to read can't be all bad. Just keep that in mind when you look at the lists. For many of those who voted these books "best ever" have only read a few books so their view is skewed by a very narrow outlook.

It's popularity contest, not a definitive list. It just proves there are a lot of...very young voters.