Comments on Best Books Ever - page 74

I bloody love 1984. It's still relevant today and will always be, and its messages are always needed because of the danger of socialism.

Kalin wrote: "The fundamental issue here perhaps is: do we agree that this list reflects the tastes and needs of today's readers--not of humankind over the ages?"

I suppose we do. In which case (as has been suggested more than once by many a user) the list should be re-christened. "Most Popular", like...

Светослав wrote: "I bloody love 1984. It's still relevant today and will always be, and its messages are always needed because of the danger of socialism."

With all due respect, Светослав, I suspect you don`t know much about socialism...

A 'Most Popular' list would be more appropriate.

+10 on "Most Popular" (or "Favorite"). The first time I suggested it was about 40 pages of comments ago. :D

Светослав, you probably mean "totalitarianism." Interestingly, The Hunger Games is about totalitarianism, too. It tackles even more dangers, though: those of social inequity and sensationalism and turning Big Brother into Bread and Circuses. All very familiar ... and therefore scarier than the ghost of socialism, yes? :)

Can we add some books that haven't been made into a movie?

I think people's reactions to this list are stupid. In my country we have a saying that literally translated: You can't argue about taste, entertainment, and love. Book's are read differently by everyone and we all have our own opinion. If you're still going to bicker because your favorite book isn't there, then my first question to you is: Are you an annoying teenager who doesn't have anything beter to do than post comments that have no worth what so ever? I thought reading was an indication of intelligence.
Just my personal opinion. And yes, I am a teenager who posts worthless comments, too.

Black Butterfly wrote: "I think people's reactions to this list are stupid. In my country we have a saying that literally translated: You can't argue about taste, entertainment, and love. Book's are read differently by ev..."

You seem to misunderstand people’s frustration with this list – it has nothing to with their favourite book being absent. They’re annoyed because unoriginal, uninnovative, and hack work has been branded as the ‘best’. If you like to read ‘Twilight’, fair enough – but it is hardly a key pillar stone in literature.

To ignore the innovative leaps writers such as George Orwell have made in literature in a list that (supposedly) contains the ‘best’ of the best, is surprising.

As many other people have said before, this list should be re-titled ‘most popular’, or ‘highest rated’ – not ‘best’.

Good comment, James! Although in the second line, I think you meant uninnovative.

Richard wrote: "Good comment, James! Although in the second line, I think you meant uninnovative."

Ah, yes I did! Dang typo...

Black Butterfly, I agree with you. :)

As for "best," let me reiterate: it's a "godword." It can mean everything and nothing. Therefore, I don't see any point in arguing about any book on a list called "Best"--just as I don't see any point in calling a list "Best."

(But it's fun to watch, especially once you've read 40 pages of comments. :D)

But we all love books,we love to read, and we're here discussing books, and for me that's the point. I brag that my favorite film of any given year has never won a Best Picture Oscar. Once that happens, and my favorite movie is also Hollywood's favorite, I'll start questioning my own taste in movies.

Greg, I guess the point here was that most comments on this list are not discussing books, they're thrashing people's tastes. Without supplying anything constructive either.

Other than that, I'm with you. :)

Kalin wrote: "Greg, I guess the point here was that most comments on this list are not discussing books, they're thrashing people's tastes. Without supplying anything constructive either.

Other than that, I'm w..." Kalin, I'll read anything, give anything a chance. I can understand that if one's favorite genre is high school supernatural romance, then Twilight is probably one's favorite book/series. And I also understand that any list is subjective, unless it's simply a list, for example, of all fiction books published in 2010. But who cares about that list? I agree, trashing other people's tastes is pointless, doesn't add anything to our discussions. But saying, simply, "tell me why that's your favorite book ever," makes sense.

James wrote: "Black Butterfly wrote: "I think people's reactions to this list are stupid. In my country we have a saying that literally translated: You can't argue about taste, entertainment, and love. Book's ar..."

Sure, because re-titling lists for their non-specificness is very VERY important. And who knows, maybe someone found Twilight the most life changing, revolutionary written book ever. (That person is not me. No sarcasm.) And I don't mean all reactions, (but that was my own unspecific use of language) I mean to tell (in a somewhat unfriendly way) people to respect each others opinions. But I understand what you say.

Black Butterfly wrote: "James wrote: "Black Butterfly wrote: "I think people's reactions to this list are stupid. In my country we have a saying that literally translated: You can't argue about taste, entertainment, and l..."
Groovy point, BB, "maybe someone found Twilight the most life changing, revolutionary written book ever". For various personal reasons, I found Anne Rice's "The Tale of the Body Thief" absolutely stupendous in so many ways, ways that wouldn't make sense to others. When bodies are switched, definitions of what it is to be a human come into play, and I was able to put some of my own perceived failures in life in a different category than 'failure.' Other people might read "Thief" as just another vampire book, though. And that's the way these lists work.

Every one is so critical of this list! Twilight is obviously the greatest series ever written. You guys need to get right with Jesus.

Also, the Bible should be on this list. How many books have you people read that have survived the ravages of time, and managed to ignite wars of faith?

Gregorio wrote: "Also, the Bible should be on this list. How many books have you people read that have survived the ravages of time, and managed to ignite wars of faith?"

The Bible is not a single book, it's a compilation of many.

James wrote: "

The Bible is not a single book, it's a compilation of many."

James I don't understand your point. Current #16 is the Tolkien set, four volumes published separately. Each of the three LOTRs volumes are further divided into "books." Should this "book" not be on the list? Smells like a partisan quibble coming to me.

Mel wrote: "James wrote: "

The Bible is not a single book, it's a compilation of many."

James I don't understand your point. Current #16 is the Tolkien set, four volumes published separately. Each of the th..."

Sorry, I was being pedantic. But anyway, wouldn't it be offensive to Christians to include the Bible, considering all other books on this list are fictional? I doubt they'd like being told that their holy book is fiction.

James wrote :wouldn't it be offensive to Christians to include the Bible, considering all other books on this list are fictional? I doubt they'd like being told that their holy book is fiction.

Actually, the Bible and other religious books were on this list. Then someone edited the description and removed all nonfiction, I believe because of the high rankings of religious books. (I think it was the Book of Mormon that got people fired up the most)Then the description was edited back, and currently doesn't specify fiction. Oh, and someone decided only one book per author and removed a pile of works. Since there were already thousands of votes, it's been a long climb back for the censored books. That explains odd things like Harry Potter #5 being #2, but none of the others being in the top 100. But back to the Bible question, if the list stipulated fiction then I wouldn't personally of voted for it, but since it didn't when I first voted, and doesn't again now, I voted for it. :)

Could someone with librarian status please remove duplicates?

Laura wrote: "Could someone with librarian status please remove duplicates?"

I just did. But they tend to accumulate, again and again.

Amber wrote: "This list is a joke!"
Now, I don't mean to fight, but I don't believe this is a joke. It was written by the community, as you can see, all people like different things. You like your books, I like my books. We are all different, you can't say something is a joke if it's an honest opinion and I'll bet, fact to some people.

Brittany wrote: "how can you not love twilight? its one of the best love stories ever created."
I agree :)

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?"
Yeah, everyone is always complaining about how "awful" they are, but none of them ever stop and just think. Some people truly enjoy those books, so if they don't like it, just go somewhere else. No offense to anybody, sorry if taken wrong way.

Heather wrote: "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 b..."
Yeah! You go girl!

Why is Twilight so high on the list? Really. Ugh.

Emma wrote: "Brittany wrote: "how can you not love twilight? its one of the best love stories ever created."
I agree :)"

Anything's a better love story than Twilight. Have you never heard the meme?

James wrote: "Emma wrote: "Brittany wrote: "how can you not love twilight? its one of the best love stories ever created."
I agree :)"

Anything's a better love story than Twilight. Have you never heard the meme?"
Have you ever heard of the word "opinion"? We all have our own tastes.

Emma wrote: "James wrote: "Emma wrote: "Brittany wrote: "how can you not love twilight? its one of the best love stories ever created."
I agree :)"

Anything's a better love story than Twilight. Have you never ..."

Why do you like Twilight? Just interested. Bella and Edward are the biggest Mary Sue and Gary Stu ever. Bella has no backbone and her whole life and identity is defined by a man. And when she does try make an independent decision, Edward always completely flips out and doesn't allow it. He also stalks her and is ridiculously jealous and possessive. That's not healthy. Also insta-love. I'm not saying you're not allowed to like it, I'm just wondering why, considering everything I just listed and more.

Emma wrote: "James wrote: "Emma wrote: "Brittany wrote: "how can you not love twilight? its one of the best love stories ever created."
I agree :)"

Anything's a better love story than Twilight. Have you never ..."

It was a joke. Have you never heard the meme: 'Still a better love story than Twilight'?

Mira wrote: "Emma wrote: "James wrote: "Emma wrote: "Brittany wrote: "how can you not love twilight? its one of the best love stories ever created."
I agree :)"

Anything's a better love story than Twilight. Ha..."

The main reason I love twilight is for the romance, the reason among others. It's how I see it but I also think it depends on how you look at it. You see Bella as a girl with no backbone, I see Bella as selfless. She is her own person too, an example is her still seeing Jacob although Edward doesn't particularly like him. Edward can be controlling, I agree with you there. He is also a romantic gentlemen at times. What ever stalker tendencies were shown was an affect(sp) of Mates. There is that instant attraction, with the jolts of electricity. Are you going to be someone to tell me that you wouldn't automatically fall in love with someone if you knew for certain they were your other half, your soul mate. They complete each other.
You won't find a love like this in reality, some people these days just "love" for looks, believe it or see it, it happens. People these days don't really bother with what's on the inside. I'm not saying the Earth is overpopulated with people like that either, I'm just saying there are people like that.
But Bella and Edward aren't. Their love is true and beautiful. Now, I may be making a big deal out of this, but it's what I believe. No one can make me believe different or change my mind, as it is my true opinion.

I know this isn't an objective list but really, "The Hunger Games"? Some of these books are being touted as best are just mainstreamed, generic, overly commercialized items which have delusions of adequacy.

Eric wrote: "I know this isn't an objective list but really, "The Hunger Games"? Some of these books are being touted as best are just mainstreamed, generic, overly commercialized items which have delusions of..."

Eric wrote: "I know this isn't an objective list but really, "The Hunger Games"? Some of these books are being touted as best are just mainstreamed, generic, overly commercialized items which have delusions of..."
Some people like that.

divergent and 50 shade of grey is better than TWILIGHT

Hajer wrote: "divergent and 50 shade of grey is better than TWILIGHT"
We all love different things, that is a matter of opinion, not fact. I love Divergent, have yet to read the other one. I had an easier time with Divergent. But nonetheless, I love them both equally.

Hajer wrote: "divergent and 50 shade of grey is better than TWILIGHT"

Sorry to be a spoilsport, but the relationship in 50 shades of gray is abuse. It's even sicker than in Twilight. And yes, I know what BDSM is and I know that BDSM is not abuse. But 50 shades isn't real BDSM. It's romanticised abuse.

Mira wrote: "Hajer wrote: "divergent and 50 shade of grey is better than TWILIGHT"

Sorry to be a spoilsport, but the relationship in 50 shades of gray is abuse. It's even sicker than in Twilight. And yes, I kn..."
Please don't say sick. People likes their own books. It's offensive to authors all over that you would call someone else's work "sick". Imagine you were working really hard on something, it took you a long time to make. the someone comes along and says it "sucks". How would you feel if someone says your favorite books suck?

Emma wrote: "Mira wrote: "Hajer wrote: "divergent and 50 shade of grey is better than TWILIGHT"

Sorry to be a spoilsport, but the relationship in 50 shades of gray is abuse. It's even sicker than in Twilight. ..."
I'm done with this conversation. Just know we are all different. We all can't like the exact same things.

Emma wrote: "Mira wrote: "Hajer wrote: "divergent and 50 shade of grey is better than TWILIGHT"

Sorry to be a spoilsport, but the relationship in 50 shades of gray is abuse. It's even sicker than in Twilight. ..."

I totally get your point. I just really hate the fact that there are many people who read 50 shades and think that that is what relationships are supposed to be like, when they are not because it's abuse and abuse is not right.

Mira wrote: "Emma wrote: "Mira wrote: "Hajer wrote: "divergent and 50 shade of grey is better than TWILIGHT"

Sorry to be a spoilsport, but the relationship in 50 shades of gray is abuse. It's even sicker than ..."

Mira wrote: "Emma wrote: "Mira wrote: "Hajer wrote: "divergent and 50 shade of grey is better than TWILIGHT"

Sorry to be a spoilsport, but the relationship in 50 shades of gray is abuse. It's even sicker than ..."
There are people who think that's what a relationship is supposed to be, it's not. BDSM is optional. It's not abuse because it's willing and they enjoy it, the submissive also has a safe word if it's too much. Dominants also care deeply for their submissive. They both agree to what they will do, so it's in no way abuse, sort of like an agreement. Although something like hitting isn't right for a regular relationship, it may be alright with BDSM if you are okay with that, if the two people involved agree. I do see your point though.

Emma wrote: "Mira wrote: "Emma wrote: "Mira wrote: "Hajer wrote: "divergent and 50 shade of grey is better than TWILIGHT"

Sorry to be a spoilsport, but the relationship in 50 shades of gray is abuse. It's even..."

But like I said, 50 shades isn't real BDSM. I've heard many people who are into BDSM say that 50 shades is wrong. I know BDSM is not abuse. There is nothing wrong with BDSM. But 50 shades isn't what it's supposed to be like.

Mira wrote: "Emma wrote: "Mira wrote: "Emma wrote: "Mira wrote: "Hajer wrote: "divergent and 50 shade of grey is better than TWILIGHT"

Sorry to be a spoilsport, but the relationship in 50 shades of gray is abu..."
It might not be what it's supposed to be like. But please don't judge a book and say it's bad just because you guys don't like it. While you may not like it, it could be someone's absolutely favorite book.

This is a downright horrible list.

Charles wrote: "This is a downright horrible list."
That is a matter of opinion.

Emma wrote: "Charles wrote: "This is a downright horrible list."
That is a matter of opinion."

As you like to remind people.

James wrote: "Emma wrote: "Charles wrote: "This is a downright horrible list."
That is a matter of opinion."

As you like to remind people."
Yes, I do.

... and many of them need it. :D

Kalin wrote: "... and many of them need it. :D"
:D