Comments on Books That Everyone Should Read At Least Once - page 17
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Shannon wrote: "why do you think that the Bible is horribly written? I am a religious critique and would love to hear your opinion!"As Stanley already said; there is a lot of elements that are translated, cobbled together and poorly combined. I would also add that the level of repetition and lack of content in the new testament makes it near impossible to read with enjoyment unless you read it with 'belief'.
As for other books, Twilight, is the best example of a recent, poorly written book which has had significant social impact. If you look upon the 'must read' list as books that have somehow shaped an era or a culture then Twilight, sadly, belongs there in my opinion as it has been a talking point for a while.
I would like to courteously disagree with Robyn: There is a lot of fantastic sci-fi out at the moment with no religious leanings at all, christian or otherwise. Richard K MorganElizabeth Moon, William GibsonAre the ones that spring instantly to mind, though there are plenty more, incidentally, sci-fi is woefully unrepresented on this list.
Currently reading a well-written book called Little Bee
Debbie wrote: "i dnot think you can get a copy of uncle toms cabin any more"It also is free online at eg:
https://archive.org/search.php?query=...
Has anyone noticed that there are over 18,000 books on this list. If you live to be 85, and that is pushing it, you would need to read 211 books a year. Or 17.5 books a month. Or .578 books a day. Some of these books are not very long but others are whoppers. My point being that this list is almost too long to read in a life time. How am I supposed to read every book on the list once? (And all the other books I want to read.)
Simple! Beg, borrow, buy, or steal more books; study, work, socialise, and eat less; and live longer. And change your glasses periodically. :)
When you come down to it, life is to be lived seriously, but not solemnly, aphorisms taken with as much respect as they earn and as many pinches of salt as they deserve.
Which often means making many choices, much as one must make choices of one's reading matter, even one's necessary reading matter.
Luna Finnick wrote: "Tayler wrote: ""Erg. Why does every one always feel the need to share how much they hate Luna, your comments say a lot about the size of your puerile brain. Most of your generation read crap and should read more to grow up. I pity your generation who are not familiar with the great writers. You are missing so much, no amount of crap like "Twilight" can brighten your focus and staying power, you are blighted by phones, selfies, the boob tube and gossip. God help us.!!!!!!!!!!
Insults have no place in this forum. Goodreads members should confine their politics to other venues. Implying that someone's brain is small and calling it puerile and denigrating a generation is unnecessarily nasty and hateful. Please withdraw your comment, or at least apologize for it.
Debbie wrote: "i dnot think you can get a copy of uncle toms cabin any more"This is a ten year old reply, but it's on Amazon. :)
It is interesting how deeply divisive this list is. I have read quite a few of the books on it, many I loved, a few bored me to tears, some are poorly written, others are so brilliantly written they fire the imagination with every paragraph.In the end I guess a lot of this list is deeply ephemeral and rather inclined toward American literature as GR is an American site.
One of the most beautiful books I have read is a translated version of the Finnish The Kalevala but I would not include it because it is not mainstream. Two of the most impactfull books I read when I was 13 were sci-fi (and where IS the sci-fi on this list?) and re-reading them as an adult makes you wince.
I guess it is all subjective, but I think there is a sad absence of science and science fiction books on this list, considering that the world around us has been directly impacted by both, a lot.
I enjoye Swdish author Joan Joanssons book, "the 100 Year Old Man who went ouut the Winsow and Disappeared. It kept me enthralleded with the author's twists and turns of history during the 100-year old's lif and how he survived the various eventsof his life and finally was at peace with himself,
J wrote: "Aliya wrote: "Faera wrote: "I skimmed through this list and there are some very horribly written books on it. Like Twilight and the Bible for instance."Although perhaps the Bible may not be writt..."
The better question is whether whoever wrote those passages intended to convey a description of actual events. Allegory is pretty clearly intended throughout Genesis; every (or nearly every) important name has an important significance in Hebrew. Fables, myths, and allegories can certainly convey certain truths, though their details are fantastical.
Wow, what a shame so many books written by black people and works that have been influential to people of colour have been left off of this list completely. Disappointed but in no way shocked.
Debbie wrote: "i dnot think you can get a copy of uncle toms cabin any more"It is difficult to find, but there are still copies to be found. I have read sips but would love to read it in entirety.
1984 appears twice--number 6 and number 21
Debbie wrote: "i dnot think you can get a copy of uncle toms cabin any more" yes you can! try your local used book shop...
Courtney wrote: "Wow, what a shame so many books written by black people and works that have been influential to people of colour have been left off of this list completely. Disappointed but in no way shocked."pretty sure harry potter was written by an older black gentleman
It really takes away from the list when you include both a series and the books in the series.....first you have the series listed and then farther down the list each of the books also take up a number, it chould be one or the other.
Shannon wrote: "why do you think that the Bible is horribly written? I am a religious critique and would love to hear your opinion!"Well, most of it is boring. So and so begat so and so, and so on. The rest is a bunch of BS:
http://www.owl232.net/biblequotes.htm
J wrote: "Shannon wrote: "why do you think that the Bible is horribly written? I am a religious critique and would love to hear your opinion!"Well, most of it is boring. So and so begat so and so, and so o..."
You've obviously never read the Bible. There are VERY few begats in the Bible and the richest variety of literature on earth. But, could you read it without preconceived ideas? I doubt it.
Do you know God insisted on equal treatment of all immigrants? He instructed Israel to build sanctuary cities for people who needed to flee vigilante justice to so they could have a fair trial.
What nation's king divorced his wife for refusing to present her sexy self to the royals and aristocrats? They told him he must punish her so all the other women would not start backtalking their husbands! He then staged a beauty competition to find a new queen.
What were God's laws for insuring a fair economy? What about days off? What about healthy agricultural practices to nourish the land instead of abusing the land?
Not to mention the history, drama, mystery, seduction and intrigue...
Robyn wrote: "J wrote: "Shannon wrote: "why do you think that the Bible is horribly written? I am a religious critique and would love to hear your opinion!"Well, most of it is boring. So and so begat so and so..."
I have read the whole thing. and it sucked. Thanks for trying to tell me about my life and my thoughts, but just like the bible. You are wrong.
The link to eliminate duplicates is broken.
Debbie wrote: "i dnot think you can get a copy of uncle toms cabin any more"https://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Cabin-Do...
You can get a copy for less than $10 quite easily.
Jan C wrote: "" I skimmed through this list and there are some very horribly written books on it. Like Twilight and the Bible for instance. "Twilight somehow always makes every list. Along with The Book of Mor..."
The Mormon's use the King James version of the Bible.
Kat wrote: "Has anyone noticed that there are over 18,000 books on this list. If you live to be 85, and that is pushing it, you would need to read 211 books a year. Or 17.5 books a month. Or .578 books a day. ..."I knoooow, not enough time to read it all! When I first started using Goodreads and found this list, I copied the top 100 on the list during that time and have been dedicated to checking them off that way :) Not super modern with how it changes, but it's something! :) Read on!
Kristina wrote: "Amazing list - I've realised, that I already read quite a few if them and that I have a lot of them on my to-read list. But as many of you said before, it's weird which books also find their place..."
Oddly, Twilight explores Mormon theology. So does Battlestar Galactica.
AnnieOhh624 wrote: "Kat wrote: "Has anyone noticed that there are over 18,000 books on this list. If you live to be 85, and that is pushing it, you would need to read 211 books a year. Or 17.5 books a month. Or .578 b..."I know what you mean too many books not enough time!
If you want another list, I'm halfway through this one
its put out by PBS for the Great American Read
https://bento.cdn.pbs.org/hostedbento...
At Age 96, and still more or less in posession of of my mental faculties, I have read at least one book a week from the time I learned to read, except when I was overseas during WWII or traveling. So I assume that I have read about 250 to 300 books during my lifetime and shared some with my wife and children. I have also written three technical works that McGraw-Hill published and 20 other books published by various organizations.
Currently in the process of publication is 100 Short Stories, which shoulld be available this coming summer and is being worked on by Newman Springs Publishing of Red Bank, New Jersey. It might enjoy a place on the list of books you'd like to read.
For other books I have written see my website at www.syokell.com.
Stanley wrote: "At Age 96, and still more or less in posession of of my mental faculties, I have read at least one book a week from the time I learned to read, except when I was overseas during WWII or traveling. ..."An estimate of two or three hundred seems pretty low. I would say you would be closer to the three thousand mark.
I know what you mean too many books not enough time!If you want another list, I'm halfway through this one
its put out by PBS for the Great American Read
https://bento.cdn.pbs.org/hostedbento..."
We have that in our public library. What I'd like to know is, assuming that you DO read for pleasure, HOW can you pick just ONE favorite?!
Christine wrote: "I know what you mean too many books not enough time!If you want another list, I'm halfway through this one
its put out by PBS for the Great American Read
https://bento.cdn.pbs.org/hostedbento..."
..."
A tree grows in Brooklyn has always been my favorite, but I am using this list to complete for fun and to increase my diversity of books more. Plus a lot of these are available in Audio books so even when I'm driving , working out, or doing house work I can listen and enjoy these books too!
Thank you Christine. Having been born and bred in East Flatbush Brooklyn, A Tree Grows in Brooklyb is also a favorite of mine,Currently I am waiting for a paperback that my daughter has bought for me, Reading to our children and grandchildren was one of life's pleaures for my beloved wife, my best friend and me. Our children grew up reading. Now as aduls, they share books with me and discuss them. I am one lucky fellow.
Stanley wrote: "Thank you Christine. Having been born and bred in East Flatbush Brooklyn, A Tree Grows in Brooklyb is also a favorite of mine,Currently I am waiting for a paperback that my daughter has bought fo..."
Actually it's my favorite, I always thought Franny went through a lot just like that little tree growing through the crack in the sidewalk.
At least 3 different editions of The Little Prince are noted on this list; is there no way to combine their votes?
Rel wrote: "At least 3 different editions of The Little Prince are noted on this list; is there no way to combine their votes?"The bug seems to have been finally removed, so that's a good thing, but unfortunately there is no way to combine votes as the 'check for duplicates' function (available to librarians) just took too long (and was terminated because of it). Not all that surprising, considering the list now has 190 pages and the 'check for duplicates' bug was active for quite a while, which prevented librarians to perform a regular check. I've tried the 'check for duplicates' function several times, but unfortunately with the same result every time...
I can't decide if I like 19 or 64 better.
John wrote: "I can't decide if I like 19 or 64 better."Sorry. The duplicate check is still saying "Goodreads request took too long"
Jan C wrote: "" What I objected to about the Bible being on the list was the version used - the MORMON version. Should have been the KING JAMES."Mormons use the KJV. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/08/ne...
A great list! I've added 2 books from quilling author Alberta Neal.She has came with a new concept: instructional and epic, with a story woven in.
there's a lot of books on here that i've read and know that i'll be reading sometime in high school, but on the first 2 pages i didn't see my favorite series i've ever read. so i'm informing everyone reading the comments to go and read the lunar chronicles by marissa meyers, i couldn't put them down and i was so sad when the series ended. they are some of the best books i've read, so check them out
Maral wrote: "this list is so great! i'm gonna start reading them!"free on amazon kindle.
Coming from someone who has a background in social studies and education, in my opinion, there are very few history books that need to be present. A notable exception is The Rise and Fall of Nazi Germany. I do think that political science, economics, philosophy - which are more important because they can impart more everyday impact in the way that history is more difficult to, in my experience.Fantastic list.
Keep it up.
Caitlin wrote: "Is there a way to save a list so I can return to it without searching?"I totally agree with you, Caitlin!
Of course you can @Debbie, what are you talking about?
God, I've tried getting through War and Peace several times but it has always bested me! Tolstoy is as dry as weeks old stale bread!
Debbie wrote: "i dnot think you can get a copy of uncle toms cabin any more"Why don't you think you can get a copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin anymore? Of course you can. It's a great book. You'll learn that the derogatory reference "to be an Uncle Tom" is wholly inaccurate. Uncle Tom was a heroic man who suffered rather than disclose the whereabouts of 2 runaway slaves.
A list that has a childish book like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at number 2 is a joke and those who voted should have their access to this site revoked. The world cannot be revolving around imbeciles.
Wow, why is it that always someone that is black most likely, makes the comment that complains that a black writer's works were not on the list of books to read. Well excuse me, but possibly a polish person's works did not make the list. And, it could be about the Jewish, the Danes, and on and on and on. Can we not classify race in a venue such as this? Do we have to divulge race above all else, or can we not be a simple person, not black, not yellow, purple, or white. But just a writer, or a readerand for once just be a human being.
@vijay govindAgain, don't use this section to promote your own book!
Interestingly, Twilight's author is Mormon and the characters represent aspects of Mormon doctrine. Most current ScFi is thick with Mormon theology. Battlestar Gallactica's social and family lineage structure reflect the Mormon belief that God was once as we are, and evolved into a deity, as will we, if we follow the Mormon belief system. Meanwhile, we await the Planet Nibiru to connect to earth so we can move on that planet, where God lives. I'not an expert on Latter Day Saints theology, just a curious person who learns surprising new things daily.