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I want to give Hemingway another try. I read The Old Man and the Sea in high school -- and I hated it. But I was a narrow-minded teenager back then (and may be a narrow-minded 30-something now, but I'd like to expand my horizons a bit!). So, any suggestions?
Ckopphills wrote: "Laura wrote: "Has anyone read The Things They Carried?"I'd highly recommend The Things They Carried, as well as O'Brien's autobiography If I Died In A Combat Zone... and his novel dealing with th..."
I actually just picked up The Things They Carried as it came up on a few book lists I am trying to finish. It's a little farther down on my list of priorities, but I hope to read it soon. :)
I came across If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things by Jon McGregor at my library and the title caught my eye. It doesn't look like it would take too long to read so I might try it regardless, but can someone offer their opinion on the book, and the sort of person who might enjoy it?
Ckopphills wrote: "I want to give Hemingway another try. I read The Old Man and the Sea in high school -- and I hated it. But I was a narrow-minded teenager back then (and may be a narrow-minded 30-something now, bu..."I enjoy Hemingway... I really love The Sun Also Rises, A Moveable Feast, and A Farewell to Arms. He may have been an ass, but I love his quick, clean prose.
Marwa wrote: "Frederick wrote: But be thankful at least you got 'Sons and Lovers' and managed to avoid 'Lady Chatterley's Lover'. Incidentally, I wonder if Connie and Mel have ever turned up as a 'set book' anyw..."Lady Chatterley's Lover may be the worst book I have ever read. I thought a lot of the flack it gets was due to its explicit subject matter so I gave it a chance. Turns out the real problem was the horrid writting.
Swathi wrote: "Thinking of starting "The Great Gatsby".. Actually I wanna finish reading it before the movie is out so I can watch it (Which i soo badly want to) and appreciate/criticize it with a renewed zest an..."Gatsby really is a love it or hate it book. The first time I read it I didn't get the hype but coming back to it a second time and having read more of Fitzgeralds work and others from that era I really liked it. It gives a good feel for the over decadence of the 1920's.
Ashley-may wrote: "Swathi wrote: "Thinking of starting "The Great Gatsby".. Actually I wanna finish reading it before the movie is out so I can watch it (Which i soo badly want to) and appreciate/criticize it with a ..."Gatsby is a favorite of mine because of that reason. I love the 1920's and that book is such a great snapshot, so to speak.
The Sea Wolf by Jack London is not bad! Even though i didn't really understand all the parts of a ship since i'm not too familiar with them XD
Karena wrote: "Ashley-may wrote: "Swathi wrote: "Thinking of starting "The Great Gatsby".. Actually I wanna finish reading it before the movie is out so I can watch it (Which i soo badly want to) and appreciate/c..."I agree!! It is a perfect snapshot. Tender is the night is even more so. I recently read Beautiful and Damned... and it was incredible too!!
I'm thinking of trying The Dresden Files, but I'm a little worried that it's too dark for my liking, and it's difficult to read reviews without accidentally being spoiled. For reference, I enjoyed V for Vendetta but I found A Game of Thrones to be too grim.
Tenpm wrote: "I'm thinking of trying The Dresden Files, but I'm a little worried that it's too dark for my liking, and it's difficult to read reviews without accidentally being spoiled. For reference, I enjoyed ..."I've read two of the Dresden File books and while I personally haven't found them dark, I haven't found them to be very enthralling either. I keep reading them because a close friend recommended them and I generally trust their judgement, but it's definitely a series that I only read if I have nothing else better (which is not a problem atm).
I'm wondering about two books: The Lovely Bones and NothingI've seen bits of the Lovely Bones film (so I roughly know the plot), and felt it was complacent, but I don't know about the book. As for Nothing, I saw it in a bookshop and read the blurb and got curious, but I've no idea if it's any good.
I loved "Nothing". But it was so shocking, even disturbing to see, how far peer pressure can push young people. The story isn't easy, but good to read. Jane Teller choose her words good.
Tessa wrote: "I loved "Nothing". But it was so shocking, even disturbing to see, how far peer pressure can push young people. The story isn't easy, but good to read. Jane Teller choose her words good."Thanks, I'll definitely add it to my to-read list. Disturbing and about young people sounds reminiscent of Lindqvist, who is also Scandinavian.
So, did anyone read
?I think, I want to give it a try..but Im not sure. Books around Religion are always a bit difficult.
Tessa wrote: "So, did anyone read ?I think, I want to give it a try..but Im not sure. Books around Religion are always a bit difficult."
I did, and I definitely liked it.
Have any of you guys read The Book of Disquiet? It seems to have very positive reviews and I'm considering it for a future read.
Lohengrin wrote: "I'm wondering about two books: The Lovely Bones and NothingI've seen bits of the Lovely Bones film (so I roughly know the plot), and felt it was complacent, but I don't know about the book. As fo..."
The book is interesting and there is some stuff cut out of the film. The film adaptation is truly great.
Thinking of reading Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. I know it's a monster read so I want to see how people liked it before I invest myself in it.
Super skeptical about Pride and Prejudice. I feel like it might bore me to tears. I would love someone to change my mind about it, though... It's in the LIST for a reason, I suppose.
I loved Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrell, it is a big read but it didn't take me too long to read because it's so gripping. It's got everything I like about a good book, originality, great characters and it's very inventive. I particularly like the way the author blends real and fictional characters. I would re-read it myself but I lent it to someone and didn't get it back (if they read it and enjoyed it then I don't mind)
Alecksa wrote: "Super skeptical about Pride and Prejudice. I feel like it might bore me to tears. I would love someone to change my mind about it, though... It's in the LIST for a reason, I suppose."It depends on what you enjoy. P&P is good because 1: austen is a quality writer 2: austen pegs humanity in an engaging manner in her characters 3: you may find more in the plot than you were expecting
So if you like reading stories driven by human foilbles definitely give it a try. I think you'll find it worth the time.
Pride and Prejudice is anything but boring. It is an amazing story and, apart from the view about society and human realtions that it portrays, it has a very interesting plot and incredible characters. It is my favorite book and I really recommend it. Jane Austen is a terrific author.
Classics Without All the Class
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Paradise Lost (other topics)
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I'd highly recommend The Things They Carried, as well as O'Brien's autobiography If I Died In A Combat Zone... and his novel dealing with the aftermath of Vietnam titled In the Lake of the Woods. His other words are probably great, as well, but I haven't had a chance to read them yet. O'Brien writes about war with such clear, evocative, and yet unsentimental language. I can't praise his work enough! He's one of my favorite authors.