This group has been designated for adults age 18 or older. Please sign in and confirm your date of birth in your profile so we can verify your eligibility. You may opt to make your date of birth private.
The Catcher in the Rye
discussion
The Most Overrated Books
Yeah, that was pretty indicative of the entire department. I didn't particularly like that school for that and so many other reasons.
I've always admired Sarah Bernhardt's outlook, to wit:We must live for the few who know and appreciate us, who judge and absolve us, and for whom we have the same affection and indulgence. The rest I look upon as a mere crowd, lively or sad, loyal or corrupt, from whom there is nothing to be expected but fleeting emotions, either pleasant or unpleasant, which leave no trace behind them.
Sarah Bernhardt -
Edward wrote: "I think this is a very minority opinion, but when I recently started doing this, my artist brother-in-law told me that negative publicity is almost as good as positive. "
There might be something to this. There are many books that I've read solely because of foaming at the mouth, raging and ranting reviews.
Mochaspresso wrote: " There are many books that I've read solely because of foaming at the mouth, raging and ranting reviews."Exactly. There's only one reason I would read Joyce Maynard's memoir--her trashing of my favorite author, JD Salinger. Only by reading can I gather the material to rebut her.
Have your vengeance, Monty.Buy the book used ;-)
Monty J wrote: "Mochaspresso wrote: " There are many books that I've read solely because of foaming at the mouth, raging and ranting reviews."Exactly. There's only one reason I would read Joyce Maynard's memoir..."
Write an article about her book after you read it, it will make you feel better
Mochaspresso wrote: "There might be something to this. There are many books that I've read solely because of foaming at the mouth, raging and ranting reviews."It apparently depends on how the reviews relate to the past success/ratings of the writer. I found this article after having a related discussion in another thread:
"My research... demonstrates for the first time that under certain circumstances, even terrible publicity can bolster the bottom line. That largely depends, we found, on whether or not consumers are already aware of the product."
Full article: http://hbr.org/2012/03/bad-reviews-ca...
Geoffrey wrote: "Kallie wrote: "Renee wrote: "Moby Dick was one of the choices for reading in one of my HS Lit classes, but since I'd already read it the teacher had me read one of the other books. I gave myself ..."
I remember very clearly understanding trhough Crane's RBoC (as a youngster) that individuals can react in contradictory ways to the same conditions. The protagonist ran from battle at one time, in another instance he was brave. People are not purely brave or cowardly. That impressed me as unusually honest. Also, I did like Crane's style, maybe because I wrote adaptations of his work and doing so made me very aware of his singular, rather poetic voice.
GUSHING FANGIRLISH INTERJECTIONIf you loved/liked/appreciated CitR, try Jack Cady's Rules of 48
*but I seriously doubt Cady hid any secret codes in it* ;-)
Renee wrote: "GUSHING FANGIRLISH INTERJECTIONIf you loved/liked/appreciated CitR, try Jack Cady's Rules of 48
*but I seriously doubt Cady hid any secret codes in it* ;-)"
OK. I don't usually enjoy SciFi but you've made me curious so it's a want-to-read now.
It's not sci-fi, Kallie. Not even remotely :-) His novella, The Night We Buried Road Dog was featured in Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine back in 1993, but that story's a different creature entirely, falls (if you can categorize his work) closer to magical reality, but this one is anchored completely in what we'd call the real world of literary fiction.
Jack Chalker's Anchor and Flux series is the only sci-fi I've read in a long time now. Years. And it's far from the typical sci-fi offerings. Guess I got bored with the genre awhile back.
Renee wrote: "GUSHING FANGIRLISH INTERJECTIONIf you loved/liked/appreciated CitR, try Jack Cady's Rules of 48
*but I seriously doubt Cady hid any secret codes in it* ;-)"
LOL ! Thanks for the book recommendation
Edward wrote: "I wonder if as adults, we make a knee jerk negative reaction to the books we liked as kids. Maybe its as if we have to show that we learned something along the way. Personally I think we have learn..."It's almost the opposite with me. I can certainly see them in a new light, but thrashing something I enjoyed as a kid wouldn't make me feel good.
Anne Hawn wrote: "Fascinating! I lived in Alaska, but I never realized that the Native Americans there were related to the Navajos and Apaches. I guess I could have figured it out, but I just never made the connect..."I am not sure about that either. I looked up the Eskimos on wiki and they do not mention those groups as being related. Can you give is a reference?
Paul Martin wrote: "It's almost the opposite with me. I can certainly see them in a new light, but thrashing something I enjoyed as a kid wouldn't make me feel good."
I still think of my favorite kid books as special; Little Women taught me how to read well, something I try not to take for granted.
Cosmic wrote: "Anne Hawn wrote: "Fascinating! I lived in Alaska, but I never realized that the Native Americans there were related to the Navajos and Apaches. I guess I could have figured it out, but I just neve..."Eskimos are Inuit (and other groups) rather than Athapaskan, a large linguistically connected group believed to have migrated from Asia to Alaska, Canada, and into the Southwest perhaps as late as mid 16th century; no one knows for sure. The language separation of p.d. Southwest Apacne/Navajo from Canadian Athapaskans took place, according to some linguistic research, about 900 years ago.
Paul Martin wrote: "Edward wrote: "I wonder if as adults, we make a knee jerk negative reaction to the books we liked as kids. Maybe its as if we have to show that we learned something along the way. Personally I thin..."No. I wouldn't want to either. That would feel like when you learned there was no Santa Claus.
Kallie wrote: "Paul Martin wrote: "Edward wrote: "I wonder if as adults, we make a knee jerk negative reaction to the books we liked as kids. Maybe its as if we have to show that we learned something along the wa..."No. I wouldn't want to either. That would feel like when you learned there was no Santa Claus.
Wait . . . you mean . . . all these years I've been trying to be good for . . . for . . . NOTHING????
Well, shit.
Game on, then! :D
Renee wrote: "Kallie wrote: "Paul Martin wrote: "Edward wrote: "I wonder if as adults, we make a knee jerk negative reaction to the books we liked as kids. Maybe its as if we have to show that we learned somethi..."Hahaha! That's when childhood ends- for me, age 6. My sister told me there was no santa, she was 8!
Meh. My younger sister kept insisting there was no Santa, no Tooth Fairy (she even threw a tantrum and said she wanted her tooth back — and still had a pill bottle with her baby teeth stashed as an adult) . . . but she's always been a liar, even when the truth would serve her better so I blew it off :DBesides. I know better. Just a few years ago I crossed a busy intersection to the traffic island in the middle to give Santa a bag of fresh made Toll House cookies :-)
The boyfriend at the time was kinda miffed, but that's okay. He was a temp anyway.
Renee wrote: "Just a few years ago I crossed a busy intersection to the traffic island in the middle to give Santa a bag of fresh made Toll House cookies :-)
The boyfriend at the time was kinda miffed, but that's okay. He was a temp anyway. ">
Oh that's funny!!
Renee wrote: " He was a temp anyway."We're all flawed stand-ins for fabled "Mr. Perfect" manufactured by girls' mothers, or eager toads waiting for an optimistic, adventurous, indefatigable princess.
Monty J wrote: "Renee wrote: " He was a temp anyway."We're all flawed stand-ins for fabled "Mr. Perfect" manufactured by girls' mothers, or eager toads waiting for an optimistic, adventurous, indefatigable princ..."
Mr. Perfect is ofcourse a fable- he will never exist, nor do I want him. My imperfect husband is way more interesting!
Karen wrote: "Monty J wrote: "Renee wrote: " He was a temp anyway."We're all flawed stand-ins for fabled "Mr. Perfect" manufactured by girls' mothers, or eager toads waiting for an optimistic, adventurous, ind..."
Yeah, mine too.
Kallie wrote: "Karen wrote: "Monty J wrote: "Renee wrote: " He was a temp anyway."We're all flawed stand-ins for fabled "Mr. Perfect" manufactured by girls' mothers, or eager toads waiting for an optimistic, ad..."
Kallie and I love flawed men
Kallie wrote: "Eskimos are Inuit (and other groups) rather than Athapaskan, a large linguistically connected group believed to have migrated from Asia to Alaska, Canada, and into the Southwest perhaps as late as mid 16th century; no one knows for sure. The language separation of p.d. Southwest Apacne/Navajo from Canadian Athapaskans took place, according to some linguistic research, about 900 years ago. "Thanks, Kallie. I was going to say that I am my own reference...from living there. You said it much better and with more authority. I was going to add that I thought the Athabaskans were considered indigenous. Interestingly, there is some animosity between the groups even today.
I think most of the books I loved as a child have an effect like a vaccination. They build up antibodies in my psyche which give a measure of protection against future criticism. I think it might be the called the "rose colored glasses effect." Don't mess with my best loved books!!!! They are forever protected against higher criticism.
Karen wrote: "Kallie and I love flawed men "Yeah, they are the most fun. Perfection? Now that is overrated. I feel sorry for people, male or female, who try to seem perfect (emphasis on seem).
Anne Hawn wrote: "Kallie wrote: "Eskimos are Inuit (and other groups) rather than Athapaskan, a large linguistically connected group believed to have migrated from Asia to Alaska, Canada, and into the Southwest perh..."I think you are right, Anne, and that there is animosity even between the different Apache groups. But I know more about the past than the present so I shouldn't say.
Monty J wrote: "Renee wrote: " He was a temp anyway."We're all flawed stand-ins for fabled "Mr. Perfect" manufactured by girls' mothers, or eager toads waiting for an optimistic, adventurous, indefatigable princ..."
Princes are highly over-rated. I was always disappointed when the Beast turned into one of 'em. I'd rather have had the Beast.
But this one . . . disliked dogs, Monty. Also had multiple personalities and a sweet left hook — at 6'6". And once he thought he had me landed he treated me the same way my mother treated me.
And did I mention he disliked dogs?
Care to guess how she chooses? https://www.goodreads.com/story/show/...
Kallie wrote: "Karen wrote: "Kallie and I love flawed men "Yeah, they are the most fun. Perfection? Now that is overrated. I feel sorry for people, male or female, who try to seem perfect (emphasis on seem)."
If they were perfect, we'd be obsessing about how we are failing. When you have goofed royally, you can always point out a "pot calling the kettle black" episode in the one who has a tendency to shake the finger at you.
Renee wrote: "He disliked dogs, Monty. Also had multiple personalities and a sweet left hook — at 6'6". And did I mention he disliked dogs?."
All that other stuff can be managed, one way or another, but disliking dogs..., that's terminal.
BTW, my ex mother-in-law was heard to say, having met me and been informed of my various gentlemanly ways, "He's purrr--feckt!" I never understood her meaning until I realized later how I had been hoodwinked by her daughter.
Guys, if you ever hear those words, run like hell!
Hell, guys, it's probably not a bad idea to just run like hell's at your heels waving a ring anyway! Odds are it is.Oh, and I did learn a few valuable lessons from him, like getting sucker punched isn't really all that bad, and the best way to scare the piss out of a guy like that is to get right back up. The fear in his eyes was . . . gratifying.
Renee wrote: "Hell, guys, it's probably not a bad idea to just run like hell's at your heels waving a ring anyway! Odds are it is.Oh, and I did learn a few valuable lessons from him, like getting sucker punche..."
Good thing I wasn't around. I have a bad reputation with abusers.
I think I've finally cured him of stalking me, even internet stalking. Kharma cured him of prowling around my house, lol. She went through the back bedroom window after him. She didn't even get a scratch. She's very good at what she does. :D
Renee wrote: "I think I've finally cured him of stalking me, even internet stalking. Kharma cured him of prowling around my house, lol. She went through the back bedroom window after him. She didn't even get a..."
"Karma" must be the name of your pet pit bull. Poetic.
No, Kharma is the Fila Brasileiro. Kharma's a bitch. The Pittie is Tallulah. They're notoriously ineffective guardians, lol. They'll show you where the cookie jar is.
No not ..the stanger.It was really good.Maria wrote: "Which books do you think are overrated?
Here's a quick sampling from various internet sites that recommend skipping these:
The Catcher in the Rye
Moby Dick
The Great Gatsby
Waiting for Godot
The..."
Renee wrote: "No, Kharma is the Fila Brasileiro. Kharma's a bitch. The Pittie is Tallulah. They're notoriously ineffective guardians, lol. They'll show you where the cookie jar is."
Looks like you're in good hands. :)
Kallie wrote: "Karen wrote: "Kallie and I love flawed men "Yeah, they are the most fun. Perfection? Now that is overrated. I feel sorry for people, male or female, who try to seem perfect (emphasis on seem)."
Me too- too much work
Renee wrote: "Hell, guys, it's probably not a bad idea to just run like hell's at your heels waving a ring anyway! Odds are it is.Oh, and I did learn a few valuable lessons from him, like getting sucker punche..."
All grist for your mill, Renee. But glad that's over.
BTW, today is National Dog Day :D
Renee wrote: "BTW, today is National Dog Day :D"Barooo! (that's what m'pooches say)
Leslie wrote: "Renee wrote: "BTW, today is National Dog Day :D"Barooo! (that's what m'pooches say)"
Hounds?
Renee wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Renee wrote: "BTW, today is National Dog Day :D"Barooo! (that's what m'pooches say)"
Hounds?"
Yes, sight hounds, Basenjis = barkless, but Baroosters, greatest yodlers of poochdom. :D
I love the Basenji yodle! But then, I love the Toller scream too. And the Pittie war-yargle/banshee wail.Yes. I am a dog nerd.
Renee wrote: "I love the Basenji yodle! But then, I love the Toller scream too. And the Pittie war-yargle/banshee wail.Yes. I am a dog nerd."
We have four. The Chihuahua emits what I can only describe as a strangled, high-pitched shriek of indignation.
Renee wrote: "I love the Basenji yodle! But then, I love the Toller scream too. And the Pittie war-yargle/banshee wail.Yes. I am a dog nerd."
You should sit yourself down to a coursing even, all sight hounds, all screamin' happy to chase a little white baggie for about a 1/4-1/2....at about 25-30 miles an hour. Doggie heaven.
all discussions on this book
|
post a new topic
High Fidelity (other topics)
Less Than Zero (other topics)
Adam Bede (other topics)
The Scarlet Letter (other topics)
More...
George R.R. Martin (other topics)
Allan Bloom (other topics)
Richard Dawkins (other topics)
Richard Dawkins (other topics)
More...
Books mentioned in this topic
War and Peace (other topics)High Fidelity (other topics)
Less Than Zero (other topics)
Adam Bede (other topics)
The Scarlet Letter (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Leo Tolstoy (other topics)George R.R. Martin (other topics)
Allan Bloom (other topics)
Richard Dawkins (other topics)
Richard Dawkins (other topics)
More...
Wow. Way to kill independent thought, Prof . . .
But at least the student could console himself that ONE of those scholars would have made the same *mistake*.