Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion
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Which LIST book did you just start?
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Gaston
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May 26, 2010 10:34AM
The Idiot--Fyodor Dostoevsky
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Tasha wrote: "I'm not sure if this is the place to ask this question, but how do you decide which book to read from the list? I'm curious b/c I just got the book and while looking through it, with all these int..."Whatever I find at the library or a used book sale first. Most of the recent stuff usually has a waiting list at my library so its pretty much chance what will come up. I have a stack at home that I've found at the last two used book sales - for those its just gut feeling as to what I feel like reading in between library books.
Evelina wrote: "Joselito wrote: "Evelina wrote: "Joselito; I liked The Princess de Cleves, too, once I got over my expectation that it would in any way resemble our fiction of today. Wondering whether the Prince..."It's indeed believable that some married men/women will take the path of fidelity, and do whatever they think would help them stay that path. With that, I think the book is still relevant.
My question, however, is more in the particular situation Mme de Cleves was in. She and M. de Nemours have not even touched, kissed or had sex yet. Not even had any lascivious conversation. Although Mme de Cleves felt/knew M. de Nemours has the hots for her, he has not even told her so. Yet, the story says, she confessed her love for M. de Nemours to her husband. It seems weird to me that a wife would do that.
Kuya Doni wrote: "Tasha wrote: "I'm not sure if this is the place to ask this question, but how do you decide which book to read from the list? I'm curious b/c I just got the book and while looking through it, with..."What an interesting scheme! Do you mind sharing your themes for the next several months? BTW - I'm impressed at how quicky you're racing through those 1700's books - you'll be done with the list in no time (or at least until the next update).
Joselito wrote: "Evelina wrote: "Joselito wrote: "Evelina wrote: "Joselito; I liked The Princess de Cleves, too, once I got over my expectation that it would in any way resemble our fiction of today. Wondering wh..."It might be weird, even a twisted form of logic, but not unrealistic. She didn't want it to even get to the point of touching, kissing, or sex, much as she was tempted to, and she tried to use her husband to create a barrier against Nemours. The examples of sexual liasons given throughout the book did not end happily, even though it was an openly accepted practice; but then again, there were no happy marriages either.
I would like to read this book again one day soon and examine more closely the princess' inner world and motivations.
Julie at All Ears wrote: "Kuya Doni wrote: "Tasha wrote: "I'm not sure if this is the place to ask this question, but how do you decide which book to read from the list? I'm curious b/c I just got the book and while lookin..."Thanks for the kind words, Julie. I have not firmed up my themes yet. But for June it will be based on those included in both 101 Books for Men and 1001 - 2010 version. For July, it might be sci-fi books included in 1001 - 2010. August, I might go for thrillers, etc. But as I said, having one kind of genre for the whole month could be boring. For example, this month my theme is 1700-1800 but I don't want to feel too old so I also pick and read recently published 1001 books for me to feel that I still live in 2010.
Currently reading Aphra Behn's Oroonoko. Quite informative!
I've gotten into "Les Miserables" - Victor Hugo I like it very much so far....rich layers building his main character...I'm interested in how like a Dickens novel it will progress...Anyone made that comparison?
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by RL Stevenson
Don DeLillo's Falling Man. It's about 9/11 so it looks promising!
I've finally started Arturo Perez-Reverte's The Club Dumas. I'm pretty excited to really get into the story; I'm only a chapter in but it's pretty intriguing so far! =D
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (audio version)
Simon's Family by Marianne Fredriksson
Fallin Man by Don DeLillo
Cloudsplitter-so far pretty slow going,but I won't give up!
Ginny, I've been reading Cloudsplitter for several weeks. Part 1 was slow for me, but after that it's picked up for me. I just got to Part 4 and I'm really enjoying it.
Invisible by Paul Auster (audio version - read by the author - a plus!)Just started the final(?)section "Fall" - sexual content of story is making me feel icky - when you read it, I think you'll know what I'm referring to - certain experiences are taboo for a reason!
I used to say that I preferred audiobooks that were read by the author. That was before Infected. To Scott Sigler's credit, I think I may have actually tolerated the book if I had read it, but his audio reading of it was pure torture. If I hadn't used it in a reading challenge I would NOT have finished it!!!But I REALLY want to listen to a Stephen King work that he reads himself. So I need to find one.
Becky wrote: "Invisible by Paul Auster (audio version - read by the author - a plus!)"I read this last month (5 stars) without the audio. Is Paul Auster a good reader?
American Psycho. My first book by Bret Easton Ellis. I have the paperback copy (399 pages) and the letters are small. I hope I made the right decision of reading this first. My 111th book out of the 1001. If I die after reading this, will I not regret not reading first the others like Anna Karenina or Ulysses? Well, I am dead already so cannot regret anymore but who knows?
Ginny wrote: "Cloudsplitter-so far pretty slow going,but I won't give up!"Ginny, I hated every second of Cloudsplitter. Such a fascinating period of history told in such monotone. Dreadful!
That's true, KD. I guess you won't be missing any reads if you're dead. LOL I started American Psycho a couple of months back, and keep putting it on the back burner. Its just NOT grabbing, which I guess is a GOOD thing that being a completely coldhearted serial killer isn't appealing to me, but I need to get it read and just get it over with. Plus, I borrowed it from a friend, and I'm sure he wants his book back. :)
Franny and Zooey. Should finish tonight then beginning Alice.
Michelle wrote: "I used to say that I preferred audiobooks that were read by the author. That was before Infected. To Scott Sigler's credit, I think I may have actually tolerated the book if I had r..."He reads "Bag of Bones" - I recall it being sufficiently creepy. Here's a link to a fan page that lists all SK audiobooks and readers http://www.stephenking.com/library/au...
I read this last month (5 stars) without the audio. Is Paul Auster a good reader?"He's not the best reader I've ever listened to, but I thought it might help me better understand his writing if I listened to him tell the story - especially since I struggled through New York Trilogy.
I think its a cool idea, if you've read some of an author's works, to check out their self-read audio. It would be great to hear King read BAG OF BONES -- its one of my favorites of his. I know he reads On Writing as well, and I haven't read that yet.I have a book by Paul Auster, Oracle Night. I've never read anything by him yet, but I guess that's the one I'd begin with. Anyone read it yet?
I just started Madame Bovary along with Through The Looking-Glass. Still struggling through Gulliver's Travels though. Every time I pick it up to read, I end up falling asleep.
Just started The White Tiger - Adiga. The writing style so far makes me think that it will go by quickly which is perfect since getting through Austerlitz was such a struggle.
Jennifer W wrote: "Ginny, I've been reading Cloudsplitter for several weeks. Part 1 was slow for me, but after that it's picked up for me. I just got to Part 4 and I'm really enjoying it."Thanks for the encouragement Jennifer- I'll keep plugging away at it. It did do a good thing for me though; I had a sleep study at the hospital the other night and brought the book and it put me right to sleep! lol I read again the next night and it did get better. And Becky, I'll let u know what I think about it. I struggled with Cloud Atlas too (do u think there is a connection with the word cloud? )
Started Falling Man by Don DeLillo this afternoon. Only read the first chapter so far, which was haunting. Here's hoping for a good book!
Rachel wrote: "Started Falling Man by Don DeLillo this afternoon. Only read the first chapter so far, which was haunting. Here's hoping for a good book!"It is really one of my best recent reads, Rachel. Hope you like it till the end.
Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
Michelle wrote: "I think its a cool idea, if you've read some of an author's works, to check out their self-read audio. It would be great to hear King read BAG OF BONES -- its one of my favorites of his. I know he..."I think Oracle Night is not in the list. NYT, Invisible, etc are.
I just started Saul Bellow's masterpiece The Adventures of Augie March. This is my 2nd book by Bellow. Last year I enjoyed his Herzhog so I hope I will like this too!
Yeah, ORACLE NIGHT is NOT on the list. But I have it, and I read LOTS of things, off the list AND on.
After finishing "Falling Man" by Don DeLillo and "Dangling Man" by Saul Bellow, I am preparing to start reading next "The Tin Flute" by Gabrielle Roy and "The Tin Drum" by Gunther Grass. They are all in the list, by the way.
I just started Philip Roth's Portnoy's Complaint.
I started 2 at once... The Book about Blanche and Marie and A Pale View of Hills.One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is currently on hiatus :)
Decided to go back to the older classics after reading a few more contemporary novels on the list. I've never read anything by Jane Austen and figured it was about time, so I started Pride and Prejudice tonight.
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Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
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