Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion
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Which LIST book did you just start?
Masanobu wrote: "Shay wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Shay wrote: "Has anyone read any of the comments from insane people about this book? I'm too afraid to post a review of this, I think."No, I haven't. You mean comments ..."
I liked it, well, loved it. I think I passed the age and returned again to a place where I feel sympathetic towards Holden. Maybe being the parent of a PITA 12 year old or being a teacher all those years, but I usually find real life Holdens kind of endearing and sweet in their yearning for something they can't quite define yet.
Shay wrote: "Masanobu wrote: "Shay wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Shay wrote: "Has anyone read any of the comments from insane people about this book? I'm too afraid to post a review of this, I think."No, I haven't. Y..."
Then you are far more patient than I am. While I loved reading about this fictional Holden, I don't know whether I would stand such a boy in real life. :)
Anyway, it is one of the books that really has its due place in the list.
Started John Dos Passos' first book in his USA Trilogy yesterday, The 42nd Parallel. I've already read the other two, 1919 and Big Money. I'm an American history buff, so I like Dos Passos' work.
Judith wrote: "Started John Dos Passos' first book in his USA Trilogy yesterday, The 42nd Parallel. I've already read the other two, 1919 and Big Money. I'm an American history buff, so I like Dos Passos' work."Interesting! A few weeks ago I was perusing the list, looking up titles that looked interesting, but that I hadn't heard of, and the USA trilogy jumped out at me.
White Noise by Don DeLillo - strangely interesting and interestingly strange.
by Hemingway. It is a short, easy read, and one of his classics that I had not read.
The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett, because, like Anne just said, it's short and easy. I'm trying to read at least 10 a month, but shooting for 15 a month. What am I going to do when I run out of short books?
I'm about 100 pages into American Rust by Philipp Meyer, which showed up on the 2010 list. It is excellent so far.
I have just started "One moment, One morning" by Sarah Rayner...A very girly book, but captured me straight away :)One Moment, One Morning
Christine,I have a similar process, but I read 50 pages per day...know this I also try not to read several fat books in a row, but if I get my 50 pages in, I'm happy.
Tony
Truman Capote- In Cold BloodAbout 50 pages in an so far I've enjoyed what I've read. I think it's going to be a good one.
Christine wrote: "Sophie wrote: "I have just started "One moment, One morning" by Sarah Rayner...A very girly book, but captured me straight away :)One Moment, One Morning"
Is this on any of the li..."
It says it was first published in 2010, so probably not. In any case, if it's not on the last list, then no, right? I don't recall seeing it, but I can't say for sure.
Christine wrote: "I started Smilla's Sense of Snow last night. I am loving this book so far."Great read, I read it a few years back, hope you enjoy
I started Youth by J.M Coetzee, only 18 pages in, it's started well, thankfully, he is one of those authors I have a love/hate relationship with.
Christine wrote: "Shay wrote: "The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett, because, like Anne just said, it's short and easy. I'm trying to read at least 10 a month, but shooting for 15 a month. Wh..."You can try to download some classics books at Project Gutenberg
Cindy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Started John Dos Passos' first book in his USA Trilogy yesterday, The 42nd Parallel. I've already read the other two, 1919 and Big Money. I'm an American history buff, so I like Do..."It helps to be well-versed in turn-of-the-century American history to read Dos Passos's trilogy, but you can learn a good deal from it as you go as well. I also enjoy his "stories" though you never get inside any of his character's heads very well.
"Small Island" - Andrea LevyI think I'm going to like this one from what I have read about the story...
Reading The Devils by Dostoevsky at work and The Children's book at home, and enjoying them both.Judith
I liked small island, very easy book to get into.
Christine wrote: "I started Smilla's Sense of Snow last night. I am loving this book so far."The only quibble I have about this book is that you can only read it for the 1st time once! LOL
I loved it all the way thru & have read it again, several times. Not for the mystery, obviously (after the 1st time) but for the characters (esp Smilla) & the place.
So wonderful. Sigh. I envy you reading it for the 1st time.
Look forward to your comments about it.
Casey wrote: "Truman Capote- In Cold BloodAbout 50 pages in an so far I've enjoyed what I've read. I think it's going to be a good one."
It's his best, I think. Whether or not someone is a fan of true crime, this is a brilliant & chilling read.
I do wish you luck. LOLIt seems harder this time than the twice I read it before.
It's best not to think much when starting a book like this. I've learned for myself to read the first 100 pages blindly, as tho I'll just be reading this the rest of my life & not passing any judgments or forming opinions (unless I just hate it so much I abandon it).
In the end, I loved it. And the deeper I get into it, the faster it goes.
Relax & enjoy. It's so worth it.
I am about 24 pages in and already there are LOTS of names (and they all look/sound the same lol) however, the story line is intriguing me enough that I am still interested in reading more. Anyone that has actually FINISHED the book has only said great things about it, so I am going to try my best to hang in there! Thanks for the encouragement :-)
I'm reading
for my modern literature class.
fivesunflowers wrote: "I am about 24 pages in and already there are LOTS of names (and they all look/sound the same lol) however, the story line is intriguing me enough that I am still interested in reading more. Anyone..."Try not to worry about the names. As you immerse yourself in the world of the book, that will become easier & easier. And there are really only a few essential ones. Keep a crib sheet if you like; I did when I 1st read the Russians. But really don't worry about it: I promise you'll get used to it.
For me, the only parts that consistently bored me over the years were Levin's agricultural/economic theories. & in a post-agrarian economy I think they're probably mostly irrelevant now. So see how that goes for you.
FivesunflowersLove Anna Karenina, and have to admit it's difficult to pin down those names.
Reading Demons by Dostoevsky and I'm really getting into it, last of his books to read from the list but I'll have to read more.
It has been awhile since I picked up a 1001 list book but am now reading The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford. I haven't seen this book come up too often on this list. What have others thought of it?
I remember loving The Good Soldier, although it's been awhile since I read it. The narrator is not very likable nor or most (if not all) of the characters. Of course, they're seen through his eyes! But the writing was outstanding: I felt like each sentence was beautifully constructed in a way that didn't shout about it and followed easily & inevitably into the next. I was absorbed by the story and the chilly surface covered a very warm subject.I hope you like it as much as I did!
Deanne wrote: "FivesunflowersLove Anna Karenina, and have to admit it's difficult to pin down those names.
Reading Demons by Dostoevsky and I'm really getting into it, last of his books to read from the list ..."
I am taking my time so I can really understand the characters and what I am reading, which is working so far. I am determined! lol ..
LDB wrote: "It has been awhile since I picked up a 1001 list book but am now reading The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford. I haven't seen this book come up too often on this list. What have others t..."It was one of my favorites! Be sure to see the movie version of it also. They parallel nicely!
I didn't even know there was a movie version. I remember (despite the plot) the feeling of the book was so static...who made the film? And who's in it? I'd love to see it.
War and Peace - I've avoided this for years but am doing a read-a-long to keep me going. I'm tackling the Monk too as this month's read.
I avoided WP for years too-and when I finally read it I wondered why! I found it the easiest of the Russians (except, of course, for the names-that was the book I learned to stop worrying about that!). Easier than Anna Karenina or any of Dostoevsky.It was such a great story, so much fun. I remember thinking, Why didn't anyone ever tell me how much fun this book is?
Enjoy!
I've just started The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I'm loving it so far. I'm listening to an audio version and the narration is fantastic!
The Razor's Edge by Somerset Maugham (incorrect spelling -sorry) - Audible.com version - the narrator reads very fast but well.
Selene wrote: "War and Peace - I've avoided this for years but am doing a read-a-long to keep me going. I'm tackling the Monk too as this month's read."
Yay! I'm about 1/3 into W&P, and it's very readable, just don't get discouraged by the long character-introducing party scene at the beginning. Things pick up nicely after that.
A Woman's Life by Guy de Maupassant. Finally got my copy in, couldn't find it anywhere in the U.S. and had to get it shipped from overseas!
Ellie wrote: "I avoided WP for years too-and when I finally read it I wondered why! I found it the easiest of the Russians (except, of course, for the names-that was the book I learned to stop worrying about tha..."That is exactly how I felt reading it. It is such a wonderful book, and I was so happy when I finally picked it up.
Tanya wrote: "I've just started The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I'm loving it so far. I'm listening to an audio version and the narration is fantastic!"I LOVED Elegance of the Hedgehog!
Just started W. Somerset Maughams's "Of Human Bondage". Owned a pocket edition for many years, and always forgot to start it. The list helped me over the treshold... I found an ePub edition in a 1001 download-collection as well that stretched the 606 pages of fine print to an overviewable [and scalable :)] 719. Who could resist.. ?
The Shining is my favorite Stephen King book in the category of book-as-book. It's completely effective as horror but is also a chillingly accurate portrayal of a non-recovering alcoholic's mind as well as his traumatized son.
Question: is there a way I can move the 1001 books list into my home or is there a copy in goodreads? I'm having a hard time going back & forth between Boxall's page & mine, let alone figuring out how to easily go down the list & enter the "read" books (in the 1001 category) onto my book list.Am I making sense?
Ellie wrote: The only quibble I have about this book is that you can only read it for the 1st time on... Not for the mystery, obviously (after the 1st time) but for the characters"
And after reading enough Høeg, I find that not just a problem on Smilla. but for all characters in the longer novels.
But, and here's the good news: after a couple of years all are worth rereading. You'll find their development as interesting or weird again..
Ellie wrote: "Question: is there a way I can move the 1001 books list into my home or is there a copy in goodreads? I'm having a hard time going back & forth between Boxall's page & mine, let alone figuring out ..."It looks not so downloadable on the Boxall site, but there is an imho awesome solution by means of the Arukiyomi Spreadsheet. http://johnandsheena.co.uk/books/?pag...
It will serve your needs as described.
Ellie wrote: "Question: is there a way I can move the 1001 books list into my home or is there a copy in goodreads? I'm having a hard time going back & forth between Boxall's page & mine, let alone figuring out ..."There's also a Google Spreadsheet that a member here set up. You can download it into Excel or whatever.
Cindy wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Question: is there a way I can move the 1001 books list into my home or is there a copy in goodreads? I'm having a hard time going back & forth between Boxall's page & mine, let alone..."Thanks: where can I find the goodle spreadsheet?
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Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
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No, I haven't. You mean comments here on Goodr..."
I also thought I was too old for that book before I started it... but that's bullshit. Read, enjoy and review (if you're so inclined, of course)! I agree some comments are really aggressive, though.