Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion
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Which LIST book did you just finish?
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Inna
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Jun 21, 2011 06:14AM

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Hi Inna - what do you think of this book? It is my husband's all time favorite book, but I simply couldn't get into it. It's been on my "currently-reading" list since September last year - I deleted it now. :) I thought that it's something like Star Wars that women don't get - so I would love to hear a woman's opinion.
Julia wrote: "Inna wrote: "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams"
Hi Inna - what do you think of this book? It is my husband's all time favorite book, but I simply couldn't..."
I am a woman and I loved The Hitchhiker's Guide. I love that ironic sense of humor; it kind of reminded me of Joseph Heller. I also happen to love Star Wars so maybe I am just weird.
Hi Inna - what do you think of this book? It is my husband's all time favorite book, but I simply couldn't..."
I am a woman and I loved The Hitchhiker's Guide. I love that ironic sense of humor; it kind of reminded me of Joseph Heller. I also happen to love Star Wars so maybe I am just weird.
Judith wrote: "The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne
A re-read from years ago. I had forgotten so much of the story! Fully enjoyed it!"
I never really liked The Scarlet Letter. I feel like the descriptions stifle the story, you know what I mean?
A re-read from years ago. I had forgotten so much of the story! Fully enjoyed it!"
I never really liked The Scarlet Letter. I feel like the descriptions stifle the story, you know what I mean?

Hi Inna - what do you think of this book? It is my husband's all time favorite book, but I..."
He-he - no, you're not weird - different strokes for different folks. And talk about being weird ... why be normal anyway. :)

Hi Inna - what do you think of this book? It is my husband's all time favorite book, but I simply couldn't..."
Bookbuddies wrote: "Julia wrote: "Inna wrote: "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams"
Hi Inna - what do you think of this book? It is my husband's all time favorite book, but I..."
For me, it was a much needed break after finishing brilliantly painful Sophie's Choice, and I think that humour in this book is of a really high quality.
"Arthur blinked at the screens and felt he was missing something
important. Suddenly he realized what it was.
"Is there any tea on this spaceship?" he asked."
"Can we drop your ego for a moment? This is important."
"If there's anything more important than my ego around, I want it
caught and shot now."

(ps I am another female who love Star Wars.. mainly the original trilogy) :P


A re-read from years ago. I had forgotten so much of the story! Fully enjoyed it!"
Borges famously said that Hawthorne was a great story ..."
I can understand what Borges was referring to though I still enjoy Hawthorne's characters very much. They are a bit one-dimensional while still seeming being psychologically complex. I think it is the situations he puts them in that makes this apparent contradiction possible. What do you think?

A re-read from years ago. I had forgotten so much of the story! Fully enjoyed it!"
I never really liked The Scarlet Letter. I feel l..."
I would agree that the action moves slowly at times, but all Hawthorne's observations are worth reading in my opinion.


A re-read from years ago. I had forgotten so much of the story! Fully enjoyed it!"
Borges famously said that Hawthorne was ..."
I find Hester very complex as a character. She accepts the punishment inflicted on her, but has an intellectual life of her own in which she questions the social parameters of the place where she lives (If I remember correctly, Hawthorne puts it like the outward existence that conforms, the inner life that questions). I also find her very strong, as opposed to Dimmesdale who is annoyingly passive and contrite.
On the other hand, Hawthorne set out to explore the psychology of sin, its effects on the sinner, and I think that's very well developed.


To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee

Christyb wrote: "I just finished the Count of Monte Cristo. 5 Star! Yes, it is long, but it is definitely a page turner!"
I am just about to start that and it is definitely daunting. I am glad to hear it is worth it!
I am just about to start that and it is definitely daunting. I am glad to hear it is worth it!

Respect!! I've had the book for years - can't do it hey. :)

Respect!! I've had the book for years - can't do it hey. :)"
Aw, thanks! It was most definitely a big-un. It took me 3 months, but I read quite a few other things as well.

Respect!! I've had the book for years - can't do it hey. :)"
Aw, thanks! It was most definitely a big-un. It took m..."
Yes I can imagine. I don't mind thick books - I go through all of Ken Follett's books, but this one is a difficult read!!




I liked On Beauty, but I gave up halfway through The Sea.. I just found it all too pretentious.

I liked On Beauty, but I gave up halfway through The
I would think so many on this list could be described as "pretentious".

I liked On Beauty, but I gave up halfw..."
Hi Robin and Rhianne - thanks for sharing. I marked "On Beauty" as "to read" - looks interesting ...
Robin - this group is great. I was looking for the right group for months and also stumbled upon this one. :)


One of my favorites!!!

..."
I, too, don't understand the hype!!

Have you read The Stone Diaries? I'm almost finished it and it's so good.


The only thing I liked about that book was this tidbit on writing:
"The creation by word-power of something out of nothing--what is that but magic? And, may I add, what is that but literature?"

Decent story (suspenseful in places and slow in others), and an intriguing use of a first-person plural narrator.

Parallel, secret and elusive juridical systems, where could we just see those lately?
By style it turned out to be one of the worst books I read last couple of months. I understand why it was not published during Kafka's lifetime.

Decent story (suspenseful in places and slow in others), and an intriguing use of a first-person plural narrator."
This one is on my "to read" list. Have you read Middlesex by the same author? It's on my Top 10 list, so I hope this one is also as good. :)

Decent story (suspenseful in places and slow in others), and an intriguing use of a first-person plural narrator."..."
Middlesex was one of my favorites and the first time I tried it I put it down early on and then picked it up again (thankfully) and devoured it.

Decent story (suspenseful in places and slow in others), and an intriguing use of a first-person plu..."
His writing style is so different - the way he jumps in time - I thought it was incredible. Such a brilliant read!!


I frankly and openly hated that book. So did my husband.

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