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Author Topic: To Be Well Read  (Read 1852 times)

Offline Maverick

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To Be Well Read
« Reply #60 on: May 31, 2007, 11:35:07 AM »
Jhookt,

You have had some outstanding recomendations here for books. Look them over and start broadening your exposure to literature.

The question I have is this, what is your goal for being "well read". Is it for casual conversation, impressing some girl at a party or because you want to experiance more of the literary world?

If it isn't the last one, you're wasting your time as spewing out titles of books you read really doesn't make much of an impression. Being able to understand differing view points because you read more can be helpful as well as seeing things from others perspective. Other than that, find a genre that you like and read for your own enjoyment.
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Offline Hap

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Re: To Be Well Read
« Reply #61 on: May 31, 2007, 12:05:30 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by jhookt
6 months into this year of our lord 2007 i have accomplished my New Year's resolution to quit smoking. I figure since i am on a roll as far as setting and meeting ultimatums i should keep going.

I want to be well read. The problem i have is where do i start? The classics? The best sellers' list? I was hoping that the gracious members of this forum could throw out a title or 2 to begin the path of general enlightment. Just a book that you feel is noteworthy, any and all genres. i figured should go first with the list so here goes:

Atlas Shrugged-  Ayn Rand
House of Leaves- Mark Danielewski


Hook congrats on quitting smoking.  Wish I could!!

I used to teach college English.

Good luck on your reading.

All the Best,

hap
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Offline Hap

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To Be Well Read
« Reply #62 on: May 31, 2007, 12:09:17 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by lazs2 What the hell is wrong with us?  Why did we stray so much to gain so little?

lazs [/B]


Now lazs, knock off asking the important questions or you'll force me to start reading your posts.  :aok
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Offline Hap

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« Reply #63 on: May 31, 2007, 12:15:18 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Sikboy
I'm a Steinbeck fan. A lot of his work is very approachable, and I feel a good place to start.

The Moon is Down
Cannery Row
Travels with Charlie in Search of America (Non-fiction)
Tortilla Flat

Where not to start:

The Grapes of Wrath
East of Eden

I love books.

-Sik


Sik,

I had forgotten about Steinbeck.  Loved his work so.  Read all the little ones and have left unread the big ones.  How's that for wierd.

20 years ago Viking published "Working Days," JS's journals commemorating the 50th anniversary of "Grapes of Wrath."

If you can find the NYTimes Book Review front page talking about Working Days, you'll flip your lid.  I used to have parts of JS's ruminations memorized.  Still do actually, but I won't cause pain to the O'Club by rattling them off.
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Offline Sikboy

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« Reply #64 on: May 31, 2007, 01:30:52 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Hap
Sik,

I had forgotten about Steinbeck.  Loved his work so.  Read all the little ones and have left unread the big ones.  How's that for wierd.

20 years ago Viking published "Working Days," JS's journals commemorating the 50th anniversary of "Grapes of Wrath."

If you can find the NYTimes Book Review front page talking about Working Days, you'll flip your lid.  I used to have parts of JS's ruminations memorized.  Still do actually, but I won't cause pain to the O'Club by rattling them off.


Bringing McMurtry and Steinbeck together...

"I have said that Texas is a state of mind, but I think it is more than that. It is a mystique closely approximating a religion. And this is true to the extend that people either passionately love Texas or passionately hate it and, as in other religions, few people dare to inspect it for fear of losing their bearings in mystery and paradox."
-John Steinbeck "Travels with Charley In Search of America"

McMurtry I'm never quite sure of. I've only read the first two of the Thalia books, and the first and third of the Sin Killer books, but it seems to me that while he has some very great writing early on, the stories don't have enough to push through multiple volumes even with a steady rotation of new characters.

My wife suggests F. Scott Fitgerald. She really digs the 20s.

Hap, I'm going to have to look into "Working Days." Have you read "The Log for the Sea of Cortez"? The introduction to that one was particulary telling. And the fact that through Doc he was well grounded in the Sciences fascinates me. Damn near a Renaissance man for his generation.

-Sik
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Offline Hap

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« Reply #65 on: May 31, 2007, 01:37:42 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Sikboy Hap, I'm going to have to look into "Working Days." Have you read "The Log for the Sea of Cortez"? The introduction to that one was particulary telling. And the fact that through Doc he was well grounded in the Sciences fascinates me. Damn near a Renaissance man for his generation.

-Sik [/B]


Nope, never read that book Sik.  At one time, I wished for a bumper sticker that would read "So Many Books So Little Time."

As to Fitzgerald, his prose can just win one over.  He just so good at being a writer.

As things didn't continue to shake out well for him, he fell prey to self-pity.  Which makes him just a regular guy.  Only difference is regular guys whine to their buds then put a cork in it when they see their buds have had their fill.  Or, they dwindle down looking for other audiences ad nauseum.

FSF had a bit of the same going on but his audience was big.

And he really had a way with words too.
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Offline lazs2

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« Reply #66 on: May 31, 2007, 02:16:08 PM »
I have to admit to a fondness for the old drunks born in 1900 or so..

Fitzgerald is unbelievable..  I honestly do think that "the great gatsby" is the great American novel.   I have read it 3 times in three different times in my life and got three different meanings out of it.

Hemingway is great in a completely different way..

lazs
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Offline Hap

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« Reply #67 on: May 31, 2007, 02:23:51 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by lazs2
I have to admit to a fondness for the old drunks born in 1900 or so


Spooky stuff.  

Really good writers too.

There was a slim volume, can't recall the title.  Contained more than one profile as I recall.  In part, maybe, written by a fellow who served in WWI and knew the Lost Generation headliners and ran in their circles as well.  Or written about the guy.

Gosh, I wish I could recollect.  It was in part about this guy's life that ended badly and the spirit of the times.  

Kept it for years then finally shunted it to a used bookstore with all the other ones gathering dust.

p.s.  FOUND IT: Exile's Return.

http://www.amazon.com/Exiles-Return-Literary-Odyssey-Classics/dp/0140187766/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-8020899-9831229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180639545&sr=1-2

Could be mistaken, but I think that's the one.  For anyone who takes interest in the period, its sure is worth reading.
« Last Edit: May 31, 2007, 02:28:51 PM by Hap »
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Offline texasmom

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« Reply #68 on: May 31, 2007, 02:28:37 PM »
Ernie Pyle is awesome.  Worth a read.


My favorite part about buying books in recent years is my other favorite game:  EBAY.


I've purchased many awesome books in the last few years for just pennies.
AND I didn't have to leave the house to browse.
:)
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Offline lazs2

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« Reply #69 on: May 31, 2007, 02:30:44 PM »
hap.. I am not sure what you are implying.   I am not an english teacher but I read a lot.  I have read a lot.   I think that you might even be surprised at what is on my bookshelf..  it is pretty eclectic.

maybe you think that if I read what you read that my politics should be as yours are?   What is "spooky" to you?

Why would learning that I have read a lot make you any more or less prone to read what I write?

I am trying not to make a judgement here but...  you are coming off like a stereotypical egghead eliteist.

lazs
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Offline AWMac

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« Reply #70 on: May 31, 2007, 02:38:32 PM »
Some of the things I still enjoy reading..

J.R.R. Tolkien "Lord of the Rings"
Waterhouse "Lady of Shalott"
Poe "All of his stuff"
Daniel Defoe "Same as above"
Hemmingway puts me to sleep fast.
and some others that are a lil more personal.

Most children do not read as much as we did in the past.

Sad really. Come to think of it.

Mac
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Offline Hap

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« Reply #71 on: May 31, 2007, 02:55:18 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by lazs2 What is "spooky" to you? [/B]


Lazs,

I was booze hound for many years.  

And I share a soft-spot for the drunks born around 1900 also.



:cool:
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Offline DieAz

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« Reply #72 on: May 31, 2007, 03:57:54 PM »
http://www.archive.org has old texts, films etc. hours of reading, watching fun and some not so fun (footage of Nanking, yes the Japanese invasion killings etc, not linking to it, use search.)

http://www.archive.org/details/texts

http://www.archive.org/details/movies

and as someone mentioned earlier this http://www.archive.org/details/What_To_Do_In_A_Zombie_Attack


more links at top of the pages to other stuff


oh and here for some Gov't WW2 films                                                

http://www.archive.org/details/cinemocracy

if you can find it under movies, feature films, letter H link, about half way down is a nice little Gov't movie on farming certain something for ropes, clothes, etc.  :noid  :aok
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Offline eskimo2

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« Reply #73 on: May 31, 2007, 04:50:44 PM »
Personally, I love children’s literature.  After 11 years of college I’ve determined that a lot of writing is difficult just for the sake of being difficult.  Language has changed so much over the years to make Shakespeare readable, even Twain is a bit odd and tough.

I’d say the Harry Potter series are the best books I’ve read.  Other great ones are: The Giver, Number the Stars, Hatchet, Julie of the Wolves & Maniac Magee.  Any recent Newbery Medal Winner or honor books are sure to be great.  My daughter just started “The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread” and gave me the low down; it sounds like a fun book.
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Offline texasmom

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« Reply #74 on: May 31, 2007, 04:54:52 PM »
I agree with eskimo ~ except I think the children's literature that I like are really picture books that happen to have words included:


Bread & Jam for Frances
Blueberries for Sal
Five Chinese Brothers
Don't let the Pigeon drive the bus
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