Sophie’s Comments (group member since Sep 12, 2014)

Sophie’s comments from the 50 books to read before you die group.

Looking at works published posthumously might be a good place to start? Though some of them would have been finished in the author's lifetime, and just published after. But I think that counts for the challenge, depends on how strict you want to be.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...

Yay, I'm glad! You're welcome

Rach wrote: "(SPOILER ALERT)
Hi! Im in the middle of reading Pride and Prejudice and I really need some help/explanation. Chapters 35-37 have me very, very confused. I keep mixing up who is who and I have no c..."

In the editions of Pride & Prejudice I have, the chapters are numbered slightly differently (with each volume starting from chapter 1 again) but I should have the right part from you mentioning Darcy's letter...

(view spoiler)[ Darcy thought Jane (Elizabeth's older sister) didn't love Mr Bingley (the new neighbour and "man in possession of a good fortune") as much as he loved her, potentially she was just after Bingley's money. Darcy was also put-off by the behaviour of her three younger sisters and her mother. So in order to "protect" Bingley he told him that Jane was indifferent to him.

Mr Wickham (from the militia) has know Darcy for years. He told Elizabeth that Darcy stole the inheritance he deserved from Darcy's father. Turns out he's dishonest and in a lot of debt. Tried to run away and marry Darcy's sister in order to get her fortune previously.

So from the letter Elizabeth suddenly sees Mr Wickham and Darcy in a completely different light. Wickham is the bad guy. Darcy made mistakes and there were misunderstandings, but he explains them. Wickham has bad intentions. (hide spoiler)]

That's the basics, I don't know if it will make it any clearer. Any more questions let me know. Pride and Prejudice is one of my all-time favs so I love any chance to discuss it :)

I think you would be fine! Plus there are many notes and guides online if there are any parts you don't understand. English is my first language and I often read summaries for classics to deepen my understanding. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite books so if you have any questions, just leave another comment <3

We're almost a quarter through 2023! How is everyone's challenge coming along? Made much progress? Any books you want to read for it soon?

I've read 12 books so far this year, I've counted 5 for this and have completed these five challenges so far:

-published in the 2000s / 21st century
-that is a non-fiction or memoir
-by an author you’ve never read before
-by one of your favourite authors
-about something you’re passionate about

I've just been looking at the 50 list and I'm thinking either Brave New World or The War of the Worlds will be my choice for the first challenge. A Prayer for Owen Meany is a possible as a book recommended to me by someone in person.

If you're looking for other "books to read before you die" lists, I've been looking through...
22 books from Penguin Random House: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/th...
40 from The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...
1000(!!) from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/200...

Glad to hear people are liking the idea of this challenge :)

Completed 8/23

READ A BOOK...
➤ from the barnes & nobles “50 books to read before you die” bookmark list (the origin of this group)
I read:
➤ from the “100 books they didn’t tell you about” list created by this group
I read:
➤ published in the 2000s / 21st century
I read: Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
➤ published in the 1900s / 20th century
I read:
➤ published in the 1800s / 19th century
I read:
➤ published in the 1700s / 18th century or earlier
I read:
➤ written by a female author but first published under a male pseudonym
I read: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
➤ that was unfinished when the author died
I read: Days of Grace: A Memoir
➤ by an author from a different continent to you
I read:
➤ that is a translation from its original language
I read:
➤ that’s a retelling of a classic book
I read:
➤ that is a play
I read:
➤ that is a poetry collection
I read:
➤ that is a non-fiction or memoir
I read: On Agoraphobia
➤ shorter than 150 pages
I read:
➤ longer than 400 pages
I read:
➤ by an author you’ve never read before
I read: Today a Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket: Stories
➤ by one of your favourite authors
I read: Tress of the Emerald Sea
➤ from another “books to read before you die” list
I read:
➤ based on a real historical event or person
I read: Beryl
➤ recommended to you by someone in person
I read:
➤ about something you’re passionate about
I read: Hope: My Life in Football
➤ you’ve been meaning to read for a long time
I read:

Affan Tasnem Hemal wrote: "can any one tell me which book should i read next?
The Way of Kings or The Stand"

The Way of Kings! If you like fantasy, that book is so readable even though it’s so long. I’ve read it three times and will read it again one day. Brandon Sanderson is my favourite author and that series is probably my favourite of his so far (though it isn’t complete). I have never read Stephen King, maybe I should one of these days.

Thanks for the recommendation Nancy!

Here is the place to keep track of what you've read for the challenge in 2023. There is another thread for discussing the challenge and book ideas (https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...) so let's try and keep this thread to just one comment each. Copy and paste the list and then add the book that you read for that challenge (one book can count for multiple challenges). Good luck and have fun!

READ A BOOK...
➤ from the barnes & nobles “50 books to read before you die” bookmark list (the origin of this group)
I read:
➤ from the “100 books they didn’t tell you about” list created by this group
I read:
➤ published in the 2000s / 21st century
I read:
➤ published in the 1900s / 20th century
I read:
➤ published in the 1800s / 19th century
I read:
➤ published in the 1700s / 18th century or earlier
I read:
➤ written by a female author but first published under a male pseudonym
I read:
➤ that was unfinished when the author died
I read:
➤ by an author from a different continent to you
I read:
➤ that is a translation from its original language
I read:
➤ that’s a retelling of a classic book
I read:
➤ that is a play
I read:
➤ that is a poetry collection
I read:
➤ that is a non-fiction or memoir
I read:
➤ shorter than 150 pages
I read:
➤ longer than 400 pages
I read:
➤ by an author you’ve never read before
I read:
➤ by one of your favourite authors
I read:
➤ from another “books to read before you die” list
I read:
➤ based on a real historical event or person
I read:
➤ recommended to you by someone in person
I read:
➤ about something you’re passionate about
I read:
➤ you’ve been meaning to read for a long time
I read:

Hi everyone. I thought it would be fun to run a reading challenge as a group. I'm very excited for this, so hope some of you like this idea too :)

The challenge will run for all of 2023.
There are 23 reading prompts (see the list below) that I created inspired by the 50 books list and this group.
You can use any book for the challenge; it doesn't have to be from the 50 or 100 list.
You can use one book for multiple prompts, so you may complete the challenge with less than 23 books.

You will be able to officially sign up for the challenge on the group's homepage when it begins on January 1st 2023. Scroll down to the challenge section and you will see that you have to enter the number of books you want to read and a shelf name. The challenge will then create a shelf for you with that name and any books on that shelf will count for this challenge (remember to add the date read, to do this click ‘edit review’ and scroll down to where it says ‘date finished’). (I think you can change your total throughout the year so I'm guessing you could start with 23 and then if 1 book counts for 2 challenges change your total to 22 and so on.)

So now for the moment of truth, the list...

50 BOOKS 2023 CHALLENGE

read a book….
➤ from the barnes & nobles “50 books to read before you die” bookmark list (the origin of this group)
➤ from the “100 books they didn’t tell you about” list created by this group
➤ published in the 2000s / 21st century
➤ published in the 1900s / 20th century
➤ published in the 1800s / 19th century
➤ published in the 1700s / 18th century or earlier
➤ written by a female author but first published under a male pseudonym
➤ that was unfinished when the author died
➤ by an author from a different continent to you
➤ that is a translation from its original language
➤ that’s a retelling of a classic book
➤ that is a play
➤ that is a poetry collection
➤ that is a non-fiction or memoir
➤ shorter than 150 pages
➤ longer than 400 pages
➤ by an author you’ve never read before
➤ by one of your favourite authors
➤ from another “books to read before you die” list
➤ based on a real historical event or person
➤ recommended to you by someone in person
➤ about something you’re passionate about
➤ you’ve been meaning to read for a long time

Any questions let me know. You can use this discussion to ask for or share suggestions for books you think would fit the prompts. Or share any other thoughts. There is another discussion where we can all track what books we read for the challenge here - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/.... Good luck and happy reading!

An interesting question Heather. "The Wilds" on Amazon Prime asks this question. In a strange and disturbing way. But I love the show!

Hi all. I stopped setting up the monthly / quarterly group reads because they weren't getting much engagement and my life got a lot busier. I'm totally happy to bring them back though if anyone is interested?

Rather than doing the polls, which people sometimes vote on without intentions of joining in the discussions, I'll probably leave it up to comments to decide the books we'll read as a group in 2023. Please leave your suggestions below. They can be from the lists, or any other books you think are "must-reads". If they're not on the list, please share why you're nominating them.

Find the "50 books to read before you die" list on the homepage of the group.
And the 100 books list here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Introduce yourself here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

What are you currently reading? Whether it's on our lists or not, share it here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Track your (and others) progress in this folder: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

If you have any thoughts on any of the books on the lists, have a search - there's probably a discussion started for it already. If not, feel free to make one, or drop me a message and I'll do the honours.

Maybe we could do some sort of reading challenge as a group in 2023? I'll have a think and let you know if I have any more ideas. Leave any suggestions for things you'd like to see in this group below.

EDIT: I've now set up a challenge for 2023. Find more information here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Happy reading everyone :)

.

I'm thinking of reading this as a spooky october/ november read, if anyone wants to join me.

Hi Allyson. I think there are very few people who have read all 50! I've read 20 of the list. Depends how dedicated you are, I haven't put any pressure on myself personally.

I’m glad I read this book. It’s cool to have the knowledge and get references when classics like this one are entrenched in pop culture. I think people are overthinking it when they say it’s all about ‘mankind’s inherent savagery’ and a statement about true human nature. If I read it like that, then I don’t enjoy it as much. On the last page it does say (view spoiler)[ ”Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart” (hide spoiler)] so I’m not doubting that was part of Golding’s intention.

I suppose whether you agree or not, that is a question this book presents… What is your view of human nature? Inherently good, inherently bad? Always on the edge of chaos and destruction? Good hearted, but situations make us do bad things? I’d be interested to hear your guys’ thoughts.

I selfishly don’t want to read a book that preaches man is selfish and cruel. I don’t believe it and don’t want to read that pessimistic philosophy. I have a somewhat positive view of human nature, not idealistic I hope, but generally uplifting otherwise I’m not sure I could get through the day. There are social and psychological systems at play that encourage the negative traits of humanity. Like: if we can pass blame we do (diffusion of responsibility and the bystander effect) and most of us are fundamentally selfish because we live in our own heads. There are many examples you could use to prove humans are evil - war, murder, violent crimes, factory farming, biodiversity loss, species extinctions we have (and continue to) cause, to name just a few. But there are as many examples of the goodness of humanity - and in fact the worst, the aftermath of tragedies, often brings out the best.

I don’t think Lord of the Flies does preach. It presents a scenario and we take from it what we will. As a desert island adventure novel (without all the existential thoughts), one of the most famous of that genre, then it’s a good read. My favourite bit was (view spoiler)[Simon seeing the dead body handing from the parachute strings moving like a puppet, he runs down the tell the others and they murder him in a fit of adrenaline, confusion and fear. (hide spoiler)] Crazy times, atmospheric and intense.

The final point I want to acknowledge is that there are racist connotations to this story. It’s emphasised that it’s a shock and disappointment that a group of “British schoolboys” could become “savages”. As they form tribes, paint their faces and ritualise the island with the symbolic pig head we are supposed to sense their demise and know, only violence will follow. I liked Michael Li’s answer on Quora in response to the question “Why is the book Lord of the Flies racist?” which summarised it well. Goodreads won’t let me link to it (good job on finally doing something about the bots) so hopefully you can find it with a google / ecosia search. Here’s an excerpt from it (though I recommend reading the whole answer)…

These are typical racist depictions white people in Golding’s time had of indigenous cultures and people: that they’re a bunch of backwards, bloodthirsty, primitive savages hellbent on death and destruction, and thus need to be ‘saved’ by the civilized white man. The white British schoolboys went from being civilized to behaving like a bunch of savage natives. It doesn’t matter that all the characters are white. The fact that Golding measured the white schoolboys descent into savagery by mirroring racist tropes of native people as savage primitive animals is what makes the book racist.

The N word appears in the line ‘Which is better—to be a pack of painted n------ like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is?’
A great clamour rose among the savages. Piggy shouted again.
‘Which is better—to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill?’
A sign of the times perhaps but also let’s not brush it under the rug. Especially as many editions of the book now read “a pack of painted Indians” hoping to be less offensive I guess?

I’d also like to point to an article on rethinkingschools dot org called “Lord of the Lies” which presents the argument that the last thing we need in schools are cynical books like Lord of the Flies. I don’t agree with it all, but it does present another angle. Even though this is the “50 books to read before you die” list and group, I personally don’t believe there are any books everyone must read or that classics should be everlasting without being questioned.

I started reading this recently but... I don't care at the moment. I feel a bit sad as I haven't read an old classic in a while. I read this book over 7 years ago and loved it. In my review I mention enjoying the writing style and that I found the way the plots revealed and came together surprising and clever. I've since read A Christmas Carol and some other Dickens short stories which I did not enjoy so that's tainted his books for me.

There are so many other things I want to read more, so I'm going to give up on this at the present moment. I'll leave my glowing 5 star review up on Goodreads as it's indifference I feel now, not hate, and whose to say if 2014 me was just smarter or more patient than 2022 me. It is what it is.

"Sometimes one of the ladies or gentleman can't resist the urge to peek outside. The result: a storm of reproaches. The response: 'Oh, nobody will notice.' That's how every act of carelessness begins and ends. No one will notice, no one will hear, no one will pay the least bit of attention. Easy to say, but is it true?"

"Oh, why are people so crazy? I don't believe the war is simply the work of politicians and capitalists. Oh no, the common man is every bit as guilty; otherwise people and nations would have rebelled long ago!"

I'm surprised to see you say you've read this book multiple times Mary. I found it emotionally exhausting. It's the ordinary day-to-day thoughts of a young girl, with the tragedy of the war and living in hiding always on the edges. Mostly though, it's the bleakness, how sad when I read Anne talk of her future and yet I know she didn't live past fifteen. Haunting. It's an important piece of history but I'm not sure I would choose to read it again.

I don't agree with my above comment, now that I've read this book, that Anne was an "incredibly wise young woman with a way with words" - that sounds patronising! Many of Anne's words have been taken out of context. I did find alot of her thoughts fascinating though. She talks of Peter with logic, as well as acknowledging the emotional pull she feels to him. Her experience of menstruation and sex education. The way she views and treats her parents and adults in general. The plans she has for her future. The anxiety this whole situation gives her. I know it's because she's writing for her own benefit in a personal diary but the brutal honesty makes it all more interesting. There's a lot to mull over.

If she'd survived, Anne would be 93 this year.

April, May, June 2022 here we come! I hope you'll join the discussions for these three books...

LORD OF THE FLIES by William Golding: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
A TALE OF TWO CITIES by Charles Dickens: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
THE COLOR PURPLE by Alice Walker: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...