100 books to read before you die discussion

Rachel wrote: "

This was one of those classics I was determined to read at least once in my life, and now I have done so, hooray! That being said, this was a 2-star read for me because regar..."

This is a politically seminal book. It's not about how fast you can read it (the breadth), but about the depth and understanding of how it pertains to life today. Orwell was a genius. His genius & relevance is why he's still read in classrooms. An analytical guide like ciffnotets or sparks would help you get the most out of such a significant book.

Rachel wrote: "Yes, well, I don't agree with socialism, so I doubt I would do that. I'm not in school anymore, so I don't have to fully understand books I dislike."

Hahaha. Yes, if I would have paid more attention in English in high school, it could have really killed my love of reading! It wasn't until years later that I appreciated lit theory and analysis. Sorry, I didn't mean to rain on your parade-- but it seems like a waste to spend all the time & effort of reading and not to work a little more to get the connection to larger issues (the issues that connect all of us).

1984 is not about socialism; it's about government control & individual freedom. It's a book that governments have banned because it's message is so threatening. http://bannedbooks.world.edu/2011/07/...

If you didn't like 1984, you may not like Watership Down and Animal Farm--two other books whose themes are deeper and more significant than their on-the-face-of-it plots. You are obviously right--we now get to read for whatever reason we want to--so happy reading! I hope you enjoy your next book more than you did 1984.

Rachel wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Yes, well, I don't agree with socialism, so I doubt I would do that. I'm not in school anymore, so I don't have to fully understand books I dislike."

Hahaha. Yes, if..."

Not funny if you were the farmer or boxer! (My husband identifies with Boxer)! Lots of high schoolers have a difficult time with the allegory, but I love it.

It sounds like you just don't like politics. Bush announcing his "Clean Air" act in a national park--an act that removed pollution restrictions on factories was Orwellian. We see what took place in 1984 all the time. I read it as a warning.

What are you reading (next)? I'm currently reading Midnight's Children. A good book, but one I think I would have enjoyed reading at a different time... It's magical realism & I'm feeling a bit too grounded for MR right now.

Funny--Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the other magical realist author on the BBCs list! I haven't read Time of Cholera, but read 100 Yrs, Chronicle of Death Foretold, and his bio. His writing is lyrical, but also dark. I want to read something light and engaging next. I'm not sure what. Any suggestions?

Btw, I dislike narrow interpretations. I appreciate that maybe Orwell had Russian communism right after the revolution in mind when he wrote the book, but that seems to negate the universal lessons and observations that he's so good at. Also, makes it a bit dull if you don't really care about Russia in the early 1900s. :)

Rachel wrote: "Well, if you're going off these lists, then I'd suggest something by Jane Austen or one of the y/a or children's books. Can never go wrong with Winnie-the-Pooh. :)

Oh, I'm sure there's universal ..."

Btw, did you create your own lists? The only BBC list I've ever seen was from 2003...

Thought you might want to know that of us reading your comments on a phone or tablet have no idea what book you're reviewing. Which classic was dull & what's the novel you just finished that you enjoyed so much?

Oh. Thanks! The covers didn't show up at first, but when the page refreshed they were there.

I love both authors. Sorry you didn't like Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Cholera. I'm looking forward to it, but I need to be in a certain place. His work is like poetry and there's a mood he evokes that, for me requires time and reflection. Magical realism is a very unique genre and not for everyone.

The genre is called Magical Realism. Salmon Rushdie's Midnight's Children is also Magical Realism.

http://www.public.asu.edu/~aarios/res...

Not everything is for everyone. My guess is that you wouldn't like the city of New Orleans. It's full of the same dreamlike decadence.

New Orleans is a city full of ghosts and the supernatural. Anne Rices vampire stories were more believable for taking place there. I guess you will know how you feel about it once you visit.

Does your Aspergers keep you from seeing below the surface? Does it make it harder to see beyond what is there? For example, do you have a difficult time discerning sarcasm or inference? Do you skip over nuances for the more concrete? I never thought about how it would impact reading novels and appreciate you mentioning it.

I don't have Aspergers, but for the longest time I didn't like poetry because it was so much work. The nuances and inferences were as important, if not more important than the concrete words.

Thanks for taking so much time to explain. I appreciated finding more about how Asperger's impacts you.

I hope you get to New Orleans one day! I'm not a Christian and I don't believe in demons. I think the decadence and mysticism of New Orleans is mainly thanks to the residents! Enjoy and happy reading.

Thanks for taking so much time to explain. I appreciated finding more about how Asperger's impacts you.

I hope you get to New Orleans one day! I'm not a Christian and I don't believe in demons. I think the decadence and mysticism of New Orleans is mainly thanks to the residents! Enjoy and happy reading.

Rachel wrote: " 6-7-14
This was a brilliantly written novel about misinterpretation and how living in a fantasy world can cause serious repercussions in the real world. The characters ar..."


I haven't read Atonement yet. The movie of it was very well done.

Rachel wrote: " 2-17-14
This is a well-written novella. It is interesting, but I didn't care for the story that much."

One of my very favorites

I'm leaving the group since I just don't use it anymore and have deleted my previous posts because I couldn't delete the whole thread.