Catcher in the Rye is probably my favorite book of all time. My suggestion would be to read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand next. One book that I read back in 6th grade that I really liked (even if you’re not into those types of books) is The Client by John Grisham.
Definitely go with Atlas Shrugged next. Based on what you said in your post I’m under the impression that you’re just reading the books @ Borders instead of buying them (cheap bastard). If that is the case, then my suggestion would be to buy Atlas Shrugged, its a big-ass book.
I recently read Catcher in the Rye, what a great book. I also read 1984 again and was amazed how it is still relevant today.
The most recent book I read was ‘Life of Pi’ by Yann Martel. What an amazing book. Amongst the best books I have ever read and I would highly recommend it.
Reading is definitely the thinking persons entertainment.
chrismcl…haha! I’ll admit that I do go to Borders every weekend now to read and that I read the books there rather than buy them. However, I go to my local library and take out the books there and whatever book I happen to be reading…I just end up reading at Borders also. Hmmm, come to think of it, I guess I am a cheap bastard…;o) I will check out that Atlas Shrugged you suggested. Right now I am reading A Farwell to Arms by Hemingway and it is amazing! I’ll have it done by next week…and then I will check out the one you suggested.
Still waiting to bump into that t-vixen at Borders though…(wink wink)…Tony G
Thought I’d poke around and see what all we’ve read in the past few months. I’m almost done with The Frogotten Soldier by Guy Sajer. Great book, really brings out the horror of the battlefield. Was written by a German soldier who fought on the Eastern front in WW2. Keegans History of the Pelloponesian War was good. Gave a bit of historical perspective that Thucydides couldn’t. And the English department has challenged us to read Animal Farm by Georgr Orwell. God, I haven’t picked that up since the 7th grade. Anyine else read anything good?
The last few books I read (in no particular order):
A World History of Salt
Shibumi (re-read)
Leadership Aikido
The Path to Power, by Robert Caro (first of a 3-part biography of LBJ)
Currently I’m working my way through Richard Burton’s account of his trip to Mecca and Medina, and also having fun with Neal Stephenson’s latest book, which is a fictionalized version of the beginning of the Age of Empiricists. Good fun.
I also think this is a great thread.
Untill a couple of months ago I had never read a book for pleasure in my life.
I think I made the wrong choice by starting off with autobiographies.
Can anyone reccomend any good non fiction titles?
How do you get the list of the top 100 english literature?
I’d be greatful if someone could post a link for the original post.
Thanks.
Jay
No shame in that at all bro. The right books will evoke certain feelings that you may have not realized otherwise and help you to learn about yourself and grow. You sound like your doing well, that’s good to hear. Don’t worry about finding a great girl. It’ll happen when you aren’t looking for it and probably when it’s least convenient but…Anyway stay balanced. Be proud.
As for what I have read recently, I don’t even know where to begin. I read anything by Kurt Vonnegut. He is so amazing. Hmmm, what else.
Hemmingways Big 3…
A Farewell to Arms
For Whom the Bell Tolls
The Sun Also Rises
The Grapes of Wrath
Of Mice and Men
Lolita
A Clockwork Orange
Franny and Zooey
To Kill a Mockingbird
As I Lay Dying
The Maltese Falcon
and several others I can’t think of at the moment.
Currently reading Animal Farm by Orwell and it is pretty good!
Still go to Borders every weekend. I love it there. I can sit there and read for hours or listen to music and no one bothers you. Keep em coming everyone, ALWAYS great to know what everyone else is reading.
the best book i’ve ever read is “there are no children here.” i dont read as much as i used to, but i’m gonna read this one again soon. i reccommend it to anyone who likes reading.
Well this is an unexpected forum for a e-magazine such as this one. Granted, it is pretty interesting. Reading has always been my preferred hobby. The Lord of the Rings triology (and the Hobbit) are some of my personal favorites. I have re-read the series multiple times-and I always find something new. Other favorites include 1984 (orwell), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (Mark Twain), The Relic (Lincoln-Child i think), The Stand (King), and The Jungle (Sinclair). I’ve been trying to read a few more of the classics (Count of Monte Cristo, Tale of Two Cities, ect.) but I’ve had a killer term at school and no free time. Reading is an excellent way to relax and take you away from your daily life and troubles. Keep posting more book ideas and keep this forum rolling.
If you are still looking for recommendations for books that will make for a well-rounded intellect, I recommend that you take a look at the update of Clifton Fadiman’s “Lifetime Reading Plan.” The "New Lifetime Reading Plan: is on Amazon (with some reviews) at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062720732/ref=pd_sxp_f/102-9878575-7328907
I bought an earlier edition 20-some years ago, and I still go back for recommendations on great literature. Most of the books recommended can be found in your local library or in relatively inexpensive paperback editions at Borders or BN. The great thing about Fadiman is that you get enough background from him before reading so that you know what to look for in the book, but you are still challenged to think about it. I learned more about literature by following his recommendations than I ever did in college. Based on his (actually their - he had a co-author) recommendations, I read a lot of authors that I just wouldn’t have ever considered, and I’m glad that I did. The review says that the new version has been updated with recommendations of great twentieth century literature as well.
If there is a weakness in Fadiman’s recommendations, it is that it is concentrated for the most part on Western literature. I don’t want to start or restart the “books by dead white men” debate. If you are interested in a broader base, by all means go beyond the books on the list. There are many other authors worth reading as well, although I don’t know of an equivalent recommendation list.
Right now, I’m hooked on Neal Stephenson. I read “Snow Crash” and “Cryptonomicon”. I have just started “Diamond Age” and I bought the new one, “Quicksilver (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 1)”.
For light reading, try Kyle Mills new book, “Smoke Screen”. You will love this book.
