tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post1477697055613120449..comments2024-03-09T06:15:04.254-05:00Comments on Rach Writes...: Challenge: How Many Have You ReadRachael Harriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16764930101064527321noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-42457744179825792822010-11-27T16:37:27.165-05:002010-11-27T16:37:27.165-05:00Hey @DJ, well done you! Thanks heaps for your thou...Hey @DJ, well done you! Thanks heaps for your thoughts on the books, looks like I've got a lot of reading to do next year! Hmm, might have to watch Scrooged then, the toaster scene sounds pretty funny :)Rachael Harriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16764930101064527321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-11214623370394291492010-11-27T16:12:38.580-05:002010-11-27T16:12:38.580-05:00I've read over 50 of them. In fact, I think I ...I've read over 50 of them. In fact, I think I own over 50 of them. I went on a classics kick a few years back and reread the ones from HS & college, since I was probably paying more attention to the male sex than my classes.<br /><br />Definite reads include Confederacy of Dunces, all five of the Hitchhiker Trilogy (or at least the first three), Cold Comfort Farm (and the movie), and Memoirs of a Geisha. Also Bridget Jones, which is absolutely hilarious and heads and tails above the awful movie, plus it spawned the chick lit genre (one could argue that Jane Austen spawned it, but I consider Austen deeper than today's chick lit).<br /><br />As for Austen, Persuasion is second only to P & P. You should try it again, or get the audio version (it's a great bedtime story). <br /><br />I hated Handmaiden's Tale with a passion. I also hated Grapes of Wrath, but I'm not into misery lit. Cannery Row and the sequel are my two favorite Steinbecks.<br /><br />Les Miz, Madame Bovary, Anna Karenina, Vanity Fair, War & Peace, etc. are all worth reading. I'd probably end my 100 with Water for Elephants, one of the best-written books I've ever read.<br /><br />I've read The Christmas Carol, of course, but I much prefer the movie version "Scrooged". It's not Christmas until we see that fairy hit Bill Murry in the head with a toaster!DJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14359760998871484565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-83432564733066773712010-11-27T03:41:33.254-05:002010-11-27T03:41:33.254-05:00@Rachel, ooh, thanks for that. A few people around...@Rachel, ooh, thanks for that. A few people around the blogosphere seem to like that book, might give it a go :)<br /><br />@Christopher, great list. Good luck with Dickens and Austen, would be interested to see how you like them :)<br /><br />@Patricia, great you took part. It was a dubious list (and I was shaking my head over that one too - I read that the list was the most popular books, not the best literary reads, which I'm glad about because Bridget Jones and literary in the same sentence!!!) :O Still fun though :)<br /><br />@Adina, (*chortles*). It's interesting how they blur together sometimes isn't it. Thanks for the books to read, and great idea about the plays :)<br /><br />@Grandpa, be interested to see what you think of some of them. I'm not sure they all should be "required reading" though. I'd be keen actually to put together a list of books we all think are required reading!<br /><br />@L'Aussie, can't wait to see what you come up with, and thanks for the suggestions. Best of luck with the last NaNo words, I know you can do it!!!<br /><br />@Joanna, well done you! Great idea about the month-long reading fest. And think I'll look up Color Purple :)<br /><br />@Quinn, 15's still heaps :) I saw your list, and your comments about the books were so true!<br /><br />@Bluestocking, I'm impressed!!! Looks like we need to hold a read-a-thon :O<br /><br />@Hart, go you! I think I saw your total in someone else's comments, and you've read the most that I've seen so far (*claps*). Thanks for the suggestions. You might need to write your own "Naked List" ;)<br /><br />@Karen, it's annoying to have to return books when you haven't finished, isn't it!!! And yeah, admit away :)<br /><br />@Jodi, ooh, will keep my eye out :)<br /><br />@Stina, I guess we can make the rules!!! ;)<br /><br />@Abby, well done you! I'm way behind in the movie stakes :(<br /><br />@Madeleine, gosh it sounds freezing. Um...can I say it's in the 30s (degrees celsius) here - over 94 deg F I think from memory!!! And summer's hardly even started :O<br /><br />@Jenny, can't wait to read your list :)Rachael Harriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16764930101064527321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-48173769684627218932010-11-25T22:34:13.969-05:002010-11-25T22:34:13.969-05:00Thanks for this Rachel. I'd seen it on Faceboo...Thanks for this Rachel. I'd seen it on Facebook too but I will give it a go on my blog in the next day or so.Jenny Beattiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00640209636605410939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-59301978758523008692010-11-25T12:10:09.303-05:002010-11-25T12:10:09.303-05:00Wow now that is some list! I recognise a few I hav...Wow now that is some list! I recognise a few I have read and a few I started but did not finish. My 11 yr old kittie and I have been frozen all day and cuddling up to share our body heat. It's soo cold, at last we can put the heat on now that it's after 4pm. ;O)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-6815654171847386942010-11-24T23:53:48.214-05:002010-11-24T23:53:48.214-05:0034! I've seen a lot of those as movies too! ...34! I've seen a lot of those as movies too! I have seen this list going around FB too.Abby Minardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963640263845561309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-41018531628960389222010-11-24T17:55:45.074-05:002010-11-24T17:55:45.074-05:00You're doing better than me. Does watching the...You're doing better than me. Does watching the movies count? :DStinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-61826539765925067882010-11-24T17:46:24.949-05:002010-11-24T17:46:24.949-05:00I recommend any Ian McEwan book you can get you ha...I recommend any Ian McEwan book you can get you hands on. I've read both his Attonment and Black Dogs. I loved them and lierary fiction isn't my thing usually.<br /><br />JJodi Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03216373059861459896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-81104272617546733382010-11-24T14:07:58.156-05:002010-11-24T14:07:58.156-05:00I've read 20 and intend to finish The Handmaid...I've read 20 and intend to finish The Handmaid's Tale, which I started ages ago and liked, then had to return to the library! The rest don't appeal or I've tried and not enjoyed.<br /><br />(Is it ok to admit I'm not a Harry Potter fan?!)Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05986874444030474719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-79118281087584635972010-11-24T12:44:36.657-05:002010-11-24T12:44:36.657-05:00Okay, I've seen this enough times now, that I ...Okay, I've seen this enough times now, that I am going to have to do one, too... maybe for Friday. I would echo YES on The Kite Runner, Yes on the Handmaid's Tale, Yes on the Count of Monte Cristo (BRILLIANT plotting) and I strongly recommend Lolita--all of them pretty easy to read. Then, when you are not distracted and have time to WORK AT IT, the best books in the Universe (other than Harry Potter, I mean) are War and Peace and Les Miserables. IMHOHart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-71958255498327383202010-11-24T12:01:17.491-05:002010-11-24T12:01:17.491-05:00Ooh! I read 39 but geez so many left over. Haven&#...Ooh! I read 39 but geez so many left over. Haven't touched Tolstoy or the Thomas Hardy's on the list. Too much commitment :)Bluestockinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01225973854788421827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-12270037530399586182010-11-24T10:16:01.550-05:002010-11-24T10:16:01.550-05:00You've read more than double my number. I'...You've read more than double my number. I've only read 15 of these books. I'll be posting the list myself either tomorrow or on Friday.Basthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12561466241112288690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-58262053458807168322010-11-24T07:37:30.809-05:002010-11-24T07:37:30.809-05:00i have 29 or 30 that i recall reading
The color pu...i have 29 or 30 that i recall reading<br />The color purple is definitely a good read, I would just dedicate a month and read em all or not! its up to uJoanna St. Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06180782095853911283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-45286550818532310602010-11-24T03:27:09.288-05:002010-11-24T03:27:09.288-05:00Hi Rach. I've copied this and will post soon a...Hi Rach. I've copied this and will post soon as. I recommend the following. I've read and loved them. They're all slow-moving, except the Colour Purple, so you need to be on a desert island, but you'll never forget them. <br /><br />Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad<br />The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald<br />War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy<br />The Color Purple – Alice Walker<br /><br />There's probably more but I'm just flitting by. Should be writing my final 14,000 words for NaNo. Takin' a break.Denise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-31172096795649196922010-11-24T02:53:47.281-05:002010-11-24T02:53:47.281-05:00Hi Rach, because of the way blogs appear on my das...Hi Rach, because of the way blogs appear on my dashboard (i.e those published later first) I read this on Patricia's blog first!<br />You are all very well read I see. I see a few familiar titles. I won't join the challenge obviously, but the list will perhaps become my shopping listGrandpahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13250675550143944134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-9270662389735722202010-11-24T02:37:06.390-05:002010-11-24T02:37:06.390-05:00I think the word might be literariness. :-)
I'...I think the word might be literariness. :-)<br /><br />I'm like Rachel M, there are some where the movie/book blur together and I think probably, in honesty, I've only seen the movie, not read the book. Vanity Fair for example!<br /><br />But some other ones to add to your list:<br />Swallows and Amazons (for kids, very charming)<br />Hitchhikers Guide<br />Rebecca<br />Handmaid's Tale<br />The Secret History<br /><br />Yeah, there are others - but all of the above suggestions have the virtue of being 'easy' reads. Which I can't say for Dostoyevsky! (or Evelyn Waugh. That man and I do not agree about what should be in a satisfying book. After reading A Handful of Dust - not on this list - I was so depressed I couldn't look at another book by him EVER!)<br /><br />Though not on this list as they aren't novels, if you want to read some great Russian stuff and can't come at tomes like those by Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy, try reading Chekhov's plays instead. Plays are so short and easy to read in comparison...Adina Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08860528131098237473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-15574690575643071442010-11-24T02:23:36.329-05:002010-11-24T02:23:36.329-05:00Okay, I completed your challenge on my blog. I cam...Okay, I completed your challenge on my blog. I came up with 20 read entirely and 10 partial reads, but then cited books I thought should be on the list. This was fun. Thank you. <br /><br />It's funny how the list spans over different eras. My mom's list would be so different than mine and wouldn't include Bridget Jones' Diary. So the question I guess is by well-read how many eras do we have to go back and then which books do we choose from in each era? We shouldn't discount great books from recent eras but Bridget Jones' Diary, really? I might be more well-read than another if I've read this one (thank god I did, ha). Too funny. This makes me think a lot. I like that.Patricia A. Timms-McGeheehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08989800584001861716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-71020522000833149882010-11-24T00:27:38.330-05:002010-11-24T00:27:38.330-05:00I've read 19 (below) you beat me!
Plan on gi...I've read 19 (below) you beat me! <br /><br />Plan on giving dickens and austen a try pretty soon.<br /><br />To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee<br />Nineteen Eighty Four (1984) – George Orwell<br />Catch 22 – Joseph Heller<br />Catcher in the Rye – JD Salinger<br />The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald<br />War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy<br />The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams<br />Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoyevsky<br />Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck<br />Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy<br />The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini<br />Animal Farm – George Orwell<br />Lord of the Flies – William Golding<br />Life of Pi – Yann Martel<br />Brave New World – Aldous Huxley<br />Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov<br />On The Road – Jack Kerouac<br />Dracula – Bram Stoker<br />Charlotte’s Web – E.B. WhiteChristopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17045294003088106262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-43725811674645786382010-11-24T00:27:16.236-05:002010-11-24T00:27:16.236-05:00The Kite Runner was very good, I'd recommend t...The Kite Runner was very good, I'd recommend that... And I did enjoy The Count of Monte Cristo, but it's very long so you have to be committed :-)<br /><br />There are some on the list that I couldn't remember whether I'd read them, or seen the movie, or they'd been read to me when I was younger...<br /><br />There are many that I'd LIKE to say I've read (even though I don't feel like actually reading them!)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06181241692016438730noreply@blogger.com