30 Days of Books, Day 8
First, I need book/reading icons. Point me toward some and I will lavish you with gratitude. Thanks.
Second, the previous posts:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
And third: today's slightly troublesome topic--
Day 08 - A book everyone should read at least once
Troublesome because I have strong objections to the use of the word "should" in this context, which I hear as things like mandatory and required, or even if you don't read/watch it and love it just I like I do we can no longer be friends.
There are assorted reasons for my reacting thus, but I shall spare you all but one.
Many years ago I was told to read Lord of the Rings -- at least that was how my brain interpreted it. It was going to be the best thing I had ever read, it would change my life, it would blow my mind, it would give me a reason for living... OK, I exaggerate -- but not that much. Basically it was supposed to be the bestest book I would ever read so long as I might live.
With a set up like that, of course it was doomed to fail.
Which it did, in spectacular fashion. To this day whenever LotR comes, I start making up songs in my head:
Hey ho, hey ho, it's off to Mordor we go
To slay the orcs and dark lords too
Hey ho hey ho...
You get the idea.
The funny thing is, I'm not happy about this. I suspect I have missed out on a fairly decent story that I might have enjoyed, if people hadn't been so damn insistent upon my loving it.
Lessons to be learned: If there's something you'd like me to check out, because you think there's a chance I could enjoy it, for criminy's sake be lowkey about it. Place it in my hands, tell me why you love it, express a hope I find some enjoyment from it too, but no strings. If I do, wonderful; if not, that's okay too. Friendships are not contingent upon it.
That's my personal Golden Rule about this kind of thing anyway.
That said, in light of all the Sherlock mania sweeping fandom these days, I would make the suggestion that, if you have never actually read any of the Conan Doyle stories, and know Holmes and Watson only from the 2009 Guy Ritchie movie or this new BBC drama, you really ought to check out the original source material. Copies can be found everywhere -- new, used, libray, here: the Canon online. They're quick reads, even the novels aren't that long, and everything you may love about these movies and television versions will be found within -- only more and better.
My Top 25 SH Stories
1. A Study in Scarlet: See them meet for the first time and embark on the first of a quarter century's worth of adventures.
2. The Sign of Four: See them settled in seven years later. See John meet Mary. See brilliant deductions, snark, action, thrills and chills.
3. The Hound of the Baskervilles: See Dartmoor, hear the Hound baying on the foggy moor, see Watson drawn to Holmes even from far, far away.
4. A Scandal in Bohemia: Meet the real Irene Adler, and 'get' why Sherlock could find her intriguing.
Meet Mycroft in 5. The Greek Interpreter & 6. The Bruce-Partington Plans
Get to know a young, pre-Watson SH in: 7. The "Gloria Scott" & 8. The Musgrave Ritual
Just for some good stories:
9. The Red-Headed League
10. Silver Blaze
11. The Speckled Band
12. The Naval Treaty
13. The Dancing Men
14. The Man With the Twisted Lip
15. The Priory School
16. The Abbey Grange
17. Charles Augustus Milverton
18. The Blue Carbuncle
19. The Dying Detective
20. The Devil's Foot
21. The Three Garridebs (not a great story, but it contains one classic H/W scene not to be missed)
22. The Six Napoleons
For Moriary, Moran, Reichenbach, and the Hiatus: 23. The Final Problem & 24. The Empty House
And for one last adventure: 25. His Last Bow
Honestly, dip in, give one or two a peek, and I don't think you will be disappointed. What have you got to lose?
Day 01 - A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just freaking end already (or both!)
Day 02 - A book or series you wish more people were reading and talking about
Day 03 - The best book you've read in the last 12 months:
Day 04 - Your favorite book or series ever
Day 05 - A book or series you hate
Day 06 - Favorite book of your favorite series OR your favorite book of all time
Day 07 - Least favorite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise
Day 08 - A book everyone should read at least once
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A book that disappointed you
Day 12 - A book or series of books you’ve read more than five times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood book OR current favorite YA book (or both!)
Day 14 - Favorite character in a book (of any sex or gender)
Day 15 - Your "comfort" book
Day 16 - Favorite poem or collection of poetry
Day 17 - Favorite story or collection of stories (short stories, novellas, novelettes, etc.)
Day 18 - Favorite beginning scene in a book
Day 19 - Favorite book cover (bonus points for posting an image!)
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite romantic/sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 22 - Favorite non-sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 23 - Most annoying character ever
Day 24 - Best quote from a novel
Day 25 - Any five books from your "to be read" stack
Day 26 - OMG WTF? OR most irritating/awful/annoying book ending
Day 27 - If a book contains ______, you will always read it (and a book or books that contain it)!
Day 28 - First favorite book or series obsession
Day 29 - Saddest character death OR best/most satisfying character death (or both!)
Day 30 - What book are you reading right now?
Second, the previous posts:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
And third: today's slightly troublesome topic--
Day 08 - A book everyone should read at least once
Troublesome because I have strong objections to the use of the word "should" in this context, which I hear as things like mandatory and required, or even if you don't read/watch it and love it just I like I do we can no longer be friends.
There are assorted reasons for my reacting thus, but I shall spare you all but one.
Many years ago I was told to read Lord of the Rings -- at least that was how my brain interpreted it. It was going to be the best thing I had ever read, it would change my life, it would blow my mind, it would give me a reason for living... OK, I exaggerate -- but not that much. Basically it was supposed to be the bestest book I would ever read so long as I might live.
With a set up like that, of course it was doomed to fail.
Which it did, in spectacular fashion. To this day whenever LotR comes, I start making up songs in my head:
Hey ho, hey ho, it's off to Mordor we go
To slay the orcs and dark lords too
Hey ho hey ho...
You get the idea.
The funny thing is, I'm not happy about this. I suspect I have missed out on a fairly decent story that I might have enjoyed, if people hadn't been so damn insistent upon my loving it.
Lessons to be learned: If there's something you'd like me to check out, because you think there's a chance I could enjoy it, for criminy's sake be lowkey about it. Place it in my hands, tell me why you love it, express a hope I find some enjoyment from it too, but no strings. If I do, wonderful; if not, that's okay too. Friendships are not contingent upon it.
That's my personal Golden Rule about this kind of thing anyway.
That said, in light of all the Sherlock mania sweeping fandom these days, I would make the suggestion that, if you have never actually read any of the Conan Doyle stories, and know Holmes and Watson only from the 2009 Guy Ritchie movie or this new BBC drama, you really ought to check out the original source material. Copies can be found everywhere -- new, used, libray, here: the Canon online. They're quick reads, even the novels aren't that long, and everything you may love about these movies and television versions will be found within -- only more and better.
My Top 25 SH Stories
1. A Study in Scarlet: See them meet for the first time and embark on the first of a quarter century's worth of adventures.
2. The Sign of Four: See them settled in seven years later. See John meet Mary. See brilliant deductions, snark, action, thrills and chills.
3. The Hound of the Baskervilles: See Dartmoor, hear the Hound baying on the foggy moor, see Watson drawn to Holmes even from far, far away.
4. A Scandal in Bohemia: Meet the real Irene Adler, and 'get' why Sherlock could find her intriguing.
Meet Mycroft in 5. The Greek Interpreter & 6. The Bruce-Partington Plans
Get to know a young, pre-Watson SH in: 7. The "Gloria Scott" & 8. The Musgrave Ritual
Just for some good stories:
9. The Red-Headed League
10. Silver Blaze
11. The Speckled Band
12. The Naval Treaty
13. The Dancing Men
14. The Man With the Twisted Lip
15. The Priory School
16. The Abbey Grange
17. Charles Augustus Milverton
18. The Blue Carbuncle
19. The Dying Detective
20. The Devil's Foot
21. The Three Garridebs (not a great story, but it contains one classic H/W scene not to be missed)
22. The Six Napoleons
For Moriary, Moran, Reichenbach, and the Hiatus: 23. The Final Problem & 24. The Empty House
And for one last adventure: 25. His Last Bow
Honestly, dip in, give one or two a peek, and I don't think you will be disappointed. What have you got to lose?
Day 01 - A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just freaking end already (or both!)
Day 02 - A book or series you wish more people were reading and talking about
Day 03 - The best book you've read in the last 12 months:
Day 04 - Your favorite book or series ever
Day 05 - A book or series you hate
Day 06 - Favorite book of your favorite series OR your favorite book of all time
Day 07 - Least favorite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise
Day 08 - A book everyone should read at least once
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A book that disappointed you
Day 12 - A book or series of books you’ve read more than five times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood book OR current favorite YA book (or both!)
Day 14 - Favorite character in a book (of any sex or gender)
Day 15 - Your "comfort" book
Day 16 - Favorite poem or collection of poetry
Day 17 - Favorite story or collection of stories (short stories, novellas, novelettes, etc.)
Day 18 - Favorite beginning scene in a book
Day 19 - Favorite book cover (bonus points for posting an image!)
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite romantic/sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 22 - Favorite non-sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 23 - Most annoying character ever
Day 24 - Best quote from a novel
Day 25 - Any five books from your "to be read" stack
Day 26 - OMG WTF? OR most irritating/awful/annoying book ending
Day 27 - If a book contains ______, you will always read it (and a book or books that contain it)!
Day 28 - First favorite book or series obsession
Day 29 - Saddest character death OR best/most satisfying character death (or both!)
Day 30 - What book are you reading right now?