book meme

[keiliss]

Book meme - taken from Red, Jane, everyone...

1) Look at the list and
bold those you have read.
2)
Italicize those you intend to read.
3)
Underline the books you LOVE.
4) Reprint this list in your own LJ so we can try and track down these people who've read 6 and force books upon them

Comments

[phyncke]

I attempted to read Ulysses by Joyce on my own. Most people I know have read that in lit class. Never got it so I did not put in on my list. It seemed like one big insider joke to me. A self indulgent work if ever there was one...but then again, that could be my own personal resentment of it. He he he.

I thought this was interesting.

I thought I had read Cold Comfort but then realized I had only seen the movie. I want to read it as the movie was brilliant.

PS: I loved Vanity Fair. That was a total romp. But strange things appeal to me.

[ford_of_bruinen]

oh god did i ever hate Ulyssess all three times diffrent lit classes pushed it on us. *shudders* bad memories

[keiliss]

I think they had to force it on you because very few normal people would read it from choice. That includes me - I was challenged to by the friend who lent me the notes and was battling with it herself in class at the time :D

[keiliss]

I read Ulysses with my lit student friend's crib notes and commentary, and I even reread the Odyssey (which I adore) in case it would help. It didn't. I kept getting the sense Joyce was sitting somewhere watching and laughing his head off - self indulgent is an understatement. It's - an intensely annoying work to wade through, though there's a sense of accomplishment when you finish that god-awful final episode.

I've always known I should reread Vanity Fair. I think I was in the wrong headspace when I originally read it, and never got a chance to go back. Probably worth a visit.

[ennorwen]

Isn't this fun? I've really enjoyed reading everyone's lists - you're quite a classisist! Oh God, you probably couldn't pay me enough to read Ulysses and Heart of Darkness! Go you.

It's interesting to compare American with non-American reading lists - I suspect there are some that are very USAish (Confederacy of Dunces, for one), that I wouldn't expect non-Americans to read and vice-versa - The Faraway Tree Collection???

Cold Comfort Farm - like you, I read it, but really only remember the movie now.

[keiliss]

Ulysses is a horrible read, and I'm not convinced Joyce wasn't just pulling a huge practical joke. Heart of Darkness has so many layers within layers and so much symbolism it's exhausting. I found I had to do a lot of reading back and thinking. Not easy, but I'm glad I finished it.

I can't tell if this list has a British or American bias, though the Faraway Tree series strongly implies British input (an absolutely wonderful, old fashioned, irresistible fantasy series for children, which I read as a kid and in turn read to my own children. The Enchanted Wood, the Faraway Tree, always with a new, strange land through the clouds at the top, the people who live in the tree, the children who get to know them... um, yes, you can see this is a deep love, lol) I have never encountered Confederacy of Dunces, btw.

I didn't have time to read everyone's list last night, so I'm making myself coffee and am now going to treat myself :)

[heartofoshun]

I actually really enjoyed Ulysses, but I cannot begin to imagine a more inappropriate thing to read as a class assignment--unless it was a voluntary choice for specialists or graduate students. I had compulsively read Joyce's earlier work before I started it and knew all about his life. I don't think it is the kind of book most people would just pop into and think "wow, this is terrific! great read, a real page turner" (hardly that and yes, self-indulgent; now I could barely read Finnegan's Wake and admit I skimmed a lot--talk about SELF-INDULGENT--I don't write to be read; I only write for myself. LOL).

I never knew of The Enchanted Wood, etc., sounds like I would like it (I am never above reading children's books. although I don't seek them out). The Confederacy of Dunces was the only book by a writer who died very young (21 or so?) and it concerns New Orleans and focuses a lot what a strange city it is. I thought it was a great book, but only read it once many years ago

[keiliss]

I think I must find The Confederacy of Dunces - you've piqued my curiosity there. Nice thing about this list is I've found a couple of titles I need to read and an even longer list of books due for a revisit.

*I don't write to be read; I only write for myself. LOL*

"... and we both know you're not intelligent enough to understand this, so why are you wasting your time trying to read it, you stupid girl" was how I interpreted it :|

Might be why I finished Ulysses actually - I have a stubborn streak that comes to the fore when I'm challenged :D It's interesting though - out of five people who have seen this list and commented on this book, there have been five completely different responses to it. I suppose that's the mark of genius. Or something.

[riina2504]

Yay! We're still the only 2 people left who haven't read Harry Potter *grins*

[keiliss]

No retreat, no surrender!! I figure at this point, why give in? **hugs you** Great to see you, sweetie. Hope everything's well with you.

[heartofoshun]

If you ever change your mind, you could skip the last one--it sucked.

[keiliss]

LOL! Hear so, yes. I don't know what it is. I adore fantasy, always have. I like children's' books - I probably got as much pleasure reading to my kids when they were small as they did from listening. But - HP just never worked for me. Skimmed part of the first one and let it go. Watch the movies, sure.