I was looking to sit down with a classic such as The Grapes of Wrath, The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, or The Death of a Salesman. Not that I had narrowed my choices down to these four. I've just realized that there are a lot great books that I've heard about, but have never taken the time to read. I'm looking for suggestions. They don't necessarily have to be classics. So if there's a book out there deemed to be a must-read then let me know. Thanks all! Frank ------------------ "...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it."
Domain by Steve Alten. Ever since he debuted with Meg I have fallen in love with his work. ------------------ Ceo of the Walt Williams and Lisa Malosky fan club. atheistalliance.org
I like classics, personally. I like writers from the American south as well. I'm pretty happy with Twain, Hemmingway, McCullers, Faulkner or Fitzgerald. Plus, any Shakespeare would be great. I hardly read fiction anymore, but books like Life on the Mississippi, For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Ballad of the Sad Cafe, The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, The Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night always sound like a good read to me. Enjoy. ------------------ So, I took the million dollars and bought a steam shovel...
Jeff - Have you read The Sun Also Rises or A Farewell to Arms? I was torn between these two books(among others) just this evening and couldn't make a decision. Would you favor one over the other? Thanks! ------------------ "...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it."
The only "classic" I ever read back in highschool and enjoyed was <u>For Whom the Bell Tolls</u> by Hemingway. It's a good read... ------------------ Saturday, Donny, is shabbas, the Jewish day of rest. That means I don't work, I don't drive a car, I don't f***** ride in a car, I don't handle money, I don't turn on the oven, and I sure as s*** don't f****** roll!
Hmmm....another Hemmingway fan. I can't say that I know much about that book though, BGM. I'll look into it. Thanks. ------------------ "...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it."
Anything by Jack Kerouak. My favs are: On The Road The Dharma Bums Desolation Angels ------------------ "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."- (Aldous Huxley)
Read <u> Invisible Man </u> by Ralph Ellison. The book changed my life. Other selections: [Correction] the Bear section is in <u> Go Down, Moses </u> by William Faulkner, <u> Things Fall Apart </u> by Chinua Achebe, and <u> LA Condition Humanine </u> or <u> Man's Fate </u> by Andre Malraux. ------------------ I am an invisible man. [This message has been edited by kbm (edited May 08, 2001).] [This message has been edited by kbm (edited May 08, 2001).]
Anything by Edgar Allan Poe Anything by Henry David Thoreau Anything by Robert Frost Common Sense, The American Crisis, Rights of Man, The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine The Jungle by Upton Sinclair Uncle Tom's Cabin Harriet Beecher Stowe That's enough for now. ------------------ Everything you do, effects everything that is.
Anything by Charles Bukowski. Luckily they double as great conversation pieces w/ any female friend b/c of his proactive feminist stances and overall chivalrous attitude. ------------------ women love me, fish fear me.
I read them both. I liked Sun Also Rises a bit more but they are both terrific. BOB: My wife and I are getting ready to list some beat generation stuff on Ebay - some CD box sets. Thought you might be interested. ------------------ So, I took the million dollars and bought a steam shovel...
In Cold Blood-Truman Capote ------------------ www.swirve.com "Pre-born, you're fine, pre-school, you're f*****."-George Carlin
I read Heart of Darkness in High School and really liked it. ------------------ Give me ambiguity or give me something else.
The Hobbit The Fellowship of the Ring The Two Towers The Return of the King Beowulf is pretty good and short if you do not want to invest a lot of time in a book. Also, I believe it is the oldest known work of English literature. Feel This Book by Ben Stiller and Janeane Garafolo has some good laughs if you want a comedy. I personally hated Gatsby, but to each his own I guess. Dosteyevsky (sp?) has some very good stuff if you want something a little more cerebral. Also if you choose to go the phlosophy route, you have guys like Nietzche. Poe has amazing stuff, but much of it is very short. I thought the Cask of Amontillado was an excellent tale of revenge. The Masque of Red Death is pretty creepy. The Prince is something that I have been meaning to read but have not yet done so, so I am hesitant to recommend it. ------------------ You can't stick a porcupine in a barn, light it on fire, and expect to get licorice. [This message has been edited by Hydra (edited May 08, 2001).]
Agh! You got me started and I can't stop! If you're looking for light fun reading that makes you think. You can't go wrong with Tom Robbins! Another Roadside Attraction (Mindbending) Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (not one of my favs, but good) Still-Life with Woodpecker (Excellent) Skinny Legs and All Another is Hunter S Thompson Hell's Angels (his bio of living w/ the Angels for a year) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 (covering Nixon's '72 pres Campaign, BTW, he Hates Nixon, very fun reading) ------------------ Everything you do, effects everything that is.
For pure mindless entertainment you've always got: James Patterson Richard North Patterson David Baldacci My current favorite author is Nick Hornby. I'm also not ashamed to admit that I read, and liked, Bridget Jones's Diary, and quite a few of the Oprah Book Club selections. ------------------ www.swirve.com "Pre-born, you're fine, pre-school, you're f*****."-George Carlin
Thanks for all of the input guys. Gosh, there must be a lifetime worth of reading mentioned in this thread. Awesome! BTW, I think I'm going to go with <u>The Sun Also Rises</u>. I guess I should reciprocate. If anyone has an interest in socialism literature then I'd recommend the following: <u>In Dubious Battle</u> - a great work by Steinbeck depicting the everlasting struggles between the working class and the rich capitalist owners. One of my fav's. <u>A Communist Manifesto</u> - though I don't necessarily agree with Marx at some points it is somewhat prophetic and enlightening IMO. Thanks again all! Frank ------------------ "...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it." [This message has been edited by Frank Black (edited May 08, 2001).]
Ayn Rand-Anthem is worth a read also. ------------------ "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."- (Aldous Huxley)
Italo Calvino-Invisible Cities ------------------ "When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.'' [This message has been edited by mr_oily (edited May 08, 2001).]
Oh yeah! For the radicals in the group! STEAL THIS BOOK By Abbie Hoffman Its a bit dated, but its alot of fun to read! ------------------ Everything you do, effects everything that is.
