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Topic: Big Read Results (Read 1229 times) |
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pubgirl
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Earlier this year we had loads of good books we recommended to each other as a result of the Top 100 novels poll over here.
We voted as a nation this week and for those who were interested last time or want ideas for a Christmas present, the Top 20 finally was as below (4 American writers made the Top 20) The No.1 was no big surprise, but Hitchhikers did miles better than I thought it would, Hurrah!
1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien
2. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
3. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling
6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
7. Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne
8. Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis
10. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontė
11. Catch-22, Joseph Heller
12. Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontė
13. Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks
14. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier
15. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger
16. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame
17. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
18. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
19. Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres
20. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy
Wendy
P.S. Gone with the Wind made no.21
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| « Last Edit: Dec 15th, 2003, 1:27pm by pubgirl » |
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Paigelle
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Read Wuthering Heights in high school advance english and thought I would die from boredom.
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| « Last Edit: Dec 15th, 2003, 1:42pm by Paigelle » |
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pubgirl
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Doing any book at school killed it for me!
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Roxy
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Re: Big Read Results
« Reply #3 on: Dec 15th, 2003, 1:33pm » |
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on Dec 15th, 2003, 1:19pm, pubgirl wrote:| Doing any book at school killed it for me! |
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Okay, Wendy....we have to talk. I need instructions....I've always wanted to "do" a book....cause I really love 'em.... 
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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. (Einstein)
I used to have a handle on life....but it broke.
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pubgirl
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Roxy
Do you have book groups in the USA?
They are very popular here and have become more so since the BIg Read poll started. You gather a group of like-minded friends and meet up every month or so (preferably with alcohol involved) and each month one of the group picks a book the rest must read. You then all discuss/argue about it. The great thing apart from the social/mental stimulation aspect is that you read books you never would have picked yourself.
If you want to know more there is a section on www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread all about setting up book groups. I bet you could even do an online book group using a chat room set-up if your friends lived a long way away?
Wendy
Modified: the link is http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/br_reading_grp_pck.pdf
(you need Adobe Acrobat reader to access it)
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| « Last Edit: Dec 15th, 2003, 1:45pm by pubgirl » |
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Paigelle
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Be careful doing a book, you might get a paper cut! 
I don't know how much I agree with that list. I think alot state they have read the classics, just because they will look intelligent. I, however, did read Wuthering Heights and Catcher in the Rye. I read the cliff notes on War and Peace and Pride and Prejudice.
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pubgirl
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Paigelle
Loads of the Top 100 weren't 'classics' e.g. Terry Pratchett and lots were childrens books!
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Paigelle
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At this point in life, children's books work for me. They are short and have pictures.
I love finding new books to read. Lets me escape this dreaded reality.
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Big Dan
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Re: Big Read Results
« Reply #8 on: Dec 15th, 2003, 1:53pm » |
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Clifford the Big Red Dog is a real page turner too....
-Big Dan
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Not going anywhere for a while?...
... Grab a Snickers, Fatass.
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thomas
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I am currently reading Jane Eyre right now. I love English literature. Esp. Dickens (surprised Oliver Twist or David Copperfield didn't rank higher than Great Expectations, of course my favorite is A Tale of Two Cities.)
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pubgirl
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Thomas, the American classics are wonderful too, I think the Grapes of Wrath is one of the most moving books I have ever read in my life
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| « Last Edit: Dec 15th, 2003, 2:23pm by pubgirl » |
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BruceD
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Re: Big Read Results
« Reply #11 on: Dec 15th, 2003, 2:10pm » |
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Mmm, ten down ... ten to go. Although I'm somewhat suprised that Don Quixote & The Old Man & The Sea didn't make the top 20. Oh well, I think it's about impossible to get everything included ... although that list of yours has some nice diversity.
Take care
BruceD
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Childhood is short, maturity is forever. (The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes)
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pubgirl
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You've got a good point there, Hemingway didn't even make the Top 100, never mind the top 20.
Well that's the great British public for you, hate bull murdering misogynists
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Paigelle
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I love Little Women. I just went looking for that book in my closet, I must have it at my mom's house. Thought I might actually sit down and read something. I am in desperate need of some new books.
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pubgirl
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Paigelle
I love Little Women, it's magical.
When I was a little girl my Mum read it to me, and I have reread it more times than I can count as an adult.
I still cry when Beth dies! (sorry if that ruins it for anyone )
P.S. and I still think Laurie shouldn't have married that silly cow Amy
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| « Last Edit: Dec 15th, 2003, 2:31pm by pubgirl » |
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Paigelle
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I still cry when Beth dies too! 
I wasn't going to admit that, but since you did first, then I can also. My mom read it to me too! I think all mom's should read this book to their daughters.
The book I have is actually my mom's book that she had when she was a teenager. It is old and I just love it. The pages have turned yellow and that just makes it even better.
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thomas
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Haven't read Little Women. But, I loved Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights.
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pubgirl
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Thomas
Heathcliff, stormy and dark, a bit like a Victorian version of Jonny!
(that's a back handed compliment btw)
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| « Last Edit: Dec 15th, 2003, 2:43pm by pubgirl » |
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Paigelle
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Oh Wuthering Heights, Thomas I read it when I was in advanced english in high school. I thought for sure I would die before I finished that book. I couldn't for the life of me get through one chapter without falling asleep. I know I should try to read it again, but I remember how I felt reading it then.
I did however enjoy reading Shakespeare. Which is just strange in itself.
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thomas
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on Dec 15th, 2003, 2:38pm, pubgirl wrote:
Heathcliff, a bit like a Victorian version of Jonny!
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That guy knew how to get revenge and then some. I just read it last year - will probably read it again soon. I'm trying to get geared up for Ivanhoe and War and Peace. Jane Eyre is a warm-up for me - so far I like it a lot.
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Charlie
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Re: Big Read Results
« Reply #20 on: Dec 15th, 2003, 5:15pm » |
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Every town here has some book club or two. Women get together and raid the liquor cabinet I suppose.
Like Thomas, I like Dickens. Tale of Two Cities is my favorite too.
Surely the most boring book extant is Return of The Native. Nathaniel Hawthorne nearly killed my interest in literature. Had to read it and discuss it page by page in junior high. Bleaugh.
I'm one of those guys who never go though Moby Dick.
LOTR is a favorite too. Probably the best for rereading.
Guys my age have read all of Salinger's stuff.
Today I read mostly historical stuff and bios.
Hitchhiker made this list? Amazing.
Interesting Wendy.
Charlie
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There is nothing more satisfying than being shot at without result---Winston Churchill
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Callico
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Re: Big Read Results
« Reply #21 on: Dec 16th, 2003, 1:36am » |
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A lot of good books on that list. I never had any use for Salinger though. I got ruined on Dickens by having to read him in Jr. High and High School, but have an antique collection of all his works. Every once ina while I will pick one up and read it again though. I think maturity (as if I have any) has helped with him. Personally I would have put W and P a little higher on the list.
I have found it extremely hard to read though since going chronic. I cannot concentrate well enough to read any more. 
Did watch Alistair Sims in SCROOGE tonight though. I know it isn't a book, but I think he probably portrays Ebenezer better than any of the others I have ever seen.
jc
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"When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me I shall come forth as gold." Job23:9,10
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Kirk
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Re: Big Read Results
« Reply #22 on: Dec 16th, 2003, 3:55am » |
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You're telling me Terry Prachett's books are not among the classics. 
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pubgirl
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JC
Alistair Sim was a wonderful 'character actor'.
Did you ever get any of our rather mad 'St Trinians' films over there? Alistair Sim was the headmistress and was hysterically funny. Not sure the films would 'travel' that well though.
Oh dear, yet another Brit man in drag!
Wendy
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Paigelle
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I love our book conversations! It is inspiring!
I watched a Christmas Carol with Alistair the other night. That one is my favorite.
So I need to go buy some books now. Just don't know what to buy.
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