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(Message started by: pubgirl on Dec 15th, 2003, 1:11pm)
Title: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 15th, 2003, 1:11pm
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
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Paigelle on Dec 15th, 2003, 1:16pm
Read Wuthering Heights in high school advance english and thought I would die from boredom.  
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 15th, 2003, 1:19pm
Doing any book at school killed it for me!
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Roxy on Dec 15th, 2003, 1:33pm

on 12/15/03 at 13:19:13, pubgirl wrote:
Doing any book at school killed it for me!


Okay, Wendy....we have to talk.  I need instructions....I've always wanted to "do" a book....cause I really love 'em.... ;;D
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 15th, 2003, 1:42pm
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)
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Paigelle on Dec 15th, 2003, 1:42pm
Be careful doing a book, you might get a paper cut!   [smiley=laugh.gif]

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.  
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 15th, 2003, 1:46pm
Paigelle

Loads of the Top 100 weren't 'classics' e.g. Terry Pratchett and lots were childrens books!
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Paigelle on Dec 15th, 2003, 1:48pm
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.  
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Big_Dan on Dec 15th, 2003, 1:53pm
Clifford the Big Red Dog is a real page turner too....


;;D





-Big Dan
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by thomas on Dec 15th, 2003, 1:59pm
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.)
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 15th, 2003, 2:02pm
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
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by BruceD on Dec 15th, 2003, 2:10pm
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
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 15th, 2003, 2:18pm
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 ;;D
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Paigelle on Dec 15th, 2003, 2:27pm
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.
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 15th, 2003, 2:30pm
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 ;;D )

P.S. and I still think Laurie shouldn't have married that silly cow Amy
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Paigelle on Dec 15th, 2003, 2:34pm
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.  
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by thomas on Dec 15th, 2003, 2:35pm
Haven't read Little Women.  But, I loved Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights.
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 15th, 2003, 2:38pm
Thomas

Heathcliff, stormy and dark, a bit like a Victorian version of Jonny!

(that's a back handed compliment btw)
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Paigelle on Dec 15th, 2003, 2:38pm
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.
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by thomas on Dec 15th, 2003, 2:44pm

on 12/15/03 at 14:38:40, pubgirl wrote:
Heathcliff, a bit like a Victorian version of Jonny!

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.
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Charlie on Dec 15th, 2003, 5:15pm
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
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Callico_Kid on Dec 16th, 2003, 1:36am
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
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Kirk on Dec 16th, 2003, 3:55am
You're telling me Terry Prachett's books are not among the classics. [smiley=gocrazy.gif]
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 16th, 2003, 3:56am
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
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Paigelle on Dec 16th, 2003, 9:18am
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.
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 16th, 2003, 2:57pm
Paigelle

If you like a good romance, well written with accurate history thrown in, try Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks. It really is wonderful. Set in First World War, beautifully written, and flows so well, it is really easy to read.

I'm very into First World War stuff though.

Wendy
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by thomas on Dec 16th, 2003, 3:07pm
White Raven is a good one.
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 16th, 2003, 3:10pm
Thomas

Don't know it, what is that?


Wendy
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by thomas on Dec 16th, 2003, 3:22pm
Historical fiction relating to Ireland and the Horse King.
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 16th, 2003, 3:25pm
Who is the Horse King (sorry to be ignorant)
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by thomas on Dec 16th, 2003, 3:27pm
Fictional character I think.  It's been about 4 years since I've read it.  I'll look when I go home tonight and get the author's name.  Lot's of romance also.http://half.ebay.com/cat/buy/prod.cgi?cpid=5265965&domain_id=1856&ad=63810
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 16th, 2003, 3:35pm
We got a Mule King here, is that the same thing?

W
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Paigelle on Dec 16th, 2003, 3:55pm
I might just have to venture to Barnes & Noble this week to find those 2 books.  

I always check the bargain tables at bookstores.  Sometimes you will pick up a book there for a couple of dollars that you would have never bought at full price.  That is how I got Practical Magic.  I want to read more Alice Hoffman now.  

I actually called my mom last night to make sure Little Women was there in my room.  It was so I will get to reread it over Christmas!
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by pubgirl on Dec 16th, 2003, 4:01pm
oh Paigelle

It will feel SO good rereading that! What a treat for Christmas because there is a strong Christmas theme in there early in the book (when they have no money and go and help the ?Mullers? and Beth gets ill as a result.
Alice Hoffmann is a new one to me also, I will seek it out

Wendy
Title: Re: Big Read Results
Post by Paigelle on Dec 16th, 2003, 4:32pm
I am printing the Top 100 books.  

Did you guys read Animal Farm?  I read it in high school also.  And Lord of the Flies?  I would love to reread both of them.  

Somebodyt need to mails me some books!  lol


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