Random books thread

[misplaced validity]

I've been sort of assembling my list of favorite books of all-time, basing the list on books I've read a few times because I keep coming back to them for various reasons.

East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
The Age of Innocence (Edith Wharton)
Snow Falling on Cedars (David Guterson)
A Thousand Acres (Jane Smiley)
The Prince of Tides (Pat Conroy)
I Know This Much Is True (Wally Lamb)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky)

I'd probably throw the Harry Potter series in there, too.

[dug11]

I have A Thousand Acres and have tried starting it a few times, but it has never really grabbed me. I always put it down and start something else. But.... someday!

Otherwise, I'm not sure what I would really list as my favorite book. Even though he is not viewed as "high art" by many of the people in his field, Stephen King's It and The Stand would probably be in my top ten for sure. Wonderful novels that keep you completely involved throughout the massive page count, full of suspense and terrific characters. His recent work doesn't always stack up against his classics (although I loved Under the Dome, aside from the lame ending, and 11/22/63)

Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay would also be up there, along with Michael Cunningham's A Home at the End of the World. I'd also probably include Sarah Vowell's Assassination Vacation - I hope she writes another book soon.

[Above the Title]

Some of my favorites:

"Little Women" (all-time #1)
"The Giver"
"Pride and Prejudice"
"To Kill a Mockingbird"
"In Cold Blood"
"The Secret Garden"
"Atonement"
"The Best of Everything"
"Harry Potter" series

[dug11]

Some great picks. I have read all of those except Pride and Prejudice (which I own), The Giver and The Best of Everything.

I love Little Women. I have had Geraldine Brooks' March forever, but haven't gotten around to it. My friend, who loves Little Women, didn't care much for it. Have you read it?

[misplaced validity]

I read It when I was in high school, but I haven't read it since then. I've never read The Stand. Both are on my "to do" list. So is Kavalier & Clay.

I really should have put To Kill A Mockingbird on my list. Thanks, Rachel!

I've read all of the Harry Potter books 2-3 times each, so the series really should be on my list as well.

[Above the Title]

I haven't read "March." I tried but a lot of it takes place on the battlefield obviously (since it's what happens to the father when he's away fighting in the Civil War) and I don't like war stuff, so I'm not sure it's my cup of tea. Maybe I'll give it another shot one of these days.

[Culturegeek]

Eh, it's not very good. I was pissed when it won the Pulitzer. But I haven't read Little Women either.

[misplaced validity]

What is the difference in the group that decides the Pulitzer and the group that decides the National Book Award? I think the Pulitzer has a bit more prestige, but which group ultimately has the better group of winners?

[Culturegeek]

(03-02-2015 09:41 AM)misplaced validity Wrote:  What is the difference in the group that decides the Pulitzer and the group that decides the National Book Award? I think the Pulitzer has a bit more prestige, but which group ultimately has the better group of winners?

National Book Critics Circle > Pulitzer > National Book Award

IMO.

[misplaced validity]

I just checked out the NBCC nominees and winners and will add some to my list.

I see Freedom on there. Was anyone else as underwhelmed by it as me? It was by no means bad, but it also wasn't something that had me truly excited about reading or that touched me in any real way.