Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Kirsten wrote: "Lale wrote: "Has someone read Ulysses? I wish to read it but it has not been translated to Persian because of it's difficult language I think."

I know people that can't read it in ENGLISH and it's..."

I agree. I read a few chapters last year for one of my courses and we read it in Dutch (mother tongue) and I still felt like I had to try SO HARD to really grasp it. Because of that brief experience I've had with it, I won't ever try to read it as a whole. It's just too much.. I can't enjoy it when I constantly have to be 100% focused to understand it. It's just hard work! It really is.

Or well at least for me, I guess other people do enjoy it. :)

I was wondering..

Now that I've finished The Scarlet Letter, I got a little more curious about specifically the way society worked in the New England. So basically like real American classics about the new American cities and the society. I'm asking because so far in my courses we've only tackled the British/English/Irish classics up until a certain time. But I want to know more about America. (I'll probably have this course next year, but what is patience, right? No idea.)

So are there other good American classics? :D

Kim wrote: "I was wondering..

Now that I've finished The Scarlet Letter, I got a little more curious about specifically the way society worked in the New England. So basically like real American classics abou..."

Yes, there are several American Classics. And the list will change depending on where you look.

Here are some authors you might want to check out (besides Hawthorne who is included of course):

Washington Irving
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Henry David Thoreau
Edgar Allan Poe
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Herman Melville
Harriet Beecher Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin
Mark Twain
Henry James
Stephen Crane
Charlotte Perkins GilmanThe Yellow Wallpaper
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Ernest Hemingway
William Faulkner
John Steinbeck
Ralph EllisonInvisible Man
Eugene O'Neill
Tennessee Williams
Toni Morrison

Poets:
Walt Whitman
Emily Dickinson
Robert Frost
T.S. Eliot

(List from Classics of American Literature: The Teaching Company)

Kirsten wrote: "Lale wrote: "Has someone read Ulysses? I wish to read it but it has not been translated to Persian because of it's difficult language I think."

I know people that can't read it in ENGLISH and it's..."

Last night I started A Perfect Vacuum which is a collection of fake book reviews. One of them is a review for a book called "Gigamesh" which is supposed to be a parody of various Ulysses critics.

At one point he suggests reading assigning a musical note to each letter to create a symphony, in another spot he claims the number of thousands words in each chapter taken as a whole contain the digits of pi. A third place, he suggests that reversing a chapter would explain Freudian psychology in Aramaic!

I'm quite amused by the whole thing, but it's definitely left me even more intimidated by Ulysses if these are the sort of mental contortions you have to use to make sense of it! I'm also reminded of an XKCD comic: http://xkcd.com/451/

Thank you so much Kathy and Duane! I will check them all out. :)

Kim wrote: "I was wondering..

Now that I've finished The Scarlet Letter, I got a little more curious about specifically the way society worked in the New England. So basically like real American classics abou..."

In addition to the excellent recommendations you've already gotten, I'll mention the author Cormac McCarthy, especially his novel Suttree.

Yes, Kim.
Do check out Duane's and Kelly's recommendations too.
Lots of good American authors.

Hi Kim. A few more suggestions:

These are from Great American Bestsellers: The Books That Shaped America by Peter Conn

Bay Psalm Book by Richard Mather
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Ragged Dick by Horatio Alger Jr.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains by Owen Wister
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
Main Street by Sinclair Lewis
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Native Son by Richard Wright
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston
John Adams by David McCullough

I heard a review of this:
https://www.coursera.org/course/moder...
yesterday and was wondering if anyone had heard of it.

It looks like there are quite a few other "free" courses too. I like this idea.

Sorry - should have mentioned it is an online poetry course which has been very popular in Sydney.

Samantha wrote: "It looks like there are quite a few other "free" courses too. I like this idea."

Someone has mentioned courses from that link before, positively, I think. Can't recall who. Maybe it was Kathy? Not sure.

For the Ayn Rand fans here, heads up on an Audible Daily Deal. One of her non-fiction works is featured today - $2.95 for today only:

http://www.audible.com/pd/Classics/Th...

The Virtue of Selfishness

I don't know if this is the right place for this, but I have a question/problem.

I have to write a review on a book I read last month (Umbrella). But I hated it.

How do you write a review that is fit for an academic assignment when you absolutely HATE a book and every page hurt more than the one before that? I did get the general guideluines to write a review but I feel sort of lost. I can't just get all hating and aggressive about it (oh do I want to!!!) for an academic assignment, right. This book has won prizes and there must be a reason why they make us read it. So, I would probably sound like an idiot criticising this "piece of art".

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Kim wrote: "Does anyone have any experience with this? ..."


I have none, so I won't try and attempt an answer :p. I barely even write reviews for my own purposes, just (very) short blurbs, if any, to remind myself of something, or what I thought.

There are some really good review writers here, though. Hopefully one or some will have good advice. Good luck!

I guess it all depends on your teacher/professor and exactly the terms of your assignment. In high school I got away with an essay dissing Dickens for being too predictable by talking about his excessive use of foreshadowing. So there are ways of writing about why you didn't like a book other than saying "this is the worst book I've ever read" or similar sentences.

What sort of review is it supposed to be? Are you supposed to retell the plot? Critique the book? Say if you liked it or not? Or is any sort of essay about the book okay?

Did it remind you of another book in some way? One you liked better? If so, then you could compare/contrast the two, and then you'd at least be writing about one book you liked.

You could do a bit of research about modernism and talk about how the book is a good example of that...

I'm afraid that I've never read it so I don't have many ideas to suggest.

Thank you, Melanti. This got me thinking about what I can include apart from what was in the guidelines I have. We're supposed to provide a short background about the author and then sort of include a literary analysis, your own opinion and the plot in one big mixture of perfectly nice English! I love this kind of assignments, but this book ruins everything, hah! ;)

Tytti wrote: "Does anyone use book journals (anymore)?"

This sounds interesting. Is it a way of keeping track of thoughts and ideas while reading? How does a book journal function? It might be a good idea for me but I've never heard of a book journal.

Daisy wrote: "This sounds interesting. Is it a way of keeping track of thoughts and ideas while reading? How does a book journal function? It might be a g..."

It's basically like Goodreads in a book form. That's why I'm not sure if people here use them. (And many read so much they would fill them too quickly.) But of course you can use it anyway you want. Some of the better ones have questions and other stuff in it, too. You can see here what I am thinking for myself:
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1441304827

I have one that I just started, more simple though, and I tend to write different things in it, especially because I write in Finnish and I don't have to worry about spoilers. Also it would be easier to take with you to a library to see if they have books you are interested in. I never had one as a child (or adult) so I can't remember what books I have read, which is a shame... For a kid just starting to read and write the other one would be great.

Tytti wrote: "You can see here what I am thinking for myself."

This is nice. I like much of the suggested note sections including "where" read and how the book was discovered or accrued. Thanks for sharing.

Duane wrote: "I noticed in an older thread that this group had 694 members on May 30 last year. Just checked and there are 1,677 today, 1,000 new members in 1 year. Thanks to the moderator's who help make this ..."

Actually, we were just under 1000 members at the beginning of this month. We've added 70% to the membership rolls in the last couple/three weeks!

Thank you moderators! Wooowhooo! !!!

To moderators: have you guys thought about creating a thread about classic short stories, possibly something that talks about books that are not so well known but by famous authors, something like that?

Yes, thank you moderators!

I love this group:-). It's so active, and I like that there are several group reads each month.

Aidan wrote: "To moderators: have you guys thought about creating a thread about classic short stories, possibly something that talks about books that are not so well known but by famous authors, something like ..."

No, but it's a GREAT idea for a thread, Aidan! I invite you to create it. Actually, we're just talking offline now about Folder Section ideas for a new area that would be a great place for Buddy Reads (like Kristi, Kim, and Mbondare have going on), or YA reads, or classic non-fiction, which was mentioned a few times in the 3rd quarter long read nominations thread, or, a thread like you just mentioned, Aidan.

It's right here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Kelly wrote: "...I love this group:-). It's so active, and I like that there are several group reads each month."

I'm so glad you love it, Kelly! I do too. There's just something wonderful about this group. Classics isn't my favorite genre (sci fi and fantasy, probably are, then mystery), but this was the first goodreads group I joined, and I still consider it my 'home group', even though I'm active in quite a few.

And I've been reading some fantastic books since I joined! So even tho 'classics' isn't my FIRST favorite genre, it's definitely one of them! :)

Aidan wrote: "To moderators: have you guys thought about creating a thread about classic short stories, possibly something that talks about books that are not so well known but by famous authors, something like ..."

I'd love a section/thread for short stories written by the "classic" authors. Short stories are like shots! Instead of enjoying long drinks, you just chug it and *BAM* instant drunk with fiction at its best.

Aidan wrote: "To moderators: have you guys thought about creating a thread about classic short stories, possibly something that talks about books that are not so well known but by famous authors, something like ..."

This sounds good to me. Stephen King has a few that come to mind but those are fairly recent (last 40 years or so) Would love to hear about some older classic ones.

Kim wrote: "I'd love a section/thread for short stories written by the "classic" authors. Short stories are like shots! Instead of enjoying long drinks, you just chug it and *BAM* instant drunk with fiction at its best."

lol exactly. With school sometimes all I have the energy or time for is a short story.

Kim wrote: "Aidan wrote: "To moderators: have you guys thought about creating a thread about classic short stories, possibly something that talks about books that are not so well known but by famous authors, s..."


Have at it, Kim! Goodreads lets us make as many threads as we want ;-), so, please, I invite you to make one. Here's the new section:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...


(folder name tentative - we are trying to think of an interesting/catchy name for the section, if you have any ideas, spill! heh)

Cindy wrote: "Aidan wrote: "To moderators: have you guys thought about creating a thread about classic short stories, possibly something that talks about books that are not so well known but by famous authors, s..."

whispers ... Stephen King skeers me

Cindy wrote: "Kim wrote: "I'd love a section/thread for short stories written by the "classic" authors. Short stories are like shots! Instead of enjoying long drinks, you just chug it and *BAM* instant drunk wit..."

Same. I particularly like Poe's short stories

MK wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Aidan wrote: "To moderators: have you guys thought about creating a thread about classic short stories, possibly something that talks about books that are not so well known but by fam..."

Delightful scaring? :p

LunaBelle wrote: "Delightful scaring? :p "

... maybe! If I could just work up the courage to try him out, I might find out :p


(laffin !)

LunaBelle wrote: "MK wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Aidan wrote: "To moderators: have you guys thought about creating a thread about classic short stories, possibly something that talks about books that are not so well known..."

Don't judge a book by it's length?

MK wrote: "LunaBelle wrote: "Delightful scaring? :p "

... maybe! If I could just work up the courage to try him out, I might find out :p


(laffin !)"

lmao, If we lived near each other, i'd read it to you! It'd be less scary ;)

Cindy wrote: "Don't judge a book by it's length? "

I judge a book by a lot of criteria, length included.

I only mentioned Poe because he has a special place in my heart.

LunaBelle wrote: "lmao, If we lived near each other, i'd read it to you! It'd be less scary ;) "

lmao, If we lived near each other, i'd read ..."


I would read one of them, then!!!! :D

MK wrote: "Kim wrote: "Aidan wrote: "To moderators: have you guys thought about creating a thread about classic short stories, possibly something that talks about books that are not so well known but by famou..."

Oh okay, I will definitely think about this, since apparently there are more people interested in reading short stories together. :)
I'll gather some information and titles first so we can have a beginning of a list of short stories to read.

Kim wrote: "MK wrote: "Kim wrote: "Aidan wrote: "To moderators: have you guys thought about creating a thread about classic short stories, possibly something that talks about books that are not so well known b..."

Thankyou, Kim :)


Duane wrote: "A short story thread is a great idea. Most of these classic authors that we read in this group also wrote short stories, some of them famous for the genre like Doyle, Kipling, and Wilde."

Kim has already created one. (she is fast :D). Here's the link:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Join in!

Well this is lovely. I was going to have a busy week catching up on some school work, and now I have the stomach flu. Just my luck! :(

Duane wrote: "You can see the impact of all the new members in the vote totals of the June polls as well as the number of nominations for 3rd quarter long read. Way cool, as my granddaughter says."

I agree with your granddaughter :-).
(The June poll vote total more than 3x the next highest poll votes total! Heh and 3rd quarter noms is probably, too)

Edit to add: I hope lots of our new members stay and read with us :-). Probably next round of polling/noms won't have as Hugh a participation rate, but it would be 'way cool' if they do!

Kim wrote: "Well this is lovely. I was going to have a busy week catching up on some school work, and now I have the stomach flu. Just my luck! :("

I hope you feel better, Kim! Good luck with workload

Kim wrote: "Well this is lovely. I was going to have a busy week catching up on some school work, and now I have the stomach flu. Just my luck! :("

Get better soon =/

Thank you! :)

@mk I just clicked over on your profile and noticed that we share interests other than books: hiking, camping and dutch oven cooking. There is a lot of hiking in my area including the southern terminus of the AT. Of course, you are way up there on the northern end of it. I don't do as much outdoor dutch oven cooking since my son aged out of scouts. When I go camping these days it is backpacking and a dutch oven just doesn't pack very well. ;-)

David wrote: "@mk I just clicked over on your profile and noticed that we share interests other than books: hiking, camping and dutch oven cooking. There is a lot of hiking in my area including the southern ter..."

I know it might be heresy ;-), but they have the cast aluminum ones now too :D. Ehrm, but, hm. No, that wouldn't work in a backpack, either.

We go to Acadia every summer. I'm not a pro by any means, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy it!! We are strictly 'car campers'. No outback. heh

Yes, we are on the complete other end of the AT! Stories of through-hikers are so fascinating.

MK wrote: "Yes, we are on the complete other end of the AT! Stories of through-hikers are so fascinating."

I think so too. I watched a documentary about the AT on Netflix a while back and enjoyed the stories about the hikers themselves most of all. My twin daughters are reading "Becoming Odyssa" about the world time record holder for completing the AT.

That looks like a wonderful book. She thru-hiked alone, wow.

This story struck me as powerful, for some reason. I know he died, but ... he died doing something he loved. I don't know. Somehow it's not a sad story to me:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09...

David wrote: "...My twin daughters are reading "Becoming Odyssa" about the world time record holder for completing the AT. "

I thought that book looked good ... and familiar, too! Sure enough, I purchased it on a Kindle Daily Deal just at the beginning of this month, for $0.99 :).

Won't get to read it until well into summer, though, I'm sure. But, it is one I want to read!