Book Snails Book Group discussion

Titles you just can't get through...no matter how many times you try!

The Hobbit - I've made 3 attempts and I think I need to accept defeat!

Erin wrote: "The Hobbit - I've made 3 attempts and I think I need to accept defeat!"

Humbly accept defeat...you're certainly not the only one!

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake. It sounds interesting, and like a book I would definitely be in to, but I've tried to read it three times, and could never get past chapter 3. Nothing happens! And it jumps between different characters without an explanation or connection. I feel bad, too, because my best friend bought it for me when she was in France, and about a year later she asked if I liked it, and I totally lied and said it was great.. Oops..

In school, I really didn't like having to read Brave New World, Lord of the Flies, or anything by Shakespeare. Ugh. I had to force myself to persevere! :(

Here's a recent article of interest:

12 Books we should stop making high schoolers read

The author also suggests some more modern alternatives, for example:

Moby Dick --> The Martian
The Scarlet Letter --> The Handmaids Tale
The Sun Also Rises --> The Book Thief

► What do you think of all this?
► Did assigned books (classics) encourage or discourage your love of reading, or did they have little effect?


I was thinking maybe divide a class in two, assigning a classic to half and an alternative to the rest, as an experiment. Then you'd get some good comparisons from the students' viewpoints (assuming they don't all just use CliffsNotes, ha ha). Or allow students to choose an alternative for 1 or more classic read assignments.

P.S. if you're a PaperbackSwap.com member, there's more discussion on the article at: http://www.paperbackswap.com/Interere...

I think there are a few that students could do without, but there are some classics that are too good to give up. The Old Man and the Sea and To Kill a Mockingbird were classics that made me love reading and are still my favorites today. I love Dracula too. :-) I work in a high school library, and I still hear students talk about their favorite classics. Makes my heart happy! :oD

Vickie wrote: "I think there are a few that students could do without, but there are some classics that are too good to give up. The Old Man and the Sea and To Kill a Mockingbird were classics that made me love r..."

This is so good to hear!

Great comments, Vickie & Candace.

Personally I'd require Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN, since it's more or less the beginning of science fiction -- and she started writing it at age 18 (1st published at age 20), which could inspire future young writers.

I also mostly enjoyed anything by Steinbeck as a young reader. Interesting characters, and many titles were thin-ish books.

Yes for Frankenstein! I guess I have too many favorites, lol. I also enjoyed Animal Farm. I had a young man just check out George Orwell's 1984 yesterday! On his own, I might add... not required by a teacher. I was shocked but so happy! ;-)

StarMan wrote: "Great comments, Vickie & Candace.

Personally I'd require Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN, since it's more or less the beginning of science fiction -- and she started writing it at age 18 (1st publish..."

I agree about Frankenstein - sheer genius! And also Steinbeck! My mother gave me a set of his books (paperbacks) when I was in high school (late 1960s!)