For the literate gamer...
For the literate gamer...
I was compiling a list of every book I have ever read, and I happened to come across a Random House Publishing reader's survey of the best books of the 20th century. I thought I would share some of that here
Interestingly to me was that Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged and Fountainhead held the 1&2 spots, respectively. while Tolkien got a miserly 4th place :(
http://listsofbests.com/list/3/
Interestingly to me was that Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged and Fountainhead held the 1&2 spots, respectively. while Tolkien got a miserly 4th place :(
http://listsofbests.com/list/3/
That's because LoTR was very, very boring. Well written structurally I think, but boring. It took him like an entire chapter to describe a forest...
I can't believe Hitchikers Guide is only at 51st place... :(
I can't believe Hitchikers Guide is only at 51st place... :(
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If it was all that boring, it wouldn't have such a huge readership and such a long-lived fanbase. Tokien created an all-encompassing world, and for readers who want to be placed completely into the story as an experience instead of as just a good book, then it's not boring at all.
"The Silmarillion," however, was boring for me. I forced my way through it way back in the seventh grade, but I doubt I'll ever go there again.
"The Silmarillion," however, was boring for me. I forced my way through it way back in the seventh grade, but I doubt I'll ever go there again.
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Gormal tells you 'always another beer-soaked layer'
Inama ASSOC:: 'though it may suit your fantasies to think so, i don't need oil for anything.'
Haley: Filthy lucre? I wash that lucre every day until it SHINES!
That's a great list of books--some obvious ones that I was forced to read as a teenager in school (Brave New World, 1984, etc.) but some others that I didn't even know people knew about (Ender's Game at #59--an absolutely amazing book).
I'm glad to see my personal favorite author on the list (William Faulkner) with three of his novels. My personal favorite book of all time is his Light in August (#89 on the list).
Thanks for the list, Kwirl, I think I'm gonna be referencing it often.
I'm glad to see my personal favorite author on the list (William Faulkner) with three of his novels. My personal favorite book of all time is his Light in August (#89 on the list).
Thanks for the list, Kwirl, I think I'm gonna be referencing it often.
Ashiwi wrote:If it was all that boring, it wouldn't have such a huge readership and such a long-lived fanbase. Tokien created an all-encompassing world, and for readers who want to be placed completely into the story as an experience instead of as just a good book, then it's not boring at all.
"The Silmarillion," however, was boring for me. I forced my way through it way back in the seventh grade, but I doubt I'll ever go there again.
I thought the Hobbit was far better than LoTR...
But yes, it is a matter of opinion. I wouldn't be surprised if someone posted a similar speech to yours responding to your disdain of the Silmarillion.
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It would be interesting to know what slice of the population that poll came from. How in the world "Stranger in a Strange Land" beat out some of the other books there, like "The Invisible Man," "Animal Farm," "The Catcher in the Rye," "Grapes of Wrath," "The Lord of the Flies," "A Clockwork Orange," "Something Wicked this Way Comes," and on and on and on, just befuddles me.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed "Stranger in a Strange Land," but hardly see it as #16 in a century's worth of the written word. Can you grok it?
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed "Stranger in a Strange Land," but hardly see it as #16 in a century's worth of the written word. Can you grok it?
Gormal tells you 'im a dwarven onion'
Gormal tells you 'always another beer-soaked layer'
Inama ASSOC:: 'though it may suit your fantasies to think so, i don't need oil for anything.'
Haley: Filthy lucre? I wash that lucre every day until it SHINES!
Gormal tells you 'always another beer-soaked layer'
Inama ASSOC:: 'though it may suit your fantasies to think so, i don't need oil for anything.'
Haley: Filthy lucre? I wash that lucre every day until it SHINES!
Ashiwi wrote:It would be interesting to know what slice of the population that poll came from. How in the world "Stranger in a Strange Land" beat out some of the other books there, like "The Invisible Man," "Animal Farm," "The Catcher in the Rye," "Grapes of Wrath," "The Lord of the Flies," "A Clockwork Orange," "Something Wicked this Way Comes," and on and on and on, just befuddles me.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed "Stranger in a Strange Land," but hardly see it as #16 in a century's worth of the written word. Can you grok it?
http://www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrar ... llist.html
Ashiwi wrote:It would be interesting to know what slice of the population that poll came from. How in the world "Stranger in a Strange Land" beat out some of the other books there, like "The Invisible Man," "Animal Farm," "The Catcher in the Rye," "Grapes of Wrath," "The Lord of the Flies," "A Clockwork Orange," "Something Wicked this Way Comes," and on and on and on, just befuddles me.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed "Stranger in a Strange Land," but hardly see it as #16 in a century's worth of the written word. Can you grok it?
I grok a wrongness about it.
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Bleh, 1984 should have taken at least #2 easy. Also, why is "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" doing at #90??! Are they meaning to tell me "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" is a better book? Pshaw!
Edit: I agree with the second list more...
Edit: I agree with the second list more...
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Kifle puts on his robe and wizard hat.
Thalidyrr tells you 'Yeah, you know, getting it like a jackhammer wears you out.'
Teflor "You can beat a tank with a shovel!!1!1!!one!!1!uno!!"
like omg
Sarvis wrote:
I thought the Hobbit was far better than LoTR...
me too :)
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I am surprised that le guinn is not on there anywhere... neither for earthsea or for the left hand of darkness...
edit: and battlefield earth does not belong at #3 for any reason. I dont even see it being on that list... certainly not better than enders game, or something wicked... or even farenheit 451.
edit: and battlefield earth does not belong at #3 for any reason. I dont even see it being on that list... certainly not better than enders game, or something wicked... or even farenheit 451.
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How Herman Hesse (especially "Das Glasperlenspiel"/"the glass bead game") didn't make the list is beyond me.
And some authors there gets a little too much credit I think. Sure Ayn is great, but shouldn't hold 4 of the 8 best spots.
Guess it doesn't have a focus on timeless novels. Animal farm will go into history, whereas 1984 won't.
Yaya, little polemic, I haven't read all the books in the list go figure.
Mabye I will consider reading L. Ron Hubbard. I never saw him as a novelist before.
--added 5 minutes later--
I think I figured it. It is only english novels. Makes perfect sense.
And some authors there gets a little too much credit I think. Sure Ayn is great, but shouldn't hold 4 of the 8 best spots.
Guess it doesn't have a focus on timeless novels. Animal farm will go into history, whereas 1984 won't.
Yaya, little polemic, I haven't read all the books in the list go figure.
Mabye I will consider reading L. Ron Hubbard. I never saw him as a novelist before.
--added 5 minutes later--
I think I figured it. It is only english novels. Makes perfect sense.
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Re: For the literate gamer...
kwirl wrote:Interestingly to me was that Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged and Fountainhead held the 1&2 spots, respectively. while Tolkien got a miserly 4th place :(
I like Tolkien a lot, but I like The Fountainhead more than I like any other book in the world.
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After seeing how pathetically misinformed some people around here are about politics and the economy, it occurs to me that Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead should probably be required reading for all public school students. :)
Corth
Corth
Having said all that, the situation has been handled, so this thread is pretty much at an end. -Kossuth
Goddamned slippery mage.
Goddamned slippery mage.
Corth wrote:After seeing how pathetically misinformed some people around here are about politics and the economy, it occurs to me that Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead should probably be required reading for all public school students. :)
Corth
You're the one who said Bush's handling of the economy was negligent at best, Corth.
If you can say that and still vote for Bush, I think _you_ need the politics refresher.
By the way, what the hell does Rand's philosophical stories have to do with politics or economics? Seems like I'd be better off with an actual economics book...
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I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write. - Some Guy Who Paraphrased Voltaire
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