Hey there, I'm a first year University student, and I'd like to find some novels to read. Specifically, I'd like to read some novels that are fairly well known and important. I'm not sure if that's pretentious, but I don't dedicate that much time to reading. If I don't read many books, I'd at least like the ones I do read to be well enough known that I could start a conversation about them.
I'd choose the books for myself, but when I look at most lists of good books from the last century, it's hard to tell if the book is suited for my level of education. I'm a good reader by high school standards, but I'm taking math courses in University, so I don't have any sort of extensive English knowledge. So if you make a suggestion, I'd appreciate if it was relatively easy to read. Keep in mind I don't necessarily mean a simple or shallow novel, as I like to think about what I'm reading, but I don't want to read a book that I need to struggle through because I don't understand the language.
I'm sorry if this post is written badly, since I've never actually asked for a book suggestion before. I'd be glad to provide more information if anyone wants.
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Anonymous2008-12-06 1:13
>>1
Extensive English knowledge is not required for reading. Difficult authors are difficult because they do weird shit.
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Anonymous2008-12-06 1:37
What country is you am, number #1? Most countries read books no more aside Harry Potter, The Da Vinci Code, Stephen Kind sorts of crap. If you want to conversations about a books with a average person, those best are your bets, even if all suck.
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Anonymous2008-12-06 3:24
>>3
You will, however, need better English skills than this guy.
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Anonymous2008-12-06 10:31
>>1
Aww, don't underestimate your English skills. There were hardly any mistakes in your text and your vocabulary seems advanced.
As for the book suggestions, have you read any George Orwell? He does not use especially difficult vocabulary, and many of his works are undisputed classics that will provide interesting material for conversations.
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Anonymous2008-12-06 11:29
Paradise Lost is a pretty good book. Beowulf is also good.
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Anonymous2008-12-09 14:45
Most so called classics are considered classics not because they are good books but because they are 'worthy' or the first time an authour had wrote a story quite like that.
One clasic authour that actully does manage to be both worthy and a good read is Orwell so I seccond the reccomendation of >>5
The BBC did a poll a few years ago to find Britain's 100 fave reads and this poll is also a good place to find a few good books. The poll does have its drawbacks, avoid the pullman book like the plauge for example because it is pretentious shit, but most of the books in the top 20 or so are worth a look in if you like the way the plot sounds. http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100.shtml
If you want to read something for fun though I'd reccommend giving Terry Pratchett a go if you've not already and Robert Ranken (who just gets funnier and funnier the more of his books you read).
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Anonymous2008-12-09 18:41
the brothers karamotzov bu dostoevsky
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Anonymous2008-12-09 20:31
>>7
that crap list has too much crap popular science fiction fantasy and jane austen, seeing actual good books listed with them pisses me off, fuck that list
and terry pratchett is crap, don't waste your time
>>10
I'm sorry you like that kind of shit dude, but that doesn't make me a troll.
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Anonymous2008-12-14 10:06
Although I fear from feeding the troll I have to say Terry Pratchett books are good BUT his writing gets differentiated from Guards! Guards!, before that... well even he admits his writing sucks at that period.
Anyway because I don't want to deviate from the topic, your criterion for a "good" novel, easy to read and improves your language, I have to recommend Stephen King and Michael Crichton novels. They are easy to read, entertains the reader mostly - because they are so into visual input in their writing I guess, and they are good.
Hope that helps :)
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Anonymous2008-12-14 18:00
>>12
Well it's not surprising you like crap like Stephen King and Michael Crichton if you're a Terry Pratchett fan. You retards should really try reading real books, maybe something by Pynchon or whatever
This is why I prefer the image boards. Yeah, you get a lot of idiots thanks to the pretty pictures, but there is a considerably lower amount of elitist assholes.
A good book is a book that a large amount of people enjoy reading. Anything else is just snobbery
Anything on that list. Try 'The Great Gatsby' for a light starter and an excellent book.
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Anonymous2009-01-06 13:02
Also, audible.com or some other (torrent?) sites.
This is good if the book intimidates you enough that you don't want to read it but you want to have read it (thanks Twain.) I've discovered that a lot of books I was putting off were actually awesome.
...I also found more hidden depth in some books I wouldn't have made time for if I didn't have long drives ahead of me anyway.
Okay, you might find this book a BIT hard to read, but I promise you, if you can make it through, you'll have picked up a few slang words to throw around, and you'll gain some insight on morality as well. It's an absolute must read; A Clockwork Orange.
The slang words are actually the problem. As the book is written in constant first-person, the author includes slang words in the text. However, there is a glossary in the back of most of the editions. The only trouble you'll have is flipping back and forth, but you'll feel a sense of accomplishment if you finish it. Also, you'll find that you can use the slang words in everyday conversation, as you'll undoubtedly memorize them after a while.
Not the best, but still very good. Afterward you just think "Why the fuck did I read that?", then you can read again and find meaning. Or just walk away wondering wtf. Really wish I had analyzed that in school. Instead I got "In the Skin of a Lion", which is a good book, but considering how often the dude talks about sperm still makes you think "wtf" when your done. Bada bing.