The Guardian books you must read before you die thread (with a bit Marylin horn thrown in) (1 Viewer)

[Anthony]

Zero.

 

[jonah]

280 is pretty spectacular. Assuming she's read my 82 that's 200 classic books I haven't read...

I'd probably be a totally different person if I read them O_O

Share some knowledge @jonah

I didn't have any friends when I was a teenager, thats the only explanation.

 

[hermie]

39 and 73. If I counted all the books I started but gave up on it might be closer to twice that. Pretty poor either way.

 

[pete]

you were probably off in a huff ignoring thumped at the time, we've all been there

if only...

 

[Cormcolash]

Those book lists are compiled by people that don't have a fucking clue about sci-fi and fantasy. Not a fucking clue.
Even the guardian one, which has a shedload of books, only really has a handful of classics in the sci-fi + fantasy section, and misses a horde of amazing books. Plus, there are so many books listed there that are just 'pretty good' - Joe Haldeman's Forever War for instance.
The Heinlein book, they choose Stranger In A Strange Land. This book is one of his only books that garnered any kind of reputation, yet I could name at least 3 books by him that would be on a list AHEAD of that one. Time Enough For Love is probably his greatest book, but hey, that didn't cause any real controversy when it was released.
They're actually even MORE clueless about fantasy, which has been enjoying an incredible renaissance in recent years arguably sparked by George RR Martin. No Steven Eriksen, who over the last 10 years has written possibly the greatest fantasy saga ever.
Neither list has a single Jack Vance book = These people are hipster book fuckheads.
Didn't see any Gene Wolfe in there either. (Edit: Spotted the Book of the New Sun. Gene Wolfe should be getting at least 2 or 3 other books in that list)
Fucking fools. If you don't know what you're talking about, don't make a stupid fucking list.

Edit: "Terry Pratchett - The Discworld Series" = Totally lazy bastards making a list.

 

[Denny Oubidoux]

It's only for serious literature

 

[rettucs]

36 and 3 halves on the not guardian one (not including the travel book about europe)
66 and 2 halves on the guardian one

I've read some other books that aren't on either list though

 

[Lili Marlene]

Those book lists are compiled by people that don't have a fucking clue about sci-fi and fantasy. Not a fucking clue.
Even the guardian one, which has a shedload of books, only really has a handful of classics in the sci-fi + fantasy section, and misses a horde of amazing books. Plus, there are so many books listed there that are just 'pretty good' - Joe Haldeman's Forever War for instance.
The Heinlein book, they choose Stranger In A Strange Land. This book is one of his only books that garnered any kind of reputation, yet I could name at least 3 books by him that would be on a list AHEAD of that one. Time Enough For Love is probably his greatest book, but hey, that didn't cause any real controversy when it was released.
They're actually even MORE clueless about fantasy, which has been enjoying an incredible renaissance in recent years arguably sparked by George RR Martin. No Steven Eriksen, who over the last 10 years has written possibly the greatest fantasy saga ever.
Neither list has a single Jack Vance book = These people are hipster book fuckheads.
Didn't see any Gene Wolfe in there either. (Edit: Spotted the Book of the New Sun. Gene Wolfe should be getting at least 2 or 3 other books in that list)
Fucking fools. If you don't know what you're talking about, don't make a stupid fucking list.

Edit: "Terry Pratchett - The Discworld Series" = Totally lazy bastards making a list.

The Gilmore list had no obligation to choose any good books.

Agreed about Terry Pratchett in the Guardian list though

 

[ann post]

The Gilmore list had no obligation to choose any good books.

Agreed about Terry Pratchett in the Guardian list though

@pete list fight breakout thread?

 

[JohnnyRaz]

Ive read about 15 books on that list. But then again history/politics/current afairs has been my mainstay since about the age of 20.

but lists being opinion based, are inherently a load of wank.

as for switching brain off:

exercise, separation from working space, and booze/drug avoidance (all mentioned above) are the most sustainable way to do it.

Im the worst fucker in the world for the whole ''i'll just do this one more bit and then finish'' syndrome. thankfully I have a cantankerous wife to drag me out of the pit before bedtime..

 

[Cormcolash]

Agreed about Terry Pratchett in the Guardian list though

It would actually be fine if they had The Colour Of Magic, or Reaper Man, one of the better Discworld novels, but to just be like "Ah fuck it we'll just say the whole series sure," like fuck off

 

[nooleen]

i can never remember which of the discworld novels is which

 

[7 - No tomorrow]

I did WAY better in that one: 220/339. Actually impressed with how Rory Gilmore I am now.

Isn't Ulysses like 700 pages long?

Is she reading the Cliff Notes?

 

[nooleen]

i couldn't even get through the comic version

 

[therealjohnny]

I think they're faking it

no one has actually read this, they just pretend they have

 

[Lili Marlene]

What are you talking about, Marilyn is just finishing it there. She read it one sitting as well.

 

[7 - No tomorrow]

What are you talking about, Marilyn is just finishing it there. She read it one sitting as well.

YES!

 

[Cornu Ammonis]

I think they're faking it

no one has actually read this, they just pretend they have

I've read it three times and listened to the audiobook once.

 

[Cornu Ammonis]

I think they're faking it

no one has actually read this, they just pretend they have

I've read it three times and listened to the audiobook once.

 

[therealjohnny]

suuuuure you have