Posted 12:48 pm Sunday, April 04, 2010
Responses to 'Great Books:What Should Everyone Read?'
1. We enjoy reading your fun "Is It Just Me." Sunday, the topic is favorite books. May I suggest, The Shocking Pink Duck, a true duck tale of happiness, quilled and illduckstrated by my Mom, Marilee Chapman. It was chosen as Louisiana's Bicentenial book -- "as the children's book most reflecting our American Heritage with old-fashioned VALUES." Danny Burgess has recently made it into a musical, DUCKMENDOUS video! Dr. Suzanne Chapman Reams Thanks,
Dr. Suzanne Reams
Dr. Suzanne Reams
2. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
My personal favorite was illustrated by Tasha Tudor
I first read this book when I was eleven and in the fifth grade. It was just at the time in life when you begin to realize that you are not, after all, the center of the universe. The children in the book are dealing with the same realization and change in time and with the help of older and wiser folk into compassionate people who look beyond themselves to the needs of others. As with all great classics, I find something new every year or two when I reread it.
"I've been rereading all my favorites, folding the stories around me like the comfort of old friends."
All Shall be Well by Deborah Crombie
I am unable to find one of my favorite quotes, which goes something like:
"You can judge a person not by what he reads but by what he rereads."
Donna G. Edwards
My personal favorite was illustrated by Tasha Tudor
I first read this book when I was eleven and in the fifth grade. It was just at the time in life when you begin to realize that you are not, after all, the center of the universe. The children in the book are dealing with the same realization and change in time and with the help of older and wiser folk into compassionate people who look beyond themselves to the needs of others. As with all great classics, I find something new every year or two when I reread it.
"I've been rereading all my favorites, folding the stories around me like the comfort of old friends."
All Shall be Well by Deborah Crombie
I am unable to find one of my favorite quotes, which goes something like:
"You can judge a person not by what he reads but by what he rereads."
Donna G. Edwards
3. Just Like Bourne
In 1982, my father gave me a book called The Bourne Identity, by Robert Ludlum. Dad had no idea that he'd just helped set the course for my life.
At the time, I was considering joining a summer kung fu class. By the end of the second chapter, when Bourne takes out three bad guys with skills he didn't even know he had, I was hooked, not only on the book, but on martial arts as well. To be proficient enough in a skill that not even amnesia could erase it from the muscle memory was a fascinating thought, especially for an impressionable thirteen-year old.
Twenty-eight years later, I'm still doing kung fu, and have taught it professionally in Tyler since '96.
Dad ignited a fire in me that day: the passion for martial arts and books. Now, I encourage my students to go back and read the classic books that spawned the great movies, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jaws, First Blood, Dances with Wolves, and of course, Bourne. Perhaps their lives will be touched as well.
Brandon Jones
Tyler, TX
In 1982, my father gave me a book called The Bourne Identity, by Robert Ludlum. Dad had no idea that he'd just helped set the course for my life.
At the time, I was considering joining a summer kung fu class. By the end of the second chapter, when Bourne takes out three bad guys with skills he didn't even know he had, I was hooked, not only on the book, but on martial arts as well. To be proficient enough in a skill that not even amnesia could erase it from the muscle memory was a fascinating thought, especially for an impressionable thirteen-year old.
Twenty-eight years later, I'm still doing kung fu, and have taught it professionally in Tyler since '96.
Dad ignited a fire in me that day: the passion for martial arts and books. Now, I encourage my students to go back and read the classic books that spawned the great movies, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jaws, First Blood, Dances with Wolves, and of course, Bourne. Perhaps their lives will be touched as well.
Brandon Jones
Tyler, TX
4. Last time it was movies. Now books and I was just about to make the suggestion. Aaaaahhh books!
You are right about people being proud of their library. I have over five hundred in mine, They range
from a four volume set on the War between the States by D. S. Freeman, six vols. on WW II by
Churchill, several on Gen. Patton and WW II, 64 westerns by Zane Grey, about 90 by Louis Lamour,
four vols by Dickens, ten by Mark Twain, the Foxfire books, and western books by J. Frank Dobie,
Ben Green, Lary McMurtry and multitude of paperbacks by other writers. I have many other books
on WW I and WW II by other writers and 26 VCR tapes - 11 on WW I and 15 on WW II. You should see the film made by the gun camera. It looks as if the tracers zig zag.
You are right about people being proud of their library. I have over five hundred in mine, They range
from a four volume set on the War between the States by D. S. Freeman, six vols. on WW II by
Churchill, several on Gen. Patton and WW II, 64 westerns by Zane Grey, about 90 by Louis Lamour,
four vols by Dickens, ten by Mark Twain, the Foxfire books, and western books by J. Frank Dobie,
Ben Green, Lary McMurtry and multitude of paperbacks by other writers. I have many other books
on WW I and WW II by other writers and 26 VCR tapes - 11 on WW I and 15 on WW II. You should see the film made by the gun camera. It looks as if the tracers zig zag.
5. I am recommending two books for your list for boys to read. They are for boys age about 14 up to they drop dead or go blind.
1. THE OLD MAN AND THE BOY by Robert Ruark. First copyright - 1953. It is about the
relationship between a boy and his grandfather and the principles of life the the grandfather taught
the boy until his mid teens when the grandfather died.
2. HOUND DOG MAN by Fred Gipson. Published 1949. This is just a hilarious description of
a coon hunting trip in the country southwest of San Antonio about the year 1900. Gipson also wrote
the book OLD YELLOW (1956) the basis for the movie receiving most votes in your movie survey.
I found this book in an unusual manner. I was visiting my daughter in Houston a few years ago and read
an article on Fred Gipson in the Houston paper. It was primarily about OLD YELLOW which I knew
about. The article stated Gipson first got the attention of the New York literary society with HOUND
DOG MAN of which I knew nothing. My wife and I stopped at an antique shop on the way home.
The first book I saw in the shop was HOUND DOG MAN.
Joe Goodin
1. THE OLD MAN AND THE BOY by Robert Ruark. First copyright - 1953. It is about the
relationship between a boy and his grandfather and the principles of life the the grandfather taught
the boy until his mid teens when the grandfather died.
2. HOUND DOG MAN by Fred Gipson. Published 1949. This is just a hilarious description of
a coon hunting trip in the country southwest of San Antonio about the year 1900. Gipson also wrote
the book OLD YELLOW (1956) the basis for the movie receiving most votes in your movie survey.
I found this book in an unusual manner. I was visiting my daughter in Houston a few years ago and read
an article on Fred Gipson in the Houston paper. It was primarily about OLD YELLOW which I knew
about. The article stated Gipson first got the attention of the New York literary society with HOUND
DOG MAN of which I knew nothing. My wife and I stopped at an antique shop on the way home.
The first book I saw in the shop was HOUND DOG MAN.
Joe Goodin
6. Will Durant's History of Civilization changed my life. I graduated with a history degree, but got a more comprehensive perspective of history in this 11 volume set than in four years of specialized university history classes. Mr. Durant spent his life traveling the world to visit the places he chronicles. The set spans most of the recorded history of Western Civilization. Because it is so comprehensive, he has used smaller type for sections that are more in depth than the general reader may wish to tackle but which will not take away from the overall story if skipped. It was published for the Book of the Month Club in the late sixties, so copies are widely available in used book stores. Now it is available as an audiobook. It focuses more on cultural history and biographical information than on military detail, which is one reason I enjoyed it. The reader will find witty gems sprinkled throughout that make it very satisfying reading.
How did it change my life? It put the story of the Christian religion in context and changed my worldview. It also includes brief stories of most of the great writers, philosophers and poets in history. So it is a wonderful jumping off point for further good reading.
Signed,
Fellow Book Lover
Deanne Pierce
7. A book addition
Thanx for your continuing informative column! The movie list was a fun read, both the boys and girls versions. My purpose here is to add to your "books" list. There are many, but I would add the following to the boys AND girls. A reference that reads like a patriotic primer, I feel that every high school and university student as well as every caring or even not so caring adult in this country and beyond should read "The 5000 Year Leap". In succinct chapters and understandable language this volume (about 300 pages) lays out and comments on the principles that guided the Founding Fathers in and behind the composition of the U.S. Constitution. The ownership of freedom and liberty that we have cherished in the USA must take us much higher than simply being wards of the government at hand. This book is capable of opening ones eyes to the pursuit of that goal. Respectfully submitted, Bill Bonifay
8. I have a copy of The Old Man and the boy. I started reading it recently. It could have been written by your dad. I have looked for it on-line and have not found a copy, but I will continue to search for one for Jamie. I can't quite let go of my copy just yet. This Joe Goodin might be fun to meet. Nice note from Marshall.
Sherry Clyde
9. Off the top of my head:
To Kill A Mockingbird – Harper Lee
The Diary of Anne Frank – Anne Frank
Night – Elie Wiesel
The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein
Tale of Two Cities – Charles Dickens
Amy Brocato Pearson
10. The following book should be added to the Great Books list:
"A Miracle That Changed the World: The 5000 Year Leap." by W. Cleon Skousen.
President Ronald Reagan said that this book should be used as a required reading in all high school history classes.
There were 28 Principles that our founding fathers said must be understood. This books makes it easy to understand why our Republic advanced light years ahead of any country in the history of the world. On reading it, I concluded that not following the principles explained in this book might well cause our country to be remembered by 2050 as a great country whose people allowed a noble experiment to fail.
Judge Ken Chatwin of Phoenix, Arizona, describes the book in this manner: "This is possibly the most comprehensive treatment of the genius of the American Founding Fathers which has ever been encompassed in a single volume."
David Couch
11. I prepared this list about 15 months ago, devising 10 categories and limiting myself to 5 books (with commentary) in each. As 50 books may be a bit more of a response than is needed, I have honed that list down to the following:
1. Bleak House by Charles Dickens
2. A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell
3. Collected Stories by Flannery O'Connor
4. The Leopard by Guisseppe de Lampedusa
5. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
6. The Brothers Karamazov by Feodor Dostoevsky
7. Birds Without Wings by Louis Bernieres
8. From the Holy Mountain by William Dalrymple
9. The Crusades by Sir Steven Runciman
10. The Alexiad by Anna Comnena
11. The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis
12. Monastic Wisdom by Elder Joseph the Hesychast
13. Plutarch's Lives
14. Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
15. And of course, anything by Jane Austen, Anthony Trollope, Peter Taylor and John Lukacs
Terry Cowan
Bullard, TX 75757
12. Goodbye to a River by John Goraves Harold Beaird
13. A great book, written by the same man from Tahlequah, OK, who wrote "Where the Red Fern Grows", is "Summer of the Monkeys." I read it aloud to our 4 children while we were waiting for quarters to be assigned and they loved it. So far as I know, it was never made into a movie. Ruth Stankewitz
14. This is a book that every high school student in America, as well as every adult American citizen should read:
"1776" by David McCullough It tells the story of how our nation was founded and became the United States of America. This was not an easy task and everyone should appreciate how fortunate we are that our founding fathers prevailed against tremendous odds.
Those same founding fathers would be extremely upset at the situation we find ourselves in today as we abandon the free republic principals for which they fought and finally achieved.
Thomas Jefferson, in all his wisdom (read some of his quotes) , would be aghast at what is happening here today.
Jean M.
15. From Alice Rhodes, a lifelong reader:
Man's Search for Meaning by Dr. Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, explains his realization that "the last of the human freedoms" is the freedom to choose one's response, one's attitude toward everything in life.
Happiness Is a Serious Problem by Dennis Prager is an examination of the topic for which everyone searches. I was fascinated by his idea that everyone has a moral obligation to be as happy as possible, for the benefit of those around us.
Animal Farm by George Orwell is a simple story that describes how power can grow into totalitarianism.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee tells a great story, but the overriding themes are the compassion and character of Atticus Finch.
16. Mr. Clyde, with reference to your column of last Sunday, here are my book nominations. I have to admit I don't know that they are great books, as I am unsure what makes for a great book, but they are books I feel are most worthy of being read.
Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World by Margaret MacMillan. Sometimes one must look at the world situation, particularly in the Middle East and the Balkans, and wonder how things got this way. To some extent, the answer is “the Paris Peace Conference” following World War I. This book is recommended because it describes that conference and its decisions and provides a foundation for understanding some of how the world got the way it is. Reading it rekindled my appetite for history and biographies.
The Years of Lyndon Johnson (Three-volume set) by Robert A. Caro. In spite of its readability this series requires some dedication to complete, just because of its length. One does not have to be a Democrat, however, to appreciate that Lyndon Johnson left his stamp on the state of Texas and on the nation. Regardless of political persuasion, anyone who can read the chapter about electric service coming to the Texas hill country, without having his eyes water at least a little, is made of sterner stuff than I.
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. This novel is an inspiring story of a man's determination to accomplish his dream against overwhelming odds.
The Old Man and the Boy by Robert C. Ruark. In the 1950s one of the outdoor magazines included a monthly column entitled “The Old Man and the Boy,” written by Robert Ruark. Several books, most notably Something of Value, were also penned by Ruark and I believe I have read them all. Re-reading the novels today, it's difficult to get past the too-witty dialogue of the characters, which bears the stamp of 1950. The Old Man and the Boy, however, is a collection of Ruark's columns and contains little dialogue among characters. It is simply a series of anecdotes, some joyful, some sad, some making profound points, but each providing an engaging story about a boy growing under the guidance of his grandfather in a simpler time.
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. In my opinion this is simply the best historical fiction ever written about Texas , period. The TV movie was excellent; the book is better.
We were out of town when you wrote the column requesting movie nominations. I did look at your list and was disappointed that The Searchers was among the missing. Coincidentally I noticed that the movie was reviewed in the same edition of the paper. Thank you for your consideration and for your column.
Regards,
John Childress
Arp, Texas
17. My wife, Rita and I enjoy your Sunday column. Thank you for asking for recommendations to add to your list of Great Books. I would like to recommend ‘The Robe”, by Lloyd C. Douglas.
I just turned 76 years old on March 16th. I served in WWII in the Pacific Theater as a Staff Sergeant, Cryptographic Technician, 68th. Army Airways Communication System, Army Air Force.
Enclosed is a story I wrote about the book in a series of “Life Stories” that I am writing for my family. I have also enclosed a copy of the cover of the book. I still have the book! It is a treasure in the family. You will understand why, when you read the story. Enjoy!
Glenn M. Bolzle
(Past President of the Tyler Ambassadors in the late 1990's)
18. As a third grade teacher at Brook Hill, I have several favorites that I believe teach the story parts, contain a moral lesson, and provide enjoyment for my students. I read these books out loud for the kids during story time.
The School Mouse
War With Grandpa
Poppy
The Black Stallion
Lily and Mrs. Loberty
Top Secret
Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World
Help, I'm trapped in the First Day of School
The BFG
Pigs Might Fly
Wagon Train911
My Teacher is an Alien
Thank you,
Paula Bickerstaff
Teacher of Third Graders
19. I would like to recommend for your list of “Great Books”:
Blue Highways, A Journey into America by William Least Heat Moon
“On the old highway maps of America, the main routes were red and the back roads blue.” Professor Least Heat Moon, 2 camper pickups and a dog discover the byways, the people, their stories. He taught English at Stepehns College in Columbia, Mo. And I keep a few copies to pass along to friends who are strangers to this special man and his education on the road in our great land.
James Wilkins
20. My favorite book is Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. From the book jacket I quote “people who get a special pleasure out of doing something well (even if only for themselves)….people who know there's more to this whole living thing than meets the eye.” My thoughts are that is makes one examine his/her values.
Another favorite is So Big It was also made into a movie (I think). This is a story of a woman who in spite of many tragedies never ceased seeing the beauty of common things in this world. She regretted that her son never shared her views. She did, however, influence others to see this beauty, including one young man who became a successful artist.
Mr. Clyde, thank you so much for writing the “Is It Just Me” column. I look forward to seeing what the next topic will be each week.
Sincerely
Sue Evans
21.
I have been patiently waiting, hoping you would throw down the gauntlet, and since
you have, I am responding. I have grown up with the presence of books around me
always. Right now I am sitting in a room with one wall a bookcase filled with books;
downstairs is another larger bookcase the same. My earliest recollection of books was
when my mother read to me from a child's book of saints, and I remember being im-
pressed by Joan of Arc (even though the poor woman's story is now in question). One
of the earliest books I remember reading and which impressed me was Amelia Earhart's
“The Fun of It.” I grew up in the 1940's when America was at war and women rather
limited in their roles, but luckily, neither of my parents ever made me feel I wasn't
capable of accomplishing any goal.
Yes, I agree with earlier assessments that the “Iliad,” the “Odyssey,” and “Beowulf”
are certainly essential to forming one's opinion of man and his worth, as are the plays
of Shakespeare. However, there is one irony here: these works were never meant to be
read. The epics were recited aloud, “Beowulf” almost certainly accompanied by music.
The plays of Shakespeare, we all know, were to be presented on the stage, not read from
a book.
Now, I throw you my googly. The above works were, for the most part, poetry. No, I
don't mean “rhyming poetry,” but poetry that contains essentials truths or messages,
images, which contributed to the upbringing and well-being of man. Who cannot be
moved by the passage in the “Iliad” where the horses of Hector weep at the treatment
of their master by the angry, vengeful Achilles? Poetry, whether verse or fiction,
conveys to us powerful images and sounds: another example – e. e. cummings'
“Buffalo Bill.”
Buffalo Bill's defunct
who used to ride a water smooth-silver stallion
and break onetwothreefourfive pigeonsjustlikethat
Jesus he was a handsome man
and what I want to know is
how do you like your blue eyed boy
Mister Death
The energy and movement conveyed by the poet's choice of words makes us see
and feel Bill's vitality, as does the rapid shooting of the clay pigeons. The final
question is, in essence, ironic. How can you “kill” such life? The poem is brief, but
gives us a wondrous truth. Do we “die,” or are we transformed? One of my favorite
poets is the 19th century Jesuit priest, Gerard Manley Hopkins. He tells in “God's
Grandeur” that the world is “charged with the grandeur of God...It will flame out
like shining from shook foil.” Yet man has “bleared and smeared” this grandeur
with his toil. “All … shares man's smell.” Yet for all of this, “nature is never spent.”
“Because the Holy Ghost over the the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.” Hopkins believed each
creature, including man, had its own uniqueness, or “ inscape.”
This same poetry and powerful imagery exists in fiction. One of the greatest tributes
paid to me as a teacher was when one of my students told me in a science fiction
class that he had never read a book. He started reading in our class because
the discussions tweaked his curiosity – and so it should be. I believe Faulkner
is the spokesman today for writers and readers of books. He is certainly mine. He tells
the young in his Nobel Acceptance Speech not to “give in to a pervading universal,
physical fear.” The problem with books today,” he continues, “is that they no longer
contain problems of the spirit.” Without “the old verities...love and honor and pity and
pride and compassion and sacrifice” man is doomed. It is the “poet's, the writer's duty
...to lift man's heart by reminding him” of the old truths mentioned above. Faulkner
believes that “man will not merely endure; he will prevail.” “Go Down, Moses” is
probably one of Faulkner's most spiritual books. In it he creates a parallel between
the Southern Blacks and the Jews who both needed to be led out of slavery. The
short story “Pantaloon in Black” is especially moving. Rider has lost his wife Mannie,
and he cannot control his grief, which is expressed in rage, destruction, and
finally, his own suicide. It is one of the most powerful expressions of grief ever
portrayed in fiction, and one cannot keep from being moved by it.
I'll close with another of my favorite poets and theologians, John Donne. Although
he is probably best known for his poetry, which is a mixture of human passion
and divine, I want to discuss his “Meditations.” His most famous is Meditation
XVII, which contains the famous “no man is an island” reference. However, there
is another metaphor more appropriate to our discussion. “All mankind is of one
author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the
book, but translated into a better language...but God's hand is in every translation,
and his hand shall bind up our scattered leaves again for that library where every
book shall lie open to one another.”
P.S. Churchill was a wonderful poet, as well as clever in his ironic comments to
his iconoclasts, as you well know.
Jane Prokesh
22.
You have compelled me to do something that I rarely do and that is write to the paper regarding something I read. I, like you, prefer history and biographies and one of my favorites is also Manchester's work on Churchill (had the same feeling in the War Room). It was unfortunate that William Manchester passed away before a 3rd volume was completed.
I would also add Carl Sandberg's four volume set on Abraham Lincoln entitled the "War Years". I received a set for Christmas a number of years back. They are a first edition that came in a special box but, the original owner had included the New York Times book review from 1939. Quite interesting.
Finally, if you like spy/mystery novels, I would suggest the John LeCarre' trilogy on George Smiley and his search for Karla ("Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy", "The Honourable Schoolboy", "Smiley's People").
Anyway, my list goes on but, that is enough.
Sincerely,
Grant Knight
23. My list is short. But, these are essential!
The greatest fiction story ever told, in my opinion of course, is J.R.R. Tolkien's “The Lord of the Rings.” All the aspects you look for in a great book — life, death, love, hate, passion, heartbreak, heroism, failure and ultimate triumph — are all in Tolkien's masterpiece. I was inspired by my father, who has read the story at least 50 times, to read “The Lord of the Rings,” and it's perhaps one of the greatest pieces of advice I have ever received. Anyone who wants to read fascinating literature or perhaps a writer who wants to be inspired, should start with this book.
The other book is one I have completed recently, and I was shocked that I hadn't read this book sooner. “Luckiest Man” by Jonathan Eig is more than a baseball book about Lou Gehrig. It's a story about a man who faced poverty, shyness, the limelight on Babe Ruth and eventually, one of the worst diseases known to man. And the entire time, he played baseball to the absolute best of his ability. He didn't focus on contract negotiations, endorsements or Babe Ruth's many antics. He was just Lou Gehrig, and while being known for one of the most popular speeches in history, was, without a doubt, one of the greatest baseball players to touch the field.
Before I read this book, I knew I wanted to name my first son Gehrig. Reading Eig's book only made me feel all the more confident in that decision.
CHASE COLSTON
Eccl 12:12
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
OK Nelson, you have redeemed yourself, a little. I was going to write to admonish you with the boy/girl movie thing and suggest that you needed a more inclusive approach for movies EVERYONE should see….it's similar to the school mascots which the newspaper sports writers (and yes, the schools themselves) divide by gender into such abominations as Tigers and Lady Tigers, Wolverines and Lady Wolverines, Spartans and Lady Spartans, as if the female athletes were somehow in need of “modification” and not quite worthy of the singular appellation..I know, I know, others will say that the gentleness and grace of the female athletes garners those “lady” adjectives…but try telling that to the “ladies” in the Women's NCAA March Madness! No matter…this week you are asking for nominations of books for EVERYONE to read.
I really don't propose to make a list…for that I refer you to such great lists as the Modern Library's top 100 novels http://www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/100bestnovels.html and top 100 nonfiction works http://www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/100bestnovels.html or Time magazine's top 100 http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1951793,00.html ….instead I welcome all adult readers in Tyler to join the Tyler Public Library in The Tyler Big Read event wherein we have been asking all adults to read John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and discuss it in a book discussion club or group this spring. We have plenty of book discussion guides available for free and will loan paperback copies of the novel to groups planning to discuss the book.
Chris Albertson
Mr. Chris Albertson
City Librarian
Here's my top book list.
THE GREAT GATSBY
CATCHER IN THE RYE
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
SLAUGHTER HOUSE FIVE
THE MALTESE FALCON
THE THIRD MAN
OF MICE AND MEN
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
THE BIG SLEEP
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL
THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE
MOBY DICK
LOOK HOMEWARD ANGEL
Yes, I have read everyone of these books
Lisa Nygren
I want to recommend, "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare.
This book won the Newbery Medal in 1959. It deals with judging people before you know the facts about them. The main character befriends an old woman who was cast out of the town because she was thought to be a witch; of course she was not. The story takes place in the 1800's, but the lesson on judging is timeless. It was ironic that when I taught 8th grade reading, I wanted my students to read this book. A parent complained to me because it was about a witch! Judging a book!
I teach Kindergarten at Andy Woods now. I know this book is too old for them, but I still find ways to teach getting to know someone or the facts first.
Thank you!
Michelle Pardue
Great Books: What everyone should read
In response to your Great Books article, I would like to post my recommendations: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, The Fall by Albert Camus, Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose, Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, 1984 by George Orwell, and Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.
Hi! I'm Jaquelynn from Athens. What a wonderful idea this is! Here are my recommendations, with a bit of commentary:
Nineteen Eighty-Four- George Orwell/Brave New World- Aldous Huxley/Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury:
There are modern-day parallels in all of these novels, which renders them only more important as the years pass. Also, too many people throw the term “Big Brother” around without having actually read Orwell's masterpiece. This must be remedied.
East of Eden- John Steinbeck:
Much like Harper Lee's classic To Kill a Mockingbird (which I also highly recommend), this should need no explanation. Both spawned great movies, too, though in places Eden is a great departure from the source.
Empire of the Sun- J. G. Ballard/Angela's Ashes- Frank McCourt:
Here are two fascinating accounts (well, the former fictionalized) of extremes faced in youth. Upon turning the final pages of each book, most of us will thank God for the normalcy of our childhoods, then rush to find the nearest copy of McCourt's follow-up memoirs. A smaller portion will seek out Ballard's other work, which is equally superb, but also provocative, biting, graphic, and depraved, in either the best or worst ways possible,dependingon your standpoint. All should watch the film adaptations of both books, though, because they're pretty amazing.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower- Stephen Chbosky:
Among those of my generation, it's long been cliché to list this book as a “life-changing must-read”, but it's no less true.If you've got a teen, make them read this (although be aware that it is frequently challenged due to its frank portrayal of sensitive issues- if this matters to you, you may want to read it first).Furthermore, if you've ever been a teen and have since forgotten what it's like to “feel infinite”, read this.That simple.It's real, raw, and still feelssocurrent, despite being written over ten years ago with a setting in the early 1990s.It'sThe Catcher in the Ryefor Generation Y… though it's fun to read both and see how quaint Caulfield's plight looks in comparison.
She's Come Undone- Wally Lamb:
Around the same time I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower (the summer before my freshman year of high school), I read this, and I just keep coming back to it. It's relatable and empowering… in short, it's like this- every woman who reads it will see facets of herself reflected, and every man will get an idea of how the female mind works. And it was written by a man, too. Go figure.
Others I recommend:
• The Road- Cormac McCarthy
• The Outlander series- Diana Gabaldon
• Wuthering Heights- Emily Brontë
• House of Leaves- Mark Z. Danielewski (compulsively readable, experimental madness)
• The Time Traveler's Wife- Audrey Niffenegger (Don't let the movie fool you; this is great!)
• The Picture of Dorian Gray- Oscar Wilde
• The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay- Michael Chabon
• Water for Elephants- Sara Gruen
• Lolita- Vladimir Nabokov
• Catch-22- Joseph Heller
• A Single Man- Christopher Isherwood
• Perfume- Patrick Süskind
• A Clockwork Orange- Anthony Burgess
• The Moonflower Vine- Jetta Carleton
• Rebecca- Daphne du Maurier
• Tess of the d'Urbervilles- Thomas Hardy
My favorite books? No.1: Hamlet, needless to say, heads the list. It's been around over 400 years and it's still going strong, so expansive, so human, and so impressive, with a miasma of themes, still relevant today. I don't know a soul who doesn't know (or recognize) a line or two from this great play. Shakespeare's reputation doesn't seem to be fading. For those who don't "like" Shakespeare, perhaps they've just never had the right English teacher!
Others?
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Having read this first in the fourth grade (and being impressed), I then read it in high school (further impressed) and then studied it in college (quite impressed, probably having to do with a great, enthusiast Vanderbilt professor who was the one who also introduced Hamlet to me). Twain was so far ahead of his time, in social, religious, and cultural significance. Yes, it's been controversial among certain types over the years, but bless our Supreme Courts in the past, they've refused to have such a classic, so full of good lessons for us all, banned. Long live the free press and no censorship of responsible books!
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. No doubt the greatest American novel of the 20th century. This book alone opened up (and appealed to) so many, many young people, who found that reading books wasn't such a bad pastime after all! Holden Caulfield's problems and solutions seem just as relevant today as it was back in the '60s, when anyone who hoped to be anyone carried that book around and always got into such lively "debates"--to prove we were all somehow "intellectuals"--and that still extends today with this book.
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. With Jake Barnes, Lady Brett Ashley, and the running of the bulls in Pamplona, how much more exciting can a book be? "Papa's" power of description of landscape and atmosphere, his tonal integrity, and his dynamic symmetry in this book alone (although he maintains these in so many of his other works, too) made it a foundation for his later Nobel Prize. And who can forget Old Man and the Sea?
Intruder in the Dust by William Faulkner. It's long been said that if the people in Mississippi could read, they'd have made Faulkner part of the racial lynchings. Fortunately for us, Faulkner's works transcended the state's boundaries and the significance of his works, particularly this one and particularly of so much social injustice transpiring there, which went worldwide. His creation of the Snopes family, Yoknapatawpha County, and all the rest "down there" is not only believable but readable, often tragic, sometimes humorous. And what a style of writing, combining the Joycean stream of conscious style with lots of local color (not to mention the big words!). His Nobel Prize came later and well deserved.
Hawaii by James Michener. While not in the "big literary picture," it's still one of the most interesting books I've ever read. Granted, Michener's "formula" doesn't vary much in all those big best sellers he wrote, but few can deny that his ability to create interest in unparalleled fashion. With over a million words in this book (one never realizes there's so many), Michener's characters, setting, and, yes, even the plot lines are just short of mesmerizing.
Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon. A classic? Perhaps not, but a fascinating read (the first of about 20 featuring the Venice (Italy) policeman Guido Brunetti) for fans of modern day police procedurals. Leon's characters are absorbing, quite human, and her story line is first rate. Set in modern day Venice, she makes no bones about criticizing the social injustices rampant in Italy today or other significant issues (the environment, politics, the economy)--yet she interweaves these themes into absorbing stories. And in not one of her books do we find the "butler doing it!"
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. While I read this in the English translation, this is one of the most brilliant novels of the last few decades. An incredible world-wide success (translated--and sold--in almost every language), Shadow of the Wind is a novel about "the library of lost books"--filled with all kinds of literary symbols and allusions. Zafon's translated style of writing reminds the reader that if Salvador Dali were writing a novel, this would be it, as it bounces from realism to surrealism (and the knowledgeable reader will keep seeing Dali's "Persistence of Memory" as the book is being read. Really!).
Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Ernest Hemingway called this book one of the two greatest American novels (he humbly did not include his own!)--the other being Huck Finn. There are two versions of Moby--the unabridged and the abridged. I found the abridged version much faster reading (much of the whale info in left out), but then it loses some of the Melville magic. Indeed, this is a whale of a tale, as we find one of the most memorable characters in fiction, Captain Ahab, wrestling with a whole litany of problems and concerns, all that involve the universal human condition.
A Thief of Time by Tony Hillerman. Granted, not a "literary classic" but a fascinating read, nonetheless (a book doesn't have to be a classic to be enjoyed! Just think John Grisham, Stephanie Meyer, or J.K. Rowling!). Hillerman's Lt. Joe Leaphorn heads up the investigation of a death on the Navajo Reservation. His logical, clearly-defined modus operandi works magic and Hillerman found the key to a whole bucketful of bestsellers in this series. He brings enlightenment to those of us who've not really understood why anyone today is still "on a reservation" with fewer civil rights than those who don't live on one as well as giving us a more sympathetic and comprehensive picture of the Native American culture (while giving us a darn good mystery)!
I'll stop at ten. I could go on, of course. Hope this will add something to your story. I look forward to reading it. I cannot imagine a society without books. A tip of the hat to Herr Gutenberg for doing that moveable type thing and Richard Ho for inventing the cylinder press. As the Good Book says, "the truth shall make ye free" (I like the King James version!) and reading certainly CAN make us free!
Bill Hobbs
Tyler, TX 75701
How did it change my life? It put the story of the Christian religion in context and changed my worldview. It also includes brief stories of most of the great writers, philosophers and poets in history. So it is a wonderful jumping off point for further good reading.
Signed,
Fellow Book Lover
Deanne Pierce
7. A book addition
Thanx for your continuing informative column! The movie list was a fun read, both the boys and girls versions. My purpose here is to add to your "books" list. There are many, but I would add the following to the boys AND girls. A reference that reads like a patriotic primer, I feel that every high school and university student as well as every caring or even not so caring adult in this country and beyond should read "The 5000 Year Leap". In succinct chapters and understandable language this volume (about 300 pages) lays out and comments on the principles that guided the Founding Fathers in and behind the composition of the U.S. Constitution. The ownership of freedom and liberty that we have cherished in the USA must take us much higher than simply being wards of the government at hand. This book is capable of opening ones eyes to the pursuit of that goal. Respectfully submitted, Bill Bonifay
8. I have a copy of The Old Man and the boy. I started reading it recently. It could have been written by your dad. I have looked for it on-line and have not found a copy, but I will continue to search for one for Jamie. I can't quite let go of my copy just yet. This Joe Goodin might be fun to meet. Nice note from Marshall.
Sherry Clyde
9. Off the top of my head:
To Kill A Mockingbird – Harper Lee
The Diary of Anne Frank – Anne Frank
Night – Elie Wiesel
The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein
Tale of Two Cities – Charles Dickens
Amy Brocato Pearson
10. The following book should be added to the Great Books list:
"A Miracle That Changed the World: The 5000 Year Leap." by W. Cleon Skousen.
President Ronald Reagan said that this book should be used as a required reading in all high school history classes.
There were 28 Principles that our founding fathers said must be understood. This books makes it easy to understand why our Republic advanced light years ahead of any country in the history of the world. On reading it, I concluded that not following the principles explained in this book might well cause our country to be remembered by 2050 as a great country whose people allowed a noble experiment to fail.
Judge Ken Chatwin of Phoenix, Arizona, describes the book in this manner: "This is possibly the most comprehensive treatment of the genius of the American Founding Fathers which has ever been encompassed in a single volume."
David Couch
11. I prepared this list about 15 months ago, devising 10 categories and limiting myself to 5 books (with commentary) in each. As 50 books may be a bit more of a response than is needed, I have honed that list down to the following:
1. Bleak House by Charles Dickens
2. A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell
3. Collected Stories by Flannery O'Connor
4. The Leopard by Guisseppe de Lampedusa
5. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
6. The Brothers Karamazov by Feodor Dostoevsky
7. Birds Without Wings by Louis Bernieres
8. From the Holy Mountain by William Dalrymple
9. The Crusades by Sir Steven Runciman
10. The Alexiad by Anna Comnena
11. The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis
12. Monastic Wisdom by Elder Joseph the Hesychast
13. Plutarch's Lives
14. Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
15. And of course, anything by Jane Austen, Anthony Trollope, Peter Taylor and John Lukacs
Terry Cowan
Bullard, TX 75757
12. Goodbye to a River by John Goraves Harold Beaird
13. A great book, written by the same man from Tahlequah, OK, who wrote "Where the Red Fern Grows", is "Summer of the Monkeys." I read it aloud to our 4 children while we were waiting for quarters to be assigned and they loved it. So far as I know, it was never made into a movie. Ruth Stankewitz
14. This is a book that every high school student in America, as well as every adult American citizen should read:
"1776" by David McCullough It tells the story of how our nation was founded and became the United States of America. This was not an easy task and everyone should appreciate how fortunate we are that our founding fathers prevailed against tremendous odds.
Those same founding fathers would be extremely upset at the situation we find ourselves in today as we abandon the free republic principals for which they fought and finally achieved.
Thomas Jefferson, in all his wisdom (read some of his quotes) , would be aghast at what is happening here today.
Jean M.
15. From Alice Rhodes, a lifelong reader:
Man's Search for Meaning by Dr. Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, explains his realization that "the last of the human freedoms" is the freedom to choose one's response, one's attitude toward everything in life.
Happiness Is a Serious Problem by Dennis Prager is an examination of the topic for which everyone searches. I was fascinated by his idea that everyone has a moral obligation to be as happy as possible, for the benefit of those around us.
Animal Farm by George Orwell is a simple story that describes how power can grow into totalitarianism.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee tells a great story, but the overriding themes are the compassion and character of Atticus Finch.
16. Mr. Clyde, with reference to your column of last Sunday, here are my book nominations. I have to admit I don't know that they are great books, as I am unsure what makes for a great book, but they are books I feel are most worthy of being read.
Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World by Margaret MacMillan. Sometimes one must look at the world situation, particularly in the Middle East and the Balkans, and wonder how things got this way. To some extent, the answer is “the Paris Peace Conference” following World War I. This book is recommended because it describes that conference and its decisions and provides a foundation for understanding some of how the world got the way it is. Reading it rekindled my appetite for history and biographies.
The Years of Lyndon Johnson (Three-volume set) by Robert A. Caro. In spite of its readability this series requires some dedication to complete, just because of its length. One does not have to be a Democrat, however, to appreciate that Lyndon Johnson left his stamp on the state of Texas and on the nation. Regardless of political persuasion, anyone who can read the chapter about electric service coming to the Texas hill country, without having his eyes water at least a little, is made of sterner stuff than I.
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. This novel is an inspiring story of a man's determination to accomplish his dream against overwhelming odds.
The Old Man and the Boy by Robert C. Ruark. In the 1950s one of the outdoor magazines included a monthly column entitled “The Old Man and the Boy,” written by Robert Ruark. Several books, most notably Something of Value, were also penned by Ruark and I believe I have read them all. Re-reading the novels today, it's difficult to get past the too-witty dialogue of the characters, which bears the stamp of 1950. The Old Man and the Boy, however, is a collection of Ruark's columns and contains little dialogue among characters. It is simply a series of anecdotes, some joyful, some sad, some making profound points, but each providing an engaging story about a boy growing under the guidance of his grandfather in a simpler time.
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. In my opinion this is simply the best historical fiction ever written about Texas , period. The TV movie was excellent; the book is better.
We were out of town when you wrote the column requesting movie nominations. I did look at your list and was disappointed that The Searchers was among the missing. Coincidentally I noticed that the movie was reviewed in the same edition of the paper. Thank you for your consideration and for your column.
Regards,
John Childress
Arp, Texas
17. My wife, Rita and I enjoy your Sunday column. Thank you for asking for recommendations to add to your list of Great Books. I would like to recommend ‘The Robe”, by Lloyd C. Douglas.
I just turned 76 years old on March 16th. I served in WWII in the Pacific Theater as a Staff Sergeant, Cryptographic Technician, 68th. Army Airways Communication System, Army Air Force.
Enclosed is a story I wrote about the book in a series of “Life Stories” that I am writing for my family. I have also enclosed a copy of the cover of the book. I still have the book! It is a treasure in the family. You will understand why, when you read the story. Enjoy!
Glenn M. Bolzle
(Past President of the Tyler Ambassadors in the late 1990's)
18. As a third grade teacher at Brook Hill, I have several favorites that I believe teach the story parts, contain a moral lesson, and provide enjoyment for my students. I read these books out loud for the kids during story time.
The School Mouse
War With Grandpa
Poppy
The Black Stallion
Lily and Mrs. Loberty
Top Secret
Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World
Help, I'm trapped in the First Day of School
The BFG
Pigs Might Fly
Wagon Train911
My Teacher is an Alien
Thank you,
Paula Bickerstaff
Teacher of Third Graders
19. I would like to recommend for your list of “Great Books”:
Blue Highways, A Journey into America by William Least Heat Moon
“On the old highway maps of America, the main routes were red and the back roads blue.” Professor Least Heat Moon, 2 camper pickups and a dog discover the byways, the people, their stories. He taught English at Stepehns College in Columbia, Mo. And I keep a few copies to pass along to friends who are strangers to this special man and his education on the road in our great land.
James Wilkins
20. My favorite book is Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. From the book jacket I quote “people who get a special pleasure out of doing something well (even if only for themselves)….people who know there's more to this whole living thing than meets the eye.” My thoughts are that is makes one examine his/her values.
Another favorite is So Big It was also made into a movie (I think). This is a story of a woman who in spite of many tragedies never ceased seeing the beauty of common things in this world. She regretted that her son never shared her views. She did, however, influence others to see this beauty, including one young man who became a successful artist.
Mr. Clyde, thank you so much for writing the “Is It Just Me” column. I look forward to seeing what the next topic will be each week.
Sincerely
Sue Evans
21.
I have been patiently waiting, hoping you would throw down the gauntlet, and since
you have, I am responding. I have grown up with the presence of books around me
always. Right now I am sitting in a room with one wall a bookcase filled with books;
downstairs is another larger bookcase the same. My earliest recollection of books was
when my mother read to me from a child's book of saints, and I remember being im-
pressed by Joan of Arc (even though the poor woman's story is now in question). One
of the earliest books I remember reading and which impressed me was Amelia Earhart's
“The Fun of It.” I grew up in the 1940's when America was at war and women rather
limited in their roles, but luckily, neither of my parents ever made me feel I wasn't
capable of accomplishing any goal.
Yes, I agree with earlier assessments that the “Iliad,” the “Odyssey,” and “Beowulf”
are certainly essential to forming one's opinion of man and his worth, as are the plays
of Shakespeare. However, there is one irony here: these works were never meant to be
read. The epics were recited aloud, “Beowulf” almost certainly accompanied by music.
The plays of Shakespeare, we all know, were to be presented on the stage, not read from
a book.
Now, I throw you my googly. The above works were, for the most part, poetry. No, I
don't mean “rhyming poetry,” but poetry that contains essentials truths or messages,
images, which contributed to the upbringing and well-being of man. Who cannot be
moved by the passage in the “Iliad” where the horses of Hector weep at the treatment
of their master by the angry, vengeful Achilles? Poetry, whether verse or fiction,
conveys to us powerful images and sounds: another example – e. e. cummings'
“Buffalo Bill.”
Buffalo Bill's defunct
who used to ride a water smooth-silver stallion
and break onetwothreefourfive pigeonsjustlikethat
Jesus he was a handsome man
and what I want to know is
how do you like your blue eyed boy
Mister Death
The energy and movement conveyed by the poet's choice of words makes us see
and feel Bill's vitality, as does the rapid shooting of the clay pigeons. The final
question is, in essence, ironic. How can you “kill” such life? The poem is brief, but
gives us a wondrous truth. Do we “die,” or are we transformed? One of my favorite
poets is the 19th century Jesuit priest, Gerard Manley Hopkins. He tells in “God's
Grandeur” that the world is “charged with the grandeur of God...It will flame out
like shining from shook foil.” Yet man has “bleared and smeared” this grandeur
with his toil. “All … shares man's smell.” Yet for all of this, “nature is never spent.”
“Because the Holy Ghost over the the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.” Hopkins believed each
creature, including man, had its own uniqueness, or “ inscape.”
This same poetry and powerful imagery exists in fiction. One of the greatest tributes
paid to me as a teacher was when one of my students told me in a science fiction
class that he had never read a book. He started reading in our class because
the discussions tweaked his curiosity – and so it should be. I believe Faulkner
is the spokesman today for writers and readers of books. He is certainly mine. He tells
the young in his Nobel Acceptance Speech not to “give in to a pervading universal,
physical fear.” The problem with books today,” he continues, “is that they no longer
contain problems of the spirit.” Without “the old verities...love and honor and pity and
pride and compassion and sacrifice” man is doomed. It is the “poet's, the writer's duty
...to lift man's heart by reminding him” of the old truths mentioned above. Faulkner
believes that “man will not merely endure; he will prevail.” “Go Down, Moses” is
probably one of Faulkner's most spiritual books. In it he creates a parallel between
the Southern Blacks and the Jews who both needed to be led out of slavery. The
short story “Pantaloon in Black” is especially moving. Rider has lost his wife Mannie,
and he cannot control his grief, which is expressed in rage, destruction, and
finally, his own suicide. It is one of the most powerful expressions of grief ever
portrayed in fiction, and one cannot keep from being moved by it.
I'll close with another of my favorite poets and theologians, John Donne. Although
he is probably best known for his poetry, which is a mixture of human passion
and divine, I want to discuss his “Meditations.” His most famous is Meditation
XVII, which contains the famous “no man is an island” reference. However, there
is another metaphor more appropriate to our discussion. “All mankind is of one
author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the
book, but translated into a better language...but God's hand is in every translation,
and his hand shall bind up our scattered leaves again for that library where every
book shall lie open to one another.”
P.S. Churchill was a wonderful poet, as well as clever in his ironic comments to
his iconoclasts, as you well know.
Jane Prokesh
22.
You have compelled me to do something that I rarely do and that is write to the paper regarding something I read. I, like you, prefer history and biographies and one of my favorites is also Manchester's work on Churchill (had the same feeling in the War Room). It was unfortunate that William Manchester passed away before a 3rd volume was completed.
I would also add Carl Sandberg's four volume set on Abraham Lincoln entitled the "War Years". I received a set for Christmas a number of years back. They are a first edition that came in a special box but, the original owner had included the New York Times book review from 1939. Quite interesting.
Finally, if you like spy/mystery novels, I would suggest the John LeCarre' trilogy on George Smiley and his search for Karla ("Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy", "The Honourable Schoolboy", "Smiley's People").
Anyway, my list goes on but, that is enough.
Sincerely,
Grant Knight
23. My list is short. But, these are essential!
The greatest fiction story ever told, in my opinion of course, is J.R.R. Tolkien's “The Lord of the Rings.” All the aspects you look for in a great book — life, death, love, hate, passion, heartbreak, heroism, failure and ultimate triumph — are all in Tolkien's masterpiece. I was inspired by my father, who has read the story at least 50 times, to read “The Lord of the Rings,” and it's perhaps one of the greatest pieces of advice I have ever received. Anyone who wants to read fascinating literature or perhaps a writer who wants to be inspired, should start with this book.
The other book is one I have completed recently, and I was shocked that I hadn't read this book sooner. “Luckiest Man” by Jonathan Eig is more than a baseball book about Lou Gehrig. It's a story about a man who faced poverty, shyness, the limelight on Babe Ruth and eventually, one of the worst diseases known to man. And the entire time, he played baseball to the absolute best of his ability. He didn't focus on contract negotiations, endorsements or Babe Ruth's many antics. He was just Lou Gehrig, and while being known for one of the most popular speeches in history, was, without a doubt, one of the greatest baseball players to touch the field.
Before I read this book, I knew I wanted to name my first son Gehrig. Reading Eig's book only made me feel all the more confident in that decision.
CHASE COLSTON
Eccl 12:12
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
OK Nelson, you have redeemed yourself, a little. I was going to write to admonish you with the boy/girl movie thing and suggest that you needed a more inclusive approach for movies EVERYONE should see….it's similar to the school mascots which the newspaper sports writers (and yes, the schools themselves) divide by gender into such abominations as Tigers and Lady Tigers, Wolverines and Lady Wolverines, Spartans and Lady Spartans, as if the female athletes were somehow in need of “modification” and not quite worthy of the singular appellation..I know, I know, others will say that the gentleness and grace of the female athletes garners those “lady” adjectives…but try telling that to the “ladies” in the Women's NCAA March Madness! No matter…this week you are asking for nominations of books for EVERYONE to read.
I really don't propose to make a list…for that I refer you to such great lists as the Modern Library's top 100 novels http://www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/100bestnovels.html and top 100 nonfiction works http://www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/100bestnovels.html or Time magazine's top 100 http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1951793,00.html ….instead I welcome all adult readers in Tyler to join the Tyler Public Library in The Tyler Big Read event wherein we have been asking all adults to read John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and discuss it in a book discussion club or group this spring. We have plenty of book discussion guides available for free and will loan paperback copies of the novel to groups planning to discuss the book.
Chris Albertson
Mr. Chris Albertson
City Librarian
Here's my top book list.
THE GREAT GATSBY
CATCHER IN THE RYE
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
SLAUGHTER HOUSE FIVE
THE MALTESE FALCON
THE THIRD MAN
OF MICE AND MEN
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
THE BIG SLEEP
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL
THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE
MOBY DICK
LOOK HOMEWARD ANGEL
Yes, I have read everyone of these books
Lisa Nygren
I want to recommend, "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare.
This book won the Newbery Medal in 1959. It deals with judging people before you know the facts about them. The main character befriends an old woman who was cast out of the town because she was thought to be a witch; of course she was not. The story takes place in the 1800's, but the lesson on judging is timeless. It was ironic that when I taught 8th grade reading, I wanted my students to read this book. A parent complained to me because it was about a witch! Judging a book!
I teach Kindergarten at Andy Woods now. I know this book is too old for them, but I still find ways to teach getting to know someone or the facts first.
Thank you!
Michelle Pardue
Great Books: What everyone should read
In response to your Great Books article, I would like to post my recommendations: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, The Fall by Albert Camus, Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose, Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, 1984 by George Orwell, and Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.
Hi! I'm Jaquelynn from Athens. What a wonderful idea this is! Here are my recommendations, with a bit of commentary:
Nineteen Eighty-Four- George Orwell/Brave New World- Aldous Huxley/Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury:
There are modern-day parallels in all of these novels, which renders them only more important as the years pass. Also, too many people throw the term “Big Brother” around without having actually read Orwell's masterpiece. This must be remedied.
East of Eden- John Steinbeck:
Much like Harper Lee's classic To Kill a Mockingbird (which I also highly recommend), this should need no explanation. Both spawned great movies, too, though in places Eden is a great departure from the source.
Empire of the Sun- J. G. Ballard/Angela's Ashes- Frank McCourt:
Here are two fascinating accounts (well, the former fictionalized) of extremes faced in youth. Upon turning the final pages of each book, most of us will thank God for the normalcy of our childhoods, then rush to find the nearest copy of McCourt's follow-up memoirs. A smaller portion will seek out Ballard's other work, which is equally superb, but also provocative, biting, graphic, and depraved, in either the best or worst ways possible,dependingon your standpoint. All should watch the film adaptations of both books, though, because they're pretty amazing.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower- Stephen Chbosky:
Among those of my generation, it's long been cliché to list this book as a “life-changing must-read”, but it's no less true.If you've got a teen, make them read this (although be aware that it is frequently challenged due to its frank portrayal of sensitive issues- if this matters to you, you may want to read it first).Furthermore, if you've ever been a teen and have since forgotten what it's like to “feel infinite”, read this.That simple.It's real, raw, and still feelssocurrent, despite being written over ten years ago with a setting in the early 1990s.It'sThe Catcher in the Ryefor Generation Y… though it's fun to read both and see how quaint Caulfield's plight looks in comparison.
She's Come Undone- Wally Lamb:
Around the same time I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower (the summer before my freshman year of high school), I read this, and I just keep coming back to it. It's relatable and empowering… in short, it's like this- every woman who reads it will see facets of herself reflected, and every man will get an idea of how the female mind works. And it was written by a man, too. Go figure.
Others I recommend:
• The Road- Cormac McCarthy
• The Outlander series- Diana Gabaldon
• Wuthering Heights- Emily Brontë
• House of Leaves- Mark Z. Danielewski (compulsively readable, experimental madness)
• The Time Traveler's Wife- Audrey Niffenegger (Don't let the movie fool you; this is great!)
• The Picture of Dorian Gray- Oscar Wilde
• The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay- Michael Chabon
• Water for Elephants- Sara Gruen
• Lolita- Vladimir Nabokov
• Catch-22- Joseph Heller
• A Single Man- Christopher Isherwood
• Perfume- Patrick Süskind
• A Clockwork Orange- Anthony Burgess
• The Moonflower Vine- Jetta Carleton
• Rebecca- Daphne du Maurier
• Tess of the d'Urbervilles- Thomas Hardy
My favorite books? No.1: Hamlet, needless to say, heads the list. It's been around over 400 years and it's still going strong, so expansive, so human, and so impressive, with a miasma of themes, still relevant today. I don't know a soul who doesn't know (or recognize) a line or two from this great play. Shakespeare's reputation doesn't seem to be fading. For those who don't "like" Shakespeare, perhaps they've just never had the right English teacher!
Others?
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Having read this first in the fourth grade (and being impressed), I then read it in high school (further impressed) and then studied it in college (quite impressed, probably having to do with a great, enthusiast Vanderbilt professor who was the one who also introduced Hamlet to me). Twain was so far ahead of his time, in social, religious, and cultural significance. Yes, it's been controversial among certain types over the years, but bless our Supreme Courts in the past, they've refused to have such a classic, so full of good lessons for us all, banned. Long live the free press and no censorship of responsible books!
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. No doubt the greatest American novel of the 20th century. This book alone opened up (and appealed to) so many, many young people, who found that reading books wasn't such a bad pastime after all! Holden Caulfield's problems and solutions seem just as relevant today as it was back in the '60s, when anyone who hoped to be anyone carried that book around and always got into such lively "debates"--to prove we were all somehow "intellectuals"--and that still extends today with this book.
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. With Jake Barnes, Lady Brett Ashley, and the running of the bulls in Pamplona, how much more exciting can a book be? "Papa's" power of description of landscape and atmosphere, his tonal integrity, and his dynamic symmetry in this book alone (although he maintains these in so many of his other works, too) made it a foundation for his later Nobel Prize. And who can forget Old Man and the Sea?
Intruder in the Dust by William Faulkner. It's long been said that if the people in Mississippi could read, they'd have made Faulkner part of the racial lynchings. Fortunately for us, Faulkner's works transcended the state's boundaries and the significance of his works, particularly this one and particularly of so much social injustice transpiring there, which went worldwide. His creation of the Snopes family, Yoknapatawpha County, and all the rest "down there" is not only believable but readable, often tragic, sometimes humorous. And what a style of writing, combining the Joycean stream of conscious style with lots of local color (not to mention the big words!). His Nobel Prize came later and well deserved.
Hawaii by James Michener. While not in the "big literary picture," it's still one of the most interesting books I've ever read. Granted, Michener's "formula" doesn't vary much in all those big best sellers he wrote, but few can deny that his ability to create interest in unparalleled fashion. With over a million words in this book (one never realizes there's so many), Michener's characters, setting, and, yes, even the plot lines are just short of mesmerizing.
Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon. A classic? Perhaps not, but a fascinating read (the first of about 20 featuring the Venice (Italy) policeman Guido Brunetti) for fans of modern day police procedurals. Leon's characters are absorbing, quite human, and her story line is first rate. Set in modern day Venice, she makes no bones about criticizing the social injustices rampant in Italy today or other significant issues (the environment, politics, the economy)--yet she interweaves these themes into absorbing stories. And in not one of her books do we find the "butler doing it!"
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. While I read this in the English translation, this is one of the most brilliant novels of the last few decades. An incredible world-wide success (translated--and sold--in almost every language), Shadow of the Wind is a novel about "the library of lost books"--filled with all kinds of literary symbols and allusions. Zafon's translated style of writing reminds the reader that if Salvador Dali were writing a novel, this would be it, as it bounces from realism to surrealism (and the knowledgeable reader will keep seeing Dali's "Persistence of Memory" as the book is being read. Really!).
Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Ernest Hemingway called this book one of the two greatest American novels (he humbly did not include his own!)--the other being Huck Finn. There are two versions of Moby--the unabridged and the abridged. I found the abridged version much faster reading (much of the whale info in left out), but then it loses some of the Melville magic. Indeed, this is a whale of a tale, as we find one of the most memorable characters in fiction, Captain Ahab, wrestling with a whole litany of problems and concerns, all that involve the universal human condition.
A Thief of Time by Tony Hillerman. Granted, not a "literary classic" but a fascinating read, nonetheless (a book doesn't have to be a classic to be enjoyed! Just think John Grisham, Stephanie Meyer, or J.K. Rowling!). Hillerman's Lt. Joe Leaphorn heads up the investigation of a death on the Navajo Reservation. His logical, clearly-defined modus operandi works magic and Hillerman found the key to a whole bucketful of bestsellers in this series. He brings enlightenment to those of us who've not really understood why anyone today is still "on a reservation" with fewer civil rights than those who don't live on one as well as giving us a more sympathetic and comprehensive picture of the Native American culture (while giving us a darn good mystery)!
I'll stop at ten. I could go on, of course. Hope this will add something to your story. I look forward to reading it. I cannot imagine a society without books. A tip of the hat to Herr Gutenberg for doing that moveable type thing and Richard Ho for inventing the cylinder press. As the Good Book says, "the truth shall make ye free" (I like the King James version!) and reading certainly CAN make us free!
Bill Hobbs
Tyler, TX 75701
