What are you reading right now?

Paedantic Basterd · 07-21-2011, 12:40 PM

Thanks for the recs, team!

And 1984 is a great book. One of the most eye-opening and depressing novels I've ever read.

TheCunningStunt · 07-21-2011, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paloma

...... It's a classic for a reason, you know

Unfortunately, that isn't always the case. So many 'classic' things have been huge let downs. Though I don't think I've ever read a book that could be deemed a classic. Except maybe Catcher In The Rye.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

And 1984 is a great book. One of the most eye-opening and depressing novels I've ever read.

Yeah, I've heard it's pretty bleak. I'm planning on listening to some dark evocative ambient while reading. Maybe Music Has A Right To Its Children or Untrue or F♯ A♯ ∞, something along them lines.

Paedantic Basterd · 07-21-2011, 12:46 PM

He's got a point. I hated Brave New World, for instance. Awful novel.

Mrd00d · 07-21-2011, 12:47 PM

I've read 1984 a few times... it's very important, very well told, and should be read by all.

I got to read it in high school the first time. Y'all didn't read 1984 in school?

Paedantic Basterd · 07-21-2011, 12:49 PM

I didn't have a teacher who hated humanity until 11th grade, and then all we did was dystopian work.

Even then, we did Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit 451, Hamlet, Heart of Darkness, and Oryx and Crake, but not 1984.

LoathsomePete · 07-21-2011, 12:57 PM

I wonder if in the next 10 to 20 years kids will be reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road in their English class. Better yet, if they do I wonder how that will affect teen suicide rates.

debaserr · 07-21-2011, 01:18 PM

When's the last time a book read in high school affected suicide rates?

LoathsomePete · 07-21-2011, 01:20 PM

I was being facetious given the general bleakness of the novel.

**Janszoon** · 07-21-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric generic

When's the last time a book read in high school affected suicide rates?

Well Wuthering Heights was so godawful it made me want to jump out the window. Does that count?

Mrd00d · 07-21-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

I didn't have a teacher who hated humanity until 11th grade, and then all we did was dystopian work.

Even then, we did Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit 451, Hamlet, Heart of Darkness, and Oryx and Crake, but not 1984.

I guess my teachers understood the importance of not buttering up life.

1984 - 9th grade
Lord of the Flies/Hamlet - 10th grade
Heart of Darkness - 12th grade

I highly recommend Heart of Darkness. Joseph Conrad. I hear this book mentioned multiple times by different artists.

Didn't discover Atwood's Oryx and Crake until after college. I can't imagine it being a high school text. Seems like a (amazing) children's book...well middle school. I read it in one sitting.

07-21-2011, 12:47 PM	#3604 (permalink)
Mrd00d Stoned and Jammin' Out Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Northern California; Eugene, OR; mobile Posts: 1,602	I've read 1984 a few times... it's very important, very well told, and should be read by all. I got to read it in high school the first time. Y'all didn't read 1984 in school? __________________ Mrd00d's Last.fm

07-21-2011, 12:57 PM	#3606 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	I wonder if in the next 10 to 20 years kids will be reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road in their English class. Better yet, if they do I wonder how that will affect teen suicide rates. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

07-21-2011, 01:18 PM	#3607 (permalink)
debaserr eat the masters Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5,467	When's the last time a book read in high school affected suicide rates? __________________ Last.FM

07-21-2011, 01:20 PM	#3608 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	I was being facetious given the general bleakness of the novel. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

07-21-2011, 12:40 PM	#3601 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	Thanks for the recs, team! And 1984 is a great book. One of the most eye-opening and depressing novels I've ever read.

07-21-2011, 12:46 PM	#3603 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	He's got a point. I hated Brave New World, for instance. Awful novel.

07-21-2011, 12:49 PM	#3605 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	I didn't have a teacher who hated humanity until 11th grade, and then all we did was dystopian work. Even then, we did Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit 451, Hamlet, Heart of Darkness, and Oryx and Crake, but not 1984.