Great American Read
 

Who is participating in the great American read on PBS? What is your favorite book on the list, and your favorite book off the list? Right now I'm leaning toward Jane Eyer and The Lovely Bones. Check out PBS because the vote tally is not for several weeks. Happy reading!

Wow, what a fabulous array of books!!!!!!!!!!
I will have a very hard time voting but I'm leaning toward A Prayer for Owen Meany and of course, Jane Eyre. But but but ............ wow, as I said. So many wonderful reads.

Well, I've read 31 of the books on their list. Have no desire to read a few, might look into some of the others. Very interesting list. I'm not sure what is my favorite. Its seems like some of my favorite books didn't make the list, but To Kill a Mockingbird is there and that's been a favorite of mine ever since I first read it many years ago.

I've read 58 of them but some of them don't appeal to me. I cannot believe Angela's Ashes, Cold Mountain, The God Particle, The Good Earth, Helter Skelter, (alpha order only) and so many others are not on the list. My fav on the list is One Hundred Years of Solitude. I love my Bible, too!

Thank you for posting this amazing list!

I'm surprised Shogun is not on that list!

I was disappointed with the TV program - it felt like "American Idol" for books with all the repetition. I keep going to the website every few days, though, to vote for Pride & Prejudice and for 100 Years of Solitude and Lord of the Rings. It's hard to pick just one! I like all the diversity on the list, but question some of the choices - 50 Shades of Gray?

Yes! You named some outstanding books, especially Angela's Ashes- I have the audio and have listened to it so many times I lost count. Frank McCourt was amazing.
And Pat Conroy? He wrote sublime works.

I'm with you. Those books have no business on that list. Trashy.

Great American Read
 

I don't know how the people were chosen to vote. The books had to be written and published in English. I think there were probably many younger readers, and everyone is younger than me. My 60th high school reunion is next month! Hard to believe.

I forgot to watch the program. Do we know what criteria was used to make the list? Some of the choices seemed odd to me. It would be hard for me to vote since I haven't read them all and will not. Several of them are not something in which I would invest my time .

I am not impressed by the list of books; half literature perhaps, the rest popular fiction?

Is Helter Skelter the one about the Manson's? Yikes I can't even read that one. I can't see it on a contest such as this.
I'm assuming it was well written perhaps but I'll never touch that one.

I'm confused, too, by the list... by what they left off and what they put in. What happened to Huckleberry Finn, for one, a huge American classic! It is a wonderful anti-slavery novel that has been misunderstood. You would have thought those smart people would have not misunderstood Mark Twain's point of view on the subject.

My very favorite on their list is Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand. Excellent!!

Ah yes, Atlas Shrugged!!! And you're so right about Huckleberry Finn. I watched a wonderful documentary about Mark Twain just a few weeks ago. Interesting man!
A song that is widely misunderstood is Born in the USA by the one and only Bruce!

Yes. It is really a very sad song (lyrics). I hear that the original music for it was somber and then it was re-recorded to sound more upbeat. It's sad that the Nam vets were treated so rotten.

My favorite is The Book Thief. I have read that one many time and have since gotten it through audible too. I like listening to it while quilting.

I loved Atlas Shrugged also.

I'm not impressed with many of the books on the list. I haven't read a popular book in years that I think should be on the future classic list except probably Harry Potter series. Most of the books written today are written on 8th grade level. I've had many adult friends say they can't read Jane Austen or Charles Dickens, because those books are too hard. I have read all 100 Classic Books and some twice. My kids grew up seeing DH and me reading and making reading a priority. We had a book with us where ever we went. Kids needs to see parents read for pleasure.

NIGHTINGALE

FYI Bookfinder dot com is a great place to buy used books. Be sure to check the hard to find little box that says "used." I get all my books there.

I agree - many I will not waste my time on! And, seriously, "50 Shades of Gray" a classic?

We had a photographer at a Reenactment do tin types. It is definitely a timely experience. Sit still don’t blink if at all possible. Thank heavens for modern technology