What should I read first? (2)

[malayang-diwa]

I remember making a thread like this a couple of months ago which explains the number 2.

Anyway, it's summer time in my country and I've already made a list of books that I want to finish reading before may vacation ends. However, I don't really know where to start, so I hope you guys can help me (again).

The list:

The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes

The Cave by Jose Saramago

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

Neuromancer by William Gibson

Dune by Frank Herbert

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Plague by Albert Camus

**

so there you go. I just hope I can finish all of these before school starts again.

[Babyguile]

I don't get why people make lists of books they plan to read in X number of months or whatever, as if the act of reading is like a military drill. Just go with the flow and read what you want when you feel like it :lol:

Unless there's a situation where ten books jump out at you all at once, all screaming to be read. In which case you might simply note them down to remind you to read them some time in the future.

[Calidore]

Of those, I've read (or started):

Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes: Very broad, slapsticky humor, and very repetitive. I ended up putting it down, but enough people love it to have kept it a classic for 400 years. I'd say get it from the library or start it online and see if the comedy style works for you before buying it.

Neuromancer by William Gibson: I read this back when it was newish (mid-80's), and being a tech-heavy novel, I have no idea how well it might have aged. I don't remember whether I finished it or not, or much about it at all except that Gibson's look-and-feel were masterful and his characterizations less so.

Dune by Frank Herbert: It must be a classic for a reason, but I have no idea what that reason is. I found it dry and dull as plain toast and couldn't finish it.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: Where its sequel, Lord of the Rings, was as much (or more) a world-building exercise than entertainment, this is simple entertainment, and it's great.

Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien: Most people seem to much prefer LOTR to this, but I'm the opposite. It took me many attempts over many years (and seeing the first movie) before I finally managed to finish LoTR, but I was riveted all the way through The Silmarillion and have read it three times so far. I had originally heard it described as a history book, but it's really a collection of epic-myth style stories that relate a the history of a fantasy world. Lots of great characters and Big Events. The opening bits can be a bit of a slog, so try the story "Beren and Luthien" and see what you think.

[malayang-diwa]

I don't get why people make lists of books they plan to read in X number of months or whatever, as if the act of reading is like a military drill. Just go with the flow and read what you want when you feel like it :lol:

Unless there's a situation where ten books jump out at you all at once, all screaming to be read. In which case you might simply note them down to remind you to read them some time in the future.

Like I said, I just don't know where to start. But maybe I should've pointed out that I might not have time to read them all once school begins.

[Babyguile]

Well I wouldn't know where to start either if I approached reading like you do. :eek6:

[Babyguile]

But the Hobbit would be a quick read and you'd get over that hurdle pretty quickly so you might want to start there. I loved it.

[malayang-diwa]

Well I wouldn't know where to start either if I approached reading like you do. :eek6:

I read what I want to read, ok? As a matter of fact, I already had an idea on what to read first before I made this list. However, it wouldn't hurt to ask some opinions from other readers. That's the point of having reviews.

[RicMisc]

If you'd like some build-up I'd suggest with starting The Plague or The Hobbit. I would definitely recommend reading The Hobbit before you read The Silmarilion, just to maybe get used to Tolkien's style in a lighter book. The Silmarilion took me some time to read but I'm very glad I did it and I actually prefer it to the LOTR trilogy. It was really satisfying to finish the book and I certainly found it very interesting to know more about the history of Middle-Earth since I am a huge fan of the LOTR. The three mentioned above are the only ones I can actually comment on from personal experience but a friend of mine read Dune and really liked it. I think you have a great list set up and I wish you lots of fun hours ;)!

[kelby_lake]

The Plague is shortish I think so I'd read that first.

[JamCrackers]

Start with Don Quixote. You need to get it out of the way so that you have it in mind when you explore commentaries about it. More smart things have been said about it than are in it. I feel the story means more today than it did when it was written. The collapse of honorable civilization, the professional warrior and leader replaced by gunpowder. Lots to be said about Don Quixote.

[JBI]

Read chronologically based on publication date. It's the fairest way.

[malayang-diwa]

Start with Don Quixote. You need to get it out of the way so that you have it in mind when you explore commentaries about it. More smart things have been said about it than are in it. I feel the story means more today than it did when it was written. The collapse of honorable civilization, the professional warrior and leader replaced by gunpowder. Lots to be said about Don Quixote.

I didn't see the "collapse of honorable civilization" that way for Don Quixote. I've been wanting to read it for such a long time now, I just never had the time to.


If you'd like some build-up I'd suggest with starting The Plague or The Hobbit. I would definitely recommend reading The Hobbit before you read The Silmarilion, just to maybe get used to Tolkien's style in a lighter book. The Silmarilion took me some time to read but I'm very glad I did it and I actually prefer it to the LOTR trilogy. It was really satisfying to finish the book and I certainly found it very interesting to know more about the history of Middle-Earth since I am a huge fan of the LOTR. The three mentioned above are the only ones I can actually comment on from personal experience but a friend of mine read Dune and really liked it. I think you have a great list set up and I wish you lots of fun hours ;)!

Yeah, that's what I planned on doing too - reading The Hobbit first before Silmarllion. My brother told me to read Children of Hurin as well just to complete the picture of Middle earth. hehe
and yes, I do hope to get all of these done soon lol!