Reading 'Better' (and more diverse).
Discussion
I've always read books, but generally pretty simple stuff. Action / Spy / Fantasy books mostly. Currently working my way through a boat load of Terry Pratchett stuff. I generally prefer to switch off and not have to think much with a book (same with films), I do enough thinking at work - although admittedly switching off during a Pratchett novel is a waste.
But I feel I'm missing out on a whole host of 'must read' books, you know .. the sort that it looks good in a 'book's I've read' section? I'm not 100% sure what books to start reading, "East is Eden", "Lord of the flies", "1984" .. no idea. These are just some classics that I've heard of and might order to get me going. Anything to provoke thought or improve the vocabulary is a big bonus.
My main worry is that I'll just breeze through them without really appreciating them in the right way. I don't fancy joining a book club, but is there anything to help me 'get the most' out of a book?
But I feel I'm missing out on a whole host of 'must read' books, you know .. the sort that it looks good in a 'book's I've read' section? I'm not 100% sure what books to start reading, "East is Eden", "Lord of the flies", "1984" .. no idea. These are just some classics that I've heard of and might order to get me going. Anything to provoke thought or improve the vocabulary is a big bonus.
My main worry is that I'll just breeze through them without really appreciating them in the right way. I don't fancy joining a book club, but is there anything to help me 'get the most' out of a book?
Pratchett's use of language is excellent so do yourself a favour and pay attention or you may miss some of the more subtle bits. 
If you want to read older classics, perhaps start with the Sherlock Holmes short stories or Dickens, A Christmas Carol (which is a lot funnier than I was expecting!). Can't go wrong with a bit of Shakespeare either; try a lighter comedy such as Much Ado About Nothing. PG Wodehouse's dialogue is utterly sublime, try The Old Reliable. Reading it is like watching Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in your head. 
Never got into the more 'worthy' 20th century classics so I will leave someone else to recommend
If you want to read older classics, perhaps start with the Sherlock Holmes short stories or Dickens, A Christmas Carol (which is a lot funnier than I was expecting!). Can't go wrong with a bit of Shakespeare either; try a lighter comedy such as Much Ado About Nothing. PG Wodehouse's dialogue is utterly sublime, try The Old Reliable. Reading it is like watching Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in your head. Never got into the more 'worthy' 20th century classics so I will leave someone else to recommend
alot of the classics are free on ereaders/tablet/phone, so no harm in getting them and reading them.
Ive read 1984, pride and prejudice, I started things like Plato, Oscar Wilde but just couldnt get into them. As I said they are free so why not give them a shot.
You may have already read them but lord of the rings and hitch hikers guide to the galaxy are older books that are defonately worth a read.
Im a serial clancy/cornwell/child reader mainly. I havent read anything in a while.
Ive read 1984, pride and prejudice, I started things like Plato, Oscar Wilde but just couldnt get into them. As I said they are free so why not give them a shot.
You may have already read them but lord of the rings and hitch hikers guide to the galaxy are older books that are defonately worth a read.
Im a serial clancy/cornwell/child reader mainly. I havent read anything in a while.
Agree with the e-reader classics comment. I've read Sherlock Holmes and Dracula recently for free, and will get round to Frankenstein soon.
If you go with the Kindle app, they have a daily discount with usually 3 books for 99p each, I've read some really good stuff that I've picked up from that from authors I might not have bothered with at full price.
Also worth looking in charity shops, most have some book shelves and loads of bargains.
If you go with the Kindle app, they have a daily discount with usually 3 books for 99p each, I've read some really good stuff that I've picked up from that from authors I might not have bothered with at full price.
Also worth looking in charity shops, most have some book shelves and loads of bargains.
I think some books are available with "study guides" and many others have a fairly weighty introduction by someone who may discuss themes. Although that can be very dry.
But don't undersetimate yourself, you'll pick up what you will from a book and on reflection you'll start to notice underlying themes or imagery. Don't bother going looking for it.
The only thing is to really read the book don't just scan the words with one eye the TV or whatever.
Have fun.
But don't undersetimate yourself, you'll pick up what you will from a book and on reflection you'll start to notice underlying themes or imagery. Don't bother going looking for it.
The only thing is to really read the book don't just scan the words with one eye the TV or whatever.
Have fun.
gforceg said:
I think some books are available with "study guides" and many others have a fairly weighty introduction by someone who may discuss themes. Although that can be very dry.
But don't undersetimate yourself, you'll pick up what you will from a book and on reflection you'll start to notice underlying themes or imagery. Don't bother going looking for it.
The only thing is to really read the book don't just scan the words with one eye the TV or whatever.
Have fun.
Very true. Don't go at it like a bull at a gate; some novels are difficult reads and you do need to go slowly and chew the words over. Probably best to start with an author who writes "nicely" and work up from there.But don't undersetimate yourself, you'll pick up what you will from a book and on reflection you'll start to notice underlying themes or imagery. Don't bother going looking for it.
The only thing is to really read the book don't just scan the words with one eye the TV or whatever.
Have fun.
My personal recommendation is Catch-22. It's a fairly accessible read, and really quite funny most of the time. It definitely packs a punch though.
Top advice, I'd never read and do something else at the same time but I do tend to get a bit excited and steamroll through the book. Pratchett has definitely made me slow down to enjoy it a bit more though.
Funnily enough I've got Catch-22 up at my parents so I'll look at getting that - definitely one I feel I should have read.
Funnily enough I've got Catch-22 up at my parents so I'll look at getting that - definitely one I feel I should have read.
Calza said:
Top advice, I'd never read and do something else at the same time but I do tend to get a bit excited and steamroll through the book. Pratchett has definitely made me slow down to enjoy it a bit more though.
I often do the same and race through a book too fast. Try re-reading it a couple of months later, it's surprising how much you'll enjoy it the second time and spot things you didn't notice on the first read through.RizzoTheRat said:
I often do the same and race through a book too fast. Try re-reading it a couple of months later, it's surprising how much you'll enjoy it the second time and spot things you didn't notice on the first read through.
I'm not sure how to multi-quote, but I was going to suggest re-reading books as the best way to truly appreciate them, and say that this is the case for me with Catch 22. It took me 3 attempts to get in to it properly, but it is now one of my favourite books and each time I re-read it I come away thinking about something new. 1984 is very similar in this way, especially since it's become almost prophetic of modern times. There's no prize for having read a certain number of books, it's much more important to understand and appreciate what you're reading, even if this requires you to read it multiple times.
I like to read on my own TV off,no background noise,my office at home has the right light and a Stressless recliner with footstool,here I can sit and read all day,if only for the other things in life.As for books to read 1984 and Animal Farm also the The Darling Buds of May all true modern classics.
Gassing Station | Books and Literature | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff