What are the 5 best books you've ever read? (children, Follett, stephen king)

[DawnMTL]

Originally Posted by Jess5

This is a book that I had to put aside. I tried to like it, but, just couldn't do it.

Was it because of the writing? The story?

My order got cancelled and I didn't yet order another copy.

[Jess5]

Originally Posted by DandJ

Was it because of the writing? The story?

My order got cancelled and I didn't yet order another copy.

IMO, it was like listening to some young girls acting silly. And, the dad!

SPOILER;

Here's a review on the same things I didn't understand: They are talking about the dad.


The chapter which dealt with him, solely, left me with little insight as to his coldness toward his family, other than he held learning and knowledge above all else, and, therefore, I had little understanding of him and the forces at play in his life. His pedophilia seemed to be accepted by all, including the writer, but I found it disturbing and inexplicable. Why was he constantly drawn to the teenage girls in his classes? This was not clarified. For a man who held learning and knowledge above all, why did he long for relationships with young women, who were not particularly highly educated or intelligent, and were the same age as his daughters? While at the same time, he ignored his daughters to the point of heartlessness.

But, I've read that in the end, it (the story) was tied together. Now, I'm thinking I need to read the darn thing again! I have to know how it was tied together. I know I read to at least 100 pages, so I could start from there. ...................

[DawnMTL]

Originally Posted by Jess5

IMO, it was like listening to some young girls acting silly. And, the dad!

SPOILER;

Here's a review on the same things I didn't understand: They are talking about the dad.


The chapter which dealt with him, solely, left me with little insight as to his coldness toward his family, other than he held learning and knowledge above all else, and, therefore, I had little understanding of him and the forces at play in his life. His pedophilia seemed to be accepted by all, including the writer, but I found it disturbing and inexplicable. Why was he constantly drawn to the teenage girls in his classes? This was not clarified. For a man who held learning and knowledge above all, why did he long for relationships with young women, who were not particularly highly educated or intelligent, and were the same age as his daughters? While at the same time, he ignored his daughters to the point of heartlessness.

But, I've read that in the end, it (the story) was tied together. Now, I'm thinking I need to read the darn thing again! I have to know how it was tied together. I know I read to at least 100 pages, so I could start from there. ...................

Now I understand!

[John Dark]

Originally Posted by WVBurn

My 5 best books are all by West Virginia writers, as I am a lover of all things West Virginia!
...
Do give the writers of W.Va. a "look", as well as others in your vicinity, they may not all be best selling but, can be entertaining and informative.

If you haven't already, check out Breece D'J Pancake's story collection. It's fantastic.

[tinman01]

Hemingway- A farewell to Arms
Hemingway- The old man and the sea
Hienlien- Stranger in a strange land
The history of the United States Navy in World War II I can't remember the author.
It's hard to sum up the best 5. Every book is unique and enjoyable for different reasons. I first learned to read for pleasure by reading Robert A Heinlein. Edgar Rice Burroughs is another author that for a young reader spun a great tale. Factually inaccurate to be sure LOL but a great stories for young readers.
Out of the Ashes by William Johnstone was a good read.
Most rescently Death Spiral by james Boedeker rocked me pretty good. I am married to a thai national and go to Thailand every year. Death Spiral's setting is Thailand. The author captured the parts of the Thai culture well. He also showed how our greatest warriors are used up and thrown away. I loved the book.

[stepka]

Originally Posted by Jess5

IMO, it was like listening to some young girls acting silly. And, the dad!

SPOILER;

Here's a review on the same things I didn't understand: They are talking about the dad.


The chapter which dealt with him, solely, left me with little insight as to his coldness toward his family, other than he held learning and knowledge above all else, and, therefore, I had little understanding of him and the forces at play in his life. His pedophilia seemed to be accepted by all, including the writer, but I found it disturbing and inexplicable. Why was he constantly drawn to the teenage girls in his classes? This was not clarified. For a man who held learning and knowledge above all, why did he long for relationships with young women, who were not particularly highly educated or intelligent, and were the same age as his daughters? While at the same time, he ignored his daughters to the point of heartlessness.

But, I've read that in the end, it (the story) was tied together. Now, I'm thinking I need to read the darn thing again! I have to know how it was tied together. I know I read to at least 100 pages, so I could start from there. ...................

I agree with your assessment so far but you do need to finish the book if you want to understand because it really does come together. The interesting part is that he has this recurrent problem and he hates that he is like this, but never actually sleeps with any of the girls (who are all around 17 or 18)--it's all a fantasy. I think he is a personality type that I've seen several times in my life and I came away with a bit more insight into his character. I also loved his growing friendship with his son-in-law, a man who is very clear as to the type of man his FIL is but loves him anyway. To me that is the most beautiful part of the book. The chapter about the mother really pulls it together and puts it all into perspective.

[DawnMTL]

Originally Posted by stepka

I agree with your assessment so far but you do need to finish the book if you want to understand because it really does come together. The interesting part is that he has this recurrent problem and he hates that he is like this, but never actually sleeps with any of the girls (who are all around 17 or 18)--it's all a fantasy. I think he is a personality type that I've seen several times in my life and I came away with a bit more insight into his character. I also loved his growing friendship with his son-in-law, a man who is very clear as to the type of man his FIL is but loves him anyway. To me that is the most beautiful part of the book. The chapter about the mother really pulls it together and puts it all into perspective.

My library got the Kindle version, so I will be reading this book.

[vaalboskat]

The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
The Road - Cormac McCarthy
Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell
The Caine Mutiny - Herman Wouk
In Cold Blood- Truman Capote

[sunshineleith]

Pulling Your Own Strings - Wayne Dyer
Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follet
The White Mountains - John Christopher
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying - Sogyal Rinpoche
Love in the Time of Cholera - Gabriel García Márquez

[TireTech429]

LoL- I'm a voracious reader, so I couldn't even begin to narrow it down to my 5 favorite books