Tess Of The Dubervilles, Great Expectations and anything by shakespeare stand out as the worst...
Some of them wouldnt be so bad, if you didnt have to analize them. Totally pointless aswell, never ever going to come in usful to me.
Only one I can honestly say I enjoy was the play Journey's End, which was excellent. Did that one for drama though, loved performing it.
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All I have to say is that I love fiction.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Rockyuk wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Tess Of The Dubervilles, Great Expectations and anything by shakespeare stand out as the worst...[/QUOTE]
My girlfriend is an English major, and she has read tons of books. She told me that Shakespeare books are very well constructed stories with lots of intrigue, and well deserve the praise they get.
However, reading them in their original versions of XVII C. English is a major pain in the ass becuase it's like reading a complete different language. Modern English versions of Shakespeare can even be enjoyed by pretty much anyone who likes to read.
My girlfriend is an English major, and she has read tons of books. She told me that Shakespeare books are very well constructed stories with lots of intrigue, and well deserve the praise they get.
However, reading them in their original versions of XVII C. English is a major pain in the ass becuase it's like reading a complete different language. Modern English versions of Shakespeare can even be enjoyed by pretty much anyone who likes to read.
Something that irritates me, however, is the manner in which schools and society in general praise and worship enthusiasm in reading. Perhaps I can understand reading to familiarize yourself with the classics is one thing, as such familiarity is tantamount to knowledge and may even help with an English degree. But reading the reams of utter literary garbage that pervades the modern publishing industry should not be promoted. Enthusiastic reader...Why don't you reward me for being an enthusiastic text messager or an enthusiastic bowler or some other nonsense like that?
"Reading builds your vocabulary." Bullshit.
"Reading builds your creativity." Bullshit.
"Reading builds your intellect." Bullshit.
It's almost as bad as those idiots promoting music programs because they "promote good grades."
"Reading builds your vocabulary." Bullshit.
"Reading builds your creativity." Bullshit.
"Reading builds your intellect." Bullshit.
It's almost as bad as those idiots promoting music programs because they "promote good grades."
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Mr.Jingles wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Rockyuk wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Tess Of The Dubervilles, Great Expectations and anything by shakespeare stand out as the worst...[/QUOTE]
My girlfriend is an English major, and she has read tons of books. She told me that Shakespeare books are very well constructed stories with lots of intrigue, and well deserve the praise they get.
However, reading them in their original versions of XVII C. English is a major pain in the ass becuase it's like reading a complete different language. Modern English versions of Shakespeare can even be enjoyed by pretty much anyone who likes to read.[/QUOTE]
English Major? Whats the british army got to do with books?
My girlfriend is an English major, and she has read tons of books. She told me that Shakespeare books are very well constructed stories with lots of intrigue, and well deserve the praise they get.
However, reading them in their original versions of XVII C. English is a major pain in the ass becuase it's like reading a complete different language. Modern English versions of Shakespeare can even be enjoyed by pretty much anyone who likes to read.[/QUOTE]
English Major? Whats the british army got to do with books?
a book called "De Vierde Man" by Gerard Reve..ugh! Had to do a bookreport on that. -.-'
To Music Man: I'm sorry but I disagree with you.
Even though my vocabulary does not have a large range, reading has helped it a bit. If I see an author use an interesting word, I'll pick it up.
And, I think reading does improve your creativity, well as long as you still have somewhat of an imagination left from childhood. When I read a good fictional book that has so many different turns that I would've never suspected, I am intrigued by the author's ideas. Then, I try to think of something just as exciting. If I read a book and hate the ending, I think of a better ending for the book to try to satisfy my disappointment. That is creativity. Even if I love the ending of a book, I try to think of various other endings that would've worked out just as well or even better. I try to think of possible sequels. Just out of enjoyment. That is creativity. You can also learn from the author's writing techniques.
Even though my vocabulary does not have a large range, reading has helped it a bit. If I see an author use an interesting word, I'll pick it up.
And, I think reading does improve your creativity, well as long as you still have somewhat of an imagination left from childhood. When I read a good fictional book that has so many different turns that I would've never suspected, I am intrigued by the author's ideas. Then, I try to think of something just as exciting. If I read a book and hate the ending, I think of a better ending for the book to try to satisfy my disappointment. That is creativity. Even if I love the ending of a book, I try to think of various other endings that would've worked out just as well or even better. I try to think of possible sequels. Just out of enjoyment. That is creativity. You can also learn from the author's writing techniques.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color="lime">KillerQueen840 wrote: [/QUOTENAME]To Music Man: I'm sorry but I disagree with you.
Even though my vocabulary does not have a large range, reading has helped it a bit. If I see an author use an interesting word, I'll pick it up.
And, I think reading does improve your creativity, well as long as you still have somewhat of an imagination left from childhood. When I read a good fictional book that has so many different turns that I would've never suspected, I am intrigued by the author's ideas. Then, I try to think of something just as exciting. If I read a book and hate the ending, I think of a better ending for the book to try to satisfy my disappointment. That is creativity. Even if I love the ending of a book, I try to think of various other endings that would've worked out just as well or even better. I try to think of possible sequels. Just out of enjoyment. That is creativity. You can also learn from the author's writing techniques.[/QUOTE]
See, you're being taken in by their propaganda! You are not gaining any creativity by doing such; you are merely utilizing the creativity you already have.
Also, to be honest, when comparing those who read with those who do not, I have noticed no difference in vocabularies. Sure, you will pick up interesting vocabulary an author has used...as you'll pick up interesting vocabulary you see on television, in conversation, playing video games, watching a sporting event, etc., etc.
The best way to improve your vocabulary is to learn words and to be put in situations where you will have to use them. Sure, this will occasionally happen in reading, but it's not as substantial as people would like you to think.
Ultimately, here is what I think:
Just as a man tries to justify playing online video games with "improving social skills and hand eye coordination," so does he try to justify reading by "improving vocabulary and creativity." If you are going to spend a lot of time doing something, it is simply human nature to force yourself to believe that you are significantly gaining from it.
If you can be rewarded for enthusiastic reading, I wonder why I haven't been rewarded yet for...enthusiastic guitar playing...or something.
Either way, should reading ultimately be beneficial, even slightly, I stand by the fact that reading half the garbage that is published these days could hardly count as so.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0810948214/103-7501276-7139850?v=glance&n=283155&v=glance
Case in point.
Even though my vocabulary does not have a large range, reading has helped it a bit. If I see an author use an interesting word, I'll pick it up.
And, I think reading does improve your creativity, well as long as you still have somewhat of an imagination left from childhood. When I read a good fictional book that has so many different turns that I would've never suspected, I am intrigued by the author's ideas. Then, I try to think of something just as exciting. If I read a book and hate the ending, I think of a better ending for the book to try to satisfy my disappointment. That is creativity. Even if I love the ending of a book, I try to think of various other endings that would've worked out just as well or even better. I try to think of possible sequels. Just out of enjoyment. That is creativity. You can also learn from the author's writing techniques.[/QUOTE]
See, you're being taken in by their propaganda! You are not gaining any creativity by doing such; you are merely utilizing the creativity you already have.
Also, to be honest, when comparing those who read with those who do not, I have noticed no difference in vocabularies. Sure, you will pick up interesting vocabulary an author has used...as you'll pick up interesting vocabulary you see on television, in conversation, playing video games, watching a sporting event, etc., etc.
The best way to improve your vocabulary is to learn words and to be put in situations where you will have to use them. Sure, this will occasionally happen in reading, but it's not as substantial as people would like you to think.
Ultimately, here is what I think:
Just as a man tries to justify playing online video games with "improving social skills and hand eye coordination," so does he try to justify reading by "improving vocabulary and creativity." If you are going to spend a lot of time doing something, it is simply human nature to force yourself to believe that you are significantly gaining from it.
If you can be rewarded for enthusiastic reading, I wonder why I haven't been rewarded yet for...enthusiastic guitar playing...or something.
Either way, should reading ultimately be beneficial, even slightly, I stand by the fact that reading half the garbage that is published these days could hardly count as so.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0810948214/103-7501276-7139850?v=glance&n=283155&v=glance
Case in point.
Angela's Ashes..or..what ever that book is *purges mind*
Also Anne Frank and her blasted diary got on my nerves.
Also Anne Frank and her blasted diary got on my nerves.
Scarlet Letter. Yawn. Or Nothing But the Truth. That was even worse, because my teacher made us read it ALOUD. I HATE READING ALOUD!!!
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<b><font color = "crimson">ThomasQuinn wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I'm just glad that this is not a literature-appreciation forum...[/QUOTE]
I think that would be a lot more interesting. And at least there I would have someone to argue with.
I think that would be a lot more interesting. And at least there I would have someone to argue with.
I wonder if there is a similar topic like this on a literature appreciation forum that asks what's the most boring Queen song they made you listen to at school.
Which there isn't.
Which there isn't.
Have you checked?
At School and college I was forced to read....
Great Expectations
Macbeth
The Withered Arm
1984
Wilfred Owen Poetry
King Lear
Volpone
Various Keats
The Playmaker
Murmuring Judges
Washington Square
A Christmas Carol
I've got to say apart from perhaps Keats I loved them all. Great Expectations is still my favourite ever book.
Who would have thought this board was full of philistines.
Great Expectations
Macbeth
The Withered Arm
1984
Wilfred Owen Poetry
King Lear
Volpone
Various Keats
The Playmaker
Murmuring Judges
Washington Square
A Christmas Carol
I've got to say apart from perhaps Keats I loved them all. Great Expectations is still my favourite ever book.
Who would have thought this board was full of philistines.
Yes the British English Lit reading list is very erratic to say the least. A friend who went to another school read Bleak House to my Great Expectations and Hamlet to my Macbeth.
Can't wait for the modern Shakespeare productions on the BBC on Monday. You can always trust the Beeb to do it right.
Can't wait for the modern Shakespeare productions on the BBC on Monday. You can always trust the Beeb to do it right.