This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings.
I thought I was reasonably well read but I've only read five of the enclosed fifty.
Perhaps I'll just have to accept it...I'm low-brow !
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/04/26/nosplit/boa...
50 best cult books - Telegraph
In reply to Jonno:
only 5 for me as well... that is pretty low
only 5 for me as well... that is pretty low
In reply to Jonno:
Three--that's bloody terrible. I must find more time for reading. =(
Three--that's bloody terrible. I must find more time for reading. =(
In reply to Jonno:
7, I wouldn't worry about it, maybe cult books are just ways to bring a little more interest into life by increasing passion.
7, I wouldn't worry about it, maybe cult books are just ways to bring a little more interest into life by increasing passion.
In reply to Jonno:
I have only read 1 of them.
I have only read 1 of them.
In reply to Jonno: 5. A few more are on my to-read list.
In reply to Jonno: five and one on the shelf (ragged trousered philanthropist - it just looks like it's got *so* many words in it somehow)
celestine prophecy though? wtf
celestine prophecy though? wtf
I might have read the Erich Von Danken years ago which would make it 6 but I'm not 100%.I started On the road but didn't finish it.
Thing is, The Bell Jar, Catch 22, The road to Oxiana and The outsider are sitting on the shelf with loads of other books I've bought but never got around to reading.
In reply to Jonno:
Six.
Seven if you include accidentally reading Jonathan Livingstone Seagull because I forgot to blink
Six.
Seven if you include accidentally reading Jonathan Livingstone Seagull because I forgot to blink
In reply to Jonno: I just read The Bell Jar, thought it was excellent.
In reply to Jonno:
Only 2! But I have seen films of about 4-5 others (not the same, I know) and know the plot/gist of a couple more. Some I've never even heard of!
Only 2! But I have seen films of about 4-5 others (not the same, I know) and know the plot/gist of a couple more. Some I've never even heard of!
In reply to CJD:
It *is* published in the Telegraph.
I blame Maggie
> (In reply to rich)
>
> it *is* a slightly curious list...
>
> it *is* a slightly curious list...
It *is* published in the Telegraph.
I blame Maggie
In reply to Jonno:
9 for me. And I've abandoned 2 others as being unreadable.
I've even heard of one or two of the others
9 for me. And I've abandoned 2 others as being unreadable.
I've even heard of one or two of the others
In reply to Jonno:
just the 5, with about another 5 on the list
apart from that nothing jumped out at me
just the 5, with about another 5 on the list
apart from that nothing jumped out at me
In reply to jim robertson: Are you calling Christianity a cult? Hehe.
In reply to Jonno: I've read about a dozen of them but a lot of stuff on it is just plain crap (I mean von Daniken FFS!) and I wouldn't waste my time on them.
In reply to Blue Straggler:
<whispers>
I actually find the Telegraph book section quite good
</whispers>
<whispers>
I actually find the Telegraph book section quite good
</whispers>
In reply to Jonno:
7. so far.
The only ones on there i haven't read but will (if you see what I mean) are the doors of perception and the electric kool aid acid test.
7. so far.
The only ones on there i haven't read but will (if you see what I mean) are the doors of perception and the electric kool aid acid test.
In reply to Jonno: 9, if you count one abandoned 3/4 of the way through for being tedious.
In reply to Jonno: 20 or 21 (can't remember if I've read Fear of flying or just browsed through it, either way was many years ago)
More if I can count the Alexandra quartet as 4 & the Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy as 5
More if I can count the Alexandra quartet as 4 & the Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy as 5
In reply to Jonno: 5 and a half. Half being the ragged trousered philantropist, seemed very simplistic.
In reply to Doug: Then how many does Dune count as?
In reply to Jonno:
12. Just reminded me I always planned to read that Godel, Escher, Bach thing. Off to Amazon . . .
12. Just reminded me I always planned to read that Godel, Escher, Bach thing. Off to Amazon . . .
In reply to Jonno:
15. None are among my favourite books
Slaughterhouse 5
The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf (1991)
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1963)
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (1961)
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield (1993)
Chariots of the Gods: Was God An Astronaut? by Erich Von Däniken (1968)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (1979)
Fear of Flying by Erica Jong (1973)
Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R Hofstadter (1979)
Iron John: a Book About Men by Robert Bly (1990)
Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges (1962)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson (1971)
Story of O by Pauline Réage (1954)
The Stranger by Albert Camus (1942)
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: an Inquiry into Values by Robert M Pirsig (1974)
15. None are among my favourite books
Slaughterhouse 5
The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf (1991)
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1963)
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (1961)
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield (1993)
Chariots of the Gods: Was God An Astronaut? by Erich Von Däniken (1968)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (1979)
Fear of Flying by Erica Jong (1973)
Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R Hofstadter (1979)
Iron John: a Book About Men by Robert Bly (1990)
Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges (1962)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson (1971)
Story of O by Pauline Réage (1954)
The Stranger by Albert Camus (1942)
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: an Inquiry into Values by Robert M Pirsig (1974)
In reply to CJD:
Frankly, I find this thread literally incredible.
Try turning your television set off for starters, and lead a more stimulating life.
etc.
> (In reply to Blue Straggler)
>
> I think we need Gordon for this one
>
> I think we need Gordon for this one
Frankly, I find this thread literally incredible.
Try turning your television set off for starters, and lead a more stimulating life.
etc.
In reply to CJD:
ha! 17
have just read 'on the road' which i hated ;(
> (In reply to Jonno)
>
> sixteen for me.
>
> sixteen for me.
ha! 17
have just read 'on the road' which i hated ;(
In reply to co1ps:
yeah, it's not one I've sought out to re-read.
The Bell Jar, however, is a cracker. It screams out to the morose semi-suicidal angsty teenage girl trapped inside me
yeah, it's not one I've sought out to re-read.
The Bell Jar, however, is a cracker. It screams out to the morose semi-suicidal angsty teenage girl trapped inside me
In reply to CJD:
I have no opinion on it, I was just voicing the archetypal UKC reaction to anything with "Telegraph" attached in order to stem the flow
> (In reply to Blue Straggler)
>
> <whispers>
>
> I actually find the Telegraph book section quite good
>
> </whispers>
>
> <whispers>
>
> I actually find the Telegraph book section quite good
>
> </whispers>
I have no opinion on it, I was just voicing the archetypal UKC reaction to anything with "Telegraph" attached in order to stem the flow
In reply to Blue Straggler:
what we need to work out now is whether that line is very clever or woefully clumsy ;¬)
>
> Frankly, I find this thread literally incredible.
> Frankly, I find this thread literally incredible.
what we need to work out now is whether that line is very clever or woefully clumsy ;¬)
In reply to CJD: Really? On the Road is one I always flick through. It really did blow me away when I first read it.
In reply to Touching Centauri:
I think it was one of those books I read at 14 'because it was a cult book' but maybe I do need to reread it. I think I've subconsciously pushed it into the same space as Bob Dylan - and slammed a very heavy door closed behind it
I think it was one of those books I read at 14 'because it was a cult book' but maybe I do need to reread it. I think I've subconsciously pushed it into the same space as Bob Dylan - and slammed a very heavy door closed behind it
In reply to CJD: :O Read it again. And buy some Dylan. Seriously!
In reply to rich:
Predictable. Indeed, quite embarrassingly so
> (In reply to Blue Straggler)
> [...]
>
> what we need to work out now is whether that line is very clever or woefully clumsy ;¬)
> [...]
>
> what we need to work out now is whether that line is very clever or woefully clumsy ;¬)
Predictable. Indeed, quite embarrassingly so
In reply to Jonno:
Seventeen. There are plenty of books that deserve to be cults that are not on the list though, imho.
Seventeen. There are plenty of books that deserve to be cults that are not on the list though, imho.
In reply to Blue Straggler: 18 for me. There are a few on that list that I have no intention of reading.
In reply to Blue Straggler:
what can i tell you - i'm working on developing a strong brand
>
> Predictable. Indeed, quite embarrassingly so
> Predictable. Indeed, quite embarrassingly so
what can i tell you - i'm working on developing a strong brand
In reply to Jonno: 7 - I better get reading!
In reply to Touching Centauri:
there's too much other music to listen to before I feel the need to investigate Dylan!
there's too much other music to listen to before I feel the need to investigate Dylan!
In reply to Gordon Stainforth:
And plenty that are that don't!
> (In reply to Jonno)
>
> Seventeen. There are plenty of books that deserve to be cults that are not on the list though, imho.
>
> Seventeen. There are plenty of books that deserve to be cults that are not on the list though, imho.
And plenty that are that don't!
In reply to CJD:
I can understand that - it's probably more of a boy book (like Catcher in the Rye, or Hesse's stuff) if such a thing exists. I like it, and got a lot more out of it in my early 20s than when I first read it in my teens
> (In reply to Touching Centauri)
>
> I think it was one of those books I read at 14 'because it was a cult book' but maybe I do need to reread it. I think I've subconsciously pushed it into the same space as Bob Dylan - and slammed a very heavy door closed behind it
>
> I think it was one of those books I read at 14 'because it was a cult book' but maybe I do need to reread it. I think I've subconsciously pushed it into the same space as Bob Dylan - and slammed a very heavy door closed behind it
I can understand that - it's probably more of a boy book (like Catcher in the Rye, or Hesse's stuff) if such a thing exists. I like it, and got a lot more out of it in my early 20s than when I first read it in my teens
In reply to Gordon Stainforth:
I think you have woefully misunderstood Jimmy D's clear and unambiguous post
> (In reply to Jimmy D)
>
> Of course. Many thousand times as many.
>
> Of course. Many thousand times as many.
I think you have woefully misunderstood Jimmy D's clear and unambiguous post
In reply to Jonno:
Six. Catch 22, On the Road, Catcher In The Rye, If On A Winter's Night A Traveller, Siddhartha and The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy.
There are a few others on the list I keep meaning to get round to reading, but haven't yet. Perhaps this will stir me to do something about it, rather than reading more books about climbing...
Six. Catch 22, On the Road, Catcher In The Rye, If On A Winter's Night A Traveller, Siddhartha and The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy.
There are a few others on the list I keep meaning to get round to reading, but haven't yet. Perhaps this will stir me to do something about it, rather than reading more books about climbing...
In reply to Jonno:
14
there are about 10/15 more that i plan to read 'sometime', some of the ones i have read are among my favourites books, others are a bit MEH. I hated Fear & Lothing for example
14
there are about 10/15 more that i plan to read 'sometime', some of the ones i have read are among my favourites books, others are a bit MEH. I hated Fear & Lothing for example
In reply to Jonno:
25
Some good ones in this thread of a few years back
http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=196574&v=1#x2866365
25
Some good ones in this thread of a few years back
http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=196574&v=1#x2866365
In reply to Jonno: 10. And for about half of those, I would recommend that you save yourself the bother.
T.
T.
In reply to Jonno: 15, but as for the rest, it's a bit like the Munros: just cos they're all on the list doesn't mean you wouldn't be better rewarded climbing (or reading) something else.
In reply to Jonno:
21 for me. They're the books you read as a teenager along with Bukowski, burroughs, ginsberg, norman o brown etc etc etc etc.
CJD, Buy some Dylan!
P
21 for me. They're the books you read as a teenager along with Bukowski, burroughs, ginsberg, norman o brown etc etc etc etc.
CJD, Buy some Dylan!
P
In reply to Jonno:
One and two halves, their lust is for culnts though isn't it?
I read what I want to read, not what someone says I should read.
One and two halves, their lust is for culnts though isn't it?
I read what I want to read, not what someone says I should read.
In reply to sutty:
Quite right Think half of the ones i read on the list were for projects of one form or another but...not a very varied list really?
I seem to read grittier stuff...always preferred that really
Oh and..did Any of those e-mails ever get through?
Quite right Think half of the ones i read on the list were for projects of one form or another but...not a very varied list really?
I seem to read grittier stuff...always preferred that really
Oh and..did Any of those e-mails ever get through?
In reply to sutty:
Stop being such a rebel Keith !
> (In reply to Jonno)
>
> One and two halves, their lust is for culnts though isn't it?
>
> I read what I want to read, not what someone says I should read.>>
>
> One and two halves, their lust is for culnts though isn't it?
>
> I read what I want to read, not what someone says I should read.>>
Stop being such a rebel Keith !
In reply to Jonno:
1 !!!!!
OR 2 If you count referencing Dr Spock.
I feel like my life has been wasted.
1 !!!!!
OR 2 If you count referencing Dr Spock.
I feel like my life has been wasted.
In reply to smolders:
Fantastic, just scanned your list and misread the last as;
Hitchhikers guide to the Celery .
now that would be a good book.
Fantastic, just scanned your list and misread the last as;
Hitchhikers guide to the Celery .
now that would be a good book.
In reply to Jonno:
15. But also on here is one of the most unreadable books I have ever not quite read... The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist. Several attempts, never made it all the way.
15. But also on here is one of the most unreadable books I have ever not quite read... The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist. Several attempts, never made it all the way.
In reply to Mr Justice Cocklecarrot:
The rumours about your illiteracy are not true then?
Or was that illegitimacy???
The rumours about your illiteracy are not true then?
Or was that illegitimacy???
In reply to Jonno: I am ashamed to say 9, which given the selection is rather too many. Though I won't hear a word said against Catch22
In reply to Jonno:
Only 2! But in fairness the entire Dune (Original) series should be included in there.
How about forgotten books like
Buddy Holly is alive and well and living on ganymede
I am Legend (the movie is a sham!)
Do Androids dream of electric sheep
Only 2! But in fairness the entire Dune (Original) series should be included in there.
How about forgotten books like
Buddy Holly is alive and well and living on ganymede
I am Legend (the movie is a sham!)
Do Androids dream of electric sheep
In reply to Chris the Tall: I wonder which THAT could be?
I wanna know how Dune gets in, but Stranger in a Strange Land does not? Come on.
Anyway, I make it around 9 of that list.
I wanna know how Dune gets in, but Stranger in a Strange Land does not? Come on.
Anyway, I make it around 9 of that list.
In reply to Ava Adore:
Not quite. I thought it said 'how many books have you read'.
Thirty nine of my forty three were by Enid Blyton, if that is worth anything.
> (In reply to Mr Justice Cocklecarrot)
>
> The rumours about your illiteracy are not true then?
>
> The rumours about your illiteracy are not true then?
Not quite. I thought it said 'how many books have you read'.
Thirty nine of my forty three were by Enid Blyton, if that is worth anything.
In reply to Jonno:
I have read 11 and a half.
I started reading 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' at my friends house one evening and got halfway through (it's only short) and thought I'd finish it next time I was there and a bit bored. Unfortunately he decided to move house (although only next door!) and packed all his books into boxes and I haven't seen it since - maybe a trip to the library would be in order.
'L’Étranger' by Albert Camus is translated here as 'The Stranger' although both translations I have read are entitled 'The Outsider' (not to be confused with the Colin Wilson book in the list.
'Siddhartha' by Herman Hesse is one of my favourite books and I would recommend it to anyone who likes reading.
I have read 11 and a half.
I started reading 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' at my friends house one evening and got halfway through (it's only short) and thought I'd finish it next time I was there and a bit bored. Unfortunately he decided to move house (although only next door!) and packed all his books into boxes and I haven't seen it since - maybe a trip to the library would be in order.
'L’Étranger' by Albert Camus is translated here as 'The Stranger' although both translations I have read are entitled 'The Outsider' (not to be confused with the Colin Wilson book in the list.
'Siddhartha' by Herman Hesse is one of my favourite books and I would recommend it to anyone who likes reading.
In reply to CJD:
Terribly curious, oh and only 10 books read. I did enjoy those that I did read mind you.
No PK Dick? much more "cult" than Dune.
> (In reply to rich)
>
> it *is* a slightly curious list...
>
> it *is* a slightly curious list...
Terribly curious, oh and only 10 books read. I did enjoy those that I did read mind you.
No PK Dick? much more "cult" than Dune.
In reply to soveda@work:
Sorry, eleven, I didn't notice the Borges
Sorry, eleven, I didn't notice the Borges
In reply to Jonno:
9, including The Golden Braid....interesting book. Seems weird that Science and Sanity isn't on there, in my opinion. A similar classic, though perhaps not 'cultish' enough.
9, including The Golden Braid....interesting book. Seems weird that Science and Sanity isn't on there, in my opinion. A similar classic, though perhaps not 'cultish' enough.
In reply to Jonno: Oh dear, only looked through quickly but think I have read all the novels-even pigs like The Fountainhead. Not quite sure what that says about me and not very clear about "their" definition of cult-appeals to agnsty stoned teenagers perhaps. Quite a few I would never read again but some-particularly the Bulgakov (easy read) and the Alexandria Quartet (very hard till it clicks then I just wanted it to go on for ever) would be in my top 50 book books.
In reply to Solsbury:
Not sure where DR Spock fits into that definition!
> . Not quite sure what that says about me and not very clear about "their" definition of cult-appeals to agnsty stoned teenagers perhaps.
Not sure where DR Spock fits into that definition!
In reply to Ava Adore: 'But also on here is one of the most unreadable books I have ever not quite read... The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist. Several attempts, never made it all the way'
Remarkably easy to read I thought, not preaching its socialist message but wrapping it up in a piece of light story telling.
Remarkably easy to read I thought, not preaching its socialist message but wrapping it up in a piece of light story telling.
In reply to Solsbury: I have to say I thought I deserved 4 ticks for the Alexandria Quartet.
In reply to Jonno: I get 9
In reply to John2:
A friend persuaded me to read The Celestine Prophecies.
She is no longer my friend.
A friend persuaded me to read The Celestine Prophecies.
She is no longer my friend.
In reply to Jonno:
Personally I'm wondering how Germaine Greer feels about being called 'seminal' by the Telegraph...
Personally I'm wondering how Germaine Greer feels about being called 'seminal' by the Telegraph...
In reply to noob error:
I'm sure it's a fluid situation for her ?
> (In reply to Jonno)
>
> Personally I'm wondering how Germaine Greer feels about being called 'seminal' by the Telegraph...>>>
>
> Personally I'm wondering how Germaine Greer feels about being called 'seminal' by the Telegraph...>>>
I'm sure it's a fluid situation for her ?
In reply to Solsbury:
I've read Atalas Shrugged, can I have half a mark? I also got about 3 pages into The Virtue of Selfishness.
> even pigs like The Fountainhead
I've read Atalas Shrugged, can I have half a mark? I also got about 3 pages into The Virtue of Selfishness.
In reply to anansie:
>Any of those e-mails ever get through?
No, I am going to steal Nevis's cocoa tin cans and wet string so we can talk whenever we are within 50 yards of each other.
Try sending one to bingly and ask her to forward it to see if it is your isp or mine.
>Any of those e-mails ever get through?
No, I am going to steal Nevis's cocoa tin cans and wet string so we can talk whenever we are within 50 yards of each other.
Try sending one to bingly and ask her to forward it to see if it is your isp or mine.
In reply to Jonno:
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist
Seems to be the one most started and unfinished. One of my halves.
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist
Seems to be the one most started and unfinished. One of my halves.
In reply to sutty:
Grand total of 16, but I've been running a bookshop for the last 2 months so I expect that to rise
Grand total of 16, but I've been running a bookshop for the last 2 months so I expect that to rise
In reply to sutty:
Hee hee..just had that image of me and you hollering into cans (mines may have to have an accent adjuster ;oP)
And..know what i'll do?...i'll send you one through here with my hotmail addy in it as the ones from here always get to you and you can reply through that one ok?
Hee hee..just had that image of me and you hollering into cans (mines may have to have an accent adjuster ;oP)
And..know what i'll do?...i'll send you one through here with my hotmail addy in it as the ones from here always get to you and you can reply through that one ok?
In reply to Jonno:
21, I think it's going to stay that way as well, no real desire to read the others.
21, I think it's going to stay that way as well, no real desire to read the others.
In reply to Jonno:
I've read none of them. I might read one or two of them in the future as they sound interesting but I have a book case full of unread (potentially "higher" brow) non-fiction covering philosophy, economics, health, psychology and business that I am planning to read first. I just keep accidentally borrowing such books from the local library and they, therefore, take priority. And besides, if it is "cool" and "intellectual" to read them, I am less drawn to them. :P
I've read none of them. I might read one or two of them in the future as they sound interesting but I have a book case full of unread (potentially "higher" brow) non-fiction covering philosophy, economics, health, psychology and business that I am planning to read first. I just keep accidentally borrowing such books from the local library and they, therefore, take priority. And besides, if it is "cool" and "intellectual" to read them, I am less drawn to them. :P
In reply to Jonno:
Actually, it's got me thinking. Recently, I've tried reading 1984 and The Kite Runner (I understand they are the sort of books Guardian readers like). I got about 20% of the way through each and thought, "I really couldn't give a toss." Neither useful nor interesting. I don't know what attracts people to read such books. Please explain why these are brilliant books?
Actually, it's got me thinking. Recently, I've tried reading 1984 and The Kite Runner (I understand they are the sort of books Guardian readers like). I got about 20% of the way through each and thought, "I really couldn't give a toss." Neither useful nor interesting. I don't know what attracts people to read such books. Please explain why these are brilliant books?
In reply to darren-surrey:
1984 is a brilliant book that helped shaped my politics. Orwell creates such a depressingly realistic dark world that you...well not you obviously...but in which one can just taste the fear and paranoia.
1984 is a brilliant book that helped shaped my politics. Orwell creates such a depressingly realistic dark world that you...well not you obviously...but in which one can just taste the fear and paranoia.
In reply to Jonno:
Oh, yes, I got that feeling. While I was reading it, whenever a politician opened his mouth on TV, I was thinking, "1984 wasn't a guide book!!"
> (In reply to darren-surrey)
>
> 1984 is a brilliant book that helped shaped my politics. Orwell creates such a depressingly realistic dark world that you...well not you obviously...but in which one can just taste the fear and paranoia.
>
> 1984 is a brilliant book that helped shaped my politics. Orwell creates such a depressingly realistic dark world that you...well not you obviously...but in which one can just taste the fear and paranoia.
Oh, yes, I got that feeling. While I was reading it, whenever a politician opened his mouth on TV, I was thinking, "1984 wasn't a guide book!!"
In reply to Jonno:
Ah, maybe that is the key. You found it interesting and useful?
> (In reply to darren-surrey)
>
> 1984 [...] helped shaped my politics.
>
> 1984 [...] helped shaped my politics.
Ah, maybe that is the key. You found it interesting and useful?
In reply to Jonno:
I've read 20 of them, picked up and put down quite a few others on the list - but none because I ever thought they were 'cult' books - not sure I've ever read something because I thought it was fashionable - quite a few because they were around the house and looked interesting and a lot of them many years ago (e.g. Kerouac, and Hitchhikers' Guide when it first came out, as well as listening to it on the radio).
I don' think that having read the books on this list or not is a measure of how well-read or 'high-brow' anyone is or isn't either - there are plenty of others to read.
I've read 20 of them, picked up and put down quite a few others on the list - but none because I ever thought they were 'cult' books - not sure I've ever read something because I thought it was fashionable - quite a few because they were around the house and looked interesting and a lot of them many years ago (e.g. Kerouac, and Hitchhikers' Guide when it first came out, as well as listening to it on the radio).
I don' think that having read the books on this list or not is a measure of how well-read or 'high-brow' anyone is or isn't either - there are plenty of others to read.
In reply to Jonno:Surprisingly I can say I've read 14 but many of the others would never be on my reading list.
Colin H
Colin H
In reply to Jonno:
I have read:
Slaughterhouse-Five
Catch-22
The Catcher in the Rye
The Celestine Prophecy
The Dice Man
Chariots of the Gods: Was God An Astronaut
Confessions
The Doors of Perception
Dune
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
The Female Eunuch
Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid
The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail
No Logo
On The Road
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
The Prophet
Siddhartha
The Teachings of Don Juan: a Yaqui Way of Knowledge
To Kill a Mockingbird
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
But out of those To Kill A Mockingbird, On the Road and Slaughterhouse 5 I read at school for English Lit, I was forced by an ex-girlfriend to read The Female Eunuch, No Logo and the Celestine Prophecy (She also gave me a copy of Dianetics but I ripped on her so much about that one that she left and took it with her), and I read Chariot of the Gods and Dune while I was at Junior school. I went through a hippy phase which accounts for most of the rest although Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and Dune remain my favourite comfort-reads.
I have read:
Slaughterhouse-Five
Catch-22
The Catcher in the Rye
The Celestine Prophecy
The Dice Man
Chariots of the Gods: Was God An Astronaut
Confessions
The Doors of Perception
Dune
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
The Female Eunuch
Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid
The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail
No Logo
On The Road
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
The Prophet
Siddhartha
The Teachings of Don Juan: a Yaqui Way of Knowledge
To Kill a Mockingbird
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
But out of those To Kill A Mockingbird, On the Road and Slaughterhouse 5 I read at school for English Lit, I was forced by an ex-girlfriend to read The Female Eunuch, No Logo and the Celestine Prophecy (She also gave me a copy of Dianetics but I ripped on her so much about that one that she left and took it with her), and I read Chariot of the Gods and Dune while I was at Junior school. I went through a hippy phase which accounts for most of the rest although Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and Dune remain my favourite comfort-reads.
In reply to Jonno:
The Celestine Prophecy
The Teachings of Don Juan
thought there might have been some more from my collection but just these two.
The Celestine Prophecy
The Teachings of Don Juan
thought there might have been some more from my collection but just these two.
In reply to Jonno:
8
Dune by Frank Herbert (fab book)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (Genius)
The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln (In depth and thought provoking)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson (Mostly read whilst stoned)
Story of O by Pauline Réage (Fantastic and arousing)
The Teachings of Don Juan: a Yaqui Way of Knowledge by Carlos Castaneda (Have read all of his books, fab for reading outdoors)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (read this at school many moons ago and didn't think it to be as good as it was made out to be)
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: an Inquiry into Values by Robert M Pirsig (another fab book)
Lara Croft x
8
Dune by Frank Herbert (fab book)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (Genius)
The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln (In depth and thought provoking)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson (Mostly read whilst stoned)
Story of O by Pauline Réage (Fantastic and arousing)
The Teachings of Don Juan: a Yaqui Way of Knowledge by Carlos Castaneda (Have read all of his books, fab for reading outdoors)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (read this at school many moons ago and didn't think it to be as good as it was made out to be)
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: an Inquiry into Values by Robert M Pirsig (another fab book)
Lara Croft x
In reply to Lara Croft:
a depressing 4 - but i've read a fair few books by authors on that list.
Its quite an odd list as well, how do you define the 50 most important/classic cult books?
oh, and no PK Dick on a list of cult books? really?
and no orwell?
kafka?
BB?
rubbish
a depressing 4 - but i've read a fair few books by authors on that list.
Its quite an odd list as well, how do you define the 50 most important/classic cult books?
oh, and no PK Dick on a list of cult books? really?
and no orwell?
kafka?
BB?
rubbish
In reply to Dr.Strangeglove:
A very odd list. A friend has recently recommended Kafka to me, I hear that The Trial is a rather good novel. I am very subjective when it comes to books, I can tell if its worth reading a few pages in. The writing sytle has to be engaging and well written. I fall asleep if it is too simplistic and I swear lots if they are annoying, i.e. over descriptive when there is no need to be, awful grammar etc...
Personally I tend to veer toward more complex writings styles, where you have to fill in gaps or figure out patterns for yourself in order to understand the story. Having it all laid out bare is so bland.
Recently read The Children of Men by P.D James and was swearing all the way through, some fabulous nuggets but ruined by her awful writing style. I feel would have been a fantastic book if it were written by someone else.
Lara Croft x
A very odd list. A friend has recently recommended Kafka to me, I hear that The Trial is a rather good novel. I am very subjective when it comes to books, I can tell if its worth reading a few pages in. The writing sytle has to be engaging and well written. I fall asleep if it is too simplistic and I swear lots if they are annoying, i.e. over descriptive when there is no need to be, awful grammar etc...
Personally I tend to veer toward more complex writings styles, where you have to fill in gaps or figure out patterns for yourself in order to understand the story. Having it all laid out bare is so bland.
Recently read The Children of Men by P.D James and was swearing all the way through, some fabulous nuggets but ruined by her awful writing style. I feel would have been a fantastic book if it were written by someone else.
Lara Croft x
In reply to Jonno: 22 - a "hippie phase", as alluded to by someone above, is a prerequisite for clocking double figures in that list AFAICS. Not that many truly great books there IMHO and Kafka and Hesse certainly wrote much better than those listed under their names
In reply to Jonno: I've managed 9 for some reason.
Gates Of Perception was lying on a bedroom floor of a flat I crashed in. Sorry if the owner is still looking for it. ...... it was 26 years ago right enough.
Slaughterhouse 5 was the last book I read before I met the wife.
Gates Of Perception was lying on a bedroom floor of a flat I crashed in. Sorry if the owner is still looking for it. ...... it was 26 years ago right enough.
Slaughterhouse 5 was the last book I read before I met the wife.
In reply to Jonno: 10
On The Road: - Love Kerouac
To Kill a Mocking Bird: - O Level
The Grapes of Wrath
The Doors of perception: - Got to Huxley after reading aout Jim Morrison of the Doors
The catcher in the Rye:
Catch 22:
Jonathon Livingston Seagull - O Level
Fear and Loathing in las Vegas
Dune - God knows why!
On The Road: - Love Kerouac
To Kill a Mocking Bird: - O Level
The Grapes of Wrath
The Doors of perception: - Got to Huxley after reading aout Jim Morrison of the Doors
The catcher in the Rye:
Catch 22:
Jonathon Livingston Seagull - O Level
Fear and Loathing in las Vegas
Dune - God knows why!
In reply to Jonno:
I think I've managed about 9. Slaughterhouse 5 is incredible, On The Road was inspirational at the time I read it, though I'm not sure I'd feel the same if I re-read it now, I think USA by John Dos Passos is probably a much better book. Of the others, there's not many I'll be rushing out to buy, especially The Outsider, the review doesn't quite give it the big sell. The book by Camus on the other hand is ace, but better in the original French
I think I've managed about 9. Slaughterhouse 5 is incredible, On The Road was inspirational at the time I read it, though I'm not sure I'd feel the same if I re-read it now, I think USA by John Dos Passos is probably a much better book. Of the others, there's not many I'll be rushing out to buy, especially The Outsider, the review doesn't quite give it the big sell. The book by Camus on the other hand is ace, but better in the original French
In reply to Jonno:
I've read 20, and there are a few more on the list that I do intent to get aroud to some time. Interesting list, a few books I haven't heard of that I might go and have a look for.
I've read 20, and there are a few more on the list that I do intent to get aroud to some time. Interesting list, a few books I haven't heard of that I might go and have a look for.
In reply to Jonno:
14
I can understand why a few of you might not have got through Ragged Trousered Philanthropists- it gets a bit repetetive- but I enjoyed it enough to base a chapter of my Masters thesis on it.
14
I can understand why a few of you might not have got through Ragged Trousered Philanthropists- it gets a bit repetetive- but I enjoyed it enough to base a chapter of my Masters thesis on it.
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