bobblybear Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Found this list on a website that I visit semi-frequently and thought it was a pretty interesting mix. Has anyone read any of these? I've heard of most and know a lot of them to be considered difficult, but of the few I have read, the only "difficult" one was House of Leaves. I've read The Demon by Hubert Selby Jnr, and that was disturbing, as was Pet Semetary, but I wouldn't necessary consider them tough going. What are your thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) Ooooh, thanks for posting! I read the intro, and love the idea (I think some people are going to take this as a reading challenge... ), I haven't yet looked at all the titles, I was so keen on posting to say thanks Edit: What did you think of the House of Leaves? I see you consider it a worthy title in the list, but did you enjoy it? Edited November 8, 2013 by frankie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted November 8, 2013 Author Share Posted November 8, 2013 I thought about posting it in the Challenges section, and was thinking of taking it as a challenge for myself, but I have so many other books to get through that the thought of having a list of books that I "have to read" makes me panic. I didn't actually end up finishing House of Leaves, so perhaps I shouldn't have said that I have read it. I did find it a very tough read, and as I read more of the book, the footnotes seemed to grow longer until eventually I got fed up with flipping between pages to read all the footnotes as well as story itself. I still have the book somewhere in the loft because I just love the way it looks - it's very artistic in it's presentation. Unfortunately I think it may be a case of style over substance....nice to look at, but not so nice to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie H Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Well, over the last 30 years I have owned 10 of 50 books, but only started 6 of them . All of them were difficult, disturbing, or so dull, I never got past the first 20 or so pages. This is too much of a challenge for me - life is too short to cause that much 'book anguish' . Good luck to who takes this as a challenge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) I took the liberty of copy+pasting the whole list on this post for easy reference (I know I'll be using this list later on for my own purposes ) I would still recommend you visit the website in bobbly's link; there you can see covers of some copies of the books and you will get a short introduction to the books and why they are on the list! The links are to Amazon, as they were on the website in the link provided by bobblybear. Nightwood, Djuna Barnes Blood Meridian, Cormac McCarthy Moby-Dick, Herman Melville Infinite Jest, David Foster Wallace J R, William Gaddis Finnegans Wake, James Joyce The Sound and the Fury, William Faulkner Bad Behavior, Mary Gaitskill In Search of Lost Time, Marcel Proust Alphabetical Africa, Walter Abish Geek Love, Katherine Dunn Naked Lunch, William S. Burroughs The Faerie Queene, Edmund Spenser Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh Pet Sematary, Stephen King Coin Locker Babies, Ryu Murakami Battle Royale, Koushun Takami House of Leaves, Mark Z. Danielewski To The Lighthouse, Virginia Woolf The Painted Bird, Jerzy Kosinski Wittgenstein’s Mistress, David Markson Johnny Got His Gun, Dalton Trumbo Dhalgren, Samuel R. Delany The Making of Americans, Gertrude Stein The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad Hopscotch, Julio Cortazar Out, Natsuo Kirino 2666, Roberto Bolaño Tampa, Alissa Nutting War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, Laurence Sterne Gravity’s Rainbow, Thomas Pynchon The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer Underworld, Don DeLillo Almanac of the Dead, Leslie Marmon Silko Cosmos, Witold Gombrowicz The Conservationist, Nadine Gordimer Sophie’s Choice, William Styron Clarissa, Or the History of a Young Lady, Samuel Richardson The Unfortunates, B.S. Johnson The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis, Lydia Davis The Tunnel, William Gass The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion The Demon, Hubert Selby Jr. The Royal Family, William T. Vollmann Divine Comedy, Dante Alighieri A Tale of a Tub, Jonathan Swift The Castle, Franz Kafka The Gulag Archipelago, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Edited November 8, 2013 by frankie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie H Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Good luck frankie, if/when you embark on this challenge . I think you have a glint in your eye, and this a challenge not to be missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) I thought about posting it in the Challenges section, and was thinking of taking it as a challenge for myself, but I have so many other books to get through that the thought of having a list of books that I "have to read" makes me panic. I know what you mean.. I think I have too many challenges going on as it is, so it wouldn't be very wise of me to get on with this one... I didn't actually end up finishing House of Leaves, so perhaps I shouldn't have said that I have read it. I did find it a very tough read, and as I read more of the book, the footnotes seemed to grow longer until eventually I got fed up with flipping between pages to read all the footnotes as well as story itself. I still have the book somewhere in the loft because I just love the way it looks - it's very artistic in it's presentation. Unfortunately I think it may be a case of style over substance....nice to look at, but not so nice to read. I have a copy of the book, it's pretty out there Nothing I've ever seen before. Like you implied, it's going to take a certain mood and stamina to read through, I'm sure. It's not something you can just decide to read over the day... As I haven't tried reading it yet, I'm staying optimistic Well, over the last 30 years I have owned 10 of 50 books, but only started 6 of them . All of them were difficult, disturbing, or so dull, I never got past the first 20 or so pages. This is too much of a challenge for me - life is too short to cause that much 'book anguish' . Good luck to who takes this as a challenge Yeah, I can definitely understand that I suppose you are not the kind of person who likes disturbing books? As for the books themselves: These are ones I have read, and the first two I've enjoyed (although the second book is really really scary!). Why the Didion book is on the list, I personally don't get. I didn't wet my book (with tears or anything else) as the comments on it suggested, but I did find it a bit difficult but only because I personally found it boring Just my personal, humble opinion! Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh Pet Sematary, Stephen King To The Lighthouse, Virginia Woolf Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion These are on my TBR and I'm really looking forward to reading them all. I was always keen on them all, even before the list. Moby-Dick, Herman Melville In Search of Lost Time, Marcel Proust House of Leaves, Mark Z. Danielewski War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, Laurence Sterne Sophie’s Choice, William Styron A Tale of a Tub, Jonathan Swift And these have been on my wishlist for a long time. Although I was pretty grossed out by the Coin Locker Babies synopsis on the link ^ Ewwww. Coin Locker Babies, Ryu Murakami Battle Royale, Koushun Takami I'm also kind of amazed that Poppy Z. Brite hasn't made it to the list... Good luck frankie, if/when you embark on this challenge . I think you have a glint in your eye, and this a challenge not to be missed. Thanks Marie! A glint in my eye? Maybe that's the mint liquor I cracked open some time ago... When I read the 'synopsis' on Alphabetical Africa, I immediately thought of you! And Kylie, of course. Our Oulipo enthusiasts Are you interested in that book, at least? Edited November 8, 2013 by frankie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisman Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 The only one I have read is Sophie's Choice, but there are a quite a few others that sound interesting ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I haven't read any of these. I own/have owned War and Peace, The Silmarillion and The Gulag Archipelago. I suspect life tenacity will prove too short Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggle not Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I have read : Blood Meridian - Cormac McCarthy (whom I consider the greatest living author) The Sound And The Fury - William Faulkner I think I may have read Moby Dick many, many, many years ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 These ones are on my TBR: Herman Melville - Moby Dick James Joyce - Finnigan's Wake (I have an omnibus, I presume this one is in it but I haven't checked) Koushun Takami - Battle Royale (my boyfriend liked this book, though he hasn't completely finished it yet) J. R. R. Tolkien - The Silmarillion Leo Tolstoy - War and Peace (personally I hope to at least be reading this one at some point) William Styron - Sophie's Choice A few others are or might be on my wishlist. I don't think I've read any of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie H Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Yeah, I can definitely understand that I suppose you are not the kind of person who likes disturbing books? Do I avoid disturbing books? I suppose sometimes I do avoid them. I have never read an Irvine Welsh book, or seen any of the films, and I don’t intend to do in the future. Am I avoiding these subjects? Some would say that I do ignore them, but as life can be a hellish nightmare, why read books about them? I hope that I have made these choices not to read some books, simply as it is my choice. I read some non-fiction on subjects that are disturbing, but that for me is a different choice again. I know that this can be an incredibly thorny subject, what people choose to read. But I feel strongly about this, and I need to explain why I might avoid from some books. Books on the list that have and hope to read sometimes are Swannn’s Way Book 1 and Within a Budding Grove Book 2 (30% read of Swann’s Way so far) To The Lighthouse, Virginia Wool Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy I know what you mean.. I think I have too many challenges going on as it is, so it wouldn't be very wise of me to get on with this one... Thanks Marie! A glint in my eye? Maybe that's the mint liquor I cracked open some time ago... When I read the 'synopsis' on Alphabetical Africa, I immediately thought of you! And Kylie, of course. Our Oulipo enthusiasts Are you interested in that book, at least? I hope that the mint liquor had the desired effect, , with helping you with the flu symptoms . Alphabetical Africa sounds interesting , I have a soft spot for Oulipo, I must make a post for Kylie about it soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 The only three I've read from the list are Heart of Darkness, Pet Sematary and The Canterbury Tales, and I personally wouldn't have put any of them on there (although I suppose Chaucer was a bit of a chore until I got used to Middle English). I'm surprised Ulysses isn't on there . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 (edited) Do I avoid disturbing books? I suppose sometimes I do avoid them. I have never read an Irvine Welsh book, or seen any of the films, and I don’t intend to do in the future. Am I avoiding these subjects? Some would say that I do ignore them, but as life can be a hellish nightmare, why read books about them? I hope that I have made these choices not to read some books, simply as it is my choice. I read some non-fiction on subjects that are disturbing, but that for me is a different choice again. I know that this can be an incredibly thorny subject, what people choose to read. But I feel strongly about this, and I need to explain why I might avoid from some books. I hope I didn't offend you with my question, I was only being curious. I think everyone should read the books they choose to read, and if they don't feel like reading something, it's totally up to them I do understand your reasoning I hope that the mint liquor had the desired effect, , with helping you with the flu symptoms . I do feel a bit better, I don't know if it's the nasal spray or the mint... We'll have to wait a bit longer and see Alphabetical Africa sounds interesting , I have a soft spot for Oulipo, I must make a post for Kylie about it soon. I bet she would enjoy talking to another Oulipo enthusiast! I'm surprised Ulysses isn't on there . . . Quote from the website on the link: "This list is limited to works of fiction, so straightforward philosophy is out, and a single book per author, so you’ll see Finnegans Wake (obviously) but not Ulysses. Don’t worry, the Ulysses is implied." Edited November 9, 2013 by frankie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie H Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 I hope I didn't offend you with my question, I was only being curious. I think everyone should read the books they choose to read, and if they don't feel like reading something, it's totally up to them I do understand your reasoning No frankie,you didn't offend me ,but I just wanted to make the subject clearer, as you were curious. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Quote from the website on the link: "This list is limited to works of fiction, so straightforward philosophy is out, and a single book per author, so you’ll see Finnegans Wake (obviously) but not Ulysses. Don’t worry, the Ulysses is implied." Ahh, I did read the list using the link but didn't see that quote. I'll let them off, then. It wouldn't have bothered me, only I have a personal hatred for Ulysses. I was made to read it at university, and I think it took me around a week just to read half of it (worst week of my life), before they decided to take it off the syllabus and have us read something else instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSchultz19 Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 I have been wanting to/considering reading Moby Dick for awhile now. I doubt I would make it through most of these books and I honestly have no desire to. But this has given me an extra little push to try to read Moby Dick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidsmum Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I've read Pet Semetary & Sophie's Choice, i wouldn't say that either of them are difficult reads although Sophie's Choice is quite harrowing so i guess that's why it's classed as challenging. Moby Dick is on my TBR pile so i was a bit put off to see it on the list House Of Leaves i used to own but like you Bobbly i couldn't finish it. Good luck to anyone attempting the challenge though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I've read:Trainspotting - Found it a very easy read Pet Sematary - Notone of King's best, I'm afraid The Heart of Darkness - Incredibly dull Out - Rather good, but not particularly tough to readOn my TBR list:Moby Dick - I always fancied this one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Heart of Darkness is also on my TBR, in an omnibus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Just reading the list made me break out into a cold sweat! Of these I have only finished two, Trainspotting & Pet Semetary. I wouldn't have described either as "difficult", but there you are. I have attempted to read War & Peace, and at 200 pages in , I consider that to be a valient try. I don't think I got past page 1 of Moby Dick, but I was a lot younger then. There are some interesting books on this list that I have never heard of, so I may try some of them out, but as a full-blown reading challenge - I don't thnik I have the stamina! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timstar Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Great list, I have some on my TBR pile and just addded a couple to my wishlist. The only ones I've read are Blood Meridian and Moby Dick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 Nightwood, Djuna Barnes * Blood Meridian, Cormac McCarthy ** Moby-Dick, Herman Melville * Infinite Jest, David Foster Wallace ** J R, William Gaddis Finnegans Wake, James Joyce The Sound and the Fury, William Faulkner ** Bad Behavior, Mary Gaitskill In Search of Lost Time, Marcel Proust ** Alphabetical Africa, Walter Abish Geek Love, Katherine Dunn Naked Lunch, William S. Burroughs The Faerie Queene, Edmund Spenser Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh Pet Sematary, Stephen King Coin Locker Babies, Ryu Murakami Battle Royale, Koushun Takami House of Leaves, Mark Z. Danielewski * To The Lighthouse, Virginia Woolf **** The Painted Bird, Jerzy Kosinski Wittgenstein’s Mistress, David Markson Johnny Got His Gun, Dalton Trumbo Dhalgren, Samuel R. Delany The Making of Americans, Gertrude Stein The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad **** Hopscotch, Julio Cortazar Out, Natsuo Kirino * 2666, Roberto Bolaño ** Tampa, Alissa Nutting War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy * The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, Laurence Sterne Gravity’s Rainbow, Thomas Pynchon * The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer Underworld, Don DeLillo Almanac of the Dead, Leslie Marmon Silko Cosmos, Witold Gombrowicz The Conservationist, Nadine Gordimer Sophie’s Choice, William Styron Clarissa, Or the History of a Young Lady, Samuel Richardson The Unfortunates, B.S. Johnson The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis, Lydia Davis * The Tunnel, William Gass * The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion **** The Demon, Hubert Selby Jr. The Royal Family, William T. Vollmann Divine Comedy, Dante Alighieri A Tale of a Tub, Jonathan Swift The Castle, Franz Kafka The Gulag Archipelago, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn **** are ones that I've read all the way through ** are ones I've read partly and abandoned for a variety of reasons * they're on the shelf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 frankie, I don't see that the Didion was difficult, not a bit. And, I didn't cry either. I thought she was rather dry about the whole thing. Actually, I have to say I didn't care for it, or her by the time I finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 No frankie,you didn't offend me ,but I just wanted to make the subject clearer, as you were curious. . Phew! And thanks for clearing it up for me frankie, I don't see that the Didion was difficult, not a bit. And, I didn't cry either. I thought she was rather dry about the whole thing. Actually, I have to say I didn't care for it, or her by the time I finished. I fully agree. I don't think I would've finished had it not been a RG challenge read. I'm very happy to hear I'm not the only one who didn't get it that much... Phew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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