Nollaig

Well thats fair enough. I pretty much agree with what you said there, I just like to be awkward

I just wanted to dance too - Sorry I hate it when bookshops have NOTHING you want! Its such a nuisance. Happend to me the other day. I'm currently reading nothing as a result.

i agree with most of what you said, but you made no comment on Edward! Also, one thing about imprinting - I don't see how there being no free will makes it okay - Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying thats what imprinting IS, but we've all thought it, so I'm just saying that whether free will is involved or not is irrelevant to how okay it is. Anyway likeI say, beyond that I agree with you.

Well the general reason for this thread was that the old one got a bit confused. Some people were picking their own favourites which they might not recommend to others, others were trying to 'recommend' books that they thought they should, and so on. So this one, regardless of their reasons, is clearly books that people think everybody else should read. To be honest, I agree with what you just said. But the general point of this is to get the average reader's view, as opposed to narrow groups. They know what the conditions are, if they choose to pick things like Jodi Picoult, well thats up to them. Notably its not 'best books' - theres a difference. While certain people will be tempted to say 'x shouldn't be here because -' as am I, x is perfectly entitled to be here even if its a load of ****, if its a book somebody thinks everybody should read. I'm curious about whether the list will change too - but its not just that, I'm actually hoping for more definitive results this time, as last years were mostly 2 votes and 1 votes.

To Kill A Mockingbird is still the resounding No. 1

Well this is it. 'Classics' makes me think of 'books written before time X' but by that definition, we'll nevr again have classics beyond what we have. I think classics are more books that have/will stand the test of time and appeal to continuing generations, even after societies and times have changed.

I rarely picture characters perfectly in my head, its more like a glimpse and it usually immediately takes on the form of an actor. Having said that, I knew in my head what Heathcliff looked like, and Cathy, and Ralph Fiennes and herself were perfect in that adaption.

I know, its one of my better qualities!

I'm huuuuuuuungry

Yup, I edited the guidelines to include that - always a series, rather than an individual title, to make it easier. Could you please include titles if you want your 'votes' to be counted? Otherwise I can't really make a list. Thank you! all genres are welcome, and for any reason at all. (Note: explanations/discussion of choices is also very welcome, I'm keeping track of the lists seperately, so constructive discussion of your own/other peoples choices is very much encouraged!)

*coughwutheringheightscough*

Ah I'll have dinner today instead. I don't get home from college til 5 most days, and then when I've sat down, read emails, caught up with the forum and inevitably ended up chatting on msn, it gets to 7 or 8pm and I just can't be bothered cooking! Today I kinda want pizza....

Ooooh look whose getting all philosophical! I think at least part of 'classic' status is directly related to the universality or truth of a book, even if its fictional. To appeal on a near universal scale hints at something that most authors can't do, so when it is done, we all gather round that book and say, 'ah yes, now that one will be a classic.' Many classics also tried something new, I think. I don't really take classics in context, so I can't give examples. Actually, wait, yes I can: The Female Quixote. One of those 18th century books that was written around/after Pamela - classic books which embody the changing views of culture and women in those times. With that in mind, perhaps some classics are those which give us a genuine insight to the time in which they were written? I'm rambling.

i ended up having no dinner Just never got around to cooking it.

Oh yum

Tee Hee Hee. Moi? I'm harmless. Anyway back on topic. Post your lists, people!

Never, the gutter is the place to be my man!

To borrow a smiley from msn:

I shall go first: 1. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte 2. The Picture Of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde 3. His Dark Materials - Phillip Pullman 4. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak 5. To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee