Thursday, March 5, 2009

Booking Through Thursday


We’ve all seen the lists, we’ve all thought, “I should really read that someday,” but for all of us, there are still books on “The List” that we haven’t actually gotten around to reading. Even though we know they’re fabulous. Even though we know that we’ll like them. Or that we’ll learn from them. Or just that they’re supposed to be worthy. We just … haven’t gotten around to them yet.

What’s the best book that YOU haven’t read yet?

Probably War and Peace. I got the new translation when it came out last year (in hardcover even) and started but then my attention drifted, and I haven't finished. I even started a separate blog to document reading it, and joined a Yahoo group of readers as well. I think I put too much pressure on myself, and when I got busy with reviews and work stuff it just got lost in the shuffle. Maybe this summer I'll give it another shot.

20 comments:

Yvonne said...

That tends to happen to me - I get busy with reviews, etc. and never get to reading the book I really wanted to read.

Happy Thursday!

Literature Crazy said...

A book-specific blog? That's a pretty extensive idea... although it might work with an "extensive" book like War & Peace. Maybe your reading and blogging about the progress could fuel other people to tackle that heavy tome as well.

Good luck.

Beth F said...

W&P is a popular choice!

Anonymous said...

War & Peace totally slipped my mind, even though I have a spanking new copy of the Pevear/Volokhonsky translation in paperback that I purchased a few months ago just hanging around on the nighstand. I've pledged to read it sometime this year, but who knows when...

The Social Frog said...

I have wanted to read War & Peace in the past, just don't know if I am all that much into it.
www.thesocialfrog.com

Anonymous said...

I've listed War and Peace as well along with many other bloggers. That's a popular one!

Nise' said...

I read War and Peace in college, I wonder if the new translation would make it an easier read.

Brooke from The Bluestocking Guide said...

I never plan to read this one.

Mine

Dave said...

You'll be a sight on the Cape beaches hauling around War and Peace this summer!
I haven't read it either, and it's nice to know that I'm in good company.

Anonymous said...

So many people have said War and Peace, that it makes me glad I read it back in high school. Someday I want to get around to rereading it, but I'm not in a major hurry to do so.

I do know what you mean about being distracted, though I wish I could say I had as noble a distraction as you. I have only SecondLife to blame.

Anonymous said...

War and Peace really tops the list today doesn't it? No matter which translation people read, it's still well over a 1000 pages! :)

I've got so many but when I reflect upon the type of writing style that appeals me the most, I narrow it down to a short list.

At first I couldn't make of the question because it really depends on what best is. I'm reading a very popular book that I'm probably the last person on earth to read it. Gone with the Wind. :)

R. said...

Wow, War and Peace is on my list as well as everyone elses. I wonder how many people want to read it out of interest and how many for the mere hype of it all.

Any day now...

JoAnn said...

W&P was part of my answer, too. I bought the hardcover when the new translation came out, but it was too heavy to read comfortably...now I may have to break down and buy a Kindle if I want to read it!

wisteria said...

That's a good choice. There are so many that come to mind. I think Moby Dick is another one for me. Having to read about a whale for all that time was too overwhelming to me.

Marie Cloutier said...

Yvonne- Happy Thursday to you as well! :-)
Heather- yeah, it didn't work out so well :-/
Beth F, madbibliophile- seems like it is :-)
Bookladysblog- I have the same translation, just sitting there on my shelf looking sad :-)
Social Frog- it's definitely not for everybody, and maybe not for me either :-)
Nise- the new translation is supposed to be very good so if you're a fan it might be worth a look.
Bluestocking- I'm sure you're not alone :-)
Dave- yeah, I'm a nerd- but you knew that already! :-)
Koolaidmom- LOL ;-)
Oh Matt, you would LOVE Gone With the Wind.
R.- I don't know. I love everything I've read by Tolstoy so it's definitely interest for me.
JoAnn, I feel you on that :-)
Wisteria- that'a great choice too. I've never made it through Moby Dick.

Everyone- I'll get over to your blogs soon. I've been super busy lately and have had very little time on the computer. But I WILL get over for a visit soon! I appreciate all your comments. :-)

Meytal Radzinski said...

Everyone seems to want to read the new versions of "War and Peace"... Yeah, I got that over with in the summer before 10th grade, hitting the oldest translation possible. My edition of "War and Peace" (which, by the way, is actually really good. The philosophy parts are a bit much and the war parts drag a little, but the peace parts are brilliant) is from the thirties or something. And just so you know, once you'll start reading it, it'll actually be really easy. It's one of my favorite books, even if it's deathly long...

LorMil said...

Marie: I too bought the new hardcover translation of W&P last year, started it, and put it aside.

I hope to get back to it, or rather, begin reading it from the beginning, again.

~~Lorri

The Bookworm said...

I havent read War and Peace either, but want to one day.
What a cool idea to start a seperate blog for it.
Maybe it could be a group read?

Another great book i've got sitting on mybooshelf is The Count of Monte Cristo. Maybe I'll pick it up some day :)

http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Shana said...

Better luck next time, Marie :)

I'd like to give War and Peace a go someday too.

Literary Feline said...

The same thing happened with me and War and Peace (and I have the same edition in hardback). I was thinking I might try again next year.