An English Teacher's Worst Nightmare OR Books I Gave Up Trying to Read

I’ve read the first 50 pages 3 times now. I like it, but geez.

I don’t mean to be an intellectual snob, but this is one of my all time favorite books. I can’t help it, I love it.

I don’t think you’re an intellectual snob. I totally want to get through this; I just think my attention span is going down the drain. So, you’re saying it’s totally worth it to suck it up and read it?

YES…as long as you don’t care if you read 1000 pages books that don’t wrap up the ending…but are still so moving and thought provoking that you still think about the themes all the time- 10 years a

Hmm OK. I’m really determined but I LOVE books like that. I feel like I just need to do it. You’ve convinced me!! I’ll report back… In several years. JK I will read it soon!

I read some of “Consider the Lobster” (it’s a book of essays by DFW,) a while ago and I liked it— it might be a good way to get your feet wet before tackling “IJ”!

Ooh yeah i’ve been seeing that book at the bookstore for a while now and it looks sooo much easier than Infinite Jest!

I only read the beginning while I was in a bookstore (it was still in hardback at the time and I couldn’t bring myself to cough up the cash!), but I thought it was pretty good!

I’d be interested to know the ratio of people that have actually read this that have it on their shelf. I feel like its a must have for someone hoping to look smart. Not that it isn’t probably great.

I’d say 75-80%.

wolf at the table just made me sad when i finished it.

Yes, I sped through the second half. It takes a while to get who’s who and where they are, but it’s really awesome.

THIS was not half as good as I thought it was going to be. People hyped it up sooo much. Yeah I thought it was OK but definitely did not go crazy over it. I don’t get why people did.

Ooh definitely. If you haven’t read The Tipping Point, do that now! Much more entertaining!

Good to know!

I used to date this girl who was obsessed with self-help and pop psych. Malcolm Gladwell was her favorite. Since then, I’ve never been able to take this guys seriously.

I love all of his books.

Before I read this book, I listened to a podcast interview of her on The Sound of Young America and she sounded like a pretty funny chick.

Awww I wanted to read this! But maybe I should stay away.

It wasn’t bad per se, but it definitely didn’t live up to my expectations.

There’s nothing I hate more than having really high expectations about something and then the book (or movie or whatever) not meeting them!!

i tryed reading this. tryed.

Eh, you didn’t miss out on much!

i dont regret it.

Yes, I tried to read this book and kept getting bored. It’s like a million other memoirs, except not funny or interesting.

Wow, for some reason I thought this was supposed to be totally funny and entertaining. SO glad I didn’t waste my time on it. What would I do without Guidespot??

I’m glad I’m not the only one! Definitely not terribly interesting or terribly funny— I’d read a David Sedaris story about big turds any day over this.

Love love love David Sedaris!! The sole reason why I get the New Yorker. Well, not really, but part of it!

I’ve been hoping over last few years that someone will get me a gift subscription to the New Yorker for my birthday— it’s so expensive!

I know! Although I just got an offer for a year of the New Yorker for $40. I think I might need to take advantage of that one!

Eh….it was alright….the one with the ponies was cute and that was about it.

I’ve totally avoided reading this too, but my dad told me I really need to. Ehhh. I guess I should?

It’s intimidating!! Plus, it wasn’t the easiest read in the world. Maybe it’s easier to start with “The Fountainhead”? Anybody have any thoughts?

OK, is that one good? There’s way too much I need to read. Where can I find some more time to do so??

I haven’t read it so I can’t really say, but it is shorter than AS, and it’s one of my close friend’s favorite books— so I guess it has that going for it!

I read 5 pages of Atlas Shrugged in the bookstore yesterday. Wasn’t horrible but the book was way too small with the smallest print ever. Couldn’t do it.

Definitely start with The Fountainhead. It took me a month to get through but I think it was worth it. I’m still struggling with Atlas Shrugged – I think there’s too much going on at the beginning.

OK! I’m taking your advice. Might go on a bookstore trek today and check out The Fountainhead. Whoo hoo! I love this guide!

I just started this…

I read and enjoyed Atlas Shrugged – I should probably read Fountainhead since everyone is recommending it.

The Fountainhead is good, I finished Atlas Shrugged by skimming the huuuge speech. Good stuff, but also a must-read for young Republicans looking to justify their self-centered beliefs. Careful.

not a fan. nope.

A book club where we…don’t read the books! Oh I love it!!!!!! Is that irony?

Haha— probably!

That’s how I feel about Faulkner. I know I should like him and think he’s a genius, but I just can’t!

Uhh I feel the same way about Faulkner. Snore.

And also, I’m a really horrible English major right now!!

Yay! When I was in college I felt like an outcast because I hated Faulkner— I actually never told anybody, lest they roll their eyes at me!

Pshh, the way I see it, nobody actually likes him. They just pretend they do to look smart.

Haha! Susie, I think you’re my new best friend.

As long as you always claim The Dubliners, you’ll be fine anywhere you go.

Oh come on – this isn’t the best book but it isn’t boring!

I LOVE ALL JANE AUSTEN- CAUSE I’M SUPER CHICKY LIKE THAT.

Whaaaat. I LOVE Pride and Prejudice!!! There are sooo many worse things I’ve read in school. I think Jane is fantastic :)

I’ve seen the book around, but I had no idea it got optioned for a movie. If it’s half as funny as “The Hangover” I’m game.