Thursday, March 17, 2011

The Book(s) to Read Before You Die: The Literary Blog Hop Makes Me Think!

Literary Blog Hop

This week Debbie Nance from ReaderBuzz asks: What one literary work must you read before you die? I’m going to follow the example of our hosts at The Blue Bookcase and talk about two books. The first is the book I recommend to everyone, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. I’ve spoken of it a few times on this blog. I just think it’s amazing.

What book do I need to read before I die? I think I’d like to read War and Peace before I die. It’s just so huge; I always turn my gaze away and head for something else.


9 comments:

  1. Oh! I'm hoping to get myself The Handmaid's Tale sometime this year. Am really looking forward to reading.

    As for War and Peace...I'd like to give it a try, but I wouldn't mind never reading it.

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  2. I liked The Handmaids Tale a lot also


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  3. I'm with Risa with War and Peace...I want to read more Russian stuff but would rather go with Anna Karenina first. I have Handmaid's Tale on my shelf - got to read it! Great post.

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  4. Hi--just hopping by and am now a new follower. I like your two answers--and mine was to read more of the Russians, too.

    I wanted to mention there's a new book out by Hillary Jordan later this year from Algonquin Publishing that reads like an amalgamation of The Handmaid's Tale and The Scarlet Letter that I think you might enjoy.

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  5. Margaret Atwood is one of the writers I mean to read this year, as for big books such as W&P, the best way is finish a book you're reading then before you even think about it grab the book & start it, before you know it you'll be in and committed.

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  6. Good choices! Like you, I've read and loved A Handmaid's Tale, and wish to read War & Peace...

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  7. Anonymous19/3/11 10:10

    I picked War and Peace too -- interesting that it's such a common "must read" book -- yet not too many people seem to have actually read it. I also loved the Handmaid's Tale and will have to read it again one of these days.

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  8. I can't encourage enough people to read the Handmaid's Tale.

    I've seen a lot of Russians on the Hop this week. Besides War and Peace, I'd also like to read Anna Karenina, Crime and Punishment, and The Brothers Karamozov. They're just such intimidating looking books.

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  9. It would be nice to read an English translation of the Mahabharata before I die, but I doubt I'd have the focus.

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