NationStates Jolt Archive

It appears that most Britons have lied about the books they have read. So I was wondering if y'all here on this learned NSG forum have ever lied about the books you have read and if so why?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090305/od_nm/us_books_lies_odd_3

I'd also be interested in knowing if you have read the books listed below. Of all of them I have only read the Bible and even then not all of the bible. I do enjoy reading and read several books a year.

Those who lied have claimed to have read:

1. 1984 - George Orwell (42 percent)

2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy (31)

3. Ulysses - James Joyce (25)

4. The Bible (24)

5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert (16)

6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking (15)

7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie (14)

8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust (9)

9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama (6)

10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins (6)

I think many of the so called experts of Islam would be guilty of lying about reading the Koran.

I've read 1984 for my political essay in high school, but that's about it. I would like the read the Bible in full some day.

I skimmed through the Bible, after Exodus it gets boring. The rest of the books I've never read, and half of them I've never even heard of.

It appears that most Britons have lied about the books they have read. So I was wondering if y'all here on this learned NSG forum have ever lied about the books you have read and if so why?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090305/od_nm/us_books_lies_odd_3

I'd also be interested in knowing if you have read the books listed below. Of all of them I have only read the Bible and even then not all of the bible. I do enjoy reading and read several books a year.

Those who lied have claimed to have read:

1. 1984 - George Orwell (42 percent)

2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy (31)

3. Ulysses - James Joyce (25)

4. The Bible (24)

5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert (16)

6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking (15)

7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie (14)

8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust (9)

9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama (6)

10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins (6)

I've read all those. :p

(I actually have read the bible (C of E school), and parts of 1984)

I skimmed through the Bible, after Exodus it gets boring. The rest of the books I've never read, and half of them I've never even heard of.

Samuel and Kings is good reading. Lots of the old in out in out and ultraviolence.

i tend to tell people the truth: i'm dyslexic and reading makes my eyes hurt (unless its on a computer screen and i can change the background to something less contrasty). the last book i read was probably about 3 years ago :$

1. 1984 - George Orwell (42 percent) - read it

2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy (31) - nope

3. Ulysses - James Joyce (25) - nope

4. The Bible (24) - bits

5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert (16) - huh?

6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking (15) - audiobook

7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie (14) - nope

8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust (9) - nope

9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama (6) - nope

10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins (6) - nope

Samuel and Kings is good reading. Lots of the old in out in out and ultraviolence.

got milk?

It appears that most Britons have lied about the books they have read. So I was wondering if y'all here on this learned NSG forum have ever lied about the books you have read and if so why?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090305/od_nm/us_books_lies_odd_3

I'd also be interested in knowing if you have read the books listed below. Of all of them I have only read the Bible and even then not all of the bible. I do enjoy reading and read several books a year.

Those who lied have claimed to have read:

1. 1984 - George Orwell (42 percent) Read

2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy (31) Read

3. Ulysses - James Joyce (25) Not Read

4. The Bible (24) Read

5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert (16) Not Read

6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking (15) Read

7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie (14) Not Read

8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust (9) Read

9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama (6) Not Read

10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins (6) Not Read

I would like to think myself as well read, but seeing this list makes me wonder. I will have to get some of these.

I've lied in order to appear less read than I am...then again, I have a terrible memory, so having read a book doesn't mean I freaking remember jack shit about it. So meh.

It appears that most Britons have lied about the books they have read. So I was wondering if y'all here on this learned NSG forum have ever lied about the books you have read and if so why?
No. Because I don't lie unless it's really necessary. Don't want to be the boy who cried wolf. Also, it's extremely easy to get caught this way, using up your wolf credits for nothing.

I have sort of lied (not directly, but implying it) about not having read certain books, however, like the Scientology and Ayn Rand holy scriptures. But not in serious context, just in arguments with their followers so that they don't start referring me to their little bathroom bibles.


I'd also be interested in knowing if you have read the books listed below.
The Bible, cover to cover once, and then often re-read chapters. It's actually a pretty interesting read if you just treat it as a book. There are some pieces I particularly like, most of all the Apocalypse.

Also read these:
* 1984
* Not finished yet - the V comic (started reading after the movie)
* War and Peace (and it's really boring)
* Partially - A Brief History of Time (I like the college physics course better)
* Possibly - some others from the list; I don't consider them significant and don't recall any in particular. Maybe in school.
* Jennifer Government - yes, it's not in the list, but it's significant.

Have not and will never read:
* "Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama (6)"
* Any other crap from people who don't have any writing talent or knowledge, and merely sell off their popularity.
* Autobiographies in general, with a few exceptions that are all about being interesting and just use the autobiographic format to tie themselves together.

I have read 1,4 and 5 of that list. It is possible I once read War and Peace, but then it did not interest me enough to leave a memory.

If you haven't read Dreams from my Father by Obama, pick it up. Its a great read, not at all typical biography, and its quick too.

i dont remember the last time someone asked me about the books ive read. i guess ill have to say "no".

ive read 1984, some of the bible, and most of a brief history of time.

of the rest the only one i might end up reading is war and peace because people here keep insisting that its a really good book.

I like 'Where The Wild Things Are'. :)

I think many of the so called experts of Islam would be guilty of lying about reading the Koran.


This. It becomes apperant when they cant cite passages, or cite ones that those of us who have read it can call bullshit on.


As to me, Ive only lied about books Ive read when I was in high school, and it was to a teacher, and it was in regards to the homework:p

Just for kicks, Ill bold the books on the list of lies that I have read.

Those who lied have claimed to have read:

1. 1984 - George Orwell (42 percent)

2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy (31)

3. Ulysses - James Joyce (25)

4. The Bible (24)

5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert (16)

6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking (15)

7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie (14)

8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust (9)

9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama (6)

10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins (6)

:D

I wish I hadnt read Madame Bovary though. Dont know why anyone would want to pretend they had read that.

This. It becomes apperant when they cant cite passages, or cite ones that those of us who have read it can call bullshit on.


As to me, Ive only lied about books Ive read when I was in high school, and it was to a teacher, and it was in regards to the homework:p

Just for kicks, Ill bold the books on the list of lies that I have read.



:D

I wish I hadnt read Madame Bovary though. Dont know why anyone would want to pretend they had read that.
i read lady chatterly's lover, why isnt THAT on the list instead of madame bovary?

I
Those who lied have claimed to have read:

1. 1984 - George Orwell (42 percent)

2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy (31)

3. Ulysses - James Joyce (25)

4. The Bible (24)

5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert (16)

6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking (15)

7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie (14)

8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust (9)

9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama (6)

10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins (6)
Hrmm....of the books on the list, I've read the bible depending on what you consider the bible. Going to a Jewish parochial school until high school will result in reading a lot of the torah, talmud and associated materials. Don't ask me to remember any of it, though. I've read 1984 and attempted, multiple times, to read War and Peace (it's just not happening). I've read small excerpts of A Brief History of Time. I tend to go through reading sprees, where I'll get interested in a subject or a genre and read a few books from/about it back to back and then, in between those sprees, read a denser book or series over an extended period of time: most of my non-fiction reading is done during this time.
I've lied in order to appear less read than I am...then again, I have a terrible memory, so having read a book doesn't mean I freaking remember jack shit about it. So meh.

I'm the same way. I consider myself to read a fair amount, but when people start rattling off names or really specific events in a book, I just don't know. This is especially true with names, I remember very, very few names from my favorite books.

This. It becomes apperant when they cant cite passages, or cite ones that those of us who have read it can call bullshit on.

To be fair - it is quite possible then when one has read thousands of books, one start to confuse a few - or at least not remember exact quotes.

To be fair - it is quite possible then when one has read thousands of books, one start to confuse a few - or at least not remember exact quotes.

True, but usually I can tell the difference between confusion and flat out "ebil moslem lulz" fearmongering.

Why should I, the mountain of books in my room, car, house, etc...plus the fact that I always have something to read on me is testament to my mad skillz, lol...

Although the only book Ive read on the list is 1984, One of the best books Ive read, although Animal Farm I think illustrates the point better, its the greatest analogy ever, lol...

I thought about reading War and Peace, but the only school library Ive been to that had it was in Middle School, and by the time I finished the Arthur C. Clarke collection the school year was over, lol...

EDIT: Oh, and i read the first and last books of the Bible, lol, the rest is just filler, lmao...

Have not and will never read:
* Any other crap from people who don't have any writing talent or knowledge, and merely sell off their popularity.


I thought you said you had read the Bible?

Read 1984, War and Peace and the first two books of the bible. I've lied to teacher about what I've read. Well, more like I've exaggerated, I don't say
I've read something I've never touched but if I get 3/4 of my way through something and it's boring as hell then I'll tell them I read it.

I'm trying to get through the Bible, but I do plan to focus on the non-historical bits.

I've read three of those (1984, The Bible and Midnight's Children), and I've read the first volume of Proust's Remembrances (God only knows how anyone could muster the fortitude or interest to wade through the other 6 volumes).

Who wouldn't lie about reading War and Peace? That book is pure torture.

(And no, I myself have not read it. :p)

Who wouldn't lie about reading War and Peace? That book is pure torture.

(And no, I myself have not read it. :p)

So, you didnt like it when you read it? :p

So, you didnt like it when you read it? :p

I tried reading it.

I tried reading it.

I never bothered, but I was just assuming you lied about not reading it, lol..

I never bothered, but I was just assuming you lied about not reading it, lol..

lol

It's confusing. Way too many characters.

I think they should do a poll about how many people lie about having not read books.


I think youd find a lot of teenage guys who read Twilight but wouldnt admit it.

I think they should do a poll about how many people lie about having not read books.


I think youd find a lot of teenage guys who read Twilight but wouldnt admit it.

True.

1. 1984 - George Orwell - Read it,

2. War and Peace - Not read it, but planning to.

3. Ulysses - Not Read it

4. The Bible - I've Read it

5. Madame Bovary - Not read it

6. A Brief History of Time - Not read it

7. Midnight's Children - Not read it

8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Not read it

9. Dreams from My Father - Not read it

10. The Selfish Gene - Not read it

I read 1984 for a project for school and I've read... parts of the Bible, but not all of it.

No. I haven't read many, nor do I pretend I have.

1. 1984 - George Orwell; yes

2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy; yes

3. Ulysses - James Joyce; started 3 times, but never finished.

4. The Bible; most of it, but never from start through to finish.

5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert; no

6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking; no

7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie; no, but Satanic Verses yes.

8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust; no

9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama; no

10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins; no

And two books I've genuinely read that I sometimes get accused of lying about enjoying - and that I'm suprised aren't on the above list...

A) Crime and Punishment (Dostoyevsky)

B) Moby Dick (Melville)

Yes, sometimes I've lied about the books I've read because I didn't want to look too much of a "library mouse", expecially at school, if you get what I mean.

A) Crime and Punishment (Dostoyevsky)

B) Moby Dick (Melville)

That's because Crime and Punishment is unmitigated shit. No one has ever read Crime and Punishment for pleasure. Even Dostoyevsky only wrote it to get it out of his head.

That's because Crime and Punishment is unmitigated shit. No one has ever read Crime and Punishment for pleasure. Even Dostoyevsky only wrote it to get it out of his head.

*Imagines Dostoyevsky sitting at a desk, furiously writing, A priest beside him*
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"
"Begone, ye evil demons! Come out onto the paper and plague this man no more!":p

Of the list I've read

1984
Ulysses
The Bible
War and Peace
Dreams of my father

Other than the Bible and Dreams from my father, they were all for assigned reading, so I've only read them once and only enough to get the gist for the test (i.e. I didn't linger) I did read 1984 again last year but it was for a class so again, no lingering about like I do when I read for pleasure.

I've read all ten books on the list. I've also lied about reading seven of the books on the list.

That's because Crime and Punishment is unmitigated shit. No one has ever read Crime and Punishment for pleasure. Even Dostoyevsky only wrote it to get it out of his head.

I read it for pleasure and really enjoyed it. Maybe it was me just be an angst-filled adolescent, but I wasn't really that angst-filled. I think I just liked the psychological tension of the main character.

I've only read 1984, which seems like the most random of the list to lie about because it's short and easy to read.

Someone once gave me Remembrance of Things Past, and holding the book was, fortunately, the closest I've ever come to reading it.

That's because Crime and Punishment is unmitigated shit. No one has ever read Crime and Punishment for pleasure. Even Dostoyevsky only wrote it to get it out of his head.

I've read it 3 times for pleasure. I love the D-man.

(Being completely serious)

It appears that most Britons have lied about the books they have read.
Since when was 42% most?

Anyway, of that lot, have read Nineteen Eighty-Four and some of the Bible, but that's it.

Since when was 42% most?

Anyway, of that lot, have read Nineteen Eighty-Four and some of the Bible, but that's it.

The article says two out of three have lied about reading any book; 1984 happens to have the most liars with 42% of those surveyed. Others have lied about reading other books.

The article says two out of three have lied about reading any book; 1984 happens to have the most liars with 42% of those surveyed. Others have lied about reading other books.
Buh. Good call.

I lie about the books I've read all the time. But rather than claiming to have read certain titles when I haven't, I tend to lie about not reading certain titles when I have. If that makes any sense.

B) Moby Dick (Melville)

Moby-Dick is one of my favorite books. Love it. :)

As for lying about books, I don't think I ever have. I'm well-read enough that people's responses to a given book I haven't read are never going to be, "Oh wow, you're an ignorant uneducated schmuck!" but rather, at worst, "Heh, how have you not gotten to that book yet? That's silly." One of my best friends and I have a running joke about the books each of us has no excuse not to have read yet, such that we take turns cheerfully mocking each other for still not having gotten around to Pride & Prejudice and Paradise Lost (the respective #1 on each of our Lists of Books We Should Have Read By Now). (It's terrible, too, because I even friggin' own a copy of Paradise Lost - I just never seem to think of it when I'm in a literary mood. :p )

Moby-Dick is one of my favorite books. Love it. :)

As for lying about books, I don't think I ever have. I'm well-read enough that people's responses to a given book I haven't read are never going to be, "Oh wow, you're an ignorant uneducated schmuck!" but rather, at worst, "Heh, how have you not gotten to that book yet? That's silly." One of my best friends and I have a running joke about the books each of us has no excuse not to have read yet, such that we take turns cheerfully mocking each other for still not having gotten around to Pride & Prejudice and Paradise Lost (the respective #1 on each of our Lists of Books We Should Have Read By Now). (It's terrible, too, because I even friggin' own a copy of Paradise Lost - I just never seem to think of it when I'm in a literary mood. :p )

Moby Dick is awesome.

As for lying about books, I don't think I ever have. I'm well-read enough that people's responses to a given book I haven't read are never going to be, "Oh wow, you're an ignorant uneducated schmuck!" but rather, at worst, "Heh, how have you not gotten to that book yet? That's silly."
I enjoy discussing books, and so it upsets me when someone brings up one I have not read. I know several Jane Austen fans, and I am sorry I can't take part in their conversations. (Well, most of their conversations. Unlike you, you ignorant, uneducated schmuck, I have read Pride and Prejudice.)
I still not to lie about reading it, though, because then I have to have knowledge of what happens. I just end up look dumber later on.

Incidentally, did anyone here know you can put the italic brackets in with ctrl-I, just like in a word processor? This is a revelation to me, an exciting one.

(Well, most of their conversations. Unlike you, you ignorant, uneducated schmuck, I have read Pride and Prejudice.)

No, no, that's my friend's schmuckery. I've read P&P. :tongue:

No, no, that's my friend's schmuckery. I've read P&P. :tongue:
In that case, you are a schmuck by association.

I lie about the books I've read all the time. But rather than claiming to have read certain titles when I haven't, I tend to lie about not reading certain titles when I have. If that makes any sense.

Why should you? Number one .. If they are the type where you gotta act dumb or 'unread' to fit in .. why the hell are they asking about books? They obviously aren't too un read themselves or they'd not even know to ask about a book.

Stay away from people that sweat you about reading.

In that case, you are a schmuck by association.

In fairness to him, he has at least seen the excellent A&E movie version. (I think he was slightly traumatized by it, though, since he saw it in a room full of geeky women lecherously lusting at Mr. Darcy. :tongue: )

Has anyone actually read Ulysses? I mean all the way through?
I've read these:
1. 1984 - George Orwell
6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking
10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins

Attempted to read Midnight Children but gave up as it bored me senseless.
I sped read War and Peace.
It's about Russia.
(old Woody Allen joke)

Moby-Dick is one of my favorite books. Love it. :)
Totally confusing. I never got past the first line. Call who 'Ismael'?

Have not and will never read:
* Any other crap from people who don't have any writing talent or knowledge, and merely sell off their popularity.
I thought you said you had read the Bible?
Well said.

But my description doesn't apply to the Bible.
It's not just a book that stayed in print for over 2500 years; it's also a book that convinced people to believe in, well, you know. Not that Christianity is all dependent on the Bible, but it played a major role. You could argue that the same is true of any religious scripture, but no. Islam for instance is a pretty closed religion. Christianity has spread like a wildfire over the world. How so? How could a religion telling people to give away their property and turn the left cheek, promising nearly nothing in return, become so popular?

It's a work of some great talent, all of Christianity.

I actually don't think I've ever lied about that.

Of that list I've only read 1984, Madame Bovary and A Brief History of Time - the latter only up to the point where I stopped understanding anything, if I recall correctly.

I used to be pretty well read but I have a big blank spot where the classics should be, like War & Peace and Ulysses, that I've been meaning to remedy since forever. :$

I try not to lie as a general rule, it's less to remember, especially about something as trivial as 'what books I've read.'


1. 1984 - George Orwell Read this. Good book, terrible movie.

2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy Tried to read it, kept falling asleep. Good movie, though

3. Ulysses - James Joyce Tried to read it, kept falling asleep.

4. The Bible Read this and continue to do so. Always something new in there.

5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert To be honest, I've never even heard of this book

6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking Didn't bother. Not really a field of interest

7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie To be honest, I've never even heard of this book

8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust To be honest, I've never even heard of this book

9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama Didn't bother. Not really a field of interest

10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins Tried to read it, kept falling asleep. Boring and a bit pompous, although here I may be criticizing the author rather than the book.

No I haven't lied about the books I have read, it isn't something worth lying about.

Moby-Dick is one of my favorite books. Love it. :)

Same here. Admittedly, the pace is slow, and it takes a little while to get into, but it's an excellent book. One of the best.

I principally don't talk to people who've read/ claim to have read 1984.

Fortuately, I don't need to lie about it. Never read it, never will read it.

That's because Crime and Punishment is unmitigated shit. No one has ever read Crime and Punishment for pleasure. Even Dostoyevsky only wrote it to get it out of his head.

I did. For pleasure. No one requested me to read it.

I principally don't talk to people who've read/ claim to have read 1984.


I think that you will either:
1.talk to extremely few people here
2.change your mind

I principally don't talk to people who've read/ claim to have read 1984.

What kind of principle is underlying that idea ? It is a book. Taking note of its contents does not mean one agrees or disagrees with it - jut that one is then allowed to have an opinion on it.

1. 1984 - George Orwell (42 percent) yes, I did read it
2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy (31) yes etc.
3. Ulysses - James Joyce (25) yes etc.
4. The Bible (24) yes, except for the Letters which are boring to no end
5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert (16) no and would not lie about it
6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking (15) no and would not lie about it
7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie (14) no etc.
8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust (9) yes. All of it.
9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama (6) no etc.
10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins (6) no etc.

I lied already that I read the required reading for German class. I occasionally could not finish the crap without the urge to throw the book out of the window.


1. 1984 - George Orwell read it, cried during the torture scenes

2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy Nope, never planning to as well

3. Ulysses - James Joyce Nope, I hate literature, I'd rather read a good book!

4. The Bible I read most of the bible at one point or another

5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert Nope

6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking Did so, loved it

7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie Nope, not planning to either

8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust Nope, not planning to either

9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama Seeing that I think that Obama is the next-to-worst president America could get... no

10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins I read The Blind Watchmaker and am kinda worried that this won't have too much new information

1. 1984 - George Orwell (42 percent)
Yep, read it.

2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy (31)
No, haven't read it

3. Ulysses - James Joyce (25)
Ditto

4. The Bible (24)
Yep, cover to cover at least once.

5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert (16)
Never even heard of it.

6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking (15)
Of course.

7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie (14)
Nope.

8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust (9)
Nope.

9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama (6)
Nope, but it's in the pile. Currently reading The Audacity Of Hope.

10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins (6)
Nope.

3 off the list isn't bad, given that my preferences run to SF&F, politics, and popular science/mathematics much more than they do to 'literature'.

1. 1984 - George Orwell Yes, and, for a bit of bragging, at the age of 8.

2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy No.

3. Ulysses - James Joyce Started it, never finished.

4. The Bible Never cover to cover, but most of it in little snippets.

5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert What?

6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking No, actually, but I nearly bought a copy once.

7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie No, doesn't appeal to me.

8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust Never heard of it.

9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama Lolno.

10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins No, but it sounds like a great read.

I think I lie by omission when talking about books. I rarely pick up recent releases, but I do read a lot of book reviews, so if someone starts discussing Trendy Title X, I might jump in with something like "I thought it was interesting that reviewers Y and Z disagreed about it," while failing to mention that I haven't read Trendy Title X. I do this because I find that people will cut off the conversation if I confess to not reading the book, as if I couldn't possibly understand anything they have to say about it. It's a rather stuck-up, insecure attitude that I find all too common -- though it was more prevalent in college than it is now. ("No, I haven't read The Republic, but I have heard of the cave allegory so you needn't feel the need to explain it to me in depth just because you were paying attention in PHIL 101.)

I find it odd that so many people in the UK have lied about reading 1984. It seems like here you can't get through high school without reading it. Perhaps it's because it's a Great British Work Of The 20th Century, so there's more pressure to say you've read it, whereas on this side of the pond it's just the thing you read in 11th grade? I wonder what the US equivalent would be. The Grapes of Wrath or The Great Gatsby, maybe. There was a marvelously catty dig in a New Yorker article about Greenwich (CT) real estate where one deliriously hyped multimillion-dollar mansion had been described by the real estate agent as "Gatsbyesque," as if that was a selling point. Oy.

That's because Crime and Punishment is unmitigated shit. No one has ever read Crime and Punishment for pleasure. Even Dostoyevsky only wrote it to get it out of his head.

How dare you!

I have read 1984(in grade eight) and again quite a few times(own the book) but ask me to go indepth and I wouldn't be able to as I read to many books to remember them all in detail. And besides that I tried to read the bible but couldn't stomach it(maybe I'll just read it as what it is, a story) and I tired to read a shorten 2000 page verison of War & Peace, about a hundred pages in I found myself forcing me to read it because it was so dull and I don't think their must point in reading something you have to force yourself to read.

I haven't read any of the books on the list.



Or did I......

I haven't read any of the books on the list.



Or did I......
The answer is definitely, probably. Maybe ... or not.

1. 1984 - George Orwell Yes, and, for a bit of bragging, at the age of 8.

Braggart.:p

I didn't read it till I was ten, and, with all honesty, think the writing style is a bit cumbersome at times. Still a good read though.

Braggart.:p

I didn't read it till I was ten, and, with all honesty, think the writing style is a bit cumbersome at times. Still a good read though.

And that was a subtle brag too wasn't it? :p


Besides can't the case be made that the younger you read it the less you understand it?

And that was a stuble brag too wasn't it? :p


Besides can't the case be made that the younger you read it the less you understand it.

Subtle, and I understood it at that age. And yes, I was bragging.:D

I don't understand why people would lie about books they have read.

1. 1984 - George Orwell.
Read it as it was a school assignment

2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
Sitting on my to read pile.

3. Ulysses - James Joyce
Haven't read it.

4. The Bible
Read it. Catholic shool boy who considered the Priesthood at one point.

5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
Sitting on my to read pile.

6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking
Nope.

7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
Nope. I might read it if people say it is good. I took a disliking to Rushdie after reading the Satanic Versus. I had to force myself to finish it.


8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust
Nope.

9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama
Might read it.

10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins
On my to read pile.

Has anyone actually read Ulysses? I mean all the way through?
I read it at the tender age of 14. I did not understand, oh, about 90% of it. Even with the knowledge that it was based on the Odyssey, and going over the Odyssey to learn what happened there, I could not figure out the plot. Just reading it as a stream of words was kind of pleasurable, though. I especially liked the food descriptions.

Well, I'm going to cheat a little in the following list, but I promise not to lie.

1. 1984-While, I haven't read the book, I have seen if you can believe the 1984 movie version and while, I agree a movie is no comparison to the book version, it least gave me a basic idea if not more on what the plot and characters of the book were.
2. War and Peace-Again, while I haven't read the book I've seen the movie version so I at least have a basic understanding of the story and in the end isn't that all that matters. In fact, I've seen the movie twice. 3 ½+ hours to watch, I hate to have to read the book version. Thankfully, I will never have to.
3. Ulysses-Nope
4. The Bible-I've read bits and pieces, been to church enough and have watched enough programs on the bible that I think I've establish enough understanding of the Bible to qualify as having read the Bible.
5. Madame Bovary-Nope
6. A Brief History of Time-Nope
7. Midnight's Children-Nope
8. In Remembrance of Things Past-Nope
9. Dreams from My Father-Nope
10. The Selfish Gene-Nope

The reason I haven't read most of those books is because their fiction and I don't read fiction that often if at all as I have been doing for a while, I'm more a non-fiction person. I also found it funny, that the majority of those books were written nearly a century ago or more. The only one that could be consider current is Dreams from My Father. I know that people didn't stop writing 100+ years ago. Where's the current fiction novels in the list? Maybe, then you wouldn't have people lying about what they read because they would know what the hell you were talking about. Newsflash: People will lie to make themselves appear less stupid among so many other reasons people lie. I'll admit it though, I had to look up a few of those books because I've never heard of them.

I do enjoy reading and read several books a year.

I hope those are very thick books (400-500+ pages) because that's actually not a lot depending on what you mean by several. I read on average on the other hand a few dozen books a year plus numerous magazines and other material I come across the internet that requires some time to read-I can provide an example should you desire one. With that stated, I'm not making a judgmental comparison as I fully understand people read at different speeds and we all have certain time constraints we must deal with, but still if you enjoy reading that much only several books [again depending on what you meant by several] doesn't sound all that impressive for an avid reader. Then again, what do I know, I'm sure the amount I read would seem to some people to be what a novice reads. To each their own.

Just out of curiosity, what did you read last year? I'd give you my reading list, but that would take some time to write up as it's quite long and I don't feel like writing all that down at the moment.