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The Big Ass Book Challenge
06-17-2013, 06:36 PM
Yeah its not a bad book but waaaay too long. Rand coulve cut it down in half and focussed on the important parts.
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The Big Ass Book Challenge
06-18-2013, 07:51 PM
Quote: (06-17-2013 05:04 PM)Jackhammer Wrote:
Quote: (06-17-2013 04:21 PM)Bricks Wrote:
Quote: (06-16-2013 06:01 PM)Jackhammer Wrote:
I remember Atlas Shrugged taking me like 3 months to read. I would frequently have to read shorter books in between chapters just to read something different for awhile. Huge books like that can be rewarding, but sometimes it's too much to ask to dedicate so much of your time and mental energy to ONE book. Overall, I liked it but never want (or need) to read it again. The Fountainhead was much more satisfying.
Would you recommend it though? Is it just a good book or am i going to learn somthing important from reading it.
As i said before i have it checked out but i just recieved three books in the mail from amazon that i actually want to read. Think im going to return it then over Christmas/New Years when i have time off tackle it.
The way of men Jack Donovan
The fighters mind Sam Sheridan
Extreme Fear Jeff Wise
I'd say anything you can learn from Atlas Shrugged, you can learn from shorter books. It was a huge challenge to read and I got some brief pride from having read a book so big, but I got no grand knowledge or wisdom from it in the end. In that regard, I would not recommend it. But if you're a quick reader, have some time, and are willing to tackle something massive, then do it. It wasn't bad at all, just too long and daunting to really enjoy (at least for me).
Sold on not reading it now.
Started and pretty much finished the way of men last night. Short but sweet.
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The Big Ass Book Challenge
06-22-2013, 06:31 PM
Has anyone read War and Peace by Tolstoy? I just checked it out from the library. I've got vacation this week so my goal is to finish all 1386 pages by July 1.
If you have read it what did you think about it?
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The Big Ass Book Challenge
11-07-2013, 06:26 PM
Quote: (06-22-2013 06:31 PM)Gopher Wrote:
Has anyone read War and Peace by Tolstoy? I just checked it out from the library. I've got vacation this week so my goal is to finish all 1386 pages by July 1.
If you have read it what did you think about it?
Read a part of it in Russian as it is usually required in the Russian school curriculum. Look, it's a slog. Most Russians have never even read it. I appreciate Tolstoy and his genius but it is an acquired taste.
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The Big Ass Book Challenge
11-16-2013, 03:33 AM
The Short History book is great. Bill Bryson is one of my favourite writers. Really recommend checking out all of his stuff.
Bill Bryson is American but has spent alot of time living in the UK. He is one of the two or three most famous writers in the UK - but I am not sure how famous he is in America.
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The Big Ass Book Challenge
11-16-2013, 03:36 AM
Quote: (06-18-2013 06:55 PM)Samseau Wrote:
Quote: (06-16-2013 07:56 PM)cardguy Wrote:
I only read for pleasure. And most books are written to provide pleasure.
If you are not enjoying a book - please put it down and read a book you will enjoy.
Reading a book shouldn't be treat the same as going to the gym.
I have slogged through books I hated before. But then I grew up and put my ego to one side. Nowadays a book has 30 pages to grab me. Otherwise I am tossing it against the wall.
Remember - the only thing between you and the next good book you read. Is the bad book you are forcing yourself to finish.
The Art of Unreading: http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.5250/sy...2420932317
There is no shortage of books that are useful AND well written.
So - to waste your life on a book that you hte is just dumb. Since the time you spend on that book is time that is gone forever. And which will result in you not having time to discover books which may be brilliant and may even change your life.