|
Hello everybody!
Have any of you ever taken classes on Literature or Media Literacy before? I'am pretty sure almost all of you have, or at least the vast majority. I have recently started to take Media Literacy classes and I have to say, it really opens my mind to a whole new unknown world. It's like an epiphany. What do you guys remember about the time when you guys had an "epiphany"? I feel like... I'm not a small little boy anymore, I can look at things in the eyes of a "mature" person ('adult' doesn't seem like the right word to use...)
And on about Literature classes. It really impresses me how much depth there is to books and movies. When I was younger, all I did was just watch, read, and forget. I did not really bother to think deeper about the book or movie and even question about it. It was all just accepting what was given to me.
I have just bought a couple of books that I hope can expand my mind, because I have decided that I want to be a Literature student and possibly become an English/Literature Professor/Teacher when I'am older. They are :
"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte
"The Eleventh Commandment" by Jeffery Archer
My teacher has recommended me the authors Jeffery Archer and John Grisham. I'm still figuring out what kinds of books I like the most in terms of the language used, style of writing, and plot in general. I'am embarrassed to admit that the last book I have read was "Battle Hymn Of The Tiger Mother" by Amy Chua. I think I really enjoyed that book because I myself am a Chinese and love reading about stereotypes. Now that I think of it, perhaps I enjoy reading books on the modern society - the changing world and stuff like that. I think I've seen a book called "The Facebook Effect" that I might enjoy. Have any of you ever read that book? Please give me some feedback of that book if you have. I have also read "Gotcha Capitalism" by Bob Sullivan, I was mildly interested in the book because it's about America and it's laws and it wouldn't really apply to me here in Singapore, but nevertheless, I thought it was a fun read.
So TeamLiquid community, do you have any books or films to recommend me that would "expand" my mind? (Don't give me lore books though).
Much thanks!
Ezra
Gold-Zerg
|
Something you might really enjoy are short stories. They take some real talent because you have to incorporate a lot into a little. I would recommend short stories such as: "The Lottery", "A Rose for Emily", "The Dubliners" (a collection), any of Edgar Allan Poe, etc. You should be able to buy an anthology or two, or even find many classic short stories online. I also suggest poetry, but it can be hit and miss to find something you like. My favorite of all time is "The Wasteland" by T.S. Eliot. Lastly-- plays are amazing. 
You can always look up lists of greatest books/literature everyone should read etc.
Some classic books I love:
Moby Dick
To Kill a Mockingbird
1984
Les Liaisons Dangereuses
The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Scarlett Letter
Some plays I found as pretty good reads too: "Death of a Salesman", and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf".
There are so many though! :D
Can't recommend too many amazing movies cause I just don't watch many. :/
|
On August 14 2011 09:32 RedJustice wrote:Something you might really enjoy are short stories. They take some real talent because you have to incorporate a lot into a little. I would recommend short stories such as: "The Lottery", "A Rose for Emily", "The Dubliners" (a collection), any of Edgar Allan Poe, etc. You should be able to buy an anthology or two, or even find many classic short stories online. I also suggest poetry, but it can be hit and miss to find something you like. My favorite of all time is "The Wasteland" by T.S. Eliot. Lastly-- plays are amazing. You can always look up lists of greatest books/literature everyone should read etc. Some classic books I love: Moby Dick To Kill a Mockingbird 1984 Les Liaisons Dangereuses The Picture of Dorian Gray The Scarlett Letter Some plays I found as pretty good reads too: "Death of a Salesman", and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf". There are so many though! :D Can't recommend too many amazing movies cause I just don't watch many. :/
Cool! I'll definitely keep an eye out for some short stories the next time I hit the book store. I think that short stories may help me in my essay writing by keeping my stories neat and concise.
|
The Last of her Kind by Sigrid Nunez is a book that almost totally changed my worldview. It's basically a historically accurate recount of the 60s till now from the perspective of a fictional college student, only with a heavy focus on the characters she meets, particularly on one girl who could almost be described as a 'modern day Jesus'. It's difficult to explain, but it's a pretty eye opening novel and I'd highly recommend it.
|
I was so sure this was going to be about changing genders . . .
I like what you said about expanding your mind - that is what I hope for from any book I read.
I would second the recommendation of Moby Dick, probably my favorite book along with Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain.
Lately though, I have been far more interested in non-fiction. I am trying to understand the society we live in, which I think should be one of the main goals of education. I'm not really sure why it took me until several years after college to realize this and get down to business.
Debt: The first 5000 years is a recently released book that has blown my mind, and led me into reading a lot of other sociology, anthropology, and history. Takes an anthropological approach to economics, which leads to a lot of fresh insights.
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Gibbon (first volume only) has also been one of my recent favorites The prose style is incredible, and is fascinating history as well, even though I have come to prefer a more sociological/economic approach.
For Americans I can't recommend The Battle Cry of Freedom, an excellent one volume history of the Civil War, highly enough. It is really unbelievable how much the Civil War, and the North-South divide in general has shaped our history, somethng I didn't sufficiently appreciate until reading this.
Pathologies of Power by Paul Farmer - Paul Farmer is a famous doctor who leads efforts to provide medical care for the world's poor. An angry and depressing book. I don't think I fully embrace his perspective but it opened my eyes. Was also my introduction to Liberation Theology, which I find personally inspiring despite not being a Christian.
The Gift by Lewis Hyde - A very difficult book to describe. Essentially a plea for the importance of art and the value it can potentially provide. For anyone who considers themself an artist I think this is a must-read.
They have an excellent review of Amy Chua's book at the New York Review of Books website, you would probably enjoy it if you liked the book.
My advice to you is not to work too hard to force yourself to read things that don't excite you. Usually you end up not retaining much anyway. But by the same token, don't throw away books that don't immediately interest you - you might find them fascinating later. Re-reading, both of books you love, and books you didn't love the first time, is not practiced often enough. The feeling you describe at the start of your post, of feeling more able to share in the larger "adult" world, is hopefully something you will continue to experience again and again as you grow older. I know I've felt that way. And often what triggered that feeling was returning to bok I had read in the past and seeing things I had never seen before . . .
|
This is such amazing feedback, I thank all of you. I will try to devour all these books as fast as I can (or as money allows). However, I may take some time as understanding the book and not just reading will take some time for my command of the English language is still not up to par as I'am have difficulty understanding the text from Jane Eyre.
|
What kind of books do you seek? English litterature?
I've taken litterature classes to through high school, and as an optional course last year. Right now I'm discovering the japanese litterature, maybe you're interested? Or maybe french litterature? I'm not very well-versed in english classicals...
|
On August 14 2011 10:50 Kukaracha wrote:
What kind of books do you seek? English litterature?
I've taken litterature classes to through high school, and as an optional course last year. Right now I'm discovering the japanese litterature, maybe you're interested? Or maybe french litterature? I'm not very well-versed in english classicals...
Haha I only understand English and Chinese... =)
|
Well translated texts contain the essence of the original manuscript, unless the form is essential, like poetry... but it's a shame, indeed, to lose part of what the author meant.
|
On August 14 2011 10:58 Kukaracha wrote:
Well translated texts contain the essence of the original manuscript, unless the form is essential, like poetry... but it's a shame, indeed, to lose part of what the author meant.
Yes, I agree... it's rather sad.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
