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balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
A very eclectic collection of recommended reads. Not all are standard HS reads. Some, like DFW, were writing as I finished high school, some, like Walter Benjamin, I didn't read until a post-grad class in lit theory. But a good chunk (Animal Farm, Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, The Scarlet Letter, etc) are mainstays of the HS curriculum (no Hemingway or Faulkner, tho). Good variation in the chapter formats. Some are more like fan letters, some are outlines, and a few are straight-up short essays. And all are short so the book is easily read in little bites.
A note about my previous status update:
On page 138, it is noted that Leslie S. Klinger created the feminist character of Mary Russell to rescript the Victorian Holmes. The citation is from an NPR article (http://www.npr.org/2011/12/19/143954262/the-enduring-popularity-of-sherlock-holmes). However, the quotation given by Klinger is conflated with the actual author of the Mary Russell series, Laurie R. King (or, in Miss Russell's opinion, Ms. King is Miss Russell's literary executor) who is also interviewed in the article. Simple fact-checking. I happened to notice the error because I've read 90% of the Mary Russell series and I'm a bookseller besides. Another reader might not notice. I hope the error is corrected in the next printing.
A note about my previous status update:
On page 138, it is noted that Leslie S. Klinger created the feminist character of Mary Russell to rescript the Victorian Holmes. The citation is from an NPR article (http://www.npr.org/2011/12/19/143954262/the-enduring-popularity-of-sherlock-holmes). However, the quotation given by Klinger is conflated with the actual author of the Mary Russell series, Laurie R. King (or, in Miss Russell's opinion, Ms. King is Miss Russell's literary executor) who is also interviewed in the article. Simple fact-checking. I happened to notice the error because I've read 90% of the Mary Russell series and I'm a bookseller besides. Another reader might not notice. I hope the error is corrected in the next printing.
kmatthe2's review against another edition
3.0
A good book insofar as it illustrates a twenty-first century version of the reading guide. At times the tone is a little annoying, but a good primary text for contemporary book history discussions.
belle18244's review against another edition
2.0
Completely boring. This didn't make want to read any of the books mentioned or even revisit the books I read in high school.
emmaaxtco's review against another edition
I had to check this one out on Overdrive a second time and I still couldn't finish it. It was a sign to call it quits. I usually don't include books on Goodreads that I haven't actually finished. In fact I think I've only done it once before. Usually if I can't get through them I delete them off Goodreads as if I never started. Turns out reading someone else's thoughts about classic works of literature is just really boring. I loved Smokler's book on 80s movies and this sounded right up my alley. But I think this is the kind of book I'd have loved to have written myself rather than read. Am proud to say I've read at least half of the books on this list and enjoyed most of them. Most recently Remains of the Day, which is fantastic.
If I make it through more than 1/2 of a book from now on and just can't finish it I'll add it to the new dnf shelf rather than pretend I never tried.
If I make it through more than 1/2 of a book from now on and just can't finish it I'll add it to the new dnf shelf rather than pretend I never tried.
happydog33's review against another edition
5.0
Very inspiring. Many more books on the "to-read" list. I love the conversational tone and how humorous he writes. Not having read a number of these books didn't matter in the least. Highly recommend!
cinnachick's review against another edition
5.0
I'd started reading this book quickly, essay after essay. But then realized that I wasn't keeping the books straight in my mind and decided to slow down and read them one essay at a time with intervals in between. So at this rate it may take me another 3-6 months to finish this book, but I'm liking this longer approach to the book. The essays give a very good picture of elements of the books that I did not grasp when I was younger and it gives me little hints into the thought processes behind the author. It's a very good balance between analysis, critique, guided reading suggestions, and opinion of the author. I'm enjoying the book thoroughly.
scamp1234's review against another edition
4.0
Many of these books I've either read or intended to read. Thanks to the essays Kevin Smokler has written these books are now back on my to read list or moved up higher because Im excited to get to them again!
kmt75's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
1.75
Not very good. Supposed to be a fresh look at books you read in high school and how you might see them differently as an adult. Most of these are NOT books assigned in high schools, and the ones that are are books the author didn't read until after college, a handful of which he has almost nothing to say about. Did make me want to read And The Band Played On.
laurabb's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Each chapter/essay is perfectly sized, so it was easy to pick my way through the book and find the titles I've read before. The most surprising thing about this book? It makes me want to read "Catcher in the Rye" again. I know! I wouldn't have ever thought that would happen in a million years.