The 100 Greatest Books Ever Written -by Easton Press

[President Camacho]

I have a copy of the Decameron

[bleachededen]

This makes me feel a lot less like a slow reader...the 1000 book one made me want to commit su.

Which ones have you read, Gen?

[bleachededen]

Why so often are Shakespeare's plays counted as books?

They are included ecause Shakespeare was a major literary force and has influenced everything written since his heyday. His plays are considered a part of the "greatest books" for the same reason certain collections of poetry and Aesop's fables are, because while they may not be novels, they are major literary works that are considered must reads for anyone interested in the beauty of language. If it were a list of novels in particular, the rules would be a bit different.

[GaryG48]

"You are either very old, showing off, or don't have a wife or girlfriend.
Just kidding." from Stahrwe,

I am very old, I do have a wife but she is also very old--she sleeps well and I don't. Therefore, I read.

35 years ago when we were married my wife subscribed to the Easton Press books, one per month. If I recall they were about $36 each then. That was several hours pay in the late 70's. I was happy to have them but she insisted that I read the current one before I opened the box of the next one. I got about a dozen behind at one point. As you can see, I cheated a little. So a few are sitting unread on the bookshelf.

[President Camacho]

Wow, you must be ancient. You use the internet? That's amazing!

[wilde]

Why so often are Shakespeare's plays counted as books?

They are included ecause Shakespeare was a major literary force and has influenced everything written since his heyday. His plays are considered a part of the "greatest books" for the same reason certain collections of poetry and Aesop's fables are, because while they may not be novels, they are major literary works that are considered must reads for anyone interested in the beauty of language. If it were a list of novels in particular, the rules would be a bit different.

Well, Aesop's fables make sense as a book, because all of the stories are put together into a book and counted as a whole, whereas with Shakespeare, each individual play is treated as a book. It would make more sense if all of his plays were treated like an individual book.


And I've also noticed it's semi-rare to see any other plays on a greatest book list (although occasionally I've seen Importance of Being Earnest). Sometimes I just think it's just because Shakespeare made great contributions to the English language, and it might seem sort of "wrong" to leave him off of a greatest books list.


I mean, I don't have a problem with it, but I do feel sort of.. gypped whenever I see a bunch of plays on a greatest books list. -shrugs-

[Chris OConnor]

Also, Chris is showing off a bit. Easton Press, leather bound. Are we supposed to have read that particular printing? I prefer, discount paperback, yard sale. Just kidding Chris. Fine books are a treasure. Love the smell of leather. It is almost an aphrodiasiac.

My father was building up a collection of Easton Press books with the intention of leaving them to me when he died. I wouldn't ever have started the collection had it not been for him. And he knew this and we discussed this fact. He understood and shared my passion for books and reading and he wanted to give these books because he knew I would treasure them.

[Genocide]

This makes me feel a lot less like a slow reader...the 1000 book one made me want to commit su.

Which ones have you read, Gen?

I've read the ones I listed and just got rid of the ones I haven't. I was too lazy to get all cute and bold them. ;]

I really need to finish up the books I'm reading now to start on this list...

[stahrwe]

Also, Chris is showing off a bit. Easton Press, leather bound. Are we supposed to have read that particular printing? I prefer, discount paperback, yard sale. Just kidding Chris. Fine books are a treasure. Love the smell of leather. It is almost an aphrodiasiac.

My father was building up a collection of Easton Press books with the intention of leaving them to me when he died. I wouldn't ever have started the collection had it not been for him. And he knew this and we discussed this fact. He understood and shared my passion for books and reading and he wanted to give these books because he knew I would treasure them.

Which is another reason to have printed books. They are a tangible link to previous generations. You and your father have chased the White Whale, you have been stranded on a desert island, fought pirates, loved the same woman, and shared 96 other adventures. One day, one of your children will say, this book belonged to my father, and his father before him.

[stahrwe]

"You are either very old, showing off, or don't have a wife or girlfriend.
Just kidding." from Stahrwe,

I am very old, I do have a wife but she is also very old--she sleeps well and I don't. Therefore, I read.

35 years ago when we were married my wife subscribed to the Easton Press books, one per month. If I recall they were about $36 each then. That was several hours pay in the late 70's. I was happy to have them but she insisted that I read the current one before I opened the box of the next one. I got about a dozen behind at one point. As you can see, I cheated a little. So a few are sitting unread on the bookshelf.

I am embarrassed now. We don't seem to be that far apart in years but we are in reading. My wife won't let me read Lolita so can I get a substitution on that one?