More randomocity
Jun. 23rd, 2006 07:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
danuvThere's a thunderstorm a brewin' so I'm in my favorite spot for viewing storms on my porch with a glass of white wine. I'm starting to think I really actually prefer white wine despite this nagging feeling that it makes me totally uncool in some way.
Recently I had someone else tell me I was well read. I've been told this by a few people and it always confuses me. Mostly I read a hodge podge of art history books and biographies with the occasional fiction tossed in when forced (generally related to one of the art history or biographies). I don't really think I'm well read, mostly I think I read a little bit more than the average housewife and chose peculiar books. But this has me curious... what is well read anyway?
I'd like to hear some suggestions. I know this is the sort of question that only usually would draw answers from four or five of you on my f-list but really I am very curious. What would you (YOU) say are your top five books that any Well Read person must read? Or if you'd prefer what Sort of books would a well read person read?
Recently I had someone else tell me I was well read. I've been told this by a few people and it always confuses me. Mostly I read a hodge podge of art history books and biographies with the occasional fiction tossed in when forced (generally related to one of the art history or biographies). I don't really think I'm well read, mostly I think I read a little bit more than the average housewife and chose peculiar books. But this has me curious... what is well read anyway?
I'd like to hear some suggestions. I know this is the sort of question that only usually would draw answers from four or five of you on my f-list but really I am very curious. What would you (YOU) say are your top five books that any Well Read person must read? Or if you'd prefer what Sort of books would a well read person read?
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no subject
Date: 2006-06-23 11:44 pm (UTC)1. The Bible. It can teach you a lot about human nature, philosophy and moral values. It has good "stories" in it and can provide one with much to think about.
2. The dictionary. You read it. You have, essentially, read every other book written in the English language. You just have to assemble them all in the right order. LOL
If I were going to add others... let's see...
Stranger in a Strange Land
Five Smooth Stones
The Grapes of Wrath
Of Mice and Men
Lysistrata
The Crucible
a Shakespeare play or two
Ivanho
Tarzan
The Warlord of Mars
Emmanuel
Poetry by Robert Frost and TS Eliot
O'Henry's short stories
The Foundation Trilogy
An eclectic collection that have all helped to make me in some way... have had an impact in some manner. There are others, classics like the Iliad, War and Peace, and other books we were subjected to in high school, that have had their impacts as well.
But, if it is pure knowledge you seek, and you want to be well rounded...
find a good history book covering history up to the 20th Century.
A good general science text
A collection of philosophy works with Hegel, Sartre, and others in it.
one book each covering anthropology, sociology, and psychology.
Then, read at least one additional text in each of those areas covering at least 3 subareas that interest you.
Read a book on starting and running a small business
A book on general economics.
Read a book on US government and history.
That should pretty much cover the bases. :)
no subject
Date: 2006-06-24 12:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-24 12:17 am (UTC)if you need help on what they are.... holler.