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Books > 50 Books to Read Before You Die

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message 1: by Bree (new)

Bree (breesc23) Hey all!

So recently, I bought a fancy metal bookmark that lists "50 books to read before you die". Amongst these 50 are the classics, many you may have read in high school or college, like To Kill A Mockingbird and The great Gatsby. Some are fairly more recent, like the Harry Potter series (really? Is it really that good of a series?)

Despite my bookmarks inability to count (there are about 4 "books" that are actually series, like the 6 extra books in the Harry Potter series), I have decided to accept this reading challenge.

Are there any books that you feel everyone should read before they die? If I had to suggest some books, I'd say Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and Kindred by Octavia Butler. I absolutely adore these books and read both in high school (though I have a few high school seniors who don't like Kindred so far...).


message 2: by Tasha (new)

Tasha | 207 comments Yes, Harry Potter really is that good.

I think Jane Eyre has to be one of mine. A Christmas Carol, Lord of the Rings...can't really thing of any more atm


message 3: by [deleted user] (new)

HARRY POTTER = AMAZINGNESSSSSSSSS


message 4: by Tracy (new)

Tracy | 7239 comments Mod
I have still not read Harry Potter. I think it's because I have seen the movies so many times and I'm afraid it will mess me up.


message 5: by [deleted user] (new)

Tracy you should read the books.


message 6: by Tracy (new)

Tracy | 7239 comments Mod
I know Ashlee and I even have them. Maybe that will be one of my challenges for 2015.


message 7: by Benjamin (new)

Benjamin Lund (benlund2000) | 56 comments Tracy wrote: "I have still not read Harry Potter. I think it's because I have seen the movies so many times and I'm afraid it will mess me up."

As cool as the movies are, the books are better. Trust me on this. Go for it!


message 8: by Tasha (new)

Tasha | 207 comments Tracy wrote: "I have still not read Harry Potter. I think it's because I have seen the movies so many times and I'm afraid it will mess me up."

The books are so much better, there're loads of characters you are yet to meet, and some really interesting side plots. You get the full extent of Harry and Ginny's relationship too <3 and Tonks and Lupin's


message 9: by Tracy (new)

Tracy | 7239 comments Mod
I'm convinced. I'm going to start them next year.


message 10: by Bree (new)

Bree (breesc23) Tracy wrote: "I'm convinced. I'm going to start them next year."

I too have been convinced and will try them next year (hopefully...)

@Tasha, all of those books you've listed are also on the bookmark's list


message 11: by Katy (last edited Dec 28, 2014 06:41AM) (new)

Katy H (the_other_katy) | 66 comments Personally, I LOVED Jane Eyre, The Hobbit, A Tale of Two Cities, Catch-22, Dracula (the original Bram Stoker), anything by Shakespeare, Jules Verne, or J.K. Rowling. I agree with everyone else too. The H.P. books are unbelievably amazing! The movies are really good but compared with the books...well, you know how it is. The Casual Vacancy was great (in a totally different way) too.

I've never read Fahrenheit 451 or Kindred...I have a sample from the former on my Nook, but I'll have to look up the latter. Thanks for the recommendations!


message 12: by Tasha (new)

Tasha | 207 comments Katy wrote: "Personally, I LOVED Jane Eyre, The Hobbit, A Tale of Two Cities, Catch-22, Dracula (the original Bram Stoker), anything by Shakespeare, Jules Verne, or J.K. Rowling. I agree with everyone else too...."

I loved The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling as well, although I know a few people who didn't. I think you have to have an interest in psychology to enjoy it


message 13: by Scott-robert (new)

Scott-robert Shenkman | 202 comments The Stand, The Shining, Ghost Story - if you love being afraid. Anything by Amy Harmon, if you love having your heart ripped out and the healed.


message 14: by Bree (new)

Bree (breesc23) I've been meaning to read Making Faces by Amy Harmon. Guess I'll move it up on my tbr list.

Catch 22 is also a book on my bookmark's list of books to read


message 15: by Scott-robert (new)

Scott-robert Shenkman | 202 comments Making Faces is amazing. But The Law of Moses will change your life. Literally. After a month, I haven't a clue how to write a review when I choke up every time I think of it.


message 16: by Bree (new)

Bree (breesc23) reading the sample for The Law of Moses and I like it so far. Wish it was at my library!


message 17: by Brandy (new)

Brandy | 27 comments I have read 3 different Amy Harmon books and they all have left me wanting more. I loved the concept of the purgatory books, and my heart still aches when I think about Making Faces. I am going to finish all of her books this year.

But another book I think everyone should read is Ender's Game.


message 18: by Tracy (new)

Tracy | 7239 comments Mod
Brandy wrote: "I have read 3 different Amy Harmon books and they all have left me wanting more. I loved the concept of the purgatory books, and my heart still aches when I think about Making Faces. I am going t..."

I have read a couple of her books Brandy and Making Faces was one of them. I really enjoyed that one.


message 19: by Bree (new)

Bree (breesc23) Brandy wrote: "I have read 3 different Amy Harmon books and they all have left me wanting more. I loved the concept of the purgatory books, and my heart still aches when I think about Making Faces. I am going t..."

Luckily I have Ender's Game. That and the second one (i believe). I'll be adding that to the shelf!


message 20: by Bella (new)

Bella | 14 comments I loved the Poisonwood bible and any Mitch albom book. Game of thrones books are amazing too!
Also I love Harry Potter!


message 21: by Savannah (new)

Savannah | 312 comments Breesc23 wrote: "Hey all!

So recently, I bought a fancy metal bookmark that lists "50 books to read before you die". Amongst these 50 are the classics, many you may have read in high school or college, like To Ki..."


I didn't start the Harry Potter series until I think the third one was released. As soon as I read the first one, I went out and bought the next two. I'm still kicking myself for not picking it up sooner. By far the best books I have ever, or will ever, read. The movies don't do the books justice. Not even a little bit.

Do you think that you can post a picture or a list of those books? I would love to see it! :-)


message 22: by Savannah (new)

Savannah | 312 comments Tracy wrote: "I have still not read Harry Potter. I think it's because I have seen the movies so many times and I'm afraid it will mess me up."

Tracy, compared to the books, the movies are horrible. I made my husband start reading the series because he really liked the movies and so far he's in love with the books.


message 23: by Bree (new)

Bree (breesc23) Savannah I actually created a bookshelf on here with the name 50 BOOKS TO READ B4 YOU DIE (or something like that). I'm fairly sure my profile is public if we aren't friends on here.


message 24: by Bree (last edited Feb 14, 2015 06:06PM) (new)

Bree (breesc23) I saw a nice boxset of all the Harry Potter books and they create the picture of the school. It looked so nice. I told myself I'll only purchase special eds or boxset so that the "50" books look nice on my bookshelf after I read them


message 25: by Tasha (new)

Tasha | 207 comments Breesc23 wrote: "I saw a nice boxset of all the Harry Potter books and they create the picture of the school. It looked so nice. I told myself I'll only purchase special eds or boxset so that the "50" books look ni..."

I really want that boxset, they're American though and I don't know if I can bring myself to own a copy of 'the sorcerer's stone" after 16 years of 'the philosopher's stone'


message 26: by Cora (new)

Cora | 5 comments Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd is really good, it's quite different but I loved it. It was a bit weird that one of the characters had my name though.


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