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Started By
Message
If you could pick from these books, which would you pick to read next?
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:06 pm
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:06 pm
Oops meant for book board, please move!
I just finished East of Eden (so good!) and would like to hop into another book.
I could go straight into another Steinbeck book…I have Grapes of Wrath on my book shelf.
I have been on a McCarthy tear this year, so I am contemplating picking up Suttree or The Road.
Finally, I’m feeling the pull toward Hemingway, and For Whom the Bell Tolls has sparked my interest.
I have all of these books ready to read at home. I haven’t read any of them before.
Any ideas?
I just finished East of Eden (so good!) and would like to hop into another book.
I could go straight into another Steinbeck book…I have Grapes of Wrath on my book shelf.
I have been on a McCarthy tear this year, so I am contemplating picking up Suttree or The Road.
Finally, I’m feeling the pull toward Hemingway, and For Whom the Bell Tolls has sparked my interest.
I have all of these books ready to read at home. I haven’t read any of them before.
Any ideas?
This post was edited on 9/14/25 at 3:12 pm
20
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:11 pm to When in Rome
The Road is fantastic.
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:12 pm to When in Rome
One of my favorite threads of all time was when a dude ask for recommendations on a good book to read. The first 5 replies from the OT Brain Trust were 3 movies, a tv series to binge, and a podcast
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:13 pm to When in Rome
quote:
Grapes of Wrath
One of the worst books I ever had to read, I never got the hype.
And I have read thousands of books
This post was edited on 9/14/25 at 3:14 pm
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:13 pm to When in Rome
Blood Meridian
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:14 pm to When in Rome
I read only service manuals. My wife reads books all the time.
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:14 pm to Rouge
I read Blood Meridian and the Border Trilogy this year. They were all flawless.
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:15 pm to Strannix
Did you read East of Eden? It’s hard for me to believe that the same guy who wrote such a gem could write something bad, but I guess it does happen.
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:15 pm to When in Rome
Of those, Grapes of Wrath if you haven't read it yet. I'm not a big Hemingway fan tbh. Just a personal preference.
But I would read Blood Meridian by McCarthy over all those. Also My Confession by Chamberlain, the memoir it's partly based on.
But I would read Blood Meridian by McCarthy over all those. Also My Confession by Chamberlain, the memoir it's partly based on.
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:16 pm to Sput
quote:
One of my favorite threads of all time was when a dude ask for recommendations on a good book to read. The first 5 replies from the OT Brain Trust were 3 movies, a tv series to binge, and a podcast
sounds about right! I definitely meant this for the book board and was reading the book board right before I posted. Not sure how I messed up. lol 
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:16 pm to When in Rome
East of Eden is fantastic, Steinbeck is a classic author who is actually readable and hilarious and isn’t crazy dated like Dickens. I remember cracking up during a tirade on how men cannot clean compared to women. Also the character Cathy was pure evil, again great writing. Give the Road a shot, you should be able to finish a couple sittings if you made it through Steinbeck
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:17 pm to When in Rome
The Road or For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Now, since you liked East of Eden, Grapes of Wrath might do it for you as well, but I find it hasn't aged well. Extremely well-written, but ultimately is Marxist tripe, IMHO. I hate to feel that way because I didn't live through the 1930s. Maybe it was exactly like that. Probably was. I can't put myself in the circumstances to fully empathize with Tom Joad.
(I fear my modern lens ruins my ability to appreciate it fully, compared to, say, something like A Tale of Two Cities or Crime and Punishment.)
Now, since you liked East of Eden, Grapes of Wrath might do it for you as well, but I find it hasn't aged well. Extremely well-written, but ultimately is Marxist tripe, IMHO. I hate to feel that way because I didn't live through the 1930s. Maybe it was exactly like that. Probably was. I can't put myself in the circumstances to fully empathize with Tom Joad.
(I fear my modern lens ruins my ability to appreciate it fully, compared to, say, something like A Tale of Two Cities or Crime and Punishment.)
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:20 pm to Ace Midnight
I haven’t read A Tale of Two Cities yet. I love Crime and Punishment. Maybe I should read A Tale of Two Cities before Grapes of Wrath.
This post was edited on 9/14/25 at 3:21 pm
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:21 pm to Jim Rockford
I read Blood Meridian earlier this year but instantly felt that I’d need to read it 2 or 3 times to really pick up on everything. It was certainly a masterpiece.
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:23 pm to luke18
quote:What a character. And how about Lee? Lee is not a real person, but somehow I love Lee. lol.
Cathy
Posted on 9/14/25 at 3:56 pm to When in Rome
quote:
Did you read East of Eden?
I havent, it may be awesome, if I hadnt been forced to read GOW I eouod have put it down the first 15 minutes. I never thought The Great Gatsby was great either.
Posted on 9/14/25 at 4:22 pm to When in Rome
The Grapes of Wrath and The Road are both fantastic. For Whom the Bell Tolls wasn't great.
Posted on 9/14/25 at 4:46 pm to Jim Rockford
quote:On a scale of 1-10 how good is this book?
Also My Confession by Chamberlain, the memoir it's partly based on
Posted on 9/14/25 at 4:51 pm to When in Rome
quote:
Maybe I should read A Tale of Two Cities before Grapes of Wrath.
Frankly, Tale of Two Cities and then Les Mis is a great double read.
Posted on 9/14/25 at 4:59 pm to When in Rome
Of those, I’d go with the Road but I’ve been on a McCarthy kick this year. It’s a beautifully written but gut punch depressing book. It messed me up for several days after I was done.
I get that Steinbeck is a seminal figure in American literature but I never enjoyed his work. Maybe that’s because it was forced reading when I was in school and I’ve never gone back and tried it as an adult.
I get that Steinbeck is a seminal figure in American literature but I never enjoyed his work. Maybe that’s because it was forced reading when I was in school and I’ve never gone back and tried it as an adult.
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