Neither The Grapes of Wrath nor To Kill a Mockingbird sound at all interesting to me but I will probably try to read either one if they win. I normally actively try to avoid anything that was regularly taught in a high school English class. I am still not sure how I missed both of these (and The Great Gatsby) then and just count my blessings. :)

In order to avoid being the "literary club lite" I voted for a read that would be more fun than serious and thought-provoking.

I was looking for good links to Dust Bowl Dance by Mumford and Sons and Pink Floyd's Sorrow when I found this link:

8 Great Pop-Culture References to The Grapes of Wrath.

I don't believe that either To Kill a Mockingbird or The Grapes of Wrath were considered to be literary fiction when they were published. They both have a plot, are written in the vernacular, and both stories are riveting. The Grapes of Wrath contains rough language more common to see in print today than in 1939. To Kill a Mockingbird is hilarious at times. Really.

So many of the best books have been ruined for people by having them inflicted at a tender and rebellious age.

I don't know if they are the best books. I've read some of these "best" books and they are not best, but in fact quite awful.

But I do have to agree that forcing them on kids when the kids aren't ready for them is wrong. Problem is, these books are written in a way that kids don't take to and the kids don't find them all that relevant. This and the way some teachers teach them makes them not enjoyable at all and no way are these kids going back to reread them as an adult. Plus, it can (very much so) turn kids off to reading. Shakespeare is a good one to help turn kids off to reading.

If someone had novelized all of his plays, I mean properly and thoroughly, with annotations and all, I would pay good money to get my hands on that book.

Added The Grapes of Wrath to the Selections List thread. Looks like January will have an extra book in to choose from as well since there was a tie for the runner-up position.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck it is.

It's tempting to make a joke and ask if we don't like the choice if we could order some cheese with the wine. :rofl: Just making a pun. I need something to joke about tonight.

:D :D :D

Yay! Look forward to it.

I think we should read Steinbeck's little known sequel.

The Grapes of Wrath of Kahn

Sounds like a juicy tale. :rofl:

I would probably be more excited for that version!

That's what she said.

Not all, but James Branch Cabell did Hamlet. See Hamlet Had An Uncle.