I finally finished Homer's Odyssey. It started off slow and boring, but I pushed myself to finish it and glad I did, as the last few chapters finally became exciting enough. It was cool though learning throughout the story where some of today's common phrases and names came from, like "bit the dust" and Mentor, but the imagery just wasn't there, and the language tedious.

@HP: What translation of The Odyssey did you have? I've had 5 different translations and can tell you they are not created equal. If you read any of the old Victorian era translations I can see why you'd dislike it. (Homer was never meant to have the gravity of the King James Bible.) Sadly, those old translations are in public domain now so they are the most frequently reprinted.

Have you read the Illiad yet?

I have but it was all the way back in 1996 and it was the Samuel Butler translation, so it was one of those King James sounding versions.

Good point! It was a 1944 translation by Samuel Butler. Can you recommend a better version?

I think the W.H.D. Rouse translation was the best of the 5 I've seen. Don't quote me on that. It's been 12 years. (I suddenly feel old realizing that.)

At the moment, I´m reading "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen. I find it thoroughly enjoyable. Such an entertaining read. *smiles*

The Cambridge History of English and American Literature Vol #1. I wish I had time to read all 18 volumes. You can read it online for free here:

http://www.bartleby.com/cambridge/

The Invisible Landscape by Terence and Dennis McKenna. Bloody interesting stuff.

I've just finished 'Wolf of The Plains' by Conn Iggulden, it's a historical-fiction about Genghis Khan and I'm thinking about saving up and buying the rest of the series...

"Good Omens" by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I hated The Grapes of Wrath, but this is actually pretty good - I'm glad I stuck with him.

The Complete book of GREED - M. Hirsch Goldberg

Steinbeck can be awesome as hell- check out "Burning Bright", "Cannery Row" and "Of Mice and Men". "To a God Unknown" is actually what I am re-reading now.

Not exactly an upper.... but you don't read Steinbeck for the glee.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne
So far I enjoy it , It takes me really far away in time and space .

the count of monte cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
i think most people on here will know what it's about. i just started today and so far i like it alot.

I just finished reading Brisingr and am disappointed that Paolini couldn't finish writing the series in the third book.

Currently re-reading Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. A true classic...

Michael Moorcock - The Metatemporal Detective

David Sylvian:The Last Romantic - which thus far is proving to be an interesting look at the former Japan vocalist.

"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Yeah, I know, but I must keep to some traditions, else... something might happen.

I read A Christmas Carol for the 1st time a couple years ago and couldn't believe how childish it was. I never realized it was for kids and had always assumed the movies had simply dumbed down an adult story. Was I ever wrong. You could see where it was going from the 1st page even if you didn't already know the cliche formula.


I'm currently reading The Complete Poems of John Keats.

I just finished the third volume of War and Peace. I'm thinking of reading the books I was given for my birthday next.

'The Apes of God' by Wyndham Lewis.