The Best Books Ever - Page 6

Toastburner B · 07-15-2008, 02:52 AM

Aww...the Scary Stpry books already got mentioned. Ah...the memories of my older sisters horrifying me to tears with those books.

One that I haven't mentioned that I read growing up was the Chronicles of Prydain. Characters with totally unpronounceable names (Fflewddur Fflam?) and the absolute hackjob that Disney did with the animated version not withstanding, this was one of my favorites as a kid. And let's face it, an invincible army of zombies is pretty hardcore for a kids book.

**Satan's Onion** · 07-16-2008, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mashirosen

!!!! A few days ago I was trying to remember the name of those books and couldn't, for the life of me. Thank you so goddamn much. Wasn't the Brain or one of his brothers always getting nosebleeds? Because I remember learning the right way to treat them from those books -- have the sufferer tilt their head forward, not backward, and put a cold, wet cloth on the back of their neck. This crazy half-backward pioneer doctorin' works every time.

I'm pretty sure it was one of his brothers. I'd have to look closer at my copy of The Great Brain to find out which, tho'. (Which is as good an excuse as any to re-read it

...)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mashirosen

But dude, those are the best parts of the Little House books! Playing with pig's bladders! Making maple candy in the snow! Homemade bullets! Maybe it's different if you were raised in the sticks like I was, by people not all that far removed from that kind of lifestyle, but man. I always loved Kirsten's books in the American Girl series best for the same reason, and Caddie Woodlawn too.

Okay, on reflection maybe some of what I was talking about is a matter of my mileage varying from yours on account of (a) I was raised in the comparative comforts of suburbia and (b) I also had to read at least one of the Little House books for school, which is as good a way to drain the fun out of reading as any I can think of that doesn't involve physical torture. Still, when I was reading these books as a kid, if I'd been given the chance to assume the role of a major character in either book, I'd much rather have been conniving my peers and loved ones for cash and intellectual thrills. (Which I suppose says rather a lot about me

...)

Mashirosen · 07-16-2008, 12:24 PM

You and the Brain are in the company of Tom Sawyer that way, ain't no shame in it. :D

Odjn · 07-16-2008, 12:34 PM

My god, someone's read those Great Brain books besides me? Y'all rock.

Sithdarth · 07-16-2008, 12:48 PM

I actually started with some graphic novel like things of classic Vern stories in like 4th grade then moved on to the full version by 5th grade. From the Earth to the Moon, 20000 Leagues, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Around the World in 80 days, and such. Then quickly branched out into H.G. Wells and from there discovered Piers Anthony and Terry Brooks before I managed to get out of elementary school. Though some of my favorite reads would probably actually be the Wizard of Oz series just for how absolutely crazy it was while still being totally consistent. Though the Landover and Xanth series are a really close second.

Oh and once around that time period I tried to read this one book that was a compilation of the Illiad and the Odyssey. It was great for awhile and then suddenly it started to really drag and I couldn't finish it.

07-15-2008, 02:52 AM	#51
Toastburner B Toasty has left the building Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hiding...because I don't want to die. Posts: 3,936	Aww...the Scary Stpry books already got mentioned. Ah...the memories of my older sisters horrifying me to tears with those books. One that I haven't mentioned that I read growing up was the Chronicles of Prydain. Characters with totally unpronounceable names (Fflewddur Fflam?) and the absolute hackjob that Disney did with the animated version not withstanding, this was one of my favorites as a kid. And let's face it, an invincible army of zombies is pretty hardcore for a kids book. __________________ I came, I saw, I got team-killed. A lot.

07-16-2008, 12:24 PM	#53
Mashirosen Watch closely! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Imaginary tomorrowland Posts: 1,855	You and the Brain are in the company of Tom Sawyer that way, ain't no shame in it. :D __________________ "Remember how we all thought the Jedi were, well, Space Knights of the Round Table? Well, as it turns out, they're a bunch of self-righteous virgins who kidnap kids to replenish their numbers."

07-16-2008, 12:48 PM	#55
Sithdarth Friendly Neighborhood Quantum Hobo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Outside the M-brane look'n in Posts: 5,403	I actually started with some graphic novel like things of classic Vern stories in like 4th grade then moved on to the full version by 5th grade. From the Earth to the Moon, 20000 Leagues, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Around the World in 80 days, and such. Then quickly branched out into H.G. Wells and from there discovered Piers Anthony and Terry Brooks before I managed to get out of elementary school. Though some of my favorite reads would probably actually be the Wizard of Oz series just for how absolutely crazy it was while still being totally consistent. Though the Landover and Xanth series are a really close second. Oh and once around that time period I tried to read this one book that was a compilation of the Illiad and the Odyssey. It was great for awhile and then suddenly it started to really drag and I couldn't finish it.