Are they even worth reading???

I have had a good long list of books to read for school over this summer (11 actually), and now with only 17 days left and four books still left to complete, I was wondering if the two I have yet to start are worth reading... I'm almost done with one of the four left to read, mid-way through another, and I still have two untouched... The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis... I was just curious of people's opinions on the book-- Are they worth dwelling over for late nights (I also have to write a paper on them, as well as take a test), or is it not worth it and should I just use Spark Notes??? I'd hate to spend a great deal of time on a book that I could just as easily find out the information without having to read the whole book if I hate it... I know it's horrible to not read them, but with 11 books and only 17 days left, I'm starting to get mighty tired of reading... Opinions?

Definitely read The Jungle, it will blow your mind on how bad things were.

The other I never read so I don't know.

Besides should read it anyways. I had to read a book for english written by a lesbian that hated men and made sure her book stated that. Being a man I didn't want to read it but I did anyways because a book is a book and you can learn something from it.

Like reading the bible, I didn't want to because I knew it would suck, plagerized stories from the Romans and Greeks, ordered rape and murder by god, baby bopping, genocide, 2 dimensional characters, really sucks, but I did anyways to know my enemy.

What's Spark Notes by the way, never heard of it.

I cant say anything about Upton Sinclair but Sinclair Lewis is a pretty good author, so it probably wouldnt hurt to read his book and if you like it check out another book of his It Can't Happen Here, definately makes you think.

Yeah Jungle is pertty sweet. I dont know about your other one. But can you tell me if my summer reading is worth reading. I have Chromosome 6 by Robin Cook, Night by Elie Wiesel and Fences a play by August Wilson.

I read Babbit as a kid; I seem to remember it being okay. Not sure whether I would still like it as an adult, though. I've never heard of the other book.

Originally posted by Vegemite
Yeah Jungle is pertty sweet. I dont know about your other one. But can you tell me if my summer reading is worth reading. I have Chromosome 6 by Robin Cook, Night by Elie Wiesel and Fences a play by August Wilson.

Sorry man, never read any of those... Wish I could be of more help...


James-- Spark Notes is where they summarize the book for you and tell you what it all means in easy terms... The point is to explain the book after you read it if you don't understand it, but some of us have the bad habit of just reading the Sparks...

So basically it's a way to cheat. I wish I had known of this when I was still in school.

As others have mentioned, I'd say The Jungle is defiantly worth your time to read....I remember the days of summer reading lists - my AP English list was horrific...But you end up appreciating that time you spent reading them later - Especially when you read them over again later in your life...

You should be able to go to your local public library and browse from a collection of audio books...Whether it be on tape or CD, it doesn't cost you a dime (unless you return them late :p ) and it saves you some time - I didn't figure this strategy out until late in the game....

Of course, if you're making some side money, you can always go to your local bookstore and buy the audio book....

To some, it may seem like the lazy way out, and certainly should never fully substitute some occasional reading time....But for people who keep busy schedules and/or do a lot of driving, an audio book can be your best friend...

Thanks for the idea-- I am one who has an extremely busy schedule...

My AP English list wasn't so bad this summer-- Red Badge of Courage, Farewell to Arms, Animal Farm, Our Town, Picture of Dorian Gray

However, my AP American History list... Well...-- Common Sense, Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Jungle, Farewell to Manzanar, The Things they Carried, Babbitt

*(Count 'em, that's eleven to read in one summer)*

I'm halfway through UTC at the moment and I'm hating it... I think I've managed to read three other books while I've just left it on the side, half-finished and unloved... I'm still deciding whether I feel like finishing that first or just starting The Jungle... Thanks for the ideas

UTC is a rough read, and while I really didn't like it, you should read it for the cultural references, and because it was a very pivotal piece in American history. Lincoln told Stowe that she was "the little lady that started htat big war." (I'm butchering the quote)

Anyway, Lewis is fantastic, and The Jungle is a must read for anyone. Don't forget what he said, and JTL proved it. "I aimed for the heart, and I hit the stomach." After reading it, everyone cared only about the meat industry, not the immigrants or socialism.

ALCOR:

Of your eleven books, I have read ANimal Farm, The Picture of Dorian Grey, and Babbit. AF & TPoDG are excellent, especially Animal farm. Babbit was ok, but not as good as those two.

I enjoyed Animal Farm a lot-- I had read it about a year ago before it was assigned to me and enjoyed it then as well... I also found Dorian Gray to be one of the better books I have read in my lifetime... I plan to start The Jungle tonight... I tried to keep plowing through Uncle Tom, but I just couldn't muster up the patience to sit and read it... Good to hear that Babbitt is okay, I'm still debating on whether or not to actually read the book, seeing as the paper is due on the 18th, and with today being the 2nd, that doesn't leave me much time to get through the rest of UTC, Jungle, and Babbitt... Babbitt is an extra credit, so I figure even if I don't get the time to read the actual book, I can still Spark Notes it, because I have nothing to lose by writing the paper and taking the test, even if I do poorly because I didn't read it... However all the rest of them are required...

I suppose I really should stop complaining about it and get a move on reading... I intend to take a big chunk out of The Jungle tonight... Wish me luck!