i read for entertainment or to gain knowledge. the author's lifestyle means nothing if the book is good.

When an author proposes a certain lifestyle or ideal as being the only way to live, and people who read it believe in that ideal, then her lifestyle has everything to do with it.

That was my fave too when I was a little kid.Love the cover of it, he's so adorable !!

I've read all of her stuff. The novella Anthem is beautiful and the Fountainhead is another of my all time favorites.

It's fiction. Why fuss? If you said you flat out do not like her philosophy that makes more sense me.

I just saw on the news, John Updike died today.

I was informed of that earlier by one of our members here. Sad. I bought his "Terrorist" when it came out a couple years back. As always, I was extremely impressed with his writing.

For me, I just worship at the house of good art.
I NEVER demagogue the artist, nor hold false expectations for them to be anything but flawed humans, just as I am.

I've run w/ packs of artists of various media for my entire life. They can be a real mess on their own dime and time(who can't?). Some have been the biggest asses I've encountered. But, OH! Their art can put me on my knees in reverence.

Don't think I'm near perfect enough to judge anyone. Few walk their talk. Let's , at least, enjoy and celebrate their fine work! Being a human is a tough gig, at best!

Anthem was a formative book in my wee years. Yes, I've loved ALL her books. Guess it is time to reread? It has been many, many years.

Yeah, its sad. I remember I read Rabbit, Run in one day; I never put the book down, it was great.

if a book matched our lifestyle would we read it???? i read to get away

'Brave New World' and 'Heaven and Hell' by Huxley
'Earth Abides' by ???? good post-apocalyptic book
'Through the Lookingglass' and 'Alice's Adventures in wonderland" by Carrol

What ever book i happen to be reading at the moment is my Fav.
When Im done, its over. If i liked it especially, I will give it over to one of my friends and discuss at a later date.
Fiction reader here, action,adventure,mystery, fantasy.

Wow. Just about anything by Dean Koontz. I think I have only read one of his that I didn't like.

Terry Brooks is my favorite Fantasy author.

I am getting into the Myron Bolitar books by Harlen Coben at the moment.

I cannot possibly name just one favorite book.

Merry Adventures of Robin Hood - Howard Pyle

The Essential Calvin and Hobbes

Siddharta

Comics are the cure! I had a self imposed religion once: No news, only comics. Now, where did I leave that once upon a time, er, life?

BIG Huxley fan. Want to post something here on "herd intoxication", recently coined "the wolf pack mentality" in the forums. Think it is too big.

Emailed it to Lex, and would love to send it to anyone else that is interested. Just email another offsite email addy to my email here. It is ever so potent!

"How to keep your volkswagon alive, for the complete idiot" written by John Muir.
It's just halarious how he explains things, and he even has little cartoon type characters in there.
The only real book I have ever read was "all things wise and wonderful" and it was pretty good, but I really hate reading. Bring on the mindless 1/2 hour sit coms !