Greetings!  I agree with the others who have advised you to keep the books, if possible, especially  those that seem any vaguely interesting to you.  Books can be expensive these days, so you might as well hold on to them if you have the space. 

I've read 'A Christmas Carol' and liked the story.  It has spawned several characters (most notably, Ebenezer Scrooge) that have made a considerable impact on the English language and some western cultures.  For instance, a 'scrooge' now has a meaning of its own.  So you might like to meet these characters in their original 'habitat'. 

I've also read 'Emma', which is all right, especially if you're fond of Jane Austen.  Personally, though, I preferred the Gothic-flavoured 'Northanger Abbey' and the really well-known 'Pride and Prejudice'.

About ten years ago, I read some of the Marquis de Sade's short stories and was impressed by their openness, frankness, and willingness to override social taboos.  I can see why the writings wouldn't be for everyone, though.

Good luck!

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are you purging books you haven't read? i'd rather dump books i have read and think i can live without. the curiosity alone would kill me.

anyway, i've read A Christmas Carol, and think it's a keeper - even if only because it is a classic among classics.

I've also read Emma, and though i liked it, perhaps you can get that from a library or rental bookstore.

don't know about the rest.

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I have read A Christmas Carol. It is really fun. It's a mature look on life. Personally I don't think it's as fun as the muppets carol, but still a great read.

Emma is amazily. I am such a fan of Jane Austin. Terrific writer. Amust read author. Every story is interesting and outstanding!

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Thank you for your comments. I will take them into consideration. Many people have said to keep the three that you have mentioned: 'Emma' (I am reading this now- will read 'Pride & Prejudice' afterwards), 'Lady Chatterley's Lover', and 'A Christmas Carol' (will read before Christmas, as suggested by my friend Timothy).

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My interests and hobbies are many and very diverse. No person can do so much and expect to master anything, so I have made some choices about how I will spend my time!

I am going to devote the next year to my guitar, painting, yoga, and pilates.

I have set up a 'mocha room' for these hobbies (yep, I painted the room brown). I have purged furniture in order to have a room with a lot of space for creativity and tranquility.

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I admire your discipline

The books you mentioned are very romantic books...at least to me...except Christmas carol.

I seriously agree with Timothy that Christmas Carol should be read before Christmas.  Just make sure you have some tissue ready when you read about "little Tim".

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..but I'd keep the Marquis de Sade.  Although I do agree with you that his work is unpleasant, and well.. to be honest absolutely foul in places. I'm most definitely not a sadist, or condoning any of the things that he talks about.

 I do think he's got a lot to say about people, even if it isn't exactly positive in any way.  I think he's got  a lot to say about human sexuality, nasty though that sounds, and a lot to say about what the strong will do to the weak if they are allowed to get away with it, as they were in his day. 

I dunno.. maybe I'm looking at his work from a far more positive perspective than he deserves, but i'd say read him, even tho it is a bit of an ordeal.

Julie

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I am currently reading Emma, I am about half way through. At times the characters really annoy me, and I find that there is not much to learn from this book. I am just trying to get through it. It would be much more fun and interesting to study it in school or in a group.

I do find that Jane Austin's writing style is very precise in it's longwindedness- if this makes any sense!

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I find Jane Austin's personal life in respect to this book much more interesting and I can't help but think about her life as I read Emma.

Jane Austin lived with her father, never married, and never left home according to the short description about her on the inside cover of the book.

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Hi Pekka!

Oh yes! I know bookcrossing. I have been a member for over 2 years now. I have released a number of books already, but these books are old and too fragile to bookcross. Emma completely fell apart as I was reading it.

Cheers!

Heidi

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Updating this thread with personal messages that were sent to me in response to my original IM (before I made this group).

It has taken me so long to do this!

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 Schlaftablette wrote:

sent: 10/5/2005 - 11:31 AM
Albert Camus: the plague
Jane Austen: Emma ( although "pride and prejudice" is her best piece )

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 My late good friend Nanette Belasco wrote:

sent: 10/6/2005 - 1:29 AM
In my opinion they are ALL worth the reading, but a few fall into the catagory of boring. Lawrence, I've always found boring and Doyle can be long winded at times. I've never read the Marquis De Sade and have been a bit unnerved by the reactions in friends who have, but I'd still like to read him myself. Camus is really fun to read, depending on getting a good translation. Emma is Jane Austen's best in my opinion.

I miss you Nanette!

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Eleanor Potten wrote:

sent: 10/8/2005 - 12:32 AM

That's a fantastic idea!

So many people have exactly the same problem - should they, shouldn't they, would this one or that one be better to keep? I think you may have hit on a winner there...

Keep 'em coming, it's fun!

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 Eileen Olson wrote:

I'm a Jane Austin fan - so Emma gets saved! Haven't read the others.

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Eleanor Potten also wrote:

sent: 10/6/2005 - 1:25 AM

Good question, and a very resourceful way to cull your books!
In my experience, Emma and Lady Chatterley's Lover are both pretty good reads. I've never read A Christmas Carol, but I reckon if I were you I'd keep that one too, just because it's supposed to be excellent!
But that's just my humble advice...
Hope that helps honey!
Love Ellie XX

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Elle T wrote:

Hi,

I've read most of these and would keep them. It depends on your taste, I guess. If you care to donate some of them, I know of a Group of Ladies on Carling in Ottawa who would appreciate them for their reading room (many are low income/ seniors).
Please let me know if you are interested in that option. Thanks,

hugs,
Elle

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The fabulous Tracy T wrote:

sent: 10/5/2005 - 1:33 PM

Oh Heidi...you're asking the WRONG person....I'm a bibliophile from WAY back! LOL

I can't imagine NOT owning "A Christmas Carol" or "Lady Chatterly's Lover" (although the movie version with Sean Bean is a pretty good substitute.......)! I read "Justine" and "Emma" in university and high school respectively, and they, too, are "worth the read". I haven't yet read "Caligula", but it's on my list of "to do's". I can't comment on the rest...but if you're looking to get rid of any of them ("Caligula" or "Justine" in particular), let me know? Thanks....

Hugs,
Tracy xo

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 Eduardo Lozano wrote:

sent: 10/5/2005 - 5:39 PM
Good list, Heidi
may I add a few?

Don Quixote - Miguel Cervantes
Twelfth Night and Taming of the Shrew - Shakespeare
Paradies Lost - John Milton
Gulliver's Travels - Jonathan Swift
Walden - Thoreau
Moby Dick - Melville
Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer (my faves) - Twain
Uncle Vanya - Anton Chekhov
Dubliners - James Joyce
Old Man and the Sea, Snows of Kilimanjaro, For Whom the Bell Tolls(my Faves) - Heminingway
The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien

Ed

sent: 10/6/2005 - 1:08 PM
Hi Heidi,
I have 2 more that are not classics, they are great metaphysical books.

Celestine Prophecy - James Redfield
Way of the Wizard - Deepak Choprah

your friend, on the path
Ed

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 Gerald Fulham wrote:

sent: 10/6/2005 - 12:34 PM

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 Tom Hakes wrote:

sent: 10/6/2005 - 10:58 AM
I have read an am familiar with 7 of those titles listed ...I was a book collector for many years and gained quite a few insights into different authors..I think the one I liked the best of those listed, I would have to probably go with: A Christmas Carol or Emma..The Marquis De Sade is a moving tale. A Conan Doyle hits you with everyday things and a little Sci-Fi mixed...TomH

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Robert Philbin wrote:

sent: 10/6/2005 - 5:12 AM
Hu Heidi,
I do periodic cleanings of my books, but precious few make the trip to the exchange shop unless I have duplicates...which also are given away!

As to your set:
A Christman Carol- Charles Dickens...good reading, but any of the movies can convey the idea

Emma- Jane Austin...never read it

Lady Chatterley's Lover- D.H. Lawrence...a must read

The Marquis de Sade: Justine, Philosophy in the Bedroom, Eugenie de Franval and other writings...tedious, not as much fun as one might expect

The White Company- A. Conan Doyle
...Doyle is good, haven't read this one though

Albert Camus: Caligula,The Misunderstanding, State of Siege, The Just Assassins; The Plague...see de Sade, in my humble opinion.

What are your reading tastes? Mine tend toward history, journals, some current events (no politics if I can help it), and authors like Farley Mowat, sci fi and alternate history.

Good luck with the culling!

xox
Bob

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Cheryl E wrote:

sent: 10/6/2005 - 2:49 AM
Heidi, if you still have these two books I am interested.
Lady Chatterley's Lover- D.H. Lawrence
The Marquis de Sade: Justine, Philosophy in the Bedroom, Eugenie de Franval and other writings.

Please write me back, I have been doing a study on the the Marquis de Sade and writing a fictional book.

Stars and Hugs,

Cheryl

P.S> I will pay posted.

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 Timothy Brown wrote:

sent: 10/5/2005 - 3:54 PM
heidi, I have read them all and they are all worthwhile reading. If your time and space are limited, I'll give you the best half: read Emma first. Although it has the sensibilities of a nineteenth century soap opera, Austen has a wonderful grasp of human relationships and she is a delightful and very accessible writer.
It is always nice to re-read a Christmas Carol on christmas eve and I often add a child's christmas in wales and the gift of the magi as an early christmas present to myself. But of course you can read it any time of the year and I would make this the second read. Read Camus' The Plague, if you like it, then pick up the others when time presents itself. When I was an adolescent, DH Lawrence was pretty racy reading. I think you'll find it quite tame by today's writing and you should enjoy it. He also has a great grasp of human relationships and the heart and presents it to us in very readable packages. Let me know if you disagree and enjoy the good books. tim

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 My dear friend Rick Hayward wrote:

Hello Heidi,

I read Gulliver's Travels, it is a good book....

I think that I would keep any first editions or signed books, and get rid of the rest if you are trying to make room. Maybe you could donate them to the library.

(I am going to do this myself, as part of the Legion of Frontiersmen Youth Literacy Program....)

Perhaps you could build a new bookcase, to store and display your books better, you might find that they don't take up as much room as you think.

Best Wishes Always,

-Rick

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I always appreciate everybody's thoughts!

Thank you!

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