Just a silly thing that popped into my head this morning.

Most of you know Ray Bradbury's 'Fahrenheit 451'.

If not, it is a story about a future where books are banned and burned.

Such that in the end, the protagonist(one who's job it was to find and burn books) finds a community of people who memorize books. They even were referred to by the title instead of their name.

If it were necessary, what book would you be?

The One Tree by Stephen R. Donaldson

Best book of the 6 in the series in my opinion. :)

The long journey to find the One Tree and the hazards along the way, plus the twist when they actually find it... all makes for a great story.

(Those that have read it will know what I'm talking about... most may have no earthly idea :) )

I'd have to say

The Chronicles (Dragonlance) by Margaret Weis and Tracey Hickman.

The first books I ever read and changed everything for me. Although thats 3 books I don't think they could/should be split up. :)

Where the Red Fern Grows.

Dam thing still makes me cry.

"Although thats 3 books I don't think they could/should be split up."

Works for me if you can memorize all three.

I was trying to think of any single book that has made such a great impact on me that I would not want it to ever be lost. There's a couple of good choices, really. I would probably pick the Gospel of John or a collection of Pablo Neruda.

yeah "one tree" was awesome. they all were.

and props for being one of the only people ive ever heard comment positively on these books. so many people refuse to read on aftr the bad thing the main character does. its like geez, people, youve never read a book where the main character did something bad before?

I'd memorize "The last of the really great whangdoodles". because its a classic, and because its short :rolleyes:

Playboy, Playmate edition...
Ok, jokes aside.

There are two short story books by Stephen Donaldson also which are great. I forget their names, but there were a few stories in each which were truly masterpieces.

Or else Magician from Raymond E. Feist. I remember that being one of my fav books when I read it nearly 20 years ago :P

I think it would depend on "when" in my life we're talking about. Ever since I started working and in the technology field of all places, I think The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Work (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0811835758/qid=1056043039/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/103-3853362-3623009?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) would fit best right now :p

To Kill a Mockingbird.

I actually just picked up the Thomas Convenant books to re-read. Read the series 20 years ago, when I was in 7th grade. I think most of it was over my head...I just kept thinking "Don't be such a @#%$...use that damn Ring!!!"

Oh boy...this is a toughie.

The Uncut version of A Stranger in a Strange Land by Heinlein, or Time Enough for Love by Heinlein, or The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Heinlein.

If forced to decide...I'd have to say Time Enough for Love I guess.

btw, can you tell I like Heinlein?

"this is a toughie."

Aye, took me this long to decide on Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'.

'Tis not as thick as your choices, of which I also admire. I am glad someone else is going to mem them. /smile.

Heart of Darkness was spoiled for me.

I can't read it now without thinking about Playboy Bunny prostitutes in a crashed helicoptor.

Someone who likes/reads Heinlein should not have a problem with prostitutes.

edit: that sounds weird, I hope you understand what I mean.

I don't have a problem with them at all lol.

I just can't get Apocolypse Now out of my head when reading Heart of Darkness...and I never thought Apocolypse Now was that great of a movie.

The Kama Sutra!

Ok, perhaps not.

I loved "The Far Pavillions", but it was a massively long book. I'd have a hell of a job memorizing it.

Then again, perhaps one of the Tolkien books. :) Yeah, that's the ticket!

I would memorize the Book of Counted Shadows =)

Crowley was charletan.

So many to choose from...

The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov
Stranger in a Strange Land by Heinlein
The Prophet by Kahil Gibran

If you've never read The Prophet, here's an excerpt (powerful stuff this):

<span style="font-size:x-small;">Then said Almitra, "Speak to us of Love."

And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with a great voice he said:

When love beckons to you follow him,

Though his ways are hard and steep.

And when his wings enfold you yield to him,

Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

And when he speaks to you believe in him,

Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.

Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,

So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.

He threshes you to make you naked.

He sifts you to free you from your husks.

He grinds you to whiteness.

He kneads you until you are pliant;

And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,

Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,

Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.

Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.

Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;

For love is sufficient unto love.

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, I am in the heart of God."

And think not you can direct the course of love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.

But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:

To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.

To know the pain of too much tenderness.

To be wounded by your own understanding of love;

And to bleed willingly and joyfully.

To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;

To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;

To return home at eventide with gratitude;

And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.</span>

Shakespeare's *Winter's Tale*

Jane Austen's ummm, hard decision, maybe *Pride and Prejudice* or *Northanger Abbey*

Wow great thread! Tough one too!

I think I would be The Source by James Michener, or perhaps LotR, all 3 books. I've read each one about 12 times, so I've got a lot of parts memorized already!

Both have always been my favs.

So many books sheesh.

My side of the Mountain? I barely remember it. I read it in 6th grade I think. About a boy who runs away and survives off the land on an unoccupied side of a mountain.

How bout the Bible? There's some good stories, and good lessons in it. Although, I have to admit I haven't read that in a very long time either lol.

Oh yeah, I remember that book. I think my Mom read it to us when we went on a camping trip when I was a kid. I remember liking it a lot, but other than that, I don't remember it.

The Wishgiver ? Read it a good 8 or so years ago. Can't remember it. Was an interesting read.