I liked the list. Some intriguing ones that I had not heard of. I didn't offhand see any works by Thomas Hardy or Anthony Trollope, fine writers as I'm sure you will agree. But then, as a bookaholic, I'd list 1,001 best.
I've read about 12 of these. Like others have said, "should read" lists often feel ridiculous (according to who? Why?) but I've also enjoyed using them like you are - as a challenge. I often roll my eyes a bit at 20thC male-authored books and challenging myself to read at least one of these 'classics' each year has both refined my ability to articulate what makes me roll my eyes but also exposed me to some stunning writing I'd have otherwise skipped.
Some of the books on this list take years to read and digest...some a few days...wouldn't go into which are which. They know who they are... And some deserve to be mentioned on a must read list but are not on this one. Wouldn't go into which either.
But thanks lot for bringing the topic up. A healthy exercise from time to time!!! Thanks a lot!
Twenty-seven. It seems an eccentric list. (Pippi Longstocking? Not sure how this one fits 🙂) Many I've never heard of (my ignorance -- not a deliberate or organized reader). It would be interesting to see publication dates and original languages.
You need some Hardy, “Jude The Obscure,” “Return of the Native,” or “Far From the Madding Crowd.” “Tristram Shandy” by Sterne should be there. “The Great Gatsby.” “Steppenwolf or Siddhartha” by Hesse.
Arrowsmith. To Kill a Mockingbird. Life and Death are Wearing Me Out (by mo yan. 1st Nobel for China). Of Human Bondage. Love in the Days of Rage by Ferlinghetti. So many more.
Hi Gillian. I believe that in a world of information abundance, the real value is in the curation. I don't think a list gathered up from from somewhere by I-don't-lnow-who is a priori a good list. There are so many good curated lists! Most universities have a reading program. I also cannot recommend enough Ted Gioia Hummanities reading course.
I don't think they are "bad books". But such list might lack cohesion and structure.
I’ve read 52 in completion and excerpts from at least a dozen plus or more. This is a very random list. I love it. I am a big fan of consulting reading lists, and this one is different from many that I have seen.
19, and I wish it was more!
I liked the list. Some intriguing ones that I had not heard of. I didn't offhand see any works by Thomas Hardy or Anthony Trollope, fine writers as I'm sure you will agree. But then, as a bookaholic, I'd list 1,001 best.
I've read 6. I have about 10
Herman Hesse - Steppenwolf , Siddhartha and Demain
Many, more or less 70% of them. Including Decameron, volume 2.
I’ve saved this post, so I can revisit it, to find other books I may have missed.
Thanks for spending your time putting this together!
Replace the western books with writings from BRICS+
I've read about 12 of these. Like others have said, "should read" lists often feel ridiculous (according to who? Why?) but I've also enjoyed using them like you are - as a challenge. I often roll my eyes a bit at 20thC male-authored books and challenging myself to read at least one of these 'classics' each year has both refined my ability to articulate what makes me roll my eyes but also exposed me to some stunning writing I'd have otherwise skipped.
Some of the books on this list take years to read and digest...some a few days...wouldn't go into which are which. They know who they are... And some deserve to be mentioned on a must read list but are not on this one. Wouldn't go into which either.
But thanks lot for bringing the topic up. A healthy exercise from time to time!!! Thanks a lot!
Really helpful. Thank you!
Twenty-seven. It seems an eccentric list. (Pippi Longstocking? Not sure how this one fits 🙂) Many I've never heard of (my ignorance -- not a deliberate or organized reader). It would be interesting to see publication dates and original languages.
You need some Hardy, “Jude The Obscure,” “Return of the Native,” or “Far From the Madding Crowd.” “Tristram Shandy” by Sterne should be there. “The Great Gatsby.” “Steppenwolf or Siddhartha” by Hesse.
I've read all of Dickens, and A Tale of Two Cities is my least favorite. Very self-conscious and not Dickensian.
79
Arrowsmith. To Kill a Mockingbird. Life and Death are Wearing Me Out (by mo yan. 1st Nobel for China). Of Human Bondage. Love in the Days of Rage by Ferlinghetti. So many more.
Hi Gillian. I believe that in a world of information abundance, the real value is in the curation. I don't think a list gathered up from from somewhere by I-don't-lnow-who is a priori a good list. There are so many good curated lists! Most universities have a reading program. I also cannot recommend enough Ted Gioia Hummanities reading course.
I don't think they are "bad books". But such list might lack cohesion and structure.
I’ve read 52 in completion and excerpts from at least a dozen plus or more. This is a very random list. I love it. I am a big fan of consulting reading lists, and this one is different from many that I have seen.