Books we are supposed to read

[Della]

I loved Somerset Maugham's masterpiece Of Human Bondage and still have his complete short stories gathering dust in the bookshelf, he was the master of human emotions IMO.

Like so many of these great stories I've seen the movie but not read the book, I absolutely love the film version with Leslie Howard and Bette Davis.

I never look at these lists as someone telling me what to do, but as ideas to take to the library. My problem, these days, is that not enough of these great classics have been published in large print. A friend of mine just finished "The Brother's Karamazov" and is raving about it but I know it's too large to ever be printed in a large print version that wouldn't hurt my hands.

For every great "classic" I've read I've read a hundred books that were wonderful in their own way. Just this year I've discovered contemporary writers I love like Tana French and Stewart O'Nan.

God bless all the writers who have entertained me and taken me away from my worries.

 

[Packerjohn]

Almost all fiction. Doesn't anyone read about science, technology, history, art . . .

I have read 39 of which I'm certain, and possibly several more but I may be remembering movies instead of books.

Good news! I am that rare person that reads nonfiction. I love to read about travel, biographies and life experiences of people. Don't really care for fiction books but I will say that it is better to read nonfiction than never read at all! I'm not knocking fiction readers because some of the greatest book of literature in the last 200 years have been books of fiction. I'm just saying that I love nonfiction. Amen!

 

[StarSong]

I've read about 1/3 of the books on that list, have seen movies for a number of others, and am familiar with the plot lines of still more.

Only four were written over the past 30 years. Sure, I like Jane Austen's works, but these days I'm more inclined to read Kazuo Ishiguro.

Nevertheless, it's a good list to have on hand. Coincidentally, just a few days ago I checked out a copy of Brideshead Revisited because of a glowing reference in Guncle, a quite enjoyable novel by Steven Rowley.

 

[JimBob1952]

I think I've read 57 of them, but I might just think I remember a few of them because I've seen the Masterpiece mini-series version. I didn't even know there was a, "Lark Rise To Candleford" book and I've watched the entire 40 episodes three times. Does that count? LOL

Absolutely, all five or them. Edith Wharton and E.M. Forster are two of my favorites writers. I hadn't read Cry the Beloved Country until last year when my book club read it, so glad I didn't miss it.

Have to admit I consider myself well-read but I have never heard of Lark Rise to Candleford

OK, I am torn about this list. I have been an avid reader since I learned how. But to be told what we SHOULD read in our lifetime seems a bit snobbish. I think I have read one or two books on that list....but still consider myself well-read, by my own standards. I have probably read thousands of books in my life time. And do not fell less well read because I did not read most of those on this list.

I agree with you completely. This is a list of good books to read, nothing more. There should be no "should" involved. I have read many classics but have read more than my share of detective novels, historical fiction, you name it. I'm not recommending a steady diet of junk reading but a steady diet of classics is a snooze.

 

[Granny B.]

I have read many of the "supposed-to-read" books, mostly because they were required reading in classes. At one point in my teens I made a point of reading classics thinking they must be good for me, and not a single one is memorable or added any value to my life or understanding of the world. In fact, some were downright awful. Not really my cup of tea. These days I prefer sci fi and nonfiction.

On a side note, I am appalled by the number of murder mysteries available. I'll go so far as to say "mystery" seems to be synonymous with "murder." Quite a morbid fascination for some people, imho, not to mention True Crime addicts. Can anyone recommend a good mystery that does not involve murder or horror?

 

[Pecos]

I read 26 of them, but I am including all the audio books that I checked out of the local library in that number. There were quite a number that I struggled to finish.

 

[Lewkat]

I've read 40 of them, but have probably skimmed through a few while in school.

 

[Buckeye]

Just as a point of reference, one of the other "Top 100" lists I looked at had 4 or 5 "Harry Potter" books on it. To each his/her own.