List of 40 books to read before one dies. Do you agree?

[Anonymous]

I'm not well read and am kind of old. I ran across this list of 40 books to read before one dies on a UK newspaper web site. I wonder what you think of the list. I don't recognize most of the titles. Better late than never, I figure. Thank you for your comment.

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/books-best-greatest-read-before-you-die-classic-novels-literature-essential-austen-orwell-dickens-a8612606.html#

[Anonymous]

I think it's a good place to start. Especially if you don't recognize most of the titles.

I like this list of novels by modern library. A bit more varied.

http://www.modernlibrary.com/top-100/100-best-novels/

[Anonymous]

I like the Great American Read List better.

https://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/home/

[Anonymous]

Its a nice list, seems a little geared toward English and American literature and older classic novels to me. Not a bad thing. The other list is good too. Basically, if you can read a few good books, you'll be doing well. If you really haven't heard of many of these, you might want to start with a high school reading list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its a nice list, seems a little geared toward English and American literature and older classic novels to me. Not a bad thing. The other list is good too. Basically, if you can read a few good books, you'll be doing well. If you really haven't heard of many of these, you might want to start with a high school reading list.

That's a good idea. Thanks all for your comments.

-- OP

[Anonymous]

Dear OP:

I am so tempted to tell you which to avoid in my opinion...but I won't unless you ask.

Clockwork Orange was nearly impossible to read. It's got a glossary in the back and fake words throughout. The movie is really disturbing.

Joseph Conrad LOVES to describe shit. Seriously, I think heart of darkness has two pages devoted to describing a hill with a tree on it.

I found some books that I hadn't read. Secret History looks entertaining.

[Anonymous]

I think the PP’s suggestion about a high school reading list is a great idea. A good 8-10 of the books on OP’s list are covered in a typical US high school curriculum (Gatsby, the Carcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, Dickens etc.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the Great American Read List better.

https://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/home/

Only a great 'Murican book list would include the Twilight Saga....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not well read and am kind of old. I ran across this list of 40 books to read before one dies on a UK newspaper web site. I wonder what you think of the list. I don't recognize most of the titles. Better late than never, I figure. Thank you for your comment.

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/books-best-greatest-read-before-you-die-classic-novels-literature-essential-austen-orwell-dickens-a8612606.html#

Hmmm. I've read 13. Not so hot. I agree that the list skews a little old and British. I wrote down "The Secret Life of Adrian Mole" and "Americanah" to add to my booklist.

[Anonymous]

The OP's list seems very heavily weighted towards older, more academically dissected books. Over half the books on that list I read through a college literature class, or in high school. I like lists like the PBS one because it balances out the heavy stuff with lighter, sometimes more pleasurable, pop-culture, reads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dear OP:

I am so tempted to tell you which to avoid in my opinion...but I won't unless you ask.

Clockwork Orange was nearly impossible to read. It's got a glossary in the back and fake words throughout. The movie is really disturbing.

Joseph Conrad LOVES to describe shit. Seriously, I think heart of darkness has two pages devoted to describing a hill with a tree on it.

I found some books that I hadn't read. Secret History looks entertaining.

Haha, so true! Brings me back to my high school days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like the Great American Read List better.

https://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/home/

Only a great 'Murican book list would include the Twilight Saga....

The Great American Read list isn't limited to US books. Maybe you should check it out first. You can watch the episodes online, or get the reference book.

Even if you hate Twilight, it got a lot of people reading who do not normally read. That's a good thing.

[Anonymous]

I like that they include some children's literature on this list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not well read and am kind of old. I ran across this list of 40 books to read before one dies on a UK newspaper web site. I wonder what you think of the list. I don't recognize most of the titles. Better late than never, I figure. Thank you for your comment.

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/books-best-greatest-read-before-you-die-classic-novels-literature-essential-austen-orwell-dickens-a8612606.html#

Hmmm. I've read 13. Not so hot. I agree that the list skews a little old and British. I wrote down "The Secret Life of Adrian Mole" and "Americanah" to add to my booklist.

I've read 23 of the list and tried to read 4 others. Unlike everybody else, I could not finish Wolf Hall. Nor could i finish Clockwork Orange or Rebecca and one other I just forgot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dear OP:

I am so tempted to tell you which to avoid in my opinion...but I won't unless you ask.

Clockwork Orange was nearly impossible to read. It's got a glossary in the back and fake words throughout. The movie is really disturbing.

Joseph Conrad LOVES to describe shit. Seriously, I think heart of darkness has two pages devoted to describing a hill with a tree on it.

I found some books that I hadn't read. Secret History looks entertaining.

I highly recommend The Secret History. One of my all-time favorite books!