So, I came across these two booklists of which you might already be aware, but that were new to me. The first is a list of books chosen by well-known international authors that they think are 'the most central works in world literature and...left their individual mark on the authors' own thinking and imagination.' The second is a list of the top 100 books as voted on by the general public in Britain.
The first is called the Library of World Literature, 'The 100 Best Books in the History of Literature':
http://www.bokklubben.no/SamboWeb/side.do?dokId=65500&klubbid=WB
This list in not in numerical order, but in alphabetical; however, the runaway favorite was Don Quixote by Cervantes.
The second is the BBC's Big Read:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100.shtml
This list was in numerical order. The favourite? The Lord of the Rings. The second favorite, great for romance fans, was Pride and Prejudice.
I perused these lists because I was curious about whether I'd read anything on them.
I've read only 21 of the Best Books in the History of Literature. I fared better with the Big Read—38 read. I started a couple that I never finished, but I didn't count those. There were also some that I'd never read, but had seen as a movie. I didn't count those, either.
The lists fired me up to read more, to try to make my way through as many as possible. After all, these are classics for a reason.
I found the BBC's list more accessible, more filled with popular genre fiction, but both lists make for compelling reading goals.
My personal favorite out of these lists is To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
What is yours?
15 comments:
GONE WITH THE WIND would top my list I'd have to say. I've read quite a few from the BBC's Big Read list.
Pride and Prejudice, i think i really have to read this book :)
Great choice, Marybelle!
Eli, definitely give Pride and Prejudice a read.
I'm sadly lacking when it comes to reading these books. I have read Hamlet and some other Shakespeare works and enjoyed them.
I've read 37 on the BBC list, and was just reminded, reading it, of how many more I want to read! My favorite? Ugh. If you held a gun to my head, probably The Shell Seekers.
Great post!
Kaura, that's how I felt, too. The lists reminded me of books I'd forgotten that I want to read. Choosing a favorite wasn't easy. Sorry to put you under the gun ;-)
I love these kinds of lists, they take me back to books I've loved like Jane Eyre, and also remind me of ones I really should read, because I'm sure I'll love them, too, like To Kill A Mockingbird. I adore Scout in the movie and I'm sure she's even better in the book.
I didn't fare too well on either list but I can pick a couple of favorites out of the BBC list. Anne of Green Gables , The Shell Seekers (I ended up reading all of Rosamunde Pilcher's books after reading it), all three books by Jane Austin and quite a few other favorites are listed. On second read through I have read quite a few on the BBC list.
Summer, I loved Scout in the movie, too. I thought she got the character just right.
Kaelee, it sounds like you did really well with the BBC list!
Of all the books listed, Anne of Green Gables is my favorite followed by the Harry Potter books :)
Oh forgot to mention I read 28 on the BBC list and 12 on the other list :) And I also like Pippi Longstockings :) Read that one in 5th grade and again when I was in college!
Great selection of favourites, Snookie!
On the first list, I'd have to go with Absolom, Absolom and The Sound and the Fury--both by William Faulkner. His stream-of-consciousness writing drives some people crazy, but I love it.
On the BBC list, it would have to be Far From the Madding Crowd because I love anything by Thomas Hardy!
Pamela, I read The Sound and the Fury and loved it. I will have to try Absolom, Absolom. Ditto with Far From the Madding Crowd.
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