Challenge: 50 Books discussion
*Retired* 2008 Lists
>
Judith's 50 Books for 2008
date
newest »
newest »
7. Lucky Jim* - Kinglsey Amis8. Islam - A Short History - Karen Armstrong
9. A Confederacy of Dunces* - Kennedy Toole
10. Eleanor of Aquitaine - Allison Weir
11. The Bluest Eye* - Toni Morrison
how was Turn of the Screw? I loved Picture of Dorian Gray. good choice!
Got some awesome classics in there. Love it!
I really liked both The Turn of the Screw and The Picture of Dorian Gray, Earline. I found the "Screw" quite different from the other James books I have read. It has more plot and less character analysis. It made for an easier read -- very enjoyable.
12. The Reader* - Barnard Schlink13. A Painted House - John Grisham
14. Deathman, Do Not Follow Me - Jay Bennett15. Sister Carrie* - Theodore Dreiser
16. The Unconsoled* - Kazuro Ishiguro
17. Billy Budd* - Herman Melville
18. Sphere - Michael Crichton
19. The Fall of the House of Usher* (re-read) - Edgar A. Poe
20. Group Portrait with Lady* - Heinrich BollOriginal story telling for sure! Good historical fiction set in Germany during and after the wars.
21. Song of the Lark - Willa CatherHistorical fiction set in the Southwest, Midwest and New York. German influences and references throughout. Excellent tale of a developing talent
and career.
22. Everything is Illuminated* - Jonathan Safran FoerReally liked this sad, humorous and touching story.
A good read.
23.You Can't Go Home Again - Thomas WolfeGreat historical fiction about the late 1920's and 30's in the US. Sorry the author died so young. He could have been another Henry James.
What is the significance of the asterisk after some titles, if you don't mind my asking?
The Asterisk indicates the book is on the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list.
Wow Judith you have some great books added since the last time I checked in! I can always find a couple new books to add to my lists!
I think I need to ape your notation method.
24.Unless* - Carol ShieldsI'm definitely glad I read this one, but it could have been more enjoyable with fewer obscure metaphors, French phrases and other pretentious elements. I really enjoyed the structure, the pace and the story-line.
25. Great Books for Every Book Lover - CraughwellI love these kind of books on books. This one resonates especially as it has quite a number of books and/or authors I've already read. A fair number made the 1001 Books to Read List and The Modern Library's 100 Best Novel List also. Good write ups on each inclusion too.
26. The Deeper Meaning of Liff - Douglas Adams"Liff" is a thing, idea or experience for which there is no name. Adams defines these and assigns place names to represent them quite humorously.
My favorite is on page 29 of my copy:
"Dinder - to nod thoughtfully while someone gives you a long and complex set of directions which you know you're never going to remember."
I dinder while my husband patiently explains technical directions quite frequently.
27. Never Let Me Go* - K. IshiguroThe sad story of Ruth, Tommy and Kathy stayed with me for days after finishing this one. I love this author for both his originality and his insight into the human psyche. So worthwhile and thought provoking!
28.The Temple of My Familiar* - Alice WalkerWhat a force this author is, and what an impression she leaves on me! I think I liked this one even better than her more famous, "The Color Purple". Love her magical realism, quirky yet serious characters, view of history and overall philosophy in this book.
A must read in my book on books!
29.The Blithdale Romance* - Nathaniel HawthroneGood book! It has an historical framework, interesting characters, mysteries to solve and lots of philosophy to ponder. Great insight into certain personality types too. I recognized a few of the "difficult people" in my life from this one!
30. The Nine Tailors* - Dorothy L. SayersGreat mystery from a great mystery writer. This may be her best! Love that Peter Wimsey!
31. Jude the Obscure* - Thomas HardyThis is one I missed reading in earlier life for whatever reason and always meant to read. The social comment, as always with Hardy, is biting; and the author's outrage is clear throughout. It was an important high-impact book in its time, and definitely good historical fiction for us today. I'm glad I finally got around to it!
Can you compare Jude to anything else by Hardy? I've gotten through a couple of his, but I just haven't cared for them (Return of the Native and Far From the Maddening Crowd).
I'm not sure how you felt Judith, but I read Jude first in university and then later read Far From the Maddening Crowd and weas disappointed. FFMC was good, but definitely didn't live up to my expectations for Hardy after I read Jude. I definitely agree with your comments Judith, Jude is probably one of my top five fave books and I've read a lot!
"Jude the Obscure" is Hardy's most biting criticism of English society (especially class distinctions and unfair treatment of the poor). If I'm remembering correctly, he stopped writing fiction after this one because of the very strong criticism he got for writing this book. In it he tackles the world of academe in his time, and he takes no prisoners on this subject. Most people think it is his greatest work. I've liked all his books, so I'd have a hard time saying this one is superior to the others I've read. I liked some of his other main characters and stories a little better because they appealed to my taste more; but I can see how critics think this one tops the Hardy stack! Hope this helps a little It's just been so long since I read any others that I'm afraid to be more detailed in my comparison.
Hi Samara! About "Jude the Obscure": I think this probably is his "masterpiece". I just didn't care for Jude and Cousin Sue as I remember caring about other characters in his other books, read years ago.Just a matter of personal taste and connecting with the people the story is about. But, I agree, "Jude" is a remarkable and important book to read!
32. It Can't Happen Here - Sinclair LewisWhat a timely book to find in a stack of old paperbacks! Highly recommend it for those who are concerned about our American political demise in the 21st century!
33. Where Angels Fear To Tread* - E.M.Forster34. The Handmaid's Tale* - Margaret Atwood
35. Our Mutual Friend* - Charles Dickens
36. Love In The Time of Cholera* - G. Marquez
37. The Oxbow Incident* - Walter Clark
38. The Human Stain* - Philip Roth
39. Oil* - Upton Sinclair
40. The Sheltering Sky* - Paul Bowles
41. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Alexander McCall SmithA admirable protagonist takes on the mission to answer people's questions and to solve a crime in a small town in Africa, and she does everything with such aplomb! A good, satisfying mystery.
Just catching up a little...28. Jude The Obscure* - Thomas Hardy
29. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Alexander McCall Smith
30. It Can't Happen Here - Sinclair Lewis
31. The Nine Tailors* - Dorothy L. Sayers
32. The Blithedale Romance - Nathaniel Hawthorne
33. Love In The Time of Chorlera* - G. Marquez
34. Slaughterhouse Five* - K. Vonnegut
35. The Murder of Peter Ackroyd* - Agatha Christy
36. The Handmaid's Tale* - Margaret Atwood
37. The Human Stain* - Philip Roth
38. Our Mutual Friend* - Charles Dickens
39. Where Angels Fear To Tread - E. M. Forster
40. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming
41. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime* - Mark Haddon
42. Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
43. The Temple of My Familiar - Alice Walker
44. Oil - Upton Sinclair
45. Under The Volcano* - Malcolm Lowry
46. The Sheltering Sky* - Paul Bowles
47. American Phycho - Bret Easton Ellis
48. Perfume* - Patrick Suskind
49. Tipping the Velvet* - Sarah Waters
50. Everything is Illuminated* - Jonathan Foer
On to the 100 book challenge!
28.The Bad Twin - Trout29.The Nine Tailors* - Dorothy L. Sayers
30.The Temple of My Familiar* - Alice Walker
31.It Can't Happen Here - Sinclair Lewis
32.The Blithedale Romance* - Nathaniel Hawthorne
33.The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency - A.M.Smith
34.Jude The Obscure* - Thomas Hardy
35.The Handmaid's Tale* - Margaret Atwood
36.Farenheidt 451 - Ray Bradbury
37.Under the Volcano* - Malcolm Lawry
38.Love in the Time of Cholera* - G Marquez
39.Casino Royale* - Ian Fleming
40.Slaughterhouse Five* - K. Vonnegut
41.Tipping the Velvet* - Sarah Waters
42.American Psycho* - Bret Easton Ellis
43.The Human Stain* - Philip Roth
44.The Murder of Roger Ackroyd* - Agatha Christie
45.Our Mutual Friend* - Charles Dickens
46.The Sheltering Sky* - Paul Bowles
47.Where Angels Fear To Tread* - E.M.Forster
51. The Last Time They Met - Anita Shreve
Bishop:
I appear to be at 51 in my overlapping lists here.
I've started a new list at the 100 Book Challenge site, so I'm abandoning this one.
I reached this goal!
Glad you liked the review--and glad you reached your goal already!! I've passed 100, so I'm just posting what I read now to see how far I can get by the end of the year. My new goal: 150. We shall see! ;)
1. The Pilot's Wife - Anita Shreve
2. Saturday* - Ian McEwan
3. Candide* - Voltaire (re-read)
4. Turn of the Screw* - Henry James
5. The Mansion - Wm Faulkner
6. The Picture of Dorian Gray* - Oscar Wilde