The "MUST" List

[Mihaela]

I want to be a better read person. I feel like my knowledge of literature is so spotty- I have read and loved some of the Classics Dostoyevsky, Tolstoi, Marquez, Hugo) but not much beyond that. The task is daunting. Where do I even start?
Can anyone share a list, a website, a book, anything that would start me on the right path?

Thank you

[Betsy]

You might check out Listopias.

https://www.goodreads.com/list

Do a search for something like "must read". There are a lot of inapplicable lists, but some that might be useful for you.

[Betsy]

You might also check out the "Great Books of the Western World", a collection by the University of Chicago in the 1950s. Here is the Wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Bo...

You can also search for "great books of the western world" in Goodreads. There's a listopia by that name, but it's incomplete. Most of the books (probably all of the books) are in the database and most will have that phrase somewhere in the title or edition field.

[Som]

Start with this.... if you like it, I'll recommend another one. Cheers.

[Stella]

Most internet lists are featuring Western classics (they throw in a few Russians from time to time) and most 'must read' lists feature Anglo-american authors only.

To make sure you've got the classics and variety, I'd start here:
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prize...

And then I'd work my way back in the past from there.

I highly recommend you start with The Cairo Trilogy: Palace Walk / Palace of Desire / Sugar Street (I can't help recommending this, it's one of my favorite books)

Enjoy!

[Mihaela]

Som wrote: "Start with this.... if you like it, I'll recommend another one. Cheers."

On hold from the library- looking forward to it!

[Mihaela]

Stella wrote: "Most internet lists are featuring Western classics (they throw in a few Russians from time to time) and most 'must read' lists feature Anglo-american authors only.

To make sure you've got the cla..."

So true about diversity on most "Best of" lists. Good point about the Nobel Prize Winners. Heard about the trilogy, adding it to my "To read".

[Mihaela]

Betsy wrote: "You might check out Listopias.

https://www.goodreads.com/list

Do a search for something like "must read". There are a lot of inapplicable lists, but some that might be useful for you."

Some choices have my eyes roll till they hurt...but true, a place to start. Thank you.

[Betsy]

Another book you might look at: The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classic Guide to World Literature, Revised and Expanded. It was first published in 1960, but was expanded in the 1990s.

[Will]

I have used the Lifetime Reading Plan for many years as a guide to becoming a more well read person. Still have a long way to go though. I believe it's author was Clifton Fadiman.

[Mihaela]

Betsy wrote: "Another book you might look at: The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classic Guide to World Literature, Revised and Expanded. It was first published in 1960, but was expanded in the 19..."

Sounds great!

[Jaye]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The list is at the above review.
I'm not sure but I think "well-read" changes with age and perception and, maybe, ability to focus changing with time.
Maybe I'm just a slogger (Is that a word?).
At this point in my life, I want to really enjoy a book without bogging down in it.
I've read a lot on that list over the years (and many years ago for some of them), but I've looked over others too and feared falling asleep.
Wow, this is me in the afternoon...fairly disjointed stuff !

[Jaye]

After thinking about it a bit more I believe I now am more diverse with my book choices.
Recently I picked up a book I may not have considered earlier in my life and really enjoyed it. So different.
Check out Anne's review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

title: The Tiny Wife

[Hester]

I don't know how well read this will make you but The People of Paper it's unlike anything I've ever read before.

[Kati]

For me, classic literature = Alexander Dumas Sr. Always. It doesn't get any better than him.