Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion
1001 Book List
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So which list are you using?
I'm going with the theme that I'm staying with the first list I started with (which was 2008) but I know that the 2008 version has books that can't be found in English....so that is a drawback that I believe the 2010 list Does not have.....some are talking about just going with the core list (the ones that didn't change so far) and then go from there :D Good luck! it's fun to work through! There are so many books that I now love that I don't know that I would have read without this list!!
The Quiet American by Graham Greene. Those who have read the book, how did you find it? Do you like Greene's writing style?
I *first* started with the 2006 list, but after a couple of months the 2008 one came out, and that one had a nifty spreadsheet, so I switched, even though I lost about 20 books. I'm sticking with 2008! But also trying to read the 2010 additions, which are all recent highly talked-about bestsellers, so it's not too onerous to acquire them (I got 3 as gifts already!) I think of the 2010 additions as "fun" books.
Rachel wrote: "The Quiet American by Graham Greene. Those who have read the book, how did you find it? Do you like Greene's writing style?"I loved The Quiet American and Greene in general.
I'm sticking with 2006 and then going on to the next one and reading the added books and so on
Michelle wrote: "Hey guys. I'm new to this group, and these lists, and I've been having difficulty deciding which list to use..."I've put all three lists into a spreadsheet. When I read something I check it off whatever list(s) it is on.
Trisha wrote: "I'm going with the theme that I'm staying with the first list I started with (which was 2008) but I know that the 2008 version has books that can't be found in English....so that is a drawback thatI believe the 2010 list Does not have....."There are only 11 books different between the 2008 version and the 2010 version.
Liz wrote: "Trisha wrote: "I'm going with the theme that I'm staying with the first list I started with (which was 2008) but I know that the 2008 version has books that can't be found in English....so that is ..."There is a pretty large difference between 2006 and 2010 though.
I believe this was posted on another thread.
The current "core books", books that have been included on all three editions, are only 714 in number. Most likely, with each new edition the core number of books will diminish.
2006 Edition = 1001 books
2008 Edition = 282 books replaced
2010 Edition = 5 books from 2006 edition replaced (and 6 from the 2008 edition)
so, there is still a core group of 714 and then you can add from there. Even if it's just 11 books from 2008 to now, about 300 books is a LARGE amount of books.
I hope knowing there is a core group may help :D
I'm using the 2010 list. It was the first I found and I figure I'll just stick with it and go back and read what I've missed later.
Elise wrote: "I *first* started with the 2006 list, but after a couple of months the 2008 one came out, and that one had a nifty spreadsheet, so I switched, even though I lost about 20 books. I'm sticking with 2..."Elise, did you find the 2010 list somewhere? I'm using the Listology version--the original 2000, as this new laptop is not unzipping files correctly at all.
I'm using all three lists, which has 1294 books. I bought Arukiyomi's most recent spreadsheet which has all three lists and you can keep track of it in it. It also gives percentages of each list that you've read. It's pretty cool.
MG wrote: "I'm using all three lists, which has 1294 books. I bought Arukiyomi's most recent spreadsheet which has all three lists and you can keep track of it in it. It also gives percentages of each list th..."Teresa: this. I bought the spreadsheet from Arukiyomi, who posts to these boards, so he should be pretty easy to find. Good luck!
Rachel wrote: "The Quiet American by Graham Greene. Those who have read the book, how did you find it? Do you like Greene's writing style?"I'm using the 2008 list. Only 13 books have changed on the 2010 and I'm thinking it's not that big a deal.
The Quiet American was ... quiet. But it packs a bomb. Greene is very subtle, I appreciated that subtlety. This novel could very easily have been a big, noisy one considering the subject matter. It was delicately pieced together. I liked the way it didn't focus on the war as much, but on the sidelines, the backalleys of the people who had to negotiate through it and survive. This perspective gave it more credibility in my opinion.
I'm using the list that has all three, that way i can compare each one and decide which one of the books I would rather read than the other on an updated list
I'm using the 2006 list. How do I get the 2008 list?
Charity wrote: "Mike,See this thread.
Hope this helps. :)"
Charity,
Thanks alot. Just what I was looking for.
Charity,Thanks alot. Just what I was looking for.
You're quite welcome.
I am using a combo of lists and trying to make my own. A lovely girl (Christine) just sent me her list to which I am very grateful!
Neither. What a ridiculous way to go about reading great literature.
Geoffrey wrote: "Neither. What a ridiculous way to go about reading great literature."?? Then why join the group?
Geoffrey wrote: "Neither. What a ridiculous way to go about reading great literature."Using a list as a way to find great literature is ridiculous? I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean by this.
And I'm with Cindy...why join the group if this is your sentiment?
As I explained in another posting, this thread does contain recommendations from readers and general comments as to the quality of the books. I don`t use the list, having only read it once to add to the number of classic books I have read. I read the thread from time to time to get a sense of what a book is about and see if it is one I would like to read. I have no intention to go through the list and cherry pick what is of interest to me.
Well, that actually doesn't make any sense to me, but I'm not going to spend much time arguing the point. Saying it is ridiculous to use the list(s) to find great literature is just silly. Who cares how you find great reads?...Anyway, I'm hoping to make a bigger dent in the list(s) in the coming year. I have managed to amass a rather large collection of list books that everyone has been talking about in the threads. I must admit that I have many more great reading experiences with the list(s) than disappointing ones. I really hope that trend continues.
(I'm using a combination of all three lists, as I enjoy the variety of options.)
I'm actually using three lists: 2006, 2008 and the Spanish edition, which contains lots of books which were not in the original list, some of which were added to the 2008 one. I haven't really gone into the 2010 list, though I have downloaded it. But that one doesn't have such major alterations, does it?
Lauli wrote: "But that one doesn't have such major alterations, does it?"Nope. Only 11 book changes between the 2008 and 2010 lists and all newer publications. I've only read two from the 2010 list, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and Invisible, but I considered them both list-worthy. I've heard a lot of good things about most of the 2010 additions, primarily, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, The White Tiger, and The Children's Book. I'm anxious to get around to them.
Do NOT give this guy a donation for these lists. I did, and the link I got didn't work. I emailed him about it, and while he did reply, he still hasn't fixed the problem. So, basically, I just threw away money. I'm glad it wasn't a big donation. What a scam!
Christine wrote: "I'm using a list that has ALL 3 lists combined. I don't imagine I'll ever read all of these. In fact, there are a few books on here I feel flat uninterested in. But, it's fun to make progress on it..."This sounds like a good idea! Where could I find a list that contains all 3?
Amy wrote: "Do NOT give this guy a donation for these lists. I did, and the link I got didn't work. I emailed him about it, and while he did reply, he still hasn't fixed the problem. So, basically, I just thre..."Hi Amy: I made a donation and it worked for me. I really like the spreadsheet and was so glad that someone created it. ~ Becky
I'm using all three - it's a bit overwhelming as the list is updated every two years. If my memory serves me correctly, the grand total is 1296 titles. I've become a "list-obsessive" - I have a stack of non-list books that are gathering dust because I can't spare the time to read them!
Geoffrey - I love your contrariness! I agree that the list is a bit silly, yet it has broadened my exposure to literature I didn't know was out there. ~ Becky
I'm sticking with 2006 for now, but I might come back to other lists and read the newly added ones still I don't know when that'll be 'cause I'm still below hundred.
Of course it's a crazy idea to use a list like this to choose books, that's why I was so amazed and delighted to find that there are over 9000 other equally crazy people in the world! Coming up for 10 000 soon! However, I am also in a few other groups where classics are discussed in more depth, so where those group reads coincide with the 1001 books, why not? That way I can get involved in a detailed discussion, and cross another title off the list. I have the 2006 edition of the book. I like having the book, as it has a write-up about each book, so when someone makes a reference to a book or an author, you have one page to read, rather than the million choices that google would present you with. I know the list is a moveable feast, which is a bit annoying, but then hopefully good writing didn't finish in 2006, so it's also a positive thing. Should I ever happen to read all the books listed in this edition, I might then look at some other lists, but no doubt new titles will come and go, so if I'm still around twenty years from now, and I've managed to read a book a week (not happening now, so probably not likely), I might consider looking at an updated edition. It's the journey, not the destination.
I updated my count with the 2010 edition so now I'm following that one. I think this will be my method of 1001.
I have used the original list and supplemented with the updates without removing any. I have also added some other titles that appear frequently on other lists; 'Le Grand Meaulnes' for example and have an extended list of 1583 - could realistically do that in 15 years - its a challenge to aim for which makes it seem more fun. Not that reading isn't fun anyway.
Yes, but if you keep adding 500 books every five or so years to keep your list up to date, in 15 years you will have added a further 1500 books which will then take another 15 years. Meanwhile if you keep updating your list while you are reading that second 1500....This is the list that never ends
Yes, it goes on and on my friends
Some people started reading it
Not knowing what it was,
And they'll continue reading it, forever just because...
This is the list...(back to top...as they say on Goodreads)
Jan wrote: "Yes, but if you keep adding 500 books every five or so years to keep your list up to date, in 15 years you will have added a further 1500 books which will then take another 15 years. Meanwhile if y..."Oh dear! I'm afraid these sentiments are all too true!
I just joined, so I'm using the 2010 list and I've only read 45 of them, yikes!
Jan wrote: "Yes, but if you keep adding 500 books every five or so years to keep your list up to date, in 15 years you will have added a further 1500 books which will then take another 15 years. Meanwhile if y..."It makes me want to just compile my own list...
I like the classics, and a number of the groups I'm in discuss classics, and they'll probably stay on the list permanently, so that seems like the best place to start. This group is even discussing a classic at the momentThe Idiot
...I actually have a copy...so I'd better find it and get started!
Jan - hilarious little ditty about the list that never ends! Love it!I have the spreadsheet with all three lists combined and I really like it. I am focusing on the Core, but do read books off the list as well. I really love the list (I am sort of list-obsessive, I admit), and it has challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and read works I may not have ever considered or even heard of other wise.
I need help. I have a list that I have on my computer that has the book that has the book The Elegance of a Hedgehog but I can't figure out which list it is. I want to know which year it is because that is the list I started with.
Does anyone know if March was on one of the lists and if so which ones.
Jan wrote: "Yes, but if you keep adding 500 books every five or so years to keep your list up to date, in 15 years you will have added a further 1500 books which will then take another 15 years. Meanwhile if y..."
Great view
Love it
All so true.
Great view
Love it
All so true.
Jessica wrote: "Does anyone know if March was on one of the lists and if so which ones."Neither March nor The March is on the 1001 Lists (or at least it is not on the group bookshelves & I don't remember that title being on any of the lists).
Sonia wrote: "Jan wrote: "Yes, but if you keep adding 500 books every five or so years to keep your list up to date, in 15 years you will have added a further 1500 books which will then take another 15 years. Me..."Thank you
Amy wrote: "Do NOT give this guy a donation for these lists. I did, and the link I got didn't work. I emailed him about it, and while he did reply, he still hasn't fixed the problem. So, basically, I just threw money away... What a scam!"Happy to say that Amy has now received her spreadsheet although it's over a year late. She donated 4 days before I was due to spend 5 weeks in a Papua New Guinean village and I was in a location with very sporadic Internet. I did say I'd respond to her but once I was in the village, we didn't even have electricity. By the time I came back I had totally forgotten and for that I am sorry.
The list I'm using has 1,194 books. It combines all books from 2006, 2008 and 2010. I generally concentrate on books that are on all three lists (or core list) first but when I find an author that I particularly like I'll select books from any of the 3 years. This seems to work well for me and has introduced me to some really good writers with only the odd stinker thrown in. Mind you, a stinker to me is probably the favourite of someone else. I highly doubt I'll ever finish the entire list so pick the ones that look the most interesting to me first.
Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
Books mentioned in this topic
Es geht uns gut (other topics)The March (other topics)
March (other topics)
The Idiot (other topics)
The Quiet American (other topics)
So which list are you guys reading off of? The original, 2008, or the newest?