Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion
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New list October 2012
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Rosemary
(last edited Apr 16, 2012 03:01AM)
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Apr 16, 2012 02:57AM
I just noticed a new edition is coming out on 1st October 2012 (according to Amazon UK) ... unless it is just a paperback version of the 2010 edition.
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It really is a new edition - "completely revised for 2012".
Arg, that sounds like a lot of books have been deleted and added - just when I was getting a small handle on my reading. With any luck some of the good off list books I've read will be included on the added list so my percentage of books read won't suffer too badly.
There were 282 dropped from the first edition, and I thought many of the changes were quite valid--more non-English-speaking books, fewer multiple books by the same author. But there were just 11 dropped from the second edition. Of those 11, six had just been added for that edition. It made me wonder, "Why did they bother?" Even though I'm trying to tackle all of the writers in all of the editions, the cynic in me just thinks it's an easy way for the publisher to make money.
Tej wrote: "There were 282 dropped from the first edition, and I thought many of the changes were quite valid--more non-English-speaking books, fewer multiple books by the same author. But there were just 11 ..."The caveat being that the 2008 edition, as far as I know, was never available in the US. And it's still not listed on Amazon's US site (just the 2006 & 2010 editions).
And the October 2012 release is not being announced on Amazon's US site.
Liz M wrote: "Tej wrote: "There were 282 dropped from the first edition, and I thought many of the changes were quite valid--more non-English-speaking books, fewer multiple books by the same author. But there w..."I didn't know that. I just got the list off of the Internet. So I bet the editions are really coming out every four years, not every two. The 2006/2010 were for US and 2008/2012 are for UK. Interesting.
No, so far there has been a different edition every two years, we know that from the spreadsheets. I think all three extant editions have appeared in the UK. I certainly have a UK-printed copy of the 2010 list.
While I'm excited and curious about the new list, I'm also keeping my fingers crossed that they haven't made too many changes - or that they just add books I've already read!
I should let all those who have the Full or Developer versions of my spreadsheet know that I will be offering a free update to your spreadsheets to incorporate the 2012 list. I also hope to have a few additional features in v5 too which I'm working on now. Unfortunately, the launch of the new edition coincides with me returning home from working overseas and so the wife and I will be in transition. I'll try to set up most of the work beforehand so that I can get the new edition out to you all as soon as poss.
Are you also updating the app?
yes that will be updated too. In fact, that's a lot easier cos I don't do the coding!
Cass wrote: "APP? What app? I'm ignorant!"Just kidding, I finished lurking in the discussion boards and found it. =)
Wow! An app! SWEET.
Am assuming no one knows how big an update it is?.
Ooh that is a nice cover! Sounds like major changes to the list too.
The image is from one of the covers of Memoirs of a Geisha. Didn't that one get removed? Does that mean it has made its way back onto the list?
yes, Geisha was removed when the 2008 edition was published
It would be good to see Memoirs of a Geisha back on the list. I thought it was a good list book. There are definitely other books that I would like to see taken off the list, and I am sure that we will see a slew of books from 2009 - 2011 added. We will also probably see some of the books from 2000 - 2008 removed to make room for the newer ones from 2009 - 2011.
From that cover, it does look like Memoirs of a Geisha made it back on! Cool, one of my faves. So, will we Yanks have to go onto Amazon.com.uk to access this book? No news of an American release? Hmmm, I'll have to investigate.
no, it's being released by a UK publisher and, hopefully later today, I'll have some more detailed news on the release to share
Arukiyomi wrote: "as promised: http://johnandsheena.co.uk/books/?p=3711"
Just as you say, it doesn't answer my $1001 question, and I guess it won't until October or until someone, like yourself, has a copy of the book.
If you're looking for an affordable option and you live in the US, Aus etc then it's available at the Book Depository here for pre-order: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/1001-... for $23 AUD, not sure what that comes out to in US/UK dollars/pounds etc. Free shipping to many countries so definitely good if you're after a copy!
Huh. I wonder if they are reverting to the Western-Literature focus. The publisher's flyer mentions Aesop's Fables, Kidnapped, and The Passion, which were removed for the 2008 edition & the cover image of Memoirs of a Geisha, also removed from the 2006 list...Anyone know what book "The Invisible Sons" is supposed to be?
I do love the Book Depository! Free shipping worldwide is awesome. Just be careful ordering around the holidays. It took my husband's order a month to arrive! But I think I might have to pre-order the new edition. Update time!!
Liz M wrote: Anyone know what book "The Invisible Sons" is supposed to be? good catch Liz. I hadn't noticed that.
There is an absolutely awful book published in 2011 called The Invisible Son. I read a 4 page preview of it online just now. If that's included, it's the editor's idea of a joke. So, no, I have no idea what Invisible Sons might be.
It will be interesting to see what book "The Invisible Sons" actually is. My thought was perhaps it was a UK title of some book we may know by a different title in the US. However, a quick search doesn't bring anything up.
Perhaps it is possibly be the name of a book not yet available in English? I couldn't find anything either. I also tried Invisible Suns in case it was a typo.
Why, God, WHY????? What's the point in doing a new list, only TWO YEARS after the previous one?! Has there been so many seismic changes in the world of literature!!! Why don't they wait a decade to let the dust settle on new publications to guage the reaction to them and the importance of them?
LOL, but then they wouldn't sell as many books nor drive so many people crazy.
Fiona wrote: "Why, God, WHY????? What's the point in doing a new list, only TWO YEARS after the previous one?! Has there been so many seismic changes in the world of literature!!! Why don't they wait a decade ..."Not a clue why you would have such a passionate reaction. Boxall et all want to sell books - that's what this is about. Many people are working from the 2006 list and seem to be doing just fine. I'm using the lists to find good books and have no intention of reading them all, so bring it on!
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Why, God, WHY????? What's the point in doing a new list, only TWO YEARS after the previous one?! Has there been so many seismic changes in the world of literature!!! Why don't they ..."I'm with you there Elizabeth, since I know I'll never read them all, nor want to, I'll enjoy having even more books and authors to be introduced to. I find the list invaluable as I've found books I've loved and also hated (letting me know which authors to avoid).
I'm using all three lists to pick and choose which ones I read my 1001 from. It is frustrating to get another list, but exciting too; maybe some of the non read books I've read are on the new list : )
Why Elizabeth? So that I can bring you more features in updated spreadsheets of course! Or at least I would if the publishers hadn't told me I'd been violating their copyright for years in an email this week. Bummer...
Arukiyomi wrote: "Why Elizabeth? So that I can bring you more features in updated spreadsheets of course! Or at least I would if the publishers hadn't told me I'd been violating their copyright for years in an email..."Yikes! so there won't be an Arukiyomi update? And what about those other websites with lists! Or this group?
There won't be an update unless the publishers allow the distribution of the spreadsheet and apps. That may very well depend on you guys getting behind my voice to make it louder. To do that, visit this link to sign the petition.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/305/95...
I should also add that there is a space when you sign to add a message... that would really make an impact as I intend to send the publishers a link to the petition so they can see for themselves the demand that's out there once I get a good body of signatures.
if those of you with blogs or membership on other 1001 forums would repost this there, that would really help
thanks
Fiona wrote: "Why, God, WHY????? What's the point in doing a new list, only TWO YEARS after the previous one?! Has there been so many seismic changes in the world of literature!!! Why don't they wait a decade ..."Maybe Fiona is a slightly neurotic list-follower like me...I feel rather deeply compelled to check things off of lists and for that list to keep growing and changing is maddening!! LOL. All you free-wheeling folks who just use lists as suggestions...I'll never understand you. ha ha.
Hi everyone... major announcement. I'll shortly be taking the petition offline. It's served it's purpose and I'm now entering into discussions with the publishers. These discussions, I'm sure you'll understand have to be confidential. As a result, having the petition out there in a public forum will not help these discussions.In time, I'll have news. It may take weeks or months but I'll have news.
I can't express my thanks to you all for your support. You are truly amazing!
Cass wrote: "Maybe Fiona is a slightly neurotic list-follower like me...I feel rather deeply compelled to check things off of lists and for that list to keep growing and changing is maddening!! LOL. All you free-wheeling folks who just use lists as suggestions...I'll never understand you. ha ha. "Do you read *only* from lists?
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Cass wrote: "Maybe Fiona is a slightly neurotic list-follower like me...I feel rather deeply compelled to check things off of lists and for that list to keep growing and changing is maddening!! LOL..."@Elizabeth - nope, but think of all the books published in all the world...so MANY! So suggestions on which books have intrinsic literary value are super great.
I was exaggerating a little (I know I'll probably never get through all these lists, especially with them changing all the time), but I can certainly relate to the poor folks who have list compulsion, that's all. You said you had "not a clue" why Fiona would have such a passionate reaction, and I was saying I have at least a little clue. Some of us are a little more list crazy than others. =)
Thanks, Cass. I'm reading from this list and also the Pulitzer fiction list. And also not from lists. I believe I don't have enough time left to me to finish any of them, which is freeing. (I'm not a Deanne, I think it would take, what, 30-35 years to finish the list?) I can pick and choose and not feel any compulsion about even trying to finish.
Cass wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Why, God, WHY????? What's the point in doing a new list, only TWO YEARS after the previous one?! Has there been so many seismic changes in the world of literature!!! Why don't they ..."Cass is quite right in one way - I am a bit OCD and prescriptive about working my way through the list, but that's not why I'm annoyed about it. My point is that some of the earlier books on the list aren't just great books ... they have stood the test of time. I would rather the list was updated, but only, say, every 10 years, so that we would have a broader idea of their worth and how they have changed or influenced certain writing styles. I don't feel that 2 years is enough to grasp that concept. For instance, A S Byatt's "The Children's Book" is on the 2010 list. But will that really stand the test of time? I know an in depth discussion of that particular book would be best left to another thread, it's just a book I plucked out of the ether to illustrate the point that it's too soon to judge whether these books should be books you need to read before you die.
First of all, one person's "should" is not always another person's "should." Could you also go by Harold Bloom's Western Canon ? Lots of books on that list that aren't on the 1001 and vice versa. There is no list of "should" and you would be wise to make your own "should" and be happy with it. Don't let someone else run your life for you.
Yes - but as I said - my point is not that I SHOULD read the books. My point is, that two years is not a big enough gap to judge whether a book is worthy of being on the list or not.
Apparently Boxall etal thinks 2 years is enough. And it's their book.
Oh no, Elizabeth, did you just alert me to yet another book about reading books?! LOL... There's a Western Canon? I'm doomed. Maybe you're right about something, as you mentioned not having enough time left in you to finish all kinds of crazy reading lists. Perhaps my relative youth is giving me delusions of time stretching out before me. But while I'm here, for however long, I'd like to read GOOD books. (So that's why I stop after 100 pages or so if I hate a book, too...life's too short!)
Cass, you're absolutely right! Read what you enjoy, enjoy what you read! (and I have so many lists from which to choose - this, the Pulitzer, ScotiaBank-Giller, Man-Booker, Orange, Commonwealth, and on and on.)
But thanks for the Western Canon list - that looks great! x
Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
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