Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion
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How many of the 1001 books have you read?
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Flora
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Sep 22, 2010 11:59AM
It seems like everytime I look over the list I find another that I have read that I missed marking before. My total is more like 59....there's probably one or two more lurking in there too lol.
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ok... finally got 10%, which means I've reached my goal for this year. That's 98 books. OK, I'm going to take a little break from it.
I just found the list (and the group) recently. My first count was 33 (excluding those that I read in high school and don't remember). I think that's going to go down a bit though. I feel like a few of them need to be reread for the sake of the list. <3 The Master and Margarita.
I'm up to 33 from the 2008 and 2010 list and 36 from the 2006 list! I'm taking a short break from the list right now. The last book I read and the one I'm currently reading are not list books, but I'm planning on hitting the list hard when I'm finished with this one.
While I am mostly focusing on the 2008 list, three years after finding the 1001 list(s), I have now read 330 books from the combined 2006/2008/2010 list.
330! That's amazing! That's about 10 times more than me!How many hours a day do you spend reading? How did you manage it?
Inna wrote: "333"I'm not too far ahead of you, Inna, with about 370. I'll look up the exact number and post it soon.
I have read 35 from the 2006 list, haven't figured out for 2008 and 2010. I am working on 36 right now
I'm bit surprised to find I've already read 47 books from the list!!! yah!!! so moving on to 48 very soon.
I've actually read nearly 250 of the books (a large portion comprising 19th C), but I was an Eng lit major, and am a voracious reader. I have to wonder about the criteria for some of the books, though. The Da Vinci Code? Is there any literary value in it whatsoever? And all six of Austen's novels? It's also somewhat skewed towards Brit writers. At least they included some decent science fiction.
Alexis wrote: I've actually read nearly 250 of the books (a large portion comprising 19th C), but I was an Eng lit major, and am a voracious reader.Wow! Congrats!
The Da Vinci Code? Is there any literary value in it whatsoever?
Not on the list, actually. I haven't read it, so can't really comment on its literary merit (or lack thereof).
And all six of Austen's novels?
I believe a couple ended up getting dropped from the list in 2008.
It's also somewhat skewed towards Brit writers.
The 2008 seemed to correct this somewhat, as well, by creating a more international reading list. However, yes, the list is heavy on the Brit (and U.S.) authors.
At least they included some decent science fiction.
Which ones do you like? I especially dig the John Wyndham, the H.G. Wells, and the Jules Verne books on the list.
The Da Vinci Code? Is there any literary value in it whatsoever?Probably not, but theres no harm in the occasional guilty pleasure! Totally argee it doesn't deserve to make the list though.
And all six of Austen's novels?
I'm not a fan, but there is no denying that they are hugely popular worldwide and paint an (occasionally) interesting portrait of the chattering classes of Austen's England.
It's also somewhat skewed towards Brit writers.
Pre 1800-1900s, maybe- but then there wasn't a strong literary culture worldwide prior to this (with a few exceptions). I'm actually quite impressed at the number of modern world literature titles included.
At least they included some decent science fiction.
YES! Although very little fantasy/ancient classics disappointingly.
Where is everyone seeing The Da Vinci Code? It is not included in any of the three editions of the 1001 Books list.
I just picked it up from the conversation - I've never seen it on any of the lists. Quite frankly I think I would have been surprised, and therefore would have remembered, if I had.
Amanda wrote: I just picked it up from the conversation - I've never seen it on any of the lists. Quite frankly I think I would have been surprised, and therefore would have remembered, if I had.Oh, I see. Yes, I agree, it would definitely stick out...in a one-of-these-things-is-not-like-the-others-one-of-these-things-just-doesn't-belong kind of way. :)
I've just reached 100 from the three lists combined which I am very excited about!! Originally my goal for this year was to read at least 20 from the list which according to my Arukiyomi spreadsheet is the number I need to do to finish before I die. As I got closer and closer to the 100 mark however I decided I would go for it and see if I could make it by the end of the year! Now I would like to read another 30 so I can reach 10% of the three combined lists!
Deanne wrote: "Reached 80% on the original list, and 65% of the 2008 list, still finding books from the lists."I think that qualifies you as "well-read"! That's a lot.
I have lost track of where I'm at on my count, but have to thank this group for playing a tiny role in a change in my life. Due to trying to find some of these books on the list, I started going to a bookstore in town and reconnected with an old friend who, as of December 13th has become my fiance! Thank you! I knew he was a kindred spirit when he found a copy of The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe for me!
Ginny wrote: "I have lost track of where I'm at on my count, but have to thank this group for playing a tiny role in a change in my life. Due to trying to find some of these books on the list, I started going to..."Congrats and here's to "happily ever after"!
Sterlingcindysu wrote: "Deanne wrote: "Reached 80% on the original list, and 65% of the 2008 list, still finding books from the lists."I think that qualifies you as "well-read"! That's a lot."
Ginny, that is the most wonderful story, congratulations!
Ginny wrote: "I have lost track of where I'm at on my count, but have to thank this group for playing a tiny role in a change in my life. Due to trying to find some of these books on the list, I started going to..."wow, how fantastic! sigh~
meeting your future love in a bookstore, how romantic :)
i have been eyeballing this list for an eternity, and i'm certain i've read several of the books anyway, but I am beginning at book zero and day zero, so, im kind of only on my first one. I am very determined, so I think i will make it far. Better hurry before life takes over.
Ginny wrote: "I have lost track of where I'm at on my count, but have to thank this group for playing a tiny role in a change in my life. Due to trying to find some of these books on the list, I started going to..."Aww, that is sweet and amazing. Congratulations!
Ginny wrote: "I have lost track of where I'm at on my count, but have to thank this group for playing a tiny role in a change in my life. Due to trying to find some of these books on the list, I started going to..."Wow! Congratulations! That is an excellent story! Yay to Goodreads and our group for having a small part in facilitating your meet-up. :)
I just started my list challenge, and had already read 119 off the core list, and 122 off the current 2010 list. I just decided to read the lot! :D
I'm nearing 358 now and about 39% of the combined lists.I'm so impressed with Deanne's 80% and wonder what her secret is for that accomplishment! I've been working on the lists since 2007 and had read about 100 of the titles before that date (which I counted), and still my totals seem to only creep ahead!
I just joined the group. I picked up the spreadsheet. Mostly due to having studied literature at university many years ago, I have read 229 (32%) of the core books, 240 (24%) of the 2010 list and 294 (23%) of the combined list. So I have a ways to go, but the spreadsheet tells me that at 2 books per month I will make the whole of the core list when I am 70 :)
I combined all 3 lists onto an excel spreadsheet and found out I had only read 30 of them! I really thought it would be more than that since I read ALL THE TIME.Now it's a year later and with some determination last year, I'm at 61. I'm gonna keep chippin' away at it. There are a few I read in high school that I counted that I can't remember so they are on my re-read list. I think I'll appreciate them more now.
It's been great - I like that I've been introduced/exposed to books I otherwise would never have read. I have no desire to find out how long it will actually take me to read them all - especially since they keep making new lists every 2 years!
Rosemary wrote: "I just joined the group. I picked up the spreadsheet. Mostly due to having studied literature at university many years ago, I have read 229 (32%)..."LOL! I loved your comment! But what will your when you turn 70!?! :) There just may be an update or 2 to the list by then!
My goal is to be AT your starting point by next year! Great start so far! Congrats!!!
I've just joined up so hello!....there are some awesome books on the list, many I've never heard of. I've read 138 of the 1001 already. I've challenged myself for 2011 to read 100 books but don't think I will make it this year and I have a stack on my to read list...some of which are on the 1001 list. Might re-order my to read list now.
Erin wrote: "I combined all 3 lists onto an excel spreadsheet and found out I had only read 30 of them! I really thought it would be more than that since I read ALL THE TIME.Now it's a year later and with som..."
I sympathise Erin. I did the same and although I can't remember the exact number I had originally read, it was disappointingly low considering how much I liked to read and the fact that I thought I had a rather broad and enlightened list of past reads. I've been bumping up my count for the last few years and have gotten a fair bit of value from the titles I've picked up!
Conrats on your achivements.
Rosemary wrote: "I just joined the group. I picked up the spreadsheet. Mostly due to having studied literature at university many years ago, I have read 229 (32%) of the core books, 240 (24%) of the 2010 list and 2..."Way to go, Rosemary. We are about at the same place, and I've studied lit for years as well.
Trisha wrote: "Rosemary wrote: "I just joined the group. I picked up the spreadsheet. Mostly due to having studied literature at university many years ago, I have read 229 (32%)of the core ..."LOL! I loved your comment! when you turn 70!?! :) There just may be an update or 2 to the list by then!"
True. But the thing is that updates to the list only make the number of CORE books smaller, so if you concentrate on those, you are fine :)
I've read 100 from the (I think) 2010 list. I know that I'll never read the full 1001 because there are many titles that I have no interest in whatsoever. But it will be interesting to track, regardless.
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