How many of the 1001 books have you read? Showing 901-950 of 1,912

[Miranda]

I'm sitting pretty at 155! Not bad considering I'm still in my 20s. Might take me a few more decades to get through the rest.

[Kari]

I'm working off of the 2006 book. I've read 165.

[Jonathan]

yeah - I was one of the writers for the book and can confirm that it really is not a complete work by any means. Time pressures meant that, for simplicities sake, some authors were over represented (for example, don't bother with all those Rushdie novels! MC, SV, and maybe one or two more are plenty!), and others were missed out. The later versions sought to fix this a bit with a greater emphasis on international authors (which I was very happy about). There were lots of arguments about this list, and many of us were very unhappy with the final result....

Stephanie "Jedigal" wrote: "Bianca, welcome!

I started on this list at age 39, having read I think about 70ish of them. I still that other books are good and worth reading.

These are just apparently MORE worth reading in..."

[Mikela]

I'm stuck on 252 and fear I will be for some time yet as I'm attempting to finish A Dance to The Music of Time ~ only on Book 9 of the 12. A pity that after all this reading I'll only be able to cross one more book off my read list.

[Ann]

88 read. So a long way yet to go.

[Ursula]

I'm at 108 from the 2006 edition (the one I own), and 116 overall. I need to live a long life.

[Deanne]

No Ursula you just need to be able to read quickly and be able to track down all the books on the lists.

[Ursula]

I get the relationship there. I just am not going to read 100% list books.

[Jonathan]

Seriously, trying to read all of the books on the list is really not a good idea. I was involved in putting the book together, and wrote some of the reviews in it, and can tell you that nobody who worked on it was 100% happy with the final lists. Some corners were cut due to time constraints, and some authors are very very over-represented. I would happly cut out around 300 of the books and replace them with works a million times better (all of which would probably be in translation - there is way too much of an anglo-american focus to the list). The book should really be used as a jumping-off point. It is most definitely not an exhaustive list, and there are many books on there which really do not deserve to be...

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Jonathan wrote: "Seriously, trying to read all of the books on the list is really not a good idea. I was involved in putting the book together, and wrote some of the reviews in it, and can tell you that nobody who ..."

Sort of an interesting discussion. A challenge group in which I participate uses Bloom's Western canon to award "extra points." Occasionally, dissension rears its ugly head. Apparently even Harold Bloom prefers not to discuss the list as being incomplete or over representative - an attitude with which he agrees. And yet, even with all of its warts, it is the best such list compiled.

One could say the same about the 1001 list (now 1305). I use the 1001 list to help direct my reading. Even if I read something near 50 list books a year (which I don't/won't), I would be unlikely to complete the list before I die (1305-130=1175/50 would get me to age 90). That is truly freeing, if you stop to think about it. There are books on the list that don't interest me. I don't have to even *try* to complete it.

[Nicole]

Jonathan wrote: "Seriously, trying to read all of the books on the list is really not a good idea. I was involved in putting the book together, and wrote some of the reviews in it, and can tell you that nobody who ..."

What's great about the 1001 Books to Read before you die list and all other literature list is the challenge and the exposure to certain authors or titles that one may not have known about prior. If I could read every book on every list, I would. But I can't, due to time and personal taste. Is one of my goals to read all the books on the 1001 list? Yes. Will it happen? I don't know. The issue/concern I think that Jonathan is saying, is that it is a problem when all the books you read are solely based upon that list, or any list for that matter. If you can read one to five books a year based on lists that other people, for different reasons, have complied then that's great. But when you solely read books off of any list you limit yourself to a much larger world of literature. You miss out on some good stuff and some bad stuff, and the same argument goes for those who ignore the list entirely. It's rewarding when you read a Classic piece of literature. It's rewarding when you read a book from the 1001 list. And it's rewarding when you just walk into a bookstore and begin to discover. Enjoy the list. Enjoy the books on the list, but don't get caught up in other people's opinions. Because at the end of the day, that's all it is.

[Ursula]

My whole reason for using the list(s) is pretty much what Nicole said - to make me aware of books I'd probably never run across, and to get me to read some of those books that are cultural touchstones. I don't expect to like everything on the list(s), or get something significant out of all of them, but it's an interesting starting point for some reading I probably wouldn't do otherwise.

My comment about needing to live a long time was said with humor, not desperation.

[Deanne]

Ursula
Thought you were being funny, getting worried myself with how many I've read. Some of the books have left me scratching my head, two Henry Miller books, and Finnegan's wake being among them.

[Ursula]

Thanks Deanne. :) I'm still in the "theoretically possible" phase of life as regards the challenge. I prefer looking at the 1300+ list from all editions as it gives a lot more options for authors.

Henry Miller is part of my "I've started it in the past, but will give it another shot since it's on the list" group. I've actually tried Tropic of Cancer more than once and not finished it, but it'll get one more fair shake. Hat tip to you for reading Finnegans Wake, definitely. It is one of those that I really don't feel ready to tackle.

[Judith]

Jonathan wrote: "Seriously, trying to read all of the books on the list is really not a good idea. I was involved in putting the book together, and wrote some of the reviews in it, and can tell you that nobody who ..."

I'd really like to know more about what you and others on the project think should have been included. Do you think future editions may rectify these omissions and over-representations? And what do you think of Bloom's Western Canon in comparison?
I use both these and several other "best of" lists to find good authors and titles as I believe most of the serious readers here do also.

[Jonathan]

Judith wrote: ".." I don't think there will be much change in future editions - it is just not economic for the publishers to do that. As for the list itself - some of us contributors were able to suggest some inclusions for the updated version (which is much better than the original). The main issue was putting in pretty much the complete works of certain authors (Rushdie being a perfect example - Grimus is an AWFUL novel) which seems to have been done to save time/money.

Bloom's canon is showing its age, and is obviously too anglo-american in its focus. I think you are right to use the books as places to find new authors etc, rather than trying to read everything on it!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Bloom's canon is also heavily male. The 1001 list has given me many women authors to help give me a more rounded reading list.

[Judith]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Bloom's canon is also heavily male. The 1001 list has given me many women authors to help give me a more rounded reading list."

Good and true observations! I so agree on Rushdie also.

[Michael]

339 from the 2010 Boxall

[Julie]

Just got to 50 on the combined list. :o) You have to start somewhere! (45 on 2012 list)

[Ann A]

Just hit 100. I'll never read them all, but my goal is to do around 10 a year.

[Stephanie "Jedigal"]

Jonathan, and everyone, great discussion. I have too many dittos to what people said to repeat them. I think for me the list satisfies my "collector" tendencies. I certainly don't think of it as definitive. And pulp fiction can be a great experience, and not as passive as watching TV, even if its not .

Jonathan, I suspect you might not be able to share TOO many details about the list compilation, but I'd be curious to know how the "author overrepresentation" ended up in place, if you're able to say.

[Jonathan]

Stephanie "Jedigal" wrote: "Jonathan, and everyone, great discussion. I have too many dittos to what people said to repeat them. I think for me the list satisfies my "collector" tendencies. I certainly don't think of it as..."

Well - publishers work in strange ways, particularly with books like this. They are commissioned on high (along with a load of other 1001 type books). Someone is chosen to be the editor and they are asked to put together the list, with input from specialists in certain areas. The list must be 'popularist' enough not to scare off potential purchasers, but not too popularist to have no clout. It is a delicate balance. Remember, of course, that the primary goal is to have a list which will sell more copies of the book, not one that is the 'best'. As for the overrepresentation, I think a list of some key authors were drawn up and then most, if not all, of their books were dumped in just to push up the numbers and speed up the process. These types of books are always done under stupid time constraints too....The updates were done for sales in Europe so we were allowed to include more works in translation etc and could therefore make a better list.

[Deanne]

So that explains Taebek mountains, written in Korean and available in French.

[Ann]

I do track the books that I read on the 1001 list but I also found a list on listology of Books to read to consider WELL READ also and so I have put those two together and now I have a master list of almost 2500. I know I may not get to them all but it is so satisfying to be able to mark another one off my list. Plus all this reading keeps me out of trouble ;).

[Sonya]

I just started from the top. I'm trying to read at least 2 books a month, one from my list and one from my bookclub. Sometimes the book is on my list so I get to scratch it off:) Maybe I will get the list read by the time I'm 80?

[Judith]

Ann wrote: "I do track the books that I read on the 1001 list but I also found a list on listology of Books to read to consider WELL READ also and so I have put those two together and now I have a master list ..."

Ann, could you tell us the exact name of the listology item you are referring to here? It sounds interesting....

[Judith]

Sonya wrote: "I just started from the top. I'm trying to read at least 2 books a month, one from my list and one from my bookclub. Sometimes the book is on my list so I get to scratch it off:) Maybe I will get t..."

I'm assume you mean you are reading in chronological order from the 1001 list. I admire those who take this approach as I think it is the very best way to learn how the novel developed and changed over time. I have not taken that path because it would have been difficult to find all the books in the right order (on a budget, I mean), and I think I would find sticking with such a plan difficult as I find too many of those pre-17th century works either difficult(language, philosophy, historical context) or trivial (I just don't appreciate the humor). Anyway, good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

[Mandy]

Judith wrote: "Ann wrote: "I do track the books that I read on the 1001 list but I also found a list on listology of Books to read to consider WELL READ also and so I have put those two together and now I have a ..."

I thought that sounded interesting too ....not sure if this is it but found :http://www.listology.com/mollygr/list...

[Amie]

Mandy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Ann wrote: "I do track the books that I read on the 1001 list but I also found a list on listology of Books to read to consider WELL READ also and so I have put those two together an..."

The link above doesn't work. But I found this one:

http://www.listology.com/theduckthief...

It is a very long list, and the author says that it is a compilation of many lists. Happy reading!

[Ursula]

Mandy's link just had some bad html. Here's the correct link: http://www.listology.com/mollygr/list...

Thanks to both Mandy and Amie for the lists!

[Mandy]

Thanks Amie.

[Mikela]

With the completion of A Dance to The Music of Time I've now read 253. Seems like a ton of reading to only cross off one book.

[Elizabeth]

I think I'm at 420. But I'm going to be 50 this year so I better get crackin'!

[Tara]

I just hit 100 with Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. Feels good to hit a milestone. :)

[Tasha]

Tara wrote: "I just hit 100 with Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. Feels good to hit a milestone. :)"

I'm hoping to get to 100 this year. I just finished #89.

[Agnese]

I have read 106 so far (and currently reading 1). I know it's not much but still I'm proud of myself:)

[Julie]

Tara wrote: "I just hit 100 with Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. Feels good to hit a milestone. :)"

Congrats on hitting 100!

[Dan]

I've read 34 so far, with quite a few on my read list.

[Mickey]

I've only read 38 so far. I randomly pick one off the list every few months just so I can feel well read.

[Tara]

Julie wrote: "Tara wrote: "I just hit 100 with Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. Feels good to hit a milestone. :)"

Congrats on hitting 100!"

Thanks Julie!

[Deanne]

970, and still going.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Deanne wrote: "970, and still going."

Yay! Only 435 to go!

[[deleted user]]

I'm not aiming for all of them. Right now I have about a quarter either as a "must" or "possibly" but some of the titles, authors and themes don't interest me. I'm using the list more as a guide, and a way to find authors and works that are prevalent in people's mind to peak my curiosity.

Right now I've read 67 books form the combined list. 14 on 2012 makes a tidy number, since I'm aiming somewhere around 10 a year ;)

[[deleted user]]

Deanne wrote: "970, and still going."

Whoa! Seriously?

[Stephanie "Jedigal"]

Congratulations, Deanne!!!!

[Rebecca]

I finally hit the big 5-0!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Rebecca wrote: "I finally hit the big 5-0!"

Another great milestone!

[[deleted user]]

Congratulations Rebecca!

[Gemma]

Well done Rebecca(: