When Pam suggested writing about the 10 books we think others should read before they die, I thought it was a great idea, if sort of crazy--let's face, my 10 books will be at polar opposites to lots of other people's 10 books. Frankly, my 10 books this week might be completely different if you ask me next week. Nevertheless, I give you--the (completely subjective list of) 10 books I think you should read before you die. In no particular order--hard enough to choose 10 without having to rank them.
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. A wonderful tour de force of a book.
Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. I've been in three book groups that have read this book, and it really polarizes people--they either love it or hate it, no middle ground. I love it.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Because it's a wonderful children's classic.
A book by one of the Bronte sisters. I'm having trouble choosing, but I'd narrow it to Emily's Wuthering Heights, or Charlotte's Jane Eyre or Villette.
A book by Jane Austen. Probably Pride and Prejudice, but maybe Emma, or Persuasion.
A book by Virginia Woolf, either Mrs. Dalloway or To the Lighthouse. Difficult reading, but so rewarding.
The Bone People by Keri Hulme. Haunting.
The Collected Stories of Flannery O'Connor.
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. Because what better book to illustrate the power of reading?
Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan. Because of the perfect way he sheds light on a segment of American society.
What's your top 10 list?
Oh wow great list I have read quiet a few!
Posted by: twitter.com/bookaliciouspam | September 25, 2009 at 03:20 PM
Thank you for this list, a couple of them are on my library list already.
Hmmm, my top ten.... I'll try for five.
1. A Short History of Nearly Everything .... Bill Bryson
2. Poisonwood Bible ..... barbara kingsolver
3. the road ..... cormac mccarthy
4. The outsiders .... SE Hinton
5. Floating in my Mother's Palm .... Ursula Hegi
That's what comes to mind today.
Posted by: kate | October 05, 2009 at 06:48 PM
Super List. I'm too sleepy to post mine, but I do want to say that
Wallace Stegner's Angle of Repose would definitely be on it!
Posted by: Gel | October 14, 2009 at 09:23 PM
What a great list!
I've read Cloud Atlas, and while I didn't love it as I read it, the structure and ambition of the book has stuck with me.
And since you also love The Bone People, I am looking at the rest of your list carefully. I've been really wanting to read Late Night at the Lobster and Angle of Repose for a while, I must check the library for them again and make a better effort to read them.
I like Austen's Northanger Abbey best, and I'd pick Anne of Green Gables for my children's classic.
Posted by: raidergirl3 | October 27, 2009 at 05:18 PM