All About Books discussion

As the Guardian has announced today, tomorrow will be the start of a 100-week project in which The Observer, The Guardian and Waterstones collaborate in order to create a list of The 100 Best Novels of Anglo-Amercian Literature (which is what the folder would be called if it weren't for the 32-character limitation ;))
Each week they'll reveal one book that made it on the list, moving from A-Z and from the late 17th century to the present day. And each week there will be a little essay on the respective book explaining why it was chosen.

Following Gill's great suggestion, we'll follow this journey here, opening a thread per book as they are revealed, discussing the book itself as well as the decision of adding it to the list.

Tomorrow we'll begin! :)

After reading the article, I guess the "moving from A-Z" refers to author's last name rather than title, since they have already announced that the first book is The Pilgrim's Progress.

Do you think that they decided to start with the late 17th century to avoid having to include Shakespeare?

I had The Pilgrim's Progress for my Bachelors. I did not like it much then. But in the last few months (the effect of my reading of few books with spiritual themes) I had a strong desire to read it again. Now that it is one of the bests, I will have to read it for sure.

Leslie wrote: "After reading the article, I guess the "moving from A-Z" refers to author's last name rather than title, since they have already announced that the first book is The Pilgrim's Progress.

Do you thi..."

LOL. I wondered about exactly the same!

And I am happy that the moderators are doing well by introducing some interesting links. This one seems to be really interesting. 100 weeks of pure joy for a book lover.

Dhanaraj wrote: "I had The Pilgrim's Progress for my Bachelors. I did not like it much then. But in the last few months (the effect of my reading of few books with spiritual themes) I had a strong desire to read it..."

sssssshhhh Dhanaraj, that's for tomorrow! ;) (just kidding)

oops cross posting! I am really looking forward to it too! And once this is done, let's have a list like that on World-lit! ;)

Jenny wrote: "oops cross posting! I am really looking forward to it too! And once this is done, let's have a list like that on World-lit!"

And I am more than eager to know that list. More than that I also want to know whether how many of the books that I have read get mentioned.

Excellent! :)

Judy wrote: "My Mom read Pilgrim's Progress to me when I was child. I loved it then. It would be interesting to see if it effects me differently now."
Like in Little Women!!!
I read it in University!

Great idea!

Glad you liked my suggestion. If anyone else wants to use it, I won't consider it plagiarism! (Smiley face!)

;)

;D

LOL!!! :)

LauraT wrote: "Judy wrote: "My Mom read Pilgrim's Progress to me when I was child. I loved it then. It would be interesting to see if it effects me differently now."
Like in Little Women!!!
I read it ..."

Laura, you answered my question before I asked it - I knew I hadn't read Pilgrims progress, but had a very distinct memory of it being discussed in a novel - I was just wracking my brains trying to remember - it is Little Women isn't it, where the girls act it out - I loved Little Women as a child, I'm almost frightened to re-read it in case it spoils my wonderful memories - I like my childhood memories of it! Funny how we feel protective over favourite books - I'm sure I'm not the only one!!

Oh, and this is a great suggestion Gill! I shall follow with interest!

Chatterjak wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Judy wrote: "My Mom read Pilgrim's Progress to me when I was child. I loved it then. It would be interesting to see if it effects me differently now."
Like in [book:Little Women|1934..."
Little Women is still just as good, Chatterjak!

Definitely one of my childhood favourites, along with Charlottes Web, which I do still re-read every few years, and cry my eyes out every time!! It seems almost counter-intuitive to love something that makes you cry, but I still love reading a book that is so powerful it can make me cry (it's probably cheaper than therapy too!!) - A Thousand Splendid Suns was the last book that gave me a good howling cry!! I loved the two female protagonists in it so much!

I've heard that's a very good book, Chatterjak! I must read it some time!

The latest book that made me cry? The Book Thief. It was just sad...

Ah that's on my TBR too Holly! I was supposed to be doing a buddy read a while back & got sidetracked with something else! I highly recommend a thousand splendid sons - and the kite runner by the same authour was also excellent, although suns is my favourite of the two :)

I have a question. is little women on this list? I was just curious since I am reading it right now.

Amber wrote: "I have a question. is little women on this list? I was just curious since I am reading it right now."

We don't know -- each week one book is "revealed". They are going in chronological order, so they haven't reached the 1860s yet!!

Amber wrote: "I have a question. is little women on this list? I was just curious since I am reading it right now."

I sincerely hope so!!!!

Robert McCrum on the difficulty of choosing The 100 Best Novels: http://www.theguardian.com/books/book...

That's a really interesting read. It is a very hard decision and I can imagine as we get into the Victorian era there will be even more disagreements when he misses books out. Will he chose more than one Dickens?

That explains things a bit more clearly, I didn't realise this was based on only one persons opinion of the best 100 books.

Pink wrote: "That explains things a bit more clearly, I didn't realise this was based on only one persons opinion of the best 100 books."

I also thought that it was based on a sort of "team" of experts

Jenny wrote: "Robert McCrum on the difficulty of choosing The 100 Best Novels: http://www.theguardian.com/books/book..."

I find this a bit strange. I can see why McCrum might decide to only include books he has read, but that's less satisfactory if there are gaps in his reading.

eg He isn't including Walter Scott because he hasn't read him. Well, neither have I; primarily because every book by him that I've picked up I've found very difficult to get into. It would be great to have guidance from someone like McCrum as to which books of Scott have stood the test of time. But if he hasn't read any of them, how can he know whether or not they should be included?

I agree it seems a bit arbitrary. If he suspected that Walter Scott should possibly be included then why on earth didn't he read one? I'm no expert on Scott - didn't he churn them out in a tavern to pay off his debts or something? I only remember reading "Ivanhoe" as a "home reader" from school when I was about 12... but if a child that age can cope then surely he could have given it a look however busy he was, before making a decision?

Spot-on Gill, if there are gaps in his reading he should address them, or take advice. I don't really think a list like this should be down to one person unless it clearly states "Joe Bloggs' hundred best novels". I seem to remember Barry Norman doing this for films... but then the next year he chose 100 different ones, just to make the point!

Jean wrote: "I agree it seems a bit arbitrary. If he suspected that Walter Scott should possibly be included then why on earth didn't he read one? I'm no expert on Scott - didn't he churn them out in a tavern t..."

I think you might have read an abridged version, Jean. Do you remember a series of hardbacks called something like 'Children's Modern Classics' (red covers I think). That was my previous encounter with Ivanhoe, well that and the tv series. If Scott's not going to appear in the 100 best, maybe I'll start a thread about him soon.

I do, Gill!! I don't think they were used in schools in the 60's though - or not mine anyway. I did wonder though, so I had a look round Amazon and found that "Ivanhoe" is available in Large Print. Now as you know, the longer novels often do not make it to Large Print or if they do, they are in 2 volumes (eg my LP "David Copperfield" is in 2 volumes.) So I reckon it was the real deal we were expected to read.

You said you'd not not read much of his either, Gill. If you're considering a thread, then perhaps you think he may be underrated now, do you? He certainly seems to have been out of fashion for a long time if so.

I just read the 13th choice.....Jean's favourite I think ;)

I've lost the original list now!!! :( Help! (But I'm reading my favourite again this week ...)

No Jean, surely you're talking about a different book. I can't believe you'd give this 'favourite' another read!

Ah - caught up now ;) (Probably. Still don't know where the list is though.)

My favourite book is "A Christmas Carol". Who's going to say what theirs is now?

I'll be reading that on Christmas Eve! I don't think the 13th book has been posted on here yet, I'll give you a hint though... It's bleak, NOT a love story and one of the reasons you joined GR to share your 'passion' about it!

It is posted now!!

Jenny - ?

Pink - I don't really need a hint... I suspect I know full well the novel to which you refer, and am refusing to be drawn!! LOL My little diversionary tactic didn't work then? Nobody want to talk about their favourite book?

But don't people insist that THAT novel is a love story? However warped and obsessive? And now I'm getting sucked in again... :D

Oh come on, you really want to, I know you do: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... ;)

Haha Jean you do make me laugh. Yes people DO insist its a love story, but I insist that it isn't!

Diversionary tactic of discussing favourite novels? That's too hard, I had enough trouble narrowing it down to 5 for my reading journey!

LOL!

THAT novel about *mutter mutter* "self-indulgent so-and-so's" *mutter mutter* "needed a good smack!" *mutter mutter* "ought to have spent their time doing something USEFUL" *mutter mutter mutter*....

Maybe I should think about having a category in my 2015 personal challenge to read the books from this list I haven't read yet!

Gill wrote: "eg He isn't including Walter Scott because he hasn't read him. Well, neither have I; primarily because every book by him that I've picked up I've found very difficult to get into. It would be great to have guidance from someone like McCrum as to which books of Scott have stood the test of time. But if he hasn't read any of them, how can he know whether or not they should be included?"

The problem is that if anyone produces a list of books, or films or albums or whatever, it is entirely a subjective construct based on one person's, or a group's, experience and preferences. There is no such thing as 'the best novel', since what one person likes another will loathe. No matter what authority someone might claim, a matter of artistic appreciation will by necessity be biased and open to different interpretations. Ipso facto: there are almost as many best novel lists as there are novels! ;-)

Paulfozz, boy do I agree with your view!!! :0)

You can get ideas from a list, but that is about it.

Leslie wrote: "Maybe I should think about having a category in my 2015 personal challenge to read the books from this list I haven't read yet!"

That was my aim, Leslie. I've only managed 3 of them!

Just had a look at the list so far; I was surprised at how few of them I haven't read. Looks like I've got some catching up to do.

Jean wrote: "LOL!

THAT novel about *mutter mutter* "self-indulgent so-and-so's" *mutter mutter* "needed a good smack!" *mutter mutter* "ought to have spent their time doing something USEFUL" *mutter mutter mu..."

Couldn't have said it better myself :)

Gill wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Maybe I should think about having a category in my 2015 personal challenge to read the books from this list I haven't read yet!"

That was my aim, Leslie. I've only managed 3 of them!"

Me too - I've read quite a few of the authors, just not always those particular books.

Regarding the choice of what is on the list - one of the comments on the list said it well...Otherwise enjoy this for what it is: a thought provoking, enjoyable conversation that we get to share along with an intelligent fellow reader.

I'm loving the comments about each book as much as the choices - for once a comments board (not including goodreads of course) where participants don't degenerate into vile language and personal abuse.

I really don't like some of the books on the list - but it has made me think, and remember some great books and writers. My real quibble at this stage is how few women are there... Maybe they will emerge more in the later years.

Today's Guardian has an article about all of the 100 novels chosen for this series.
Here's a link to the article:

http://gu.com/p/4bhk7?CMP=Share_iOSAp...