Book Snails Book Group discussion

There’s all these new books en groups about ‘the 1000 or 100 books you have to have read before you die’. Now, to me it sounds depressing to read 1000 books and then die the next day, but having a list with favorite books to scratch off sounds interesting.
Wouldn’t it be nice to make a list where everyone can put in one book that they think everyone should have read? And below everyone can update how many they have read of that list? (And I hope of course, many add a book to the list)

Excellent idea! (Tip: if you get to the end of your list, don’t die.) 🤗

Hahaha!

It's SO HARD to chose just one book! I narrowed it down to three, and then, finally, to one, but I'm still thinking of more that should have been on the short list.

I chose the finalist because it's highly readable, it's non-controversial, and because of its historical accuracy. Oh, and it won the Pulitzer. The writing is superb, the characters are unforgettable, and when you're done reading, you will know that you have read one HELL of a good story!


Lonesome Dove

Sounds like something I’d like to read! I’ll come up with ‘my’ book soon!

Candace wrote: "It's SO HARD to chose just one book! I narrowed it down to three, and then, finally, to one, but I'm still thinking of more that should have been on the short list.

I chose the finalist because i..."

That sounds really good! I’m adding it to my TBR list! Have you read the whole series? Is it best to read them in order of publication or in the order in which they take place or does it matter?

Based on the length, it might be a good candidate for our next yearly read...

Erin wrote: "Candace wrote: "It's SO HARD to chose just one book! I narrowed it down to three, and then, finally, to one, but I'm still thinking of more that should have been on the short list.

I chose the fi..."

I've only read the one, Lonesome Dove. It's very much a stand-alone. It was published first, won the Pulitzer, and a superb TV miniseries was made from it. Robert Duvall as Gus, Tommy Lee Jones as Call.
When I chose this, I'd totally forgotten about the length! You all may decide it belongs on the yearly read, instead. :)

After a lot of doubt, because I have five all time favorites, I’ve chosen Carter beats the devil.
This book made me realize how much I love reading.
It’s a book people seem to either love or hate, so I don’t expect everyone to love it. It’s very much worth a try though!
The story is about the life of a magician in Houdini’s time.
To me, books all have their own voice, and I just love this writers voice.

Check out Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4599

Wow, Pien - this looks terrific!

This is hard - obviously. Looking back at my last few years of reading and listening, I think I would choose The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell.

But I have many more runner-up titles.

Oh Juli, The Sparrow is one of my all-time favorite books! Have you also read the sequel, THe Children of God?

It sounds wonderful, Juli!

As Erin mentioned, my choice - at 900+ pages - might be better as a Yearly Read candidate (doh! what was I thinking?!) so I'm going to chose something else for this list.

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell has already been mentioned by Juli, and it was on my short list, too. OMG, what a fabulous book! It won tons of Sci-fi awards, and for good reason.

My nomination for this Have-to-Read-List, then, is Watership Down. *Not* a children's book (it's for everyone!) An instant classic.

Great book titles, thanks for sharing! Of those already mentioned, FRANKENSTEIN and WATERSHIP DOWN are two I definitely remember from years ago.

One of those 'greatest books' lists websites, for fun: https://www.thegreatestbooks.org/

Watership down is one I haven’t read yet, I am going to! And to put the other title on the yearly read shelf sounds like an excellent idea!

And thanks for mentioning that great site Starman!

These arent' my lists, but many of the books look interesting:

Short Story Collections: The Best 12 of 2018:
https://www.popmatters.com/12-best-sh...

100 Must-Read Contemporary Short Story Collections (from 2018):
https://bookriot.com/2018/03/12/conte...

I think only 1 or 2 of the books from the short list are in the 100 list, which proves... nothing.

► Have you read a memorable collection of short stories (single theme and/or single author)?

How did you all narrow your choices down to one?!! This is a fantastic idea, Pien. I've added all the suggestions, those not already on my tbr anyway.
I've narrowed my selections down to two. My ultimate choice is Their Eyes Were Watching God. I think this is a moving, forward thinking and beautiful book about being a woman, black and in love in the US south. If we remember that this was written in the 1930s, and that Hurston got a load of shtick from her male contemporaries for not conforming to stories that advocated the "advancement" of black folk, it's even more impressive. Thank goodness this book was saved from obscurity.
Since this book is on many a must read list, I'm going to offer my runner up as well, Never Let Me Go. Though, I think this will probably be on many must read lists, especially modern must reads. This book haunted me for weeks. I'd say to someone, "Have you read, Never Let Me Go?" And if it was no, I always felt a little bereft, my mind couldn't let go of the lingering creepiness, I carried it all on my own. The funny thing is I didn't even want to discuss it. I just wanted know that I wasn't alone in my feelings. In the end, I asked my most, non-emotional friend to read it, even he felt the same. It's beautifully written and so ordinary that you're not sure what's happening, you just know it's not good and that's why it's so haunting and brilliant.

Keli wrote: "How did you all narrow your choices down to one?!! This is a fantastic idea, Pien. I've added all the suggestions, those not already on my tbr anyway.
I've narrowed my selections down to two. My u..."

Keli, did you see the move of Never Let Me Go? It was stunning.

Candace wrote: "Keli wrote: "How did you all narrow your choices down to one?!! This is a fantastic idea, Pien. I've added all the suggestions, those not already on my tbr anyway.
I've narrowed my selections down..."

No. 😐 I read the book and I felt that that was enough. I honestly cannot stress how much that book made me feel. Literally, for weeks I was asking everyone if they'd read it. Only my mom had, she's the one who gave me the book but she didn't find it as haunting. I really don't need to see the movie. I'll take your word for it.

Keli wrote: "Candace wrote: "Keli wrote: "How did you all narrow your choices down to one?!! This is a fantastic idea, Pien. I've added all the suggestions, those not already on my tbr anyway.
I've narrowed my..."

Candace wrote: "Keli wrote: "Candace wrote: "Keli wrote: "How did you all narrow your choices down to one?!! This is a fantastic idea, Pien. I've added all the suggestions, those not already on my tbr anyway.
I'v..."

I understand.

All these books are on my TBR list, I love it. Thanks, I know it is a very hard question! Finding the biggest pearl of them all :-)

Great thread and great titles. It´s so difficult to chose but i will nominate The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (and all his other books, lol)

Found out I already have it on my list, Aya, and I loooove the writer too!