Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion

Use this Topic to discuss books you’re reading or that fit the 5th Scavenger Hunt task.

Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact by Bella Forest

Ok need to backtrack cause I’m pretty sure most of my books are not on the list.

Lol. I have noticed that too. Wondering if you were aware of what group you were posting to.

:P it's all good. Are you reading from the LIST as well?

A Dance to the Music of Time fits here.

I have just been given a copy of Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris.

Rosemary wrote: "I have just been given a copy of Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris."

I really enjoyed this book. Such a sweet, little book (literally -- my copy from the library was about 5" by 5").

Karen wrote: "Rosemary wrote: "I have just been given a copy of Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris."

I really enjoyed this book. Such a sweet, little book (literally -- my copy from the library was about 5..."

I loved this book too...it made me inordinately happy :)

I did Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? for this one. Also short, also good, do recommend.

The House with the Blind Glass Windows by Herbjørg Wassmo. Hard to stomach.

The End of the Affair by Graham Greene.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

The Adventures of Roderick Random by Tobias Smollett

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut
Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia by Samuel Johnson

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

If on a winter's night : does it count?

Irem wrote: "If on a winter's night : does it count?"

I vote yes.

My book for this category is The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante of Italy. The difficulty here is that it's the 4th book in a series which needs to be read in order because it's all one story in four volumes really.
I had already read the first two books, started the third about a week ago and now am near half-way though, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay.

George P. wrote: "My book for this category is The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante of Italy. The difficulty here is that it's the 4th book in a series which needs to be read in order becaus..."

Why pick only the 4th book for the list, huh? Have some mercy and pick the 2nd or 3rd one at least :D

From all this, do we gather you liked them?

Irem wrote: "George P. wrote: "My book for this category is The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante of Italy. The difficulty here is that it's the 4th book in a series which needs...
...From all this, do we gather you liked them? "

Yes I recommend them. The Netflix films of the 1st two books are good also, but of course not a substitute for reading.

I doubt I'll finish this challenge but I might as well track the ones I've done and see! I read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou back in January.

The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe

Ellinor wrote: "The House with the Blind Glass Windows by Herbjørg Wassmo. Hard to stomach."

I was looking over what books others have read looking for a shorter one, because with the several challenges I'm doing this year for several groups it looks tough to read them all. I saw you read The House with the Blind Glass Windows which I have on my schedule for the 500 Great Books by Women challenge. I'm going to double-use it for this one as well, instead of The Story of the Lost Child I was planning to use. I'll still read that, but later.

One Thousand and One Nights

Maureen wrote: "One Thousand and One Nights"

Different editions have varying number of stories and therefore total length (up to > 800 pages). I think as long as you read at least 250 pages or so it's fair to count it. I may be using it for my very old book category (PS: 09/06- I'm still planning to use it for my very old book).

I had planned to use this for the LGBT book, but one of our upcoming group reads will fill that better. So I used:

In Search of Lost Time for this category.

Since there are 12 of these I wanted to try to get one each month. June didn't really work out, but since I have actually been reading this since November, on and off, and consistently through June, I used it for June even though I finished it in July.

The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon. This was my first Pynchon and I found it pretty difficult to read. I think I gave it 3 or 4 stars. I read it a few months ago and remember nothing already.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Mark Haddon. I’ve read books with longer titles but any chance to mention what is, to my mind, the only high profile book that deals with autism and Asperger’s syndrome with the care and normalcy it deserves. It’s also an incredible story that is so inter generational they released it in two versions for both adults and children.

George P. wrote: "The House with the Blind Glass Windows by Herbjørg Wassmo.
I was looking over what books others have read looking for a shorter one..."

I have ended up changing again, and just started reading The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark (which is a monthly book for another group).

Melody wrote: "The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon. This was my first Pynchon and I found it pretty difficult to read. I think I gave it 3 or 4 stars. I read it a few months ago and re..."

But is "49" a word?
Just kidding, I think it's ok.

Jo wrote: "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Mark Haddon. I’ve read books with longer titles but any chance to mention what is, to my mind, the only high profile book that deals with autism ..."

That really is a fantastic book. And I didn't know about the dual release... very cool!

I've finished The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark. It's an excellent novel. So I'm finally caught up on schedule now, 8.5 of the 12 books in a little over 8 months.
I also thought Curious Incident of... to be a great novel.

For this task I'll read A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson. This is book 11 of the scavenger hunt challenge so I’m getting close!

SaraSian wrote: "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson. This is book 11 of the scavenger hunt challenge so I’m getting close!"

Good going! I'm at 9 with one in progress so it's going to be close for me, but think I'll make it.

Jo wrote: "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Mark Haddon. I’ve read books with longer titles but any chance to mention what is, to my mind, the only high profile book that deals with autism ..."

I've just watched the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes episode called Silver Blaze. That where the title comes from!

A few that I read this year that count are 'All Quiet on the Western Front' by Erich Maria Remarque, 'I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings' by Maya Angelou, and 'The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge' by Rainer Maria Rilke.