Friday, November 7, 2008

Best Books

I'm attempting to create a list of the best books I've ever read. This is a difficult job, but it must be done. Wish me luck.

In no particular order:


To Kill A Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
Truth and Beauty: A Friendship by Ann Patchett
(non-fiction)
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt (non-fiction)
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe
Bald in the Land of Big Hair by Joni Rodgers
(non-fiction)
The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeanette Walls (non-fiction)
Plainsong by Kent Haruf
Indian Creek Chronicles by Pete Fromm
(non-fiction)
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
(non-fiction)
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
The Brothers K by David James Duncan
Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes
I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb
Midwives by Chris Bohjalian
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
The Rapture of Canaan by Sheri Reynolds
Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
The Little Friend by Donna Tartt
I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe
Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe
A River Runs Through It by Norman MacLean
Young Men and Fire by Norman MacLean
(non-fiction)
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells




5 comments:

Chris Taleff said...

"I Know This Much is True" is amazing!

The Glass Castle
The Catcher in the Rye
A River Runs Through It

these are all in my top 10

One thing I have to suggest: Hemmingway
possibly
For Whom the Bell Tolls

What about Dharma Bums or On the Road?

I will keep thinking too.

I just listened to a radio program about 1,000 records to hear before you die and it was really great. I think with a list like this, there have to be others that surprise people, you know. Good books to let them venture out.

Chris Taleff said...

I guess I got overly excited about your book list and it took me until this morning to realize it is YOUR favorite book list.

I'll look forward to hearing more. Sara has a book club so is definitely interested in hearing your favorites.

Lori said...

Chris...No worries, as Phil would say...I was hoping this list would spark some suggestions of others I should read, so thanks! I haven't read Hemingway. I also haven't read Dharma Bums.

I'd love to hear what was ont he best record list. Music would be much harder for me to narrow down, I think.

SCRT said...

Hi Lori,

I just printed this list to bring to my book club tonight. It will help us choose our next read! Thanks. I've read and enjoyed at least half of the books on the list so I know that we enjoy the same types of books!

Jessi said...

Wow - what a great list! The sad thing is that I have only read 2 of them... but now I have an awesome list to choose from! I am adding these to my "must reads". Thanks Lori!