Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion
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Southpaw's 1001 Books to Read
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I did check the list briefly, and found only one so far - that one being - In Cold Blood by Truman Capote .
There are many on the list that I've wanted to read for years, but never had the time. There are some that I recognize because I've seen the movie. There are many others I've not heard of before.
It's all very interesting, and I'm glad to have found the list and this group.
How about you? Have far have you gotten on the list?
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Gatsby is one of the 26, I had already read. It was required reading for my English 101 class in college. And I have since re-read it. Good book.
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Now it's on to Amsterdam.
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2 Stars
![K.D. Absolutely (oldkd) | 248 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1471967140p1/2156200.jpg)
i started this quest in March 2009 and so far i am on my 110 book. I sometimes read other books in between the 1001s. So, with the rate I am going I think it will take me 7-10 years before I finish everything. That is if I stick with the 2010 edition. I am 45 y/o and I hope my eyes will still be strong till I finish all the remaining 900 books.
I got curious in your case because you even have that barometer. Anyway, good luck to both of us.
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I'm a little older than you. I'm not focused so much on finishing the goal of 1001, althought that would be nice. I started out mainly because I found alot of classics on the list that I've never read but always wanted to. I also found many other interesting books, and would like to read those as well. I don't have a time line.
I do know that the list has changed. In fact, I just discovered this morning that Amsterdam was on the 2006 list, but not on the 2008 or the 2010 lists. As I started in December 2009, I was working off the 2008 list but somehow got confused, thinking Amsterdam was on the 2008 list. I will now focus on the 2010 list, but will not rule out anything from the previous two (2006, 2008).
The little "ticker" thingy is just a visual for me.
What little I've worked on this list so far, I've enjoyed. I've not been able to read as much as I normally do the first half of this year. Hopefully that will change for me in July.
You are making tremendous progress. I applaud you on that. Good luck to you as well...and happy reading.
![K.D. Absolutely (oldkd) | 248 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1471967140p1/2156200.jpg)
I'm a little older than you. I'm not focused so much on finishing the goal of 1001, althought that would be nice. I started out mainly because I found alot of classics on the list that ..."
Thanks! Happy reading too!
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5 Stars
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5 Stars
Now it is on to A Passage to India by E.M. Forster, which I've just started.
(718)
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Many of the books on this list are intimidating to me. Sometimes I wonder if it is a language barrier. I'm not very far along (only 6 books completed so far), but I often look over the list...and sometimes it's scary...lol.
How many have you completed? Please answer only if you don't mind me asking. If you do mind, please forgive my nosiness.
Good luck to you as well.
![Becky (munchkinland_farm) | 248 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1252802968p1/2432495.jpg)
Many of the books on this list are intimidating to me. Sometimes I wonder if it is a language barrier. I'm not very far along (..."
Southpaw - I, too, feel intimidated by some of the books on the list. However, there are many that are "easy" reads in that they're not full of symbolism or literary devices. You;ve already read what many consider "challenging" books, so I don't think you have anything to fear!
I seek out audio books for those titles that I perceive I may have trouble "reading" - keep up the good work!
![southpaw285](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1345897656p1/2459823.jpg)
Funny that you should mention the audiobook factor. I've just recently started listening to audiobooks. I used to say, (which just goes to prove - "never say never"), I would never listen to audiobooks. However, when I decided to do this challenge of reading the 1001 Books, I decided to give it another try. I have to say, it is working very well for me. I've only read 7 books, and not all have been audio...but I must say that the audio I have listened to was great!
How are you doing on your list? How do you pick your next book? Do you follow the monthly read?
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This list and many of the books are quite intimidating, but I figure just one at a time (which is difficult because I usually read about two or three books at a time). I am currently reading Dracula which so far is a good book (but a little slow at times).
I have never used audiobooks....I am not sure about following along. My friend bought me an audiobook (The Secret) which I was able to listen to in the car, but I am not so sure I would be able to follow an entire fiction book.
![Becky (munchkinland_farm) | 248 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1252802968p1/2432495.jpg)
Funny that you should mention the audiobook factor. I've just recently started listening to audiobooks. I used to say, (which just goes to prove - "never say never"), I would never l..."
Hi: I just finished #134. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of books I had already read. I haven't followed the monthly feed yet -- no good reason why I haven't.
I don't really have a system for selecting what book to read -- some are books I always intended to read but didn't have a good reason to, until now. I try to bounce between contemporary books and books before, say, 1930. My choices are sometimes made by default -- either can be purchased on audible.com for a reasonable price, or arrive via interlibrary loan.
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Hi Yas. I found In Cold Blood fascinating and frustrating. It was a fascinating story for me as well. It is possible that Capote was biased. I had read (more than once) that he was prior to reading the book, so I'm not sure I was entirely open-minded about that aspect.
The book was also frustrating for me. At times, it seemed as though the author was giving too much information - so much so that the story just bogged down. There were instances where I just felt over-whelmed with all the information.
If you found In Cold Blood, fascinating, you might also like to read Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders...if you've not already done so.
How are you doing on your list of 1001? What are you currently reading?
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This list and many of the boo..."
Hi Jennifer. I started off using the 2008, but have now moved to the 2010. At this point, I don't think I will change again.
I too, usually have between 2 and 5 books going at one time. Usually the pattern is 2 audiobooks, 2 kindle books, and one hard copy book. I don't always have 5 going at one time (5 being the most so far), but it seems to always be more than one. As a side note, I also read alot of romance, and I've just found an interesting new genre - Historical Fiction.
For me, it isn't really about reading every single book on the list, so much as finding wonderful and exciting books to read. Aslo, it forces me to read "outside the box". I do so much reading and sometimes find myself in a rutt. There are actually three different reading lists that I'm working off of right now. I'm working on The Ultimate Teen Book Guide, and I just stumbled across The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List. I'm greatly enjoying all three.
I may start a group at the first of the year that focuses on reading challenges, and incorporates these three lists.
Good luck with Dracula...I would really love to know what you think once you've finished it.
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Funny that you should mention the audiobook factor. I've just recently started listening to audiobooks. I used to say, (which just goes to prove - "never say neve..."
Hi Becky. A very interesting way I've found to choose my next book is www.random.org. I came across the idea somewhere and don't remember for sure, but I really think it came from another member of the group. You can go to this website and put in the numbers. I choose to put 1 and minimum and 1001 as maximum and it chooses the next book number for me. I then go to the list, find the number...and that is the next book I read. I also do that for the other two lists that I'm working on. Of course, this method will not work for everyone...it seems to work very well for me.
Have fun reading and making your way through the list.
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Funny that you should mention the audiobook factor. I've just recently started listening to audiobooks. I used to say, (which just goes to prove - "..."
Thats the same system that is used to select the monthly read for the group.
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Funny that you should mention the audiobook factor. I've just recently started listening to audiobooks. I used to say, (which just..."
Thank you, Paul for refreshing my memory. I knew I had read it somewhere and it had to be in this group. I even went back through some of the postings trying to find it.
I was actually on another blog site several weeks ago that uses that same method to choose a book. I don't always follow the monthly selection, but I am trying to get better about that.
If you don't mind me asking, how are you doing with your list? Do you follow the monthly selection, or do you have a different method of choosing which book you will read next?
Good luck with your list.
![Yassemin (yas666) | 81 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1602742949p1/2635670.jpg)
Yeah I heard that a lot, as silly as it sounds he allegedly had feelings for him? Well I find that unbelievable but if so, thats kinda weird lol! It was great reading though!
I'll have to prioritise that book you have suggested as I have come across the title before and looked into it but haven't picked it up as of yet, I think I'll check the library, if not, buy it.
I'm doing okay thanks, not brilliantly, I'm on 16 books currently (going off the 2006 version of the list first) and currently have two of them on the go at the moment; Anna Karenina (good but very heavy!) and Kafka on the Shore. I love Murakami so he shouldn't be a problem to read!
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You are doing great, Yas. Keep it up. Im at a measley number 7...lol.
![Paul (metshaft) | 54 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1376723818p1/3546929.jpg)
I first crossed off the books that were fresh in my mind because I’d read the within the last 2 years. Anything older than that I haven’t counted. Next I started reading though some of the list books that I own but hadn’t read yet. At the same time I started checking the availability of list books at my local library, starting with books that I recognise and intended to read at some point anyway…
Recently I’ve been a bit discouraged about how few list books I’ve read so I’ve flagged all of the books on my list which have been noted as “quick reads” on the forums here and read a few of those. I also checked out the “Hard reads” forum and plan to read 1 or 2 of these each year.
…after doing all of the methods above, I noticed that groups of books blocked together so I started to try to close the gaps.
In short, I have several methods that change all time all the time depending on my mood. I haven’t yet followed the “monthly book” – but I’ve only been a member for 2 months. I’m currently on 21 books but have 10 on loan from the library and several more on root to me that have been requested from other libraries . I also own 20+ list books that I’ve picked up from charity or 2nd hand book shops over the last few weeks.
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4 Stars
Next up is The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles.
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3 Stars
Now, it is on to Summer by Edith Wharton.
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Hi Allison, and thank you. Best of luck to you as well.
I am familiar with Arukiyomi's spreadsheets. They are wonderful.
My game plan since I started was to use the random.org to choose my next book to read. However, I will be starting a new group in January, and I've devised several different challenges to help me work on this list, along with a couple of other lists.
I'm really looking forward to it.
How are you coming on your list? The most important question I guess is, are you having fun working on it?
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2 Stars
Next up...A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute.
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4 Stars
Next I will start on Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, which I've been looking forward to for some time. I believe though it has been removed from the 2010 list.
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Thanks, Trish. How are you doing on your list?
![southpaw285](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1345897656p1/2459823.jpg)
Next was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, which was actually a re-read for me. I absolutely love this book. Jane Austen is my favorite author. I usually read this book about once a year. After reading the book, I always watch the movie. Really, I'm just a P&P junkie.
Next up I will be reading The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. I've heard alot of really good things about this book, and I'm looking forward to reading it.
![southpaw285](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1345897656p1/2459823.jpg)
Imagine a world where women have absolutely no rights. They aren't allowed an education, not allowed to read, not allowed to own or manage their own business.
Imagine a world where a man makes every single decision for you. You, as a woman, are not allowed to decide anything.
It sends chills down my spine to even think about what life would be like for me in a world where I had no choice.
This is my first Margaret Atwood book. She has a very distinct style of writing.
I'm not sure what I will read next. I just know it has to be something lighter.
I'm thankful to be a woman. I'm thankful to be able to read. As simple as it may sound, I'm thankful to have the freedom to choose what I read next.
4 Stars
Books mentioned in this topic
A Room with a View (other topics)The Color Purple (other topics)
Atonement (other topics)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Three Stories (other topics)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Alice Walker (other topics)Ken Kesey (other topics)
Anne Rice (other topics)
E.L. Doctorow (other topics)
John Irving (other topics)
More...
1. In Cold Blood/Truman Capote==06.21.09
2. A Christmas Carol/Charles Dickens==12/01/09
3. The Great Gatsby/F. Scott Fitzgerald==12.14.09
4. Everything That Rises Must Converge/Flannery O'Connor==12.28.09
5. July's People/Nadine Gordimer==01.15.10
6. Northanger Abbey/Jane Austen==05/13/10
7. Jane Eyre/Charlotte Brontë==06.14.10
8. A Tale of Two Cities/Charles Dickens==06/29/10
9. Amsterdam/Ian McEwan==07/03/10
10. Little Women/Louisa May Alcott==07.21.10
11. A Passage to India/E.M. Forster==07.22.10
12. The Bell Jar/Sylvia Plath==07.31.10
13. The French Lieutenant's Woman/John Fowles==08.13.10
14. Summer/Edith Wharton==08.18.10
15. A Town Like Alice/Nevil Shute==09.06.10
16. Memoirs of a Geisha/Arthur Golden==09.07.07
17. Pride and Prejudice/Jane Austen==09.20.10
18. The Handmaid's Tale/Margaret Atwood==10.04.10
19. Persuasion/Jane Austen==10.16.10
20. The English Patient/Michael Ondaatje==10.20.10
21. The Age of Innocence/Edith Wharton==11.11.10
22. Gone With the Wind/Margaret Mitchell==11.29.10
23. The Cider House Rules/John Irving==12.22.10
24. Anna Karenina/Leo Tolstoy==03.01.11
25. Possession/A.S. Byatt==03.11.11
26. Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow 03.23.11
27. Interview With the Vampire/Anne Rice==03.30.11
28. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest/Ken Kesey==04.28.11
29. Breakfast at Tiffany's/Truman Capote==05.04.11*****
30. Atonement/Ian McEwan==05.12.11***
31. The Color Purple/Alice Walker==06/08.11
32. A Room With a ViewE.M. Forster==07.10.11****
33.