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

Just started Mrs. Dalloway.This is going to be challenging - not for the non-linear types out there, but trusting and sticking with it.

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit - I'm about 50 pages in (they flew by really quickly I was only intending to read the first few pages to get a feel for the writing style). I'm thinking that this might be a little gem.

I'm also listening to Madame Bovary and she is. A right little madam!

I have been trying to start reading A Tale of Two Cities, it's a group read in another group for this month. I can't remember when I have had as much trouble starting a book, for some reason it feels like a chore. And I thought I was interested in reading the book...

Tytti wrote: "I have been trying to start reading A Tale of Two Cities, it's a group read in another group for this month. I can't remember when I have had as much trouble starting a book, for some reason it fee..."

Maybe put it to one side for a few days? I loved it but sometimes you just aren't 'in the mood' for a certain type of book.

I already did that once earlier this month and read something else. I am also reading other books now so I'm not even trying to read only that. I'd just like to join the group read before the month is over.

It is actually the type of book I generally like to read and haven't for a while so it shouldn't be a problem. And I haven't read anything by Dickens before so I am curious. It might have something to do with the book itself, I think I find the font difficult to read or something.

It's actually the era itself that I find most interesting so that's why I am puzzled. I am not that interested in his other books.

Tytti wrote: "It's actually the era itself that I find most interesting so that's why I am puzzled. I am not that interested in his other books."

The era is interesting but Dickens is primarily a character writer, so it's less about the historical period and more about the people who populate it.

If that's not your thing then you'll probably have a hard time of it.

I will say though that this one definitely had more of a background which contributed to the story than is usual. Unlike you Tale of Two Cities was not my first Dickens and it actually threw me off a bit because I wasn't used to that particular style from him.

Just diving into Mrs. Dalloway. I read and loved The Waves a few years ago, and am looking forward to revisiting her confident, stream-of-consciousness style.

Nicola wrote: "The era is interesting but Dickens is primarily a character writer, so it's less about the historical period and more about the people who populate it."

Well the characters are important to me, too, maybe even more important than the setting. I am also reading Anna Karenina at the moment and enjoying it.

I have tried to watch some movies/tv-series based on his books but just haven't found them that interesting. I know next to nothing about this beforehand, so that's why I am hoping I would like it.

Just started The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. It is my first Wharton. So far, so good. Although, I have to say it is much like so many other books written about this era -- rigid social conventions, especially for women, the search for a good husband, the social iniquities that keep life exciting. I'm waiting to see what twist this particular book brings to these themes.

Starting The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

Joana Marta wrote: "Starting The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes"

Unless I'm mistaken, that one is not on the list. I bought it thinking it was, but every time I look (like my copy of the list is going to change) it's not there...

Linda wrote: "Joana Marta wrote: "Starting The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes"

Unless I'm mistaken, that one is not on the list. I bought it thinking it was, but every time I..."

Yes it is. Was added in the 2012 edition.

David wrote: "Yes it is. Was added in the 2012 edition."

Oh great - that makes me happy it's on there! I must fix my list then. The website I also searched didn't have it listed.

Thanks for the clarification, David.

David wrote: "Yes it is. Was added in the 2012 edition."

I realize that my mistake lies in that my list is a combination of 2006, 2008, and 2010, but does not include the 2012 additions so I'll have to fix that. Thanks, David. I don't know how long it would have taken me to figure out this error otherwise.

The Plague Ok, so far

Linda wrote: "David wrote: "Yes it is. Was added in the 2012 edition."

I realize that my mistake lies in that my list is a combination of 2006, 2008, and 2010, but does not include the 2012 additions so I'll ha..."

There is a great spreadsheet you can download for a very small cost which Arukiyomi did. It comes highly recommended by many people.

Nicola wrote: "There is a great spreadsheet you can download..."

Thanks! I actually made my own spreadsheet, but the list I made it from only went to 2010. Now I will manually add the 2012 additions.

Buddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family - I only have 4 days to finish this before the end of the month so I'd better get a move on.

About 100 pages into my first reading of Les Misérables. Preparing to cry.

Kaitlyn wrote: "About 100 pages into my first reading of Les Misérables. Preparing to cry."

Enjoy it, Kaitlyn! I read it for the first time this year and loved it. It is evenly balanced throughout with slow descriptive sections and fast-paced page-turning action. I was quite surprised by the anticipation I felt while reading it. And yes, have the tissues ready...

Starting The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sodom and Gomorrah by Marcel Proust

Here's to You, Jesusa! - can't say it's exactly grabbing me.

Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson

Started both The Hours and A Christmas Carol. Fortunately, both are short!

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera. High expectations!!!! :D

Just started The Cider House Rules, so far it's cute :)

Just started By the Open Sea. I'm using random number generator to pick my books so I have no idea what I'm going to end up with.

Orlando - Actually a re-read but as I can't remember anything about it, it may as well be completely fresh.

Infinite Jest - I'm rather behind the book group so I'll have to read quickly to catch up. Unfortunately this isn't a book which I am finding easy to read quickly...

J.R.R Tolkien - The Hobbit

The Optimist's Daughter - just to add another one to the pile.

Nicola wrote: "The Optimist's Daughter - just to add another one to the pile."

You go girl! :)

Nicola wrote: "Infinite Jest - I'm rather behind the book group so I'll have to read quickly to catch up. Unfortunately this isn't a book which I am finding easy to read quickly..."

IJ is one of my favorite works. Reading it twice helped on many levels. Enjoy!

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes.

The Secret History by Donna Tart. Haven't read much yet just on chapter 2 but already seems interesting i tend to read more than one book at a time & flip back & forth but I have been staying on this one lately ;)

Hi,

I'm Angelique and new to this group (discovered it's existence yesterday). I've started reading from this list beginning of this year and so far I've read 36 books from all 4 editions. I hope this group will encourage me to read more from this list.

Last night I started Like Water for Chocolate

As I finally finished On the Road (and it nearly finished me) I have started The House of Mirth as my new audio book. After Jack Kerouac it's a silver stream of pure clear water!

I'm about to start Orlando and after that A Passage to India, that should keep me busy till Christmas I think.

I just started Breakfast at Tiffany's. So far nothing but "an insensitive, mindless show-off". After that, I want to read Lord of the Flies.

Alice wrote: "Just started By the Open Sea. I'm using random number generator to pick my books so I have no idea what I'm going to end up with."

that's a great way to chose books, I think I'll do this :)

I'm currently reading Amadis of Gaul: A Novel of Chivalry of the 14th Century Presumably First Written in Spanish (Studies in Romance Languages. It's a really long book though and a bit repetitive at times, so I change it up a bit with some shorter reads. Started A Farewell to Arms as my second book today and so far it's great to come back to Hemingway's writing style!

Sara wrote: "Alice wrote: "Just started By the Open Sea. I'm using random number generator to pick my books so I have no idea what I'm going to end up with."

that's a great way to chose books, I ..."

The trouble with doing it that way is that sometimes you just aren't in the mood for a certain type of book. I have thought about doing the same but I think if I did try it I'd have to roll at least 3 and pick the one that most interested me like the group reads here.

I have plenty on the go at once so I've got different sorts to read depending on what I fancy.

Nicola wrote: "Sara wrote: "Alice wrote: "Just started By the Open Sea. I'm using random number generator to pick my books so I have no idea what I'm going to end up with."

that's a great way to ch..."

I really like the 3 thing :) I'm still (slowly) inputting the list into my GR TBR list, and I've put 4 books that have jumped out at me on hold at my local library. I'm hoping to officially start this project next week!

Sara wrote: I really like the 3 thing :) I'm still (slowly) inputting the list into my GR TBR list, and I've put 4 books that have umped out at me on hold at my local library. I'm hoping to officially start this project next week! ..."

Good luck with it, I've found it a great way to find some fantastic books.

I think I might start a 'random' catagory in my reading list. I'll have one book that I roll and I have to finish it before I'm allowed another random roll. I'll have plenty of other books to distract me in case it's a bit heavy going but it will provide another bit of anticapation to keep my interest levels up. I might find myself reading a few odd balls that way :-)

I'm currently reading now Never Let Me Go, it seems pretty good so far!

Roxana. I anticipate this will be a slow read for me. Although, the problem may be that I am in the middle of about 10 books.

Ok, officially starting the list tonight! My first book is going to be Casino Royale. I picked it up from the library this afternoon and was surprised and how tiny this book is! Should be a very quick read :)

The Passion

The Passion

Off to an interesting start...

Starting A Tale of a Tub today (a Kindle freebie on Amazon).