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

I'm coming up on my 100th read, and I feel like I should celebrate it by reading something special...but I don't know what to pick!

I thought I would ask my fellow listers...if you could pick just one out of everything from the list you have read so far, that is your favourite (and why, if you can explain why it is you love it - sometimes its unexplainable!) - what would it be?

And/or (they may not be the same) your favourite list author so far as well.

Looking forward to seeing your responses for inspiration! :)

If you want something 'special' then my first preference would be for a true classic. Looking at your bookshelves it seems that you like those sorts of books and as you haven't rated The Count of Monte Cristo yet I would read that (if you haven't already and just haven't rated it for some reason). It's pretty big but it's a fantastically griping read - lots of romance, plotting and vengeance which also seems to be a bit of favourite theme of yours.

If you want a book to remember I think that one would fit your bill perfectly.

I agree with Nicola, it should be a classic. I'd recommend "Moby Dick". Not everyone enjoys this work; but, it is hard to call yourself "well-read" without having completed this novel. At age 46, I just finished it this year and felt a great sense of accomplishment, almost like I was initiated into a secret club. There are those people who've read "Moby Dick" and those who haven't. Good luck!

I agree with both of these. Two of my absolute favorites!

Nicola wrote: "If you want something 'special' then my first preference would be for a true classic. Looking at your bookshelves it seems that you like those sorts of books and as you haven't rated The Count of Monte Cristo . . .

Dumas' Count is a fantastic book though I prefer The Three Musketeers. The non-fiction account of the real life Count in the book, The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo now should be 'required' companion reading! The story of Dumas' father is probably more fantastic than the fictional.

I've played this game a number of times in different formats. i.e. Books for a Desert Island, Most Practical, Entertaining, Personal Favorite, All time best etc.

One of the two books that made my final cut Is Saul Bellow's Henderson the Rain King. An all time favorite, a great author, and I believe his most accessible great work.

My choice however is, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. This is the most elegant monstrosity of horror in the English language. Conrad penned this at the end of the 19th Century and it reverberates and is stunning today.

Heart of Darkness combines all the elements of story telling, social commentary, grammatically perfect prose, commentary on and using all of Western Culture and Civilization to that point in time to rip the readers fabric of reality.

This isn't an easy work. One may have to have read a hundred other books that are about a similar topic, or 100 other books that are this 'literate', or just read it multiple time to fully get all of the subtlety and darkness. Entire college courses have been devoted to this one book in the past. Some by instructors who haven't even read it, let alone began to understand why this work is such a condemnation of all the subject material it covers.

For me, the standout book out of the ones I've read would be Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. One of my favorite authors and books of all time.

The one list book that actually moved me to tears was Giovanni's Room. It's the story about a homosexual man in the 1950s, a time when homosexuality was seen as unnatural or was even illegal. Even more tragic than society's oppression is the inner struggle of the man who is torn between his wish for a "normal" life and what his heart tells him. A very short but powerful book.

I have been wanting to read Moby Dick. I'd like the satisfaction of being one of those who has!

Mine would be the Bridge Over The Drina by Ivo Andric, one of the best books I've ever read. Won the Nobel Prize for Literature. It is underrated I think and not as well known as it should be, but it is a truly great piece of literature.

I would agree about The Count of Monte Cristo. I also just listened to a great audio recording of Don Quixote. I thought it was fantastic.

At first I thought the book I'd pick would be The Cider House Rules by John Irving. It's one of my absolute favourites and if I I wrote a book I'd want it to be just as great as it.
But after a while I chose another book, Chess Story by Stefan Zweig. It's an absolute masterpiece. It's set around a game of chess which sounds boring at first. But there is such an incredible tension. It's a very short work but despite of that it's very dense.

I would recommend Catch-22. One of my favorite ever. It's not an easy read, but it's so well written, witty and visionary, I absolutely loved it.
On a minor note I would suggest In Cold Blood, very touching and with a different point of view on a tremendous true story event.

And I agree with what the others have said, a classic will always be worth it, and Moby-Dick; or, The Whale is a truly amazing book, one that will stay with you forever.

Chess Story has already been mentioned so I pick Lord of the Flies

special books: First things first or the 7 habits of highly and effective people.
Great ones

Friends! Do you have any suggestions of books that teach the art of writing?
I want to write a book, and I need some special strategies and tips.
شكرًا Thanks

Yassin wrote: "special books: First things first or the 7 habits of highly and effective people.
Great ones"

They might be wonderful books but they aren't on the 1001 book list which is what this particular group is focused on.

Thanks for all your suggestions! Anything I hadn't already read, I'm planning to knock off before 150.

I just finished Slaughterhouse-Five for #99...and I'm starting Moby-Dick; or, The Whale for the big 100.

Thanks again for your suggestions! :)