Every summer there are book lists released of the 100 greatest books of all time, and I’ve usually read a good percentage of them already. I love the classics but I read many of them in high school and college. Since then I’ve been reading mostly contemporary fiction — more trade paperbacks than disposable beach smut, more Ursula Hegi than Dan Brown — and lately more and more non-fiction. But I look forward to these book lists in the case that they may reveal some gem that’s just dying for me to read it. (In all of my free time.)
I loved the list that came out in Newsweek this week. The article is called “What to Read Now. And Why.” It’s a list of books that “open a window on the times we live in, whether they deal directly with the issues of today or simply help us see ourselves in new and surprising ways.” The list is fascinating, and in the fifty books they mention, I’ve only read two. A third is on my bedside table, thanks to a birthday gift from my friend Jamie, who is apparently ahead of the curve.
Looks like I know what I’m going to be doing this summer.
This is a great list. Thanks for the post. I didn’t recognize a whole lot of those, but there were a few. Flannery O’Connor is on the “Great Books” list at my school, and I’ve read a couple of her works. I know that you said you have been reading non-fiction, but if you want a break from that, I’d highly recommend Jonathan Safran Foer’s “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.” It’s one of those things that you can probably read with the kids or just on your own. It’s a very mature work that’s accessible by pretty much anyone. I know I loved it, and I thought I’d share. Happy reading!