Bookworm Meets Bookworm: 1001 Books to Read Before You Die

I don't anticipate receiving books on holidays, birthdays, or any other occasion where exchanging gifts is expected because I never think to ask for them. So, when I acquired 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die from J's Mom for Christmas, I was ecstatic. You can ask J, he was there. I immediately pulled out a pack of post-its (you know, the tiny size, designed for bookmarking) and began noting the titles that I wanted to accomplish this year.

The week that followed was no doubt some Olympic-medal-worthy action. I flipped through every single page in one sitting, counting the titles I had completed as I went along. I scribbled notes on each chapter and compiled the numbers.

The grand total: 36 out of 1001 (it's something!)

I broke it down by time period ("chapters" in the book):

1 from the 1700s

14 from the 1800s

19 from the 1900s

2 from the 2000s

Then I figured I'd make more lists to complete the experience.

Favorites:

Madame Bovary*

Gustave Flaubert

Pub: 1857

Anna Karenina*
Leo Tolstoy
Pub: 1877

Jude the Obscure*
Thomas Hardy
Pub: 1895

Ethan Frome*
Edith Wharton
Pub: 1911

Middlesex*
Jeffrey Eugenides
Pub: 2002

Most Anticipated TBR:

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Pub: 1892

Surfacing
Margaret Atwood
Pub: 1972

If On a Winter's Night a Traveler*
Italo Calvino
Pub: 1979

Birdsong
Sebastian Faulks
Pub: 1993

Felicia's Journey*
William Trevor
Pub: 1994

Titles new to me:

The Return of the Soldier
Rebecca West
Pub: 1918

The Well of Loneliness
Radclyffe Hall
Pub: 1928

* Owned

I've enjoyed making lists and thinking back on all the books I've read in my life. I'm looking forward to exploring new work and finding new favorites.

I know this is quite a popular title in the book world, so I'm hoping you'll share your own experience and favorites!

Pages

2.03.2012

A Gift: 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die