Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? So I am going to flatter Stefanie and Iliana by sharing my own list of books that I've yet to read, even though it seems like everyone else in the Western world has already done so. Now, I'm not really hung up on what everyone else is reading, and feel the need to do so as well unless the book happens to be something that really appeals to me. Some of these I do plan on reading (someday), and some I feel like I should have read as they are either taught in school or are just so much part of the cultural fabric that not knowing the story means I am missing out on cultural or literary references. Some are popular novels and some are classics, so some are probably worthy reads and maybe some less so (who's to judge as it is all so personal). I know it's impossible to read everything, but how widely do you have to read (am guessing pretty widely really) before you can consider yourself "well read"?
Anyway, here are my dozen books.
1. The Secret History, Donna Tartt - I know the premise of this book. It sounded great when it came out and I even bought a copy in hardcover. Why I never got around to reading it is beyond me. I recently bought a nice little paperback copy that I can fit in my purse. I wonder how many more years will pass before I finally start reading.
2. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Anne Tyler - I've not read a single one of her novels. I'm not trying to avoid her, but I just never seem to be in the right mood for her. As a matter of fact I tend not to be in the mood for American authors/settings in general. I need to rectify things as I've missed out on a whole swathe of contemporary American Lit.
3. Thousand Acres, Jane Smiley - See #2. Ditto.
4. Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel - Okay, so saying everyone has read this may be a vast overgeneralization as this is a pretty hefty tome. It feels like everyone is reading it and raving about it or wanting to read it. Include me in the latter sentence.
5. Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery - Now this is one I know loads of people have read, or attempted to read as I have come across such a vast response to the book. It's one that is either loved or intensely disliked. I haven't a clue on which side of the fence I would fall, but I am curious about it.
6. The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck - I've read very little Steinbeck. Very. Little. Maybe only a few short stories even. Another case of reaching for Brit Lit over the Americans. I am going to try and balance things out a bit more.
7. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twin - Can I make a confession here? I have very little desire to read Mark Twain. He seems like the epitome of American writing--well, of that period anyway. Somehow I feel a little blasphemous saying I don't feel like reading him. Does it count for something that I've read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer?
8. Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien - Another admission. I have even less desire to read Lord of the Rings or any of his other books. I might be talked into reading more Twain, but I don't think that is going to happen with Tolkien. Am I going to be missing something really important?
9. The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger - Now if there is a current/popular novel that I really feel out of the loop with, it is this one. I really do feel like I am the last person to read it. The sheer size puts me off and I'm uncertain about the whole time travel thing.
10. Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery - I won't even start on how many juvenile and YA books that I missed growing up. I've always thought I'd like the Anne books even as an adult.
11. Hamlet, Shakespeare - If you only read one of Shakespeare's plays, which would it be? Which is the best of the best or most important (I know, they are all important). I've read about three plays not counting the one I read in high school, and it wasn't Hamlet, let me tell you.
12. Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Steig Larsson - I've had this in paperback for quite a while. Everyone seems to be reading it (or the other two books) except me. I want to read it, just can't seem to squeeze it in. I've heard many conflicting things about it, so I'm not sure what I'll make of it, but as crime novels/thrillers go, this one sounds pretty edge of your seat.
I could have made a longer list, but best not to own up to too much. Which ones should I really not miss?