Great list! I've added a lot to my to-read list because of it. In case anyone's wanting an on-the-ground view of these, here are some loose thoughts on the ones I've read: 98 - The Girl with the...
Exemplary
Great list! I've added a lot to my to-read list because of it. In case anyone's wanting an on-the-ground view of these, here are some loose thoughts on the ones I've read:
98 - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
It's been a while since I read this one, and I never did finish the series, but I loved it at the time I read it. I remember the beginning being slow, but then the book turns a corner and is outright shocking in how it develops. It was hard to put down after that.
97 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Not my favorite book in the series (I loved Order of the Phoenix the most), but I get why this one made the list. Goblet of Fire was where the series went from straightforward kids' books to something so much more.
94 - The Tipping Point
I don't remember much about this one specifically, but I've read a lot of Gladwell and all of his stuff follows a very digestible pop-psych, pop-science format that's eminently readable but often frustratingly simplified or misleading.
73 - Nothing to Envy
Absolutely great portrait of lives in North Korea. Thoughtful, illuminating, and sympathetic. This is one of my favorites on the list.
72 - The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
This covers a very important topic, but the book is a slog. I found it very hard to finish.
65 - Gone Girl
I started Gone Girl sometime early on a Saturday morning. I had finished the whole book by sometime that same Saturday night. I literally could not put it down. Not only is it a great thriller, but its character writing and in-character social commentary are top notch.
63 - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Equal parts uplifting and distressing. It tells the story of the amazing medical miracle of HeLa cells alongside a story of poverty in America.
47 - Persepolis
One of my absolute favorite graphic novels. The story and people are wonderfully portrayed, and the art style is beautiful and cleverly used.
43 - Citizen: An American Lyric
I don't remember a whole lot about this one despite reading it relatively recently. It was billed as poetry, but if I recall correctly there's also prose and essays. It didn't feel cohesive, but instead was more of a pastiche of the author's thoughts, told in her rich and insightful narration.
33 - Fun Home
I don't love this as much as others seem to, but I still think it's great and landmark. I love that she got a ton of (rightfully deserved) acclaim for it, and the musical is great, but my favorite work of hers will always be Dykes to Watch Out For.
19 - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
It's been a good long while since I read this, but I loved it when I did. The unique narration and perspective of the book absolutely carried it and made it unlike anything I'd ever read (which is still true to this day).
18 - The Shock Doctrine
It's LONG, but it's also richly detailed and illuminating. It details how important it is for us to have our pulse on larger economic factors and maneuvering, as without oversight or accountability, governments and companies can outright destroy lives for their own gain, in plain sight.
17 - The Road
If you've ever wanted to read a book that feels like a Fallout game, look no further than The Road. It's hopeful and hopeless at the same time.
13 - Nickel and Dimed
It's probably even more relevant today than it was when it was written, as technology has caused low-wage jobs to be ever more demanding and efficient without a corresponding income increase. This book caused an absolute firestorm of controversy in the conservative area that I lived in at the time for daring to allege that being poor was both difficult and nigh-inescapable.
7 - Between the World and Me
If I had to recommend one and only one book on this list, it would be this one. Coates's command of words and ideas is breathtaking, and he frames and discusses racism in ways that everyone, particularly Americans, need to hear.
4 - Never Let Me Go
One of my absolute favorite fiction books of all time. The prose is simply beautiful, and the story is haunting. If I had to recommend a fiction book on this list, it would be this one.
Glad to see Harry Potter made the list. Also, Sapiens is incredible. I suspect Pickety's Capital in the Twenty First Century is much like the bible, in that people like to pretend they read it,...
Glad to see Harry Potter made the list.
Also, Sapiens is incredible.
I suspect Pickety's Capital in the Twenty First Century is much like the bible, in that people like to pretend they read it, but are largely unable to plow their way through such a dry and thick tome.
I rather liked it. Of all of the HP books, I feel that it has the best overall storytelling. It's also the book that seems less about building the universe than it is about enjoying being in it,...
I rather liked it. Of all of the HP books, I feel that it has the best overall storytelling. It's also the book that seems less about building the universe than it is about enjoying being in it, if that makes any sense.
Then again, it's been ages since I've read any of them.
That's a perfectly valid complaint. But if I were to be completely honest, I think all of the HP novels feature somewhat contrived plots. I honestly can't think of any other books featuring magic...
That's a perfectly valid complaint. But if I were to be completely honest, I think all of the HP novels feature somewhat contrived plots. I honestly can't think of any other books featuring magic that aren't like that. But then again, I don't particularly care for the fantasy genre as a whole, so there's not a lot to compare with.
Lots of them were published before 2000. The Philosopher's Stone (1997) The Chamber of Secrets (1998) The Prisoner of Azkaban (1999) The Goblet of Fire (2000) The Order of the Phoenix (2003) The...
Lots of them were published before 2000.
The Philosopher's Stone (1997)
The Chamber of Secrets (1998)
The Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
The Goblet of Fire (2000)
The Order of the Phoenix (2003)
The Half-Blood Prince (2005)
The Deathly Hallows (2007)
Disappointed that Haruki Murakami didn't make the list. South of the Border, West of the Sun is easily one of the most engrossing books I've ever read by any author and it was the first time since...
Disappointed that Haruki Murakami didn't make the list.
South of the Border, West of the Sun is easily one of the most engrossing books I've ever read by any author and it was the first time since my teen years that I actually stayed up all night to read a book to its conclusion. And apparently that's not even in the top 10 best books he's written.
I noticed the omission as well. Considering that Murakami has been a long standing favourite to win the nobel literature prize, it is surprising. But then, there are also valid arguments for why...
I noticed the omission as well. Considering that Murakami has been a long standing favourite to win the nobel literature prize, it is surprising.
But then, there are also valid arguments for why the guardian may have chosen to exclude him:
Haruki Murakami, Jonathan Franzen and Michel Houllebecq all have notable weaknesses when it comes to female characters, as do many of the greats (Tess of the D’Urbervilles anyone?).
The question is, can you really be considered a great novelist when, in writing characters of a gender that makes up 50% of the population, you consistently fail
I've read that book. I was drawn in by the promise of Hardy questioning Victorian ideals around female sexual purity. But it was an extremely frustrating read for a number of reasons.
I've read that book. I was drawn in by the promise of Hardy questioning Victorian ideals around female sexual purity. But it was an extremely frustrating read for a number of reasons.
I've read all of Murakami's novels; he's one of my favorite authors. That is to say, I tried to read his two latest novels but couldn't finish them. Unfortunately, I feel like his writing has...
I've read all of Murakami's novels; he's one of my favorite authors. That is to say, I tried to read his two latest novels but couldn't finish them. Unfortunately, I feel like his writing has gotten worse over time and none of his best books were published in the 21st century. The Wind-up Bird Chronicle is probably his best, a saga about a missing cat, a well, a missing wife and the Japanese war crimes in Manchuria. Norwegian Wood is one of my favorite coming of age novels. The Wild Sheep Chase is very fun. Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is cyberpunk published at the height of that genre's popularity, which is really interesting, because cyberpunk takes heavy inspiration from the (now retro) future Tokyo of the 1980s, but this is perhaps the only novel written in Tokyo in the 1980s in the genre.
None of these books were published in the 21st century. His efforts this century have ranged from pretty good (Kafka on the Shore) to pedestrian (Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage) to absolute shit (1Q84). Seriously, the latter book has some scenes that are absolutely mind-bogglingly stupid. It's the only book that I've read 900 pages of only to not finish it. It's a rare book that I would have physically thrown into the wall if it hadn't been a library copy. What a disappointment.
I don't think Murakami's lack of good female characters disqualifies him as a great author, though. His books are almost always written from the perspective of a highly introverted man, to whom everyone else is a bit of a mystery. While it would be good to have better written female characters, the books are usually very introspectively focused on a male character, so the lack of depth in what are essentially side characters is not that distracting. Besides, if one flaw would be enough to disqualify a work as "great", then every part of the Western canon is disqualified.
If you're going to include Gone Girl, a book that has one of the worst "psycho bitch" stereotypes ever committed to print (but its author is a woman so suddenly that's okay I guess), then I don't think you can disqualify Murakami. But you could disqualify him on the basis that all his best books were written in the 1980s and 1990s.
I've enjoyed some of Murakami's books, and I don't dislike him as an author. But I agree that no author is great unless they can realistically depict women. Characters don't necessarily have to be...
I've enjoyed some of Murakami's books, and I don't dislike him as an author. But I agree that no author is great unless they can realistically depict women. Characters don't necessarily have to be deep to be realistic.
Also, the lack of depth in Murakami's female characters is only one of many complaints about the way he portrays women.
As for Gone Girl, I can't really speak definitively because I've only seen the movie. I admit that parts of the plot seem problematic, but imo the female villain is actually pretty compelling. She's a psycho bitch for sure, and I don't think anyone would justify her behaviour - but I think most women can relate to her rage.
About as good as one of these general lists can be. I've read 5 (God Delusion. Oryx and Crake, Night Watch, Sapiens, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night‑Time), which probably tells you...
About as good as one of these general lists can be. I've read 5 (God Delusion. Oryx and Crake, Night Watch, Sapiens, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night‑Time), which probably tells you quite a lot about me.
Nice list. So many wonderful titles. Sad to say I've only read 4-5 of them. IDK how long it'll last, but ATM, it has inspired me to try to start reading again, actual books, like I used to, back...
Nice list. So many wonderful titles. Sad to say I've only read 4-5 of them. IDK how long it'll last, but ATM, it has inspired me to try to start reading again, actual books, like I used to, back before this 'phone' thing invaded my life.
Damn, I don't read enough. And I guess I'm thus still stuck with catching up with the ~100 years of literature before. Most of the books I actually know on that list are graphic novels from my...
Damn, I don't read enough. And I guess I'm thus still stuck with catching up with the ~100 years of literature before.
Most of the books I actually know on that list are graphic novels from my deep dive into the artsy, non-superhero graphic novels of the 00s. Persepolis, Jimmy Corrigan (which I, to this day, consider to be one of the most beautiful books ever made).
Great list! I've added a lot to my to-read list because of it. In case anyone's wanting an on-the-ground view of these, here are some loose thoughts on the ones I've read:
98 - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
It's been a while since I read this one, and I never did finish the series, but I loved it at the time I read it. I remember the beginning being slow, but then the book turns a corner and is outright shocking in how it develops. It was hard to put down after that.
97 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Not my favorite book in the series (I loved Order of the Phoenix the most), but I get why this one made the list. Goblet of Fire was where the series went from straightforward kids' books to something so much more.
94 - The Tipping Point
I don't remember much about this one specifically, but I've read a lot of Gladwell and all of his stuff follows a very digestible pop-psych, pop-science format that's eminently readable but often frustratingly simplified or misleading.
73 - Nothing to Envy
Absolutely great portrait of lives in North Korea. Thoughtful, illuminating, and sympathetic. This is one of my favorites on the list.
72 - The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
This covers a very important topic, but the book is a slog. I found it very hard to finish.
65 - Gone Girl
I started Gone Girl sometime early on a Saturday morning. I had finished the whole book by sometime that same Saturday night. I literally could not put it down. Not only is it a great thriller, but its character writing and in-character social commentary are top notch.
63 - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Equal parts uplifting and distressing. It tells the story of the amazing medical miracle of HeLa cells alongside a story of poverty in America.
47 - Persepolis
One of my absolute favorite graphic novels. The story and people are wonderfully portrayed, and the art style is beautiful and cleverly used.
43 - Citizen: An American Lyric
I don't remember a whole lot about this one despite reading it relatively recently. It was billed as poetry, but if I recall correctly there's also prose and essays. It didn't feel cohesive, but instead was more of a pastiche of the author's thoughts, told in her rich and insightful narration.
33 - Fun Home
I don't love this as much as others seem to, but I still think it's great and landmark. I love that she got a ton of (rightfully deserved) acclaim for it, and the musical is great, but my favorite work of hers will always be Dykes to Watch Out For.
19 - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
It's been a good long while since I read this, but I loved it when I did. The unique narration and perspective of the book absolutely carried it and made it unlike anything I'd ever read (which is still true to this day).
18 - The Shock Doctrine
It's LONG, but it's also richly detailed and illuminating. It details how important it is for us to have our pulse on larger economic factors and maneuvering, as without oversight or accountability, governments and companies can outright destroy lives for their own gain, in plain sight.
17 - The Road
If you've ever wanted to read a book that feels like a Fallout game, look no further than The Road. It's hopeful and hopeless at the same time.
13 - Nickel and Dimed
It's probably even more relevant today than it was when it was written, as technology has caused low-wage jobs to be ever more demanding and efficient without a corresponding income increase. This book caused an absolute firestorm of controversy in the conservative area that I lived in at the time for daring to allege that being poor was both difficult and nigh-inescapable.
7 - Between the World and Me
If I had to recommend one and only one book on this list, it would be this one. Coates's command of words and ideas is breathtaking, and he frames and discusses racism in ways that everyone, particularly Americans, need to hear.
4 - Never Let Me Go
One of my absolute favorite fiction books of all time. The prose is simply beautiful, and the story is haunting. If I had to recommend a fiction book on this list, it would be this one.
Glad to see Harry Potter made the list.
Also, Sapiens is incredible.
I suspect Pickety's Capital in the Twenty First Century is much like the bible, in that people like to pretend they read it, but are largely unable to plow their way through such a dry and thick tome.
I don't know why they chose the Goblet of Fire though. Imo it is one of the worst books in the series.
I rather liked it. Of all of the HP books, I feel that it has the best overall storytelling. It's also the book that seems less about building the universe than it is about enjoying being in it, if that makes any sense.
Then again, it's been ages since I've read any of them.
All the books are somewhat enjoyable, and there are good bits, but I can't get past how convoluted and flimsy Voldemort's evil plot was.
That's a perfectly valid complaint. But if I were to be completely honest, I think all of the HP novels feature somewhat contrived plots. I honestly can't think of any other books featuring magic that aren't like that. But then again, I don't particularly care for the fantasy genre as a whole, so there's not a lot to compare with.
Lots of them were published before 2000.
The Philosopher's Stone (1997)
The Chamber of Secrets (1998)
The Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
The Goblet of Fire (2000)
The Order of the Phoenix (2003)
The Half-Blood Prince (2005)
The Deathly Hallows (2007)
Disappointed that Haruki Murakami didn't make the list.
South of the Border, West of the Sun is easily one of the most engrossing books I've ever read by any author and it was the first time since my teen years that I actually stayed up all night to read a book to its conclusion. And apparently that's not even in the top 10 best books he's written.
I noticed the omission as well. Considering that Murakami has been a long standing favourite to win the nobel literature prize, it is surprising.
But then, there are also valid arguments for why the guardian may have chosen to exclude him:
All cleavage and clunkiness – why can’t male authors write women?
I've read that book. I was drawn in by the promise of Hardy questioning Victorian ideals around female sexual purity. But it was an extremely frustrating read for a number of reasons.
I've read all of Murakami's novels; he's one of my favorite authors. That is to say, I tried to read his two latest novels but couldn't finish them. Unfortunately, I feel like his writing has gotten worse over time and none of his best books were published in the 21st century. The Wind-up Bird Chronicle is probably his best, a saga about a missing cat, a well, a missing wife and the Japanese war crimes in Manchuria. Norwegian Wood is one of my favorite coming of age novels. The Wild Sheep Chase is very fun. Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is cyberpunk published at the height of that genre's popularity, which is really interesting, because cyberpunk takes heavy inspiration from the (now retro) future Tokyo of the 1980s, but this is perhaps the only novel written in Tokyo in the 1980s in the genre.
None of these books were published in the 21st century. His efforts this century have ranged from pretty good (Kafka on the Shore) to pedestrian (Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage) to absolute shit (1Q84). Seriously, the latter book has some scenes that are absolutely mind-bogglingly stupid. It's the only book that I've read 900 pages of only to not finish it. It's a rare book that I would have physically thrown into the wall if it hadn't been a library copy. What a disappointment.
I don't think Murakami's lack of good female characters disqualifies him as a great author, though. His books are almost always written from the perspective of a highly introverted man, to whom everyone else is a bit of a mystery. While it would be good to have better written female characters, the books are usually very introspectively focused on a male character, so the lack of depth in what are essentially side characters is not that distracting. Besides, if one flaw would be enough to disqualify a work as "great", then every part of the Western canon is disqualified.
If you're going to include Gone Girl, a book that has one of the worst "psycho bitch" stereotypes ever committed to print (but its author is a woman so suddenly that's okay I guess), then I don't think you can disqualify Murakami. But you could disqualify him on the basis that all his best books were written in the 1980s and 1990s.
I've enjoyed some of Murakami's books, and I don't dislike him as an author. But I agree that no author is great unless they can realistically depict women. Characters don't necessarily have to be deep to be realistic.
Also, the lack of depth in Murakami's female characters is only one of many complaints about the way he portrays women.
eg. https://www.japanpowered.com/japan-culture/haruki-murakamis-portrayal-of-women
https://theweek.com/articles/800717/murakami-terrible-now
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19128753-a-question-about-women-in-murakami-s-novels
As for Gone Girl, I can't really speak definitively because I've only seen the movie. I admit that parts of the plot seem problematic, but imo the female villain is actually pretty compelling. She's a psycho bitch for sure, and I don't think anyone would justify her behaviour - but I think most women can relate to her rage.
This article does a better job than me of describing it:
https://time.com/3472314/gone-girl-movie-book-feminist-misogynist/
Published in 1999.
About as good as one of these general lists can be. I've read 5 (God Delusion. Oryx and Crake, Night Watch, Sapiens, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night‑Time), which probably tells you quite a lot about me.
Nice list. So many wonderful titles. Sad to say I've only read 4-5 of them. IDK how long it'll last, but ATM, it has inspired me to try to start reading again, actual books, like I used to, back before this 'phone' thing invaded my life.
Damn, I don't read enough. And I guess I'm thus still stuck with catching up with the ~100 years of literature before.
Most of the books I actually know on that list are graphic novels from my deep dive into the artsy, non-superhero graphic novels of the 00s. Persepolis, Jimmy Corrigan (which I, to this day, consider to be one of the most beautiful books ever made).