Are you "well read"?

[Elfina]

I'd like to break out of my current crime/ thriller cycle, and become a little more well read.

What great literature should be in my list? Classics, or otherwise?

[littlerach]

It depends what yo ulike ot read :)
I htink well read means differet things ot different people.

[Elfina]

That's the thing, I'm trying to get away from what I always go for, want to expand my mind

How about if I ask - if you would recommend one book, everyone should read, what would it be?

[Moln]

Well read often means having read the classics.

Personally I think it means someone who has read a wide variety of books, from many different genres and ages.

Though saying that if you like what you like why change?

Are you on Goodreads?

[ConstanceBlackwood]

I'd be interested in the recommendations here too! I'm not particularly well read but my top 5 recommendations are as follows!

1. Shirley Jackson- we have always lived in the castle (hence username)
   
2. To kill a mockingbird-Harper lee
   
3. The goldfinch-Donna tartt
   
4. Wide Sargasso Sea-Jean Rhys
   
5. Geek love- Katherine Dunn (you need a strong disposition!)
   

I know it's not Austen or bronte but have a look and see what you think!

[WhereYouLeftIt]

Jane Austen is a good place to start. 'Classic' but very readable.

[BewilderedAndAngry]

Read David Mitchell - Ghostwritten is good one to start and not too long.
He's best known for Cloud Atlas - work of genius.

[littlerach]

I would recommend Margaret Atwood - the Oryx and Crake trilogy.
Then Barbara Kingsolver - either Poisonwood Bible or Prodigal Summer.
Then any Ann Tyler - there are loads.
Anne Pratchett - State of Wander
Catherine Gilmore Perkins (I htink?!) - Herland

I can list hundreds more!

[kate1516]

Google bbc big read top 100 books and try a few of those. Or some other "greats" list. Usually a variety of book types but usually good books. Will be a few you hate but you will find some you love too I expect

[OnlyBejoking]

Pretty much anything by Margaret Atwood is well worth a read.

[DuchessofMalfi]

I could list loads to try but how about The Lord of the Flies by William Golding? I read it at school and reread it last year. It still has the power to shock.

[cdtaylornats]

If you are going to read classics you can get them free at Project Gutenburg

www.gutenberg.org/

49000 out of copyright books for free downloading