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Guardian’s Top 100 books of the century

78 replies

tldr · 23/01/2020 23:27

www.theguardian.com/books/2019/sep/21/best-books-of-the-21st-century

I’ve read a handful. Might try reading some more.

Even the list took me down memory lane, back to 20 years ago when I was young(ish) and watching what people were reading on the tube. Smile (White Teeth. Everyone read White Teeth.)

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irregularegular · 03/02/2020 12:05

It's an interesting list. I've read (and enjoyed) most of the fiction. I'm always intending to read more non-fiction, but struggle a bit. This might provide some worthwhile suggestions.

Ontopofthesunset · 03/02/2020 11:58

I've read 44, mostly from the fiction and the poetry, and a few of the non ficition. I suppose Harry Potter is on there because of how huge it became and Gone Girl and TGWTDT similarly - they are not particularly 'good' books in terms of literary fiction, but were phenomena.

I like lists (I'm still working my way through the 40 or so books on a Facebook list of 100 difficult books that I hadn't read) as it gives me a structure to my reading. And some on here, particularly non-fiction, I hadn't heard of. I'm now half way through Gilead as I'm starting at the top. I've read 7 of the top 10, but not Gilead, Secondhand Time or Between the World and Me so I've got those waiting....

But I'm in my mid 50s and have been reading a lot for a long time so I'm finding a lot of contemporary fiction very samey. I really enjoyed Ducks, Newburyport because it's an ambitious idea, and I'm enjoying a lot more non-fiction too.

TheNavigator · 27/01/2020 17:41

I've read - 19 I've just finished The Silence of the Girls, which I thoroughly recommend. I also recommend Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead - I haven't read anything quite like it.

I don't agree with the list, but I quite like it as giving me some ideas for my next read. I've never read any Martin Amis - is it worth giving it a go, I wonder?

Uncooperativefingers · 27/01/2020 14:27

I've read 21, but certainly didn't enjoy them all!

I am, however, chuffed that the brilliant Mary Beard's Woman and Power has made the list. I love Mary Beard :) The Guardian's description makes it sound very dull and heavy when it isn't at all. As well as making some very thought-provoking points, it's very readable and quite funny.

PigeonofDoom · 27/01/2020 09:25

16 for me. Very pleased to see Austerlitz places high, it’s one of my favourite books. So beautifully written, I wish I was able to read it in German.

Wilding · 27/01/2020 08:27

And I loved the Hare with Amber Eyes too! Didn't find it boring in the slightest.

Wilding · 27/01/2020 08:27

I've read 37 off that list... Lots on there I've never even heard of! Will take the list next time I'm at the library, there are some on there that look pretty good.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 26/01/2020 21:42

Oh FFS it kept saying I hadn't posted

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 26/01/2020 21:38

@TerrifiedandWorried

Don't be apt username, I absolutely loved it.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 26/01/2020 21:38

@TerrifiedandWorried

Don't be apt username, I absolutely loved it.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 26/01/2020 21:37

@TerrifiedandWorried

Don't be apt username, I absolutely loved it.

TerrifiedandWorried · 26/01/2020 20:43

Dammit. I am not looking forward to The Hare with the Amber Eyes now.

Binterested · 26/01/2020 20:22

Yes I agree.

Hare with the Amber Eyes is beyond boring. Lengthy meditation on one man’s collection of knick knacks. Can’t even remember if there was a point besides being terribly pretentious and breathy about pots.

TerrifiedandWorried · 26/01/2020 20:17

I've read 17. Think I will try to read the others this year. Thanks for the heads up!
I have Sapiens and Thinkkng fast and slow ready to go.

CountFosco · 26/01/2020 12:42

Brooklyn annoyed me because the lead character was so passive. Typical man writing a woman issue. Thought the film was better, it felt like she had more agency. Generally love Colm Toibin's books though.

Original poster
tldr · 26/01/2020 10:45

Brooklyn is one of only two audiobooks ever that has kept me on a treadmill longer than I intended to be on it. 😀

The other was We need to talk about Kevin.

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DarkDarkNight · 26/01/2020 00:58

I’m glad to see Brooklyn on the list. I just watched the film recently and it reminded me of how much I loved the book.

VeniceBeach · 26/01/2020 00:40

@tldr I remember my mum bought it to read because the main character had autism/aspergers like my brother (although I just stole to while away the hours!) so I guess that's why she thought it important.

AndwhenyougetthereFoffsomemore · 26/01/2020 00:22

23 read: some great, but that's certainly a nicely challenging & diverse list...

Original poster
tldr · 26/01/2020 00:14

@VeniceBeach, I read Curious Incident as an adult and I’m not really very sure I got it. Certainly didn’t understand the fuss about it.

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Gone2far · 25/01/2020 23:33

I've read 20. Including the dreary Normal People (why do people think it's so great?)

VeniceBeach · 25/01/2020 23:23

I’ve only read two of these. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (enjoyed, though read as a child so didn’t really ‘get‘ it) and Fingersmith which I love but prefer both The Little Stranger and The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters. Definitely a few to add to my to read pile!

PermanentTemporary · 25/01/2020 22:46

Read 33 and abandoned a few. Thank God for book club and an FWB with good literary taste.

I love The Plot Against America, if Indignation is better I'll definitely try that. Gone Girl is a ludicrous choice but I do see that it was the first of a new genre. I think Marlon james should be on there - not sure if A book of night women was 21st century but I think it was, it was amazing.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 25/01/2020 22:31

I’ve read 16, and started but abandoned at least another 5 or 6.

BookWitch · 25/01/2020 22:21

I've read about 6 and a couple more are in my TBR pile.
All very worthy books, but some that jar on the list - like Gone Girl and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - certainly page turners but don't really fit with the rest of them. I'd say Harry Potter probably does not belong on that list either (and I am a fan!)

What would we put on a more "quality but mainstream" list then?