Books to read before you die

[BlackFlyChardonnay]

Slightly dramatic and morbid way of phrasing it, but these lists always seem to conclude with a reminder of our own mortality.

Anyway, I'm an avid reader but tend to read a lot of popular genre fiction/whatever Richard & Judy are recommending. I read a lot, but I recently saw one of these lists and realised that I've only read 22 out of these 55 "must read" books - pretty poor? So I have started reading books from the list, Lord of the Flies first and now The Great Gatsby.

Do you think it is important to have read what are considered to be important works of literature? I'd be interested to know why you think yes/no.

I have to say, I read Lolita, Jane Eyre & Catch 22 over a decade ago, and can only remember scant details of each. Even Little Women, which I probably read at least 4 times as a child (and watched 2 movie adaptations) I can only remember the highlights of. This suggests me working my way through the list is more of a tick-box activity than something that will enrich my life or mind, because my memory is so appalling.

How many of these books have you read? (Watching the movie doesn't count 😏)

Any books missing from the list that you think should absolutely be included?

I’ve read most of them (not Sherlock Holmes, Huckleberry Finn or The Hate You Give) but I agree it looks like an Instagram list

I’d expect to see Midnight’s Children, and A Suitable Boy in there. And there’s very little not originally written in English even though some translations are classics in themselves

I have read 30 and there are a few there I intend to read, like 1984 for example, but there are lots I have no interest in, ie lord of the rings or Game of thrones, just not my bag. Also books like The Fault in our Stars and Wonder are good but not 'must reads' imo. I think everyone should attempt the classics at some point but in general just read what you enjoy.

Great Expectations is on there.

Whoops, missed that @JaneJeffer

Not sure I could take a book list seriously that lists Lord of the Rings as a boxed set?

I strongly disagree with a PP who said To Kill A Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men shouldn't be included on any list because they are 'problematic. Interesting that that poster ignored Gone With The Wind, which is surely much more problematic than either of those texts.

Texts can be read and understood as a product of their time. We can notice the sexism and racism in texts and explore why that's no longer acceptable. To write off these texts, particularly To Kill A Mockingbird, is to write off the good that is also within them. Mockingbird is about empathy and courage, and has worthwhile things to say about them.

I’ve read 42 of these books - but I don’t think it’s a great list. Some of these books are terrible (in my opinion). Read what you love and what enriches your inner life, not what someone else says you should read.

When you’re dead it doesn’t matter whether you’ve read them or not. You won’t know.

I think I would rather die than read Gone With the Wind!

I've read 2!!!

Eng Lit graduate and I've read 15. No Trollope, no Eliot, no Woolf, no 18c literature (is Austen on there?) nothing pre 18c like Chaucer, and no poetry or drama.

I’ve only read 9 of those, and a fair few of those were school lit books, not my choice.

I read for pleasure, so I read what I fancy, not what someone else has decided is worthy.
That said, I have read a fair few books recommended by friends that I never would have considered otherwise, and loved them - and for me A Thousand Splendid Suns’ and ‘A Little Life’ are amongst those.

I've read 38.
I go back and re-read To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice and Hitchhiker's Guide from time to time. One of my all time favourites, which isn't on the list, is The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles. Also very partial to anything by the late, great Barbara Vine, aka Ruth Rendell.
I'd add Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy to the list.

Interesting mix of responses. The poster who said "is that it?!" about Gatsby - that's what I'm feeling so far, but I'm only halfway through so I'll reserve judgement for now.

Re To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men - I can see why you'd say they're problematic, but are absolutely deserving of a place on the list imo. They are both great books (and I can actually remember the plots and characters in detail, so that's good going for me) and are of their time. We shouldn't ignore or censor history, and can read with modern eyes and perspectives.

I'm never going to read Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, or Lord of the Rings, and that is the literary hill I'll happily die on. Put a dragon in a book or tv show, and I dissociate. I don't know why.

I think there are some classics I feel i should have read. I'm definitely going to read 1984 and Grapes of Wrath after Gatsby. I'd pondered Anna Karenina and Frankenstein, but now thinking I'll swerve after hearing they're hard going. Thanks to the poster who suggested Sherlock Holmes. You reminded me I read one of those in my teens and really enjoyed it. Definitely going to read more of those.

This list is one that circulated on twitter. There are other lists of top 100 that tend to be more classics and literary fiction. I guess has a more populist slant.

Boringly predictable list. The only thing going for it? The Alchemist appears to be absent (grateful for small mercies)

I've read about half the titles on that list. Some because i had to (GCSEs/AS Levels a long time ago!), some because I felt I should (popular "must reads" and topics of discussion/debate) and some because I wanted to (they interested me). I generally enjoy and remember the books that align with my interests much more (funny that).

Read 39! I loved A little life, one of my personal favourites and I know many wouldn't agree!! Wasn't mad about Never let me go, it was original but I didn't love it.

I've read 34 of those and given up on 2 others on there. Some of them are great books! I love a thousand splendid suns and cider with Rosie, the book thief, the help and Watership down.

Harry Potter 1-3 are certainly kids books aimed at kids. Harry Potter 4-7 are just awesome, whatever your age.

It's a really well written book and much more complex than the movie. It's actually a great read!

I've gone through enough misery in my life without forcing myself to read depressing weighty tomes. I'll carry on with 'tea by the little Cornish summer cottage' type books interspersed with the odd Phillipa Gregory.

I've only read 9 of those and I'd happily die without reading the rest.

But the list only recommends the first one

I read an average of 100books a year for past 35 years or so. I've read 6 of those

Flowers in the attic Virginia Andrews
When hitler stole pink rabbit Judith Kerr
Next of kin Kia Abdulah
It ends with us Colleen Hoover

I've only read a few of those. I've read a fair amount, but not anything that will likely make a list as sophisticated as that