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?

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

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?

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?

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!

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

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

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!

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

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

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.

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