Via Raph Koster‘s site, I learned of The Guardian’s list of 1,000 books everyone must read. Scrolling through the list, I discovered some in each category that I have read, so I feel at least a bit rounded. But most of my "read" books on that list are from the Science Fiction & Fantasy section, which would probably come as no surprise to those who know me.
I think it’s a bit of a cheat, though, when they list "series" of books (they include two: Earthsea and Discworld), but then only list Philosopher’s Stone from the Harry Potter series, and split out half a dozen Wodehouse.
Anyway, let’s assume I can read one book a week. That means it would take me between nineteen and twenty years to read them all. I do have a head start, at least, but not by as much as I would like. Moreover, I ought not to be just be reading them so that I can say that I read them, and it clearly must not be a “race” (will I finish the list before I kick it?). So I’ll take this list as a suggestion instead, as in: Here are a lot of great novels, so consider these first when casting about for something to read.
Bonus: many of them are old enough now to be able to get in ebook form for free.
Counter-bonus: I find reading books on a computer (or my pda, for that matter) to be awkward.
Counter-counter bonus: we have a great library in town.
Maybe it’s time to get a Kindle?
