1. The Catcher in the Rye Reading: Junky
2. Cannery Row
3. The Sun Also Rises
4. The House of the Seven Gables
5. The Scarlet Letter
6. Treasure Island
7. Pride and Prejudice
8. I, Robot
9. Memoirs of a Geisha
10. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
11. The Little Prince
12. The Hobbit
13. Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There
14. Aesop’s Fables
15. Saturday
16. Never Let Me Go
17. The Castle of Otranto
18. Heart of Darkness
19. Frankenstein
20. Jane Eyre
21. Dracula
22. Silas Marner
23. Wuthering Heights
24. The Return of the Native
25. The Mysteries of Udolpho
26. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
27. Middlemarch
28. Buddenbrooks
29. Lord of the Rings
30. Mrs. Dalloway
31. The Awakening
32. Foundation
33. Oliver Twist
34. Nicholas Nickleby
35. Martin Chuzzlewit
36. David Copperfield
37. Dusklands
38. Gulliver’s Travels
39. Wild Swans
40. Thank You, Jeeves
41. Agnes Grey
42. Far From the Madding Crowd
43. Bleak House
44. Hard Times
45. The Age of Innocence
46. The Thin Man
47. The Moonstone
48. Tipping the Velvet
49. Rebecca
50. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
51. The Maltese Falcon
52. Interview with the Vampire
53. The Devil and Miss Prym
54. The Bell Jar
55. Fingersmith
56. The Great Gatsby
57. The Thirty-Nine Steps
58. A Tale of Two Cities
59. Great Expectations
60. A Christmas Carol
61. Our Mutual Friend
62. Candide
63. Nineteen Eighty-Four
64. The Stranger
65. Northanger Abbey
66. The Invisible Man
67. Youth
68. The Heat of the Day
69. All Quiet on the Western Front
70. Disgrace
71. Life of Pi
72. One Hundred Years of Solitude
73. Sense and Sensibility
74. Kafka on the Shore
75. The Good Soldier
76. The Virgin Suicides
77. Pereira Declares: A Testimony
78. The Shining
79. A Clockwork Orange
80. In Cold Blood
81. Madame Bovary
82. Mansfield Park
83. The Big Sleep
84. The Woman in White
85. The Grapes of Wrath
86. Amsterdam
87. Emma
88. Persuasion
89. The Time Machine
90. Around the World in Eighty Days
91. The War of the Worlds
92. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
93. The Secret Agent
94. The House of Mirth
95. Ethan Frome
96. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
97. The Color Purple
98. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
50 Year Project 
Just a little curious…
How are you selecting your 1,001 novels?
A friend of mine gave me a list titled “1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die.” The actual book with all the titles was edited by Peter Boxall.
How was Scarlet Letter? I grabbed it from a bookstore because I know it’s a classic but it dozes me off everytime.
The Scarlet Letter was not my favorite. I thought it was slow and I had a hard time getting into it. I really enjoyed The House of the Seven Gables by Hawthorne, which I read first. Then when I read the Scarlet Letter I was disappointed.
I see. Thanks for the reply. The Little Prince is one of my favorite books! For sure you’ll enjoy it.
I am enjoying The Little Prince. Such a delightful story. I’m curious, what book(s) are you currently reading?
It’s officially The Scarlet Letter (but cannot finish yet for the reason I told you hehe). Almost done with The Eternal Husband and other stories by Dostoevsky. The Little Prince is a classic that it has been translated to so many languages. I love this book. I think I read it 3 times already, times when I felt hopeless. It would be good if you include some reviews of the books you’ve read also. Thanks!
I understand about the Scarlet Letter. If I didn’t have the rule that I have to complete the novel for my challenge I wouldn’t have finished it either. Thanks for the tip about the reviews. I do plan on including more of them. Up first will be my review of The Little Prince.
Yay! Eager to read your review 🙂 Thanks!
I was just going to ask if you are getting your reading list from the book “1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die.” I was given that for my birthday a couple of years ago, and have started working my way through the novels listed.
Good luck! 🙂
Thanks! Yes that is where I am getting the books. I like that the list has books from all different types of genres. Makes it fun and gets me out of my comfort zone.
You’ve got some great ones on your list! I had forgotten about House of the Seven Gables… I think I’ll have to dig it up & reread it. 🙂
So far I’ve really enjoyed most of the books. And I loved the House of the Seven Gables! Thanks for visiting.
Wow, this looks like a great list. I just might join you on this journey. -Goes off to search for the list-
I like the variety of the list. It has a little bit of everything. I’d be happy to have company on the journey! Let me know if you want me to email you the list.
Ooh, I want the list please!
I would also like the list. xD And any books you could recommend first? Certain books are easier to devour, I’ve found (like the Scarlet Letter takes ages to get through…)
Hi Edwin! I sent the list to your email. I hope you enjoy!
Hi Cheratomo. I sent you the list. What type of books do you like? I will do my best to make some suggestions. Out of the ones I read, my favorites are The Sun Also Rises and Cannery Row. Also Memoirs of a Geisha was a fantastic novel! I hope you enjoy the list!
I tend to like a large assortment of books, but let’s just go with ones that are not “completely and totally depressing.” Lots of canon books are nothing but.
Are you planning on reviewing all 1001 books as well?
I recently started reviewing all of the books I’ve read and I hope to continue. It should keep me pretty busy!
I love The Catcher in the Rye, Cannery Row, and Frankenstein. In general, I love the classics, but I haven’t been reading as much as I should lately. John Steinbeck is my favorite author and I think Cannery Row might be my favorite of his books. I’ve read it twice.
Steinbeck is also one of my favorites. Cannery Row is awesome! I love the characters. Did you read Sweet Thursday. It’s the sequel. It isn’t as good, but I still liked it.
I have read Sweet Thursday. I agree that it’s not better than Cannery Row, but it’s still good. I collect Steinbeck’s novels and have about nine more to go before I have the complete collection. I’m hoping to visit the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas later this year.
I am so jealous that you are going. That would be awesome to see. Do you have any first editions? That would be fantastic!
I’m still hoping to go. Nothing is planned yet, but I’ve been wanting to go for years and I want to go out to LA later this year to celebrate finishing watching all 170 movies on my list. I figure that as long as I’m on the West coast, I might as well pay Salinas a visit. 🙂
I have what I believe are first editions of The Moon Is Down, Bombs Away, The Wayward Bus, and The Winter of Our Discontent. Each edition was copyrighted the same year of the first publishing, which is why I assume they are first editions, but that’s not necessarily so. I bought each for just a few bucks at little hole-in-the-wall bookstores.
I hope that they are first editions. That would be awesome! I hope you get to LA and to Salinas. I haven’t been to Salinas but I hear that it is beautiful. It would be a great way to celebrate your success!
Curious – is I,robot the one from which the movie was made? if so, why do you want to read the book? I mean, it might be a nice read but wondering if there’s any specific reason?
Hello! I am reading all the books from a list called 1001 books you must read before you die, and I, Robot is on the list. I haven’t seen the movie, but I really enjoyed the book! Is the movie good?
Yay! This list is growing fast 🙂 Classic Jane Eyre, just saw the movie online and reviews said it’s not a good adaptation. I haven’t read the book though. Never Let Me Go also has a movie already. I love Ishiguro and I also like the movie. Will update myself on your progress.
I’ve been enjoying Jane Eyre. I did see the movie Never Let Me Go a few weekends ago and it was pretty good. I prefer the book, but I usually do. Are you reading anything good right now?
Currently reading Nemirovsky’s Fire in the Blood. I liked her Suite Francaise novel that’s why I grab anything of Nemirovsky. 🙂
I haven’t ready an Nemirovsky. Sounds like she is good though. I’ll keep an eye out for her books.
I find it amazing that you’re willing to take on such a huge reading goal! But I have looked through the 1001 Books… book and I found a lot on there that I wouldn’t like and some I love that didn’t make the cut 😦 Hope you can achieve your goal though!
(PS- Don’t forget to read some books that aren’t on the list. It’s been five years since that book was written and some amazing books have been written in that time!)
I know getting through all of the books will be a challenge but I hope that I am successful. One of the things I like about the list is that there are books on it that I wouldn’t even have considered reading. It is helping me out of my normal reading habits and expanding my horizons.
And it is impossible for me to only read the books on this list. There are so many books out that I want to read. I only update my novel progress page with the books that are on the list, but I do read books that are not on the list.
Thanks for visiting and the advice!
I have Dracula on my Nook Color. I’m going to read it next. I read the Hobbit many years ago, but it took me 3 tries to get into it. It’s one of those books that you need to slow down and relax into, rather than speed read. Do you set yourself a time limit for reading these books?
I loved Dracula! And the Hobbit is such a special book. You do need to enjoy it. I don’t usually have a time limit for each book. This project is for fun, so I don’t like to pressure myself and ruin the experience. I did have a goal for how many books I wanted to read by the end of September, but it I miss the goal and there is a good chance I will, it won’t bother me. I would like to complete all the books before I die. We’ll see!
Thanks for visiting and “liking” my blog today- I am finding we have a lot in common! I started a list of 100 Must Read books taken from the BBC’s list (there is an American one too that I discovered later). I’ll have to find the book of 1001 books to read and broaden my horizons. I wonder if the list of 100 is included in the 1001?
Right now, I’m off my list reading the Game of Thrones series (actually… I haven’t actually picked up the book in over 2 months). But there is a stack of old and new on my table just waiting for me.
Looking forward to keeping up with your blog!
Hi Denise! I’m glad I found your blog today. I wonder how many of the books would be on the 1001 list. If you would like, I can email you the 1001 list.
I haven’t read Game of Thrones yet, but I’ve been meaning to. I’ve heard a lot of good buzz about it.
I look forward to getting to know your blog!
I started GoT after I saw the series on HBO, it’s been hard to finish because I know how the season ended! But book 2 is waiting!
I’d love a copy of your list – my email is Denise at geekgirl415 dot com! Thanks!!
I myself have embarked on this great project, when a friend of mine also recommended Guardian’s “1000 novels everyone must read.” since most of the books are on both lists, I’ve decided to do that as well. here’s the link, if you’re interested: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jan/23/bestbooks-fiction. 🙂
and great idea to blog about reviews on the books already read.
Hi Dee! Thanks so much for the link. Once I complete my list I’ll have to go through this list and read the books that I’ve missed. That is if I complete my list 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hi Denise. I sent the list to your email. I haven’t seen the HBO series yet. Do you suggest not watching it until I read the books? Have a great weekend!
I’ve seen that book. No wonder I thought that the 1001 novels thing was a bit familiar, I’ve seen it in a bookstore here in our place but it was expensive so I wasn’t able to buy it :(. I’ve read more than half of the books in your list, I’d say, they were all great books. I’m sure you’re going to have fun reading more 🙂
So far I have really enjoyed the books and yes it is a lot of fun. I’m excited to continue the quest. If you would like the list of the 1001 books let me know and I can email it to you.
It’s sad to say the only one I have read from your list so far is Frankenstein. And we had to read it in class, but I did enjoy it. Which one has been your favorite read so far?
This one is harder for me to decide. So many of them have been wonderful since I read them again and relished the experience all over. And some of them, I have discovered new authors that I love, such as Hardy and Eliot. But if I had to chose, it would be Cannery Row. I love Steinbeck and his characters in this novel are just wonderful. Frankenstein is high up on the list as well. I’ve read it 3 or 4 times now.
Hey, I thought of you after I finished this book, since you have experienced Africa and seem to like it. If you haven’t read this, maybe you could squeeze it onto your book list and I would love to read your review on it! 🙂
http://palmtreesbarefeet.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/say-youre-one-of-them-book-review-2/
Thanks for the link. That does sound like a great book to add to my list. I love to read stories by people from the places I’ve been to or places that I am planning on going to. Thanks!
Wow – is there really 1001 books on the list? And are you reading ALL of them. That’s pretty impressive. I think it would take me about 10 years to complete! Must go and have a look at this list and see what’s on there.
Thanks
Lyn
My plan is to read all of them. We’ll see how I do. Let me know if you would like a copy of the word document that has all the books and I can email it to you.
Hi again, yes please, can you email me the list – I’m intrigued (I’m sure I’ve read some but would love to see how many and how many more I’d like to read!) I think the thing is for me is that I would probably be reluctant to pick some of them up and would keep saving them to last so by the end I’d just have left all the books I don’t want to get to! What about you?
Lynn 😀
Of course I’ll send it. I know what you mean by saving the ones you don’t want to read for the last. I have a feeling I’ll do that as well. There are so many titles that I didn’t recognize. Sometimes my picks depend on what is available in the library so hopefully that will help with reading more of the ones I’m dreading. It will be interesting to see how many you’ve read.
best of luck
Thanks!
I may be a little prejudiced because I am an English major, but this is probably my favorite part of the blog. Frankenstein is the book that made me decide to become an English major, so that one will always be important to me. There are a couple of books here that I haven’t read, but I did manage to read 80 full books last year (and what a year it was). Best of luck with your literary pursuits. ^_^
To be honest, I think the whole idea of the 50-year challenge is pretty darn epic… I honestly don’t know how I’d find the time to do all of these things and admire your decision to undergo this. It seems like a great way to live life without wasting a single moment, and this is very inspiring to me. I’m interested to see how you continue faring in your challenge! =D
I love Frankenstein. Love it! 80 books last year–that’s awesome. I’m trying to read more books this year. Last year I had a goal and I fell far short of it since I moved and moving takes up so much of your time. I don’t always read the books from my list since there are just too many good books out there. I’ll do my best to update the novels at a decent pace for you 🙂
Sometimes I think I’m crazy for starting this project. But then I remind myself that even if I don’t accomplish all of the goals, it is fun trying to. It is a fun adventure. And I love that it helps keep me focused on the aspects of my life that I love. Thanks for stopping by!
East of Eden, John Steinbeck. My all-time favorite. You might also add West With the Night, Beryl Mrkham, to your Africa list. Hemingway said he wished he could write like her.
I read East of Eden years ago and loved the book. Steinbeck is one of my favorite writers. I have East of Eden on my TBR list since I want to read it again. I was in my teens the first time I read it. Thanks for the Markham suggestion. I’ll have to look into finding her book!
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Amazing.
I am an avid book reader. I have enjoyed many of the books you have read so far.
I may just have to find the book of 1001 books to read before you die.
Good luck.
Your blog is inspiring.
Reading is such a wonderful gift. I’m loving this part of my challenge. I just wish I had more time for it. If you don’t want to buy the 1001 books to read before you die, check out this website to look at the list: http://1001beforeyoudie.com/
Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! I’m looking forward to getting to know your blog.
Just discovered your blog and wanted to tell you what a fabulous way this is to keep life interesting and exciting. I had quit my job over a year ago to be a housewife and seem to not be doing anything considerable since. I used to read a lot of books during my student days and somehow out of the habit now. You inspire me to start again. If not the travel, i should at least be able to do the books and movies. Going through your link for 1001 books now. Thanks and good luck!
Hello! I also went through a period when I didn’t read a lot, even though I was an avid reader since I was a child. It is an easy thing to get out of the habit and sometimes life gets in the way. I’m glad you found the link to the 1001 books. Good luck with the movies and books. I would love to hear about your progress. Enjoy! And I’m a new follower to your blog.
This is soooo awesome!
Thanks for the enthusiasm!!!!!!!! It helps me continue.
So many books that will give so much. And more coming all the time. Are any of the books on the list non-fiction?
Unfortunately the list doesn’t include non-fiction. However, this doesn’t mean that I don’t read non-fiction. I studied history and politics in school and I love reading these types of works. I agree with you that the novels on the list is almost like a never ending gift. At least hopefully for a lifetime.
Did you enjoy all of these books? Which was your favorite?
I enjoyed most of them. It is hard to choose a favorite. If I had to, I would say Cannery Row. My least favorite is easier to say. I was not a huge fan of The Scarlet Letter. Have you read any on the list? Which book is your favorite?
I have read Oliver Twist. It was pretty good. Another by Dickens that I enjoyed was Great Expectations!
I haven’t reread Great Expectations yet for my challenge, but I love the novel.
What a fantastic effort so far! So many wonderful titles in this list, some of which I think I’ll be adding to my own reading list!
I am very inspired by your 50 year project. I’ve always wanted to read the magnum opus of the literary world and the list of books that you have already read are many that I would like to read too. I wonder why you are banned from buying books this year, is it cause you’ve bought too many?
Anyhow, I wish you all the best in your goals! (:
Travelling, reading and watching movies, ah those are the privileges that I tend to take for granted.
The book ban isn’t too serious. I pledged not to buy any books this year since I own so many that I haven’t read. I want to make a dent on those and save money for more travel. I’m always looking for ways to save money so we can go on more trips. Thanks for stopping by and your kind words. I think many of us take the little things for granted, which is why I wanted to start this project. To focus on the fun, not the endless chores and tasks that can take over our daily lives. I wish you well and I hope you go after your own goals!
I would like to suggest “Incarnations of Immortality” by Piers Anthony. It is not for everybody but it is a very interesting book and little bit difficult to find.
I’ll keep an eye out for it at the library. Thanks. I’m not sure I’ve read any of his works before so I’m curious.
I’ve read a lot of his works, I think this series is the best. I found my copy on a book sale, the last two books are harder to find. I think it was banned or something, cause a controversy when it was release.
This is a great idea! I always end up with so many books on the go or so many things that I want to read that I don’t make much progress. Also, I am busy with college work which makes it hard! I love The Scarlett Letter though! I love it! What did you think of The Catcher in the Rye? I haven’t read it…yet! But I have heard mixed reviews.
The Catcher in the Rye is one of my favorite novels. I know people either love it or hate it. Not only could I relate to his angst and anger but I enjoyed Houlden’s sense of humor. Give it a go. I think you’ll find out within the first 20-30 pages if you want to continue. I should mention that I wasn’t a huge fan of The Scarlet Letter–not sure if that matters. However, I enjoyed his House of Seven Gables immensely. Let me know if you have any other questions.
What a great list of novels to get through! Lots of these are my absolute favourite books – have you read the Hardys yet?
Do you mean Thomas Hardy?
Yup. My fave author. Also, if you have time, definitely watch the Julie Christie Far from the Madding Crowd DVD!
So far I’ve read The Return of the Native and Far from the Madding Crowd. I haven’t seen the Christie movie but will add it to my list. I loved the name Bathsheba Everdene.
This is definitely inspiring. I’ve always wanted to read all of the classics as well. I’ve read most of these, but there are still a lot on your list that I haven’t. Frankenstein is my favorite. Happy reading 🙂
I love Frankenstein and I think I’ve read it more than 4 times. I’m a classics nerd. I’m actually try to read more current novels so I can save some classics from the list.
Have you or have someone suggested “Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan? I love that book and the movie too. The movie really made me cry.
I’ve seen the movie a few times and I believe I have a copy of the novel, but haven’t read it yet. Thanks for the reminder!
I am a real literary geek too. I hope Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca is on your list as well as Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffanys (the novella is much darker than the classic film). You may enjoy my post on the Dublin writers museum as you love reading and writing so much. It is amazing how much iconic writing has come from Ireland. Emma.
I’m curious where your reading list came from?
Howdy Kat. The list is from the book “1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die.”
Love ‘Junky’ Enjoy and if you like.. ‘The Western Lands’ cool too!
Great list! Any favourites so far?
Good luck on your future reading!
Cheers,
Lexie
http://stepstofollow.net
That’s a hard question to answer since I’ve enjoyed most of them. I usually say the last book I’ve read.