Best Books

One of the projects I want to tackle on this blog is the dissecting and reviewing of "top" books. For awhile, I thought I would tackle the "Best Books of All Time" lists that float around the Internet and be very honest when I had not read something. But, frankly, that's a little boring. I found lists from Newsweek and from Time and the BBC and though I had read many on the list, the ones I hadn't, I had not desire to even attempt.

I was an English major, at a prestigious liberal arts school, so of course I was taught to appreciate good literature and yes, I am a book snob because of it. My own personal taste in reading material tends to attract memoirs and literature fiction, short stories and information books. Sure, I read YA and picture books, but I consider this type of reading "professional development." I read them while trying to capture the eye and mind of children and teens, it's "different" reading. Now, I will absolutely defend your right to read whatever it is you choose to read, but that doesn't mean I have to believe that publishing books about Guiding Light or choosing only to read steamy erotica is the best way to make sure books survive the digital age.

That being said, I thought it would be fun to tackle a list of "Best Books of the 21st Century." Since the list only has a decade to span, I can easily remember the titles and most of them are still being read by those discovering the titles. But I'll be keeping with my idea that I won't be picking up non-read books to read solely for this blog. There are too many books on my own list that I don't need to add more unless I'm compelled too. I'll try to be honest no matter my relationship with the book and I'll try to tell you why 1.) I liked/didn't like it 2.) Why I haven't read it/why I have read it 3.)What I thought about the hubabaloo behind the book if applicable.

Oh, and you may want to know that I'm taking my list from GoodReads' "Best Books of the 21st Century" which is voted on by GoodReads users. So I expect the list to change from time to time, so my Top 100 may not always be what is on their website.

So, here we go with Numbers 100-91:

100: The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason

by Sam Harris

Right away, one I have not read. In fact, I don't even recall being aware of this book. The review tells me it discusses how humans are willing to "suspend reason in favor of religious beliefs." Though I consider myself a more spiritual than relgious person, I could be interested in picking this up. But I want to know more about who reads this before I invest my time. My first thought is "Really?! Best book of the 21st Century"?!

99: 2666

by Roberto Bolano

I haven't read this either, though I think I would. This book takes 5 of the author's "interlocking yet independent" novels and puts them together. Bolano has passed away and I know nothing of his life. Can anyone offer some insight?

98: The Yiddish Policeman's Union

by Michael Chabon

First off, I have to set the record straight & let you know that I am a Chabon-junkie. I love him and his writing style. He brings sentences alive and reading one of his novels is like eating a whole bag of Hershey Kisses in one day. You end up feeling ill from all of the treats. Seriously, he's so good that it's almost an overdose on great writing. Though Policeman's Union is not my favorite of his books, nor do I think it should be the one to break your Chabon-virginity (try Wonderboys first or even Mysteries of Pittsburgh, and then move on to heavier stuff), but it's a compelling read.

97: The Nanny Diaries

by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Straus

I own this book thanks to Half-Price books. I remember picking it up one summer but I have no recollection of finishing it. I thought it was funny/cute but best book of the 21st century? I can't even imagine a real scenario where this could be true.

95: The Bookseller of Kabul

by Asne Seierstad

I first heard of this book through an English friend while I was teaching abroad, but it took me a few more years before I read it myself. I went through a phase when I was reading pretty much anything I could get my hands-on about the Middle East, fiction and non-fiction. Though it's not the best choice when gathering factual information, it's an interesting story that could hook people who have read Hosseini.

94: The Host

by Stephenie Meyer

I have not read, I don't plan on reading immediately. Though because people in the library are reading it, I may eventually pick it up. I just don't think Meyer has staying power and I doubt that in 5 years we'll still recognize this as one of the "Top 100." In fact, I find it hard to imagine anything Meyer writes will be at the top of any "all-time" list unless it's for YA-Vampire fiction.

93: Magical Thinking: True Stories

by Augusten Burroughs

One of Burroughs' books that I haven't read, but would add to my list. Does anyone have an opinion about this book? I enjoyed his brother's book Look Me in the Eyes: My Life with Asperger's more than Burroughs himself.

92: Odd Thomas

by Dean Koontz

I haven never read anything by Koontz and would need a seriously convincing argument in order for me to do so.

91: Kafka on the Shore

by Haruki Murakami

I was a sophomore in college when I first encountered Murakami through a short story that was printed in The New Yorker. I think that was the moment that I new I wanted to get a New Yorker subscription and one of the moments that made me fall in love with the story story. Sadly, I have not yet read this book. Oh, internet voting.

So, should I get flack for not reading some of these books? I haven't read others on the list either and I promise one day I'll create a "Top" list of my own. Who has read any of these books? Which ones should I add to my queue? What would be on your "Top 100 of the 21st Century" list?

More to come in the following days....