It’s a long list. But as I was writing it down for myself, I figured I’d let you all see it too. I think I got all of them. (I deliberately left off Thucydides. We’re trying to come off as elitist but felt that was taking it too bit far. Just kidding Nakiru, we love you). Mostly, I was just glad that Beverly Cleary made the list.
Happy Reading.
First one to finish the entire list gets one of Lisa and Tagg’s duplicate wedding gifts.
“Attolia series (Megan Whalen Turner)
A Little Princess (Frances Hodges Burnett)
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver (E.L. Konigsburg)
A Ring of Endless Light (Madeleine L’Engle)
A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens)
A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L’Engel)
Agnes Grey (Anne Bronte)
Amelia Bedelia (Peggy Parish)
Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy)
Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
Ant-Proof Case (Mark Helprin)
Approaching Zion (Hugh Nibley)
Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
Beauty (Robin McKinley)
Book Thief (Markus Zusak)
Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
Brideshead Revisted (Evelyn Waugh)
Bridge to Terabithia (Katherine Paterson)
Captain Jack Aubrey (Patrick O’Brian)
Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
Chronicles of Narnia (CS Lewis)
Coming Home (Rosamund Pilcher)
Crossing to Safety (Wallace Stegner)
Dante’s Inferno
Daughter of the Nile
David Copperfield (Charles Dickens)
Earthsea novels (Ursula LeGuin)
Eat to Live (Joel Fuhrman)
Ellen Tebbits (Beverly Cleary)
Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury)
Franny & Zooey (J.D. Salinger)
Germinal (Emile Zola)
Gift from the Sea (Anne Morrow)
Harp of the South (Ruth Park)
Henderson the Rain King (Saul Bellow)
His Dark Materials Trilogy (Philip Pullman)
History of Love (Nicole Kraus)
Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
Island of the Blue Dolphin (Scott O’Dell)
Jacob Have I Loved (Katherine Paterson)
Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
John Carter of Mars series (Edgar Rice Burroughs)
Katie John (Mary Calhoun)
Kristin Lavransdatter (Sigrid Undset)
Les Miserables (Victor Hugo)
Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
Lord of the Flies (William Golding)
Lord of the Rings (J.R. Tolkein)
Mageborn Traitor (Melanie Rawn)
Me and Caleb (Franklyn E. Meyer)
Me Talk Pretty One Day (David Sedaris)
Midnight’s Children (Salmun Rushdie)
My Name is Asher Lev (Chaim Potok)
Never Let Me Go (Kazuo Ishiguro)
Never Sniff a Gift Fish (Patrick McManus)
Night (Elie Wiesel)
Number the Stars (Lois Lowry)
Oh the Places You’ll Go (Dr. Suess)
Orlando (Virginia Woolf)
Persuasion (Jane Austen)
Peter Pan (JM Barrie)
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek (Annie Dillard)
Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
Poor Man’s Orange (Ruth Park)
Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
Rain of Gold (Victor Villasenor)
Riddlemaster trilogy (Patricia McKillip)
Screwtape Letters (CS Lewis)
Sense and Sensibility (Jane Austen)
Silas Marner (George Eliot)
Something Wicked This Way Comes (Ray Bradbury)
Tarzan of the Apes/The Return of Tarzan (Edgar Rice Burroughs)
Tess of the D’ubervilles (Thomas Hardy)
The Beacon at Alexandria (Gillian Bradshaw)
The Bean Trees (Barbara Kingsolver)
The Betsy-Tacy (Maud Hart Lovelace and Lois Lenski)
The Confederacy of Dunces (John Kennedy Toole)
The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
The Diary of Adam and Eve (Mark Twain)
The Diary of Anne Frank
The Giver (Lois Lowry)
The Good Earth (Pearl Buck)
The Goose Girl (Shannon Hale)
The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald)
The Great Train Robbery (Michael Crichton)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (Annie Barrows)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
The Help (Kathryn Stockett)
The Hiding Place (Corrie Ten Boom)
The Hobbit (JR Tolkein)
The Last Lecture (Randy Pausch)
The Little Prince (Antoine de Sant-Exupery)
The Marvelous Land of Oz (Frank L. Baum)
The Name of the Wind (Patrick Rothfuss)
The Ordinary Princess (M.M. Kaye)
The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
The Perilous Gard (Elizabeth Marie Pope)
The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde)
The Prince of Tides (pat Conroy)
The Princess Bride (William Goldman)
The Scarlet Letter (Nathaniel Hawthorne)
The Scarlet Pimpernel (Emmuska Orkzy)
The Stream and the Sapphire (Denise Levertov)
The Talisman (Stephen King and Peter Straub)
The View from Saturday (E.L. Konigsburg)
The Westing Game (Ellen Raskin)
The Winds of War (Herman Wouk)
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (Joan Aiken)
Their Eyes Were Watching God (Zora Neale Hurston)
These Old Shaes (Georgette Heyer)
Thucydides
Time Traveler’s Wife (Audrey Niffennegar)
Twilight series (Stephanie Meyers)
Walk Two Moons (Sharon Creech)
War and Remembrance (Herman Wouk)
Watership Down (Richard Adams)
Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame and Robert Ingpen)
Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)
Winter’s Tale (Mark Helprin)
Woman Warrior (Maxine Hong Kingston)
Writing Down the Bones (Natalie Goldberg)
____ Kurt Vonnegut
_____ Mary Stewart
_____Georgette Heyer
_____Leigh Brackett
_____Leo Tolstoy
_____Salmun Rushdie
40 comments
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November 20, 2009 at 4:25 pm
living in zion
Whew! Happily, I have already read about 1/4 of your your playlist. I think that is darn good.
Is it o.k. that Louise is not on the list?
November 20, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Michaela
Kristin Lavransdatter and Sigrid Undset are real??? Wow. All I know about them is from an animated short that tells the story of a poet inspired by them to write his own insanely long poem, as well as by his love of a woman with a mile-high beehive hairdo. But I never knew it was actually a real book by a real author. The things you learn on ApronStage!
Alas, I’ve already lost, because I refuse to read Twilight. I know that will earn me some shock and disgruntled opinions. Sorry to all who love it! I just don’t get the whole vampire thing… But have a terrific time seeing the movie this weekend, if you haven’t already!
November 20, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Alisha
Thanks for putting this list together!
November 20, 2009 at 6:25 pm
nakiru
HA.
As if too much elitism is even possible.
But seriously, I can’t wait to read some of the other selections.
November 20, 2009 at 6:30 pm
kt
Specific recommendations for Georgette Heyer and Mary Stewart:
Mary Stewart:
Madam, will you talk?
This Rough Magic
Georgette Heyer:
The Grand Sophy
Cotillion
These Old Shades
November 20, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Petra
Oh, I do so love a book list! And there’s about 25 on this list that I haven’t read, so I’m going to print this out and refer back to it frequently.
November 20, 2009 at 6:52 pm
rachelsorensen
I second LiZ and Michaela – Can we put some of Louise’s novels/essays/general life advice on here, and is it okay if some of us boycott Twilight?
Thank you for putting the list together, Rebecca, and I look forward to a trip to the library for some Thanksgiving reading.
November 20, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Elisa
Just to clarify, A Ring of Endless Light (one of my favorite books! good choice!) is about the character Vicki Austin, but was also written by Madeleine L’Engle. Just so finding that book will be easier for everyone…
Great list!
November 20, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Megan
It is actually Rain of Gold by Victor Villasenor. Thanks
November 20, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Carole
Rebecca, I have to ask: Will you actually read these books in alphabetical order? I love alphabetical order.
November 21, 2009 at 12:41 am
SASmylie
Yes a big thank you to Rebecca for the list.
And Michaela you are not alone I too have no interest at this time in the subject of or reading the Twilight series but the best thing is there is alot of others to choose from for my next trip to the book shop.
November 21, 2009 at 12:44 am
Chris
Were you serious about the duplicate wedding gift prize? I was totally planning how long it would take me to read all those. I have a LOT of down time at work. Is this a “read everything you have not read yet” or “starting now this is the required reading list”?
Oh, I am all over this.
November 21, 2009 at 12:46 am
Chris
P.S. What about audio books? I listened to the David Sedaris.
November 21, 2009 at 7:50 am
sarahlolson
This is a great list. Maybe we can sell it? Make some money? To spend on books?
Say what you will, Nakiru, I don’t believe you’re an elitist. Can’t be. Know why? Among other things, you teach Sunday School to little childrens. Game over.
November 21, 2009 at 7:51 am
Brohammas
Must. Remember. blog. is for. uplifting. Women…..
Blerg!
No Hemmingway? No Steinbeck? No Sports Illustrated?
My Name is Asher Lev is a personal Favorite.
There is enough estrogen in this book list to move menopause to the same realm as mumps.
November 21, 2009 at 8:40 am
Monica Rich
Nice list. I started a list for my oldest daughter when we was three. Reading this list made me realize I need to update it. I’m amazed at how many books I’ve forgotten!
My pick for Salmun Rushdie is Haroun and the Sea of Stories.
November 21, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Traci
No fair! I’m a high school dropout. I will be very behind without the benefit of having taken high school (or college) english. I feel like a characer in These is My Words! No one read for a little bit while I get a head start (either that or perhaps I should be comfortable with my life choices and forfeit now).
I can’t wait to get reading, this is a great list, I just cracked open Atlas Shrugged. It’s daunting in both size and littleness of type.
I second your thoughts on girlyness Brohammas, I forgot to mention before that my very favorite book of all time, never to be replaced (even by Jane Austen) is A River Runs Through It. Restrained and decidedly ungirly that one.
November 21, 2009 at 1:46 pm
shaun
I love seeing Kristin Lavransdatter on this list! What a story!!
I am also a no-go with the Twilight books, so I guess I won’t be in the running for a new duplicate ________________.
November 21, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Erin
Never fear, Traci, half of Atlas Shrugged could be skipped through and you would still come away having a good understanding of Ayn Rand’s philosophies–she is very repetitive of them–so much so that I felt John Galt’s big speech towards the end was a little anti-climactic. Did anyone else feel that way?
I vote that we designate one day a month for The Apron Stage book club…(maybe on a weekend?)
November 21, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Amanda
I think Atlas Shrugged (or Fountainhead) is one of those books that is better to be summarized than read. If you read it, you run the risk of actually believing in her philosophies. She’s very convincing. But then someday, down the road, you think, “Wait, I thought I’ve always been taught that I AM supposed to watch out for others…” and the Rand imagery is shattered.
At least, that’s how it worked out for me and my 16 year old brain when I read her works. But I enjoyed the ride, so at least there’s that
And Brohammas, I cannot believe you are trying to get Sport Illustrated on the same list as Beverly Clearly. I mean, I CAN believe it, since it’s you and all, but really? C’mon.
November 21, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Amanda
*Beverly Cleary… I can write. I promise.
November 21, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Miggy
I’m confused, and worse yet I feel like I’m the only one…
Is this a list of books you have read? If so, does this include every book you’ve read or just some?
OR…
Is this a list of books you want to read–some of them already accomplished and some of them yet to accomplish?
Thanks.
Nice list too…I’m feeling pretty good about myself since I’ve read a decent portion of your list.
November 21, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Shauna
I’ll admit it, Miggy, I was confused too!!
And Erin, I totally skipped the big speech near the end of Atlas Shrugged.
November 21, 2009 at 10:01 pm
AnnaBeth
I’m hiding in my room right now. I can hear my husband scolding my 3 year old (youngest of my 3) for the fifth time in five minutes. I’m sure he’ll be depositing him in my care very soon. Counting on these regular interruptions I should finish before Youngest is a high school graduate, right?
November 21, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Louise Plummer
I would begin with Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner. What a delicious book.
November 21, 2009 at 10:13 pm
smylies
Okay, a couple of things. 1.) Chris, if you’re read it, you don’t have to read it again. Get started. Yes, we’re serious. Rice cooker! Toaster! We will see! 2.) Brohammas, the list was written by the comment section in last Wednesday’s post. Had you recommended Sport’s Illustrated…I’d have put it on. Alas, we missed you. 3.) Miggy, Shauna, I wish this list were under my belt. No, they’re the books people mentioned in the comments to the post about books we wish we could read again for the first time. 4.) Carol, no way on earth I’m reading these alphabetically. You realize how long I’d have to wait to read the Twilight’s? 5.) Those of you who bowed out because you’re boycotting Twilight: if you substitute Twilight with another book about para-normal teenage romance, we’ll count that.
An Apron Stage Book club. Maybe we should.
November 21, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Rebecca
I will NOT win. But, I think I will at least read a few. Though the ones I am drawn to the most are ones I have already read.
BTW Beauty by Robin McKinley is a great novel. Love it.
November 22, 2009 at 12:29 am
Jason Merrell
I’m going to read the Twilight. All this boycotting and politicking has me curious. At least I’ll actually know my own opinion about these books so many are in a huff about.
Caveat: I’m a slow reader and this list is LONG. I’ve read maybe 1/4th of these books and Twilight will certainly not be on the top of the ‘next reads’ (I just started The Orchid Thief and still have the last third of Les Miserables, Peter Pan, and My Name is Red to finish – and I hate to admit it, but I’ve never read Catcher in the Rye. It will be next). If I despise the first of the Twilight books, I will probably drop the rest.
Here’s an additional proposal to make things a little more interesting. Rebecca, you offered a substitute of some other para-normal romance. I suggest we also have the option to substitute the next book published by anyone from AS or its readers. (Will it be Louise? I don’t know, maybe Sarah or Lisa have something in the oven. Rebecca may be the next Margaret Mitchell… Brohammas may have a novel about swim suits and Broncos in the bathroom, who the hello knows…) I think it would be very interesting if – before the first person makes it to the toaster oven finish line, someone from this blog gets a book out there – we can all use it as a ‘wild card’ for another book/series on the list, including Twilight.
November 22, 2009 at 7:04 am
SASmylie
Does reading the Inkheart trilogy by Cornelia Funke (never seen the movie though) count for a subtitute for Twilight series?
November 22, 2009 at 12:01 pm
bfwebster
Actually, the full title is “Memoir from Ant-Proof Case”. And you’ve got a lot of great reading ahead of you. So do I. ..bruce..
November 22, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Laura
Hee, hee! I love that I introduced the Twilight controversy.
Because Kristin Lavransdatter earned some comments, and some people may read it, I thought I’d say that you MUST read the most recent translation by Tiina Nunnally, as the original English translation is largely unreadable. Think Beowulf, only more complicated. And the reason I listed it in the first place is because I’ve never changed my opinion of a character more than I did in this tome, and I don’t think I could ever see him the same on a second read as I did the first time.
And because it’s beautiful.
November 22, 2009 at 5:17 pm
La Yen
Thanks for this list! I am excited to read some new things, and I am saddened because I can GUARANTEE that the El Paso library system only has about 1/3 of the titles. Sigh.
And I second that Wallace Stegner vote for first read.
And every time I read A Tale of Two Cities I feel like it is the first time all over.
November 22, 2009 at 10:50 pm
J. Watts
Since Rebecca has given us the option to substitute texts, I would like to submit a motion for replacing _Twilight_ with _Dracula_. What say you?
I mean, who could openly shun Stoker? Not this English professor. I just taught _Dracula_ two weeks ago to my modernism students, and, surprisingly, not one student referenced _Twilight_ during our discussion. Not everyone has been bitten, it would seem; indeed, there are many (as the comments above confirm) who continue to remain faithful to the original undead.
Let’s all be thankful for that.
November 22, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Alisha
I am TOTALLY on board with the Dracula idea. I’ve never even held a Twilight book in my hand, and I have no plans to do so anytime soon, my need for a leftover toaster notwithstanding.
November 22, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Alisha
(I didn’t mean for my last comment to sound snippy. I have pass no judgment on the people that love Twilight; it’s just not something I’m interested in.)
November 22, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Alisha
*sigh* There’s an extra ‘have’ in that last one. And now I promise I’m done.
November 23, 2009 at 12:06 am
Carole
This book inspired me to want to read Anna Karenina, but I couldn’t find a copy that wasn’t the Oprah’s Book Club edition. So I’m starting with the Hugh Nibley one instead.
November 23, 2009 at 11:18 am
sar
After Brohammas’ estrogen comment, I counted up the number of books written by men and women and there are actually more books written by men on this list, although it is actually quite even (66 men and 61 women). That was only counting a single entry for each series mentioned. If you actually read all 21 Aubrey-Maturin novel by Patrick O’Brian and the 11 John Carter of Mars books by Edgar Rice Burroughs (plus his mentioned Tarzan books), it seems that would more than adequately correct any hormonal imbalance brought on by reading the three Jane Austens and the two Brontes.
November 23, 2009 at 11:36 am
smylies
J. Watts. Ha! Not one of your students referenced Twilight? Not everyone has been bitten? I really am surprised.
Ms. Meyers accounted for 7% of the YA sales last year in publishing. That’s incredible. So while there is debate about the actual merit of the books, I find myself happily happy for them, as they’re keeping that industry alive right now. And we want that industry alive, no?
Carole–isn’t there a barnes and noble edition? one on Amazon? And you made me laugh. It’s hard to boycott Oprah when it turns out she actually has wonderful taste. (And cheer up–my copy of AK is Oprahs.)
Sar–wow–a thoughtful, thoughtful and maybe a bit depressing response. Even when run by women, it’s a man’s man. Is that the subtext?
November 23, 2009 at 2:08 pm
sar
I think that’s part of it, that it’s a man’s world. I was sort-of interested in Brohammas perception, even though I assume it was part in jest, that the list was dominated by women’s literature or literature for women (which I think Brohammas and I both took as meaning written by women which isn’t necessarily true for either gender). I wonder if there’s a feminization of literature or least polarization of literature into gendered categories.
My own perception after looking at the list was there was quite a number of books written for adolescents or books that are now read for the first time in adolescence. Now I haven’t looked at those numbers yet and of course they’re influenced by the parameters of the list.