What a find for a bibliophile like me! Fifty books for our times, that title caught my eye and to my delight I found a real treasure of a list. Not the usual "IN LIST", but an interesting and thought engaging list of books from authors all over the world. Not just contemporary books, but books with satire and substance which ring true over a hundred years later.
Here is the link Fifty Books for Our Times
I am a bibliophile,
I read all the classics on our bookshelves by age 14, not that I understood it all, but it made for good discussions with my grandfather at the dinner table; a teacher whom you never saw without a book.
Then life happened, I resorted to light entertainment to de-stress over a book and a glass of wine with chocolate, my escape from reality.
The Internet came along and everyone around me seemed to read nothing but murder mysteries, romance and conspiracy theory books. I enjoyed many of them. I drew the line at the most senseless bloody or downright muddled fantasy books on the planet. Sci-Fi and Fantasy took a nose dive into I know not what. Plueeeze, give me a break on the bloodshed, there's enough of that in the world already.
I tried finding new authors, with little success except for an occasional pearl. Trouble is, I can read faster than they can write a new book:)
I becried the likes of Asimov and Heinlein, but found no one to replace them with. If I'd read "Silence of the Lambs" I wouldn't have slept for a a week. I viewed most of the movie in parts during the re-runs on TV, my imagination runs wild and I just can't take seeing this sinister plot. It takes me to a dimension of my brain I don't even want to know about.
Regardless, I've never lost my penchant for books, but the tough part is finding something truly satisfying to read, beyond the entertainment value of a book.
While I love reading Sci-Fi to Spiritual from Architecture to Romance and everything in between - I could open my own bookstore on self help, money and garden books:) - I have developed a burning desire to read something more substantial and thought provoking.
Last year prompted by a gather book review I wrote about, " The War for Wealth - Globalization" by Gabor Steingart, my interest was peaked further by author interviews done by Jon Stewart of "The Daily Show" and Bill Moyers on public television. A spark ignited. I began paying attention and I discovered a new literacy.
Slightly off topic, it's utterly amazing to me, that one of the best contemporary author book reviews is done successfully on the comedy channel of all things. Watching Jon Stewart and the Colbert Report has put some sanity back into my world. Who knew?
For the first time in years, I wanted to read again - really read, a good book that would tickle my brain. Books worth a fiery discussion, more than a thought byte, but an in-depth discussion, illuminating the different layers and enjoying the process of discussing more than one viewpoint and perspective.
Which brings me full circle to the list of fifty books put out by Newsweek. I love the clear to the point 3-4 lines of description next to each title - (I'd almost give my right arm to be able to write this succinct:).
My focus has shifted, I've been gravitating to a different genre of books lately, titles like the Age of American Unreason and the Intention Experiment are on my bookshelf these days.
I think these 50 gems will line my bookshelves within the coming months and if you haven't seen or read the list - have a look and see if one or more of these books might enrich your world.
I'm off to join Read 50 books in one year a group here on gather for all booklovers regardless of genre.
Here is the link to Fifty Books for our Times
Source: MSN
© 2009 Rose H.
Images © 2009 Rose H.
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Comments: 54
Thank you! I'm not only a book-reader-lover, I also speed read and retain things, so this list is pretty invaluable, and while I don't have the room here for many books, the library sure does!
Marilyn
Mariylyn, that is a good idea - I'll see which ones my library carries and if I come across one I truly love, then I'll buy it.
Caught my eye too. Looks like I have some catching up to do. Thanks.
I was surprised to see several that I was unfamiliar with. Happy reading, David!
What an interesting list. I've only read two: "The Elegance of the Hedgehog," which I loved and "Things Fall Apart," which has been around a long, long time. Plenty of thought-provoking stuff on the list. Thanks for sharing this. I love to see book lists like this!
Christine, you were the first one I thought of when I saw the list. I edited the top link it wasn't working - the one on the bottom was. I sent my post on to your group too, for some reason I lefto off yours and two other groups I meant to send this too.
thanks for posting
When I clicked on the link, I found nothing. :-(
Susan, the top link wasn't working for some reason - the bottom one was working fine. I fixed it! Let me know if it still shows as broken!
Great article. My family was not into reading and I always admired those who did so wanted to raise readers. I read constantly to my girls since they were born and as college age gals their favorite activity still is a trip to the library and a weekend of reading. I'll check out this book list and let my girls know.
Thanks C.L. and in case you found the link was broken up top I fixed it. The bottom one was working fine. Gather gremlins:)
I happened to have used the bottom one so got in okay.
thanks for the info, i will be checking out the list and putting a few on my own list of "to read" !! thanks
Fran - I was surprised that there were several books I hadn't known about, but sounded interesting.
You link is broken. Most of what I read is for entertainment and to escape.
Kat - the top link was not working - gather gremlins. The bottom link was working fine.
Everybody read the Tinseltown Trilogy - woot !!!
Woot for the Tinseltown Trilogy!
I do not like the list. Google "one hundred best books of all time" for a much better list (fiction), best books of 1990's, etc.
Leo - I have started looking at some of those as well, more good reading material.
I'll have to check out the list later as I am out the door for dinner in a few. I do love to read tho.
This is a good list. Thank you for sharing. Maybe these will be my 50 books for next year!
It will be interesting to see how far I get this year.
I love reading and love book lists! That is an interesting one, many that I have read and some that I wouldn't have thought of, thanks!
I am glad that you are getting back into reading. I wish that everyone would!
Its the Internet - it warps our brains:)
and before the internet, it was Cliff's Notes!
I've read 5 and there are three that I would order from the library. Thanks Rose.
You're welcome, Sharon:)
Some of these looked interesting -- I'm definitely going to check out that Chester Himes series...
I haven't decided which ones yet - making my list.
Oh I know...Colbert and Stewart are constantly interviewing interesting authors.
I've checked out the link and am in the process of requesting a few titles from the library and have bookmarked the site as well to come back to for further reading material.
I hope you found some great titles, Katherine. I too am working on my list.
I'm very guilty of the Contemporary Romance, Mystery etc. books. I've certainly read other things, but actually, I like to read fluff. I'm a news junkie, so I get so much doom and gloom on television and the internet, that when I read, I like it to capture my attention, but not require much heavy thought.
Rose-I did my first picture on picnik last night, how fun!
Oh Sue, I don't think I'll ever quite reading romance books or a good murder mystery and certainly my favs will always be Sci-Fi and a few good Fantasies - but you know I just felt I'd reached that point where I needed a different diet - before my brain completely atrophies.
I had a teacher who said - garbage in - garbage out.
Picnik.com - Told ya it was easy and instant gratification too. A new artistic outlet:)
Rose ,a great list ,and I thank you for sharing it with us . This list certainly takes you beyond your chosen genre and comfort zone ,but encourages broadening your reading horizons ! Now if you happen to not want your horizons broadened ,that's great ,that's what reading is all about. I'm a history and historical fiction nut , it's great to read what ya' want. Read on people ! Read on !
Right on Mr. Phil - I enjoy a good history book, but those are hard to find. I think the only three history books I have at the moment are about the Vietnam War (amazing to think that is now history) the Mongols (they fascinate me for some reason) and a book about the history of my hometown.
I do enjoy the history channel and I read whatever book captures my interest. I forgot about my books on Egypt and other ancient civilations. I have always been interested in archeology and used to follow all the new discoveries. Amazing how theories evolve and I love it when an accepted theory is overthrown and they discover something new about an ancient civilization.
This is a great list of books. I see many that I would really enjoy reading.
Being a part of the Read 50 Books in a Year helps to keep me on track!
Priscilla, I may start with the book about the inside story of Chinese politics - the one that was smuggled out of China on casette tapes, I think it's # 3 or four on the list.
Thanks for posting this to the Gather group, Bookin'.
I really do appreciate it, Rose. Now I know how to find it in a hurry when I run out of reading ideas. I think it's critical to continue to read things not only that we enjoy , but also challenge us intellectually as well.
I agree - books can fulfill many desire - escape from reality - educational - scientific - broadening your horizons - introducing another perspective into your life - make you laugh - make you cry or make you mad, but I think the three I like best is escape - broadening my horizons and a bit of a mental challenge.
Thanks for fixin', Rose. :-) I looked through the listings and found myself almost cringing. I've not read ONE of those books. I own a couple. I've heard of some more. But read cover-to-cover? No.
I wish I *did* have a List of 50 books that would be created specifically for me.
I think this is a great topic and need to return to the comments and read through carefully.
Susan - thanks for coming back:) Actually, I'm doing exactly that right now - putting together a list of books for myself. It's like a gift and a challenge at the same time.
Thanks for this link. I will have to check it out. I love to read, it is my personal get away. Thanks.
Pam - thanks, I hope you find something of interest on your list. Then you can post pics of the flowers you saw on the way to the library:) JK - I often look at your flower pics you post - seen on the way to the bank:)
anything by Wendell Berry is a good bet, glad to see his work on the list, though I'd have included something of his poetry as well. my list as a whole would be very different, as I imagine yours will be, Rose. some I'd include: North American Folksong, by Alan Lomax, Songman, by Tommy Sands , A Voyage Long and Strabge by Tony Horowitz, Lewis & Clark by Stephen Ambrose, The Brendan Voyage, by Tim Severin.
Kerry - thank you, great additions for sure, more titles for me to pour over and select.
Lewis and Clark will go on my list and I am having a look at the others.
I'm looking over lists on the 'Net. I'd like to see included in the 50 books list more children's books and more poetry. The beautiful language of many children's books, Charlotte's Web, Little House on the Prairie, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, etc. seems dismissed--not worthy. But the simple beauty of language and how it sparks us to want more of it as babies and small children leads us to becoming readers in the first place.
I love to read also, and I use my local library more than most! I will look into this group!
Thanks for getting us all thinking about creating our own best books lists. Good article and good to have these links, too. Thanks for sending this to Home Comfort
Meh. They had this list at our library. I looked it over, but nothing appealed to me.
I have to agree with about John Stewart. He has some really interesting writers promoting their books on his show.