Category: Fiction

Top 100 Reading List – from Joel Patrick

The “Ultimate List” of books you should read before you die

If you’re looking for ideas on fiction novels to read, you can start by going through this fantastic compilation on Medium called “100 Books to Read before You Die: Creating the Ultimate List.” The author of that post, Joel Patrick, did some significant work analyzing multiple “Top 100” lists by various organizations. Do yourself a favor and check it out. I’m going to only list the books and authors here, but not the rest. I don’t want to plagerize, only to use it for comparison purposes since this blog has already reviewed some of the books included in this list (and will have reviews coming soon on books that are in this list). Please visit the article above and check out the author’s notes on each book.

The Ultimate List: 100 Books to Read before You Die

Again, here’s the link to the article that put together this list – https://medium.com/world-literature/creating-the-ultimate-list-100-books-to-read-before-you-die-45f1b722b2e5

  1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  2. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
  3. On the Road by Jack Kerouac
  4. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  5. The Lord Of The Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
  6. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
  7. The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
  8. Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie
  9. Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  10. Ulysses by James Joyce
  11. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
  12. The Grapes Of Wrath by John Steinbeck
  13. 1984 by George Orwell
  14. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
  15. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
  16. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
  17. A Passage to India by EM Forster
  18. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
  19. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
  20. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
  21. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
  22. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  23. Animal Farm by George Orwell
  24. Crime And Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
  25. Beloved by Toni Morrison
  26. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
  27. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
  28. The Stranger by Albert Camus
  29. Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes
  30. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
  31. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
  32. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
  33. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
  34. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
  35. Little Women by Louisa M Alcott
  36. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
  37. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
  38. Scoop by Evelyn Waugh
  39. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
  40. Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis
  41. If on a Winter’s Night a Traveller by Italo Calvino
  42. A Bend in the River by V. S. Naipaul
  43. Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson
  44. Atonement by Ian McEwan
  45. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
  46. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
  47. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
  48. Middlemarch by George Eliot
  49. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
  50. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
  51. Portnoy’s Complaint by Philip Roth
  52. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
  53. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
  54. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
  55. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
  56. White Noise by Don DeLillo
  57. The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
  58. The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
  59. Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov
  60. I, Claudius by Robert Graves
  61. Go Tell It On The Mountain by James Baldwin
  62. A Dance to The Music of Time by Anthony Powell
  63. Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller
  64. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
  65. Under The Net by Iris Murdoch
  66. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
  67. Tom Jones by Henry Fielding
  68. Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
  69. Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne
  70. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  71. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
  72. The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
  73. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
  74. Nostromo by Joseph Conrad
  75. In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
  76. The Rainbow by D. H. Lawrence
  77. The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford
  78. The Trial by Franz Kafka
  79. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
  80. Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
  81. The Tin Drum by Gunter Grass
  82. Herzog by Saul Bellow
  83. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John Le Carré
  84. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
  85. Money by Martin Amis
  86. Oscar And Lucinda by Peter Carey
  87. Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
  88. American Pastoral by Philip Roth
  89. Austerlitz by W. G. Sebald
  90. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
  91. Are You There, God? It’s me, Margaret by Judy Blume
  92. Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham
  93. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
  94. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
  95. The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
  96. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
  97. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
  98. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
  99. Watchmen by Alan Moore
  100. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

Closing Thoughts

I’ve had quite a few of these on my wish list for some time now. Some I have read, like Ulysses by James Joyce, that I didn’t particularly enjoy and therefore won’t review on this blog. Some, like On The Road by Jack Kerouac, were okay, but they didn’t really click with me personally and I don’t know if I’d recommend/think that people should read them. Others, I have read but have yet to complete a review on them. I’m very thankful to Joel Patrick for putting this list together. I’ll definitely be using it for selecting future fiction books for my personal reading.

Is there a book on here that surprises you? What’s your favorite from this list?

Brave New World – Aldous Huxley

book cover aldous huxley brave new world

A dystopian novel about an “ideal” society gone wrong

Dystopian books and movies are very common now, but that wasn’t the case when Aldous Huxley published Brave New World in 1932. The author imagines what a futuristic society could be like where science has taken a strange turn and humans are genetically modified and conditioned to fit into pre-determined roles in society. It is a profound book considering the time it was written, prior to WWII, with fascism, communism, and other authoritarian governments on the rise. This book pokes at those governments and also people with utopian beliefs about capitalism, consumption, and materialism.

I found the following G.K. Chesterton quote interesting. It is from his review of the book.

After the Age of Utopias came what we may call the American Age, lasting as long as the Boom. Men like Ford or Mond seemed to many to have solved the social riddle and made capitalism the common good. But it was not native to us; it went with a buoyant, not to say blatant optimism, which is not our negligent or negative optimism. Much more than Victorian righteousness, or even Victorian self-righteousness, that optimism has driven people into pessimism. For the Slump brought even more disillusionment than the War. A new bitterness, and a new bewilderment, ran through all social life, and was reflected in all literature and art. It was contemptuous, not only of the old Capitalism, but of the old Socialism. Brave New World is more of a revolution against Utopia than against Victoria.

G.K. Chesterton, The Illustrated London News, 4 May 1935

Science fiction and fantasy genres can take a big gamble when trying to predict future technological advances. While some parts of the book aren’t possible based on what we know now about science, other parts are chilling at how accurate Huxley was in his predictions. He also had a clear grasp of how propaganda can be used to control the population. It’s the same basic blueprint that all dictators use.

Themes

Nature vs Nurture – while the science isn’t 100% accurate in this book, the author does do a good job of highlighting the different ways that our genetics and environment affect how we develop and interact in society.

Freedom vs Security – what is the most important thing in society? In the “Community, Identity, Stability” slogan of the futuristic world government, security and stability come at the cost of a loss of freedom. In a technical sense, people are still able to make choices, but most of their lives have been decided for them.

Hedonism – is true happiness found in the pursuit of the maximum amount of pleasure? Is the goal of life to be constantly stimulated in every way, without time to think, reflect, or re-evaluate what we’re doing or why we’re doing it? This book is at least partly a satirical take on the promise of utopia through materialism and capitalism.

Recommendation

I liked this book more than I thought I would. It’s an easy read. The main suggestion I have is that it’s best to read this book in a more lighthearted manner. It is poking fun at a few things that people at that time were claiming to be the next savior of humanity – socialism, capitalism, hedonism and even science. But it also rings true in our era as we are still grappling with these questions and issues.

On the negative side, there are some plot holes and lack of character development that may annoy some readers. My biggest complaint is the ending. I was disappointed that he chose to end the book the way he did.

Overall, I think this is an interesting book and definitely recommend it.

Find the book on Amazon here.

The Revenant – Michael Punke

the revenant book cover

A page-turning story of adventure and revenge

The Revenant is an against-all-odds story based on actual events. I will start this post by saying that I haven’t seen the film adaptation of this book, so I can’t speak to how faithful it is to the book, characters, or plot. This review is only for the book. I’m one of those weirdos that generally prefer books instead of the movie versions.

The setting is the early 1800’s in the American great plains and the protagonist is Hugh Glass, a complicated character with a wild past. It’s important to note that this is a work of historical fiction. Some things are known about the real-life Hugh, but this is a novel, not a historical biography.

What is a revenant?

In folklore, a revenant is a visible ghost or animated corpse that is believed to have revived from death to haunt the living.

Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenant

Themes

Frontier life – Living on the American frontier was incredibly dangerous. It could be hard to find work, make a living, and stay alive in that part of the wild west. You have to make do with what you have and stay safe from warring tribes and wild animals.

The limits of the human spirit – The author states that this is a novel about revenge, but it is more than that. It’s a story about the almost impossible things people can endure to stay alive. What drives you? What makes you tick? What does justice look like to you and what are you willing to do to get it?

Adventure and discovery – The thrill of exploring new places, finding treasures, taming the wild, surviving encounters with bears, the suspense of will-he-make-it-or-not, it’s all in here.

Recommendation

I usually stay away from the historical fiction genre. I find the genre often isn’t as compelling from a story perspective compared to novels and it lacks authenticity compared with (nonfiction) history books. But this was a nice change of pace book that I couldn’t put down. It flows well and brought up some deeper questions for me to consider.

You can find the book on Amazon here. Here’s a link to an article that compares the movie version to what we know about the real Hugh Glass and the events in his life.

The Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger

the catcher in the rye book cover

The teenage angst coming of age anthem

Did you have a period in your life, perhaps during your teenage years, where you rebelled against the superficiality of society and the hypocrites who are often in positions of authority? If so, you’ll likely strongly relate to Holden Caulfield, the angst-filled protagonist in “The Catcher in the Rye.” This classic book by J.D. Salinger, set in the late 1940s, is often listed as one of the most important English novels. It is also one of the most challenged and censored books of all time.

Themes

Teenage angst – Holden is a conflicted teenager, filled with angst at the world, its institutions, and those in authority. He has a rebellious streak that often gets him in trouble and he struggles with trying to keep it all together.

Loss of innocence – In some ways, this is a coming-of-age story where Holden is mourning the loss of innocence during his transition to adulthood. It is a source of anger and frustration.

Identity – Tied in with the above, Holden is struggling to find his own identity. He struggles with authority figures, he struggles to fit in with his peers, he struggles with being isolated.

Recommendation

I never read this book as a teenager. It’s a shame because I know I would have loved it. I can see why so many people list it as one of their favorite books of all time. Holden Caulfield is the poster child for teenage rebellion and angst. He is deeply flawed and conflicted. You can feel it in this book. It is raw and obscene. That’s largely why so many people have tried to get it banned. It makes some people very uncomfortable.

I think it is an important book and I do recommend it. Be warned that there is a good amount of profanity in this book, in case that’s a deal breaker for you. It might take you a bit to catch up with the slang terms that Holden uses. If you are unfamiliar with it, Wikipedia has a list of common phrases in the book and what they mean.

Here’s a link to the book on Amazon.

Dune – Frank Herbert

Considered by many the best science fiction novel of all time

If you’re new to the idea of reading fiction, specifically science fiction, you should start with Dune. Many sci-fi stories (especially movies) are big on effects, wonder, and technology but short on plot and character development. In Dune, Frank Herbert does an excellent job of telling a great story that just so happens to be taking place in a sci-fi setting. Yes, you will have to get into an open mindset to grasp the fantasy elements of the book, but the majority of the story is the human dynamics, political drama, action, and suspense that have made this book so popular.

Themes

How humanity directs technology and vice versa is considered in the book. There will always be a drive or quest for power among people. Technology is neutral in essence but can be used for good or evil. The author explores both of those ends.

Imperialism and the struggle between native populations and the ruling class is an overarching theme in the story. The main characters see what it’s like to be on both sides of the political divide.

The book also has strong messianic themes, but not in the typical religious sense. The author explores the power dynamic of a savior, our basic urge to look for supernatural relief, and how people can use and abuse this power.

“Dune was aimed at this whole idea of the infallible leader because my view of history says that mistakes made by a leader (or made in a leader’s name) are amplified by the numbers who follow without question.”

Frank Herbert, in the Introduction to “Eye“, a collection of short stories

Recommendation

I really enjoyed this one. Once I got started, it was hard to put down. Just the right balance of action, character development, pace of story, and suspense to keep it fun and entertaining. As a nice bonus, it probes some of the deeper questions about what it means to be human and how we interact with others and the world. I’m not really a science fiction fan, but I liked Dune and I think others who normally don’t read sci-fi will like it as well.

There is a whole series of follow up books written by the author and others. I haven’t read any of those, but if you’re interested you can find out more here.

The Road – Cormac McCarthy

cormac mccarthy the road book cover

It doesn’t get more dystopian than this Pulitzer Prize winner

If you’re looking for a dark novel that you just can’t put down, this is it. I don’t know how else to describe it other than to say that this book is haunting. It might take a bit to adjust to the author’s writing style, lack of punctuation, and dialog flow, but don’t give up because of that.

Setting and Themes

The Road is a true post-apocalyptic novel. Very little information is given on what happened, who the characters are, or where exactly they are. If you find that confusing, please understand it is purposeful. It is a purposely dark book to contrast with the father and son dynamic. The book explores both the dark and light side of humanity. Our capacity for unmentionable horrors and deep love.

Recommendation

I’m going to cut this review short. I feel like saying any more about the book will actually make it more confusing and possibly tip those on the fence toward not checking it out. It is dark. Really dark in certain parts. But at the same time, I just couldn’t put it down. There is something really special there between the father and son. It connects with me as a father in ways that I can’t quite explain.

If you like dystopian, post-apocalyptic novels and/or don’t mind taking a walk down the dark corridors of humanity, I think it’s safe to say that you’ll enjoy this book. While this, like East of Eden, is not my preferred style for a novel, I do appreciate the incredible talent it takes to write something like this. I haven’t seen the film adaptation, but I can vouch for the book.

Here’s a link to The Road on Amazon.

East of Eden – John Steinbeck

book cover john steinbeck east of eden

An epic masterpiece from an iconic author

John Steinbeck is regarded as one of the greatest American authors and East of Eden is his masterpiece work. This book is an epic as it follows a family through 3 generations through the highs and lows of life. Steinbeck has a way of painting the picture in your mind, not only of the rich scenery but also the subtle mannerisms and depth in the characters. This is a heavy book that covers heavy topics.

“It has everything in it I have been able to learn about my craft or profession in all these years. I think everything else I have written has been, in a sense, practice for this.”

John Steinbeck (source here)

Major themes

East of Eden contains a cyclical story arc that also parallels with the story of Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis. Certain themes and ideas are played out in the book, often in graphic detail. The major themes are:

  1. Human depravity
  2. The search for love and acceptance
  3. Guilt
  4. The battle of good and evil

The author pulls no punches as he explores the depths of depravity, especially through the character Cathy Ames (possibly the greatest villain of all time). The main characters struggle to find family love and acceptance, while at times giving in to their worst impulses.

Final thoughts

While I greatly appreciate the skill and genius it took to compose this masterpiece, it is way too dark for me. The detail in the scenery is beautiful, but the detail of the darkness is overwhelming (for me at least). Samuel Hamilton is my favorite character and there is a lot in this book that is powerful. It really is an excellent novel overall, but the content may be too much for some. I also want to point out a trigger warning of self-harm and suicide in this book.

To Kill A Mockingbird – Harper Lee

harper lee to kill a mockingbird book cover

The highly controversial and popular book that became a beloved movie

What can I possibly say in this post that hasn’t already been said about the classic American novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee? It is at the same time one of the most loved and hated books. It has been banned many times in many school libraries but in other places praised as one of the greatest American novels ever. In some ways, this perfectly reflects the time in history that Ms Lee grew up in and was writing about.

Comparing the movie and the book

If you are one of the few people who hasn’t seen the movie that was based on this book, you’re missing out. Gregory Peck’s acting job as Atticus Finch won him an Oscar and is considered by many to be the greatest film hero ever. Those who are not familiar with the book may assume that the movie is just like it. While the movie does capture most of the book, I feel like the book has more depth and humanity. It also develops some of the surrounding characters to a greater depth.

Major themes in To Kill A Mockingbird

Since many people are familiar with the storyline, I wanted to address the major themes in the novel. These are the following:

  1. Southern culture
  2. Racial injustice
  3. Gender roles
  4. Honor/ethics/morality

The use of racial slurs and profanity will shock many readers. It is difficult to see a word so frequently that is now condemned. The book itself is challenging in how it looks at class struggles, racism, culture, and morality. One of the things I appreciate most is that it causes you to ask questions instead of trying to provide nice and neat answers. What is the right thing to do? Why would someone act that way? What drives the behavior of some people, or even the culture at large? How can we have more compassion for the outsiders in society? It is raw at times and representative of the culture. And it isn’t perfect either. It feels very human.

Final thoughts

This is a powerful book. I can see why some consider it to be the most impactful book they have ever read. I can also see how some people who find it offensive or flawed in how it deals with the issues. I believe this book should be at or near the top of any “must read” list. What do you think?