BBC's Big Read

[Scheherazade]

A little update on my reading list... Now I have read 110 of the 200 books; considering that I have two more years to complete the list, I am not doing too badly. I am glad that sometimes the Book Club reads the books listed here though!

[x-file.]

I have to say that I prefer the books in the second hundred list. And not just because i have read more in that list.
I prefer the second list because the books are more accessable, and better reads.

I'm not a fan of lists either.

Anti-list campaigners needed.

[Robert Jordan]

I'd say Coma was Garland's best work, not The Beach. Only one Hemingway also.Wow.

[Niamh]

i've read 51 out of 200. And it turned out most of them were kids books.

[papayahed]

A little update on my reading list... Now I have read 110 of the 200 books; considering that I have two more years to complete the list, I am not doing too badly. I am glad that sometimes the Book Club reads the books listed here though!

Hey that's not a bad goal. But why 2 years?

And if I know I read them but can't remember anything about them does that still count?

[Nightshade]

75/200
25 of those from the first 50, thats not counting the three I started and gave up on. Or the one IM readingnow...

[Scheherazade]

Hey that's not a bad goal. But why 2 years?

It was actually 4 years as I started this about two years ago. I just thought it would be good to have a time frame to keep myself going.

And if I know I read them but can't remember anything about them does that still count?

Yes, why not? If you cannot remember them, probably they were not very memorable books, I guess

I am re-reading only those books that I had not read in English just to have an idea.

[SleepyWitch]

this scheme is a really good idea.
can i copy it, leaving out all the books i don't want to read and those I've never heard of?

[Laindessiel]

Wow! All deserving I guess. I wasn't aware such a list was made. Now I have a basis for the books I have to read: a problem for me before.

[aydin]

Gormenghast is on the list??? Wow, I think people in UK got a weird taste ..and The Princess Diaries??? Isn't that one of those chicklit stuffs? I think LOTR is at 1# more or less cause of the movie version factor.

Some of my fav books are on the list: 1984, (8), Catch 22 (11), Animal Farm (46).

I think Jude the Obscure is much better than Tess of D'Ubervilles.
By the way Scher, can you give more info about who are the respondents/the crtieria of the samples (age/sex/occupation/location etc)?

I think The Princess Diaries is considered to be children's, although I haven't read it, so can't be sure. Agree with you about Jude - tis my fav Hardy novel that I've read.

Agree with everyone who says it is great that people are reading, whatever they read. Also I think some people who work really long hours sometimes just want something light to enjoy after a hard days work and perhaps aren't in the right frame of mind to absorb themselves into anything too heavy.

Have only read about 30 books in the top 100

[papayahed]

this scheme is a really good idea.
can i copy it, leaving out all the books i don't want to read and those I've never heard of?

That's what I was thinking.

Yes, why not? If you cannot remember them, probably they were not very memorable books, I guess

All right I'll cross those off the list. I know I read Catch in the Rye but for the life of me can't remember a darn thing, the problem is that I can't remember if I read 1984 - was it required in HS or do I just think I read it?

[Woland]

I can't remember if I read 1984 - was it required in HS or do I just think I read it?

Neither. Big brother has told you so often that youve read 1984 - now you believe it. In fact, how could it be otherwise?

[liesl]

i personally have read 45 from the top 200, and i too find the second 100 a lot more interesting than the first. though i am curious as to how 'Moby Dick' managed to worm its way into the list, especially due to my own, and my friends', reception of the book at university.

[Scheherazade]

i've read 51 out of 200. And it turned out most of them were kids books.

For me, it was the other way round. I had not read any Dahl or Wilson books growing up so it was interesting trying those at my old age! (Imagine me borrowing those books from the library! 'Crazy old lady who reads kiddie books! ')

this scheme is a really good idea.
can i copy it, leaving out all the books i don't want to read and those I've never heard of?

I am trying to stick with it and read all the books in the list even if they are not my usual cup of tea... Like fantasy/sci-fi books... It is proving interesting, to say the least.

i personally have read 45 from the top 200, and i too find the second 100 a lot more interesting than the first. though i am curious as to how 'Moby Dick' managed to worm its way into the list, especially due to my own, and my friends', reception of the book at university.

There are books that makes one wonder... Like Very Hungry Caterpillar or Horse Whisperer but it is good to see what people consider 'readable'.

[Alexei]

Wow, I just find out that I have read only 35 of all 200 books in this list. I know I usually read things that other people don't but this was too much. These are more 150 books that I have never read, at least I have heard of them and a great part of them are in my must-be-read-list.