Thread: Books that are must reads before you die ?

When I was about 13 I saw the film Lawrence Of Arabia with Peter O'Toole. I loved the movie and soon found out that Lawrence had written a book called The Seven Pillars of Wisdom. I cannot remember how old I was when I got my first copy but probably in the neighborhood of 14.

I was a reader and had read most of what John Steinbeck and James Jones had written. Some of Hemingway, Dumas and Conan Doyle. Dostoevsky and Tolstoy came later. I couldn't read Lawrence in spite of trying time after time. Other books that I wanted badly to read and couldn't get into were Moby Dick by Melville and Don Quixote by Cervantes.

I have had a number of copies of these books over the past forty some years and repeatedly tried and failed to complete them. When I turned 60 the realization that I had a lot more life behind me than ahead of me kicked in. I made a resolution to read the Lawrence, Cervantes and Melville books.

I bought the 1922 reprint edition of Seven Pillars and read the 813 pages. It was a slog at times requiring discipline to persevere but worth it. Winston Churchill was quoted as saying it was one of the greatest books in the English language. I don't know about that but some of it was terrific.

Next came the Samuel Putnam two volume translation of Don Quixote and it too was a slog at over 1,000 pages. I had read one volume 25 years ago but bogged down and never picked up volume two. I had read somewhere that vol 2 was better and so it was. Not that one wasn't good. It was a rewarding read.

Now I am starting out on Moby Dick and I will finish it. Next up is Marcel Proust Remembrance Of Things Past. Another one I tried and failed to read 25 or 30 years ago. Keeps life interesting. Anyone else have books that are must reads before they die ?

I would say that your choice of Moby Dick is excellent. One of the best books i've ever read (done this at least 3 times if i remember it right).

I would get to my list most books from these authors:

Herman Melville
John Steinbeck
Jose Saramago
Joseph Conrad
Antoine De Saint Exupery
Antti Tuuri
Mika Waltari
Jari Tervo
(last 3 are Finnish and i believe their books have never been translated).

Then there are hundreds of writers who had made few glorious books while the rest are not so unforgettable, IMHO. I would name such writers like:

Umberto Eco: Foucaults Pendulum, the name of the Rose
Ray Bradbury: Something wicked this way comes
Peter Hoeg: Sense of snow
Niko Kazanzakis: Zorbas
Jim Harrison: True north, Returning to earth
Richard Ford: Multitude of sins
Carlos Ruiz Zafon: the shadow of the wind
Roald Dahl: Uncle Oswald
Jerome K Jerome: 3 men in a boat

To mention a few. I think i could go on with this list without knowing when to stop. I think i'm a reader too.

I'm a firm believer that everyone needs to read:

Ulysses by James Joyce
Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon

They're big and intimidating, but by far the most rewarding books I have ever read. and they are both HILARIOUS and BEAUTIFUL. I think Joseph Campbell is an excellent companion to anything Joyce, his books and his lectures. If you can't find them, PM me. They're worth it.

I also think Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan is an important read for anyone who uses or is involved with technology (read: everyone)

After that, the one book I must read before I die is the one I haven't written yet.

edit: ya'll beat me to it! Finnegans Wake is a category unto itself, but everyone should do the first page at least.

@Sailor - lots of Mika Waltari books were translated - most of his historical novels. I loved them when I started reading them as a teenager.."The Egyptian" was made into a movie..

Originally Posted by davemillard

@Sailor - lots of Mika Waltari books were translated - most of his historical novels. I loved them when I started reading them as a teenager.."The Egyptian" was made into a movie..

The Egyptian is/was probably most famous of them. The movie from 1954 was somewhat ok and entertaining but it had no much to do with the original book. That is what happens too often.
If you are still interested on Waltari, i would suggest the Adventurer (Mikael Karvajalka). That was and is always my favorite, an interesting story of the medieval Europe, starting from my home town at 1400 or so.

Well during my vacation i read 'a People's history of United States' by Howard Zinn. I found it most interesting. Had to read it in English as it isn't translated into my language.
And recently finished 'A Viagem do Elefante' (The Elephant's Journey) by José de Sousa Saramago. I found it great.

Saramago was really one of the great ones. I guess there will be no such a master of the language and master of a great stories for a long time. Too sad he died recently. However, i think that Saramago isn't for average holiday reader. It takes a lot of concentration before getting used to his unique style.

Another great modern author (imho) is Peter Høeg of Denmark. 'Frøken Smillas fornemmelse for sne' (sense of snow ???) was such a great story. Been reading it at least 3 or 4 times, always finding some new aspects. Just like his whole production.

Everyone should read "Oh the Places You'll Go" by Dr Seuss before they die.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Everyone should read "Oh the Places You'll Go" by Dr Seuss before they die.

James.

Couldn't agree more.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Everyone should read "Oh the Places You'll Go" by Dr Seuss before they die.

James.

Or better yet, have it read to them

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Everyone should read "Oh the Places You'll Go" by Dr Seuss before they die.

James.

Any Suess is Good Suess IMHO.

For kids books...Babbar the Elephent,Robinson Caruso and Treasure Island,The Original Grimms Fairy Tales(Uncut,un PC),Peter and the wolf although that should be heard to get the full musical appreciation of it and Paul Bunyan and his blue ox Babe.

Great selection Jimmy! Like you I have worked on the classics for many years. Two books come to mind for me, Thomas Pynchon's "Gravity's Rainbow" and Proust's epic tome that is on your list. I have read all of Pynchon's other books. I have started "Gravity's Rainbow" over ten times, but can't seem to get very far. The book is about 750 pages and the companion book (or guide) is another 350 pages. One book I will read for the third time before I die (all things willing) is Thomas Mann's "Magic Mountain". There is so much good stuff to read out there, now all I need to do is to pull myself away from the computer and my little hone zone and get to reading!