Thursday, October 20, 2005

16 down, 84 to go...

It was brought to my attention today - by a friend who will remain anonymous for reasons that will become apparent momentarily - that Time Magazine has released what it calls "The Complete List", an all-time top 100 English language novels from 1923 to the present. Why 1923? Not sure. Seems arbitrary to me - were there not any good novels in 1922? Or perhaps there were too many? What I do know is that I have only read 16 of the aformentioned novels....and said anonymous friend has read 22. That's like 30% or 40% more than me (I think - apparently I'm not very good at math, either). I feel like a failed English major, as if someone has suddenly uncovered my dirty little secret: I'm a slow reader and I haven't actually read all those great classic novels that one should read when one has a degree in English Literature. I'd say .160 is a pretty poor batting average, no?

I feel as if I'm getting dumber by the day, and this is not helping. I best get to reading, I suppose...

2 comments:

austinstair said...

ughh. i am the ultimate barbarian as i have only read eleven...

but as i AM younger than you ;) i have some time to catch up.

we better get reading. you pick the first book...and say go.

Anonymous said...

I will also join the fun. However, it must be one that I have not previously read---except for Are you there God, it's me Margaret which is the best book in the universe.