but decided to give you a breakdown of their list:
iliad and the odyssey by homer- didn't read it. checked it out from the library but it was in novel form and i think i want to read it as a poem.
the secret history by donna tart- though a good novel, it didn't contain any greatness that demanded it needed to be read before 30. the characters are undergrad but didn't provide any insight for your college experience except maybe watch out for cultish programs.
jesus' son by denis johnson- this wasn't for me, a great writer but was not interested in the narrator's life. if i read it at 18, i would have thought it amazing.
the complete stories by flannery o'connor- i had the library copy for about 6 weeks but couldn't get into it. all of her stories made me uncomfortable. i read "a good man is hard to find" because i felt i should at least have that read before i turn 30, but it just scared me. also not sure if southern goth is for me.
much ado about nothing by william shakespeare- i agree that you should have some shakespeare under you belt before you turn 30, but not necessarily this play. it had too much dialogue and old school word play for me to enjoy. read "macbeth" instead.
the sun also rises by ernest hemingway- the first book of his i ever read and definitely needs to be on this list. should be read in your 1st/2nd year of college to guarantee that you study abroad and probably in spain.
the road by cormac mccarthy- didn't read it.
maus by art spiegelman- this was a beautiful book and should definitely be read before 30. also it's a graphic novel (read: comic book) but very powerful.
ender's game by orson scott card- this should actually be part of a 18 books to read before you turn 18. it's a young adult novel do read it as a young adult.
pride and prejudice by jane austen- this is
a timeless classic and needs to be read. i love now flavorpill says guys too, because i was surprised when my uncle john told me he was a fan of this work! also it's worth the read just so you can picture colin firth as darcy! literary eye candy!
cat's cradle by kurt vonnegut- didn't read it though it's on my kindle.
lolita by vladmir nabokov- needs to be read because it is always cited as the best novel of all time. nabokov has a way with words but still the premise makes me uncomfortable.
lord of the rings by j.r.r. tolkien- still on the library wait list for this one.
1984 by george orwell- definitely needs to be read but again as part of the 18 before 18.
the catcher in the rye- one of my favorite books of all times. read it young though. i will love holden regardless of my age but i know some people's dislike grows with their age.
the great gatsby by f. scott fitzgerald- this novel has grown on me but i think if i read it in my early twenties i would have thought it great. though think "this side of paradise" is better.
beloved by toni morrison- a great novel but not sure why it was on the list. though it is important because it gives a voice to slaves.
infinite jest by david foster wallace- picked it up but didn't have the time to
read it. also need to read hamlet firsts. will try to get it done while on summer break.
lord of the flies by william golding- this should be read in high school. and important read for both genders but especially for boys.
don quixote by miguel de cervantes- need to read it.
the trial by franz kafka- need to read it.
to the lighthouse by virgina woolf- this should be read before 40, but not 30.
fahrenheit 451 by ray bradbury- another book that should be read in high school. bradbury is a poet. i loved this book when i read it in high school but feel like "dandelion wine" is the better book.
invisible man by ralph ellison- need to read it.
to kill a mockingbird by harper lee- this book is amazing at any age. atticus finch is one of the greatest characters ever! and i love scout, jem, boo and dill. read this before 30 but reread it throughout your life.
treasure island by robert louis stevenson- bought if for a dollar but haven't read it.
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