Exceptional Books discussion

Hi Everyone,

We won't be able to compile a large library of exceptional books if you don't add them to our library. I think at least 2 books per member would be minimum, but feel free to add as many exceptional books as you like. When you shelve the book, please add a note to the bookshelf about why you think its exceptional.

If however you don't have time to shelve your own books or you have difficulty figuring out how to do it, then please leave your books in the "Please shelve my books for me section".

I would also add that exceptional books might be ones that made you think, huh? or gave you some sort of strong feeling! So keep in mind as you read books that really get to you in some way so that others may enjoy the awesomeness (yes I know not necessairly a word....lol) of those books!

What would also be great is if, when you add books to the bookshelf, please consider writing a sentence or two about why the book is exceptional. This would make it easier for the group members to decide if they want to read the book too.

I would like to recommend that we build and vote upon this list of Exceptional Novels as the "Goodreads 100 Most Exceptional Novels of All Time" to post universally with the Random House Modern Library and other Top 100 Novels Lists. Perhaps, we could then follow-up with Top 100 Poetry, Playwright and Non-fiction Books from Goodreads Members. This would bring favorable PR to Goodreads and its mission to help guide Goodreaders to great books.

Jim wrote: "What would also be great is if, when you add books to the bookshelf, please consider writing a sentence or two about why the book is exceptional. This would make it easier for the group members to ..."

I agree Jim! I'll edit my post above to include that request.

David wrote: "I would like to recommend that we build and vote upon this list of Exceptional Novels as the "Goodreads 100 Most Exceptional Novels of All Time" to post universally with the Random House Modern Lib..."

David, I think that's a great idea! Would you like me to create the folders for this or do you want to do it?

You could also add it to the Listopia section of Goodreads...

How do you add a book to a/the bookshelf?

EDIT: Nevermind, link at side.

David wrote: "I would like to recommend that we build and vote upon this list of Exceptional Novels as the "Goodreads 100 Most Exceptional Novels of All Time" to post universally with the Random House Modern Lib..."

Not that I'm opposed to reinventing the wheel, but, if you go to listopia and search on the word "best" there are currently 3067 lists of this kind covering every permutation you can think of. What might be more useful is to create a "100 best lists of 100 best books of all time" or something like that...


...joking, but only a little!

Dear Jim,
I understand your point. But what I propose here is a list of the Top 100 Literary Novels -- genius works for serious readers. No Stephen King. No list where "To Kill a Mockingbird" is deemed the best book ever written. No children's books. No SciFi. No non-fiction. No poetry or drama for now because this list is genre-specific. Not best-seller driven. Not mainstream fare. Not plot driven. Simply world-class literary novels. A list of the calibre of the Random House Top 100 of the 20th Century. Maybe only open to Goodreads Librarians, Goodreads Authors and/or those Goodreads members who have commented on 100 or more novels. This approach would, in effect, be a compilation from other lists by deriving the finest, serious, literary novels of all time going back to the invention of the genre in "Tom Jones" by Fielding. It would be a list that Goodreads would be comfortable publishing to rival the Random House List, which has brought that publisher so much attention from serious readers of novels since its publication. This would be a great service in steering Goodreaders to the world's best novels. We could then follow-up with Top 100 Poetry and Top 100 Dramas of all time. That's the big idea behind this list.

I should hasten to add that, having spent a few weeks on the excellent Never-Ending Trivia, and now ranking just under 900 among some 680,000, Goodreaders are not focusing on great literary masterworks. I skipped 5,000 questions on Harry Potter, 5,000 questions on vampire books and 5,000 questions from worthless mainstream books that no serious Goodreader would bother with. I am perplexed as to why more people aren't reading our greatest masterpieces. My conclusion is that either they are young or don't know where to look. This is an opportunity to steer serious readers to genius works --somewhere it would seem logical to perform this service to Goodreaders and I don't yet see a relatively short list which performs this service. Only 1001 Books to Read before You Die is close and is the most helpful list to date on Goodreads for serious readers. Exceptional books is an essential service.

Here here! on the "TKAM" comment.

Okay, it's good to be specific. However, if it's going to be called "of all time", then what about Cervantes? Rabelais? The Tale of Genji? You'll need to either show consensus on the definition of "novel" and Tom Jones as the first novel ever, or change the name to "100...from 1749 to the present"

I don't mean to obstruct your effort in any way, but if you are going to limit to 100 and say "of all time", then best to clearly define all terms up front.

Dear Jim,
Your point is well made and I certainly respect you for it.
You're right -- let's just make it Top 100 Literary Novels of all time.
That definition, of course, will beg the question as to what a literary novel is.
We are looking for literary, genius works or literary masterpieces of the genre.
Does this work for you?
Cordially,
David

Completely! I'm preparing my list of contributions.

Thanks David!

Dear Jim:
Good man!
I am eager to read your list.
Thank you for your contributions.
Cordially,
David

I am on the 1001 Books To Read Before You Die group, & we are all gradually working our way through the list :) You may want to join the group & suggest this sort of a list to that group as well. It would be just as well received there, especially since we are familiar with those works, & it would be quite interesting to see if that rather long list could be narrowed to the Top 100 choices :) Of course, I personally am also working my way through the various Banned/Challenged book lists. I detest censorship.

The Book Thief

Dear Lisa,
Life is short but art is long.
The Top 100 Literary Novels of All Time List is already taking shape nicely.
You go, girl.
Cordially,
David

'Three Day Road' by Joseph Boyden and 'Bartleby & Co' by Enrique Vila-Matas

Read Under The Beetle's Cellar. It's classified as a mystery, but it's just an awesome read. When I was in a book club where we read a lot of different stuff, this was the only book that everyone loved.

Thanks Renee, I'll check it out!

The Historian

This is an amazing read. Historical fictional is some of my favorite reading, and this is my number one pick! Not the modern day "vampire story" of today's youth. This book truly digs deep into the legend of Vlad the Impailer!

Bangkok 8 (Sonchai Jitpleecheep, #1)East meets west.

I love Thailand and spend 1 to 2 months there each year. Yes, at times the culture shock is enormous. But simultaneously the human element is universal and endearing. So naturally I'm eager to read as much about this fascinating land and its lovely people as I can.

A lot has been written in goodreads about the plot of this book. It's not necessary to repeat that. Let it be said though that there have been very few books I have read that have left such an indelible impression on me. It's a completely different world from what we are used to. And it is real. Parts of it are shocking. But at the same time the author's portrayal of Thai life is empathetic and very positive.

After finishing this book it took at least two weeks for me to return to normalcy and stop thinking about the events depicted in the book. And one of the very first things I packed for my Thailand trip the next year was the author's second novel! An exceptionally good read.

I laughed aloud with joy at the TKAM comment...if I hear it called the best book ever one more time...

My recommendation is Best of the Booker Prize winner "Midnight's Children".

Haleigh wrote: "The Historian

This is an amazing read. Historical fictional is some of my favorite reading, and this is my number one pick! Not the modern day "vampire story" of today's youth. This..."

Loved this book. Fantastic writing. Blending the real Vlad the Impaler in with the real world was exceptional. I was a little disappointed with the ending though, as it came across a predictable 'Hollywood' ending that didn't live up to the buildup; but still, definitely worth the time spent reading. I bought her next novel, "The Swan Thieves", but haven't managed to get to it yet.

I completly agrre with What you said about the ending. But, Still a good read all together.

I am about to start reading "Tiger, Tiger" by Marguax Fragoso. I have recieved very high reccomendations for this book. Has anyone read it before?

In regards to a list for top literary works, is it really fair to rule out things like sci-fi and other works that might be considered genre fiction? 1984 is a literary work and sci-fi.

Cassie wrote: "In regards to a list for top literary works, is it really fair to rule out things like sci-fi and other works that might be considered genre fiction? 1984 is a literary work and sci-fi."

Cassie, if you ask this queston under the topic "serious literary works", David could answer this queston better.

Books such as 1984 and The Invisible Man are listed, so that took care of my question ;) Thanks Colleen!

I'm wondering why there is no category for Fantasy listed. It's a tremendously popular genre right now, and there are some fine, fine writers out there, including Carol Berg, Guy Gavriel Kay, and Janny Wurts, to name a few.

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "I'm wondering why there is no category for Fantasy listed. It's a tremendously popular genre right now, and there are some fine, fine writers out there, including Carol Berg, [auth..."

I agree. It's also a category with some interesting sub-genres (urban, steampunk, etc) and some very under-rated authors, IMO.

I have to agree with your choice of Beach Music. I think I loved this book a bit more than Prince of Tides.

Just added Finch to the shelf by Jeff Vandermeer. An excellently written and well-thought out book, you should give it a shot!

Sharon wrote: "Can a shelf be added for adventure or what else might that be categorized as?"

Sure Sharon, did you want to be moderator of that section?

Check out 'It's Not My Mountain Anymore' on the web.
If ya like mountain 'stuff' you will love it.

Sharon wrote: "What does a moderator do?"

The moderator is responsible for a specific section, such as me, I have my own folder for children's books and literature on here, where children's books are discussed. So you can do the same thing with 'adventure'.

I'd like to recommend the book In the Shade of Spring Leaves by Higuchi Ichiyo (translated by Robert Lyons Danly). Higuchi Ichiyo was one of the first female authors in Japan, and her short stories are an excellent glimpse into the Edo period of Japan. These stories are extremely well translated, and Danly's commentary is also very well written and thought-out.

Thanks Fincalian, I'll check it out.

Colleen wrote: "Thanks Fincalian, I'll check it out."

Even if it doesn't make it to the shelves, it's an excellent book, and I thought these shelves needed more than just Haruki Murakami.

Naomi is another great example of modern Japanese lit.

Sharon wrote: "I'd be a moderator for something I read more of, such as memoirs but I could do adventure as well. I like both nonfiction and fiction.

I added another book that was just released in Sept. 201..."

Sure Sharon, Memorirs and Adventure would be great. I'll set you up as a moderator and set up your corner, thanks

The ones I wanted to list are already there esp Pillars of the Earth.

Sharon wrote: "I'd be a moderator for something I read more of, such as memoirs but I could do adventure as well. I like both nonfiction and fiction.

I added another book that was just released in Sept. 201..."

Sharon, I set you up as moderator and I set up a section for you.

I've added Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin to the bookshelf - I don't think that it was there already, but apologies if it's a duplicate.

Linda wrote: "I've added Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin to the bookshelf - I don't think that it was there already, but apologies if it's a duplicate."

Fond of this and the subsequent books myself!

Linda wrote: "I've added Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin to the bookshelf - I don't think that it was there already, but apologies if it's a duplicate."

No worries, I can easily delete duplicates :)

Hi there! I'd like to add Like a Sister by Janice Daugharty- if you like reading a book that drips with amazing voice, this is a must read! Thanks!

Thanks Jenn, looking forward to checking it out.

I just added three:
The Muse of Edouard Manet
Outlander
The Talented Mr. Ripley

My *must read* out of those three is most definitely The Muse of Edouard Manet. HIGHLY recommended!!!

LilaBird wrote: "I just added three:
The Muse of Edouard Manet
Outlander
[bookcover:The Talented Mr. Ripley|15..."

LilaBird, I've never read The muse of Edouard Manet, but I'll check it out. What do you love about this book :)