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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2010 > February > 08 > Entry
My desert island reading list…
Libraries are magical places. I spend such pleasant hours surrounded by stacks of books — a library is like home away from home.
So when the Washington-Centerville Library asked if I would make some reading suggestions for their patrons I jumped at the opportunity. They are celebrating their 200th anniversary this year.
I came up with a list of 25 of my favorite novels. The list is divided into two sections. I begin with suggestions of books that are true classics.
“Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte
“Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte
“Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes
“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain
“Moby Dick” by Herman Melville
“1984” by George Orwell
“One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
“Gargantua and Pantagruel” by Francois Rabelais
“The Magic Mountain” by Thomas Mann
“Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger
The second half of my list is made up of a dozen books that are not considered classics yet but who knows? Maybe someday.
“Life and Fate” by Vasily Grossman
“Call it Sleep” by Henry Roth
“Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts
“Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson
“The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz
“The Lazarus Project” by Aleksandar Hemon
“Europe Central” by William T. Vollmann
“River of Darkness” by Rennie Airth
“White Doves at Morning” by James Lee Burke
“The Yiddish Policeman’s Union” by Michael Chabon
“The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
“The Russian Debutante’s Handbook” by Gary Shteyngart
I made additional comments about these books. You can peruse them by clicking HERE:
Bicentennial events in Centerville
The Washingon-Centerville Library is marking two centuries of service to the community this year with special events in their “Great Books, Great Libraries” celebration. On Wednesday, Feb. 10, best-selling author Martha Moody will be honored at a special reception. Moody, a Washington Twp. resident, has published three novels. Her book “Best Friends” has sold more than 700,000 copies.
How to go: Martha Moody will be giving a talk at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Centerville Library, 111 West Spring Valley Road. For more information, call (937) 433-8091.
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: escapism
Comments
By Blowfly
February 10, 2010 3:10 PM | Link to this
That’s interesting, last week I just picked up a copy of Life and Fate that I ordered (how long it sits on my shelf of unread books is another question). However, if I was stuck on a desert island I’d probably want to read a book about how to build a boat. Seriously, thanks for passing on this list some great stuff.
By irishguy
February 9, 2010 11:16 AM | Link to this
Vick, if you check out their website under the “about the library” link, they have quite a bit of info about it. The facsimile they have is outstanding.
By vick
February 8, 2010 8:01 PM | Link to this
or Robinson Crusoe…and Robert Louis Stevenson certainly deserves some picks…
By Rob
February 8, 2010 7:48 PM | Link to this
I started accumulating my own top ten list, but somehow “Treasure Island” might not seem like such a great choice if it’s a desert island list.
By vick
February 8, 2010 7:46 PM | Link to this
wow! They have that?! Cool! Thanks, Irish…
By irishguy
February 8, 2010 7:43 PM | Link to this
Vick, the Washington Township-Centerville Library on Spring Valley Pike is my favorite. Did you look at their copy of the Book of Kells?