Mrs.Marco
Footballguy
It's sure a crazy fun page-turner though--especially given its subject matter!
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The FBG Top 300 Books of All Time (fiction edition) <<< Books 300 - 201 Complete >>> Discussion welcome and encouraged (8 Viewers)
- Thread starter kupcho1
- Start date
kupcho1
Footballguy
My post should have read "highest ranked books that did not make the top 300 for each participant." You're correct; that would have been much longer.
I've fixed it in the original.
Eephus
Footballguy
The cut line appears to be at around 60 points which means everybody's top twenty-ish should be somewhere in the countdown.
rockaction
Footballguy
The cut line appears to be at around 60 points which means everybody's top twenty-ish should be somewhere in the countdown.
I just had eighteen finish on the outs so more like seventeen-ish?
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krista4
Footballguy
Cut line at 65; top 17 for everyone should be in.
The cut line appears to be at around 60 points which means everybody's top twenty-ish should be somewhere in the countdown.
krista4
Footballguy
Dr_Zaius
Footballguy
Poor Arnold Lobel was out at 18 for me as well. Should have bumped him up one I guess, because the book I have for 17 is almost assuredly on somebody else's list, probably multiple.
rockaction
Footballguy
My rank order of these books is pretty spotty. Hecht’s Collected Poems (early, late, unpublished) would have been easily top fifteen if I sat down and did this list properly instead of all slapdash.
Dr_Zaius
Footballguy
I did some pretty major shuffling of mine just before I sent the list. It's tough because I approached it as kind of a cross between what I most enjoyed and what had a large impact on my thoughts and/or the broader cultural discourse. And I have 5 straight up kids books on my list and at least that many young adult books, so it does get to be a little apple and oranges.
I ended up hitting exactly 20% women's authors although I made no attempt to hit a particular number there.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
Wool by Hugh Howey. This is the first of the three books that make up the Silo trilogy, which is now a show on Apple. I'm a big post-apocalyptic fiction fan, and I found this one very unique.
From Amazon:
The first book in the acclaimed, New York Times best-selling trilogy, Wool is the story of mankind clawing for survival. The world outside has grown toxic, the view of it limited, talk of it forbidden. The remnants of humanity live underground in a single silo.
But there are always those who hope, who dream. These are the dangerous people, the residents who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple. They are given the very thing they want: They are allowed to go outside.
After the previous sheriff leaves the silo in a terrifying ritual, Juliette, a mechanic from the down deep, is suddenly and inexplicably promoted to the head of law enforcement. With newfound power and with little regard for the customs she is supposed to abide, Juliette uncovers hints of a sinister conspiracy. Tugging this thread may uncover the truth . . . or it could kill every last human alive.
I thought the second book, Shift, was just as good as Wool, but didn't rank it to make room for something else in my list. I recall the third book, Dust, to be a little disappointing, but I can't recall why.
From Amazon:
The first book in the acclaimed, New York Times best-selling trilogy, Wool is the story of mankind clawing for survival. The world outside has grown toxic, the view of it limited, talk of it forbidden. The remnants of humanity live underground in a single silo.
But there are always those who hope, who dream. These are the dangerous people, the residents who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple. They are given the very thing they want: They are allowed to go outside.
After the previous sheriff leaves the silo in a terrifying ritual, Juliette, a mechanic from the down deep, is suddenly and inexplicably promoted to the head of law enforcement. With newfound power and with little regard for the customs she is supposed to abide, Juliette uncovers hints of a sinister conspiracy. Tugging this thread may uncover the truth . . . or it could kill every last human alive.
I thought the second book, Shift, was just as good as Wool, but didn't rank it to make room for something else in my list. I recall the third book, Dust, to be a little disappointing, but I can't recall why.
Psychopav
Help us, Joebi-Wan Brynobi, you're our only ho
Oh I see. This is what we're doing.
Well I can't commit to any sort of consistency but I'll throw this out there:
Per Wikipedia, Furies of Calderon is the first novel in the high fantasy series Codex Alera by Jim Butcher. It was included as my representative of the entire series.
Per google AI:
Jim Butcher's Codex Alera is a six-book epic fantasy series that blends elements of Roman history with the creatures from Pokemon. The story is set on the continent of Alera, where people have a magical bond with elemental spirits called Furies. These Furies grant them various abilities, from controlling fire and water to enhancing their strength and speed.
The series follows the journey of Tavi, a young man who is unique because he has no Furies. Despite this disadvantage, Tavi possesses a sharp mind, unwavering courage, and a natural talent for leadership. Throughout the series, Tavi navigates political intrigue, deadly wars, and ancient threats, ultimately rising to become a pivotal figure in Alera's history.
The Codex Alera is known for its fast-paced action, intricate world-building, and compelling characters. It explores themes of duty, loyalty, prejudice, and the power of human ingenuity. The series has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase for its engaging plot and unique magic system.
Well I can't commit to any sort of consistency but I'll throw this out there:
Per Wikipedia, Furies of Calderon is the first novel in the high fantasy series Codex Alera by Jim Butcher. It was included as my representative of the entire series.
Per google AI:
Jim Butcher's Codex Alera is a six-book epic fantasy series that blends elements of Roman history with the creatures from Pokemon. The story is set on the continent of Alera, where people have a magical bond with elemental spirits called Furies. These Furies grant them various abilities, from controlling fire and water to enhancing their strength and speed.
The series follows the journey of Tavi, a young man who is unique because he has no Furies. Despite this disadvantage, Tavi possesses a sharp mind, unwavering courage, and a natural talent for leadership. Throughout the series, Tavi navigates political intrigue, deadly wars, and ancient threats, ultimately rising to become a pivotal figure in Alera's history.
The Codex Alera is known for its fast-paced action, intricate world-building, and compelling characters. It explores themes of duty, loyalty, prejudice, and the power of human ingenuity. The series has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase for its engaging plot and unique magic system.
TheBaylorKid
Footballguy
I liked the series but it didn’t make my top 50. If you like sc fi dystopian it is a good series.
Psychopav
Help us, Joebi-Wan Brynobi, you're our only ho
This has been on my wish list for a long time now, I believe from something someone suggested here (maybe even you, Shuke!). If only I still read anything other than my phone...
krista4
Footballguy
Other than my own pick and The Divine Comedy, which was on my list, I haven't read any of works listed in post #2. I have seen four of them as movies, though! Marathon Man, Pelle the Conqueror, and L.A. Confidential were all movies I enjoyed. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is also a movie I've seen.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
timschochet
Footballguy
Kinda proud I have the fewest in the top 25.
timschochet
Footballguy
As great a movie as it is, William Goldman’s Marathon Man is an even better suspense novel, mainly because we are able to get into the minds of the three main characters, especially Babe (played by Dustin Hoffman in the film) with his obsession with Olympians Nurmi and Bikila. Just a masterful thriller novel.
kupcho1
Footballguy
timschochet
Footballguy
Yes about 30 years ago. Nothing special as I recall.
Eephus
Footballguy
I liked Marathon Man a lot and agree with Tim's assessment of the development of Babe's character.
I didn't care for the sequel at all but it's been too long to remember why.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
True to form, I move 2 things when I get home and there were my notes/shell list. 
kupcho1
Footballguy
The plot was ludicrous. Goldman quit writing novels after that one.
Eephus
Footballguy
I've read Tarantino's novelization of OUATIH. He's far better with dialogue and listing pop culture references than he is with description but it was a fun bit of universe building around some characters that he obviously has affection for. The climax of the movie was revealed offhandedly early in the book. I kept waiting for QT to go back to it but he never did.
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Keith R
The Don
I'm the one who had OUATIH on my list. Admitted big QT fan, my favorite part of the book was getting into the heads of the characters as the Bruce Lee - Cliff Booth showdown was unfolding. Obviously, I saw the movie first (it came out 2 years before the novel) and having that in my mind helped me enjoy the novel more, as having the big pieces of the story in my mind already allowed me to gloss over would-be flaws in the writing.
Don Quixote
Footballguy
I haven’t read that one, but I did read his nonfiction “Cinema Speculation.” Definitely some Tarantino-stylings in the writing and did not agree with all of his views on movies, but his love for them really shined through.
kupcho1
Footballguy
No, but I heard it is very good and they'll be making it into a movie.
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
Yes. Not that it would have made my list, but I totally forgot that I read it, as I’m now realizing I also forgot several others that I’ve read.
I liked it, but it wasn’t the best written thing ever. Hard for me to separate my fondness for the movie and its characters from this novel. Also, some of it kind of overlaps with the plot of Blackhat.
kupcho1
Footballguy
Phase 2: Books 300 - 201
First up, a 12 way tie for 294th place (that actually pushes the total number of books in the top 300 to 305 but whatcha gonna do?)
With over 600 books only selected once there's bound to be a long tail. Perhaps not as long as Yah_Shoor_Youbetcha's back in 2003, but long enough.
There will be fewer "singletons" as we move up the ranks.
First up, a 12 way tie for 294th place (that actually pushes the total number of books in the top 300 to 305 but whatcha gonna do?)
294 | The Canterbury Tales | Geoffrey Chaucer | 2 |
| Ada, or Ardor | Vladimir Nabokov | 1 | |
| Beowulf | Unknown | 1 | |
| Daemon | Daniel Suarez | 1 | |
| Go, Went, Gone | Jenny Erpenbeck | 1 | |
| Motherless Brooklyn | Jonathan Lethem | 1 | |
| The Confusion (Vol. 2 of The Baroque Cycle) | Neal Stephenson | 1 | |
| Letters from Earth | Mark Twain | 1 | |
| Billiards at Half-Past Nine | Heinrich Boll | 1 | |
| From Russia With Love | Ian Fleming | 1 | |
| The Complete Sherlock Holmes | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle | 1 | |
| Light Years | James Salter | 1 |
With over 600 books only selected once there's bound to be a long tail. Perhaps not as long as Yah_Shoor_Youbetcha's back in 2003, but long enough.
There will be fewer "singletons" as we move up the ranks.
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kupcho1
Footballguy
Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem was my #17. It is one of the funniest books I've ever read.
It is the story of Lionel Essrog. He works as a PI for a detective agency masquerading as a transportation company. Rather than try and explain Lionel, I'll let him do it.
Regarding his Tourette's
It is a detective novel, but with the added twist that you know Lionel is going to vocally erupt at some point. You just don't know when. The plot? Here's a snippet from Salon:
It is the story of Lionel Essrog. He works as a PI for a detective agency masquerading as a transportation company. Rather than try and explain Lionel, I'll let him do it.
Regarding his Tourette's
It is a detective novel, but with the added twist that you know Lionel is going to vocally erupt at some point. You just don't know when. The plot? Here's a snippet from Salon:
kupcho1
Footballguy
I was planning to go through 300 - 201 from April 1 - 3. This is consistent with scoresman's TV countdown.
If that's too fast let me know and I'll pump the brakes.
I do realize that people have lives and won't be online all day waiting to chime in on their books. However, we can always come back to earlier selections whenever we want. As some of you have already gathered (and I did get a chuckle out of "cut line"; what is this, the Masters?), everyone has got at least their top 17 counted.
Either way, I'm good. If everyone could just let me know what pace you'd like to see and I'll try to accommodate it.
rockaction
Footballguy
294. James Salter - Light Years (1975)
This is a book about a couple, Viri (an architect) and Nedra (his wife) who live in Hudson Valley, New York. They are privileged and the book is about them, their marriage, their social life, and ultimately their affairs and the dissolution of the marriage and the death of Nedra from cancer. The book chronicles their life together and apart over the span of fifteen or so years.
Salter is a relatively unknown author, one the New Yorker calls “a writer’s writer,” who passed in 2015 after a life of authorship following a previous career in the military. He can, in my opinion, turn a phrase and use language like no other author alive this century, and he garnered a reputation as a master of style among the literary critic set.
In a review of Light Years for The Independent, he is called “a stylist the equal of John Cheever and John Updike. His writing is close to poetry.” The reviewer continues, “I was in the company of a remarkable writer. My anxiety was that he would not be able to sustain such a level but miraculously, with just a slip or two, he does.”
And thus, the book. Of particular note to me is a character named Arnaud, a friend who gets attacked one night in New York City and loses an eye. A close friend before this, we do not hear of him again after the incident until several hundred pages later when he pops back into the novel and into Nedra and Viri's world like nothing has happened. Salter shows us the cruelty inhering in their social sphere by having him go entirely missing from their lives without mention (neither author nor character so much as discusses Arnaud in his absence), but it is not a malicious or punitive cruelty; rather, it is born from thoughtlessness and self-absorption.
He closes with the wedding of their daughter, Danny, whereupon Salter introduces us to her groom and then to his brother, whom he abruptly tells us Danny is sleeping with. Salter and Danny leave the groom in the dark about this—there is no wedding conflagration or confession to be had—and the novel ends soon after the ceremony which is now tarnished in the reader's mind, with Salter revealing, in one critic’s words, that "the passage of time is the novel’s protagonist.”
TL;DR James Salter, a highly stylistic writer, writes a book about a marriage and its dissolution with an examination of the couple's self-absorption and a look at how the passage of time affects us and is ultimately embodied in our lives.
This is a book about a couple, Viri (an architect) and Nedra (his wife) who live in Hudson Valley, New York. They are privileged and the book is about them, their marriage, their social life, and ultimately their affairs and the dissolution of the marriage and the death of Nedra from cancer. The book chronicles their life together and apart over the span of fifteen or so years.
Salter is a relatively unknown author, one the New Yorker calls “a writer’s writer,” who passed in 2015 after a life of authorship following a previous career in the military. He can, in my opinion, turn a phrase and use language like no other author alive this century, and he garnered a reputation as a master of style among the literary critic set.
In a review of Light Years for The Independent, he is called “a stylist the equal of John Cheever and John Updike. His writing is close to poetry.” The reviewer continues, “I was in the company of a remarkable writer. My anxiety was that he would not be able to sustain such a level but miraculously, with just a slip or two, he does.”
And thus, the book. Of particular note to me is a character named Arnaud, a friend who gets attacked one night in New York City and loses an eye. A close friend before this, we do not hear of him again after the incident until several hundred pages later when he pops back into the novel and into Nedra and Viri's world like nothing has happened. Salter shows us the cruelty inhering in their social sphere by having him go entirely missing from their lives without mention (neither author nor character so much as discusses Arnaud in his absence), but it is not a malicious or punitive cruelty; rather, it is born from thoughtlessness and self-absorption.
He closes with the wedding of their daughter, Danny, whereupon Salter introduces us to her groom and then to his brother, whom he abruptly tells us Danny is sleeping with. Salter and Danny leave the groom in the dark about this—there is no wedding conflagration or confession to be had—and the novel ends soon after the ceremony which is now tarnished in the reader's mind, with Salter revealing, in one critic’s words, that "the passage of time is the novel’s protagonist.”
TL;DR James Salter, a highly stylistic writer, writes a book about a marriage and its dissolution with an examination of the couple's self-absorption and a look at how the passage of time affects us and is ultimately embodied in our lives.
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rockaction
Footballguy
How should I best write these up to best spur discussion or make it interesting to read? Last time I was able to quote a bit of the work as a teaser and hopefully to draw the reader in for a moment regardless of its brevity (or was it too lengthy?). This time I went for more of an authorial synopsis and book summary with a nod to some of the more striking parts (to me) of the book.
If anybody has any suggestions about how to make this more interesting or engaging I'm seriously listening and don't want to make this either boring or an exercise in pedantry. Help me make it cool. Thanks. Comment wherever if you think of anything. Just @ me if you want. Peace.
If anybody has any suggestions about how to make this more interesting or engaging I'm seriously listening and don't want to make this either boring or an exercise in pedantry. Help me make it cool. Thanks. Comment wherever if you think of anything. Just @ me if you want. Peace.
Daemon by Daniel Suarez
Techno thriller. A programmer sets a daemon on the world upon his death.
“This thrill-a-nanosecond novel is certainly faithful to the techno-traditions of Michael Crichton and should delight not only readers of the 'science gone awry' genre, but general adventure readers as well.”—Booklist
Techno thriller. A programmer sets a daemon on the world upon his death.
“This thrill-a-nanosecond novel is certainly faithful to the techno-traditions of Michael Crichton and should delight not only readers of the 'science gone awry' genre, but general adventure readers as well.”—Booklist
Psychopav
Help us, Joebi-Wan Brynobi, you're our only ho
Add an executive summary imo. Your synopsis of Light Years was a little bit tl:dr
It's not like this thread is full of readers. Wait...
kupcho1
Footballguy
Just show a little bit of leg.
Or spoiler tag it. The book sounded interesting, but I think I've gotten all of the major plot points and twists.
rockaction
Footballguy
Spoiler tag might be the way to go. That way it also doesn't spoil the book and brevity can be the soul of the exercise should the reader choose it that way.
One thing about the plot twists and divulging: Aside from the spoiler aspect of it, those are really minor parts of the book I'm talking about. They just happened to strike me as microcosms of the family's thoughtlessness and selfishness at times and could be dealt with in a couple of sentences, whereas drawn-out, clandestine—and then open—marital affairs and deaths from cancer cannot. But those two events I mention total about five or six pages out of 308.
But the spoiler idea is great and noted. It serves the purpose of not ruining the plot for others and for brevity's sake. And it sounds like you're gently telling me to be selective and brief in what I relay about the book. We do not need to know what they ate for dinner on page 178. Got it. Thanks, man.
kupcho1
Footballguy
Not in the slightest.
rockaction
Footballguy
Whoops. Then I misread you a bit. I think the spoiler tag was something I understood as not only preventing me from giving the plot or denouement of the book away without the green light from the reader to do so, but also that it would be more sensitive to the reader's desire for brevity. I was extrapolating from how the spoiler would actually work for the reader while keeping Psychopav's brevity suggestion in mind.
Then I think I get what you're saying. That sentence you just quoted of mine was more of a synthesis of both of yours and Psychopav's suggestions. Anyway, thanks again. Like I said, I don't want to be too long, too vague, too short, overly detailed, or to be giving too many things away in case anybody ever wants to read the books. I also don't want to be ostentatious or pedantic. All of that is a drag for the reader. Anyway, my apologies for misunderstanding you and reading too much into it. Peace.
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KarmaPolice
Footballguy
It was a fun page turner that was one of those very rare books that it seemed everybody was reading. Opinions on Brown's ability as a writer aside, that should stand for something. I think only Harry Potter was talked about more than DaVinci Code in that time frame or maybe since.
As I was thinking through my lists I realized how much I use books as my blockbuster escape medium. I always loved reading, but I don't have the mind for language and grammar. I hated my English Lit classes and writing classes, but I was rarely without a book of some sort in Middle School and High School. Give me something to read that reminds me of English Lit, and chances are I tap out. No way I could get through the task kupcho is doing with the Pulitzer novels. Give me a book with short chapters and a great idea and I am in. DaVinci Code and Crichton are way more my lane than most that will show up on these lists, and I have been surprised in the last couple decades how much I like some fantasy series (which is what distracted me this weekend). It's just fun geeking out about books of any form.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Just a guess, but I think you're liable to be surprised at how much genre stuff gets chosen.
Don Quixote
Footballguy
294. Ada, or Ardor: A Family Chronicle by Vladimir Nabokov (1969)
I went through a Nabokov phase a few years ago where I read a half dozen or so of his books. The plot of this one is fairly simple (and a bit gross) — about the on/off romance between a couple who think they are third cousins, but, uh, they are a bit closer than that. I could see that element as a turn-off to reading (and it did to me for awhile, as well as another Nabokov book), but when Nabokov gets going, there are very few writers that can top him. With Nabokov, it is less about the plot and more about the pure enjoyment of the writing.
If someone is new to Nabokov, it is not the book that I’d recommend to start with. It is his longest novel. The first few chapters start off a bit slow while he sets the stage, including some elements of an alternative history setting. But the first few chapters are unlike the rest of the book. One of those things where have to trust that Nabokov will make it worthwhile. It features some of his best wordplay and allusions, and some of the best prose that he ever crafted. Some (a lot) of it went over my head, but enough to get out of it to make it one of my favorites.
He can be a bit of an anti-Hemingway with some of his descriptions, as below…
I went through a Nabokov phase a few years ago where I read a half dozen or so of his books. The plot of this one is fairly simple (and a bit gross) — about the on/off romance between a couple who think they are third cousins, but, uh, they are a bit closer than that. I could see that element as a turn-off to reading (and it did to me for awhile, as well as another Nabokov book), but when Nabokov gets going, there are very few writers that can top him. With Nabokov, it is less about the plot and more about the pure enjoyment of the writing.
If someone is new to Nabokov, it is not the book that I’d recommend to start with. It is his longest novel. The first few chapters start off a bit slow while he sets the stage, including some elements of an alternative history setting. But the first few chapters are unlike the rest of the book. One of those things where have to trust that Nabokov will make it worthwhile. It features some of his best wordplay and allusions, and some of the best prose that he ever crafted. Some (a lot) of it went over my head, but enough to get out of it to make it one of my favorites.
He can be a bit of an anti-Hemingway with some of his descriptions, as below…
Chaos34
Footballguy
I've read some Sherlock Holmes and a book of Sir Doyle's short stories made my list, but I couldn't take The Complete Sherlock Holmes. I used to recommend his short stories as Scooby Doo for adults. Something I stole from my father. They are terrific fun reading. I've read OH's A Perfect Spy, had it ranked through most of my time ranking, but ultimately it fell off my list to include more authors. Le Carre is represented on my list with other choices. Other than that, I haven't read anything listed so far.
The only book of mine listed was my #18, Absalom! Absalom! by Faulkner. He was my favorite author, maybe still is. He had two styles; one approachable one not so much. This one is as not so much as he gets, but incredible to me if read with a good guide to help you through. The story is about a Mississippi man who builds a plantation dynasty in the mid 1800s, so you know what that involves. His story is told start to finish in the first chapter. Then again by a different narrator with a different spin. Then again. And again. They're all fos, which is the point. The final 20 pages are kind of mind blowing. Faulkner called it the greatest novel yet written by an American. Proud of himself, I s'pose. It's heavy, dense, southern gothic reading I only recommend if you're up for a challenge. I think it got me high a few times pulling my brain into the conscience of the South. It also held the Guinness Book of Records for longest sentence, some 1200 rambling words.
The only book of mine listed was my #18, Absalom! Absalom! by Faulkner. He was my favorite author, maybe still is. He had two styles; one approachable one not so much. This one is as not so much as he gets, but incredible to me if read with a good guide to help you through. The story is about a Mississippi man who builds a plantation dynasty in the mid 1800s, so you know what that involves. His story is told start to finish in the first chapter. Then again by a different narrator with a different spin. Then again. And again. They're all fos, which is the point. The final 20 pages are kind of mind blowing. Faulkner called it the greatest novel yet written by an American. Proud of himself, I s'pose. It's heavy, dense, southern gothic reading I only recommend if you're up for a challenge. I think it got me high a few times pulling my brain into the conscience of the South. It also held the Guinness Book of Records for longest sentence, some 1200 rambling words.
kupcho1
Footballguy
I'd start from the beginning with Casino Royale, but that's just me.
Eephus
Footballguy
My #24 ranked book is the current record holder with a sentence that's 13,995 words long
Wow, I'm the only person that listed Beowulf? Arguably one of the most important pieces of literature in the English language, and it isn't some boring stuffy work. It's an outstanding telling of the hero's journey and incredibly fun. That really surprises me.
Also, even though I'm a listed ranker for Beowulf and The Divine Comedy (and also one of the two who ranked The Canterbury Tales), my list is NOT all or even mostly classics. Tons of King, and Crichton, and Star Wars novels and stuff like that on there. But those seemed like slam dunks to me. Maybe it's just my love of the history that's associated with those three choices.
Also, even though I'm a listed ranker for Beowulf and The Divine Comedy (and also one of the two who ranked The Canterbury Tales), my list is NOT all or even mostly classics. Tons of King, and Crichton, and Star Wars novels and stuff like that on there. But those seemed like slam dunks to me. Maybe it's just my love of the history that's associated with those three choices.
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