Reading lists
Like many other book lovers, I’m also a list addict. I suppose it’s because we’re always looking for new reading ideas.
Personal reading lists
They are totally subjective and contain only books I read and liked.
- French Literature: reading_list_French_Literature
- North American Literature reading_list_American_Lit
After Lisa’s comments, here a list of French books I haven’t read (yet) or didn’t like but which are supposed to be good.
- French Literature 2 : reading_list_French_Literature_2
Lists coming from other novels
I enjoy books about books and books about literature lovers.
- In a “A Novel Bookstore“, Laurence Cossé drops a lot of names and book titles. I noted them down while I while reading. They’re suppose to be books to include in an ideal library. reading_list_bon_roman
- In the novel Un Homme à distance by Katherine Pancol, the main characters, Kay and Jonathan discuss the books they love. Here is their list : Reading_List_Kay_and_Jonathan
Annual reading lists.
In the following lists, you will find all the books I’ve read in a year
- 2010. No review available before On the Road by Jack Kerouac as I started blogging at that time. reading_list_2010
- 2011. I indicated the month I published the review. Reading_list_2011
Hello Bookaround, thank you so much for your list of French literature – it is exactly what I need. For some time I have felt that while I am quite well-read in English literature, I don’t have the same breadth and depth of experience in European literature. So this year, 2010, I have planned a ‘year of European reading’ (see http://www.librarything.com/topic/80302#1677870) using just what I had on my TBR, i.e. a mixture of classics and recent award winners, but I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read so far.
Your list will help me to plan what to read next, so thank you.
One question: why no Balzac? I’m rather fond of Balzac, and have read a fair bit of the Comedie Humaine, though I mostly don’t blog short stories. I just write a quick ‘review’ on Good Reads (http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1758411) so that I remember which ones I’ve read.
One other thing – could you perhaps add another column to the list and include which century the author wrote in?
Best wishes,
Lisa Hill, ANZ Litlovers, Melbourne Australia
I’ll add the Balzac books I’ve read, if it can help. I wouldn’t have considered Balzac works as short stories. That’s interesting : it is classified as short stories in Australia ?
I’ll also add the century the author wrote in, thanks for the idea.
I’m impressed you plan what you will read this year. I can’t do that because what I read depends on the mood I am in, just as I can’t prepare at night which clothes I will wear the next morning.
Well, I kind-of plan the books I’ll read. Let’s say I have good intentions!
Thanks for referring me to your French Literature lists. Helpful and encouraging. I had forgotten about Camus, some of which I have read, so not quite as blind to 20th century French literature as I feared. I like Amelie Nothomb too, and am grateful to be reminded of Simone de Beauvoir, who I had forgotten I intended to read.
I have always meant to read Manon des Sources (it being one of the few subtitled films I have had the patience to follow properly) but it appears on your list of possibly not enjoyed books?
Thanks Sarah.
If you read The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir, make sure to read the latest translation. The first one was abridged and included mistranslations/misinterpretations. It’s a great book.
I’m not a Pagnol fan. I liked the plays Marius, Fanny and César. You need to read Jean de Florette before Manon des Sources, since it’s its sequel.
Thanks for the heads up on Manon des Sources, I should have known that. I will also be careful with Simone de Beauvoir: they tend to show up in second hand shops, but then, of course, you take pot luck.
I think there are only two English translations of The Second Sex.
Hi Emma, Guy Savage recommended your blog to me because you are French but blog in English and the focus of my readings are French literary classics. I am excited to see that you have read so many books that I want to read such as the ones by Balzac. I’ve only read a couple of his, and didn’t take to his style of writing at first, but now I have come to appreciate him as one of my favorite authors. I look forward to using your blog as a resource for my readings.
http://minifrancais.wordpress.com/
Hello, thanks for visiting.
There are so many great French books. I’m glad you like our literature so much.
I’ll have a look at your blog.