We all like lists. But they are very personal, very unique things. No matter the general applicability of the topic of the list, it is always subjective, always personally reflective. Perhaps one of the neatest things about lists generally is that one can make a list of anything, from something as prosaic and everyday as a grocery list all the way up to a list of the (supposedly) greatest musical compositions ever penned. Check out the Book of Lists if you haven't already. I think there are at least three volumes, all equally fascinating and entertaining.

What got me going on this today was that I encountered a great list... 100 Must-Read Books, The Essential Man's Library. Not only was the list terrific, it was presented in a way I found both attractive and readable. Here's where I found it: http://artofmanliness.com/

Ladies, don't be too put off by the gender bias of the list's title. While the list does include books of particular application to maleness, there are great books included that everyone ought to read sometime in their life.

I listed a bunch of books off the list to follow up on and read, both fiction and non-fiction. There were some that already reside on my shelf but I've yet to get to it. Much to my personal glee, there were quite a number that I have read and would put on my own list of great books.

The presentation of the list included many thought-provoking quotes from a lot of the books, several of which I found myself jotting down to read over at leisure.

Bloggers are all readers and so I invite you to have a look at this site and their list. I guarantee that you will be moved to read several (if not many) of them.

Comments:

That site is great!! Thanks.

Great site! I've always wanted to read The Dharma Bums (Kerouac) and will ck out the Carnegie book at the library!I haven't exhausted every page of this site, but I hope Anna Karenina is in there somewhere. I read lots of these books in elementary school and jr. high. Our nuns were determined to raise literate orators/debaters. AK has a cast of thousands (perfect if you have ADD).

comment by november on May 15, 2008 12:50 PM ()

Ah! We will have to compare notes while eating our corned beef sandwiches!

reply by november on May 15, 2008 3:08 PM ()

I've read "On the Road" but now I'm going to look for "Dharma Bums," along with a number of others on that list.

reply by looserobes on May 15, 2008 2:20 PM ()

Steve, I am a daily LIST writer!!! I have the second edition of "Lists to live by" is that the same book? I also enjoy saving the Weekly column of people and their top 5 books to read and then 1 they can't live without and one that a CHILD should read over and over, or something like that, you can find it at NEWSWEEK.com
Anyhow, I'll have some serious library time this summer....we have so many books and bookcases at home.I need to not buy any new books for several YEARS!! I love Books... I love Reading, but I have only been able to read books since I was 40 years old!!! I was finally diagnosed with a learning disability and dyslexia and WOWOWOW, besides gardening, reading is my all time favorite activity now a days!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Barb

comment by darkstar on May 15, 2008 10:54 AM ()

"The Book of Lists" is by Amy & Irving Wallace & David Wallechinsky.

reply by looserobes on May 15, 2008 12:02 PM ()

I do not have too much of a list.Just one my favorite.
The S----listOh!what do I know.

comment by fredo on May 15, 2008 10:15 AM ()

You mean the list you're always putting martin on?

reply by looserobes on May 15, 2008 11:58 AM ()

I've just been over there, it's very interesting too. I'm going to bookmark it for future reference

comment by augusta on May 15, 2008 9:43 AM ()

I did too...

reply by looserobes on May 15, 2008 11:57 AM ()

comment by miker on May 15, 2008 9:30 AM ()

You would ask that!Likely answer: hardly any.But important books such as these I tend to prefer buying rather than renting so that I have them on the bookshelf to return to whenever I wish.

reply by looserobes on May 15, 2008 11:56 AM ()

I'll check it out, we are all big readers in my house. Thanks