Top Twenty Novels
I read an interesting article today that talked about current dating trends. Since things are so expensive these days, a new trend is heading to the library/book store and browsing for novels. Seems lots of "20-somethings" are doing this for their first or second dates. The couple heads into their local library/book store and compare favorite novels. Sometimes they even buy novels for the other person to read. Apparently it's a "great way to get to know someone new." While I do think it would be a fun way to spend an afternoon, I'm not totally sure if it's the best way to get to know someone.
I adore Douglas Adams, but I also love Thomas Hardy and Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman and A. A. Milne. Would someone really chose not to or to be my friend/date me because of a handful of authors/novels? I know things in common is important, but my novel sections aren't the only things that make me me. Still, it did make me think: if I could rec my twenty favorite novels - what would they be?
I made a list. It's in no order. Just the way they came into my head.
01. Winnie-The Pooh/The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne
02. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (I like the series, but nothing beats the first one)
03. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
04. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
05. Tess of the d'Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy
06. Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
07. After Dark by Haruki Murakami
08. Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami
09. The Chronicles of Prydain (all five! favs are the 1st and 5th) by Lloyd Alexander
10. Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
11. Going Postal/Money Money by Terry Pratchett
12. Beauty by Robin McKinley
13. Battle Royale by Kōshun Takami
14. Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart
15. Mercury Under my Tongue by Sylvain Trudel
16. Socrates in Love by Kyoichi Katayama
17. Gormenghast (whole series) by Mervyn Peake
18. Goth by Otsu-ichi
19. Be With You by Takuji Ichikawa
20. The Summer of the Ubume by Natsuhiko Kyogoku
Honesty it was tough to narrow them down.
I adore Douglas Adams, but I also love Thomas Hardy and Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman and A. A. Milne. Would someone really chose not to or to be my friend/date me because of a handful of authors/novels? I know things in common is important, but my novel sections aren't the only things that make me me. Still, it did make me think: if I could rec my twenty favorite novels - what would they be?
I made a list. It's in no order. Just the way they came into my head.
01. Winnie-The Pooh/The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne
02. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (I like the series, but nothing beats the first one)
03. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
04. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
05. Tess of the d'Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy
06. Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
07. After Dark by Haruki Murakami
08. Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami
09. The Chronicles of Prydain (all five! favs are the 1st and 5th) by Lloyd Alexander
10. Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
11. Going Postal/Money Money by Terry Pratchett
12. Beauty by Robin McKinley
13. Battle Royale by Kōshun Takami
14. Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart
15. Mercury Under my Tongue by Sylvain Trudel
16. Socrates in Love by Kyoichi Katayama
17. Gormenghast (whole series) by Mervyn Peake
18. Goth by Otsu-ichi
19. Be With You by Takuji Ichikawa
20. The Summer of the Ubume by Natsuhiko Kyogoku
Honesty it was tough to narrow them down.