The Bethie Bee

TIME recently published their list of the Top 100 Novels Since 1923. I was surprised and somewhat embarassed to find that I’ve only actually read 9 out of the 100 books (I was tempted to count movies, but I refrained). However, my Matty made me feel better about my list since he read even fewer than I did. (just kidding)

Here are the ones I’ve read:
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
1984 by George Orwell
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I own but have not yet read:
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

It was easier for me to choose my least favorite than my favorite of these books: I don’t know why, but I really disliked Lord of the Flies. I know that I’m like the first person ever to say that, and the truth is I can’t quite put my finger on why I didn’t like it. I suppose it’s just not my style, and maybe after I’ve read all of the others on the list I can go back to that one, and try to figure out why everyone loves it so much.

I really can’t choose a favorite, but will say that Animal Farm, The Catcher In The Rye, 1984, and To Kill a Mockingbird are my favorites.

I really should set aside time to catch up on the classics though, I’m rarely disappointed when I take the time to read a book like the ones on this list.