I loved Cloud Cuckoo Land. It takes a bit but once you get into it, it's amazing. I am not sure if it is your type of book if you ever read it I'd be so excited to hear your thoughts!!!
This made me text you but I'll put it here too: it is SO GOOD. I finished it over the weekend. (I'd ordered a handful of books off the NYT list and that was my first). I think you'll love it.
I appreciate you acknowledging the bias of this list, although it also means I’ve read a lot more on this list (although so far only one from my personal list has made the cut…I knew a lot of my choices were less well known, but I’m crossing my fingers for one or two more).
I read My Brilliant Friend probably 5 years ago and (very unpopular opinion!) I … don’t get it? I felt very bored and like nothing happened. I was shocked that it was NYT’s #1. What am I missing?!
I felt the same but wasn’t sure how to articulate it! Like it was good, but it was almost like the rambling inner thoughts of a young Italian girl during a boring period of history. 🤷🏻♀️
Same. I had to wonder if there was something I was missing about Italian culture. I felt nothing. I also felt that way about Tomorrow x3 and Never Let Me Go.
I couldn’t love this more! Thank you so much for putting this together. Nothing I voted for yet, but I can’t tell if that’s because I have very unpopular opinions or very popular opinions 😂 So far I’ve read 17 total, with 13 on my TBR.
Your feelings on #46 have come up for me a few times, but overall, these choices are much less baffling than the NYT choices (but probably in a large part because I am also a woman under 40 who reads 50+ books/year and not a litbro published author with an MFA)
I’m so excited every time a new segment of your list is published! I also have several books that Goodreads tells me I enjoyed 10+ years ago but have no memory of the plot 🤷🏻♀️ time for some re-reads!
Stephen King voting for his own book is the best! Anyone who hasn’t read Under the Dome should, it’s one of his very best villains.
I totally agree with you about bias and about women-focused art being devalued, and yet i also think that "best" captures an element beyond "popular", in the sense that things that are already popular - like Colleen Hoover's books - don't necessarily need to be anointed as best; they're already wildly accessible bestsellers. to me, "best" suggests a separation of the literary merit of the book from its success- basically trying to separate art and capitalism (which is kind of impossible). which is why the picks i loved the most in both your list ans NYT's list were the books I'd literally never heard of.
Two by Amor Towles so far … RULES OF CIVILITY is aging well and A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW is simply brilliant. I trust that THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY is still to come.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is so far the only one from my personal Top 10 that made it to the list. I think it's one of the most underrrated and miss-understood books. It only comouflages as a thriller but Stieg Larsson actually meant it as a powerful manifesto for women's rights. (Which makes it all the more meaningful it made it to this largely women-created list!). This is also reflected in the original title which translates as Man Who Hate Women but somehow every single translation ended up with a different title...
OK I've read 14 of these, bumping me up to 36.
I loved Cloud Cuckoo Land. It takes a bit but once you get into it, it's amazing. I am not sure if it is your type of book if you ever read it I'd be so excited to hear your thoughts!!!
No this one sounds not my vibe!
You’re lapping me here though, I’m up to 26 I’ve read and 9 I want to read.
From this one, the one I most want to read is Never Let Me Go.
This made me text you but I'll put it here too: it is SO GOOD. I finished it over the weekend. (I'd ordered a handful of books off the NYT list and that was my first). I think you'll love it.
Cat Willet needs to make tote bags. Or mugs! Love her graphics.
She makes so many cool things! You can buy here: https://www.catherinewillett.com/buy
But I like following her on IG because she posts her stained glass for sale there 😍
I appreciate you acknowledging the bias of this list, although it also means I’ve read a lot more on this list (although so far only one from my personal list has made the cut…I knew a lot of my choices were less well known, but I’m crossing my fingers for one or two more).
I read My Brilliant Friend probably 5 years ago and (very unpopular opinion!) I … don’t get it? I felt very bored and like nothing happened. I was shocked that it was NYT’s #1. What am I missing?!
The author also wrote The Lost Daughter, which I also didn't read, but I remember a friend's review of the movie: Nothing happened.
Same here! I was so bored by it and still do not get the hype!
I felt the same but wasn’t sure how to articulate it! Like it was good, but it was almost like the rambling inner thoughts of a young Italian girl during a boring period of history. 🤷🏻♀️
Same!
Same. I had to wonder if there was something I was missing about Italian culture. I felt nothing. I also felt that way about Tomorrow x3 and Never Let Me Go.
Ooo tomorrow x3 rocked my world 😂 but I always love how books speak differently to each reader!
I couldn’t love this more! Thank you so much for putting this together. Nothing I voted for yet, but I can’t tell if that’s because I have very unpopular opinions or very popular opinions 😂 So far I’ve read 17 total, with 13 on my TBR.
Your feelings on #46 have come up for me a few times, but overall, these choices are much less baffling than the NYT choices (but probably in a large part because I am also a woman under 40 who reads 50+ books/year and not a litbro published author with an MFA)
I had so much to say, but forgot it in a fit of giggles over “much like David S. Pumpkins”
Bet no one was expecting that!
I don't like disliking books, but I am pleased to find some solidarity in my feelings around #46.
Up to 27! Yay for amor towles! Need to reread a gentleman in moscow, such a gem!
The show is soooo good too
Ooh had no idea there was a show too!!
Yay!! Definitely going to check it ou!
It's on Prime! It perfectly captures the vibe of the book IMO — I hope you like!!
I’m so excited every time a new segment of your list is published! I also have several books that Goodreads tells me I enjoyed 10+ years ago but have no memory of the plot 🤷🏻♀️ time for some re-reads!
Stephen King voting for his own book is the best! Anyone who hasn’t read Under the Dome should, it’s one of his very best villains.
I totally agree with you about bias and about women-focused art being devalued, and yet i also think that "best" captures an element beyond "popular", in the sense that things that are already popular - like Colleen Hoover's books - don't necessarily need to be anointed as best; they're already wildly accessible bestsellers. to me, "best" suggests a separation of the literary merit of the book from its success- basically trying to separate art and capitalism (which is kind of impossible). which is why the picks i loved the most in both your list ans NYT's list were the books I'd literally never heard of.
I’ve read 26 so far, but my TBR is growing!😄
Just Mercy was the obvious snub on the original list for me! I'm glad to see it being discussed elsewhere.
Also... can't believe there aren't more David S. Pumpkins references in pop culture.
Two by Amor Towles so far … RULES OF CIVILITY is aging well and A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW is simply brilliant. I trust that THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY is still to come.
No spoilers 🤐
Your reaction to #46. Hahaha. That is to say, you made me laugh a lot there.
Love this - thanks for pulling this together!
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is so far the only one from my personal Top 10 that made it to the list. I think it's one of the most underrrated and miss-understood books. It only comouflages as a thriller but Stieg Larsson actually meant it as a powerful manifesto for women's rights. (Which makes it all the more meaningful it made it to this largely women-created list!). This is also reflected in the original title which translates as Man Who Hate Women but somehow every single translation ended up with a different title...
This is FASCINATING. I had no idea. Thank you for the mini publishing history lesson!