.......a journey called life

I am sure everyone has a list of things to do before they leave this earth for "god-knows-where"! I have 2 passions in life (non academic and non work related) - Reading and Traveling (this one is new). I will speak of the former in this post as I have not really come up with a list of places I must see but I have come up with a list of books I must read. Or rather, I have come up with many lists!

Let's begin with an information overload!

Here are some of the great novels and work of fiction (whatever you choose to call it) of all times. I was digging up the most authentic list but looks like I do not have either the acumen nor the authority to find which one is THE MOST authentic. So, I settled with these four:

Time's List
Guardian's List
Modern Library's List
BBC's List

But then, I thought unless I resolve the issue that which one is most authentic, how do I know which one to follow? There is some ambiguity and inconsistency in these lists and I was really confused as to which one should I use for my reference. For example, Moden Library (Reader's List) has almost all of Ayn Rand's books in the list where as BBC doesn't even talk about her. The reverse is the case with Terry Pratchet! BBC has 15 of his novels in the top 200 lists where as Modern Library doesn't even mention it. Time and Guardian also doesn't think that Ayn Rand should be there....

So, which one do I use? I thought I will use my taste as a hint of which list suits me more. I am a die hard fan of Ayn Rand and only the Modern Library list has given full justice to her. Besides, I did a quick check if novels which I have read and feel that they should be a part of the lists are there or not? Novels like Catch 22, To Kill a Mocking Bird, The Great Gatsby, The Catcher in the Rye, 1984 etc etc. Modern Library List scores full marks on this and I have my answer now. Hence, I will rather go with the modern library list.

But, Modern Library has missed some of my favorite books like "Love in the time of Cholera" and "All Quiet on the Western Front". So, I guess I will make a list of my own very soon and follow that. But it will be mostly derived from the Modern Library.

Basically, on my 60th Birthday, I should have a look at the list and proudly say to my grandchildren that I have read them all! That's the long term goal. Short term goal is to get my hands on the three books which are on my shelf - "Lord of the Rings", "Guns, Germs and Steel" and "The Lexus and the Olive Tree"

My reading times will start again which was on halt for long - ever since I thought about taking GMAT in May 2005. Life never stopped after that and now since I am done with my MBA and back in the work force, I guess I should get back to this wonderful hobby of mine! Haven't read much since then!