100 Lifetime Books

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    100 MUST-READ BOOKS

    100.The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe A drama about greed, social class, racismand politics in New York City during the 1980s. The storyline surprisingly presents thefoundations that ultimately led to Americas economic collapse during the following twentyyears.

    99.The Call of the Wild by Jack LondonPublished in 1903, this is Londons most popularwork because of its dark undertones and descriptive scenes of an untamed Yukon frontier. Theplot centers on a previously domesticated sled dog that transforms into a pack-dominating feralbeast who exhibits the primordial killer instincts that reside in all living beings.98.In Cold Blood by Truman Capote Considered by many critics to be the original non-fiction novel, this 1966 book details the brutal 1959 murders a farmer, wife and two children inrural Kansas. Capote deftly takes the reader into the minds of the two parolees who committedthe crimes and describes the effects of their actions on the local community.97.Ironweed by William Kennedy Winner of the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, this is thethird book in Kennedys highly-acclaimed Albany Cycle. This character-rich story centers on analcoholic vagrant who returns to Albany during the Great Depression after accidentally killing hisson.

    96.Watership Down by Richard Adams A classic fantasy novel about a small group ofEnglish rabbits who possess their own culture, language, proverbs and mythology. Although thisbook was initially rejected by numerous publishers, it has never been out of print since 1972.95.A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking This landmark science masterpiece issurprisingly readable given its exotic realms that range from the big bang theory to whathappens when the universe ends. As should happen with all great science essays, the reader isforever altered after reading about how creation works and what the concept of time reallymeans.94.The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington Winner of the 1919 Pulitzer Prize,this novel traces the declining fortunes of a quirky family during a period of rapid socioeconomicchange in Midwest America. An engrossing story that transports the reader into a way of life thathas long since disappeared.

    93.Les Miserables by Victor Hugo This sweeping 1892 French novel contains both factualand historic events while following the lives of several characters over a seventeen-year periodin the early nineteenth century. The main focus is on the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjeanand his path to rebuilding his reputation in a time of both excessive wealth and crushing poverty.92.Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez This Spanish novel wastranslated into English in 1988 and quickly received critical praise for its engrossing explorationof a love-sickness so deep that it could be considered an illness. Garcia Marquez does amasterful job of forcing the reader to question much of his characterizations by introducingunexpected elements that continually turn the plot inside out.91.The Teachings of Don Juan by Carlos Casteneda First published as a work ofanthropology, this mind-altering journey documents Castenedas apprenticeship with the YaquiIndian Sorcerer Don Juan. It is almost impossible to not feel totally transformed about the true

    meanings of reality after reading this sometimes shocking story.90.Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Taylor This is Taylors ninth novel andwinner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for fiction. The story focuses of the Tull family of Baltimoreand is told from the perspectives of a mother and her children, allowing the reader to witnessthe same event several times from differing viewpoints.89.Pilgrim At Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard This is a personal narrative of the authorsone-year exploration of her neighborhood in Tinker Creek, Virginia. An exhilarating meditationon nature and seasons told from a deeply self-revealing perspective.88.Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow An epic work of historical fiction set primarily in New YorkCity during the early 1900s. The story blends the lives of three fictional families with actualhistoric figures in a framework that richly reveals the events and settings of a transformingperiod in American history.

    87.Sophies Choice by William Styron An immediate bestseller that won the 1980 NationalBook Award. Styron masterfully crafts a story about a young American Southerner, a strugglingwriter, the Jewish Nathan Landau and his lover Sophie who survived a Nazi concentrationcamp.86.A Room With a View by E. M. Forster First published in 1908, this is the story of a youngwoman dealing with the repressed culture of Edwardian England. Set in both Italy and England,Forster explores the themes of repressed sexuality, religious constraints and bigotry asexperienced in the lives of two young lovers.

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    85.Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell This 1932 novel is set in rural Georgia during theworst years of the Great Depression. The plot revolves around a poor, white sharecroppingfamily as they struggle with farming cotton while dealing with poverty and the ignorance of aconflicted father.84.A Bright Shining Lie by Neil Sheehan Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction is1989, this is Sheehans account of military adviser John Paul Van and his experiences in

    Vietnam during the early 1960s. This book captures the passions and follies that ultimatelyresulted in making the Vietnam War one of Americas darkest periods in time. 83.A Bend in the River by V. S. Naipaul Nobel laureate Naipaul delivers a fluid tale set inan unnamed African country after independence. The narrator, Salim, is an Indian Muslimshopkeeper who observes the rapid changes occurring in his country with an outsiderperspective.82.The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom A simple, yet eloquent novel thatrecounts the life and death of an old maintenance man who meets five people in heaven whohave deeply affected his life. Albom offers here a new, refreshing perspective of the afterlife.81.A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Written during a time when Dickens wasdesperate for money, this novella met with instant success and critical acclaim. It is hard to notbe filled with the Christmas spirit after being immersed in this Victorian era story.

    80.Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig This is a book thatoften makes the reader struggle to comprehend the metaphysical concepts presented, but it iswell worth the effort. The story describes a seventeen-day motorcycle journey interspersed withwide-ranging philosophical discussions that makes one wonder about what really defines aconscious reality.79.The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson Although this is a non-fiction, historicalaccount of events surrounding the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1893, it reads like a well-crafteddetective novel. The plot intertwines both the monumental efforts required for building the fairand the tracking of a serial killer. A truly captivating read.78.A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway This semi-autobiographical novel revolvesaround events during the First World War. Although much of the plot is bleak, Hemingway wasimmediately elevated to the top ranks of modern American writers after its 1929 release.

    77.Dracula by Bram Stoker It is amazing that this 1897 novel has proven to be the fore-bearer of the current worldwide vampire craze in books and movies. More than just a tale aboutCount Dracula, this work touches on broad cultural themes that range from the role of women inVictorian culture to colonialism.76.Inferno by DanteThe first part of Dantes epic poem, the Divine Comedy, that describesa journey through a medieval representation of Hell. A thought provoking read through a Hellthat is depicted as nine circles of suffering on earth.75.Aspects of the Novel by E. M. Forster For any avid reader, this compilation of lecturesdelivered by Forster in 1927 fully explains the aspects of the English language novel. Especiallyinteresting is how he examines the novel in relationship to time.74.Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh Published in 1945, this novel revolves aroundthe aristocratic Marchmain family of England with themes heavily centered in Roman

    Catholicism. Waugh was ultimately disappointed in this work, but it has consistently withstoodthe test of time and critics.73.Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel SilversteinAlthough this is a collection of childrenspoems with simple illustrations, even adults can enjoy its fanciful tales of innocent wonder aboutthe world.72.Moby Dick by Herman Melville An epic tale of a battle between man and a white spermwhale that is still considered to be a true treasure of world literature. Melvilles themes aboutgood versus evil and the outcomes of obsessive revenge ring true even when compared tomany modern day events.71.The Adventures of Augie March by Saul BellowBellows picaresque style awakens thesenses in this story about a young man growing up during the Great Depression. A good readabout the steps of maturity with surprisingly comic undertones.

    70.The City In History by Lewis Mumford American historian Mumford offers a fluidaccount on how cities came to be and where they are heading within the context of his ideal ofan organic city.69.Main Street by Sinclair Lewis This 1920 satirical novel centers on a free-spirited youngwoman in a small Minnesota town. Its best known for its portrayals of small town petty gossipand backstabbing.

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    68.The Book of Lists by David Wallenchinsky A unique collection of unusual facts andesoteric topics ranging from famous people who died during sexual intercourse to the worstplaces to hitchhike.67.A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess This 1962 novella is more than a bit strangein both language and surreal scenes, but that is the whole point. Burgess masterfully turnsreality inside out.

    66.Treasure Island by Robert Lewis StevensonAnother childrens book that can bethoroughly enjoyed by adults. A coming-of-age story filled with action and adventure.65.Midnights Children by Salman Rushdie This novel has come to be considered a primeexample of magical realism. A very historical account of Indias transition from colonial rule toindependence.64.The Art of Memory by Frances A. Yates A landmark study on how people retained vastamounts of knowledge before the emergence of the printed page. Filled with fascinating insightsthat relate the art of memory to the history of culture.63.Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad A 1903 novella that explores the dark side ofBelgian colonization in Africa. Best known for its wild settings and Conrads portrayal of humancruelty.62.The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas Covering the period of 1815-1838, this

    story traces the life of a man wrongly imprisoned who eventually escapes, acquires great wealthand then seeks revenge against the men who falsely accused him. The historical setting is aprime element of the overall storyline.61.Jefferson and His Times by Dumas Malone A Pulitzer Prize winning work on the lifeand times of Thomas Jefferson. This biography is widely considered to be the authoritativestudy on Jefferson and his impact on America.60.The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger Attesting to its literary importance, this 1951novel still sells approximately 250,000 copies per year and has realized more than 65 millioncopies sold worldwide. Unquestionably the definitive story of modern teenage angst andrebellion.59.The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton Winner of the 1921 Pulitzer Prize for itsdelicate explorations into the assumptions and morals of New York society during the 1870s.

    Rich in diverse characters and the portrayal of life among the upper-class during the GildedAge.58.The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett In this 1930 novel Hammett defined the hard-boiled detective genre. A classic example of character and plot development where not a singleinner thought of a character is ever revealed.57.Out Of Africa by Isak Dinesen First published in 1937, this memoir recounts the life ofBaroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke who wrote under the Dinesen pen name. An immersion intoseventeen years on her African coffee plantation during a time of British colonization.56.Animal Farm by George Orwell This is a novella with a very large message. Although itwas first published in 1945, Orwells allegorical tale about a group of pigs that take control of afarm and attempt to shape a new society still creates haunting comparisons to present daypolitical struggles throughout the world.

    55.A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Its hard to pass up reading a book that hassold over 200 million copies since its 1859 release. A gripping tale that is set in London andParis before and during the French Revolution defined by the often brutal historical events thatcaused the pheasants revolt against the aristocracy.54.Darkness Visible by William Styron American writer Styron was best known for hisnovels, but deepened his readership with this memoir about his struggles with depression. Avery personal, painful journey into a deteriorating mental state.53.Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Loosely based on the authors childhoodexperiences, this 1868 novel tells the story of four sisters growing up in Massachusetts. Simplya pure reading delight.52.Brave New World by Aldous Huxley The futurist themes in this novel are still relevanttoday even though the book was published in 1932. Huxley sought to deliver a frightening vision

    of the future and did so with stunning clarity.51.Lord of the Flies by William Golding This story about a group of British boys whoattempt to govern themselves on a deserted island is absolutely chilling. Its controversialthemes earned it a position on the American Library Associations list of the most frequentlychallenged books during 1990-1999.50.The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X with Alex Haley Written as a spiritualconversation narrative, this 1965 publication takes the reader into the mind and soul of acommitted human rights activist who helped change Americas racial history.

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    49.The Rainbow by D. H. Lawrence After its release in 1915, this story that follows threegenerations of a family living in Nottinghamshire was banned in Britain for 11 years due to thesexual themes. Although the book is tame by modern standards, Lawrence masterfully shapeshuman sexuality into a spiritual force of life.48. A Prayer for Owen Meaney by John Irving Set in a small New England town during the1950s and 1960s, this is the story of a remarkable boy who truly believes himself to be one of

    Gods instruments. Irving relates an extraordinary journey that awakens the soul.47.The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka This 1915 novella is consistently cited as one of theseminal works of short fiction. Kafka deftly takes the reader inside the mind and life of atraveling salesman who awakens one day to find that he has been transformed into a horriblecreature.46.Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain Released in 2010, this three volume setpresents rambling writings that Twain instructed were not to be published until one hundredyears after his death. A very unconventional autobiography offering a look into the life andthoughts of a writer who left an indelible mark on American literature.45.The Naked and the Dead by Norman MailerThis was Mailers first published novel thathas been in consistent demand since its 1948 release. A well-crafted story blending militaryaction with deft character development.

    44.Deliverance by James Dickey After reading this novel, many people will probably neverwant to go canoeing in the Georgia wilderness. A disturbing look into brutality, survival and thepsychological aftermaths of lives that have been traumatically altered forever.43.The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy There are few living writers today who can match themastery of the English language and prose that Conroy presents in this 1986 novel revolvingaround the traumatic events of a South Carolina family. There are numerous passages in thisbook that people will want to reread just to experience the sheer joy of words well-written.42.Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie With this 1934 novel Christie shapedthe future of the murder mystery genre. It is praised not only for its story development, but alsofor being one of the best railway stories ever written.41.But Is It True? By Aaron Wildavsky Although it was first published in 1995, this guide toenvironmental health and safety issues is more relevant today than ever. Wildavsky does a

    splendid job of taking a fair and factual look at some very complex issues.40.Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin This semi-autobiographical 1953 novelexplores the role of the Christian church in the lives of African-Americans. An informative readthat subtly explores the effects of racism.39.Mythology by Edith Hamilton The writer was passionate about ancient mythology and itshows in this impressive work. A thorough yet very readable journey into Greek, Roman andNorse myths.38.Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden Written in first person, this is a novel that tellsthe story of a Japanese geisha around the time of World War II. An enjoyable journey throughJapanese culture and richly-detailed settings.37.Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller A truly landmark novel in that it led to obscenity trialstesting laws about pornography after its American release in 1961. Combining autobiographical

    facts with fiction, this story centers on Millers life as a struggling writer.36.As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner A wide-ranging novel that is narrated by 15 differentcharacters through 59 chapters. Faulkners technique has consistently ranked this work amongthe best writings of the 20th century.35.Storming Heaven by Jay Stephens A mind-altering account of American social historyfrom the Forties through the Sixties. Whatever you think you know about this culturallytransforming time period is probably wrong until you read this book.34.Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury For any avid reader, this 1953 novel about a future

    America where reading is outlawed and books are burned will send chills through the spine.Bradburys predictions that future information would be distributed through factoids devoid ofcontext has proven to be strangely real in this age of the Internet.33.Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Widely considered to be the prime example of realist

    fiction. This sweeping story of Czarist Russia is nothing less than breathtaking.32.Alices Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll This 1865 novel is still consideredto be the prime example of the nonsense and fantasy genres. A fun read that continues to beloved by all generations.31.The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Of all the contenders for the title ofThe Great American Novel, none has a better claim than The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.Intended at first as a simple story of a boys adventures in the Mississ ippi Valley-a sequel to

    http://38pitches.com/TheRainbowhttp://38pitches.com/TheRainbowhttp://38pitches.com/TheRainbowhttp://38pitches.com/APrayerForOwnMeaneyhttp://38pitches.com/APrayerForOwnMeaneyhttp://38pitches.com/APrayerForOwnMeaneyhttp://38pitches.com/TheMetamorphosishttp://38pitches.com/TheMetamorphosishttp://38pitches.com/TheMetamorphosishttp://38pitches.com/AutobiographyOfMarkTwainhttp://38pitches.com/AutobiographyOfMarkTwainhttp://38pitches.com/AutobiographyOfMarkTwainhttp://38pitches.com/TheNaked&TheDeadhttp://38pitches.com/TheNaked&TheDeadhttp://38pitches.com/TheNaked&TheDeadhttp://38pitches.com/Deliverancehttp://38pitches.com/Deliverancehttp://38pitches.com/Deliverancehttp://38pitches.com/ThePrinceOfTideshttp://38pitches.com/ThePrinceOfTideshttp://38pitches.com/ThePrinceOfTideshttp://38pitches.com/MurderOnTheOrienthttp://38pitches.com/MurderOnTheOrienthttp://38pitches.com/MurderOnTheOrienthttp://38pitches.com/ButIsItTruehttp://38pitches.com/ButIsItTruehttp://38pitches.com/ButIsItTruehttp://38pitches.com/GoTellItOnTheMountainhttp://38pitches.com/GoTellItOnTheMountainhttp://38pitches.com/GoTellItOnTheMountainhttp://38pitches.com/Mythologyhttp://38pitches.com/Mythologyhttp://38pitches.com/Mythologyhttp://38pitches.com/MemoirsOfAGeishahttp://38pitches.com/MemoirsOfAGeishahttp://38pitches.com/MemoirsOfAGeishahttp://38pitches.com/TropicOfCancerhttp://38pitches.com/TropicOfCancerhttp://38pitches.com/TropicOfCancerhttp://38pitches.com/AsILayDyinghttp://38pitches.com/AsILayDyinghttp://38pitches.com/AsILayDyinghttp://38pitches.com/StormingHeavenhttp://38pitches.com/StormingHeavenhttp://38pitches.com/StormingHeavenhttp://38pitches.com/Fahrenheit451http://38pitches.com/Fahrenheit451http://38pitches.com/Fahrenheit451http://38pitches.com/AnnaKareninahttp://38pitches.com/AnnaKareninahttp://38pitches.com/AnnaKareninahttp://38pitches.com/AlicesAdventureshttp://38pitches.com/AlicesAdventureshttp://38pitches.com/AlicesAdventureshttp://38pitches.com/AlicesAdventureshttp://38pitches.com/TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinnhttp://38pitches.com/TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinnhttp://38pitches.com/TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinnhttp://38pitches.com/TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinnhttp://38pitches.com/AlicesAdventureshttp://38pitches.com/AnnaKareninahttp://38pitches.com/Fahrenheit451http://38pitches.com/StormingHeavenhttp://38pitches.com/AsILayDyinghttp://38pitches.com/TropicOfCancerhttp://38pitches.com/MemoirsOfAGeishahttp://38pitches.com/Mythologyhttp://38pitches.com/GoTellItOnTheMountainhttp://38pitches.com/ButIsItTruehttp://38pitches.com/MurderOnTheOrienthttp://38pitches.com/ThePrinceOfTideshttp://38pitches.com/Deliverancehttp://38pitches.com/TheNaked&TheDeadhttp://38pitches.com/AutobiographyOfMarkTwainhttp://38pitches.com/TheMetamorphosishttp://38pitches.com/APrayerForOwnMeaneyhttp://38pitches.com/TheRainbow
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    Tom Sawyer-the book grew and matured under Twains hand into a work of immeasurablerichness and complexity.30.Tender Is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald This novel was the last completed work byFitzgerald and considered by many to be his bleakest. A moving story about a youngpsychoanalyst and his wife that was written during a time when Fitzgeralds own wife wasundergoing treatment for schizophrenia.

    29.Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Widely considered to be the best workby this very prolific author. Hucks adventures through a Southern antebellum countryside bringto life a society that Twain mocks for both its entrenched attitudes and overt racism.28.The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du Bois A groundbreaking collection of essays onbeing black during the early 1900s in America. These writings provide an interesting perspectiveon how far America has progressed with racism and how much is still left to be done.27.To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Winner of the Pulitzer Prize after its release in1960, this novel about life and racism in a Southern town was an instant hit. The protagonist ofthe story, Atticus Finch, has become one of the best known characters in modern literature.26.Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell What more is there to say about a novel thatis so deeply entrenched in the American lexicon. It is worth the read if for no other reason thanto experience a Southern culture that disappeared after the Civil War.

    25.Native Son by Richard Wright This story about an African-American living in Chicagoduring the 1930s challenges every perception about poverty, racism and societal conditions. Avery thought-provoking read.24.The Declaration of Independence by Carl L. Becker This is a book that every Americanshould read. A very informative study on what the Declaration really is, how it arose and how ithas been viewed by succeeding generations.23.The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams A novel that is an adaptationof a BBC radio show of the same name. This comedy science fiction story takes the reader on aride that is both fun and surreal.22. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.- Recognized as Vonneguts most influentialwork, this satirical novel is structured around his experiences during World War II. The majorthemes about fate and free will are masterfully woven into a story that leaves the protagonist

    unstuck in time.21.Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison Winner of the 1953 National Book Award, this was theonly novel published by Ellison during his lifetime. The story addresses many of the socialissues facing African-Americans in the early twentieth century.20.Americas Great Depression by Murray N. Rothbard A landmark study on the causesand effects of Americas deepest economic downturn. This is worth reading to understand howworld economies may now be repeating the same monetary mistakes.19.To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf Woolf was lifted to the top of modernist novelistswith this 1927 novel. Although the prose can be hard to follow, the story is masterfully crafted ina method where the plot is secondary to the philosophical introspection of the main characters.18.On the Road by Jack Kerouac A largely autobiographical novel that has beenconsistently hailed as the seminal writing of the beat generation. A free-wheeling road trip

    across 1950s America.17.Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose American historian Ambrose presents theepic journey of Lewis and Clark across the uncharted western frontier with the ease of a greatnovelist. Filled with fascinating historical facts ranging from the beginning of the journey to theultimately sad demise of these two courageous men.16.The Hobbit by J. R. R. TolkienOriginally published as a childrens book in 1937, thisfantastical tale has come to be embraced by people of all ages. A story containing all of theaspects of a great action adventure.15.Catch-22 by Joseph Heller A 1961 satirical novel that is frequently recognized as one ofthe greatest literary works of modern time. The time line of the plot is extremely unique in thatevents occur out of order and are described from different points of view.14.Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry The reader of this 1947 novel is taken on a

    mescal-fueled journey set in a small Mexican town. A book that has been primarily praised forits pressure filled passages that follows the main characters descent into a purgatory of his ownmaking.13.The Varieties of Religious Experiences by William James This collection of thoughtson psychology and religious philosophy has consistently been in print for over a century. Animmersion into the differences between symbolism and reality.

    http://38pitches.com/TenderIsTheNighthttp://38pitches.com/TenderIsTheNighthttp://38pitches.com/TenderIsTheNighthttp://38pitches.com/AdventuresOfHuckleberryFinnhttp://38pitches.com/AdventuresOfHuckleberryFinnhttp://38pitches.com/AdventuresOfHuckleberryFinnhttp://38pitches.com/TheSoulsOfBlackFolkhttp://38pitches.com/TheSoulsOfBlackFolkhttp://38pitches.com/TheSoulsOfBlackFolkhttp://38pitches.com/TheKillingAMockingbirdhttp://38pitches.com/TheKillingAMockingbirdhttp://38pitches.com/TheKillingAMockingbirdhttp://38pitches.com/GoneWithTheWindhttp://38pitches.com/GoneWithTheWindhttp://38pitches.com/GoneWithTheWindhttp://38pitches.com/NativeSonhttp://38pitches.com/NativeSonhttp://38pitches.com/NativeSonhttp://38pitches.com/TheDeclarationOfIndependencehttp://38pitches.com/TheDeclarationOfIndependencehttp://38pitches.com/TheDeclarationOfIndependencehttp://38pitches.com/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxyhttp://38pitches.com/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxyhttp://38pitches.com/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxyhttp://38pitches.com/SlaughterhouseFivehttp://38pitches.com/SlaughterhouseFivehttp://38pitches.com/SlaughterhouseFivehttp://38pitches.com/InvisibleManhttp://38pitches.com/InvisibleManhttp://38pitches.com/InvisibleManhttp://38pitches.com/AmericasGreatDepressionhttp://38pitches.com/AmericasGreatDepressionhttp://38pitches.com/AmericasGreatDepressionhttp://38pitches.com/AmericasGreatDepressionhttp://38pitches.com/ToTheLighthousehttp://38pitches.com/ToTheLighthousehttp://38pitches.com/ToTheLighthousehttp://38pitches.com/OnTheRoadhttp://38pitches.com/OnTheRoadhttp://38pitches.com/OnTheRoadhttp://38pitches.com/UndauntedCouragehttp://38pitches.com/UndauntedCouragehttp://38pitches.com/UndauntedCouragehttp://38pitches.com/TheHobbithttp://38pitches.com/TheHobbithttp://38pitches.com/TheHobbithttp://38pitches.com/Catch22http://38pitches.com/Catch22http://38pitches.com/Catch22http://38pitches.com/UnderTheVolcanohttp://38pitches.com/UnderTheVolcanohttp://38pitches.com/UnderTheVolcanohttp://38pitches.com/TheVaritiesOfReligiousExperienceshttp://38pitches.com/TheVaritiesOfReligiousExperienceshttp://38pitches.com/TheVaritiesOfReligiousExperienceshttp://38pitches.com/TheVaritiesOfReligiousExperienceshttp://38pitches.com/UnderTheVolcanohttp://38pitches.com/Catch22http://38pitches.com/TheHobbithttp://38pitches.com/UndauntedCouragehttp://38pitches.com/OnTheRoadhttp://38pitches.com/ToTheLighthousehttp://38pitches.com/AmericasGreatDepressionhttp://38pitches.com/InvisibleManhttp://38pitches.com/SlaughterhouseFivehttp://38pitches.com/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxyhttp://38pitches.com/TheDeclarationOfIndependencehttp://38pitches.com/NativeSonhttp://38pitches.com/GoneWithTheWindhttp://38pitches.com/TheKillingAMockingbirdhttp://38pitches.com/TheSoulsOfBlackFolkhttp://38pitches.com/AdventuresOfHuckleberryFinnhttp://38pitches.com/TenderIsTheNight
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    12.An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser Dreiser based this novel on a true 1906crime in Upstate New York. A chilling story a boy raised by very religious parents who descendsinto the dark underbelly of American life.11.Rabbit, Run by John UpdikeThe praise for this novel is based on Updikes stylistic useof the present tense. It presents a very likeable 26-year-old character who struggles with theconstraints of modern life.

    10.A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson Name any branch of science andBryson brilliantly explains it in plain terms in this dazzling work. The subject matter focuses onnot only what we know about the universe, but also how we know it.9.The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck Winner of both the Pulitzer Prize in 1940 andthe Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962. It is hard not to be moved by this story of a poor familyforced to move from their Oklahoma land during the Great Depression.8.Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov A creepy, yet sophisticated story of the main characterssexual obsession with a 12-year-old girl. Highly noted for both Nabokovs stylistic prose and hisdelicate handling of a controversial subject matter.7.Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevski Although this story was written in the late1800s, it still defines the ongoing question concerning whether a crime is permissible whencommitted in pursuit of a higher social purpose. This novel brings to the surface many

    philosophical dilemmas.6.The Trial by Franz Kafka Known for his unique writing style where one sentence can spanan entire page, Kafka has proven to be a literary giant against whom other writers are oftencompared. This story about a man who is arrested and prosecuted by a remote, inaccessibleauthority is considered by many to be the prime example of Kafkas genius.5.The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand A landmark collection of essays where Randturns the concept of selfishness into a virtue. Highly controversial, but a work that lays thefoundation for redefining a rational code of human ethics.4.Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington This 1901 autobiography provides thoughtchanging insights into what it was like to be a man raised as a child slave who later strives tomake a mark on American history. A true lesson about black history after the Civil War.3.Ulysses by James Joyce A heavy read that people seem to either love or hate due to

    Joyces experimental prose. Yet this novel is consistently in the top ranks of must readsbecause of the masterful way Joyce crafts a 650 story where all of the events take place withina single day.2.1984 by George Orwell A 1949 novel that is sure to receive greater attention in ourpresent age of terrorism. Orwells themes about a society defined by perpetual wars, heavygovernment surveillance, thought control and an oppressive dictatorship have proven tobecome a harsh reality in many countries throughout the world since 9/11.1.The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Widely regarded to be the prime example of theGreat American Novel. Fitzgeralds soaring tale about American society during the spring toautumn of 1922 exemplifies the meaning of storytelling at its best.

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