I totally agree. Some really large books digress or.go off on.a tangent that makes you wonder, "am I still.reading the same.book?" But not the Goldfinch. I didn't want it to.end.
Great list. I have not yet read The stone diaries, The unknown world and March. I loved Middlesex, The hours and The goldfinch. There are a lot of mixed opinions about The goldfinch.
I haven't read any of the books featured here but I also have a copy of the "The Hours" and I really liked the movie. I once heard Edward Jones in a radio interview on "Fresh Air" and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing him. April, since "March" might be considered a "spin-off" of "Little Women" I'd like to recommend "Catherine, Her Book" by John Wheatcroft (1980), an excellent spin-off to "Wuthering Heights". In the Bronte novel Mr. Lockwood finds a book in which Catherine Earnshaw kept a journal and she wrote at the start "Catherine, Her Book". The Wheatcroft novel is Catherine's journal. There's even a glossary of Yorkshire temrinology from the late 1700's.
The road is intense!!! LOVED The Goldfinch. The Hours, Middlesex and The Stone Diaries are still waiting on my shelves too. I wasn't a fan of a Visit From The Goon Squad, but I really wanted to be. You have lots of great reading ahead.
I have had The Road and The Known World forever but still have not read them. Gotta make a note on that. The Endless TBR: Can't catch up. Enjoy the books.
No no no no listen !!!! The Goldfinch is a masterpiece! The main character I fell in.love with and I just loved the story and his character so much and towards the end her writing and musings on life and death had me literally sobbing....it is a beast of a book that you will love. The character development is so.well.done that I felt sad to leave the characters. Please do.read it! Im.reading her first book now.#thesecretHistory and I read some.varied.reviews as well. Im.enjoying it. She's one of.my all.time.favorite authors and I plan to.read all.of.her books. Do.not.let the size of.it.scare you. I loved the boy and loved watching him.grow up. Ugh. People who.bashed that book.... I just.do.not.get.it.
I know that the Goldfinch seems a bit daunting, but I found it to be really well written. I did feel it could have ended sooner than it did but I would recommend it. Great idea for a video! I have shamefully not read many of these books.
I have The Known Workd but haven’t read it yet. I did read The Goldfinch and it is a beast of a book, and it had its aggravating moments, but I loved it. I wish Donna Tartt would come out with a new book; I’ve read all three of them and enjoyed them. Be brave and read it, April lol; I have faith in you.
Chabon's book is fantastic! I am so glad you got it. It is so epic and amazing. I cannot wait to hear what you think about it. The Hours is also very good. I highly recommend reading Mrs. Dalloway just prior. I find that it really helps enjoy that novel. Middlesex is so so so good. Oh my goodness. It is brilliant. Read it ASAP. And oh my goodness The Known World is amazing as well. This is such a great TBR. I really liked March. And I need to get to The Goldfinch as well. I am worried about the mixed reviews as well. Gilead is so lovely - I think you could listen to it and I think it has amazing power that way. GREAT LIST
i haven't read either "the known world" or "the road" but i've read and enjoyed all the others..i would say not to be put off by the size of "the goldfinch" as it moves along very swiftly except, for me, for the long, long scenes in las vegas...i think perhaps "the stone diaries" would go nicely after march.
We have so many of the same TBR books! I must read March because Little Women is one of my favorites, and The Road is another that I’ve had forever and should really read soon. The Hours is beautifully written and so so good. I also loved Middlesex!
So lovely! Yes I'm reading Little Women right now which feels like a big hug. And then I'm going to read March in December! It feels like it'd be a nice holiday read!
Middlesex is great, there is a lot of humour in it. I find Jeffery Eugenides to be super pretentious (Donna Tartt too, in my opinion), but I still enjoy his books. Also, if you want to save your arms listen to the audio book of The Goldfinch, I did since I would never have read the book otherwise. It's around 28 hours or something and the narrator does an excellent job. I loved it, but I also see why it's a bit of a love it or hate it novel.
I also have Goldfinch, The Road and Goon Squad on my TBR shelf. Right now, I am reading Booker winners for a challenge and then I will get back to my Pulitzer reading too. Enjoy your project.
I've got "The Known World" in my (ever increasing) to-read pile, it sounds SO good. I'd also recommend "Olive Kitteridge" as a very good Pulitzer Prize winner!
So many good books on this list- of course : ) And so many I enjoyed! Particularly Middlesex and The Road- those two I have read over five years ago now and they have both really stuck with me. I've read a couple of the others, and enjoyed them as well. Hadn't heard of The Stone Diaries! Added it to my TBR.
I've read all of these. My list (from favorite to least favorite) is: 1. The Goldfinch - tie for first 2. A Visit from the Goon Squad - tie for first 3. The Hours 4. March 5. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay 6. Middlesex 7. The Road 8. The Stone Diaries 9. The known World 10. Gilead
How have I never heard of March before??? I adore Little Women, it was one of the first classics that I ever read and has such a special place in my heart. My younger sister and cousins (I'm the oldest and we are stair-stepped in age by two years) would play Little Women dressing up in tablecloths and such. Not sure why I am rambling on about childhood memories, but I do love that book so very much!!! I'm most definitely going to need to get my hands on a copy sooner rather than later. On a completely different note, I feel like we have such similar taste in books!!!! Just by looking at your shelves behind you and the books you haul/mention I feel like I may have found a book soul sister! Speaking of shelves, have you read Gentleman in Moscow yet? I have it on my shelves as well but just haven't gotten around to reading it!
Oh I love that you played Little Women with your sister and cousins. That's so sweet! I agree! I think we are book soul sisters for sure! I haven't read Gentleman in Moscow yet. I think that's one of Robyn's picks for her Blast from the Past bookclub coming up. But I'm not always perfect at following along with a set TBR. Lol
I've only read 4 of these but out of those 4 my favourite is Middlesex, it's a fantastic book! If you fancy a buddy read, I have Gilead on my shelves and would be happy to discuss? 😊
I've been wanting to read The Hours for so long now, but have been putting it off until I'd read Mrs Dalloway (which I have now done so I should get on to reading The Hours, shouldn't I?). I can't wait to read The Goldfinch, but at the same time I'm scared to do it, because The Secret History by her is the best book I've read this year and among the best books I've ever read, so my expectations might be a bit high. But The Secret History also had a bunch of unlikable characters, which was one of the things I really liked!
This book.ALSO MADR ME WEEP - THE GILEAD. Although it didn't have to modern vibe and the story was just eh for.me, the characters and the emotions that the writing brought out made me want to.read all.of her books.as well. It's a lovely book.
The Goldfinch *is* a beast, isn't it!? I have it too but it's size is so offputting. I also have The Secret History unread on my shelves and I feel like I should really read that first - even though I know they're not related! I enjoyed this video. It's a great collection of books. Lucy
I'd love to buddy read The Road with you! I can't believe we haven't read anything together yet! I was kinda hoping to read warm and happy books in December but maybe January? When were you hoping to read it? I'm so so excited to read March. My goodness - definitely going to read it in December. It seems like a perfect Christmas book!
I had no immediate plans, and would be MORE than happy to wait and read it in January. I'd like to read warm and happy books in December as well, so that's good!
Great list 😊 I was not the biggest fan of the road but I do know I'm in the minority...it just didn't do anything for me. And I also really need to read Middlesex! I'm definitely going to do that next year. I was so intimidated by The Goldfinch so I got rid of it lol...i just don't need that kind of pressure 😂
I read The Road. I heard amazing things about it, but I am not a big fan of dystopian. I thought it was ok. And I'm sorry to say, I read the Goldfinch and I didn't enjoy it. It is split into 3 parts and I liked the first part. The second part I found awful and tedious. It improved again in the last part, but overall I don't care for it, unfortunately. So so far, not the best experience with Pulitzer Prize winners here. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, The Hours, Middlesex and Gilead are on my TBR, but I will probably not get to any of those this year. And I will definitely check out the other ones on your list.
Arggg my TBR keep growing! I'd like to add Junot Diaz there, he's written AMAZING books, I recommend starting with "the brief and marvelous life of oscar wao".
Getting Hygge With It it’s really an amazing book in my opinion. I know a little about the Dominican Republic and actually know a few people from there, I feel like the book is as genuine as they come, it’s really something else when you read it, it captures the feeling and culture of the country beautifully and yet it breaks your heart!! I highly recommend!
I could not finish The Goldfinch. I made it over halfway, but found it to be totally soulless. I have no idea why books that elevate this type of degeneration are hyped and pushed. I sound like a little old lady, I know, but I teach middle school students who face deplorable lives. In fact some already live them. The Goldfinch wasn't worthy of my time.
The goldfinch is the best!!!! And it is incredibly readable and fast-paced, trust me it’s awesome!
Yay! Okay I'm so glad you liked it! I'm still very nervous about it because of its sheer size but I'm happy to know you enjoyed it!
I totally agree. Some really large books digress or.go off on.a tangent that makes you wonder, "am I still.reading the same.book?" But not the Goldfinch. I didn't want it to.end.
Great list. I have not yet read The stone diaries, The unknown world and March. I loved Middlesex, The hours and The goldfinch. There are a lot of mixed opinions about The goldfinch.
I'm so glad to hear you liked The Goldfinch, Simona! Yes for sure there are mixed opinions on it.
I haven't read any of the books featured here but I also have a copy of the "The Hours" and I really liked the movie. I once heard Edward Jones in a radio interview on "Fresh Air" and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing him. April, since "March" might be considered a "spin-off" of "Little Women" I'd like to recommend "Catherine, Her Book" by John Wheatcroft (1980), an excellent spin-off to "Wuthering Heights". In the Bronte novel Mr. Lockwood finds a book in which Catherine Earnshaw kept a journal and she wrote at the start "Catherine, Her Book". The Wheatcroft novel is Catherine's journal. There's even a glossary of Yorkshire temrinology from the late 1700's.
Hey Andrew! Sadly I really didn't like Wuthering Heights! I wish I had but I just couldn't get into it.
I hear you! Sometimes the reader and the book just don't click. I didn't care for "The Odyssey"---and I had to read it in three different classes!
The road is intense!!! LOVED The Goldfinch. The Hours, Middlesex and The Stone Diaries are still waiting on my shelves too. I wasn't a fan of a Visit From The Goon Squad, but I really wanted to be. You have lots of great reading ahead.
I have had The Road and The Known World forever but still have not read them. Gotta make a note on that. The Endless TBR: Can't catch up. Enjoy the books.
No no no no listen !!!! The Goldfinch is a masterpiece! The main character I fell in.love with and I just loved the story and his character so much and towards the end her writing and musings on life and death had me literally sobbing....it is a beast of a book that you will love. The character development is so.well.done that I felt sad to leave the characters. Please do.read it! Im.reading her first book now.#thesecretHistory and I read some.varied.reviews as well. Im.enjoying it. She's one of.my all.time.favorite authors and I plan to.read all.of.her books. Do.not.let the size of.it.scare you. I loved the boy and loved watching him.grow up. Ugh. People who.bashed that book.... I just.do.not.get.it.
This is so good to read! I will read The Goldfinch!
I know that the Goldfinch seems a bit daunting, but I found it to be really well written. I did feel it could have ended sooner than it did but I would recommend it. Great idea for a video! I have shamefully not read many of these books.
I haven't read any of them so don't feel bad!!
I have March. I think I’m planning on reading it in January with all my other short books.
That's a lovely time! I'm going to read it in December as one of my Christmassy books!
I have The Known Workd but haven’t read it yet. I did read The Goldfinch and it is a beast of a book, and it had its aggravating moments, but I loved it. I wish Donna Tartt would come out with a new book; I’ve read all three of them and enjoyed them. Be brave and read it, April lol; I have faith in you.
Ha ha! I will be brave one of these days!
Donna Tartt averages a book a decade and is on the record that her next novel will be no different (time-wise).
I've got lots of those on my TBR also. Been on my shelves forever. Middlesex and The Hours are amazing.
Chabon's book is fantastic! I am so glad you got it. It is so epic and amazing. I cannot wait to hear what you think about it. The Hours is also very good. I highly recommend reading Mrs. Dalloway just prior. I find that it really helps enjoy that novel. Middlesex is so so so good. Oh my goodness. It is brilliant. Read it ASAP. And oh my goodness The Known World is amazing as well. This is such a great TBR. I really liked March. And I need to get to The Goldfinch as well. I am worried about the mixed reviews as well. Gilead is so lovely - I think you could listen to it and I think it has amazing power that way. GREAT LIST
i haven't read either "the known world" or "the road" but i've read and enjoyed all the others..i would say not to be put off by the size of "the goldfinch" as it moves along very swiftly except, for me, for the long, long scenes in las vegas...i think perhaps "the stone diaries" would go nicely after march.
Okay I won't give up on TG then!!! Stone Diaries does seem wonderful, doesn't it? I remember reading the first line and thinking "yes!"
We have so many of the same TBR books! I must read March because Little Women is one of my favorites, and The Road is another that I’ve had forever and should really read soon. The Hours is beautifully written and so so good. I also loved Middlesex!
So lovely! Yes I'm reading Little Women right now which feels like a big hug. And then I'm going to read March in December! It feels like it'd be a nice holiday read!
Middlesex is great, there is a lot of humour in it. I find Jeffery Eugenides to be super pretentious (Donna Tartt too, in my opinion), but I still enjoy his books. Also, if you want to save your arms listen to the audio book of The Goldfinch, I did since I would never have read the book otherwise. It's around 28 hours or something and the narrator does an excellent job. I loved it, but I also see why it's a bit of a love it or hate it novel.
Maybe I'll audiobook Goldfinch! Great idea!! Thanks Michelle!
I also have Goldfinch, The Road and Goon Squad on my TBR shelf. Right now, I am reading Booker winners for a challenge and then I will get back to my Pulitzer reading too.
Enjoy your project.
I've got "The Known World" in my (ever increasing) to-read pile, it sounds SO good. I'd also recommend "Olive Kitteridge" as a very good Pulitzer Prize winner!
So many good books on this list- of course : ) And so many I enjoyed! Particularly Middlesex and The Road- those two I have read over five years ago now and they have both really stuck with me. I've read a couple of the others, and enjoyed them as well. Hadn't heard of The Stone Diaries! Added it to my TBR.
Oh I'm so happy they stuck with you. That's a sign of a really good book!
I've read all of these.
My list (from favorite to least favorite) is:
1. The Goldfinch - tie for first
2. A Visit from the Goon Squad - tie for first
3. The Hours
4. March
5. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
6. Middlesex
7. The Road
8. The Stone Diaries
9. The known World
10. Gilead
Thanks for the bookish help!!
How have I never heard of March before??? I adore Little Women, it was one of the first classics that I ever read and has such a special place in my heart. My younger sister and cousins (I'm the oldest and we are stair-stepped in age by two years) would play Little Women dressing up in tablecloths and such. Not sure why I am rambling on about childhood memories, but I do love that book so very much!!! I'm most definitely going to need to get my hands on a copy sooner rather than later.
On a completely different note, I feel like we have such similar taste in books!!!! Just by looking at your shelves behind you and the books you haul/mention I feel like I may have found a book soul sister! Speaking of shelves, have you read Gentleman in Moscow yet? I have it on my shelves as well but just haven't gotten around to reading it!
Oh I love that you played Little Women with your sister and cousins. That's so sweet! I agree! I think we are book soul sisters for sure! I haven't read Gentleman in Moscow yet. I think that's one of Robyn's picks for her Blast from the Past bookclub coming up. But I'm not always perfect at following along with a set TBR. Lol
You should definitely read A Visit from the Good Squad - it's a brilliant one, one of my absolute favourites :)
I've only read 4 of these but out of those 4 my favourite is Middlesex, it's a fantastic book! If you fancy a buddy read, I have Gilead on my shelves and would be happy to discuss? 😊
Gah! I'm near the end of reading Gilead! But I'd love to do another buddy read with you one of these days! That would be really lovely!!
I've been wanting to read The Hours for so long now, but have been putting it off until I'd read Mrs Dalloway (which I have now done so I should get on to reading The Hours, shouldn't I?). I can't wait to read The Goldfinch, but at the same time I'm scared to do it, because The Secret History by her is the best book I've read this year and among the best books I've ever read, so my expectations might be a bit high. But The Secret History also had a bunch of unlikable characters, which was one of the things I really liked!
All the more reason to pick up The Goldfinch!! If you love her writing so much I think you might be able to fall into the LOVE TG category!
Getting Hygge With It Omg, I feel so out of the loop right now, but what is love tg?
This book.ALSO MADR ME WEEP - THE GILEAD. Although it didn't have to modern vibe and the story was just eh for.me, the characters and the emotions that the writing brought out made me want to.read all.of her books.as well. It's a lovely book.
The Gilead was truly a character study. I don't read those kinds of books often but I loved it!
The Goldfinch *is* a beast, isn't it!? I have it too but it's size is so offputting. I also have The Secret History unread on my shelves and I feel like I should really read that first - even though I know they're not related! I enjoyed this video. It's a great collection of books. Lucy
It truly is a beast! I have yet to read ANY Donna Tartt. One of these days...
That's what I've been saying for years!
I would start with The Secret History. I love the Secret History. And then skip the rest. ;)
Haha! You're not the first person I've heard say that!
The road was ‘ok’ in my opinion. It’s kind of a cozy read, made me want to lay under ten blankets.
Okie I won't go in expecting amazing. But I still want to read it!
Any chance you'd want to buddy read The Road? I've wanted to read it for some time as well, but I'd like to read it even more with you!
Also, I didn't even know March was a book! I can't wait to hear your thoughts. If you like it I may have to pick it up!!
I'd love to buddy read The Road with you! I can't believe we haven't read anything together yet! I was kinda hoping to read warm and happy books in December but maybe January? When were you hoping to read it?
I'm so so excited to read March. My goodness - definitely going to read it in December. It seems like a perfect Christmas book!
I had no immediate plans, and would be MORE than happy to wait and read it in January. I'd like to read warm and happy books in December as well, so that's good!
Wonderful!!
Great list 😊 I was not the biggest fan of the road but I do know I'm in the minority...it just didn't do anything for me. And I also really need to read Middlesex! I'm definitely going to do that next year. I was so intimidated by The Goldfinch so I got rid of it lol...i just don't need that kind of pressure 😂
I could honestly see The Goldfinch sitting on my shelves for a while. It's just so intimidating!!! Bah!
I read The Road. I heard amazing things about it, but I am not a big fan of dystopian. I thought it was ok. And I'm sorry to say, I read the Goldfinch and I didn't enjoy it. It is split into 3 parts and I liked the first part. The second part I found awful and tedious. It improved again in the last part, but overall I don't care for it, unfortunately. So so far, not the best experience with Pulitzer Prize winners here.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, The Hours, Middlesex and Gilead are on my TBR, but I will probably not get to any of those this year. And I will definitely check out the other ones on your list.
I've heard mixed things about both The Road and Goldfinch for sure. Ah well. I'll still give them a shot but I'll go in cautiously.
Arggg my TBR keep growing! I'd like to add Junot Diaz there, he's written AMAZING books, I recommend starting with "the brief and marvelous life of oscar wao".
Hee hee! Sorry Barbara!! I keep hearing about The Brief and Marvelous Life of Oscar Wao!
Getting Hygge With It it’s really an amazing book in my opinion. I know a little about the Dominican Republic and actually know a few people from there, I feel like the book is as genuine as they come, it’s really something else when you read it, it captures the feeling and culture of the country beautifully and yet it breaks your heart!! I highly recommend!
I could not finish The Goldfinch. I made it over halfway, but found it to be totally soulless. I have no idea why books that elevate this type of degeneration are hyped and pushed. I sound like a little old lady, I know, but I teach middle school students who face deplorable lives. In fact some already live them. The Goldfinch wasn't worthy of my time.
Bah. Yes I know some people really hate it. It's crazy how one book can be an all time favourite for some and an all time hate it for others!