What books do you think are a must for a person to be considered "well read"?

Question

There is not really a right or wrong answer because someone who may be well read in one area might not have a clue about the others. But just overall what do you think?

Thanks for the answers.

Answer 1

Your right - this answer is relative. I've got a degree in English Lit and still come across genres that I have no clue about. But overall, there are a few classic authors that the literary community considers "must reads"...

I would recommend calling up your local College/ University and ask for the English Department. There are tons of lists that they will be able to refer to you. For instance, to graduate with a degree, there are several required books you must read to graduate, other books you must read to pass exit exams... and the English department will have all these lists and can possibly mail you a copy or two. That will at least give you an idea of what those in a literary community consider "must" reads...

Good luck!

Oh, and here are a few that I, personally, would say are a must: Just opinion, but I hope it helps: Shakespeare, Aphra Behn (very important for women), Chaucer, Milton, Blake, Wordsworth, the Shelley's, the Bronte sisters, Charles Dickens, George Eliot (who was actually a woman!), Elizabeth Gaskell, CS Lewis, TS Eliot, Robert Frost, Jorges Borges, F. Garcia-Lorca, Salman Rushdie, Toni Morrison, and the Bible - can be helpful when reading any British/American texts) Obviously, this list can be endless. This is just a start.

Answer 2

A Clockwork Orange, Epicurus & some Plato, Virgil, Shakespeare, Chaucer, religious texts, 1984, Dostoevksy, some Kafka, and Olaudah Equiano's experiences are vital. Basically a good range that isn't limited to a specific time or culture.

Answer 3

I think a well-read person will read the classics, modern non-fiction and fiction and a variety of topics. Limit your time reading romance novels and pulp fiction. Concentrate on books that teach or have moral lessons. Study the relligions, politics, health, self-improvement, and whatever interests you personally. And of course, the Bible or whatever book is the handbook for your faith.

Answer 4

Read Tempting Faith Dinapoli by Lisa Gabriele!! Great book.

Answer 5

Contemporary culture is too diverse for there to be a single reading list that would qualify you as well read. To me, a person appears well read if he understands what he's read and can put it in perspective relative to both its time period and our own. This also implies finding challenging and important ideas in your reading.

Answer 6

Look into the canons

Answer 7

da vinci code definately, a few psychological books, the bible, the qu'ran, other religious books :]