1FF Top 100 Books

[mistermagic]

Books on 18 points (57-66):

• Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew by Shehan Karuntilaka
• Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom
• Pioneers of Modern Typography by Herbert Spencer
• The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
• The Crow Road by Iain Banks
• The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
• The Spook's Apprentice by Joseph Delaney
  
• The Trial by Franz Kafka
• The Lonely Incubus by Mark England
• War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (2 lists)

 

[Son of Cod]

Pioneers of Modern Typography is another of mine. My uni had a second edition of this book and I regret not stealing it. It was a thing of beauty and costs quite a fair bit to buy. As the title suggests, it's a book about typography. It starts out with Marinetti's Futurist manifesto and works through to the work that was bang up to date when the book was published in 1969. Pretty much every page contains something of interest, which is incredibly rare for a graphic design book, in my opinion. It was from this book that I discovered some of the best typographers of this first 6 or 7 decades of the 20th century; Lissitzky, Rodchenko, Tschichhold, etc. Not really recommended if you have no interest in this subject, but essential if you do.

 

[Stagat]

War and Peace.

Bought it when I first moved to China as the only book shop in the small town I was in had mainly second hand trash fiction books for four quid or a brand new War and Peace for six quid. I went for the VFM, based on pages/quid, as I was kind of broke at the time.

First chapter was about the most boring thing I've ever read, but I kept going in the hope it would get better. It did, but a lot of it was still pretty tedious to wade through. Once I'd started though I told myself I was going to finish it and count it as some personal achievement, no matter how many times I fell asleep on my lunch break after doing about four pages.

Mustn't forget though that it wasn't written to be read in English, and perhaps the style is more common in Russia? Who knows. (Satch maybe)

It wasn't without its merits though. I found it easy to picture and relate to the characters. The main ones anyway, especially Andrew, Pierre, and Dolokhov. Problem was there's bloody loads of others popping up all over the place, and not always for any obvious reason. Another major problem for me was the amount of the book that went meandering off on a tangent that never led anywhere or was ever mentioned again, including some characters (the hunting trip with the uncle sticks out); stuff that was kind of boring to read yet didn't advance anything, had nowt to do with the story, and could have easily been chopped.

The description of the real history, Napoleon, the Russian commanders, the Napoleonic War setting and battles, the burning of Moscow, the inexplicable French retreat etc was very well done though, and made me go and read up on what actually happened. The underlying theme of the whole book, Tolstoy's philosophy that history is already written and an inexorable process, underpinned everything and gave it more substance than just a long story.

Observe: when Napoleon was deciding whether to advance into Russia or not, he really had no choice. History is written, and everyone follows the script without knowing it. Napoleon was always destined to retreat from Russia, so he had no choice but to attack in the first place.

It's a bit like fate or destiny, but I usually picture those as things passively happening to people. Tolstoy's theory was that people have no choice in what they actively do.

For all that the book was more of a slog than an enjoyable read, it does deserve its place here. For the achievement of writing it, the detail, the amount of characters, its place in folklore and the way it's become a byword for 'a long piece of writing'... just the scope of the whole bloody thing. I still can't say I would definitely recommend it though.

One final thing: there's a theory that War and Peace isn't what Tolstoy meant as the title. The word mir can be peace, world, and used to be used to mean society. War and Society would be a more accurate title for the book tbh.

Perhaps he was being deliberately ambiguous.

 

[Veggie Legs]

The Crow Road was my selection from that list. I think I said when I read Stonemouth recently in the old 'what are you reading' thread that Iain Banks is now my favourite author, and this is his best work. I suppose fundamentally it's about growing up - it follows the life of 19(?) year old Prentice McHoan and his complicated, changing relationships with his family and friends. It's also interspersed with scenes from Prentice's childhood, and from his father's, which are a little hard to follow to begin with, but I think they add a lot to the book. It's probably not the deepest or most significant book and there are some bits that don't work completely, but I enjoyed it immensely.

War and Peace.
For all that the book was more of a slog than an enjoyable read, it does deserve its place here. For the achievement of writing it, the detail, the amount of characters, its place in folklore and the way it's become a byword for 'a long piece of writing'... just the scope of the whole bloody thing. I still can't say I would definitely recommend it though.

This sums up how I feel about War And Peace too, excellent review Stagat.


The Trial though? Urgh. (I don't care what you think of me, Carel.)

 

[lordofthepies]

The Crow Road was my selection from that list. I think I said when I read Stonemouth recently in the old 'what are you reading' thread that Iain Banks is now my favourite author, and this is his best work. I suppose fundamentally it's about growing up - it follows the life of 19(?) year old Prentice McHoan and his complicated, changing relationships with his family and friends. It's also interspersed with scenes from Prentice's childhood, and from his father's, which are a little hard to follow to begin with, but I think they add a lot to the book. It's probably not the deepest or most significant book and there are some bits that don't work completely, but I enjoyed it immensely.


This sums up how I feel about War And Peace too, excellent review Stagat.


The Trial though? Urgh. (I don't care what you think of me, Carel.)

Crow Road is really brilliant. I was very close to voting for it, but decided to go for the Wasp Factory instead, but that was probably mainly because it was my first Banks book, therefore it holds a special place in my heart etc.

I voted for Chinaman, about which I will write more soon.

 

[Ginola14]

The Sorrows Of Young Werther. I should probably have placed it higher on my list tbh, I'd pick it as one of the books to take with me a'la Desert Island Discs. It's about unrequited love and the tragedies that go with it. Written in a series of letters to his friend, Werther tells of his love for Lotte, despite knowing that she is already engaged. Thus follows a painful trip of love and unrequited love which ends.....well, I won't spoil it. Despite Goethe poo pooing his novel in later life, if it's good enough for Napoleon, it's good enough for me!

 

[mistermagic]

Books on 19 ponts (48-56):

• A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
• Dancing with Strangers in Dark Places by Mark England
• I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes
• In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
• Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
• Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong
• The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
• The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewi
• The Princess Bride by William Goldman

 

[This Charming Mike]

Ah man, no one else voted for I Am Pilgrim?! Best book I read in 2014. It's the debut novel from Terry Hayes, who has been both a journalist and screenwriter previously, and, even at a lengthy 700+ pages, remains interesting and suspenseful throughout. It tells the story through the eyes of Pilgrim, codename for a man who officially doesn't exist. He's the adopted son of a wealthy American family, he once headed up a secret espionage unit for US intelligence. Before he disappeared into anonymous retirement, he wrote the definitive book on forensic criminal investigation. Unfortunately, the book comes back to haunt him as, after a textbook murder, an NYPD detective is able to track Pilgrim down and, although he doesn't know it initially, lure him back into the world of spies and terrorism in a bid to save America from total oblivion.

 

[lordofthepies]

I thought I Am Pilgrim was excellent, definitely of the best thrillers I've read. It didn't quite make my top 20 though. The Corrections is great too, I dunno why I didn't vote for that.

I did vote for Norwegian Wood though, which is one of the most devastating books I've ever read.

 

[Veggie Legs]

The Corrections was my choice. I can't be bothered to write much about it, but I'll say it's probably the best written book I've ever read. I've also heard it described as the first 'great American novel' of the 21st century, make of that what you will.

 

[mistermagic]

Books on 20 points (42-47):

• Insularfield by Mark England
• Kicked Into Touch by Fred Eyre
• Mr Nice by Howard Marks
• The Red Tree by Shaun Tan
• The Snowman by Jo Nesbo
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

This concludes all the books on single lists. From tomorrow onwards, each and every book will be reviewed extensively until the very first one.

Except if I can't be arsed...

 

[Techno Natch]

I am reading "I am Pilgrim" at the moment. A very good book so far and not surprised to see it quite high. Only about 300 pages in but I'm getting through it quickly.

 

[Captain Scumbag]

The person who voted for Confederacy of Dunces wins the thread.

 

[Son of Cod]

The person who voted for Confederacy of Dunces wins the thread.

That was mine. Got to say I'm disappointed at its position, too. Was one of three or four of mine that I'd earmarked as being high up on a few lists.

Hilarious book that won John Kennedy Toole a posthumous Pulitzer. I don't really know how to go about explaining the plot. Not that it's complex or anything, but because it's definitely more of a character driven novel. The main character, Ignatius J. Reilly, is somewhat of a repulsive oaf but one that values aesthetics and true meaning. He spends his days watching trash on TV that he both loves and loathes, self gratifying himself and writing notes and essays on ancient history that he "one day" intends to organise and put to use. He has a particularly amusing relationship with his mother, who along with a bevvy of other characters, are penned perfectly. There's a bittersweet sense of sadness to the story, though. Ignatius doesn't seem to fit anywhere and knowing that the author ended his own life shortly after finishing this does cause you to wonder how much (if any) of it is autobiographical.

In short, just make this book the next one that you read.

 

[Ginola14]

Think I'll check that one out. Thanks for the review, SoC.

 

[Veggie Legs]

I really didn't like A Confederacy Of Dunces, I found all the characters incredibly irritating and not funny.

 

[shane]

Ignatious Reilly is one of the best literary characters ever.

 

[mistermagic]

#41 - The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy - 2 lists - 21 pts

This list's one and only Clancy novel. The reviews have been strong by most literary critique newspapers (I usually find them incoherent myself as even when the book is shite, the book gets superb ratings by hotshot book clubs) but also by the general people who view as Clancy's second best work behind Red Storm Rising.
The story is about a Lithuanian spy working for the Soviet Union who plans to defect to the United States during the Cold War. He plans to give away a high-tech submarine called Red October (I don't know why) which is a highly advanced technological nuclear missile launcher.

I might just read that.

 

[This Charming Mike]

Going back to the books on 20 points, The Snowman was my highest-ranked book. Again written by the masterful Jo Nesbo, this one sees Detective Harry Hole tackle his hardest case yet as a serial killer wreaks havoc in Oslo. With its tensile-steel narrative grip and twists and turns aplenty, it is the most ambitious of Nesbo's crime novels and almost certainly his best.

 

[TomPNE94]

#41 - The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy - 2 lists - 21 pts

This list's one and only Clancy novel. The reviews have been strong by most literary critique newspapers (I usually find them incoherent myself as even when the book is shite, the book gets superb ratings by hotshot book clubs) but also by the general people who view as Clancy's second best work behind Red Storm Rising.
The story is about a Lithuanian spy working for the Soviet Union who plans to defect to the United States during the Cold War. He plans to give away a high-tech submarine called Red October (I don't know why) which is a highly advanced technological nuclear missile launcher.

I might just read that.

Pretty sure this was on my list... Although I can't remember. Brilliant book though.

 

[Stagat]

Going back to the books on 20 points, The Snowman was my highest-ranked book. Again written by the masterful Jo Nesbo, this one sees Detective Harry Hole tackle his hardest case yet as a serial killer wreaks havoc in Oslo. With its tensile-steel narrative grip and twists and turns aplenty, it is the most ambitious of Nesbo's crime novels and almost certainly his best.

The film was pretty different from what I remember.

Mr Nice was mine. Top of me list. Just read it, if you haven't already.

 

[mistermagic]

#40 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - 21 pts, 3 lists

This sci-fi novel takes place in utopian North America as a leading district called Panem rules the 12 others. Each year, Panem organises the hunger games, a battle to the death between a boy and a girl.
Seems pretty primitive but Collins did juggle all of this with modern reality television so I suppose it could be good.

 

[Oaf]

This sci-fi novel takes place in utopian North America as a leading district called Panem rules the 12 others. Each year, Panem organises the hunger games, a battle to the death between a boy and a girl.
Seems pretty primitive but Collins did juggle all of this with modern reality television so I suppose it could be good.

A BOY AND A GIRL?!

What is this MM?

24 children take part, 12 male 12 female, one each from each of the mentioned 12 districts.

It gets a fair bit of (what I see to be) undeserved criticism for being "another kids book" and a "battle royale ripoff", but it's got enough going for it to stand on it's own two feet and hold the interest. The Hunger Games is great, but Catching Fire is better. I'm actually pretty surprised at the fact that The Hunger Games has beaten it, really, as I always thought that most people considered Catching Fire to be better than the first.

 

[SUTSS]

I don't think there is much between Hunger Games and Catching Fire. Both are miles better than the abomination that is Mockingjay though.

 

[Smally]

Agree with what the two above me have written. Good book and much more enjoyable than you'd expect. Again, not as good as Catching Fire but much better than Mockingjay

 

[BCFC Jordan]

Had Hunger Games at the bottom end of my list, having read the series recently.

Hunger Games was a better book but worse film compared to Catching Fire. The ending to Mockingjay was a bit bizarre - I didn't completely hate it, but it felt like it had been rushed, certainly.

 

[lordofthepies]

#41 - The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy - 2 lists - 21 pts

This list's one and only Clancy novel. The reviews have been strong by most literary critique newspapers (I usually find them incoherent myself as even when the book is shite, the book gets superb ratings by hotshot book clubs) but also by the general people who view as Clancy's second best work behind Red Storm Rising.
The story is about a Lithuanian spy working for the Soviet Union who plans to defect to the United States during the Cold War. He plans to give away a high-tech submarine called Red October (I don't know why) which is a highly advanced technological nuclear missile launcher.

I might just read that.

The Hunt for Red October is 99p on Kindle at the moment.

Going back a few posts, Chinaman is my number 3. It's fantastic. It's a novel about an aging, alcoholic Sri Lankan journalist searching for Pradeep Matthew; a mystery spin bowler (think Murali but better), who should have been the best bowler in the world but never quite made it and has become this man's obsession. The story is about cricket, family, alcoholism and Sri Lanka. It's hilarious, layered and it made me cry. Just read it.

 

[IanH]

The Hunt for Red October is 99p on Kindle at the moment.

Going back a few posts, Chinaman is my number 3. It's fantastic. It's a novel about an aging, alcoholic Sri Lankan journalist searching for Pradeep Matthew; a mystery spin bowler (think Murali but better), who should have been the best bowler in the world but never quite made it and has become this man's obsession. The story is about cricket, family, alcoholism and Sri Lanka. It's hilarious, layered and it made me cry. Just read it.

Called chinaman for the bowling technique, or just for overt racism?

 

[Stagat]

They all look the same anyway.

Cricket deliveries I mean.

 

[lordofthepies]

Called chinaman for the bowling technique, or just for overt racism?

The delivery, I assure you.