Introduction.

So. Yesterday, I spent a somewhat unproductive few hours blog-hopping and, who knew? The Internet book-loving community is a large and vibrant place. It's fantastic. There seem to be two prominent factions, namely (a) the book loggers, reviewers and infrequent posters and (b) the unruly - and at times scary - world of 'fandom'. Hey, I'm all for a Harry Potter rant every once in a while, but the ways in which some of the HP and Twilight fans see fit to express their literary appreciation. Eeee.

I also came across several other 1001 Books blogs, which leads me to this rather pointless digression and poses the question, how exactly do I go about ordering this thing? Some sensible, patient people begin at the beginning or the end and work their way through. I on the other hand, pick and choose and take suggestions. Does this mean I should acquire myself a copy of Aesop's Fables and begin again from there? Or is it okay to read and record these books as I fancy, backtracking when necessary?

I'm afraid to say, I don't fancy starting again. It took me long enough to read eighty books in the first place. So expect a sporadic scattering of blog entries featuring an eclectic collection of books. And for now, a little bit of a backtrack, in as accurate an order as I can muster.

:)

List of Contents.

Okay, a couple of things before I begin.

1. I am aware that Quintessence Editions Ltd. re-released 1001 Books in 2008, introducing several new titles, replacing a few old, cutting down on certain authors and generally rearranging the order of things in the process. Which is all very well and good. Except for the fact that I'd already made a start on the first list. Jeez, Quintessence Editions Ltd. Jeez.

So, I am sticking with the original, for the time being at least. That is to say (for those of you without a copy) this, as opposed to this. Who knows? After this one-thousand-and-one books I might just move on to the next edition. And the next. And the next. As long as books are published and I can focus my eyes on the words before me.

2. I do not and will not limit my reading to 1001 Books alone. Because frankly, where's the fun in that? Some of my all-time favourite books are not included on this list, so it is by no means the be all and end all of my literary worth. I like novels, but I also enjoy poetry, plays, short stories, the odd graphic novel. Expect digression and disarray from time to time.

3. If you happen upon this blog of mine, please feel free to join in. I would love to hear your opinions and your recommendations. If you are also working your way through 1001 Books I'd be very interested to hear how well you are getting on and what you have enjoyed so far. One of the great things about books is the discussion they provoke. If you disagree with my reviews, let me know about it. Which leads me to my next point.

4. The opinions expressed in this blog are mine and mine alone. Read these books for yourself and form your own views.

5. And above all, enjoy.

:)

Title Page.

I have long been a fan of books and lists. Books about lists, lists about books. Books about lists about books.

A couple of years ago I was given 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die for my birthday. It was the ultimate present - a comprehensive compilation of all the books I should (and would) read before I died. I acquired a pack of coloured stickers and set about bullying my family into totalling up their literary tally.

Now, we are a bookish family. Between us we own seven bookcases and hundreds of books. My bedroom floor is strewn with piles of unread classics. I clearly remember snuggling down in bed to listen to my father's rendition of the Lord of the Rings at six, seven, eight years of age. I am an English Literature student, for heaven's sake. So, it surprised me no end to discover that I had read so few of the books listed. It was double figures, but only at a push. Even my mother, whose red sticker next to Pilgrim's Progress was surely a mark of great things, was floundering somewhere in the forties, barely scraping at 5 per cent. Madness, I thought, utter madness.

And so a titanic reading challenge was born. 1001 books or bust. And above all, I must list and record my progress along the way. After all, this is a book about a list about books.

:)