Top 15 Classic Novels

In high school and college I didn't like reading books - especially novels.  I would learn enough about the books to squeak by during exam time, but rarely enjoyed them or saw the point.  That all changed in my mid-20's and I set out on a campaign to read the top novels of all time.

I can be rather obsessive and decided to compile three different "Top 100" lists to see what books they shared in common.  I discovered 25 books that were on all three lists and started there (skipping a few that seemed unbearable like Ulysses by James Joyce). 

Ranking them 1-15 would be nearly impossible but here are 15 of my absolute favorites:

1) Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

-This was this first one I decided to read (because it was one of the shortest) and I quickly realized how awesome novels could be 

2) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

3) As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

4) Catch 22 by Joseph Heller

- The first novel to make me laugh out loud while reading 

5) Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

6) Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

7) 1984 by George Orwell

8) Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

9) A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

10) Call of the Wild by Jack London

11) Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

12) Lord of the Flies by William Golding

13) Native Son by Richard Wright

14) All Quiet On the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

15) The Road by Cormac McCarthy

- I realize this has not stood the test of time like the others but I have little doubt that it will.  McCarthy is one of my absolute favorite authors - he is brilliant.

These are my top 15 so far .... which novels are on your top list?

Nonfiction

I like reading a variety of books and have devoured some intriguing nonfiction books over the last year (some old, some new).  I'll share other recent finds from different categories in future blog posts but for now check out these books that will get you thinking:

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
- A captivating book from one of my favorite authors (I'd also recommend Blink, The Tipping Point, and What the Dog Saw).  This title deals with "the story of success" and what makes high-achievers different from other people.  His findings might surprise you and cause you to rethink a few things.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen & David Oliver Relin
- This true life story gave me a deeper appreciation for the country and people of Pakistan and added to the value I place on education around the world.  This book will inspire you to use the abilities God has given you to make this world a better place.

Freakonomics by Stephen D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner
- This book along with it's follow up, Super Freakonomics, are very thought provoking and shows how humans are deeply motivated by incentives.  Compelling research & statistics revealed through well-written chapters provide an all-around enjoyable read. 

Night by Elie Wiesel
- Wow, this is a horrific autobiographical account of the Holocaust.  This Nobel Prize Winner from years ago is astonishing and moved me to tears.  You will likely finish the entire book in one sitting (1-2 hours). It is difficult to process but should prompt us to learn from the past and become active in stopping modern atrocities like the Rwandan genocide and the current situation in Darfur.