I love lists. Top ten lists and favorite things lists and bucket lists and wish lists. THIS is a cool list. It’s not the best books–rather it’s the top 80 books written by Americans that have shaped the nation. There’s fiction and non-fiction. Thre are children’s books and books for young adults. There’s poetry. There are books I love and at least one I loathe. But I agree, all of them have influenced America and many have influenced me.
On the website there’s a link to a survey that asks you to pick your top three MOST influential choices. It also invites you to nominate a book that’s not on the list. Oh. There are so many. How about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods? Or maybe Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love? Or how about Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh–a whole generation of women were touched by that. And then there’s Max Lucado . . . well. It’s great fun to think of American writers who have influenced America.
Here’s the list. What would you add?
Meet Sarah
I love this! Thank you for pointing it out!
I knew you’d appreciate it. You, my mom and I need to have a cup of tea and make lists some time ; )
Since that list contains many books I’ve never heard of (much less read!) it’s hard to comment. There are several I have read that did not dramatically change MY world (but I did like) so I wonder what I missed? Like most lists: fun to read and interesting in many ways. You must have gotten that love of lists and quizes from me. 😉 Dare I ask which on you loathed?
Oh, no, it’s no secret. Howl by Alan Ginsberg. Just because you’re the first person to use the “f-word” extensively in poetry does NOT make you a creative genius.
I love lists like this!
Eclectic list! There’s something for everybody to love and to hate. I haven’t read them all, or even most of them, but there are some strange bed-fellows here. An example: Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged and Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon! What fun.
I know! Kinsey and Emily Dickinson on the same list . . .
I’ve never even heard of most of those! I will say that Little Women was (and still is) one of my favourite books to read.
Oh–me too! I wanted to BE Jo when I was younger. (Still do a little bit.)