The Best Books of the Century

Have you seen the New York Times article listing The Best 100 Books of the 21st Century?

To compile it, the editors solicited input from favorite modern authors like Stephen King, as well as celebs like Sarah Jessica Parker.

Critical point: They did not specify how to define “best.”

Is the “best” book the most literary?

The one with the cleverest language?

The one that makes the greatest emotional impact?
Or the one, quite simply, that leaves the largest imprint on your psyche? The one that sticks with you?

Has anyone read number one on the list, My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, or her entire Neapolitan Quartet (Now a new streaming series)? 

Sorry to say I have not, but this list has convinced me that I need to move it to the top of the endlessly growing stack of books that rests upon my bedside table.

I loved The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, and many others on this list. 

I also detested The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen. Detested it! Terrible people being unkind. It made me angry! I also found the much-acclaimed Wolf Hall series by Hilary Mantel dull and utterly devoid of emotion. 

But then again… I guess those books did stick with me, right? 
What’s your impression of this list? Hit Reply and let me know.

Aloha,

MeiMei

Writing Tip of the Week: Make Your Own List

What are your favorite books of the last quarter century?

Make a list. 

Then jot down a few notes next to each title. What did you love about this book? What emotional impact did it leave? What did you enjoy about the author’s writing style? What do you hope to emulate in writing your own book?

Reading is the number one best way to become a great writer!

Quote of the Week

Writing is one of the only ways to outlive yourself. People still read books from hundreds or even thousands of years ago. The author's physical life ended long ago, but their mental life remains alive and meaningful even today.

~James Clear