MLA's "30 Books Every Adult Should Read Before They Die"

Someone removed the Bible (surprise, surprise) and Winnie the Pooh. I fixed the list, but I’m not sure I got the best version of the Bible, feel free to change it!

for having hardly any non-Western authors here. Moreover, what about important non-white Western authors, such as Alice Walker or Black Elk? I rather wish that people whose jobs it is to work with books could have a wider scope. It’s not about being “PC”: it’s about recognizing good literature. Being British is NOT an excuse, for a) it assumes that the Brits are all white (funny how they are having a racial and immigration debate then) and b) assumes that they are too stupid to read outside their own national identity. Also, if they are doing this to brag about how great their authors are, why isn’t Shakespeare included?

Also, there’s debate on whether Russia is a part of Europe or a part of Asia, with geographers and other people fighting over that. Let’s just say that the most influential Russian cities are very close to Europe and have actively traded ideas with it for centuries. That’s not to say they are not distinctively Russian authors, but they have more in common with the French than they do with Ethiopians.

Not that I can’t find other lists that are more worthwhile: I am simply surprised and disappointed that librarians would be so short-sighted.

that the list is called “thirty books every adult should read before they die,” rather than “thirty best books in the history of literature.” generally when a person compiles a list of things to do/books to read/places to visit/etc., it doesn’t mean that those are the only options, or even the BEST options.

obviously i didn’t create this list so i can’t accurately speak for the person who did, but i would assume that these are just suggestions of books that might make an impact on a person’s life, or, as in the case of the lord of the rings trilogy, books that are so hugely popular and frequently read, that it would be a shame to live your life without having read them.

maybe think about that before you start slamming half the books on this list, or complaining that the classic novel for which you nurse a soft spot didn’t make the cut.

I, unlike some people, am not going to complain about what’s here and what’s not here. I can make my own list if I find any others inadequate.
The only thing I find odd is that (though this may have been mentioned on the other pages of comments I’m too lazy to look at) Lord of the Rings appears as three separate books? I understand that it generally is printed in three volumes, six books altogether, but if it was to appear as only one book (as it’s one whole story) it would have left room for two other books?

No “Don Quijote”? LOL
This list is retarded. duuuuuh

1. Given that this was a list created by British librarians, it is understandable that the list focuses on western literature. Of course books such as Winne the Pooh and the lord of the rings trilogy would be considered essential readings for any Brit.
2. Additionally, none of you who are so upset with the lack of non-european lit on the list have seemed to notice that there are TWO books on the list out of only 30 that are written by RUSSIAN authors. Russia is not part of Europe (even though it sometimes wishes it was). One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich and the Master and Margerita both focus on Russian soviet life, which is not euro centric at all. People need to stop being so PC-pretentious and overly sensitive. If you want to make a list of 30 top world books, then go ahead and do it, but stop freaking out about other peoples’ literary opinions

What an amazing book, just seeing it on here makes me feel so glad so many other people enjoyed it

I’ve read some of these books through school and others for pure pleasure, and many are on my “To Read Before I Die” List.

I think it’s a very interesting list, personally.

i hated most of these books. why are ther so many kids books on the list? Dark Material Books started out good but then it fell apart. i gusse it on the for whole “death to god” plot

If this is really going to be the Museum, Libraries and Archives Council’s list of “30 Books Every Adult Should Read Before They Die,” then removing and adding titles from the list because you don’t agree with them being there seems a little pointless. I agree that the list is pretty euro-centric, but Khalil Gibran is Lebanese, at least. And the Bible (this will start a big fight, I’m sure) wasn’t written by Europeans either.

Just sayin’ is all…