100 Worlds in One Vessel
- Lisa Dixon
- Apr 18, 2021
- 1 min read
Last year I decided it would be the year to begin a “100 Books to Read Before I Die” list. I was amazed at how many 100 Books compilations are out there. At least 100. So I chose three lists, removed all the duplicate titles, and then randomly selected 100 books from what remained. And then because I’m a dork, I printed out the list, cut it into 100 slips of paper, folded them and placed them in a pretty ceramic jar. Each time I finish a book, I draw another slip of paper from the jar. I figured it would prevent me from avoiding titles I know I will resist - like Hemingway - kill me now. There are still 81 slips left in the jar and today I finished a book, so it was time to pick a new one. I love this part. Will it be The Catcher in the Rye by Salinger? The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by LeCarre? Please don’t let it be Hemingway, please, please please! And the winner is - The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. I’ve read this one before, way back in Freshman Comp in college. I vaguely remember the story, I remember I liked the story. It will be fun to read it again.
Please publish your list so that those of us who are lazy do not have to compile our own?
I did that with a list of movies published in a local newspaper. Turned out to be a very 'male' list, with a lot of recommendations like 'The Godfather', 'Goodfellas', and very many war and violent movies. I did see some movies I'd not have considered otherwise, but others, I gave a miss. I might follow your idea. It's been 40 years since I read THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD.
What an amazing idea!! <3
That's a pretty great idea, I love that it will force you to not avoid books.