MEME alert (avoid if you're allergic to them)

[rogueeditor]

Thanks *sooooooo* much,

Comments

[neutronjockey]

No Khalil Gibran?

You call that a list? Who are these people?!

[rogueeditor]

Indeed, who are they?
http://www.neabigread.org/faq.php

An amusing thing I noticed is that every *friend* (online or offline) who saw this list had your reaction. A few lesser mortals (acquaintances) looked at it as THE LIST, and assumed it was put together by People Who Know What is Good.

[herringprincess]

53.

I'm used to these lists being way off base, but I must admit I'm confused as to their choices as regards to particular authors - why those Pratchett, Dickens, Hardy etc.? Am pleased to see Cold Comfort Farm on there though. I've never seen that on a 'must read' list before, which is a shame.

[rogueeditor]

I was rather baffled by some of the choices myself. Haven't read Cold Comfort Farm, but will look for it next time I'm in the library.

[ponskum]

buncha brits..

wouldn't have the stomach for the transcendentalists. america was blessed in those regards. =)

i'd love to see a U.S. equivalent of this list.

[rogueeditor]

The odd thing is, it *is* a US list: http://www.neabigread.org/faq.php

Every time I look at the list again, I just shake my head. I suppose we should be relieved that People Magazine or National Enquirer isn't on the list.

[ponskum]

that org does appear to be u.s.ian, but that list above is from the original 2003 BBC survey... the preponderance of british writers is pretty noticeable.

i'd expect to see more twain, hemingway, faulkner and heinlein on a u.s. list. i'll keep an eye out for any entities that might have done one of these on this side of the pond...

[rogueeditor]

You would THINK that NEA could manage to put together a list for the target demographic *from* the target demographic's culture.