It’s the done thing nowadays isn’t it, the bucket list. Places to go, sights to see, foods to eat, films to watch and extravaganzas to experience. We readers are no different, we all have that one book that we think everyone should read; a book that without which, no one’s life can ever be deemed complete and we’re all pretty vociferous in letting others know just which novel we think should be on there.
We asked you for your suggestions as to what title should be on everyone’s bucket list and you answered in your droves. After adding all the votes we have put together a list of 50 books to add to your bucket list.
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
The books that tops so many of our polls has done it again, To Kill a Mockingbird, the timeless warning of bigotry and acceptance.
Les Miserables – Victor Hugo
With just over half the number of votes of TKaMB Hugo’s atmospheric tale of triumph over insurmountable odds and the sacrifices of the common man during the French Revolution is your number 2.
1984 – George Orwell
Third place goes to another favourite of our followers, Orwell’s cautionary tale of power hungry leaders and the downfall of Winston Smith was voted by many of you.
The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
A wonderful book all about growing up,and whilst it may be set in Afghanistan it might just as easily have been set anywhere in the world.
The Bible
In fifth place is The Bible and whilst there are many atheists and non Christians who might wonder why we should read The Bible, there was one comment on our poll that made me think, that makes sense. ” You should either know what you believe, or why you don’t. Same goes for the other major religions.” I have to say, I agree.
Jane Eyre – Charlotte Brontë
22 of you believe that everyone should read at least one of the Brontë sisters’ novels. That goes for you men too.
Lord of the Rings – JRR Tolkien
21 of you made sure that Tolkien’s fantasy epic is a well placed seventh with many of you saying these are not just a one time read series.
The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
If you want a book to remind you to be grateful for everything you have then this is the title for you.
The Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas
You penultimate pick for the featured top ten is a classic, Dumas’ tale of a wrongfully imprisoned man’s revenge was nominated by nineteen of you.
Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury
And completing our top ten is Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury’s classic dystopian future where books are burned and knowledge is feared is a book that should be on everyone’s bucket list!
11. The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath
12. Outlander – Diana Gabaldon
14. Beach Music – Pat Conroy
14. Good Omens – Terry Pratchett
15. The Stand – Stephen King
16. Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
17. N0s4A2 – Joe Hill
18. Tuesdays with Morrie – Mitch Albom
19. The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafón
20. Sherlock Holmes – Arthur Conan Doyle
And after the featured top 20, here we take the list to the full 50 books:
Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
A Prayer for Owen Meaney – John Irving
Lost Horizon – James Hilton
The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck
Harry Potter – JK Rowling
Lordof the Flies – William Golding
Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou
The Catcher in the Rye – JD Salinger
I Heard the Owl Call my Name – Margaret Craven
Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden
Prince of Tides – Pat Conroy
The Hobbit – JRR Tolkien
Roots – Alex Haley
The God Delusion – Richard Dawkins
The Picture of Dorian Grey – Oscar Wilde
A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini
Wuthering Heights – Emily Brontë
The Dark Tower – Stephen King
Gone with the Wind – Margaret Mitchell
Flowers for Algernon – Daniel Keyes
Walden – Henry David Thoreau
War and Peace – Tolstoy
The Education of Little Tree – Asa Earl Carter
The Power of One – Bryce Courtenay
The House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen
Gray Mountain – John Grisham
That’s another fifteen books on my essential TBR list. How about you?
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