As noted it is always satisfying to see books you've read on another's top ten list. Isaacson's treatment of Steve Jobs was stellar and inspired me to read his work on Da Vinci, also excellent, and currently Franklin. I had also read Competing With Idiots which provides not only a fascinating look at the Mankiewicz bothers, but also an inside look at Hollywood during a time with the studios reigned supreme. I just added Sinatra: The Chairman to my Amazon cart. Thanks for the inspiration! A couple on my list are Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis. For me, this was his best work by a wide margin. It provides an insider's look at the crazy world of bond trading during the 1980s. I am would also highly recommend Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow and then double down by reading Chernow's, Grant. Both are outstanding.
Thanks for reading! I read Grant and agonized about not putting that on the list. If I made it again, right now, he might bump someone else. But I've committed to No Backsies.
I love seeing Kate Atkinson on anyone’s shelf. Her recent work is a little head-scratchy to me if I’m being honest, but Behind The Scenes at the Museum is among my top 10 of my whole life.
Not really. I've read some great fiction since 2000, but not published after that cutoff. Last week I read Martin Dressler and thought it was great--but it's from 1996. Other great novels I've read recently are The Bostonians, The Ambassadors, Fat City, Waveland ... I've also reread favorites, but these are all pre-2000. I'm currently reading The Revenant (2002), which is good, but not destined for an all-time best list.
Thanks for including Thom Jones.
Thank you for reading! That means a lot to me. And yes, Thom Jones was one of the greats.
I met him once. And he hold a dirty joke very soon into our chat. I was very happy!
As noted it is always satisfying to see books you've read on another's top ten list. Isaacson's treatment of Steve Jobs was stellar and inspired me to read his work on Da Vinci, also excellent, and currently Franklin. I had also read Competing With Idiots which provides not only a fascinating look at the Mankiewicz bothers, but also an inside look at Hollywood during a time with the studios reigned supreme. I just added Sinatra: The Chairman to my Amazon cart. Thanks for the inspiration! A couple on my list are Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis. For me, this was his best work by a wide margin. It provides an insider's look at the crazy world of bond trading during the 1980s. I am would also highly recommend Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow and then double down by reading Chernow's, Grant. Both are outstanding.
Thanks for reading! I read Grant and agonized about not putting that on the list. If I made it again, right now, he might bump someone else. But I've committed to No Backsies.
Very glad to discover this (thank you, Sherman Alexis, for the endorsement). I look forward to digging in.
Solid list!
I found the NYT list to be completely un-relatable.
I did, however, read the short story by Thom Jones that you linked and immediately added his collection to my Goodreads list.
You >>> NYT
THANK YOU!
Awesome! Isn’t that a great story? And Night Train has a bunch of them.
I love seeing Kate Atkinson on anyone’s shelf. Her recent work is a little head-scratchy to me if I’m being honest, but Behind The Scenes at the Museum is among my top 10 of my whole life.
Are there any other works of fiction you really considered?
Not really. I've read some great fiction since 2000, but not published after that cutoff. Last week I read Martin Dressler and thought it was great--but it's from 1996. Other great novels I've read recently are The Bostonians, The Ambassadors, Fat City, Waveland ... I've also reread favorites, but these are all pre-2000. I'm currently reading The Revenant (2002), which is good, but not destined for an all-time best list.
I see.
Henry James fan here as well.
Could give you a few recommendations as well if you want.
Sure thing! Always interested in other people's recs. BTW, read your piece on Johnson's Rambler #4--great post! I just subscribed. Big SJ fan here.
Excellent choices. Lots to discover here for me.
Thank you for reading!