Book Smart
Your Essential Reading List for Becoming a Literary Genius in 365 Days
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This intelligent, engaging guide leads you down the path of literary enlightenmentIn Book Smart, literature expert Jane Mallison outlinesa month-by-month reading plan that tackles the most compelling books of all time. The diverse reading list includes such important classics as The Odyssey and Beowulf; great 18th century works such as Tristam Shandy and Gulliver's Travels; battlefield literature like The Red Badge of Courage and A Farewell to Arms; and novels with strong women such as Anna Karenina and Vanity Fair. Each book comes alive with Mallison's insightful highlights on key themes and characters, advice on how to approach reading, and historical notes that provide valuable context.
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Ah, what to read, what to read? I'm always in search of books suggesting good books to read, so I was happy to see this book.
Author Jane Mallison proposes a list of ten books a month, with each month having a common theme. Themes include award winners, the human condition, biographies.
I was encouraged to think Mallison might be a kindred reader by noting that many of her recommended reads are books I've already read and loved, such as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, In Cold Blood, Animal Farm, and Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry.
Mallison sold me on A House for Mr. Biswas and Farewell to Arms, so much so that I have already sought them out and procured copies.
A good choice for my first read of the year.
