Must Read Novels

O.k., so I always read these lists, but I never really like them...those "books everyone must read before they die" lists. One of the main reasons I don't ever like these lists is because for some Godforsaken reason Ulysses ALWAYS ends up on the list. If I were making a list of books I think people should stay far, far away from, Ulysses would be at the top of the list followed immediately by Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man. Now granted, I had to read it for a class in college and the professor was so incredibly horrible that I dreaded going to class - only lit class I ever dreaded. But even if I hadn't had that bad experience I still would not have liked the book - I think Joyce is cut out more for the "ole boys network." The point of all this rambling is that reading is a personal experience. And what I should read before I die isn't necessarily the same thing that EVERY person should read before they die. I think the idea is ludicrous. However, I still end up reading the lists. Here is one from The Guardian. I looked at the section that highlighted Crime Fiction - there's three parts to it. It's actually kind of interesting to look at; they try to span all sub-genres of crime fiction. There are a handful on the list I've read, but far more that I haven't. Some, I have no interest in ever reading (Stephen King), some I've had on my TBR list now for awhile (Raymond Chandler). I was kind of surprised not to see any Ross Macdonald...maybe I overlooked him. I also didn't notice any Conan Doyle; kind of strange. Mark Twain and William Faulker appear but Edgar Allen Poe does not. Again, a little odd. Of course I have a personal bias for Robert Crais and believe L.A. Requiem should be on any list of crime fiction, but that's my "personal experience." I was, however, a little shocked not to see Robert Parker on the list. And again, my personal experience coming in to play here, I think James Lee Burke is one of the greatest living American writers, period, so I would definitely have him on my list of recommended crime fiction reading.

But again, I don't think any one list suits every person. So, I thought maybe you all could help me to build MY list. You've been reading my reviews, and getting an idea of what I appreciate and what I'm not so thrilled with. What would YOU recommend I put on my list and why do you think I'd find it worthwhile to read before I die? I'll try to put together a list of 100 that I need to read before I die.

Alright, you're turn...tell me what you think!