The Journey (100 Best books Challenge)

As a former English teacher, obviously I have done a lot of reading, but there are times I reflect and think, why haven't I ever read that book?  For a bulk of this blog I am going to be focusing on visiting what are considered the best books of all time.  Some I have read, others (and actually many) I have not.  The list I have compiled is made up of 100 books (actually technically 103, I'll explain below). 

Perhaps you care or not, but why am I doing this?  I believe there is much to be learned from reading, as many experts would agree.  I also believe that some of the greatest minds put there thoughts down in the form of novels, novellas, etc., and I believe there are great lessons in all of these books I am about to read, or re-read.  I also have a sense of insecurity knowing that I taught literature and there is so much out there that I have not touched for whatever reason. 

For my own accountability I have laid some ground rules for myself and I encourage anyone to follow these if you so wish.  Reading 100 books is no easy task, especially since many of these books tend to be pretty difficult, but I am determined and looking forward to the challenge.  Here are my ground rules:

• The 100 books were compiled from multiple lists on the web, so there are some inconsistencies with where certain books fall on the list.  I am not super worried about ranking them, although I did on my spreadsheet (at the bottom of this blog).  It is my opinion that the list is accurate, though I do understand that literature is subjective.
• I am not giving myself a time limit.  I have no clue how long it will take me to read all of these books.  Length is always a factor, for example I know I can read Charlotte's Web a lot faster than I can read Moby Dick.  So to give an estimate or even a goal right now would be crazy.  I think I can average one book a week, but we'll see. 
• I will read the books in any order I choose.  At first I was going to start at the bottom and work my way up, but I cannot always guarantee availability, as I am attempting to do most of this by checking out from the local library.  
• I am allowed to read other books in the midst of the 100.  I think this is important to note, that I may need a break from the best books and read some other stuff throughout the journey.  
• I will attempt to read every book in it's entirety at one time.  Basically I don't want to start multiple books at the same time, and I would like to finish one book before I start another one.  One of the goals of this challenge is to be better in tune with the authors messages and I feel this is done better when the focus is entirely on that author.
• On the list there is only one work by each author.  Upon compiling the list I noticed that some authors had multiple works in the top 100 and I purposefully took out multiples.  Why?  I wanted a good representation of authors as well as books.  And quite honestly, I don't know if I can read that much Faulkner.  After I get this 100 done I may go back and fill in the gaps with books that, arguably, should be on this list.  
• There are two exceptions to the above rule.  One the list I am going to read both The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer and all three Lord of The Rings books by Tolkein.  Many of the lists I saw lumped these together as well.  You will notice that there are other books on the list that are a part of series, for example, Harry Potter, in which only the first book is included.  Not a problem I have read them all anyway.  There are also some anthologies on the list, and I will sort that out once I get there.  No I probably won't read everything Edgar Alan Poe wrote, for this challenge anyway.  
• Each book I read will be accompanied by a blog post.  Pretty simple rule.

So, now we are off.  Check out the link below to take a look at the list, and thank you for accompanying me on this journey.  At times it will be rough, but I am convinced that it will be rewarding.

100 Best Books Challenge List