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100 One-Night Reads: A Book Lover's Guide
by David C. Major, John S. Major
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Ballantine Books (2001-05-29)
ISBN: 0345439945
EAN: 9780345439949
Dewy Decimal #: 011.73
Paperback: 336 pages
Edition: 1st
Release Date: 2001-05-29
SKU: 02759
Condition: Collectible: Good 1s
Comments: First Edition June 2001 with full number line.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
Readers everywhere know that nothing soothes the spirit like sinking into a really good book. If you're one of that happy band, you'll quickly recognize the authors of this inspired reading guide as kindred spirits. Here David and John Major have chosen one hundred books that can each be delightfully consumed in one quiet evening. Covering categories from fantasy to fiction, history to humor, mystery to memoir, this addictive volume features books to match all your moods—by both celebrated writers and gifted unknowns, including:
• Russell Baker • Willa Cather • Raymond Chandler • F. Scott Fitzgerald • Graham Greene • Edith Hamilton • Dashiell Hammett • Helene Hanff • Ernest Hemingway • Patricia Highsmith • Shirley Jackson • Henry James • W. Somerset Maugham • Mary McCarthy • Walter Mosley • Vladimir Nabokov • Patrick O'Brian • Barbara Pym • Phillip Roth • Vikram Seth • Isaac Bashevis Singer • C. P. Snow • Dylan Thomas • Evelyn Waugh • Edith Wharton • Laura Ingalls Wilder • Virginia Woolf
Each selection contains an entertaining discussion of what makes the book special, from an adventurous writing style to a unique sense of humor. The Majors also share insights about the authors and literary anecdotes, as well as recommend other gems on a similar subject or by the same author.
A literary companion to relish and refer to again and again, 100 One-Night Reads is a masterpiece in its own right!
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Customer Reviews
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Boring books
Rating  (1)
Date: 2008-11-20
I found many of these titles to be extremely dry. More like classical literature than anything else. I wouldn't consider them the type of books that you get through in one night. They are the type that you savor slowly. Some included titles: The Education of Oscar Fairfax, Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Secret Agent, Write if you get Work: The Best of Bob and Ray, The Great Gatsby, A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush
The Major's narrative style is lengthy and full of unecessary fluff.
However, if "classical literature" is your thing, this book may interest you.
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wonderful book about books
Rating  (5)
Date: 2008-04-05
This is a wonderful book about books. Basically, it is a list of great recommendations for anyone who loves to read. When I saw some of my favorite authors listed - E. F. Benson, Helene Hanff, Russell Baker, etc, I knew these guys know what they are talking about. The authors give a short synopsis of a book (without giving too much away of the plot )and interesting information about its author. I am thoroughly enoying working my way through their recommendations. I hope that there will be a second version of this book when I am finished.
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Arrived quickly.
Rating  (3)
Date: 2007-03-30
0 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
Arrived quickly. I expected a list of the best one night reads, I guess it depends on your likes and dislikes.
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Good suggestions, but certainly not for everyone.
Rating  (4)
Date: 2006-06-27
As the authors proclaim, this is a book lover's guide. But not everyone will share their tastes.
The authors do present one hundred short, informative and entertaining essays on the books they have enjoyed, which they feel others will appreciate as well.
I suspect I was not greatly impressed because I have read nearly all the books they recommend, some so many decades ago that I felt truly aged.
Many of the suggestions are not -- as the authors admit -- one night reads by any definition.
In some ways, I found the range of selections too broad, but that opinion probably reflects my personal tastes.
Treated as a descriptive list of the authors' favorites, most readers will discover something they haven't seen or thought of before. The descriptions will certainly aid in choosing what you might want to read.
Jerry
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The Best Recommendations
Rating (5)
Date: 2005-04-28
5 out of 5 customers found this reveiw helpful
I heard these brothers speak at an evening event at the Library of Congress. They decried the chance nature of book publishing, where good books disappear and bad books make money.
Their own book is itself a great read. A Desiderata for essential reading. Take it with you when you pick through flea markets. Thank you, David and John Major.
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