How to Prepare a Personal Reading Booklist
Compile a List of Books to Read From Classics to Modern Authors
Even enthusiastic readers can find themselves sticking to favourite authors and genres and missing out on great new books or literary classics. Compiling a reading list is one way to find motivation to read more often and to try something new for those looking for something interesting to read.
Prepared Reading Lists
Many major booksellers produce Top 50 or Top 100 booklists each year with their best selling titles. For readers particularly looking to broaden their experience with modern authors, these can be a great starting place for a reading list.
There are a variety of books with recommendations for reading lists ranging from general lists to specific topics.
There are a large number of books published with reading lists, ranging from general overviews to books recommended by librarians, writers or famous readers. The following represent only a small selection of these:
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to The Ultimate Reading List (Alpha, 2007) by Mosley, Charles, Hamilton-Selway and van Winkle.
1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (ABC Books, 2006) Ed: Peter Boxall
Book Lust (Sasquatch Books, 2003) and More Book Lust (Sasquatch Books, 2005) by Nancy Pearl. Pearl has also released a list of book suggestions for children and teens titled Book Crush (Sasquatch Books, 2007).
My Reading Life (Viking, 2008) by Bob Carr (former Premier of NSW)
Books of the Century (Times Books, 1998) compiled from The New York Times Book Review
Book Smart: Your Essential Reading List for Becoming a Literary Genius in 365 Days (McGraw-Hill Contemporary, 2007) – Jane Mallison
Themed Reading Lists
Choosing a specific theme can help to narrow down the selection of potential books to a more manageable number. The theme can be as general or specific as desired. For example, the choice could simply be narrowed to fiction or non-fiction. Alternatively, a particular genre, subject or other defining feature could be selected, such as
- Women authors
- Banned or controversial books
- Australian authors (or any other country)
- Literary award winners
- a particular genre such as thriller, mystery, classics, science fiction
- a particular setting such as wartime, colonial, India
- Young adult or teen novels
- Bestsellers
Controversial Books
Take a walk on the wild side and make a reading list of controversial and challenged books. Overview books such as 100 Banned Books (Checkmark Books, 1999) by Karolides, Bald and Sova provide a list of books that have been questioned for political, social and religious reasons in the past. The summaries of protests and legal challenges add extra insight into why the books were considered inappropriate.
For a more recent list of banned or censored books, visit the American Library Association. This organisation promotes an annual Banned Books Week to celebrate the freedom to read. There is an updated list of banned and challenged books available on the site as well as other relevant links.
Literary Award Winners
To sample the best modern literature, create a reading list from the longlisted or shortlisted titles from major literary awards such as the Booker Prize, Nobel Prize for Literature or Miles Franklin Literary Award. Many state and/or national governments have awards for authors from their particular area.
Find a Book and Start Reading
Keep a list of interesting books on hand when visiting a local library or bookstore. Librarians and bookstore staff are generally very happy to make recommendations about current favourites or titles that might be of particular interest.
Set a personal goal to read a certain number of books each month, alternating fiction and non-fiction or favourites with new authors for variety.
Compile a Booklist to Expand Reading Horizons
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