Susan Choi's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"
This is one of the 743 lists we use to generate our main The Greatest Books list.
-
The Chronicles Of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
The Book of Three
Set in a mythical land inspired by Welsh mythology, this enchanting series follows the journey of a young assistant pig-keeper named Taran as he embarks on a quest to discover his true identity and destiny. Alongside a colorful cast of companions, including the feisty Princess Eilonwy, the loyal bard Fflewddur Fflam, and the endearing creature Gurgi, Taran faces numerous challenges and battles against the forces of evil led by the sinister Arawn. Through trials of courage, friendship, and self-discovery, the story weaves a rich tapestry of adventure, heroism, and the timeless struggle between good and evil.
The 13327th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org -
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
The book is a semi-autobiographical novel that follows a Native American teenager who leaves his school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white high school in a neighboring town. The protagonist grapples with his own identity, the perceptions and prejudices of his new classmates, and the harsh realities of life on the reservation. Throughout the story, he uses humor and his passion for drawing cartoons to navigate the challenges he encounters.
The 2645th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser
The novel follows a young country girl who moves to the big city where she starts realizing her own American Dream by first becoming a mistress to men she perceives as superior and later as a famous actress. It is a portrayal of the realities of the modern city and the complexities of the modern world, illustrating the influence of consumer culture on the individual. Despite her moral decline, the protagonist's rise to fame seems to defy the conventional social norms and moral values, making the novel a notable instance of naturalist literature.
The 340th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
The Wars by Timothy Findley
"The Wars" is a historical novel that follows the life of a young Canadian soldier, Robert Ross, during World War I. The narrative explores Ross's experiences in the war, his struggles with his own morality, and the harsh realities of the battlefield. The book also delves into the psychological impact of war on soldiers, as well as the effects of war on animals, which Ross is particularly sensitive to. Through non-linear storytelling, the novel provides a visceral and poignant commentary on the brutality and senselessness of war.
The 2601st Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Set in the summer of 1922, the novel follows the life of a young and mysterious millionaire, his extravagant lifestyle in Long Island, and his obsessive love for a beautiful former debutante. As the story unfolds, the millionaire's dark secrets and the corrupt reality of the American dream during the Jazz Age are revealed. The narrative is a critique of the hedonistic excess and moral decay of the era, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.
The 3rd Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
The Bostonians by Henry James
This novel is a satirical depiction of the post-Civil War feminist movement in Boston. The story revolves around a young feminist advocate, her conservative cousin, and a charming young man who wants to marry her. The novel explores themes of feminism, male dominance, and the battle between tradition and progress. It also provides a critical view of the era's political reformers and abolitionists.
The 1031st Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
The novel explores the spiritual isolation of misfits and outcasts in a small town of the U.S. South. Its protagonist is a deaf-mute who becomes the confidant for various troubled souls including a black physician, a bitter labor activist, a lonely young girl, and a struggling café owner. Each pours their heart out to him, but he remains unable to respond, reflecting the deep human need for connection and understanding.
The 117th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
Almost Transparent Blue by Ryū Murakami
The novel is a vivid and disturbing exploration of the lives of a group of young people living in a Japanese port town in the 1970s. They are involved in a hedonistic lifestyle, filled with sex, drugs, and rock and roll, as they aimlessly drift through life. The protagonist, a former student, serves as the narrator, describing the group's experiences in graphic detail, revealing a bleak picture of a generation lost in the aftermath of the post-war economic boom. The narrative's raw and unflinching portrayal of the underbelly of Japanese youth culture is underscored by themes of alienation, self-destruction, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
The 2597th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
The Borrowers by Mary Norton
In a quaint English country house, a family of tiny people known as "Borrowers" live secretly beneath the floorboards, surviving by "borrowing" items from the human inhabitants. The story follows the adventures of young Arrietty Clock, who yearns for exploration beyond her hidden world. Her curiosity leads to an unexpected friendship with a human boy, which threatens the Borrowers' existence as their secret is at risk of being exposed. This enchanting tale explores themes of courage, friendship, and the delicate balance between two vastly different worlds.
The 10336th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
Everyman by Philip Roth
"Everyman" is a profound exploration of the common human experience as it recounts the life of its unnamed protagonist. The book explores themes of mortality, regret, and the human condition through the lens of an everyman character. The protagonist's journey through life, with all its joys, sorrows, achievements, and failures, is a contemplation on aging, death, and the inevitable decline of the body. The narrative is a stark and unflinching examination of the human experience, offering a poignant meditation on the nature of life, death, and humanity.
The 11603rd Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
The novel follows the story of a teenager named Holden Caulfield, who has just been expelled from his prep school. The narrative unfolds over the course of three days, during which Holden experiences various forms of alienation and his mental state continues to unravel. He criticizes the adult world as "phony" and struggles with his own transition into adulthood. The book is a profound exploration of teenage rebellion, alienation, and the loss of innocence.
The 4th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
A Perfect Day For Bananafish by J. D. Salinger
In this poignant short story, a young woman named Muriel Glass is vacationing at a Florida resort with her husband, Seymour, who is struggling with post-war trauma. As Muriel engages in a superficial phone conversation with her mother, Seymour befriends a little girl named Sybil on the beach, sharing with her a whimsical tale about mythical creatures called "bananafish." Through their innocent interaction, the story subtly explores themes of alienation, the impact of war, and the chasm between innocence and the harsh realities of adult life, culminating in a shocking and tragic conclusion.
The 13327th Greatest Book of All Time
The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book), 12 Books
These are Susan Choi's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager
This list was originally published in 2020 and was added to this site 6 days ago.
This list has a weight of 5%. To learn more about what this means please visit the Rankings page.
Here is a list of what is decreasing the importance of this list:
- Voters: Voter Count
- List: only covers mostly "Western Canon" books
If you think this is incorrect please contact us.
- Number of Voters:
- 1
- Voter Count Unknown:
- No
- Voter Names Unknown:
- No
- High Quality Source:
- No
- Location Specific:
- No
- Category Specific:
- No