100 One-Night Reads: A Book Lover's Guide [Paperback]

David C. Major (Author), John S. Major (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 29, 2001

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!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Beyond engrossing stories and pretty language, good books offer "a sense of having participated in much of what is finest in human culture," assert David C. Major and John S. Major (coauthor of The New Lifetime Reading Plan) in 100 One-Night Reads: A Book Lover's Guide. Though some recommendations may take longer than one night (e.g., The Hobbit), they are all enjoyable, tasteful, educational. Greene's Our Man in Havana, Wharton's Madame de Treymes, Achebe's Things Fall Apart, Roth's Portnoy's Complaint and Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop exemplify the authors' canonical taste. Some newer titles, like Vikram Seth's The Golden Gate and Dava Sobel's Longitude, also appear. Most of the selections are fiction, but humor and memoir also weigh in; poetry is excluded. Book groups will appreciate the recommendations as well as the authors' brief essay on each one.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

A new entry in the "what should I read next?" genre, this volume has a hook: most of the 100 suggested books can be read in one evening. The Major brothers offer recommendations in nonfiction, general fiction, fantasy, humor, mystery, history, public affairs, memoirs, science, and travel. Most are by English or U.S. authors and were published in the 20th century. Each three-page entry includes a description of the book, information about the author, and an evaluation of what makes the book distinctive. Suggestions for additional writings by the author are often included. Among the Majors' favorites are F. Scott Fitzgerald, Raymond Chandler, Virginia Woolf, Philip Roth, Walter Mosley, Dylan Thomas, Russell Baker, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. The Majors have coedited two poetry anthologies and coauthored The New Lifetime Reading Plan. Recommended for public libraries. Shana C. Fair, Ohio Univ., Zanesville, OH
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1st edition (May 29, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345439945
• ISBN-13: 978-0345439949
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,129,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What to Read?, November 14, 2002

By 

Sian Steward (Watertown, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 100 One-Night Reads: A Book Lover's Guide (Paperback)

My friends and I are always recommending books to each other. We pull out our notebooks and PDAs and scribble down authors and titles. This sharing is an integral part of our friendships. When I open and browse in 100 One-Nightight Reads, I feel as if I have been talking to a good friend - and want to scribble down notes to myself.

This collection of essays recommending books that one can happily read in one night - is so much more than an annotated bibliography! David and John Major are sharing their own personal recommendations with us all. They are offering an intimate tour of the books that have mattered to them. Each essay has an individual approach and when you read it, you feel as if you have had a conversation with the author.

Sometimes I am reminded of old friends - books such as Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart that had a profound influence on my thinking when I read it twenty years ago; sometimes I am delighted to find a new book that I didn't know about - such as Louis Begley's Wartime Lies that must go on The List. Then it's nice to remember old favorites such as Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep. One of the things I like about this book is that this is not a list of classic books that `ought' to be read - its much more personal than that - broader in range - and much more fun. As I was reading, I found myself saying "Oh yes, I remember reading that,"- or "I must reread that!" - or "I must remember that one!"

Each essay elicits a specific response and this review would be too long if I wrote down all my comments. But the collection gives pleasure - a persuasive collection, that makes readers want to read more and might encourage those who don't read as much to pick up a book.

I think that teachers and librarians who offer guidance to young people would enjoy this book and find it useful.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful work, June 7, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 100 One-Night Reads: A Book Lover's Guide (Paperback)

This essay collection provides insight into 100 literary items that run the gamut from "Beowulf" to "Breakfast at Tiffany's" to "Parkinson's Law" to "Something Fresh" to "Auntie Mame," etc. The authors analyze the tale & offer background material on the author. The material analyzed range from fantasy, general fiction, non-fiction, humor, memoirs and biographies, mystery, science, and travel. Each essay is very interesting, insightful, and worth the price of 100 ONE-NIGHT READS, especially if the reader obtains the original piece and uses the work of the Major siblings as a supplement or guide.

Harriet Klausner

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every book lover will enjoy this one......, September 22, 2001

By 

Suzanne E. Anderson "Author of Mrs. Tuesday's... (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 100 One-Night Reads: A Book Lover's Guide (Paperback)

I have used this book to check out titles I have yet to read. ANd the authors do a very good job presenting the book and the author in such a way, that you will find yourself wanting to put down the book and pick up their recommendation. Any reference book that can achieve that effect is worth its price.

What will appeal to a wide ranging audience.....is the wide range of books they've profiled. Every thing from the Hobbit to Aunt Mame...classics as well as some modern authors.

Frankly, I hope the authors will do another book in this genre...the possibilities are endless. In the meantime, get started on this one.