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If your friends know that you're a vociferous reader, they will inevitably and
regularly solicit from you a recommendation for something to read. And you're probably
more than happy to oblige. The problem I have, however, is that when I'm asked I'm more
than likely to recommend something that I've read recently. That's fine, but a lot of fine
books go forgotten when that happens. And that's why I've been (internally) jumping up and
down for joy with the publication of a book titled 100 ONE-NIGHT READS, which I'm going to
call indispensable even for those who only read a book or two a year.
The premise behind this wonderful tool is to recommend books that are 1) worthwhile and 2)
can be read in a single evening. Brothers David C. And John S. Major succeed admirably on
both counts. Sure, there is room to quibble as to selection --- some that they included I
would have left out, and some that they left out would be in there if I were running
things --- but when it's all said and done they did a masterful job of adhering to and
fulfilling their premise.
You won't find Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's THE GULAG ARCHIPELAGO listed in here; worthwhile,
but too long. They do however, include ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF IVAN DENISOVICH. Same with
ULYSSES; not listed, but DUBLINERS is. Where the real strength of this volume lies,
however, is the forgotten classics that they have included. THE OX-BOW INCIDENT, a Western
for people who would never touch one, is listed. THE OX-BOW INCIDENT! This is a wonderful
book that I haven't thought about for 40 years. I've got a copy sitting next to me right
now and as soon as I finish prattling on here I'm going to pick it up and read it.
Tonight. They also list GUADALCANAL DIARY and, well, a passel of other books that you may
have read a long time ago or meant to read and never got around to or that you read once a
year, because they are worthwhile and you can read them in a night. See premise, above.
The really, really great thing about this volume, though, is that the Bros. Major do a
masterful job of summarizing each book, telling a bit about how it came to be written and
about the author, all in two or three pages per book. You can open 100 ONE-NIGHT READS
just about anywhere and start reading and you'll get interested in the book that's being
discussed. The authors make you want to read these books. And they're considerate too.
While the summaries are collected in alphabetical order, there is also a thoughtful
listing by genre, such as Mystery and Science and Travel and a slew of other ones. And
sure enough, no matter how well read you are in your favorite subject, there will be at
least one or two that you haven't read or have forgotten about. The choices aren't all
obvious, and you might disagree with some, but they all belong.
100 ONE-NIGHT READS is a book to own, to give, to use. Don't lend it out, though, unless
you've got a backup copy. You'll never get yours back.
--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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