The 75 top books of the past 75 years as compiled by Ann Patchett (Bel Canto, State of Wonder). Where do we sign? Writing for Parade, Patchett says:
When Parade asked me to compile a list of the best 75 books to celebrate the magazine’s 75th anniversary, my first answer was, “Not a chance!” I could picture the mountains of furious letters complaining about all the great works of literature I’d left off. But when I asked the staff at Parnassus Books, the Nashville store I co-own with Karen Hayes, to take it on as a group project, they were game.
How did they do? Well, there’s not much missing here. But see for yourself: Parade has published a printable listing here.
Ah, Ann Patchett, thank you! I will never forget Belle Canto. To share my new enthusiasm with the walpolloi, I purchased a CD of arias sung by opera greats; and now when trolling through the local Bible-belt parking lots, I crank up the volume in my vehicle as I hunt down a spot. Camouflage-cloaked humans struggle to twist around to see WTF, all thanks to you, Ann, for introducing me and Cheater to another world.