from New York Magazine (I think I'd only read 3!)

http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/2007/32390/

and this, too...

Which novels—and novelists—from the past several years will be taught in 50 years’ time?

 http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/2007/32391/

I'm even worse.  I'm not sure I've even heard of any of them.  But I copied the list for future reference.

I haven't read any of them, but I do have Carol Shields' Unless on my Reminder list.

Not only have I not read anything from these lists, I don't even think I've heard of any of those authors.  Well, 2 or 3 on the second list were familiar but that's it.

Uh duh...I haven't read any of them nor did I recognize any of the authors. I don't feel bad though. It's only one group's opinion. I wonder what would go on a PBS list :)

I have Unless and Banishing Verona on my TBR pile, otherwise the only other book I had heard of was Atonement.  Honestly most of them didn't really look very interesting to me.

I have Home Land and Banishing Verona in my TBR pile.

Wow, I feel so UNwell-read! Haven't heard of, much less read any of those books or authors! Oh well, fortunately I' m more concerned about what I like than what someone else says I should like!   ;-)

I added 2 of them to my WL. I have both of Jhumpa Lahiri's books on TBR pile.

That's about how I feel Donna! I read for me, not to please anyone else. LOL And I really hate being told I have to read something. It brings out an instant animosity toward a book. <G>

I think it should have been entitled "The Best Books You've Never Heard Of" . LOL

Thanks so much for posting the list. Lydia :)

I think the point of the list (Best Books You've Never Read) was that the books were supposed to be new to us.  I don't think it was telling anybody they had to read them (anymore than a glowing review anywhere does).  It's a cool list of recs & I'm ALWAYS looking for recs, so thanks again, Lydia.

Thanks, Susan!  I was beginning to think I was being "flamed" for posting the lists here, under the HIDDEN GEMS section!  LOL!

I just ordered a book from your shelf, Lydia :)

I have only even heard of TWO of them before.  LMAO.  And yet another piece of evidence that I've been engrossed in toddler books lately.  One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.  I think I'm going to scream if I have to read it again!

From the best novels list, I just ordered Unless from Barnes & Noble, and have The Teahouse Fire on my WL.  Thanks for the list, I am always looking for new and different things to read!

Tender Land and A Primate's Memoir are both excellent.

None of those books even look like anything that I even WANT to read.

I've never heard of those books either. One of the best books I've read in the past few years was Canaan by Charlie Smith. It's a novel set in the south about a crazy , rich spoiled woman. I really enjoyed it, maybe I'll read it again!:)

Tracy

Lydia- I want to thank you for the link too. A couple of the books look really good. I am always looking for good books to add to my collection. I was just browsing your bookshelf and wishlist and got some ideas as well. I have about 75% of your bookshelf myself. LoL.

Megan,

I just studied your wishlist for quite some time and added to mine until I ran out of room!  How did you find out about so many interesting books?  The covers of all of them are so eye-catching!  It kind of reminded me of how some day I want to take a pad and pen to Target and copy all the names of their pretty books and look for them here at PBS!

Lydia

There's a few I've heard of before and three I think I will get.  But some of those selections just do not sound appealing.  Just what is so interesting about the experiences of a post man?  

Well, I'm finally on my way and I finished one book on the list, The Fall of the Sparrow.  It was quite long so it took me a week or so.  It was a little over my head in a bunch of places, or actually A LOT over my head because there was a lot of Italian history and Greek stuff.  I really did enjoy it though and came to really care for the main character.