[Rainger99]

The New York Times asked its readers to select the best book of the past 125 years. The winner was announced yesterday.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird
2. The Fellowship of the Ring
3. 1984
4. 100 years of Solitude
5. Beloved

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

The New York Times asked its readers to select the best book of the past 125 years. The winner was announced yesterday.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird
2. The Fellowship of the Ring
3. 1984
4. 100 years of Solitude
5. Beloved

FWIW, those are the rankings determined by the NYT's readership, with TKAM taking first place, and Beloved taking 5th. Not sure that was clear in the original post.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

The New York Times asked its readers to select the best book of the past 125 years. The winner was announced yesterday.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird
2. The Fellowship of the Ring
3. 1984
4. 100 years of Solitude
5. Beloved

To Kill a Mockingbird has been a top book since it was written. A lot of people read it in school and seem to remember it more than other assigned books.

The story is powerful, but I think Harper Lee’s writing style went a long way to make the book so successful.

It is an easy, quick read, written in a conversational tone — but with a lot between the lines. The characterization is perfect — right down to the piece of garbage who attacks Scout and Jem.

The words, “Hey, Boo,” still bring tears to my eyes. So much said in just two words.

Boomer

PS: I think it is also the only well-loved book with an absolutely perfect and faithful movie version.