30 Books to Read Before You Die (Pt. 19)

Part 19! Wow, we've really come a long, long way since Part 1-10, haven't we? I would like to thank again to anyone who has seriously stuck around this long and I will try my best to keep creating lists as I develop a wider range of reading.

As we speak, I am still developing this list, I want it to be as large as physically possible with a grand range of books that you can read. Whether you've stuck around since Part 1, or you hopped in at Part 10, or whether this is your first time joining us for a list—it doesn't matter at all. All that matters is that you can get some serious reading material out of the lists provided by me.

Now, I get asked, "Where did you get this idea to make lists of 30 books you should read before you die?" And the answer is simple. I was reading a book called 1001 Books to Read Before You Die and found I didn't fully agree with them because all of it was basic, classic literature. Not everyone likes to read classic literature, and so I thought of making my own list. But, instead of having 1001 in one list, I wanted to break it down into manageable chunks. I think 30 books is fair as a manageable amount, don't you?

I always think that you should expand your reading past just classic literature and into the realms of other cultures, times, and other genres. It's important to do that so you know what you like reading (or you can be like me who has random binge-reads of particular genres at any one time—at the moment I'm really into essay books, short story collections and philosophy for some reason).

As always with these lists, I never ever give you something I haven't read myself. I have always tried and tested the books before I list them. I will mark my personal favourites with an asterisk (*) and talk about some memorable experiences reading certain books intermittently so that you can engage with the experience, rather than just a summary you can grab from anywhere on the internet.

So let's begin, these are numbers 541-570...

541-550

541. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

542. 'The Everyman Pocket Poets' Blues Poems*

This is a book I used to carry around with me so much that it ripped a hole in the bottom of my backpack from where it used to sit in the side pocket. I used to read it when I had nothing else to read and it was one of the most fascinating things ever. Now, I've always loved the music of Robert Johnson and there's many of his lyrics within this small book, including some other blues poets and singers that you may be familiar with if you listen to that sort of thing. The one thing I found really fascinating about this book is it was the very first time I ever read the lyrics to Robert Johnson's "Hellhound on My Trail"—I was also on a train at this time so I couldn't voice my satisfaction out loud. But, needless to say, it was brilliant.

543. Journey into Fear by Eric Ambler

544. Deep Blues by Robert Palmer*

545. The Old, Weird America by Greil Marcus

546. The Wicker Man by Robin Hardy

547. Haunted by James Herbert

548. 'Revolution in the Air' by Clinton Heylin*

It doesn't really matter whether you're a Bob Dylan fan or not. This is probably one of the most definitive books on Bob Dylan's songs and lyrics I have ever read in my life. The expansive notes, the stories, and the research that has been put into this book are above and beyond. The book goes through some real seminal years for Dylan, and perfectly tells the stories behind some of his most beloved songs. This book was followed by Still on the Road and together they make an excellent piece of research on Dylan's music. I have probably read this book about three times and Still on the Road about the same amount. When I picked it up, I really couldn't believe how good it was; but though there are better Dylan biographers out there, there really is something special about this book in particular.

549. Seeing the Real You At Last by Britta Lee Shain*

550. Classical Literary Criticism by Penelope Murray and TS Dorsch

551-560

551. A Natural History of Ghosts by Roger Clarke

552. The Beatles by Hunter Davies*

553. Brothers by David Talbot

554. 'I Am Brian Wilson' by Brian Wilson*

There is something really quite sentimental about reading on Brian Wilson's love for the Ronettes's song "Be My Baby,"to the point that he kept playing the introduction of it over and over again. He's one of the greatest music producers in human history and his story is just as incredible as his career. He is blindingly intelligent with a masterful technique, and this books gives you all the highs and lows of what made the man who became the founder of The Beach Boys, one of the best bands of the 50s and 60s rock scene. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book last year, seated upon the kitchen worktop. Brian Wilson truly is a man of multiple great talents.

555. Forever Words by Johnny Cash*

556. Jerry Lee Lewis by Rick Bragg*

557. Buddy Holly by Ellis Amburn*

558. Redemption by William Peter Blatty.

559. Myths from Ancient Mesopotamia

560. No Direction Home by Robert Shelton*

561-570

561. I Put a Spell on You by Nina Simone*

562. Innocent Erendira and Other Stories by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

563. Frank Sinatra: An Extraordinary Life by Spencer Leigh*

564. With Billie by Julia Blackburn*

565. Buddy by Philip Norman*

566. I Want to Tell You by OJ Simpson

567. David Bowie by Dylan Jones

568. Detroit '67 by Stuart Cosgrove

569. Without a Doubt by Marcia Clarke

570. The Portable Beat Reader by Ann Charters*