Books and Films, the best and the rest
Stephen is worried about whether he’s “well read” or not. The list he refers to contains few books I’ve read either, I can only count 2 and a smidge. I must admit that I don’t care. I’m sure Stephen could come up with a list of excellent books which aren’t on the list. I’m also sure that Larry McCaffery wouldn’t have read a good number of them. This proves little in the end, only that we read and enjoy different books.
If I made a list of 100 essential books it would be different from Stephen’s and we’d disagree on parts of it. Neither would be wrong though. Actually if I made a list of 100 essential books I’d disagree with it within a week as more books came to mind, or as I read something else. Putting all of that aside, I might make a list anyway, just to cause trouble :)
While I’m at it I might list 25 films science fiction(ish) films that are “better” that any of the Star Wars films. Now that’s a list that would cause trouble, especially as I’m bound to list some “dross” that I love, such as Them!.