No worries. Hope it helps. I have been looking at putting my own list together so my Eastern books are heavily influenced by St John’s list as it was one of the few I could find.
It was awesome to meet you at Landmark last night to talk about some of these immortal books! I've really enjoyed digging in to some of these. I've always loved classics. I read all of Jane Austen's works when I was a senior in high school, and I was hooked after that.
A little over a year ago, while searching online, I came across the Hardcore Literature podcast and Patreon channel, and he takes the group through several great books a year, at least one big read a month. He also provides lectures with the subscription, but the intro or how to read videos are on YouTube for each one, and he provides historical context as well as tips on translations and how to understand the novel enough so you don't give up on it. Through that group, I've read Infinite Jest (more modern but still incredible), Song of Solomon, Far From the Madding Crowd, David Copperfield, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Metamorphoses, The Sound and the Fury, The Canterbury Tales, 1984, Brave New World, and The Iliad.
I've since desired wanting to begin reading some of the more ancient books and working my way chronologically based on a 5 year plan he recommended as well as incorporating your list. I'm in the process of trying to hash out my list, determine how many to read a year, deciding if I can still continue the online book club as well, etc. I also have trouble planning it out on my own and holding to that schedule. There are so many great books I want to read!
I've also looked at Mortimer Adler's list in the appendix of How to Read a Book to add some. Seems like there are a lot of lists with western titles and authors. Did you have a resource you used for Eastern ones?
Do you journal about what you read or just do marginalia and "The One Thing"? I'm trying to remember what I've read better.
If I live til 75, that will give me at least 40 years. Haha.
Yes - so good meeting you at the store. Let me know what you think of the books you purchased.
For Eastern titles, I mainly got those from asking professors and others what I should include. I list my sources for my list on this page here under the Sources tab - https://books.booksoftitans.com/immortal-books/
I keep a spreadsheet each year of the books I read and then I keep track of them all on my website (here's my 2025 list - https://books.booksoftitans.com/2025-reading-list/). While reading, I underline and take notes in the back of the book, I then transfer the most important notes to my journal, and then use those notes to decide what to talk about in my podcast episode.
40 years would be a great amount of time to get through a ton of the Great Books!
Thanks for the links! That's very helpful. I'll definitely let you know what I think of them.
A spreadsheet is a great idea also. I've been using Goodreads or similar platforms to track mine.
Using the blank pages for notes is a good idea also. I always forget about those until I get there. I usually just highlight, underline, or make notes in the margins.
Hi Bianca St John’s college in Annapolis has a great books programme but they also have a simulator one for Easter authors as well
https://www.sjc.edu/academic-programs/graduate/masters-eastern-classics/reading-lists
No worries. Hope it helps. I have been looking at putting my own list together so my Eastern books are heavily influenced by St John’s list as it was one of the few I could find.
Thanks so much!
It was awesome to meet you at Landmark last night to talk about some of these immortal books! I've really enjoyed digging in to some of these. I've always loved classics. I read all of Jane Austen's works when I was a senior in high school, and I was hooked after that.
A little over a year ago, while searching online, I came across the Hardcore Literature podcast and Patreon channel, and he takes the group through several great books a year, at least one big read a month. He also provides lectures with the subscription, but the intro or how to read videos are on YouTube for each one, and he provides historical context as well as tips on translations and how to understand the novel enough so you don't give up on it. Through that group, I've read Infinite Jest (more modern but still incredible), Song of Solomon, Far From the Madding Crowd, David Copperfield, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Metamorphoses, The Sound and the Fury, The Canterbury Tales, 1984, Brave New World, and The Iliad.
I've since desired wanting to begin reading some of the more ancient books and working my way chronologically based on a 5 year plan he recommended as well as incorporating your list. I'm in the process of trying to hash out my list, determine how many to read a year, deciding if I can still continue the online book club as well, etc. I also have trouble planning it out on my own and holding to that schedule. There are so many great books I want to read!
I've also looked at Mortimer Adler's list in the appendix of How to Read a Book to add some. Seems like there are a lot of lists with western titles and authors. Did you have a resource you used for Eastern ones?
Do you journal about what you read or just do marginalia and "The One Thing"? I'm trying to remember what I've read better.
If I live til 75, that will give me at least 40 years. Haha.
Yes - so good meeting you at the store. Let me know what you think of the books you purchased.
For Eastern titles, I mainly got those from asking professors and others what I should include. I list my sources for my list on this page here under the Sources tab - https://books.booksoftitans.com/immortal-books/
I keep a spreadsheet each year of the books I read and then I keep track of them all on my website (here's my 2025 list - https://books.booksoftitans.com/2025-reading-list/). While reading, I underline and take notes in the back of the book, I then transfer the most important notes to my journal, and then use those notes to decide what to talk about in my podcast episode.
40 years would be a great amount of time to get through a ton of the Great Books!
Thanks for the links! That's very helpful. I'll definitely let you know what I think of them.
A spreadsheet is a great idea also. I've been using Goodreads or similar platforms to track mine.
Using the blank pages for notes is a good idea also. I always forget about those until I get there. I usually just highlight, underline, or make notes in the margins.