A Pack of Pulitzers

This year, along with reading what is required for my book club, I decided to read only books that have won the Pulitzer Prize.

Why, you ask? I don't know. I guess because I don't consider myself very well read and I thought that would be a good place to start. Also, for whatever reason, the list for my book club this year contains 3 or 4 Pulitzer winners.

So far,this year, I have read Beloved, The Good Earth and Angela's Ashes and I have to say "so far, so good".

What do you think of my resolution?

If you were me, how would you pick the ones to read? I can tell you that is challenging for me - everything sounds so interesting. Today, I went to the library and took Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri and Empire Falls by Richard Russo. I've received good and bad reviews on both from friends and forums. I think I'm starting Maladies tonight.

So what are your thoughts? Any similar resolutions out there?

A tremendous idea! Coincidentally, I built an early version of the Pulitzer Prize website, in 1997, after graduating from Columbia's journalism school (which sponsors the Pulitzers). The main perk was an enormous stack of Pulitzer prize winning books. Such great stuff, including a bunch of things I wouldn't have otherwise read, like Guns, Germs and Steel and Katherine Graham's Personal History.

Enjoy, and report back on your favorites!

I'm trying to read as many Booker shortlisted books as I can. For the past few years, I've bought the full short list, but prior to about 2003, I haven't read many.

For what it's worth, Concetta, I loved Interpreter of Maladies and loathed Empire Falls.

I personally loved Interpreter of Maladies.

I think your idea of reading only Pulitzer Prize winning books is interesting. I mostly read for entertainment these days, as my job and graduate school are very stressful, and reading is a pleasure and a release. Thus, I find myself reading a lot of young adult novels and novels that tell a good story with well written characters. I also throw in a few books on mindfulness and other self help titles. Judging by your standards, I couldn't read any of my books I've read so far this year!

While I want to be well read, I also want to love what I'm reading. If I read only prize winning books or books in the canon, I'm not sure I still would love reading. Then again, I have an English degree, so I feel like I already am well read! I just don't like putting rules on something that for me, is a pleasure. I know many people disagree.

I like the idea of reading classics and prize winning literature, but not exclusively. My goal for this year is to read one literary masterpiece for every 10 pieces of lighter fiction. So far, I've failed miserably, but the year's not over yet! :)

Not to raise the expectations far too much, but I, too, loved Interpreter of Maladies.

Consider reading The Beak of the Finch. A bit long, but very interesting. Apparently evolution doesn't take eons.

I just finished A Confederacy of Dunces, certainly one of the funniest of Pulitzers.