Are These the BEST BOOKS of all Time?

In this episode we talk about our top 5 favorite books of all time, and make our case for why each one of them deserves to be on the list.
It's clear right away that Andy's literature bro tendencies are taking over with name drops like David Foster Wallace and Infinite Jest, while Tony sings the same old song and dance about Joseph Heller and Catch-22
What are your favorite books of all time? Drop them in the comments!

[@acratone8300]

Although I had barely heard of it until watching this video some time ago, Gravity's Rainbow is a solid choice and now number two on my top book list for the second half of the 20th century! Best book from that 1950 to 2000 list of mine is The Secret History by Donna Tart, who releases polished gems about every ten years. The Secret History in 1992, The Little Friend 2002, and The Goldfinch 2013. The last two won more awards, but I like the first best. A few of my 3 through 10 half century are by Cormack McCarthy. But I prefer those by the old Victorians. They were grounded and knew what really matters.

[@janetlee6083]

Just found your channel today! I usually read non-fiction (I can't remember the last time I've picked up a novel) but your channel is giving me a lot of inspiration to dive into some fiction. Keep doing what your doing and making great content on books!!!

[@Lifeonbooks]

Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to leave a comment! I'm a big non fiction lover too. What are some of your recent favorites in non fiction?

[@janetlee6083]

@@Lifeonbooks Weirdly enough I've been reading a lot of abolition manifestos: "Abolish the Family" by Sophie Lewis and "Against Borders: The Case for Abolition". My favorite publisher is Verso Books! I don't know if theres an equivalent "popular/genre publisher" for novels.

[@brockeldon444]

MY FAVOURITES: 1.) The Brothers Karamazov; 2.) Blood Meridian; 3.) The Waste Land; 4.) Jude the Obscure; 5.) Middlemarch.

[@shrewnaldo]

On the theme of successful authors / artists who knew other successful authors / artists growing up, I always think of Donna Tartt and Bret Easton Ellis who were in the same class at Bennington College.

[@Lifeonbooks]

Crazy how those around them probably had no idea the greatness they were witnessing!

[@HeyDirty]

*Book Recommendation:* Last year I finally read a non-fiction book (slightly rare for me) that I'd owned for 15 years. _'Charlatan: America's Most Dangerous Huckster, the Man Who Pursued Him, and the Age of Flimflam'_ by Pope Brock, about a "quack" doctor and a fascinating layer of (recent-enough-to-be-scary) American history, with some subtle parallels to society today. (History repeats itself?) The book took time for me to get used to the "characters" but ultimately paid off.

[@Lifeonbooks]

That is one hell of a book title lol

[@nicolelourensz5222]

Great lists! Still have Gravity's Rainbow ( and the Companion) waiting to be completed.... It's a bit of a beast, TBH

[@Lifeonbooks]

Definitely a beast, but it's been fun to work my way through it slowly.

[@jackwalter5970]

I love lists! Thank you! My favorite novel is As I Lay Dying. Just discovered your channel.

[@Lifeonbooks]

Solid choice

[@susanneill7142]

Hey! Just subscribed & am still watching “Are These the Best Books of All Time?? When you talk about Warlock did you forget that Oakley Hall not T Pynchon wrote the book? Come on guys!!

[@Lifeonbooks]

Andy is a big Pynchon fanboi. We have yet to do an episode where he or Gravity's Rainbow isn't mentioned at least once!