I came across a list – yet another one – of the “best” 100 novels of all time. I suppose that means those printed in English that enjoyed a decent combination of good reviews and profitable sales.

Not to brag (much), but I had read a great deal of this list already. The remaining titles offer a challenge to me. I had passed up on reading many of these because 1) I had already seen the movie, 2) Jane Austen always seemed trite to me, or 3) how often will John O’Hara’s Appointment in Samarra come up in passing conversation?

Additionally, I haven’t heard of a lot of these books before, so I wouldn’t know I’m wasting my time until I had wasted at least enough time reading to realize my time was being wasted. I figure I’ll stick with familiar titles and/or authors.

So as I wait for the latest from Preston and Child, Michael Connolly, and Stephen King (come on, Steve, it’s been days since your last novel), I might as well go to my short list of not-yet-read “best” novels.

Which is, alphabetically by title:

The Adventures of Augie March, by Saul Bellow (I liked The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, so I’ll give this one a shot)

Appointment in Samarra, by John O’Hara (hey, who knows?)

At Swim-Two-Birds, by Flann O’Brien (a comic novel about a poor, lazy college kid writing a novel)

Atonement, by Ian McEwan (yet another book about a writer – writers love to write about writers! – but this one sounds devastatingly clever)

A Dance to the Music of Time, by Anthony Powell (over One Million words! – am I nuts?)

The Day of the Locust, by Nathanael West (not about bugs, I hear, but about disgruntled Hollywood failures)

A Handful of Dust, by Evelyn Waugh (he’s always good for a hearty laugh)

Housekeeping, by Marilynne Robinson (Roger Ebert gushed over Bill Forsyth’s film of this book, so that’s two reasons to read it)

The Man Who Loved Children, by Christina Stead (about an ultra-disfunctional family – maybe I’ll feel better about my upbringing after this one)

Neuromancer, by William Gibson (sounds topical even after 25 years, and it’s a cool title)

The Power and the Glory, by Graham Greene (I try to read every book the Catholic Church condemns)

Red Harvest, by Dashiell Hammett (this early and authentic Lit Noir sounds great)

To the Lighthouse, by Virginia Woolf (I’m not afraid of Virginia Woolf – but I hope this one isn’t too Jane Austen-ish)

Tropic of Cancer, by Henry Miller (apparently so dirty I’ll want to take a shower between chapters)

Watchmen, by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons (lots of pictures, which means a quick read)

O.C. DeeDee

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