100 One-Night Reads: A Book Lover's Guide

I heard these brothers speak at an evening event at the Library of Congress. They decried the chance nature of book publishing, where good books disappear and bad books make money. Their own book is itself a great read. A Desiderata for essential reading. Take it with you when you pick through flea markets. Thank you, David and John Major.

I have used this book to check out titles I have yet to read. ANd the authors do a very good job presenting the book and the author in such a way, that you will find yourself wanting to put down the book and pick up their recommendation. Any reference book that can achieve that effect is worth its price.What will appeal to a wide ranging audience.....is the wide range of books they've profiled. Every thing from the Hobbit to Aunt Mame...classics as well as some modern authors.Frankly, I hope the authors will do another book in this genre...the possibilities are endless. In the meantime, get started on this one.

If you find yourself at airport bookstores impulsively buying a best-seller that proves disappointing; or if you've been at the library for a half hour without finding something you're confident you'll like; or if your evening plans fell through and you looking for literate consolation; 100 One-Night Reads is your trusty companion to good reading. The Major brothers have selected a variety of very good books and have told the reader enough about each book, and why it will be a good read, that you'll be able to find an evening's pleasure and reward easily. 100 One-Night Reads might also introduce a young reader to authors who will show how reading is one of life's great pleasures. I hope that the Major brothers will follow up with 100 More One-Night Reads or 100 Two-Night Reads or some other excellent guide to literature.

This essay collection provides insight into 100 literary items that run the gamut from "Beowulf" to "Breakfast at Tiffany's" to "Parkinson's Law" to "Something Fresh" to "Auntie Mame," etc. The authors analyze the tale & offer background material on the author. The material analyzed range from fantasy, general fiction, non-fiction, humor, memoirs and biographies, mystery, science, and travel. Each essay is very interesting, insightful, and worth the price of 100 ONE-NIGHT READS, especially if the reader obtains the original piece and uses the work of the Major siblings as a supplement or guide. Harriet Klausner

What an entertaining guide to a diverse collection of great books! Thanks to David and John Major for sharing their extensive literary knowledge in a very enjoyable fashion. 100 One-Night Reads will be my guide for future reading choices.