@Gollum and HoopyFrood: I agree that Conrad is marvellous. I only got around to "The Secret Agent" fairly recently. I love "Heart of Darkness" and "Under Western Eyes". "Nostromo" is a masterpiece. I haven't read it for years and I hope to have time for a re-read. Mind you, there are lots I haven't read yet - "Lord Jim" for instance [blush].
Interesting to see "Timescape" on your list Gollum. Since it's an SF Masterwork, it's on my radar also (and on my Kindle!).
I'm also fascinated by the idea of reading the Classics (eg "Journey to the West"). I've recently come across the "Lifetime Reading Plan" by Fadiman and Major. (There's a reproduction of the bare list
here). There are lots of authors and titles there that I hope to read. Maybe I should start alternating - one off the list and then one SF book!
What do other people on here think? How much time do you spend reading the classics as opposed to SF or literary fiction? I think I read SF for pure pleasure. I read the classics and literary fiction for a mixture of reasons - educational, self-improvement, curiousity etc.
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PS I am loving the community of well-read people on here!