Live long and read. You'll need to if you take on the actual challenge kicked off by this list. It could require just over 51 years to complete if you follow Philip Ward's recommendation to read roughly one work (or cluster of related works) per month. Less time if you pick up the pace or if you've read some of the books already.
This is the first of 10 instalments. Each part will cover 5 years worth of suggested reading. The list is sourced from "A Lifetime's Reading: Five Hundred Great Books to be Enjoyed over 50 Years" by Philip Ward. The layout is as follows:
Year 1: 1-13
Year 2: 14-33 (The 12 Tragedies (17-28) can be spread over Year 2)
Year 3: 34-45
Year 4: 46-57
Year 5: 58-75
Any time: 76-88 (13 Dickens novels in chronological order. As a supplement, one extra title a month, in the order in which they should be read. Or if you prefer a Dickens novel to the suggested book in any given month. Or if you extend the challenge a bit.)
