As a hardcore book lover, I have the deepest hatred for all lists of books. They are pretentious wastes of time, usually written to make the author look like an

As a hardcore book lover, I have the deepest hatred for all lists of books. They are pretentious wastes of time, usually written to make the author look like an eclectic and well-rounded person and for no other purpose. This is just about my only strong opinion in the world. I would die a thousand deaths on this hill. Publishing a list of books like this should be in the same category of social bad habits such as name dropping celebrities you have met, or casually mentioning the large amount of money you make per year ($two hundred Kay), or having a PO Box in a rich neighborhood so you can have an address that impresses people. Ticking boxes is exactly what it is. If I can be a little overdramatic (yes, now is where that starts), it's a betrayal of the very soul of reading.