Reading Martin Seymour-Smith's list of 100 Most Influential Books.

There are many lists out there entitled something like, "100 Most Influential Books", "Books Every Educated Person Should Read", or "Books You Need to Read Before You Die". But why? Why read at all? I would argue, because it is mankind's ability to create art and to reflect upon his condition that separates him from the beasts. It enriches people's lives. One can look more deeply at his/her own life or situation when he/she has looked into the lives and situations of others, even if those others are fictional characters (all characters are reflections of the world in which the writer lives, even in fantasy). Furthermore, it makes sense that by reading the best literature, one will best be enriched. For this reason, I have decided to read and comment upon every book on Martin Seymour-Smith's list of "100 Most Influential Books Ever Written". Hopefully, by the end of this project, I will have enriched my life, proven the importance of reading, and separated myself from the beasts. The first book is The I Ching or Book of Changes. Stay tuned.

To learn more about Martin Seymour-Smith see: http://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/19/arts/martin-seymour-smith-70-critic-biographer-and-poet.html.