Intrigued by the question of what is meant by "everybody". For example, let's take Dante, or the Odyssey. These are both books I think a truly literate, educated person should be acquainted with. But some people--including some goodreads members--don't have the reading level necessary to plow through them. So, what does one assume when one says "everybody"? Also, I have avoided the temptation to assume that everybody should read some books I like very much. I adore Stephen King (usually). There are some people whose threshold won't allow for his writings, and they are really (funny as it seems to me) frightened by his work. Should I impose him on them (if I could)? I think not. So I am left with great works with reasonable literacy levels that won't freak people beyond what is decent, and message books like "The Help".
