OK.. of your list I have read about 41... how do you get "about"? Well, I've read part of Shakespeare and half of Watership Down. I LOATHED Watership Down.. Tried to wade through it in Jr. High, I think it was and just couldn't make it.. I have however read almost all of Brian Jacques books and while some say they are more for youngsters, there's a lot of symbolism there. I don't think just reading those books necessarily should merit any particular laud... heck I read Origin of Species when I was in the 6th grade. It really doesn't speak to intellect.. it was just the only book in our small school library I hadn't read and there was no local public library.. and I was a super bookworm.. I read EVERYTHING I laid my eyes on.