Here’s what they read at one of the greatest liberal arts colleges in the U.S. (and, not coincidentally, my alma mater), St. John’s College. So just work your way through the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior reading lists, and you’re all set.
Actually, the St. John’s program includes virtually all of the works listed Walsh’s book, except the eastern ones and the 20th century ones after Einstein (they’re too damn modern). So his list is a pretty good short version.
There are two important points I’d like to stress as someone with a degree in the Classical Liberal Arts. First is that it is important to read whatever you read in chronological order. That’s because, at least for the works of Western culture, most authors on the list were familiar with many or most of the works that preceded them. The phrase “what’s past is prologue” is very true of the Great Books.
Second is that you will gain immensely more from discussing these books with others than you will from just reading them on your own. This is, of course, the very essence of the St. John’s program, where we discuss everything, including math and science.
The ideal plan would be to take off for the next four years and take St. John’s’ full undergraduate program. You don’t say where you are, but SJC has two campuses, Annapolis, MD, and Santa Fe, NM, so one is sure to be convenient to you.
If this isn’t feasible (I’m beginning to doubt the depth of your commitment to the Liberal Arts), start reading and, as Spezza suggests, look around for university, college, or even community college courses in the classics. If you do, try to maintain the chronological order, if at all possible.
A final small point. Although reading the Bible (both testaments) is absolutely essential to an understanding of Western philosophy, thought, and culture, I wouldn’t recommend joining a church Bible study group. The goals and focus of such a group are not compatible with reading it to understand its role in Western civilization.
Good luck.