My last post leads to two questions: one for me to answer, and one for you to answer. Firstly, what books would I recommend? Secondly, what books should I put on my reading list?
Books I recommend
There is a simple caveat to such a list. When I recommend something normally, I take into account everything I know about you. The following list ignores such information.
- Catch-22
Hilarious. - American Gods
There was something about it. I don’t think there was anything specific to like, but it evokes wonderful thoughts and feelings. - Foucault’s Pendulum
The first paragraph is fantastic, especially when spoken. Difficult, but thoroughly worth making it to the end. - The Picture of Dorian Gray
All Oscar Wilde should be read. - Cryptonomicon
I’ve now read it 4 times. It would be wrong to call it anything but my favourite book. - Slaughterhouse-five
Love Vonnegut.
Books I should read
The following are on my “list”. Should there be more?
- On the Road
- Freakonomics : a rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything
May 4th, 2008 10:55
reading through the list i’ve read a lot of the same books that you have - i’m surprised that you haven’t read catcher in the rye - i thought you were in my english class when we did that in year 11. but in terms of books you should read - a heartbreaking work of staggering genius is my favourite book, so i strongly recommend that, unless of course you don’t like books that are pretty much written in a sort of ranting stream of consciousness way. kavalier and clay is also another of my favourite books - but when you take into account that that michael chabon and dave eggers are my 2 favourite authors then it kinda makes sense. i also just finished the yiddish policeman’s union which is another of michael chabon’s books and it’s pretty much like reading a film noir, i really enjoyed it. i’m currently reading the other book he released last year, gentlemen of the road, and it’s pretty good so far.
and i definitely agree with you about american gods, it was one of those books where you just don’t want to put it down.
i just ordered ‘the brief wondrous life of oscar wao’ by junot diaz from ebay which should arrive in the next couple of weeks and i’m looking forward to reading that.
ok… that’s enough ranting for now.
May 8th, 2008 12:19
Hmm, year 11 English.
tries to remember back that far
Nope, I can’t remember who my teacher was that year. But I’m pretty sure I’ve never read Catcher in the Rye, so I mustn’t have been in your class.
I’ll have a look at the first book you mentioned.
The weird thing about American Gods is that I don’t really remember what happened. I just really enjoyed the feeling as I read it, and as I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it.
May 11th, 2008 07:00
I second Kirsty. You just have to read Catcher in the Rye. The Dice Man is on my to-read list - sounds interesting and apparently has a cult following.