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I like books like, uh, Count of Monte Cristo. There's only one of those, though, and even all of Dumas' other works combined didn't compare to the wonder and glory of that one book, you know? So what else? In essence, I like books that transport me to another world/time/way of thinking. I like to be completely consumed by a fantasy. The best ones follow me around after I put down the book, lingering behind me like a pieces of gauze in the wind, the little scraps settling in my hair when I slow down.
Classics are best, but I like new stuff too. And I'll read non-fiction if the ideas are fascinating enough.
Leave suggestions in the comment section, why don't ya?*
(Rather than through the contact form, you know who you are!)
Have you read Bleak House by Dickens? Sublime. I don't care whose perspective it's written from, lady deadlock is the main character. Inspector bucket is a surprising favorite with me as well.
ReplyDeleteNonfiction - Generous Justice, Timothy Keller. I gave you a copy of that, right?
KVR
I haven't read Bleak House, but I love Dickens!
DeletePretty sure James has Generous Justice. :)
If I ever manage to see you, I can lend you a lovely old hard back copy of bleak house. :)
DeleteGenerous Justice changed my political leaning forever. Just don't get bogged down in the too specific practical stuff toward the end.
KVR
Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon
ReplyDeleteThe Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
The Clearing by Tim Gautreaux
Gilead by Anne Robinson
Slaughter House Five or Cat's Cradle from Kurt Vonnegut
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
And, I know you like novels but short fiction can be super enriching as well. If you decide to dabble check out story collections from TC Boyle, Raymond Carver, Michael Chabon, Irvine Welsh, Flannery O'Connor or George Singleton.
BTW, I know these aren't "classics" but who knows what you've already read or haven't.
DeleteThe fact that you recommend Kurt Vonnegut to me makes me wary of the rest. I thought you knew me better than netflix does, Josh.
DeleteI didn't realize you had a Vonnegut problem...which is what, exactly? Also, Wise Blood by Flannery O'Conner is a great book.
DeleteAlthough, yeah, if you are a Dickens fan...we probably won't have much in common vis a vis leisure reading
DeleteDickens ain't everything, but I'm not one to count words.
DeleteThe diaries of Anais Nin. All day. Every day.
ReplyDeleteNo, seriously. I need an intervention.
Her life was just so fascinating, I can't put them down.
Yes, yum, please!
DeleteYou could try Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, or Because It Is Bitter And Because It's My Heart by Joyce Carol Oates, or East is East by T.C. Boyle, or how about Summerland by Michael Chabon, or maybe Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban or Perfume by Patrick Suskind. There's a start. Me
ReplyDeleteI could do with a re-read or two, I suppose. :P
Delete(I haven't read ALL of those, though, so thanks!)
Fine. Then go with Earthly Powers by Anthony Burgess, The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell, Ironweed by William Kennedy, The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols, Possession by A.S. Byatt, and A House Unlocked by Penelope Lively. Me again
ReplyDeleteI've only read one of those. <3
Delete