Cassandra at the Wedding, Dorothy Baker: I read this book in one sitting, it was so good. It deconstructs the idea of soul mates, family ties and personal connections to people, places and things. I also really wanted to drive through the mountains of California after reading it. Thanks to the WH Smith dude who recommended it!
Disgrace, JM Coetzee: South African novelists are my fav, although I guess Coetzee has immigrated to Aus now. Anyway, this is, IMO, his best book, which navigates family life, race relations, the justice system and aging in post-Apartheid era South Africa. It gets realllllllly heavy, but that just makes the ending that much more cathartic.
Oryx and Crake, Margaret Atwood: one of my all-time favorite authors steps outside of the genres she does best to take on the world of science fiction/dystopian future- and nails it. This is part mystery, part horror mixed with just enough humor and romance to keep it out of the depressing Daybreak-like dystopian tropes.
My Education, Susan Choi: I’m not really a fan of “coming of age” stories (Holden Caulfield, you’ve ruined it for me), but for some reason this book really resonated with me. Its all about first love, finding yourself and the typically atypical American graduate school experience, but there was something so sad and unfinished about it that it still pops into my head at random times and makes me think- the sign of a very good book.
Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts: I highly recommend this book for restless souls afflicted with wanderlust like myself. In the book I felt like I was the felon traipsing illicitly around the Indian subcontinent. The first time I read this book I blew through its 800+ pages in just a few days, so don’t pick it up if you have an extremely busy week ahead.
The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway: probably my favorite book of all time, this is EH at his alcohol-infused best. Its a novel about everything disguised as a novel about nothing (and there’s bullfighting). The last line of the book always gets me, and is the quote I’ll consider tattooing on my body if I get up the courage to go for a third tattoo- so now you’ll have to read it to see what it’ll be, won’t you!
No Country for Old Men, Cormac McCarthy: if you liked the movie, you HAVE to read the book, it’s 100 times better. While the movie probably moves faster and leaves out some of the scathing social commentary, the prose is just fantastic. I wish I could write like McCarthy!
Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck: probably my second favorite book of all time. It’s a super quick read, and very easy to dismiss since its required reading in like 5th grade. But don’t discount how much it can be unpacked and analyzed. If you’re an overthinker, this here book is brainfood for you!
The Virgin Suicides, Jeffrey Eugenides: told from the perspective of teenage boys in a Boston suburb watching their five beautiful neighbors kill themselves one by one, this is another rare coming of age story I find not merely palatable but actually cathartic. It reminded me of all the people I’ve been really intrigued by in my lifetime, and what I’d do if they did something truly inexplicable.
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness, Susannah Cahalan: this is a non-fiction work by a woman who experienced a rare and potentially fatal disease, and her experiences, memories (or lack thereof) and the challenges of recovery. I used to want to be an epidemiologist, so reading about rare diseases always fascinates me, but even if you’ve a weak constitution, its an interesting piece of investigative writing and a very enthralling read.
The Awakening, Kate Chopin: don’t read this if you need a pick me up, as it has a bit of downer ending. I know I’m world renown for spilling the beans about endings, so I’ll jut leave it at that. I will say, though, that this is a great read if you’re feeling a quarter life crisis coming on and need a little perspective. Also, all my blooming feministas should give this a read to see how far we’ve come in the last 100 years.
Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea: I’ve always been of the opinion that Chelsea Handler is rude, lewd and otherwise unacceptable. However, she is absolutely off her rocker and her sense of humor is literally nonsensical, which I obviously dig as a soul sister of all things insane. Also, she has an entire chapter about a visit to London in her early 30s that basically echoes my daily experience on this island. Good to know I’m not alone.
What books am I missing? Please let me know in the comments section below!
Comments
I would also like to join a book club. I tried to make one with my sister when we were both reading Moby Dick on different continents. It became a blog where we were going to share our thoughts as we came upon them (rather than having "meetings" and set questions to talk about). Alas, I was the only one who ever commented. Would you like to do something similar together? (http://midnightreadersbookclub.blogspot.com/) (PS I never finished Moby Dick)
Yes, yes, yes! This would give us a great excuse to keep in touch like FREQUENTLY. As long as we don't have to read Moby Dick, I'm in!