some great reads

So I was talking to my friend Claire the other day about books and recommendations and how it is sometimes nice to get and give recommendations on books... which got me thinking. Sometimes it can be hard to know if a book is worth reading and sometimes you don't know what you should read next. And since no one cares about Oprah and her dumb book club, I thought perhaps I would let you know about some books that I would recommend to just about anyone. Move over Oprah.

6. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
This is principally a science-fiction/anti-war satire, but I think it is more than that. It explores the ideas of "fate, free-will, and the illogical nature of humans." This book is both funny and sad, leaving us with the notion not to let our free-will go to waste. War shouldn't be inevitable. The book is centered around the Dresden bombings in Germany and is semi-autobiographical as Vonnegut did actually experience the bombing. (though I doubt he ever knew anyone who got "unstuck in time" and visited other planets) Anyhow the book is a quick read, very entertaining, and gives you a lot to think about.

"Billy and the rest wandered out onto the shady street. The trees were leafing out. There was nothing going on out there, no traffic of any kind. There was only one vehicle, an abandoned wagon drawn by two horses. The wagon was green and coffin shaped. Birds were talking. One bird said to Billy Pilgrim. 'Poo-tee-weet'?"

5. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
This is a classic children's story that I love for the illustrations (by Silverstein) almost as much as the story. I am always surprised when I find that there are people who have never read it, so for that reason I had to put it on the list. It's a (somewhat controversial) story about a loving relationship between a tree and a boy. It's a story of selflessness, sacrifice, unconditional love, and growing up. If you're ever feeling nostalgic and want to read a book that you should have read as a kid... pick it up!

4. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
This book was written right before the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s, and chronicles "the travels of its narrator, a young, nameless black man, as he moves through the hellish levels of American intolerance and cultural blindness." It is about race, identity, life in America, and most importantly the search for truth. I read this in high school and it has stuck with me ever since. It's a powerful story, insightful, and quite captivating. It's one of those books that you will be pondering for a while.

"I am an invisible man. When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination--indeed, everything and anything except me."

3. Mere Christianity by CS Lewis
This book has been the most influential book as far as my faith is concerned (not counting the Bible). I love almost all books by CS Lewis but this one is my favorite. He is so smart, thoughtful, eloquent, and often brutally honest. Mere Christianity takes a logical look at Christianity and provides a kind of Christian common ground for anyone from atheists to theologians. It takes a profound and compelling look at what makes Christianity what it is and I guarantee you will have a new respect for Lewis' intellect. He has an amazing ability to depict complex themes and major elements of Christian thought in simple and accessible terms. The book was originally a series of lectures he gave in the 1940's, so it is also a great book on tape since it was originally meant to be heard instead of read.

"All that we call human history--money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery--[is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy."

2. The Catcher In The Rye by JD Salinger
This is one of my favorite all time books. This follows a couple days in the life of 16 year old Holden Caulfield as he deals with all his frustrations from everything from phonies to teachers to graffiti. While this book is typically considered an insightful examination of teenage alienation, I think it can be appreciated at many different levels. You certainly don't need to be a teenager to appreciate the themes of alienation and needing someone to "catch" you. It's a fresh and unique look at America, relationships, death, and loneliness. And like any good book there is a good dose of teenage profanity, smoking, drinking and sexuality, and written in a slang that still sounds edgy today. It's the most banned book of all time but also one of the most taught books of all time so clearly it's pretty polarizing, but very good and rewarding, and definitely a great read. (As long as you like the main character)

"I'm the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. It's awful. If I'm on my way to the store to buy a magazine, even, and somebody asks me where I'm going, I'm liable to say I'm going to the opera. It's terrible."

1. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
My favorite book! It's so funny, I've never laughed out loud more than I have during this book. The main character, Ignatius, is so absurdly ridiculous, egotistical, and cynical he causes a riot every time he's in a scene. The book follows his quest to get a job, end war, and deal with all the people in his life, especially his mother and ex-girlfriend. If your sense of humor is anything like mine this book is a gold mine of laughs. When I start reading this book I can't really put it down until I finish it.

"I could only imagine how many haggard and depraved eyes were regarding me hungrily from behind the closed shutters; I tried not to think about it. Already I was beginning to feel like an especially toothsome steak in a meat market. However, no one called enticingly from the shutters; those devious mentalities throbbing away in their dark apartments were apparently more subtle seducers. I thought that a note, at least, might flutter down. A frozen orange juice can came flying out of one of the windows and barely missed me. I stooped over and picked it up in order to inspect the empty tin cylinder for a communication of some sort, but only a viscous residue on concentrated juice trickled out on my hand. Was this some obscene message? While I was pondering the matter and staring up at the window from which the can had been hurled, an old vagrant approached the wagon and pleaded for a frankfurter. Grudgingly I sold him one, ruefully concluding that, as always, work was interfering at a crucial moment."

. . .

"I dust a bit...in addition, I am at the moment writing a lengthy indictment against our century. When my brain begins to reel from my literary labors, I make an occasional cheese dip."