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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

BOOKS ARE FOR READING


I've been trying to read more recently. Here are some titles I've read over the last year that I would recommend.

Tenth of December & CivilWarLand in Bad Decline by George Saunders
The newest George Saunders is unmissable, but I already talked about that on here earlier.

A Fan's Notes by Frederick Exley
This is a pretty hilarious and moving book. Though entirely un-PC it's written quite well and has a number of nice vignettes concerning sports worship, alcoholism and mental illness. Funny stuff.

A Confederacy of Dunces & Neon Bible by John Kennedy Toole
Dunces is the funniest book there is. One of my absolute all time faves since having read it recently. Toole is the definition of the posthumous success story, an unrecognized genius!

The Puttermesser Papers by Cynthia Ozick
Another funny / sad one. Perhaps the best combo in art generally? Pretty over the top fantastical one here. Feminine and odd.

Being There by Jerzy Kosinski
I actually think the movie is a little bit better (how many films can you say that of...), but this book is a classic and a quick read.

Wherever I Wind Up by R.A. Dickey
If you want to read about knuckleballs and Jesus, this is the book for you.

Both Flesh and Not by David Foster Wallace
This is kind of the bottom of the barrel of his nonfiction work compiled... Still a head above almost any other non fiction there is.

Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession & Two Lives by Janet Malcolm
TOP shelf non fiction. Absurdly clever stuff.

Evguenie Sokolov by Serge Gainsbourg
Not exactly a great translation (I read it in english - duh), but an entertaining 80 page fart joke for Gainsbourg completists.

Paris Trout & Brotherly Love by Pete Dexter
Kinda halfway between crime writing and Cormac McCarthy-esque examinations of how fucked up humans can be. Dark as hell, but very well written.

The Ripliad by Patricia Highsmith
Have been enjoying this series of highminded capers.

Moneyball by Michael Lewis
Best baseball book?

A Wilderness of Error by Errol Morris
If you like the docs, you'll like the books.

2 comments:

Ryan A. said...

I actually read the Saunder's book because of your recommendation.
If you're looking for another critical American voice of short stories may I suggest 'Jesus' Son' by Denis Johnson. Absolutely incredible.
Take it easy
-ryan

twiggy said...

Just bought that recently for Xmas. Look forward to checking it out... I liked Train Dreams by Johnson a lot as well.

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