First on the list, Wise Blood, by Flannery O'Connor. No, I've never read it all the way through. In fact, glancing at the back cover I realize I've never read it at all.
My copy looks just like this, by the way.
Second book: As I Lay Dying, Faulkner. I was told by a very erudite gentleman that it's the best Faulkner by far. I personally love Light in August an awful lot, so AILD has its work cut out for it.
My cover is nowhere near this cool, just plain white. I remember now that I actually did read this long ago, and loved it, so this should be interesting.
Book number three: Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum, mainly because it has Foucault in the title, but I think I've heard this book referenced quite a number of times and feel like the universe is sending me signs that I need to read it.
My copy looks just like this. I don't know why I'm mentioning this every time but it seems significant.
Next book: Wise Children by Angela Carter. I love Angela Carter. She's a quirky British writer who weaves fiction, fact and fairy tales (sorry about the bad alliteration) in an odd way, questioning the borders between reality and fantasy. I once read a story she wrote called "Lizzie's Tiger," the crazy tale of a five-year-old Lizzie Borden sneaking out of the house to go to the circus. It's amazing. I later learned that there is a series of stories by Carter about Lizzie Borden.
Plus I just love the cover (mine looks like this) and the description of the story. I discovered when I googled the title that this was her last book, that she learned that she had cancer in the middle of writing it. Sad.What else should I read?
5 comments:
It looks like you have some excellent summer reading ahead of you. Nothing like the magic of books to take your mind off other matters.
A few summers ago I reread every Philip Roth novel in the order he wrote them. I love Roth!
My favorite Faulkner is Intruder In The Dust.
I hope you're feeling a bit better.
I actually am feeling better, Tod. Thanks. It's just a matter of time, I guess.
I've never read any Philip Roth at all. Nor have I read Intruder in the Dust. Should give it a try...
xo
J.
I became obsessed with Elizabeth Wurtzel's books concerning depression and addition. I have "Prozac Nation" right here in front of me, but I also read, "Bitch" and "More, Now, Again".
I also love, love Susanna Kaysen's books. The one staring at me from the shelf is "Girl, Interrupted". Also about mental illness.
Wee! Fun!!
Here's a funny story. I was in the middle of reading "Girl, Interrupted" when I had to go into the, um, er, hospital last year. I never finished. Too much life imitating art, ya know?
I'll look for the Wurtzel, Cheryl. Thanks.
"Wise Blood" is really the only novel you'll ever need, but if you want to read more, I recommend the books of Ruth Rendell! She is a British writer of psycho-mysteries in the Highsmith vein (but a better writer).
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