For me, currently, it is Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors. There is a lot of hate about this book. I don’t know why, the book for me is awesome. First few pages and I’m already hooked. Some chapters got me guessing on the relevance of it in the story but it all made sense at the end. Though it’s a debut novel by Mellors and some writing needs to be improved. Looking forward for her future books.
Ender’s Game. So much of the book dragged a bit - politics and world-building, etc. But the reveal at the climax blew me away completely when I first read it.
Catch 22
So many highs of hilarity and just other bleak shit that hits you out of nowhere. It has been over a decade since I read it so I would maybe be caught off guard a bit by some things I have forgotten, so perhaps it will be a reread for 2024 regardless.
Catch 22
So many highs of hilarity and just other bleak shit that hits you out of nowhere. It has been over a decade since I read it so I would maybe be caught off guard a bit by some things I have forgotten, so perhaps it will be a reread for 2024 regardless.
“Wanderer” by Sterling Hayden. His recounting of his early days on sailing ships is some of the best nautical writing ever. He had his faults, to be sure, like naming names at HUAC and whining about how much money he was making for acting as compared to his sailing days. But when he wrote about life before the mast and his stint as the ship’s master, you soon forgot all about it. I’ve read it twice, possibly three times, but I’d definitely like to read it again for the first time.
Hitchhikers’ Guide To The Galaxy. Goddamn, it is funny, silly, serious, and whimsical all at the same time. Douglas Adams was a genius.
Consider Phlebas- absolutely brilliant.
It gets a pretty weak reputation compared to the other Culture books, but it blew my mind for sure
Use of Weapons seems to get great marks and it was excellent.
For sure, I’ve been impressed by it all so far, I’m currently early on in Surface Detail. I couldn’t even pick a favorite, it would be disrespectful to the rest, lol.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
I still love it, but to experience all the joy and laughter that book brought me the first time I read it would be incredible.
Almond, Into the Magic Shop, and Demian. I’ve reread Almond and Demian a couple of times, but it’s just different the first time.
Almond, Into the Magic Shop, and Demian. I’ve reread Almond and Demian a couple of times, but it’s just different the first time.
The Last Juror, by John Grisham.
The Last Juror, by John Grisham.
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
I would say Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Before it, I can’t remember if there was ever a time when a book made me cry and audibly gasp.
Imo it reads not so much as a horror but as a grim tragedy caused by a selfish man’s hubris.
Even though he’s the main narrator, we get whole chapters dedicated to the monster and his story.
It’s such a human book filled with real emotion and depth. Real commentary on the nature of life and the need for love and acceptance.
Victor failed his son, the monster and the people around him are frightened and want to kill anytime he comes out and so he feels nothing but resentment and anger towards those who wronged him.
He was brought into a world that never wanted him and so at least in his mind he is forced to become the monster they think he is and seek revenge.
The ending is genuinely one of the greatest reading experiences I have had in my life and beg anyone who is reading this to please read from start to finish including the letters with the sailor as you’ll know why later on.
It’s a fairly short book and I read it within a few days. It personally touched me as someone who felt like an outcast for much of my life and parental trauma made me connect with the monster even more.
No one is right in this book. It’s just filled with flawed people who happen to destroy others in the wake of their deeds.
If I could experience it all over again that would be amazing.
I would say Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Before it, I can’t remember if there was ever a time when a book made me cry and audibly gasp.
Imo it reads not so much as a horror but as a grim tragedy caused by a selfish man’s hubris.
Even though he’s the main narrator, we get whole chapters dedicated to the monster and his story.
It’s such a human book filled with real emotion and depth. Real commentary on the nature of life and the need for love and acceptance.
Victor failed his son, the monster and the people around him are frightened and want to kill anytime he comes out and so he feels nothing but resentment and anger towards those who wronged him.
He was brought into a world that never wanted him and so at least in his mind he is forced to become the monster they think he is and seek revenge.
The ending is genuinely one of the greatest reading experiences I have had in my life and beg anyone who is reading this to please read from start to finish including the letters with the sailor as you’ll know why later on.
It’s a fairly short book and I read it within a few days. It personally touched me as someone who felt like an outcast for much of my life and parental trauma made me connect with the monster even more.
No one is right in this book. It’s just filled with flawed people who happen to destroy others in the wake of their deeds.
If I could experience it all over again that would be amazing.
“The Eyre Affair” by Jasper Fforde. He’s my absolute favorite writer, and discovering him was such a joy. I’d love the chance to do it all over again!