The Top 10 Books You Should Have Read:
Part I
By Isa Bella
Date Published: May 5th, 2005
I’d like to preface this article by saying that there is no real order in the way I’ve named off the books that should have been read because, for one, I’m really indecisive and two, because these are all exceptional books for which I’m not capable of putting in an ascending or descending order.
10) The Under-Published Stories of J.D. Salinger
In addition to ‘Catcher in the Rye’, ‘Nine Stories’, and ‘Franny and Zooey’, which everyone should have read, Salinger also wrote about 20-30 short stories that were published in magazines and newspapers. Many, many, many publishers wanted to compile them into a book, but Salinger refused. These stories are just as good, and some better, than his more popular writings, and true fans of literature should definitely read this ‘other’ collection...free of charge ‘Ol’ Sport’. The writing is consistent with his other works: simple in word-structure, beautiful in context--the best writing that came out of the beat generation.
9) Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal written by Eric Schlosser (NON-FICTION)
I know this book was on some national best-seller list, but there are a few of you out there who are waiting for the movie. Don’t. If you live in America, you need to read this book. ‘Fast Food Nation’ by Schlosser is an eye-opening look at the fast food industry: its foundations set in 1950’s Southern California, how it expanded and raped cultures and landscapes globally, and a nauseating peak into exactly what is in the food. The documentary-style writing is entertaining, while the human-interest stories, that are true, create a moving reflection on society in America.
8) Tales of Ordinary Madness by Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski is one of the best writers to come out of Los Angeles, alongside John Fante. Although styles are similar to the point where it’s apparent that Bukowski, a Fante aficionado, duplicated him, I will always have a deeper partiality for Bukowski. His writing is pure thought in perfect form. ‘Tales of Ordinary Madness’ is a compilation of smooth short stories, natural and hinted with a profound despondency. Bukowski’s story telling ability is as instinctive and effortless as breathing; semi-autobiographical tales of drunken adventures.
7) The Invention of Solitude and The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster.
I have read very little post-modernist literature because I can’t stand it, I can’t even stand the word "post-modern". The reason being the first two books of post-modern works I read were ‘The Invention of Solitude’ and ‘The New York Trilogy’ by Paul Auster and I was literally taken aback. I wanted more. I read more and I thought, and still think, post-modernism is a bullshit movement. But, Auster’s brilliance in these two books is magnified: ‘The Invention of Solitude’ is a two-part semi-autobiographical story about Auster’s relationship with his father and himself. ‘The New York Trilogy’ is actually three short stories about the steps his characters take that plunge them into insanity.
6) Rabbit, Run by John Updike
One Monday night, I was at a bar, completely wasted, having a conversation with an older, (much older) Englishman. We were having one of those really intellectual drunk talks about literature. I was doing pretty well, until he asked if I had read Rabbit, Run by John Updike and I said no because I hadn’t; I hadn’t even heard of John Updike. So, since I didn’t know of it, I didn’t think anyone else did either, naturally. They did, everyone else did, even the bartender, because we asked them until I made sure I was the only asshole in there that hadn’t read this book and hadn’t heard of the author. And that’s why you need to read this book, so, when confronted with the situation, you can say, "Yes, I have read Rabbit, Run by John Updike and I think it sucked."
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