The Question That Could Not Be Ignored
Damn this man and his infernal questions!
Ten Favorite Books
Death with Interruptions by Jose Saramago – What would happen if death stopped doing her job for awhile? How would the government, the clergy, and the general population react? Are people so sure that dying is such a bad thing? The plot and the writing combine to make the book both humorous and heartfelt. I never really knew whether I was laughing at genuinely funny parts or at the author’s portrayal of human nature at work, wherein laughter is the only correct response.
Angel in the Whirlwind by Benson Bobrick – This is a thorough and scholarly history of the Revolutionary War without the usual 2×4-upside-the-head qualities of some historical non-fiction, in which the reader is bombarded with so many nit-picky details that the rest of the story sort of melts away as they lose consciousness and start drooling on the page. I compare this book to Shelby Foote’s three-volume history of the Civil War, which is a narrative that reads like you’re sitting on a porch sipping tea while an old guy with a southern drawl tells you amazing (and true) stories. This is the same thing, though the stories concern a different war and I’m pretty sure Bobrick’s a yankee.
The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy – I was a Clancy freak growing up, devouring his books one after the other. He sort of started phoning it in after awhile when he began writing the Op-Center drivel and later detailing the finer points of armored cavalry regiments and fighter squadrons. This was the first in his amazing Jack Ryan series of novels. To pick this book up and start reading is to relegate yourself to sleepless nights and wasted days, such is its amazing pacing and ability to suck you into the action.
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace – It’s all about the writing. And the footnotes. There are multiple entertaining plot lines that seem to be running in parallel until you gradually realize that they’re slowly converging into a single point in space. Again, though…the writing. Holy crap, yo.
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers – He’s the dude responsible for McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, a venerable publishing house of humor writing and truly spectacular lists. This was his first book and constitutes a sort of autobiography that chronicles his efforts at keeping both he and his little brother alive after everything else in their lives seemed to fall apart.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving – This is the only Irving book that I’ve read, a fact for which I have no excuse after having enjoyed this one so much. It’s basically about a little guy overcoming the world’s preconceived notions in order to go forward and do extraordinary things. I believe there was an effort at a screenplay adaption a few years after the book that resulted in a movie so awful that people left the theater blind.
About Face by David Hackworth – He joined the Army on the sly when he was 15 and went on to distinguish himself in Korea and Vietnam en route to becoming the most decorated soldier of his generation. Later, as a field-grade officer, he made public statements about the political and military efforts that were making the Vietnam war all but unwinnable and immediately fell out of favor with the powers that were. This book was both his explanation and vindication, making him a hero in the eyes of veterans of any war and solidifying his legacy. He had a pretty amazing life, which translates to a pretty amazing book.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – This is one of those books that usually gets thrust at you by someone yelling about how important it is that you read it IMMEDIATELY IF NOT SOONER. It may have been as meaningful as it was to me by virtue of when and where I was existentially when I read it, or perhaps it was just simply a good book with a great and timeless message. Some people scoff at it, others practically build alters and sacrifice animals to it. I’m closer to the sacrificial side of the spectrum, though I have yet to build an alter or put any animals under the knife.
The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne – I read me some Winnie the Pooh every year because I need to remind myself that there’s a little corner of reality that contains this kind of fictional perfection. I’ve loved this book since before I could read it. My favorite story is probably the one where Eeyore takes an ax and chops his way into the bathroom where Kanga is hiding, then sticks his stuffed donkey snout into the now-open panel and says, ‘Heeeeeere’s Johnny!’ all creepy like. Then Kanga screams, while Roo is running around this big hedge maze. At least I think that was in this book.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card – ‘Science fiction has never been my cup of tea.’ I’ve said this for years. After reading this book, however, it was that tired refrain that made me desperately want to kick my own ass. If anyone had told me that I would one day be gobsmacked by a science fiction book written by a Mormon I probably would’ve wet myself laughing. My love for this book is unnatural and slightly disturbing.
Sir @ July 17, 2009
I love that you have Winnie the Pooh on there, and yes, it is a crime that the only Irving you’ve read is that one (although it’s a good one). My favorite is The World According to Garp.
Hey Sir,
I thought, hmmm…yeah…I’m gonna mesh with sir on this list…right….but SURPRISE…hunt for red october and anything my AA Milne…I’m there….BUT YOU FORGOT THE STINKING HOBBIT….did someone hit you on the head JUST before you made your list?
I once read a book where an ordinary man became death – took on the role, so to speak. It was pretty good, I wish I could remember the title & author. (I know, why bother mentioning it, huh?)
Then there’s the Terry Pratchett discworld books where Death is a regular character (who has an assistant, a servant, a granddaughter, and a horse named Binky).
My favorite Clancy book is Red Storm Rising. I don’t know how accurate his knowledge of tactics and weaponry are, but the book is detailed that way, yet doesn’t get bogged down in it. His Jack Ryan books got preachier and preachier and got to where I tired of them. BTW, I thought Patriot Games came before The Hunt for Red October. Maybe only chronologically in Ryans’ life?
I have always wanted to read Shelby Foote’s history of the civil war. Of all of the commentators in Ken Burns’ civil war documentary, Foote is my hands down favorite. I had a college professor who loved to tell anecdotes about american history like Foote does in that documentary – I still remember them. I’ve read Battle Cry of Freedom (McPherson) and I’ve been working my way through Ulysses Grant’s autobiography. I’ve not read much about the revolutionary war, but I have read David McCullough’s 1776, and (fiction) Gore Vidal’s Burr.
Excellent list! You know, I’ve always liked the idea of Saramago’s books but never been able to get into them. Maybe I’ll give the one you mentioned a shot!
*swoon*
I am ready Infinite Jest right now with that whole Infinite Summer group that promised it wouldn’t be daunting if we did it 17 pages at a time, together. They were lying. But, yeah: the writing.
I remembered the book – A Dirty Job, by Christopher Moore.
Ashley: I should definitely give Garp a go. I never saw the movie, either, which makes my never having read the book that much more curious, i.e. there’s absolutely no reason for my not reading it.
Karen: I’ve listened to the unabridged versions of all of Tolkein’s major works, but I’ve never been able to sit down and read them for some reason. They’re all much better if some classically-trained British actor is adding his voice to all of the characters. That’s probably a major reason why none of them made the list: I’ve never been able to sit down and actually read them.
Bob: A lot of people who now realize that I’ve ceased my sci-fi boycott have been adamant about my reading Terry Pratchett’s stuff, so that may very well end up in the stack.
The Hunt for Red October was his first book, followed by Red Storm Rising, then Patriot Games. I recall reading that after the first two books, the government ‘interviewed’ him at length in order to find out how it was that he knew so many things that he probably shouldn’t have. He was turned away from joining the military by virtue of his remarkably poor eyesight, leading some to speculate that he then spent his substantial brain power trying to be ‘in’ the military by studying it at length and writing about it.
The Revolutionary War has so many endlessly fascinating avenues down which one can walk. The drama involved in every aspect is just remarkable. I love reading well-written books about that period of history; Joseph Ellis and David McCullough have both published great books about the time and the people involved (David McCullough can do no wrong in my estimation). There’s another called The Glorious Cause that was written as part of an enormous project in American history writing. To that end, however, it seems like more of an academic work, which made it more of a slog. I have Battle Cry of Freedom as an electronic book, but have yet to work my way through it. I’ve heard a lot of very good things.
Chris: This was the first of his books that I’ve read and, frankly, I’m a little hesitant to go back and read his other stuff for fear that it’ll ruin my high opinion of him.
Shari: I’m not responsible for you hitting your head on anything in this blog as a result of my making you faint. I feel like I should attach a disclaimer somewhere.
Heather Anne: Only 17 pages at a time? How can you only read 17 pages of that book at a time?
Bob: I’l give it a try. I’m willing to give anything a shot that handles death with such whimsy.
Oh Sir,
Major oversight. I loved reading the Hobbit. I read the other Tolkein’s because a thing once started must be finished. But I love the hobbit.
Come over, I’ll tie you to a chair and you can read it.
I’ll make sure that you’re comfy, pillow under tush, behind head and under feet and that the light is just right so you won’t strain your eyes.
Also? You get untied for bathroom breaks. so it would be a win/win situation.
good Sir, I can only assume you have not read the masterpiece of literature which is Frank Herbert’s “Dune”, and that is the reason this most awesome of all novels did not make this list. Get thee to a bookstore!
I too think David McCullough can do no wrong. I really liked both the Truman and John Adams biographies he wrote. His ability to narrate almost anything is amazing too.
You really should try Terry Pratchett. I guess it is technically fantasy, but only as a device to tell a story.
I was going to mention the lack of “Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Friend” by Christopher Moore. But them Bob mentioned “Dirty Job.” But I’d still go with Biff first if you haven’t read it.
I’ll have to high-grade a few others off your list and prepare my own, I s’pose.
I’m such a fan of your writing, I am now tempted to read each of those books on your list. I attempted a few and never made it to the end, except Tom Clancy, of course.
The only one I’ve read on your list is the Dave Eggers book which I read when it came out and Pooh, I love Pooh.
I will check out some of these… I’m currently half way through The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann in the new translation by John E. Woods and recommend it.
Being so long there are bound to be boring parts, but getting through them is worth it for the really outstanding parts that truly above and beyond. I think you’d like it.