a thoughtful web.
Good ideas and conversation. No ads, no tracking.   Login or Take a Tour!
comment by yourstruly
yourstruly  ·  3429 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What book(s) are your favorite read?

I recently read 'One hundred Years of Solitude', and I think it's the best book I've ever read. The language, imagery, vitality of it are incredible. I've heard so many say they were bored by it and I just don't get it.

Otherwise, I also greatly enjoyed 'Trout Fishing in America', which is beautifully psychedelic, 'Stoner', which is probably the most genuinely heartbreaking prose I've ever read (the last few pages of my copy are covered in tear stains), and 'Siddartha', which not only has a wonderful message, but reads so easily, like a song or a prayer.

I have recently also been totally blown away by the poetry of Rumi. If anyone is interested in mysticism, Sufism, or just beautifully hopeful musings, then I also really recommend it.





tacocat  ·  3429 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Stoner is brilliant. I downloaded it off TPB because I wasn't sure I'd like it but I couldn't put it down. Then I went out and bought a copy for my shelf and to read the new preface.

If you've never heard of it it's a man's life story from growing up on a farm to falling in love with obscure old literature to becoming a tenured professor. It may sound mundane and it kinda is but for the right reader you find yourself following this man through all his struggles and minor victories and sharing very deeply what he feels throughout. It's not for everyone but if you like character driven stories without a lot of flash you can't do much better.