The Greatest Books
That title pretty much sums up this post. Just another list. This time, my all-time favourite books.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go
I don’t really need to explain why Dr. Seuss is great. But this is my favourite of all his books. Even better than Yertle the Turtle (possibly the best book ever on the topic of turtle stacking). Instead of being a narrative about a mischievous cat or some aggressively overly politically correct kleptomaniac athiest, this book is more blatantly philosophical as it is a self-help book. It’s a confidence booster for children and adults.
Songs
All of the lyrics to all of Bruce Springsteen’s albums. Some of the best reading material I have ever found. His songs are stories unto themselves. Each album contains a little description into Bruce’s songwriting techniques. It’s a nice glimpse into the mind of one of my favourite artists.
Invisible Republic
What looks like a review and exploration of a series of musical recordings by Bob Dylan is actually a series of events in American history. Greil Marcus discusses Dylan’s music by telling the tales that inspired it. This book was my introduction to American roots music.
Naked Pictures of Famous People
Jon Stewart taking shots at some of the biggest characters of the twentieth century. This book just plain cracks me up everytime I read it. But it’s not only funny, it can also show you something. If I had a vagina, it would certainly be nicely furnished and at a sensible price.
The Complete David Bowie
This book is basically an encyclopedia of David Bowie’s musical career. Being a huge David Bowie fan, this is pretty much a standard companion to my music collection.
The Complete Far Side
Every panel from the syndicated comic panel series. Steve Martin’s introduction is genuinely hilarious and keeping in style with the humour of Gary Larson’s writings.
Those are mine; what are your favourite books?
Tags: List, Literature
March 17, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Chick lit… cause I’m girly like that.
and The Catcher in the Rye.
March 17, 2008 at 12:23 pm
“Girly” or “Girlie”?
March 17, 2008 at 12:42 pm
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, She’s Come Undone, The Alchemist and I’m a fan of Douglas Coupland….except Microserfs….that almost put me to sleep.
March 17, 2008 at 2:19 pm
is girly not a word? cause now that i look at it it looks weird, lol.
girlie i guess. who knows.
March 17, 2008 at 3:08 pm
girlie = for girls
girly = of girls
Example of this: Cosmo is a girlie magazine. Playboy is a girly magazine.
March 17, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I can’t think of anything clever to say….awh.
March 17, 2008 at 8:33 pm
How ’bout telling me what your favourite book is…
March 17, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I like the book “sex, drugs and cocoapuffs” because it is written exactly the way I would write a book….if I could.
March 17, 2008 at 11:25 pm
My favs:
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Awesome book about how religion consumes a man, but the Congo in Africa is stronger.
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
One of the most awesome books ever on writing. Lamott talks in great detail about “shitty first drafts.” Priceless.
Everybody into the Pool by Beth Lisick
If you think your life is fucked up…this chick makes most of our lives look like utopia. Her “real life” stories are crazy, true, and hilarious!
In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto by Michael Pollan
Does for the U.S. food industry what Fast Food Nation did for burger joints. It’ll make you think twice about what is food and what is just crap.
March 18, 2008 at 12:48 am
Yes, “The Complete Far Side” is awesome. I think I officially like you.
And Random, “Bird by Bird” is a great book. I remember reading it for my Creative Writing Class. I like you even more!
My favorite books:
“Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand - I like her thoughts on the power of the individual, but disagree that everything is as “black and white” as she sees it.
“Slaughterhouse Five” by Kurt Vonnegut - I’ve read this three times. LOVE it.
“Star Wars - The Hans Solo Trilogy” by A.C. Crispin - We meet Hans Solo and follow his life and adventures up until the exact moment he makes his “appearance” in Episode IV - Exciting, engaging read. LOVE it.
“Katherine” by Anya Seton - This book is out of print and my mom had to get it from one of those specialty book stores. It tells the story of Katherine and her affair with the Duke of Lancaster. Such an excellent book. I read it twice and loved every single minute of it. It’s such a great tale.
I have a few other favorites, but this is what pops out right now!
March 18, 2008 at 2:15 am
The Pray, The Hunt and The Kill, by Allison Brennan. I actually didn’t finish the last one, The Kill yet, hopefully soonish tho.
She has another trilogy I can’t wait to start, Fear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil.
Oh and A Million Little Pieces by James Frey.
March 18, 2008 at 6:00 am
Rawbean - three things I can’t have. I think I may have to skip that book.
Random - haven’t heard of any of those
Jillian - Ayn Rand, haven’t read that one but after attempting the overhyped Fountainhead, I realized something very important, words are valuable and should not be thrown around like confetti at a parade.
Sarebeth - I’m glad you haven’t thrown Frey’s book into the fire just because its an exaggeration. Real or fake, who cares? If its a good read then its a good read, ’nuff said.