I love to read. That's not to say that I am very good at it. I mean, I can read well, and fast. But I'm not very good at following through. Right now, for example, I am midway through about five books. I like all of them, which is precisely why I am so indecisive about what to pick up next.
Nevertheless, I have managed to get through quite a few books throughout my lifetime. The following is a list of some of my favourites.
Before I begin... I think books are subjective. I don't really buy those "books you have to read before you die" or "best books of all times" lists that indicate that if you haven't read those particular choices, you are uneducated and ignorant. I read for pleasure and to build upon my craft (of writing). I don't much like having to struggle through something "literary" that is intended to be painful but incredibly meaningful. It's just not fun. And life is too short to read things that are not fun (unless they are non-fiction, and important). So all of these reads have a certain lightness to them but have left a lasting impression upon me and instilled within me the desire to be a writer.
Fiction
Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta: I read this for the first time when I was 11-years-old and it continues to resonate with me today. I think it is the perfect blend of teenage angst, the desire to be good, finding yourself, family dynamics, trying to fit in, romantic love, tragedy and humour. And elevated by the beautifully constructed characterisation of Josephine Alibrandi, the vulnerable, lovable, flawed heroine.
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami: A love story that starts and ends in tragedy. Even after his words have been translated from his native Japanese, Murakami has the uncanny ability to articulate feelings of loss, loneliness, wonder, infatuation, melancholy and confusion like no other writer I have come across.
Non-Fiction
Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert: I loved Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love but I preferred Committed. Truth be told, it was reading Committed that convinced me I wanted to be a writer. I don't really know why. Perhaps it was the way Liz (we're on a first-name basis, in my head) unburied the history of marriage from the rubble of divorce and hetero-normativity and conservatism of today... revealing the truth of things (which is, for one, that marriage is not rooted in religion... thus disintegrating the premier argument of same-sex marriage opponents). A history lesson intermingled with personal anecdotes and thoughtful musings. Non-fiction as I like it.
The Diary of Anais Nin by Anais Nin: Anais Nin is one of my favourite writers. Her diaries are semi-autobiographical tales of her turbulent life (I say "semi" because she was known to stretch or adjust the truth of things... and more often than not, outright lie). Reading her diaries - her innermost thoughts - you may not like her as a person, but her insights into love, life and the pursuit of happiness are invaluable.
Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom: I am an unwavering atheist. It's not that I am intolerant of religion or faith, I just don't follow them and I know I never will. I may revere and even adopt some of their ethos, but I don't believe in an omnipotent being, nor will I dedicate myself to any one belief or moral system, particularly one that endorses discrimination and oppression. Nevertheless, I adored this extended eulogy by Mitch Albom (author of Tuesdays with Morrie). Faith is more than religion and social structure. It provides hope, stability... A sense of belonging. The surety that you are a good person, absolved of your sins. The knowledge that somebody (God) loves you, even though they know everything there is to know about you. That life has meaning, that there is some sort of order and justice to things. These are all things that everybody searches for, in some way... and some people find the answers through religion. Which is sometimes life-affirming, life-changing and/or life-saving; and therefore, worthy of our respect.
The Diary of Anais Nin by Anais Nin: Anais Nin is one of my favourite writers. Her diaries are semi-autobiographical tales of her turbulent life (I say "semi" because she was known to stretch or adjust the truth of things... and more often than not, outright lie). Reading her diaries - her innermost thoughts - you may not like her as a person, but her insights into love, life and the pursuit of happiness are invaluable.
10 comments:
Hi Laura,
I read your blog often, but never comment.
I love finding authors whose writing completely resonates with me... Whose words I read, then think - wow, that is the perfect way of expressing my thoughts/feelings - why can I not articulate myself like that?
I find this with D.H. Lawrence, Steinbeck, Anais Nin and Carson McCullers, to name a few.
After reading the delightful quotes by Murakami sprinkled throughout your blog, I went out and bought Norwegian Wood. Beautiful. Murakami is now on my list of authors who just 'get' me (or perhaps I 'get' them?). Have since read After Dark and most of the short stories from The Elephant Vanishes.
So in short, this comment is a long winded way of saying 'thank you'.
:) Nicole
Dear Nicole,
Your words mean so much to me... thank YOU.
I am so happy that you like Haruki too... I have the same feeling that we 'get' each other. DH Lawrence and Steinbeck are sitting on my bookshelf so I will have to get around to reading them... and find out about Carson McCullers.
Thank you again Nicole xx
Can I make a suggestion...
Start with Steinbeck's 'East of Eden' (this book is pure gold) or DH Lawrence's 'Women in Love'.
:)
I will, thank you :) And Carson McCullers just popped up in my Anais Nin biography... must be a sign! xx
Plain and simple! I like your work!
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Wow, I'm really intrigued to read "Committed" after reading your post. I was surprised by how much I loved "Eat, Pray, Love" - I thought it was going to a bit middle-of-the-road. But Elizabeth Gilbert is so funny and smart and just generally inspiring.
I'm gonna give Murakami a try too.
I just bought a Toni Morrison book today, "Jazz". Have you read "Beloved"? Amazing book, one of my all time favourites.
Looking forward to Part 2 :)
Hi Kylie,
I agree, I think Elizabeth Gilbert is a wonderful writer. It's such a pity that the more popular an author's work, the more vitriol it is subjected to.
Let me know how you find Murakami. His writing style is unusual so his books can be a little difficult to get into, but his words are so enlightening that it is worth it.
I haven't read Toni Morrison yet but I do own her book "Song of Solomon", have you read it? I will definitely get onto "Beloved", thank you for the recommendation!
xx
Gosh, I allready have a big pile of your books that I need to read and now I need to add all of these onto the list. Looking For Alibrandi is absolutely amazing.
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