Last week I shared five books that have stuck with me. Here are five more.
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff by Christopher Moore
A fake lost gospel told by Christ’s childhood best friend that explains the lost years between birth and returning to preach. The adventure of two young friends across the world and back again – and given the time it’s extra incredible. Funny, interesting, thought provoking. No prior religious knowledge needed to enjoy.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
This was the common reading my freshman year of college – meaning most everyone on campus read it. While the classroom experience of discussing this book was awful the book has stuck with me. It’s one of those books everyone should read to get the other side of history, while gaining an understanding of another culture.
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Yes, its the book Apocalypse Now is based on. Set in the Congo, it takes a deep, and twisting look at barbarian versus civilized. Which is which – or are we both? Something that comes up, or should come up more across history, from ancient times to today. Maybe we should all go back and reread it.
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Read during one of my many phases where I attempt to read classics I’ve never touched. Social upheaval, political change, and a country on the cusp of a massive shift, you occasionally have to remind yourself when the book is set. But it helps paint what China, especially rural China, was like at the time.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
This was the first Steinbeck book I read – which oddly never happened in school. If you’re entirely unfamiliar it’s basically the story of Cain and Abel set it in California. Beautiful and tragic, and the most detailed abortion scene I’ve ever read, which won’t leave you anytime soon. (If you’re unfamiliar – sorry about the possible spoiler.)
What books have stuck with you over the years?
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I have read and enjoyed them all except “Lamb”. I’ll have to see if my local library can order it in for me. I just read Arthur and George by Julian Barnes, a fictionalized account of a true life incident involving Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.