This dystopian, but still way too realistic in the wake of the #metoo movement, novel was written in the 80s and still manages to catalogue the digression of life in attempt to follow flawed Biblical morality. I think I might have angry read this book because it was so beautiful but so irksome with a patriarchal dominant society at its center.
Warning: You will feminism flex for months afterwards (sorry not sorry)
Cat’s Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut
I totally loved the chaos and understanding this book—same as all of Vonnegut’s books that I’ve read—represented in quick and captivating chapters detecting the understanding of ice-nine. This was a quick read for me, but a strong recommendation for anyone liking abstract yet definitive truths and technological innovation gone awry.
The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
This book hooked me right away. The cultural difference, the pitiable sufferings, they all beat fast and loud in this novel. The characters are so real, and so flawed, you can’t help but being enraptured by it and heartbroken by it.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane, by Neil Gaiman
This was my favorite Gaiman story so far. It’s sweet, the main character was a book lover so totally relatable for me. The magic and mystery was so beautiful and captivating. Highly recommend this, especially if you haven’t read any Gaiman before, it’s a soft entrance to his defined chaos and mysticism.
The Bluest Eyes, by Toni Morrison
I’ve been in a huge Toni Morrison kick over the past two years. I will admit, I’ve only listened to hers on tape, but if you heard the way she reads them, you would 100% understand. Her voice carries the story into a poetic haze of fact and words all jostled about in your brain and challenging your perception. The story for this one was my favorite of hers followed by God Help This Child. Her characters are always complete, but like a Cezanne painting they carry white space that makes them feel open-ended. I highly recommend sitting and listening to at least one of her audiobooks; it can be a cultural awakening which we all need more of in life.
Devotion, by Dani Shapiro
As an adult, I love reading the tension that other adults feel within their culture, religion, sexuality, and relationships. Dani beautifully opens up about her connection with her Jewish heritage, her struggles of the familial, and integration of all these selves into who she is and is becoming. If you are looking for a book more dedicated to familial connection and biological and cultural inheritance and understanding, try Inheritance by her as she discusses her ancestry and cultural connection.
Franny and Zooey, J. D. Salinger
Now, I know everyone knows J.D. Salinger as The Catcher and the Rye, the producer of Hollywoo Stars and Celebrities: What Do They Know? Do They Know Things?? Let’s Find Out! (Bojack Horseman), or Peach’s family (YOU). But you are missing out if you don’t take the time to read this very specific character study with over- and under-arching connections to religion and mental health. I do not think this is a nursing home read, it’s a right now read. The characters are so obviously flawed, but so easy to root for in their haze of familial struggles and carry this beautiful understanding of prayer in a diurnal study.
Dandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury
My friend actually bought me this one, and man was it beautiful. Being from Illinois, the completely innocent and sweet experience of this child in a small Green Town was so eye-opening for a different scene of life. The story had some of the most amazing and powerful characters separated into almost mini stories within an overarching story of young Douglas Spaulding. The writing was absolutely beautiful, and if you are looking for something along the lines of childlike awe of To Kill a Mockingbird, this would be a great next read.