The other day, Joker reminded me that I needed to publish my updated top 25. I was shocked to see it's been over three years - and oh, so many books - since I'd done it last! The top 10 remains mostly the same, but major shifts in the next 15.
1. The Brothers Karamazov
by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Dostoevsky's masterpiece, and my favorite book
of all time. It's why I love the Russians, and Dostoevsky first among
them. Murder, love, dysfunctional families, the devil... Dostoevsky
knows how to tell a compelling tale. Full review here.
2. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. The Devil comes to Moscow and all hell breaks loose. Full review.
3. Beloved by Toni Morrison. Powerful, horrifying and beautiful story of slavery and its aftermath. Full review.
4. Brideshead Revisited
by Evelyn Waugh. A poetic portrait of English aristocracy, a highly
personal examination of the Catholic church, and an insightful dive into
personal relationships. Full review.
5. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Epic story of the Bolkonsky and Rostov families during the Napoleonic Wars. Full review.
6. The Sound and the Fury
by William Faulkner. The most difficult book on my list, hands down.
Faulkner is a difficult read under the best of circumstances; throw in
one narrator with severe mental retardation and others who are
unreliable and you're up for a challenge. In this case, though, it is
worth the effort. This story of a tragic Southern family showcases the
extraordinary talent one of the country's greatest writers.
7. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
by Haruki Murakami. Ambitious and captivating, Murakami blends dreams
and reality in this story about a Tokyo house-husband's search for his
missing cat. Full review.
8. Emma
by Jane Austen. Flawed and self-delusional but charming and witty, Emma
takes Harriet Smith, a sweet girl from a lesser societal rank, under
her wing and commences matchmaking. Full review.
9. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. Another doorstop of a book at over 1100 pages, Infinite Jest
is certainly a commitment. Alternating between a halfway house and an
exclusive tennis school, Wallace weaves together numerous sub-plots,
zany characters and political satire in the near-future Year of the
Depend Adult Undergarment (calendar years now having corporate
sponsors). Also notable for its prodigious use of acronyms and end
notes.
10. Crime and Punishment
by Fyodor Dostoevsky. The book follows the mental anguish and moral
dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov after he commits a gruesome crime. Can
murder ever be justified? Is true punishment that which is handed out
by the authorities, or the self-flagellation of regret?
11. To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee. The best one hit wonder of American literature, this
high school required reading gave birth to some of literature's greatest
characters: Atticus Finch, Scout and Boo Radley. The book is funny and
warm, even while examining the serious issues of rape and racial
inequality.
12. Lolita
by Vladimir Nabokov. I don't buy into this being one of the best love
stories ever written, but this story of Humbert Humbert's obsession with
a prepubescent girl is shocking and disturbing and wonderfully written.
13. Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh. In the deranged world of Mark Renton and his so-called friends, heroin addiction is the
prevailing force. It is a tale of greed, crime, Scottish identity,
sexual morality and betrayal. The movie is excellent and bit
disturbing; the book is really excellent and really disturbing.
14. Absalom, Absalom!
by William Faulkner. (2010 ranking #16) Textbook Faulkner: the epic decline and fall of a
Southern family. Brilliantly written, memorable characters and the
longest sentence ever published in a novel.
15. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
by Ken Kesey. (2010 ranking #17) Randle P. McMurphy enters an insane asylum to finish
out a prison term as the "bull goose loony." He torments old Nurse
Ratched and urges his fellow patients to assert themselves.
16. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. (2010 ranking #18) Frodo Baggins saves Middle Earth; saga provides inspiration for generations of fantasy/sci-fi geeks.
17. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clark. (Not ranked in 2010) The pseudo-historical history of English magic. Something of a grown-up Harry Potter, but mixed with elements of Jane Austen, David Foster Wallace and Mikhail Buglokov (all of whom, if you didn't notice, appear on this list, too). One of the best contemporary novels out there. Full review.
18. The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. (Not ranked in 2010) Brilliantly written, complex tapestry of a novel about two sisters, one of whom commits suicide before the present-day events. Includes a novel-within-a-novel, in a totally non-contrived way. Full review.
19. Persuasion by Jane Austen. (Not ranked in 2010) Perhaps Austen's tightest narrative, tells the story of Anne Elliot, still single at the ripe old age of 27 with - could it be? - two potential suitors. Witty and clever, it's classic Austen at her best. Full review.
20. Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott. (2010 ranking #15) Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March grow up amid love
and laughter. It was the first book I truly adored. I still cry more
when Jo finds out that Amy married Laurie than I do when Beth dies. Full review.
21. A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh. (Not ranked in 2010) A biting satire of the British landed class, the book tells the story of the complete unraveling of a family. Hysterically funny until it becomes wickedly macabre. Full review.
22. Sula by Toni Morrison. (2010 ranking #19) Short but complex, Sula
explores relationships, sex, love, guilt and the difference between
good and evil. Morrison captures the difficulty of post-emancipation
life in the midwest, and breaks your heart several times while she does
it. Full review.
23. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. (2010 ranking #20) "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Surprisingly modern, gossipy and easy to read.
24. The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald. (2010 ranking #21) The glamor of the Roaring '20s thinly
disguises a society riddled with materialism and a lack of morality.
25. A Confederacy of Dunces
by John Kennedy Toole. (2010 ranking #22) Fat, lazy Ignatius J. Reilly
on a quest to find a job in New Orleans' French Quarter. Hilarius.
Monday, June 17, 2013
AOK top 25, 2013 edition
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Bucket lists for you and me
With my NYC departure looming in the not-too-distant future, I'm working on compiling my New York Bucket List. So far, it includes:
- Take the Bug and the Bunny to the Statue of Liberty
- Bring the Bug to work
- See a Knicks playoff game
- Take the audio tour of Grand Central
- Visit the Morgan Pierpont Library
On the flip side, I will be posting about some of my favorite things about New York - things that I hope you add to your own bucket lists! So here goes, the first in that series...
Why I Love NYC #1: Grand Central Terminal
Sitting in the shadow of the art deco Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal has a history as storied as New York City itself. It was a technological ground-breaker when it was built, and every great new invention was embraced here first. The exposed lightbulbs throughout the terminal, for example, date back to the invention of the incandescent light bulb, when no one wanted to hide that cool new invention behind a fixture.
The ceiling of the massive lobby includes a representation of the major constellations of our galaxy, including Pegasus (above the gate to Track 21) and the signs of the zodiac. One of my favorite trivia nuggets: it's exactly backwards from what you see standing on Earth; rather, it was painted as the view the gods have when they look in to the Milky Way.
Grand Central is part of my daily commute, and every time I walk in I am struck by its magnificence and beauty. And not every old-ass building can accommodate the sheer volume of traffic that it handles day in and day out with remarkable accuracy.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Questionnaire of Reading Habits, part 2
12. Paperback or hardcover?
I virtually always buy trade paperbacks since I carry a book with me all the time.
13. At what point do you give up on a book?
If I absolutely hate a book when I'm 50 pages in, I will consider quitting at that time. I usually make a call around a third of the way in. That said, I should probably abandon more books than I do; there was no reason to finish either To The Lighthouse or Rabbit, Run.
14. How do you find about new books and authors?
I read a few writing blogs, and I keep track of a bunch of "Top 100" lists. I keep a few titles in a list on my Blackberry for times when I'm in the bookstore and need inspiration. The Fearless Readers book club is great for introducing me to new authors and books, too!
15. Best reading-related memory?
16. Worst reading-related memory?
I'm not sure what either of these are going for, but one of my most vivid reading-related memory was in about the seventh grade. I was reading Erich Segal's Love Story and cried during the line. The other kids in school made so much fun of me for crying over a book!
17. What was the last book(s) you bought?
Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart
18. What was the last book you checked out from the library?
It's been so long I cannot even remember.
19. On average, how many hours a week do you spend reading?
Probably about 8-10 hours reading books, and another 8-10 on newspapers and magazines.
20. Are you a fast or slow reader?
People consider me to be a very fast reader, but I really take my time and concentrate and enjoy the act of reading itself. And I don't even know how to skim.
21. Do you sometimes read more than one book at the time?
Since I keep one book in my bag, I keep another one by my bed - there is nothing worse than getting on the train at the end of the day and realizing I have nothing to read. I have to make sure they are very different types of books, though. Right now Atonement is in my bag and Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman, a collection of Murakami short stories, is by my bed.
22. Are you what Stephen King refers to as a Constant Reader, or are there periods where you don’t read at all?
I am a constant reader.
23. What’s the longest you’ve gone without reading?
Maybe a few days?
Friday, June 18, 2010
Questionnaire of Reading Habits, part 1
Here's a reading meme I found on a book review blog I enjoy... I'd love to read your answers, too!
1. How old were you when you learned how to read?
I was pretty young; I was definitely able to read before I turned five.
2. Were you a big reader growing up?
In absolute terms I would have been considered a pretty big reader. Compared to the other kids in my class, I was voracious.
3. Are there any books that left a big impression on you as a kid?
I still remembered the words to The Monster at the End of this Book when I bought it for the Bug last year. Childhood books that remain dear to me today include The Velveteen Rabbit and Little Women.
4. Favourite genres? (Do you read mainly fiction or non-fiction? Do you have a soft spot for horror, sci-fi, or romance?)
I read mostly literary fiction, and sample virtually every sub-genre. I try to mix it up to include current books and the classics, diverse authors and even a sampling of short stories.
5. Top 5 favorite authors.
This list is constantly evolving, though I would have to say right now it includes Fyodor Dostoevsky, Evelyn Waugh, Jane Austen, William Faulkner and Haruki Murakami.
6. Top 5 favorite books.
Another constantly evolving list, currently topped by The Brothers Karamazov, The Master and Margarita, Beloved, Brideshead Revisited and War and Peace.
7. Where do you prefer to read?
I can read just about anywhere, and I carry a book wherever I go. I read on the train during my commute home (in the mornings I read the newspaper) and I try to read a few pages before bed as well. Sometimes I read during lunch, while waiting in line, on the subway, during pedicures or at the bar while waiting for a friend.
8. Do you like to eat or drink something while you read? If so, what are your foods and beverages of choice?
I'll have a beer on the train from time to time, but I'm not a particularly great multi-tasker so I don't usually do anything else while I read.
9. What do you typically wear when you read? (I swear, I don’t mean this in a dirty way. My mind is a pure as the first snow of the year – before it gets contaminated by dog poo and engine exhaust, that is. ) Casual wear? Pyjamas? Jeans? Something more elaborate and stylish?
Who the hell cares?
10. On average, how many books do you read a month?
Only about 2-3.
11. How do you get hold of the books? Do you buy them at a bookstore, visit an online store, borrow from a friend or family member, or do you use the library?
I buy almost all of my books, and almost always from a bookstore because I like to browse. I had a fabulous independent bookstore until recently, the staff of which was an excellent resource. Now I research my books online and keep a to-read list on my Blackberry for times when browsing doesn't yield inspiration.
Friday, March 5, 2010
AOK Top 25 Books
For kicks, because people sometimes ask and because I have a kind of compulsive nature, I have been working on a list of my top 100 books of all time. It's tough. One hundred is a lot of books, and I've been reading so many great ones lately that my list is constantly shifting. Perhaps at the end of the calendar year I'll post the full 100; in the mean time, the top 25.
1. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Dostoevsky's masterpiece, and my favorite book of all time. It's why I love the Russians, and Dostoevsky first among them. Murder, love, dysfunctional families, the devil... Dostoevsky knows how to tell a compelling tale.
2. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. The Devil comes to Moscow and all hell breaks loose. Full review here.
3. Beloved by Toni Morrison. Powerful, horrifying and beautiful story of slavery and its aftermath. Full review.
4. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. A poetic portrait of English aristocracy, a highly personal examination of the Catholic church, and an insightful dive into personal relationships. Full review.
5. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Epic story of the Bolkonsky and Rostov families during the Napoleonic Wars. Full review.
6. The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner. The most difficult book on my list, hands down. Faulkner is a difficult read under the best of circumstances; throw in one narrator with severe mental retardation and others who are unreliable and you're up for a challenge. In this case, though, it is worth the effort. This story of a tragic Southern family showcases the extraordinary talent one of the country's greatest writers.
7. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami. Ambitious and captivating, Murakami blends dreams and reality in this story about a Tokyo house-husband's search for his missing cat. Full review.
8. Emma by Jane Austen. Flawed and self-delusional but charming and witty, Emma takes Harriet Smith, a sweet girl from a lesser societal rank, under her wing and commences matchmaking. Full review.
9. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. Another doorstop of a book at over 1100 pages, Infinite Jest is certainly a commitment. Alternating between a halfway house and an exclusive tennis school, Wallace weaves together numerous sub-plots, zany characters and political satire in the near-future Year of the Depend Adult Undergarment (calendar years now having corporate sponsors). Also notable for its prodigious use of acronyms and end notes.
10. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. The book follows the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov after he commits a gruesome crime. Can murder ever be justified? Is true punishment that which is handed out by the authorities, or the self-flagellation of regret?
11. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The best one hit wonder of American literature, this high school required reading gave birth to some of literature's greatest characters: Atticus Finch, Scout and Boo Radley. The book is funny and warm, even while examining the serious issues of rape and racial inequality.
12. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. I don't buy into this being one of the best love stories ever written, but this story of Humbert Humbert's obsession with a prepubescent girl is shocking and disturbing and wonderfully written.
13. Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh. In the deranged world of Mark Renton and his so-called friends, heroin addiction is the prevailing force. It is a tale of greed, crime, Scottish identity, sexual morality and betrayal. The movie is excellent and bit disturbing; the book is really excellent and really disturbing.
14. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy in a sweet, witty and classic nineteenth century love story.
15. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March grow up amid love and laughter. It was the first book I truly adored. I still cry more when Jo finds out that Amy married Laurie than I do when Beth dies. Full review.
16. Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner. Textbook Faulkner: the epic decline and fall of a Southern family. Brilliantly written, memorable characters and the longest sentence ever published in a novel.
17. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. Randle P. McMurphy enters an insane asylum to finish out a prison term as the "bull goose loony." He torments old Nurse Ratched and urges his fellow patients to assert themselves.
18. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Frodo Baggins saves Middle Earth; saga provides inspiration for generations of fantasy/sci-fi geeks.
19. Sula by Toni Morrison. Short but complex, Sula explores relationships, sex, love, guilt and the difference between good and evil. Morrison captures the difficulty of post-emancipation life in the midwest, and breaks your heart several times while she does it. Full review.
20. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Surprisingly modern, gossipy and easy to read.
21. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The glamor of the Roaring '20s thinly disguises a society riddled with materialism and a lack of morality.
22. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. Fat, lazy Ignatius J. Reilly on a quest to find a job in New Orleans' French Quarter. Hilarius.
23. Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol. One of the most prominent 19th century Russian works, the novel follows a man's puzzling efforts to purchase "dead souls" (serfs who have died, but on whom the landowner still pays taxes) from local townspeople.
24. Girl in Landscape by Jonathan Lethem. Space-western fantasy novel by one of my favorite contemporary authors. Full review.
25. The Child in Time by Ian McEwan. Powerful prose and raw emotion fill this novel; central themes include the fluidity of time. The book is about memory, childhood, depression, and about the real possibility of moving on. Full review.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Why I'm anti-radio
I don't listen to the radio much, except for NPR. Once upon a time I did, but pop music left me behind when it turned into hip hop. For some reason, though, I do listen to the radio instead of CDs during the occasional drive. And my drive on Wednesday evening reminded me of The Top Five Reasons Why Radio Sucks:
5. Country music apparently makes me go all emo. Be honest - no one needs that.
4. Commercials are all louder than the songs. And inexplicably, all stations play them at the same time, leaving the listener no escape.
3. I only ever hear about the last three seconds of any decent song. It either ends as I find the station, or I drive out of range.
2. The shitty options leave me pondering things like which is likely to be the cheesiest: something by Journey, a song from Peter Cetera's unremarkable solo career or any random pop duet. Seriously, is there a single duet in the history of pop music that isn't 100% terrible? And why must my neurons spend precious processing on this conundrum?
1. "Mony Mony." That song is only liked by 12-year-old kids who think that shouting the dirty line out at school dances is hilarious. And it's like six and a half minutes long, and only has eleven words. Two of which are "mony". Which is not even a word, let alone two words.
