222 is quite an arbitrary number. Like, was this number plucked out of a hat?
222 slots and not one was given ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’. Who the hell made this list? Clearly their taste in literature should be called into question for this unforgivable act of literary neglect.
For real though, and this could be because I was scrolling rather fast -- there’s 222 listed, sue me -- but I didn’t see ‘A Clockwork Orange’ mentioned. I thus declare this whole list rendered null and void.
Ever see the old film where Shel Silverstein reads Giving Tree? I remember being shown it in 2nd grade and it simultaneously scared the shit out of me and fascinated me.
If you enjoy a snow day, Harry Nilsson's version of Randy Newman's "Snow" is perfect for sitting in a window with a hot beverage, reading/writing/watching snow fly.
Country Dark by Chris Offut Bought it because I liked the title plus it was signed, and was pleasantly surprised. The Day the Voices Stopped is no fiction about a homeless man having schizophrenia for 20 years then a new medicine fixes it. Magical Thinking by Augusten Burroughs.
Wow. If just scrolling quickly through that list wasn't a visceral reminder that I'll never, if I live to be 112, have time to read all the books I want to read...
I love that Donald Barthelme made it. That absurdity he creates... I'm a sucker for that. The School being one of my favorites. Of couse seeing Fight Club made me smile, but I'd throw Damned in there too. And I wonder where in people's mind Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground is at? That overlooked novella is Taxi Driver way before Taxi Driver.
I own a copy of The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway and Where I'm Calling From. And there were a few literary novels on there, like Goldfinch and The Underground Railroad. Is there a difference between a literary novel and a genre fiction novel? Do they both require different skills?
And to be frank, ALL of these book lists are breaking the first rule of Fight Club! Haha!
And Chuck! When can we expect a Mark Richard deep dive? I got the collection on your promise of future discussion and now I can’t stop thinking about Strays!
If it is, allow me to be the first to say that putting your own book on the list is an act of confidence I’m both envious and dubious of.
I’ve either completely misread your comment or have discovered that I may have early onset dementia -- please excuse me.
(I thought you asked if Chuck had made the entire list.)
No worries. The trick to beating dementia is to forget that you have dementia. An “Uno reverse card” in a medical sense, if you will.
I’m glad Elmore Leonard is on there...
Thanks for sharing. It's a really good list.
Perhaps even great, if you pretend The Goldfinch isn't on it...
The Secret History was better...
Agreed. Secret History was 🔥🔥🔥
Secret history was🔥🔥🔥 I enjoyed reading Goldfinch as well.
222 is quite an arbitrary number. Like, was this number plucked out of a hat?
222 slots and not one was given ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’. Who the hell made this list? Clearly their taste in literature should be called into question for this unforgivable act of literary neglect.
For real though, and this could be because I was scrolling rather fast -- there’s 222 listed, sue me -- but I didn’t see ‘A Clockwork Orange’ mentioned. I thus declare this whole list rendered null and void.
333 would be better. People love arguing about lists like these. As if we all have the same tastes.
Or A Snowy Day. That’s my favorite kids book.
I like the bummer kids books. Giving Tree, Iron Giant.
Ever see the old film where Shel Silverstein reads Giving Tree? I remember being shown it in 2nd grade and it simultaneously scared the shit out of me and fascinated me.
No but I need this in my life. Thanks for sharing!
Is this it? https://youtu.be/1TZCP6OqRlE
YES that’s it!!! Lol
If you enjoy a snow day, Harry Nilsson's version of Randy Newman's "Snow" is perfect for sitting in a window with a hot beverage, reading/writing/watching snow fly.
May I humbly suggest "The Short Timers" by Gustav Hasford. (The novel was the basis for the film Full Metal Jacket)
We could start a Plot Spoiler list among all of us? I love book suggestions from like-minded folks.
Country Dark by Chris Offut Bought it because I liked the title plus it was signed, and was pleasantly surprised. The Day the Voices Stopped is no fiction about a homeless man having schizophrenia for 20 years then a new medicine fixes it. Magical Thinking by Augusten Burroughs.
Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran because it is awesome.
Wow. If just scrolling quickly through that list wasn't a visceral reminder that I'll never, if I live to be 112, have time to read all the books I want to read...
Cest La Vie
Favorite? As in singular? As in one singular book that I love more than all the others? Yeah, I don't have one of those. Impossible.
There are some on the list that I really enjoyed, though. 😊
I love that Donald Barthelme made it. That absurdity he creates... I'm a sucker for that. The School being one of my favorites. Of couse seeing Fight Club made me smile, but I'd throw Damned in there too. And I wonder where in people's mind Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground is at? That overlooked novella is Taxi Driver way before Taxi Driver.
The School gets all the love, but have you read Rebecca? That’s the one I share the most when introducing people to Barthelme
I mentioned Notes as well. Amazing book.
Doesn't include "Everyone Poops" by Tarō Gomi. Criminal!!
(btw I'm not hating, I love that book)
Chuck,
Did you happen to see this article in the New Yorker about “Geek Love?” ( a favorite by the way) https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/katherine-dunns-dark-carnival-of-desire
My Absolute Darling
Disclaimer: there are 3 scenes that are brutal. Grimaced the entire way through those, but it was an amazing story.
I own a copy of The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway and Where I'm Calling From. And there were a few literary novels on there, like Goldfinch and The Underground Railroad. Is there a difference between a literary novel and a genre fiction novel? Do they both require different skills?
And to be frank, ALL of these book lists are breaking the first rule of Fight Club! Haha!
Delighted to see short short masters Barthelme and Borges, but biggest smile from Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise-Brown closing the list.
Adapting Good Night Moon? You know, some people say it’s about an absent dad. Okay, okay. I’m the only that says that: https://wildalton.substack.com/p/close-reading-goodnight-moon
I didn’t see Steppenwolf on this list, and that makes me sad.
Congratulations!
Notes from Underground
The Heart of Darkness
IMHO, I could see Choke being on that list. Still pissed that I "lent" my original copy to a former guitar teacher.
And Chuck! When can we expect a Mark Richard deep dive? I got the collection on your promise of future discussion and now I can’t stop thinking about Strays!