Five Modern Must-Read Books

January 27, 2009     Posted in Cool Stuff

9242542.jpgI work in a bookstore. I live and breathe books. I’m either ringing them up or, when I’m on my break, reading them, so I consider myself somewhat of an expert in the field. Most college ladies aren’t reading for pleasure these days. After reading all those books for class who wants to waste time on anything else?


By Alex

Well, I’ve got a list of books here that are no waste. In fact, these are books that will change the way to think, the way you read and the way you view reading for pleasure. In that it may actually bring you some. I’m not selecting these books for their literary merit or their fantastic use of the English language. These are books that struck something in me, pulled at heartstrings, made me feel something. And I think that evoking such emotion is the only criteria for a great book.

In our desensitized world, when someone can make you feel so much with only paper and ink, I believe that’s an achievement.

1. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Lolita was published in 1955, and when you read it, you can understand why there is so much hype surrounding it. It tells the story of Humbert Humbert, a man who claims he can never love adult women, only children. He calls them “nymphets” and one day stumbles upon the perfect nymphet, Dolores Haze. The book chronicles his love for Dolores, but what I found to be fascinating was how you eventually sympathize with Humbert, even though nowadays his picture would be plastered all over “Dateline.”

2. My Friend Leonard by James Frey

I know, I know. Oprah hates James Frey. Even with the scandal, this book is amazing. And if you haven’t heard the scandal, here’s a summary: this book (and it’s prequel A Million Little Pieces) is in the biography section of your local book store and James Frey has admitted that some details are fabricated or exaggerated. Now, I’m not going to get into the politics of biographies (even thought 10% can be fabricated!), because I think this scandal takes away from this beautiful work. It may be fiction, but it is still a great work of fiction. The fact that it may not be 100% true, heck, may not be true at all, does not make me falter in my love for it. My Friend Leonard is so REAL. You can’t help but get wrapped up in the book and feel for the main character (James).  And Frey’s writing is so unique and different. He doesn’t use puncuation (less confusing than it sounds) and often repeats words or phrases for pages on end. He is refreshing and his books, true or not, are inspiring and raw.

3. Heavier than Heaven by Charles Cross

Now this one is more of a general selection, more than the specific book. Heavier than Heaven is one of my favorite books ever, but it is the biography of Kurt Cobain, and if you’re not a Nirvana fan, then it’s really not that great of a read. Still a well-written book, but it doesn’t strike you in the same way. So I am highly recommending you read a biography of someone you admire or are a fan of! I think you appreciate a person’s work so much more when you know about their life before fame and how they succeeded. In the case of Kurt Cobain, many people see him as a god and this book knocked him off his pedastal for me. It’s a fascinating book and Charles Cross is an exceptional writer.

4. Everything is Illuminated by Jonathon Safran Foer

This book mixes fiction and non-fiction elements and makes you feel so much emotion you think you’re going to burst. The book rotates between three stories: one told in Nazi Ukraine, one through letters and one in the modern day. The story revolves around a writer (coincidentally named Jonathon Safran Foer) and his search for a mystery woman in his grandfather’s past. He is penning a novel, which is the story told throughout the book in Nazi Ukraine and as he uncovers clues about the mystery, they become incorporated in his novel. This one really makes you think, and Foer’s beautiful writing style complements the emotions of the story perfectly. It’s also a bit educational and helps you truly understand the emotions involved in such tragedies as the Holocaust.

5.  The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffennegger

One of the best love stories I have ever read. Period. The relationship between main characters Clare and Henry is so real that you can’t help but get completely wrapped up in it. Just like any couple, they have their hardships, but their relationship is particularly strained. This is a must-read and one of my favorite books ever. I bawled like a baby at the end. That’s all I’m going to say.

16 Comments on "Five Modern Must-Read Books"

  1. Brittney says:
    Tue, 27th Jan 20094:16 am 

    I've tried reading Everything Is Illuminated multiple times but haven't been able to get into it. However, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (also by Jonathan Safran Foer) is absolutely amazing and I highly recommend it.

  2. amanda says:
    Tue, 27th Jan 20094:56 am 

    i love that you put lolita and everything is illuminated on here – they're such great books!

    although i hate having to explain lolita to people…they always look at me funny when i do.

  3. Liz says:
    Tue, 27th Jan 20095:02 am 

    I'd also recommend The Unbearable Lightness of Being. I'm almost finished reading it, and it's been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. It reads so easily and quickly and every moment is crafted perfectly… really amazing.

  4. maddie says:
    Tue, 27th Jan 20095:15 am 

    if you like Frey, then you will like A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers. upon further research it appears the story is not 100% accurately portrayed, but i believe that is called a perspective. regardless, eggers' writing is staggering and genius and i recommend.

    also, for music fans, Scar Tissue, the autobiography of Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers) is also a fantastic read.

  5. Meg says:
    Tue, 27th Jan 20095:21 am 

    The Time Traveler's Wife is my favorite book ever. My copy is almost bare threads.

    If you like that, check out "The History of Love" by Nicole Krauss.

  6. Laney says:
    Tue, 27th Jan 20096:47 am 

    Love love love both the Frey books. I couldn't sleep one night and got up to read a chapter and couldn't put it down until I finished the final 300 pages. I only wish there was a third!

  7. Marisa - high school says:
    Tue, 27th Jan 200910:17 am 

    LOVE Lolita. I thought it was a little dry at times, but that's just H.H. for you. For the most part, it was an absolutely gripping book.

    I highly recommend Beloved by Toni Morrison for readers looking for a book that'll blow their minds. My Lit class read it last month, and while I didn't like it at first, discussing it with my class has given me newfound appreciation for it. It's very, very complex, but you don't have to analyze it line-by-line to appreciate its emotional intensity. It'll leave you feeling unsettled and horrified but that's the beauty of it. Hard to explain without giving it away, but it's definitely a modern classic for me.

  8. Rach says:
    Tue, 27th Jan 200910:44 am 

    i loved perks of being a wallflower, i read it before high school.

    also, if you want to die laughing, read A Confederacy of Dunces by o'toole. it took a while to get into but looking back it was so well written and hilarious.

  9. kt says:
    Tue, 27th Jan 20092:00 pm 

    i read everything is illuminated and the time travelers wife each in one day this summer while i was studying abroad. even being in a different country with tons to do i could not bring myself to put them down. granted it was raining, but italy in the rain is still italy. haha.

  10. Kelsy says:
    Tue, 27th Jan 20092:23 pm 

    The Time Traveler's Wife is definitely one of my favorite books ever. A friend and I went halves in buying it when it first came out, but she still hasn't read it. It's so powerful. And there's so much symbolism. My favorite symbolism being the cage scene.. just amazing. And a fab story to boot.

  11. molly says:
    Tue, 27th Jan 20093:43 pm 

    "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" is fantastic, elegant, and beautiful. Sounds lame saying it, but it is a must read.

    Also, I have a lot of praise for Kerouac's "On the Road" and Pynchon's "The Crying of Lot 49."

  12. Brittany says:
    Tue, 27th Jan 200910:12 pm 

    I friggen LOVE The Time Traveler’s Wife!!!

    I have recommended this book to every girlfriend I have, my sister, my mom, everybody!

    They all love it too.

  13. Meg says:
    Wed, 28th Jan 20096:27 am 

    I really want to read Lolita now!

    I also believe that everyone should read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. It is literally my favorite book, I have read and reread it 425954673982 times.

  14. Aubrey says:
    Wed, 28th Jan 20094:09 pm 

    Yeah, I have definitely had people look at me funny when I've explained Lolita to them. I haven't read Everything Is Illuminated (though I've seen the movie)though Brittney is right, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was a GREAT book.

    To add to the list of recommendations, I really liked Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides.

  15. hellen says:
    Wed, 28th Jan 20098:59 pm 

    i absolutely loved Lolita, The Time Traveler’s Wife, Bell Jar and Everything is Illuminated!

    i heard great things about The History of Love and i plan to read it after i finish Her Last Death by Susanna sonnenberg. it’s such a goood book and easy to read! i have to force myself to stop at the end of a chapter so i can go to sleep!

  16. Courtney says:
    Thu, 13th Aug 20096:38 am 

    Aubrey- If you've only seen the movie… you've GOT to read the book. As usual, the book is so much better.

    Also by Jeffrey Eugenides- The Virgin Suicides. I think I've read it about 5-8 times now and I only bought it in January.

    The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova is another book you can't put down.

    I'm nervous about The Time Traveler's wife becoming a movie. I really want to see it, but I'm almost positive they'll change the ending like they did with My Sister's Keeper.

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