Came across this blog post at Dan Santow’s blog Word Wise, where he talks about how reading can help unlock the meaning of life. I totally agree with him.
I feel that a truly great book makes you think even greater thoughts about life, which is why I like to write down quotes that I find thought-provoking. And I almost always feel sad when a book ends, because while reading I find that I get very attached to the characters.
I also like what he says about trying something new. If you’re always going for fiction, try a little non-fiction and vice versa.
As a former Literature student (although I will always be one at heart), I read a great many literature classics (Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath). Some were hard to get into, but I always found the effort rewarding at the end, and I found them to be extremely relevant in spite of their publishing dates.
Then I moved on to more humorous books (David Sedaris’ Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy & Denim, Marc Acito’s How I Paid My Way Through College, Douglas Adam’s The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) which made many a bus journey that much easier to bear.
In more recent times, I’ve had a wave of tragic fiction books (Ian McEwan’s Atonement, Khaled Hosseini’s Kite Runner, Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time-Traveler’s Wife, Andre Dubus III’s House of Sand and Fog) whose brilliance I think will stand the test of time.
Now I’m moving more towards science-fiction and fantasy (Terry Pratchett’s Sourcery) and am currently reading Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere (and really liking it). Reading these books really shine light on so many issues worth thinking about, which I had never thought about before.
Other new genres that I have yet to try (but will when I have the time):
Marketing books. High on my list are those by Seth Godin, a man with the simplest, yet most profound ideas about marketing and life.
Graphic Novels. I read The Wake (final collection of issues in the The Sandman series) by Neil Gaiman in the library and surprisingly liked it. Up till that point I had avoided graphic novels for the longest time.
Economics books. Steven Levitt & Stephen J Dubner’s Freakonomics (everyone keeps raving about it) and Tim Harford’s The Underground Economist, amongst others.
I really wish I had all the time in the world to read all the books I want to read.
So that’s my book journey. What’s yours? What books are you reading now?
Also, do look out for my post on Bookcheating.
[Image of Morpheus from The Sandman taken from http://distraction.february-rains.net/wps/dreamwp1_1024.jpg]
So I’m a big fan of Gaiman, but I felt The Wake wasn’t the strongest volume in the Sandman series. Not a fan of his recent prose either (American Gods anyone?)
Terry Pratchett is hit and miss, sometimes I think he’s a little rambly. If you’re really into good fantasy, I recommend Terry Brooks.
Oh btw, Tim Harford is having a signing at Borders in the near future. Can’t remember the date offhand though.
Tim Harford is having his signing on 19 Feb, 1pm at Borders. Check out the electronic poster here: http://www.borders.com.sg/in-store.asp
Daryl: Thanks for dropping by! Before The Wake I’d never picked up a graphic novel before, so I was surprised by how easily I got into it. But yeah, I’ll go check out the other volumes too. Thanks for the recommendations. Although, Wikipedia says that Terry Brooks writes “high fantasy”, which kinda scares me a little.
Jacq: Thanks for the info! Did u read The Underground Economist?
Another *huge* Gaiman fan here. Do check out the entire Sandman series from the first book all the way to the eleventh. Simply incredible. Personally, I really like American Gods and think that it’s one of his best.
And yep, read Terry Pratchett. His books are very hilarious and satirical. For the ultimate treat, pick up Good Omens by Terry Pratchett AND Neil Gaiman. Just the Foreword page alone will have you chuckling.
Another graphic novel series that I highly recommend is Fables. It explores the idea of your usual fairy-tale characters of Snow White, the Big Bad Wolf, and Beauty and the Beast being exiled from their dimension and being exiled to a small neighbourhood in New York. Reading it just for the sardonic comments of an eternally-young Pinocchio is worth the price.
I also recommend the A Song of Ice And Fire series by George RR Martin, starting with A Game of Thrones. Very original and it’s pretty grounded in reality, albeit within a medieval setting. The fantasy elements are there but it’s pretty subtle and only in the backdrop. The real draw is the political intrigue that involves an entire continent wracked in civil war and all the political backstabbing and alliances that it entails.
@Nirl – complete agreement with both Fables and George RR Martin. Moving on to Clash of Kings soon!
Daryl: Rare it is to find someone else who likes both Fables and George RR Martin. I just hope the latter manages to finish his series before anything happens. It’s too awesome to be left hanging.
Nab: Sorry to hijack your blog comments like this
Nir1: On the contrary, I love it! Connecting people through my blog – couldn’t ask for more really.
Nir1: Oh and thanks for the recommendations too. Fables sounds really awesome! I shall read it once I can get my grubby hands on a copy.
No, I’ve not read it. I just happen to have a Borders e-poster in my email since I’m on their mailing list, so I just thought I’d share the date with you guys.
Love your choices, especially Marc Acito’s How I Paid for College which is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read.
Hi Bart!
I totally agree with you on that point. The funny thing about that book was that my purchase of the book was highly correlated to the aesthetics of the cover, and for once that technique didn’t disappoint. (even if it did, I bought it for a ridiculously cheap price at an obscure book fair. I have this secret sense of pride over finding good books at obscure book fairs)
[...] widget there on the right. Yesterday I went to the mall with mum and tito Delegargaroo.blogspot.comyes, I am a book nerd Came across this blog post at Dan Santow??s blog Word Wise, where he talks about how reading can [...]