Books to add to your reading list. The top 5 novels and the top 5 non-fiction books that left a strong impression on me – whether it was inspirational for my own writing or just significantly altered my perspective.
Top 5 Novels of All Time
In my biased opinion, not counting plays (sorry, Shakespeare) or comic books, these are the five best works of fiction (that I have read):
5. Lord of the Flies (1954)
By William Golding
This novel explores the primal nature of man (sans womankind) and how ignorance corrupts the mind with fear. First reading this at age 14, it left a deep imprint on my mind. I related a lot to Piggy on many levels, but also Simon, and they are the first two victims of the boys decent into tribal madness. If unaware of the book’s plot, it follows a shipwrecked group of boys who, despite an effort to obtain a semblance to civil order, plunge into a frenzied chaos propelled by ‘the Beast.’
4. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916)
By James Joyce
In 2009, I ambitiously set out to read this novel by Joyce followed by Ulysses and the granddaddy of all English literature, Finegan’s Wake. While the other two still sadly sit on my shelf unread, I did quickly consume this wonderful work of prose. It’s poetic, beautifully written in an awe-inspiring fashion, and focused on the struggle for autonomy. I have read Ovid’s Metamorphoses (which is fantastic and deserves an honorable mention here), and the story in that ancient collection about Daedalus is alluded throughout Joyce’s novel. My plans to eventually read Ulysses is also why I didn’t include the epic Odyssey on this list, but while honorably mentioning ancient works, shoutout to Virgil’s Aeneid, The Argonautica by the Apollonius of Rhodes, and Dante’s Inferno.
3. The Screwtape Letters (1942)
By C.S. Lewis
Written in the thick of the second World War, this book is comprised of a series of letters between a demon and his uncle about seducing the soul of a man, who is referred to as “the Patient.” Was Maynard James Keenan referring to this book on moral strength when he wrote the classic Tool song “The Patient”? … probably not, but it does fit the themes very well. Lewis was a wonderful writer although many of his works are too religious for my taste, but despite the subject matter, this novel is a clever, poignant take on human morality and what it means to be a good person. The strategies the demons discuss to tempt the Patient reverberate profound truths about the evils that seek to deter us from our more nobler paths in this life.
One last honorable mention for Henry Green, my favorite novelist, who was active around the same time as C.S. Lewis. He does not have a novel included on this list. Really, it is the entirety of his works that makes him so great. It’s too hard to single one out for this list, but check out my favorite four: “Loving,” “Doting,” “Nothing,” and “Concluding.” Check out my short story inspired by Green's writing.
2. Last Exist to Brooklyn (1964)
By Hubert Selby, Jr.
The author who wrote Requiem for a Dream (and also assisted with that film’s script) also wrote this nightmare about New York City slums in the 1950s. Similar to that movie adaptation by Aronofsky, this novel burned scenes into my brain that cannot be washed out. Selby’s understanding of human nature is unparalleled and the desperate, uncompassionate world he paints puts this comprehension on full display with a powerful use of language that flows at a haunting pace from one dreary, heart-pounding moment to the next.
1. Moby Dick or, “The Whale” (1851)
By Herman Melville
As a novelist, there is so much to appreciate in this leviathan of a book. The freedoms Melville takes are deliberate and admirable. The chapters are as short or as long as he needs them to be, he pivots from deep philosophical ramblings to describing the next scene of the plot to wherever he feels the story needs to go next, with utter disregard for what the reader thinks about it. Pause for the whole thing for a 100+ page detailed encyclopedia of everything known about whales at the time? Hell yes. What the novel ultimately means is to left up to interpretation on seemingly endless levels. It was this book, in fact, that deterred my original goals of reading the rest of Joyce’s novels as I decided to take on the great white whale instead… Call me Ishmael.
Top 5 Non-Fiction Books Ever
… well, not, objectively EVER. I am realizing now, like my list of top 5 poems, I need exposure to more diversified writers… but these are some damn good non-fiction books. (I am not including strictly comedy books - sorry, Carlin. – or subjective spiritual texts, otherwise “Be Here Now” by Ram Dass would take the number one spot.) Nonetheless, here go with more books to add to your reading list.
5. Something Deeply Hidden (2019)
By Sean Carroll
Sure, you can’t prove there are multiple, parallel universes – call it “post empirical” but this book strongly argues that there is science to support multiverse theory at a quantum level, even if there could never be solid proof. Infinite multiple universes springing out of possibility, but these are ghost worlds we could never solidly touch. This book provoked a lot of thoughts and ideas that found their way into my upcoming novel, Remember Me, Nothing.
Honorable mention for “Humble Pi” by Matt Parker - On many levels, this book is a comedy. It’s pretty funny. If you don’t know Matt Parker, see Numberphile’s “Parker Square.” This was originally number five, but the following book feels a bit more important than mathematical errors.
4. Stay:
A History of Suicide and the Philosophies Against It (2014)
By Jennifer Michael Hecht
This book is heavy but a necessary read, especially if you have been impacted by suicide or been plagued with suicidal thoughts. It carefully examines arguments against the act beyond the usual ponderances on the matter. It is a deep dive into a sad subject, but makes a strong case for life and remain alive no matter how difficult it can get. To endure suffering to stay for those you love is projected a heroic act. Check out my short story about parallel worlds that touches on the dark subject as well.
3. I Am a Strange Loop (2007)
By Douglas R. Hofstadter
This and one honorable mention (“Humble Pi” by Matt Parker) on the list were both mentioned in my list of top mathematical concepts, and while this book is heavy with math content (specifically regarding Godel’s incompleteness theorem), the meat of this book pertains to the emergence of consciousness as an infinite regression of feedback loops, like when you look at a mirror’s own reflection in another mirror. The author can be a bit self-indulgent at times, but it ultimately serves a greater purpose.
2. Cosmos (1980)
By Carl Sagan
When I was 15 or 16, I stumbled upon old episodes of Sagan’s Cosmos (recently remade with deGrasse Tyson hosting) and my mind was blown. I bought the book right away and became immersed in Sagan’s sublime writing style. Other books of note include “Billions and Billions,” and “The Dragons of Eden,” and still need to read “Broca’s Brain…” but Cosmos is an all-encompassing powerhouse. Going over math, physics, evolution, chemistry, and so much more, from philosophy to dreams, Sagan’s “Cosmos” sparked a love for science that, for me at least, has not burned out since.
1. Fifty-Nine in ’84 (2010)
By Edward Achorn
A book about a baseball player in 1884 is not what you were expecting based off the rest of this list, but holy hell, this is a great book and an even greater story. The 59 is for the 59 wins by a pitcher in a single season, by far considered MLB’s unbreakable records. Not only is the feat itself impressive, but the circumstances surrounding “Old Hoss” and his incredible year in the early days of the sport are borderline unbelievable. There’s a love story, there’s the chaos of the early major leagues, and then so much more history. For instance, not only does the pitcher hold this insurmountable record, but he is also considered the first person ever photographed flipping the bird. No matter who you are, pick this one up and add it to your reading list now.
