I've read a lot of books in the last two and a half months. I'd be interested in knowing what people's favorite books are and why.
Some of my favorites from the recent batch of books have been: Jane Eyre, In Cold Blood and The Grapes of wrath.
I loved Jane Eyre because it turned my idea of the victorian novel on it's head. This book is pretty dark. The story starts with a pretty horrific scene of abuse (although not nearly as graphic or degrading as you might see today) and picks up from there. Certainly not the comedy of manners that I was expecting.
In Cold Blood was another book that I enjoyed because of its dark qualities. The way that Capote makes you feel sympathy toward a psychotic gives the book a feel of menace and of tragedy.
I first read The Grapes of Wrath when I was 17 years old. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this book the first time around. Steinbeck has a way of writing characters that really resonate. I think the man just knew people, and he found nobility in even the poorest and most pathetic of them. Even in his more comic novels like Cannery Row you see this.
Not only do I want a discussion, I want some ideas of what I might read when I'm not in school and have some time for recreational reading. Please leave Comments.
