“The Stranger” (1942) by Albert Camus
A strange, fascinating insight into the mind of a sick and detached human being. Told in terse yet beautiful sentences, this story is short but packs a heavy emotional punch.
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1962) by Edward Albee
One of the darkest comedies you’ll ever read, this play is as excruciatingly funny as it is horribly depressing. You’ll laugh out loud, all the while being blown away by Albee’s impeccable insight into troubled relationships and the psychotic minds of those involved in them. A very entertaining read.
“Travels With Charley: In Search of America” (1962) by John Steinbeck
Late in his literary career, a few years before his death, Steinbeck decided to take a road trip with his dog, Charley, and visit the country he spent his life writing about. A simple, humorous, and intimate account by one of America’s greatest writers. Simply, a terrific book.
“The Road” (2006) by Cormac McCarthy
A dark, moody novel about finding hope in a hopeless situation. A beautifully depicted post-apocalyptic world acts as a character in itself as the narrative follows a father and his son trying to survive in a dying world. Many of the last remaining humans have turned to cannibalism as the father-son duo try to remain safe and head for the coast, which may or may not be their last remaining form of refuge. A beautiful story with incredible, poetic language.
“True Grit” (1968) by Charles Portis
Charles Portis is the best writer that many people haven’t heard of, and this is his most well-known work. An incredibly engaging and hilarious read, this adventure novel contains vivid characters paralleled with a sharply plotted and tense narrative.
“Double Indemnity” (1943) by James M. Cain
A true classic of the hard-boiled crime genre, this quick, engaging, and incredibly tense story is a must read for those interested in mystery and suspense.
‘night, Mother (1983) by Marsha Norman
A tense and heartbreaking play about a mother’s desperate attempts to convince her daughter not to commit suicide.
“Paradise Lost” (1667) by John Milton
An epic poem about the fall of man. Read the King James version of “Genesis” first, then read this. A very interesting supplement (Milton believed he was truly writing the word of God, this poem acting as the back story to Genesis).
I typically don’t even like poetry, but this one left an impression on me. You don’t have to be religious to enjoy it.
