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I am looking for good books to read while I am in Paraguay, I am making a list of areas that I have not read too much from in the past and would like to expand my knowledge in. Even if that knowledge is in an attempt to repudiate the claims of others. So I would appreciate it if you could give me good suggestions in any areas that you may have
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I think the only area of expertise I have even the slightest claim on would be literature and only contemporary literature at that. Neil Gaiman is an amazingly good ex-pat Brit who resides in MN and writes fantastical-without-being fantasy books. American Gods is a wonderful sci-fiesque comparison of religions. Good Omens is the funniest book you will ever read about the apocalypse. And Coraline (admittedly, aimed at young adults) will creep you out at least a little bit.
Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi is a novel about a young woman in Nazi Germany, and though it's not a unique-seeming topic for a book, it's a unique novel for sure. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky (sp?) is a novel experimentally written as a series of letters from the protagonist to an anonymous friend. Sort of a neo-Catcher in the Rye with less angst and more insightful observation. Like the Red Panda by Katie (I believe) Siegel (who is our age...gah!) is another neo-Catcher book, but this time from the perspective of a young girl. I loved the calculated subtlety of the novel's tone.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt is exquisite! Truly exquisite, and a must-read for anyone with an interest in the weird psychology of friendships and cliques. It's about an elitist group of Greek students and it's a really good read. The Life of Pi by Yann Martel won the Booker prize two years back and tells the best kind of story--the slightly unbelievable journey story. Worth every second of the time it takes to read. And it's extra interesting from a religious perspective because the protagonist is a practicing Christian, Muslim, and Hindu, so the commentary on comparitive religion is ripe. Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder is 'the history of philosophy' disguised as a novel. If you have any interest in philosophy and a good story squeezed into one, this book is for you. It's very very good. A book that I read recently that really tugged at my spirit is Lamb: The Gospel According to Bif Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore. Again, it's comparative religion, even if it is about Christ in a sense. It's intelligently written and the story is so realistic and intruiging. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is a great novel regardless of age, and everyone should read it at some point in life. Oh, and Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya I read ages ago, but it was exceptionally good and I recommend highly. I wrote my English placement essay on it for Albion. ;)
My all-time favorite book is The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, and the book is so powerful in the emotional and intellectual senses that even though I know what's happening each time I read it, it grips me no less.
I guess that's all I can think of off the top of my head. I'm full of good book recommendations though, so feel free to pick my brain at any point. :)
Peace and bright blessings.
krista.
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These are great
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