“If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.” – Toni Morrison
As a person who writes, and as a person who is fascinated by the human experience, there is little more precious to both of those interests than books. Aside from being alive and able to participate in both of those ventures, that is.
I have been blogging for several years, here and in other forums, passing along my opinions and truth and attempts at humor. But I’ve also been working for years on poor to mediocre poetry and bits and pieces of fiction that I am hoping to cobble into something publishable one day.
The one piece of advice that I have seen directed to aspiring authors, over and over and over again, from successful authors, advisors, editors and publishers: If you want to write, YOU MUST READ. A LOT.
Well guess what? I read. A lot. Not everyone does, and not everyone needs to, I suppose, although I wish everyone would.
I belonged to a book club once upon a time, made up mainly of women who belonged to a local country club, which I had neither the finances nor the desire to join. I was kind of shuttled through the back door by a couple of friends who knew I loved to read. And while I enjoyed the books and the wine and company…it just wasn’t quite my thing. Maybe it was because of my propensity for cursing and making inappropriate jokes… and to be honest, that was probably it, because that kind of stuff didn’t seem to fly with most of the ladies. Also, I didn’t get the references to their sandal or handbag designers, private schools, high end stores or country club gossip. I kind of felt like a novelty, like, Oh! Here’s L’s friend! The one who says “fuck” a lot! Isn’t she refreshing? Just, um…don’t engage her in too much conversation, especially if the kids are around, you know?
ANYWAY…after I birthed child #2, I dropped out of the book club, because I just couldn’t fit anything that wasn’t absolutely necessary in my life, so social engagements and volunteer work and anything besides work and kid stuff just had to go.
Now that my kids are older and I have a bit more time on my hands…no, I haven’t rejoined or joined any regular, in-person meeting, wine drinking and cheese consuming book clubs. I know there are clubs available through my local library and community, but really…I have learned to own my awkward and embrace the fact that I am just not comfortable going around asking to be part of things. But if I were to join another book club, it would have to be because I was extended an (preferably in cursive and hand-delivered) invitation to join a club that would provide someone with my personality a comfortable space, and to which I could be an equally contributing member.
That said, I do belong to a social media book group, which has helped me find some of the best books I’ve ever read, as well as providing me the ability to recommend, send and receive books with other members. This group also allows me to search, read and discuss books while sitting on my couch, in whatever I’m wearing, sans makeup or any other accoutrements. It’s social without social pressure. And yeah, I know, I need to get out of the house more often. You know I’m not going to extend myself, so send me an invite already. Or don’t. Cause I’m good sitting right here.
I needed to say all of that in order to get to this list. The Twisted Maven’s Partial List of Books Everyone Should Read and Why. Please peruse, and feel free to add your own opinions, recommendations, and invitations to join your book club (online or in person) below:
The Omnivore’s Dilemma – This book changed my entire relationship with food. Before this book, I gave zero fucks about the source of my food and barely understood the relationship between food and how the body uses it. Now, I do…give plenty of fucks about the source of my food and have a great understanding of how food=fuel. And how everyone should eat more plants.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fiskry – Oh goodness, what a story. I don’t know why, but I seem to be drawn to fiction about cranky older men connecting or reconnecting with their humanity and sensitivity. This is an unusual story about an unusual man, and thoroughly enjoyable.
The 100 year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared – Another piece of fiction about a cranky older, but really older, man. The main character is kind of like a Forest Gump, but Swiss, and therefore a lot of the history told through his experiences is very different from U.S. history.
11/22/63 – This was the first Stephen King novel I read, as I had long held the assumption that Mr. King was “just” a horror novelist who “just” wrote to appeal to the most pedestrian of readers. Turns out, I had missed a lot of amazing writing. This novel is long, includes a lot of historical events, and while yes, Mr. King is definitely King of the Macabre, he is a master of his trade as an author. This novel was so compelling and interesting and crazy and the work of a genius. I’ve since read several of his books, including “On Writing”, and have been thoroughly entertained, educated, shocked and inspired.
My Life on the Road – Gloria Steinhem has been the face of feminism since the 1960s, and has lead such an amazing life. The best parts of this book, for me, were her involvement in the feminist movement from the beginning, as well as her analysis of how our two main political parties have changed since the civil rights movement (spoiler alert: the “party of Lincoln” has been working up to their current iteration since getting evangelicals involved in the 1960s and 1970s).
On The Come Up – If you read or saw “The Hate U Give”, then you MUST read this book by Angela Davis. There is exactly zero that I can relate to personally with her character’s ages, environments and aspirations, but hell YES I can relate to the struggles of wanting to be a good human. And she gives such vivid descriptions about neighborhoods that are different but not so different from my own.
Dig – One of the best novels I’ve ever read. Period. It’s about family, youth, racism, death, fear, mysticism and love. I’ve never read a book quite like it, and I lack words to describe it, except that you should definitely read this book. And I want to take The Freak into my arms and love her forever.
Educated – I’ve seen a lot of comparisons to “The Glass Castle” with this book. And I could see the parallels in the first few chapters, but damn if things don’t get really fucked up, to the point where I don’t even know how any of the people in this memoir survived. Broader than “The Glass Castle” in the way it deals with personal complexities and individual conflicts.
The Last Reunion of the All Girl Filling Station – Fannie Flagg deserves so much credit than she’s been given as a storyteller, despite her name that makes my kids giggle. If you’re of a certain age, you certainly remember the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes”, based on a novel by Flagg. The book is better. And this book explores the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, family secrets, and the fortitude of women across the decades.
Lamb – One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS. It’s the story of Jesus in the in-between years, as told by his best friend, Biff. Irreverent, to say the least. But it encompasses all religions and is laugh out loud funny in it’s attempt to explain what Jesus was up to between childhood and adulthood.
The Alchemist – just a classic tale about learning to follow your heart and listen to your dreams.
To Kill a Mockingbird – If one reads this book now, it’s still as chilling and suspenseful and entertaining as it was when it was published. Classic right vs. wrong, with losses on both sides, with the side of righteousness ultimately prevailing.
Mohawk – Richard Russo is another author that has tackled the worlds of cranky older men, as well as the worlds of disturbed youth and everyone caught in the middle. He is an amazing storyteller, and I will read everything he publishes at least twice. His ability to juxtapose real human feelings with horrific displays of human indifference is incredible.
I Know This Much is True – Wally Lamb is an excellent storyteller, and this tale of twin brothers rivals East of Eden by Steinbeck. Maybe I have a soft spot for Mr. Lamb because his books are set in Connecticut, but honestly, they are all incredibly far-reaching and epic and funny and heartbreaking.
The Handmaids Tale – Well, I suppose this book resonated with me, along with a gazillion other women in today’s society. It was shocking, unthinkable, but now an abstract scenario that takes up space in many women’s minds. Two things I’ve learned: one, I will be shipped off to The Colonies, and two, this novel was mainly directed at a dystopian nightmare that applies mainly to white women.
And the last book I’m going to mention is “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”. Henrietta Lacks was a poor black woman who was dying, and whose cervical tissue cells were taken without her knowledge or permission in the 1950’s. Those cells, known as HeLa, have been duplicated and sold and used for really important scientific and medical advances, including vaccines, genetic studies, treatment of viruses, and human fertilization methods. However, her immediate family and descendants were not privy to the use or value of HeLa. This is an incredible tale of racial injustice, medical research and ethics, human suffering, medical triumph and serious moral debate.
All of these books, and so many more, have inspired me as an aspiring and actual writer, a human, and a lover of books. Please do comment with those books that have influenced you as any of the above.
“For a true writer, each book should be a new beginning where he tries again for something that is beyond attainment. He should always try for something that has never been done or that others have tried and failed. Then sometimes, with great luck, he will succeed.” – Ernest Hemingway
Until Next Time…
Just Breathe.
The Twisted Maven.
©The Twisted Maven, 2019