Dear Reader,
Quarantine has been a bit confusing for me since a lot has been going on. I am a bookworm, I admit it. During this quarantine, I have been keeping myself busy with baking, writing, and lots and lots of reading. There’s always something special with keeping your shelves filled with books, so here are some of my favorites that will help you keep sane as it did for me.
1. Normal People by Sally Rooney
A friend of mine told me that he wanted to read Normal People by Sally Rooney because Barack Obama recommended it. He also mentioned that it involved romance and coming of age, so I rushed to my local Barnes and Noble and grabbed a copy, paperback (of course). I read Normal People in three days, I was fascinated by how strung in I was reading such a cliché novel. Though I have to admit the novel had such a heartbreaking ending that I never saw coming. Normal People involves Marianne and Connell who share a special bond from their secret friendship to a blossoming connection that they realize is something they could never live without. I don’t want to spoil anything, but all I know is this book will have you smiling, crying, and reflecting on self-growth.
I would like to thank my friend who recommended this to me, and also thank you Obama for reading such moving novels.
2. On The Road by Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac is one of my favorite classic literature authors and reading On The Road makes you feel like you just want to leave your phone behind and hitchhike to wherever. With only $20 in your pocket to hitchhike across the country, it seems like such a hassle but also quite a memorable experience. The protagonist, Sal Paradise, finds himself meeting different kinds of people as he travels from New York to California. When I was reading this book, I thought to myself how easy it must be living before high-technology and social media; how different it was to meet people face-to-face with no online likes or swiping left to right, it seemed like everything was normal and breathtaking.
Just do yourself a favor and do not watch the movie, the book is better.
3. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
I was introduced to David Foster Wallace by my English professor on my first year of college, he made us read Wallace’s speech called “This Is Water” and immediately, I fell in love with his writing that I had to challenge myself and read one of his most prominent novels, Infinite Jest. Whenever people ask me what the Infinite Jest is about, I simply just look at them and ask, “Well have you seen Pulp Fiction? Infinite Jest is kind of like that but with tennis.” Sure, whoever asked did not really understand my reference, but the Infinite Jest is like a puzzle that consists of tragedy and satire. Do not be afraid of reading a massive book with footnotes, be ambitious, and be ready to be in Wallace’s world of science fiction and hysterical realism. Be prepared to be in the Year of the Glad.
4. Birthday Letters by Ted Hughes
Ah poetry! Ah infidelity! I have a love-hate relationship with Ted Hughes A.K.A the cheating husband of Sylvia Plath, and yet surprisingly, he has made it to my list. In simple understanding, Birthday Letters is about Plath, their relationship, and his loss. As much as poets and readers want to hate this collection of poems, you just can’t. It’s his side of the story, and it shows deep sentiment. Now, I am not favoring adultery in any sort of manner, but in a writer’s perspective, you have to admit that Ted Hughes knows how to write poetry.
A tip: Please read 18 Rugby Street first, and you will understand my point.
5. Waiting For Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey
I love watching romantic comedies. People tell me all the time to stop basing my life off of a romantic comedy film, but I will never listen because someday I will be Meg Ryan, I will meet my Tom Hanks, and I won’t even have to check his Venmo account to see if he’s gone on dates because I know this time, it will be real. Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey is exactly like my situation. The main character, Annie Cassidy, is a writer who bases her life off of romcoms, she always dreams for the perfect meet-cute until one day she runs into a well-known actor who happens to be filming a romantic comedy film in her neighborhood.
A note, however, if you are willing to give this book a try, make sure you have seen ALL of Nora Ephron’s films, you need to know why Annie wants a guy with a houseboat.
6. Confederacy Of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
I bought my copy of Confederacy of Dunces from a thrift store, I remember looking at it and thinking “I have to read this, it has Danny Devito with a bird on his head as the book cover.” I made the right choice. If you decide to pick up Confederacy of Dunces, it will most likely be one of the funniest literary novels you could possibly read, and Ignatius J. Reilly will be your favorite literary character yet. Cynical and a little bit pretentious, Ignatius is an eccentric character who yells at his mother nonstop, sells hotdogs part-time, and writes how he wants to damage the modern world.
7. Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo and Me by Ellen Forney
Besides manga books, this is one of my favorite graphic novels. Marbles is a graphic memoir by Ellen Forney who talks about how she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age 13; moreover, Forney speaks on how she was afraid to take medications as she thinks that it will lose her creative mindset. What I love about Marbles is that it is profoundly personal, it made me feel so many emotions as turned every page. If you like picturing yourself in the books you are reading, then this is meant for you.
I love being asked for book recommendations, and I am sure that I have more to share, but these are some that were in mind as of now. I hope you take my advice and read one of these inspiring novels. Make sure to carry them with you like a bible, I know I’ve done that plenty of times.
Sincerely,
Julianne
P.S. Always read the book first, then watch the movie/show.
