Another Listing: Books and Literature

Again, my colleague and I have elected to do a listing of our top something-or-other, in this case, literature. I feel the need to explain these books are not the best books in the world. On the contary, these are books that explain US. Like the movie listing prior to this post, it's merely the books we have read and loved, regardless of the quality found in them. Me, a critic, saying 'regardless of quality.' Start laughing.

But really, there is no denying the power of cheap music, as the saying goes from Noel Coward. Look at this way. The television show COPS, is, without a doubt, some of the worst television there is. But it's been on the air since I was in high school. What does that mean? It means that sometimes, good and quality doesn't go hand-in-hand. That being said, here's 19 books that some how made a mark on little-ole-me...(I only brainstormed 19, so no, you didn't count incorrectly)

19: Shakespeare. Okay, I'm cheating, he's an author not a book. But having read him and finding I'm still reading him says something. I kept him high on the list, because I figured everyone would mention his name. Plus there's that British thing. I'll explain later. But he's the dude. All sex and violence. Want to woo someone? Quote this guy.

18: The Idiot's Guide to ___________/___________ for Dummies. They say you never stop learning. Well, in this world of deadlines, government requirements and nasty customers, that's sorely open for debate. Then came these books. Highly comprehensive (almost to a fault! Sometimes there's little explaination beyond listing of facts), these books have kept me informed on so many things. It started with my general curiousity about the American Civil War, lead to Eastern Philosophy and kinda flew from there. I love these books, sometimes reading ones I've no intention of using! I knew I had to list it here.

17: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing/Superfudge. I know, I'm listing two books, but let's think about it, they are the same book, really. I read these titles in SECOND GRADE and I learned more then improving my reading. That books can deal with heavy topic issues alone, when no one was around. That you can love an author and their style and want to read more of it; that action can be internal on the part of the characters and, well, sometimes, you will find yourself laughing out loud when you read. My mother started a tradition when I was boy that still lives on today--I could read for 30 minutes if I wanted to stay up late. I still do that today. And here's the reasons why. (see also #13)

16: A Perfect Storm. I know, they made a decent title for a movie from this, but, well, as the saying goes, the book was better. Made to sound like an action novel, I read this in about 8 hours. I was glued to the pages, forgoing eating while I passed pages. This, like COPS, was bad writing, but presented in such a way, I kept turning those pages, kinda like rubbernecking an accident as it happened. This also links to my love of nonfiction. I've always picked nonfiction over fiction and it still bothers me--I'm a freegin English teacher!

15: Abnormal Psychology textbook. I was rummaging through a book bin in college when I came across this particular title. It was in the dollar bin, a broken cover. But I sat on the floor outside of the bookstore and started reading about all these wonderful items. Yes, I said wonderful. You see, I was in the midst of a creative writing course, and I noted a penchant for writing short, creepy stories. What a boon! Here was a listing of bad behaviors, any of which could become a tale of grotesque and abraesque! I grabbed it and it's still on my shelves today, ya know, in case I need some inspiration for why Johnny axed Malinda slowly.

14: Unoffical Guides. My love for nonfiction continues. I usually buy new copies of these texts every year for Disneyland and Disney World. They don't accept advertisments or pictures, so I find their blunt honesty refreshing. It makes me want to go more not less; even tho they are so critical. I use them whereever I travel. I just used New York City's with great success--how else did I understand that blasted subway!

13: Paddington Bear. I should have known that my most favorite class in history would have been my British Literature course! My uncle, an elementary school teacher growing up, gave me 3 of this series around the same time as SuperFudge by Judy Blume. I read them all, my mom passed the word and by Christmas time, all 22 books were in my possession. Not particularly deep books like Judy's, these books were British samples of life and I loved comparing them to American lingo and existences. I still can't see marmalade and not think of this little bear and his adventures. A great way to start reading.

12: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. More Brit Lit. That freegin little island over there has produced some of the best wordsmiths I've ever encountered. Here, again, having picked up the book from my big brother (the mentor program. My older brother would not have done something so noble) after watching the movie together one Sunday night, I was hooked. I rediscovered the book after taking that Brit Lit course and my teacher taught me about allegory. Suddenly, the book took on a deeper significance, just as Mr. Lewis had hoped. And yes, I am totally stoked about the movie opening for Christmas.

11: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. A travel murder book? True Crime? Nonfiction? This little mixing of genres is surprisingly well written, even the complexity of the storyline. It starts off as a travelouge, one of those on-the-spot journalist thingies, where the author rents an appartment and sees the town, giving advice. But when one person he meets kills another, and we're talking, like page 150 here, the book suddenly takes a whole new direction, using the locale we have been exposed to. It's facinating to see the genesis of story. Wisely, too, the author leaves his name out of the work, but keeps the whole thing in first person, so we begin to feel that the tale is happening to us. It gives the story further weight. And I couldn't put it down. From literary rumor, I hear he has, finally, finished a second tale, about Los Angeles. I'm curious to read it to see if it this book was a fluke, there really is talent there or that he's just rehashing to pay for his kids' college.

10. the Sano Ichiro series. Starting with Shinju and still going strong after seven books, I discovered Sano-san after reading the New York Times Book Review on an airplane many moons ago. The critic totally panned the book, but after reading the description, I knew I would like it. It, too, is mixture of genres. It's historical fiction meets mystery meets martial arts. Is that not me or what? The characters are predictable, the politics are a bit melodramatic, and for sheer fun, this is what I read. I can't put them down, sorta like drinking beer or smoking a cigarette. You know it's doing nothing for you, but it's such fun! Plus, I get a brief examination of Japanese culture in the 18th century. It's about a samurai who works for the Emperor as a detective. He's amazingly progressive, looking at dead bodies (a no-no for practitioners of Shinto) for clues, waging war against people supporting the shogun. Facinating to a fault. And the only series I wait eagerly for the next book. (the books' titles are Shinju, Bundori, the Way of the Traitor, The Black Lotus, the Perfumed Sleeve, The Samurai's Wife and the Dragon King's Palace)

Alright, I got you this far. I'll finish up the next nine tomorrow or Monday. Take care and keep reading!