I’m stealing this idea from
That Danny Totich over at http://www.goonsquads.blogspot.comCheck them out, they’re some really funny and entertaining guys.
I like to read. A lot. Being in college, I don’t have a lot of free time to read what I’d like. Most of my time is spent reading things about the Civil War, or 19th century America. Now don’t get me wrong, I love history, but I love reading things that I choose even more. Without further ado, I’m going to give you a list of my top ten books, and maybe you guys can get a little insight into my personality maybe even broaden your horizons a little.
10. Hunter S. Thompson - Screwjack (1991): This is a collection of short stories from the good Doctor. It starts out with Mescalito, which is an account of a speed and mescaline fueled night in a Los Angeles hotel room. Thompson gives us an in-depth description of his high and the fear associated with it as he rides it out until morning. We also get a glimpse of Dr. Gonzo, the late Oscar Zeta-Acosta, from his masterpiece Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, who arrives with beer and calms Thompson down. We then move into Death of a Poet, which is one of the more…bizarre, for lack of a better word, of HST’s stories. It starts with Thompson flying into Green Bay to visit a friend after a football game. He walks into the trailer to find a woman lying on the floor. He believes his friend to have murdered his wife, but later realizes that it’s a blow up doll, which his friend explains his bizarre use for, which isn’t the typical use. The story ends in a violent. shocking manner, which I’ll leave up to you to find out for yourself. Moving ever forward, we then get into Screwjack. This is quite possibly the most off the wall piece I’ve ever read by Thompson. It is written by his alter ego Raoul Duke, and is an account of an affair between Duke and a large tomcat called Mr. Screwjack. It is a good starting place for those interested in the Doctor’s work, as its a pretty quick read, and it also gives you a glimpse at his various writing styles.
9. Christopher Moore - Fool (2009): This was my introduction to the work of Christopher Moore, and I personally think it should be everyone else’s as well. The novel takes the story of Shakespeare’s King Lear, and gives it to us from the perspective of the court jester, known as Pocket. This novel is funny, subversive, and extremely well written all at the same time. It showed me that classic works can be re-imagined and not descend into absurdity like Pride & Prejudice & Zombies.
8. Hunter S. Thompson - Hell’s Angels (1966): This is HST’s second of four entries on my list. In this documentary style piece, the doctor spends a year in the midst of the notorious outlaw bikers, experiencing first hand the debauchery, violence, and danger that comes from living the life of a 1% biker.
7. Chuck Palahniuk - Fight Club (1996): This was my first introduction to Palahniuk’s work, and since then, I’ve become somewhat of an addict, making sure to read everything that he releases. I was brought to this book, like most people, by the film adaptation. I absolutely loved the film, but it was no comparison for the book. Reading the narrator’s thoughts, instead of merely having them shown to me on a screen was an entirely different experience, that made me appreciate both the book and the film even more.
6. Tucker Max - I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (2006): Regarded as an asshole by some, a God by others, and a highly functioning alcoholic by all, Max is either revered or despised, depending on who you talk to. He is, along with Harmon Leon, in my opinion, carrying on the torch of Gonzo journalism started by the late, great Hunter S. Thompson. His stream of consciousness style of writing is very entertaining, and makes his work easy to digest.
5. Cormac McCarthy - The Road (2006): There isn’t much I can say about this book, except that you should all read it at least once. I say this, because once is all you will be able to stand. This novel will leave you emotionally gutted. It takes the typical post-apocalyptic novel, turns it into a struggle between right and wrong, and tests the limits a father will go to in order to protect his son. Read it, and then be prepared to stay in bed for the next few days, because your soul will be crushed.
4. Hunter S. Thompson - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1971): This was my introduction of the work of HST, and at first read I was simply like “What the fuck is this? Is this real?” I went back and re-read it, and then re-read it again, and each time, I loved it more. This was the start of Gonzo journalism, and should be an essential read for everyone considering a career in journalism, or anyone interested in the stranger side of life.
3. Chris Offut - Kentucky Straight (1992): Being from eastern Kentucky, this collection of short stories resonates with me. In this collection, Offut shows us the dark underbelly of eastern Kentucky, and doesn’t try romanticizing the stereotype of the aloof, uneducated hillbilly. He instead gives us a much closer view of what many Kentuckians view as life as usual.
2. Hunter S. Thompson - The Rum Diary (1998): While this was HST’s first book that he attempted to write, it wasn’t published until 1998. When you read it, it makes you just want to say “fuck it,” roll the bones, and try your hand at life in a sleepy tropical city. Or anywhere else than where you are right now.
1. Stephen King -The Stand (1990): Originally published in 1978, I never read the original version, I’m only familiar with the complete and unabridged edition. This is an amazing piece of fiction, with its intersecting storylines, characters, and all of its various pop culture references, even. This is the ultimate post-apocalyptic novel, nothing will ever displace it, in my opinion. I highly recommend that everyone power through those 1152 pages of excellence. You’ll be glad that you did.
Well, there you have it. My top 10 list of books. I hope I’ve given you guys a little insight into my mind, and maybe, just maybe, I’ve inspired a few of you to pick up a book that you might not have considered reading before
