-
Blog of Green Gables1 of 10
Although many of us feel we have reached full maturity and sit confidently in our fancy pleather office chairs, there still might be some holes missing in your education of common literature. Since some of us slept through the important classes, had the answers to the test or simply went to public schools where food fights and binge drinking during lunch were the norm, here's ten of the classic fictions you may have missed and surely should read.
"Fantastic Mr. Fox" by Roald Dahl
If you're old enough to read, this is one of the first places your eyes should go, as this book and its author are full of solid adventure and storytelling. This is the story of a fantastic fox who wanted more for his fox family, who lives beyond his means in order to give his loved ones the best in a fox world. Sound familiar? Mr. Fox always outsmarts the men he steals from, but as they all gang up on him and his fox family, he must come up with a great fox plan once again or surrender, which is never an option.
In comparison, Wes Anderson did an amazing job creating a stop-motion film out of these characters with an incredible screenplay, doing a little needed justice for every independent reader to recognize the book's greatness. It's a classic tale every boy should hear, even if he is 35.
If you feel like a creep buying books out of the kids section, just order it online or lie and say it's for your nephew.
-
-
More
- Share on Tumblr
- Pin It
- Email to a friend
-
Courtesy of Amazon2 of 10
"Jonathan Livingston Seagull" by Richard Bach
This is one of the first novellas every person should read who can comprehend the concept that their life is about to take off, and whichever direction it goes is up to them. You could be 10, or you could be 24 before the real meaning of this book finally grabs you. No joking there.
It's simply a short story about a young seagull who learns to take flight and follow his own ambitions, even if it's against all odds and the rest of the flock. Many of us choose to follow what looks good to us based on what we see in other people, ignoring what lies inside ourselves.
This book is a great practice in learning about our capabilities, limitations and what it truly means to take flight.
-
-
More
- Share on Tumblr
- Pin It
- Email to a friend
-
Sum Up Film3 of 10
"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Arguably one of the greatest novels of all time, the story about love, lies and deception all amongst a great party in a golden era has been celebrated unlike any other novel. This is the story of a young man living in the 1920s who strikes a friendship with the greatest host and human fabrication of all, the great Jay Gatsby. The story unfolds from a peaceful summer setting into a wild, ridiculous ride into the truth of Gatsby's world.
If male companionship, east coast summers on the lake and unrequited love are any of your Facebook interests, this novel will steal you away from your floundering, boring life. Beware that Tobey Maguire is the young narrator in the upcoming Baz Luhrmann adaptation of this novel; just block that part out of your mind and wait for another great role for Leo DeCaprio.
-
-
More
- Share on Tumblr
- Pin It
- Email to a friend
-
Courtesy of Amazon4 of 10
"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
Another held high piece of literature surrounding teen angst and adventures of misspent youth, "Catcher in the Rye" follows a young Holden Caulfield amid his expulsion from prep school who finds himself traveling through some of life's biggest road blocks and poignant moments, with anything from booze to bullies to call-girls to losing his virginity, or not losing it, along the long ride home.
This novel is another appropriately placed signpost on the road of life, which young readers can use as a model for liberation or as a lesson learned on the importance of staying in school. The book, noted as one of the greats of the 20th century, dials in the teenage dialect precisely, making the dialogue seem like you're right there in the conversation with him, even when he's paying some girl for her time.
If you're interested in other works, check out "Nine Stories."
-
-
More
- Share on Tumblr
- Pin It
- Email to a friend
-
The Middletown Press5 of 10
"The Rum Diary" by Hunter S. Thompson
It'd be easier to just say read all of Hunter's novels, but this being his first seems most appropriate if you've never read any of his work. A snapshot of Hunter's early life as a novelist, he visits Puerto Rico as an unsuccessful writer who picks up a job at the local crumbling newspaper, falls deep into it with a beautiful girl who belongs to another man and drinks enough rum to drown a flock of bald eagles.
The diary is a practice in the art of storytelling that pulls you into the landscape of a paradise long before the art of bulldozing without the need for a strong ending, simply a snapshot of a good man's life, a man who lived somewhat recklessly but worthy enough to put it into pages. Don't rely on Hollywood's colorful display of Johnny Depp to give you the real experience, for it doesn't supersede the novel with its tricks and rewrites. Old Hunter would roll in his grave and start firing his shotgun from six feet below if someone screened that for him.
If you're interested in other works, check out "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."
-
-
More
- Share on Tumblr
- Pin It
- Email to a friend
-
Courtesy of Amazon6 of 10
"Tropic of Cancer" by Henry Miller
Henry Miller was always a writer who rode on his emotions and observations rather than being consumed in the story, a unique approach to writing that seems somewhat lost in today's literature. The novel holds true to Miller's life as he depicts his struggling time in Paris as a writer living a somewhat wretched life but fully immersed in an honest living. Responsible for many good things to follow it in literature, Miller bears it all, emotions and experiences in this highly confessional piece of art, so much so that the novel was banned for its obscenity and sexual candor. Bravo, Henry.
There are cues within the novel, which was carefully written for nearly a decade in the 1930s, that we can still take from this book today about living a strong, emotional life full of openness to oneself and the people surrounding us. Plus, these novels can probably teach you a little something about getting the girls riled up.
If you're interested in other works, check out "Stand Still Like the Hummingbird."
-
-
More
- Share on Tumblr
- Pin It
- Email to a friend
-
Courtesy of Amazon7 of 10
"The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway
If the nightlife of a midnight in Paris isn't appealing to you, then you might be dead inside. Hemingway, easily one of the greatest novelists in history, wrote very clearly about the evenings of the 1920s in France, surprisingly so considering the amount of drinks involved. Any fan of classy gals, drinks and dancing, carriage rides, fishing trips and bullfights will appreciate Hemingway's clear vision of a wounded warrior (himself) wandering through one of the finest cities during one its most exciting times, and the women, escapades, decadence and late nights that came with it.
If you're interested in other works, check out "The Old Man and the Sea."
-
-
More
- Share on Tumblr
- Pin It
- Email to a friend
-
Etsy8 of 10
"On the Road" by Jack Kerouac
For all the barriers we put on ourselves to escape adventure and stay close to home, this novel will rip off those chains and liberate your feet until you're strapped into a car, which you may have to steal, ready to visit the road ahead. Kerouac found his notoriety in documenting his life on the road, aimless and hellbent, but open-minded and full of life. Although your mother may not agree with his unpredictability and unapparent approach to a responsible life, these are adventures that can either be inspiring or vicarious, depending on how strict your mother is.
"On the Road" follows Kerouac through a 1940s road trip across America in a vehicle for driving, drug use and nonconformity. In a search for the meaning of life, as well as a need to disconnect, Kerouac goes a little off road in both literal and metaphorical form, following his whims, looking for love and living poetically in the kind of way that would make Hunter S. Thompson your biggest fan.
If you're interested in other works, check out "Dharma Bums."
-
-
More
- Share on Tumblr
- Pin It
- Email to a friend
-
Courtesy of Amazon9 of 10
"1984" by George Orwell
A gloomy but powerful novel, highly regarded and strong with its words, George Orwell's "1984" casts a futuristic look into how he saw the years to come as he was nearing his own death in real life in the late 1940s. His tragically imaginative take on the future of our world is probably where we get our hocus pocus ideas for our future now, where aliens appear and always want to bring our demise, and shiny buildings and spaceships exist where normal life used to.
In Orwell's story, he tries to keep things pretty grounded, showing a strict way of living under total authority. Although it may not be the reality of the actual 1984 we experienced, his take is much more compelling and thought-provoking.
If you're interested in other works, check out "Animal Farm."
-
-
More
- Share on Tumblr
- Pin It
- Email to a friend
-
Abe Books10 of 10Next: 40 Weirdest Books of All Time
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain
In the days before Facebook and Banging with Friends, the average youth spent time exploring the great outdoors. Sometimes life was exciting and full of new possibilities, and sometimes things just went wrong. The snapshot of Twain's Huck Finn is one of classic literature, a story for every man and boy, and if you haven't read it, it's amazing they've granted you citizenship in this fair country of ours.
The story follows Huck into the wilderness as he lives off the land, avoiding his drunk father and helping a friend escape slavery. So like a normal Tuesday, right?. The adventures of a 12-year-old boy who learns things his own way, the hard way, makes for an exciting read and a great appreciation for just how good we've got it today.
Most everyone had it on their grade school summer reading list, but don't let its youthful presence mislead you to dodge the fact that Mark Twain was one of the greatest adventure novelists of the 20th century. Before reading, you could check out "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," as Huck is merely the equal sequel. You don't have to, but we reckon you'd be smart to.
-
-
More
- Share on Tumblr
- Pin It
- Email to a friend