In the last year or so, I have developed something of a reader’s care package — a set of books that I like to send to people when I find a receptive audience for my influence on what they should read. So, as a public service, I hereby present the Liz Norell list of what everyone should read at least once. By no means exhaustive, this list is just meant as a starting point, and I’m happy to make additional recommendations, always!
- Hilarious political satire: Christopher Buckley novels, especially Florence of Arabia
, Boomsday
, and No Way to Treat a First Lady
.
- Hilarious British fiction: Mil Millington’s novels, especially Love and Other Near-Death Experiences
, A Certain Chemistry
, and Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About
.
- Hilarious and insightful travel writing: Bill Bryson’s books, especially A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
and I’m a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away
.
- Life-changing novels by John Irving, my two favorites being A Widow for One Year
and A Prayer for Owen Meany
.
- More political satire — Jim Lehrer’s The Last Debate
.
- Retro awesomeness: Herman Melville’s lesser-known short story Bartleby the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street
.
- Life-changing spiritual writing from Karen Armstrong: The Spiral Staircase: My Climb Out of Darkness
and In the Beginning: A New Interpretation of Genesis
, especially.
- Academic satire: Moo
from Jane Smiley and Straight Man
from Richard Russo.
- Hilarious drama for you theatre buffs: Tom Stoppard’s plays Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
and The Real Thing
.
Again, I stress, this is just the barest of essentials, in my mind, but they are all gems and come very highly recommended by yours truly. 🙂
Happy reading!
(I am already planning to reread “Owen Meany” over Christmas break.)