The Books, the god damned Big Books…
In my time spent traveling upon this spinning orb, I have read some things. Like these behemoths.

We begin where we must, at the best book ever written, Ulysses.

The incredibly rich and diverse structure, the shear knowledge, the sublime and superb stylistic control, this book lives in a category all its own. (It stands with its own gloss book, Ulysses Annotated, just to give you a chance at seeging how deep the man went.)
Up next, the WWII streaming sprawl, Gravity’s Rainbow.

Grittier, druggier, but just as erudite, this dense world of words and characters insanely arcs through hilarity, insanity, and poignancy.
And following that succession of humongous books through the timeline comes Infinite Jest.

A tale of tennis and addiction twirling in a hamletan way, a piercing satire of a slightly apocalyptic near future, this savvy, quasi technical, verbose as hell epic justifies its name in all its connotations. (It comes accompanied by the incredible in its own right, just not as mature or ambitious Broom of the System, which includes the best college scene in literature with the leg.)
End of junior year, I tried out for a play based on IJ, and failed to get the part, so vindictively, did not go see the performance. But I became curious about the book while having sex out the window, and took it on throughout the summer. That august, while staying at Middletown, I found Ulysses on the shelf, read a few pages, and took a class on it that fall. Then took another class on it that spring. Then in the summer, I found Gravity’s Rainbow in the bookstore, and sailed through that sea through the hot days. It was a year for slaying monsters.
Guns, Germs, and Steel is one of the most informative and interesting books on how we got to were we did.

It explains how The West ended up being the dominant culture in such a scientific and well-researched way, and its totally not racist. It was more just luck of your surroundings.
Confedracy of Dunces.

The comedy epic, the original Seinfeld-like intertwiner, the ode to a culturefilled city, a very fun ride following the life of a unique character.
Which brings us to the classics of the more present times, starting with The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Klay.

(amazon picture because stepmom has borrowed copy). The magical, inspiring, incredible tale of survival, love, and storytelling, written in one of the most gorgeous placement of words I have ever seen.
The Corrections.

A heartbreaking work of staggering genius, and this one doesn’t need to title itself that to actually achieve it. An incredible look at those wacky, stinkin’ rich nineties, through a marvelous family of unforgettable people in unforgettable situations .
Middlesex.

The modern classic (as in the actual classic, meaning greek) diaspora epic with the contemporary sexual wrench thrown in the mix, through a loving, exceptional narrator.
My favorite right now, The Fortress of Solitude.

A pop culture examining masterpiece. The coming of age amidst magic and trauma, brisk reality and utter naïve joy, it makes you want to kiss whoever wrote it (I know who wrote it, you know what I mean).
And why not, The System of the World.

One book divided into three (yeah just like, Rings, which I have read, but doesn’t belong on this list) vividly showing you a peek at how the entire planet got along during the late 1600’s.
So what’s next? Mason & Dixon.

Yes, I am ready to try my pynchon hand again, even though it will be difficult (I don’t have the guts to go after Finnigan’s Wake yet).
Books.

I love them like the intellectualista nerd snob that I am. These are just a few that I read in the last four years, but they are probably some of the best.
I need to read more russians.
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