Book Recommendations

Book Recommendations

I stumbled through a website that was a list of books recommended by certain celebrities, mostly actors and writers, peak creative people. I was interested, at first, but then, I decided that there as much a place for my own list. Books I recommend.

Better yet, as a test, these are books I’ve bought, given away, and bought again. In some instances, I’ve read, and reread digital copies, and while I have the hardbacks in my library, and predictably, I still buy and give them away.

Perhaps the best measure is the number of books I’ve got that I’ve bought a second or even third time to either replace a ghost version or given as gifts.

In no particular order?

Neuromancer by William Gibson

Started the “cyberpunk” movement, or is accredited thusly. In itself, a remarkable novel, and there’s an energy, a special kind of drive not always present in latter novels. First of a trilogy, too. Introduced us to the world inside the machines.

2. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

My personal history is deep in Austin archives, as I bought this from a friend at the old Bookstop (bookstore) in what was North Austin, loved the book, sent it to friend to read, and then years later, another bookstore owner had a signed edition, like my old one, marked on sale for over a grand. Great book in itself, and my personal history doesn’t fade when reading — and rereading — the novel as a classic work.

3. Practical Demon Keeping by Christopher Moore

Recommended repeatedly by an old friend, and then, when I finally read it? There are bits and pieces of the material that have stuck with me, ever since. A singular scene, deep in the bowels of the novel, has helped shape my world view, ever since.

4. Howl by Allen Ginsberg

I’m not a Beat Poet fan, but I liked what they did. I’ve got, maybe three print copes of the poem, one in an anthology of modern poetry, another in Ginsberg’s collected works, and finally, a facsimile edition of the original, “Howl and other Poems.” There’s also the first part done as a graphic novel, and the mp3 version of Ginsberg reading the poem. Important historical document — a snapshot of the modern world. As much as the world has changed?

5. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

It was — HST was legend living larger than life — but this book had an energy unfounded in other literature. Over the years, I’ve mined passages for brief spotlights on what it was, what it means, and what it is now, and in many cases, the author was weirdly prescient about the role of media in our lives. I keep a replica copy with its original Ralph Steadman cover.

Book Recommendations

Strictly astrology-related?

1. Secrets from a Stargazer’s Notebook by Debbi Kempton-Smith
2. Astrologik by Antereo Alli
3. The Sabian Symbols in Astrology by Dr. Marc Edmond Jones

Book Recommendations

Serial observations?

1. Starting with Florida Roadkill by the late, great Tim Dorsey, but the whole series, especially the latter works are exceptionally brilliant, brimming with wit and satire, and the frantic pace that defies literary logic. Think there are 24 or 26 novels now.
2. While best known as the father of Chicano letters, and the author of a number seminal tomes, the Albuquerque Series, has stuck with me more than anything else. Rudolfo Anya? A master storyteller of the southwest, native to New Mexico, Chicano activist, I think, poet, fighter, dreamer, raconteur? His little post-modern-murder-mystery series was delightful, perfect blend of magic and realism.
3. The author Stuart Woods passed a year or two back, but his books are still coming out, and even before his death, he was co-authoring a book a year, just to keep up with his publisher — and reader — demands. When he was the sole author, I got to where I really enjoyed a quick read. Fast, some action, the good life, and yet a firm moral compass in place. Plus, as a writer, I got to admire the Capricorn absolute lack of style in his work. Nothing to interfere with a good, escapists story. Since his demise, the ghosts have been good, but not quite as good as that original prose.
4. In my own library, I have a few running feet of old Robert A. Heinlein “pulp” paperbacks. A few in hardcover editions, mostly his later works, and about three copies of various editions of Stranger in a Strange Land. I was a juvenile and I was reading his juvenile, now called YA, fiction. I know it had a profound influence on me, and over the years, I’d taken to reading the aforementioned Stranger in a Strange Land every few years. This canon of work, with its vaguely libertarian politics, emphasis on self-reliance, and personal responsibly? Big influence.

Book Recommendations

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