|
sunshine jen: Books 2011 4X4
It’s the time of year when all the lists about the Bestest and Most Amazing Stuff of the year come out. Books! Movies! Television! 2011!
Because I like to run with the pack, I made my own Book List for 2011. However, because I also need to do things a little bit differently, I will talk about only eight books divided into four music related books and the four classic novels.
Before I jump into the four and four, I want to recommend The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides. If you went to college before the age of cell phones, you will like this book. If you like books that play around with love and marriage, you will like this book. If you like to read books quickly, you will like this book. If. . .never mind.
Four Books (Music Related)
Decoded by Jay-Z
This was the first book I read in 2011. I picked it up after seeing a Jay-Z interviewed by Charlie Rose (do not deny the power of Charlie). This book is part super star autobiography without being gossipy, part text book for an art that can’t be pinned down, and part post-modern art dance. Rap hasn’t sounded the same to me since.
Just Kids by Patti Smith
This book was universally praised and listed on best lists back in 2010. Okay, so I’m a little slow. When I grow old and full of stories, I want to be just like Patti Smith.
Life by Keith Richards
Keifffffff! I actually learned a lot of good lessons from Mr. Richards. The most important thing I learned is not to take it all so fucking seriously.
Checker & The Derailers by Lionel Shriver
This is a novel, not a memoir. And it came out in 1987. I like this book for no rational reason. I just delighted in it from beginning to end. It’s about love and music and glass making. It’s set in Queens.
Four Classic Novels
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
I read this in the beginning of the year because the movie was coming out. Miss Bronte has some wild stuff in her.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
I finally did it. I finally sat down and read the bitch from beginning to end. Even though I prefer Dostoyevsky over Tolstoy, Anna and her merry band won me over. I didn’t mind that the train got her in the end.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
You ladies can have Mr. Darcy and his moods. I prefer Captain Wentworth. Besides, Wentworth can totally beat Darcy’s ass.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence
Lady C. Wow. Damn. Wow. Okay, moving on. . . .
|
|
|
