“Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the purpose of instruction. No, read in order to live.”
— Flaubert
It’s summertime, so I figured I’d put together a list of books that have fascinated me over the last year. Summer is a good time to slow down, reflect, and sit in the shade of sycamore on a sunny afternoon with a glass of wine and a book in hand. At least for me.
David Ulin once said, “Reading is an act of resistance in a landscape of distraction... We regain the world by withdrawing from it just a little by stepping back from the noise.”
I’m more of an unconventional reader myself. I tend to lean toward the esoteric wisdom of the ancients, the old cranky existentialists, the madmen of mysticism and metaphysics, and the verse of dead poets. But I’ve opened my horizons a bit this past year. And since I’m always asked for book recommendations, I figured I’d share what I’m reading.
This curated list of books will inspire some and perhaps agitate the sensibilities of others. Perhaps a few on the list will set fire to the blood and heighten your conscious awareness. That is the aim of all great art. “If you only read the books that everyone else is reading,” Haruki Murakami reminds us, “you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”
Whether you are a reading junkie seeking your next literary fix or someone looking to dive into the world of books for the first time, this list has something for everyone. It’s a wild concoction of poetic nature essays, ruthless fiction, reflections on creativity, and writings that explore the darker aspects of human existence. Each recommendation has been selected for its unorthodox wisdom and/or tantalizing prose.
Perhaps a few might leave a lasting impact. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I have.
Happy reading!
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