I’ve just finished reading three Cormac McCarthy books in a row – No Country for Old Men, All the Pretty Horses, Outer Dark – and while they were great, I need a break from the heavy oppressiveness of some of his story telling. Also, I read Maus I and II in amongst all that, which was brutal and disturbing, but a great read and I’d recommend it to anyone. Any suggestions?
I like most genres but have become soured on 98% of fantasy. I read Lies of Locke Lamora last month and that kinda shut the fantasy door for me. I was surprised by how disappointed I was, despite the rave reviews that I regularly see here and on other subs.
I love sci fi and historical fiction. I’ve recently been reading a lot of Jo Nesbo – Norwegian detective/murder mystery novels. I’m very excited for the next Southern Reach novel by Jeff Vandermeer to come out next month! I also really enjoy good graphic novels. Last year I read The Watchmen and V for Vendetta and both were incredibly good.
Thanks!
by BookScrum
2 Comments
Oh, man. Are you all right? I had similar recently, after reading a few emotionally-difficult books, so I picked up a collection of David Sedaris’ essays. It was *Happy-Go-Lucky,* though, which contains essays dealing with his father’s death (and some on one of his sisters committing suicide), so it wasn’t as light as expected.
James McBride’s *Deacon King Kong* is set in the New York Causeway houses in the late 60s and is generally historical fiction. But it’s also funny, especially the dialogue, and moving. Bad things happen, some characters die, but it’s still a much lighter view of life and humanity than McCarthy’s.
If you haven’t read it, John Kennedy Toole’s *A Confederacy of Dunces* is quite funny.
And for when I’m really needing a book to help get out of the darkness, there’s always my *Complete Calvin and Hobbes*.
There’s a simple solution: PG Wodehouse, who wrote silly lighthearted books exclusively.
Make the acquaintance of the foppish aristocrat Bertie Wooster and his omnicompetent valet Jeeves — I suggest THE CODE OF THE WOOSTERS to start with.