I'm a college student and sometimes I feel a little out of my depth when everyone in a given setting is familiar with an 'older' author that I've never read. My high school education wasn't very literary-focused so I need a bit of help catching up–I want to feel well-read and know what people are talking about! For example, I've never read Kafka or Nietzsche, and I tried Murakami but hated it (The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle). I also get bored by nonfiction really easily so I'd like fiction books only please 🙂
If it helps, my favorite book is Notes Of A Crocodile by Qiu Miaojin, and I also love Cloud Cuckoo Land and The Secret History. I already love Shakespeare so no need to retread that ground. It's also important to me to stay edcuated on places outside of the US and Europe so I'd love recommendations for these sorts of 'well-read' books that are from outside the cultural West.
Thanks so much!
by anomalouscreation
1 Comment
You will get a variety of answers here since this community is full of excellent suggestions.
I would say that if you enjoy reading, you will naturally stumble upon these books. I would start by reading some writers who helped define their genre and also by finding authors who bring different perspectives and experiences.
Some books that helped me as a reader are
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, The Road by Cormack Mc Carthy, Octavia E. Butler (anything), Ursula K. Le Guin, To i Morrison, Albert Camus’ The Stranger, anything by Shirley Jackson, James Baldwin, James McBride, John Williams’ Stoner, Elena Ferrante (My Brilliant Friend is my favorite), Kazuo Ishiguro, Sylvia Plath, Zora Neale Hurston…John Irving (A Prayer For Owen Meany is in My top 5 of all time).
Have fun and just explore. Don’t worry about being well-read. You will naturally find writers who speak to you and help you feel more well-rounded.