Something to drag me out of the hopeless slump that my current reading has gotten me into
Over the past year ive started a journey on reaching through heavy and controversial books, sort of searching for something to really hit hard and leave a lasting impact. The list of what ive read so far includes:
Tender is the Flesh
Lord of the Flies
A Clockwork Orange
Brave New World
Flowers for Algernon
Animal Farm
1984 (currently working on, ill get back to this in a second)
Some others I should mention, in a hopes to flesh out my taste profile some more:
House of Leaves is my all time favorite book (so much so that I got a tattoo to honor it)
I loved the John Dies at the End series, and have read almost all of his other work as well
I have attempted infinite jest multiple times, but its density is just too much for me, I loved it and enjoyed what I read greatly, but wow its tough
I got halfway through Knockemstiff and dont think ill ever pick that book up again, I felt physically disgusting just reading it
Mr. B Gone was a very fun and entertaining book that I enjoyed
-- the reason I need some recommendations is because everything ive read recently has just left me feeling more and more hopeless and saddened by the world and life in general, and now reading through 1984 this is definitely pushing its limits. Don't get me wrong I love this book, but its seriously doing a number on my mental state and how I feel about the political world and such, AND IM ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH WITH IT!
Officially, my next book ill be reading is The King in Yellow, but after that im all out of books and would really like something thats the total opposite of 1984, I guess? I cant shake the feeling of not having true freedom, and that were all being manipulated by media and politics, which im not here to argue the validity of, instead im thinking the best ideas for my next few reads should be more along the lines of a nihilistic absurdism, preferably something comedic as well? The only book I can find under this idea is The Stranger, which i may end up reading as well.
Sorry for the lengthy post !! Im a bit of a rambler, but if you read through all of that then please enjoy a cookie 🍪!! Thank you for any recommendations you may have :)