I was nominated to post seven books that I love or have had an impact on my life. I don’t normally play along, but I do love books so here is my list:
My first book is Baleful Beasts and Eerie Creatures –specifically the story “The Patchwork Monkey” by Beverly Butler, which I first read in second grade when one of my brother’s friends brought it to our house after school. This book was the first time I felt actual terror from reading a story — what a wonderful feeling!
Book 2 is Understanding Physics by Isaac Asimov. Frankly, I could have chosen any of Asimov’s guides or essay collections because they are all all fantastic, engaging, and insightful. Asimov has an ability to take dry or complex ideas, distill them into basic and understandable concepts, and add examples and levity to make a comprehensible and fun read. His books are basically ”How Do Things Work?” books, but for adults, to help spark a thirst for knowledge for its own sake. Plus it has given my wife fodder to make fun of me.
Book 3 is The Anarchist Cookbook — which, at the time I learned of it, was only available for download via dial-up BBS. When I first discovered there was a “forbidden book” out there, I knew I had to read it. To be sure, it was disappointing: consisting mostly of amateur pranks, homemade explosives, and dangerous ways to get high on household products. However I also became keenly aware that there are people who want to ban books. It reminded me of an incident in 4th Grade when our librarian, Ms. Raby, confiscated my Mack Bolan book — about a violent James Bond-type hero. She circled some of the more off-color passages and sent the book home with a note to my mom alerting her that I was reading this kind of garbage. My mom sent a note back, advising Ms. Raby that I could read anything I wanted. (Go Mom!) Whenever I see a list of banned books (usually by a crusty school board) I peruse the list to make sure I have read– or at least am familiar with– the books. I also plan to use those lists as a starting point for books my kids should read.
Book 4 is It by Stephen King — the first hardbound book I bought with my own money (from Little Professor in Omaha), the first book I pre-ordered, and one of the best books I have ever read (five times). There is not much else to say about this book that has not already been written, other that it is a very special book to me personally.
Book 5 is the fiction of H.P. Lovecraft — The Godfather of cosmic horror, which is succinctly summarized in the opening paragraph of The Call of Cthulhu:
“The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents.”
Although I had encountered the notion of cosmic horror in Stephen King and Clive Barker books, Lovecraft has an unmatched ability to describe a nihilistic universe, indifferent to our species, let alone our well being. This unfathomably vast isolation and incomprehension is terrifying to contemplate but fascinating to read about.
Although he was an unapologetic racist and anti-Semite, Lovecraft’s skill in reducing incomprehensible concepts to paper is remarkable and fascinating to read.
Book 6 is Tell Me Why by Tim Riley — the first book I bought at the KU Bookstore when I first went to college (as opposed to a textbook) and my favorite book analyzing the music of The Beatles. This book is a thoughtful analysis of the Beatles’ music. It critically examines the lyrics and music of Beatles songs without the common error of retrospectively reading too much into them. Mr. Riley is clearly a Beatles fan, but he is also willing to point out problems with the songs. His book is analysis, critique, history, and social study. I love that his writing points out hidden nuances of the music which one might miss with only casual listening. Reading his book helped me appreciate just how awesome and timeless the Beatles’ music is.
Book 7 is The Complete Pun Book by Art Moger because you either believe puns are the highest form of comedy, or you are just homophonic.
