Book Recommendations

Here's just a short list of some of my favorite books. If you know of something you think I'd enjoy, I'd love to hear from you!

Books You Must Read (my favorites):

What Is The What by Dave Eggers
A semi-biographical book written from the perspective of Valentino Achak Deng, who survived civil war in Sudan, overcrowded refugee camps in Ethiopia and discrimination in the United States.  The book is a great eye-opener to what happened to the people of Sudan while their country was being destroyed by warlords.  The perseverance of Valentino is breathtaking and inspiring.  Truly a life changing read.

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick
An amazing insight into the "hermit kingdom" as told through stories of people (North Korean defectors) who actually lived there.  Covering wide ranging topics such as; medical care, education, prison camps and even romantic relationships, the stories in this book are fascinating and heartbreaking.  A must read even if you have only a slight interest in learning more about life inside the world's most isolated nation.

Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
I've been a huge Vonnegut fan since first reading this classic about four years ago.  While his other books are all great as well, this is my personal favorite.  I love the combination of sci-fi with historical retelling.  The fact that Vonnegut himself actually survived the firebombing of Dresden by being imprisoned in underground meat locker, just makes the story even more fascinating in my opinion.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
An emotional journey of life through the eyes of an Afghani boy living in Kabul during the Soviet invasion, being a refugee in Pakistan and trying to establish a life in California, all while dealing with lingering guilt from his childhood.  As an adult, the protagonist's attempts to make amends with his past force him to go to great lengths; wherein he finally realizes that, "There is a way to be good again."

any book by David Sedaris
They are all insanely funny, witty and cynical; my favorite things!  One of the books that stands out the most in my mind though is Me Talk Pretty One Day, of which the second part focuses on Sedaris's life after he moves to France.  It struck a particular chord with me, as there are many stories about the struggles of language learning and adjusting to life in a new culture.  This is hands down one of my favorite of his essays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5apZmwR9UI

The Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
A collection of short stories focusing on the lives of Indians and Indian-Americans.  Very interesting view into a beautiful culture.  Each story makes you feel something different and Lahiri has a way of really breathing life into her characters.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Classic, masterful sci-fi satire. Though in some of the later books in the 'trilogy' I found myself getting a little confused, there is no other criticism I can say about these books. They are hilarious, nerdy and well written.  And you'll even learn the answer to "life, the universe and everything."

Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Though undoubtedly one of the most depressing books I have ever read, I found Steinbeck's characters intriguing and his ability to make you empathize with the Joads on their cross country journey amazing.  By the end, the family's desperation was completely tangible and I had to put the book down at times for fear of getting too worked up; too involved in the story.  On top of that, the last page of the book is one of the most haunting things I have yet to read and I can say with honesty that it was one of the only times I have ever been gob-smacked while reading before.  Not something I'd recommend for the faint of heart, but if you are looking for something based on historical events that makes you stop and examine society a bit, this is the way to go.

Other books recently read:
You Shall Know Our Velocity! by Dave Eggers
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Pianist in the Dark by Michele Haberstadt
Mistress of Nothing by Kate Pullinger
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
Miss Amerika by Gale Tufts
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams
Life, the Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams
The Aquariums of Pyongyang by Chol-hwan Kang