Summer Reading List
June 22 2010
Ever since elementary school, English teachers have been ruining our summer vacations with the dreaded required reading list: 15 to 20 “classic” titles designed to distract us from afternoons spent splashing in the swimming pool or running though a sprinkler. No offense to Dickens and Steinbeck (Of Mice and Men will forever be a favorite,) but some of those old standbys are a little worn out. Here are a few lesser-known titles, suggested by some of our favorite musicians. You won’t be quizzed on them, but we think you might enjoy flipping through their pages anyway.
Jukebox the Ghost
Suttree by Cormac McCarthy: I’ve been on a huge Cormac McCarthy binge this year, so I’m sort of picking this book at random against the rest. It stands out in his catalogue for having some funny moments and only occasional apocalypticbiblical undertones. Really just a meandering story centered around an alcoholic named Suttree living on a houseboat, but the language is so beautiful that you don’t care what happens.
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins: My favorite Tom Robbins book, and a great concept — The book centers around a couple’s quest for immortality and ancient pagan gods living among us. Just as vulgar and fantastic as any Robbins novel, and a great starting place if you’ve never read him before. Picture Kurt Vonnegut as an unabashed 60s child and a spokesman for the sexual revolution.
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett: One of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Although, I wish I’d read it four years ago when I was obsessing over the Book of Revelations — It would have been a great reader’s companion. It’s dying to be made into a movie — It reads like Monty Python’s take on the apocalypse. It also makes for a great starting point for those unacquainted with Neil Gaiman- up there with his finest (American Gods, Neverwhere).
Greg Strong (Bass, Amber Pacific)
Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski: It was given to me as a gift from a close friend. I wasn’t much of a reader, but I decided to give it a read while recording our first full-length album (the album title actually came from a line in the book) and I could not put it down. I just loved how gritty and blunt it was. I am also quite a big fan of his poetry.
Favorite author: I’m going to stick with Charles Bukowski on this one, partially because he really is the only author I have read a substantial amount by, but also because I love both his poetry and his books. He just has a way with words that I find enthralling.
Danny Stevens (Vocals, The Audition)
On The Road by Jack Kerouac: I feel like it depicts my life really well. It’s about Jack’s struggles through travel and figuring out exactly what he wants in his life whether it’s love, freedom, friends or stability. I think with being in a touring band really helps me connect with that.
Honestly, Dan Brown is one of my favorite authors. He tells a story better than anyone I’ve read in a long time. Every chapter is gripping and every page makes you want to read the next!
Currently reading: I’m currently reading Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. It’s a story of a young boy from India and his spiritual pilgrimage. It’s phenomenal so far! I highly recommend it!
Benjarvis Dumas (Drums, Oblio)
The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall: This book is amazing, and perfect for summer. It’s crazy… It’s like a cross between Memento and Jaws. It’s kind of Sci-Fi, kind of action, but it’s all thriller. And it’s cleverly written. But, it also makes a big impact on the mind and heart. It made me think and cry, which is something books of that genre don’t do.
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