Literature that Works

A list of books and plays I've thoroughly loved, in no particular order, for no particular reason:

1. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
What I loved: Rand's descriptions of her characters were amazing to me. I understood them within a few words from their mouths, or based on the reactions from other characters within the novels. Dominique Francon is actually one of my favorite female characters ever, and I admire Howard Roark for staying true to himself in the face of society.

2. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
What I loved: Honestly, Lord Henry was witty and I was both shocked and pleased by some of his comments. I also admire Wilde's referencing of the gay masters of the arts--Shakespeare, Michelangelo, ect. had male lovers, and their works are mentioned as pride in Wilde's own identity. The lesson behind the book was a real hard hitter too, though I can luckily say I'm not at all vain as Dorian was.

3. The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde
What I loved: The epigrams, aphorisms, and word play in general within the novel were hilarious and amazing. I was also able to reconcile my guilt of Bunburying after I read it, though it made me a little wary about being caught. I just like Wilde's work in general.

4. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
What I loved: It took me a while to understand, but once I did, I loved it for the complexity of the society within the book, the many different characters, the contrast between our world and this one, and the way the essentially Utopian society was formed off of our society and degenerated into a distopian novel.

5. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
What I loved: The Little Prince himself. The lessons learned in this book. "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." The fox, and the discussion about stars at the end made me cry. It was a whole new world after I opened my eyes to it. It will also forever carry the memory of the loss of a friend and the way a class came together that morning to keep moving through it.

6. Paper Towns by John Green
What I loved: This book, on the surface, seems as normal as any other young adult book. But really, it requires a deeper reading, or more than one. I sped through the first time, laughing and crying, and slowed the second to analyze a little. Surprisingly, I understood much better and it both scared and reassured me.

7. Twilight and New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
What I loved: While I don't exactly like these books much anymore and I don't enjoy the writing at all, I loved her original plot. I liked her characters until I realized they were flat enough that I could replace them with anybody I wished for. But still, they have been the basis for many a good fanfiction story, so I have to appreciate that at least.

8. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
What I loved: This book made me cry and feel and think about how I treated people and what I could do but wasn't doing. It also made me analyze myself and think about selfishness and anger and sorrow. I'll have to read it again to see if I understand it better now that I have experienced a loss similar.

9. Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamine by Nic Sheff
What I loved: Despite the fact that this book was probably written while high, there are still passages with wonderful imagery, emotion, and clarity within them. If there were ever a book to put you off of drugs, this is it, and for this reason I will never touch meth. The autobiography struck home here.

10. Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw
What I loved: The word play. I had to act it out with my class, and I enjoyed the opportunity to show off my fake-Cockney accent. Though I thought I sounded a bit Southern, everyone applauded my street-Britishness. However, I dislike Higgins and Freddie and I didn't think anyone in the book should have belonged together.

11. Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling
What I loved: The progression of the story and Rowling's writing. You can really see the author's growth from book one to seven. I admire her creativity in creating such an addictive and complete new world. Her characters are rich and rarely flat. Two "bad guys" were my ultimate favorite characters, and I loved that she made her villains so completely human.

12. The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
What I loved: The emotions presented in this novel were touching and terrifying. I also loved the way in which the author leaves the mystery of the main characters problem until the end instead of solving it nicely halfway through. The reader, however, can guess, and the character is emotionally engaging as well as worrying.

13. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare
What I loved: Jace. Clary. Alec. Izzy. Magnus. Simon. Clare's characters were amazingly real, and they were hilariously sarcastic. Jace, especially, is my favorite male literary character ever. Hard shell on the outside, but scared and lonely on the inside, and worthy of redemption. The impossibility of Jace/Clary also helps, and the reader has to carry a torch of hope for them until the end. Also, very dangerous, very well put-together world right within ours--chillingly good description.

14. Tithe and Ironside by Holly Black
What I loved: The fairies. I used to think they were cute, but now I realize they're dangerous as hell. Misunderstandings, mysteries, fear coating a mouth in metallic flavors. Admiring Roiben, and Kaye's cleverness and humanity. Again, a world within ours, to put ours in contrast.

15. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
What I loved: As with much of Dessen's work, though similar is structure and slightly in plot, her characters are refreshingly human. Fears and opportunities, relationships between friends, family, and lovers are explored. Dessen also has a way with finding the truth and making metaphors, with quotes a person can relate to and understand instantaneously.

16. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
What I loved: It was so different from the Disney movie I loved as a child. The poet isn't even mentioned in the movie, and yet is important in the book. Also, Lord Frollo--in the movie, he's the nasty monster right away, but in the book, I liked him. I suppose the contrast between book and novel really helped me appreciate the darkness within both.

17. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
What I loved: The satire, Darcy, learning about Victorian society, Darcy, the fact that Austen, as a woman, wrote this in such a way, Darcy... Okay, so I loved Darcy, especially when he was being a jerk and was just like 'I can't help but love you, damn it, now marry me and let's get this thing over with.' Also love how the truth of the effects of pride and prejudice were, and how Lizzie and Darcy don't have just one assigned to each, but instead are both.

18. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
What I loved: The plot was slightly twisted, especially the love between characters, but the humor was my favorite part. "Remember that I am an ass; though it not be written down, yet forget not that I am an ass." Hilarious play, in all ways.

19. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
What I loved: Shakespeare has a way with words, 'tis true. I hated Romeo and Juliet, loathed Macbeth, but enjoyed Hamlet. Really, I'm not sure why. I understood him, maybe, and approved of many of his actions. Hated the villains as I was meant. I don't actually know, but it's my favorite play by the Bard and is one of the works that made me remember he is appreciated and remembered for a reason.

~ hyacinth

Music Rec: "Hello, I Love You" by The Doors