Ideally, the challenge commences at the beginning of the year, not at the end of April. Literally couldn't give a damn, though.
Books that I've already read this year don't count on the list, so I'm starting from scratch. In addition to that, I am very likely to read books that are not on the list, either because I do not have them yet but plan on getting them (such as the remaining books in the Dune and Neuromancer series) or I have to read them for school - even though high school is ending in a matter of days, and I haven't received any specific reading assignment as of yet nor will I receive one while still in high school, though if that is also the case in university remains to be seen.
Anywho, here are the first 25 books from my 100 books blah blah list. I'm adding a small comment as to why I want to read them, which is not so much in the interests of whoever reads this post, but rather so that if I forget why I added a particular book to the challenge, then this post will remind me.
The next 25 books from the list will be posted in a separate log shortly.
1. Tender is the Night - F.S. Fitzgerald
I am actually sort of cheating. "Sort of" - heh. I am cheating. I'm reading this book at the moment and am half-way through it already, and yet I'm adding it to first place on my list. What a sneaky devil I am!
And the reason I'm reading it is because I've recently watched The Great Gatsby film starring Robert Redford, and it was impressive, and my mother advised me to also read Tender is the Night since I like The Great Gatsby so much, and so now I'm reading it.
2. Dune Messiah - Frank Herbert
This is easy to explain. I've read Dune recently, and the book impressed me so much, that I've decided to read the rest of the series, continuing with Dune Messiah, which I've bought recently. I like science fiction, and Dune is quintessential science fiction.
3. Neuromancer - William Gibson
While I was strolling through wikipedia park one sunny afternoon, gazing at all the cyberpunk video game articles, I chanced upon a game based on Neuromancer, a cyberpunk book. After reading through the synopsis of said novel, I immediately visited the wonderful world of book land and bought it. From the summary I read on wikipedia, it seems that the novel is basically hard-boiled science fiction, involving cyberspace and virtual reality in its earliest instance in literature.
4. Faust II - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If I ever have a breakdown while praying for mercy at the altar of a church, blame this book.
Sure, it's actually a play, a sequel to Faust, one of my favorite literary works of all time, but it feels like a very surreal novel. I would have an easier time reading alternately one page of Finnegans Wake and one page House of Leaves while standing upside down than plowing through this masterpiece of confusion. There is so much symbolism and depth in this work of art that I am truly afraid that if I attempt to dive into it, I will never return to the surface. I have already read the first act or whatever the hell it's divided into. This was the outcome of a grave mistake: our German class teacher told us to acquire Faust, and in the same breath she mentioned that Faust II was also a good play. In my error, I bought both plays in separate books (although I had both plays already in a hardcover Goethe collection) and first read Faust, which was heavily discussed in class, and then I attempted to read the sequel, but at one point I could not go on. Half a year of convalescence later, I tried to continue reading the sequel. Eventually my attention gave way and I yielded to other books and left this one lying around near my work desk, menacingly taunting me with its teddy-bear-print bookmark stuck between its pages.
And now... I accept the challenge.
And now for something completely different. Let it be known that I am deeply interested in Creepy Pastas, SCPs, and anything that concerns the Slenderman, most prominently MarbleHornets and EverymanHYBRID. One day, while looking for Slenderman blogs, I found a link to a story on Reddit, called 'Balloons'.
It was the single most terrifying thing I've ever read. The author, 1000vultures, had also written several other stratospherically creepy short stories and, encouraged by his fans, had started a kickstarter project to publish a book that consisted of all of said horror stories. As I recall, my mother bought the book for my birthday, so it holds a very special place in my erratically beating heart.
As I have found out, there are several such semi-autobiographical books out there, where the 'biographed' person in question is engaged in a lengthy interview with the book's actual writer. I believe this was also the case with The Autobiography of Malcom X.
Generally, biographies of eminent historical/political figures interest me as such, but I am particularly interested in the life of Castro, one of the last great revolutionaries. He still writes his Reflections, which are published in many different languages and are spread throughout the world.
Plus I had started reading this about a year ago, but had to put it down in favor of books that we had to read for school. It's about time I continued it.
I've read every previous THGTTG book, so it stands to reason I should read this one as well.
When I read Lovecraft's essay 'The History of Horror Literature', I came upon several book recommendations by Mr. Lovecraft himself. Well, not so much recommendation as praise and honorable mention. And Melmoth the Wanderer received a ghoulishly honorable mention (does that make any sense? Ghoulishly? No? Then no).
Isn't Maturin related to Oscar Wilde? Wasn't he an uncle in law of Wilde? If yes, then cool ._.
Heard that this book was spooky.
Good enough reason as any to read it.
Okay, so this isn't exactly a book as some people understand it, but a collection of Lovecraft's stories.
The cover has a gangly, grinning goblin sitting atop a pile of recently decapitated human heads all bug-eyed and terror-stricken, while feasting upon one person's bloody pate.
This is one of two books I own that I would put a cover on when reading in public.
Not the first Hannibal Lecter book I believe, but this is the only Hannibal novel of which I have watched the movie adaptation. I'm reading this out of pure curiosity more than anything else.
...And here's the second book I own that I would put a cover on when reading in public.
Let's pose a different question: Why wouldn't I want to read this? Since I can find no objectionable answer, therefore it will be read.
By me.
Yes.
Oh God why did I think that writing comments to every entry in this list was going to be a good idea. I can't think of anything to say right now.
Oh, yes I do.
Peanut butter.
Mmm
After reading The Godfather and watching all three movies, I went wild and added damn near every novel ever conceived by Puzo to my wishlist, and my mother bought THEM ALL for me for Christmas or New Year's. Yes, we exchange gifts primarily on New Year's eve.
Anyways. Book about gangsters. I don't why, but I find the criminal underworld fascinating, a bit in the same sense that I find it hard to look away when under 'Related Videos' on Youtube there are thumbnails featuring people playing with tarantulas.
I don't like spiders, but it's fascinating. I don't like gangsters either, but they're fascinating as well.
And neither are fascinating when killing people.
16. Terrorist - John Updike
No idea how I came into possession of this, but by golly I'll read it.
Whatever it's about.
Terrorists, I guess.
17. Das Vietnam-Tribunal II oder Die Verurteilung Amerikas - Bertrand Russel & Jean-Paul Sartre
*Rubs hands* Now things are getting interesting! A book by Russel and Sartre about the USA and its role in the Vietnam war. NAM was a very curious war indeed, sparking protests on a global scale and movements chiefly involving students, pacifists and socialists. This was a time when people were thinking "What the hell are we doing?! We should stop this monkeying around right now! Let's not be warmongerers, let's be peace, er, mongerers!"
It's not so anymore. Now, most people are thinking "What the hell is everybody but we doing? We should wage war on everyone who threatens to step out of line, so that, you know, we can finally have peace on Earth."
Like this if you are one of the 17% who are moderately to extremely against war.
Or don't like this. I won't hit the ceiling.
I promise :)
18. Das Leichenbegängnis der Großen Mama und andere Erzählungen - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
A collection of Marquez's short stories translated into German. Being one of the last great classics out there, Marquez's stories are a must for every classical lit reader, especially for those who have a keen interest in South America.
19. Episoden aus dem Revolutionskrieg - Ernesto Che Guevara
Again, this is in German. It's a book of Che's about the revolution in South America. If that sounds too vague for you, then that's because I'm not very knowledgeable in the history of Cuba, Bolivia, Chile and whatnot. Perhaps that is why I plan on reading this book.
20. One Man's Destiny - Mikhail Sholokhov
Decades ago, Sergei Bondarchuk made a film adaptation of Sholokhov's masterpiece, and it was the most powerful movie I've ever watched. Every second scene moved me to tears - I, who found Titanic and The Silence of the Lambs funny - either out of sorrow or, at the end, out of joy. I cannot imagine how magnificent the book itself must be, but knowing Sholokhov, who is one of the most badass writers Russia ever produced, this will be an amazing adventure.
21. Der Weg Zurück - Erich Maria Remarque
Every pacifist's go-to author, Remarque is a remarkably good writer
I've only seen the 1931 film version of All Quiet on the Western Front; I've never actually read anything by Remarque yet, but re-mark my words, I will do so this year.
22. Das Versprechen - Friedrich Dürrenmatt
Whoever's reading this - have you ever read The Judge and his Executioner (in German: Der Richter und sein Henker)? If no, THEN GO DO IT NOW. THEN AFTER THAT, READ THIS. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
Seriously though, Dürrenmatt is a fantastic writer, a brilliant contributer to German literature. Note that Dürrenmatt was not in fact German, but Swiss. Just to clear that out of the way.
23. Drei Männer im Schnee - Erich Kästner
The title is very curious. Three men in the snow? What are they doing in the snow? Why are they in the snow in the first place? How can this premise be stretched out into a full-blown novel? Are they in the snow throughout the story?
No, this does not mean 'angst', but 'fear'. And any story that is titled 'fear' is okay in my book (figuratively speaking).
25. Der Amokläufer und andere Erzählungen - Stefan Zweig
How would you translate this into English? The amok-runner and other stories? Runner amok? The one who ran amok?
Amok-runner is a direct translation and sounds like a very dangerous parkour-champion.
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