Life's Margin Notes: Suggested Readings

SUGGESTED READING LIST

The best lessons in life come from observing and understanding others. Reading allows the reader to explore an infinite number of worlds, just by flipping through the pages of someone else's written experience or imagination.

...Plus its fun.

My Top Ten:

Anything by Tolstoy. My pick: Anna Karenina. But definitely the book, not the Kiera Knightly movie. Spark Note it, Skim the highlights, Anything but the movie.
Watership Down by Richard Adams. For a good old fashioned cry about bunnies. I read this book as a child the first time and it ~~traumatized~~ ~~haunted~~ left such an impression, that I felt I needed to reread it as an adult.
The Great Gatsby By F Scott Fitzgerald. This one, I will allow the movie viewing- under some strict conditions. 1. You watch the 1974 version first. 2. You appreciate Leo in all of his studdliness in the recent version. 3. You don't replace the book with the movie. The writing in this book is... epic. Beautiful. Don't cheat yourself.
Dangerous liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. Here's your O.G.- Fifty-Shades, pillow talk novel that was written when grammar and syntax were actually a thing. As far as the movies, there are like 6 versions out there. I'm going to go ahead and just recommend you embrace the 90s and jump right on over to 'Cruel Intentions'. You get a curly headed Ryan Phillippe, and avoid the hoop skirts, although if you're up for a movie marathon John Malkovich graces the 80s version, and well... its 80s Malkovich.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It's the ultimate journey! When I say I endorse this read, know that an excerpt is being read at my wedding.
Life of Pie by Yann Martel. The visuals in the 2012 movie are actually worth the watch; however, the movie is a total spoiler alert! Read it first, finding out the ending from the read is far better than from the movie.
House of Spirits by Isabel Allende. Love this author. She can do no wrong by me. She has this way of being masculine and gruesome with her plot descriptions without losing the romance between her love interests. Also, if you enjoy this one, I suggest you read "Portraits in Sepia" as it makes reference to the characters.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Diary format, fast read, very entertaining. Reminded me of a Swiss Family Robinson adventure goes to Africa.
Grimm's Fairy Tales. These are not your bedtime story fairy tales. These are more Stephen King than Disney.
On the Road by Jack Keroac. I'll admit this one does not have the imagery and poetic touch of some of the others on this top ten list, but I am not giving up on this beatnik. Just for the soul of this book. The free-spirit attitude that seeps from the pages is enough to make you put on a Lana Del Rey song, tie your hair up, and consider buying a motorcycle.