Hello Reddit, this is my first ever post so bear with me. I’m looking for very specific book suggestions. A little back story information I feel is necessary. I’ve been reading since a very young age but I’ve always enjoyed the non traditional books (my mother couldn’t get me to read in my teen years unless the books were banned, odd, or deeply philosophical, psychological, sociological). I struggle to find books I actually enjoy these days. Partly because as the saying goes “you can’t judge a book by its cover” and I’ve found that sometimes just the description on the back isn’t enough either… I also feel like it has to do with my lack of ability to find like minded individuals to connect with in my area… not many people read the things I enjoy, let alone read in general… our local library is quite small and lacks in verity. (I now live in a very rural area for context).
Some authors I have read throughout the years. Albert Camus (one of my all time favorites), Anais Nin, Vladimir Nabokov, Anthony Burgess, William S Burroughs, Marry Shelly, JD Salinger (specifically his short stories), Jean Cocteau, Sylvia Plath, Oscar Wilde. I have read many others but those are a few of my fiction favorites.
I enjoy books that make you as yourself “Why Am I reading this?” Or “What the f\*\*\* did I just read?” And even better yet makes me question everything. Subjects I find fascinating are psychology, sociology, philosophy, war (I only say war because I’m fascinated by the psychological effects of war), asylums/institutions, tuberculosis, the human experience (existence? you know what I mean), cults, the paranormal, existentialism, absurdism, horror (again, primarily paranormal), anything that will make me use my brain! (Not saying books in general don’t do that but I need something challenging and one of those subjects to keep me locked in)
I am not a fan of “romance novels” (you know the ones… spicy booktok I’m looking at you and yes I’ve tried to read them), but I also don’t mind there being NSFW themes it’s just the whole book being a never ending “escapade” with flawed plot points I don’t enjoy. I also don’t enjoy body horror and extreme violence (I am well aware that some of the books I have read and will read will have uncomfortable themes in them but I draw a hard line at excessive/“shock value”). Can be fiction, non fiction, autobiographical, biographical, etc. do your thing Reddit.
Ps. I’m sorry this was so long, I feel the need to over explain everything all the time.
Pps. I’m sorry in advance for knocking on the spicy books, what you like to read is what you like, I personally have read a few and it just isn’t my thing, I don’t mean to offend, I’m just trying to be specific.
Edit: I forgot to put this in here. I am a huge fan of David Lynch’s work (films and art). So if you know any books that are similar to the themes, imagery, etc. I know it’s a lot of info but as the tag says I’m picky, lol.
by Lalunelolita2