I wanted to get into reading again because I noticed I’m not as sharper as I used to be. With that in mind, I’d like something suggestions with at least one of these things in mind , or both if that exists !
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Books easy to be hooked by, and possibly not too long. Example how to kill a mockingbird or of mice and men I really enjoyed. Something similar would be awesome (I know they are school books, that’s why I’m asking for more)
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Something philosophy related to get me thinking. Can be just about any topic. I’m not religious or anything of the sort
by Sosut
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If you like a nice Novella like of mice and men, can I recommend Train Dreams by Denis Johnson. It got made into a film by Netflix last year which was similarly fantastic and I’d also recommend watching that after if it interests you. It’s basically the story of an ordinary man who is logging in 20th century America. It’s an exploration of a life well lived. I found it powerful and peaceful and got a lot of comfort from it
Highly recommend the following short to shortish books:
The Stepford Wives, Ira Levin;
Giovanni’s Room, James Baldwin;
Sula, Toni Morrison;
Daisy Miller, Henry James;
Passing, Nella Larsen.
These are all lively and engaging books I’ve assigned in 100-200 level college English courses. Henry James is a bit older so the language is a bit less accessible, but it’s got humor and tragedy, and it’s nice and short. Baldwin’s tragic but the writing is gorgeous and the book still feels timely.
These books also all do some philosophizing on topics like gender, sexuality, technology, national identity, Americanness, race, class, the point of being, the necessity and challenges of human connection, etc.
The Princess Bride by William Golding