Classic Reading

From Charles Dickens to Edgar Allen Poe, classic literature has done more than entertained its readers. These books and their authors have shaped the world! Blio offers insights and recommendations for some fanastic classic reading. Join the conversation on classic reading here on the Blio Blog.

7 Must-Read Books on Adolescent Angst

June 12, 2012

in Classic Authors,Contemporary Authors,Controversial Reading,Cultural Reading,Emotional Reading,Humorous Reading

Teenagers have been moping through books since the beginning of time. Now with school out for the summer, teenagers will be hanging around the house for a few months bringing literary angst right to your living room. Of course, one way to turn that frown upside down is to turn a detached teen onto reading, and introduce them to a book they can identify with in some way. And as an added bonus, these same books can serve as an escape for mom and dad. Here are a few of our favorite books about the condition of teenagers.

1. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce: Follow Stephen Dedalus, a sensitive and creative youth who rebels against his family, his education, and his country by committing himself to the artist’s life. “I will not serve,” vows Dedalus, “that in which I no longer believe.…and I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can.” This semi-autobiographical novel speaks to the artistic sensibilities of youth.

2. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume: A twelve-year-old talks to God about her ardent desire to be grown up. After moving from New York City to the suburbs, Margaret is anxious to fit in with her new friends, but when the girls start talking about boys, bras, and getting their first periods, Margaret starts to wonder if she’s normal. Lucky for Margaret, she’s got someone else to confide in.

3. Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld: During the late 1980s, fourteen-year-old Lee Fiora leaves behind her close-knit, middle-class Indiana family to enroll in an elite co-ed boarding school in Massachusetts, becoming a shrewd observer of, and eventually a participant in, their rituals and customs.

4. The Catcherin the Rye by J.D. Salinger: The hero-narrator Holden Caulfield is perhaps the most beloved — and moody — teenager in modern literature. After leaving his prep school Holden roams New York City and offers his observations on the shortcomings of adulthood and all the phonies you meet along the way.

5. Indecision by Benjamin Kunkel: Though he’s not technically an adolescent, Dwight B. Wilmerding’s early midlife crisis after being fired at the age of twenty eight sure feels like teenage depressions. Unable to decide on a new career or on a girlfriend, an indecisiveness that he attempts to alleviate with a trial pharmaceutical, he heads to Ecuador to search for Natasha, an exotic former classmate.

6. All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy: Cut off from the life of ranching he has come to love by his grandfather’s death, sixteen-year-old John Grady Cole flees to Mexico, where he and his two companions embark on a rugged and cruelly idyllic journey to a place where dreams are paid for in blood.

7. White Oleander by Janet Fitch: The struggle to build an authentic identity lies at the heart of Astrid’s life as a foster child in Los Angeles after her poet mother, who has kept Astrid isolated from the world, is imprisoned for murder.

Do you think books about teenage angst are good for kids, or do they just feed the flame? What books do you recommend for the tortured teenage soul?

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What Would Don Draper Read? | Books on Advertising

June 7, 2012

in Classic Reading,Contemporary Reading,Controversial Reading,Self Improvement Reading

The books Don Draper reads helped get him to the top of the advertising world. Don’s bookshelf on the AMC series Mad Men is a much-talked about nuance of the show, a glimpse into the inner-workings of the flawed yet likeable protagonist. So much has changed in advertising since the 1960s, we wondered what books Don might read if he worked today. Here are a few books we thought deserved a home on the modern-day Draper bookshelf.

Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris: Don Draper would do well to look in on the day-to-day work life of his creative team. Ferris’ novel offers looks at the lives of the remaining employees at an office affected by a business downturn. They spend their time competing for the best office furniture left behind and enjoying secret romances, gossip, elaborate pranks, and frequent coffee breaks, while trying to make sense of their only remaining “work,” a mysterious pro-bono ad campaign.

Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy: Could Don have written this book himself? At the age of 37, Ogilvy founded the New York-based agency that later merged to form the international company known as Ogilvy & Mather. Regarded as the father of modern advertising, Ogilvy was responsible for some of the most memorable advertising campaigns ever created. This book is the distillation of all the Ogilvy concepts, tactics, and techniques, many of which Don has put into play himself at Sterling, Cooper, Draper & Pryce.

Ulysses by James Joyce: Leopold Bloom will always be the best man in advertising. He’s the original ad man of modernism, with a mind far more obscene and confused than anything even Don Draper could work up. This controversial work changed the course of literature with its puns, parodies, allusions, stream-of-consciousness writing and clever structuring.

Social Media is a Cocktail Party by Jim Tobin: If anyone loves a cocktail party it’s Don Draper. Ever wonder how Don might have navigated the world of social media advertising? This book compares social media to a cocktail party, and how explains how to stop being a wallflower and start reaching people online.

Thank You for Smoking by Christopher Buckley: If the characters on Mad Men like anything more than a tall glass of gin it’s a cigarette. And after working on the Lucky Strike account, Don could really relate to Nick Naylor, chief spokesman for the Academy of Tobacco Studies, as he undertakes a media blitz to defend the rights of smokers, a job that has unexpected repercussions when he is targeted by someone out to prove just how hazardous smoking can be.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki: The secrets of Don’s past and his humble, tumultuous upbringing have haunted him since he began his ascent in advertising. Hopefully he takes the lessons he learns on Madison Avenue and passes them down to his own children. Sally shouldn’t have to learn the hard way how to handle money. This book shows explains what the rich teach their kids about money that poor and middle-class families do not.

Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt: To be good at advertising Don would need to have a full understanding of the modern economy. Fortunately, Freakonomics offers an alternative view of how the economy really works, examining issues from cheating and crime to sports and child-rearing — details that get to the heart of what moves consumers.

Zero Moment of Truth from Google: As the search engine giant puts it: Whether we’re shopping for corn flakes, concert tickets or a honeymoon in Paris, the Internet has changed how we decide and what to buy. Google calls this online decision-making moment the Zero Moment of Truth. And if you work in advertising, it’s a moment you absolutely have to win — and nobody likes to win more than Don Draper.

Do you have a favorite book about advertising? What do you think Don Draper should have on his bookshelf?

Tagged as: Advertising, Don Draper, Mad Men

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7 Books About the Apocalypse

June 5, 2012

in Books Turned into Movies,Classic Short Stories,Contemporary Authors,Famous Horror Authors,Horror Reading

As far as we know the world is not coming to an end anytime soon. But if it were, the best course of action might be to supply your bunker with plenty of food and water, and plenty of good books to read. In the event of the apocalypse these books will do more than entertain — they could provide to roadmap for survival.

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson: Robert Neville is the last living man on Earth…but he is not alone; he’s surrounded by vampires. By day, he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilization. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for dawn.

Blindness by Jose Saramago: A city is hit by an epidemic of “white blindness” whose victims are confined to a vacant mental hospital, while a single eyewitness to the nightmare guides seven oddly assorted strangers through the barren urban landscape

Zone One by Colson Whitehead: In a post-apocalyptic world decimated by zombies, survivor efforts to rebuild are focused on Manhattan, where civilian team member Mark Spitz works to eliminate remaining infected stragglers and remembers his horrifying experiences at the height of the zombie plague.

Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut: This satirical commentary on on the future and Earth’s ultimate fate this classic twentieth century work is at once fatalistic and hilarious — the apocalypse deserves a little brevity.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy: Set in an indefinite, futuristic, post-apocalyptic world, a father and his young son make their way through the ruins of a devastated American landscape, struggling to survive and preserve the last remnants of their own humanity.

The Stand by Stephen King: A monumentally devastating plague leaves only a few survivors in a desert world who move toward the ultimate confrontation of good and evil, handled masterfully by perhaps the best-equipped writer for the subject.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells: On October 30, 1938, Wells terrified American radio listeners by describing a martian invasion of Earth in a broadcast that became legendary. The broadcast came from his novel of interplanetary conflict in anticipation of war in Europe, and in it he predicted the technological savagery of twentieth century warfare.

If you had to bunker down for the end of days, what books would you pack for the bombshelter to bring along to the apocalypse?

Tagged as: apocalypse, Colson Whitehead, cormac mccarthy, horror, kurt vonnegut, stephen king

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The Most Famous Dogs in Literature

May 15, 2012

in Classic Authors,Classic Reading

Famous Dogs in Literature

Famous Dogs in Literature

Whether you’re reading about dogs or whether your new puppy is chewing on the corners of your bookshelf, dogs and books go hand-in-hand. After all, what better friends are there in the world than a loyal dog and a good book? If you’re a dog lover — or even if you’re a afraid of dogs — we have a selection of the most famous dogs in literature that will keep you turning the pages.

Marley & Me by John Grogan: Marley is one of the most recognizable labradors in books — and movies. Follows the life story of this exuberant pooch who gets into perpetual trouble and comforts his human companions during the most trying periods of life.

Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck: Charley, a French poodle, rides along with Steinbeck as he explores the back roads and highways of America. And what dog doesn’t love a nice long car ride, and maybe a few scraps from a drive-thru?

Cujo by Stephen King: If you don’t like dogs, chances are Cujo had something to do with it. This vicious canine has been turning weary readers into cat lovers ever since the book was released.

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Speaking of dogs that strike fear into the hearts of readers… The hellhound that haunts the Baskerville family is more than just a mean dog; the hound is an ominous monster that leaves giant footprints near his victims… or so we think.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum: Toto, Dorothy’s loyal black dog in the land of Oz, doesn’t speak as many of the other animals do. But he does speak through his actions. Toto goes along on the ride from Kansas and remains loyal to Dorothy as they follow the yellow brick road together.

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens: Jip, the irritable, spoiled-rotten lapdog of David’s love interest is a nuisance. But even though Jip and David can’t stand each other, Jip does prove to be loyal to Dora, and in his own way finds his way into David’s heart for their shared love. In a book that has some of the most memorable characters in all of literature, Jip holds his own.

Did we leave out your favorite literary pooch? Let us know your favorite dogs in literature by leaving a comment, below.

Tagged as: famous dogs in literature

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Great Books that Didn’t Win the Pulitzer Prize

April 17, 2012

in Classic Reading,Contemporary Authors

Yesterday’s Pulitzer Prize awards marked only the 11th year an award was not given in the fiction category. The last time was 35 years ago the Pulitzer Board snubbed Norman Maclean’s “A River Runs Through It.”

This year’s shortlisted authors—Denis Johnson, “Train Dreams”; Karen Russell, “Swamplandia!”; and David Foster Wallace, “The Pale King”—can take heart; some of the world’s most beloved books and authors have been close enough to taste the award, only to fall short.

In 1971 the board did not award a prize, despite a selection of notable works from big-name authors: Eudora Welty “Losing Battles,” Saul Bellow’s “Mr. Sammler’s Planet,” and “The Wheel of Love” by Joyce Carol Oats. Just three years later the board shot down Thomas Pynchon’s “Gravity’s Rainbow,” and even Hemingway was turned away by the board in 1941 when “For Whom the Bell Tolls” was deemed immoral.

If it’s truly about the company you keep, perhaps not winning the award isn’t all that bad afterall. Even in years that a fiction award was given, many notable books didn’t win, for example: JD Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye,” William Faulkner’s “Absolom Absolom!,” Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22,” and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.”

Here are 10 famous novels that lost out the Pulitzer competition.

Do you have a favorite book you feel doesn’t get the recognition it deserves? Leave a comment and let us know which authors deserve more credit.

Tagged as: Brad Pitt, Fitzgerald, Gravitys Rainbow, hemingway, Pulitzer Prize

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Closing Lines, Last Words and Epitaphs of Famous Authors

April 3, 2012

in Classic Authors,Classic Reading,Uncategorized

In the world of eReaders and the digital author, it’s more important than ever to leave a lasting impression on your readers. Today’s writer could take a page from the book of these famous writers who did not go gentle into that good night, but instead went out with a bang. Here are a few classic closing lines, last words, and epitaphs of famous authors.

Closing Lines of Famous Books

  • Whatever we had missed, we possessed together the precious, the incommunicable past. – Willa Cather, My Antonia
  • So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past. – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
  • Poor Grendel’s had an accident, I whisper. So may you all. – John Gardner, Grendel
  • … And his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.  - James Joyce, Ulysses

Famous Last Words

  • I haven’t had champagne for a long time. – Anton Chekhov
  • Go Away. I’m alright.  - H.G. Wells
  • Lord help my poor soul – Edgar Allen Poe
  • Either that wallpaper goes, or I do. – Oscar Wilde
  • I’ve had 18 straight whiskeys… I think that’s the record. – Dylan Thomas

Epitaphs

  • I had a lover’s quarrel with the world. – Robert Frost, Old Bennington Cemetery,  Bennington Vermont
  • Called Back – Emily Dickinson, West Cemetery, Amherst, Massachusetts
  • Here lies One Whose Name was writ in Water. – John Keats, Campo Cestio, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Check out more Last Words from 25 Famous Authors from Buzzfeed. Did your favorite author go out in style? Let us know your favorite parting words by leaving your words in the comments.

 

Tagged as: Closing Lines, Epitaphs, Famous Authors, Last Words

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The Most Foolish Characters in Literature

March 30, 2012

in Classic Authors,Classic Reading

“Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.” — Mark Twain

With Sunday being April Fool’s Day it might be a good time to hide with a good book and avoid the pranksters. Instead of being the butt of a joke, why not celebrate the holiday with some of the most foolish characters — and foolers — in literature? Mark Twain is, of course, the master at poking fun and fooling the subjects of his ire with clever puns. Let us also not forget these masters of foolishness:

Ken Kesey is known for the Merry Pranksters and for penning classics like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Sometimes and Great Notion. But don’t dismiss the patients in Cuckoo’s Nest as fools — they’re some of the cleverest, inspiring characters you’ll ever get to know.

Lewis Carroll’s riddles and literary landscapes are enough to make even the cleverest of readers look foolish. Characters like the “Mad” Hatter of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass will drive you mad as you try to solve riddles that have no logical answer, or simply no answer at all.

In Uncle Remus’ Tar Baby one fool turns the table on another. Br’er Fox tricks Br’er Rabbit into punching the tar baby and gets him entangled and stuck. But as Br’er Fox has him captured Br’er Rabbit pleads “Please don’t fling me in the brier patch,” duping the fox into tossing him into the very thicket where Br’er Rabbit wanted to go.

In John Kennedy Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces, the main character Ignatius J. Reilly is eccentric to the point of delusion. He’s an idealist who lives in his own universe, prompting comparisons to Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote. And speaking of Don Quixote, no list of fools would be complete without the man of La Mancha and his distorted perception of reality.

Were we foolish enough to leave any greats of literary confusion off the list? Surely there are some Shakespeare characters who would match up. Leave a comment and tell us who’s your favorite foolish character in literature. 

Tagged as: foolish characters, Literature

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Earth Day eReading List

March 20, 2012

in Classic Authors,Contemporary Reading,Holiday Reading,Inspiring Reading,Seasonal Reading

Flickr photo by Miles Wolstenholme

With spring now upon us, we can finally get outside with a good book. Few places are more enjoyable for reading than in nature – at the beach, at the park, or deep in the woods. If you’re doing your April 22nd Earth Day reading on an eReader instead of traditional books you’re already speaking for the trees – cutting out paper and consuming less fossil fuels. So now that you’ve reduced your carbon footprint, head outside, kick up your feet, and enjoy some of the best books for Earth Day!

A Walk in the Woods – Bill Bryson

 

No city dweller has taken to the woods with as much vigor – and humor – as Bill Bryson.  Follow along as this outdoor novice hikes the Appalachian Trail and discovers the beauty of the outdoors. Bryson’s insights into fellow hikers and man’s relationship to nature are a one-book argument of conservationism.

The Lorax – Dr. Seuss

Speak for the trees, you say? The Lorax is one of the original conservationists, speaking out against the dangers of pollution, and celebrating the earth’s beauty in his own gruff way. This classic children’s book is a starting point for any young (at heart) reader who loves the outdoors and a perfect book for Earth Day.

Why I Wake Early – Mary Oliver

Poetry is best appreciated sitting by a spring and listening to the wildlife. Mary Oliver is famous for bringing the natural world alive in a poem, and this collection is filled with plants, animals, and insects – welcoming the morning with the sounds of nature with some inspiring reading from Mary Oliver. 

The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein

What could be more simple and inspiring than a story about a boy and a tree? In Shel Silverstein’s timeless book, a boy and his favorite tree grow old together, and using his trademarked drawings and sparse language Silverstein gives a reader pause to consider the meaning our relationship to the natural world.

A Brief History of Time – Stephen Hawking

To understand the world we live in, it helps to understand the universe around us. If you’re tuned into the cosmos on Earth Day, let Stephen Hawking answer some of the big questions about the start of the universe, its boundaries and its dimensions. Seeing the big picture of creation makes the small details of nature all the more enjoyable.

What are you reading this Earth Day? Any additions to our reading lists or advice for celebrating nature?

Tagged as: bill bryson, dr. seuss, earth day, ereader, she silverstein, stephen hawking

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Best Short Story Collections | Daylight Savings Reads

March 9, 2012

in Blio Bestsellers,Classic Authors,Classic Short Stories,Contemporary Authors,Contemporary Reading,Famous Horror Authors

The Lottery, The Tell-Tale Heart and Children of the Corn are some of the best short stories ever written. In time for Daylight Savings, here’s a list of the best short story collections of all-time to help you get your reading in on the day of the year that’s only 23 hours. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead on March 11!

The Complete Tales – Edgar Allan Poe
A perfect read for any Poe fan, this famous short story collection has it all. What better way to spend the last few nights of winter than with the chilling short stories and poems of Edgar Allen Poe?

Night Shift – Stephen King
The first of King’s short story collections, Night Shift contains notable classics like Children of the Corn, The Lawnmower Man, and Grey Matter. A perfect choice if you want to stay awake all night!

The Lottery & other stories -  Shirley Jackson
Enjoy a unique view of the world from Shirley Jackson’s perspective in this famous short story collection, including one of the greatest short stories of all-time, The Lottery. From the hilarious to the horrifying, Jackson has a unique ability to unveil the true human condition.

Continue reading…

Tagged as: daylight savings time, edgar allan poe, ernest hemingway, henry james, J.D. Salinger, kurt vonnegut, neil gaiman, shirley jackson, short stories, short story collections, stephen king

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8 Stories of Revenge

March 1, 2012

in Blio Bestsellers,Classic Authors,Classic Reading,Contemporary Authors,Contemporary Reading

Revenge is a dish best served cold. Sure, we’ve all thought about revenge one time or another but how far is too far when seeking retribution? What does revenge do to the soul? Is there a lighter side to this seemingly dark theme? Explore these and similar issues with eight different books ranging from classics like Moby Dick to more contemporary titles.

Moby Dick – Herman Melville
With one of the most famous opening lines in the history of literature, Moby Dick introduces you to Ishmael. The young narrator is logging his experiences with Ahab, the tyrannical captain of the Pequod. What Captain Ahab lacks in bipedalism he makes up for in an intense ferocity against his mortal enemy – a giant, white whale. In a previous encounter, the great white whale not only destroyed Ahab’s boat, but bit his leg off. In addition to exploring the themes of revenge, Moby Dick also examines obsession and the human soul. The themes in this novel have been cherished for generations and will undoubtedly continue to do so for generations to come.

Carrie – Stephen King
Let’s face it. Sometimes being a teenager just plain sucks. But for Carrie White, a young high school girl in a small town in Maine, that’s the understatement of a lifetime. Between the psychological and physical abuse from her fundamentalist mother and the constant bullying she experiences from classmates, Carrie is truly vulnerable. When Chris and her boyfriend Billy ruthlessly plan a hoax to humiliate her at the school prom, Carrie is pushed over the edge. Her tormentors are all in for a surprise when they discover Carrie has violent telekinetic powers. Inspiring a movie starring a young John Travolta, this epic revenge/teen thriller is a repeat contributor to banned books lists all over the world.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest – Steig Larsson
The third and final installment to Steig Larsson’s best-selling “Millenium” series, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest picks up right where The Girl Who Played with Fire ended. We find Lisbeth Salander, the book’s protagonist, under investigation for the murder of three people. Incapacitated from the bullet wound that ended the previous book, she is assisted by journalist Mikael Blomkvist. The two must not only prove Lisbeth’s innocence but uncover the truth about the man who shot her. Jam-packed with unexpected twists and turns, many argue Larsson saved the best for last in this “Millenium” series finale.

The Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas
Some say that success is the best form of revenge. Sadly, it’s the success of young Edmond Dantès that makes him a target for revenge, not the avenger. Three of Dantès’ “friends” conspire against him by drafting a letter that accuses him of treason. When he is jailed for crimes he did not commit, Dantès befriends Abbé Faria, a political prisoner. Faria makes Dantès an educated man, and promises him a treasure in the island of Monte Cristo. When Dantès escapes from prison, he finds this fortune, which he considers to be a gift from God. With this gift, he can reward the good…or punish the wicked.

The First Wives Club – Olivia Goldsmith
“Till death do us part” has very little meaning to the husbands of Annie, Elise, and Brenda. These men couldn’t have made it to their positions in life had it not been for the support of their wives. Despite the affection these women gave, they still find themselves dumped for younger trophy wives. Joining together, these women form the “First Wives Club”, aimed to make things right. Inspiring the classic comedic film starring Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, and Bette Midler, this is a perfect read for anyone stewing over the damage done by past lovers.

Les Miserables – Victor Hugo
Define cruel and unusual punishment – serving nineteen years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread, perhaps? After serving his time (and then some), Jean Valjean is left to wander the streets of Digne. No one will help him due to the stigmatization of “ex-criminals”, with the exception of the town’s bishop, M. Myriel. When Valjean steals from Myriel, the local police attempt to arrest him. Myriel covers for Valjean’s transgressions, protecting him from more prison time, but makes him promise to be a better man. Valjean delivers on his promises and starts a new life. But despite Valjean’s efforts, his past will come back to haunt him again and again.  Just how far will society go to punish someone for mistakes of the past? You’ll find out when you read this timeless classic about democracy, spirituality, and of course, revenge.

The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold
The story starts off with the chilling depiction of the rape and murder of 14-year-old Susie Salmon. She ascends to her own personal heaven, from where she can see the investigation surrounding her death falling to pieces. With no leads, the police drop the investigation even though her father suspects Harvey: and he’s absolutely right. It is this suspicion, combined with the unrelenting grief and anger surrounding Susie’s death that sends the Salmon family in a downward spiral. But Susie might just be able to set things straight, by joining the earth once again.

The Nanny Diaries – Emma McLaughlin
What is it like to grow up in the privileged life of an upscale Manhattan child? For Annie Braddock, the answer is simply…weird. After graduating from college, she accepts the position of a nanny for the wealthy “X” family. Now she must answer to every whim of the elitist Mrs. X, and her bratty son Grayer. In a book that discusses the theme of socioeconomic divide, this is the perfect story for anyone who has ever wanted to get back at their boss.

Can you think of other great books that deal with revenge as a theme? Let us know in the comments section below!

Tagged as: carrie, count of monte cristo, les miserables, lovely bones, moby dick, nanny diaries, steig larsson, stephen king, stories of revenge

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