Top 5 Must-Read Classics

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I cannot stress enough the importance of reading in the life of a writer.

I'm not going to go on and on about it in this post, but yeah, you should be reading.

I can hear you asking now, "What am I supposed to read?" The short answer is everything you can find. Any book you can get your hands on will only help you improve your craft. Of course, it's also important to read books in your genre so you can avoid the tropes and cliches that come with the territory.

You also need to read the classics.

The classics are classic for very good reasons. They can teach you more about writing than most classes and professors can. If you'd like to start reading classic literature, I have a few suggestions for you.

• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. If you haven't read this book yet, what's taking you so long? This novel has some of the most captivating description and imagery that I've ever read. I'm also a fan of Fitzgerald's characters. Every one of them is clearly flawed yet still sympathetic. Read this book!
• Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. Orwell's world-building skills are spectacular. He takes a world we think we know and turns it on its head, to terrifying effect. This novel is one of the earliest examples of a dystopian society in literature, too. If you like The Hunger Games and Divergent, you have Orwell to thank. Plus, after reading this book, you can correct everyone who thinks Big Brother is watching him or her.
• Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. This novel is highly psychological and wonderful to read. It's in the same vein as Jane Eyre though a little less intimidating because it's more modern. I couldn't put this book down, and the twist... well, let's just say it will definitely keep you guessing. This novel is suspenseful, dramatic, and one of my all-time favorites.
• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. In his only novel, Wilde seamlessly mixes wit and humor with serious drama. It illustrates concepts of morality without being preachy and is overall one of the best books I can think of. Check it out.
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Like The Great Gatsby, Jane Eyre is a novel you've probably read already. Still, I would encourage you to read it with new eyes. It presents the Gothic romance and the Byronic hero in ways that echo even in the present day. Read it.

These are just a few classic books that I think you should read. Hopefully these novels will mark the beginning of your journey into classic literature.

What do you think of these books? How has reading helped you become a better writer?

Book Review: The Successful Novelist by David Morrell

David Morrell is a genius.

There's no getting around that fact. After reading this book, I am more than convinced that this man has more writing talent in his pinky than I do in my whole body.

I digress.

When I mentioned on Twitter that Stephen King's On Writing is one of the most influential books about writing that I have ever read, someone suggested that I look up David Morrell's book The Successful Novelist: A Lifetime of Lessons about Writing and Publishing.

I'm delighted I did.

This book, like King's, provides a veritable treasure trove of knowledge regarding the craft and the business of writing. However, Morrell takes a much more practical approach, giving out advice for you to use in your daily writing sessions. King's book is largely memoir with some practical bits sprinkled in. On the whole, Morrell seems so much more approachable.

The Successful Novelist is suitable for writers of all skill levels. Whether you're just starting out or you've been writing for ages, this book is for you.

It's also short, succinct, and easy to read and understand. What more could you want?

Go out and pick up your copy today. This book will change your life.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? What book would you like to see me review next?

P.S. Book Review: Adulting by Kelly Williams Brown.

Author Spotlight: Haruki Murakami

This post is a feature I've been wanting to write for some time. I discovered Murakami and his work about a year and a half ago, via the Selected Shorts podcast, where I first heard his short story "The Iceman" read aloud. Shortly after, I plunged headfirst into the bizarre, engrossing world of 1Q84 and haven't been the same since.

Prevalent motifs throughout Murakami's extensive body of work include cats, dreams and hallucinations, magical realism, androgyny, ears, aliens, fate, and coincidences (that are usually so much more than simple coincidences). Most if not all of these motifs can be seen in his longest work, 1Q84. The title clearly pays homage to Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, but the story is not the same.

As much as I'd like to write a review on 1Q84, that's another post for another day. We're here to talk about some of Murakami's other work. He is considered one of the foremost authorities on modern literary fiction, having published several different short stories, novels, and nonfiction essays. Some of his most notable works include "The Iceman," After Dark, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Kafka on the Shore, and Norwegian Wood (the movie adaptation for which is currently on Netflix). His prose is captivating, magical, and sure to win you over from the very first page.

If you've never read Murakami, check out "The Iceman." And be sure to let me know what you think about it!

Have you read Murakami? What do you think of him?

P.S. Book Review: Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews, Book Review: Oleanders in Alaska by Matt Thompson, Book Review: Adulting by Kelly Williams Brown, and Book Review: Morning Glory by Allison Blanchard.

In Defense of Rereading

Photo Credit: Pestpruf on Flickr

Recently I spoke to someone who doesn't believe in rereading books. "It won't be any different from the first time I read it," she said. "The material is the same. I don't get the purpose."

This sentiment, though shocking, is one I've heard echoed in previous conversations by a variety of people. The general consensus seems to be that once you've read a book, you shouldn't read it again.

This idea is nonsense.

When I think about the stories I've experienced in my life, it amazes me how some of them have changed with the passage of time. One of my favorite books, for example, is George Orwell's dystopian classic Nineteen Eighty-Four. I shudder to think what might've happened had I only read it once.

The first time I read the novel, I was thirteen. That's too young to fully grasp most of what happens in the book, primarily the political overtones and the implications of the society Orwell has crafted. The sex scenes and manifesto went right over my head. What can I say? I was naive.

Every time I read Nineteen Eighty-Four, I notice something new. I've read this book at least a dozen times and still I learn more with each reading. The material isn't changing (that much is obvious), but I certainly am. As I continue to change I'm sure I'll continue to get different things out of the novel.

If you've read something once, there's no reason you shouldn't sit down and reread it. If it's a book like Nineteen Eighty-Four, it should withstand the test of time. Whether it's The Great Gatsby, Harry Potter, or Crime and Punishment, there's something new to discover when you dip back into the pages.

Don't believe me? Well, there's only one way to find out.

How do you feel about rereading books? What books have you enjoyed rereading?

Guest Post by Matt Thompson: Hacks Are Immortal

A few weeks ago I was asked by the esteemed owner of this blog if I’d like to do an interview to help promote my new book. As an independent author it was an opportunity I readily accepted. It’s not the first interview I’ve done, but I realized that I felt differently about this one. I was excited about it because I knew I had something to say, something that I felt (and feel) strongly about. I found myself hoping to be asked a specific question. I was not disappointed.

What I wanted to be asked about was e-books. *Audible groan. E-books are a point of contention in the writing world, and I find myself uncomfortably straddling the chasm between the two sides. What I said in the interview is essentially this: e-books get an unfair rap. It is often assumed that all e-books are amateurish vampire romance or s&m stories with terrible covers and worse grammar. A basic interview isn’t the time to go into extensive detail (although I was perhaps a bit wordy) but now that I have a more appropriate forum I’d like to more clearly explain where I stand.

More than fifty years ago Gore Vidal wrote an essay entitled “The Hacks of Academe” which I read for the first time almost exactly one year ago. As I reread the essay in preparation for this post I noticed something I didn’t before, something quite relevant to the e-book controversy. On top of airing out his grievances with John Barth, Vidal bemoans the state of fiction in America. He is concerned that the serious American novel is dying, and it is because of its most ardent supporters: academics. What I never caught in my first reading is that Vidal is not as concerned with the quality of the serious American novel, (he had some reasonable qualms with Barth’s willfully obtuse writing) but with the exclusivity of it. He fears that serious novels are only being written by academics, for academics in a vicious cycle that ends with the pool of serious readers and writers painfully dwindling down to zero.

Vidal is spot on, and it persists today. But even worse, it has spread to e-book enthusiasts as well. This cliquishness cannot continue in the best interest of the novel. Academics are as unwilling to accept as ever. Wander onto any college campus in  America and attempt to speak to an English professor about a great novel you read, a kindle exclusive. Stonewall. Universities continue to perpetuate an increasingly narrow view of what is worth reading. The arrival of the e-book has only made them close ranks more than ever before. This is nothing new, but there has been another adverse reaction.

The e-book enthusiasts have responded to rejection by academics by closing their own ranks. They’ve created their own cult of exclusivity, but instead of literary novels, it is genre and proud. Literary novels published in e-book form are routinely ignored by e-book blogs. Most e-book blogs (believe me I’ve checked) don’t even have “literary” listed as an option. Some will gladly review paranormal vampire futuristic dystopian books, but not any considered literary. My point is not to disparage paranormal vampire futuristic dystopian books, but only to point out that literary books are being specifically left out.

Both sides of the debate are entrenched and have no desire to change their position. Exclusivity reigns. It is absurd that the “death” of the serious American novel has occurred simultaneously with the meteoric rise of the e-book. While literary critics continue to rant about the lack of serious readers, more people than ever have access to books. E-books and the serious novel could be a match made in heaven. They could be the power couple that restores serious fiction to relevance in contemporary culture. And yet...it hasn’t happened.

It is especially frustrating for someone like myself. I am seeking my second university degree in English and I write literary fiction. I am also an independent author who publishes via the Kindle format. I am in both camps. So I stand here, straddling the chasm, beset on all sides by yelling and disagreement, begging for quiet, asking: why can’t we be friends?

Matt Thompson is the author of two novels and numerous short stories. His work has been featured in apt. magazine.
www.amazon.com/author/shutupcabbage
mthompsonwriting@gmail.com

Books to Get You in the Spooky Spirit

I love Halloween. You should know that about me. I also love reading.

Why not combine the two?

There are several books that I love to reread around this time of year. These books are full of thrills, chills, suspense, scares, horror, and mayhem - every spooky sensation that you can imagine. That's what makes them perfect for an All Hallows Eve read. If you're looking to curl up with a creepy classic or a contemporary chiller, check out one from this list:

• Dracula by Bram Stoker - Whether or not you've read the book, the story of Dracula is certainly familiar to almost anyone. Read about the vampire that inspired them all. The cool thing about this book is that it is told in the form of letters from several different characters.


• The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux - Another haunting read whose story is pervasive in modern culture. This novel tells the story of the ghost of the Paris Opera House and his obsessive attraction toward a young chorus girl. Fear, violence, love triangles - what's not to love? And yes, this is the book that inspired one of the longest-running shows in theatre history.


• Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - Released in 1938 and made into a movie by none other than Alfred Hitchcock, Rebecca has been dazzling audiences since its initial release. Hands down one of the best books I've ever read. I couldn't put it down. Without spoiling anything, this book is about a young woman who marries a widower with a mysterious past. It. Is. Good.


• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - One of the most famous examples of the gothic romance. Jane Eyre is a young woman who falls in love with her employer... and finds that he has a skeleton in his closet (or perhaps in his attic, but I'll say no more). If you read it in school, it's worth a second look.


• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - This is the novel that birthed science fiction. And it was written by a woman. Need I go on? If you read this book, you'll understand why some people cringe when you refer to the monster as "Frankenstein."


• The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne - Okay, okay. This book is not necessarily scary, but parts of it are unnerving. Hester Prynne has an affair and is forced to wear a scarlet "A" on her chest so that everyone will know her crime. This novel is haunting, and I can't explain why.


• The Shining by Stephen King - The King of Horror writes the King of all horror novels. Just read it, mmkay?


• Misery by Stephen King - Another masterpiece from the master himself. Man, do I love Stephen King. Even if you've seen the movie, you should probably read the book.


• Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews - This book creeped me the eff out. A mother keeps her children locked up in an attic for over two years. Terrifying because it reveals the dark side of human nature. I couldn't put this one down, either.

Of course, these are just some of my favorite scary reads for the scariest time of the year. I'm interested to see which of these books you've read and enjoyed. 

What do you like to read around Halloween? What books did I miss?

4 Nonfiction Books Every Writer Should Read

When it comes to writing well, one of the best tips I can give you from improving your work is to read books about writing, especially by authors who have been successful. There are many nonfiction books about writing, but these four are the best of the best. If you want to get better at the art of writing, read these books.

On Writing by Stephen King is the absolute best. Part memoir, part master class, this book is one of the greatest things I've read, period. In addition to the basic elements of craft and technique, King also offers a crash course on grammar. King's book serves as excellent inspiration and motivation as well. Every writer should read this book.

Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird is a step-by-step guide on how to write and how to manage the writer’s life, based on personal experience. She shares what it takes to be a writer with a unique voice that is both honest and funny.

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. is the most indispensable writing resources on the market to date. Strunk's best advice is to "Omit Needless Words," but there are plenty other topics addressed inside the book. Overall, this book offers guidelines for effective and convincing writing.

Zen in the Art of Writing by the late Ray Bradbury is guaranteed to make you think about what it's like to write for a living. In addition to offering practical tips, Bradbury also celebrates the act of writing. According to him the success of a write depends mostly on how well the writer knows his or her own life. This book is definitely worth sitting down with.

These books will not only entertain you, but also improve your capability as a writer. If you haven't read any of them, do it right now. You'll be thrilled that you did.

What do you think? What books did I miss?

The Importance of Reading in the Life of a Writer

The following content is taken from an article I wrote for Every College Girl called “How To… Find More Time to Read.” Reading is vital to the budding writer because it improves his or her vocabulary, teaches flow, and illustrates what does and does not work in the way of structure. Thus, it is absolutely essential you commit yourself to reading. If you’re looking to improve your writing, you must get in the habit of reading. I cannot stress this point enough. Here is the article:

As a self-professed bibliophile, there is nothing I love more than reading. I read whenever I can wherever I can, and I read almost everything that I can get my hands on. Believe it or not, you have more time to read than you think you do. Here are a few tips for finding more time to start that new series you’ve been dying to read.

Make a book your companion
First of all, get used to reading in small sips as well as big swallows. This means always having a book with you because the opportunity to read could come at any time, and you don’t want to be caught unawares. Read in lines, before a movie starts, in the bathroom, between classes, and before bed. Read whenever you have a few free minutes, not only when you can devote hours at a time to the book.

Expand your reading horizons
Also, read in the car. Now, I don’t mean that you should prop your novel against the steering wheel and have at it on the interstate. Today, thank God, we have audiobooks. You can download an audiobook to listen to while cleaning, doing laundry, or walking to class–not just while driving somewhere. Audibooks make it possible to multi-task, and what woman doesn’t want that?

Know yourself
My third and most important point is this: Read what you want to, and put the book down if you aren’t enjoying it. Just because millions of people before you have liked War and Peace doesn’t mean you should feel guilty if it’s not your cup of tea. Life’s too short to read boring books. Find something that piques your interest. If you don’t like something, move on. That’s all there is to it.


What do you think?
Do you love to read, too? What advice do you have to get the most out of your reading sessions?

How often do you read? I'd love to hear your input!