Resources and Reference Books

The best thing a writer can do is read, and this page provides a range of books that may benefit the hungry soul.

Books Worth Reading

Asked about books that every novelist should read, the Bing robot replied with the following:

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: This novel is a powerful and moving portrayal of racism, injustice, and courage in the American South during the 1930s. It is told from the perspective of Scout Finch, a young girl who witnesses her father’s defense of a black man accused of rape. The novel explores themes such as innocence, morality, and empathy, and it features memorable characters such as Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson.

• Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell: This novel is a dystopian vision of a totalitarian society where the government controls every aspect of life, including language, history, and thought. It follows the story of Winston Smith, a man who works for the Ministry of Truth and secretly rebels against the system. The novel exposes the dangers of tyranny, propaganda, and surveillance, and it introduces concepts such as Big Brother, Newspeak, and doublethink.

• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: This novel is a coming-of-age story of Holden Caulfield, a rebellious and disillusioned teenager who runs away from his boarding school and wanders around New York City. It captures the voice, emotions, and struggles of adolescence, as well as the themes of identity, alienation, and phoniness. The novel is also known for its controversial and influential impact on culture and literature.

• One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez: This novel is a magical realism masterpiece that chronicles the history of the Buendía family and their town of Macondo over seven generations. It blends reality and fantasy, tragedy and comedy, history and myth, creating a rich and complex world that reflects the culture and history of Latin America. The novel also explores themes such as love, fate, memory, and solitude.

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: This novel is a witty and romantic comedy of manners that depicts the social and romantic lives of the Bennet sisters in 19th-century England. It focuses on the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, two characters who overcome their initial prejudices and misunderstandings to fall in love. The novel also satirizes the class system, the marriage market, and the gender roles of its time.

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: This novel is a Gothic horror story that tells the tale of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a living creature from dead body parts. The creature, rejected by his creator and society, becomes a vengeful being who seeks companionship and justice. The novel raises questions about science, ethics, responsibility, and humanity.

• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain: This novel is a picaresque adventure that follows the journey of Huckleberry Finn, a young boy who escapes from his abusive father and travels down the Mississippi River with Jim, a runaway slave. The novel portrays the realities and contradictions of slavery, racism, and freedom in America through humor, satire, dialects, and irony.

That’s a fine list, but of course it only begins to touch the surface of a deep lake of literature worth reading.

Popular recent titles (21st Century) include:

• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• The Road by Cormac McCarthy
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
• The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner
• The Sellout by Paul Beatty
• The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt
• A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
• The Three Body Experience by Liu Cixin

Here are a books that I would include as must-reads:

• Look Homeward Angel by Thomas Wolfe
• Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon
• Babbit by Sinclair Lewis
• Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
• All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
• Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
• Main Street by Sinclair Lewis
• Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis
• Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis
• Dodsworth by Sinclair Lewis
• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• White Noise by Don DeLillo
• Underworld by Don DeLillo
• The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov (includes 7 books)
• The Sports Writer by Richard Ford
• Independence Day by Richard Ford
• Absalom, Absalom by William Faulkner
• Riders of the Purple Sage and everything else ever written by Zane Grey
• The World According to Garp by John Irving
• Tale of Two Cities and everything else ever written by Charles Dickens
• Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
• Road to Wellville by T. Coraghessan Boyle
• Riven Rock by T. Coraghessan Boyle
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
• On the Road by Jack Kerouac
• Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
• Grendel by John Gardner
• Mickelson’s Ghost by John Gardner

NOTE: This list, pulled from immediate recall, must necessarily be under ongoing development.

Books About Writing

Here is a list of some of the most well-respected books on novel writing, along with a brief description of each:

• On Becoming A Novelist by John Gardner: Novelist-educator John Gardner writes candidly about the writer’s life, and about novel construction.

• On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King: This book is part memoir, part masterclass from one of America’s leading authors. It offers valuable insights into King’s life and writing process, as well as practical advice on plot, story, character, and more.

• Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott: This book is a witty and honest guide to writing and living as a writer. It covers topics such as getting started, overcoming writer’s block, finding your voice, and dealing with criticism.

• The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White: This book is a classic reference for writers of any genre and level. It provides clear and concise rules and tips on grammar, punctuation, style, and usage.

• Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee: This book is a comprehensive and authoritative source on the art and craft of storytelling. It covers the essential elements of plot, character, dialogue, theme, genre, and more, with examples from various films and genres.

• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You’ll Ever Need by Jessica Brody: This book is a novel-writing adaptation of the popular Save the Cat! screenwriting method. It provides a step-by-step guide to creating a compelling novel plot, using 15 universal story beats and 10 genre-specific templates.

• The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller by John Truby6: This book is a detailed and innovative approach to crafting powerful stories. It teaches writers how to develop a premise, create complex characters, structure a plot, build a theme, and more, using 22 essential steps.

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