3 books to read

Of the books I've read recently, here are three that I liked, in no particular order.

• "1984" by George Orwell: This timeless novel confirms your worst fears about government. Even if you are a status quo establishment worshipping eunuch, you'll be impressed by the depth at which Orwell portrays the media's presence in modern life. This story was written in 1948, long before TVs (referred in the story as telescreens) lived in every home. I bought the book out of curiosity over recent media buzz over government surveillance. I was amazed at how much of an impact "1984" has had on everyday thought and even speech, especially in the political world. This story transcended entertainment with a parable about intellectual integrity and the pursuit of happiness. I could go on. This is a must-read.

• "The Shipping News" by Annie Proulx: The main character, Quoyle, starts a new life in Newfoundland as a newspaper reporter. This story puts coastal Canadian province on my bucket list. The prose and metaphors turn this harsh environment into a supporting character. The humans in the story live and die by the elements in a rural Newfoundland village where no secret hides. Quoyle is haunted by memories of his dead wife as he raises his daughters in the small fishing town where his ancestors settled. He learns a dark side to his ancestry and finally unties all the mental and emotional knots in his life. Armed with a gift for painting breathtaking portraits of nature, the author also has a way with funny names like Wavey Prowse and Beety Buggit.

• "Breakfast of Champions" by Kurt Vonnegut: I love everything about Vonnegut. His stories are a freewheeling ride on the meaning of life. There are better entry-level Vonnegut books, but "Breakfast of Champions" is one of the best. The book is filled with the author's rudimentary drawings (like an asterisk, which is a self-portrait of his asshole). The deadpan pictures are equal parts hilarious and functional. He cross-references characters from past novels, with Kilgore Trout taking the lead as a failed science writer. I devoured one other Vonnegut novel in the past year -  "Galapagos," which he published in 1985. That was a fun tale about evolution, but "Breakfast of Champions" delivered a purer dose of that trademark wit.