Happy Friday, friends! After finally finishing my bookshelf restoration project, I've completed setting up my personal library. Looking at all of my beloved books made me think about some of my personal favorites that I love to reread, what I'm reading now and what I'm reading next (No spoilers, I promise)!
Top 3 favorite books in my personal library:
 The Great Gatsby has been my all-time favorite book since I first read it sophomore year of high school. I've lost count of how many times I've poured over the pages since then, but the effortless way Fitzgerald manages to capture the jazz era society and makes you hate almost every single character is quite the accomplishment. Jay Gatsby will forever be one of the most misunderstood literary characters of our time. |  Pilgrim at Tinker Creek was also a book I first met in high school, and it is what made me fall in love with narrative nonfiction writing. The book, similar in design to that of Henry Davis Thoreau's Walden, is filled with the author's thoughts about solitude, writing, religion and nature. If this book doesn't make you want to leave everything you know to go live in the woods, I'm not sure what will. And that's a beautiful thing, if you ask me. |  The Francophile in me cannot leave Les Misérables out of my top three. This book provided such important commentary on the human condition at a time when the World desperately needed it – we still do. Les Mis is not just the story of the unfortunate ones during the French revolution, but it is the story of anyone who has gone through loss, suffering, sacrifice and hardship. No other book I've read offers that level of human connectedness. |
What I'm reading now:
 So, I'll admit I'm a little late to the party on this one. I'm currently about halfway through Book III of Game of Thrones and I've been loving every second of the series so far. Everyone had been hootin' and hollerin' about the HBO series, and as you know I'm a read-then-watch kind of person, so I figured I'd give the books a shot. I underestimated you, George R.R. Martin, and for that I apologize profusely. |  I just started to work my way through this thriller so I can go see the new movie adaptation starting Ben Affleck. I've somehow avoided all the spoilers, but I know there's a huge difference between the ending of the movie and the book, and I can't wait see what it is! |
What I'm reading next:
One of my favorite professors during my undergraduate career at Marquette University was hands down the great (and very underrated) Paul Salsini. Now that I finally have some spare time on my hands, I'm making it a point to read his published work. After reading his five-book epic narrative spanning from WWII to the 1980s, Paul and I are going to sit down and chat. We plan on filming an interview about self-publishing and how to promote a book after you write it. So stay tuned, aspiring authors!
Books I can't wait to read:
 I picked up this renowned classic on Buddhist wisdom and religious thought at Namaste Bookshop in New York this summer. According to the back of the book, "(The Tibetan Book of the Dead) has become highly influential in the Western world for its psychological insights into the process of death and dying – and what they can teach us about the ways we live our lives." I can't wait to learn more about Tibetan spirituality and traditions and hope to find some personal strength and comfort in the process. |  As much as I'm embarrassed to admit it, I've never actually gotten around to reading On the Road, but maybe that's OK. Because after going out to Northern California a few weeks ago, I was able to purchase the full and unabridged version at City Lights Books in San Francisco. Kerouac himself used to frequent the bookstore, and I couldn't help but feel a little closer to him after stepping inside. I know that after reading the Original Scroll, this book will likely make its way onto my list of favorite books. |  While everyone knows On the Road, fewer know this Kerouac novel. But based on the descriptions I've read, I think this one will actually be even better than its famous predecessor. The Dharma Bums is a story about two young Americans – a mountaineer, poet and Zen Buddhist; and a zestful, innocent writer. The book follows them on their journey from poetry jam sessions in San Fran to the solitude of the High Sierras. Bring it on, Jack. |
I'd love to know some of your favorite books, and why they have the honor of being called your favorites. I'm sure a recommendation from you would result in another entry on my "books-to-read" list for me! So feel free to leave a comment on this post or the Tessa Fox Reads Facebook. You can also tweet book suggestions to me @TessaFoxReads or use #TessaFoxReads.
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