The Trial, Franz Kafka
He’s Czech, he’s tortured and his name maintains a combination of letters that indicate just how sophisticated he is. Reading The Trial you will find yourself playing CSI between the lines trying to figure out what the protagonist did to be in trial and basically 90% of the information that should be contained in the book.
The First Forty Nine Stories, Ernest Hemingway
This collection of short stories will have you marvelling at the variety in Hemingway’s writing. From the fast paced Hills Like White Elephants to the incredibly slow and painfully underwhelming Short Happy Life Of Francis Macomber, there is a story for everyone in here. Who hasn’t dreamt of saying “Oh I just picked up Hemingway for fun” and meaning it?
Catch 22, Joseph Heller
Considered one of the funniest books of all time, this book has it all. War, odyssey, human suffering, fragmented narration, multiple points of view and – most helpful of all to a hipster – a logical paradox. Heller’s satirical genius gave me real, audible LOLs
In Cold Blood, Truman Capote
This book isn’t for the faint-hearted. It contains lots of blood and graphic peeks inside a serial killer’s mind. For those of you who actually enjoy this sort of thing, this book will steal your heart. Its investigative style and sincere yet life-like descriptions render this novel a real page turner. Not to mention, you can always praise its genius and express your frustration with the 1966 Pulitzer committee for not awarding Capote
Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut
A quick read about the effect of novels on people. Filled with bizarre characters and satire, it is nothing less than quintessential Vonnegut. Of course, the plot is minimal to the point of non-existent. But that’s exactly what makes it impressive to the noobs; you need to find the devil in the details.