On 1/19/09 3:37 PM, “Jason Davis” wrote:

Roy,

As I read your new year memo, I was reminded of your memo from a couple years ago, where you recommended a few books…one being The Book Thief, which turned out to be possibly the best book I’ve ever read. As far as literature goes, I value your opinion over most others. Just wondering if you have any suggestions for more mind-expanding, dream-inducing books to elevate the plane of consciousness?

Hope all is well with you down south.

Jason

P.s. I’m still working on the screenplay…along with about 3 other movie ideas…and a new small business! No rest for the weary…or those of us with ADD.

Jason,

I can’t remember what I recommended,
so at the risk of repeating myself, here’s a short list.
The first 4 books are recently written.
The balance of the list has stood the test of time.

The Shadow of the Wind
by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
This one is not optional. If you haven't read it, buy it now.

The Poisonwood Bible
demonstrates amazing character arc.
Written in the voices of 5 women, the book is set in Africa
during the second half of the twentieth century.

The Life of Pi
Don’t quit reading when the book is winding down
and you think the story is finished.
The story isn’t over until the last page.

The Secret Life of Bees
Warm story about a displaced girl.

Hawaii
By James Michener.
You won’t meet any characters for
50 pages or more but stay with it.
Michener likes to develop his scenes
very slowly and thoroughly.
Once it gets rolling, this book is awesome.
If you like Hawaii, next read Michener’s Texas.

Shogun
and all its sequels leading up to,
but not including King Rat.
By James Clavell

East of Eden
By John Steinbeck.
His character development and narrative arc
will make you understand why they gave him
The Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962.
Steinbeck is amazing.

But for pure “mind-expanding, dream inducing,”
you can always count on Tom Robbins
but prepare to be mesmerized and mildly disturbed.
Robbins has a weird sexual undertone
though his books are never about sex.

Read Tom Robbins in this order:
Still Life with Woodpecker
Jitterbug Perfume
Skinny Legs and All
Another Roadside Attraction
Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates
Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
His only weak book is his most recent,
Villa Incognito.
I don’t suggest you read it.

Have you ever read
Ender’s Game
or any of the other books by
Orson Scott Card?
Science Fiction at its finest.

Also, the original
Foundation series by the
immortal Isaac Asimov is essential
for healthy bones and strong teeth:
1. Foundation
2. Foundation and Empire
3. Second Foundation
If you like these, you’ll want to read
4. Foundation’s Edge
5. Foundation and Earth

Most of these books have very weak covers, especially the science fiction books by Asimov and Card. Don’t let the cover art speak for the books.

Yours,

Roy H. Williams