Recommended Books

This book is wandering, irreverent, hilarious, and beautiful. Mackey Hedges pulls heavily from his own life for what is possibly my favorite piece of western literature.

If there was a comic illustration of a "Meanwhile, on the other side of the galaxy" tag in Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, this would be it. The art isn't much to look at, but this long-running comic by Howard Taylor is hilarious, satirical, and unexpected.

Of Brandon Sanderson's books, this one gets more mixed reviews than most. The story is, at times, slow. The characters are often frustrating. However, this is also one of the most visually beautiful mystery romances that I've ever read. Call me a sap, but this book is poignant, entrancing, and tear worthy toward the end.

There has never been a more lighthearted, satirical, and wacky space adventure than Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. This book is foundational as literature and should be required reading for any person who has ever thought that there might be something not quite right with the wo

I believe Calvin and Hobbes is the all-time best comic strip ever written. However, this lesser known exploration of the joys of childhood is cute, funny, and leaves you with the feeling of having spent a good time with kind people. One thing that Will Henry does that even Bill Watterson misses is he imbues this work with a strong sense of place, making his readers feel at home, even if they've never been to the shore.

This book is the novel equivalent of reading a Haiku. The form is frequently interrupted by first person editorial, but the prose is beautiful, the setting is tense, and the form speaks to my soul. Lydia Minatoya aptly named her book, for it is both strange and beautiful.

This comic has beautiful art, adorable characters, and good jokes. If you loved Calvin and Hobbes, then you'll love Stuffed.

The Dutch House, by Ann Patchett, is beautiful, soulful, and enthralling. Though it is chronologically challenged, it is a wonderful exploration of generational heritage, family ties and how the choices we make determin who we are.

I don't read many non-narrative books, though, truthfully, The Book, by Keith Houston, reads more like a series of short stories than anything else. This book is a miracle. From its brilliant form to the systematic exploration of everything that went into each element that comprises the book which is the object of its own text. Well done, all around.