Sam Lipsyte’s latest novel, Home Land, is the story of an underachiever New Jerseyite. Here, the author of The Subject Steve chooses some favorite works by more accomplished Garden Staters.
Sabbath’s Theater by Philip Roth (Vintage, $15). There are Sabbath’s Theater–type people and Human Stain–type people. I count myself among the former. Most of Roth’s novels take you to the edge of some kind of philosophical/cultural/emotional abyss. Sabbath’s Theater, the story of a lecherous, failed puppeteer (he was offered Big Bird), shoves you in.
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My Cousin, My Gastroenterologist by Mark Leyner (Vintage, $11). This gripping tale of “an infinitely hot and dense dot” broke the land speed record for American fiction back in the late ’80s with its lightning prose and genre-breaking (as opposed to -bending) design. Leyner, a true innovator, remains one of the funniest writers around.
Cutty, One Rock by August Kleinzahler (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $19). This is a beautiful new collection of personal essays by one of our country’s best poets. The famous title piece recounts the story of his charismatic, doomed older brother. Another essay includes a terrifying cameo by Kleinzahler’s boyhood neighbor in Fort Lee, N.J., comedian Buddy Hackett.
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume (Laurel Leaf, $6). “We must, we must, we must increase our bust.” Like many of my generation, I grew up reading Judy Blume novels. I loved them, and they made me the 13-year-old girl I am today.
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (Tor, $4). It might not be a bad time to revisit this granddaddy of the grunt’s-eye-view war novel, where the grandiose notions of politicians and generals fall by the wayside. Crane is also a testament to the dictum: Write what you don’t know. Bonus: This Jersey boy, like the true rock star he was, died at 28 in an English castle.
An American Dream
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Helen Schulman's 6 favorite collections of short storiesFeature The award-winning author recommends works by Raymond Carver, James Baldwin, and more
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Beatriz Williams' 6 timeless books about history and human relationshipsFeature The best-selling author recommends works by Jane Austen, Zora Neale Hurston, and more
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Aysegul Savas' 6 favorite books for readers who love immersive settingsFeature The Paris-based Turkish author recommends works by Hiromi Kawakami, Virginia Woolf, and more
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Geoff Dyer's 6 favorite books about the realities of warFeature The award-winning author recommends works by Ernie Pyle, Michael Herr, and more
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Laura Lippman's 6 favorite books for those who crave a high-stakes adventureFeature The Grand Master recommends works by E.L. Konigsburg, Charles Portis, and more
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Thomas Mallon's 6 favorite books from the 80's and early 90'sFeature The author recommends works by James Merrill, Calvin Trillin, and more
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Anne Hillerman's 6 favorite books with Native charactersFeature The author recommends works by Ramona Emerson, Craig Johnson, and more
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John Kenney's 6 favorite books that will break your heart softlyFeature The novelist recommends works by John le Carré, John Kennedy Toole, and more
