13. Anais Nin by Deidre Bair
Anais Nin is a “greater lesser novelist” of America, as described by Bair; whilst she isn’t one of THE big names, she is an important entry in the American cannon.
She’s also a totally fascinating personality, who was lucky enough to hang out with a bunch of famous people before and after the second World War; Djuna Barnes, Antonin Artaud and the Dalis to name a few. Despite this, I find Anais’ personality (and her ability to truly convince herself the sky is pink with purple polka dots, if she suddenly decides it’s better than plain blue) to be more interesting still.
14. The Journals of Anais Nin
If you’re going to read about her life from someone else’s perspective, I’d suggest you also read about Anais’ life from HER (heavily edited, once published) perspective. The five official volumes of her adult journals are interesting not just for the life behind them, but for the fact Anais was a female artist at a time when females being artists in their own right was only beginning to become a mainstream idea, an erotica writer when women talking and writing frankly about sex was unheard of. the journals definitely aren’t a racy romance novel, but they are filled with thoughts on women’s sexuality, her role in society, towards her husband, family, and self amongst other topics.
15. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Dark fantasy that will appeal to mental collectors of the strange and interesting, this book charts the story (without giving too much away – SPOILER WARNING AHEAD) of what happens to the Gods of the many people of America in a modern world. Neil Gaiman has a deft touch and a strong sense of the symbolic. This is a great book for anyone interested in mythology – not only for the game of “Guess That God”.
16. Moonheart by Charles deLint
I have a real love of stories about the magical in everyday life. All of Charles deLint’s stories are about elves living in dumpsters and Native American totems stopping by coffee shops for a chat, but Moonheart will always hold a special place in my heart, as the first of his novels that I read.
