Bathroom Lit

Both of us, being communicators, thrive on spoken and written word alike, so we thought we would throw down some of our favorite reads for our PGPT readers – and there are a lot. It’s not Oprah, but this book list is sure to please.

The Dark Tower Series – Stephen King
(http://www.stephenking.com/DarkTower/)

My boyfriend is the one who recommended this series of books to me, which is, admittedly, why it took me so long to get around to reading them. Especially because the first book in the series is called “The Gunslinger.” Yeah, ’cause that sounds like a book ANY chick really wants to read. Turns out it should have been a lot sooner than it was. Although it starts out slow, this series, to me,  is akin to (*major nerd alert*) the Lord of the Rings series, which I loved (and so did millions of others so if you’re judging me right now just go right ahead and judge the WORLD).  This series is an epic mind-fuck of an adventure, with lots of crazy riddles, weird sex, and a surreality that makes you completely incapable of putting them down once you get into them. Mark my words, this will be an HBO series or movie by 2020. Seriously – Google this shit and tell me I’m wrong. Then go and buy the books and read them so we can talk about WHAT JUST HAPPENED THERE. K.

The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists - Neil Strauss

When I first told people I was reading this book I got mixed reviews. I myself was also sceptical, but like everything else in my life I wanted to try it for myself. What I found pleasantly surprised me. Without giving too much away, dear readers, this book is not what you expect. Under the guise of a “how-to-get-laid” instruction manual for, as the book refers to them, AFCs everywhere (average frustrated chumps), is a story that touches on moral tensions, social group dynamics and the desire to find one’s own confidence and sense of self. 

Yes, it is indulgent and the tales of debauchery things of legend (shoutout to Courtney Love), but what comes out of it – the conclusion that is drawn from the man who lived it, and for a short while led it all – is an intelligent and dare I say heartwarming lesson learned: “Perhaps that’s because it’s not a game.” K.

Scar Tissue – Anthony Kiedis
This is the autobiography of Anthonky Kiedis, the lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. A must-read for any RHCP fan, and even if you aren’t, it’s still one hell of a book. It’s amazing how much you find yourself relating to him, whether he’s spiraling out of control in a one bedroom apartment or riding high on fame. He really is just a kid from Michigan doing what any of us would if we had been given the same amazing opportunities and fateful circumstances. Warning: may make you want to quit your job and party like a rock star. K.

Pillars of the Earth and  World Without End  – Ken Follet
Both S. and I l-o-v-e-d these books. And coming from two people with such diverse tastes in … well, everything, this says a lot. Actually, my mom, brother and boyfriend would all agree that this book is killer too.  Honestly if I were to explain what this book was about (middle ages, a guy needs to build a cathedral) it couldn’t do it justice. You can NOT put this book down. It touches on everything from sex, murder, love, religion, travel … frickin’ everything, and it just sucks you in. K.

Harry Potter series (seven books) – J.K. Rowling
If you haven’t heard of Harry Potter then you have quite literally been living under some kind of rock. And generally there are two opinions about this – lame or the mostawesomethingeverohmygod. I am of the latter persuasion. If you want something to read that is just FUN and takes you out of your own head space, then this is it. Then again, I play Final Fantasy so really I could just be projecting my nerdiness on to all of you. K.

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation – Jeff Chang
This book is important for anyone with an opinion on hip-hop – from those who think 50 Cent is the Godfather of the genre, those who still bump Big Daddy Kane or Kool G. Rap daily, even those who hate rap music with a passion. “…hip-hop crystallized a multiracial, polycultural generation’s worldview, and transformed American politics and culture. But that epic story has never been told like this.” (http://www.cantstopwontstop.com) S.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – Ken Kesey
A classic novel, turned into a classic film. This book is an amazing look into the issues of oppression, manipulation, control, authority, rebellion and censorship. And after all…haven’t we all felt just a little fucking crazy before? S.

BITCHfest: Ten Years of Cultural Criticism from the Pages of Bitch Magazine
Hilarious, witty, insightful and well-written prose from some smart, smart women. A must read if you’re even remotely interested in gender, beauty, pop culture, politics or the idea of feminism. Or if you have boobs. Or both. S.

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The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
I think I read this book in under 48 hours, it’s one of those kinda books. Khaled Hosseini is a powerful storyteller. He weaves his words in and out of your heart so when something happens to a character you feel it as if it were happening to you. I would also highly reccommend his other book “A Thousand Splendid Suns” which has recently been robbing me of sleep. S.