I sometimes fall asleep reading in the bath and wake up the moment the book splashes in the water. I tend to give lots of money to publishers re-buying editions

“My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973.”

The opening line of the novel The Lovely Bones

“Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.”

Ive heard this book is great, but haven’t read it

Love it!

Have you ever taken any learning diagnostic tests? That would be the place to start. There are many things, from dyslexia to attention disorders to autism spectrum to others that might manifest in this way. And no one will be able to say definitely over the internet. That aside, it also sounds like you haven’t gotten much practice. Perhaps start small (10 mins a day) and slowly work your way up

I recommend one of the first 3D movies, House of Wax, starring Vincent Price. There is a 3D version out there that was released a few years ago (if you can find it). It looks amazing

I love this book! The character of Corso and the whole focus on book acquisitions and examining woodcuts was interesting!

The ouija board. One thing I did like about the novel was how well the character of Fr. Karras js developed. He is such a vivid character in a way that is only hinted at in the movie. The novel though is as much of a drama as it is horror. It is mostly about how this one event intersects in the lives of very complicated people

Are you referring to Two Minute Mysteries? Very short stories that feature an answer or solution in the appendix?

Rebel in the Rye is a bit more generous with Salinger. It is a narrative film that mostly focuses on his early life and the build-up to the release of Catcher

Ironically, this is one of Faulkner’s most accessible novels! But it is still challenging and very rewarding. Great work of southern lit. Absalom, Absalom is well worth your attention if you enjoyed this book!

Okay! Some more books that thematically focus on feelings of alienation and a desire for something authentic include: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (if you want a sense of how race and prejudice complicates these ideas and this search), The Adventures of Augie March by Saul Bellow, and if you want non-fiction (that is written like a prose novel) then Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer is brilliant and worth your time. Very similar!

My example isn’t a rewrite per se. However, when Robert Jordan died, Brandon Sanderson was hired to finish the final books in the Wheel of Time series. I love the first few Wheel of Time books but by the end Jordan seemed to lose direction. Sanderson not only finished the series (adopting the story’s approach to magic, etc, which is different than his own), but his last books are now my favorites in the series. In this way, his books are both a continuation and a rewrite.

Im speaking as a university literature professor. All of us in this field, to different degrees, have this issue during the academic year. I always reread books I’m teaching (even if Ive read them many times before). I read new books in three ways: 1) I always have an audio book that I listen to during the drive to and from work. I also listen to it in my office during lunch/office hours. This gives me about 2 hours a day for something new. Next, I have a physical book by my bedside that I read for 30mins-1 hr before bed. Just to wind down. I’m also a slow reader but I’m typically able to read 2-3 new books a month (between audio and physical books) using this approach. Lastly, holiday break is your friend! Make a list in advance and read all you can! I tend to read my “fun”’books in totally different genres. So next week I’m teaching Ellison’s Invisible Man, but I’m reading the new Brandon Sanderson book for fun.

This book meant so much to me when I was a teenager and eventually led me to On the Road a and similar books about alienation and authenticity. If you liked the book, I highly recommend the documentary Salinger. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the author.

The Verdict

A Dry White Season and Witness for the Prosecution