by jharmon

Created on: December 03, 2009

Education of a Wandering Man

by Louis L'Amour

Author L'Amour is best known for all the Western novels he wrote, but this autobiography from him is my favorite of all his writings. Louis talks mostly about his early days in the 1930s before he became a full-time writer, his days working all kinds of jobs from mining in Death Valley to steam ships in the Pacific Ocean. He tells that one of the reasons he wanted to travel so much before settling down as a writer was so that he could experience all walks of life and meet all kinds of people to make him a better writer. Even if you're not a fan of Westerns, you should read this book, because this isn't a Western. It's a story of a life well lived.

In Cold Blood

by Truman Capote

In my opinion, the best true-crime book ever written. Capote's writing here is at his strongest, and whatever side you take on the death penalty, this book will question your beliefs. This non-fiction book looks into the 1959 murders of a Kansas family and the two men responsible for the slayings. You will never look at crime or crime stories the same ever again, the writing is that strong.

Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass

by Stephen King

Of all King's books in his Dark Tower series, this is by far my favorite. It's different from any of the other novels in this series in that most of the book takes a look back into the past of Roland Deschain, the gunslinger and the protagonist of the Dark Tower books. Without giving anything away, it is one of the saddest and most heartwrenching tales I have ever read. Interestingly enough, fans of the DT series are often split on this book, some loving it and others hating it because it halts the main action for a tale of Roland's past. I come down on the loving it side.

Paradise Lost

by John Milton

This blank verse, epic poem was first published in 1667 and it concerns the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. With Satan as the main character for the most part. Yes, that's right, I said Satan. And it's one of the most beautiful stories ever told. Satan's point of view comes across well in this tale, though he is still a bad guy. It's just that he offers up his reasons for being what he is and for doing what he does, though his reasoning is futile and not always logical. If you are a Christian, you should read this story to learn a different viewpoint. If you are not a Christian, you should still read "Paradise Lost" for the beauty of the words. Also, Milton's writings have definitely had their

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