In addition to Vogue Italia (which I most of the time do not understand a single word at all, I have read/would like to read the books listed below before dying:
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Letters to a young Poet
by Rainer Maria Rilke
From what I gathered its an inspiring book that encourages young people to pursue their dreams instead of chasing the money or doing what others tell them to do.
Two versions of Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
Progress
To be read next.
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One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
I find the name “Ivan Denisovich” magnetic… therefore, I must read about him. Moreover, I have heard of how daring (because of the horrific facts detailed) and yet contemporary Solzhenitsyn’s writing is. I think this piece is a good starting point, no?
Two versions of One day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Progress
To be read next.
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The Virgin Suicides
by Jeffrey Eugenides
A novel that defines what life that is worth living and ones that are not.
Two version of The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
Progress
Finished. Will re-read… one day!
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The Sorrows of Young Werther
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Apparently, it caused a major stir back in the days when it was first published because it caused a few several a few book-related-suicides, which made Goethe became a sort of mediaeval celebrity. Personally, I first heard of this novel not when I was studying “Faust”, but when I was watching a stand-up comedian Dayo Wong Chi-Wah from Hong Kong talking about his struggles to get a job in a talent agency and how he performed one of the songs from the opera of the same title. At that time, the title of the work really strucks me because of the juxtaposition of youth and sorrow; and especially because I heard it in cantonese, which as you know in Chinese, there are no spaces between words and so the words just flow and in this case, the contrast is further emphasised, which the seriousness of the situation of Werther is then further contradicted with the humour of the content in a stand-up comedy, which made me even more curious about these sorrows young Werther feels.
The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Progress
I was at the bookstore today. I finished all entries dated May. [...more coming soon]
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The hours
by Michael Cunningham
A novel that defines life without purpose and dream as not worth living.
The Hours by Michael Cunningham
Progress
Finished though the one I read had a different cover. Will re-read… one day!
…more will be added.
“One Day…” is an excellent place to begin with Solzhenitsyn. And if you like it, “Cancer Ward” or “The First Circle” would be good follow-ups. I agree with you, too, that Solzhenitsyn’s personal history with the conditions he describes adds an important dimension to his work.