The Strange and Beautiful

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Have you ever read a book that was super strange, and yet oddly moving? Well I have, plenty in fact. These books speak to a deeper side of our psyche, the side that is there lurking beneath the surface (well, for some.)

Here are some of The Strange and Beautiful books I’ve encountered:

(click any picture or title for more info.)
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
What better book to start with than Lewis Carroll’s strange and delightful story of Alice; who has some rather interesting adventures in Wonderland. This story is like a quirky silly bizarro dream. It is witty and charming, and full of intriguing characters to love. It may be a bit of an oddball, but it is beautiful!

“Have I gone mad?     I’m afraid so, but let me tell you something, the best people usually are.”
 
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Rated: 4.3 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Rose Tea
Steeped with cream and sugar to taste. 

 
Out of the Silent Planet
Another of C.S. Lewis’ treasures that I love. This book is so wonderfully strange. It is futuristic and prophetic, and thick with symbolism. There is a surreal ethereal like vibe to the story, that is captivating. I really enjoyed this book because well, it’s just so odd but so beautiful. As abstract as the book is, I felt it was very relate-able.

“The love of knowledge is a kind of madness.”

 

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Rated: 4.5 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Cocomallow Steamer
Coconut milk concentrate and milk (to taste) heated and added to a blender, add a dab of cream marshmallow, blend til thick n’ frothy. MMM…

 

House of Leaves
The presentation of this book is bold and odd and crazy, and completely non-conventional. However, it somehow  works. Mark Z. Danielewski writes beautifully and with a daring one of a kind concept. It’s so interesting to read about how this book came to be in the world.

“We all create stories to protect ourselves.”

NF6zoQho-2400-2920 Rated: 4.0 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Flat White
Use whole milk for your foam and pour over 2 ristretto (short) shots. Perfect blend, not to strong and not too creamy.
Green Eggs and Ham
Well it most certainly is an oddball story. Green eggs..? It’s silly and random and full of rhyme. There is so much to love! Dr. Seuss’ unique characters are so odd and weird, but so natural somehow… I love the poetic playfulness he weaves into his books so gently and generously, it’s beautiful.

“You do no like them, so you say. Try them! Try them! And you may!

downloadRated: 4.8 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Matcha Latte
Matcha is a powder made from finely grinding green tea leaves. Make a latte as you would usually but with the powder in place of your shots. It’s mild earthy flavor is lovely, and well, green. 🙂

Flowers For Algernon
This book truly is a beautiful story. I loved it so much. It’s unique writing style takes a bit to get used to, but in the end you realize the power in it. The perspective and feeling that the story generates is phenomenal. It’s interesting and fascinating, sad and brilliant.

“I am afraid. Not of life, or death, or nothingness, but of wasting it as if I had never been.”

images (1)Rated: 4.6 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Caramel Hot Cocoa
Chocolate and steamed milk drizzled with rich caramel. Toss in some marshmallows if you desire.

 

The Neverending Story
This book is strange and magnificent, and full of magic. It is well written and has a great story line. Once again a book with a timeless aura. It is filled with superb characters, and interesting twists and turns. I love the beauty tangled in-between it’s pages. This is the book that you want to find a place hidden away from it all, and let it read you.

“Everything must be equal in your eyes, good and evil, beautiful and ugly, foolish and wise.”

download (1)Rated: 4.7 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Maple Mocha
Stir together espresso, candied maple cubes, chocolate, and steamed milk. Top with whip,  chocolate drizzle, and maple crumbles (if you fancy.)

 

You know what book  I wanted to put on this? You guessed it “The Gargoyle,” but I didn’t, aren’t you proud? There are books I imagine could make it on, but I haven’t finished them yet “Midnight in The Garden of Good and Evil” and “What Dreams May Come,” maybe even Dante’s “Inferno” (I know, another shamefully unread classic.)

Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts?

Tell about any books you’ve read that are Strange yet Beautiful.

44 thoughts on “The Strange and Beautiful”

  2. Great picks!! I’ve read some of them and I can definitely say that House of Leaves was the creepiest one, at one point I was having several fingers stuck at different pages as page markers because there was just no linear way to read it. It’s as if the house/book begins to suck you in…

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  3. It has been at least forty years since I’ve read “That Hideous Strength” and I’m thinking that it is time to give it another go. In fact, the whole trilogy will be worth reading again. It will be good to visit Ransom’s world once more. Thanks for reminding me of another of C.S. Lewis’ excellent writings. Charles

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  9. I love Flowers for Algernon. I did teach it and also offered it as a book choice. When was Charlie the best representation of his true self? In the beginning and at the end for me. And when were we, as readers, more involved with him as a character: same answer for me and most of my students. “Special” kind of innocence, special kind of love, special kind of giving.
    There is much to learn from those whom society has classified as “special needs.” They have special gifts to share with those of us who are in need and lacking in what they have to offer.
    (From having worked with “special needs” students for 25 years)

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  14. The Little Prince is odd (and oddly beautiful) and has been incredibly influential in my life. It looks like a children’s book, and children ought to be reading it in my opinion. If you read it as an adult, however, it becomes clear that this isn’t really a children’s book.

    I’m also a big fan of Daniel Quinn, and all his fiction is a bit strange but wonderful. Always makes me think, rethink, and reassess what I thought I knew, even on subsequent re-readings.

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  15. Pingback: My Article Read (3-31-2016) – My Daily Musing

  20. I thoroughly enjoy your posts and, now, I’m inspired to read “The Neverending Story” (I’m going to order it on Kobo so I can start right away…I prefer to have a real book, but there’s no denying the appeal of instant gratification. I live in the country and would have to travel a good distance to find a book store). Thank you for the gift of a new read 🙂

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  21. Abbie Lu, Loved all the ones you listed (except House of Leaves – haven’t read it but now will check it out.) I don’t know if you read the other two books in the Space Trilogy: Perelandra and That Hideous Strength, both strange and good. Perelandra is set in pre-Lapsarian Venus, an interesting, odd look at origin sin. That Hideous Planet is a dystopian look at a Merlin story merged with the sinister and evil group called N.I.C.E. I think you’d like them if you haven’t read them. Jo

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