My Wishlist of 100 Books (2020 Update)

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time to celebrate the start of the Christmas season. For those who are looking to this blog and wondering "Thomas, what can we get you?" It only makes sense that Willett Reads would be dedicated to sharing all things that interest me in literature. Well, if you're one of those kind people who want to send me a book, here is a recommendation list of 100 books ranging from different genres and centuries. I am not too picky on quality of the book, save for my desire that the book not be filled with personal annotations. Beyond that, I hope that this list will help you prepare gifts that I not only want, but can often be found at a reasonable price. Click on to discover the list and where to send any comments regarding this list.

#85. "Lucky" by Alice Sebold

In society, there are few topics that feel as controversial as rape. It's a deeply traumatic and hateful act, attempting to rob people of their humanity. While it has become easier for people to talk about in light of The Me Too Movement, it's still difficult for people to understand the full experience, the way that it can alienate and create lingering insecurity in the survivors' lives. For Alice Sebold, she was told that she was "lucky" for a variety of reasons that ranged from having one of the few successful rape trials to something more important: being alive. Following a horrific, detailed opening passage, the memoir dives into the search for recovery and a sense of justice. It's an illuminating tale, bringing to life an uncomfortable experience that will hopefully educate and create a deeper empathy. In one woman's quest to move past her own trauma, she's written a powerful, essential story worthy of every page.

#84. "Billy Lynn's Long Haltime Walk" by Ben Fountain

For most people, one of the most important parts of patriotism is supporting the troops. After all, this group has been praised for sacrificing their lives in order for us to enjoy freedoms. While that noble truth remains common, there is something more damning at the heart of Ben Fountain's densely layered "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" that suggests that we could be doing better. Over the course of one weekend, Fountain focuses on a troop, dubbed by the media as "The Bravos," who experienced some crucial combat. But what should've been a simple victor turns complicated as a fallen soldier's story comes into the mix and a halftime show brings forth endless traumatic experiences. Fountain argues that while we should support the troops, we should also try and do a better job of understanding them.