#118. "The Body Artist" by Don Delillo

 

As a writer, there's a lot to like about Don Delillo. Over his career, he's done an excellent job of capturing the human condition with insight and humor, often forcing the reader to recontextualize the world around them. While he's better known for his bigger novels like "White Noise," there is something to be said for his shorter writing, such as the novella "The Body Artist." The idea of trying to boil down everything that matters to the author in such a short space means that every page is economic, forcing only the important details to emerge. The results are a bit muddled and don't fully meet their potential, but it's a decent exercise from an author who is known for always taking surprising turns and creating worlds that are much more complex than they initially appear.

#117. "Alice Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll

 

In the world of children's literature, there have been few characters who are curious and curiouser than Alice. With endless adaptations over the past century on stage and screen, Lewis Carroll's defining creation has inspired audiences to find the absurd in everyday life. With zippy prose and playful language, Wonderland is a world that comes to life all too easily. What's more impressive is that even with an inventive original story, credit should be given to "Alice Through the Looking Glass" for being more than a retread of what's come before. Sure, it's another visit through the crazy world of characters, but like the best of sequels, it builds on what came before and creates a strong companion to the original. In fact, one could argue that this features some of the greatest moments Carroll ever wrote.