The World According to Garp by John Irving

I love stories that provide full pictures of a person’s life and Irving’s The World According To Garp accomplishes this in a seamless, funny, and deeply emotional way.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

This book has showed me that some of the greatest and most feeling among us have overcome tremendous struggle.
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

This book helped to push my understanding of what a novel could be.
The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein

This book provides a walk through events of modern history that has shaped the world as we know it, as well as the underlying ideology that is guiding it.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

This book is a brilliantly condensed examination of the human condition and how intelligence is related to happiness and love. Its ending is one of the most heart breaking things I have ever read… in a good way.
Mick Theebs is currently serving as the Poet Laureate of Milford, CT until July 2020. In addition to poetry, Mick also writes fiction, screenplays, and satire. When Mick isn’t writing, he enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with his two dogs, Yoshi and Mr. Pugsley. More of his work can be found at http://www.micktheebs.com.