Never filter your reading list

Sure, if a book sucks, chuck it. I gave up on several books by Grisham.

But never ever filter your reading list.

Do not exclude a book because you think it might be "exploitative" or "offensive."

If a book is any good, it better damn well be offensive. It is the milquetoast books (like anything by Grisham) that I usually chuck. No one wants to hear the story about the boy or girl with gumption who overcomes all odds. I, at least, want to hear the story about the boy or girl who descends down a rat hole, never to be seen again.

Not good enough? Do you want a list of books that will probably offend you, but you'll be better off having read?

OK - here goes:

Christopher Hitchens - God is Not Great
Paul Tillich - The Courage to Be
Mikhail Bakunin - Statism and Anarchy
P.J. O'Rourke - Parliament of Whores
Jerry Stahl - I, Fatty
Chuck Palahniuk - Fight Club and Snuff
Camille Paglia - Sexual Personae
Susan Faludi - Backlash and Stiffed
bell hooks - Ain't I a Woman?: Black women and feminism
Tim Wise - White Like Me
Naomi Wolf - The Beauty Myth


This should get you started...