'Slaughterhouse-Five'

At a time when it's nearly impossible to go anywhere without hearing talk of war, it may seem a little odd to recommend an anti-war novel, which is essentially what Slaughterhouse-Five or The Children's Crusade: A Duty Dance With Death is. But then again maybe in times like these this is exactly the kind of book that needs to be recommended.

The eminent master of the absurd, Kurt Vonnegut, wrote an absolute classic in Slaughterhouse-Five, an anti-war novel that is nonetheless as bizarre as one might expect from Vonnegut. It involves aliens and a character becoming "unstuck in time" and also descriptions of life as a prisoner of war and of the firebombing of Dresden during World War II. (It should be noted that Vonnegut himself survived the firebombing as a POW.)

The novel tells the story of Billy Pilgrim. Pilgrim fights in World War II, becomes a POW, survives Dresden, becomes an eye doctor, spends time with aliens, uncovers the secret to life, and travels through time. It may seem like a little too much to take on but Vonnegut pulls it off, tying everything together with the phrase, "So it goes."

The book is wonderfully written as only Vonnegut can write. It moves from absolutely hysterically funny to absolutely horrifying in an instant and is always thought-provoking. Anyone looking for something that is at once a quick read and a fantastic stimulus for thought need look no further.

-- Reviewed by Reid Coploff

'The Hour of the Star'

The Hour of the Star, a quick serving of existentialism by Clarice Lispector, is the humbling yarn of Macabéa, a caffeine-addicted typist lacking everything but an unrelenting will to live.

As unaware as she is, Macabéa will surprise you. She'll show you that each little happiness -- her new pink lipstick, a drop of milk in her coffee, a rainbow out her window -- makes life worth living. She doesn't give you a reason, but that's because she doesn't try. Instead she and Lispector let you put it together yourself.

The 90-page read starts off a bit slow because the distorted narrator can't get going. If you can get through the first 30 pages, the rest is well worth it. You won't forget Macabéa. Her deprived fulfillment inspires a deep and permanent appreciation of waking up alive, pouring a cup of coffee, and adding milk.

-- Reviewed by Beth Allison