#12: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

There was a Sunday in early Spring when the ice cream truck started running again. It was clear outside and the morning ached for a french toast brunch. But after a few weeks of ruthless yet tiring fun, I finally wore myself out and became sick. The kind of sick that makes your ears hurt when you swallow. That day was today. So it goes.

I recently had to admit that I had never read a word by Vonnegut, so having this kind of time on my hands (and having purchased the book for $3 a few days before), the afternoon lent itself to finally opening up the book so many have recommended. Vonnegut’s writing is exactly the kind I like to read, with short sentences saying more than most modern novels. Its exploration of free will and war in the modern world may not seem like much of a comfort to a sick girl, but it was, simply by keeping my attention and making me wonder where it would lead.

I think I’ve said this before, but one of the things I’ve loved about 52books is reading the stories I’ve missed along the way. This one has been exceptional and in reading Vonnegut’s work, I’ve added another classic to my collection.