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General Recommendations

Seattle Picks: Cult Classics

By:

Seattle Librarians

The Seattle Public Library

Staff-created list

Weird, wild and wonderful, these are books that readers keep coming back for year after year.

By:

Seattle Librarians

The Seattle Public Library

23 items

23 items

Flowers in the Attic

Flowers in the Attic

by Andrews, V. C.

Book - 1979

Shocking carnal secrets; torments of the body and the mind; for the Dollangangers, it's all in the family. After 30 years, this lurid gothic tale is still going strong. Shocking carnal secrets; torments of the body and the mind; for the Dollangangers, it's all in the family. After 30 years, this lurid gothic tale is still going strong. Show less

Shocking carnal secrets; torments of the body and the mind; for the Dollangangers, it's all in the family. After 30 years, this lurid gothic tale is still going strong. Shocking carnal secrets; torments of the body and the mind; for the Dollangangers, it's all in the family. After 30 years, this lurid gothic tale is still going strong. Show less

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Richard Brautigan's Trout Fishing in America ; The Pill Versus the Springhill Mine Disaster ; And, In Watermelon Sugar

Richard Brautigan's Trout Fishing in America ; The Pill Versus the Springhill Mine Disaster ; And, In Watermelon Sugar

by Brautigan, Richard

Book - 1989

Drifting along with the flow of time, spinning in revelatory eddies, or striding against the cultural mainstream, we search for that elusive perfect spot to catch a rainbow. Drifting along with the flow of time, spinning in revelatory eddies, or striding against the cultural mainstream, we search for that elusive perfect spot to catch a rainbow. Show less

Drifting along with the flow of time, spinning in revelatory eddies, or striding against the cultural mainstream, we search for that elusive perfect spot to catch a rainbow. Drifting along with the flow of time, spinning in revelatory eddies, or striding against the cultural mainstream, we search for that elusive perfect spot to catch a rainbow. Show less

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Post Office

Post Office

by Bukowski, Charles

Book - 2002

When boozing, womanizing and gambling fail to deliver Henry Chinaski from the insane tedium of his crappy job, he goes postal on paper. A gritty portrait of an American lowlife. When boozing, womanizing and gambling fail to deliver Henry Chinaski from the insane tedium of his crappy job, he goes postal on paper. A gritty portrait of an American lowlife. Show less

When boozing, womanizing and gambling fail to deliver Henry Chinaski from the insane tedium of his crappy job, he goes postal on paper. A gritty portrait of an American lowlife. When boozing, womanizing and gambling fail to deliver Henry Chinaski from the insane tedium of his crappy job, he goes postal on paper. A gritty portrait of an American lowlife. Show less

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The Master & Margarita

The Master & Margarita

by Bulgakov, Mikhail

Book - 1996

The devil and his talking cat come to Moscow and find themselves right at home. Hilarious, beguiling and mind-bending, this surreal satire is a book like no other. The devil and his talking cat come to Moscow and find themselves right at home. Hilarious, beguiling and mind-bending, this surreal satire is a book like no other. Show less

The devil and his talking cat come to Moscow and find themselves right at home. Hilarious, beguiling and mind-bending, this surreal satire is a book like no other. The devil and his talking cat come to Moscow and find themselves right at home. Hilarious, beguiling and mind-bending, this surreal satire is a book like no other. Show less

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A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange

by Burgess, Anthony

Book - 2012

The lowest kind of ultra-violent filth, young Alex fulfills all our worst fears of a sick society. But is the cure worse than the disease? The lowest kind of ultra-violent filth, young Alex fulfills all our worst fears of a sick society. But is the cure worse than the disease? Show less

The lowest kind of ultra-violent filth, young Alex fulfills all our worst fears of a sick society. But is the cure worse than the disease? The lowest kind of ultra-violent filth, young Alex fulfills all our worst fears of a sick society. But is the cure worse than the disease? Show less

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Naked Lunch

Naked Lunch

The Restored Text

by Burroughs, William S.

Book - 2001

Welcome to Interzone, a bizarre and arbitrary dreamscape where nothing seems quite as it is, and reality writhes horribly at the end of every fork. Welcome to Interzone, a bizarre and arbitrary dreamscape where nothing seems quite as it is, and reality writhes horribly at the end of every fork. Show less

Welcome to Interzone, a bizarre and arbitrary dreamscape where nothing seems quite as it is, and reality writhes horribly at the end of every fork. Welcome to Interzone, a bizarre and arbitrary dreamscape where nothing seems quite as it is, and reality writhes horribly at the end of every fork. Show less

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The Basketball Diaries

The Basketball Diaries

by Carroll, Jim

Book - 1987

Long before drug addict memoirs were in vogue came this raw, unflinching account of shooting hoops, talking smack and growing up fast on the streets of New York City. Long before drug addict memoirs were in vogue came this raw, unflinching account of shooting hoops, talking smack and growing up fast on the streets of New York City. Show less

Long before drug addict memoirs were in vogue came this raw, unflinching account of shooting hoops, talking smack and growing up fast on the streets of New York City. Long before drug addict memoirs were in vogue came this raw, unflinching account of shooting hoops, talking smack and growing up fast on the streets of New York City. Show less

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Mark Z. Danielewski's House of Leaves

Mark Z. Danielewski's House of Leaves

by Danielewski, Mark Z.

Book - 2000

Follow Johnny Truant as he is drawn into the labyrinthine shadows of this enormous and mystifying literary underworld, but beware: parts of you may never return. Follow Johnny Truant as he is drawn into the labyrinthine shadows of this enormous and mystifying literary underworld, but beware: parts of you may never return. Show less

Follow Johnny Truant as he is drawn into the labyrinthine shadows of this enormous and mystifying literary underworld, but beware: parts of you may never return. Follow Johnny Truant as he is drawn into the labyrinthine shadows of this enormous and mystifying literary underworld, but beware: parts of you may never return. Show less

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The Man in the High Castle

The Man in the High Castle

by Dick, Philip K.

Book - 1992

When the Allies lost World War II, everything changed. Or did it? What do the shifting sands of history matter next to the terrible constants of human nature? When the Allies lost World War II, everything changed. Or did it? What do the shifting sands of history matter next to the terrible constants of human nature? Show less

When the Allies lost World War II, everything changed. Or did it? What do the shifting sands of history matter next to the terrible constants of human nature? When the Allies lost World War II, everything changed. Or did it? What do the shifting sands of history matter next to the terrible constants of human nature? Show less

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Geek Love

Geek Love

by Dunn, Katherine

Book - 2002

Step right up! See the Siamese twin pianists! Arturo the flippered AquaBoy! The mental giant and the tiny albino! The Binewskis are not your typical family, but then—whose is? Step right up! See the Siamese twin pianists! Arturo the flippered AquaBoy! The mental giant and the tiny albino! The Binewskis are not your typical family, but then—whose is? Show less

Step right up! See the Siamese twin pianists! Arturo the flippered AquaBoy! The mental giant and the tiny albino! The Binewskis are not your typical family, but then—whose is? Step right up! See the Siamese twin pianists! Arturo the flippered AquaBoy! The mental giant and the tiny albino! The Binewskis are not your typical family, but then—whose is? Show less

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American Psycho

American Psycho

by Ellis, Bret Easton

Book - 1991

Patrick Bateman has wealth, power, friends and impeccable style, and is a homicidal monster. This sly, infamous satire of our materialistic culture is not for the squeamish. Patrick Bateman has wealth, power, friends and impeccable style, and is a homicidal monster. This sly, infamous satire of our materialistic culture is not for the squeamish. Show less

Patrick Bateman has wealth, power, friends and impeccable style, and is a homicidal monster. This sly, infamous satire of our materialistic culture is not for the squeamish. Patrick Bateman has wealth, power, friends and impeccable style, and is a homicidal monster. This sly, infamous satire of our materialistic culture is not for the squeamish. Show less

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Pimp

Pimp

The Story of My Life

by Iceberg Slim

Book - 2011

The harsh authenticity of Slim’s gritty 1967 account of the hustler’s life has inspired generations of street literature. The harsh authenticity of Slim’s gritty 1967 account of the hustler’s life has inspired generations of street literature. Show less

The harsh authenticity of Slim’s gritty 1967 account of the hustler’s life has inspired generations of street literature. The harsh authenticity of Slim’s gritty 1967 account of the hustler’s life has inspired generations of street literature. Show less

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On the Road

On the Road

by Kerouac, Jack

Book - 1976

To go adventuring into the crazy American night, raving like a loon, beatific and untouchable, not searching but finding, in constant motion: this was all. To go adventuring into the crazy American night, raving like a loon, beatific and untouchable, not searching but finding, in constant motion: this was all. Show less

To go adventuring into the crazy American night, raving like a loon, beatific and untouchable, not searching but finding, in constant motion: this was all. To go adventuring into the crazy American night, raving like a loon, beatific and untouchable, not searching but finding, in constant motion: this was all. Show less

All copies in use Availability details Holds: 3 on 6 copies

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Necronomicon

Necronomicon

The Best Weird Tales of H.P. Lovecraft

by Lovecraft, H. P.

Book - 2008

From out of the terrible abysm of endless night comes a weird hypnotic voice, conjuring forth some ancient evil in a forbidden language lost to time. The voice is Lovecraft’s. From out of the terrible abysm of endless night comes a weird hypnotic voice, conjuring forth some ancient evil in a forbidden language lost to time. The voice is Lovecraft’s. Show less

From out of the terrible abysm of endless night comes a weird hypnotic voice, conjuring forth some ancient evil in a forbidden language lost to time. The voice is Lovecraft’s. From out of the terrible abysm of endless night comes a weird hypnotic voice, conjuring forth some ancient evil in a forbidden language lost to time. The voice is Lovecraft’s. Show less

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The Wind-up Bird Chronicle

The Wind-up Bird Chronicle

by Murakami, Haruki

Book - 1998

Having lost his job, his cat and his wife, Toru Okada finds his life taking on the curious but unquestionable logic of a dream. Having lost his job, his cat and his wife, Toru Okada finds his life taking on the curious but unquestionable logic of a dream. Show less

Having lost his job, his cat and his wife, Toru Okada finds his life taking on the curious but unquestionable logic of a dream. Having lost his job, his cat and his wife, Toru Okada finds his life taking on the curious but unquestionable logic of a dream. Show less

All copies in use Availability details Holds: 13 on 4 copies

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Fight Club

Fight Club

by Palahniuk, Chuck

Book - 2005

Can’t sleep? Perhaps it is because you’ve never fully woken up. Tyler Durden has the solution, but brace yourself: this is going to hurt. Can’t sleep? Perhaps it is because you’ve never fully woken up. Tyler Durden has the solution, but brace yourself: this is going to hurt. Show less

Can’t sleep? Perhaps it is because you’ve never fully woken up. Tyler Durden has the solution, but brace yourself: this is going to hurt. Can’t sleep? Perhaps it is because you’ve never fully woken up. Tyler Durden has the solution, but brace yourself: this is going to hurt. Show less

All copies in use Availability details Holds: 2 on 3 copies

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The Bell Jar

The Bell Jar

by Plath, Sylvia

Book - 2005

It may have been that the world was going mad, or that she was. Perhaps it was both. Whatever the case, Esther Greenwood has decided it can’t go on much longer. It may have been that the world was going mad, or that she was. Perhaps it was both. Whatever the case, Esther Greenwood has decided it can’t go on much longer. Show less

It may have been that the world was going mad, or that she was. Perhaps it was both. Whatever the case, Esther Greenwood has decided it can’t go on much longer. It may have been that the world was going mad, or that she was. Perhaps it was both. Whatever the case, Esther Greenwood has decided it can’t go on much longer. Show less

All copies in use Availability details Holds: 14 on 9 copies

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Atlas Shrugged

Atlas Shrugged

by Rand, Ayn

Book - 1999

"Who is John Galt?" In her epic objectivist vision of a helpless world forsaken by its geniuses, Rand provides the answer, and why we should care. "Who is John Galt?" In her epic objectivist vision of a helpless world forsaken by its geniuses, Rand provides the answer, and why we should care. Show less

"Who is John Galt?" In her epic objectivist vision of a helpless world forsaken by its geniuses, Rand provides the answer, and why we should care. "Who is John Galt?" In her epic objectivist vision of a helpless world forsaken by its geniuses, Rand provides the answer, and why we should care. Show less

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I Capture the Castle

I Capture the Castle

by Smith, Dodie

Book - 2003?

Few novels have inspired such devoted followings as Cassandra Mortmain’s candid, witty recollection of growing up and finding her heart’s desire in a decrepit English castle. Few novels have inspired such devoted followings as Cassandra Mortmain’s candid, witty recollection of growing up and finding her heart’s desire in a decrepit English castle. Show less

Few novels have inspired such devoted followings as Cassandra Mortmain’s candid, witty recollection of growing up and finding her heart’s desire in a decrepit English castle. Few novels have inspired such devoted followings as Cassandra Mortmain’s candid, witty recollection of growing up and finding her heart’s desire in a decrepit English castle. Show less

All copies in use Availability details Holds: 10 on 4 copies

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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Other American Stories

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Other American Stories

by Thompson, Hunter S.

Book - 1998

Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo, attorney at law, head out on a trip or two to Vegas, home of the great American hallucination. Buy the ticket, take the ride. Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo, attorney at law, head out on a trip or two to Vegas, home of the great American hallucination. Buy the ticket, take the ride. Show less

Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo, attorney at law, head out on a trip or two to Vegas, home of the great American hallucination. Buy the ticket, take the ride. Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo, attorney at law, head out on a trip or two to Vegas, home of the great American hallucination. Buy the ticket, take the ride. Show less

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A Confederacy of Dunces

A Confederacy of Dunces

by Toole, John Kennedy

Book - 2000

Meet Ignatius J. Reilly, the grandiosely repellant bloviating buffoon whose jaw-dropping misadventures prove too much even for New Orleans. Meet Ignatius J. Reilly, the grandiosely repellant bloviating buffoon whose jaw-dropping misadventures prove too much even for New Orleans. Show less

Meet Ignatius J. Reilly, the grandiosely repellant bloviating buffoon whose jaw-dropping misadventures prove too much even for New Orleans. Meet Ignatius J. Reilly, the grandiosely repellant bloviating buffoon whose jaw-dropping misadventures prove too much even for New Orleans. Show less

All copies in use Availability details Holds: 2 on 2 copies

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Infinite Jest

Infinite Jest

A Novel

by Wallace, David Foster

Book - 2006

Can you finish this brilliant, darkly comic postmodern masterpiece, which weighs in at over half a million heavily footnoted words? There’s only one way to find out. Can you finish this brilliant, darkly comic postmodern masterpiece, which weighs in at over half a million heavily footnoted words? There’s only one way to find out. Show less

Can you finish this brilliant, darkly comic postmodern masterpiece, which weighs in at over half a million heavily footnoted words? There’s only one way to find out. Can you finish this brilliant, darkly comic postmodern masterpiece, which weighs in at over half a million heavily footnoted words? There’s only one way to find out. Show less

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500 Essential Cult Books

500 Essential Cult Books

The Ultimate Guide

by McKinnon, Gina

Book - 2010

Not seeing your favorite cult classic on this list? It’s probably in this lavishly illustrated readers’ guide, together with scores of other titles you’ll want to read. Not seeing your favorite cult classic on this list? It’s probably in this lavishly illustrated readers’ guide, together with scores of other titles you’ll want to read. Show less

Not seeing your favorite cult classic on this list? It’s probably in this lavishly illustrated readers’ guide, together with scores of other titles you’ll want to read. Not seeing your favorite cult classic on this list? It’s probably in this lavishly illustrated readers’ guide, together with scores of other titles you’ll want to read. Show less

All copies in use Availability details Holds: 1 on 1 copy

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