Man In The Dark - Paul Auster

SPOILER WARNING!!

Austerrific, what else is there to say? (Also, writing this one book later so memory of specifics not great). All very self-reflective; stories within stories, etc. The revelation of how the son died was devastatingly powerful, despite the fact that I had guessed 30 or so pages in advance. The way he approaches the subjects he writes about (war, in this case) is so original and unexpected that you barely realise what it's all about until after you've finished reading it.

Ham On Rye - Charles Bukowski

Not sure what to write, how to express it. This is what the word "masterpiece" was invented for, I think. It speaks to me like few books ever have. The misanthropy, the disinterest and apathy, uncertainty about the future, everything about Hank Chinaski is me at my worst. He's me if I let that side take over. And it speaks in such a unique voice. Every sentence and word is just perfect and alive and heavy with meaning. I'll die happy if I ever write something half as good as this.