Self Discovered Authors

In the creation of a Hep Bookshelf, I have said it is key to have a number of self discovered authors. Our literary society is infused with advertising and run by back room handshakes, some authors fall through the pop culture cracks. While a large portion of these authors might not be your cup of tea, like any pile of slop, there are diamonds in the rough. Self discovered authors may produce their first book which goes wildly unnoticed but shows the authors talent and they go on to be super stars of the written word. No matter how they fall on the shelf, the hall mark of your hep bookshelf will be a strong foundation of self found books that you fall in love before the author is known or before the movie comes out 10 years later.

In another post, I have said my first self discovered author was Chris Fuhrman with his eloquently written “Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys”. If your bookshelf doesn’t have a copy of this tomb to teenage angst then you will need to get a copy stat. You could rent the movie but the book is a far better endeavor and colors in the gory back story. “Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys” is a tale of a Francis Doyle, a young comic book writer in the midst of his emerging puberty. His friends, a group of outcast in their catholic school, meet to plot their evil teenage angst and get drunk on communion wine. Things get complicated when Frances find out about his would be girlfriend’s insestious past and the boys plot the ultimate prank. Can they pull off the mother of all pranks and how sick are the lustful sibling urdges of France’s girlfriend?  Read the book to find out. See the movie but only after you have read the book. It’s that good and I recommend it to everyone who has ever been a teenager in America. Though Chris has shed his mortal coil, “The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys” is the kind of book other writers wish to be remembered for and are green with envy they didn’t write it.

“Sellevision” is the first book by Augusten Burroughs. Though Augusten is now a widely known name. In 2000, when I saw “Sellevision” in the Exeter bookstore, he was largely unknown. I have an habit of buying books for their covers and the duel television set / happy face cover spoke sardonic wit to my vision of the new age nanny. I bought the book and laughed all the way back home. From the first line to the last page, “Sellevision” is a hilariously dark romp through the back stabbing and insane world of television shopping networks. In this freshman release, Mr. Burroughs’ talent shows through every page of his literary homage to network capitalism. In a story of sex, drugs, and operators standing by, Burroughs keeps the hits rolling and by end, everyone can see why “Running With Scissors” became a movie three years after it was written. Everyone knows who Augusten Burroughs is, but all the hip and some of the hep don’t know “Sellevision”. Get a copy for your bookshelf and be the one to tell them about it.

And for my final suggestion, the piece de resistance, “Plainclothes Naked” by Jerry Stahl. I will admit to some ignorance to Mr. Stahl’s body of work and have only read this one book, however “Plainclothes Naked” might be the best book on my bookshelf. Here is why, The story surrounds two crack heads who acquire a picture of George W. Bush’s  junk. With picture in hand, they plot to blackmail the Republican party. Intro Manny, a addict cop who pops pills like candy store treats, and Tina, a woman who Manny meets after she poisoned her husband breakfast. The pair take off in hot pursuit of the photograph with their own ideas in mind. The hallmark of “Plainclothes Naked” is the utter brutality. The crack heads live as if they were in a game of Grand Theft Auto and, like God, kill indiscriminately anyone who gets in their way. Manny might be a little better but no one is a saint when the President’s junk is on the line. Everyone has a plot and plan for the photograph, but who will end up with the goods? You will have to crack the book to find out and you will be happy you did.

After I got these three books down off my shelf, I think I may have to revisit the worlds of my favorite Self Discovered Authors. Each submission is well worth the price tag and will become a conversation pieces to show your level of hepness. Remember, as I have found these authors randomly on the bookshelf, you should always be on the look out for new authors. If you don’t have the money to own, remember a library card is a bookworms best friend and nice librarians will order any book you want to read. The public library, another great quazi socialist idea by Benjamin Franklin; writer, inventor, and the face of the 100 dollar bill.