Monday, January 21, 2008

Most important books: David Rakoff

David Rakoff (born 1964) is an essayist, journalist, and actor. He has written for the New York Times Magazine, Outside, GQ, Vogue and Salon. He has also been a frequent contributor to the radio program This American Life on Public Radio International.

Rakoff's essays have been collected in the books Fraud and Don’t Get Too Comfortable.

He recently told Newsweek about his five most important books. And addressed two related issues:
A certifiable classic you haven't read:

The question is more properly posed, "Which have I read?" and the answer is, sadly, not many. Huge gaps.

A book you keep returning to:

Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion. Ideal essays: still so true and beautiful, even though I know them intimately.
Read more about David Rakoff's most important books.

--Marshal Zeringue