Anne Rice, whose death at 80 last week sparked an outpouring of tributes, was one of the preeminent writers of gothic fiction, and the author of more than 30 novels. Best known for her 1976 breakthrough debut Interview With the Vampire, the New Orleans native and Queen of Gothic Lit was beloved by readers the world over for lush prose exploring themes of romance, spirituality, loneliness, and alienation. Her best-selling Vampire Chronicles are widely credited with resurrecting the genre, fueling a revival of pop culture interest in all things vampiric.
Back in 2009, the author shared a list of five of her own favorite reads with The Daily Beast. From Carson McCuller’s poignant portrait of spiritual isolation in the deep South, to Julia Child’s playful, ever-passionate experimentation with food, find Anne Rice’s recommended reads below. Complement with the bookshelves of Stephen King, Chuck Palahniuk and Joyce Carol Oates.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (also rec’d by John Irving, Tilda Swinton & Richard Branson)
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers (also rec’d by Gloria Steinem, Jarvis Cocker & Julia Roberts)
Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child
The New Testament (also rec’d by Maya Angelou & Mr. Rogers)
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (also rec’d by Bob Dylan)
(via The Daily Beast)