This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. The Moviegoer

   

   The protagonist, a young stockbroker in New Orleans, is alienated, detached, and finds more reality in movies and books than in his everyday life. He searches for meaning in life, often through his relationships with his aunt and his cousin, while also dealing with existential dread and the impending reality of turning 30. This exploration of alienation and search for identity in the modern world won the National Book Award for Fiction.

   The 182nd Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

2. 2. The Last Gentleman

   

   "The Last Gentleman" is a novel about a disoriented and confused man from the South who suffers from a "nervous condition" that causes him to forget who he is. When he meets a young man dying from a brain tumor, he decides to leave his home in New York and travel with the man and his family back to the South. Throughout his journey, he attempts to discover his own identity and grapples with existential questions about life, love, and death.

   The 1251st Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

3. 3. Lost in the Cosmos

   The Last Self-Help Book

   

   The book is a satirical self-help guide that explores the human condition and our place in the universe through a series of thought experiments, quizzes, and essays. It delves into topics such as existentialism, semiotics, philosophy, science, and religion, all with a humorous twist. The book challenges readers to examine their lives, their beliefs, and their perceptions of reality, ultimately suggesting that we are all a little lost in the cosmos.

   The 3250th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

4. 4. The Message In the Bottle

   How Queer Man Is, How Queer Language Is, and What One Has to Do with the Other

   

   "The Message in the Bottle" is a collection of essays that explores the complex interplay between language, culture, and individual identity. The author delves into the philosophical and existential questions about human existence, examining how language shapes our understanding of the world and ourselves. The book also explores the concept of the "message in the bottle," a metaphor for the human quest for meaning amid the randomness and chaos of life. The author argues that humans are "lost in the cosmos" and must navigate their way through a world filled with confusing messages and signals.

   The 5747th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
5. 5. Lancelot

   

   In this thought-provoking novel, a Southern lawyer named Lancelot Lamar embarks on a journey of self-discovery and moral questioning after uncovering his wife's infidelity. As he recounts his story from a mental institution, Lancelot grapples with themes of betrayal, identity, and the decay of modern society. Through his introspective narrative, he challenges the boundaries of sanity and morality, ultimately seeking a purer, more authentic existence amidst the chaos of his unraveling world.

   The 17117th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

6. 6. The Thanatos Syndrome

   

   The novel is a gripping psychological thriller set in a small Louisiana town, where a psychiatrist named Dr. Tom More notices strange behavioral changes in the local population. As he investigates, he uncovers a sinister conspiracy involving a chemical being added to the water supply, intended to control and pacify the community. The story delves into themes of ethics, free will, and the consequences of scientific manipulation, as Dr. More races against time to expose the truth and restore autonomy to the affected individuals.

7. 7. The Second Coming

   

   In this thought-provoking novel, the protagonist, Will Barrett, a wealthy and disillusioned widower, embarks on a soul-searching journey in the American South. Struggling with existential questions and haunted by his father's suicide, he seeks meaning in a world that seems devoid of it. His path crosses with Allison, a young woman who has escaped from a mental institution, and together they form an unlikely bond. As they navigate their personal struggles and confront their pasts, they explore themes of faith, love, and redemption, ultimately discovering the possibility of hope and renewal in their lives.

   Purchase from Bookshop.org

8. 8. Love In The Ruins

   The Adventures of a Bad Catholic at a Time Near the End of the World

   

   Set in a dystopian America teetering on the brink of collapse, the narrative follows Dr. Tom More, a quirky psychiatrist and inventor, as he navigates a society plagued by political, social, and moral decay. Amidst the chaos, More invents a device called the "lapsometer," designed to diagnose and treat the soul's ailments, but its misuse threatens to exacerbate the nation's turmoil. As he grapples with his own personal demons and a series of bizarre encounters, More embarks on a quest for redemption and love, offering a satirical yet poignant exploration of the human condition and the search for meaning in a fractured world.

   Purchase from Bookshop.org