Omg.
It’s so rare to find somebody who read Catch-22. I’ve read it maybe 8 years ago? My father recommended it to me. It was ridiculously hilarious that I know it’s going to be in my all time top-10 list of books.
And what you said:
“I reread that book two years ago and damn near pissed myself laughing on every other page, but then the ending rolled around and it hit so hard. That sudden switch from absurdist comedy to heavy, bleak, depressing, and then he gives you just this glimmer of hope at the end anyway. I found it absolutely brilliant, and yet I kept thinking back to how none of this connected with me when I first read it.” — IT IS PERFECT.
I have also since recommended it to other book lovers.
Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, Stephen King… any of these, or any murder mystery/thriller genre is my absolute comfort and safe space.