The Magus is a perfect date-night book because it's not a book you generally want to admit to having read; it has a terrible and undeserved reputation because of a quote sometimes attributed to Woody Allen "If I had my life to do over again, I'd do everything exactly the same, with the exception of watching 'The Magus.'" (This quote refers to the film adaptation, but I've seen other wordings that make it specific to reading the book, and I've also seen it attributed to several other wits). That's awfully rich coming from the director of 'The Curse of the Jade Scorpion.'

The Magus is long; like, crazy long. But it will read incredibly fast, especially because it is so mysterious and suspenseful, almost all the way through. It is a really complex, wacky novel that starts out terrifically, and it just keeps building and building until there is quite literally nowhere else to go, and then it ends (kinda). If I tell you the ending is weird and bad, you won't be motivated to read it, but it's a book that is all about the journey, which is awesome.

So, a date night with The Magus definitely includes a pitcher of great Sangria, to drink while you pretend you're skinny-dipping off the coast of Capri while a bizarro Greek millionaire spies on you from his mansion, natch. Since it's January, crank up the heat in your house and maybe run your shower to up the humidity a bit. Attire yourself in various caftans or fancy swim suits that aren't intended for actual swimming. Then decorate your home with Bacchanalian paraphernalia, preferably from the 1970s. Then read and enjoy!

Date Night is a recurring post of my recommendations for a curated evening at home with a good book. Solitude is assumed and preferred.