Storytelling on TV has never been better, but nothing beats an immersive novel. Diving into a book when stoned is a popular pastime among smokers. There’s an endless supply of fantastic books to read while high, but some stand out above the rest.
Why not peruse a great novel while taking a few tokes of a mind-expanding strain? Thanks to the legalization of cannabis, it’s as easy to buy marijuana seeds from this site as a book.
Check out this list to discover five masterful works of literature to enjoy while high.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is an iconic novel by Hunter S. Thompson. This book is among the best books to read while high.
Thompson is the pioneer of gonzo journalism and has a prolific body of work. His infamous daily writing routine of drink and drugs somehow didn’t slow him down. He draws from real-life experiences to weave a masterful tale about the end of the 1960s LSD movement.
The primary character is journalist Raoul Duke, an alias of Thompson’s. He travels to Las Vegas with his wild attorney, Dr. Gonzo, to cover the 1971 Mint 400 motorcycle race. Events quickly get out of control, and their purpose for being there becomes a haze.
This drug-fueled trip is hilarious on the surface, but the book has a much deeper meaning. While representing the end of 60s-era culture, the story touches on the sobering reality of the 1970s. This novel is uniquely funny, hard-hitting, and highly metaphorical.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a masterpiece of original literature and a must-read for stoners.
Watchmen by Alan Moore
Watchmen is a graphic novel by writer Alan Moore and artists Dave Gibbons and John Higgins. DC Comics published the series monthly from 1986–1987 before combining the issues into a single volume.
As a complete work, it transcends the genre of graphic novels while staying true to comics. The storytelling style and illustrations are authentic tributes to the niche genre.
Watchmen is more than just among the best books to read while high. The work is also in Time Magazine’s Top 100 All-Time Novels list from 1923–2005.
This story takes place in a universe where superheroes are ordinary and washed-up. Public approval is over, as people are sick of vigilante justice.
The characters are aging heroes who are losing relevance despite their former fame and public adoration. They continue to fight crime but struggle psychologically from their perceived insignificance.
Each hero’s personality has incredible depth. The author explores complex and mind-altering themes, primarily through Dr. Manhattan. This character defies all laws of physics, and attempting to summarize him is more complicated than explaining quantum mechanics.
While the book incorporates various thought-provoking ideas and concepts, there’s an overarching theme. The author intends to make readers view reality through numerous perspectives, leaving a choice for the audience on morality.
Watchmen is among the greatest works of literature, and reading it while stoned is unforgettable.
On the Road by Jack Kerouak
On the Road by Jack Kerouak is a beat-generation book that captures the era like no other. The 1957 novel is a story about the author’s travels across America. The main character, Sal, represents the writer.
This book inspires many people and is a perfect example of how reading makes you a better writer. Many people speak about this novel’s influence in developing their style.
The narrative is a hypnotic stream of consciousness, and the story evokes a desire for freedom. Along Sal’s travels, the characters he meets are even more fascinating. He encounters real-life icons of the beat generation.
Readers experience the author’s perspective of famous personalities such as William S. Burroughs and Neil Cassady. He uses aliases for the characters, but their identities are transparent.
On the Road is a significant part of American literary history and among the best books for stoners.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
The Little Prince is a remarkable novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry from 1943.
This story of a little prince who travels through space visiting various planets is a work of art on many levels. The book contains seemingly childish drawings. Despite their simplistic appearance, these illustrations hold significant meanings.
One of the novella’s most remarkable attributes is its appeal to children and adults. The book touches on general themes of getting older, loneliness, and life. While the observations may sound bleak, the narrative evokes feelings of beauty, wonder, and hope.
The Little Prince is the second highest-selling literary work of all time. This unique novella is justifiably famous and among the best books to read high.
The Emperor Wears No Clothes by Jack Herer
The Emperor Wears No Clothes is much more than literature about weed and hemp. This book is part of cannabis history. Author, Jack Herer, is an icon in the marijuana world. There’s a famous strain of the same name in his honor.
The story follows Jack as he discovers the cannabis plant in the early 1970s and explores its history and uses. While some of his claims about weed are wildly optimistic, few have been disproven.
This book is illuminating to absorb stoned or sober. Many people credit this work as an instrumental part of ending cannabis prohibition. What better way to enjoy literature while legally high than with a book about weed?
The Emperor Wears No Clothes is fun, informative, and a fantastic book to read while high.