I actually really love Steinbeck. Just finished a documentary on him! I think I really look up to the guy! He had a knack for listening to folks.
My first introduction was The Pearl, which I kinda totally hated, just 'cos I have a hard time taking in super moralistic books. Then, years later, I read my favorite ones: Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday. They've got this nice, amoral, "well, that's jus' the way they are" kinda tone and all these sweet characters and I think I cried twice in the first one. All those forest bums chill'n out and trying so hard and being a family and all, it's just so sweet!
Then right after I red Of Mice And Men, which I enjoyed, and then The Red Pony, and Tortilla Flat, which is like Mac's gang but drunk all the time, aaaand theeeen The Grapes Of Wrath, which felt like a less enjoyable, MUCH longer Cannery Row (not to say it ain't good or noth'n!). Now I've placed an order for that Sea Of Cortez journal he made with The World's Best Bro, Ed Ricketts.
I'm also working on The Moon Is Down and I'm halfway through Travels With Charlie. Did you know that in most all his fiction, he's got a character based off his guy Ed? I thought it was sweet that he tried to make him happy at the end of Sweet Thursday. Too bad reality hit.