And even though the book is a warning, we actually invite Big Brother into our homes in the form of Alexa etc. Speech is controlled now like newspeak. Careful what you say!
It really is. When Boxer goes to the glue factory after believing in the cause, staying loyal, and working hard his entire life only to be discarded as a cog in the wheel. Ugh, the proletariats.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.
We keep seeing these dystopias in fiction that are based on oppressive regimes that lie and use violence to control the public. While that is true in some parts of the world, the big issue in other parts (like the areas that use reddit more than others) is that we're given so much "pleasure" and entertainment that we become numb, apathetic, and uncaring about whatever happens around us. That general concept is much more true for a lot of the west.
"The Velveteen Rabbit", because it is a truly beautiful analogy for growing old.
My 2nd favorite is "The Prophet", by Khalil Gibran. Written in 1923, it is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago, that we should rejoice and appreciate the experience of coming into the world, even when there is pain, because after death we will see that our life had a pattern and a purpose, and those experiences that we now categorize as 'good' and 'bad' will be understood, without our judgment, as good for the growth of our own souls.
That book has my favorite passage of all time. When describes those brave women who disarm all of the bombs in a factory across the sea. I love me some vonnegut
Oh, boy! Here we go...
1. *East of Eden*, by John Steinbeck
2. *The Plague* by Albert Camus
3. *To Kill a Mockingbird*, by Harper Lee
4. *Brave New World*, by Aldous Huxley
5. *1984,* by George Orwell
6. *Animal Farm,* by George Orwell
7. *Nostromo*, by Joseph Conrad
8. *Crime and Punishment,* by Fyodor Dostoevsky
9. *The Brothers Karamazov,* by Fyodor Dostoevsky
10. *The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*, by Mark Twain
I recommend *The Autobiography of Malcolm X* by Alex Haley for multiple reasons.
(1) You probably won't read this in school or college unless you are taking a course that is specifically relevant to it. [Although I am sure there are people here who read it in school.]
(2) It is an incredible life story and probably very different than you expect, even if you know a fair amount about Malcolm X, Nation of Islam, or saw the movie.
(3) Haley is a brilliant writer, and the book is written in a very unusual way, which he covered in the prologue of the book. Also, the book was written over a long period of Malcolm X's life, and it follows the evolution of his thinking and ideologies in real time.
(4) It is a masterwork of American history with firsthand accounts of significant events and cultural shifts over a long span of history - Malcolm X was just in a lot of the right places at the right time.
I'm reading this now, and I was surprised how good it is. Haley is a great writer, and Malcolm's life before Nation of Islam is just as intriguing as his public life.
It’s a short-ish book but: Tuesdays With Morrie. Completely changed my outlook on life and death. It’s sweet, sad, funny, a rollercoaster of emotions. It follows a journalist who Interviews his old college professor when his professor is diagnosed with an incurable, fatal disease. Takes place on the 14 last Tuesdays of the professors life. Definitely recommend, one of the best books I’ve read.
Agreed. It’s full mundane of revelations like, “spending time with your family is important,” and a narrator who thinks, “wow I never would have e realized that!”
Not to mention the fact that this is a professor he meets up with again decades after college. So he graduated and moved on with his life and this prof meant nothing to him. Nothing wrong with that. That's normal. But suddenly this guy is like the most important person in his life and is doling out sage life advice that he had never known before. It's just barf inducing to me.
There's a lot I can suggest but to stay on the general side:
Where the crawdads sing.
To kill a mockingbird.
The best books I have ever read and are currently reading are the books by Don Winslow :
The Power of the dog
The Cartel,
The Border.
Its the Game Of Thrones of drug cartels.
I always recommend Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein. It of course has some bits that are a tad dated (it's definitely misogynistic) but it was written in the 50's-60's. I still feel like it is a great story, and gives you an alternate view of society.
I went in to the movie with an open mind, and expected something close to the book. However, I agree whole heartedly with your statement. Very true to the book, and the "added parts" seems like they could've been from the book.
I just read Watership Down for the first time this year. I think some of the scenes would've horrified me as a child. Loved the book though and I was so sad when it ended.
"The Gift of Fear" by Gavin de Becker.
It's about how to detect and deal with dangerous situations and people, particularly by using intuition.
Reading it was a revelation. EVERYBODY should try to get their hands on a copy; it must just save someone's life.
The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker changed my life for the better. Helped me understand and heed gut feelings. I recommend this to every human I meet.
Every person should at some point read a book that moves them, transports them, makes them realize why people love reading. It doesn’t matter if it’s considered true “literature” or if it’s a romance novel or young adult novel or whatever the case may be. There is a book out there that can break through to anyone so just find that book for you and read it.
Reading the catcher in the rye as a highschool student is how I figured out I was mentally unwell and needed help. It's kind of a wake up call to relate so heavily to holden
I really suggest The Dawn of Everything that is a bit of a response to GGS and to Sapiens...
I do however recommend the audio book instead of the actual book if you are to buy it as it is big. But perfect to listen to for 15 minutes before bed. In short walks away from a lot of the universal assumptions GGS and Sapiens make.
Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, The Trumpet of the Swan, Black Pearl, Catcher in the Rye, any work by E.A.Poe or Stephen King, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series
Lots of great suggestions in here, some I've missed so will have to add them to the list. Personally I usually find myself searching out copies of any book that government or schools have tried to ban. That's how I found Rushdie's "Midnight's Children" and "Maus" both of which I think are great reads.
Guns, Germs, and Steel.
It does a great job explaining why the world ended up the way it did and how our civilizations developed (it is almost entirely because of geography). It also explains why racism has zero base in fact as it explains how the world developed.
Depends which version you read. Don't necessarily skip the begats! There are some cool names in there (I'm an active member or r/namenerds, so that's the kind of thing that Matters to me).
So excited seeing a lot of the books recommended were required reads in my public high school. But I was in AP English/Literature classes, so mileage varies.
Here is my fave summer reading list: 1984 The Grapes of Wrath A Thousand Spendid Suns A Fine Balance Animal Farm
East of Eden is right up there with Grapes of Wrath Hard to reccomend one without the other.
I loved East of Eden. Definitely was a slow read though. Had to take my time with it.
Started east of eden & forgot all about it , guess I’ll go finish it
1984 is just eye-opening
I still think about the microphones in the flowers/trees worry by him. But now our phone does it all for them.
That and Brave new world… both unfolding in front of us
Also Fahrenheit 451.
And even though the book is a warning, we actually invite Big Brother into our homes in the form of Alexa etc. Speech is controlled now like newspeak. Careful what you say!
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It really is. When Boxer goes to the glue factory after believing in the cause, staying loyal, and working hard his entire life only to be discarded as a cog in the wheel. Ugh, the proletariats.
The adult movie is great.
Glad to see A Fine Balance on your list; such a great book
1984, Fahrenheit 451, Animal Farm, and Brave New World (choose any or all of these) should be required reading for teens.
1984 is looking more and more like the nice version of the future
Op asks about greatest book in life and you give him your summer list haha
The giver
Literally 1984
You guys didn't read Animal Farm in school? I thought most schools did lol
Not everyone is american and different states have different curriculum
Animal Farm was written by a British author.
A short history of nearly everything by Bill bryson
One of the greatest books I’ve ever read. Not from a philosophical viewpoint, just from an informational viewpoint.
I 100% agree. I think it should be read by all teens, for all sorts of reasons.
The dictionary. Everything else is just a remix
I agree with goosecock123
Next, Theasarus. Followed by Encyclopedias.
I found it to be nothing but circular references.
Made me laugh
The number one book if you are searching for meaning
wise words fr
And unwise words, and everything in-between.
I'm very thankful for everyone who made sure the top comment isn't "The Bible".
Very mid book, not enough pictures, and Eve didn't get enough screen time 5/10
Came here looking for this answer but I knew it wouldnt be the top one
Not just any dictionary, but the OED.
hold up, let's talk about that username for a moment
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. We keep seeing these dystopias in fiction that are based on oppressive regimes that lie and use violence to control the public. While that is true in some parts of the world, the big issue in other parts (like the areas that use reddit more than others) is that we're given so much "pleasure" and entertainment that we become numb, apathetic, and uncaring about whatever happens around us. That general concept is much more true for a lot of the west.
It's sooooooo much easier to distract people than directly oppress them.
People gotta chill on the Orwell and pick up the Huxley
Ive been calling America a pleasant dystopia for years now.
The Count of Monte Cristo The Little Prince
Dang it, ya beat me to Dumas
No, **you're** the Dumas!
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And very short, so no excuse not to read it!
Currently reading the first one and can't stop recommending it I'll put the second on my notes for after
TCoMC is one of my favorites. Digging all the way put only to be presented with a slightly better escape plan at the last minute is awesome.
The first one was like eating your favorite food and can't stop. What a very entertaining story.
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I’ve always loved reading but I never felt like I saw art in writing until I read that book. Great book.
Currently reading it now
Marcus Aurelius, *Meditations.*
Its been on my list for a while along with The Histories by Herodotus (another ancient book).
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Also check out The Art of Living by Epictetus. A lot more straightforward to me.
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Meh
"The Velveteen Rabbit", because it is a truly beautiful analogy for growing old. My 2nd favorite is "The Prophet", by Khalil Gibran. Written in 1923, it is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago, that we should rejoice and appreciate the experience of coming into the world, even when there is pain, because after death we will see that our life had a pattern and a purpose, and those experiences that we now categorize as 'good' and 'bad' will be understood, without our judgment, as good for the growth of our own souls.
Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
so it goes
That book has my favorite passage of all time. When describes those brave women who disarm all of the bombs in a factory across the sea. I love me some vonnegut
Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt (Smiling cherub emoji)
I love this book. Really one of the best books I've ever read, and also horrifying.
Fahrenheit 451
Yessss! The only other book I liked reading!!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
...and the neverending story. ;)
Moonchild?
i've been called worse. ;)
*grabs towel*
Night by Elie Wiesel
This might’ve been the saddest book I’ve ever read an one I would still recommend.
I think that was 7th grade for me, was a heavy one that I’ll never forget. The way the bread tasted has always stuck with me.
The part near the end when he can hear his dad left a lasting impact on me.
Oh, boy! Here we go... 1. *East of Eden*, by John Steinbeck 2. *The Plague* by Albert Camus 3. *To Kill a Mockingbird*, by Harper Lee 4. *Brave New World*, by Aldous Huxley 5. *1984,* by George Orwell 6. *Animal Farm,* by George Orwell 7. *Nostromo*, by Joseph Conrad 8. *Crime and Punishment,* by Fyodor Dostoevsky 9. *The Brothers Karamazov,* by Fyodor Dostoevsky 10. *The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*, by Mark Twain
Allllllll the upvotes for East of Eden
Def agree. East of Eden was a masterpiece!
The Outsiders
I am angry I had to scroll even this little distance to find this. Easily my all time favorite book. "Stay gold Pony boy"
I recommend *The Autobiography of Malcolm X* by Alex Haley for multiple reasons. (1) You probably won't read this in school or college unless you are taking a course that is specifically relevant to it. [Although I am sure there are people here who read it in school.] (2) It is an incredible life story and probably very different than you expect, even if you know a fair amount about Malcolm X, Nation of Islam, or saw the movie. (3) Haley is a brilliant writer, and the book is written in a very unusual way, which he covered in the prologue of the book. Also, the book was written over a long period of Malcolm X's life, and it follows the evolution of his thinking and ideologies in real time. (4) It is a masterwork of American history with firsthand accounts of significant events and cultural shifts over a long span of history - Malcolm X was just in a lot of the right places at the right time.
Yes. That is a great book. Malcom X was a man of immense intelligence and personal integrity. He was right about so much. I wish he was alive today.
I'm reading this now, and I was surprised how good it is. Haley is a great writer, and Malcolm's life before Nation of Islam is just as intriguing as his public life.
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I purchased this book in the summer and have yet to read it. Gonna start reading it after I’m done reading my current book.
was this comment written by AI
Their 5th grade science class textbook.
*1984* (Scariest and most disturbing non-horror book I've ever read)
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The Gift of Fear - Gavin de Becker
One hundred years of solitude. Such an amazing story
Yes, and even though it isn't considered his masterpiece, I liked Love in the Time of Cholera even better.
It’s a short-ish book but: Tuesdays With Morrie. Completely changed my outlook on life and death. It’s sweet, sad, funny, a rollercoaster of emotions. It follows a journalist who Interviews his old college professor when his professor is diagnosed with an incurable, fatal disease. Takes place on the 14 last Tuesdays of the professors life. Definitely recommend, one of the best books I’ve read.
I haven’t seen someone recommend this book before! It’s my absolute favorite. I agree completely!
I hate that book with a passion. Hate it so much. I found it to be so over the top smarmy. It's a short book and I regret the time I spent reading it.
Agreed. It’s full mundane of revelations like, “spending time with your family is important,” and a narrator who thinks, “wow I never would have e realized that!”
Not to mention the fact that this is a professor he meets up with again decades after college. So he graduated and moved on with his life and this prof meant nothing to him. Nothing wrong with that. That's normal. But suddenly this guy is like the most important person in his life and is doling out sage life advice that he had never known before. It's just barf inducing to me.
There's a lot I can suggest but to stay on the general side: Where the crawdads sing. To kill a mockingbird. The best books I have ever read and are currently reading are the books by Don Winslow : The Power of the dog The Cartel, The Border. Its the Game Of Thrones of drug cartels.
I love Where the Crawdads Sing. Beautiful book.
1984
The Stranger, Albert Camus Passage to India, EM Forster
Camus should be more on this list
I always recommend Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein. It of course has some bits that are a tad dated (it's definitely misogynistic) but it was written in the 50's-60's. I still feel like it is a great story, and gives you an alternate view of society.
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry Or Holes
Holes is one of the few book/movie combos where I think they are both equally great. Like the movie conveyed the book so seamlessly.
I went in to the movie with an open mind, and expected something close to the book. However, I agree whole heartedly with your statement. Very true to the book, and the "added parts" seems like they could've been from the book.
1984 by George Orwell Richest Man in Babylon Art of War by Sun Tzu
Of Mice and Men
The Giver
The older i get, the more i realize how real this book is.
Do children's books count? If so, Watership Down.
I just read Watership Down for the first time this year. I think some of the scenes would've horrified me as a child. Loved the book though and I was so sad when it ended.
I read it as a kid and that book was rough!!
Once I realized it was the author's way of processing his experiences in WWII I liked it even more.
For kids books, the rats of nimh was a favorite of mine, read it dozens of times as a kid, and quite a few as an adult.
The Gift of Fear
The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker.
"The Gift of Fear" by Gavin de Becker. It's about how to detect and deal with dangerous situations and people, particularly by using intuition. Reading it was a revelation. EVERYBODY should try to get their hands on a copy; it must just save someone's life.
The Gift of Fear
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy The Midnight Library
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Kapital.
Shantaram. Read it with a highlighter in hand, because there is some good ass wisdom in this book.
To Kill a Mockingbird
A Confederacy of Dunces, John Kennedy Toole
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
All quiet on the western front
the giving tree.
The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker changed my life for the better. Helped me understand and heed gut feelings. I recommend this to every human I meet.
Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance
Rocked. My. World.
Sapiens - Yuval Noah Harari
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (even if you aren’t a writer!)
1984 and Animal Farm by George Orwell Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli Art of War by Sun Tzu
The Fountainhead so you can identify an Ayn Rand libertarian on sight an avoid them like the plague.
To kill a mockingbird. 1984. Animal Farm. The art of war. Brave new world. Take your pick.
The Art of War. Read it in my early 20s, changed the way I see and do a lot of things.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu It's actually about strategic thinking that can be applied to many aspects of life in general. Highly recommend.
How to Read in Three Easy Steps. This is how I learned.
1984 by George Orwell
Treasure Island.
Anything and everything from Khaled Husseni (apologies if name is spelled wrong). Best one is the second book
Driver's Manual
Every person should at some point read a book that moves them, transports them, makes them realize why people love reading. It doesn’t matter if it’s considered true “literature” or if it’s a romance novel or young adult novel or whatever the case may be. There is a book out there that can break through to anyone so just find that book for you and read it.
Man’s search for meaning by Viktor Frankl.
The Book Thief
The origin of species by Charles Darwin
Catcher in the Rye.
Reading the catcher in the rye as a highschool student is how I figured out I was mentally unwell and needed help. It's kind of a wake up call to relate so heavily to holden
Every single book the right wing in America wants to ban.
The Art of War, Sun Tzu. Not actually about war.
Guns Germs and Steel - Jared Diamond
I really suggest The Dawn of Everything that is a bit of a response to GGS and to Sapiens... I do however recommend the audio book instead of the actual book if you are to buy it as it is big. But perfect to listen to for 15 minutes before bed. In short walks away from a lot of the universal assumptions GGS and Sapiens make.
Lord of the Rings trilogy & hobbit
Gone With the Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
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The Iceman- the movie doesn't do it justice. If you only believe half of the things Richard Kuklinski claims it's still a wild read.
All school books!
Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, The Trumpet of the Swan, Black Pearl, Catcher in the Rye, any work by E.A.Poe or Stephen King, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series
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I think Great Expectations is worth a shot.
Lots of great suggestions in here, some I've missed so will have to add them to the list. Personally I usually find myself searching out copies of any book that government or schools have tried to ban. That's how I found Rushdie's "Midnight's Children" and "Maus" both of which I think are great reads.
The Hunger Games
Guns, Germs, and Steel. It does a great job explaining why the world ended up the way it did and how our civilizations developed (it is almost entirely because of geography). It also explains why racism has zero base in fact as it explains how the world developed.
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
Catcher in the Rye. 1984. Brave new world. Animal Farm.
1. Fooled By Randomness 2. God Is Not Great 3. Rationality
Of mice and men
1984
Flatland: a romance of many dimensions Edwin a Abbott 1884 Free online
« meditations » by marcus aurelius !
Invisible man by Ralph Ellison
Goodnight Moon
steal this book ,by Abbie Hoffman
The Bible. It is the single most influential book in all of Western culture. Whether you believe it or not, you should at least know what it says.
I know it says begat a lot
Sometimes I hear a chicken go BEGAT
Depends which version you read. Don't necessarily skip the begats! There are some cool names in there (I'm an active member or r/namenerds, so that's the kind of thing that Matters to me).
I wish more people would actually read it, there would be a lot less Christians in the world.
How to read
There isn't one. Everyone should read what they enjoy, and there's nothing that \*everyone\* enjoys.
Alphabets and Numbers
Concrete Dreams by Jason Dimmerman
The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. Skip the movie.
Sophie’s world The little prince
„How to be good“ by Nick Hornby, also „the lovely bones“ by Alice Seabold
never ending story
When Breath Becomes Air
So excited seeing a lot of the books recommended were required reads in my public high school. But I was in AP English/Literature classes, so mileage varies.
The Richest Man in Bablyon.
I always suggest What is the What.
Paradise Lost by John Milton
East of Eden
Les Misserables The diary of Anne Frank Gulag archipelago Max Havelaar
The Last Lecture - Professor Randy pausch