Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. Just the idea that pigs were being used to generate organs for humans and then it made the pigs have human-like thoughts yet they were still pigs is crazy. I liked the Handmaid’s Tale too.
The Diary of Anne Frank (the play version) in 8th grade: my first introduction to the Holocaust, and looking back I think my passion for social justice began there, even though I didn’t know it yet.
Wittgenstein’s “Tractatus” I must have thought about this text more than any other since I read it at uni. Before that (as a 15 year old) Spinoza’s “Ethics”. I’ve always been fond of (mid)European (and Russian) literature (Kafka, Dostoevsky, Walter Benjamin in particular) and Yiddishkeit (such as Elie Wiesel and Isaac Bashevis Singer). Also (absurdist) humour (Woody Allen, Mikhail Zoschenko, Flann O’Brien). My favourite book of all (apart from the Bible or the Tao Te Ching) would be “Don Quixote” (but it doesn’t make me “think” so much as chuckle and collapse in giggles). Poetry is always thought-provoking (especially Mary Oliver, Vasko Popa, Charles Peguy). Anything (more or less) to do with the (far) Left in politics, defence of the underdog, protection of the natural environment, radical (utopian) religion (Simone Weil, say) (her life & works always make me wonder, never mind speculate), Anyone intending to start out on a philosophical / ‘pataphysical career might do worse than consider Roger-Pol Droit’s (mildly ‘phenomenological’) volume: “How Things Are” (should you ever give that any consideration)
After Daybreak: The Liberation of Belsen, 1945 by Ben Shephard – I had no idea that many of the things we now know about caring for and treating extreme malnutrition and starvation victims comes out of the mistakes made during the rescue of concentration camp victims after WWII. Also Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels by Kenneth Bailey – I really wish that more ‘Christians’ would pick this book up, because it radically changed my view of the bible, for the better, imo. There have been plenty of books that have tweaked my view of life or certain subjects a little, but these books significantly altered how I view the subjects they wrote about.
Annie’s Song by Catherine Anderson. It really showed me the other side of the argument about people with disabilities and how they see the world. It’s got alot to it and its predominantly a romance.
Centennial By James Michener historical fiction but makes you take a look at history and question what side you are on and how one action can cause ripples in time.
“The Death of Ivan Ilych” by Lev Tolstoy. Comparing to his other works like War and Peace or Anna Karenina this one is short (around 100 pages?), but really makes you think of the way you’re living your life before it’s too late to change anything in it.
“The Creature From Jekyll Island”by G. Richard Griffin. I will never look at my government the same way again, and rethink what I know about Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson.
A monster calls
The little prince
Inexcusable by Chris Lynch. It also made my very angry at the narrator, but the discussions we had in class were intense.
Princess by Jean Sasson. Actually every book by Jean Sasson.
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
Too many.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. Just the idea that pigs were being used to generate organs for humans and then it made the pigs have human-like thoughts yet they were still pigs is crazy. I liked the Handmaid’s Tale too.
Atlas Shrugged
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, non-fiction, Family Properties by Beryl Satter.
“Billions and Billions”, by Carl Sagan
American Gods
The handmaids tale
The Book Thief
The Poisonwood Bible
The Grapes of Wrath!
Tolstoy’s short stories and Chekhov’s short stories.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stephenson
I would say the Bible, but I won’t be a bible thumping Christian.
Honestly “To Kill a mockingbird”. Atticus’s story being told by his daughter, so remarkable the way she sees her father in a different light.
Kevin, true.
“Far From the Tree” by Andrew Solomon
The Handmaid’s Tale changed my worldview in a lot of ways when I read it in college.
1984
The Diary of Anne Frank (the play version) in 8th grade: my first introduction to the Holocaust, and looking back I think my passion for social justice began there, even though I didn’t know it yet.
East of Eden
Herman Wouk’s series that starts with The Winds of War
The Federalist Papers and Man’s Search for Meaning.
Replay by Ken Grimwood
Mere Christianity.
That’s a tossup between The Magus by John Fowles and The Great Divorce by CS Lewis.
We need to talk about kevin
Atlas Shrugged. Although I read it many years ago. Wonder if my perspective’s changed.
Hillbilly Elegy
Lone survivor
Atlas Shrugged
Crime And Punishment
This Side of Paradise
One Second After. It makes me think “what if” because it’s very realistic and could happen
Jonathan maberrys assassins code
Beneath a Scarlet Sky.
I can’t remember the exact name, but it’s a collection of classic horror stories. I love it.
Native Son; Huckleberry Finn; The Bible
The book that made me think I read this year was To kill a mocking bird Harper Lee
The Road Less Travelled
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Anthem
Me before You
A Million Little Pieces and The Fault in Our Stars.
Wild Swans by Jung Chang
Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People you Meet in Heaven
wanted by lisa scottline
This Isn’t Me by Sonia Grimes Non fiction but very powerful
Saving Jonah
orik and crake
Wittgenstein’s “Tractatus”
I must have thought about this text more than any other since I read it at uni. Before that (as a 15 year old) Spinoza’s “Ethics”. I’ve always been fond of (mid)European (and Russian) literature (Kafka, Dostoevsky, Walter Benjamin in particular) and Yiddishkeit (such as Elie Wiesel and Isaac Bashevis Singer). Also (absurdist) humour (Woody Allen, Mikhail Zoschenko, Flann O’Brien). My favourite book of all (apart from the Bible or the Tao Te Ching) would be “Don Quixote” (but it doesn’t make me “think” so much as chuckle and collapse in giggles). Poetry is always thought-provoking (especially Mary Oliver, Vasko Popa, Charles Peguy). Anything (more or less) to do with the (far) Left in politics, defence of the underdog, protection of the natural environment, radical (utopian) religion (Simone Weil, say) (her life & works always make me wonder, never mind speculate),
Anyone intending to start out on a philosophical / ‘pataphysical career might do worse than consider Roger-Pol Droit’s (mildly ‘phenomenological’) volume: “How Things Are” (should you ever give that any consideration)
Roots
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein
After Daybreak: The Liberation of Belsen, 1945 by Ben Shephard – I had no idea that many of the things we now know about caring for and treating extreme malnutrition and starvation victims comes out of the mistakes made during the rescue of concentration camp victims after WWII. Also Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels by Kenneth Bailey – I really wish that more ‘Christians’ would pick this book up, because it radically changed my view of the bible, for the better, imo. There have been plenty of books that have tweaked my view of life or certain subjects a little, but these books significantly altered how I view the subjects they wrote about.
Dark Ages and The Scylding by Valerie L. Price. The Liatris series. Make you think about everything differently. It’s like a mind-blowing experience.
Annie’s Song by Catherine Anderson. It really showed me the other side of the argument about people with disabilities and how they see the world. It’s got alot to it and its predominantly a romance.
Centennial By James Michener historical fiction but makes you take a look at history and question what side you are on and how one action can cause ripples in time.
“The Death of Ivan Ilych” by Lev Tolstoy. Comparing to his other works like War and Peace or Anna Karenina this one is short (around 100 pages?), but really makes you think of the way you’re living your life before it’s too late to change anything in it.
Gravity’s Rainbow has to be up there near the top.
“The Creature From Jekyll Island”by G. Richard Griffin. I will never look at my government the same way again, and rethink what I know about Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson.