The best book?

Question

I'd like to give abook as a 21st birthday present to a young lad who hasn't got a life plan. I recently read The Alchemist by Paolo Coellho (?) and found it very good, and wondered if others know or would recommend something "lifechanging"

Answer 1

There are some really fantastic books about, for me the ones that have been "life changing" by this i mean have made more of an "impact" rather than actually changed my life...if it was that easy!!

1) A Suitable Boy Vikram Seth

...because its written so beautifully and he's so clever check out the rhyming couplets at the beginning where he sums up each section! Also once finished they can use the phase "i've read one of the longest works of fiction in the english language"!!

2) Frankenstein Mary Shelly

..because mary shelly was of the same age (ish) when she wrote this short story that was later developed into the novel. Thats pretty amazing in itself to keep in mind when reading it.

3) 1984 George Orwell

...because this is frightening. Its so reflective of our society that it scares you and it was written nearly 60 years ago....

4) Rebecca (Daphne Demaurier?!)

Just heart stoping, fantastic read. Very compelling and we never do find out the protagonists name which just really draws you in to the story.

5) (and my last as i could go on!!!) To Kill a Mockingbird

...because it pulls so hard on your heart, a little like in the Polar Express when he says how the sound of the bell fades afetr a while. It really upset me because innocence and belief in things can never be recovered once they've gone.

Dont be afraid of books, to be honest you've no need to grab the nearest "mans book " you can find!

Have fun buying and i they like whatever choice you make! (btw dont choose Catcher in the Rye thats more of an adolescents book, at 21 he'll probably just hate it!)

Answer 2

Check out stuff by Shri Aurobindo. That's all "philosophical" and spends much time on ethics.

The book that "changed my life" as a person and as a writer was Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina". The characters are so well drawn out, and the tragedy is based on the fact that few of the people are decent and that relatively innocent people are destroyed by them. This does not give a "plan", but it does give a lot of food for the mind and ethical awareness, as well is very entertaining. It's very long, though.

I do not have much faith in books or literature chaning people, since considering the great literature and all the self-help books we have, humanity is still pretty confused and destructive. However, if you can find ways to inspire this guy and help him find what really turns him on in life, then he will naturally try to find a way to make it work out for him--thus make a plan and a lifestyle that leads to success in it. Frankly, that's the best and most compassionate thing we can all give to each other--support to grow into what we really are inside.
However, Robinson Carusoe (sp.), Swiss Family Robinson, a good biography about Einstein, bio about Marie Curie, any bios or autobios about great people, will inspire and give hope that one's own hopes and dreams are attainable. Good luck.

Answer 3

The Alchemist by Paolo Coellho is a very good choice
A portrait of a Lady by Henry James is also wonderful

Answer 4

The best book in the world ever is Middlemarch by George Elliot, definitely life changing. Mind you, I'm an English literature MA student, so I've read hundreds of life changing books and I still haven't got a clue what to do with myself. Oh, I also recommend the complete works of Oscar Wilde, coz he was a seriously cool dude. Someone there's put Dan Brown, what a nonce!!

Answer 5

historic Fiction: the two components of Time series- Caroline B. Cooney (additionally romance) Bloody Jack series-L. A. Meyer (additionally experience) If I could Die in the past I Wake- Han Nolan the super and undesirable splendor series- Libba Bray (additionally fantasyish fiction) the different Boleyn female- Philippa Gregory The Queen’s fool- Philippa Gregory The consistent Princess- Philippa Gregory The Bolelyn Inheritance- Philippa Gregory The e book Thief- Markus Zusak Fantasyish Fiction Twilight series- Stephenie Meyer (additionally romance) The Mediator series- Meg Cabot (additionally romance) Avalon severe- Meg Cabot (sorta) Uglies series-Scott Westerfeld Midnighters series- Scott Westerfeld Fiction: All American female- Meg Cabot Airhead- Meg Cabot The Earth, My Butt, and different vast around issues - Carolyn Mackler Fly on the Wall- E. Lockhart Megan Meade’s instruction manual to the McGowan Boys- Kate Brian fortunate T- Kate Brian The 5 human beings You Meet in Heaven- Mitch Albom My Sister’s Keeper- Jodi Picoult substitute of heart- Jodi Picoult The Da Vinci Code- Dan Brown Romance: The Angels Trilogy- Lurlene Mcdaniel The p.c..- Jodi Picoult The computing device- Nicholas Sparks secret: Stranger With My Face- Lois Duncan Down a gloomy corridor- Lois Duncan Locked in Time-Lois Duncan Any e book by R.L Stine Non- Fiction a toddler observed as It- Dave Pelzer Who Killed My Daughter- Louis Duncan Diary of a youthful female- Anne Frank

Answer 6

'Twilight of the Idols', by Friedrich Nietzsche. It will make your young friend think for the first time about everything he has ever taken for granted. Actually, I suggest you read it too, cos if you thought 'The Alchemist' was good you're clearly in serious need of some decent philosophy.

Conveniently enough, the Penguin edition of the Nietzsche book comes with his later book 'The Antichrist', in which he argues fairly convincingly that Christianity (and religious belief in general) is completely awful and destructive in every conceivable way. Great fun.

Answer 7

Get him a book about Albert Einstein, Ben Franklin, Stephen Hawkings or the movie A Beautiful Mind.

Answer 8

Here are some books I would recommend

1. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
2. The Five People You Meet in Heave also by Mitch Albom
3. To Kill a Mockingbird

1. This book is a non-fiction book that Mitch wrote about his old college professor who has become ill, and is going to die within the next few months. Every Tuesdays, Mitch goes to visit his ex-professor to learn one of live's important lessons (Forgiveness, marriage, and such)

2. This book is one of my absolute favourites. It's about a man named Ed, whos worked at an amusement park most of his life. He feels like his life is just wasting away and he did nothing all his years on earth. He dies in a freak accident when hes about 80 or so and on his way to heaven, he meets 5 different people who were effected in one way or another because of him. It's written in such a beautiful style and I thought the ending was just amazing.

3. I haven't actually read this book, but many people have told me that it inspired them to be better people so it's on my book list!

I hope that helps. =)

Answer 9

A Confederacy of Dunces. Fun Fun book. Not preachy. The protagonist in the book goes through life believing that nothing that ever happens to him is his fault. It is hilarious. Set in New Orleans. Fun book to read and a good story about taking responsibility for the things that happen to you in your life.

Answer 10

This is only a little book...............not that long but it is great.

The 5 people you meet in heaven by Mitch Albom

I really liked it and i am 21 in a couple of months. Not sure if it was that life changing but it made me think about things differently, and realise that everyone is important.........even the people you don't like or have never met.