I would really like to know. I need a good read.
Thanks for your advice!
2007-12-22 17:51:21 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
The Book Thief by Markus Zusack is really an amazing book with a different story than the typical WWII death camp scene. It is very moving and funny and dramatic, and really makes you think about what is important in life.
The Kite Runner is also a wonderfully inspirational, emotional, and vivid story that really emphasizes the importance of loyalty and humanity. I couldn't put either one of these down for a second.
Cat's Eye, The Handmaid's Tale, and The Penelopiad, all by Margaret Atwood are fine examples of literature that bring words to life and create alternate universes that all vary from the others. She is truly one of the most gifted writers that I have ever read.
On a little less earth-moving, yet still dramatic side, The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles is a great read that was written in a very experimental (and successful).
And if you are into fantasy, there is a series that begins with Dark Fever and Blood Fever, by Karen Marie Moning are very creative, suspenseful, and funny.
A While ago I finished On the Road by Cormac McCarthy, which, like his previous novels, is exquisite in its execution, and cuts right to the quick. I also love Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez ( who won the Nobel prize for literature), as well as The Covenant by Naomi Ragen (actually, everything by her is amazing). The Red Tent by Anita Diamant is fantastic take on Dina's story form the Bible, and my all-time favorite (probably read it ten times) is The Lord of the Rings trilogy (which is actually not a trilogy, but one really long novel, published in three separate volumes).
Good Luck!
2007-12-22 18:02:36 · answer #1 · answered by litteyfreak 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Bible has the greates impact.
If you're looking for good books to read, theres also:
The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant
40 days of Musa Dagh, by Frank Werfel
The Knock at the Door: A Journey Through the Darkness of the Armenian Genocide, by Margaret Ajemian Ahnert
The Road From Home: A True Story of Courage, Survival and Hope by David Kherdian
2007-12-22 18:03:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Pere Goriot, by Balzac
It is a book about what the lust for money does to family relationships. I looked at the world differently after reading it.
Books by contemporary authors that are tremendous include: Disgrace, by J.M. Coetzee; Never Let Me Go, and A Pale View of Hills, by Kazuo Ishiguro; I Sailed With Magellan by Stuart Dybek; The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides; Blindness, by Jose Saramago; and Wonderful, Wonderful Times by Elfriede Jelinek. These are all challenging, and have mature themes (by that I do NOT mean that they are smutty, just that they are not for really young readers).
Right now I'm reading Carson McCullers' complete novels. It starts with The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. She was only 23 when she wrote it. One character in the book is obviously based on her, and it is very touching to read.
2007-12-22 18:25:27 · answer #3 · answered by Pythia 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are really almost too many to mention. At the moment Robert W. Fuller's Somebodies and Nobodies-Overcoming the Abuse of Rank and All Rise- the Politics of Dignity are my favourite books, because they made me examine how rank and dignity contribute to the indignities many feel in society.
I'm in the middle of Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and it's very interesting as well.
2007-12-23 14:19:05 · answer #4 · answered by Lizzy-tish 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why is it, do you suppose, that when people mention - **gulp** - the Bible, there are automatic thumbs down? This is, is it not, a question that asks what you believe has had the greatest impact on your life?
I would like to say, along with those who have already stated as much and gotten thumbs down for it, that the BIBLE has had the absolutely GREATEST impact on my life. I refuse to cower and be ashamed because others are so narrow-minded that they can't stand that MY OPINION is that the Bible has influenced me the most. So they don't like it...should I then lie about it? No, I don't think so.
Now, if you want to know some other books that I think are wonderful and made me think about certain things, I'll mention the books by James Herriot like All Creatures Great and Small. His books range from great pathos to hilarious humor. They are fun and they are heartrending, and they make you think about animals and people in a different way. One of the first stories in the book was about a bull that was having terrible symptoms and NO ONE was able to help that poor creature. James Herriot, with his great love of people and animals and hatred of suffering, tried so hard to figure out what could be wrong with this bull. As he was studying the bull, he saw a shaft of light from a hole in the barn hit the bull full on the face and saw, at the same time, the bull flinch as if in pain. He had it...the bull was suffering from sun stroke! When he began to hose that bull down, that animal had the first relief he'd felt in a long time and was leaning into the spray of water. Suffice it to say, this was one amazing book and one amazing series!
What else? How about Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis? What a book! If you think you've analyzed yourself well, read this book. I know I had the shock of my life when I read it. That was a man who had a way with words; paring it down so that none could misunderstand what he meant. I looked at myself differently after reading this book.
I could go into favorites like Pride and Prejudice (first impressions really aren't accurate) and Little Women (duty and honor and work really are worthwhile) and Jane Eyre (beauty on the inside is really more important than outward beauty), but I think I've mentioned enough.
2007-12-22 18:39:15 · answer #5 · answered by ck1 7 · 3⤊ 4⤋
'Geoffrey Miller; the mating mind.'
It's about Darwin and the comparison between the peacocks tale and human brain. Nice idea; but why do peacock females not have long tales, but human females have lots of brains? The book works it all out. It's readable and scientific. I read it 7 years ago and it changed me since.
If you're religious I would recommend another one, 'crime and punishment' by Dostojevski. I think it's one of the best books ever written.
2007-12-22 21:36:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Atlas Shrugged
2007-12-23 09:56:40 · answer #7 · answered by Thewall 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Fahrenheit 451
2007-12-22 17:56:10 · answer #8 · answered by kimv 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
My favourite book is called The Fire Rose, by Mercedes Lackey. I identify with the lead female, who really grows and matures as the story progresses. I've read it many times, and I always get something out of it when I re-read it.
2007-12-22 22:00:13 · answer #9 · answered by maxwellslittlesister 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
John's Gospel in the Bible, and/or some Psalms.
"Climb the Highest Mountain," Mark Prophet, for inspiration.
"Men in White Apparel" and "Watch Your Dreams," Ann Ree Colton, for insight.
"Expecting Adam," Martha Beck, Ph.D., A warm, funny, and profound account of her pregnancy while at Harvard. She now writes for "Mademoiselle."
"The Great Divorce," C. S. Lewis.
"The Yoga of Nutrition," O. M. Aivanhov.
"Stay Alive, My Son," Pin Yathay.
"And There Was Light," Jacques Lusseyran.
"Autobiography of a Yogi," Yogananda, http://www.yogananda-srf.org
"The Beautiful Story of a Master," Louise-Marie Frenette.
"Mary Baker Eddy: Christian Healer," Yvonne von Fettweis.
"Babies Remember BIrth," David Chamberlain, Ph.D.
"Life before Life," Jim Tucker, M.D.
"When Invisible Children Sing," Huang, M.D.
"Hope Rising: Stories from the Ranch of Rescued Dreams," Kim Meeder.
2007-12-22 18:08:38 · answer #10 · answered by j153e 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋