What is one book you think everyone should read?

1. 69

   GiblinGirlposted 12 years ago

   What is one book you think everyone should read?

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2. 77

   Ms Deeposted 12 years ago

   "Islam Uncensored" by Jeff King. It is an eye-opener to our current world situation, the reality of which we westerners do not correctly grasp.

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      GiblinGirlposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I haven't heard of that one, but I'll have to check it out.  It actually sounds like something my husband might also like to read, thanks.

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   2. 77

      Ms Deeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Very good. Warning, the first chapter is a bit of a slog, but the whole book is quite enlightening.

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      Peter Allisonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Really? It's all about Islam, by umm, Jeff King? Before Shakespeare? Before Moby Dick? Dostoevsky? The Bible? The Koran?

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3. 0

   Motown2Chitownposted 12 years ago

   'To Kill a Mockingbird'
   
   What equality looks like through the eyes of a child. 
   
   We could all learn a LOT about how to be better human beings.

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   1. 69

      GiblinGirlposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That's one of my FAVORITE books.  I read it years ago and loved it.

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   2. 60

      nishlaverzposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I've never got passed the first chapter. Even when I had to read it at school I couldn't. However I've always wanted to read it as I love the film.

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   3. 68

      Rebecca2904posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      This is such a great book! Great recommendation!

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4. 72

   Twilight Lawnsposted 12 years ago

   Why limit it to just one book?‘  Here are  some of my suggestions:
   ‘Brideshead Revisited’ by Evelyn Waugh
   ‘East of Eden’ by John Steinbeck
   ‘Theophilus North’ by Thornton Wilder
   ‘The Bridge of San Luis Rey’ by Thornton Wilder
   ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald
   ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee (I agree so much, Motown.  Stunningly beautiful and sad.)
   ‘The Catalyst’ by Angela Jardine
   and of course,
   ‘The Twilight Lawns Chronicles’ by my all time favourite writer, whose name escapes me for the moment.

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   1. 69

      GiblinGirlposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for all the suggestions.  I actually read while walking on the treadmill so I go through books pretty quickly.  I love that you included The Great Gatsby - that's truly a classic.

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   2. 68

      Rod Marsdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'll go along with To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby. Great choices.

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5. 68

   Rod Marsdenposted 12 years ago

   There isn't one single book. I do, however, have a list of ten. They are:
   1. 1984 by George Orwell
   2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
   3. Dune by Frank Herbert
   4. The Shape of Things to Come by H. G. Wells
   5. Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
   6. Ragtime by E. L Doctorow
   7. Making Money by Terry Pratchett
   8. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
   9. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
   10. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
   
   These are not in any particular order of excellence since they are all very good and are part of our overall literary history. There really needs to be others. Even ten is far too short a list.

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      nishlaverzposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I would say that this is a great list of books. I remember The Great Gatsby and To Kill a Mockingbird from my school days. However never managed to finish them. I have an E-book copy of 1984 and love the Dune series of stories.

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   2. 68

      Rod Marsdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Glad you approve nushlaverz. High school texts are often only half read at best. Unfortunately, great books do become high school texts.

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   3. 72

      Conservative Ladyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Great list - I think everyone should read Brave New World - keeps us reminded of how precious our freedoms are.

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   4. 68

      Rod Marsdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You got it Conservative Lady.

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6. 0

   Old Empresarioposted 12 years ago

   I would definitely not pick one that has been made into a film. I would say either 'Julian' or 'Creation' by Gore Vidal. The former gives a great insight into the origins of Christianity and the latter gives great insight into the origins of western and eastern philosophies, which all of our societies are based on.

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7. 62

   FatFreddysCatposted 12 years ago

   "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series by Douglas Adams. It contains the answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything!

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   1. 68

      Rod Marsdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes. This is a great read and a great series of reads. I first came across The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as a radio play but it started off as a novel. When I read the novel I wasn't disappointed.

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8. 68

   Angie Jardineposted 12 years ago

   Again, there are so many wonderful books it's hard to limit oneself to just one.
   
   For me it would be 'Cider with Rosie' by Laurie Lee to discover a lost England and the images inspired by its lyrical prose.
   
   Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy to remind women of the constant importance of women's rights.
   
   Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons for wonderful humour concerning the eccentricities of the English.
   
   Cakes and Ale by W. Somerset Maugham for the unexpectedness of the plot and for showing that compassion is not always shown as one would expect.
   
   And 'A Shropshire Lad' by A.E. Houseman for beautiful, and accessible, poetry.
   
   However I must admit these are British books by classical British writers ... as such they are not all a 'light' read. They do however, I believe, add to one's understanding of life and its inconsistencies.

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      Twilight Lawnsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      And why am I not surprised?
      You tick all the boxes and then you are so off the wall.
      No wonder I like and admire you.

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      sarahmooseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I have read 'A Shropshire Lad', we had it at school in the library relating to local literature (I'm from Wolverhampton originally), and I loved it. Glad you reminded me of it, I may have to get a copy...

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9. 72

   ithabiseposted 12 years ago

   Strunk & White's "The Elements of Style." Concise...precise...and always worth rereading for the person who endeavors to put pen to paper.

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   1. 68

      Rod Marsdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I have my own copy of this classic. When it comes to the written language it answers a lot of questions.

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10. 69

    GiblinGirlposted 12 years ago

    Thanks everyone for all the great variety of suggestions.

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11. 61

    rlahaposted 12 years ago

    As some of the other Hubbers said, there isn't just one book that everyone should read. I think people should read all of the classics that are taught in English Literature as well as anything by Shakespeare and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

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    1. 72

       Twilight Lawnsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       riaha, after having avoided doing so for ages, I just started reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and i am amazed at the man't style, descriptions and the colour he brings to his writing.
       Also, much of the action takes place very close to where I live.

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    2. 61

       rlahaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Conan Doyle was very descriptive in his writing. I always enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes series.

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    3. 68

       Rod Marsdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       riaha, I am an Arthur Conan Doyle fan. I love his more obscure works such as The White Company, and Sir Nigel.

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    4. 66

       sarahmooseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I am currently starting a Conan Doyle anthology of all Sherlock Holmes stories. His writing is amazing.

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    5. 61

       rlahaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hi Rod Marsden.
         Yes, I like Sir Nigel as well. I haven't had the chace to read The White Company but that is next on my list of books to read!
       
       Hi Sarahmoose!
           I agree! His writing is amazing!

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12. 60

    nishlaverzposted 12 years ago

    If I had to recommend one book it would have to be Arthur C Clark's Against the Fall of Night or as it is also known in it's revised format The City and the Stars.
    
    I remember Against the Fall of Night this being the first book that I picked up and could not put down. There is also a sequel written by Gregory Benford but I was not is impressed by it.

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13. 59

    knighthawk68posted 12 years ago

    The Bible there has never been a book like it since it has been written and everything in it is true.

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14. 59

    NicholasAposted 12 years ago

    The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. It is an excellent book and you learn a lot if you really let the messages sink in, instead of just "reading" it.

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    sarahmooseposted 12 years ago

    I think for me it would have to be 'Mister God, this is Anna' by Fynn (pseudonym of Sydney Hopkins). It is a beautifully written book about a profoundly wise four year old who believes herself to be a personal helper to 'Mister God'. I am not an overtly religious person, but this book captures the beauty of life through the eyes of a child, and how they can see the beauty in things that we as adults often can't. Without giving too much away, the ending is very sad.

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    1. 69

       GiblinGirlposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Sounds like it's a very thought-provoking book.

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16. 68

    Rebecca2904posted 12 years ago

    My favourite books are 'One Day' and 'Me Before You'. Both are so well written and, although they might be tear-jerkers, they also manage to be hilarious most of the way though. Even better, after reading either one you'll be left with an increased love for life and a desire to live every day to the full. Word of warning, 'Me Before You' deals with euthanasia, so if that's a sensitive topic for you in some way then maybe it's best to avoid it.
    
    My more 'highbrow' literary favourites are 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and the 'Great Gatsby'. My boyfriend recently read '1984' and he said it was one of the best books he's ever read, so perhaps I should suggest that as well.

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    1. 69

       GiblinGirlposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks for the warning about Me Before You. I may check out One Day though.

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    2. 68

       Rod Marsdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       When it comes to 1984, Rebecca2904, I agree with your boyfriend.

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    Giddy Geezerposted 12 years ago

    Since the Bible is already mentioned I would recommend "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger and "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck. A more recent favorite is 'White Oleander" by Janet Fitch. Anything by Maugham will not disappoint but my favorite is "Mrs. Craddock".

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    1. 69

       GiblinGirlposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I love Catcher in the Rye - good suggestion.

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       Twilight Lawnsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger and "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck. but anything by Steinbeck.  They are all good, and Salinger's short stories as well.

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18. 61

    anuwsposted 12 years ago

    I would recommend the power of positive thinking (Norman Vincent Peel) and The Secret (Forgot the author's name.)

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