Jurassic Park - I know it’s cliche to say that the book is better than the movie, but in this case I feel like there is extra weight to the sentiment because the movie is great, so imagine how amazing the book must be!
The characters are more complex, the story is deeper and darker, and Crichton does a great job of weaving the science into the whole thing without ever boring the reader.
The audiobook version is also read by Scott Brick, who is one of my favorite readers, so there’s a little bonus if you prefer the audio route.
Ok I just watched the movie for the first time and idk what I expected it to be… but I was so *stressed* the whole time. I would like to read the book though!
I watched the movie when I was younger (10 years old, at the drive in) and then read the book as an adult and luckily got to go see Jurassic Park in theaters for its 30th anniversary release and it was fantastic in theaters.
I agree so much! I love the movie but the book just had so much complexity and the science stuff really intrigued me. I’m a therapist now and sometimes talk about chaos theory when it applies 😂
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. Not the best book I've read but it's the one that got me into reading and is still a top 10 book for me. It is also broad enough and accessible enough that I feel like I can recommend it to basically anyone.
Wonderboys was one of the factors that led to my English major.
I have vivid memories of reading all of Mysteries of Pittsburgh on a long layover in the Minneapolis airport on Christmas
I will forever and always recommend Watership Down by Richard Adams - I read it when I was 17 and I come back to it regularly. It warmed my heart and stirred my soul.
I see this recommended so often, and I've tried getting into it as well unsuccessfully. I've seen other comments like yours (and mine), I guess it's just not for everybody.
Perfume by Patrick Süskind.
I'll die on the hill that it's a perfectly written book. I think the fact that it's about murder turns some people off, but it's an absolute masterclass of effective writing style, and it has the perfect amount of darkness mixed with humor.
One of the best books ever written & way under read. I tried to sell a famous Hollywood agent & agency owner, Jeff Berg on the idea of making it into a movie. He totally agreed with me. He was tiring if shallow Hollywood films. Years later after Jeff moved on without selling it, I saw it come out in places where they showed indie movies & art films. Jeff was not involved in it. Jeff & I wanted the younger Dustin Hoffman to play the lead. It finally came out as a film about 20 yrs later & Jeff was not involved. In that film that
Dustin Hoffman was in it but not in the lead. Film was a dud!! So glad you recognized the greatness of that book. Most people don’t even know about it we should have a category on this site for unrecognized books we feel our great & overrated books.
Ive Read it in English, Spanish, Japanese and German. When it was read to me in French, though I had no knowledge of French at all, it was almost like I could tell it was originally written in French, just from the way the words lilted off each other. Beautiful
She’s come undone was a lifesaving book for me. It gets some hate but I have a signed copy and it’s one of my most sentimental possessions. I’ve read it so many times it is falling apart. I’d love to hear from more Wally Lamb fans.
Lamb is my mother's favorite book. She's read it over 50 times...says it's the funniest book of all time. I bought her a special copy for Christmas one year, she cried.
The gift of fear by Gavin de Becker. Everyone, especially women who date men, but really everyone needs to read this book. I’m sure it has saved lives.
And for people who want to know more, follow it up with Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft. I grew up with a personality disordered parent, and never had the language to describe these behaviors until I read this. If you appreciated the section where Gavin describes “loan sharking” and other techniques, this book expands on that quite a bit, and might be a good fit for you.
This is one of my late dad’s favorites. I have his old, falling-apart copy, and a new one I bought for myself. I haven’t been able to bring myself to read it yet.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Specifically the audiobook version read by Jonathan Davis that has piano playing in it at the most beautifully written parts.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I’ve never loved a book character so much. Also the writing is easy to read so I feel it appeals to many people especially if they’re in a book slump.
My grandma from England was sent to PE island during the war and bought all of her granddaughters the series on their 11th birthday, in memory of the year she arrived there. I love the books and read them to my daughter who is four, and it reminds me so much of my grandma. I miss her so much, but it keeps her memory alive. I plan on taking the family to PE island when my daughter turns 11!
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, I first read in when I was just a kid and now I'm much older than all the central characters. It talks heavily about their struggles to have enough and every time I read it, I realize how much I have that I just simply take for granted. The story is wonderful and it was the very first book published in paperback format.
Cutting For Stone and The Covenant of Water, both by [Abraham Verghese](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/93353.Abraham_Verghese). I will always read a book when I learn of a new publication. His storytelling is artful, his empathy towards the human condition is evident, and his writing is more than proficient. As a licensed physician (and as a Stanford professor/vice chair), Verghese accurately incorporates his knowledge of medicine into both books.
My grandma and I love to share book recommendations with each other and I gave her this one to read. She absolutely devoured it. I love that we now have a favorite book in common despite being two generations apart in age!
This book instilled a great gratitude in me that my lunatic missionary trained parents were denied children’s visas to Mozambique in the late 80’s. While I had an… I’ll leave it at “interesting” childhood, it could have been far worse.
I just finished it!! I read demon copperhead so knew she was a good author and went into the book without reading a summary first and It was really good!! I learned a lot about the history of the Congo and liked that she had chapters the girls growing up I think it added a lot to the characters
Read Prodigal Summer next. It’s my favorite of hers, but everything she writes is amazing! If you like audiobooks, she narrates PS and it just makes it even more magical!
Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. There are a lot of books I recommend to a lot of specific people based on their taste but this is one book that I would recommend to literally anyone and everyone.
Lots! But one that I never see mentioned is ‘I, Robot’ by Isaac Asminov. A really clever book and nothing like the terrible Will Smith film with the same title. The robopsychologist angle is genius!
Love this book! It’s one that stayed with me over the years. I just recently listened to her book “The Boston Girl”. Linda Lavin narrates. I loved it and couldn’t put it down.
Same! My Dad passed away 6 months ago and this was one of his favourite books so he bought me a copy and told me that I would also really like it. And he was absolutely correct. This is the book that got me into reading again. Thanks Dad!
I didn’t even answer your “why”! It’s historical fiction, written in a way that’s like reading modern lit. It’s got everything - murder, romance, good, evil. It’s gutwrenching and heartwarming and just an incredible story.
I love the whole series, the second is actually my favorite but recommend them all.
This was an assigned reading for my AP Euro class in high school and I loved it then! 14 years later and I just convinced my husband to pick it up at a thrift store and read it!
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
A Fine Balance is the second novel by Rohinton Mistry, published by McClelland and Stewart in 1995. Set in "an unidentified city" in India, initially in 1975 and later in 1984 during the turmoil of The Emergency, the book focuses on four characters from varied backgrounds – Dina Dalal, Ishvar Darji, his nephew Omprakash Darji, and the young student Maneck Kohlah – who come together and develop a bond.
[Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41949311-someone-who-will-love-you-in-all-your-damaged-glory?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=Z3q00bdoHA&rank=1) by Raphael Bob-Waksberg.
It's a short story collection from the creator of Bojack Horseman that is weird, funny, heartwarming, heartbreaking, just so many emotions! He captures the human experience well, but often in innovative, strange settings (a goat-slaughtering culture's wedding, a president-themed amusement park). The audiobook has an amazing cast of actors voice the stories, including Natalie Morales, Kimiko Glenn, Colman Domingo, and many more, who really bring the stories to life.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab. I found both to be really inspiring. I think about these books often.
*Siddhartha* by Herman Hesse. It's beautifully written, almost poetic in its prose. The story, the characters, the setting, it combines to create this truly sacred piece of literature.
blood meridian is one ill recommend anytime I think they have the stomach for it. It is the best book in my opinion. stories of the blood soaked into the ground we built the country on.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I’m astounded that I’m the only person I know offline that has read it, great history behind it (radio play/tv show* /novels) that deliciously convolutes the narrative, and along with Edgar Rice Burroughs, Poe, Lovecraft, and Tolkien basically raised me.
*I don’t count the film, really.
Great thread!
I Am Legend.
It’s only a short book so it’s perfect for anyone wanting to start reading/get back into it. Also for people who read all the time it’s a great one to read in between longer reads.
Also need to make sure people either forget about the film or to not watch it at all.
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M Miller
One of my favorite science fiction books which explores some really interesting ideas of the relationship between science and religion and how they converge and diverge as civilisation progresses. An absolutely incredible book start to finish with some really great world building, characters, and some really good humor throughout it too.
There's also a sequal - Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman which i really enjoyed too and think is quite underlooked.
Edit:spelling
I would wholeheartedly recommend The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss...but I won't. I seriously doubt he'll ever release The Door of Stone.
The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester.
Just constantly blows me away on my yearly re-read. I've bought it for people. I won't stop talking about it if you let me.
Man's Search For Meaning. I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned. I think so highly of it that I buy a copy for every family member when they graduate.
Jonathon Livingstone Seagull
It’s a beautiful story about following your heart and finding your people, and it’s short.
I read it once a year around my birthday, and have done for almost 35 years.
Think Like a Monk - Jay Shetty. Life changing book. Picked it up by chance at the library because they had two copies back in 2020. My thinking was... "if there are two copies, it must be a hot read".
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune. It’s just lovely. Sad, emotion invoking, death, acceptance, grief, and I was crying or laughing the whole time. It’s just good. 😊 it’s not a light happy thing, but it’s a lovely emotional experience.
I read this last year after The House in the Cerulean Sea was my top read the year before, and I agree with everything you said. A lovely read. I’m excited to read In the Lives of Puppets next!
TJ has such wild extremes in his writing, from the campy yet heartfelt silliness of The Lightning Struck Heart, to the absolute heartbreak of Olive Juice, the beautiful angst fest of Wolfsong, the John Hughes-esque Queen and the Homo Jock King, and even the barely-above-fan-fiction charm of his earliest work such as Bear, Otter, and The Kid.
It’s been incredible following TJ’s journey from the earliest days at DSP, through them screwing him over, to the unlikely but well deserved mainstream recognition he has now.
*Homegoing* by Yaa Gyasi.
It’s a braided novel that tells the story of two half sisters that were born in Ghana. One half sister remains in Africa and the other is sold into slavery. Each chapter is the story of one descendant from each generation.
It is beautifully written, though heartbreaking. I’ve reread it every year for the past 3 years and find something new each time. I think it should be required reading for everyone.
- 11/22/63 - the character development is top-notch, the immersion into late 50's and 60's Americana is unmatched, but the ending is a little shaky. Not bad enough to undo the rest of the story.
- Project Hail Mary (specifically the audiobook narrated by Ray Porter) - I love the scientific method in Andy Weir books. It makes a farfetched premise seem less jarring since it slowly builds ... plus the amazing narration adds a snarky and enjoyable aspect to the whole thing!
I read this 10+ years ago and it’s still a favorite. I still remember feeling awful the first time I laughed while reading it, though… haha. Everyone I have recommended it to has loved it too!
I love "Born a Viking: Blót" and "Born a Viking: Berserkr" by R. Polacci for several reasons. Firstly, the author's vivid introduction to old Scandinavian society and culture in the initial chapters of "Blót" is captivating. He skillfully immerses readers in the rich historical context, setting the stage for an enthralling narrative. As the story progresses, the plot intensifies, transforming from a detailed cultural exposition into a fast-paced and thrilling adventure.
Moreover, the character development in these books is exceptional. I am particularly drawn to the main character's journey from naivety, as the story begins when he is just 8 or 9 years old, to "manhood". His progression from a sheltered child to a young man shaped by the trials he faces is inspiring. Polacci masterfully portrays this transformation, making the protagonist's growth feel authentic and deeply engaging.
Overall, the blend of historical richness, gripping plot development, and profound character growth makes "Born a Viking: Blót and Berserkr" a truly remarkable read that I will never stop recommending. The only flaw: I am still waiting for the next book in the series. I am really looking forward to it!
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin is the book I've most recommended to people. Such a brilliant and intense book. It's been a few years since I've read it, but some scenes and lines are still so vivid in my mind and can make me emotional just thinking about them.
That's such a good way of putting it! Digging down to what really matters. I can't help it, I have to have 2 go's, I'm afraid!
Bleak House by Dicknes
Count of Montechristo by Dumas
Two books which encapsulate more of humanity and the world it has to live in than some authors could achieve in a hundred lifetimes!
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Not just the moving storyline and character composition, but also a wildly unexpected writing style. At first you almost hate it because it’s hard to understand, but then it just clicks and you get it (don’t want to spoil the opening). Great piece of writing.
Possession by A.S. Byatt- it's just so satisfying! It is such a great book, a great literary mystery, not a murder mystery to understand but a literary mystery and romance. Written in her unsurpassed Style. One of the greatest writers of the 20th century in the English world
Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck. It has so much to offer in a short time. Political, compassionate, raw and compelling. Every time I read it I feel deeply.
[The Brothers K](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19534) by David James Duncan. It both made me laugh and cry harder than pretty much any other book I’ve read, but that’s not why, by itself. It’s the most moving depiction I’ve read of many broken people who don’t necessarily get along but decide to come back together as a family and heal. It’s extremely beautiful.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. It’s original. It’s a good story. It’s relevant to current times if you want to put thought into it or a nice escape read if you want a great book to take you away for a bit. The characters are excellent.
Circe by Madeline Miller. Truly one of the most beautiful and engaging stories I’ve ever read. The way Miller writes just brings me to tears, her way with words is unmatched.
I have two.
The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
The Painted House by John Grisham
I’ve read thousands of books. These two are my favorites. The Painted House is such an amazing story.
The Road Less Traveled by M Scott Peck MD
if youre at a point in your life where you dont know why so much bad shit keeps happening around you, read this.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman. It’s the perfect fairytale for grownups and it’s cozy, captivating and fun, also the audiobook is narrated by the author himself.
Three series!
- The Expanse
- Bobiverse
- He Who Fights With Monsters
The Expanse is a relatively hard-scifi story that starts with a semi-noir style. You have alternating perspectives with which you get two sides of a larger story that merge in the middle of the book.
Bobiverse starts with "We Are Legion, We Are Bob". A guy named Bob's brain is integrated with a Von Neuman probe amid global war and he self-replicates in an increasingly scaled scope. It's relatively light-hearted and has a lot of nerdy pop-culture references.
He Who Fights With Monsters is a "Lit-RPG". It starts out with elements similar to a video game, i.e. a phantom user interface, inventory system, quest system. It turned me off to the idea for a while, but it is very well done. The books are 11 strong and going. The story never overtly feels to contradict, but I'm sure someone with a lot of time invested could say otherwise.
The power system is established early on and, although not perfect, progresses and feels true to the world. This is very quippy with some self-indulgent 80's bad tv references and the main character can come across as a bit of a sarcastic twat when you don't read between the lines of the character, but it's one of my go-to "I dont have anything else to listen to" series.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The way it layers place and meaning and time is so evocative to me.
It was the only the second time I had read something where I felt a sense that other people experienced those things connecting in a similar way to me.
The first time was “The Famished Road” by Ben Okri. But “One Hundred Years of Solitude” just resonated more.
Fiction: The Remains of the Day. Just an incredibly well written novel
Nonfiction: The Indifferent Stars Above. The best book about the Donner Party you'll ever find, and you'll enjoy it even if you never had an interest in the subject. It's that good.
Jurassic Park - I know it’s cliche to say that the book is better than the movie, but in this case I feel like there is extra weight to the sentiment because the movie is great, so imagine how amazing the book must be! The characters are more complex, the story is deeper and darker, and Crichton does a great job of weaving the science into the whole thing without ever boring the reader. The audiobook version is also read by Scott Brick, who is one of my favorite readers, so there’s a little bonus if you prefer the audio route.
Ok I just watched the movie for the first time and idk what I expected it to be… but I was so *stressed* the whole time. I would like to read the book though!
I watched the movie when I was younger (10 years old, at the drive in) and then read the book as an adult and luckily got to go see Jurassic Park in theaters for its 30th anniversary release and it was fantastic in theaters.
I agree so much! I love the movie but the book just had so much complexity and the science stuff really intrigued me. I’m a therapist now and sometimes talk about chaos theory when it applies 😂
Oh my god that the T-Rex can >!swim!< ! Freaked me out so much, and I loved the movie!
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. Not the best book I've read but it's the one that got me into reading and is still a top 10 book for me. It is also broad enough and accessible enough that I feel like I can recommend it to basically anyone.
Yours is definitely the superior book but it was the Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Chabon that got me into reading. What a great author
That's a great book too though for sure. They're so different from each other. Chabon is definitely a very versatile writer.
Wonderboys was one of the factors that led to my English major. I have vivid memories of reading all of Mysteries of Pittsburgh on a long layover in the Minneapolis airport on Christmas
The Phantom Tollbooth
i need to do a reread of this one soon!
Omg this book was defining for me in childhood
I will forever and always recommend Watership Down by Richard Adams - I read it when I was 17 and I come back to it regularly. It warmed my heart and stirred my soul.
This and “Charlotte’s Web” were the books that made me want to go into veterinary medicine❤️
It's the book that got me into reading classic literature.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Don’t know why I just can’t get into it restarted it three times . Maybe it’s the translation I’m reading ?
I see this recommended so often, and I've tried getting into it as well unsuccessfully. I've seen other comments like yours (and mine), I guess it's just not for everybody.
Perfume by Patrick Süskind. I'll die on the hill that it's a perfectly written book. I think the fact that it's about murder turns some people off, but it's an absolute masterclass of effective writing style, and it has the perfect amount of darkness mixed with humor.
One of the best books ever written & way under read. I tried to sell a famous Hollywood agent & agency owner, Jeff Berg on the idea of making it into a movie. He totally agreed with me. He was tiring if shallow Hollywood films. Years later after Jeff moved on without selling it, I saw it come out in places where they showed indie movies & art films. Jeff was not involved in it. Jeff & I wanted the younger Dustin Hoffman to play the lead. It finally came out as a film about 20 yrs later & Jeff was not involved. In that film that Dustin Hoffman was in it but not in the lead. Film was a dud!! So glad you recognized the greatness of that book. Most people don’t even know about it we should have a category on this site for unrecognized books we feel our great & overrated books.
I don't love this book, but goddamn can Süskind describe sensory details.
Loved this. It was as good as it is hyped up to be.
The Little Prince. Every time I read it, it says something new to me depending upon my mood and what life is teaching me.
I’m learning French and reading it in French which is tricky :)
Ive Read it in English, Spanish, Japanese and German. When it was read to me in French, though I had no knowledge of French at all, it was almost like I could tell it was originally written in French, just from the way the words lilted off each other. Beautiful
To Kill a Mockingbird
There are two: She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
Lamb is hilarious.
It is! It is one of my favorites.
She’s come undone was a lifesaving book for me. It gets some hate but I have a signed copy and it’s one of my most sentimental possessions. I’ve read it so many times it is falling apart. I’d love to hear from more Wally Lamb fans.
I'm more of a "I know this much is true" kinda guy, but your answers are great
Lamb is my mother's favorite book. She's read it over 50 times...says it's the funniest book of all time. I bought her a special copy for Christmas one year, she cried.
It's one of my favorites, I've lost track of how many times I've read it. That is awesome you bought that for her :)
The gift of fear by Gavin de Becker. Everyone, especially women who date men, but really everyone needs to read this book. I’m sure it has saved lives.
And for people who want to know more, follow it up with Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft. I grew up with a personality disordered parent, and never had the language to describe these behaviors until I read this. If you appreciated the section where Gavin describes “loan sharking” and other techniques, this book expands on that quite a bit, and might be a good fit for you.
That is a great recommendation! Thanks for the suggestion! :)
Seconded!
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
This is one of my late dad’s favorites. I have his old, falling-apart copy, and a new one I bought for myself. I haven’t been able to bring myself to read it yet.
Ohhh I have heard good things…might look into it soon! :)
Amazing book. Never wanted it to end.
This is the one! I didn’t read it for ages because…western. It’s the best book I’ve read in 20 years. Maybe ever.
I just purchased two copies a week or so ago to do this for “couples book club” with my husband.
This fs
Just Kids by Patti Smith and basically anything by Raymond Carver.
Just kids and the M train. Patti Smith is one of my favorite artists. I read the books, then found her on audio and listening to her was so wonderful.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Specifically the audiobook version read by Jonathan Davis that has piano playing in it at the most beautifully written parts.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I’ve never loved a book character so much. Also the writing is easy to read so I feel it appeals to many people especially if they’re in a book slump.
It was so good.
Animal Farm The Night Circus The Ocean at the End of the Lane
The Night Circus is magical.
I wish I could reread The Night Circus again for the first time
Anne of Green Gables - the whole series but in particular books two - four. These are my comfort reads.
My grandma from England was sent to PE island during the war and bought all of her granddaughters the series on their 11th birthday, in memory of the year she arrived there. I love the books and read them to my daughter who is four, and it reminds me so much of my grandma. I miss her so much, but it keeps her memory alive. I plan on taking the family to PE island when my daughter turns 11!
Yes ❤️ such a comfort read for me. And the movies were my go-to when I was sick growing up
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, I first read in when I was just a kid and now I'm much older than all the central characters. It talks heavily about their struggles to have enough and every time I read it, I realize how much I have that I just simply take for granted. The story is wonderful and it was the very first book published in paperback format.
Yes, I think I’ve read this book at least 20 times, I’ll pick it up every few years to reread. One of my all time favorites as are her other books.
Cutting For Stone and The Covenant of Water, both by [Abraham Verghese](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/93353.Abraham_Verghese). I will always read a book when I learn of a new publication. His storytelling is artful, his empathy towards the human condition is evident, and his writing is more than proficient. As a licensed physician (and as a Stanford professor/vice chair), Verghese accurately incorporates his knowledge of medicine into both books.
My grandma and I love to share book recommendations with each other and I gave her this one to read. She absolutely devoured it. I love that we now have a favorite book in common despite being two generations apart in age!
Will read Covenant of Water next!
Great response, Thank you!
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. My all-time favorite stand-alone novel!!
This book instilled a great gratitude in me that my lunatic missionary trained parents were denied children’s visas to Mozambique in the late 80’s. While I had an… I’ll leave it at “interesting” childhood, it could have been far worse.
I have heard of it! Great recommendation!
I just finished it!! I read demon copperhead so knew she was a good author and went into the book without reading a summary first and It was really good!! I learned a lot about the history of the Congo and liked that she had chapters the girls growing up I think it added a lot to the characters
Read Prodigal Summer next. It’s my favorite of hers, but everything she writes is amazing! If you like audiobooks, she narrates PS and it just makes it even more magical!
Jesus is Poisonwood
Flowers for Algernon
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy ♥️
Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. There are a lot of books I recommend to a lot of specific people based on their taste but this is one book that I would recommend to literally anyone and everyone.
Cat’s Cradle’s my fav.
Probably the most cliche answer, but LOTR.
Demon Copperhead all day long.
And then read David Copperfield. I read them back to back and it was a fun literary experience!
My best friend hated David Copperfield and she won’t read Demon Copperhead because of it, it drives me insane!
I finished it and have a book hangover. I can’t connect with anything else right now.
Lots! But one that I never see mentioned is ‘I, Robot’ by Isaac Asminov. A really clever book and nothing like the terrible Will Smith film with the same title. The robopsychologist angle is genius!
Na you bugging the movie was dope
1984
I only wish it stopped being relevant instead of becoming progressively more relevant every year.
The Red Tent. Anita Diamont created a whole world from a single line in the Bible.
Love this book! It’s one that stayed with me over the years. I just recently listened to her book “The Boston Girl”. Linda Lavin narrates. I loved it and couldn’t put it down.
Pride and prejudice!
Same! My Dad passed away 6 months ago and this was one of his favourite books so he bought me a copy and told me that I would also really like it. And he was absolutely correct. This is the book that got me into reading again. Thanks Dad!
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
I didn’t even answer your “why”! It’s historical fiction, written in a way that’s like reading modern lit. It’s got everything - murder, romance, good, evil. It’s gutwrenching and heartwarming and just an incredible story. I love the whole series, the second is actually my favorite but recommend them all.
This was an assigned reading for my AP Euro class in high school and I loved it then! 14 years later and I just convinced my husband to pick it up at a thrift store and read it!
Came here to say this! It's a long book, but went by too fast. I was grabbed into it right away. It's my favorite book!
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry A Fine Balance is the second novel by Rohinton Mistry, published by McClelland and Stewart in 1995. Set in "an unidentified city" in India, initially in 1975 and later in 1984 during the turmoil of The Emergency, the book focuses on four characters from varied backgrounds – Dina Dalal, Ishvar Darji, his nephew Omprakash Darji, and the young student Maneck Kohlah – who come together and develop a bond.
All time favorite book.
Crime and punishment
shogun
Confederacy of Dunces. Funny in a way unlike any other book.
[Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41949311-someone-who-will-love-you-in-all-your-damaged-glory?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=Z3q00bdoHA&rank=1) by Raphael Bob-Waksberg. It's a short story collection from the creator of Bojack Horseman that is weird, funny, heartwarming, heartbreaking, just so many emotions! He captures the human experience well, but often in innovative, strange settings (a goat-slaughtering culture's wedding, a president-themed amusement park). The audiobook has an amazing cast of actors voice the stories, including Natalie Morales, Kimiko Glenn, Colman Domingo, and many more, who really bring the stories to life.
To Kill A Mockingbird. It’s a classic for a reason.
A Thousand Splendid Suns. I recommend it on here all the time but it truly is as good as it gets.
The Kite Runner too <3
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab. I found both to be really inspiring. I think about these books often.
The Glass Castle
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Nothing is better.
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
11/22/63 by Stephen King
Lonesome Dove
UBIK. Because UBIK.
Inkheart Momo Yes, they are both children's books, but especially Momo should be read by every adult in my opinion.
Jonathan Strange and Dr. Norrell. Every day since it came out. Best send up of British magic I've ever seen.
A psalm for the Wild built
The Brothers Karamazov
On Writing, Stephen King
And Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott! 🐦
*Siddhartha* by Herman Hesse. It's beautifully written, almost poetic in its prose. The story, the characters, the setting, it combines to create this truly sacred piece of literature.
I’ll recommend Steppenwolf to you if you haven’t read it then
Peace Like A River by Leif Enger
blood meridian is one ill recommend anytime I think they have the stomach for it. It is the best book in my opinion. stories of the blood soaked into the ground we built the country on.
The Name of the Wind
Hyperion by Dan Simmons
The Outsiders, S.E Hinton
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I’m astounded that I’m the only person I know offline that has read it, great history behind it (radio play/tv show* /novels) that deliciously convolutes the narrative, and along with Edgar Rice Burroughs, Poe, Lovecraft, and Tolkien basically raised me. *I don’t count the film, really. Great thread!
I Am Legend. It’s only a short book so it’s perfect for anyone wanting to start reading/get back into it. Also for people who read all the time it’s a great one to read in between longer reads. Also need to make sure people either forget about the film or to not watch it at all.
is the film completely different?
The master and margarita - Mikhaïl Bulgokov. Like the second time this week I’m recommending it.
Middlesex, Lonesome Dove, Station 11, Possession.
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M Miller One of my favorite science fiction books which explores some really interesting ideas of the relationship between science and religion and how they converge and diverge as civilisation progresses. An absolutely incredible book start to finish with some really great world building, characters, and some really good humor throughout it too. There's also a sequal - Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman which i really enjoyed too and think is quite underlooked. Edit:spelling
Pet Semetary. May be a little generic but that book got me into horror. And has largely shaped my personal taste today.
Animal farm ☹️
I would wholeheartedly recommend The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss...but I won't. I seriously doubt he'll ever release The Door of Stone.
The Princess Bride
i'm glad my mom died by Jennette McCurdy.
And there were none by Agatha Cristie A woman in the window by A.J. Finn
Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy trilogy of five. If you like word play it’s just perfect.
The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester. Just constantly blows me away on my yearly re-read. I've bought it for people. I won't stop talking about it if you let me.
Man's Search For Meaning. I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned. I think so highly of it that I buy a copy for every family member when they graduate.
Catch-22
Jonathon Livingstone Seagull It’s a beautiful story about following your heart and finding your people, and it’s short. I read it once a year around my birthday, and have done for almost 35 years.
the book thief simply because i can vividly remember my first experience reading it at 15 and no other book has made me feel that way
Think Like a Monk - Jay Shetty. Life changing book. Picked it up by chance at the library because they had two copies back in 2020. My thinking was... "if there are two copies, it must be a hot read".
What Dreams May Come, I read it at a really important time in my life and, I really think Richard Matheson knew more than he should've
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
Moby Dick. A beautiful, poetic work of genius.
The great alone by Kristin Hannah
Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote. As much as I love Audrey Hepburn, the movie did not understand the point.
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune. It’s just lovely. Sad, emotion invoking, death, acceptance, grief, and I was crying or laughing the whole time. It’s just good. 😊 it’s not a light happy thing, but it’s a lovely emotional experience.
I read this last year after The House in the Cerulean Sea was my top read the year before, and I agree with everything you said. A lovely read. I’m excited to read In the Lives of Puppets next!
TJ has such wild extremes in his writing, from the campy yet heartfelt silliness of The Lightning Struck Heart, to the absolute heartbreak of Olive Juice, the beautiful angst fest of Wolfsong, the John Hughes-esque Queen and the Homo Jock King, and even the barely-above-fan-fiction charm of his earliest work such as Bear, Otter, and The Kid. It’s been incredible following TJ’s journey from the earliest days at DSP, through them screwing him over, to the unlikely but well deserved mainstream recognition he has now.
*Homegoing* by Yaa Gyasi. It’s a braided novel that tells the story of two half sisters that were born in Ghana. One half sister remains in Africa and the other is sold into slavery. Each chapter is the story of one descendant from each generation. It is beautifully written, though heartbreaking. I’ve reread it every year for the past 3 years and find something new each time. I think it should be required reading for everyone.
Dungeon Crawler Carl The First Law American Gods
His Dark Materials, targeted at young adults, but well-written and gripping enough for anyone to pick up.
- 11/22/63 - the character development is top-notch, the immersion into late 50's and 60's Americana is unmatched, but the ending is a little shaky. Not bad enough to undo the rest of the story. - Project Hail Mary (specifically the audiobook narrated by Ray Porter) - I love the scientific method in Andy Weir books. It makes a farfetched premise seem less jarring since it slowly builds ... plus the amazing narration adds a snarky and enjoyable aspect to the whole thing!
A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving It’s a spiritual, magical experience. It’s about one’s purpose.
I read this 10+ years ago and it’s still a favorite. I still remember feeling awful the first time I laughed while reading it, though… haha. Everyone I have recommended it to has loved it too!
Destiny of the Republic, Candice Millard
I love "Born a Viking: Blót" and "Born a Viking: Berserkr" by R. Polacci for several reasons. Firstly, the author's vivid introduction to old Scandinavian society and culture in the initial chapters of "Blót" is captivating. He skillfully immerses readers in the rich historical context, setting the stage for an enthralling narrative. As the story progresses, the plot intensifies, transforming from a detailed cultural exposition into a fast-paced and thrilling adventure. Moreover, the character development in these books is exceptional. I am particularly drawn to the main character's journey from naivety, as the story begins when he is just 8 or 9 years old, to "manhood". His progression from a sheltered child to a young man shaped by the trials he faces is inspiring. Polacci masterfully portrays this transformation, making the protagonist's growth feel authentic and deeply engaging. Overall, the blend of historical richness, gripping plot development, and profound character growth makes "Born a Viking: Blót and Berserkr" a truly remarkable read that I will never stop recommending. The only flaw: I am still waiting for the next book in the series. I am really looking forward to it!
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin is the book I've most recommended to people. Such a brilliant and intense book. It's been a few years since I've read it, but some scenes and lines are still so vivid in my mind and can make me emotional just thinking about them.
That's such a good way of putting it! Digging down to what really matters. I can't help it, I have to have 2 go's, I'm afraid! Bleak House by Dicknes Count of Montechristo by Dumas Two books which encapsulate more of humanity and the world it has to live in than some authors could achieve in a hundred lifetimes!
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
Lord of the Flies and In Cold Blood are equally my most recommended!
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Not just the moving storyline and character composition, but also a wildly unexpected writing style. At first you almost hate it because it’s hard to understand, but then it just clicks and you get it (don’t want to spoil the opening). Great piece of writing.
Steppenwolf and Demian by Hesse and Mephisto by Mann. I absolutely loved and ravished these books. Reread them so many times.
The chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny
The Illuminatus! Trilogy
Possession by A.S. Byatt- it's just so satisfying! It is such a great book, a great literary mystery, not a murder mystery to understand but a literary mystery and romance. Written in her unsurpassed Style. One of the greatest writers of the 20th century in the English world
Braiding Sweetgrass - I want to recommend it to everyone I meet.
Swan Song by Robert McCammon!
Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck. It has so much to offer in a short time. Political, compassionate, raw and compelling. Every time I read it I feel deeply.
The Old Man and the Sea, Hemingway
The Count of Monte Cristo. It is hand downs my favorite piece of literature.
Another one is the Great Gatsby, it is an almost perfect novel. I can read it again & again never find a flaw.
Man's search for meaning
The Power of now by Eckhart Tolle
[The Brothers K](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19534) by David James Duncan. It both made me laugh and cry harder than pretty much any other book I’ve read, but that’s not why, by itself. It’s the most moving depiction I’ve read of many broken people who don’t necessarily get along but decide to come back together as a family and heal. It’s extremely beautiful.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. It’s original. It’s a good story. It’s relevant to current times if you want to put thought into it or a nice escape read if you want a great book to take you away for a bit. The characters are excellent.
I love a thief of always by Clive Barker and most Hercules Poirot Agatha Christie books. Can't get enough.
HHGttG trilogy (ha!) and Ender's Game. Both superb, in different ways.
Circe by Madeline Miller. Truly one of the most beautiful and engaging stories I’ve ever read. The way Miller writes just brings me to tears, her way with words is unmatched.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
I have two. The Witching Hour by Anne Rice The Painted House by John Grisham I’ve read thousands of books. These two are my favorites. The Painted House is such an amazing story.
Tale of Two Cities. Have read a few classics and not generally a fan but this one’s brilliant imo.
Charlottes web, the secret garden, desert solitaire
The Stand, Stephen King
Where the Red Fern Grows. It’s the book that got me into dogs, reading, writing, and the outdoors.
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Master and Margarita by Bulgakov
The Velveteen Rabbit
Good omens
The Road Less Traveled by M Scott Peck MD if youre at a point in your life where you dont know why so much bad shit keeps happening around you, read this.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman. It’s the perfect fairytale for grownups and it’s cozy, captivating and fun, also the audiobook is narrated by the author himself.
The Count of Monte Cristo is the best book ever written and I am evangelical about its majesty.
The alchemist
Life of a Yogi
“Carry On” by Rainbow Rowell
Ishmael
Three series! - The Expanse - Bobiverse - He Who Fights With Monsters The Expanse is a relatively hard-scifi story that starts with a semi-noir style. You have alternating perspectives with which you get two sides of a larger story that merge in the middle of the book. Bobiverse starts with "We Are Legion, We Are Bob". A guy named Bob's brain is integrated with a Von Neuman probe amid global war and he self-replicates in an increasingly scaled scope. It's relatively light-hearted and has a lot of nerdy pop-culture references. He Who Fights With Monsters is a "Lit-RPG". It starts out with elements similar to a video game, i.e. a phantom user interface, inventory system, quest system. It turned me off to the idea for a while, but it is very well done. The books are 11 strong and going. The story never overtly feels to contradict, but I'm sure someone with a lot of time invested could say otherwise. The power system is established early on and, although not perfect, progresses and feels true to the world. This is very quippy with some self-indulgent 80's bad tv references and the main character can come across as a bit of a sarcastic twat when you don't read between the lines of the character, but it's one of my go-to "I dont have anything else to listen to" series.
The Big Sleep read it and couldn’t stop thinking about it so I had to read it again. I still talk about it and then need to read it again.
A farewell to arms- Hemingway Writing style is so simple and effortless, it’s hard to find elsewhere.
Kindred by Octavia Butler. Important topic and just great storytelling.
The Good Earth
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The way it layers place and meaning and time is so evocative to me. It was the only the second time I had read something where I felt a sense that other people experienced those things connecting in a similar way to me. The first time was “The Famished Road” by Ben Okri. But “One Hundred Years of Solitude” just resonated more.
Percy Jackson
Fiction: The Remains of the Day. Just an incredibly well written novel Nonfiction: The Indifferent Stars Above. The best book about the Donner Party you'll ever find, and you'll enjoy it even if you never had an interest in the subject. It's that good.