Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Which book would you pick to re-read for the rest of your life?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 199 posts

Re: Ask HN: Which book would you pick to re-read for the rest of your life?

#31

Post by joemountain »

h2odragon wrote: post #2

Lord of the Rings. I re-read LotR, one volume a day, every day in 5th grade. Speed reading practice. Have re-read it several times since then, it still holds up.

I just reread LotR, and concur. Better than I remember and makes me sad about the movies anew. But I’m a romantic sucker.

Re: Ask HN: Which book would you pick to re-read for the rest of your life?

#33

Post by perryizgr8 »

Permutation City by Greg Egan. The central idea presented in this scifi novel is so compelling, I can't help but feel there is some truth in it. Also, I never feel I understood everything completely. Re reading helps clarify some new question every time.

Re: Ask HN: Which book would you pick to re-read for the rest of your life?

#34

Post by tomduncalf »

dc-programmer wrote: post #19

Count of Monte Cristo

I was going to say this – though I've only read it once, I'll certainly read it again. Loved how much it immersed you in the world.

Recently I enjoyed Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr for similar reasons, if you're looking for recommendations!

Re: Ask HN: Which book would you pick to re-read for the rest of your life?

#35

Post by pgoat »

Infinite Jest - David Foster Wallace: It includes so many sides of life: terrible misery and humor, both spicy and tender, sometimes simple, sometimes absurd, then politics, society, love, cynicism, - and poetry. And it predicted, by the way, shockingly many developments of today's (American) society. And the language, of course, is opulent and wild, it won't get boring any time soon.

Re: Ask HN: Which book would you pick to re-read for the rest of your life?

#37

Post by bmj »

This has been a year of re-reading for me, so this is a timely question. I can't pick just one at the moment, but I'll split a couple of top choices via genre. (Also worth noting that in the end, my final choice would probably be the Bible.)

Fiction: The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter - Carson McCullers

Angle of Repose - Wallace Stegner

Non-fiction: In Good Company - Stanley Hauerwas

Into the Silent Land - Martin Laird

Re: Ask HN: Which book would you pick to re-read for the rest of your life?

#38

Post by xwdv »

leobg wrote: post #6
leed25d wrote: post #3

Gravity's Rainbow

Interesting. Had to look it up. Wikipedia: Gravity's Rainbow is a 1973 novel by American writer Thomas Pynchon. The narrative is set primarily in Europe at the end of World War II and centers on the design, production and dispatch of V-2 rockets by the German military. Can you put in words what makes you choose it as a book to re-read yearly?

Being able to say you’ve read this book pays dividends that go far beyond just the experience of reading the contents. It will give you instant credibility among important and highly intellectual individuals, and could lead to great job offers or securing strong investments. The prestige and recognition you carry amongst peers is priceless. Even just owning the book without reading it already puts you a step ahead of other people. The right people can be blown away just seeing it on your shelf. Read the book, yearly.
Post reply on HN