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Ask HN: Good books?

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Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#161

Post by bmelton »

jakevoytko wrote: post #62

If you liked "Atlas Shrugged", you will love "East of Eden" by George Steinbeck. It has some passages on self-determination that puts anything found in Rand to shame. It's a tome, and it starts slow - do yourself a favor and make it through the introduction of one of the villains, Kathy (chapter 8 or so). It doesn't slow down after that. "The Watchmen" by Alan Moore. It may be a graphic novel, but the issues it raise…

That is a splendid list.

I'll add:

"Sandman" by Neil Gaiman. Also a graphic novel, but this series literally reinvented comics to me, and to many other readers.

"Lunar Park" by Bret Easton Ellis. Probably the safest introduction to Ellis if you aren't looking for a rampant gore-fest. Spooky, creepy, chilling, but also insightful, confounding and enlightening.

"Catcher in the Rye" by JD Salinger. Mostly recommending as it fits into the above list, but I feel like it was missing. I personally felt it was overhyped, but I'm the odd man out, as everybody I've ever talked to considers it profound.

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#162

Post by pstuart »

Robert Anton Wilson: The Illuminati Trilogy (rethink your thinking)

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal (very spiritual in its own way, but highly entertaining)

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#166

Post by ashleyreddy »

alinajaf wrote: post #126

I am a total whore for historical fiction: 'Shogun' by James Clavell was the first book I read that had me glued to it for hours and hours at a time. Tai Pan is also a classic. I also found the original three Courtney books by Wilbur Smith (starting with 'The Sound of Thunder') were a guilty pleasure. They are pure trash, with thin characters and a predictable plot but epic adventure nonetheless. More recently I've t…

If you liked Shogun you should read his book King Rat. One of my top 10!

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#167

Post by dpatel512 »

winterismute wrote: post #23

On the philosophical side, I sugget "Existentialism Is a Humanism" by Sartre: it explains in a clear and simple way the idea of Existentialism, which is a great philosophy based on strong principles, and a key idea in the modern philosophical debate. It somehow changed my life, and made me think a lot more about life principles that can actually guide one's life.

Couple that with Camus' The Stranger and The Myth of Sisyphus and you've got enough satisfying "thinking material" for a nice long while.

One more suggestion for fiction: Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance. This will FOREVER change your perspective on hardship while giving one a fantastic appreciation for living. I'm always giving copies of this rare gem as a gift and I have heard nothing but rave reviews from those who have been touched by its power.

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#168

Post by desigooner »

bmelton wrote: post #161
jakevoytko wrote: post #62

If you liked "Atlas Shrugged", you will love "East of Eden" by George Steinbeck. It has some passages on self-determination that puts anything found in Rand to shame. It's a tome, and it starts slow - do yourself a favor and make it through the introduction of one of the villains, Kathy (chapter 8 or so). It doesn't slow down after that. "The Watchmen" by Alan Moore. It may be a graphic novel, but the issues it raise…

That is a splendid list. I'll add: "Sandman" by Neil Gaiman. Also a graphic novel, but this series literally reinvented comics to me, and to many other readers. "Lunar Park" by Bret Easton Ellis. Probably the safest introduction to Ellis if you aren't looking for a rampant gore-fest. Spooky, creepy, chilling, but also insightful, confounding and enlightening. "Catcher in the Rye" by JD Salinger. Mostly recommending a…

American Gods by Neil Gaiman is pretty good as well .. very good infact ..

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#170

Post by keerthyv »

I'd suggest "Gone with the Wind", an ultimate classic. It is tagged as epic romance but I personally feel that it is more than just romance. It has changed a few perspectives of mine and I couldn't get off the story for nearly 3 months. I really enjoyed the book.

If you've enjoyed "Atlas Shrugged, which I'm planning to read, try reading "The Fountain Head" by the same author.

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