Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?

Post by chrisfosterelli » Mon, Oct 07, 2024, 6:45 PM UTC

grecy wrote: post #214

tb_technical wrote: post #142

"The best book I've ever read was Atlas Shrugged in 8th grade. Changed my life." Not because I remember anything about it, or believe anything it espouses, or even like it all that much, but because it's a useful filter for obnoxious people in meatspace. If someone I don't know too well asks me what my favorite book is, I say Atlas Shrugged. If they react inappropriately, I'll be cordial and treat them with respect,…

> The best book I've ever read was Atlas Shrugged I didn't read it until I was well into my 30s, but I very much enjoyed it. Not the best I've ever read, but I have read it a few times now. I don't agree with a lot of it, and I can't relate to some of the characters personally, I just think it is extremely well written. The characters and their motivations are very well laid out, and we get to go on a journey with th…

Post by Triphibian » Mon, Oct 07, 2024, 6:47 PM UTC

flenserboy wrote: post #369

creature_x wrote: post #173

Steppenwolf By Herman Hesse. It's remarkable how a fictional character written by someone a century ago can resonate so deeply with a modern person. But then again, that's a common thread amongst great literature. I recommend this book to anyone struggling with loneliness or feeling like they haven't found their footing in this world. “Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at everything else.”

Give his Glass Bead Game a try; it is dense, delightful, & its content would appeal much to the denizens of this site.

Post by iamacyborg » Mon, Oct 07, 2024, 6:50 PM UTC

ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #362

These threads often end up, with everyone trying to prove they are literary scholars. I prefer junky fantasy books. I'm really too old and cynical to give a damn what y'all think of me. I probably liked David Edding's Belgariad series, along with the Mallorean series, the most. I reread them, regularly, and go through all ten books, in a couple of weeks. They are an easy read. Also, Glen Cook's Black Company books ar…

Post by lolinder » Mon, Oct 07, 2024, 6:51 PM UTC

llamaimperative wrote: post #461

lolinder wrote: post #377

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I think you're dismissing the people such as myself that would note you as an idiot without comment and move on wanting nothing to do with you. > Edit: tests ... with people you just met is an ineffective way to navigate the world. My 2c Do you see the irony here? I wouldn't personally run the kind of test OP is running, but I think that even in your case the test succeeded: they've successfully separated themselve…

How about "tests with an obviously high risk of systematic, invisible false negatives are bad"

Post by hgomersall » Mon, Oct 07, 2024, 6:53 PM UTC

travisjungroth wrote: post #342

dmitrygr wrote: post #237

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I think you're dismissing the people such as myself that would note you as an idiot without comment and move on wanting nothing to do with you. Not OP. But I would say the filter is working. If you would treat somebody like an idiot for liking a book you don’t like, I indeed, would want you filtered out of my circle of friends.

It’s not just liking a book, as if they named some cliche young adult novel. It’s the magnum opus of the author’s philosophy as a novel. They’re dismissing them for the philosophical views they’re celebrating. It’s the other end of the spectrum from disliking someone because their favorite book is The Grapes of Wrath or A Brave New World. I actually agree with the values expressed in those books, and I can also under…