The stand, by Stephen King
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson and Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum
I remember the VCR instruction manual.
Otherwise Terry Pratchett’s discworld novels and the Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy (the 3 first ofc).
Les Misérables is easily the best book I’ve ever read in my entire life. A few years ago I read a shorthened version of it and even then I was fascinated by it. I finished reading the full text two months ago and oh my fucking god this book is the best thing ever written.
I’m Turkish so I read the Turkish translation (will read the full text in English and French when I learn it) and on the back of it, it says something along these lines:
“… Les Misérables is the third and the most majestic collumn of the author’s novel trilogy that tells of the society…”
And I completely agree with that. This book is simply timeless. The characters, situations, unjustice, inequalities, all the suffering in it could be applied to any society. This book is real.
The messages that it sends are solutions to topics that seemingly anybody with a functioning brain should be capable of thinking and realizing. And yet, these solutions are ignored and refused because of greed, revenge, bloodlust and most important of all, ignorance.
The main character of the book, Jean Valjean is the embodiment of redemption. His entire arc teaches us how to treat criminals. Some countries today are taking these lessons and applying them. The lessons being; treat them as human, rehabilitate them. The result? They actually do heal and return to society as normal human beings.
And yet you see people against this practice. Those kinds of people are blinded by bloodlust and revenge. They are the same kind of people that were racist, sexist and much more back in the day. The arguments that these people bring don’t hold up either. The most common one I see (at least from my perspective) is this:
“You wouldn’t react this way if they hurt one of your loved ones!”
The fact that these people don’t know anything about me aside, this argument is pointless as it implies that I would be blind to fact and logic when I’m in pain. And while that is true, me being angry over an apple falling onto my head won’t make gravity any less real. In other words, so what?
The biggest victims of this mentality are pedofiles. Not the ones that do engage in action. But rather the ones that don’t harm anybody are aware of their issue. For instance, if a non-engaging pedo went to a therapist and told them of their issue, what would the therapist do? Call the police of course. And what would that do? Their life would be pretty screwed from that point forward. Assuming they are the non-engaging type, of course. I don’t believe this to be the correct attitude towards these kind of cases.
I would also like to dive into other topics that the book covers (and perhaps extend on this one) but it would be way too long for a comment. Thank you anyone reading this far. I would like to hear your opinions on the matter and discuss even!
- Neuromancer by Gibson
- Snow Crash by Stephenson
- the Uplift series by Brin
- the Amber series by Zelazny
- the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit by Tolkien
There are a number that I’ve realized I really enjoyed, but read so long ago that I’ve forgotten a lot and will reread soon. Those include Blood Music by Bear, and a whole bunch of Clarke novels.
Looking for Alaska. Its not really my type of read, but I was recommended it a few times and I was hooked immediately
Stephen King’s Dark Tower series is my go-to epic fantasy. I’m about to start a 4th trip to the tower once I’m done with my current listen.
Enders Game by Orson Scott Card, and a select few other books in the series (Speaker for the dead and Enders Shadow most notably) - Card at the top of his game is fantastic, I just wish he didn’t dive completely off the deep end.
Tangentially, Berserk, if you include manga. Hands down my favorite piece of media altogether.
I’ve definitely gone through the Harry Potter series a couple of times at different phases of my life. Definitely had a different experience with every reading. Not always positive, but at this point it’s part of the tapestry of my childhood.
at this point it’s part of the tapestry of my childhood.
Mine too. I haven’t read them in a long time because of obvious reasons, but a part of me still wants to. I was truly obsessed with them for several years as a kid.
I have re-read The Lord of the Rings and all of Larry Niven’s books (many in the Ringworld universe).
Seconding Lord of the Rings.
Haven’t heard of that one. What’s it about?
