Considering there have millions of books written throughout history, it is difficult to do justice to any
"top ten, top twenty, top thirty" (etc.) book lists. However, there are some books that truly stand out. For
many reasons, the following books are remarkable, exceptional, unusual, or novel (no pun intended). Feel free to Send me your list of favorite books.
Please Notify me if any of the links below are dead, and last but not least,
Update me if you know of any other outstanding links to any of the authors or works listed below.
People - When I was a kid, my father once told me that whenever
a person dies it is like a library burning down. This always stuck with me. People are the liber mundi ("the book of the world").
We are all living letters. Comparing people to books, people , IMHO, are much more
interesting, compelling, thought provoking, and challenging to read.
J.R.R. Tolkein's "Silmarillion" and "Lord of the Rings" series -
Plot: Evil seeks control in a magical, beautiful, fantastic world while good denizens of the realms (and their allies)
finally win after intense struggles.
Theme: Problems arise when least expected, lust for power knows no bounds, unexpected strength can be found in the weak, and sacrifice & love usually win out.
My comments: Tolkein's books initially "hooked me on reading", therefore, they books get top billing. I haven't been the same since I've first read them way back in the 6th grade. The Silmarillion
and the Lord of the Rings series are great reading for kids of all ages.
Link: LOTR site Here.
Miguel Cervantes' "Don Quixote" -
Plot: Loveable delusional nut goes on many farcical do-good knightly adventures.
Theme: What is or is not socially acceptable? What is insane, what is normal?
My comments: Very rarely can a book make you laugh very hard without sacrificing it's writing quality. Cervantes accomplishes this rare feat
better than any author I've read so far. Don Quixote is a great book, it's very well written, it's a ton of fun, extremely humorous, and very imaginative. Part of me wanted to rate Don Quixote as #2.
Links: A large Don Quixote site Here or an online text of Don Quixote Here.
Henri David Thoreau's "Walden" -
Plot: N/A! This is a true life story of a man who leaves his town to live in a log cabin by himself for about a year & a half.
Theme: Our modern culture isn't everything it's cracked up to be -- nature has a lot to teach us -- stop, listen, observe, enjoy, and reflect.
My comments: Some books are of such excellent quality that it diminishes their value to offer comments. Walden is like that. Read it, you'll see what I mean.
Links: A large comprehensive Thoreau/Walden site Here or read Walden Here.
Dante's "Inferno" -
Plot: Man guided through all the regions of Hell in order to gain enlightenment.
Theme: Dante should've laid off the drugs (*L*).
My comments: Wow! What creativity and imagination (especially when you
consider that Dante was from the 13th Century)! This book is not for the squeamish, but it stands up very well to today's writing standards. Not only that, in addition,
it is definitely a wild ride. John Ciardi's annotated version of Inferno should be read first. Why? It explains numerous details and difficult passages found within Inferno
which a modern reader may not understand on their own.
Links: A very cool site dedicated to Dante's Inferno Here or read Inferno Here.
Emmanuel Swedenborg's "Heaven and Hell" -
Plot: N/A! Supposed actual visions of Heaven and Hell.
Theme: Everyone has a ruling love. For some people their ruling love is good, for others their ruling love is evil. After death people will gravitate toward that
which is commiserate with their ruling love.
My comments: Awesome spiritual stuff! This may be the deepest, most profound book I've ever read.
Links: Quick overview of Swedenborg Here or read Heaven and Hell Here.
James Hilton's "Lost Horizon" -
Plot: Survivers of an airplane crash in Tibetan mountains accidentally discover a timeless paradise (Shangra-La). Should they stay or should they leave?
Theme: Listen to your heart first before you listen to others -- if you don't you may lose your paradise and you won't be able to find it again no matter how hard you try.
My comments: It takes about 30 or 40 pages to get going, but when it starts to come together, Lost Horizon is a remarkable read.
Links: I wasn't able to find an exact link for James Hilton or Lost Horizon, however, this links is
somewhat realted. If you know of a James Hilton link or an online version of Lost Horizon, please Let me know
Boris Pasternak's "Dr. Zhivago" -
Plot: Russian doctor tries to survive vs. the many tumultuous events during the Russian revolution, WW I, and post-WW I time era.
Theme: Human freedom & love vs. a totalitarian regime, life, and death -- can one merely survive or can one truly live?
My comments: In ways, this book is a challenging read, however, once you start, you'll
find it is definitely worth the effort. Some of the things in this novel can be difficult
for an American reader to relate to because it is very Russian in style and content. Nonetheless,
"Dr. Zhivago" is great. Dr. Yurii Zhivago is one of the most enigmatic and interesting fictional characters in
literary history. Pasternak's passage about "individuals catching up with and
overtaking others" is absolutely brilliant. There are many gold nuggets to be found
in this book.
Links: I was unable to locate a online text of Dr. Zhivago, if you know of one please Let me know. You can read about a little bit about Dr. Zhivago Here
or Here.
Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search For Meaning" -
Plot: N/A! Riveting, powerfully written true life story of a man who survived Auschwitz concentration camp and the philosophy/psychology he developed about life.
Theme: Hope, Freedom, and Spirituality can set and keep a person free no matter what IF a person chooses to find and hold onto these things.
My comments: Viktor Frankl was a great man and I love his Logotherapy. To my surprise, Frankl remains relatively unknown and he
has not caught on in this nation to the degree he deserves. I cannot say enough good things about this book, it's compelling, poignant, deep, and insightful. "Man's Search for Meaning" was hammered out via unbelievably tough real life
circumstances (Auschwitz). I always respect books like this because they carry a quality that fictional works cannot attain.
Link: As of yet, no online version of "Man's Search for Meaning" exist, however, you can get some info about Viktor Frankl Here.
Henri Charriere's "Papillon" -
Plot: N/A! True life story of a Frenchman framed for murder and sentenced to the infamous "Devil's Island" prison system.
Theme: Never give up. Never, ever, never give up.
My comments: Henri Charriere ("Papillon") was incarcerated in the infamous tri-island prison in French Guiana during the '30's & 40's. "Papillon" describes Henri's indominatable spirit and his many
second-to-none adventures. This man had absolutely NO quit in him. Drama, Suspense, unbelieveable Adventure, Biographical Info, and even a shade of Comedy fill the pages of Papillon.
Link: A foreign language site with a picture of Papillon on it Here.
Dan Millman's "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" -
Plot: Semi-autobiographical account of a young college student taken under the wing of a mystic/teacher/guru.
Theme: Our mind and thinking shackle us, learn to transcend them and see your "self" and the world in a new way.
My comments: Am I losing my mind? Well...yes, but according to "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" that may be a good thing. This book is not for the "right-brained" (or is it the "left-brained"?) - it is a bit strange, trippy,
and offbeat, yet, it offers many penetrating insights. Right Soc?
Link: Dan Millman's site.
Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations" -
Plot: N/A! Meditations is a collection of personal thoughts from a philosophic Roman Emperor (Marcus Aurelius).
Theme: Stoicism meets Buddhism?
My comments: Meditations is a eloquent, insightful treatise written by a 2nd Century Roman Emperor. I was surprised how pertinent Meditations is to today's living. Do yourself a favor and read this book.
Link: A great site dedicated to selections from Marcus Aurelius' Meditations Here.
Sherman Alexie's "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven" -
Plot: Tough to categorize because this book is a collection of semi-biographical stories of life on the Indian Reservation.
Theme: Life is a complex, mixed many-splendored-splintered-thing.
My comments: Sherman is a master of mixing irony, humor, satire, thought provocation, eloquence, sadness, and tragedy. He'll really make you think hard.
Link: Sherman Alexie's official site.
Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" -
Plot: N/A. This is an interactive book to help you develop your latent creativity.
Theme: : You ARE creative! Just learn to feed it and cultivate it.
My comments: Fantastic book about tapping into your personal creativity.
Link: Great site covering various aspects of Julia Cameron's book "The Artist's Way" Here.
Roger Von Oech's "A Whack on the Side of the Head" -
Plot: Pretty much the same comments as Julia Cameron's book.
Theme: Ditto.
My comment: Ditto.
Link: A link to Mr. Von Oech's organization Here.
Forrest Carter's "The Education of Little Tree -
Plot: N/A. Very poignant, touching true life story.
Theme: Life is precious, modern culture is sorely lacking, prejudice is nasty & ignorant.
My comments: This beautiful book made me cry and I DON'T cry easy (unless, of course, I haven't taken my meds and as a result I'm on a depression cycle).
Links: No appropriate link found so far, however, if you know of one please Let Me Know.
Tom Brown Jr.'s "Grandfather" -
Plot: N/A. True life story.
Theme: Pretty much similar comments as above listed book, however, I would add that "Grandfather" highlights numerous additional things:
the interconnectivity of nature and all things; tracking; love for nature; living with nature respectfully; and being a "Coyote" teacher.
My comments: Don't let this title fool you, it's not about some old, familial, fun loving or grouchy codger. It's about various wisdom dispensed by a very spiritual Indian called "Grandfather." Tom Brown Jr. is a very good writer.
Link: Tom Brown Jr's nature & tracking school Here.
John Milton's "Paradise Lost -
Plot: Satan gets downsized by the big CEO in the sky and decides to mess with his organization starting with the new kids on the block -- Adam & Eve.
Theme: Redemption lost, sin, grace, and the desire to rule rather than be ruled.
My comments: The book of Genesis meets Shakespeare!? Not exactly, but this is a fairly accurate comparison. Satan's fall & Adam and Eve written in outstanding literary fashion. If you like ye olde literature, you'll love this work.
Link: Read Paradise Lost Here.
Sebastian Japricot's "A Very Long Engagement" -
Plot: Five French WWI soldiers are left behind enemy lines to die.
Theme: Things aren't always what you think. Life will serve you up things in unexpected fashion. Love (if persistent) wins (ha, ha).
My commments: This book almost made me cry and I DON'T almost cry very easy (unless, of course, I realize I may forget to take my meds and as a result
I might possibly go into a pseudo-depression cycle).
Links: If you find any links about Sebastian Japricot or his book "A Very Long Engagement", please Let Me Know
"The Book of Lists" series -
Plot: N/A. Just a book of lists.
Theme: Pander to those who have OCD (*g*).
My comments: Let me come right out and say it, "The Book of Lists" series is not for children and it's
a bit dated. However, I find myself going back to these books over and over again.
They are fun, very interesting, and they will provoke you to much thought.
Link: I don't know if there will ever be any links about the Book of Lists, however, you can prove me wrong or surprise if you ever find a link, if so Let Me Know.
The Tao Te Ching (Also known as Tao Te Jing or Tao De Ching) -
Plot: N/A. Plot?! The Tao needs no plot.
Theme: To show you THE WAY.
My comments: The standard Taoism text. I highly recommend either Jane English's or Stephen Mitchell's translation.
Link: Read the Tao Te Ching Here.
Karl Edward Wagner's "Kane" series -
Plot: Bad luck follows Kane -- will he get out of it?
Theme: Don't mess with the Gods, unless, of course, you're a Demi-God.
My comments: Good luck in finding any of the five titles ("Bloodstone," "Night Winds," "Dark Crusade," "Darkness Weaves," and "Death Angel's Shadow.") IMO, Kane is the best fictional "anti-hero."
The Kane books are sci-fi fantasy, and by the way he could kick any Fantasy character's ass.
Link: Karl Edward Wagner site Here.
