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.
"Recalled to Life" by Robert Silverberg -
Plot: Average lawyer thrust into the role of having to deal with the controversy of reviving dead people.
Theme: Opposites (science & media, technology & ethics, religion & science) over the ability, ethics, and rights to revive the recently departed.
My comments: This Sci Fi book was waaaaaaayyyyyyy ahead of it's time. It's about reviving the recently departed back to life. The sleeper pick on this entire list.
Link: Robert Silverberg links Here.
Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God" -
Plot: A black woman's rags-to-riches-to-by-herself-again story.
Theme: Should a person listen to what others want or expect or should one listen to their own heart regardless of the consequences?
My comments: Beautiful, elegant, eloquent, prose writing. Read it, you'll see what I mean.
Link: An outstanding Zora Neale Hurston site Here.
Various Poetry -
Plot: N/A. It's poetry man.
Theme: Diversified. It's poetry man.
My comments and some links, too: Alas, like the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain, I have been found
out - I admit to being a passionate, sensitive idealist. My awareness and knowledge of poetry
is average at best, however, that being said, I really like D.H. Lawrence's "Kill Money";
John Donne's "Devotions #17"; Edgar Allan Poe's "Dream Within A Dream"; "To Althea, From Prison" by Richard Lovelace; and "If" by Rudyard Kipling.
John Steinbeck's "East of Eden" -
Plot: The story of the lives of two very different brothers in California during the mid-late 19th Century.
Theme: There are so many themes in this book; it's difficult to narrow it down to just one. Therefore, I'm going to stay it's simply Life. Take
that for what you will and interpret it as you like.
My comments: What a book! It requires some discretionary reading due to mature content (it's definitely not written for children or those
that are easily offended). However, this book will captivate you and you'll find yourself getting very emotionally involved with some of the characters. Steinbeck's writing is first class and his passage about glimpses of "glory" may be
the best passage I have ever read in any novel. Monica, thanks for recommending Steinbeck - you're right, he's awesome.
Link: A very good John Steinbeck link Here.
"The 100 - A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History" by Michael Hart -
Plot: N/A. Mr. Hart's listing is very controversial, interesting listing of the 100 most influential people in history.
Theme: Most influential does not mean greatest, there is a difference.
My comments: This is a fantastic book and it may make some readers very angry because of its controversial ratings.
In fact, when I first read this, I caught myself shouting out loud, "Oh come on!"
However, in defense of Mr. Hart, I have to point out this book is not the ranking of the greatest persons in history, it's a ranking of
the most influential, there is a difference. Sometimes it's good to read things that'll get you worked up or make you angry.
Link: No link to this one, if you find one, please Let Me Know.
Malcalypse The Younger's "Principia Discordia" -
Plot: N/A or then again maybe it is...Hmmm?
Theme: Tear it down, mock it, laugh at it, then think about things in a new way. A 'lil bit 'o good chaos is good for everyone don't you know (*g*).
My comments: We take life (and it's sacred icons) too damn serious, you know...AAAA...AAAAA...CHOOOOO! PHBBBBPTTTHHHH!
Links: Are you ready ladies and germs? Time to get discordiaized Here or Here.
Anything by Shakespeare -
Plot: Although the characters, locations, and scenarios are different, Shakespeare's plays (for the most part) are typical three-tier development (intro of characters & development of problem, apex of problem(s), and resolution).
However, Shakespeare's sonnets are quite diverse.
Theme: Oh, Jesus. How long do you have? Shakespeare addresses just about anything and everything.
My comments: I'm not as much of a Shakespeare geek as some people are, however, I have to admit that I've enjoyed all of Shakespeare's works so far.
Links: Alas and anon, yea verily and forsooth, readeth just about anything by the Bard Hereth.
Ursula K. LeGuin's "The Dispossessed" -
Plot: Two very different planets with different economies, philosophies, and worldviews. Can they co-exist? Why are they different?
Theme: What is the basis for society? Is there such a thing as an eglatarian society? If so, what are the nuances and implications?
My comments: As a general rule, I don't like Sci Fi, however, this book (IMO) transcends the typical Sci Fi genre and it won me over. A seminal, thought provoking, and philosophic work in a insidious sort of way.
Link: Read some comments about The Dispossessed Here.
Jim Hightower's "There's Nothing in the Middle of the Road except Stripes and Dead Armadillos" -
Plot: N/A. True life expose.
Theme: Pull the pants down on the duplicity, waste, and prejuidice in our economic/political system.
My comments: It was a close call between this book and Michael Moore's book (see next entry). I give Jim Hightower the edge in writing.
Does a class struggle exist in America? You bet. This book is full of eye opening facts covering Corporate Welfare, Government Waste, CEO jerks, and the scary dichotomy between the Rich and the Poor.
Link: Check Jim Hightower's site Here.
Michael Moore's "Downsize This" -
Plot: Same comments as with Jim Hightower's book.
Theme: Ditto.
My comments: This book is pretty much the same as Michael Moore's movies "Roger & Me" and "The Big One" (qv). Although Jim Hightower is a better writer, Michael has Jim in the humor, film making,
and public speaking department. A great, humorous read but it's NOT for the easily offended.
Link: Check out Micheal Moore's site Here.
Lawrence Durrell's "Justine" -
Plot: The city of Alexandria, Egypt and various colorful characters interact with one another leading to dramatic life situations.
Theme: Be careful who you pick as friends, don't screw around, and any given situation is looked at differently via individual eyes.
My comments: I haven't read all of the Alexandrian Quartet, however, Justine (the first book in the series) is a great work. I like how Durrell utilizes the city of Alexandria, Egypt as if it
were a living entity. The interplay of Alexandria and the characters are great. Some interesting nuggets of truth dwell within Justine's pages.
Link: This is the only Laurence Durrell site I've been able to find so far Here.
Sanyika Shakur's "Monster: Life of a former L.A. Crip Gang Member" -
Plot: N/A. True life story of a young Afro-American man who gets caught up in the L.A. gang scene and ends up in prison.
Theme: Don't get caught up in a gang, if you do you'll be sorry. Also, deals about racism and sepratism in America.
My comments: Sanyika has been through more than most of us could handle. Very rarely do I rummage through a book in one setting - I made it through "Monster" very quickly. Due to the nature of this book,
it's not for the squeamish or the easily offended.
The only negative I have to say about "Monster" is that it ends prematurely.
What happens to Sanyika? At the end of the book he's still in prison. Aargh! I've recently learned that Sanyika was no longer incarcerated for a while but he's back in jail under dubious charges.
He has a sequel coming out soon. Although I don't condone gangs or violence, in a sense, I'm pulling for this guy and I wish him the best.
Link: Sanyika Shakur site Here.
Michael Harrington's "Socialism" -
Plot: N/A. Historical account of Socialism.
Theme: What is Socialism? Is it Socialism from above or Socialism from below?
My comments: This man was a brilliant and seminal thinker. Mr.
Harrington sets forth cogent, convincing arguments that the only true socialism is
a democratic one ("Socialism from below"). He also offers compelling evidence that most groups that use (or have used)
the term "Socialism" misrepresent it's true meaning (i.e., "Socialism from above" vis-a-vis Stalin, Mao Tse Tung etc.).
This book also brilliantly traces the historical development and
inherent contradictions & problems of Socialism. It's a great book!
Link: A good place to start Here.
Dorothy Thompson Brande's "Becoming A Writer" -
Plot: N/A. Just a great book about learning to write from the heart.
Theme: You can write! In fact, you can write well if you work at it!
My comments: A cool hard to find book about writing.
Link: Haven't found a link for this yet, if you find one, please Let Me Know.
Brenda Ueland's "If You Want To Write" -
Plot: N/A. Another great book about learning to write well.
Theme: Write well gosh darn it.
My comments: This book is a classic, yet offbeat, book about learning to write.
Link: Brenda Ueland link Here.
David Hawkins' "Power vs. Force" -
Plot: N/A. This book utilizes (among other things) an unusual, alternative method (muscle testing) of determining truth.
Theme: Interconnectivity of all things, dude.
My comments: This is book presents an interesting, creative way of determining truth and accuracy based on energy and "attractor fields".
IMO, some stuff discussed is a little bit strange, however, keep an open mind - lots of good stuff can be found here too.
Link: Does David Hawkins exist on the Internet? If you find something, please Let Me Know.
Mitch Albom's "Tuesdays With Morrie" -
Plot: N/A. True life story of the re-union between a wise, sensitive college professor and one of his former students from years gone by.
Theme: Life is precious and people have value -- pull yourself from the work-a-day-world and make a difference.
My comments: This is a very touching true life story of a dying college prof who comes into contact with one of his fav former students.
Link: Tuesdays With Morrie link Here.
Richard Osborne's "Philosophy For Beginners" -
Plot: N/A. This is a zany review of Philosophy.
Theme: Philosophy should be fun AND it should really make you re-examine issues, too.
My comments: The editing in this book is terrible
(typos abound), however, I think this adds to its appeal. "Philosophy For Beginners" is a sloppy, biased, humorous, and irreverent poke at Philosophy.
One of this book's merits is that it takes an intimidating and difficult subject (Philosophy) and it brings it down to your
level in a concise, very humorous format. Philosophy For Beginners ends in a unsatisfying fashion (post structualism); but then again, maybe the
whole point of post structualism is to bring us back to the beginning?
Link: A great place to start for any philosophical inquiries Here.
Judy Jones' and William Wilson's "An Incomplete Education" -
Plot: N/A. This is an irreverant yet sagacious and fun learning tome.
Theme: Learning should be fun and this book makes it a barrel full of monkeys.
My comments: This book is a humorous
(and slightly irreverent) review of the major "Humanities" subjects as well as various aspects of the Entertainment
field (Movies, Music, etc.). If you'd like to learn more, read this book. The format is easy, concise,
and fun. I just want to tell the authors of this book, "I'm not worthy, I'm not
worthy."
Link: No link for this one.
Herman Hesse's "Magist Ludi - The Glass Bead Game" -
Plot: Gifted youth among esoteric intelligentsia.
Theme: What is Truth? What is right? What is good? Are these things pertinent to a select few, or do they apply to cultures as well?
My comments: What is the Glass Bead Game? It's hard to describe and it is a matter of some debate. This book is very creative, unique,
and full of valuable truths as well as symbolism coupled with deep meaning.
Link: Glass Bead Game/Herman Hesse link Here.
David Elkins' "Beyond Religion" -
Plot: N/A. Commentary about life and spirituality.
Theme: It's possible to have a full, enjoyable, fulfilling life outside of organzied religions.
My comments: A Jungian approach to spirituality filled with good insights and thought provoking stuff. Very interesting.
Link: Professor David Elkins college web page Here.
The Bible -
Plot: Well...that depends on who you talk to.
Theme: Throughout history and even in modern day, there's a massive interpretive continuum about the Bible's meaning.
My comments: I'm not sure where to put the Bible on this list. It's contents range from "Yeah, right" to "You gotta be kidding me!?" to "Wow!".
Any book that covers the range it attempts to cover deserves to be on a best books list.
Link: Read it for yourself Here.
