May-29-2010, 03:21 PM (UTC)
Twenty? You're asking for quite a lot here. They don't have to be fiction, right? (Although I do read more fiction than non-fiction...).
Well, it's quite an eclectic list. Let me try to explain what each book on the list means to me...
1. The Bible - I swear, this is not me being pious, this was honestly the first book I thought of. It has always been a part of my life, even now when I'm not so sure what to think anymore.
2. The Neverending Story (Michael Ende) - First off, please don't judge it by the movies. It is way better and deeper, especially the second half. I have read this book over and over again and still keep finding new layers. I would need a whole book to describe what makes this book so special to me.
3. Neuropath (Scott Bakker) - Not for the faint of heart, this book balances detailed information about neurosience and gruesome events. It makes one ask uncomfortable questions about free will. I couldn't shut up about it after I finished it, which is always a good sign.
4. A Game of Thrones (George R. R. Martin - The problem with fantasy is, does one list seeies or single books?
5. Will the Center Hold? (Donald Palmer - This book got me into philosophy. Well written, clear and peppered with amusing cartoons.
6. Assassin's Quest (Robin Hobb) - This book's ending stayed with me for a long time. AA got me into Hobb and RA got me hooked, but AQ really cemented Hobb's reputation for me.
7. Firewing (Kenneth Oppel) - A children's book that I read years ago, third in the Silverwing series. Like AQ, its ending stayed with me for a long time.
8. Redwall (Brian Jacques) - Another childhood favorite. I used to love the Redwall series, but they're getting worse, there are simply too many of 'em. (22 and counting! Yikes!)
9. The God Delusion (Richard Dawkins) - A recent read. While I do not agree with everything, this book does have me re-examining how I think about religion.
10. The Power That Preserves (Stephen Donaldson) - Third book of the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Its ending stayed with me for a long time - I have the feeling there's someting deeper there that I just don't grasp yet.
11. The New Testament (Bart D. Ehrman) - No, not the new testament itself, a book about the new testament. It made me view it in a different light.
12. Lila (Robert M. Pirsig) - Much better than Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Proposes an intriuging new metaphysical system, although I don't think it's true.
13. Sabriel (Garth Nix) - This was very enjoyable. I can't think of more to say at the moment.
14. Harry Potter (J. K. Rowling) - Which one? Ah, there's the series problem again...
15. Sophie's World (Jostein Gaarder) - Slightly overrated, but still interesting.
16. The Two Hearts of Kwasi Boachi (Arthur Japin) - One of the very few Dutch authors that I enjoy, a reason no doubt that it was so memorable.
17. The Four Loves (C. S. Lewis) - One of the best examinations of the subjects of love and friendship that I have ever read.
18. The Elements of Moral Philosophy (James Rachels) - The best introducyion to ethics I ever could have wanted.
19. Out of the Silent Planet (C. S. Lewis) Hey look, it's C. S. Lewis again!
20. Fevre Dream (George R. R. Martin) - I don't know. I'm tired.
Well, it's quite an eclectic list. Let me try to explain what each book on the list means to me...
1. The Bible - I swear, this is not me being pious, this was honestly the first book I thought of. It has always been a part of my life, even now when I'm not so sure what to think anymore.
2. The Neverending Story (Michael Ende) - First off, please don't judge it by the movies. It is way better and deeper, especially the second half. I have read this book over and over again and still keep finding new layers. I would need a whole book to describe what makes this book so special to me.
3. Neuropath (Scott Bakker) - Not for the faint of heart, this book balances detailed information about neurosience and gruesome events. It makes one ask uncomfortable questions about free will. I couldn't shut up about it after I finished it, which is always a good sign.
4. A Game of Thrones (George R. R. Martin - The problem with fantasy is, does one list seeies or single books?
5. Will the Center Hold? (Donald Palmer - This book got me into philosophy. Well written, clear and peppered with amusing cartoons.
6. Assassin's Quest (Robin Hobb) - This book's ending stayed with me for a long time. AA got me into Hobb and RA got me hooked, but AQ really cemented Hobb's reputation for me.
7. Firewing (Kenneth Oppel) - A children's book that I read years ago, third in the Silverwing series. Like AQ, its ending stayed with me for a long time.
8. Redwall (Brian Jacques) - Another childhood favorite. I used to love the Redwall series, but they're getting worse, there are simply too many of 'em. (22 and counting! Yikes!)
9. The God Delusion (Richard Dawkins) - A recent read. While I do not agree with everything, this book does have me re-examining how I think about religion.
10. The Power That Preserves (Stephen Donaldson) - Third book of the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Its ending stayed with me for a long time - I have the feeling there's someting deeper there that I just don't grasp yet.
11. The New Testament (Bart D. Ehrman) - No, not the new testament itself, a book about the new testament. It made me view it in a different light.
12. Lila (Robert M. Pirsig) - Much better than Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Proposes an intriuging new metaphysical system, although I don't think it's true.
13. Sabriel (Garth Nix) - This was very enjoyable. I can't think of more to say at the moment.
14. Harry Potter (J. K. Rowling) - Which one? Ah, there's the series problem again...
15. Sophie's World (Jostein Gaarder) - Slightly overrated, but still interesting.
16. The Two Hearts of Kwasi Boachi (Arthur Japin) - One of the very few Dutch authors that I enjoy, a reason no doubt that it was so memorable.
17. The Four Loves (C. S. Lewis) - One of the best examinations of the subjects of love and friendship that I have ever read.
18. The Elements of Moral Philosophy (James Rachels) - The best introducyion to ethics I ever could have wanted.
19. Out of the Silent Planet (C. S. Lewis) Hey look, it's C. S. Lewis again!
20. Fevre Dream (George R. R. Martin) - I don't know. I'm tired.
This signature makes the preceeding post about 20% cooler.
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