For me personally, the book that hit my stereotypes hard, sort of awakened me from a long sweet dream of everyday “false” way of life was the Qur’an. I am truly amazed to see how logically congruent and consistent it is, despite having been known and in everyday use for centuries…
coastalkid92 on
Okay all time fave… god so hard, but probably What Happened to Lani Garver by Carol Plumucci.
It was the first book I ever read about feeling like you belong but also don’t belong with the people around you when you’re a teen, and also about the gender binary.
It equal parts petty teen drama, coming of age and deep thought provoking.
PSPirate_ship on
My answer might change depending on my mood but currently I’ll say *The Sisters Brothers* by Patrick deWitt. It’s a crime-y old west setting where two contract killer brothers are on a mission. It’s my favourite (currently) because I think Eli Sisters is one of the best characters I’ve ever come across.
Woody_Stock on
It’s hard to choose, so I will be in part influenced by nostalgia.
I read The World According to Garp at 14 and it blew my mind. Still does on every re-read.
WildlifePolicyChick on
Can you define ‘favorite’? Because ‘favorite’ could mean a spectrum, anything from: Changing my perspective on life in a visceral way; Learning a point of view at a crucial point in my maturity; encapsulating a genre I had never appreciated before; or so beautifully crafted it took me to a higher level of respect for the written word.
For the above, those books (for me) are all fiction and there is not just one. Non-fiction could be a whole other beast.
I guess I’m asking what specifically you are looking for.
sparksgirl1223 on
The Stars Don’t Lie by Boo Walker
Zoya by Danielle Steel
Granny Dan by Danielle Steel
tim_to_tourach on
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. It’s about two Jewish cousins who become major players in the comic book industry during WW2. The story is just kind of crazy and covers a lot of ground (stage magic, escape artistry, comic book characters, wartime propaganda, Salvador Dali, domestic terrorism, artist exploitation, Jewish identity, sexuality, censorship, espionage…) while doing a good job of grounding itself in the relationship between the two leads. Also… Chabon has a really metaphor-heavy writing style that is really… pretty? For lack of a better word I suppose. It gives everything a real sense of grandeur.
rgblanco on
“The Count of Monte Cristo” has been my favorite, and my guide, for most of my life.
Ahazeuris on
Ada, or Ardor, by Nabokov.
The greatest work by the greatest novelist to ever live. There’s no way to really describe it. It’s just a masterpiece and a book I re-read every year.
Groundbreaking-Eye10 on
If I had to just choose one:
Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast Trilogy
Jaibacrustacean on
I Got a couple favorites:
1. The Plain in Flames by Juan Rulfo. A collection of short stories taking place in rural México, a lot of them make references to the aftermath of the revolution or violence in general.
2. The Thin Lands by Agustín Yáñez. The decades old monotonous “order” brought about by the appetites and desires of a rich family in an empoverished region are suddenly at risk with the arrival of a new “big fish” to the pond, shenanigans ensue, but will this be truly for the better of the land?
3. The Name of the Rose. Medieval mystery, lots of religion, lots of monks, lots of philosophical debates and loooots of text, it’s a thick book to be sure but I certainly enjoy it.
mint_pumpkins on
I refuse to choose less than three so I will give top three 🙂
Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss – fantasy, amazing world building, two interesting magic systems, and a main character I’m incredibly emotionally invested in, this book is a part of who I am honestly, just be warned this series is unfinished, but I personally think it’s worth it unfinished
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison – fantasy of manners, the emotional connection to the main character is huge for me here, I loved the world and the characters, the main theme of hope and compassion means so much to me and changed my outlook in a lot of ways
A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland – my favorite romance, obsessed with the main leads and the other characters, loved their slow burn journey to accepting themselves and each other and their feelings, loved the world and overall vibe
TheBloodsuckerProxy on
John Dies at the End by Jason Pargin.
BJntheRV on
Hunger Games – my most reread
Thursday Next series – love for the cross – genre and perfect for people who love literature but want something fun that crosses into sci-fi and fantasy.
Parable of the Sower – Have only read once (very recently) but knew it would be a favorite before I was even 25% IN. Prescient and I just can’t get it outta my head.
14 Comments
For me personally, the book that hit my stereotypes hard, sort of awakened me from a long sweet dream of everyday “false” way of life was the Qur’an. I am truly amazed to see how logically congruent and consistent it is, despite having been known and in everyday use for centuries…
Okay all time fave… god so hard, but probably What Happened to Lani Garver by Carol Plumucci.
It was the first book I ever read about feeling like you belong but also don’t belong with the people around you when you’re a teen, and also about the gender binary.
It equal parts petty teen drama, coming of age and deep thought provoking.
My answer might change depending on my mood but currently I’ll say *The Sisters Brothers* by Patrick deWitt. It’s a crime-y old west setting where two contract killer brothers are on a mission. It’s my favourite (currently) because I think Eli Sisters is one of the best characters I’ve ever come across.
It’s hard to choose, so I will be in part influenced by nostalgia.
I read The World According to Garp at 14 and it blew my mind. Still does on every re-read.
Can you define ‘favorite’? Because ‘favorite’ could mean a spectrum, anything from: Changing my perspective on life in a visceral way; Learning a point of view at a crucial point in my maturity; encapsulating a genre I had never appreciated before; or so beautifully crafted it took me to a higher level of respect for the written word.
Inspiration? Heartbreak? Plot, character, atmosphere, setting?
For the above, those books (for me) are all fiction and there is not just one. Non-fiction could be a whole other beast.
I guess I’m asking what specifically you are looking for.
The Stars Don’t Lie by Boo Walker
Zoya by Danielle Steel
Granny Dan by Danielle Steel
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. It’s about two Jewish cousins who become major players in the comic book industry during WW2. The story is just kind of crazy and covers a lot of ground (stage magic, escape artistry, comic book characters, wartime propaganda, Salvador Dali, domestic terrorism, artist exploitation, Jewish identity, sexuality, censorship, espionage…) while doing a good job of grounding itself in the relationship between the two leads. Also… Chabon has a really metaphor-heavy writing style that is really… pretty? For lack of a better word I suppose. It gives everything a real sense of grandeur.
“The Count of Monte Cristo” has been my favorite, and my guide, for most of my life.
Ada, or Ardor, by Nabokov.
The greatest work by the greatest novelist to ever live. There’s no way to really describe it. It’s just a masterpiece and a book I re-read every year.
If I had to just choose one:
Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast Trilogy
I Got a couple favorites:
1. The Plain in Flames by Juan Rulfo. A collection of short stories taking place in rural México, a lot of them make references to the aftermath of the revolution or violence in general.
2. The Thin Lands by Agustín Yáñez. The decades old monotonous “order” brought about by the appetites and desires of a rich family in an empoverished region are suddenly at risk with the arrival of a new “big fish” to the pond, shenanigans ensue, but will this be truly for the better of the land?
3. The Name of the Rose. Medieval mystery, lots of religion, lots of monks, lots of philosophical debates and loooots of text, it’s a thick book to be sure but I certainly enjoy it.
I refuse to choose less than three so I will give top three 🙂
Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss – fantasy, amazing world building, two interesting magic systems, and a main character I’m incredibly emotionally invested in, this book is a part of who I am honestly, just be warned this series is unfinished, but I personally think it’s worth it unfinished
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison – fantasy of manners, the emotional connection to the main character is huge for me here, I loved the world and the characters, the main theme of hope and compassion means so much to me and changed my outlook in a lot of ways
A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland – my favorite romance, obsessed with the main leads and the other characters, loved their slow burn journey to accepting themselves and each other and their feelings, loved the world and overall vibe
John Dies at the End by Jason Pargin.
Hunger Games – my most reread
Thursday Next series – love for the cross – genre and perfect for people who love literature but want something fun that crosses into sci-fi and fantasy.
Parable of the Sower – Have only read once (very recently) but knew it would be a favorite before I was even 25% IN. Prescient and I just can’t get it outta my head.