I’m about to graduate from college, and I am finding myself in the midst of a massive life decision. I’m debating between very different career paths. Throughout my life, I’ve always found books to be a useful way to give me fresh perspective that may, or may not, help illuminate the path ahead. Thus, I am looking for a suggestion — something that might be provocative and perspective changing, but is also just a good read. Overall, I exclusively read fiction and my all time favorite books are:
The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky
The Glass Bead Game by Hesse
The Bell Jar by Plath
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
1Q84 by Murakami
For other books I like, definitely other more philosophy books (Man’s Search for Meaning, Crime and Punishment, Siddhartha, etc..), and then tons of sci-fi and fantasy (Dune, Priory of Orange Tree, etc…). I’d say my least favorite books are probably The Sirens of Titan, The Handmaid’s Tail, The Alchemist, etc..
Thanks for the help I appreciate it!
by AlternativeKiwis
3 Comments
Midnight Library by Matt Haig is exactly what you’re looking for. I read it when I was at a similar crossroads and while it didn’t help me decide one way or another but it did help alleviate some anxiety about it. Really cool read
Idk if that would be your jam, but I really enjoyed Finding the Heart Sutra by Alex Kerr. It’s a non-fiction analysis of a short buddhist text, which sounds absolutely boring, and I need to add I’m not even a buddhist. BUT the way it’s written, I was obsessed. It’s a mix of western and eastern perspectives on a set of philosophy ideas, interlaced with author’s memories that are just pure magic. Helped me wrap my head around a lot of issues I had as a very anxious control-freak of a human being.
The Brothers Karamazov is my favourite book too!
My second favourite is a sci-fi book called Hyperion. I have read Dune and enjoyed it but Hyperion is ten times the book for me, Simmons writes so elegantly and the structure of the book is non-standard, almost in a sense of LoTR where people say the early films are just them “walking somewhere”, the same in some ways can be said for this book, it is split into a few short stories of the main character’s backgrounds, each about 50-80 pages, and the reason they are on the journey. Each of these short stories is so distinct, vibrant and emotional. It is one of the few books I wish I could read them again for the first time.
If you want a slightly more esoteric Russian book, Tolstoy’s The Cossacks is great, it’s a semi-autobiographical book about the sense of belonging and love (and a pretty easy read, but you seem to like heavier books).
Also goes without saying that I assume Notes from the Underground is on your to-read list, if not, I am sure you will love it!