6 ms·
If you liked "Atlas Shrugged", you will love "East of Eden" by George Steinbeck. It has some passages on self-determination that puts anything found in Rand to
by jakevoytko 16y ago
If you liked "Atlas Shrugged", you will love "East of Eden" by George Steinbeck. It has some passages on self-determination that puts anything found in Rand to shame. It's a tome, and it starts slow - do yourself a favor and make it through the introduction of one of the villains, Kathy (chapter 8 or so). It doesn't slow down after that.
"The Watchmen" by Alan Moore. It may be a graphic novel, but the issues it raises on ethics and morality are chilling. I still think about the ending every now and then, and I haven't read it in over a year.
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. In addition to the primary themes on class, race, and the killing of innocents, it has an interesting thread on living with your own moral code.
"Catch 22" by Joseph Heller. Ostensibly a satire of the military, this is a good self-reflection on the American soul (circa 1961).
"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!". The life of a Nobel winning physicist and renowned professor doesn't have to be boring.
"Everything is Illuminated" by Jonathan Safran Foer. The premise is too complicated to describe here, but it really delves into the cruelty and self-protectionism of the human heart. Plus, its hysterical!
"Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Describes the horror of war and the effect it has on the rest of your life.
"Chronicle of a Death Foretold" by Gabriel Garcia Marques. Tells the story of a murder that everyone in town knew would happen, but nobody tried to stop.
- jet 16y agoThe first chapter of East of Eden is the most gorgeous chapter I've ever read! What do you mean it starts slow!?
- Hovertruck 16y agoI thought Slaughterhouse Five was great, but I think I found myself left thinking more after reading Breakfast of Champions.
- bherms 16y agoReally? I've read both (along with several other Vonnegut books), and I thought S5 was much more though provoking. Given how quickly his books read, I might have to reread Breakfast of Champions.
- silentbicycle 16y agoI really enjoyed _The Sirens of Titan_ and _Cat's Cradle_, too.
- sabat 16y agoIsn't that John Steinbeck rather than George?
- jakevoytko 16y agoYes. Somehow that survived three rereads. Thanks for the correction!
- makmanalp 16y agoSurely You're Joking is amazing. It's one of those books I can't get enough of, and I reread it several times. I wish I had such an interesting life.
- bherms 16y agoEvery one of those is on my list :) I've read Watchmen, Everything is Illuminated, and Slaughterhouse Five. All were fantastic. The film adaptation of Everything is Illuminated was actually very good too.
- mapleoin 16y agoCould you put into words the chilling issues about ethics and morality found in The Watchmen? I've read it some year ago, but I really can't remember anything striking, though I'd like to.
- wdr1 16y agoI believe he's referring to the end: If you could save the world, but to do so, you had to destroy New York City, could you? Should you? How much evil is acceptable in order to do good?
- brunoc 16y agoIf it turns out that you enjoy graphic novels, I'd recommend Alan Moore's "Promothea" as well.
- bmelton 16y agoThat is a splendid list. I'll add: "Sandman" by Neil Gaiman. Also a graphic novel, but this series literally reinvented comics to me, and to many other readers. "Lunar Park" by Bret Easton Ellis. Probably the safest introduction to Ellis if you aren't looking for a rampant gore-fest. Spooky, creepy, chilling, but also insightful, confounding and enlightening. "Catcher in the Rye" by JD Salinger. Mostly recommending as it fits into the above list, but I feel like it was missing. I personally felt it was overhyped, but I'm the odd man out, as everybody I've ever talked to considers it profound.
- desigooner 16y agoAmerican Gods by Neil Gaiman is pretty good as well .. very good infact ..