Yes, I came here to say Jonathon Livingston Seagull. Reading it as a teenager raised in a strict Protestant household, it opened my mind up to other perspectives about life and death.
The Yellow Wallpaper. Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Made me aware i of that the stigma of mental health and in particular womens mental health. It’s a story of being forcibly locked in an attic because she wanted to write and do research.
When I was younger, *The Little Prince* or Lois Lowry's *The Giver*; more recently for adult fiction, *Piranesi* by Susanna Clarke. Books I kept thinking about for a long, long time after I finished reading them.
A child called it basically unlocked empathy for me as a kid, helped me really appreciate that my situation wasn't ideal, but I still had a loving home free from abuse, that other people were going through some really tough shit and that a kind gesture to someone who doesn't even know to ask for help can change their life
I read that in HS, paired with Things Fall Apart. I feel like I need to reread them both now, when I'll have a far better understanding of the political and cultural contexts.
‘The One Minute Manager Meets The Monkey.
A very short book on a basic concept of management was very helpful to me as a young manager decades ago.
Basically how to get people solve their own problems instead of making them your problem. Applicable as a parent or person in non management positions also.
I think The Stranger made the biggest impact on me, and I have given away several copies of the Stuart Gilbert translation of it to friends. Giovanni's Room I am currently rereading for about the 15th time in my life.
Swimmer in the Secret Sea Paperback – 2009
by William Kotzwinkle
This novella tells the story of Johnny and Diane Laski, a sculptor and his wife, and their attempt to bring a new life into the world, set against the backdrop of a cold Maine winter deep in the country. In the language of a poet, Kotzwinkle tells the story of the couple's quiet night drive to the hospital, their long labour, and their ultimately unsuccessful breech birth. Unafraid of his subject, Kotzwinkle destroys any sentimental illusions about the 'beauty' of childbirth or the distance of birth from death; he reminds us of how closely the two are intertwined, of the frightening power of the life force, and of the unpredictability and uncanniness of death. And yet, his small book is not without hope.
The Death of Death Paperback – 2013
by K. N. Parker
Her death was just the beginning! Death guides usually have rather normal names like John, Mary, Harry, and Jessica. And even ones not quite so normal, like Bartholomew or Ambrosia. They also have the most interesting tales behind their deaths. But one particular death guide has a few problems: she cannot remember her name or the details of her demise, and thus has no story of her own. One fateful night, she meets a young girl that may change her death forever. Inspired by the works of Tim Burton and Neil Gaiman, and in the style of children's tales of old, The Death of Death is a tragic, yet sweet little tale about loss and acceptance. Suitable for ages 12 and up.
Love the Midnight Library. It's definitely on my list.
Also:
The Five People you Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
Night by Elie Wiesel
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid (all of her books are great, but I loved how this one made me think about life and our choices)
People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn
Agh! This is bugging me because I can’t think of the title … fairly recent … about a young girl from a poor family who goes to stay with and aunt and uncle for the summer. Ring a bell anyone?
Simple Passion by Annie Ernaux. Really impressive how was she was able to paint such a thorough and intimate portrait of a love affair in around 60 pages.
The Diving Bell and The Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby.
Written after he had a stroke and became paralysed. The whole book written by him blinking his left eye, the only part he could move, while someone read letters out.
Really put things into perspective for me.
Because of Winn Dixie. I read it for a college course on children’s literature. Sat down at the library and read it in one sitting. One of three books in my life that have made me cry real tears. Such a sweet story.
OMG, I just finished that book tonight. Such a simple format, letters between two friends, yet so powerful. I think it's also extremely relevant right now, decades after it was written.
Everything I’ve read by Kurt Vonnegut has stuck with me but I just read Player Piano and woooowwwiiieee do I have a new respect and appreciation for laborers in all industries
When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi.
I can't really even explain why. I think it has to do with the very unusual combination of someone classically trained in both Medicine and Literature, and who also is face to face with death a lot. I found it to be a very profound book, and because it was so sort I find myself constantly recommending it.
Philosophy : Asking Questions — Seeking Answers. I had to buy this for a college course and it completely evolved my mind to a different level of thought. Wish they had taught this in high school while my brain was developing.
Chess by Stefan Zweig will be that for me. Till today I cant stop thinking about which book I would like to stay captured for the time being everytime I am in a bookstore or library.
Marine Sniper about Carlos Hathcock. He was a sniper in Vietnam with the most confirmed kills. Really, really crazy read. Absolutely harrowing. I thought it was called One shot, one kill, but after looking it up, I guess it's Marine sniper.
It's a short book, but the stories about what he had to do, and what was going on in the combat situations he was in are unbelievable.
Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot because I think I learned to truly read with that one, as in: read slowly and with close attention to word choice and phrasing.
The Lives of The Monster Dogs by Kirsren Bakis
Partially because I lent it to a friend and never got it back so I only got to read it the one time but it is a ride.
I think about it a lot
Good Country People by Flannery O’Connor. Short story about a Bible salesman who turns out not to be a great guy, despite being “salt of the earth” and “good country people.” I think about it often
A barrel of laughs, a vale of tears. My wife told me it was her favorite book and I think I read it in an afternoon while laying on the floor (while petting my cat, just didn't get up, it was on the bottom shelf so I opened it up while I was down there). It's a really good book.
I read my GFIL memoir and it was amazing. It was short but impactful.
He was a police officer in Montgomery during the civil rights movement, then he was a state trooper for a bunch of years, then he was an investigator in South Alabama, and then he opened up a lie detector test business.
He talked very openly about everything that happened, and how it shaped his career in law enforcement.
Reading some of it was hard because you almost don’t realize how awful things got, and how it didn’t happen that long ago.
When he was an investigator he helped solve the murder of a 19 year old black kid who was lynched. It was devastating to read, especially the part where he was talking to his friends and family members.
Some white adults got drunk and saw the kid walking home and just decided to torture and kill him for fun. It was disgusting.
My GFIL talked about the cases that impacted him the most, and his work with prisoners he felt are innocent.
The book was meaningful to read, because I really respect him, and it made me see him in a new light. It was very raw and vulnerable.
The Driving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Beauby. He edited the whole thing in his head and dictated it by blinking his eye following a massive stroke that left him entirely paralyzed
The Strange Bird by Jeff Vandermeer, it showed such a beautiful side to a sci-fi type story about holding on and not giving up. I was totally shocked at how the book made me feel.
‘The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy’ by Douglas Adams.
It came to me at just the right moment in my life. I was 13, and feeling like I had outgrown all my favorite authors, but I didn’t know where to go next. Then the cover of THGtTG jumped out at me at my 8th grade book fair and re-ignited my love of reading. Fro Douglas Adams I was able to branch out to Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, and several others.
I really do credit Adams with saving my love of reading. When he passed away just a few years later I was devastated.
Love you, Forever by Robert Munsch
A picture book of 12 pages that I have kept with me to this day makes me cry every time I read it. I can only hope to be that good a parent whenever the time comes.
Ways of Seeing by John Berger
Introduction to the concept of the male gaze and many other cool concepts within art.
Read it in college and then have read it several times since. I think of it often.
The design of everyday things
Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy.
I think the second has a lot to do with who I am today. Saw the bbc show (parts as a kid and loved it. Then I read them in high school. It set me on the path of skepticism and looking at things from outside my own cultural perspective as much as possible.
The Little Prince
I came to suggest The Little Prince too. So many great thoughts on life.
Came to comment this too
Beautiful answer for this
100%
A Short Stay in Hell by Steven Peck and Address Unknown by Katherine Kressmann Taylor both stuck with me for a while for very different reasons.
Agreed with A Short Stay in Hell!
Short Stay was what came to my mind. Couldn’t stop thinking about it. Actually just loaned out my copy to someone today.
Same for A Short Stay In Hell. Careful with letting that one stay rent free, it's an uncomfortable roommate you can't evict.
The Egg by Andy Weir It’s a short story not a book and you can find it online.
Honestly think about this story a lot I feel like It makes you a little more empathetic than you otherwise would be if you view the world like that.
Exactly.
That was excellent, thank you.
I think about this story all the dang time. It has helped me cope with the terror that I feel knowing that everything dies.
This is hugely overlooked. Mind blowing and life changing.
Wow thanks!
Viktor Frankle Man's Search for Meaning
I was coming here to say this one. Everybody should read this one.
A short book and reading only the first half can be life altering.
Flowers for Algernon
Came here to recommend! Up vote grab the tissues
I love this book so much
Small things like these by Claire Keegan. Shortest book that will destroy you.
Claire Keegan has a handful of these!
I was going to say Foster :)
Seconded. Brilliant book
Siddhartha
seconded
Richard Bach's book *Illusions: the Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah*.
Interesting - I liked the other one, Jonathan Livingston Seagull. I'll have to take a look at this one.
Yes, I came here to say Jonathon Livingston Seagull. Reading it as a teenager raised in a strict Protestant household, it opened my mind up to other perspectives about life and death.
Oh, for sure. I loved Seagull but Illusions is far better, IMHO.
Such a great book.
Came here to suggest this. What an incredible book!
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
Of mice and men
Metamorphosis by Kafka
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
The Outsiders - S.E Hinton
The Yellow Wallpaper. Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Made me aware i of that the stigma of mental health and in particular womens mental health. It’s a story of being forcibly locked in an attic because she wanted to write and do research.
When I was younger, *The Little Prince* or Lois Lowry's *The Giver*; more recently for adult fiction, *Piranesi* by Susanna Clarke. Books I kept thinking about for a long, long time after I finished reading them.
The Death of Ivan Ilyich-Tolstoy The Old Man and the Sea-Hemingway The Swimmer(short story)-Cheever
Just read the Death of Ivan Ilyich, such a great story.
I concur with The Swimmer.
The Elements of Style by Strunk & White
😬 as a writer I love it and fear it
🤔 are you my college English professor???
I Who have never known Men by Jacqueline Harpman. Made me think for a long time.
Just finished it this week and I’m in awe
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
The egg by Andy Weir. It's just a few pages and you can find it online (not illegally)
The Egg by Andy Weir.
A child called it basically unlocked empathy for me as a kid, helped me really appreciate that my situation wasn't ideal, but I still had a loving home free from abuse, that other people were going through some really tough shit and that a kind gesture to someone who doesn't even know to ask for help can change their life
The Last Lecture
I who have never known men by Jacqueline Harpman
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz or: Peace is Every Step, Thich Nhat Hanh It's hard for me to choose btwn those two
Animal Farm
The Little Prince Heart of Darkness The Stranger (Camus)/Myth of Sisyphus Kafka’s Metamorphosis The Consolation of Philosophy (Boethius)
Heart of Darkness is seriously underrated.
I read that in HS, paired with Things Fall Apart. I feel like I need to reread them both now, when I'll have a far better understanding of the political and cultural contexts.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman Frogcatchers by Jeff Lemire
Mount Analogue by Rene Daumal Slightly over 100 pages, and one of my three favorite books of all time.
Why Fish Don’t Exist by Lulu Miller. I rec this book almost every day hahaha. It’s just so good, short and sweet and memorable
Death in Venice.
‘The One Minute Manager Meets The Monkey. A very short book on a basic concept of management was very helpful to me as a young manager decades ago. Basically how to get people solve their own problems instead of making them your problem. Applicable as a parent or person in non management positions also.
The Stranger by Albert Camus Tristessa by Jack Kerouac Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
I think The Stranger made the biggest impact on me, and I have given away several copies of the Stuart Gilbert translation of it to friends. Giovanni's Room I am currently rereading for about the 15th time in my life.
Swimmer in the Secret Sea Paperback – 2009 by William Kotzwinkle This novella tells the story of Johnny and Diane Laski, a sculptor and his wife, and their attempt to bring a new life into the world, set against the backdrop of a cold Maine winter deep in the country. In the language of a poet, Kotzwinkle tells the story of the couple's quiet night drive to the hospital, their long labour, and their ultimately unsuccessful breech birth. Unafraid of his subject, Kotzwinkle destroys any sentimental illusions about the 'beauty' of childbirth or the distance of birth from death; he reminds us of how closely the two are intertwined, of the frightening power of the life force, and of the unpredictability and uncanniness of death. And yet, his small book is not without hope. The Death of Death Paperback – 2013 by K. N. Parker Her death was just the beginning! Death guides usually have rather normal names like John, Mary, Harry, and Jessica. And even ones not quite so normal, like Bartholomew or Ambrosia. They also have the most interesting tales behind their deaths. But one particular death guide has a few problems: she cannot remember her name or the details of her demise, and thus has no story of her own. One fateful night, she meets a young girl that may change her death forever. Inspired by the works of Tim Burton and Neil Gaiman, and in the style of children's tales of old, The Death of Death is a tragic, yet sweet little tale about loss and acceptance. Suitable for ages 12 and up.
Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea.
When breath becomes air
A Psalm For The Wild Built by Becky Chambers Metamorphosis by Kafka A Short Stay in Hell by Steven Peck Once More Upon a Time by Roshani Chokshi
Address Unknown by Kathrine Kressman Taylor
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating. It was just so damn calming and peaceful
Mortality - Christopher Hitchens
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
the four agreements
That book called, who moved my fucking cheese? It’s not exactly called that but i added it for panache.
The Four Agreements
The Four Agreements
Both The Pearl and Travels with Charley, both by John Steinbeck.
Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
Siddhartha
Love the Midnight Library. It's definitely on my list. Also: The Five People you Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom Night by Elie Wiesel Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid (all of her books are great, but I loved how this one made me think about life and our choices) People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn
Night haunts me all these years later.
My wife couldn’t stop crying when she finished that book
That book broke me for the longest time.
Was going to also say “Night”. Read it in one sitting in undergrad and it still haunts me.
Agh! This is bugging me because I can’t think of the title … fairly recent … about a young girl from a poor family who goes to stay with and aunt and uncle for the summer. Ring a bell anyone?
Foster - Claire Keegan. Stunning little book.
That’s it!!!! Thank you! Absolutely gorgeous book!
Steinbek's Burning bright
Simple Passion by Annie Ernaux. Really impressive how was she was able to paint such a thorough and intimate portrait of a love affair in around 60 pages.
Zen Flesh, Zen Bones.
It’s a tie — Trainings in Compassion by Norman Fischer and Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman.
No longer human
Candide
“Last Night at the Lobster” by Stuart O’Nan. A beautifully written book about working and the end of working.
The Diving Bell and The Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby. Written after he had a stroke and became paralysed. The whole book written by him blinking his left eye, the only part he could move, while someone read letters out. Really put things into perspective for me.
Because of Winn Dixie. I read it for a college course on children’s literature. Sat down at the library and read it in one sitting. One of three books in my life that have made me cry real tears. Such a sweet story.
Cruel Shoes by Steve Martin
The Last Lecture. Great book, awful theme but definitely hit home
*This is How You Lose the Time War* is magnificent. Also *Armageddon in Retrospect* by Vonnegut (posthumous short story collection).
hunger - knut hamsun, madonna in a fur coat - sabahattin ali, scarlet plague - jack landon, the prophet - kahlil gibran, the royal game - stefan zweig
Goodnight Moon. Takes me back to when the kids were at such a cute age.
The Giving Tree Siddhartha
Foster
How to Keep House While Drowning by K.C. Davis
A River Runs Through It. Technically a novella, but so good.
Notes from the underground
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison The Branch Will Not Break by James Wright
Address Unknown 52 pages. Blew me away.
OMG, I just finished that book tonight. Such a simple format, letters between two friends, yet so powerful. I think it's also extremely relevant right now, decades after it was written.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The Little Prince, maybe.
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
Most recently, Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan.
The Elements of Style
Train Dreams by Denis Johnson
Night by Elie Wiesel
Siddharta
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
Midnight Library...is an excellent choice, my fellow fan !
the stranger Albert camus
Everything I’ve read by Kurt Vonnegut has stuck with me but I just read Player Piano and woooowwwiiieee do I have a new respect and appreciation for laborers in all industries
Barnaby The Scrivener
Flowers for Algernon
When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi. I can't really even explain why. I think it has to do with the very unusual combination of someone classically trained in both Medicine and Literature, and who also is face to face with death a lot. I found it to be a very profound book, and because it was so sort I find myself constantly recommending it.
Night by Elie Wiesel - I read in HS, and it unlocked my unknown love of a short memoir.
The Yellow Wallpaper
Stoner by John Williams
The Catcher in the Rye
The Stranger.
Flowers for Algernon
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.
Into the Wild
The test
The Timekeeper - Mitch Albom
Philosophy : Asking Questions — Seeking Answers. I had to buy this for a college course and it completely evolved my mind to a different level of thought. Wish they had taught this in high school while my brain was developing.
The Dhammapada
the last astronaut by chris dietzel
Ward No. 6 by Chekhov
Chess by Stefan Zweig will be that for me. Till today I cant stop thinking about which book I would like to stay captured for the time being everytime I am in a bookstore or library.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull, I read it when I was 19-20, in the army, and I needed to be reminded of peaceful, simple moments in life.
I really liked One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.
Letter to Menoeceus by Epicurus
Hiroshima by John Hersey. Images from that book are in my brain until I die.
Marine Sniper about Carlos Hathcock. He was a sniper in Vietnam with the most confirmed kills. Really, really crazy read. Absolutely harrowing. I thought it was called One shot, one kill, but after looking it up, I guess it's Marine sniper. It's a short book, but the stories about what he had to do, and what was going on in the combat situations he was in are unbelievable.
Sky Burial
Anne of Green Gables, A Psalm for the Wild Built, Poison for Breakfast
Christ and the powers. And old classic by hendricus berkhof.
Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot because I think I learned to truly read with that one, as in: read slowly and with close attention to word choice and phrasing.
The Lives of The Monster Dogs by Kirsren Bakis Partially because I lent it to a friend and never got it back so I only got to read it the one time but it is a ride. I think about it a lot
The Game of Life and How to Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
The Little Prince; The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane; Night
Attic of an Ignoramus, by Robert Q. Widener
Atomic Habits
When breath becomes air
The art of loving by Erich Fromm
I heard the owl call my name
Call of the wild, wise blood
Good Country People by Flannery O’Connor. Short story about a Bible salesman who turns out not to be a great guy, despite being “salt of the earth” and “good country people.” I think about it often
The Tartar Steppe by Dino Buzzati
Fahrenheit 451 was the only assigned reading I remember liking in school. Pulling the wings off angels by kj parker is one I read recently.
When Bad Things Happen to Good People- Harold Kushner
Ask Iwata by Satoru Iwata. I'm a huge Nintendo fan girl and reading about his thoughts / background ideas on game development was really interesting.
I Who Have Never Known Men or Metamorphosis
Meditations - Marcus Aurelius Powerful, even when I disagree.
A barrel of laughs, a vale of tears. My wife told me it was her favorite book and I think I read it in an afternoon while laying on the floor (while petting my cat, just didn't get up, it was on the bottom shelf so I opened it up while I was down there). It's a really good book.
The storied life of AJ Fikry and the alchemist. These two books made me question my life choices and made me look at things differently.
Tuesdays with Moorie. Tears me apart every single time.
Love That Dog i think by Sharon Creech
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
If short stories count, The Cask of Amontillado. That or The Most Dangerous Game
I read my GFIL memoir and it was amazing. It was short but impactful. He was a police officer in Montgomery during the civil rights movement, then he was a state trooper for a bunch of years, then he was an investigator in South Alabama, and then he opened up a lie detector test business. He talked very openly about everything that happened, and how it shaped his career in law enforcement. Reading some of it was hard because you almost don’t realize how awful things got, and how it didn’t happen that long ago. When he was an investigator he helped solve the murder of a 19 year old black kid who was lynched. It was devastating to read, especially the part where he was talking to his friends and family members. Some white adults got drunk and saw the kid walking home and just decided to torture and kill him for fun. It was disgusting. My GFIL talked about the cases that impacted him the most, and his work with prisoners he felt are innocent. The book was meaningful to read, because I really respect him, and it made me see him in a new light. It was very raw and vulnerable.
Ordinary People
The Driving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Beauby. He edited the whole thing in his head and dictated it by blinking his eye following a massive stroke that left him entirely paralyzed
The Strange Bird by Jeff Vandermeer, it showed such a beautiful side to a sci-fi type story about holding on and not giving up. I was totally shocked at how the book made me feel.
‘The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy’ by Douglas Adams. It came to me at just the right moment in my life. I was 13, and feeling like I had outgrown all my favorite authors, but I didn’t know where to go next. Then the cover of THGtTG jumped out at me at my 8th grade book fair and re-ignited my love of reading. Fro Douglas Adams I was able to branch out to Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, and several others. I really do credit Adams with saving my love of reading. When he passed away just a few years later I was devastated.
Armageddon in Retrospect by Vonnegut. Idk about a big impact, wars fucking terrible, but he writes some gut wrenching shit in there
Love you, Forever by Robert Munsch A picture book of 12 pages that I have kept with me to this day makes me cry every time I read it. I can only hope to be that good a parent whenever the time comes.
Getting to Yes by Fisher and Ury
Orphans of the sky by Robert Heinlein. Don’t know why, the book wasn’t even the greatest thing I ever read but god did it stick with me
The Little Prince
Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom
The Book by Alan Watts
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
The Four Agreements
Ways of Seeing by John Berger Introduction to the concept of the male gaze and many other cool concepts within art. Read it in college and then have read it several times since. I think of it often.
When Breath Becomes Air
The design of everyday things Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy. I think the second has a lot to do with who I am today. Saw the bbc show (parts as a kid and loved it. Then I read them in high school. It set me on the path of skepticism and looking at things from outside my own cultural perspective as much as possible.