Books you Must Read Before You Die

[lionhog2k]

Also even though its technically a graphic novel everyone should read "Watchmen".

 

[ffxfriek]

1984 by George Orwell
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Edit: Add Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury to the list.
That's my list.

ive read animal farm and farenheit 451. both are mediocre but farenheit is much better by far.

as for me the paradise lost series

 

[Lyiat]

A must read i think is the Eragon series by Chris Palamoni.... i mat have spelled his last name wrong lol.

Paolini, and yes. The Eragon Cycle is an absolute must read. Just avoid the movie.

 

[DreamKing]

Anything by Neil Gaiman. The Tommyknockers, in my opinion, was Stephen King's best book.

 

[Moloch-De]

Sandman by neil gaiman

This. If you only read one comic series in your life, make it this.

Hmmm you will still go to hell if you don't manage to read another comics where the second one is "The Watchman"...but read sandman first

Edit: I just realised how many very likable people respond right now

 

[Hunde Des Krieg]

Gleam the lessons from any Micheal Chrichton book. Ignore the story if you must, although they are entertaining, but he had smart opinions about evolution, genetic engineering and global warming.
Also read Dune cuz it rocks, and Red Mars, Green Mars and Blue Mars.
And Farenheit 451 and 1984, both are important in our society today.
I also recommend Generation Kill, which is about Marines early on in the second invasion of Iraq.

 

[Asymptote Angel]

Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World for sure, and if you like them, try Atlas Shrugged. Really eye-opening stuff if you like considering the philosophical implications of free will.

 

[samsprinkle]

Wizards First Rule by Terry Goodkind! My favorite book EVER!

 

[Avatar Roku]

If you're into Sci-Fi, give David Weber a shot. The Honor Harrington series in particular, I've yet to read any Sci-Fi that's surpassed it. The best part is, its an 11 book series, so if you like it, you'll be entertained for a while.

 

[BIGpanda]

Anything by Neil Gaiman. The Tommyknockers, in my opinion, was Stephen King's best book.

rly? I've always found my self liking the dark tower series more over anything king has written. even after completing that mountain of steps I still find King overrated. but meh, I've recently had an eye for japanese comics, you know stuff that's actually original and not trying to be naruto, bleach, dragonball or one piece...

On that note if there's anyone who does by chance like J-comics and knows they will lose their life pretty soon I encourage you to read fist of the north star and jojo's bizzare adventure.

 

[jdog345]

Atlas Shrugged, if only to say I read the whole damned thing.

Spoiler: On an offnote, and somewhat ontopic, but mostly not

I am reading The Fountainhead, and just got to the part where Roark and Dominique...well, yeah. I can't believe. I just won't. I didn't expect that at all; I thought Roark was the good guy, with morals and ideals, and Keating was the two faced bad guy. But then...this! I underestimated you, Ayn Rand, well played. Well played indeed.


I still refuse to believe it though, whether or not she enjoyed it.

Such is the nature of reading Ayn Rand.

But, but, I wanted it to happen, just not like that, not like that.

Trust me, I know how you feel.

 

[the monopoly guy]

Atlas Shrugged, if only to say I read the whole damned thing.

Spoiler: On an offnote, and somewhat ontopic, but mostly not

I am reading The Fountainhead, and just got to the part where Roark and Dominique...well, yeah. I can't believe. I just won't. I didn't expect that at all; I thought Roark was the good guy, with morals and ideals, and Keating was the two faced bad guy. But then...this! I underestimated you, Ayn Rand, well played. Well played indeed.I still refuse to believe it though, whether or not she enjoyed it.

That part of the Fountainhead has always been argued, the fact is that Howard Roark IS the good guy...Rand said that 'if it was rape, then it was a rape of want' which just complicates things farther. Personally I think she was trying to hint at Dominique's urge for Roark but the reins of society keeping her from doing anything(symbolism at its best). Keating isn't really that bad of a guy, he's just horribly misguided...the other 'villains' of the novel

Spoiler

Gail Wynand and Ellsworth Toohey are taken as examples of the evils of certain systems (i.e. capitalism with the urge to destroy, and socialism, with the urge to dominate)

Roark's speech at the end is one of the most powerful things I've ever read. It almost makes you forget his little 'issue' from before. Almost. Still, all of Rand's work should be praised.

As should one Warren Ellis' work. Transmetropolitan, although a graphic novel, is by far superior to many novels out there. Strong plot, amazing characters, insane setting, and a message that we should all learn.

*as a single teardrop runs down his face*
This, this is why I love the Escapist.


Now, see, I neer identified Toohey as a bad guy, this early in the book there is no real hint that he is bad, other then his bashing of modern architecture. Gail Wynand is obvious, Francon outright states it, as does Cameron and Roark. I'm not very far, just at the point where Keating first meets Toohey. I suppose, Mallorey is it? The man who created "industry" knew that Toohey was bad.

I suppose it would be best to start a new thread, then to keep derailing this one.

 

[PersianLlama]

1984 by George Orwell
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Edit: Add Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury to the list.
That's my list.

ive read animal farm and farenheit 451. both are mediocre but farenheit is much better by far.

as for me the paradise lost series

What? They were both amazing, way above mediocre. I don't know what's wrong with you! I personally thought Animal Farm was better, but they were both great.