Name Some 'Good Books' You Would Recommend
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The Power of Positive Thinking Wait Til Helen Comes Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Superfudge The Great War for Civilization, by Robert Fisk Confessions of an Economic Hitman, by John Perkins The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli God is Not Great, by Christopher Hitchens (inflammatory title, but probably the most sophisticatedly articulated and most well-argued case for anything that I have ever read) The Conquest of Happiness, and In Praise of Idleness, both by Bertrand Russell Wonders of Life, and Wonders of the Universe, both co-written by Brian Cox and Andrew Cohen 2
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@Arsenal Any & all genres are welcome. Personally, I have an interest in (mostly) all genres aside from erotic-romance type books. Aside from that; I enjoy Science, History, Philosophy, Classics, Poetry, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Comic Books, Fiction, Mystery, Political, ect. ect. I read about two books a week. And have been for years now. Great--I used to get through 2-3 a week (average) when combining reading & listening to audiobooks (which I was able to do at work) when I attended Community College. However, since I transferred to University, that has slowed down significantly due to course load. Mostly now, I only get to independently read books here and there while keeping up with going through audiobooks (during commute & general down/between time) as my main method/means. 2
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Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts , here’s a synopsis from wiki the book is a brilliant and highly enjoyable page turner Shantaram is a 2003 novel by Gregory David Roberts, in which a convicted Australian bank robber and heroin addict who escaped from Pentridge Prison flees to India. The novel is commended by many for its vivid portrayal of tumultuous life in Bombay. Quick Facts: Author, Country … The novel is reportedly influenced by real events in the life of the author, though some claims made by Roberts are contested by others involved in the story. Plot summary In 1978, Roberts was sentenced to a 19-year imprisonment in Australia after being convicted of a series of armed robberies of building society branches, credit unions, and shops. In July 1980, he escaped from Victoria’s Pentridge Prison in broad daylight, thereby becoming one of Australia's most wanted men for the next ten years. The protagonist Lindsay (according to the book, Roberts' fake name) arrives in Bombay carrying a false passport in the name of Lindsay Ford. Mumbai was supposed to be only a stopover on a journey that was to take him from New Zealand to Germany, but he decides to stay in the city. Lindsay soon meets a local man named Prabaker whom he hires as a guide. Prabaker soon becomes his friend and names him Lin (Linbaba). Both men visit Prabaker's native village, Sunder, where Prabaker's mother decided to give Lin a new Maharashtrian name, like her own. Because she judged his nature to be blessed with peaceful happiness, she decided to call him Shantaram, meaning Man of God's Peace. On their way back to Mumbai, Lin and Prabaker are robbed. With all his possessions gone, Lin is forced to live in the slums, which shelters him from the authorities. After a massive fire on the day of his arrival in the slum, he sets up a free health clinic as a way to contribute to the community. He learns about the local culture and customs in this crammed environment, gets to know and love the people he encounters, and even becomes fluent in Marathi, the local language. He also witnesses and battles outbreaks of cholera and firestorms, becomes involved in trading with the lepers, and experiences how ethnic and marital conflicts are resolved in this densely crowded and diverse community. The novel describes a number of foreigners of various origins, as well as local Indians, highlighting the rich diversity of life in Mumbai. Lin falls in love with Karla, a Swiss-American woman, befriends local artists and actors, landing him roles as an extra in several Bollywood movies, and is recruited by the Mumbai underworld for various criminal operations, including drug and weapons trade. Lin eventually lands in Mumbai's Arthur Road Prison. There, along with hundreds of other inmates, he endures brutal physical and mental abuse from the guards, while existing under extremely squalid conditions. However, thanks to the protection of the Afghan mafia don "Abdel Khader Khan", Lin is eventually released, and begins to work in a black market currency exchange and passport forgery. Having traveled as far as Africa on trips commissioned by the mafia, Lin later goes to Afghanistan to smuggle weapons for mujahideen freedom fighters. When his mentor Khan is killed, Lin realizes he has become everything he grew to loathe and falls into depression after he returns to India. He decides that he must fight for what he believes is right, and build an honest life. The story ends with him planning to go to Sri Lanka, which lays the premise for the sequel to this book. 2
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A Brief History of Time.....Stephen Hawking Any historical fiction book by Jeff Shaara. The Selfish Gene...or The Greatest Show on Earth by Richard Dawkins. James RR Martin's Game of Thrones series Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card Foundation series by Isaac Asimov A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Flags of Our Fathers Any of the "Killing..." Books by Bill O'Reilly ....happy reading....hope this helps! Cheers, mate. @Arsenal Great--thanks for the list & it does help. I have read: -A Brief History of Time -Selfish Gene & The Greatest Show on Earth -Ender's Game -Catcher in the Rye -Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy I have long been interested in reading 'Game of Thrones' and 'Foundation series'--I suppose I will put it higher on my priority list, then. I have not previously had any interest in reading O'Reilly books, however your assessment of them as worthwhile has sparked my interest and I will be sure to read at least one rather than simply 'judging a book by its cover', as I have currently been doing. Also, have you read any of the Shapiro or Coulter books? If so, thoughts? Also, have you seen the 'Enders Game' movie adaptation? |
