Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, this week's topic: Top Ten Books That Made Me Think.
1. Ishmael by Daniel Quinn - I know many complain that it is didactic but I still really enjoyed this novel.
2. We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver - this story provokes a lot of difficult questions and is a great book club choice.
3. Franny and Zooey by J. D. Salinger (I need to re-read this sucker!)
4. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell - religion and interplanetary travel...what a head trip!
5. 1984 by George Orwell - gotta question authority every once in awhile :)
6. Caucasia by Danzy Senna - really delves into issues of race and identity (highly recommended).
7. The Stranger by Albert Camus - gotta love some existentialist lit!
8. The Giver by Lois Lowry - one of the quintessential dystopian novels
9. The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta - how would you behave if "the Rapture" or something eerily similar happened and you were left behind?
10. Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse - great book! Makes you contemplate the transitory essence of life as well as brings up the point/counterpoint between religious adherence vs. partaking in worldly vices. This same theme is brought up in Hesse's Siddhartha which is also a fantastic and thought-provoking novel.
After looking at your list I need to read Franny and Zooey and the Sparrow. I can't believe I have not read them yet.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see your back!!!
Thanks Anne! Yes you must read both of those books...they're amazing!
DeleteWelcome back--I've missed you!
ReplyDeleteAww shucks, thanks Annie!
DeleteGood list and I agree with you about The Giver and 1984. I also have been wanting to read We Need to Talk about Kevin for quite sometime now.
ReplyDeleteOooh, you should! It's not an easy read but definitely thought-provoking.
DeleteWe Need to Talk About Kevin is a great book for this list!
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteAH, The Stranger! That is definitely a book that makes you think. Like you said, got to love existentialist lit! ;)
ReplyDelete~Allison @ Good Books and Good Wine
Wow, I was not expecting too many folks to be fans of The Stranger - PS I love your review additions to GB&GW!
DeleteNo YA! Yay! And now I will check out the rest of your site and start following you.
ReplyDeleteYay! Thanks for following, although I do read YA from time to time :)
DeleteI have never seen anyone else ever list The Sparrow on anything. I love that book. It is on my list also. Did you read the sequel?
ReplyDeleteNo I didn't, did you? Is it any good? I've read mixed reviews about it...
DeleteI want to read The Leftovers. I love the image on the cover!
ReplyDeleteOh man, how could I forget We Need to Talk About Kevin! That one and The Sparrow should have been high on my list. They both left me reeling for weeks!
ReplyDelete