Best Book You Ever Read?

[emilynghiem]

I read a good book at least 1 hour a day now having worked my way up from 10 minutes. I am always on the lookout for more good books to add to my library. What are some of the most influential books you have read and why?

Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson are probably among
the most memorable influences from studying literature
(back when I had teachers who actually taught the art of English
before multicultural/diversity hit and European culture was
practically demonized). The influences from political satire,
and from having a traditional education as an 80s kid
(before the viral trend of America attacking itself like an immune disorder),
show in my own musical satires and political statements.
It's hard to trace all the sources, but Shakespeare, Swift, Moliere
could be some of the culprits to blame, along with my teachers
who inspired my creativity and humor, perhaps to a fault.

Two of my favorite books I most often give away
1. the Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
has spiritual wisdom presented in poetic natural language

2. HEALING by Francis MacNutt
that opens the door to understanding the process of healing
the causes of physical and mental sickness, and why it is
necessary to address all three levels of human body, mind and spirit
(particularly the process of deliverance and exorcism which
otherwise seems supernatural and unreal, but here is explained as a natural process)

As for the Bible and the Constitution:
3. My favorite is the King James / red letter version.

The best summary of the Bible I read and share with people
came from a Buddhist monk, who said the OT was about
living by the spirit of the law, and the NT was about living by the spirit of the law.
If you get the Two Great Commandments, and the New Commandment
given by Jesus, that summarizes the three levels of the Trinity and
how Jesus fulfills them as one, rejoining the love of God and love of man.

So if you get the "spirit of the message" then the rest follows.
[if you DON'T get the spirit of the laws, or spiritual process going on,
then no amount of reading or reciting the Bible is going to help.]

4. For the spirit of the Constitution ("consent of the governed" being from
the Declaration of Independence and not expressly in the Constitution itself),
the Bill of Rights, 14th Amendment, and the Code of Ethics for Govt Service
pretty much sum up the basic principles of governance for democratic process.

the Code of Ethics is probably the best written law I've read passed
within my lifetime, in 1980, unanimously by Congress which proves it is possible.
Too bad we don't follow or enforce it by holding Gov't to those standards.

But copies of the Code of Ethics, along with the Bill of Rights and 14th Amendment
are the written materials I give out most frequently.

 

[RandomVariable]

Anyone here an Emily Dickinson fan?

 

[edthecynic]

There's no way I could ever list just one. Here's just the first to come to mind:

The Great Gatsby
A Scanner Darkly
Snow Crash
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
The War of the Worlds
Watchmen (graphic novel)

And everything Hunter S. Thompson ever wrote.

One of my favorites too! I liked it much better than his more popular "Stranger In A Strange Land."

 

[theDoctorisIn]

There's no way I could ever list just one. Here's just the first to come to mind:

The Great Gatsby
A Scanner Darkly
Snow Crash
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
The War of the Worlds
Watchmen (graphic novel)

And everything Hunter S. Thompson ever wrote.

One of my favorites too! I liked it much better than his more popular "Stranger In A Strange Land."

Agreed.

 

[strollingbones]

justine or virtue amply rewarded....sade

separate peace ...knowles

tennessee Williams plays

 

[September]

-Myths from Mesopatamia (Oxford world classics)
-all Order of Nine Angles material (Anton Long, Kayla and Chloe, Shugz, etc)
-The Bible
-The Iliad
-The Quran
-Tao of Jeet Kun Do
-The Necronomicon (Simon)
-Luciferian Witchcraft (aka Grimoire of the Serpent)
-Mysteries of the Unknown (entire Time Life collection)
-MYTHS Tales of the Greek and Roman Gods
-The Dead Sea Scolls translations
-The Testament of Solomon
-Lesser Key of Solomon
-777 and other Qabalistic writings of Aleister Crowley
-Diary of a Drug Fiend
-Leonardo da Vinci (The complete paintings)
-Leonardo da Vinci (The graphic work)
-Necronomicon (Giger)
-Ramesses II (T.G.H. James)
-Hidden Codes and Grand Designs
-The Golden Dawn (Israel Regardie)
-The Mystery Traditions

Why? Cause this material is epic and badass and I love it

 

[whitehall]

I guess the post has degenerated from a lively argument about what's the best in literature to a dreary account of what the elitist snobs think we should appreciate.

 

[whitehall]

I'm afraid that the xxx generation couldn't care less about reading a novel or an exciting account of true heroism in print. I have a couple of smart grandsons who have never read a book for entertainment. It's a sad fact of life that we should be aware of but on the other hand they have a grasp of electronic gizmos that I will never have. Who is better off?

 

[tinydancer]

Different books at different times in life have had a profound influence on me. Some are just for the ages, some have been just for enjoyment and many for enlightenment.

I'll kick off with Journey to Ixtlan by Carlos Castaneda. Of course I loved all in his memoirs but the Yaqui way of knowledge deeply affected how I approached and embraced my life.

Knowing that Death was always over one's shoulder so one can live life to its fullest with every breath and when dying having the opportunity to dance before your end.

And to make certain one can dance for quite a while. I intend to dance a very long time.

Thank you Carlos and Don Juan...

“For me there is only the traveling on paths that have heart, on any path that may have heart, and the only worthwhile challenge is to traverse its full length--and there I travel looking, looking breathlessly.”
― Carlos Castaneda, The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge

 

[emilynghiem]

I'm afraid that the xxx generation couldn't care less about reading a novel or an exciting account of true heroism in print. I have a couple of smart grandsons who have never read a book for entertainment. It's a sad fact of life that we should be aware of but on the other hand they have a grasp of electronic gizmos that I will never have. Who is better off?

I think it is a give and take.
But the people who had BOTH the old school system that taught the classics and subjects in the old school tradition AND also have enough savvy to handle all the multimedia tech,
have the best of BOTH worlds.

Others who have only the old school or only the new school, I'm not sure they can access all the advantages the other has more of. I think the kids who were brought up in the 80s who had the best of both worlds do have more advantage, but on the flip side, have more RESPONSIBILITY for bridging the gaps between the old school and new school.

More advantages, more responsibility.
So it comes out even I guess!

 

[SmedlyButler]

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Probably the "better" book but I always preferred "Tom Sawyer". The story of Twain's Autobiography is fascinating glimpse into a great and creative mind.

 

[emilynghiem]

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Yes.

A combination of Mark Twain and the English teacher who taught this and other classics
likely influenced my sense of humor (that shows in my best and my worst writing).

I wish I could trace all the sources.

 

[SmedlyButler]

I read a good book at least 1 hour a day now having worked my way up from 10 minutes. I am always on the lookout for more good books to add to my library. What are some of the most influential books you have read and why?

but the one I've read the most often is "Catch 22". When I first picked it up I read it 3 times running, almost non-stop, I guess it just suits my sense of humor of the absurd perfectly. I've probably read it 30 times and still find many passages laugh-out-loud funny.

“There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.

"That's some catch, that Catch-22," he observed.

"It's the best there is," Doc Daneeka agreed.”

 

[SmedlyButler]

Catch 22 I read in school when if first came out. After a couple years in the Navy, I figured Heller had the military pegged pretty good. Politics too. We get these empty suits and expect they'll serve the people. I liked Milo Minderbender in the book. He subcontracted with the Germans to bomb his own base because he could do it cheaper, (but at least warned his buddies first). Milo, the first global corporatist. Profit first and screw everyone else. Mitt romney would be proud of him.

on this one and am glad to see I'm not the only one who appreciates the great and Universal Catch of all catches.

 

[SmedlyButler]

I'm afraid that the xxx generation couldn't care less about reading a novel or an exciting account of true heroism in print. I have a couple of smart grandsons who have never read a book for entertainment. It's a sad fact of life that we should be aware of but on the other hand they have a grasp of electronic gizmos that I will never have. Who is better off?

a couple weeks ago, "The Day we Found the Universe", a fascinating history of early 20th century astronomy. I could tinker in the kitchen or with a hobby and still be engaged in an educational and entertaining book. Now that's low end tech I know but still demonatrates the value of new mediums.

 

[koshergrl]

I don't trust people who pick one book (aside from a bible or koran) and base their entire philosophy on it. It shows a lack of balance...narrow mindedness and rigidity. Reading only broadens your horizons inasmuch as you allow it to. If you only read to enforce your own bias...what's the point?

 

[September]

I guess the post has degenerated from a lively argument about what's the best in literature to a dreary account of what the elitist snobs think we should appreciate.

Exactly who do you consider here to be an "elitist snob"? I only ask because you said that right after my post. If I was the target of your remark you should know that I don't feel any desire at all to get you to appreciate any of the material I mentioned.

The topic creator asked, "What are some of the most influential books you have read and why?" Those books were influential to me because they expanded my knowlege and views about spirituality, religions, mythologies, human nature, God, pagan deities, demons, moral balance, the Sabbats, witchcraft, divination, mysticism, astronomy, mankind's ancient past, art, philosophy, martial arts, war, egyptian temples & heiroglyphics, secret codes, symbolism, master oil painting, the occult, and more. If anyone is interested in those subjects... my list may actually prove quite resourceful.

He didn't ask "What is the best in literature" and I never suggested they were the best in literature. But they are some of my favorite books so far. If anyone is interested in those subjects... my list may actually prove quite resourceful.

 

[katsteve2012]

Man's Search for Meaning: Viktor E. Frankl, William J. Winslade, Harold S. Kushner: 9780807014271: Amazon.com: Books

Why?

It was one of the best books that I ever read, because I thought it offered great insight into how human suffering can propel some people to allow their survival instinct to take control and give them the courage to endure through the greatest of hardships.

 

[katsteve2012]

I read a good book at least 1 hour a day now having worked my way up from 10 minutes. I am always on the lookout for more good books to add to my library. What are some of the most influential books you have read and why?

One of my all time favorites was The Godfather. Great story on how easily some people can be manipulated.

 

[editec]

I read a good book at least 1 hour a day now having worked my way up from 10 minutes. I am always on the lookout for more good books to add to my library. What are some of the most influential books you have read and why?

I Claudius and Claudius the God are both fun reads if you like historical fiction.

Gore Vidal's Burr is also a hoot.

Tell us what you like and we can probably recommend books you'll enjoy