An Incredibly Large List of Stuff I Think You’d Enjoy Reading.
Today sucks. Tomorrow likely will as well. If you’re reading this, you’re likely being rather responsible. Keep it up.
Books are roughly ordered from “Sci-Fi/Fantasy to Non-Fiction”. Or “Fun to Think”. Whatever.
I earnestly believe everything I’ve put below is worth reading, and will either provide entertainment, mild enlightenment, both, or neither. However, I fucking LOVE everything on this list. I hope you do too.
Good luck.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress — Robert Heinlein
One of my top 3 sci-fi books of all time and the one that got me reading Heinlein..and rekindled my desire to read in the first place some 3–4 years ago. Revolution on the moon, some realpolitik, a fascinating read.
Stranger in a Strange Land — Also by Robert Heinlein
This ones a trip. Man comes from Mars, eventually convinces us to eat him. Jubal Harshaw is the fictional grandpa I always wanted.
The Forever War — Joe Haldeman
Another top 3 sci-fi for me. SO good. I’ve yet to find someone who didn’t thoroughly love this book.
Dune — Frank Herbert
Classic, must read Sci-Fi. World building is on another level.
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy — Douglas Adams
“In the beginning the universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.”
The Martian Chronicles — Ray Bradbury
A novel that reads more as an amalgamation of short stories regarding Earth’s colonization of Mars. It’s really cool.
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August — Claire North
Don’t want to give too much away with a description. Trust me this book owns. Fictional. About a dude named Harry…August. Shoutout to Conrad for the recommendation on this one.
Lord of the Rings/A Song of Ice & Fire/ The Wheel of Time/ Harry Potter
Fans will hate me for lumping all of these together I know.
I recommend reading the LOTR Trilogy first because you’re suddenly recognize how much of the current fantasy genre Tolkien inspired. Same with Jordan and the Wheel of Time. The series is 18000++ pages, dude died before he could even finish it but its GOOD (books 5–9 are a bit slow though, glhf).
Harry Potter goes without saying.
ASOIF is my favorite book series of all time, though I recommend if you haven’t started, set an alarm on your phone for ~20 years from now because by then the whole set will hopefully be finished. I’ve been suffering since 2011. Others since the 90’s…..
Perks of Being a Wallflower — Stephen Chbosky
We accept the love we think we deserve.
The Count of Monte Cristo — Dumas
The ULTIMATE book about revenge, redemption, and how to give a proper fuck you. & also why perhaps you don’t want to devote your life to vengeance. It’s a classic for a reason.
The Alchemist — Paulo Cuehlo
I read this at the perfect time in my life for it to have a profound impact on me. I don’t know if this novel will teach you any lessons you don’t already know, but it’s worth a try.
The Book Thief — Markus Zusak
It’s narrated by DEATH. But it’s a book you could read to your kids. Or enjoy as an adult.
What more do you want.
After Dark / Norwegian Wood — Haruki Murakami
Murakami’s hit or miss for most people, but these are my two favorites. After Dark is an easy read on a beach day or snuggled by the fire. My personal favorite. The latter is far more melancholy and bittersweet.
Fight club — Chuck Pahulniak
It’s better than the movie.
The Princess Bride — William Goldman
THE ULTIMATE TALE OF LOVE AND REVENGE. The movie is my favorite of all time. Make sure you get the right translation though because the extended version includes an extra 100 pages of food description.
American Godz — Neil Gaiman
This one’s really hard to describe. I’d recommend just going in blind, with an open mind. If you’re an American, DEFINITELY pick this one up; if not, you still should, it just won’t have as many tie-in’s to what you learned in high school history.
Shogun — James Clavell
Historical fiction set in Japan during the Bushido era. If you like:
Samurai
Political Maneuvering
Japan
Adventure
Or any combination of the above, read this.
For Whom the Bell Tolls — Hemingway
This was the first Hemingway I picked up. While I’ve read some more of his since then this remains, by far, my favorite.
East of Eden — Steinbeck
Fuck me man. A story about…nothing. And everything. Just life i suppose. You should really read this book. I’m a huge fan of Of Mice & Men as well, but this one is truly Steinbeck’s masterpiece and if you read anything by him it should be this. Timshel.
White Tiger — Aravind Adiga
Drops you right in the middle of India. So much fun, I read this on a flight (domestic, it’s short) in one sitting.
The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao — Junot Diaz
AMAZING. The most vivid and believable universe i’ve ever experienced in a book. Was like having VR in my mind. I grew up a few turnpike exits away from where the majority of this novel takes place so it might resonate with me more than most, but if you appreciate a good story, and writing, above all flawless writing, this is it.
On The Road — Jack Kerouc
Adventure, sex, drugs, driving on the road. If you like these things read this book.
Cat’s Cradle — Kurt Vonnegut
My favorite from my favorite author. Tough to explain. So it goes.
The Complete Maus — Art Spiegalman.
The only graphic novel to win the Pulitzer. I recommend reading this without looking too much into it.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being — Milan Kundera
Honestly can’t write a blurb about this one. There’s a quote by Alan Bennett;
“The best moments in reading are when you come across something — a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things — which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours.”
That was the ENTIRE book for me. It was profoundly moving, in addition to providing some appreciated assurance that I while I may be an utter lunatic, I am not alone.
PS. While this isn’t my “favorite”/most read book, honestly if I had to pick ONE, just one, that you MUST read, it’s this one. As a warning it is also the book with, in my opinion, the strongest gutpunch imaginable. It did a number on me at least.
The Stranger — Albert Camus
You’ll likely read 90% of this wondering why it’s famous. By the end you’ll know why. Not exactly a light read though, so save it for a rainy day.
Code Name Verity — Elizabeth Wein
If you’re ever in need of a gift for a girlfriend/wife/daughter/loved one in your life, this would be my go-to. & just because the protagonists are two badass females i’m not saying that a girl is GUARANTEED to like it, nor does it mean a man WOULDN’T enjoy it. However there are two badass female protagonists and there just aren’t many novels I’ve seen that can say that.
The Good War — Studs Terkel
You’ve prolly noticed this, but a lot of what I love was written around/inspired by events in World War II. This is an incredible first person account of what it was like to be there. To live it. To experience what will hopefully be humanity’s last “Great” war. Told solely through first person interviews conducted by the author, this is history alive in your hands.
Waiting for the Barbarians — J. M. Coetzee
Weird. Different. Desert. Moral lessons. Super cool read.
1984 / Animal Farm — George Orwell
It’s tough for me to decide which of these I prefer. In 2020 especially, both of these should be required reading.
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Self explanatory really, a story of a single day of a man inside one of Stalin’s gulags. It’s fictional, but as the author spent eight long years inside of one before writing this book it’s safe to say it’s thoroughly grounded in reality.
Meditations — Marcus Aurelius
An excellent introduction to stoicism, the author is straight up pouring out his soul/philosophy. If I had the chance to grab lunch with any three people from history, I’d be sitting there with Christopher Lee, Alexander Shulgin & Marcus (Freddie would be playing piano). The translation is a bit rough (it’s ~1900 years old) so it’ll take some time to get through.
How to Win Friends and Influence People — Dale Carnegie
The title makes this book seem like it’s about manipulating people into liking you, it isn’t. Imagine it’s written by Mr. Rogers. This is legit, THE book on how to better relate to people. And it’s super simple. Mostly breaks down to hey, uh, dude; Be Kind. Listen. Try to take more than your share of the blame, less than your share of the credit. In general just be better. And don’t be a douchecanoe.
The Last Lecture — Randy Pausch
Also known by the title “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”, the book is based on the last lecture given by the renowned Carnegie Mellon CompSci professor & Alice creator a few months before he succumbed to pancreatic cancer.
“It’s not about how to achieve your dreams, it’s about how to lead your life”.
This is How — Surviving what you think you can’t — Augusten Burroughs
Augusten Burroughs is one of my favorite modern authors (which I think just means he’s still alive). This was his sixth book, written after “he’d made enough money”. It’s “Self Help”…but not really. More the sometimes cyclical, cynical life advice a longtime sufferer is sharing with you. It’s different. I’d estimate that out of 10 of you, 6 will love it, 1 will meh, 2 won’t finish, and 1 guy is gonna think I’m just a terrible person. If you want to read his novels start with his debut, “Running with Scissors”. Neither this nor that is kid friendly, PG13+.
Snow Falling on Cedars — David Guterson
Drama centered around the Puget Sound during World War II. I believe this should be required reading for all Americans. If you weren’t aware, we spent a couple of years forcibly transporting American citizens of Japanese descent into camps. Excellent book about some terrible times.
Incerto (The Black Swan, Fooled by Randomness, The Bed of Procrustes, Antifragile, Skin in the Game) — Nassim Nicholas Taleb.
A goddamn brilliant human being. Your understanding of the world will vastly improve if you read all of the above. If by some miracle someone he knows reads this, Nassim I’d have lunch with you before anyone else alive.
The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, What the Dog Saw, David & Goliath, Talking to Strangers — Malcolm Gladwell
I had to check his wikipedia because I forgot exactly which books I’ve read from Gladwell. Turns out, I’ve read them all. Much like Taleb, Gladwell will fundamentally improve the way you think and reason.
Man’s Search for Meaning — Victor Frankl
Holocaust survivor and founder of the third Viennese school of psychotherapy. If you are struggling with finding purpose and often question what the fuck it is you’re doing here on planet, well, give this a try.
“suffering is a gas; it expands to fill its container”
MY CHILDHOOD — Things to read to your damn kids stuck inside with you for the next four weeks.
White Fang / The Call of the Wild — Jack London
These are what I’d say are my by far, most read books. Think I found them when I was….7?8? Sometime long AF ago. Needless to say they’re both about Dogs that do some dope shit back in the Gold Rush days. Appropriate for all ages, they’re just goddamn great novels and you can read them alone or to your kid or something whatever works.
Where the Wild Things Are — Maurice Sendak
The book of my toddlerhood. My grandma and I read this together no less than 30 times when I was a kid.
The Giving Tree — Shel Silverstein
Man i love this book, but seriously fuck that dude. Trees for life.
The Little Prince —Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
If I was in a mall, had 5 minutes to find a present for someone I cared for, I’d run to a bookstore and immediately buy this. I don’t think it’s possible to dislike the story, and even if you do it’s REAL short so it won’t last long.
Rainbow Fish — Marcus Pfister
We’re all just human. Or fish.
Where the Sidewalk Ends — A book of Shel Silverstein’s Poetry.
My favorites are “Blue Skin” and “Magic”.
Calvin and Hobbes full collection — Bill Watterson
Best comic of all time. Know what else is crazy? The author, Bill Watterson, never sold out. Otherwise we’d probably be on the fourth movie and you’d be drowning in merch.
Short Stories
I originally had put an asterisk next to the stories I thought were by far the best …then realized I’d starred all but one. I removed the loser, and can guarantee you will thoroughly enjoy, and be forced to think, thanks to everything below. I tried to order them as I did above, from “Fun → Think”.
The Mexican — Jack London is my favorite — Start with that one.
https://americanliterature.com/author/jack-london/short-story/the-mexican
THE KENTUCKY DERBY IS DECADENT AND DEPRAVED - HUNTER S. THOMPSON
https://kyforky.com/blogs/journal/the-kentucky-derby-is-decadent-and-depraved-by-hunter-s-thompson
The Most Dangerous Game — Richard Connell*
https://www.classicshorts.com/stories/danger.html
The Sound of Thunder — Ray Bradbury*
http://www.astro.sunysb.edu/fwalter/AST389/ASoundofThunder.pdf
Harrison Bergeron — Kurt Vonnegut*
http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/harrison.html
The Egg — Andy Weir
http://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html
The Lady or the Tiger — Frank R. Stockton
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/LadyTige.shtml
To Build a Fire — Jack London
https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/to-build-a-fire.pdf
Flowers for Algernon — Daniel Keyes
https://www.sdfo.org/gj/stories/flowersforalgernon.pdf
An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge — Ambrose Bierce
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/375/375-h/375-h.htm
The Last Question — Isaac Asimov*
https://www.multivax.com/last_question.html
The Ones That Walk Away From Omelas — Ursula K. Le Guin
I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream — Harlan Ellison
& HOW ABOUT SOME ESSAYS/BLOGS !!
https://www.matthewball.vc/all/themetaverse — on the “metaverse” — must read for esport ppl
https://www.city-journal.org/html/age-outrage-15608.html — on political polarization
https://humanparts.medium.com/aristotles-timeless-advice-on-what-real-friendship-is-and-why-it-matters-c0878418343f — artistotle’s opinions on true friendship
https://medium.com/@preethikasireddy/how-does-ethereum-work-anyway-22d1df506369 — How does ethereum work?
https://fs.blog/2014/05/hunter-s-thompson-to-hume-logan/ — Hunter S Thompson on Purpose.
https://www.avclub.com/15-things-kurt-vonnegut-said-better-than-anyone-else-ev-1798211255 — Fifteen lines from my favorite author, Kurt Vonnegut.
http://dbanach.com/sisyphus.htm — The Myth of Sisyphus, told from an alternative perspective.
https://www.pegc.us/archive/Articles/eco_ur-fascism.pdf--Author Umberto Eco on recognizing fourteen elements of Facism. Required reading in modern times.
https://valerietarico.com/2019/01/24/the-righteousness-and-the-woke-why-evangelicals-and-social-justice-warriors-trigger-me-in-the-same-way-- The dangers of dogma, whatever the source.
https://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/everyones-got-a-bill-belichick-story/ — Some of the best by Bill Belichick.
https://www.profgalloway.com/search-your-feelings — Regarding FAANG.
Actually you know what fuck it i did so many goddamn books HERES SOME POEMS.
Ozymandias — Percy Shelley
Risk — William Arthur Ward
Dulce et Decorum Est — Wilfred Owen
Cats Cradle Poem (Bird, Tiger, Man , google it)— Kurt Vonnegut
To close I’d like to share what I consider the most meaningful groupings of words I’ve discovered thusfar.
This was on my fridge for most of my adulthood (and will be again, if I ever have a fridge again). A passage from Charles Bukowski:
“If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start.
This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind.
It could mean not eating for three or four days.
It could mean freezing on a park bench.
It could mean jail.
It could mean derision.
It could mean mockery — isolation.
Isolation is the gift.
All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you’ll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds.
And it will be better than anything else you can imagine.
If you’re going to try, go all the way.
There is no other feeling like that.
You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire.
You will ride life straight to perfect laughter.
It’s the only good fight there is.”
I do not know who the Author is, but I’ve always loved this.
“I always think ill do great things,
and then i never try.
I just sit and feel ambitious,
While the days go whizzing by.”
The first poem I ever worked to memorize by choice was this one, Invictus by William Ernest Henley. It remains my favorite.
“Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.”
& if i had to summarize what exactly I’ve learned from ALLLL of the above, if you took just ONE THING from this entire text dump;
You don’t need to do something with your life.
Just do something with your day.
I hope you enjoy these. I know I did.
Wash your hands. Take some Vitamin D. #StayTheFuckHome.
I love you all,
— Kyle
