The Company, what you said remains me of something I learned as a kid because I moved around quite often. That is your problems are a function of you, not necessarily your environment. I’m always running into ppl that think it’s where they live is the root of there issues, when clearly it’s just them.
That's a great list. I don't think I've read anything that's made me think quite as much as Discworld has. Pratchett just touches on so many various things over the course of those books . . . you can (and I will) re-read them multiple times over the years and they'll still be impactful.
I'm re-reading White-luck Warrior right now (about 20% in) and I'm embarrassed how much I didn't remember from my first read of this book, so my mind is being re-blown.
I loved 'Stoner' and also 'Augustus' by the same author. 'Flowers for Algernon' broke me (in a good way) and it's a book I keep coming back to years later. 'The Sparrow' by Mary Doria Russell handled first contact with aliens in a way I hadn't read before and also gave me a lot of food for thought.
Awesome video Zara! I really appreciate the honesty about how some of these books impacted you. Of these, I've only read Stoner, but I fully concur with you on it. It really was a great reminder of how a normal life can also be a great life.
Flowers I read it because of your recommendation and it was instant top-5; an incredible book (and I had to finish it with tissue paper at hand!). I haven't read anything of Butler mostly due to some of her recurrent themes; I sorely need to! Book of the New Sun is definitely such an incredible series! Great selection Zara, they're all amazing books!
Thanks! You really do need to read Butler! I know you will love (as much as one can love a book about slavery) Kindred! Still makes me so happy you loved Algernon as much as you did/do!
First of all, I am so glad you are in a much better place physically and mentally now than you were a few years ago. I had never been interested in The Death of Ivan Ilych before, but your pitch and experience with it really sold me. And gosh, couldn't agree more with Kindred. I don't know if I can stomach ever rereading that book 😅 Some books that made me speechless are The Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu, Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (non fiction), A Sorrow Named Joy by Sarah Chorn, and My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell.
Thanks Esmay :) yeah, it’s truly a remarkable read. I think you’d probably enjoy it. A lot of those books you’ve mentioned are on my list. Dandelion dynasty is so high up my list hahaha, but I have anxiety about starting it. I’ve not heard of My Dark Vanessa but I will check out out!
"On the Beach by Nevil Shute (1957) had this effect on me haha 😂😂 I still haven't found a book that can top the emotional impact that book had on me by the end 😭😭
Offttt, I was going to ask you why but I think I'll go into it with zero expectations. I actually purchased this on ebook last year, and I'm assuming that was thanks to you! I will try and get to this in the next few months.
I love Flowers for Algernon! Curious if you've read Understand by Ted Chiang, it's a similar story in a way but told very differently. I think it's included in one of his incredible short story collections. Also a big fan of Book of the New Sun, but haven't read any of these other picks - will have to check them out!
awesome list - mine would include two tiny-but-mindblowing books by tarjei vesaas - "the ice palace" and "the birds" (best in that order) - and maybe "spider" by patrick McGrath (the confusion revealed at the halfway point is to me the ultimate nightmare - but boy is it gripping!) note to self: read "musashi"
Great stuff! -I finally purchased Flowers For Algernon. Now just need to get around to reading it... -7:05: "...what it means to be an unproductive member of society and how people's perceptions of you change when that happens." Yup, that's me. -11:09: I agree - it IS incredibly scary that humans haven't learned the lessons we should have learned by now, and the directions we are heading as a result! -13:11: Slavery absolutely still exists, even in the US - look at the inmates who are being paid an average of $0.63/hour working within for-profit prison systems.
My made me pause book(s) was Cormac McCarthy's duo of The Passenger/Stella Maris, The Road...ok, most of McCarthy's books lol but those two plus The Crossing, Outer Dark, The Sunset Limited, The Stonemason, and Crime & Punishment. A little Anna Karenina too 😅
Noooo my comment was cancelled. Alas, agreed on McCarthy. The Road is one I still think about. I will likely pick up The Passenger next. Crime and Punishment needs no explanation haha.Unfortunately I filmed this video before I read it, but I guess I now have an excuse to do a part 2. Anna Karenina! It's so bloody long haha.
@@bookswithzara Stupid YT!!! You definitely need to read Stella Maris very very soon after The Passenger. It feels like the whole story comes full circle at that point (and it's pretty short and gives context to things that happen in TP).
